A76157:197
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.
Object. Pastors have but a Ministerial Ruling Power.
Object. Pastours have but a Ministerial Ruling Power.
Answ. Who doubts of that? But is a Ministerial Rule no Rule? No man on earth hath more then a Ministerial Power: For all are under God, and the Redeemer. All Judges, Justices, and other Officers in the Commonwealth, have but a Ministerial Rule as Officers: But is that no Rule? Or shall the People therefore Rule these Rulers? We are Christs Ministers for the people: we are ⟨p. 84⟩theirs finally, but have our Power from Christ only Efficiently. If the People are the Rulers, who are the Ruled? It's a strange society, when the Ruling, and Ruled part is the same; where all the Body is a Head and an Eye. 10. If People or Magistrates will oblige the Ministers by their Power, whom they shall Baptize, Confirm, or Absolve, and what Profession they shall accept; then must the People and Magistrates undertake to Answer it before God, and to bear all the blame, and punishment, if we miscarry in obedience to them. And truly if they dare undertake this, we should gladly accept of the condition, with a thousand thanks, if we could but be sure that God would give us leave, and thus acquit us, and accept of our service on these terms. O then how easy a thing were it to obey, rather then to Rule. So much for the Power of the Ministers in this (and other such like) work.
Answ. Who doubts of that? But is a Ministerial Rule no Rule? No man on earth hath more then a Ministerial Power: For all are under God, and the Redeemer. All Judges, Justices, and other Officers in the Commonwealth, have but a Ministerial Rule as Officers: But is that no Rule? Or shall the People therefore Rule these Rulers? We are Christs Ministers for the people: we are ⟨p. 84⟩theirs finally, but have our Power from Christ only Efficiently. If the People are the Rulers, who are the Ruled? It's a strange society, when the Ruling, and Ruled part is the same; where all the Body is a Head and an Eye. 10. If People or Magistrates will oblige the Ministers by their Power, whom they shall Baptize, Confirm, or Absolve, and what Profession they shall accept; then must the People and Magistrates undertake to Answer it before God, and to bear all the blam, and punishment, if we miscarry in obedience to them. And truly if they dare undertake this, we should gladly accept of the condition, with a thousand thankes, if we could but be sure that God would give us leave, and thus acquit us, and accept of our service on these terms. O then how easy a thing were it to obey, rather then to Rule. So much for the Power of the Ministers in this (and other such like) worke.