A76157:339
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. To do good, for the bringing a man out of that sin, for which he is admonished, is one thing, and to do good, for his Information and Conversion in the main, is another thing; It is the use of Discipline, to cure men of the particular sins that they are reproved for, rather then to convert them from a state of wickedness in general. 2. Nor is Excommunication to be deferred, as long as there is any Hope by other means; but only till we have used other means in vain, for such a season as is meet; that the ends of Discipline be not frustrate. For else there should never man be Excommunicated: For there is some Hope that preaching against his sin may do him good at last; though he come drunk to the Lords Table twenty years together, you cannot say that his Conversion is Impossible: And yet we must not hereupon defer the casting out of such a member. But in his Expectant state, or among the Catechumens, we may bear with him lawfully in his wickedness, without excluding him from among our hearers, and if he hear us seven years and seven in vain, there is yet ⟨p. 188⟩some Hope of his Conversion, while he waiteth in his own place and way.
Answ. To do good, for the bringing a man out of that sinne, for which he is admonished, is one thing, and to do good, for his Information and Conversion in the maine, is another thing; It is the use of Discipline, to cure men of the particular sinnes that they are reproved for, rather then to convert them from a state of wickedness in general. 2. Nor is Excommunication to be deferred, as long as there is any Hope by other meanes; but only till we have used other means in vaine, for such a season as is meet; that the ends of Discipline be not frustrate. For else there should never man be Excommunicated: For there is some Hope that preaching against his sinne may do him good at last; though he come drunk to the Lords Table twenty years together, you cannot say that his Conversion is Impossible: And yet we must not hereupon deferre the casting out of such a member. But in his Expectant state, or among the Catechumens, we may beare with him lawfully in his wickedness, without excluding him from among our hearers, and if he heare us seaven years and seaven in vaine, there is yet ⟨p. 188⟩some Hope of his Conversion, while he waiteth in his own place and way.