A76157:490
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the sovereign powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and welfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the soveraigne powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and wellfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons book-seller, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Direct. 1. Let the Pastors in each Country ⟨p. 276⟩meet together, and agree as one man in faithfulness, and self-denial, to do their duty; that the most conscionable may not be liable to the reproach of singularity, because the rest betray them, and the Church and Cause of Christ, by withdrawing, and leaving the work undone: so long hath the Church already suffered the neglect, even of godly Ministers, that in such a time of leave and help, we still hold off, and dare not venture on a little displeasure of the people, when our Ancestors ventured on the flames; I grieve to think what a shame it will be to our names, and to the Reformed Churches, and what a confusion it may bring upon our faces, before our Righteous Judge. And it is a grief to me, if I were sure of Magistrates assistance, that all our Enemies shall say, and that the Histories of this age shall tell posterity, that the Ministers of England, after fasting, prayers, wars and vows pretended for Reformation, would yet do little or nothing toward it, but preach; even in times of Liberty and encouragement, till the Magistrate did it: And that it must be the work of the Magistrate, after our unworthy, lazy, or treacherous desertion of it. Had we no more help then we have, we might do much, were we willing and unanimous.
Direct. 1. Let the Pastours in each Country ⟨p. 276⟩meet together, and agree as one man in faithfulness, and self-denial, to do their duty; that the most conscionable may not be liable to the reproach of singularity, because the rest betray them, and the Church and Cause of Christ, by withdrawing, and leaving the work undone: so long hath the Church already suffered the neglect, even of godly Ministers, that in such a time of leave and helpe, we still hold off, and dare not venture on a little displeasure of the people, when our Ancestours ventered on the flames; I grieve to think what a shame it will be to our names, and to the Reformed Churches, and what a confusion it may bring upon our faces, before our Righteous Judge. And it is a griefe to me, if I were sure of Magistrates assistance, that all our Enemies shall say, and that the Histories of this age shall tell posterity, that the Ministers of England, after fasting, prayers, warres and vowes pretended for Reformation, would yet do little or nothing toward it, but preach; even in times of Liberty and encouragement, till the Magistrate did it: And that it must be the work of the Magistrate, after our unworthy, lazy, or treacherous desertion of it. Had we no more help then we have, we might do much, were we willing and unanimous.