A26924:397
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 21: Point XVIII. Of giving an Account to the Ordinary of all that we keep from the Sacramen…
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. Do not you by this Condemn your selves that desire a stricter Discipline, which would offend them more.
M. No; for 1. We would not turn our Churches into Prisons, nor bring in any under our Discipline, but consenting Volunteers. 2. We would have no Lay-men, or forced Ordinaries to do this, but Pastors of their own choice, whom they well know. 3. We would have nothing done against any sinner Magisterially and forcibly by the abuse of the Keys; but only humble Ministerial convincing them by Gods word of sin, and of Gods wrath, and praying for their repentance, and meek and patient warning them, and waiting till they prove obstinately impenitent: And then only an Exclusion of them declaratively from that Communion from which they exclude themselves, without any force on their Goods or Persons.
L. IV. What are your reasons from the Church?
M. 1. We ought not to consent to so great a corruption of its Discipline. 2. Nor to a course that will render it odious to men. 3. And deprive it so much of the true work of a faithful Ministry.