A76157:430
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.
Object. 9. But if you will not take a non-renouncing of Christ, and Infant Baptism as sufficient, without a Personal Covenant and Profession, you may on the same grounds call men every week to such a Profession, because that the former Profession shows not what they afterwards are, but what then they are.
Object. 9. But if you will not take a non-renouncing of Christ, and Infant Baptism as sufficient, without a Personal Covenant and Profession, you may on the same grounds call men every week to such a Profession, because that the former Profession shews not what they afterwards are, but what then they are.
Answ. 1. The case is quite another: In your instance, it is but the continuance of the same Profession and Condition that is requisite: And I am bound to take it as continued, while I have no Evidence to question it, and see the performance of it, as far as belongeth to my cognisance. But in my case the Conditions and the Professions are not the same: A new Condition of Right; is necessary to the Adult, which they had not at all in their Infant Baptism. Then they entered upon their Parents Faith or Profession; but at age they must necessarily have a Faith, or Profession of their own, or else they actually cease to be Christians.
2. And yet let me add, that frequent Professions of Faith, and renewing Covenant with God, have ever been used in the Church; both before Christs Incarnation and since, and indeed, the Lords Supper doth import it: And for my part, I think ⟨p. 251⟩it a very convenient, edifying course, to have the Articles of our Faith every day repeated, as the Belief of that Church, and the people to stand up at it, to signify their consent; so be it, you will not take up with this silent Profession alone, and exclude a more explicit one, when it is requisite. But this fitly signifieth our standing to the first.