A26865:476
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 23
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.
For my own part, I doubt not but the Compilers of the Articles and Liturgy were in these things of Augustine's judgment, who was for absolute Election, but for no other Reprobation but non-election, and the decree of damnation and desertion only upon foresight of sin. But as to the differences themselves, it would grieve a man of any understanding to read such a History as Dr. Heylins Life of the Archbishop, which intimateth to the world, that such points as these were the occasion of all the contrivances against each other, and of the enmities and calamities which these Kingdoms have undergone! When-as the things are such as never bred any such dissension in the first ages of the Church, nor would do among us, if we had their piety and simplicity.
For my own part, I doubt not but the Compilers of the Articles and Liturgy were in these things of Augustines judgment, who was for absolute Election, but for no other Reprobation but non-election, and the decree of damnation and desertion only upon foresight of sin. But as to the differences themselves, it would grieve a man of any understanding to read such a History as Dr. Heylins Life of the Archbishop, which intimateth to the world, that such points as these were the occasion of all the contrivances against each other, and of the enmities and calamities which these Kingdoms have undergone! When-as the things are such as never bred any such dissention in the first ages of the Church, nor would do among us, if we had their piety and simplicity.
I long ago began a Treatise (which the agitations of my Troublers1 have interrupted) to reconcile the Arminians and Anti-Arminians in these matters, in which I should easily have manifested, how unfit such Subjects were to be so fiercely and implacably contended about. And because I know not whether ever I shall ⟨p. 123⟩live to re▪assume it (being tossed about, and having neither health nor liberty for any settled habitation), I must give the judicious a few hints of the Media of Conciliation which I would have used.