A26865:527
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 25
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.
5. Lastly, O that you would remember, that he that denieth not himself, cannot be Christs disciple. And that you would never tempt the world to think, that we should all have peace, if there were none that were cast down, because Abel offereth a more accepted sacrifice than their own; yea or if there were none that made it the chief point of difference, whether we should be seriously, or only seemingly Christians, and live as men, that believe indeed that there is a life to come, and that the Scripture is true.
I hope I may recite Dr. Hammond's Paraphrase on Act. 4 9. 14, 18, 21. If we this day be examined of an action, which is so far from being a crime, that it is a special act of mercy (as Preaching the Gospel is)—Though they were as maliciously and petulantly affected toward them (v. 16.) as was possible, yet had they nothing to object, or except against the whole action.—But Peter and John made light of their interdict or terrors, and told them plainly that they were commanded by God to preach; and that in all reason, God must be obeyed before them, or the greatest Magistrate on earth, and that they themselves could not but confess so much▪—And so not knowing what else to say to them, being not able to deny the force of their argument (they wanted our new wits), they added more threatenings, if possibly they might terrify them, and so dismissed them, having nothing to lay to their charge.
I hope I may recite Dr. Hammonds Paraphrase on Act. 4 9. 14, 18, 21. If we this day be examined of an action, which is so far from being a crime, that it is a special act of mercy (as Preaching the Gospel is)—Though they were as maliciously and petulantly affected toward them (v. 16.) as was possible, yet had they nothing to object, or except against the whole action.—But Peter and John made light of their interdict or terrours, and told them plainly that they were commanded by God to preach; and that in all reason, God must be obeyed before them, or the greatest Magistrate on earth, and that they themselves could not but confess so much—And so not knowing what else to say to them, being not able to deny the force of their argument (they wanted our new wits), they added more threatnings, if possibly they might terrifie them, and so dismiss'd them, having nothing to lay to their charge.