A26924:162
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
Chapter 7: II. Of the restraint of Ordained Ministers from Preaching, and expounding any Scripture…
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.
M. Both their words and their deeds tell us that they Ordain more than they Licence to Preach or Expound any Doctrine. And is it no sinful omission think you for all the rest to forbear all this? 2. And many were Ordained heretofore, who by the new Act of Uniformity, are denied Licenses without new Professions and Covenants and terms which they undertake to prove sinful. 3. And our Ministry is by this made arbitrary to the Bishops will. He may bind us to the Office, and when he hath done keep us from it.
M. Both their words and their deeds tell us that they Ordain more than they Licence to Preach or Expound any Doctrine. And is it no sinful omission think you for all the rest to forbear all this? 2. And many were Ordained heretofore, who by the new Act of Uniformity, are denyed Licenses without new Professions and Covenants and terms which they undertake to prove sinful. 3. And our Ministry is by this made arbitrary to the Bishops will. He may bind us to the Office, and when he hath done keep us from it.
L. If they deny you Licenses they bind you not to preach.
M. Ordination is a Vow and Dedication to the sacred Office: Mark the Covenant which they impose on us [Are you determined out of the Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your Charge, &c. Answ. I have so determined by God's Grace. Q. Will you give your faithful diligence always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments, and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, &c. that you may teach the people committed to your Care and Charge, with all diligence to keep and observe the same. Answ. I will so do by the help of the Lord. Q. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word, and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your Cure, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given. Answ. I will the Lord being my helper.] Is it not treachery to draw men into all these Vows, and then to command them never to Preach nor Expound any Doctrine or matter any where? Doth it not come near to an Atheistical prohibition of Religion, may they not tell their people the meaning of Baptism, or the Creed, or Lord's-Prayer, or Commandments? May they not teach their own Children and Servants these. If a Priest may not do it, much less the Laity and Vulgar.