A26865:141
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II. an answer to the accusations urged as reasons for the silencing of about 2000 by Bishop Morley ..., III. reasons proving it the duty and interest of the bishops and conformists to endeavour earnestly their restoration : with a postscript upon oral debates with Mr. H. Dodwell, against his reasons for their silence ... : written in 1668 and 1669, for the most of it, and now published as an addition to the defence against Dr. Stillingfleet, and as an account to the silencers of the reasons of our practice / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst and D. Newman, 1681
AN APOLOGY FOR THE SILENCED MINISTERS, Especially for their not cea… › Part 3
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.
8. Christ settled Pastors over his Churches 300 years before there were any Christian Princes or States. By which he showed, that though Princes are the true Rulers of Pastors, yet Pastors are more necessary to the Being of the Church, and to Salvation of the people, than Princes are; and that Pastors hold not their office from Princes, nor at their will, (unless you think they had no true power till Constantine's reign.)
8. Christ setled Pastors over his Churches 300 years before there were any Christian Princes or States. By which he shewed, that though Princes are the true Rulers of Pastors, yet Pastors are more necessary to the Being of the Church, and to Salvation of the people, than Princes are; and that Pastors hold not their office from Princes, nor at their will, (unless you think they had no true power till Constantines reign.)
9. Magistrates may not hinder a sufficient number from entering into the Ministry, (else the meaning of Christ must be, Pray the Lord of the harvest to persuade Kings and Rulers to give leave to men to become labourers.) Therefore they may not hinder a sufficient number from labouring when they are entered.
9. Magistrates may not hinder a sufficient number from entering into the Ministry, (else the meaning of Christ must be, Pray the Lord of the harvest to perswade Kings and Rulers to give leave to men to become labourers.) Therefore they may not hinder a sufficient number from labouring when they are entered.
10. Magistrates cannot dispense with absolute lawful Vows to God (at least about necessary duty.) This all Protestant Divines maintain in their Writings against the Papists, who plead for the Popes power to dispense with Vows.) But our entrance into the Ministry had the nature of an absolute lawful Vow, (and was done by the Magistrates encouragement.) For in it we did solemnly devote our selves to the Sacred office and work.