A26924:690
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.
L. But what great supply of this defect do your Meetings make? Are not most of them in the Parishes where there is room? And are not most of your hearers such as you think have least need?
M. 1. As many Meetings are held in the Greater Parishes as will be endured, and more would be, could they be suffered at any possible rate. ⟨p. 161⟩2. Those that dwell in the greater Parishes, can go further into the less, when they know before-hand that they have there room and hired Seats. The Meetings that have been kept up in the City Parishes, were as much for others, as for the Parishioners, and were there continued, because there was till of late the least disturbance, and gentlest prosecution. 3. Those that have least need, yet have so great need, as is more regardable than any bodily want: Souls and Heaven are precious, and all Men have Sins and Weaknesses and Temptations, and all helps possible are little enough to secure our Salvation. 4. When godly Persons are at our Assemblies, they take not up that room in the Parish-Churches which others would have, and so exclude not others.
L. But after all your Meetings, there are still as many thousands as you talk of that go to no Church.