A76157:555
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.
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⟩Church-communion and privileges.
So that I may conclude, that an Adult person not professing Christianity is not a visible Christian, notwithstanding his birth priviledges: and therefore not a visible Churchmember; and therefore an Apostate, seeing he was once engaged in Covenant to Christ, (though not an Apostate from actuall Faith) and therefore such as hath no proper right to ⟨image 180⟩Church-communion and priviledges.
Object. If his Infant Title be cut off, it is either by Ignorance, Wickedness, Heresy, or Schism, or Apostasy: but ignorance and wickedness do not cut him off; and Heresy, Schism, or Apostasy he is not guilty of; therefore, &c.
Object. If his Infant Title be cut off, it is either by Ignorance, Wickednesse, Heresie, or Schism, or Apostacie: but ignorance and wickedness do not cut him off; and Heresie, Schism, or Apostacie he is not guilty of; therefo•e, &c.
Answ. 1. His Infant Title will cease of it self without any other cutting off, if it be not continued by his personal actual believing, when he comes to capable age. His birth privileges alone, or his Parents dedicating him to God in Baptism, will serve no longer of it self. It is therefore for want of Personal Faith Coram Deo, and of the profession of Faith Coram ecclesiâ, that his right doth cease.