A26924:380
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 19: Point XVI. Of Consenting to reject all from Communion, who desire not our Episcopal Con…
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.
nor were we asked by him, or any, whether we stood to our Baptismal Covenant, save only by saying by rote the Catechism to our Master: nor did I see any one make any more than a Ceremony of it. When the Bishops were down, I saw it made a serious Work by divers Ministers, who instructed Young Men till they found them seriously resolved for Christ, and then taking the best of Confirmation and Penitence, caused them publicly before the Congregation to profess their Faith and Repentance, and to renew the Covenant they made in Baptism to Christ. And were it made the work of Godly Ministers to do it, or to prepare Men personally for it, and not make it a Game for Boys, much good might be done by it.
nor were we ask'd by him, or any, whether we stood to our Baptismal Covenant, save only by saying by rote the Catechism to our Master: nor did I see any one make any more than a Ceremony of it. When the Bishops were down, I saw it made a serious Work by divers Ministers, who instructed Young Men till they found them seriously resolved for Christ, and then taking the best of Confirmation and Penitence, caused them publickly before the Congregation to profess their Faith and Repentance, and to renew the Covenant they made in Baptism to Christ. And were it made the work of Godly Ministers to do it, or to prepare Men personally for it, and not make it a Game for Boys, much good might be done by it.
L. Well, What have you against it besides Abuse, which no body desireth you to subscribe to.
M. Were I a public Minister, I should be glad of that Rubric to enable me to keep away the grossly Ignorant, which I know no other Clause that enableth me to do: But I durst not use it, to turn from Communion all Godly Persons whom it excludeth; nor can I consent so to do.