A26895:103
The Christian religion expressed I, briefly in the ancient creeds, the Ten commandments, and…
The Christian religion expressed I, briefly in the ancient creeds, the Ten commandments, and the Lords prayer, and, II, more largely in a profession taken out of the Holy Scriptures, containing 1, the articles of the Christian belief, 2, our consent to the gospel covenant, 3, the sum of Christian duty, according to the primitive simplicity, purity, and practice, fitted to the right instruction of the ignorant, the promoting of holiness, and the charitable concord of all true believers ... / by Richard Baxter.
London : s.n., 1660
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.
VII. Because it is a matter of great concernment to the honour of Christ,1 the propagation of the Gospel, and the increase and welfare of the Church, that there be a Provision of able, faithful Ministers, and that unworthy persons be kept out; and because deceivers and unworthy men are forward to intrude, and the people ordinarily are insufficient of themselves to make such trial of mens ability and soundness as is requisite to the safety of the Church; and the Church in all ages hath received Ministers by the Ordination of other Ministers of Christ: We do therefore Agree to be careful and faithful in the discharge of our duties hereabout, so far as we can discern them, Resolving that if any vacant Church desire us to recommend a fit person to be their Pastor, or to Judge of any recommended to them, we will not recommend ⟨p. 22⟩or approve of any, but such as we judge most agreeable to the will of Christ; nor will we prefer less fit and worthy men, for friendship or any carnal interest or respect. And if any intolerably unworthy person be about to intrude, or have intruded, or any neighbour Church be about to choose, or have chosen such, if we have opportunity, we shall faithfully acquaint them with their sin and danger, and persuade them to a better course. And if we shall be called to invest any by solemn Ordination in the sacred office of the Ministry, we shall perform it, as near as we are able, according to the directions of the Word of God; admitting none that Christ excludeth: And if it may be, we shall do it in that Congregation which the person is to Over-see, that so we may the better discern their mutual Consent, inculcate their duties, and engage them to a faithful performance thereof.
VII. Because it is a matter of great concernment to the honour of Christ,1 the propagation of the Gospel, and the encrease and welfare of the Church, that there be a Provision of able, faithful Ministers, and that unworthy persons be kept out; and because deceivers and unworthy men are forward to intrude, and the people ordinarily are insufficient of themselves to make such tryal of mens ability and soundness as is requisite to the safety of the Church; and the Church in all ages hath received Ministers by the Ordination of other Ministers of Christ: We do therefore Agree to be careful and faithful in the discharge of our duties hereabout, so far as we can discern them, Resolving that if any vacant Church desire us to recommend a fit person to be their Pastor, or to Judge of any recommended to them, we will not recommend