A76157:456
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.
12. Presbyters are Governors of the Churches, which are their Pastoral charge; and are called Rectors: (see Bishop Ushers, Reduction of Episcopacy, &c. proving it) Therefore they may do this, which is an act of Government or Guidance of the particular Church.
12. Presbyters are Governours of the Churches, which are their Pastoral charge; and are called Rectors: (see Bishop Ʋshers, Reduction of Episcopacy, &c. proving it) Therefore they may do this, which is an act of Government or Guidance of the particular Church.
13. Presbyters must teach and oversee the people as their charge, and deliver them the Sacrament: Therefore they must judge to whom they must do it.
14. A Diocesan Bishop is uncapable of doing it faithfully: Could one man Try, Approve and Confirm faithfully, all the Souls in 200 or 300 Churches? It's known that here they did not: and it's plain they cannot. If they lay hands on them without Trial, upon the Presbyters word, then 1. This yieldeth, all save the Ceremony, which we require. 2. And it is a venturing their practises on the judgment and fidelity of other men; who may send them Infidels to be Confirmed for ought they know. But if they Try themselves, they are never able to do for so many, in season: some will be old men, before the Bishop will have leisure to Confirm them; and many a hundred die without it. Nor do they know the people as their Pastors do.
14. A Diocesane Bishop is uncapable of doing it faithfully: Could one man Try, Approve and Confirm faithfully, all the Souls in 200 or 300 Churches? It's known that here they did not: and it's plain they cannot. If they lay hands on them without Tryal, upon the Presbyters word, then 1. This yieldeth, all save the Ceremony, which we require. 2. And it is a venturing their practises on the judgment and fidelity of other men; who may send them Infidels to be Confirmed for ought they know. But if they Try themselves, they are never able to do for so many, in season: some will be old men, before the Bishop will have leisure to Confirm them; and many a hundred die without it. Nor do they know the people as their Pastours do.