A76157:592
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.
Object. It is proved by some Writers, that such persons as have neither grace indeed nor in show, may yet have both a real and visible Interest in the Covenant and Church: and the Arguments for this are yet unanswered: therefore persons baptized in Infancy are in the Church and Covenant at age, though they never by Profession made so much as a show of grace.
Object. It is proved by some Writers, that such persons as have neither grace indeed nor in shew, may yet have both a real and visible Interest in the Covenant and Church: and the Arguments for this are yet unanswered: therefore persons baptized in Infancy are in the Church and Covenant at age, though they never by Profession made so much as a shew of grace.
Answ. It was never proved by any Writer, nor ever will be, that any person at age,1 and natural capacity ought to be a member of the Church of Christ, under the Gospel (no nor under ⟨image 192⟩the Law neither) without a show of grace, even of Faith, by his Profession of consent to the Holy Covenant. It's the Arguments against them that remain unanswered: But that all their Arguments, that I remember, are sufficiently answered, I shall take for granted, till I see a Reply. And for them that tell us of the Church membership of the Adult, considered without Respect to saving Grace, I shall regard them, when they have proved, either that Faith and Repentance are no saving Graces; or that Profession of Faith hath no Respect to Faith; or that men may have Title to Church-membership, without respect to Profession of Faith; even of their Parents, if they are Infants; or their own if at age. All these three points are yet unproved.
Answ. It was never proved by any Writer, nor ever will be, that any person at age,1 and natural capacity ought to be a member of the Church of Christ, under the Gospel (no nor under