A27035:454
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.
Like a man that will go one step on one side the hedge, and another step on the other.] And this man is much in the right: for I say still, [It is the separating hedges in Christ's Vineyard that I hate, and the enclosing hedge that I am for: I have Business, Friends, Relations and great Duties on both sides the hedge, some with you and some with others; And if your hedges would separate Parents from Children, Husband and Wife, Christian Neighbours, &c. causelessly I will not be so separated, but do my best to pull down that hedge. And again consider whose sin it is, that so many lawful things are denied us for Unity. Hold but to your Rule here and we are agreed. And he seemeth to consent. For,
Like a man that will go one step on one side the hedge, and another step on the other.] And this man is much in the right: for I say still, [It is the separating hedges in Christ's Vineyard that I hate, and the enclosing hedge that I am for: I have Business, Friends, Relations and great Duties on both sides the hedge, some with you and some with others; And if your hedges would separate Parents from Children, Husband and Wife, Christian Neighbours, &c. causelesly I will not be so separated, but do my best to pull down that hedge. And again consider whose sin it is, that so many lawful things are denyed us for Unity. Hold but to your Rule here and we are agreed. And he seemeth to consent. For,
Sect. 40. p. 176. Of the Rule Phil. 3. 16. he saith, [If I will but allow that by virtue of that Rule men are bound to do all things lawful for the preserving the peace of the Church, we have no further difference about this matter. Ans. It's well he will say so much of the Rule, we gladly consent. Then all the question is, what's lawful on both sides? I add one Q. more. Is it not lawful for peace to forbear forcing men to disoblige 1000? whom they never knew, from being obliged by an Oath and Vow to that part of the matter which is good? If it be the conjunction of some things bad, that disobligeth them, then he that inserteth a bad thing is free from all obligations of his vow, even in materia licita & necessaria. And if the […] of imposing Power be made the cause, whether is the Cor Oath imposed by a superior Power on the King, or is it his own act? or is he therefore not obliged by it? Had it not been requisite that you should have justified all that we stick at as unlawful, before you charge us with crossing this Rule?