A26859:84
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.
I. As far as you are intelligible to me, your supposed grounds are, that [God hath authorized the Magistrate, 1. To choose what persons every man in his dominions shall entrust his soul to, as the Pastor, whose Conduct he is bound in Conscience to obey: 2. And also to choose and command, in what words only every Pastor shall publicly pray to God; and what Books and words of men he shall profess assent and consent to; and what dedicating symbols of Christianity he shall use as engaging in the Christian Covenant, and to command Ceremonies and Modes, for dissent wherein he shall deny Baptism, and Church-Communion to all dissenters, though the things be taken to be indifferent by the Magistrate, and great sins by the dissenters. 3. And that all that obey not in all these, but preach when forbidden, or use other accidents or modes, and choose other Pastors to •e their Guides, are Separatists and sin against God.
I. As far as you are intelligible to me, your supposed grounds are, that [God hath authorized the Magistrate, 1. To choose what persons every man in his dominions shall entrust his soul to, as the Pastor, whose Conduct he is bound in Conscience to obey: 2. And also to choose and command, in what words only every Pastor shall publickly pray to God; and what Books and words of men he shall profess assent and consent to; and what dedicating symbols of Christianity he shall use as engaging in the Christian Covenant, and to command Ceremonies and Modes, for dissent wherein he shall deny Baptism, and Church-Communion to all dissenters, though the things be taken to be indifferent by the Magistrate, and great sins by the dissenters. 3. And that all that obey not in all these, but preach when forbidden, or use other accidents or modes, and choose other Pastors to •e their Guides, are Separatists and sin againg God.
II. On these grounds you judg me and such others sinful Separatists