A26865:478
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.
1. I would have distinguished and reduced the Controversies unto three sorts: First those that are only de nomine, and seem to the unskilful to be de rebus, which are more than most imagine: And these an explication would have ended. Secondly, Those that are about things unrevealed, and unknown to mortals; which are some that are hotliest contended about: And these all must grant are to be cast aside. Thirdly, those that are real differences, fit for our disputes: which I should prove, 1. to be very few. 2 Far from the foundation, and of no such moment as ignorant, self-conceited, furious disputers would make the world believe they are. 3. And that they are of so great difficulty, that all sober Christians should easily bear with one another about them.
2. I would show the necessity of beginning our Controversies about the temporary Effects, and not about the eternal Decrees, because as the first do more concern us; so they are natiora, more within our knowledge: And then the questions about the Decrees, will more easily be decided.
2. I would shew the necessity of beginning our Controversies about the temporary Effects, and not about the eternal Decrees, because as the first do more concern us; so they are natiora, more within our knowledge: And then the questions about the Decrees, will more easily be decided.
3. I would open distinctly the Covenant of Grace made universally with mankind, 1. Before Christ. 1. With Adam▪ 2. With Noah. And 2. after Christs Incarnation: and distinguish it from the narrower particular Covenant with Abraham and the Israelites. And I would open the nature of the Universal pardon and Gift of life, which God hath made through Christ in the Gospel, to mankind, upon the Conditions which are to be punctually explained; which Conditional Justification or Pardon is acknowledged by all.