A76157:288
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.
Answ. The Pastor must obey God, and refuse to obey them.
Answ. The Pastour must obey God, and refuse to obey them.
Quest. And what if the People think a man unfit, whom the Pastor would Approve and Introduce?
Quest. And what if the People think a man unfit, whom the Pastour would Approve and Introduce?
Answ. 1. He may admit him into the Universal Church: notwithstanding their unjust refusal. 2. He hath power to Admit him into that particular Church, against their unjust dissent, as he is the Ruler of the Church, and the Administrator of the Ordinances. 3. He hath Authority to persuade ⟨p. 144⟩and command them from Christ, to hold communion with the person, and do their duty to him: which if they do not they commit a double sin: one of unjustice and uncharitableness, in a causeless rejecting of a member of Christ; and another of disobedience, against the fifth Commandment. 4. But yet the Pastors cannot force the people to obey their advice, and command, nor effectually procure it perhaps. 5. And therefore their forementioned Power is not always to be exercised. For it is in vain to use a means, that will rather hinder the End then attain to it; and so is at that time, no means. Sometimes the Pastor may see just cause to exercise all this Power, and execute his part of Church communion with the person, in administering the Ordinances to him, and leave the people answerable to God, for refusing their part: But this is not an usual case: Usually, if he see the People resolve against Communion, with that person (how fit soever,) he is publicly to clear himself by disallowing them in their sin, and reproving them for it, and leaving the blame on them; and then in Prudence to forbear the Intruding of the person; because no duty is at all times a duty to be performed; and especially when the