A76157:393
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.
I speak all this to the Congregational Brethren rather then the rest, because they are most suspected to be overstrict in their admissions; and because I would entreat them, to avoid all just occasions of offence and disunion in their Practise, when we are all so happily agreed in our Principles, in this great point, of the Necessity of an Approved Profession.
I speak all this to the Congregational Brethren rather then the rest, because they are most suspected to be overstrict in their admissions; and because I would intreate them, to avoid all just occasions of offence and disunion in their Practise, when we are all so happily agreed in our Principles, in this great point, of the Necessity of an Approved Profession.
4. And for the Erastians, as in the point of Discipline, they commonly contend with us upon a mere mistake, thinking we claim a proper Imperium, or Magisterial Power, when as we claim but the Power of an Ambassador, with such a kind of Power, as a Physician hath over his Patients, or as Plato ⟨p. 230⟩or Zeno had in their Schools, (besides the Ministerial Power in Worshipping) so their Principal quarrel with us, will be removed by the Practice of Confirmation. You talk much of the Sacraments being converting Ordinances, and against examining men in order to the Lords Supper, and keeping men away. But are you not Agreed with us, that a personal understanding, serious Profession of Christianity, even of Faith, and Repentance (which containeth a Renouncing the flesh, the world, and the Devil) is necessary to those that will (either by Baptism or Confirmation) be admitted into the Number of Adult-members of the Church? And do you not grant that the Adult, whether before Baptism or Confirmation, are to be tried and approved by the Pastors, before they Baptize them, or Confirm them? Grant us but this (and that the ancient Discipline should be exercised in the Church, which the Scriptures and all the Church Canons do record) and we shall be agreed with you in a moment. For Baptism we are no stricter then the Common-Prayer Book, that required that the party (by him self or others) did Promise and vow 1. To forsake the Devil and all his works, the Pomps and vanities of the wicked world, and all the