A26865:393
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 12
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. Even with such a Conscience as we Preach in England, when the Scripture nameth not England to us. Did not the ancient Christians also disobey a lawful power, when they settled their Churches in Cities, even when they were forbidden both City and Country? and if Christ say, When they persecute you in one city, fly to another; and you bid us, fly from all, and fly to none. Hath not a Nonconformists Conscience something of the command of Christ to countenance his practice? But our true Reasons are the same as are forementioned for our Preaching. If necessity be upon us to Preach because of the peoples necessity to hear, then where their necessity is greatest, there our obligation is greatest. But in populous Cities and Towns, when the ablest conformable Minister is insufficient for a quarter of the Parish, the peoples necessities are greatest. Ergo,
Ans. Even with such a Conscience as we Preach in England, when the Scripture nameth not England to us. Did not the ancient Christians also disobey a lawful power, when they setled their Churches in Cities, even when they were forbidden both City and Country? and if Christ say, VVhen they persecute you in one city, fly to another; and you bid us, fly from all, and fly to none. Hath not a Nonconformists Conscience something of the command of Christ to countenance his practice? But our true Reasons are the same as are forementioned for our Preaching. If necessity be upon us to Preach because of the peoples necessity to hear, then where their necessity is greatest, there our obligation is greatest. But in populous Cities and Towns, when the ablest conformable Minister is insufficient for a quarter of the Parish, the peoples necessities are greatest. Ergo,
If it be lawful for us to desert and betray to Satan the souls of all the Cities and Corporations in England, and within five miles of them, and of all the places where we have Preached, why will it not be lawful to do so by the rest? Where the carcass is, the eagles will be gathered together; and where the work and Vineyard is, the labourer must be.
If it be lawful for us to desert and betray to Satan the souls of all the Cities and Corporations in England, and within five miles of them, and of all the places where we have Preached, why will it not be lawful to do so by the rest? VVhere the carcass is, the eagles will be gathered together; and where the work and Vineyard is, the labourer must be.