A97353:721
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
52. He that knoweth not himself to be a man and a sinner, is not sit to be a Pastor: And he that doth, and is penitently conscious, what abundance of greater sins he hath than the Conscientious forbearance of a Ceremony or needless Oath or subscription, will be very tender in his usage of others.
53. A fear of sinning is necessary in all that will be obedient to God, and will be saved: It is that fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom: It is therefore to be loved and cherished, even when scrupulousness mistaketh the matter; And not to be reproached, discouraged, or persecuted out of the world.
54. By a tender Conscience we mean the same that God in his promise doth by a heart of flesh in opposition to a stony heart: We suppose Holiness to consist in the sanctity of the three natural faculties, Active power, understanding and will; and […]o consist in Life, Light and Love; As a state of unholiness consisteth, in Deadness, Darkness and Disaffection. It is therefore a Conscience that hath Spiritual life and feeling that we mean, and that perceiveth more the evil of the least sin, than a fornicator or ⟨p. 164⟩a drunkard, or a proud oppressor doth perceive the greatest. Therefore as for them that take a tender Conscience to be but a tender (that is, a soft or foolish) head, we envy them not the honour of a s[…]ared Conscience, or a hardened heart, that is p[…]st feeling, Eph. 4. 19.
54. By a tender Conscience we mean the same that God in his promise doth by a heart of flesh in opposition to a stony heart: We suppose Holiness to consist in the sanctity of the three natural faculties, Active power, understanding and will; and o consist in Life, Light and Love; As a state of unholiness consisteth, in Deadness, Darkness and Disaffection. It is therefore a Conscience that hath Spiritual life and feeling that we mean, and that perceiveth more the evil of the least sin, than a fornicator or