A76157:570
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.
14. He that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him: Therefore those that profess not this belief, cannot come to God, and consequently not have Communion with the Church. Without Faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11. 5, 6. Therefore without a profession of Faith, it is impossible to have right to just Communion; which is purposely for the pleasing of God.
Object. But (its said) Infants have Faith;that is, a Relative Faith, and a Federal Faith, as well as a Relative Federal Holiness▪ Their right is not only in their Parents, but in themselves; and therefore their Faith is in themselves: and this continueth with the aged, till Heresy and Schism cut it off.
Object. But (its said) Infants have Faith;that is, a Relative Faith, and a Faderall Faith, as well as a Relative Faederall Holiness▪ Their right is not only in their Parents, but in themselves; and therefore their Faith is in themselves: and this continueth with the aged, till Heresie and Schisme cut it off.
Answ. Call any thing under Heaven by the name of Faith, so you will but explain your meaning, and we will quarrel as little as may be with you about words: But little know we what you mean by Relative or Federal Faith, unless it be plainly, to be semen fidelium, the seed of believers: that there is a Relative and Federal Holiness, is Scripture Doctrine, and good sense: For the formal nature of the thing is a relation which commonly is expressed by the name of Holiness, ⟨image 185⟩