A26865:81
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 2
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.
It is not in our power to deny belief to our senses, and the experience of our daily conversation, if we were never so much reviled for our judgment.
But if you say, that the Parish Ministers are sufficient to remedy this calamity, as far as it can be remedied: I answer you, The necessity of our labours is notoriously evident in all these following respects. 1. In respect of the multitude that need our help. 2. In regard of the obstinacy of their ignorance, unbelief and sensuality. 3. In regard of the paucity of the public Ministers. 4. In regard of the real insufficiency, weakness and badness of too great a number of them. And, 5. In regard of abundance of peoples prejudice against them.
But if you say, that the Parish Ministers are sufficient to remedy this calamity, as far as it can be remedied: I answer you, The necessity of our labours is notoriously evident in all these following respects. 1. In respect of the multitude that need our help. 2. In regard of the obstinacy of their ignorance, unbelief and sensuality. 3. In regard of the paucity of the publick Ministers. 4. In regard of the real insufficiency, weakness and badness of too great a number of them. And, 5. In regard of abundance of peoples prejudice against them.
1. How many thousands are in some Parishes in London, in Stepney, in Cripplegate, in Sepulchres, in St. Martins, St. Clement Danes, Giles in the fields, Andrews Holborn, and many others, is ordinarily observed. Abundance of Corporations (from whence the Ministers are excluded) have very many thousands in a Parish. And if there be four thousand (to say nothing of them that have above forty thousand) it is an excellent people if three parts in four be not grossly ignorant of some Essentials of the Christian Religion, and multitudes grossly vicious and ungodly in their lives. When I came first to Kidderminster 1640, the Town was ready to stone me as I went along the streets, for preaching the Church-Doctrine of Original Sin in Infants, whom they called Innocents; till I asked them publicly, Whether they thought their Children were saved without Christ, and why they were baptized? Which they could not answer. When I came to Catechize and confer with them personally, after many years Preaching, many that constantly attended on Teaching, thought that Christ was Man on Earth, and is God in Heaven, but made a God only for his Goodness upon Earth, and not God from Eternity, nor Man now he is in Heaven. And the whole mystery of Redemption is little known to the most among us.