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…

Sect. 14. p. 122. He adds [The People are made Judges of the Competency of their Ministers.] Answ. They are discerning Judges. Doth not your charge imply that you think otherwise; and yet you dare not say so. Must they not judge when Foreigners heretofore were set over them, whether they speak English or no? or if a Socinian deny Christs Godhead or the im▪ ⟨p. 83⟩mortality of the Soul, whether he be Competent or not? Or if they have an ignorant Curate, that when necessary advice for the Soul is asked of him, will say no more but [Trouble not your head about such matters, but cast away care and live merrily.] If when the blind lead the blind both fall into the ditch, must we not note the difference? Alas how little would some men have a man care for his Soul, in comparison of caring what Physic, what Food, what Wife, what Servant, what Trade he chooseth? Trust one to the conduct of such as all the Patrons of England will choose for you, but not any of the other. As to the not causeless forsaking former Pastors, he knoweth that it was the strict charge of the old Canons of the Churches; and the Bishops themselves do hold the same. I thought they ought not to be forsaken because men thrust them out. The Churches at Antioch, Alexandria, and many more did oft and long cleave to those Pastors whom the Christian Emperors cast out, and reject those whom they imposed. When I have proved this so fully in my first Plea and Church-history, what an unsatisfactory answer is it for such a Dr. to repeat it and say, This is plain dealing. Is the Judgment and Practice of the Churches so light with him.

Sect. 14. p. 122. He adds [The People are made Judges of the Competency of their Ministers.] Answ. They are discerning Judges. Doth not your charge imply that you think otherwise; and yet you dare not say so. Must they not judge when Forreigners heretofore were set over them, whether they speak English or no? or if a Socinian deny Christs Godhead or the im▪ ⟨p. 83⟩mortality of the Soul, whether he be Competent or not? Or if they have an ignorant Curate, that when necessary advice for the Soul is asked of him, will say no more but [Trouble not your head about such matters, but cast away care and live merrily.] If when the blind lead the blind both fall into the ditch, must we not note the difference? Alas how little would some men have a man care for his Soul, in comparison of caring what Physick, what Food, what Wife, what Servant, what Trade he chooseth? Trust one to the conduct of such as all the Patrons of England will choose for you, but not any of the other. As to the not causeless forsaking former Pastors, he knoweth that it was the strict charge of the old Canons of the Churches; and the Bishops themselves do hold the same. I thought they ought not to be forsaken because men thrust them out. The Churches at Antioch, Alexandria, and many more did oft and long cleave to those Pastors whom the Christian Emperors cast out, and reject those whom they imposed. When I have proved this so fully in my first Plea and Church-history, what an unsatisfactory answer is it for such a Dr. to repeat it and say, This is plain dealing. Is the Judgment and Practice of the Churches so light with him.