A26924:727
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
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. I told you that he ought to take care that no Parish want a fit Teacher, whom the willing may hear. 2. And that the negligent and unwilling be forced to hear either them or some other allowed, or justly tolerated Teacher. But I never said that 1. Because the Catechumens may be forced to hear their Parish Teacher, who are Free-men, therefore those that are Wives, Children and Servants may be forced to go to one Church, when the Husband, Parent or Master commands them to go with him to another. 2. Nor yet that those Masters that are Communicants, and not Catechumens, may be forced from hearing their own Pastors, approved or tolerated. It's enough that they be forced to hear either. And Men ought not to be deprived of the due Government of their Families.
L. Is not the Patron as fit to choose a Teacher or Pastor for your Wives, Children and Servants as you are?
L. Is not the Patron as fit to chuse a Teacher or Pastor for your Wives, Children and Servants as you are?
M. No; 1. A Mans Interest in, and power over his Wife and Children is earlier and greater than a Patrons is. It is natural, and by a Law, which no Men have power to abrogate: Self-government and Family-government are antecedent to Princes or States Government, and they have no right to dissolve it. 2. I shall gain or lose more by the welfare or misery of my Family than the Patron will. 3. Nature hath given me a greater Love to Wife and Children, and bound me to a greater care for them, than it hath done a Patron. 4. I know them better, and therefore know what they need, and what Teacher and Communion is fit for them, better than a Patron that never saw them or me. 5. Supposing that I am allowed to choose my own Pastor and Communion, it will be inconsistent with Family-government, that my Wife, Children and Servants be forced to go to another place, where I can have no account of them what they do, and how they behave themselves. 6. If no Man may justly choose for my Children a Tutor, a Trade, a Physician, or Diet, or Clothing, rather than my self, (much less a worse when I choose a better;) nor may impose Husbands or Wives on them, much less may any choose for them against my will and choice, an Office on which their Salvation is so specially concerned.