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

§ 313. Having told you what our Government is, let me tell you what the Execution of it is. The Books of Articles are fitted somewhat to the Canon, by those Bishops that are most moderate and cau•elous, and therefore by the English Canons: they may be known: some of them usually are against Drunkards and Fornicators; but the main bent of them is against those that wear not the Surplice, that Baptize without the Cross, that omit the Common Prayer, that refuse to Baptize any Infant; or that deliver the Lord's Supper to any that kneel not in receiving it; or that so receive it without kneeling; that stand no• up at the Gospel, that bow not at the Name Jesus, (though they may sit when the same words are read in the Chapter, and are not required to how at the Name [Christ, God] &c.) Also about the Repair of the Church, the Surplice, the Books; that none piss up to the Church-wall, &c. with many such things. It is a rare thing for the Churchwardens to present any, except Nonconformists, that use not Ceremonies, &c. Swearers, Drunkards, and Whoremongers are seldom presented, lest Neighbours be displeased: but Puritans have some one or other that is more eager in looking after them. When any Scandalous Person is presented, he hath no other Spiritual Conviction or Exhortation to Repentance, tending to Convert his Soul, than at any Civil Court; But telling them that he is Sorry, and paying his Fees or Commutation Money, he comes home: But when Conscientious Nonconformists are before them, whose Consciences will not let them say that they are Sorry (viz for praying or exhorting others in their Houses, for giving the Sacrament to them that stand or sit, &c.) they are usually Excommunicated. I have been in most parts of England, and in Fifty years time I never saw one do Penance, or confess his Sin in public, for any Scandalous Crime; nor ever heard but of two in the Country where I lived (that stood in a White sheet for Adultery) (except in the space when Bishops were down, and then I have heard many that have penitently confessed ⟨p. 398⟩their Sin, and begged the Prayers of the Congregation, and been prayed for): In a word, their Courts are merely as Civil Courts, for Terror, but not at all to convince Men of Sin, and bring them to Repentance and Salvation, further than such Terror is •it to do it.

§ 313. Having told you what our Government is, let me tell you what the Execution of it is. The Books of Articles are fitted somewhat to the Canon, by those Bishops that are most moderate and cauelous, and therefore by the English Canons: they may be known: some of them usually are against Drunkards and Fornicators; but the main bent of them is against those that wear not the Surplice, that Baptize without the Cross, that omit the Common Prayer, that refuse to Baptize any Infant; or that deliver the Lord's Supper to any that kneel not in receiving it; or that so receive it without kneeling; that stand no up at the Gospel, that bow not at the Name Iesus, (though they may sit when the same words are read in the Chapter, and are not required to how at the Name [Christ, God] &c.) Also about the Repair of the Church, the Surplice, the Books; that none piss up to the Church-wall, &c. with many such things. It is a rare thing for the Churchwardens to present any, except Nonconformists, that use not Ceremonies, &c. Swearers, Drunkards, and Whoremongers are seldom presented, lest Neighbours be displeased: but Puritans have some one or other that is more eager in looking after them. When any Scandalous Person is presented, he hath no other Spiritual Conviction or Exhoration to Repentance, tending to Convert his Soul, than at any Civil Court; But telling them that he is Sorry, and paying his Fees or Commutation Money, he comes home: But when Conscientious Nonconformists are before them, whose Consciences will not let them say that they are Sorry (viz for praying or exhorting others in their Houses, for giving the Sacrament to them that stand or sit, &c.) they are usually Excommunicated. I have been in most parts of England, and in Fifty years time I never saw one do Penance, or confess his Sin in publick, for any Scandalous Crime; nor ever heard but of two in the Country where I lived (that stood in a White sheet for Adultery) (except in the space when Bishops were down, and then I have heard many that have penitently confessed