A27035:815
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.
Answ. It is sad with the Church when they need to be saved from such reasonings of their great Teachers.
1. A Right to care for their Souls giveth no man right to choose men for others Souls, to do that which they will not have done for their own. The question is, whether that man will Communicate with the Church on Christs terms? He refuseth and will not (else he ought not to be refused.) And shall he that refuseth Communion choose one to give it others, because he hath a Soul himself? Had the neighbour Heathens and Heretics of old power to choose Bishops for the Church, while they refused to be of the Church themselves? Shall he that will not be of the Society choose for the Society?
1. A Right to care for their Souls giveth no man right to chuse men for others Souls, to do that which they will not have done for their own. The question is, whether that man will Communicate with the Church on Christs terms? He refuseth and will not (else he ought not to be refused.) And shall he that refuseth Communion chuse one to give it others, because he hath a Soul himself? Had the neighbour Heathens and Hereticks of old power to chuse Bishops for the Church, while they refused to be of the Church themselves? Shall he that will not be of the Society chuse for the Society?
2. We distinguish between what a man may be forced to, and what not. He may not be forced to the great gift of Sacramental Remission ⟨p. 151⟩and Communion, because no unwilling person hath right to it: But an ignorant person may be forced as a Catechumen or hearer, to hear what can be said for his conviction: For truth may conquer the unwilling. But none on this pretence can hinder the Church from hearing its own Pastors, nor force men to be the ordinary Auditors of Mahometans, Heretics or Heathens.