A76157:520
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.
And yet I may well conclude, that though still the Church will have need of some of the Magistrates help in this same way, yet nothing so much hereafter, as at first. 1 It is Custom that most holdeth the people now, and enrageth them against the breakers of it. And when once the Custom is broken and turned, they will be much more quiet. 2. We now find the Churches in the rubbish, and have the harshest work at first to do, which will soon be over, and the Churches and minds of men more settled. 3. A few years Practise of Confirmation, in the foredescribed way, I hope will introduce such abundance ⟨p. 305⟩of Knowledge, and so increase the face of Godliness, that we shall have little need of the Magistrates help, in this kind as now we have. But now at first our Necessity is very great.
And yet I may well conclude, that though still the Church will have need of some of the Magistrates help in this same way, yet nothing so much hereafter, as at first. 1 It is Custom that most holdeth the people now, and enrageth them against the breakers of it. And when once the Custom is broken and turned, they will be much more quiet. 2. We now find the Churches in the rubbish, and have the harshest work at first to do, which will soone be over, and the Churches and minds of men more setled. 3. A few yeares Practise of Confirmation, in the foredescribed way, I hope will introduce such abundance ⟨p. 305⟩of Knowledg, and so increase the face of Godliness, that we shall have little need of the Magistrates helpe, in this kind as now we have. But now at first our Necessity is very great.
Reason 4. Moreover, our Doctrine and Practice is most contrary to mens sins▪ and carnal Interest, and therefore though it be True, yet it is Provoking, and seemeth to be against them; as blood letting, Fasting, and bitter medicines to a Child, or a foolish Patient. And therefore no wonder, if tolerated Seducers can draw them from it, by sence or non-sence, in such a case. A little Reason seems to take men off from that, which seems against them, or which they hate.