A26965:551
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.
9. Yet the Nonconformists are not against the encouraging of Communicants by special favours, nor the prudent compelling of Ignorant men to hear the truth, nor the hindering of pernicious heresies moderately. But the foresaid compulsion of all Parishioners they dare not Approve.
XVI▪ The Minister according to the Liturgy is himself to give the Eucharist to many, to whom the Nonconformists dare not give it: For they must give it thrice a year to all the Parishioners, except such as are proved (to him that hath no power to examine them or witnesses) to be in malice towards others, or to be in any scandalous sin, and that but for that time, till they are accused and acquit, or still permitted, viz. 1. They must give it to many that consent not to be any part of their charge, nor take them for their Pastors, but bid them deny them the Sacrament ⟨p. 187⟩if they dare, though they consent not to the relation. 2. They must give it to multitudes of the grossly ignorant, who know not the essentials of Christianity or the Sacrament, nor will come to them to be taught: When by fame, yea or personal knowledge, they know them to be such, yet without proof (nor we think with proof) they cannot refuse them. 3. It is known that Infidels and deriders of Scripture and mans Immortal state, do swarm more among us. And yet they must all Communicate till we can bring proof of it against particular persons: When few men that report it will accuse their neighbours and prove the accusation for fear of their displeasure: 4. We must give it to all the ungodly that are dismissed by a Lay-Chancellor after accusation, 5. We must give it to all that are unwilling to receive it, sobeit they had rather take it than lie in a Gaol and be undone. 3. On these terms the Nonconformists dare not Assent, Consent to and Approve the giving of it as is prescribed. 4. It is confessed that compelled Receiving is not commanded by Christ, nor was used by the Church, for many hundred years, even after Emperors were Christians.