A26859:136
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.
3. If the Magistrate appoint 20000 or 1000, or one half a Parish to be excluded for want of Room and Teachers, it's ill supposed that the Gospel is truly and sufficiently preached to them, to whom it is not preached at all. And that it is Preached to others, proveth it not unnecessary to them.
4. He that only readeth the Gospel truly preacheth it: But Souls have need of more Pastoral help than bare true preaching.
5 Ignorant wicked men in England can no more be saved than Heathens, ⟨p. 23⟩and have need of convincing, skilful, serious Preaching, as well as they.
Your wondering at our allegation of the Apostle's words, and great confidence in so sad a Cause, sets me almost above wondering at any thing that you say. Timothy was not called immediately by Christ, who had that dreadful Charge to preach in season and out of season. The Universal Church long judged otherwise of this case than you do: And not only Bishop Bilson, but I think almost all Christian Writers, Protestants and Papists, herein follow the ancient Church against you. The Nonconformists and others easily grant what I said before, That no one Apostle might be silenced by man; but deserving Ministers, that do more hurt than good by their Ministry, may be silenced by Christian Magistrates: But not the Churches Edification oppugned, and 2000 faithful men silenced for not sinning on pretence of a power to judge or execute.