A27035:305
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.
Sect. 23. And I would I knew how to prevail with him to tell me, whether the Law and Canon did not forbid all the Ministers in England to worship God according to the Directory, and neglect the Common Prayer Book, which yet almost all did for many years in the times of usurpation: And yet of nine thousand or more of these, seven thousand since conformed to the Church of England, and they say that this Dr. is one of them. If mere disobedience then be the sin, all these lived so long in sin, and he with others.
Sect. 24. But all that can be gathered out of the four Books •••ed and such others is but this, which is our judgment: 1. That Churches and Pastors are under the Kings Government as well as other Subjects. 2. That it belongeth to him to punish them for evil doing, and encourage them in doing well. 3. That as to this his own execution, he is the public Judge whether they do well or ill. 4. That if he justly forbid any to preach or assemble he must be obeyed. 5. And if he mistake in particular cases, not destroying the ends of his Government, the common good, he must not be resisted, nor in such a manner disobeyed, as tendeth more to the common ⟨p. 54⟩hurt than his mistake doth; nor disabled to Govern by their dishonouring him, much less by Rebellion or Confusion. 6. Nor are men bound to cast away their great advantages for Gods service which they then had, on pretence of doing better, when by accident it would do more hurt than good, nor as Bradshaw saith, to run on the Sword, or oppose Sword to Sword, or raise Sedition, and ruin themselves in vain.
Sect. 24. But all that can be gathered out of the four Books •••ed and such others is but this, which is our judgment: 1. That Churches and Pastors are under the Kings Government as well as other Subjects. 2. That it belongeth to him to punish them for evil doing, and encourage them in doing well. 3. That as to this his own execution, he is the publick Judge whether they do well or ill. 4. That if he justly forbid any to preach or assemble he must be obeyed. 5. And if he mistake in particular cases, not destroying the ends of his Government, the common good, he must not be resisted, nor in such a manner disobeyed, as tendeth more to the common