A76157:439
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. No such matter: The Anabaptists themselves will not Rebaptize an Apostate, when he returneth to the Church. He is to be received by Confession and Absolution, and not by Baptism. If a Christian turn Turk, and afterward Return, he is not to be Rebaptized.
Object. 13. But by this means you will unchristen the people, and then they will be exasperated, and turn Heathens, or hearken to any seducers that will mislead them
Answ. 1. No: we will unchristen no man: but do that honour to Christianity, and that right to the Church and the Souls of men, as to make a difference between Christians and Infidels, and that somewhat wider then the bare Names. He that is a Christian shall be more encouraged by this course, and he that is not, cannot be unchristened by us. If men will not unchristen ⟨p. 255⟩themselves, they need not fear lest the just trying and approving of their Christianity should unchristen them. 2. How little honour it is to Christ and the Church, to have the number made up, by such as we would disallow; I have showed you before, and also what a mischief that is to themselves, which some would give them as a benefit. 3. If Magistrates and Ministers do their duty, (yea or but Ministers alone) they will better be kept from Heathenism, or other evils in the state of Expectants and Catechumens, then in the state of Church-members, where Discipline will make them mad.
Answ. 1. No: we will unchristen no man: but do that honour to Christianity, and that right to the Church and the Soules of men, as to make a difference between Christians and Infidels, and that somewhat wider then the bare Names. He that is a Christian shall be more encouraged by this course, and he that is not, cannot be unchristened by us. If men will not unchristen