The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter…

6. The judgment and practice of the Churches of all Ages and places since Christ, is against you; I think Helvetia it self not excepted. And should this be nothing to you, who call on us to reverence the Old Conformists?

7. The reason of the Institution fully satisfies me. It was not meet so great a trust should be placed in unfit men: As in case of Ordination, it must be men that are able to try the persons, as to skill and life, that must be trusted with so weighty a business; and also such that can have leisure to attend it; and therefore as an Office are empowered for it, and separated to it, lest it miscarry; so as to Baptism, Absolution, Excommunication, it must be done by men, 1. That are capable of full acquaintance with the person, witnesses and cause. 2. And that can try and judge of it. 3. And especially of the persons Faith and Repentance; (for it is on these that the sentence must pass:) No Baptism without Faith: No Excommunication without obstinate Impenitence: No Absolution without Repentance.) 4. It must be by men fit to exhort them to Faith and Repentance, and confute their Errors, and pray for them that God would give them Faith and Repentance. 5. And it is so great a part of the world, and all the Church of Christ, that this, or much of this must be done for, ⟨p. 79⟩that reason showed it needful, that it be made the work of a great and special Office. And if so, then those men that do it, 1. Must be tried as Ordained Ministers be: 2. And Ordained to the Office of doing it: 3. And profess to do it as such Officers: 4. And not lacerate that Office, and change it, by taking a part of it, and leaving the rest: And so they must be no Lay-men.

7. The reason of the Institution fully satisfies me. It was not meet so great a trust should be placed in unfit men: As in case of Ordination, it must be men that are able to try the persons, as to skill and life, that must be trusted with so weighty a business; and also such that can have leisure to attend it; and therefore as an Office are empowered for it, and separated to it, lest it miscarry; so as to Baptism, Absolution, Excommunication, it must be done by men, 1. That are capable of full acquaintance with the person, witnesses and cause. 2. And that can try and judge of it. 3. And especially of the persons Faith and Repentance; (for it is on these that the sentence must pass:) No Baptism without Faith: No Excommunication without obstinate Impenitence: No Absolution without Repentance.) 4. It must be by men fit to exhort them to Faith and Repentance, and confute their Errours, and pray for them that God would give them Faith and Repentance. 5. And it is so great a part of the world, and all the Church of Christ, that this, or much of this must be done for,