A26865:218
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 › Objection 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.
Ans. 1. Thus indeed the Quakers were wont to revile us in the open streets, and tell us our Preaching did no good; and they would point at a gaudy Coat, or any thing that they accounted pride or vanity, and cry out, See, this is the fruit of your Ministry. But through the great mercy of God, our success hath been such, that constraineth us thankfully to acknowledge his unspeakable mercy that ever called us to so blessed a work, though we had been sooner fed with the bread and water of affliction; And that under Usurpation it self, even while we wrote and preached against it, we had so many years liberty before we were silenced.
Ans. 1. Thus indeed the Quakers were wont to revile us in the open streets, and tell us our Preaching did no good; and they would point at a gaudy Coat, or any thing that they accounted pride or vanity, and cry out, See, this is the fruit of your Ministry. But through the great mercy of God, our success hath been such, that constraineth us thankfully to acknowledg his unspeakable mercy that ever called us to so blessed a work, though we had been sooner fed with the bread and water of affliction; And that under Usurpation it self, even while we wrote and preacht against it, we had so many years liberty before we were silenced.
2. A Town and Church is not a being of the same materials from time to time, but like a river which consists of transient matter. Abundance are dead and got safe to Heaven, that we at first instructed, who are yet our comforts, being saved from this untoward generation, and from this present evil world. And those that were children when I was last with that people, and taught them, are now men. And what need all these may have of teaching as well as their Parents had, I know not. But I am sure where I come, that ignorance doth prevail.
3. Knowledge is gotten by slow degrees, especially by the poor and vulgar. The School that hath been taught many years successfully, may have need of teaching still. The best are too ignorant, and the want of knowledge will appear in the wants of virtue, and obedience and good life.