A76157:228
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.
III. I have cleared the second point,(that there is an Eminent Gift of the Holy Ghost to be expected after our first Believing, even such as ceased not with Miracles: I now come to the third point, which is, That Ministerial Prayer with Laying on of hands, was the Scripture-way for the giving of this Eminent gift of the Spirit.
For the understanding of this, observe these things: 1. How Sacraments, and Investing signs, confer Grace. 2. How the Spirit is given in Baptism 3. How far God hath, as it were, tied himself to Ordinances for conferring Grace. 4. What proof the Scripture yields us of the Proposition. ⟨p. 111⟩5. What aptitude there is in Ministerial Confirmation, for the attainment of these ends.
For the understanding of this, observe these things: 1. How Sacraments, and Investing signes, conferre Grace. 2. How the Spirit is given in Baptisme 3. How far God hath, as it were, tyed himself to Ordinances for conferring Grace. 4. What proof the Scripture yields us of the Proposition. ⟨p. 111⟩5. What aptitude there is in Ministerial Confirmation, for the attainment of these ends.
1. We find in Scripture, that Sacraments are not appointed (nor to be used, according to the intent of the instituter) for the conferring of that Grace which men have not in any degree already: but they are, 1. Partly a Solemn Investiture in that which before we had a Fundamental Right to: as the Listing of a Soldier, or the solemnization of Marriage after a firm contract; the Crowning of a King; the delivering possession by a Key, a twig, or turf; the Knighting a man by a sword, &c. This is as to Relative benefits, and Right to Physical benefits. 2. And withal they are by actual excitation of Grace, to Increase the Inherent Grace received, and so to give us more. All this is evident in Baptism it self, where we are to receive both Remission of sins, with right to Everlasting Life, and also an increase of Grace in the Adult: And yet no man at age, is to come to Baptism (to require it) that is not a Penitent Believer already, and consequently that hath not the beginning of special Saving Grace, and somewhat of Christ, and the Holy Ghost; and title to forgiveness, and Everlasting Life. For he is under the