A76157:117
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.
I have proved in my first Disputation of Right to Sacraments, (which I desire the Reader, that would have further satisfaction, to peruse) the Necessity of these following Qualifications of this Profession.
1. In General, as to the Object of our Faith, it must be a Profession of true Christianity, and no less. It must be a Profession of our entertainment, both of the Truth of the Gospel, and of the Good therein Revealed and offered. More particularly, it must be a Profession, that we believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as to the Nature, persons, and works, which they ⟨p. 42⟩have done or undertaken for us. Yet more particularly, and explicitly: It must be a Profession, 1. That we Believe in God the Father, and so the pure Deity, as our Creator, Sovereign, and chief Good, who gave us the Law of Nature, by breaking of which, we have lost our selves, and all our part in Everlasting Life. 2. That we Believe in Jesus Christ, God and Man, that taking our Nature, fulfilled the Law, overcame the Devil, dyed as a Sacrifice for our sins, Rose again, and conquered death, ascended into Heaven, where he is Lord of all, and the King, Prophet, and Priest of his Church, in Glory with the Father: That he hath offered himself with Pardon, and Eternal Life, to all that will accept him, on his terms: and that he will come again at last to Raise us from death, and judge the world, and Justify his Saints, and bring them to Eternal Glory, and cast the wicked into utter misery. 3. That we Believe in God the Holy Ghost, that Inspired the Prophets and Apostles, to deliver, and confirm the Word of God, and who is the Sanctifier of all that shall be saved, illuminating their understandings; & changing their hearts and lives, humbling them for their sin and misery, causing them to believe in Christ, ⟨p. 43⟩the Remedy, and heartily and thankfully accept him; Possessing them with an hearty Love of God, and a heavenly mind, and a hatred of sin, and Love of Holiness, and turning the principal bent of their hearts and lives, to the Pleasing of God, and the attaining of Eternal Life. This much must be believed, and the Belief of this much, must be somehow Professed.