A26865:628
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
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.
And here as a proof he tells us how Dr. Hammond's Catechism, and Mr. Fowlers book of Holiness being the design of Christianity, have been censured, and Mr. Baxter for daring to justify the argument of that book, p. 109. To which we say, 1. We highly value Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism; And it's strange, that if one of us have justified the argument of the other, that our Doctrine should not rather be gathered from such as he, than from we know not whom: For we must say that we know of none accounted Orthodox among us, who have at all disowned that book of Mr. Baxters: But we observe that these men most injuriously impute the very opposition of some Sectaries, and passionate weak persons, to us that are opposed by them, because that all go under the name of Nonconformists.
And here as a proof he tells us how Dr. Hammond's Catechism, and Mr. Fowlers book of Holiness being the design of Christianity, have been censured, and Mr. Baxter for daring to justifie the argument of that book, p. 109. To which we say, 1. We highly value Dr. Hammonds Practical Catechism; And it's strange, that if one of us have justified the argument of the other, that our Doctrine should not rather be gathered from such as he, than from we know not whom: For we must say that we know of none accounted Orthodox among us, who have at all disowned that book of Mr. Baxters: But we observe that these men most injuriously impute the very opposition of some Sectaries, and passionate weak persons, to us that are opposed by them, because that all go under the name of Nonconformists.
2. His second Reason is, Our mighty show of zeal in all Religious performances. Ans. And how knoweth he that it is but a show? Are they like to be better that show no zeal? Can a man believe the great things of Heaven and Hell, and preach them without great seriousness and zeal, and not play the hypocrite? Who is it that said, Isa. 58. 1. Cry aloud, lift up thy voice like a trumpet? &c. But Christs kinsmen themselves went about to lay hold on him, thinking that his zeal was a transportation or distraction, Mat. 3. 21. [Vid. Dr. Hammond in loc.] no wonder if mens tongues condemn us for zeal, though our consciences condemn us for remissness and coldness in matters of everlasting consequence.