A76157:504
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.
2. They must so behave themselves as may honour and further the work, and take heed of that by which it may be hindered; least they weaken our hands and be a stumbling block to others. For what can a Minister do himself, if the Church assist him not? much less if they hinder him? Especially, 1. They must take heed of scandalous sins, which may be a shame to their Profession, and open the mouths of the enemies of the Church. 2. They must take heed of Sects and Divisions, and quarrellings among themselves, which will break them in pieces, or hinder their Edification, and make them a stumbling block to the weak, and a laughing stock to the wicked. 3. They must take heed of surliness and pride, and domineering carriage towards those that are yet without: And must be as eminent in meekness, and humility, and patience, and forbearance, and self-denial, as they are in the Profession of Religion. For a proud domineering spirit, or strangeness and unnecessary distance, doth lose the ungodly, ⟨p. 287⟩whom you should be means to win. 4. They must study to do all the good they can to those without; be as little as may be in executing penalties on them, and as much as may be possibly, in speaking kindly and familiarly to them, and relieving them in wants, and visiting them in sickness, and think it not much to purchase their love, in order to their Salvation, with the loss of your right, or with the price of much of your worldly goods. For all men love those, or at least will less dislike them, that do no hurt to any, but do good to all, or as many as they can. To be the servants of all, is the highest Christian dignity, and the way to win them. 5. Take heed of falling out, or contending with any of them, or of giving them any harsh, provoking words, to their faces, or behind their backs. But put up any wrong that is merely your own, and is in your power to forgive, for the sake of Peace, and your own neighbours good. 6. Be not men of common spirits, or common speech, or a common conversation: but as we must make a difference between you and others in our communion and Church-administrations, so let the rest see that it is not without cause. For if you be but ⟨p. 288⟩like other men, we shall seem to be partial in making a difference, between you and other men. Let your Light therefore shine before men to the Glory of your Heavenly Father.