A76157:497
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.
Direct. 5. If any come in that hath violated his Baptismal Covenant, by a wicked ⟨p. 282⟩life, he is before you Receive him, to give some open testimony of his Repentance, (if his sin were open) that so he may be Ministerially Absolved, and the Church receive him, not merely as an Adult-Believer, but as a Convert, with Prayers and Rejoicing. And the fuller Confession he makes of his ungodly life, and of the way and Love of God in his recovery, and the fuller warning he giveth others of the sins that he was guilty of, and the fuller he communicateth to them the Satisfying Reasons that caused him to turn, the better it is, and more suitable to the state of a Penitent: as also the fuller he professeth his Resolution to stick close to Christ, by the help of his Grace, for the time to come.
Direct. 5. If any come in that hath violated his Baptismal Covenant, by a wicked ⟨p. 282⟩life, he is before you Receive him, to give some open testimony of his Repentance, (if his sinne were open) that so he may be Ministerially Absolved, and the Church receive him, not meerly as an Adult-Believer, but as a Convert, with Praiers and Rejoicing. And the fuller Confession he makes of his ungodly life, and of the way and Love of God in his recovery, and the fuller warning he giveth others of the sinnes that he was guilty of, and the fuller he communicateth to them the Satisfying Reasons that caused him to turne, the better it is, and more suitable to the state of a Penitent: as also the fullyer he professeth his Resolution to stick close to Christ, by the help of his Grace, for the time to come.
Direct. 6. For the execution of this, because all the People cannot be still ready, nor attend, and because, it's fit they have some cognisance of these things; let some of the most sober, judicious persons, be chosen by the Church (not into Office, but as their Delegates, or Trustees) to meet with the Pastors monthly in some convenient place, where all persons may first address themselves that seek the Privileges of the Church (and where matters of Discipline may be first transacted, before we bring them to the Assembly