A26965:590
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.
2. The doubt is, whether such a solemn invitation, as in God's name, be not too vain to be Assented, and Approved, and Consented to, in a Church, where the people over whom he is set, never use to be present, nor invited to it, nor have any notice of it, or any call to meddle therein; being usually many miles, and often many score miles distant; nor any other people called to that work; and rarely any people ⟨p. 197⟩there that have any knowledge of the man and his conversation.
XXIV. The Ordaining of Priests, and the Consecration of Bishops both use these words as concerning the Office [Receive the Holy Ghost for the Office and work of a Priest, of a Bishop, &c.]
2. It is not doubted but that the Holy Ghost must set Pastors over the Flocks; 1. By qualifying men for the Office, and making them desirous of it: Both Grace, Ability and Willingness are of him: 2. By giving the Ordainers a discerning skill to know whom to ordain: 3. By giving the flock a discerning and a willing mind. We yet know not of any other Collation of the Holy Ghost, which Ordination can make. Nor know we that in any of these senses these words can be well understood: For 1. Grace, Gifts and Willingness, are the dispositio recipient is presupposed: we see not how it can be lawful to ordain him that seemeth not before to have them▪ what else are they examined about? Nor know we that God hath given any power to the Ordainers now, by the laying on of hands, to make an ungodly man godly, or an unlearned or ignorant man to be learned or wise, or a man of ill utterance to have a better tongue, or an unwilling man to be willing. The Apostles had a miraculous power of giving the Holy Ghost for extraordinary works, and for abilities suddenly infused; and they did it: we never knew of any in our age that did it; and therefore suppose that they have no promise or power so to do. 2. And to give a discerning skill to the Ordainers; 3. Or to give a discerning or willing mind to the people, are neither of them a giving