The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. 1. Other Canons also forbid them oft to Hear in other Parishes. 2. If my Need and God's Law oblige me to choose a better Pastor than that ignorant Reader, tho' in another Parish; is it not fit, and my Duty to Communicate with him that I justly take for my Pastor? Moreover, I must tell you, that when an Ignorant Fellow taketh on him the Sacred Office which he is unfit for, and so liveth in the constant Sin of omission, and of Profanation of Holy Things, and of betraying Souls, I take it to be a Sin to harden and encourage such a bold Presumer in so great Evil, and to encourage People that need better to be content with such a Pastor; Tho' I determine not whether he have the Essentials of the Ministry, and tho' I doubt not but the Sacraments are no nullities to them that take him for a true Minister. And yet I must add, that there are some Abilities Essential, without which no Man is truly a Minister of Christ: And this Essential Ability, as certainly reacheth to the work of Teaching, as to Administering Sacraments: He is not worthy the Name of a Minister that denies this: I would not strain this Necessity over high: But I say, that he is no Minister that wants Essential Ability: And if the Papists and their Emissaries would make the People believe that all not ordained by Prelates are no Ministers, and that such excellent Men as Blondel, Chamier, Sadeel, Dale, and all such abroad are none, I think them more excusable who take him for none that cannot Preach, and must be forbidden to Expound any Doctrine. If it were for want of Tongue and Voice he could not read: If it be for want of Knowledge, can that Man be by Office a Teacher of Christian Doctrine that knoweth it not, and cannot teach it? and cannot do that for his Flock that every Parent and Husband should do, whom the Children and Wives are commanded to learn of.

M. 1. Other Canons also forbid them oft to Hear in other Parishes. 2. If my Need and God's Law oblige me to choose a better Pastor than that ignorant Reader, tho' in another Parish; is it not fit, and my Duty to Communicate with him that I justly take for my Pastor? Moreover, I must tell you, that when an Ignorant Fellow taketh on him the Sacred Office which he is unfit for, and so liveth in the constant Sin of omission, and of Prophanation of Holy Things, and of betraying Souls, I take it to be a Sin to harden and encourage such a bold Presumer in so great Evil, and to encourage People that need better to be content with such a Pastor; Tho' I determine not whether he have the Essentials of the Ministry, and tho' I doubt not but the Sacraments are no nullities to them that take him for a true Minister. And yet I must add, that there are some Abilities Essential, without which no Man is truly a Minister of Christ: And this Essential Ability, as certainly reacheth to the work of Teaching, as to Administring Sacraments: He is not worthy the Name of a Minister that denies this: I would not strain this Necessity over high: But I say, that he is no Minister that wants Essential Ability: And if the Papists and their Emissaries would make the People believe that all not ordained by Prelates are no Ministers, and that such excellent Men as Blondel, Chamier, Sadeel, Dalle, and all such abroad are none, I think them more excusable who take him for none that cannot Preach, and must be forbidden to Expound any Doctrine. If it were for want of Tongue and Voice he could not read: If it be for want of Knowledge, can that Man be by Office a Teacher of Christian Doctrine that knoweth it not, and cannot teach it? and cannot do that for his Flock that every Parent and Husband should do, whom the Children and Wives are commanded to learn of.