A76157:521
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 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.
Reason 4. Moreover, our Doctrine and Practice is most contrary to mens sinnes▪ and carnall 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 seemes to take men off from that, which seemes against them, or which they hate.
Reason 5. On the contrary, the Doctrine and Practice of Deceivers, is suited to their nature, and purposely sugared for them by Art. For Instance: If Papists fall in with them in the depth of their discontent, and first rail at us as no Ministers, but Liars and Heretics; and then revile us for receiving maintenance (which is their way, though their Clergy receive so exceedingly much more) and then tell them of all their Ancestors, and then set them upon an easy, outside Piety, which ex opere ⟨p. 306⟩operato, will certainly confer grace, and shall take up at the strictest with an Auricular Confession, instead of necessary humiliation and true Church-Discipline; and shall make those venial, and improper sins, which we make damnable; and shall send many but to Purgatory, that according to Scripture, we send to Hell. In a word, when they shall comply with carnal hearts and Interests, but as much, as Montalte the Jansenian showeth us, that the Jesuits do; what wonder if our Ignorant, discontented people, do greedily swallow such baits as these, and turn to such a kind of Religiousness? And this makes the Jesuits glad of our Reformation, and stand by us as the Crows by Sheep, that they may have our leavings, or all that we cut off: For it's Number that they regard; and if they will but believe in the Pope, they shall be welcome to them; yea, be Catholics and be saved, though they believe not in Christ and the Holy Ghost, nor know not what Christianity is. He that thinks I wrong them: 1. Let them look on millions, and millions in their Churches. 2. Let him but read