A76157:263
A76157:263
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.
4. Moreover the Baptized are obliged to be responsible for their lives, being under the Government of Christs Ministers, and among his Saints.
5. For the sake of their own Souls, and of the Church and Ordinances, we must endeavour to preserve them from Corruption, which lying Professions would introduce; and therefore must not overlook, or neglect such Evidence as is within our reach.
6. Else Ministers that are by office to judg of their Profession, would be unfaithful Judges, and forfeit their trust, if they shall wilfully neglect any Evidence within their cognisance, by which they may be enabled to judge.
6. Else Ministers that are by office to judg of their Profession, would be unfaithfull Judges, and forfeit their trust, if they shall wilfully neglect any Evidence within their cognisance, by which they may be enabled to judge.
But yet it is not the certainty of inward saving Grace, that we must find out by mens lives; for no man can have such certainty of another: but only that their lives be not such, as Null and Invalidate, and confute their Profession, and they live not in the perfidious violation of their Baptismal Covenant.
Proved, 1. It is not of Necessity, that Converted Infidels be admitted by Baptism into the state of Adult-members, upon a Public Profession in a Congregation: therefore it is not of Necessity, that others be so admitted in Confirmation. The Antecedent is proved by the instance of the Eunuch, Acts 8. whom Philip Baptized in their way, and the Jailer and his household, Acts 16. Baptized in the night at home. The Consequence is proved by the propriety of reason and case.
PRoved, 1. It is not of Necessity, that Converted Infidels be admitted by Baptism into the state of Adult-members, upon a Publique Profession in a Congregation: therefore it is not of Necessity, that others be so admitted in Confirmation. The Antecedent is proved by the instance of the Eunuch, Acts 8. whom Philip Baptized in their way, and the Jaylour and his houshold, Acts 16. Baptzed in the night at home. The Consequence is proved by the propriety of reason and case.
2. If a man may by Confirmation be admitted into the Number of Adult Christians, in the Church Universal, without being admitted into a particular Church, then his Profession and Admission need not (in that case) to be before the Congregation: But the Antecedent is true: as I prove thus. A man may by Adult Baptism, be admitted first into the Universal Church only: (As was the Eunuch, the Jailer, Lydia, Sergius Paulus, and every first Convert in any ⟨p. 135⟩City, where the Apostles came:) Therefore a man may by Confirmation be admitted into the Number of the Adult, in the Catholic Church only: For the reason is the same, and the former admitteth them into the same number.
2. If a man may by Confirmation be admitted into the Number of Adult Christians, in the Church Universal, without being admitted into a particular Church, then his Profession and Admission need not (in that case) to be before the Congregation: But the Antecedent is true: as I prove thus. A man may by Adult Baptism, be admitted first into the Universal Church only: (As was the Eunuch, the Jaylour, Lydia, Sergius Paulus, and every first Convert in any ⟨p. 135⟩City, where the Apostles came:) Therefore a man may by Confirmation be admitted into the Number of the Adult, in the Catholick Church only: For the reason is the same, and the former admitteth them into the same number.
The Consequence of the Major is plain. For no one Congregation more then another, can claim the cognisance of the Admission of a member into the Universal Church, or Confirming them in it.
3. Scripture hath no where made such Public Admission to be of constant Necessity: therefore it is not so.
3. Scripture hath no where made such Publique Admission to be of constant Necessity: therefore it is not so.
4. Else none could be Admitted, or Confirmed when persecution hindereth Church Assemblies.
5. The Church is to believe and trust the Pastors, to whom it doth by office belong to try and admit them.
5. The Church is to believe and trust the Pastours, to whom it doth by office belong to try and admit them.
6. General unfixed Ministers may thus try, approve, and confirm, who are not Pastors of any particular Church: (such as Apostles, Evangelists, and others were:) therefore they are not always to do it before a particular Church: Nor indeed did they alway do so.
6. General unfixed Ministers may thus try, approve, and confirm, who are not Pastours of any particular Church: (such as Apostles, Evangelists, and others were:) therefore they are not alwaies to do it before a particular Church: Nor indeed did they alway do so.
1. The solemnity it self of our Transition into the number of Adult-members, and their Communion, is of very great advantage, as I shall manifest more anon.
1. THe solemnity it self of our Transition into the number of Adult-members, and their Communion, is of very great advantage, as I shall manifest more anon.
2.1 We that are commonly against the private Admission of Infants (at least except in some urgent case) have less reason to be for the private2 Transition and Admission of men among the ⟨p. 137⟩Adult, and that into a particular Governed Church.
3. The whole Society among whom such a person is entered, do owe him much duty and brotherly assistance: They must Love him with a special Love: They must live, though not in a Levelling, yet in a Charitable Community with him, not shutting up the bowels of Compassion from him, when they see him in want, but relieving him, as if they suffered with him: They are not only to Love him, and Relieve him as a man; but as one of Christ's little ones, or friends; yea as his brethren, yea as loving and relieving Christ in them, Matth. 25. 35. to the end. They must receive and relieve a Disciple in the name of a Disciple. Besides this, they must have Church-Union and Communion with him, as one Body; and must pray for him, and rejoice with him in Gods Praises, and ⟨p. 138⟩the Lords Supper, and watch over him, and admonish and reprove him in sin, for his recovery; and avoid him if he walk disorderly, and be impenitent in scandalous sin, &c.
3. The whole Society among whom such a person is entered, do owe him much duty and brotherly assistance: They must Love him with a special Love: They must live, though not in a Levelling, yet in a Charitable Community with him, not shutting up the bowels of Compassion from him, when they see him in want, but relieving him, as if they sufferd with him: They are not only to Love him, and Relieve him as a man; but as one of Christ's little ones, or friends; yea as his brethren, yea as loving and relieving Christ in them, Matth. 25. 35. to the end. They must receive and relieve a Disciple in the name of a Disciple. Besides this, they must have Church-Union and Communion with him, as one Body; and must pray for him, and rejoice with him in Gods Praises, and ⟨p. 138⟩the Lords Supper, and watch over him, and admonish and reprove him in sinne, for his recovery; and avoid him if he walk disorderly, and be impenitent in scandalous sinne, &c.