A26924:647
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 42: Point XXXIX. Of forcing the unwilling Parishioners to the Sacrament, and Accusing and E…
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.
M. Look over the foregoing instances: Will you make a Law among Heathens that all shall be baptized, that this may draw them to believe? Or will you Command all Students to Administer the Sacraments, that this may draw them to Study and be Ordained, &c. We dissuade you not from forcing all to Hear and Learn: But do you think that it is so easy and small a Matter to bring a Man to Repent and Believe, and give up his Heart and Life to Christ, and prefer Heaven before Earth, and a holy Life before a fleshly and worldly Life, as that it is but say, Do it, or thou shalt go to Jail. What need a Saviour, a sanctifying Spirit, a teaching Ministry, &c. if it be so easily done at a Command? Will the fear of a Jail make Men believe the Gospel, or Love God? Oh how little doth this way savour of any true Knowledge of the State of Man, or what Faith or Sanctification is?
M. Look over the foregoing instances: Will you make a Law among Heathens that all shall be baptized, that this may draw them to believe? Or will you Command all Students to Administer the Sacraments, that this may draw them to Study and be Ordained, &c. We disswade you not from forcing all to Hear and Learn: But do you think that it is so easie and small a Matter to bring a Man to Repent and Believe, and give up his Heart and Life to Christ, and prefer Heaven before Earth, and a holy Life before a fleshly and worldly Life, as that it is but say, Do it, or thou shalt go to Iail. What need a Saviour, a sanctifying Spirit, a teaching Ministry, &c. if it be so easily done at a Command? Will the fear of a Jail make Men believe the Gospel, or Love God? Oh how little doth this way savour of any true Knowledge of the State of Man, or what Faith or Sanctification is?
L. Wherein lieth the Sinfulness of such force!
L. Wherein lyeth the Sinfulness of such force!