A26924:1178
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
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.
Q. 30. Is not the Office of the Ministry to be Stewards of the house, and mysteries of God, and to give the Children their meat in season, Luk. 12. 42. and to teach men publicly from house to house, Act. 20. And is it not a calling fixed during life and ability, not to be cast off at pleasure? And this in those that are called by men? As a Priest that hath married Persons cannot unmarry them, and the Arch-Bishop who may Anoint or Crown a King, may not Depose him, because he was not the Donor or Lord, but a Ministerial Invester; so he that Ordaineth a Minister may not depose him, till he become uncapable of the Office, and if he do, it doth not disoblige the Minister.
Q. 30. Is not the Office of the Ministery to be Stewards of the house, and mysteries of God, and to give the Children their meat in season, Luk. 12. 42. and to teach men publickly from house to house, Act. 20. And is it not a calling fixed during life and ability, not to be cast off at pleasure? And this in those that are called by men? As a Priest that hath marryed Persons cannot unmarry them, and the Arch-Bishop who may Anoint or Crown a King, may not Depose him, because he was not the Donor or Lord, but a Ministerial Invester; so he that Ordaineth a Minister may not depose him, till he become uncapable of the Office, and if he do, it doth not disoblige the Minister.
Q. 31. Did not the Church for 300 years, worship God against the will of Princes, and afterward, when Arian, or other erroneous Princes forbid them? And hath a Christian Prince any more power to hinder the Gospel and Worship of Christ, and the saving of Souls, than Heathens had? or rather far greater obligations, as nursing Fathers to promote them, which I ask only in answer to such as pretend Law and human Authority, to forbid what God Commandeth; in which case saith Bishop Bilson, we must go on with our work, and patiently suffer.