A76157:233
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.
3. But what proof is there in Scripture of such an Ordinance, or Practice? That's our fourth Question: To which I Answer, 1. For the main Point in question, it's already proved, beyond all Controversy, viz. the Necessity of a Personal Profession, and Covenant, before men be admitted to the Church-privileges of the Adult, and that it belongeth to the Office of Christ's Ministers to judge of, and approve this Profession, &c. It is none of this that we have now to prove, but only the Manner of Admission hereupon, whether it be to be done by Prayer with Benediction, and Imposition of hands: And it is not the Lawfulness of this; for that's proved before: but whether this Manner and Solemnity be a thing which ordinarily we should observe? And that it is so, this seems to me to prove, 1. As beyond Controversy it belongeth to Spiritual Superiors, even the Ministers of Christ, to Pray for the people, and Bless them, so this must be in a special manner exercised upon great and special Occasion: But the Admission of the Adult upon their personal Covenanting and Profession, is a great and ⟨p. 117⟩special Occasion: This is as good an Argument as we have for stated Family-prayer, that I remember; and it's clearly good for both.
3. But what proofe is there in Scripture of such an Ordinance, or Practice? That's our fourth Question: To which I Answer, 1. For the main Point in question, it's already proved, beyond all Controversie, viz. the Necessity of a Personal Profession, and Covenant, before men be admitted to the Church-priviledges of the Adult, and that it belongeth to the Office of Christ's Ministers to judge of, and approve this Profession, &c. It is none of this that we have now to prove, but only the Manner of Admisson hereupon, whether it be to be done by Prayer with Benediction, and Imposition of hands: And it is not the Lawfulness of this; for that's proved before: but whether this Manner and Solemnity be a thing which ordinarily we should observe? And that it is so, this seems to me to prove, 1. As beyond Controversie it belongeth to Spiritual Superiours, even the Ministers of Christ, to Pray for the people, and Bless them, so this must be in a special manner exercised upon great and special Occasion: But the Admission of the Adult upon their personal Covenanting and Profession, is a great and ⟨p. 117⟩special Occasion: This is as good an Argument as we have for stated Family-prayer, that I remember; and it's cleerly good for both.