A26865:886
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… › Postscript › Section
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.
Obj. Yes, under the Bishops government, but not without him.
Ans. To do the work of his own office without him that should govern him, could be but a disobedience against that Governor, but not a deposing him, and usurpation of his Government. If a Physician, Taylor, or Shoemaker, exercise his Calling when the King forbiddeth him, yea or a Schoolmaster or Minister who governs others, this is not to depose the King, and take his power, but only to disobey his power. Can you persuade all Popish Priests in England, that they depose the King?
Ans. To do the work of his own office without him that should govern him, could be but a disobedience against that Governour, but not a deposing him, and usurpation of his Government. If a Physician, Taylor, or Shoomaker, exercise his Calling when the King forbiddeth him, yea or a Schoolmaster or Minister who governs others, this is not to depose the King, and take his power, but only to disobey his power. Can you perswade all Popish Priests in England, that they depose the King?
III. The third Reason is as gross a fallacy, supposing that our silence is but passive obedience; but passive obedience (as it is commonly called) is but patient suffering without resistance. If the Bishops excommunicate us, or imprison us, or deprive us of all Ministerial maintenance, or take all our Estates, we never resist them, but endure all. But when the first part of Religion is positive, and the second negative, will any say that it is but passive obedience to omit all our duty if a Bishop forbid it us? Then it were but passive obedience to give over loving God and man, and maintaining our Families, or praying to God, or doing any good, if the Bishop forbid it us.