A97353:841
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.
36. We do also with lamentation confess, that besides the multitude of common hypocrites which are in all the Christian Churches, who by open sensuality and profaneness do show that they dissemble in professing Christianity, there are also many Hypocrites who profess a greater zeal and forwardness in Religion, who at the heart are Lovers of this present world, and slaves to the flesh, and use Religious shows and forms, but to quiet their Consciences ⟨p. 200⟩with a deceitful hope, that they may have heaven for a reserve, when they can keep the world no longer. And these are the men that most dishonour religion by pride and Rebellions and scandals and heresies, who indeed are numbered by the searcher of hearts amongst the enemies of religion.
36. We do also with lamentation confess, that besides the multitude of common hypocrites which are in all the Christian Churches, who by open sensuality and prophaness do shew that they dissemble in professing Christianity, there are also many Hypocrites who profess a greater zeal and forwardness in Religion, who at the heart are Lovers of this present world, and slaves to the flesh, and use Religious shews and forms, but to quiet their Consciences ⟨p. 200⟩with a deceitful hope, that they may have heaven for a reserve, when they can keep the world no longer. And these are the men that most dishonour religion by pride and Rebellions and scandals and heresies, who indeed are numbred by the searcher of hearts amongst the enemies of religion.
37. Accordingly we do believe there are many among the Conformists and Nonconformists, of both the fore-described sorts, (faulty true Christians and hypocrites): And that many of the real faults and […]ollies, mentioned by the Books which are too imprudently and unjustly written as to the […], are to be found among such persons: And that it is the duty of such faulty persons, to learn and take reproof, even from the faultiest reprover; and to take heed of that snare of Satan, who by the reprovers faultiness would tempt them to excuse or justify themselves, and to reflect on others as the greater sinners.