A76157:528
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 10. Lastly, it will bring a most heavy Guilt on the Magistrates Soul, which he will never be able to stand under, before the King of all the world. To be Guilty of the neglect of an Office so Divine, received from God, that it might be used for him; and to be Guilty of the frustrating of much of our Ministerial work; and of grieving the ⟨p. 311⟩hearts of so many that fear God, and frustrating such hopes as we lately had, (to say nothing of the Prayers, tears, hazards, blood, and ruin of so many thousand, and the promises, oaths and Covenants to God) to be guilty of the sins of so many thousand, and of their everlasting Condemnation; to be guilty of the distractions, and betraying of the Church, and cause, and people of the Lord, and to be guilty of the insultings of so many Enemies, all this and much more, that would certainly follow the denial of this moderate necessary help, would be a burden intolerable.
Reason 10. Lastly, it will bring a most heavy Guilt on the Magistrates Soul, which he will never be able to stand under, before the King of all the world. To be Guilty of the neglect of an Office so Divine, received from God, that it might be used for him; and to be Guilty of the frustrating of much of our Ministerial work; and of grieving the ⟨p. 311⟩hearts of so many that feare God, and frustrating such hopes as we lately had, (to say nothing of the Prayers, teares, hazards, blood, and ruine of so many thousand, and the promises, oaths and Covenants to God) to be guilty of the sinnes of so many thousand, and of their everlasting Condemnation; to be guilty of the distractions, and betraying of the Church, and cause, and people of the Lord, and to be guilty of the insultings of so many Enemies, all this and much more, that would certainly follow the denial of this moderate necessary help, would be a burden intollerable.
Direct. 7. But because both the Magistrates, and many others are afraid, lest by going too far in such assistance, they may be guilty of Persecution, by restraining men from Preaching, or private persuasion, or by keeping the Ignorant and wicked from Church-Communion, or by compelling them to come to hear and to be personally Instructed, I humbly propound these following things, for such a Regulation of their granted Liberty, as may free them from all danger of persecuting, without depriving us of their principal help.