A26865:396
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
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.
Obj. But it is not your help, but your hindering us that we are against. Do you help us by drawing the people from us to your selves?
Ans. I cannot tell whether we help you or not, till I know what is your help. If your work be not to get followers and applause, but to bring men to Christian knowledge, faith, love, obedience, and patience, then all the Ministers that I plead for are you helpers; those that are not, silence them, and spare not. But if your work be to preach up your selves, and your successes be reckoned by your applause, I cannot tell whether we help you or not. For though we seek to increase your reputation with the people, yet it is not as you are self-seekers, but as in charity we hope you preach more for Christ, and mens Salvation, than for your selves.
Ans. I cannot tell whether we help you or not, till I know what is your help. If your work be not to get followers and applause, but to bring men to Christian knowledg, faith, love, obedience, and patience, then all the Ministers that I plead for are you helpers; those that are not, silence them, and spare not. But if your work be to preach up your selves, and your successes be reckoned by your applause, I cannot tell whether we help you or not. For though we seek to increase your reputation with the people, yet it is not as you are self-seekers, but as in charity we hope you preach more for Christ, and mens Salvation, than for your selves.