A26924:471
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.
L. But the Validity of the Sacrament dependeth not on the worthiness or ability of the Minister.
M. 1. But the Edification, and consequently the Salvation of Souls, hath no small dependence on the Ability and Ministration of skilful faithful Pastors; as Mens Health and Lives do on skilful Physicians. And no man should deny himself the benefit of such that can lawfully have it, nor should starve his Soul in Obedience to Canons. If Preaching, and that soundly and skilfully, be as needless as such men pretend, why did Christ Preach, and send out Preachers? and why did Paul so dreadfully charge Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. to Preach the Word, and be instant in season and out of season, &c. And why doth he so urge the Ephesian Elders, Act. 20. to imitate him that taught them publicly and from house to house, day and night with tears. And why do the Prelates make every Priest Covenant in their Ordination to instruct the People out of the Scripture, and with all faithful diligence to Minister Doctrine, and teach the People with all diligence to observe God's Commandments, and to use both public and private Monitions and Exhortations, as well to the sick as the whole, within their Cures, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given. Why do they Ordain them all to be faithful Dispensers of the Word of God?] Is all this done by mere Reading that which a Woman or a Boy of 12 years old can read as well as they? Do these Men know what Souls are worth? ⟨p. 120⟩how the Reason and Will of Man are moved? How strong Sin is, and how blind and bad the Heart of Man?
M. 1. But the Edification, and consequently the Salvation of Souls, hath no small dependance on the Ability and Ministration of skilful faithful Pastors; as Mens Health and Lives do on skilful Physicians. And no man should deny himself the benefit of such that can lawfully have it, nor should starve his Soul in Obedience to Canons. If Preaching, and that soundly and skilfully, be as needless as such men pretend, why did Christ Preach, and send out Preachers? and why did Paul so dreadfully charge Timothy,