A76157:600
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. But it would be your only sure and happy course to exercise Discipline upon all that are baptized in their Infancy; whether at age they consent or no: And finding them in the Church, you must do so.
Answ. I have said enough to this before. Have they that talk thus, tried this course, or have they not? If they have not, we will bear with them as well meaning men, that talk of what they never tried; as we would do with a confident man, that would condemn the actions of Soldiers and Seamen, that himself was never in at wars, nor at Sea. But if they have tried it, what kind of Discipline do they exercise? Would they make us believe, that they are able in a Parish of 4000, or 5000, or 6000 Souls, to exercise the Discipline mentioned in Scripture, and the Canons of the Ancient Churches, and that upon such persons, as our Parishes commonly consist of? I know they cannot do it: I have had trial to tell me what a man can do. With the help of divers Ministers, and many hundred godly people, to watch over others, and promote this work, I am ⟨image 195⟩not able to do it on all this Parish, if I might. There is so many offenders weekly to be dealt with, and so much time required to hear witnesses, and admonish them, that it's more then I could possibly do. How Bishops deal with Dioceses, let them see themselves. And if we could do it, yet the people will not consent If you send for them, they will not come near you: If you admonish them in the Congregation by name, they will have an Action at Law against you, if they can? However, you will have such a multitude enraged by the exercise of Discipline, if it be faithfully (though never so tenderly done) that the Church will be in a flame, and your Ministry hated, and the people undone, as I have before declared. So that it is but a name of Discipline, to the destruction of discipline, that this Objection pleadeth for; or else it dishonoureth it self and the Authors.
Answ. I have said enough to this before. Have they that talk thus, tried this course, or have they not? If they have not, we will beare with them as well meaning men, that talk of what they never tryed; as we would do with a confident man, that would condemn the actions of Souldiours and Seamen, that himself was never in at warres, nor at Sea. But if they have tryed it, what kind of Discipline do they exercise? Would they make us believe, that they are able in a Parish of 4000, or 5000, or 6000 Souls, to exercise the Discipline mentioned in Scripture, and the Canons of the Ancient Churches, and that upon such persons, as our Parishes commonly consist of? I know they cannot do it: I have had tryall to tell me what a man can do. With the help of divers Ministers, and many hundred godly people, to watch over others, and promote this work, I am