A97353:707
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.
40. And the main Controversy that troubleth the Christian Churches is but, when the nurses offer such morsels to the children which they cannot swallow, whether the bits shall be cut less (which will hurt no body) or the children's throats shall be cut wider.
40. And the main Controversie that troubleth the Christian Churches is but, when the nurses offer such morsels to the children which they cannot swallow, whether the bits shall be cut less (which will hurt no body) or the childrens throats shall be cut wider.
41. We are so far from thinking that Pastors should not guide the people by Love and by their own consent, and from thinking with Doctor Heylin, (speaking of Arch-Bishop Abbot in the Life of Arch-Bishop Laud) that it's doubtful whether the Church have a greater plague than a popular Prelate], that on the contrary we think that all Pastoral power and Government is only instructive, Persuasive and Directive, or such precept as worketh only upon the Conscientious and Consenters, and can work on no man any further than he consenteth, or as it operateth on his judgement, will or affection. For they have no instrument but Gods word to govern by. Yet are they (as a father) Persuaders Authorized and in Office, and not only such as persuade men merely out of Charity and occasionally as private men.
41. We are so far from thinking that Pastors should not guide the people by Love and by their own consent, and from thinking with Doctor Heylin, (speaking of Arch-Bishop Abbot in the Life of Arch-Bishop Laud) that it's doubtful whether the Church have a greater plague than a popular Prelate], that on the contrary we think that all Pastoral power and Government is only instructive, Perswasive and Directive, or such precept as worketh only upon the Conscientious and Consenters, and can work on no man any further than he consenteth, or as it operateth on his judgement, will or affection. For they have no instrument but Gods word to govern by. Yet are they (as a father) Perswaders Authorized and in Office, and not only such as perswade men meerly out of Charity and occasionally as private men.