A27035:413
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.
Answ. Alas that such things should be the best to such a man! By [May go] you mean, 1. lawfully, 2. or eventually, 3. or for want of due hindering.] The Reader may think that you by Calumny father the first on me, as if I said, that so to go to the Quakers were no sin, whereas I still say that if they do but leave your Churches by any culpable Error it is their sin. 2. And as to the Event, many not only may but do, turn Quakers, Papists and Atheists, 3. And as to the third, it's all the question here (not whether we should seek to save them but) which is the true reasonable and allowed means, Whether it be the Patrons choosing for all England the Pastors to whose care they must trust their Souls, and laying them in Jail that will choose others? Or whether there be not a righter way. And again I say, Kings and Patrons choose not mens Wives, or Physicians, or Food, and every man hath a charge of his Soul as well as of his Life, Antecedent to the Kings or Patrons charge.
Answ. Alas that such things should be the best to such a man! By [May go] you mean, 1. lawfully, 2. or eventually, 3. or for want of due hindring.] The Reader may think that you by Calumny father the first on me, as if I said, that so to go to the Quakers were no sin, whereas I still say that if they do but leave your Churches by any culpable Error it is their sin. 2. And as to the Event, many not only may but do, turn Quakers, Papists and Athiests, 3. And as to the third, it's all the question here (not whether we should seek to save them but) which is the true reasonable and allowed means, Whether it be the Patrons choosing for all England the Pastors to whose care they must trust their Souls, and laying them in Jail that will choose others? Or whether there be not a righter way. And again I say, Kings and Patrons choose not mens Wives, or Physicians, or Food, and every man hath a charge of his Soul as well as of his Life, Antecedent to the Kings or Patrons charge.
Sect. 6. But why (saith he P. 11. v. 115.) must the King bear all the blame, if mens Souls be not provided for, &c? Answ. He that is the chooser must bear the blame, the King for Bishops, and the Patrons for Parish Priests if they mischoose. And do you think in your conscience that all the Patrons in England of so various minds and lives, are like to choose only such, in whose pastoral conduct all that care for their Souls should rest. Yea though the Bishops must Institute them as they Ordained them. When we heretofore told them of the multitudes of grossly ignorant, drunken Priest, their answers were, 1. Their Chaplains examined them. 2. They had certificates. 3. A quare impedit lay against them if they required higher knowledge than to answer the Catechism in Latin. And now experience will not warrant us to know what such men are. P. 115. He asketh How it is possible on these terms to have any peace or order in an established Church. Answ. I have fully told him how in a whole Book of concord, And hath their way caused greater peace and order? Yes, to themselves for the time. So Popery keepeth some Order and Unity with them that hold to it: But it kept not the Greeks or Protestants from forsaking them.