A27014:30
Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministry rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministery rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated,…
Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministry rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated, against the reasonings of a confident questionist, in a book called Toleration not abused; with counsel to the nonconformists, and petition to the pious conformists / by one that is consecrated to the sacred ministry, and is resolved not to be a deserter of it ...Sacrilegious desertion of the holy ministery rebuked, and tolerated preaching of the gospel vindicated, against the reasonings of a confident questionist, in a book called Toleration not abused; with counsil to the nonconformists, and petition to the pious conformists / by one that is consecrated to the sacred ministry, and is resolved not to be a deserter of it ...
London : s.n., 1672
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.
Obj. We must do that which God bids us, and leave it to him what shall be the success.
Ans. True. But you must prove then that God bids you do it; for we will not take your word. A••••matives bind not to all times: No duty is at all times a duty; Nay, out of season it is a sin. He that saith, Pray continually, would not have you pray when you should preach or hear, or be quenching a Fire in the Town: He that commanded Sacrifice, set some to learn the meaning of these words [I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.] There is few of you but would forbear a Sermon or Prayer to save your own or others Lives: And you receive the ⟨p. 19⟩Sacrament but once a month (at most) which the Primitive Churches used every Lords Day. 3. The same practice than in one place (where it will do more good than hurt) is a duty, which in another place (where it will do more hurt than good) is a sin. 4. The Case is now of so great moment that no Minister should rashly determine it for himself, nor upon the desires of some of the people only, but should consult with wise and sober men that are impartial. 5. The benefits to be expected and compared, are these, 1. The pleasing of God (when we know it is his will) and the profit of mens Souls, by the most regular manner of Discipline and Worship. 2. The setting up an imitable example of right Discipline and Worship to other Churches (but then woe to them that set up a worse.) 3. The satisfying the Consciences of some honest mistaking people, who think (erroneously) that a Conforming Minister may not be Communicated with, or at least not in the use of the Liturgy, or in a Parish Church, or that the Sacrament may not be received kneeling. 6. The evils to be feared, and compared with the benefits, are these. 1. The exasperating of the minds of persons for number or quality considerable, and so alienating them from their brethren, and hindering their good. 2. And thereby weakening the Protestant interest, in a time which requireth our greatest Concord. ⟨p. 20⟩3. And the setting of parties against parties, and Churches against Churches, and turning Religion into contentions and mutual oppositions. 4. And the countenancing of unlawful separations, which will all shelter themselves under such examples; and the dividers will not see the different principles on which we go, while our practice seemeth to be the same. 5. And so it may be injurious to future Ages, by seeming to give them presidents for unlawful separations. 6.