A26924:667
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 43: Point XL. Of forsaking our Ministry, and ceasing to Preach the Gospel, and Banishment F…
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. He that giveth it as a Donor may, which is Christ, but not he that only as a Servant delivereth that which his Master gives. If you send a Servant to deliver a Man Possession of House, Land, Horse, Money, &c. That Servant cannot take it from him at his pleasure. I do not think that the Priest that Marrieth Men, can unmarry them when he will: If he could, I think he would have more work. I scarce think the Patron that giveth one a Benefice can take it away when he will; which is more alienable than the Office. A man cannot renounce it himself when he will, who hath some more power of himself than the Bishop hath. Do you not know that all are agreed that the Office of the Ministry is as Marriage, during Life, and not for Trial or at Pleasure, ⟨p. 155⟩except in case of Adultery? Therefore the Papists say, that Ordination maketh an Indelible Character: Of this all Parties are agreed.
M. He that giveth it as a Donor may, which is Christ, but not he that only as a Servant delivereth that which his Master gives. If you send a Servant to deliver a Man Possession of House, Land, Horse, Money, &c. That Servant cannot take it from him at his pleasure. I do not think that the Priest that Marryeth Men, can unmarry them when he will: If he could, I think he would have more work. I scarce think the Patron that giveth one a Benefice can take it away when he will; which is more alienable than the Office. A man cannot renounce it himself when he will, who hath some more power of himself than the Bishop hath. Do you not know that all are agreed that the Office of the Ministry is as Marriage, during Life, and not for Tryal or at Pleasure, ⟨p. 155⟩except in case of Adultery? Therefore the Papists say, that Ordination maketh an Indelible Character: Of this all Parties are agreed.
L. But why say you the Ordainers do not give you the Power, but as Investing Ministers? you are not called immediately by Christ as the Apostles were; who then doth give it you, if not the Ordainers?