A26965:279
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
Ans. We deny this unproved assertion. 1. Indeed it will follow that such persons are justly condemned by God, if they repent not though they had but a Reader. 2. And that they should be thankful for so much, and gladly accept it in such Churches when they can have no better, But not 1. that it is in the power of any man justly to forbid them better, when God provideth it, 2. Nor that they must obey such a prohibition, as such. (Though prudence may discern forbearance to be a duty by accident, when the hurt would be greater than the good.) There is no doctrine objectively of absolute necessity to salvation, but the doctrine of the Baptismal Covenant which is expounded in the Creed, Lords prayer and Decalogue. But there is much Doctrinal and active Means necessary to make men Understand, Believe, Love, and Practise, this necessary Covenant doctrine. And the doctrine or articles of faith, will save none that do not Understand, Believe, Love, and Practise it, and that sincerely preferring the things ⟨p. 86⟩revealed before all the pleasures, riches and honours of this World. A Parrot shall not be a Saint for saying the Creed.
LII. These following matters of fact are presupposed to the answer of this objection, and in them all sober Protestants are (as we suppose) agreed.
1. That this aforesaid sincerity of Faith, Repentance, H•pe, Love, and Obedience, is made by God of necess••y to salvation.
1. That this aforesaid sincerity of Faith, Rep•ntance, H•pe, Love, and Obedience, is made by God of necessy to salvation.