A26965:832
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.
The Caviller will here tell you of disparities in the cases; but the question is, whether the disparities be such as alter the reason of the Conclusion. What man of conscience will be a Physician, Schoolmaster or Pastor, that hath not power to judge whom to receive for his Patient, Scholar, or part of his flock, but must take all that some other man shall send to him, or command him to receive, and give them what others command him to give? An Apothecary may do so, but not a Physician. What if a man had no other scandal, but to say, I will not take you for my Pastor, nor take my self obliged to answer you, speak with you, give you any account of my self, nor be questioned by you on any accusation, must I be constrained to suppose this man to be one of my flock In despite of his own denial? If the freedom of consent be not mutual, but I must be constrained to take those ⟨p. 295⟩for my charge as Christians, that renounce such a relation, or will not own it; a Pastor is not a free man, nor hath any power of the Church-Keys, but is as an irrational Slave, a Crier, or Executioner, that must but execute another mans commands.
The Caviller will here tell you of disparities in the cases; but the question is, whether the disrities be such as alter the reason of the Conclusion. What man of conscience will be a Physician, Schoolmaster or Pastor, that hath not power to judge whom to receive for his Patient, Scholar, or part of his flock, but must take all that some other man shall send to him, or command him to receive, and give them what others command him to give? An Apothecary may do so, but not a Physician. What if a man had no other scandal, but to say, I will not take you for my Pastor, nor take my self obliged to answer you, speak with you, give you any account of my self, nor be questioned by you on any accusation, must I be constrained to suppose this man to be one of my flock In despite of his own denyal? If the freedom of consent be not mutual, but I must be constrained to take those ⟨p. 295⟩for my charge as Christians, that renounce such a relation, or will not own it; a Pastor is not a free man, nor hath any power of the Church-Keys, but is as an irrational Slave, a Cryer, or Executioner, that must but execute another mans commands.