A27035:415
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. 7. P. 119. 120. He saith, [They only look on those as true Churches which have such Pastors whom they approve. Answ. Equivocal words: 1. If they approve not those whom they should approve, it is their sin. 2. Approving is either of the necessaries ad esse, or only ad melius esse. They must not put the later for the former. 3. Approving is by a Governing or but a discerning private Judgment. The first they have not, but the later. In good earnest, would he have all the people take those for true ⟨p. 80⟩Pastors, who they verily think are none. Can they at once hold contradictions? And if they must not judge as dissenters, what meaneth Mr. Dodwels and such mens Arguments to prove all no Ministers that have not Succession of Episcopal Ordination? Must not the people on that account disown them, by his way?
Sect. 8. p. 119. He brings in against us my words [I take those for true Churches that have true Pastors, and those for none, that have 1. Men uncapable of the Pastoral Office, 2. or not truly called to it, 3. Or that deny themselves the essential Power. Answ. He knoweth that I speak not of equivocal but proper political Churches. And is it possible that such a man should dissent in this? 1. Can he be a true Pastor that is uncapable of the Office? Shall I abuse time to confute gross Contradictions? Or if he be a profest Infidel, Can he be a Christian Pastor? 2. Is a Layman a true Pastor that is not truly called to it? why then do they argue as Mr. Dodwell? or Re-ordain men. 3. Can a man be a Pastor against his will, or that con•enteth not, but renounceth it? or can that be a true Pastoral Church that hath no Pastor? Verily we are but upon low works, if these be the things which we must prove.
Sect. 9. He adds, [And one or other of these he thinks must, if not all the parochial Churches in England fall under.] Answ. I read these words of the Dr. to a Papist, [To speak mildly, this is a gross untruth.] Therefore I hope it were no Rage for me to have said the like. How doth he prove it? Nay in the place cited by him I not only profest the contrary, but gave the Reason, p. 65. [Because I judge of their Office by Gods Word, and not by the Rule which deprives them of an essential Part.] And 1. He citeth my confession that those that I hear preach well (and therefore are not uncapable men.) 2. That their Ordination hath all essentially necessary, and all the worthy men that I know have the communicants of the Parishes consent, though not Election, and therefore are called, 3. And many of them (as he) thinks they have all essential to the Office and disown it not, though I think others deny it them, where there is the truth of what he saith.