A26965:744
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.
XXXVIII. What harm our Preaching the doctrine of salvation can do to the Bishops or people of the Land (while they may punish us for any word that we speak amiss:) And why we should not rather speak openly (where men may bear witness of our errors,) than in secret (where men are tempted to too much boldness:) And what but a spirit of envy, or a carnal interest cross to the interest of Christ and mens salvation, should grudge at such Preaching, while we are responsible for all that we say or do amiss, we cannot tell.
XXXVIII. What harm our Preaching the doctrine of salvation can do to the Bishops or people of the Land (while they may punish us for any word that we speak amiss:) And why we should not rather speak openly (where men may bear witness of our errours,) than in secret (where men are tempted to too much boldness:) And what but a spirit of envy, or a carnal interest cross to the interest of Christ and mens salvation, should grudge at such Preaching, while we are responsible for all that we say or do amiss, we cannot tell.
XXXIX. Nor can we tell, if our not swearing, or not entering into the Bishops National Covenant, be as great a crime as our penalties import, why no other mulct or penalty will serve turn to expiate such crimes, but our ceasing to preach the Gospel of Salvation, while we are willing to do it under the strictest Laws of Peace and Order.
XL. It is visible that the Parish-Churches of those Ministers (caeteris paribus) are fullest of Auditors, who are most willing that the Nonconformists help them in due time and place, and desire to live with them in Love and Concord: For all that have the spirit of holy love and peace, do love those that have the same spirit: And such serious, holy Conformists as Bolton, Whately, Fenner, Preston, Sibbs, Stoughton, Gouge, and such other, were formerly as much crowded after as Nonconformists: But it is those that Preach against holy Love and Concord, and wrangle with the most Religious sort whom they should encourage, whose Congregations are thinest (usually) through the tepidity of their followers, and the distaste of others.