A76157:495
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.
If you ask me what shall be done with the rest, seeing they were admitted irregularly, without any Profession of the Faith? I Answer, 1. Acquaint them plainly with the Nature of Christianity, and what a Church is, and what is the Office of a Pastor, and what the duty of the flock, to God, to him, and themselves, and one another. 2. Then tell them, that you resolve to proceed according to these Rules in the Government of your flock; and to exercise this Discipline. Tell them plainly (that they be not deceived) both what are the benefits of a Church-state and Discipline, and what are the difficulties ⟨p. 279⟩that unprepared men are like to grudge at; and how hardly they will take it to be followed, and not suffered to rest in sin, and openly reproved, and cast out with shame, if they will not be Penitent and Reform. And then tell them, that if there be any that have slipped into a Church-state (in show) and knew not what Christianity was, or what they did, and find themselves as yet unfit for it, if they do forbear the Privileges of the Church, till they are better prepared, and acquainted with them, and can use them to their profit, you shall in mean time be ready to Teach them publicly and privately, till they are prepared: And those that are fit to continue, and use such Privileges, advise not to forbear them. But let them know, that you can neither take all the Parish as such for members of the Universal Church, or of your charge, and therefore must have some better Evidence, especially after such a confusion, that negligence hath brought into the Church: And you cannot take any man to be of your charge against his will, and therefore you must know their minds. 3. Give them notice, that all that own their Church-membership, and will have Communion with that Church, under your Ministry and Pastoral ⟨p. 280⟩oversight, are desired by you to signify their desires, by giving in their names to the Clerk of the Parish, or some other fit person; or if they refuse that, by coming to you. 4. When you have their names, keep them some time, while you get information of the persons lives. And then give notice to all (if it may be, to avoid imputation of partiality; or at least of all that you have reason to suspect, of gross ignorance or impiety) by streets, Villages, or houses, to come to speak with you, on some appointed days: where you may discern the fitness of some;