A26895:176
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.
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.
68. So great is the necessity of the sick, and so seasonable and advantageous the opportunity, that Ministers should not negligently omit them, but in Love and tenderness instruct them, according to their several conditions: endeavouring the Conversion of the ungodly, and the strengthening of the weak, and comforting such as need Consolation; directing them how to improve their affliction; and helping them to be truly sensible of the evil of sin, the miscarriages and negligences of their lives; the vanity of the world; the necessity and sufficiency of Christ, and the certainty and excellency of the everlasting Glory: Persuading them to a pious, just and charitable disposal of their worldly estate; and to forgive such as have wronged them, and to be reconciled to those with whom they have been at variance; and believingly to hope for that life with Christ, which he hath promised to all that are sanctified by his Spirit, and comfortably to commit their souls to their Redeemer, and quietly rest in the Will, and Love, and Promises of God; Resolving if God should recover them to health, to Redeem their time, and live as a people devoted