A26965:330
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. 1. By an uncapable person we mean such as is utterly unable to perform the Pastoral duties which Christ hath commanded, and mens souls greatly need (which among others Dr. ⟨p. 106⟩Hammond in his Annotat hath well described.) If bare Reading were sufficient Ability, every Boy or Artificer were sufficient that can read. Bare Reading will encourage no man to take any one for his Physician, or Lawyer; and soul conduct is a matter of greater importance, and needeth as much skill and honesty.
Ans. 1. By an uncapable person we mean such as is utterly unable to perform the Pastoral duties which Christ hath commanded, and mens souls greatly need (which among others Dr. ⟨p. 106⟩Hammond in his Annotat hath well described.) If bare Reading were sufficient Ability, every Boy or Artificer were sufficient that can read. Bare Reading will encourage no man to take any one for his Physician, or Lawyer; and soulconduct is a matter of greater importance, and needeth as much skill and honesty.
2. It is not the validity of the Sacrament that is all that is to be looked at: Quod factum valet saepe fieri non debuit. Men must avoid sin as well as Nullities in Sacraments: We take it to be a sin to own a man as Christ's Minister who is none, through utter incapacity: Yet we know that Reading is a sort of Preaching, and that all Presbyters, where one Church had many, did not publicly and constantly Preach in the ancient Churches: But they were godly men capable of other Ministerial Offices to the People, to pray, counsel and direct them, which must be regarded as well as Sacraments. He that can administer a Sacrament that's valid, may be unfit for men to take for their Pastors or Guides.
2. It is not the validity of the Sacrament that is all that is to be looked at: Quod factum valet saepe fieri non debuit. Men must avoid sin as well as Nullities in Sacraments: We take it to be a sin to own a man as Christ's Minister who is none, through utter incapacity: Yet we know that Reading is a sort of Preaching, and that all Presbyters, where one Church had many, did not publickly and constantly Preach in the antient Churches: But they were godly men capable of other Ministerial Offices to the People, to pray, counsel and direct them, which must be regarded as well as Sacraments. He that can administer a Sacrament that's valid, may be unfit for men to take for their Pastors or Guides.