A76157:146
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 another place, (and so have many others, more at large) that the Key's were not given to Peter, or to the Apostles, as to private men, for so they were not; nor as to a Church of private Christians; for so they were not, nor the representatives of any such: nor yet as to Apostles only; for then they should have belonged to none but themselves; the contrary whereof is certain: nor as to fixed Diocesan Bishops; for such they were not: and it's generally granted that the Key's belong also to Presbyters, either wholly, or the chief of them, and particularly, that in question: Nor yet were the Key's given them only as a Synod, or Presbytery; for Peter was not such: and this in question hath ever been exercised by such Ministers.
I have proved in another place, (and so have many others, more at large) that the Key's were not given to Peter, or to the Apostles, as to private men, for so they were not; nor as to a Church of private Christians; for so they were not, nor the representatives of any such: nor yet as to Apostles only; for then they should have belonged to none but themselves; the contrary whereof is certain: nor as to fixed Diocesan Bishops; for such they were not: and it's generally granted that the Key's belong also to Presbyters, either wholly, or the chief of them, and particularly, that in question: Nor yet were the Key's given them only as a Synod, or Presbyterie; for Peter was not such: and this in question hath ever been exercised by such Ministers.
Arg. 3. The Rulers of the Church are the lawful Judges, or Approvers of the Profession of those that come into the Church, or demand the Privileges of it: But it is the Ministers of Christ, that are the Rulers of the Church, as is expressed, 1 Thes. 12. Acts 2. 28. Heb. 13. 7. & 17. 24. 1 Tim. 5. 17. Therefore.
Arg. 3. The Rulers of the Church are the lawful Judges, or Approvers of the Profession of those that come into the Church, or demand the Priviledges of it: But it is the Ministers of Christ, that are the Rulers of the Church, as is exprest, 1 Thes. 12.