A76157:389
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.
3. And if any should have a jealousy of this design, as seeming to set up the Congregational way of Covenanting, I entreat such to remember; 1. What an enemy to the Unity of the Church, and how unbeseeming a charitable Christian, a spirit of causeless jealousy is. 2. That it should be the more ⟨p. 224⟩grateful to you, because it is acceptable to your Brethren: If you are Lovers of Unity and Peace, you will be far from avoiding a Practice, because those hold it with whom you would be united, that is, because it tends to Unity; but rather you will be glad of such a healing means. 3. Consider that it is no more the Congregational mens Principle, then the Episcopal, Presbyterians and the Erastians. It is our common Principle, let us therefore make it our common Practice; an easy, a reasonable way of Agreement. The not Practising of this hath cast us into confusions; and the Practise of it must be it, that must restore our Church Order, and heal most of our Divisions. I know it is agreeable to your Judgments. I move you not to forsake your Principles, but to Practice them. Do but enrol those only for your Adult Church-members, that are Confirmed, or Approve, upon a personal credible Profession, of true Christianity, and consent to live under your Ministerial Discipline; and it will do more, then you can easily now apprehend, for an Union with your Brethren, and for the closing of the sad, and long-continued divisions of the Churches.
3. And if any should have a jealousie of this designe, as seeming to set up the Congregational way of Covenanting, I intreat such to remember; 1. What an enemy to the Unity of the Church, and how unbeseeming a charitable Christian, a spirit of causeless jealousie is. 2. That it should be the more ⟨p. 224⟩gratefull to you, because it is acceptable to your Brethren: If you are Lovers of Unity and Peace, you will be far from avoiding a Practice, because those hold it with whom you would be united, that is, because it tends to Unity; but rather you will be glad of such a healing means. 3. Consider that it is no more the Congregational mens Principle, then the Episcopal, Presbyterians and the Erastians. It is our common Principle, let us therefore make it our common Practice; an easy, a reasonable way of Agreement. The not Practising of this hath cast us into confusions; and the Practise of it must be it, that must restore our Church Order, and heale most of our Divisions. I know it is agreeable to your Judgments. I move you not to forsake your Principles, but to Practice them. Do but enrol those only for your Adult Church-members, that are Confirmed, or Approve, upon a personal credible Profession, of true Christianity, and consent to live under your Ministerial Discipline; and it will do more, then you can easily now apprehend, for an Union with your Brethren, and for the closing of the sad, and long-continued divisions of the Churches.