A26911:207
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.
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.
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 shew the contrary: If they are unfit, it's long of themselves, say they: And that shall not excuse them from a Gaol.
You will say, It commandeth them not to receive unfit, but to be fit and then receive. Ans. True: But, 1. All the Parish of natural Capacity are commanded to be fit and then receive, and punished if they do not, though morally never so unfit. 2. Fitness is not gotten by bare Commands. 3. There are multitudes unfit, and ought not in that unfitness to receive, that the Law layeth no hold on for any other Fault; and many that cannot receive it; much less can the Minister by the Law keep away. Too many know themselves to be secret Atheists, and more to be Infidels, or Sadducees, that believe no Life to come: Many are conscious of secret Fornication, Drunkenness, Stealing, Deceiving, &c. rhe Minister or Magistrate is no judge of these: Yet if they Communicate not, they break the Rubric and Law, and are to be punished. Many hundreds are conscious