A76157:481
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. 1. While men are men, they will act as men. If we shall have no Church-Ordinances and Administrations, till you are secured from humane abuse of them, you must shut up the Church doors, and give up all; and shut up your Bibles, till Papists and Infidels can find no matter of cavilling at the Translation. 2. As I said before, this indeed should provoke the Magistrate to set a faithful guard on the Church doors, that seeing the Pastors have so great a Trust, and the danger of abusing it is so great, the worthiest should be chosen that can be had. And if it be not so, you reproach your selves, that are choosers and Pastors, and have the ⟨p. 271⟩Rule. Why choose you not better if you know where to find them? 3. This Objection, is as much against our Judging of those that are to be Baptized, which yet the Ministers that did Baptize, have ever done, and were you not Baptized already, we must admit you, and judge who is to be admitted, as the ancient Preachers of the Gospel did. 4. The Episcopal Brethren had more wit, then to be against Confirmation, because one man may use it too strictly, and another too loosely: The Congregational men are not against Church-covenants or Professions, because one Pastor or Church may be too strict; and another too loose in judging of mens Piety: The Presbyterians are not against Trying men before admission to the Lords Supper, nor against Discipline, because one Eldership may be too strict, and another too loose. The Anabaptists are not against Rebaptizing men at age, because one Minister may refuse the fit, and another may take in all that come. Why then should a possibility of Ministers miscarriage, cause you to be more against this, then all the rest? 5. If Ministers be Associated, they will be accountable for such miscarriages; and the Advise and Admonition of their Brethren, may do much to prevent or reform such ⟨p. 272⟩abuses: And the faithful people of their charge, will somewhat observe them, and bid Archippus take heed to the Ministry that he hath received in the Lord, that he fulfil it, Col. 4. 17. 6. As long as you are not forced into our charge, but have your Liberty to choose your Pastor, (as now it is) you have the less reason for this complaint. If the Laws of Zeno or Plato be thought too strict in their Schools, as long as the Scholars may choose to come there, and all volunteers, they may the better bear it. 7.