A26865:595
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 31
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 his proof of his accusation followeth: First, their credit and reputation; wherein I am fully instructed by a learned person (Friendly Debate, p. 113.) who having proposed this doubt, Why did many of them deliberate so long whether they should accept of Dignities in the Church? He thus adds, If it was so plain a business that their Conscience and their Covenant would not let them, one would think they should have profest it openly, without any more ado; And therefore I conclude, that pause and deliberation was about somewhat else; not about matter of Conscience, but of Interest and Policy: As whether the people would take it well, and not laugh at them as so many Magpies, &c. You think perhaps that they spent their time in fasting and seeking God to direct their consciences. No, no: It was not their conscience, but their credit, which then lay at stake—Because I have heard some of them acknowledge, they did not scruple what we do, but thought it unhandsome for them to do it.
But his proof of his accusation followeth: First, their credit and reputation; wherein I am fully instructed by a learned person (Friendly Debate, p. 113.) who having proposed this doubt, Why did many of them deliberate so long whether they should accept of Dignities in the Church? He thus adds, If it was so plain a business that their Conscience and their Covenant would not let them, one would think they should have profest it openly, without any more ado; And therefore I conclude, that pause and deliberation was about somewhat else; not about matter of Conscience, but of Interest and Policy: As whether the people would take it well, and not laugh at them as so many Magpyes, &c. You think perhaps that they spent their time in fasting and seeking God to direct their consciences. No, no: It was not their conscience, but their credit, which then lay at stake—Because I have heard some of them acknowledge, they did not scruple what we do, but thought it unhandsome for them to do it.
To all this, we have committed the answer to one of the persons to whom one of the mentioned Dignities was offered, who answereth as followeth.