A76157:108
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the sovereign powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and welfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the soveraigne powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and wellfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons book-seller, 1658
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.
To this let me add, that most, or too many, that we are to receive to the Privileges of Adult members, have violated their Baptism-Covenant, and proved ungodly after Baptism, and that by open, notorious Scandals. Now Scripture, and the Practice of the Universal Ancient Church direct us, to require of these an open Confession of sin: For they need an Absolution, and not a mere Confirmation. It is past all controversy, that such have both an open Confession and Profession to make. Yea, how scrupulous the Ancient Church was of Receiving and Absolving such violators of the Baptismal Covenant; and on how severe terms they did it, is known to all, that know any thing of those times. I pray amongst others see what Grotius (Discus. Apol. Rivet. pag. 221, 222.) citeth from Irenaeus, Tertullian, Pacimus, Hierom, &c. ad pag. 235. n.
To this let me adde, that most, or too many, that we are to receive to the Priviledges of Adult members, have violated their Baptism-Covenant, and proved ungodly after Baptism, and that by open, notorious Scandals. Now Scripture, and the Practice of the Universal Ancient Church direct us, to require of these an open Confession of sinne: For they need an Absolution, and not a meer Confirmation. It is past all controversie, that such have both an open Confession and Profession to make. Yea, how scrupulous the Ancient Church was of Receiving and Absolving such violators of the Baptismal Covenant; and on how severe terms they did it, is known to all, that know any thing of those times. I pray amongst others see what Grotius (Discus. Apol. Rivet. pag. 221, 222.) citeth from Irenaeus, Tertullian, Pacimus, Hierom, &c. ad pag. 235. n.
And as to the last Objection (that our Churches were true Churches, when we made no particular Professions.) I Answer 1. Without some Profession of true Christianity, our Churches could not have been true Churches. And therefore against those that would prove them no Churches, we plead (and justly) that a Profession was made by them. 2. But I pray you mark, that that will prove a Church to be a true Church, which will not prove every person in the Parish, to be a true Member of that Church. 3. And he that thinks it enough, that our Churches have a mere Metaphysical Verity, (such as Bishop Hall, and multitudes of Learned Protestants allow the Church of Rome it self) is as good a friend to it, as he is to his wife or child, that will let them go naked; yea, and be contented, that they catch the plague, or leprosy, yea, and plead for it too; and all, because they have still the Truth of Humane Nature.