A53674:35
A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schism as it was…A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schisme as it was…
A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schism as it was managed against them in a sermon preached before the Lord Mayor by Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls.A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schisme as it was managed against them in a sermon preached before the Lord Mayor by Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls.
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
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.
This, I confess, looks oddly, and the tenderness of a man's mind in such a case, may out of mere shamefacedness keep him from declaring a Truth which flies in his face while he speaks it.
This, I confess, looks oddly, and the tenderness of a man's mind in such a case, may out of meer shamefacedness keep him from declaring a Truth which flies in his face while he speaks it.
Is it that they fear the Reproaches of the People? Which some few of the most Eminent Persons among them have found they must undergo, if they touch upon this Subject, (for I know not how it comes to pass, that the most godly People among them, can the least endure to be told of their faults.) But is it not as plainly written by St. Paul, If I yet serve men, I should not be 1the servant of Christ; as Woe be unto me if I Preach not the Gospel? If they therefore would acquit themselves like honest and conscientious men, let them tell the People plainly that they look on our Churches as true Churches, and that they may lawfully communicate with us in Prayers and Sacraments; ⟨p. 12⟩and I do not question but in time, if they find it lawful, they will judge it to be their Duty. For it is the Apostles command here, Whereto we have already attained let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same things.
Is it that they fear the Reproaches of the People? Which some few of the most Eminent Persons among them have found they must undergo, if they touch upon this Subject, (for I know not how it comes to pass, that the most godly People among them, can the least endure to be told of their faults.) But is it not as plainly written by St. Paul, If I yet serve men, I should not be 1the servant of Christ; as Wo be unto me if I Preach not the Gospel? If they therefore would acquit themselves like honest and conscientious men, let them tell the People plainly that they look on our Churches as true Churches, and that they may lawfully communicate with us in Prayers and Sacraments;