A26895:175
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.
66. When a credible Profession of Repentance ⟨p. 67⟩is made (whether voluntarily by the Converted, or upon the Churches admonition by the scandalous, or after excommunication) it is the duty of the Pastors to declare such Penitents in the name of Christ to be pardoned and absolved, and Ministerially to give them this Mercy from the Lord, in case their Repentance be sincere as they profess: And if the person were excommunicate, it is the duty of the Pastor to declare him again meet for the Communion of the Church, and require the Church to receive him with joy as a returning sinner, and not to reproach him with his falls, but to forgive him; as Christ forgiveth him; all which they are accordingly to perform; and the Penitent with Joy to receive his absolution, and to return to the Communion of the Church, and to a more holy careful obedient life.
67. When any by frequent Covenant-breaking, have forfeited the Credit of their words, the Church must have testimony of the actual Reformation of such persons, before they can receive their professions and promises as credible any more. Though yet there is so great difference here in persons and offences, that the particular cases must be much left to the prudence of the ⟨p. 68⟩Pastors that are present, and know the persons and the whole case.
67. When any by frequent Covenantbreaking, have forfeited the Credit of their words, the Church must have testimony of the actual Reformation of such persons, before they can receive their professions and promises as credible any more. Though yet there is so great difference here in persons and offences, that the particular cases must be much left to the prudence of the ⟨p. 68⟩Pastors that are present, and know the persons and the whole case.