A76157:400
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. There is no Ordinance or Truth of God, that will not be spoken against by mistaking men: and yet we must not therefore cast them away. Nor is it the way to vindicate a Truth or Ordinance from reproach, to disclaim it, and so to reproach it actually our selves. Nor is it the way to get advantage of an adversary, to fly from him too far into the contrary extreme, but rather to come as near him as the truth will give us leave. And to the Anabaptists Objection, we shall give them our reasons against their way, in a fitter place, and have already done it. We are most certain that the Servants of God of old (both with Circumcision and without it, Deut. 29.) did enter their children into Covenant with God, as well as themselves. And if it be the express Word of God, that both Infants and Aged should be entered and engaged to him in Covenant, we will obey his Word, and do both, though the Anabaptists will do but the one. He must have a hard face, that will deny that it was once the duty of Parents, to offer their ⟨p. 235⟩children to God, and enter them into Covenant with him: and when they have proved that this Duty or Power is recalled, (which I never yet saw done, no not in Mr. Tombs his last Voluminous Review) then we will forbear it; but till then it is not mens talk and confident words, that must make a tender Conscience yield, to omit so great and plain a duty, or give up so great a Mercy as this is. I am sure that Infants were then no more able to believe themselves, nor enter themselves in Covenant with God then now: and I am sure the Parents by Gods appointment, did it for them, offering and engaging them to God, and that God hereupon is called their God, and they his people: and that usually the sign of the Covenant was annexed. And I am sure that Parents have as much Natural Interest in their children now as then: And I never yet saw where God had acquit us of this duty, or withdrawn this Mercy from us, and our seed.
Answ. There is no Ordinance or Truth of God, that will not be spoken against by mistaking men: and yet we must not therefore cast them away. Nor is it the way to vindicate a Truth or Ordinance from reproach, to disclame it, and so to reproach it actually our selves. Nor is it the way to get advantage of an adversary, to fly fom him too far into the contrary extreame, but rather to come as neare him as the truth will give us leave. And to the Anabaptists Objection, we shall give them our reasons against their way, in a fitter place, and have already done it. We are most certain that the Servants of God of old (both with Circumsion and without it,