A26965:704
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.
WE humbly crave of those narrow Seers, who venture to censure the generality, for somewhat which they dislike in some persons that are nearest to themselves, that they would truly understand the case and practice of their Brethren, before they any further in Sermons and Writings provoke the Magistrate to execute the Laws upon them, as Schismatics, Seditious, or what accusation is readiest at hand.
WE humbly crave of those narrow Seers, who venture to censure the generality, for somewhat which they dislike in some persons that are neerest to themselves, that they would truly understand the case and practice of their Brethren, before they any further in Sermons and Writings provoke the Magistrate to execute the Laws upon them, as Schi•maticks, Seditious, or what accusation is readiest at hand.
I. That the elder sort of the Nonconformists are ordained by Bishops, and most of the rest by such Pastors of Churches, of Cities, Corporations and other Parishes associate, as the times then allowed; and that in this Ordination (be the Ceremonious part right or wrong) they are all by Consent or Covenant devoted to the sacred Ministry, and that not for a time, as hirelings, but for life: this is denied by none that we know of.
II. It is known to all Faithful Ministers and others, who converse with the common sort of men, that a great part of the people of England are ignorant of the very Essentials of Christianity, and a great part dull and worldly neglecters of all serious religiousness; and a great part sensual, drowned in filthy fleshly sins: Besides the ignorance, weakness, and unwarrantable ⟨p. 229⟩