A76157:617
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.
Dr H. Hammond, In his view of the-Direct. §. 41. p. 45, 46. For Confirmation, which being so long and so scandalously neglected in this Kingdom (though the Rule have also been severe, and careful in requiring it) will now not so easily be digested, having those vulgar prejudices against it; yet must I most solemnly profess my opinion of it; That it is a most ancient Christian Custom, tending very much to Edification: which I shall make good by giving you this view of the manner of it. It is this; that every Rector of any Parish, or Curate of charge, should by a Familiar way of Catechizing, instruct the Youth of both Sexes within his Cure, in the Principles of Religion, so far that every one of them before the usual time of coming to the Lords-Supper, should be able to understand the particulars of that vow, made in Baptism, for the Credenda ⟨image 204⟩and Facienda; yea and Fugienda also: what must be Believed, what done, and what forsaken; and be able to give an intelligent account of every one of these: which being done, every such Child so prepared, ought to be brought to the BP for Confirmation. Wherein the intent is, that every such Child, attained to years of Understanding, shall singly and solemnly before God, the BP, and the whole Congregation, with his own consent, take upon himself the Obligation to that, which his God-Fathers and God-Mothers in Baptism, promised in his Name; and before all those Reverend Witnesses, make a Firm, Public, Renewed promise, that by Gods help he will Faithfully endeavour, to discharge that Obligation in every point of it, and persevere in it all the days of his life. Which resolution and promise so heightened with all those solemnities, will in any reason have a mighty ⟨image 205⟩impression on the Child, and an influence on his actions for ever after. And this being thus performed by him, the BP shall severally impose his hands on every such Child (a ceremony used to this purpose by Christ himself) and bless and pray for him, that now, that the Temptations of sin begin more strongly in respect of his age, to assault him, he may receive Grace and Strength against all such Temptations or Assaults, by way of prevention and special assistance; without which, obtained by Prayer from God, he will never be able to do it. This is the Sum of Confirmation;