A76157:372
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.
So that you see we must not admit any, but the Confirmed to the Sacrament. And I suppose in common reason, they will extend this to the Aged, as well as unto Children, seeing ignorance in them is more intolerable: And indeed the words themselves exclude the unconfirmed, and that cannot say the Catechism, from the Sacrament, of what age soever.1 2. And I may take it for granted, that it is not bare saying the Catechism, that they expect, but also a Profession that they own their Baptismal Covenant to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: And also that it be a Profession somewhat understood; and not barely to say the words which they understand not, as a Parrot doth. And this I prove to be their meaning, (yea and also that they live a Christian life) from the Prayer in Confirmation, adjoined, which is this; Almighty and Everlasting God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy Servants by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins; ⟨p. 209⟩strengthen them, we beseech thee O Lord with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and daily increase in them the many old gifts of Grace, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, and Ghostly strength, the Spirit of Knowledge and true Godliness. So that here you see that the Church of England supposeth all those that are to be Confirmed, to have already the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, and true Godliness: which they beg of God, as to an increase only for the Confirmed. And sure they do not think that every notorious, ungodly man, hath the Spirit of true Godliness, if he can but say the Catechism; or that every ignorant person or Infidel hath the Spirit of Knowledge, Wisdom, &c. as soon as he can speak the words which he understands not. And in the following Prayer they say, We have laid our hands on them, to certify them (by this sign) of thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. And sure they will not think to Certify men that know not what Christianity is, or that live not Christian lives, for this favour of God towards them, merely because they say the words which they do not understand. So that if they will but let men understand what they do, and make good ⟨p. 210⟩what is here expressed, we are agreed with them that stand for Common-Prayer, that such as are unconfirmed be not admitted to the Holy Communion.