Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…

Lib. I speak only of Religious and not Civil duties.

P. You are indifferent it seemeth as to the Interest of Gods honour and mens salvation: Let those alone, so be it your own interest be secured. Duty to you, must be preached, but not to God. But would you not have them taught to do you service as to the Lord, and as such as from him shall have punishment or reward? and to submit themselves to the Higher Powers for conscience sake as to the Ministers of God? and •o Honour Father and Mother in obedience to God, and that by his reward their days may be long? Should not all be done to the Glory of God?

P. You are indifferent it seemeth as to the Interest of Gods honour and mens salvation: Let those alone, so be it your own interest be secured. Duty to you, must be preached, but not to God. But would you not have them taught to do you service as to the Lord, and as such as from him shall have punishment or reward? and to submit themselves to the Higher Powers for conscience sake as to the Ministers of God? and •o Honour Father and Mother in obedience to God, and that by his reward their dayes may be long? Should not all be done to the Glory of God?

Lib. Yes, it should be; but the wicked cannot do it: Therefore they must be first made Godly, and the Heart renewed, that the life may be amended.

Lib. Ye•: How shall they believe unless they hear?

P. Quest. 3. Must we call them from the Tavern, Ale-house, Gaming-house, Play-house, Whore-house, yea, from their lawfuiler employments that they may hear in season? and call Martha to choose Mary's part, and those that say, They cannot come because of their Oxen, Farms and Business, to change that mind?

P. Quest. 3. Must we call them from the Tavern, Ale-house, Gaminghouse, Play-house, Whore-house, yea, from their lawfuiler imployments that they may hear in season? and call Martha to choose Maries part, and those that say, They cannot come because of their Oxen, Farms and Business, to change that mind?

Lib. Yes, no doubt of it: Zaccheus must be in Christs way.

P. Quest. 4. Must we not persuade them to take heed how and what they hear? and to set their hearts to all Gods Words, and to see that they despise not him that speaketh? but he that hath ears to hear, let him hear; and to consider of the truth and weight of all, and to search the Scriptures to see whether the things be so?

P. Quest. 4. Must we not perswade them to take heed how and what they hear? and to set their hearts to all Gods Words, and to see that they despise not him that speaketh? but he that hath ears to hear, let him hear; and to consider of the truth and weight of all, and to search the Scriptures to see whether the things be so?

Lib. I deny none of this.

P. Quest. 5. May we not persuade them to come and talk and reason the case with Friends or Ministers, that we may convince them?

P. Quest. 5. May we not perswade them to come and talk and reason the case with Friends or Ministers, that we may convince them?

Lib. Yes no doubt, as well as to hear in public.

Lib. Yes no doubt, as well as to hear in publick.

P. Quest. 6. May we not Catechise them, and teach them the Principles of Christianity, that they may understand them?

Lib. Yes, as to the Matter; but to teach them your forms of Questions and Answers, is but formality and deceit.

P. What? May we not teach them the words of Christ and Scripture? How shall the matter be understood without words? And what better words, than the words of Scripture?

Lib. But a Form of the same words is but formality.

P. Hath God forbid us to use the same? Are Children and ignorant people fit to understand the mysteries of God, if you speak them every time in new or other words? or can they so remember them? And when the use of words is to signify Things, and the Matter is one and the same (for we have but one God, and Christ, and Gospel) what wild work will you make of it, if you speak the same things every time in other words? Are all those words equally fit to signify the same Things? Certainly some particular words are more fitted to each matter than other: And should not the fittest be most used? Doth not Christ deliver us a form of Baptism, and a form of the administration of his last Supper, and a form of Prayer? Are there not forms prescribed in Gods Word, of the Priests Benediction, and what the people shall say when they offer Sacrifice? Are not all the Psalms forms of Prayer and Praise (and were indeed the Liturgy of the Jews)? Doth not Joel put a form of prayer into the mouths of Penitents? Doth not Paul teach us to use Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord? Eph. 5. 19. Doubtless it is not only Davids Psalms that are meant by these three words; but Hymns and Songs fitted to Gospel Worship: And if you would have none of them premeditated, nor be twice the same words, you would soon make your self ridiculous to the world. If you say that this Precept was for them that could do so being filled with the Spirit, I answer, 1. It's true that they had their extraordinary endowments, which made a difference in the manner (as also in Praying and Preaching): But shall we dream that therefore the same duties belong not to us to be performed in the best manner that we can? 2. A man may from the Spirit pour out his soul to God in forms of Prayer and Praise, though the words were premeditated. In a word, if you would have all forms of Creeds, Prayer, Praise and administration of Sacraments, and Catechisms cast away, you are an enemy to Gods true Worship, and the safety and edification of the Church, yea, you must cast away all the Scriptures, which are Gods form of instruction, recorded for the Churches use to the end of the World. ⟨p. 260⟩Quest. 6. But I further ask you, May we not persuade bad men to examine themselves, and to find, know and confess that they are bad and ungodly? and to lament it?

P. Hath God forbid us to use the same? Are Children and ignorant people fit to understand the mysteries of God, if you speak them every time in new or other words? or can they so remember them? And when the use of words is to signifie Things, and the Matter is one and the same (for we have but one God, and Christ, and Gospel) what wild work will you make of it, if you speak the same things every time in other words? Are all those words equally fit to signifie the same Things? Certainly some particular words are more fitted to each matter than other: And should not the fittest be most used? Doth not Christ deliver us a form of Baptism, and a form of the administration of his last Supper, and a form of Prayer? Are there not forms prescribed in Gods Word, of the Priests Benediction, and what the people shall say when they offer Sacrifice? Are not all the Psalms forms of Prayer and Praise (and were indeed the Liturgie of the Jews)? Doth not Joel put a form of prayer into the mouths of Penitents? Doth not Paul teach us to use Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord?