Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

We desire that the ungodly sort of People may not be suffered to make the serious practice of Godliness an open Scorn, or to deride the Practice of such holy Duties, as by God, and our Governors we are allowed to perform. 3. That the most able, Godly, faithful Men be Pastors of the Flocks; and the insufficient, ungodly, negligent, scandalous, and Heretical be kept, and cast out; the Welfare of the Church consisting so much in the Quality of the Pastors. 4. That no Pastors be forced upon the Flocks against their Consent (the Church Governors being the Approvers and Ordainers and fit means being used to procure their Consent) though mere Teachers may be forced on the Ignorant, Heretical, and obstinate, that are unmeet for Church-Communion. 5. That the Teachers of the Parishes may be urged to catechise the People, and personally (in due time and Place) to confer with them all, and instruct them in the Matters of Salvation; and all the People may be urged to submit thereunto. ⟨p. 209⟩6. That before any Person's baptized in infancy be admitted among the adult Members of the Church, to their holy Communion and Privileges, they make an open Profession of Faith and Holiness, such as shall be approved by the Pastor of that particular Church (who is responsible if he deny Approbation unjustly.) The solemnity of Confirmation we leave to the Wisdom of Church-Governors. 7. That we may have Liberty in the Temples to assemble for God's Worship, and may have no new Worship and Ordinances or symbolical mystical Ceremonies enforced on us against our Consciences: And that such as dare not use the Cross, Surplice, or kneeling in the Act of Receiving, may not be Penalties be forced to them, nor therefore denied the Exercise of the Ministry, or the Communion of the Church; and those that Scruple the English Common Prayer-Book, may have leave to exercise their Ministry without it; at least that they may be allowed the use of a Liturgy to be drawn up in Scripture Words, and approved by a Synod; and besides that, freely to pray according to the variety of Occasions; and Subjects which they preach of; they being responsible to their Governors for all that they say and do amiss. 8. That the Pastors of each Parish-Church may have Liberty to hear Accusations of Hereby or Scandal, and to admonish the Offenders publicly, that hear not private Admonition;

We desire that the ungodly sort of People may not be suffered to make the serious practice of Godliness an open Scorn, or to deride the Practice of such holy Duties, as by God, and our Governors we are allowed to perform. 3. That the most able, Godly, faithful Men be Pastors of the Flocks; and the insufficient, ungodly, negligent, scandalous, and Heretical be kept, and cast out; the Welfare of the Church consisting so much in the Quality of the Pastors. 4. That no Pastors be forced upon the Flocks against their Consent (the Church Governors being the Approvers and Ordainers and fit means being used to procure their Consent) though meer Teachers may be forced on the Ignorant, Heretical, and obstinate, that are unmeet for Church-Communion. 5. That the Teachers of the Parishes may be urged to catechise the People, and personally (in due time and Place) to confer with them all, and instruct them in the Matters of Salvation; and all the People may be urged to submit thereunto.