A85312:182
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination
Of schism. Parochial congregations in England, and ordination by imposition of hands. Wherein Dr. Owen's discovery of the true nature of schism is briefly and friendly examined, together with Mr. Noyes of New England his arguments against imposition of hands in ordination. / By Giles Firmin, sometime of new England, now pastor of the Church at Shalford in Essex.
London: printed by T.C. for Nathanael Webb, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 2: Concerning the Parochial Congregations in England.
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.
3. When a place hath wanted a Minister, it hath been a cause of such discouragement to godly Ministers, that a godly man will not readily come into such a Parish, because the congregational men have taken out the good people, or some of them, it may be the chief out of the Parish, and so the Parish lie destitute of a Minister a long time, and at last must get such as they can; and thus the souls of others are endangered. As for their returning of such to that Minister in case he will come, we know their judgment by their practises. When Parishes have had good Ministers, this hath helped to remove them. That practice then which so discourageth good Ministers, as it causeth their removal, and hinders others from coming into place, I do not look at this as a light matter, but a practice intolerable in the Churches. Though this be not so bad as is the practice of some by me, yet in effect it comes to the same. Two small Parishes lying so as they may easily join, and would; but those in them who had a show of Religion turned to the Separation, whence no godly Minister cares for coming among them, but there the people lie year after year, no Minister to regard them, no Ordinances: who knows what God might have done for the souls of some of them, had the professing party held close, and encouraged a godly Minister to come amongst them, whereas now for divers years they have had none, nor are like ⟨p. 55⟩to have. This practice of our brethren comes to the same in conclusion, if they thus take away the good people out of other Parishes.
3. When a place hath wanted a Minister, it hath been a cause of such discouragement to godly Ministers, that a godly man will not readily come into such a Parish, because the congregational men have taken out the good people, or some of them, it may be the chief out of the Parish, and so the Parish lie destitute of a Minister a long time, and at last must get such as they can; and thus the souls of others are endangered. As for their returning of such to that Minister in case he will come, we know their judgment by their practises. When Parishes have had good Ministers, this hath helped to remove them. That practice then which so discourageth good Ministers, as it causeth their removal, and hinders others from coming into place, I doe not look at this as a light matter, but a practice intolerable in the Churches. Though this be not so bad as is the practice of some by me, yet in effect it comes to the same. Two small Parishes lying so as they may easily joyn, and would; but those in them who had a shew of Religion turn'd to the Separation, whence no godly Minister cares for coming among them, but there the people lie year after year, no Minister to regard them, no Ordinances: who knowes what God might have done for the souls of some of them, had the professing party held close, and encouraged a godly Minister to come amongst them, whereas now for divers years they have had none, nor are like