ADDRESS OF A MINISTER TO THE CHURCH UNDER HIS PASTORAL CARE, IN WHICH IT IS INQUIRED, "WHETHER A CHURCH IS OBLIGED, OR AUTHORIZED, BY ANY PRECEPT OR PRECEDENT IN THE NEW-TESTAMENT, TO REQUIRE A PUBLICK, FORMAL AND EXPLICIT CONFESSION, OF SOME PARTICULAR MISDEMEANORS..."
Boston: Printed for, and sold by E. Battelle, 1784. 44pp, disbound with scattered foxing. Inner margin tear to title leaf, costing several letters on page [2]. Good.
Attacking "ecclesiastical usurpations," Badger argues that the New Testament does not require public confession "by those, who, in some particular instances, have transgressed the bounds, which our holy religion has prescribed, as previously necessary to their being permitted to make a publick profession of their faith in Christ, and to their being admitted to attend upon, and conform to the sacramental institutions of the gospel."
Badger recommends "christian charity, especially in cases of lesser transgressions."
FIRST EDITION. Evans 18337. Item #15306
Price: $275.00