A76157:612
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.
I shall conclude with this serious request to my Brethren, seconded with weighty reasons. Even that they would take heed of both extremes in their judging of Church-members, and managing the Discipline and Ordinances of Christ. 1. Should we be so loose as to cast out Discipline, or settle the Churches either with such materials for quality, or quantity, as that it shall be uncapable of Discipline, we shall never be able to answer it to Christ. And should we make a new qualification of Adult Church-members, even their Infant-Title-condition alone, or the profession of a Faith that is not saving, we should come too near the making of a new Baptism, and Church. And truly if we do but slubber over the business, and to avoid offence or trouble to our selves,1 should take up with a profession ⟨image 200⟩utterly incredible, especially in these times when we have so much liberty and countenance from the Magistrate, for a fuller Reformation, we shall be guilty of so much injury to the Church, and the Christian name, and our people souls; as is little considered by many that have their eye only on the contrary extreme, as if there were no danger but on one side.
I shall conclude with this serious request to my Brethren, seconded with weighty reasons. Even that they would take heed of both extreams in their judging of Church-members, and managing the Discipline and Ordinances of Christ. 1. Should we be so loose as to cast out Discipline, or settle the Churches either with such materials for quality, or quantity, as that it shall be uncapable of Discipline, we shall never be able to answer it to Christ. And should we make a new qualification of Adult Church-members, even their Infant-Title-condition alone, or the profession of a Faith that is not saving, we should come too neere the making of a new Baptism, and Church. And truly if we do but slubber over the business, and to avoid offence or trouble to our selves,1 should take up with a profession ⟨image 200⟩utterly incredible, especially in these times when we have so much liberty and countenance from the Magistrate, for a fuller Reformation, we shall be guilty of so much injury to the Church, and the Christian name, and our people souls; as is little considered by many that have their eye only on the contrary extreame, as if there were no danger but on one side.