Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters

Q. 172. Are all religious and private Meetings forbidden by Rulers, ¹unlawful Conventicles? Answ. 1. It is more to the Honour of the Church, and of Religion, and of God, and more to our Safety and Edification, to have God's Worship performed solemnly, publicly, and in great Assemblies, than in a corner, ⟨p. 32⟩secretly and with few. 2. It is a great mercy, where Rulers allow the Church such Public Worship. 3. Caeteris paribus, all Christians. should prefer such Public Worship before Private, and no private Meetings should be kept up, which are opposite, or prejudicial to such public Meetings. And therefore if such Meetings, (or any that are unnecessary, to the ends of the Ministry, the Service of God, and good of Souls) be forbidden by lawful Rulers, they must be forborne. And it must be remembered, that Rulers, that are Infidels, Papists, Heretics, or Persecutors, that restrain Church-Meetings, to the injury of Men's Souls, must be distinguished from pious Princes, that only restrain Heretics, and real Schismatics, for the Churches good. 2. And that times of Heresy and Schism may make private Meetings more dangerous, than quiet times. And so even the Scottish Church forbade private Meetings, in the Separatists days of late. And when they do more hurt than good, and are justly forbidden, no doubt, in that case, it is a duty to obey, and to forbear them.

Q. 172. Are all religious and private Meetings forbidden by Rulers, ¹