A76157:220
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.
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, 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5, 6. It is therefore no wiser a question to ask, whether by the Spirit be meant this gift, or that, when it is only the Spirit in General that is promised, then to ask, whether by the Lord be meant this or that administration; and whether by God be meant this or that operation. To one is given the word of Wisdom by the Spirit, and to another the word of Knowledge, by the same Spirit, to another Faith by the same Spirit, &c. vers 8, 9, 10. Now I confess if any man can prove that this promise ⟨p. 105⟩of the Spirit to the faithful, is meant only of the extraordinary gift of Miracles, then he would weaken the Argument that I am about. But I prove that contrary, 1. Cor. 12. 12, 13. It is the gift of the Spirit, by which we are One body, which is called Christs, by which we are all baptized into this one body; and such members as have a lively fellow-feeling of each others state, vers. 26. 27. Yea such as giveth to the Elect, the excellent, durable grace of Charity, vers. 31. and Chap. 13.