A76157:164
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.
The Major is undoubted: for else we must be bound by God, to do that which we have no Power (or Authority) to do, and others must have Power to do it, and not be bound to it, which are both senseless. The Minor I prove.
1. From the frequent Commands of Scripture, that lay this burden on the Ministers, but not Magistrates or People. (in the way that's now in Question) All the directions, and Canons which Paul giveth to Timothy, Titus▪ to the Elders of Ephesus, Acts 20. and other Pastors, together with the Exhortations to performance, and terrible charges given them to be faithful, do show that ⟨p. 64⟩it's they that must do the work.
1. From the frequent Commands of Scripture, that lay this burden on the Ministers, but not Magistrates or People. (in the way that's now in Question) All the directions, and Canons which Paul giveth to Timothy, Titus▪ to the Elders of Ephesus, Acts 20. and other Pastours, together with the Exhortations to performance, and terrible charges given them to be faithfull, do shew that ⟨p. 64⟩it's they that must do the work.
2. From common consent: all would have the honour and Power: but who besides the Pastors would have the work, and care, and severe Obligations to perform it? Will Magistrates, or all the people undertake it, to try, and judge of the Professions of every man that enters upon Adult Church-membership, or Privileges, of such as are to be restored? They that will undertake this work must attend it, and give themselves wholly to it, and confer with the persons, and do so much work as our people would be hardly brought to do (if they were able) It's unexperienced Rashness, and perverseness, that makes them so jealous of the Ministers Power in such cases, and some of them to reproach us for it. Ah blind unthankful Souls! Do you know what the Ministry and this Power is? It is a power to be the servants of all; a power to spend and be spent, even for the unthankful. It's a Power to do the most toilsome, and displeasing work to flesh and blood, one of them in the world; such as flesh calls a very drudgery. I profess unfeignedly that i God had left it to my choice, and I should consult with flesh and blood, I had rather preach twice or thrice a week for nothing, and do no more, then to have this Power (a duty