A26948:208
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters.
A26948:208
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters.
London : Printed and are to be sold by E. Whitlock, 1697
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
As for your Question about Sacrilege, I am very near you in the present Opinion. The point was never stated nor debated in the Isle of Wight; I did for my part decline the dispute, for I could not maintain the cause as on the Parliament side; And because, both I and others were unwilling, it was never brought to open debate. The Commissioners did argue it with the King, but they went upon grounds of Law and Polity, and it was only about Bishops Lands; for they then averred the continuance of Dean and Chapter Lands to the use of the Church. Some deny that there is any sin of Sacrilege under the Gospel, and if there be any, they agree not in the definition. Some hold an Alienation of Church-goods, in case of Necessity, and then make the necessity, what, and as extensive, as they please. The most are of Opinion, that while the Church lies so unprovided for, the donations are not alienable, sine Sacrilegio. If there were a Surplusage above the competent maintenance, it were another matter. It is clear enough, the Donors wills are frustrated, and that their general intention, and the general use (Viz. the maintenance of God's Worship, and Ministers) should stand, though the particular use might be superstitious. I cited in my last Sermon ⟨p. 51⟩before the Parliament a place out of Mr. Hildersham, on Psal. 51. touching Sacrilege, it did not please. If his description of it be true, then you will still be of your own mind. I dare encourage no Purchasers, &c.
As for your Question about Sacriledge, I am very near you in the present Opinion. The point was never stated nor debated in the Isle of Wight; I did for my part decline the dispute, for I could not maintain the cause as on the Parliament side; And because, both I and others were unwilling, it was never brought to open debate. The Commissioners did argue it with the King, but they went upon grounds of Law and Polity, and it was only about Bishops Lands; for they then averred the continuance of Dean and Chapter Lands to the use of the Church. Some deny that there is any sin of Sacriledge under the Gospel, and if there be any, they agree not in the definition. Some hold an Alienation of Church-goods, in case of Necessity, and then make the necessity, what, and as extensive, as they please. The most are of Opinion, that while the Church lies so unprovided for, the donations are not alienable, sine Sacrilegio. If there were a Surplusage above the competent maintenance, it were another matter. It is clear enough, the Donors wills are frustrated, and that their general intention, and the general use (Viz. the maintenance of God's Worship, and Ministers) should stand, though the particular use might be superstitious. I cited in my last Sermon ⟨p. 51⟩before the Parliament a place out of Mr. Hildersham, on Psal. 51. touching Sacriledge, it did not please. If his description of it be true, then you will still be of your own mind. I dare encourage no Purchasers, &c.
Mr. B's Epistle to separate Congregations. Consider this, It is the judgment of some, that Thousands are gone to Hell, and Ten thousands on their march thither, that in all probability had not come there, if they had not been tempted from the Parish Churches for enjoyment of Communion in a purer Church.
Mr. B's Epistle to separate Congregations. Consider this, It is the judgment of some, that Thousands are gone to Hell, and Ten thousands on their march thither, that in all probability had not come there, if they had not been tempted from the Parish Churches for injoyment of Communion in a purer Church.
Pag. 21. Of Defence. The Interest of the Protestant Religion must be much kept up by means of the Parish Ministers, and by Doctrine and Worship there performed, and they that think and endeavour contrary, shall have the hearty thanks and concurrence of the Papists.
And I am persuaded, that all the Arguments of Bellarmin, and other Books that have been written, have not done so much to make Papists in England, as the Multitude of Sects among our selves. Defence p. 21.
And I am perswaded, that all the Arguments of Bellarmin, and other Books that have been written, have not done so much to make Papists in England, as the Multitude of Sects among our selves. Defence p. 21.
In The Second Admonition to Bagshaw, p. 78. It is Lawful to hold Communion with our Churches, having but tolerable Ministers, notwithstanding the Parochial Order, and the Ministers Conformity, and the use of the Common-Prayer-Book, and that we ought to do so when some special reason, as from Authority, Scandal, &c. do require it.
A Ministers personal faults do not allow a People to separate from the Worship of God, nor all Ministerial faults, but only those that prove him or his Ministration utterly intolerable. Answer to Dr. Stillingfleet. p. 50.
The word Schism signifieth any sinful Division among Christians; there may be a Schism in a Church, when no party divideth from it; as when one says, I am of Paul, &c. 1 Cor. 3. 3. A Man may cause Divisions from a Church, that separates not from it himself.
The sparks of Schism are kindled, when proud Persons are brainsick with a fond estimation of their own opinions, and heart-sick for propagating them.
Till Church Divisions be rightly apprehended, as Whoredom, Swearing and Drunkenness are, they will never be well cured. Imprint therefore on your minds the true Character of them, and consider the Effects, and then you will fear this confounding Sin, as much as a consuming Plague.
Pag. 63 When you are tempted to separate from any Church for defectiveness in its manner of Worship; enquire how God is Worshipped in all the Churches on Earth, and then consider if you lived among them, you would forsake communion with them all. Read the Church History, and consider what Heresies have been in times past, and what havoc Schisms have caused among Christians, for if this had been known by well meaning Persons in our days, we should not have seen those same opinions applauded as New Lights, which were long ago exploded as Old Heresies: Nor should we have seen many honest People taking that same course to reform the Church now, and advance the Gospel, which in so many Ages and Nations destroyed the Church, and cast out the Gospel. A narrow Soul that taketh all Christs Interest in the World to lye in a few of their Separate Meetings, and shuts up all the Church in a Nut-shell, must needs be guilty of the foulest Schisms. It is a Catholic Spirit and Principles loving a Christian as a Christian, abhorring the very name of Sects and Parties, as the Churches Wounds, that makes a Catholic indeed.
Pag. 63 When you are tempted to separate from any Church for defectiveness in its manner of Worship; enquire how God is Worshipped in all the Churches on Earth, and then consider if you lived among them, you would forsake communion with them all. Read the Church History, and consider what Heresies have been in times past, and what havock Schisms have caused among Christians, for if this had been known by well meaning Persons in our days, we should not have seen those same opinions appleaded as New Lights, which were long ago exploded as Old Heresies: Nor should we have seen many honest People taking that same course to reform the Church now, and advance the Gospel, which in so many Ages and Nations destroyed the Church, and cast out the Gospel. A narrow Soul that taketh all Christs Interest in the World to lye in a few of their Separate Meetings, and shuts up all the Church in a Nut-shell, must needs be guilty of the foulest Schisms. It is a Catholick Spirit and Principles loving a Christian as a Christian, abhorring the very name of Sects and Parties, as the Churches Wounds, that makes a Catholick indeed.
Mr. Caudry in his Book of Schism; against Dr. Owen, p. 14. says, that Toleration (of separate Congregations) had done more to the rooting out Religion from the hearts of many in Seven Years, than the enforcing of Uniformity in Seventy Years before.
Mr. Caudry in his Book of Schism; against Dr. Owen, p. 14. says, that Toleration (of separate Congregations) had done more to the rooting out Religion from the hearts of many in Seven Years, than the inforcing of Uniformity in Seventy Years before.
As to Separation:1 Be the backwardest to divide and separate, and do it not without a certain warrant, and extreme necessity; resolve with Augustine, I will not be the Chaff, and yet I will not go out of the Floor, though the Chaff be there. Never give over your just desire and endeavour for Reformation, and yet as long as you can possibly avoid it. Forsake not the Church that you desire to reform; as Paul said to them, that were to forsake a Shipwrecked Vessel, If these abide not in the Ship, ye cannot be saved. Many a one, by unlawful flying and shifting for his own greater peace and safety, doth much more hazard his own and others.
As to Separation:1 Be the backwardest to divide and separate, and do it not without a certain warrant, and extreme necessity; resolve with Augustine, I will not be the Chaff, and yet I will not go out of the Floor, though the Chaff be there. Never give over your just desire and endeavour for Reformation, and yet as long as you can possibly avoid it. Forsake not the Church that you desire to reform; as Paul said to them, that were to forsake a Shipwrackt Vessel, If these abide not in the Ship, ye cannot be saved. Many a one, by unlawful flying and shifting for his own greater peace and safety, doth much more hazard his own and others.