The Life and # Works of Richard Claridge; Being Memoirs and Manuscripts Relating to His Experiences and Progress in Religion (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836. Excerpt: ... it were not for the wilful blindness and perversions of men. For a further confirmation, God hath ratified this with a most solemn asseveration, " As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways, for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezek. xxxiii. 11. Upon which, saith Tertullian, "God would fain have us believe him;" adding, Lib. de Panit. c. 4, "Happy are we, for whose sake the Lord vouchsafeth to swear; but most unhappy, if we believe him not when he sweareth " So that, the love of God is universal; he would have none to perish, by an absolute irrespective decree; but the cause is man's own voluntary rejecting the love and grace of God, which comes by Jesus Christ. CHAPTER V. About the month called June, 1700, Richard Claridge removed from London to Barking in Essex, where he dwelt, and kept a boarding-school for some years. Having observed, while he walked in communion with the Baptists, a sober and sensible remnant among that people, of whom he was persuaded that they feared the Lord, and were waiting for the consolation of Israel; he was now drawn forth in a spirit of love and compassion toward them, to write the following epistle; which for the sake of such serious enquirers, is here published. "To the people called Baptists, with whom I formerly walked in fellowship. "Friends, "From the time of my first coming amongst you, my soul met with disappointment, in that which it most earnestly longed for and desired, namely, satisfaction. I hoped your ministers had been rightly called, your congregations rightly gathered, and your doctrine, worship, and ordinances, such as were in all things conformable unto the primitive pattern, unto t...