A27035:12
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease public worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease publick worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1681
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.
3. They were so far for Episcopacy, as to hold it lawful, and convenient, that the particular Churches have one that shall have a Priority, and in many things a Negative Vote, as the Incumbent ⟨image 3⟩in each Parish hath among his Curates a sort of power. And that the Presbyteries and Synods have their Moderators; and if they were fixed durante vitâ, and had a Negative Vote in Ordinations, they could consent; sobeit they were duly chosen as of old, and had no forcing power by the sword, but only a Ministerial, teaching, guiding power. And some of them thought it of Divine right, that the Apostles and Evangelists have Successors in the ordinary parts of their office; and that to have a special ca•e of many Churches, and their Bishops and Elders are some of that ordinary part.
4. And to the Erastians also they granted, that the King is the Supreme Governor of the Church, by the sword, or force; and that we must obey him, not only when he enforceth the Commands of Christ, but in all acts of outward circumstance and order, left by God to his determination, and not appropriated to the Ministers office. These were the thoughts then of the far greatest part of the Ministers that I had then knowledge of.
4. And to the Erastians also they granted, that the King is the Supreme Governour of the Church, by the sword, or force; and that we must obey him, not only when he enforceth the Commands of Christ, but in all acts of outward circumstance and order, left by God to his determination, and not appropriated to the Ministers office. These were the thoughts then of the far greatest part of the Ministers that I had then knowledge of.
§. 2. Before the King returned, many Episcopal Doctors and great men, persuaded these Reconcilers, that thus much would be accepted to our common concord, if the King were restored But some said, They do but deceive you; there are such men now got into chief credit on that side, that will silence you all, and ruin you, unless you will follow Grotius, or be of the French Religion, or unite in the Pope, as Principium unitatis, and obey him, as the Western Patriarch, &c. And when you are all turned out, what men have they to supply your places?