A26911:235
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 20
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.
XX. In a word, the Priest is so far from having the power of excommunicating out of a particular Church, that he hath no power to do the necessary previous acts. 1. If he would tell him his fault privately, the sinner may refuse to speak with him, as is said. 2. If he would take two or three witnesses, he may refuse yet to speak with him, or hear him. 3. If he would tell the Church where he hath Communion, and would publicly admonish him before them all, and pray for him by name, that he may repent, he doth more than he can answer, and the man may have his Action against him accordingly at Law.
XX. In a word, the Priest is so far from having the power of excommunicating out of a particular Church, that he hath no power to do the necessary previous acts. 1. If he would tell him his fault privately, the sinner may refuse to speak with him, as is said. 2. If he would take two or three witnesses, he may refuse yet to speak with him, or hear him. 3. If he would tell the Church where he hath Communion, and would publickly admonish him before them all, and pray for him by name, that he may repent, he doth more than he can answer, and the man may have his Action against him accordingly at Law.
XXI. If a Minister will prosecute at the Bishops Court all that he hath cause to keep from the Sacrament (as he must do within fourteen days) 1. It will take him off all his Ministerial studies almost, in many great and wicked Parishes. It will be work enough to travel long journeys as an Informer. 2. It will spend all his Benefice, in the charge of journeys, Proctors, and bringing witnesses ⟨p. 66⟩so far. 3. He shall but get the hatred of sinners, and never be like more to do them good: Whereas, had he power to use true Pastoral Discipline with them, his love and tenderness might possibly melt them into repentance, which a Chancellor's Court, so like a Civil Judicature, and putting them to great expenses and danger, is unlike to do. Nor did I ever in my whole life know one sinner brought to Repentance seemingly serious, by their Courts.