A76157:402
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. 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,