A76157:283
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.
5. Yea indeed, the Spirit of God, is in the Saints, a Spirit of discerning; so that it is not Possible that all the Church should in their Affections obey such a corrupt Administrator, by Loving all the notorious, ungodly men, as Saints, with the special Love of brethren, whom he will carelessly, or erroneously put in the place of Saints. I cannot possibly Love that man as a Saint, or Disciple of Christ, that I am certain is his enemy, and none such.
5. Yea indeed, the Spirit of God, is in the Saints, a Spirit of discerning; so that it is not Possible that all the Church should in their Affections obey such a corrupt Administratour, by Loving all the notorious, ungodly men, as Saints, with the special Love of brethren, whom he will carelesly, or erroneously put in the place of Saints. I cannot possibly Love that man as a Saint, or Disciple of Christ, that I am certain is his enemy, and none such.
I conclude therefore, that though the people be not Church-governors by a Vote (that's a great error) yet they have a Judgment of Discerning, according to which, they must obey, or reject their Pastors administrations. And he that denieth this, and would have them yield an Absolute obedience, ⟨p. 142⟩without trying, choosing and refusing, would not only make the Pastors to be of a Papal strain, but would give them a Jesuitical Obedience, above what the moderate Papists give the Pope. And therefore seeing that ad finem there is a Necessity that the People consent, (or else they cannot Obey, nor hold communion with the person) therefore there is also the same Necesity ad finem that they have satisfaction offered them, and have either the cognisance of the Profession, and admission of the person, or that they be satisfied in the fidelity of their Pastors in Administration, and that he seek their consent; or (which is best) that some chosen persons do Represent them, and be present at such Professions with the Pastors; and the Pastors, and their own Delegates together, do acquaint the Congregation of all that are Admitted, and of their Satisfactory Profession, that they may hold Communion with them. This I speak of those (which are very many) that are fit for Church-communion, and yet through bashfulness, or want of utterance, are unable to make a Public Profession before all (The choicest Christians that I have known, have been such:) But those that are able, should rather in Public make their own Profession.