A76157:391
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.
But remember that when the case is but so doubtful and difficult, that you cannot know certainly the tares from the wheat, or cannot make a separation without a danger of pulling up the wheat with the tares, it's better let both alone till harvest. We will ⟨p. 227⟩not be wilfully guilty of mens Lying, or Hypocritical Professions: but if they be guilty of them, we may yet believe, that God hath much service for Hypocrites in his Church. And the number shall be some honour to him; and some encouragement to some that are yet without, to draw nearer us. Though it be the Intention of Christ in Instituting his Ordinances, and the Intention of the Church, that men be truly Penitent believers before they are Baptized (at age) or admitted into the number of Adult Church-members, and to the Lords Table; and so never made the Eucharist an Ordinance which is Primarily and Directly intended for Conversion of the unregenerate, and which known ungodly men may seek, and be admitted to, in order to their Conversion: (Bellarmin himself confessing that such come into the Church praeter intentionem Ecclesiae) Yet Christ that knew abundance of unsound Professors would thrust themselves into the Church, hath provided those Ordinances there, which conduce much to their regeneration: And even the Lords Supper, though instituted primarily for another use, may be a means of this, to those that yet unworthily drew near it. However, if we be commanded to invite, yea and compel men ⟨p. 228⟩to come in to the Church, that the house of Christ may be filled, we must not be too scrupulous in admitting them, nor to busy in keeping them back. If any where, it's here that Christ is like to say, Odi servum nimis diligentem. If men make a Credible Profession, I dare not refuse them: Nor dare I by my uncharitable Incredulity, take that for Incredible, which I cannot Prove to be so. His Profession is the Evidence of his Title with the Church. If I will deny him when he seeks admittance, I must disprove that Profession, and show it to be invalid.
But remember that when the case is but so doubtfull and difficult, that you cannot know certainly the tares from the wheat, or cannot make a separation without a danger of pulling up the wheate with the tares, it's better let both alone till harvest. We will ⟨p. 227⟩