A76157:519
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.
Reason 3. Our people by the forementioned work of Reformation, will undoubtedly be cast into Discontents: They will be sorely displeased with their Teachers; which is a small matter, were it not that it hindereth their own Salvation. They have so long been used to have their own will, and to be admitted even in Heathenish Ignorance and Impiety to the Communion of the Saints, and all the outward Privileges, without any considerable exercise of Discipline over them, that now it will be a strange provoking thing to them, when their custom shall be altered. So that in the discontent and hatred of their minds, if Infidels, or Papists, or any such Malignant adversaries shall come among them, their own malignity and discontent, will drive them by ⟨p. 304⟩multitudes into their nets; and they will turn to the first that comes with any plausible though pernicious doctrine. With half an eye we may easily see this: And therefore, if the Magistrate will not help us to quiet and secure the people, and keep off deceivers, while we are Catechising, and Instructing, and Preparing the grossly Ignorant and ungodly, it will be to the hazard of many thousand souls, and a temptation to many fainthearted Ministers, again to cast open the hedge▪ and lay the Churches Communion common, for fear of the ill consequence, that will follow to the people by displeasing them.
Reason 3. Our people by the foremencioned work of Reformation, will undoubtedly be cast into Discontents: They will be sorely displeased with their Teachers; which is a small matter, were it not that it hindreth their own Salvation. They have so long been used to have their own will, and to be admitted even in Heathenish Ignorance and Impiety to the Communion of the Saints, and all the outward Priviledges, without any considerable exercise of Discipline over them, that now it will be a strange provoking thing to them, when their custom shall be altered. So that in the discontent and hatred of their minds, if Infidels, or Papists, or any such Malignant adversaries shall come among them, their own malignity and discontent, will drive them by ⟨p. 304⟩multitudes into their nets; and they will turn to the first that comes with any plausible though pernicious doctrine. With half an eie we may easily see this: And therefore, if the Magistrate will not help us to quiet and secure the people, and keep off deceivers, while we are Catechising, and Instructing, and Preparing the grosly Ignorant and ungodly, it will be to the hazard of many thousand souls, and a temptation to many fainthearted Ministers, againe to cast open the hedge and lay the Churches Communion common, for feare of the ill consequence, that will follow to the people by displeasing them.