A26859:91
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.
4. Personal power in man is the first: Family power is the next: City and Kingdom power supposeth these and cannot destroy them: Hence subjects that are not mere slaves, stand up to plead for their Personal and Domestic property, liberty and power. If my Money, and Limbs and Life be not at the Patrons or the Princes will, much less my Soul. He is trusted with my Estate and Life; but I am first and more trusted with them. He may keep out ill Physicians from the Land, and encourage the good; but he hath no power to tie me to an ill Physician, nor to an ill Diet, nor to ill Servants, &c. The choice of these belongeth to my self. Much less can he on pretence of Parish-order tie me to an ignorant, drunken, Malignant, or an unexperienced sapless Teacher, that is to my Soul as a silly Empiric to my health. Scripture and the Worlds experience tell how much God morally giveth his light and grace, according to the aptitude of means: Habitus infusi se habent ad modum acquisitorum, is common in the Schools. Twenty sinners are usually sooner brought to repentance under skilful fit Teachers, than under one unskilful or ungodly men. And no man hath power from God, to damn my Soul; or forbid me the needful means of my salvation. No man is so much concerned as my self what becometh of me for ever: and I will not believe that the Patron loveth me and all the Parish better than we love our selves.
4. Personal power in man is the first: Family power is the next: City and Kingdom power supposeth these and cannot destroy them: Hence subjects that are not meer slaves, stand up to plead for their Personal and Domestick property, liberty and power. If my Money, and Limbs and Life be not at the Patrons or the Princes will, much less my Soul. He is trusted with my Estate and Life; but I am first and more trusted with them. He may keep out ill Physitians from the Land, and encourage the good; but he hath no power to tie me to an ill Physitian, nor to an ill Diet, nor to ill Servants, &c. The choice of these belongeth to my self. Much less can he on pretence of Parish-order tie me to an ignorant, drunken, Malignant, or an unexperienced sapless Teacher, that is to my Soul as a silly Emperick to my health. Scripture and the Worlds experience tell how much God m•rrally giveth his light and grace, according to the aptitude of means: Habitus infusi se habent ad modum acquisitorum, is common in the Schools. Twenty sinners are usually sooner brought to repentance under skilful fit Teachers, than under one unskilful or ungodly men. And no man hath power from God, to damn my Soul; or forbid me the needful means of my salvation. No man is so much concerned as my self what becometh of me for ever: and I will not believe that the Patron loveth me and all the Parish better than we love our selves.