A76157:500
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. 8. Above all let every Minister see that he wisely and diligently carry himself to the rest of his Parish; avoiding indeed the excommunicate as Heathens: but for all that are willing to learn in an Expectant-state, let us deal lovingly, gently and tenderly with them, denying them nothing that lawfully we can yield them, in matters of Burial, Marrying, Praying, Preaching, or the like. And be sure to carry on the Necessary duty of Catechizing, and personal Conference and Instruction with them, family by family, by which you may the better know ⟨p. 285⟩them and prepare them for Church-Communion, and have opportunity to quiet them, and answer their Objections; and they may see that you cast them not off as Heathens, but only prepare them for the state and Privileges, which they are yet unfit for.
Direct. 8. Above all let every Minister see that he wisely and diligently carry himself to the rest of his Parish; avoiding indeed the excommunicate as Heathens: but for all that are willing to learne in an Expectant-state, let us deale lovingly, gently and tenderly with them, denying them nothing that lawfully we can yield them, in matters of Buryal, Marrying, Praying, Preaching, or the like. And be sure to carry on the Necessary duty of Catechizing, and personal Conference and Instruction with them, family by family, by which you may the better know ⟨p. 285⟩them and prepare them for Church-Communion, and have opportunity to quiet them, and answer their Objections; and they may see that you cast them not off as Heathens, but only prepare them for the state and Priviledges, which they are yet unfit for.
And especially let us by all possible condescension, meekness, loving carriage, blameless lives, and charitable contribution to the utmost of our abilities, endeavour to win them and take off that Offence, or at least abate it, or hinder the success of the reproaches of those, that will undoubtedly be offended, by our Reformation and Discipline. And let us have a vigilant eye upon any Seducers, especially Infidels and Papists that may creep in among them, to take advantage of their discontents; that we may prudently and effectually counterwork them. This much faithfully done by Ministers, might be an admirable mercy to the Church.