The Ancient Way of Completing Church Members, License – Dedication
THe Admiſſion of perſons baptized in their infancy, without due Tryal of their Faith and growth in Chriſt, when grown in years, to a full participation of all Church-Priviledges and Ordinances, hath cauſed great confuſion in the Adminiſtration of holy things. And therefore, I conceive, the Learned Author of this Elaborate Exercitation hath deſerved well of the Churches, by clearing the way of thoſe Admiſſions from Scripture-grounds, and the concurrent Teſtimonies of many, both Antient and Modern writers: As alſo, by diſcovering and removing thoſe Popiſh additions and pollutions which by ſeveral ſteps and degrees have crept into it. And if, what he hath offered in this Eſſay come not up to the Judgment and Practice of the beſt conſtituted Churches; yet this ingenuous and pious overture holds out more then moſt Churches have hitherto attained, and may provoke the zeal of many to hold out what they have attained, as more commodious for, and perfective of the much deſired and longed for reſtauration of the Churches to their primitive purity both in ſeparating the pretious from the vile, and in uniting the pretious into a more beautiful and beneficial Order among themſelves. Theſe conſiderations have confirmed me in giving not only Licenſe to the publiſhing, but thanks to the Publiſher of this diſcourſe of Confirmation.
The 24th, of the 6th. MonethMonth. 1657 Joſeph Caryl.
ΤΕΛΕΙΩΣΙΣ:
OR, An EXERCITATION UPON CONFIRMATION; The Antient way of Completeing CHURCH-MEMBERS. Wherein is indevoured its Recovery from the Corruptions of Preceding Ages, under which it hath lain ſo long Buried, and the Reſtitution of it to its Primitive USE and END. To which are Annexed ſome Directions for the putting of it into Practice: Together with Sundry Encouragements thereunto. Publiſhed as an Help for the Reducing of our Churches into Goſpel-Form and Order, and as an Expedient to promote Peace and Unity among Brethren.
By Jonathan Hanmer, Miniſter of the Goſpel
JER. 6.16.
Ask for the old pathes, where is the good way, and walk therein.
Tertul. adverſ. Praxeam.
Id verum, quodcunque primum.
LONDON: Printed by A. Maxey, for John Rothwell, at the Fountain in Goldſmiths-Row, Cheap-Side. 1657.
TO The Right Worſhipful Sr JOHN CHICHESTER KNIGHT. The Worſhipful JOHN FOWELL ESQUIRE; And the reſt of the Inhabitants of TAWTON-BISHOP in the County of DEVON.
HAving been prevailed with to Publiſh this ſmall Treatiſe, which was conceived might prove of ſome Uſe to the Churche of Chriſt: I have made choice to commend it duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page unto you, who, defire, may eſpecially ſhare in and injoy the benefit of it. Which, I have done, as a Teſtimony of that great Reſpect and Love which I owe and bear unto: you: For though I be an unworthy Ambaſſador of Chriſt unto others, yet doubtleſſe I am chiefly ſo unto you, being that part of the Lords Vmeyard wherein particularly he hath ſet me to labour. And the ſearcher of of hearts knoweth how much I long after your Spiritual Welſare; the proſperity of whoſe Souls would exceedingly rejoyce me.
When the Lord ſhall graciouſly vouch. ſafe opportunity of putting theſe things in practice among you, I hope (and not without ſome ground) that you will be found a ready and willing people to receive and ſubmit unto them, ſo far as they ſhall appear to be agreeable unto the mind of Chriſt, and to make for his glory: And in ſo doing you will both Facilitate and further the Work, and greatly encourage the Workman.
Now that the Father of Lights would fill you with the knowledg of his Will, in all Wiſdom and Spiritual Underſtanding, and enable you to walk worthy of the Lord unto all wellpleaſing, being fruitful in every good work, and increaſing in the Knowledg of God. That the God of all Grace would ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen and ſettle you in his Truth and Wayes in theſe-evil dayes, wherein ſo many unſound and unſtable ſouls turn aſide from the truth, giving ear to deceivers that with fair words and pretences corrupt the minds of the ſimple, to the diſhonour of God, the grief of his Meſſengers, the offence of his People, and the hurt and hazard of their own Souls.
Finally, That the very God of peace would ſanctifie you throughout, and preſerve your whole Spirit, Soul and Body blameleſſe unto the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is the hearty prayer of Your Servant for Jesus ſake J.H.
Aug. 28.1657.