A76157:603
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.
I have oft marvelled in observing some Learned Divines, that bend that way, that they think compassion, and Christian Charity is on their side. What Charity can their Doctrine glory of? They will be so merciful ⟨image 196⟩to Infidels, that are uncapable of a Church-state, as to plead them into the Church; and when they are there, they leave them under the curse, and in a state of damnation in their own judgments; teaching us to judge uncharitably, of the Visible Church in general for their sakes; and to look on them as without respect to any saving grace, and so without any special Love. A cold comfort I to bring them into no more capacity of Gods Mercy, nor of our Charity; but into much more capacity of aggravated damnation: which they might better have prevented by being kept in their proper station, till they were capable of more. I confess (though my belief of mens Profession, have different degrees, as I see in them different degrees of Credibility) yet I have Charitabler thoughts of the members of the Visible Church, then these that make so low and miserable a description of them. And though I know that there are abundance among them, that are Hypocrites, and unsanctified, yet know I none but Saints and Hypocrites, that are tolerable in the Church; nor will I accuse particular persons of Hypocrisy, till I have cause. Neither in my secret, or open censures, will I pluck up the tares upon any such terms, as will not stand ⟨image 197⟩with the safety of the wheat, but rather let them grow together in my esteem in the Church, till the time of harvest. And that I may think charitably of the Church, and walk charitably in, and towards it, therefore I would not have it consist of such notorious, ungodly, or heretical men, as are uncapable objects of Christian, Brotherly Love. For Heresy, the foresaid learned Brother tells us, that it cuts men off from the Church. I say so to (meritoriously at least) if by Heresy be meant the exclusion of any essential Article of the Christian Faith: But pag. 199, where he saith, the Controversy may be easily ended, by parting stakes: viz. that some Heresy, which absolutely denieth some particular fundamental truth, and taketh up some one, or few stones thereof, is consistent with Church interest:
I have oft marvelled in observing some Learned Divines, that bend that way, that they think compassion, and Christian Charity is on their side. What Charity can their Doctrine glory of? They will be so mercifull