A76157:499
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. 7. Let the Pastors and Churches that live within the reach of any Communion, be as many as is possible, associate, and meet for the maintaining of Communion of Churches: (by their Officers, and Delegates) And those that differ in such tolerable matters, as may not hinder their Christian or Church-Communion, and yet are not satisfied to join in Synods with the rest, let them Agree upon such terms of Communion and Christian correspondence as their Principles will admit. And let no stranger be admitted to our Church-communion, that bringeth not a Certificate (called of old Communicatory Letters,) or some sufficient Testimony from one of these sorts ⟨p. 284⟩either the Churches nearly Associated, or those that we agree to take for Brethren. And those that bring such Certificates must be admitted by us, without any further Trial, or Confirmation; unless there be some notable cause of suspicion. But for those that live in Heretical, or Impious Societies, or such as refuse all Church-order, and Communion with neighbour Churches, or are justly disowned by the Associated Churches, we should not admit them to our Communion, without a particular Trial, or a better Certificate then those Churches can give them. And thus should all the Churches be concatenated, and their Communion settled.
Direct. 7. Let the Pastours and Churches that live within the reach of any Communion, be as many as is possible, associate, and meet for the maintaining of Communion of Churches: (by their Officers, and Delegates) And those that differ in such tollerable matters, as may not hinder their Christian or Church-Communion, and yet are not satisfied to joyne in Synods with the rest, let them Agree upon such terms of Communion and Christian correspondence as their Principles will admit. And let no stranger be admitted to our Church-communion, that bringeth not a Certificate (called of old Communicatorie Letters,) or some sufficient Testimony from one of these sorts ⟨p. 284⟩either the Churches neerly Associated, or those that we agree to take for Brethren. And those that bring such Certificates must be admitted by us, without any further Tryal, or Confirmation; unless there be some notable cause of suspition. But for those that live in Heretical, or Impious Societies, or such as refuse all Church-order, and Communion with neighbour Churches, or are justly disowned by the Associated Churches, we should not admit them to our Communion, without a particular Tryal, or a better Certificate then those Churches can give them. And thus should all the Churches be concatenated, and their Communion setled.