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

We cannot but desire that these Ceremonies may not be imposed on them, who judge such Impositions a Violation of the Royalty of Christ, and an Impeachment of his Laws as insufficient, and are under the holy awe of that which is written, Deut. 12. 32. (what thing soever I command you, observe to do it) Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it) but that there may be either a total Abolition of them, or at least such a liberty, that those who are unsatisfied concerning their lawfulness or expediency, may not be compelled to the Practice of them, or Subscription to them. But may be permitted to enjoy their Ministerial Function, and Communion with the Church without them. The rather because these Ceremonies have for above an hundred years been the Fountain of manifold Evils in this Church and Nation, occasioning sad Divisions between Ministers and Ministers, as also between Ministers and People, exposing many Orthodox, Pious, and Peaceable Ministers, to the displeasure of their Rulers, casting them on the edge of the Penal Statutes, to the loss not only of their Livings and Liberties, but also of their Opportunities for the Service of Christ, and his Church; and forcing People, either to Worship God in such a manner as their own Consciences condemn, or doubt of, or else to forsake our Assemblies, as thousands ha•e done. And no better Fruits than these can be looked for from the retaining and imposing of these Ceremonies, unless we could presume, that all his Majesty's Subjects should have the same Subtlety of Judgment to discern even to a Ceremony, how far the Power of Man extends in the Things of God, which is not to be expected, or should yield Obedience to all the Impositions of Men concerning them, without inquiring into the Will of God, which is not to be desired.

We cannot but desire that these Ceremonies may not be imposed on them, who judge such Impositions a Violation of the Royalty of Christ, and an Impeachment of his Laws as insufficient, and are under the holy awe of that which is written, Deut. 12. 32. (what thing soever I command you, observe to do it) Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it) but that there may be either a total Abolition of them, or at least such a liberty, that those who are unsatisfied concerning their lawfulness or expediency, may not be compelled to the Practice of them, or Subscription to them. But may be permitted to enjoy their Ministerial Function, and Communion with the Church without them. The rather because these Ceremonies have for above an hundred years been the Fountain of manifold Evils in this Church and Nation, occasioning sad Divisions between Ministers and Ministers, as also between Ministers and People, exposing many Orthodox, Pious, and Peaceable Ministers, to the displeasure of their Rulers, casting them on the edge of the Penal Statutes, to the loss not only of their Livings and Liberties, but also of their Opportunities for the Service of Christ, and his Church; and forcing People, either to Worship God in such a manner as their own Consciences condemn, or doubt of, or else to forsake our Assemblies, as thousands hae done. And no better Fruits than these can be looked for from the retaining and imposing of these Ceremonies, unless we could presume, that all his Majesty's Subjects should have the same Subtilty of Judgment to discern even to a Ceremony, how far the Power of Man extends in the Things of God, which is not to be expected, or should yield Obedience to all the Impositions of Men concerning them, without inquiring into the Will of God, which is not to be desired.