A76157:514
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. For the better promoting of this Necessary work, I conceive it would be a very ready and unquestionable way, for the Magistrate to appoint an able, Godly, moderate Minister, to be a Visitor in each County, or rather in each half or quarter of a County, to see the Churches thus Reformed, and provoke the several Pastors to their duty, and assist them in it, where there is need: But not to have any Episcopal power to punish, or cast out any Minister, or excommunicate them, suspend them, or the like: But let every Visitor have an Agent of the Magistrate joined with him, armed with authority to convent the Ministers, and examine witnesses, and do what more the chief Magistrate shall see meet, so that still these two Visitors go together, but have not the same Authority or work; but let the Minister only enquire, direct, exhort, and give account and advice to the civil Visitor; and let the civil Visitor have all the Coercive Power: And let both of them transmit such causes as are exempt from their determination, to the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Ministers, who by the advise of the Assistant Ministers may determine them. These Visitors ⟨p. 300⟩did very much to the first and great Reformation of Scotland, when Popery had overrun all: Nor did they Scruple the using of them, for all that they were against Prelacy.
Direct. 5. For the better promoting of this Necessary work, I conceive it would be a very ready and unquestionable way, for the Magistrate to appoint an able, Godly, moderate Minister, to be a Visiter in each County, or rather in each half or quarter of a County, to see the Churches thus Reformed, and prvoke the several Pastours to their duty, and assist them in it, where there is need: But not to have any Episcopal power to punish, or cast out any Minister, or excommunicate them, suspend them, or the like: But let every Visitor have an Agent of the Magistrate joyned with him, armed with authority to convent the Ministers, and examine witnesses, and do what more the chief Magistrate shall see meet, so that still these two Visitors go together, but have not the same Authority or work; but let the Minister only enquire, direct, exhort, and give account and advice to the civil Visiter; and let the civil Visiter have all the Coercive Power: And let both of them transmit such causes as are exempt from their determination, to the Commissioners for ejecting scandalous Mininisters, who by the advise of the Assistant Ministers may determin them. These Visiters ⟨p. 300⟩