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. 20. To prove the Parish Ministers Pastoral Power p. 272. he tells us of that he is judge of the Qualification of those that are to be confirmed. Ans. 1. Had I ever taken a Parish Charge under them, I would have taken more advantage from the new Rubric about this, than any thing else, and then the Bishops intended. But 1. There is not one of a multitude confirmed, and desire of Confirmation proveth not any understanding of Christianity. 2. And if the Minister doubt whether they be Ready or capable, they may refuse to give him any account. 3. He is to send in the names of such as he judgeth fit. But 1. it's only when the Bishop Summons them. 2. And the Bishop is no way obliged to confirm no more than the Priest approveth of. To prove this, 1. Their ordinary practice is to confirm without the Curates hands: 2. When the Kings Declaration was debated at Worcester House 1661, before the K. Lords, Bishops and Ministers, I laboured almost only for this that day, to have got in the word (Consent) of the Minister of the Parish for such as should be Confirmed, supposing that one word would have partly restored the Parish Pastors power, and so have made our Bishops tolerable Archbishops, that if possible we might have been healed. But the Bishops rejected it with all their might, and got the King to refuse it: But because I laid so great a stress on it, the Lords and others that were to collect and publish the Concessions, when we were gone put it in for that time, and at the Convocation the Bishops cast it all away. Did they not tell us then their sense? And they call him only the Curate of the Parish, and not the Pastor. And 4. If this were practicable some good men would practice it, at least this Doctor himself: But I never heard of one that pre-examined his Communicants whether they were ready and willing to be Confirmed. 5. And if he did, he would keep away many fit Persons, that scruple our sort of Confirmation. 6. And what is all this to the many thousand Noncommunicants, who quietly remain members of your Churches?

Sect. 20. To prove the Parish Ministers Pastoral Power p. 272. he tells us of that he is judge of the Qualification of those that are to be confirmed. Ans. 1. Had I ever taken a Parish Charge under them, I would have taken more advantage from the new Rubrike about this, than any thing else, and then the Bishops intended. But 1. There is not one of a multitude confirmed, and desire of Confirmation proveth not any understanding of Christianity. 2. And if the Minister doubt whether they be Ready or capable, they may refuse to give him any account. 3. He is to send in the names of such as he judgeth fit. But 1. it's only when the Bishop Summons them. 2. And the Bishop is no way obliged to confirm no more than the Priest approveth of. To prove this, 1. Their ordinary practice is to confirm without the Curates hands: 2. When the Kings Declaration was debated at Worcester House 1661, before the K. Lords, Bishops and Ministers, I laboured almost only for this that day, to have got in the word (Consent) of the Minister of the Parish for such as should be Confirmed, supposing that one word would have partly restored the Parish Pastors power, and so have made our Bishops tolerable Archbishops, that if possible we might have been healed. But the Bishops rejected it with all their might, and got the King to refuse it: But because I laid so great a stress on it, the Lords and others that were to collect and publish the Concessions, when we were gone put it in for that time, and at the Convocation the Bishops cast it all away. Did they not tell us then their sence? And they call him only the Curate of the Parish, and not the Pastor. And 4. If this were practicable some good men would practice it, at least this Doctor himself: But I never heard of one that pre-examined his Communicants whether they were ready and willing to be Confirmed. 5. And if he did, he would keep away many fit Persons, that scruple our sort of Confirmation. 6. And what is all this to the many thousand Noncommunicants, who quietly remain members of your Churches?