A26865:177
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 4
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.
2. And indeed we think that this opinion would almost excuse the whole world from works of charity to any, at least except Idiots and Infants. For (to confess all our cross opinions freely) we deny not but that we hold the Doctrine of Original sin as inherent ⟨p. 50⟩in all the seed of Adam; and we must have pardon in our Nonconformity for Conformity so far to the Scriptures and the Articles and Doctrine of the Church of England, and of the Universal Church. And therefore we hold that the whole nature of man is corrupted from the womb with some vicious Principle; yea more than so, with the particular Principles of pride, humour, and stubbornness, and peevishness. And therefore that according to this rule, which we dissent from, all the world should be suffered to be hanged and damned for ever, rather than a Conformist should lose a game at Chess, or a cup of Sack, or abate a Ceremony. Because if it proceed from humour, pride or peevishness, or any other vicious principle—no man is bound to part with his own freedom, because his neighbour is froward and humorous.
2. And indeed we think that this opinion would almost excuse the whole world from works of charity to any, at least except Ideots and Infants. For (to confess all our cross opinions freely) we deny not but that we hold the Doctrine of Original sin as inherent ⟨p. 50⟩in all the seed of Adam; and we must have pardon in our Nonconformity for Conformity so far to the Scriptures and the Articles and Doctrine of the Church of England, and of the Universal Church. And therefore we hold that the whole nature of man is corrupted from the womb with some vicious Principle; yea more than so, with the particular Principles of pride, humour, and stubbornness, and peevishness. And therefore that according to this rule, which we dissent from, all the world should be suffered to be hanged and damned for ever, rather than a Conformist should lose a game at Chess, or a cup of Sack, or abate a Ceremony. Because if it proceed from humour, pride or peevishness, or any other vicious principle—no man is bound to part with his own freedom, because his neighbour is froward and humourous.