A26911:205
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter…
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter of their nonconformity against Mr. J. Cheney's answer called The conforming nonconformist, and The nonconforming conformist : to which is added the second part in answer to Mr. Cheney's Five undertakings / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, 1680
A DEFENCE OF THE NON-CONFORMIST'S Plea for Peace, AGAINST Mr. J. CH… › Chapter 19
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.
§ 1. Your 18th Section is about giving the Sacrament to all the Parishioners, thrice a Year. You say, It could not be the Churches meaning to give it to all.
§ 1. YOur 18th Section is about giving the Sacrament to all the Parishioners, thrice a Year. You say, It could not be the Churches meaning to give it to all.
Ans. Darkness is a great advantage to one that must be hid, or run away; and confusion to one that must defend an Error. They are two distinct ⟨p. 57⟩parts of our Dissent, 1. That all the Parishioners are enjoined to Communicate thrice a Year.
2. That we are enjoined to give it (not to all, but) to more than we can with a safe Conscience. You prove that there are Limitations to the last; but that proveth not that they are so to the first.
Do you think that it will excuse a Man that Communicates not, to say, [I am not willing to be Confined,] or [I am out of Charity,] or (I am a scandalous Sinner,) or (the Church did suspend me for Scandal, or Contumacy:) If it will, the Papists may save their Estates, or others called New Recusants at least: But the Law and Liturgy, and Canon, all show the contrary: If they are unfit, it's long of themselves, say they: And that shall not excuse them from a Gaol.