A26865:577
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 › Accusation 29
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.
But what wonder if Conformity by Oaths, Subscriptions, Declarations and Covenants seem lawful to Doctors of such principles as these? What if a Popish Prince or People, put an unlawful clause into their Covenants? Are they therefore wholly disobliged as to each other? The same I say of Covenants of Peace between several Princes? And of Covenants between husband and wife; and so of other Contracts; but especially of Vows to God. But what if Perjury prove a greater sin, than not conforming to it? yea a sin meet for none but utterly debauched Consciences, and such as threateneth dreadful ruin? And what if such principles and practices would make us guilty of the Perjury and impenitence of many hundred thousand persons? Should we be drawn into such a guilt by such words as these, and that in a time when God by his Judgments is searching after, and finding out the Nations sins? God forbid.
But what wonder if Conformity by Oaths, Subscriptions, Declarations and Covenants seem lawful to Doctors of such principles as these? What if a Popish Prince or People, put an unlawful clause into their Covenants? Are they therefore wholly disobliged as to each other? The same I say of Covenants of Peace between several Princes? And of Covenants between husband and wife; and so of other Contracts; but especially of Vows to God. But what if Perjury prove a greater sin, than not conforming to it? yea a sin meet for none but utterly debauched Consciences, and such as threatneth dreadful ruine? And what if such principles and practices would make us guilty of the Perjury and impenitence of many hundred thousand persons? Should we be drawn into such a guilt by such words as these, and that in a time when God by his Judgments is searching after, and finding out the Nations sins? God forbid.
Another since called, A Reproof to the Rehearsal Transposed, p. 457, 458. saith, Do you at all know what were the abatements they demanded to bring them off with Conscience? To let you see your confidence, I tell you they demanded none at all; but the question being solemnly put to them (and that as I am told) in his Majesties presence, Whether they knew of any thing in the Liturgy with which they could not comply without sin? they all declared their own satisfaction, but only desired some abatements for the ease of weak brethren; or rather as you tell us bluntly, to bring themselves off with some little reputation.