A26859:120
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denieth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendered, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denyeth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendred, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1680
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.
Ans. God hath commanded all Christians ordinarily to Learn and Worship him under the Conduct of his Institution, all Christians grant this. No man hath Power to forbid this: All Law that forbiddeth it is of no Obligation. In a Parish where 10000, 20000, 40000, cannot come within the Church to hear; if they have no other place to go to, they must forbear all public Learning and Worship: So that the English of your Words is, that if the Law forbid the most of the People all Public Learning and worship of God, it is there as unlawful for any to Congregate against that Law as where there is no such need. But 1. I again tell you, Councils, Doctors and the Universal Church thought otherwise, and abhorred this Doctrine. 2. Why will you not give us one word of proof but your naked Authority to prove such Authority in the Magistrate, and to satisfy us what Rulers have it, and how far it reacheth: Hath the King enabled Justices to depose him, or cast down his Honour or Prerogative? Hath God given Magistrates Authority to damn as many Souls as they will; by keeping them from the means of knowledge, Faith and Holiness; and to forbid his Subjects to Worship God? Did Robert Grosthead of Lincoln take this to be the greatest Sin save Antichrists, and do you take it for an Act Authorized? Is it unlawful to preach when forbidden, or worship God when forbidden, at Japan, Indostan, China, Turkey, France, &c. or only in England? and where?
Ans. God hath commanded all Christians ordinarily to Learn and Worship him under the Conduct of his Institution, all Christians grant this. No man hath Power to forbid this: All Law that forbiddeth it is of no Obligation. In a Parish where 10000, 20000, 40000, cannot come within the Church to hear; if they have no other place to go to, they must forbear all publick Learning and Worship: So that the English of your Words is, that if the Law forbid the most of the People all Publick Learning and worship of God, it is there as unlawful for any to Congregate against that Law as where there is no such need. But 1. I again tell you, Councils, Doctors and the Universal Church thought otherwise, and abhor'd this Doctrine. 2. Why will you not give us one word of proof but your naked Authority to prove such Authority in the Magistrate, and to satifie us what Rulers have it, and how far it reacheth: Hath the King enabled Justices to depose him, or cast down his Honour or Prerogative? Hath God given Magistrates Authority to damn as many Souls as they will; by keeping them from the means of knowledge, Faith and Holiness; and to forbid his Subjects to Worship God? Did Robert Grosthead of Lincoln take this to be the greatest Sin save Antichrists, and do you take it for an Act Authoriz'd? Is it unlawful to preach when forbidden, or worship God when forbidden, at Japon, Indostan, China, Turkie, France, &c. or only in England? and where?