A26859:318
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
Letter: To the Reverend Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls, &c.
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.
1. What if culpably they would hear no other? Is it better let them hear none at all than that we preach to them? If peevishness or sickness make a Child refuse the Food or Physic which he should take by his parents command; will you say, that it is better that he famish or die, than that you give him any other? Men may be saved that hear not you: But how can they believe, unless they hear, or hear without a Preacher? The means is for the End: I will have Mercy and not Sacrifice, is a Lesson which I perceive more than the Pharisees are to learn. Order is for the thing Ordered: Parish Order is not so needful as Faith and Salvation. It may be, such a mans Sin, that he will not hear such as he should hear; and so by Consequence that he heareth me, and yet also Consequently his Duty to hear me, supposing that his fault hath blinded him, to think that he may hear no other, till his Error be Cured: Or at least, it is my Duty to take him as I find him, and Preach to him in his own mistake.
1. What if culpably they would hear no other? Is it better let them hear none at all than that we preach to them? If peevishness or sickness make a Child refuse the Food or Physick which he should take by his parents command; will you say, that it is better that he famish or die, than that you give him any other? Men may be saved that hear not you: But how can they believe, unless they hear, or hear without a Preacher? The means is for the End: I will have Mercy and not Sacrifice, is a Lesson which I perceive more than the Pharisees are to learn. Order is for the thing Ordered: Parish Order is not so needful as Faith and Salvation. It may be, such a mans Sin, that he will not hear such as he should hear; and so by Consequence that he heareth me, and yet also Consequently his Duty to hear me, supposing that his fault hath blinded him, to think that he may hear no other, till his Errour be Cured: Or at least, it is my Duty to take him as I find him, and Preach to him in his own mistake.
2. The Canon forbids going out of our own Parishes: suppose twenty or five Hundred Infidels, or Papists of the next Parish resolved, we will hear no Protestant but Dr. Stillingfleet; were it unlawful for you to Preach to them?