A26965:710
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.
And it's known that by this means Papists have got opportunity of seducing ⟨p. 131⟩multitudes, and many get them to baptize their children. And whereas it is said that some may go one day, and some another; it is answered, 1. That if they did go half the families by turns, still the greater part would be shut out. 2. It is all, that are bound by God constantly to hear and worship him. 3. And those that most value it will still crowd in, and keep out the rest, and will not bargain away their own duties and benefits for other mens sakes: Nor can Parishes come to agree upon such a bargain.
And it's known that by this means Papists have got opportunity of seducing ⟨p. 131⟩multitudes, and many get them to baptize their children. And whereas it is said that some may go one day, and some another; it is answered, 1. That if they did go half the families by turns, still the greater part would be shut out. 2. It is all, that are bound by God constantly to hear and worship him. 3. And those that most value it will still croud in, and keep out the rest, and will not bargain away their own duties and benefits for other mens sakes: Nor can Parishes come to agree upon such a bargain.
VI. Experience assureth us that men are not usually brought to knowledge, repentance, faith and holiness, by the Gospel ex opere operato, or as by a charm; but as an apt moral cause; And that the Preaching of judicious, convincing, serious, affectionate Ministers hath incomparably more success, than the affected language, or dull reading speeches of injudicious novices or worldly formalists or hypocrites: God usually worketh according to the moral aptitude of the means (though not always.)
VI. Experience assureth us that men are not usually brought to knowledge, repentance, faith and holiness, by the Gospel ex opere operato, or as by a charm; but as an apt morall cause; And that the Preaching of judicious, convincing, serious, affectionate Ministers hath incomparably more success, than the affected language, or dull reading speeches of injudicious novices or wordly formalists or hypocrites: God usually worketh according to the morall aptitude of the means (though not alwaies.)