A27035:7
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.
AN Historical Preface.
§ 1. THE matter of fact occasioning this second Defence, hath been formerly, and is after here opened in part. I need now but briefly tell the Reader, that after the long difference between the English Prelatists, and those that desired Reformation and Discipline; the most of the English Ministers who were in possession of the Parish-Churches from 1646, till 1660, obeyed the Parliament, so far as to disuse the English Book of Common-Prayer, and Subscription, and Obedience to the Diocesan Episcopacy; some of them being most for Church-Government by Synods of Parochial Pastors, and assisting Elders, and most for a Reconciling of the several divided Parties, thinking somewhat in the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Independent Parties to be good, and somewhat in each of them unwarrantable.
1. They were so far Independent as to hold, that particular Churches associated for Personal Communion in faith, worship, and holy living, were of Divine Institution (such as true Parish-Churches are) and that each of these Churches ought to have its proper exercise of that Discipline which is described by Christ, Mat. 18. and by St. Paul, 1 Cor. 5. and in other Texts of holy Scripture, and was exercised in the days of Ignatius, and so on for many hundred years; some part of it still remaining even to the times of Popery. Therefore they held, that the Pastors of such Churches must be such as had power to exercise the said Discipline. And they held, that Parish-Bounds were of great convenience against disorder, though not of Divine Institution; not taking all that dwell in a Parish to be eo nomine, of the