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…

Name: A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…
Author: Richard Baxter

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.

:326p. 60

6. When the Diocesans put down all lower Churches and true Pastors, I own not that doing, nor them in that form; but I separate from them no further than they do from Christ.

:327p. 60–61

7. When they are but as good Arch-Bishops taking care of many Churches, whether their Diocese shall be called a Church as such, is but lis de nomine. I find not that any Apostle as such, was the constitutive Head of a Diocesan or Provincial Church, or made any such, above particular Churches: Nor do I find in the New Testament any political Church form, but the Universal headed by Christ, and particular ones governed by Pastors. The General is the constitutive Head of his Army, and the Colonel of his Regiment, and the Captain of his Troop, as distinct subordinate Bodies; but the Major General, General of the Ordnance, Quartermaster General, &c. may be only under▪Officers to the whole, and the noblest integral ⟨p. 61⟩parts, but as such no constitutive Head of any Body of Men whatever: So that General Pastors prove no superior proper Church. But because it was lawful in prudence for the Apostles to have taken several Provinces, limited severally to each, so may men now; and if any call such Churches, I strive not, so the matter be agreed on.

7. When they are but as good Arch-Bishops taking care of many Churches, whether their Diocess shall be called a Church as such, is but lis de nomine. I find not that any Apostle as such, was the constitutive Head of a Diocesan or Provincial Church, or made any such, above particular Churches: Nor do I find in the New Testament any political Church form, but the Universal headed by Christ, and particular ones governed by Pastors. The General is the constitutive Head of his Army, and the Colonel of his Regiment, and the Captain of his Troop, as distinct subordinate Bodies; but the Major General, General of the Ordnance, Quartermaster General, &c. may be only under▪Officers to the whole, and the noblest integral ⟨p. 61⟩parts, but as such no constitutive Head of any Body of Men whatever: So that General Pastors prove no superior proper Church. But because it was lawful in prudence for the Apostles to have taken several Provinces, limited severally to each, so may men now; and if any call such Churches, I strive not, so the matter be agreed on.

:328p. 61

8. I ever owned a Christian Kingdom, and the agreeing Association of as many Churches as can for mutual help and concord, and the King to be their Governor by the Sword: And if any will call a Kingdom a Church, or an Association that hath no constitutive Government, a Church; as if he called a Diet or Assembly of many Kings or Princes, a Kingdom or Republic, let him enjoy his Equivocation, so we understand each other.

8. I ever owned a Christian Kingdom, and the agreeing Association of as many Churches as can for mutual help and concord, and the King to be their Governor by the Sword: And if any will call a Kingdom a Church, or an Association that hath no constitutive Government, a Church; as if he called a Diet or Assembly of many Kings or Princes, a Kingdom or Republick, let him enjoy his Equivocation, so we understand each other.

:329p. 61

9. According to these Principles I own my self a Member of the universal Church, of the Church of England, and of the Parish or particular Church where for the time I am called to be; that is, as they are. But I think I may remove from Parish to Parish as I have cause, as a dweller or a lodger may; and I take not all the Parish to be the Church, and take Parish bounds to be no Divine Institution, but a humane mutable point of order, convenient when by accident it crosseth not the end, nor doth more harm than good.

:330p. 61

10. I think if any Nobleman in London confine his ordinary communion to a just assembly in his happel, or any that have a Minister utterly unsuitable to their needs, do usually hold communion in the next Parish Church for better, he is thereby neither Separatist nor Sinner.

:331p. 61–62

11. According to all this, when I was silenced I ordinarily heard Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Tillotson; and communicated in several places as I had best opportunity; and quickly going to Acton, I there constantly morning and evening joined at Common prayer and Sermon, communicating in the Sacrament where I had best opportunity, (being loth for the Parson and Curates s•ke, to tell you why it was not there,) once with Dr. Horton and often with Nonconformists. The Plague driving me to Hampden, I constantly there joined in all the public Worship and Sacrament: Returning to Acton, I did as before, and sometime repeated Dean Rieve's Sermon, till he got me sent to Gaol for teaching some willing ignorant people between the Church meetings in my house: Thence going to Totteridge, I many years constantly twice a day joined in the public worship, and took the Sacrament when administered as Mr. Part will testify. Thence removing to London, and licensed by the King to preach, I forbore some time, and after chose only the Market house at St. James's, openly declaring that we met not as separating from the public Churches, but for the need of multitudes that went to no Church for want of room. Since then I have many years joined in all the public worship, Word, Prayer, and Sacraments, ⟨p. 62⟩with the Parish Church, when able, since that I also sometime join with Nonconformists, and preach my self Afternoons, and on Thursdays in the Nonconformists Chapels, being not allowed to do it otherwise. In the Country in Summer, I have far off got into some Parish Churches for a day, and tried near London, but could not have consent, though I have Bishop Sheldon's License for that Diocese, I think not yet invalidated. This is the matter of fact.

11. According to all this, when I was silenced I ordinarily heard Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Tillotson; and communicated in several places as I had best opportunity; and quickly going to Acton, I there constantly morning and evening joyned at Common prayer and Sermon, communicating in the Sacrament where I had best opportunity, (being loth for the Parson and Curates s•ke, to tell you why it was not there,) once with Dr. Horton and often with Nonconformists. The Plague driving me to Hambden, I constantly there joyned in all the publick Worship and Sacrament: Returning to Acton, I did as before, and sometime repeated Dean Rieve's Sermon, till he got me sent to Gaol for teaching some willing ignorant people between the Church meetings in my house: Thence going to Totteridge, I many years constantly twice a day joyned in the publick worship, and took the Sacrament when administred as Mr. Parre will testifie. Thence removing to London, and licensed by the King to preach, I forbare some time, and after chose only the Market house at St. James's, openly declaring that we met not as separating from the publick Churches, but for the need of multitudes that went to no Church for want of room. Since then I have many years joyned in all the publick worship, Word, Prayer, and Sacraments,

:332p. 62

Now Reader, Qu. 1. Doth the tenth part of those counted of this Parish Church, hear and communicate so oft as I do.

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Q. 2. If not, what makes them and not me to be of that Church?

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Q. 3. What is the constancy that this Dr. maketh necessary to a member?

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Q. 4. What are the parts of their worship which he saith I join not in? Hath he named any?

Q. 4. What are the parts of their worship which he saith I joyn not in? Hath he named any?

:336p. 62

Q. 5. Is this only occasional joining?

Q. 5. Is this only occasional joyning?

:337p. 62

Sect. 3. I do maintain that 1. When, consideratis considerandis, we may choose the purest Churches and most edifying Ministry, it is a duty so to do. And one of his answers (the Rector, &c.) hath in the Epistle cited his own words, not out of the retracted Irenicon, but his late Book against Popery, expressly threatening us with damnation if we do not. To which I find no excuse made by him, yea the Papist adversary grants the same.

Sect. 3. I do maintain that 1. When, consideratis considerandis, we may choose the purest Churches and most edifying Ministry, it is a duty so to do. And one of his answers (the Rector, &c.) hath in the Epistle cited his own words, not out of the retracted Irenicon, but his late Book against Popery, expresly threatning us with damnation if we do not. To which I find no excuse made by him, yea the Papist adversary grants the same.

:338p. 62

2. I do maintain against those that separate from all Churches which they dare not be stated members of, that its lawful to communicate occasionally, where we may not do it statedly: But is this to deny all save occasional communion with all their Churches?

:339p. 62

3. I often say that there is so great difference of Parish Ministers, and of Persons cases and opportunities, and Relations, (as Wives, Children, Servants, under Parents, &c. of divers commands, &c.) that to be constant Communicants in their Parish Church, is to some a duty, to some a sin, and so is occasional communion.

:340p. 62

Sect. 4. As to the second sort, that hold all communion with them unlawful. 1. I leave them to plead their own cause, and I meddle only with my own part. 2. But I must say that if they mistake, those that wilfully give them the occasion are unfit reprovers of them: And if men for worldly ends or by error, will corrupt and defile a Church to the utmost that is consistent with lawful Communion (or near it) they may make the question whether their Communion be lawful, too hard for understandings. Every one cannot tell whether one in a swoon be alive or dead, and some may bury him too hastily.

Sect. 4. As to the second sort, that hold all communion with them unlawful. 1. I leave them to plead their own cause, and I meddle only with my own part. 2. But I must say that if they mistake, those that wilfully give them the occasion are unfit reprovers of them: And if men for worldly ends or by error, will corrupt and defile a Church to the utmost that is consistent with lawful Communion (or neer it) they may make the question whether their Communion be lawful, too hard for understandings. Every one cannot tell whether one in a swoon be alive or dead, and some may bury him too hastily.

:341p. 62–63

Stretch not my similitude beyond my meaning: If a Gentleman of the game should by wilful sin, get the Lues Vener••, and the case be disputed whether his wife may separate from him, or if he beat her once a week; if ⟨p. 63⟩she will not daily eat that which makes her grievous sick, and he doth it to exercise his Authority, another may better plead against her departure than he: If it be a fault in her so to save her self, what is it in him to destroy or abuse her?

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36