A26924:676
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. That's true: But we must do what we can: Christ foretold his Ministers how they should be used, Hated, Scourged, Killed, and yet will have them go on to the Death. When they persecute you in one City, flee to another, was his charge; what we cannot do in one place we may do in another; and if we cannot Preach to more, we must do it to fewer. No Suffering will excuse us, (much less bare Prohibitions) which do not disable us.
L. But by this Rule, every silenced Heretic may go on, and make himself the Judge, that he is unjustly silenced.
L. But by this Rule, every silenced Heretick may go on, and make himself the Iudge, that he is unjustly silenced.
M. And by your Rule of holding nothing which Men may abuse, all good may be put down. Usurpers may pretend that it's them that we must obey: Must not we therefore obey the King? Liars will claim belief: Must we therefore believe no body? Reason is pretended for every Error and Wickedness: must we therefore renounce Reason? so false Teachers may Preach when they are forbidden: must therefore Christ's Ministers give over, because Men forbid them. Did the Church do so for 300 years?
M. And by your Rule of holding nothing which Men may abuse, all good may be put down. Usurpers may pretend that it's them that we must obey: Must not we therefore obey the King? Lyers will claim belief: Must we therefore believe no body? Reason is pretended for every Errour and Wickedness: must we therefore renounce Reason? so false Teachers may Preach when they are forbidden: must therefore Christ's Ministers give over, because Men forbid them. Did the Church do so for 300 years?