A27035:357
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. The Act of Uniformity had not then imposed the same declarative Renunciation of all such obligation on all the Ministers and Schoolmasters in England, as it now doth.
3. The Corporation Act was not then in being, which constituteth all the Officers in power in all Cities and Corporations, of such only as declare, [that there is no obligation from the said Oath at all,] not excepting so much as the sworn duties of opposing Popery, Profaneness, and Schism, to repent of sin and amend our lives. And if swearing and vowing against Schism, no whit bind men (if the Oath were but unlawfully imposed, ⟨p. 65⟩why should the Dr. make so great a matter of it, and think that his reasonings should make men afraid of Gods service, if he will but call it Schism.
3. The Corporation Act was not then in being, which constituteth all the Officers in power in all Cities and Corporations, of such only as declare, [that there is no obligation from the said Oath at all,] not excepting so much as the sworn duties of opposing Popery, Prophaneness, and Schism, to repent of sin and amend our lives. And if swearing and vowing against Schism, no whit bind men (if the Oath were but unlawfully imposed, ⟨p. 65⟩why should the Dr. make so great a matter of it, and think that his reasonings should make men afraid of Gods service, if he will but call it Schism.
4. None of these Acts then required men to profess and subscribe, that there is from that Vow or Oath no such Obligation on any other person; and so to become Vouchers for the Souls and Consciences of many hundred thousands whom we never saw; even those Parliament men that were not forced to it, but imposed it on others, when we know not in what sense they took it.