A26924:319
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 14: Point XI. Of rejecting from Communion all that dare not kneel in the act of Receiving.
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.
L. If the practice be sinful in rejecting such, Assenting and Consenting and Subscribing to do it must be sinful.
M. The sin lieth in what I before said about refusing Baptism. 1. It maketh new terms of Church Communion. 2. It contradicteth Christ's appointed terms, which require all Christians to receive each other in Love and Concord: And Paul expressly decideth such cases, Rom. 14, and 15. Receive one another as Christ received us to the Glory of God. Will Christ that receiveth them to pardon, grace and endless Glory, own these Rejecters and Condemners? Or will he not say, In as much as ye did it to one the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me? And who is he that condemneth, when it is Christ that justifieth. 3. They shall answer for depriving Christ's Members of their right, as truly as if they oppressed Widows, and Orphans, and turned them out of their houses, and inheritance. 4. They shall answer for Schismatical tearing the Church by their Engines. 5. And for usurping a needless and hurtful dominion over mens faith, and consciences by their Church Legislation. 6. And for using that office which is made for the edifying and comfort of the Faithful, to drive conscience and obedience to God out of the world, by making doubtful, ensnaring impositions, and then persecuting and rendering odious all that dare not obey them for fear of sin, while they bear with the Rabble that hate serious godliness, and encourage them by preferring them in their communion.
M. The sin lyeth in what I before said about refusing Baptism. 1. It maketh new terms of Church Communion. 2. It contradicteth Christ's appointed terms, which require all Christians to receive each other in Love and Concord: And Paul expresly decideth such cases, Rom. 14, and 15. Receive one another as Christ received us to the Glory of God. Will Christ that receiveth them to pardon, grace and endless Glory, own these Rejecters and Condemners? Or will he not say, In as much as ye did it to one the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me? And who is he that condemneth, when it is Christ that justifieth. 3. They shall answer for depriving Christ's Members of their right, as truely as if they oppressed Widows, and Orphans, and turned them out of their houses, and inheritance. 4. They shall answer for Schismatical tearing the Church by their Engines. 5. And for usurping a needless and hurtful dominion over mens faith, and consciences by their Church Legislation. 6. And for using that office which is made for the edifying and comfort of the Faithful, to drive conscience and obedience to God out of the world, by making doubtful, ensnaring impositions, and then persecuting and rendring odious all that dare not obey them for fear of sin, while they bear with the Rabble that hate serious godliness, and encourage them by preferring them in their communion.