A26865:917
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.
THE CONTENTS.
A Prefatory History of our Case. Page 1, &c. Our judgment how far we are bound to Preach. p. 14. Our Reasons for Preaching. I. We judge it sacrilege to for sake the work to which we were consecrated. p. 20. II. We cannot be ignorant of mens obliging necessities. p. 22. III. Many express texts of Scripture oblige us. p. 32. Many Objections answered, to p. 44. Whether Princes may silence us? Largely answered. Of mans binding Conscience. Of the Peoples choice of Pastors. IV. By deserting our Ministerial Work, we shall sin against the Natural Law of Love, and be guilty of soul-murder. p. 45. Objections and Accusations answered, 1. That our preciseness falsely pretendeth mens necessity. p. 52. 2. That we think too highly of our own Preaching as necessary. p. 55. 3. That our Preaching doth more harm than good. p. 56. 4. That we have made the People disobedient, hypocrites, &c. p. 64. 5. That when we had liberty we cast out Catechising, the Creed, the Lords-Prayer, Decalogue, and Church-Government, &c. p. 69. 6. That we lived in sequestrations on other mens bread. Mr. Durel's accusations of my self herein, answered. p. 77. 7. That we silenced and ejected others when we had power. p. 83. 8. The better must suffer with the worse, if they will join with them. p. 85. 9. That our Preaching will increase mens dislike of Government. p. 86. 10. That our pretended Piety is Pharisaical hypocrisy, pride, zealous Villainies. The Pharisees described. p. 91. 11. Of gathering Assemblies, and separating from the Church. p. 97. ⟨image 135⟩12. For coming into Cities and Corporations, within five Miles▪ p. 102. 13. The Church giveth you power, and may take it from you, as the old Conformists (in Mr. Rathbands book &c.) confess. p. 104. 14. You are against Bishops, because you cannot be Bishops. Why did you demur so long before you refused Preferments? p. 106. 15. Must the Laws be changed as oft as tender heads will scruple? p. 108. 16. Obedience beseemeth tender Consciences: Disobedience is as the sin of Witchcraft. p. 110. 17. The only reason why some forsook the Ministry is, that they durst not abjure the Covenant. Why do they not do the rest? p. 111. 18. Why not all tolerated as well as you, and so let in Popery? p. 113. 19. Preaching was necessary before the World became Christian, &c. p. 114. 20. Why do you not go preach among the Indians? p. 115. 21.