A26859:396
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.
And how cometh [when] and [where] to be in, When we are forbidden every time and in every place, to preach to more than four. Is any time or place allowed us to preach in? You mean [He is a separatist who preacheth being forbidden by Law: But I am ready to give you a fuller proof than is now to be offered on this occasion, that no man ⟨p. 78⟩hath authority to forbid a faithful Minister of Christ, who forfeiteth not his Office-power, to perform the office to which he is ordained. And, Secondly▪ that we remain under a Divine obligation to it, which such a Law […] dissolve, As Bishop Bilson before saith [if Princes forbid us, we must go on with our work: what if the King had turned against Episcopacy and Liturgy, and forbade all the Episcopal to preach. Would you think it sinful separation to preach. By this you show how easily you would lay down the work you are Vowed to, if the Law did but forbid you. How much then are Papist and Protestant Casuists mistaken, that say the Law is null that is against the common good, and that all power is only to edification.
And how cometh [when] and [where] to be in, When we are forbidden every time and in every place, to preach to more than four. Is any time or place allowed us to preach in? You mean [He is a separatist who preacheth being forbidden by Law: But I am ready to give you a fuller proof than is now to be offered on this occasion, that no man ⟨p. 78⟩hath authority to forbid a faithful Minister of Christ, who forfeiteth not his Office-power, to perform the office to which he is ordained. And, Secondly▪ that we remain under a Divine obligation to it, which such a Law 〈…〉 dissolve, As Bishop Bilson before saith [if Princes forbid us, we must go on with our work: what if the King had turned against Episcopacy and Liturgy, and forbad all the Episcopal to preach. Would you think it sinful separation to preach. By this you shew how easily you would lay down the work you are Vowed to, if the Law did but forbid you. How much then are Papist and Protestant Casuists mistaken, that say the Law is null that is against the common good, and that all power is only to edification.