A97353:650
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 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.
20. The Office of the Sacred Ministry being Instituted by Christ, 1. from Gods gifts (of nature and grace) we have our Dispositive Aptitude, without which the Person is not receptive of the Power. 2. From the said word of institution, sloweth our power and obligation it self. 3. From the peoples and ordainers election or consent is the designation of the Individual person that shall receive it, 4. to which also his own consent is a cause sine quâ non. 5. And the Ministerial investiture is by Ordination; 6. And Liberty and defence and encouragement are from the Magistrate; 7. And Opportunity is from Gods Providence, the peoples present willingness, and usually from the Magistrates leave. Thus do these severals severally concur to the Ministerial Office, and to its exercise respectively.
20. The Office of the Sacred Ministry being Instituted by Christ, 1. from Gods gifts (of nature and grace) we have our Dispositive Aptitude, without which the Person is not receptive of the Power. 2. From the said word of institution, sloweth our power and obligation it self. 3. From the peoples and ordainers election or consent is the designation of the Individual person that shall receive it, 4. to which also his own consent is a cause sine quâ non. 5. And the Ministerial investiture is by Ordination; 6. And Liberty and defence and incouragement are from the Magistrate; 7. And Opportunity is from Gods Providence, the peoples present willingness, and usually from the Magistrates leave. Thus do these severals severally concur to the Ministeral Office, and to its exercise respectively.
21. Two causes fill the Churches with bad Pastors: The one is when the Honours and Riches of the Office are so great as to be a strong bait to Pride and Covetousness (under the name of encouragements to Learning) for then most certainly the most Proud and Covetous (that is the worst) will be the eagerest seekers, and most probably they that seek shall find. The other is when bad Rulers, Patrons or people are the choosers.