A76157:516
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.
But the thing requested now of Magistrates is, that they would keep out the Wolves, while we are feeding the Sheep▪ or help us in it. That they suffer not damnable deceivers, or any that plainly go about to subvert mens Souls, or the state of the Church, to fall in with our Ignorant, ungodly people, in the time of their Learning and Expectancy. And as I shall be ready against any Libertine, Infidel, or Papist in the world, to prove this to be in the Magistrates Power, and his flat duty (of which I hope no sober Christian doubteth) so I shall here lay before the Magistrate, the Reasons that shall evince the need of his help, in the present case.
Reason 1. The people that we now speak of, are so utterly ignorant, that it's easy to deceive them. It's no dishonour to Truth, that a fool, or a child my be deluded: but ⟨p. 303⟩such are not to be left to the malice and craft of juggling enemies.
Reason 1. The people that we now speak of, are so utterly ignorant, that it's easy to deceive them. It's no dishonour to Truth, that a foole, or a child my be deluded: but ⟨p. 303⟩such are not to be left to the malice and craft of jugling enemies.
Reason 2. So wicked are the hearts of those, that we now speak of (or many of them) that they are prepared for Deceit, and willing of it Materially, though not Formally, as such. It's easy drawing men from that which they hate, or their hearts are bent against, and to that which they Love, and their hearts are set upon. Such gunpowder will soon take fire.