A76157:160
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.
1I Answer, It is so, as to all matters of Conscience, that are to be transacted only between God and you, as about your Justification, and Glorification, &c. (And yet in this case, Ministerial Absolution is a great means to help the ⟨p. 62⟩Peace of your Consciences.) But where the Minister hath to do with you, by Administrations, and the Church hath to do with you in the way of Communion, there they must know what they do, and why, and must have some expression, of what you say your Conscience testifieth to you.
- 1Its before proved, that men are not here their own judges.
And the Consequence of the Major is plain, (that if it belongs thus to Christ to approve, then it belongs to his Ministers,) 1. Because he appointeth not personally on earth, nor useth, or approveth any other way, to signify his own Approbation of you in particular, for a Church-state, and Privileges. 2. Because he hath expressly entrusted his Ministers with this Power, as to speak to men in Christs stead, 2 Cor. 5. 19. So to espouse them to Christ their husband, that we may present them a chaste Virgin to Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 2. Yea, and hereupon they are to give up themselves to the Lord first, and to us by the Will of God, 2 Cor. 8. 5. Christs Ministers are his Agents, or Ambassadors, as to solicit men in his Name to be Reconciled to him, so to Approve them in his Name, and tell them that he is Reconciled to them. And therefore they are to deliver Himself, his Body, and Blood, in his Name to them in the Lords Supper; and to bind, ⟨p. 63⟩