A26895:126
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.
18. Those that are Baptized in Infancy, and there engaged to God in the holy Covenant, should with all possible care and diligence, be educated by the Parents, or ⟨p. 36⟩any that have the tuition of them, in the Nurture and admonition of the Lord, and taught betimes to know the doctrine of the Gospel, and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to Love God above all, and their neighbours as themselves, and to hate iniquity, and live to God, and first to seek his Kingdom and righteousness; To which end Parents should Catechize their Children, and daily be teaching them the word of God, and acquainting them with his fear and holy worship. And ministers must with special care and diligence oversee the several families of their charge, and excite the Parents to this necessary duty. And also should themselves assist them herein, and Catechize such youth (as well as all others that are Ignorant) as often as they can; especially where Parents do neglect it.
19. As Infants are by baptism admitted among the Infant-members of the Church, upon their Parents profession of Christianity, and dedicating them to God; so must they personally make a profession of their own faith, and own their baptismal Covenant, and give up themselves to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, before they are to be admitted into the number and Communion ⟨p. 37⟩of the Adult members of the Church; Which profession is to be tried and approved of by the Pastors of the Church: And so excellent a duty, to be carefully, and seriously, and solemnly performed, that the transition into the state and communion of the Adult, may appear to be so great and observable a thing, as may excite all to an answerable care and diligence, in preparation thereunto, and to look after that saving faith and holiness, which they must so solemnly profess. And Ministers should have a special care, that they take nothing for a credible profession, that is not so: and corrupt not the Church by letting in uncapable members, that must either be cast out again, to the grievous exasperating them against the Church and way of God, and so to the apparent hazard of their souls: or else must live ungoverned in their wickedness, to the great dishonour of God, and the provocation of his wrath against them and the Church.