A76157:401
A76157:401
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.
Object. 2. The proof which you bring for this Confirmation is so obscure, that it is not like to be generally received.
Answ. It was generally received in almost all the Churches on earth, till lately: And as far as I plead for it, it is yet Doctrinally at least owned and maintained, even by those ⟨p. 236⟩Churches that practically have disused it Of all the Christians on Earth, I suppose there is a thousand if not ten thousand for it, (doctrinally or dogmatically) for one that is against it, if we judge by the Laws, Confessions, and writings of their guides. Though the Greeks I know do not own the Popish Confirmation, nor have it not so formally as they should, and the Papists have corrupted it by their abuse; yet the thing in substance is owned dogmatically by almost all the Christian world: And they must be very singular persons that disown it. 2. And I think the proof that hath been given you is clearer, then you have for the Morality of the Lords day, for constant family Prayer, for Infant Baptism, and many a holy Duty, which yet we have sufficient proof for. What would you have plainer? Is there the least doubt of it, whether a Personal Profession and Covenanting with God, be necessary to him that will be taken into the Number of Adult Christians, and possess their Privileges and Communion? Or whether this Profession must be approved by the Pastor, of the Church, and known to them that must hold Communion with him? Prove if you can, that ever one man was admitted among Adult-Christians, to enjoy Communion with them, ⟨p. 237⟩without such a personal Profession. You cannot prove it. If Infant-Covenanting were enough for the Adult, then Infidels are Believers.
Answ. It was generally received in almost all the Churches on earth, till lately: And as far as I plead for it, it is yet Doctrinally at least owned and maintained, even by those ⟨p. 236⟩Churches that practically have disused it Of all the Christians on Earth, I suppose there is a thousand if not ten thousand for it, (doctrinally or dogmatically) for one that is against it, if we judge by the Laws, Confessions, and writings of their guides. Though the Greeks I know do not own the Popish Confirmation, nor have it not so formally as they should, and the Papists have corrupted it by their abuse; yet the thing in substance is owned dogmatically by almost all the Christian world: And they must be very singular persons that disowne it. 2. And I think the proofe that hath been given you is clearer, then you have for the Morality of the Lords day, for constant family Prayer, for Infant Baptism, and many a holy Duty, which yet we have sufficient proof for. What would you have plainer? Is there the least doubt of it, whether a Presonal Profession and Covenanting with God, be necessary to him that will be taken into the Number of Adult Christians, and possess their Priviledges and Communion? Or whether this Profession must be approved by the Pastour, of the Church, and known to them that must hold Communion with him? Prove if you can, that ever one man was admitted among Adult-Christians, to enjoy Communion with them, ⟨p. 237⟩without such a personal Profession. You cannot prove it. If Infant-Covenanting were enough for the Adult, then Infidels are Believers.
3. Object▪ But this will make Ministers to be Lords of the Church: when no man can be taken into the Church, or possess the Privileges of a Christian, till he be Approved by them This will put a Tyrannical Power into their hands.
3. Object▪ But this will make Ministers to be Lords of the Church: when no man can be taken into the Church, or possess the Priviledges of a Christian, till he be Approved by them This will put a Tyrannical Power into their hands.
Answ. 1. Such a Tyrannical Power as every Physician hath, who may choose or refuse his patients; or every School-master hath that may choose or refuse his Scholars, if he engage not himself to the contrary, as Plato, Zeno, and every Philosopher did in his School.
Answ. 1. Such a Tyranical Power as every Physician hath, who may choose or refuse his patients; or every School-master hath that may choose or refuse his Schollars, if he engage not himself to the contrary, as Plato, Zeno, and every Philosopher did in his Schoole.
2. It is such a Tyranny as Christ hath unquestionably set up; and to accuse him of setting up Tyranny, is an unkind part of them that look to be saved by him.
3. It is a Power that hath Constantly been exercised by the Officers of Christ, and did not men smell out the Tyranny of it till now? What Prince did govern the Church doors, and judge who should be admitted, from the days of Christ, till Constantine's days, when the Church was at the purest; yea or ever after for many a hundred years? Did not ⟨p. 238⟩all the Apostles, and every Preacher of the Gospel Baptize those that they converted, and judge of them whether they were Baptizable? And did not the Bishops Confirm the Baptized, without consulting another Power? Half that were admitted into the Church by Baptism, (and more) for some hundred years after Christ, were the Adult: and of these, the Pastor required a personal Covenant and Profession. The other half were their Infants: and for them they required the Parents Profession, and entering them into Covenant: But still the Pastors were the Judges, who were the administers.
3. It is a Power that hath Constantly been exercised by the Officers of Christ, and did not men smel out the Tyranny of it till now? What Prince did govern the Church doores, and judge who should be admitted, from the daies of Christ, till Constantines daies, when the Church was at the purest; yea or ever after for many a hundred yeares? Did not ⟨p. 238⟩all the Apostles, and every Preacher of the Gospel Baptize those that they convetred, and judge of them whether they were Baptizable? And did not the Bishops Confirm the Baptized, without consulting another Power? Half that were admitted into the Church by Baptism, (and more) for some hundred yeares after Christ, were the Adult: and of these, the Pastour required a personal Covenant and Profession. The other half were their Infants: and for them they required the Parents Profession, and entering them into Covenant: But still the Pastours were the Judges, who were the administers.
4. If you think it too much Power for us, I beseech you think it too much work for us: and dream not that we have a work, and not Power to do it, or discern what we do. Set others to do it, that you can better trust.
4. If you think it too much Power for us, I beseech you think it too much work for us: and dreame not that we have a work, and not Power to do it, or discern what we do. Set others to do it, that you can better trust.
5. Who would you have trusted with this Power? Some body must have it. I have proved to you fully, that every man must not be the sole Judge of his own fitness for Baptism or Church Privileges: and that the people or Magistrates are not the sole or chief Judges: and who should it be but they, to whom it is committed by Christ in their call to the office of the Ministry?
5. Who would you have trusted with this Power? Some body must have it. I have proved to you fully, that every man must not be the sole Judge of his own fitness for Baptism or Church Priviledges: and that the people or Magistrates are not the sole or chief Judges: and who should it be but they, to whom it is committed by Christ in their call to the office of the Ministry?
6. Ministers (as I before showed) have no Tyrannical or Arbitrary Power. For Christ hath tied them by a Law, who to admit, and whom to reject. And if they disobey this Law, the Magistrate may correct them: So that in the exercise of this Tyrannical Power, every Minister is under the lash of the Magistrates violence, (if he grossly offend) whereas none of the people are under any violence, or force from us to obey us; but if all of them disobey us and rebel, it is their own loss, and we have no remedy. This is the Tyranny.
6. Ministers (as I before shewed) have no Tyrannical or Arbitrary Power. For Christ hath tied them by a Law, who to admit, and whom to reject. And if they disobey this Law, the Magistrate may correct them: So that in the exercise of this Tyrannical Power, every Minister is under the lash of the Magistrates violence, (if he grosly offend) whereas none of the people are under any violence, or force from us to obey us; but if all of them disobey us and rebel, it is their own loss, and we have no remedy. This is the Tyranny.
7. Lastly, If you think it (as it is) so great a Power, for us to judge of mens Profession and fitness for Church Privileges, let it awaken you the more, to get the wisest, ablest men you can for the Ministry, that are fit for so a great trust. If the best that are to be got, are not in the Office, beshrew our Governors, and the choosers. And if you do not cast us all out, if you can put fitter men into the place, that are meeter for the trust, beshrew you for your negligence: we give you no thanks for it. But if you have no fitter for this work and trust, will you cast it upon unfitter or on none? It is a great trust for a Physician to be trusted with your lives, and a School-master and Tutor with ⟨p. 240⟩your Children? But what of that? Will you therefore trust the good women, or common neighbours about you with them; yea or the Magistrate himself. Or will you have no Tutors or Physicians? Or rather will you not be the more careful to keep our Empirics and unworthy persons, and get the ablest and faithfulest that you can. O unthankful men, that grudge us the Power of labouring and spending our selves for their Salvation, and judging, where we must act!
7. Lastly, If you think it (as it is) so great a Power, for us to judge of mens Profession and fitness for Church Priviledges, let it awaken you the more, to get the wisest, ablest men you can for the Ministry, that are fit for so a great trust. If the best that are to be got, are not in the Office, beshrew our Governours, and the choosers. And if you do not cast us all out, if you can put fitter men into the place, that are meeter for the trust, beshrew you for your negligence: we give you no thanks for it. But if you have no fitter for this work and trust, will you cast it upon unfitter or on none? It is a great trust for a Physician to be trusted with your lives, and a School-master and Tutour with ⟨p. 240⟩your Children? But what of that? Will you therefore trust the good women, or common neighbours about you with them; yea or the Magistrate himself. Or will you have no Tutours or Physicians? Or rather will you not be the more careful to keep our Empiricks and unworthy persons, and get the ablest and faithfulest that you can. O unthankfull men, that grudge us the Power of labouring and spending our selves for their Salvation, and judging, where we must act!
4. Object. Is it not the use of the Lords Supper to Confirm us; and do not men there renew their Covenant and Profession? What need is there then of any more?
Answ. 1. You would think much, if at the Lords Supper we should openly call each man to a personal, explicit Profession of his Faith, and Covenanting with God: And indeed it would be a tedious, as well as unseasonable work. It is but a general or joint Profession of all together, that is there renewed: and notwithstanding that, there may for ought we know, be many a one there that is an Infidel, and knoweth not what Christianity is. 2. The Lords Supper is the food of the Soul, confirming by way of nutrition and augmentation; and therefore you must show that you are alive, before you ⟨p. 241⟩may partake of it. It is a feasting upon Christ, and with him in his family, and at his Table: It is a work of Communion with Christ and with his Saints: It is one of the highest privileges of the Church: And therefore you must produce your little, before you can lay claim to it. If a man must be admitted to the Lords Supper, without any precedent, personal Profession or Covenanting with God, upon supposition, that by the act of Receiving he doth all this; then men that know not whether there be a Christ, or what he is, may be admitted: For multitudes of such there are, that in Infancy were baptized: And I know not by seeing him receive, whether he know or believe any thing of Christianity. If a man converted at Age from Heathenism, may not be admitted to the Lords Table without a personal profession in Baptism, then neither may such as are baptized in Infancy, be admitted without a personal Profession, in Confirmation, or such as is without any other Baptism. Our Parents Profession will not serve our turn, in stead of our own when we come to age. And therefore this Objection is vain, unless Infidels may be admitted to Communion, and all be common. But I need not speak much of this, because I shall ⟨p. 242⟩have few such Objectors to deal with: Even the Papists themselves are many of them against promiscuous communion, though the Jesuits of late, have fitted almost all their work, to their man pleasing design: See Joh. Thauleri flores. cap. 23, & 24 pag. 257, &c. (An old Puritan, among the Papists) And they make confession also prerequisite.
Answ. 1. You would think much, if at the Lords Supper we should openly call each man to a personal, explicite Profession of his Faith, and Covenanting with God: And indeed it would be a tedious, as well as unseasonable work. It is but a general or joynt Profession of all together, that is there renewed: and notwithstanding that, there may for ought we know, be many a one there that is an Infidel, and knoweth not what Christianity is. 2. The Lords Supper is the food of the Soul, confirming by way of nutrition and augmentation; and therefore you must shew that you are alive, before you
Object. 5. According to our arguing, Confirmation is not necessary to those that were Baptized at full Age; and therefore it is not necessary to any, if not to all.
Answ. I have given some Reasons why it should be used, with all that have opportunity after Baptism; but I have proved it more Necessary to those that were baptized in Infancy. And if it were Necessary to no other, it would not follow, that it is not Necessary at all, because not to all.
6. Object. Is it not better take up with an Implicit Profession and Covenanting, then make so great a trouble to our selves, and disturbance among the people, as this will make?
Answ. 1. Me thinks, not only the face of the Roman Church, but of our own, might by this time have afforded us satisfying experience, what Implicit Faith, and Implicit ⟨p. 243⟩Professions are, and to what they tend. Peruse the forementioned Evils of this course, and look upon the state of our people, where you may see them in existence, and then judge whether this Objection be answered.