A76157:527
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 9. And perhaps, the Magistrates will quickly find, that the Distractions of the Church will breed, and feed such Distractions in the Common-wealth, as may make them wish they had quenched the fire, while it was yet quenchable. Our Unity is not only Our strength, but their strength, especially if they promote it. Our Divisions weaken us as well as them. What will the Magistrate do, if he help us not in this case? Ministers cannot in Conscience always forbear their Duty, but will set about ⟨p. 310⟩it? Either the Rulers will suffer us to do it, or not: If they suffer us and assist us, it will be our Peace and theirs, and our peoples good: If they suffer us and assist us not, as is now desired, we shall exasperate so many of their Subjects by our Reformation, and shutting them from Church Communion, that will shake the Peace of the Common-wealth, and the Odium will fly on the Governors, for setting up a Ministry that so provoketh them, and so the people will be still in Discontents, and prepared for Rebellion, or any violent change. And the fire that begun in the Church, if it be let alone, may reach the Court. But if to mend this, they will put down or hinder Ministers, their persecution will bring Gods Judgments on them, and turn the hearts of honest, sober men against them. They have seen what Deformation and persecution have done, before their eyes.
Reason 9. And perhaps, the Magistrates will quickly find, that the Distractions of the Church will breed, and feed such Distractions in the Common-wealth, as may make them wish they had quenched the fire, while it was yet quenchable. Our Unity is not only Our strength, but their strength, especially if they promote it. Our Divisions weaken us as well as them. What will the Magistrate do, if he help us not in this case? Ministers cannot in Conscience alwaies forbeare their Duty, but will set about ⟨p. 310⟩it? Either the Rulers will suffer us to do it, or not: If they suffer us and assist us, it will be our Peace and theirs, and our peoples good: If they suffer us and assist us not, as is now desired, we shall exasperate so many of their Sujects by our Reformation, and shutting them from Church Communion, that will shake the Peace of the Common-wealth, and the Odium will fly on the Governours, for setting up a Ministry that so provoketh them, and so the people will be still in Discontents, and prepared for Rebellion, or any violent change. And the fire that begun in the Church, if it be let alone, may reach the Court. But if to mend this, they will put down or hinder Ministers, their persecution will bring Gods Judgments on them, and turn the hearts of honest, sober men against them. They have seen what Deformation and persecution have done, before their eies.