A26965:314
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. That is not as an act of formal obedience, as if they took it to be unlawful because prohibited; ⟨p. 101⟩but in prudence, because the persecution, should they do it, would frustrate their attempt: In such cases the old Christians met in secret.
2. Where Parishes are so great that the allowed Pastors cannot Preach to half or a fourth or tenth part of the people; and cannot visit half the sick, and Baptize, and administer the Lords Supper as is necessary; And have not time, if the ignorant, and doubting, and troubled persons should come to them for Counsel, resolution or comfort, to speak duly to one of twenty of them. In a Parish of 50000 or 30000, or 20000 or 15000 or 10000 souls, how few is it that one or two Ministers can perform all the Offices to, public and private which the Gospel requireth Pastors to perform.
2. Where Parishes are so great that the allowed Pastors cannot Preach to half or a fourth or tenth part of the people; and cannot visit half the sick, and Baptize, and administer the Lords Supper as is necessary; And have not time, if the ignorant, and doubting, and troubled persons should come to them for Counsel, resolution or comfort, to speak duely to one of twenty of them. In a Parish of 50000 or 30000, or 20000 or 15000 or 10000 soules, how few is it that one or two Ministers can perform all the Offices to, publick and private which the Gospel requireth Pastors to perform.
3. Where the allowed Pastors are so slothful or proud that they will not condescend to these Offices, of Personal help to many thousands, especially of the poor.