A26686:52
A call to Archippus
A call to Archippus, or, An humble and earnest motion to some ejected ministers (by way of letter) to take heed to their ministry that they fulfil it.
London : s.n., 1664
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Call to ARCHIPPUS: or, an humble and earnest Motion to some Eject… › Objections
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.
3. Your eyes will convince you, if you will but look abroad, that where there is no better help, than of an Idle, Ignorant, Loose-living Ministry (under which rank God knows, we speak it with grief of heart, too many, not to say the most of those that are late come in, may be reckoned) or than the cold and heartless way that is generally in use; the Coal of Religion doth even go out, and the Heat and Spirit of Christianity dye away: And is it not high time then, for you to blow up the remaining sparks?
Sol. 2. Is it so indeed, our Reverend Fathers and Brethren, is it conscience of the Magistrates prohibition that keeps you back (bear with us if we be a little free with you) Why then do you neglect what you might do, without crossing the Magistrate's command? if men did see you go so far as the Magistrate gives you leave, they would be likely to believe, the conscience of his Authority did keep you in; otherwise they will suspect this (too too groundedly) for a pretext. If the Magistrate doth forbid Sermons to your People, he doth not forbid Letters. Why do you not call upon and quicken them frequently by these? If he forbid you the Pulpits, he doth not forbid you your neighbours houses. Why are they no more visited? may you not preach to a private Family, or single person? *And such ⟨p. 22⟩was our Saviours, and the Apostles preaching, oft-times. You might be the shorter and the oftener this way, and this would be a likely means of doing no little good, if painfully followed. Though you are forbidden to set open the Windows and keep Public Trading, yet what hinders but that you may have a private Warehouse? Is it forbidden you to write out a Sermon once or twice a week and send it amongst your People, and let it be read in their Families, and Copies conveyed from hand to hand. This some have done, and this would be a Testimony to your People of your constant care for their souls, and that you are willing to do what you thought you lawfully might: whereas now they will say, they see the contrary.