A69533:906
Five disputations of church-government and worship
Five disputations of church-government and worship by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1659
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. 30. Reas. 14. Either you are fit for the Ministry, or unfit: if fit; why should you be afraid of trial? He that doth evil comes not to the light: it is a sign of an ill cause that cannot endure a just trial. But if you are unfit, is it not better to forbear?
Sect. 30. Reas. 14. Either you are fit for the Ministry, or unfit: if fit; why should you be afraid of tryal? He that doth evil comes not to the light: it is a sign of an ill cause that cannot endure a just tryal. But if you are unfit, is it not better to forbear?
Sect. 31. Reas. 15. Your very refusing of a trial doth give the people sufficient reason to question your call and fitness for the work, or your humility at least: for humble men think meanlyer of themselves, then to judge themselves meet for such great employments, when they have not the encouragement of men that are more fit to judge: the good men of old were wont to run away from a Bishopric, or Pastoral dignity in the sense of their unfitness: so that the Bishops were fain to seek and send after them: and Gregory of Neocesarea was Ordained by Phedimus when he was three days journey from him, even against his will; and then charged by him in the name of Christ to yield unto the Call. And what then shall we think of that sort of men, that think themselves so good and worthy, as to run on their own heads, without due approbation?
Sect. 31. Reas. 15. Your very refusing of a tryal doth give the people sufficient reason to question your call and fitness for the work, or your humility at least: for humble men think meanlyer of themselves, then to judge themselves meet for such great employments, when they have not the encouragement of men that are more fit to judge: the good men of old were wont to run away from a Bishoprick, or Pastoral dignity in the sense of their unfitness: so that the Bishops were fain to seek and send after them: and Gregory of Neocesarea was Ordained by Phedimus when he was three daies journey from him, even against his will; and then charged by him in the name of Christ to yield unto the Call. And what then shall we think of that sort of men, that think themselves so good and worthy, as to run on their own heads, without due approbation?