A27035:485
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
AN ANSWER TO Dean STILINGFLEETS, &c. › Chapter 7: The Reply to his Third Part: The beginning.
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. 21. As to his words p. 275. of power to keep the scandalous from the Sacrament, I have in so many books proved it next to none, and utterly insufficient, that I will not wast time to repeat all here.
Sect. 22. He tells me that in Can. 26 is not in Reformatio Legum Eccles. Ans. But I have before told him, how much more and better is, which would go far to heal us could we obtain it. He saith that [any one that hath seen them knoweth it to be a mistake, to say it was published by John Fox. Ans. His Reader must be a strong believer, and take much on his word; 1. I ⟨p. 110⟩have seen them, and spake with men of great understanding that have seen them, that yet judge it no mistake. 2. The Preface of the publisher is like his Style. 3. It is called Praefatio I. F. And can every Reader know that I. F. meaneth not John Fox? 4. Ordinary Tradition saith it was John Fox's: And what should I sooner believe in such a case? Instead of proving that they have all a power (to their condemnation) which we see they exercise not, let him procure a real power declared and granted, and it will do more than these words.
Sect. 23. But when it comes to the question whether me may so much as call a sinner to repentance by name before the Church, who rejecteth all more private admonition, he puts the question, whether the obligation to admonish publicly an offender, or to deny him the Sacrament if he will come to it, be so great as to bear him out in the violation of a Law, made by public authority, &c. Ans. The first question is whether Christ have not made his Church so different a thing from the World, that they should be openly differenced, by a Communion of Saints? 2. And whether he hath not instituted an office to judge of this and by Government execute it? And 3. Whether any man have authority to suspend this Law or Office? And then 4. I shall grant that not only Discipline, but Preaching and Prayer and Sacraments may be forborn hic & nunc in the present exercise, when else the exercise would do more hurt than good. 5. But are these Laws good that forbid it? and should we Covenant never to endeavour an Alteration?