A76157:554
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.
and therefore it is supposed that a mans very abode and residence in their land, is a profession of Subjection: much more when they live in obedience to the Laws, and hold their estates by them. But Christ dealeth not thus: He suffereth Believers and Infidels to live together, and his flock to be but little in the world; so that it cannot be the least presumption, that a man is a Christian, because he liveth among Christians. 4. At least let us not teach Christ, what he should have done, when we find he hath done otherwise; we find that he requireth personal Faith and profession of all at age, that are naturally capable; and therefore we must perform it, and not give reasons why we should not do it. No good Subject that's called to profess his fidelity will refuse, and say, you have no reason to question me, and put such a Trial or obligation upon me.
and therefore it is supposed that a mans very abode and residence in their land, is a profession of Subj•ction: much more when they live in obedience to the Laws, and hold their estates by them. But Christ dealeth not thus: He suffereth Believers and Infidels to live together, and his flock to be but little in the world; so that it cannot be the least presumption, that a man is a Christian, because he liveth among Christians. 4. At least let us not teach Christ, what he should have done, when we find he hath done otherwise; we find that he requireth personall Faith and profession of all at age, that are naturally capable; and therefore we must perform it, and not give reasons why we should not do it. No good Subject that's called to profess his fidelity will ref•se, and say, you have no reason to question me, and put such a Tryall or obligation upon me.
So that I may conclude, that an Adult person not professing Christianity is not a visible Christian, notwithstanding his birth privileges: and therefore not a visible Churchmember; and therefore an Apostate, seeing he was once engaged in Covenant to Christ, (though not an Apostate from actual Faith) and therefore such as hath no proper right to ⟨image 180⟩