A27035:298
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.
2. And as for Doctrine, they that differ in any part of Religion, are supposed to differ in the doctrine about that part. But can any man tell what Doctrine it is that he maketh our agreement in to be necessary, or the test of Communion. If I should separate from all Churches from which I differ in any the least doctrine, I know not where the Diocesan or National Church is that I might hold Communion with: Do all the Conformists agree in all doctrines? If it be in all that the Law imposeth, how various, mutable, and uncertain is that.
I distinguish between Doctrine professed by the Church, and Doctrine imposed on me to profess it. As to the first, I will communicate with a Church that hath twenty false Doctrines, consistent with the essentials of Christianity and Church Communion. As to the second, I will not knowingly profess one false Doctrine for Communion with any Church on Earth.
Did not the Nonconformists differ from the Conformists, in the Doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture for regulating Church-Order and Worship; and about the Divine Right of Diocesans and Elders, and about Parish Discipline. Do not we now differ about the undoubted certainty of the salvation of all dying baptized Infants? Will this warrant a separation?