A76157:219
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. Though the proof of the first be not Necessary to the main point, yet it somewhat strengtheneth the cause, Mark 10. 16. Christ took the Children up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them so, Math. 19. 15. This is not I confess a Confirmation upon personal Profession, which I am now pleading for: But this is a Benediction by laying on of hands: And the subjects of it were such Children as were Members at least of the Jewish Church, being before Circumcised.
I. Though the proof of the first be not Necessary to the main point, yet it somewhat strengtheneth the cause, Mark 10. 16. Christ took the Children up in his armes, put his hands upon them, and blessed them so, Math. 19. 15. This is not I confess a Confirmation upon personal Profession, which I am now pleading for: But this is a Benediction by laying on of hands: And the subjects of it were such Children as were Members at least of the Jewish Church, being before Circumcized.
II. But to come nearer the matter; let us enquire what this Gift of the Holy Ghost was, that is promised to Believers. Whatsoever the Pelagians say, the Scripture assureth us that Faith and Repentance which go before Baptism in the Adult, are the gifts of the Holy Ghost: and yet for all that the Holy Ghost is to be given afterward. And though very often this after•gift is manifested by Tongues, and Prophecy, and Miracles, ⟨p. 104⟩yet that is not all that's meant in the promise of the Holy Ghost. Gad hath not tied Himself by that promise to any one sort of those extraordinary Gifts, no nor constantly to give any of them: But he hath promised in General to give Believers the Spirit: and therefore there is some other standing gift, for which the Spirit is promised to all such. And indeed the Spirit promised is One, though the gifts are many; and the many sorts of gifts make not many Spirits. If any man therefore shall ask, whether by the Promised Spirit be meant Sanctification, or Miracles, or Prophecy, &c. I Answer with Paul, There are diversities of Gifts, but the same Spirit, as there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord, and diversities of operations, but the same God,