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A26865:644

An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

Name: An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

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The true Case of the Nonconformists Sufferings, which they are said to undergo through Covetousness of gain.

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We affect not to be querulous (though nature inclineth them to it that are hurt), nor yet to bring our Superiors under the dishonourable title of Persecutors; else had we not so many years been silent as to our own defence: But when even our Sufferings are made our crime, and said to be chiefly from our Pride and Covetousness, faithfulness to the Souls of men that are thus led towards the guilt of calumniating the afflicted; and faithfulness to the interest and honour of our office, requireth us modestly to tell the truth.

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1. When Gods marvellous Providence restored his Majesty, we were some of us in Parishes whence the Parliament had before ejected others, yet alive, who presently took possession of their places in 1660: This is none of the matter of our complaint. But on Aug. 24. 1662, we were by Law made uncapable of any station in the public Ministry, unless we subscribe, declare, and do the other Conditions required by that Law. Not one of us that ever we heard, was cast out as criminal, for any error that we preached, or any evil that we had done: But for not Subscribing, ⟨p. 176⟩Declaring and Doing, as aforesaid, about 1800 or 2000 were at once disabled and cast out. The penalty for every Sermon that they should Preach (besides the loss of all the Ministerial Maintenance or Benefice) was three Months imprisonment in the Common Jail, and 100 l. for Administering the Sacrament by any not ordained by a Bishop, though otherwise ordained when Bishops were deposed, and not to be had. Those Ministers who could bring their Consciences to hold all the things imposed to be lawful, did Conform. The rest being solemnly dedicated and vowed to the sacred Ministry (some by the Ordination of Bishops, and some of City and Country-Pastors) durst not lay aside their Office: Partly because of their Vow, conceiving it to be Sacrilege to alienate consecrated persons, and greater than to alienate consecrated things; and partly because of the notorious Necessity of the people; Multitudes being ignorant, and vicious, and ungodly, some Popish, or erroneous otherwise; and many Parishes not competently supplied, and the number of fit men both Conformable and not-conformable, too small in proportion to the peoples wants: Yet they concluded, that if once the Number and Quality of the Conformable Ministers were such as would make our labours unnecessary, we might either be silent, or go try to learn the language of some Foreign Land, where we might be of use: And we agreed, that the Magistrate having the power of the Temples, and public maintenance, we must lay no claim to either against his will: And that though our office might not lawfully be deserted, nor the peoples Souls, yet the circumstances of Time, place, and numbers of hearers, &c.

1. When Gods marvellous Providence restored his Majesty, we were some of us in Parishes whence the Parliament had before ejected others, yet alive, who presently took possession of their places in 1660: This is none of the matter of our complaint. But on Aug. 24. 1662, we were by Law made uncapable of any station in the publick Ministry, unless we subscribe, declare, and do the other Conditions required by that Law. Not one of us that ever we heard, was cast out as criminal, for any error that we preached, or any evil that we had done: But for not Subscribing, ⟨p. 176⟩Declaring and Doing, as aforesaid, about 1800 or 2000 were at once disabled and cast out. The penalty for every Sermon that they should Preach (besides the loss of all the Ministerial Maintenance or Benefice) was three Months imprisonment in the Common Jayl, and 100 l. for Administring the Sacrament by any not ordained by a Bishop, though otherwise ordained when Bishops were deposed, and not to be had. Those Ministers who could bring their Consciences to hold all the things imposed to be lawful, did Conform. The rest being solemnly dedicated and vowed to the sacred Ministry (some by the Ordination of Bishops, and some of City and Country-Pastors) durst not lay aside their Office: Partly because of their Vow, conceiving it to be Sacriledge to alienate consecrated persons, and greater than to alienate consecrated things; and partly because of the notorious Necessity of the people; Multitudes being ignorant, and vicious, and ungodly, some Popish, or erroneous otherwise; and many Parishes not competently supplied, and the number of fit men both Conformable and not-conformable, too small in proportion to the peoples wants: Yet they concluded, that if once the Number and Quality of the Conformable Ministers were such as would make our labours unnecessary, we might either be silent, or go try to learn the language of some Foreign Land, where we might be of use: And we agreed, that the Magistrate having the power of the Temples, and publick maintenance, we must lay no claim to either against his will: And that though our office might not lawfully be deserted, nor the peoples Souls, yet the circumstances of Time, place, and numbers of hearers, &c.

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should be so chosen, as most tended to the ends of our office (the Churches good and mens edification), and to the preservation of the public peace, and the due honour of our Governors): And that love, peace and submission to the higher Powers, and obedience to their Authority in all things lawful, was our indispensable duty, with Patience under all that we should suffer for our Ministerial work.

should be so chosen, as most tended to the ends of our office (the Churches good and mens edification), and to the preservation of the publick peace, and the due honour of our Governours): And that love, peace and submission to the higher Powers, and obedience to their Authority in all things lawful, was our indispensible duty, with Patience under all that we should suffer for our Ministerial work.

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2. Some Ministers by their Patrimony, or what God had otherwise blest them with, were able to live when ejected, without extremity of poverty: but a great number had nothing, or next to nothing at all, having lived in places where they had but about 30, or 40, or 50, or 60 l. per annum, and not foreseeing a time of want: And a greater number that had some small matter of their own, had Wives and many Children, to whose maintenance ⟨p. 177⟩their estates were very insufficient; so that most of the Nonconformists (as far as we can compute) were cast upon the Charity of others for their own and families subsistence. In this case some that pitied the distressed, would have set on foot a course among the Londoners and Country Gentlemen that were willing, for orderly help of those in their several Counties: But so many rumours of plots and jealousies were then raised, that men durst not undertake it, lest they should be accounted Plotters against the Government, and encouragers of those that the State discountenanced. One of us therefore moved, that our Rulers consent might plainly be requested, and he was sent to the Lord Chancellor Hide to request it; who said, God forbid that men should be forbidden to exercise their own Charity to Ministers in want: But yet though some talk, and uneffectual attempt was made hereupon, it was not prosecuted, because mens aforesaid fears still continued. But some charitable persons pitied the needy, and kept them from famishing and utter distress. And some few Ministers, of more than ordinary Parts, and Name, and Acquaintance, were better supplied than the rest. But those that were (as conscientious, but) of meaner parts, and more obscure, and small acquaintance, and lived in poor Countries, were in great necessities: some have long lived with many Children, with almost nothing but brown-bread and water; and some have been put to work for their living at very low and sordid employments (as Musculus once did with a Weaver, and in the Town-ditch): some took Farms, and for want of stock and skill, run into greater poverty and debts: some that had studied Physic, turned Physicians, and so escaped want: some left the obscure Villages, through mere necessity, and betook them to London, and other Cities and great Towns, where the Numbers and Ability of the inhabitants might afford them some relief.

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And some by this siege did yield up their Consciences, and stretched them by forced interpretations of the words of the Declaration and Subscription, to Conform, and upon the review were cast into miserable distress of soul, which was more troublesome than poverty and famine: And some that thought it not their duty to be very scrupulous, and because they had not taken the Covenant, or meddled in matters of Civil Contention or War, did judge themselves more capable than others of Conforming, did after upon review repent, and give up the places they had taken, and the practice which they had begun. ⟨p. 178⟩But all found, that the Number of persons that were both able and willing to relieve so many needy families, was small, and that most were either unable or tenacious of their money; so that the sufferings of many were very great.

And some by this siege did yield up their Consciences, and stretched them by forced interpretations of the words of the Declaration and Subscription, to Conform, and upon the review were cast into miserable distress of soul, which was more troublesome than poverty and famine: And some that thought it not their duty to be very scrupulous, and because they had not taken the Covenant, or medled in matters of Civil Contention or War, did judge themselves more capable than others of Conforming, did after upon review repent, and give up the places they had taken, and the practice which they had begun. ⟨p. 178⟩But all found, that the Number of persons that were both able and willing to relieve so many needy families, was small, and that most were either unable or tenacious of their money; so that the sufferings of many were very great.

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3. But the service that the silenced Ministers did, being now in private; an Act was made against Conventicles, and such penalties annexed as I need not here recite: And when the Act was expired, it was again revived, with many additions. And because that these Ministers lived mostly now on Cities and Corporations, or their former flocks that were acquainted with them, an Act was made (in the heat of all the grievous Plague) at Oxford, imposing on them an Oath, which he that took not, having kept any Conventicle, and after came within five miles of any City or Corporation, or place where he had lately preached, was to be sent six Months to the Common Jail, and pay 40 l. This Law was harder to them than the former: For, 1. many men that had made some shift to settle their habitation in the cheapest or most convenient place they could get, were forced to remove; yea most of the Nonconformists in England were constrained to change their dwelling. 2. Some lived with some friends or relations who would give them house-room or help, and they were thus driven away from their friends and relations, and such entertainments. 3. Abundance of them had their houses for a certain time, having Leases of them for years or life: And they knew not how to get Tenants to take such houses which were incommodious to Farmers, though fit for them. And they that before wanted bread and clothing, were put to the straits of paying Rent for houses that must stand empty, being driven from them. 4. And they were hard put to it to find places in England to fix their dwellings in: for Corporations in most Counties are so near, that he that withdraweth five miles from one, doth come within five miles of another; or at least within five miles of some place where they had preached: And some laborious men, that thirsted after mens salvation, had gone about preaching over a great part of the Country, or the Land, and so were almost sentenced to banishment by this Law. And when they did find out a place that was five miles distant from all the prohibited places, it would be strange if there they should find empty houses, when Landlords use not to leave their houses untenanted and unpossessed: And if a house were empty, that it should be fit for a poor Minister, that could not take the ground ⟨p. 179⟩or farm, would be strange. And 5. when they found a capable place, they had not money to take it:

3. But the service that the silenced Ministers did, being now in private; an Act was made against Conventicles, and such penalties annexed as I need not here recite: And when the Act was expired, it was again revived, with many additions. And because that these Ministers lived mostly now on Cities and Corporations, or their former flocks that were acquainted with them, an Act was made (in the heat of all the grievous Plague) at Oxford, imposing on them an Oath, which he that took not, having kept any Conventicle, and after came within five miles of any City or Corporation, or place where he had lately preached, was to be sent six Months to the Common Jayl, and pay 40 l. This Law was harder to them than the former: For, 1. many men that had made some shift to settle their habitation in the cheapest or most convenient place they could get, were forced to remove; yea most of the Nonconformists in England were constrained to change their dwelling. 2. Some lived with some friends or relations who would give them house-room or help, and they were thus driven away from their friends and relations, and such entertainments. 3. Abundance of them had their houses for a certain time, having Leases of them for years or life: And they knew not how to get Tenants to take such houses which were incommodious to Farmers, though fit for them. And they that before wanted bread and cloathing, were put to the streights of paying Rent for houses that must stand empty, being driven from them. 4. And they were hard put to it to find places in England to fix their dwellings in: for Corporations in most Counties are so near, that he that withdraweth five miles from one, doth come within five miles of another; or at least within five miles of some place where they had preached: And some laborious men, that thirsted after mens salvation, had gone about preaching over a great part of the Countrey, or the Land, and so were almost sentenced to banishment by this Law. And when they did find out a place that was five miles distant from all the prohibited places, it would be strange if there they should find empty houses, when Landlords use not to leave their houses untenanted and unpossessed: And if a house were empty, that it should be fit for a poor Minister, that could not take the ground

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Being poor before, and poorer by their removal. 6. And when they borrowed money to take it, they wanted money to pay for the removing of their goods, and the furnishing of their new habitations: Those that have tried such changes, know how chargeable, as well as troublesome, they are.

Being poor before, and poorer by their removal. 6. And when they borrowed money to take it, they wanted money to pay for the removing of their goods, and the furnishing of their new habitations: Those that have tryed such changes, know how chargeable, as well as troublesome, they are.

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But the thing that most eased them in all these straights, was, that [Market-Towns] were not put into the Act with [Corporations]; and so many Market-Towns being no Corporations, and there being houses to be had without farms or ground, many Ministers got into those Towns: which gave Dr. Fullwood occasion to reproach them as dwelling in populous places, which had least need of them (of which more anon). And some Ministers finding their straits so great, as that their imprisonment in the common Jail was not more to be feared; and finding especially that they were no more warranted by God to desert the Souls in all Cities and Corporations, and all their ancient flocks, and all places where they had preached, and five miles round about all these, than the rest of the Land, yea that populous places had the greatest need, and their former Hearers might claim the greatest interest in them, and that Christ commanded his Apostles, when they were prosecuted in one City, to fly to another; they resolved to follow their work where they were invited, and to commit their liberties and lives to God.

But the thing that most eased them in all these straights, was, that [Market-Towns] were not put into the Act with [Corporations]; and so many Market-Towns being no Corporations, and there being houses to be had without farms or ground, many Ministers got into those Towns: which gave Dr. Fullwood occasion to reproach them as dwelling in populous places, which had least need of them (of which more anon). And some Ministers finding their streights so great, as that their imprisonment in the common Jayl was not more to be feared; and finding especially that they were no more warranted by God to desert the Souls in all Cities and Corporations, and all their ancient flocks, and all places where they had preached, and five miles round about all these, than the rest of the Land, yea that populous places had the greatest need, and their former Hearers might claim the greatest interest in them, and that Christ commanded his Apostles, when they were prosecuted in one City, to fly to another; they resolved to follow their work where they were invited, and to commit their liberties and lives to God.

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But Gods dreadful judgments were the great cause of their freedom from these straits. The terrible Plague consumed so many thousands a week in London, that some Nonconformable Ministers durst not leave them in that distress, but stayed and preached to them, and visited them, and gathered money abroad for the poor, which greatly won the peoples hearts; and the face of death so prevailed with multitudes to awaken them from security, that the success of the Ministers was very great, and so great, as fixed their resolution to hold on, whatever it cost them. Multitudes of young people penitently lamenting their former sins, and begging of the Ministers not to forsake them in their distress. And so many of the Conformable Ministers fled from the infection, that the Bishop thought it best to connive at the preaching of the Nonconformists during that necessity. And quickly after, the lamentable fire consumed with the Houses Eighty nine Churches, which made the ⟨p. 180⟩necessity of preaching in other places more extensive and notorious; it being unmeet that so famous a Christian City should forsake all public worshipping of God till the Houses and Churches should be all rebuilt. So that by this necessity a greater number of Nonconformists were needed and entertained in London; yea many Country-Ministers that came thither, and by their example the rest throughout England were much encouraged to appear more openly and resolutely in their work.

But Gods dreadful judgments were the great cause of their freedom from these streights. The terrible Plague consumed so many thousands a week in London, that some Nonconformable Ministers durst not leave them in that distress, but stayed and preacht to them, and visited them, and gathered money abroad for the poor, which greatly won the peoples hearts; and the face of death so prevailed with multitudes to awaken them from security, that the success of the Ministers was very great, and so great, as fixed their resolution to hold on, whatever it cost them. Multitudes of young people penitently lamenting their former sins, and begging of the Ministers not to forsake them in their distress. And so many of the Conformable Ministers fled from the infection, that the Bishop thought it best to connive at the preaching of the Nonconformists during that necessity. And quickly after, the lamentable fire consumed with the Houses Eighty nine Churches, which made the ⟨p. 180⟩necessity of preaching in other places more extensive and notoririous; it being unmeet that so famous a Christian City should forsake all publick worshipping of God till the Houses and Churches should be all rebuilt. So that by this necessity a greater number of Nonconformists were needed and entertained in London; yea many Countrey-Ministers that came thither, and by their example the rest throughout England were much encouraged to appear more openly and resolutely in their work.

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But in the mean time the Country Gaols were possessed by many faithful Ministers, where some have dyed, and some excellent men contracted those diseases of which they dyed shortly after; and some have dyed by the effects of poverty, by cold, and ill food, for want of necessaries. And the complaints of Wives and hungry Children, and the burden of debts for meat, drink, clothes, fire, and houses, hath been a sharper trial to very many of them, than their revilers seem to be acquainted with. And had they felt it but one year themselves, it's like they would not have thought this a way to gratify either covetousness or pride. It's true, that we should rejoice in all our tribulations, and in every condition be content; but humane frailty must be confessed; that some by such distress have been cast into sad melancholies, which yet seemed more tolerable too, than gripes of conscience for wilful sin.

But in the mean time the Countrey Gaols were possessed by many faithful Ministers, where some have dyed, and some excellent men contracted those diseases of which they dyed shortly after; and some have dyed by the effects of poverty, by cold, and ill food, for want of necessaries. And the complaints of Wives and hungry Children, and the burden of debts for meat, drink, clothes, fire, and houses, hath been a sharper trial to very many of them, than their revilers seem to be acquainted with. And had they felt it but one year themselves, it's like they would not have thought this a way to gratifie either covetousness or pride. It's true, that we should rejoyce in all our tribulations, and in every condition be content; but humane frailty must be confessed; that some by such distress have been cast into sad melancholies, which yet seemed more tolerable too, than gripes of conscience for wilful sin.

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And indeed the minds of few ingenuous persons will account it an ease to live on alms, and to be beholden to mens charity for their daily bread; especially when it's too well known how much most men do love their money, and how tenacious they are of it; and if they give once, how hardly they are brought to it again. Who that is able would not rather with Paul get their bread by some labour, than sordidly live on a barren and backward sort of charity? And the truth is, it is the poverty of the friends of the Nonconformists that hath been the cause of these defects. It's well known that it is but few comparatively of the Gentry that have owned them; but the Country Farmers of their several Parishes, whose payments and charges were so great, that they had little to spare from the maintenance of their own Families. And the lamentable fire so greatly impoverished the Londoners, and all the Country Tradesmen that depended on them (together with the decay of Trade) that the Streams were dried up that should have supplied the Nonconformists wants; so that if some very charitable ⟨p. 181⟩Citizens and others, had not done extraordinarily for them beyond all others, they might have perished by Famine. And after all, the number in the City and other parts, who by the peoples liberality have a tolerable maintenance (which ignorance and envy call a Plenty) is very small in comparison of all those through the rest of the Land who have greater wants, and lesser helps.

And indeed the minds of few ingenuous persons will account it an ease to live on alms, and to be beholden to mens charity for their daily bread; especially when it's too well known how much most men do love their money, and how tenacious they are of it; and if they give once, how hardly they are brought to it again. Who that is able would not rather with Paul get their bread by some labour, than fordidly live on a barren and backward sort of charity? And the truth is, it is the poverty of the friends of the Nonconformists that hath been the cause of these defects. It's well known that it is but few comparatively of the Gentry that have owned them; but the Countrey Farmers of their several Parishes, whose payments and charges were so great, that they had little to spare from the maintenance of their own Families. And the lamentable fire so greatly impoverished the Londoners, and all the Countrey Tradesmen that depended on them (together with the decay of Trade) that the Streams were dryed up that should have supplied the Nonconformists wants; so that if some very charitable

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And it hath not been the least of the said Ministers sufferings, that the continual uncertainty of their condition, hath disabled them from any commodious fixing of their habitations, and put them to the trouble and charge of frequent removals; one while severities drive them to retirement; and afterward his Majesties gracious Licenses draw them out to more populous places, and encouraged them to take houses accordingly, and put off the old: And shortly after, the revocation of the Licenses, and the sharpness of prosecution, puts them on the necessity of another change, which indeed to single men is less; but to the far greatest part who have families to remove and care for, they that have tried it, and have no money to defray the charges of such removals, know what it is to be thus unsettled.

And it hath not been the least of the said Ministers sufferings, that the continual uncertainty of their condition, hath disabled them from any commodious fixing of their habitations, and put them to the trouble and charge of frequent removals; one while severities drive them to retirement; and afterward his Majesties gracious Licenses draw them out to more populous places, and encouraged them to take houses accordingly, and put off the old: And shortly after, the revocation of the Licenses, and the sharpness of prosecution, puts them on the necessity of another change, which indeed to single men is less; but to the far greatest part who have families to remove and care for, they that have tryed it, and have no money to defray the charges of such removals, know what it is to be thus unsetled.

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But all these are light afflictions, compared with the delights of pleasing God, and saving Souls, and with the pleasures of our daily work, while we are employed in studying, proclaiming and trusting the certain promises of eternal life, and waiting for the promised reward in glory. And far be it from us to mention them as murmuring at the Providence of God; but only in confutation of the hard-faced Calumnies of some men, and to acquaint posterity historically with the truth. God is just in all the corrections which he layeth on us; we have deserved silencing, mulcts and imprisonments from him, yea he is exceeding merciful to us, both in our sufferings for truth and conscience-sake, and in our preservations and deliverances; and we are far from repenting of our Masters work: But whether we deserve from men the accusations and usage which these 17 years we have undergone, we refer to his judgment, who will shortly by his just and final sentence decide this Controversy, and justify the just.

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33. Mr. Hollingworth (in an Assize-Sermon printed) tells a story to prove his Schismatics as cruel as the execution of the Laws against us would be, that some one leading Sectary said, He would have all banished that would not subscribe the Doctrine of the Church in the 36 Articles. I wrote to him to know whom he meant, and he would not tell me, but (in a very respectful Letter) said, It was not nor Dr. Manton, &c. I since understood that this is said of Dr. Owen: But 1. he professeth it is false. 2. He is known to be for much liberty. 3. If he did say it, it was but to avert the odium of an overlarge toleration from the Independents. 4. And what is this to the case of the many hundred Nonconformable Ministers in England? But they be rendered odious for this word of his.

33. Mr. Hollingworth (in an Assize-Sermon printed) tells a story to prove his Schismaticks as cruel as the execution of the Laws against us would be, that some one leading Sectary said, He would have all banished that would not subscribe the Doctrine of the Church in the 36 Articles. I wrote to him to know whom he meant, and he would not tell me, but (in a very respectful Letter) said, It was not nor Dr. Manton, &c. I since understood that this is said of Dr. Owen: But 1. he professeth it is false. 2. He is known to be for much liberty. 3. If he did say it, it was but to avert the odium of an overlarge toleration from the Independents. 4. And what is this to the case of the many hundred Nonconformable Ministers in England? But they be rendred odious for this word of his.

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I will end with the Charge of Henry Fowlis (passing over his abusive Volumes of Collections, lest I be over-tedious) in his History of Popish Treasons, this is his accusation, he saith of those whom he calleth Puritans: I think the Puritans to be the worst people of all mankind. A Sect that will agree with you in the fundamentals of Religion, but will take Miff, and destroy all for a trifle; and rather than submit to an innocent Ceremony, though imposed by lawful authority, will ruin Kingdoms, Murder Bishops: A Sect that would hate Christ, but that he said he came not to bring Peace, but War. As for the Roman Catholic, I must needs have a greater kindness for him than the former fire-brands, as being an adversary more learned, and so to be expected more Civil and Gentile; and wherein they differ from us, they look upon as fundamental, and so have a greater reason for their dissent, than our Fanatical Presbyterians▪ a people not capable of a Commendation, nor to be obliged by any favours, their very Constitution being ingratitude.

I will end with the Charge of Henry Fowlis (passing over his abusive Volumes of Collections, lest I be over-tedious) in his History of Popish Treasons, this is his accusation, he saith of those whom he calleth Puritans: I think the Puritans to be the worst people of all mankind. A Sect that will agree with you in the fundamentals of Religion, but will take Miff, and destroy all for a trifle; and rather than submit to an innocent Ceremony, though imposed by lawful authority, will ruine Kingdoms, Murder Bishops: A Sect that would hate Christ, but that he said he came not to bring Peace, but War. As for the Roman Catholick, I must needs have a greater kindness for him than the former fire-brands, as being an adversary more learned, and so to be expected more Civil and Gentile; and wherein they differ from us, they look upon as fundamental, and so have a greater reason for their dissent, than our Phanatical Presbyterians▪ a people not capable of a Commendation, nor to be obliged by any favours, their very Constitution being ingratitude.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

The true Case of the Nonconformists Sufferings, which they are said to undergo through Covetousness of gain.