POW Part III. Reverend Mr. Richard Baxter. 81 defolate, and the Peoples Souls forfaken by the Miniftersperpetual incapacity ; and the King's pardoning Power much reftrained. 54. Why fhould it be left to the Bilhop's Will, whether he will reftore fuch a penitent or not ? 56. Peaceable Men will cadent that no Minifters Ihould be permitted to Preach; or TalkSeditioatly againft even thofe Rules ofGovernment which they do not ap- prove. But this Penalty is fo high and feuere, that few worthy Minifters will think their Station fecure, but will prepare for Banithment. For, i. Theft Roles are many. 2. AndDerogatory is a large Word, and will extend far. . 3. And thereare fewworthy Minifters that have no Drunkards, Fornicators, zrc; for their Enemies to accule them. E. g. if I lived in Scotland, and thouldbut read Blended de jure Plebia in regimine Eccleftaftico, and fay, it is found Doftrine, and this in Difcourfe at my ownTable, I might be thus troubled, and banithed, itbeing de- rogatory to that part of the King'sRules, as here expreft, which deprive the People of allpower of Confent, b'c. Is it not enough that this Paper ofCanons be fo fat" equalled with God's Word, yea, with the very Articles of our Faith, as thatthe open Oppugnersof themhave the famePenalty as open Hereticks (who ofoldwere after a firnt and fécond Admonition tobe avoided ;) And furely I think even that this is toomuch ; andyet I would have turbulent Preaching againstthe Government; or Endeavours openly to fubvert it, rettrained. But methinks after the first and fe- coud Admonition, a competent Mulft might dothat fufllciently, till Men go fo far ai to be turbulent Incendiaries. 63. Shall the Presbytery have a Negative Voice in the Ordination, or be Cy- phers ? 66. It is wellthat the Elders Content isrequired: but T think it Mould be the Congregation's: And what ifthe Elders dilfent? Shall that hinder the Relation Or not? 93. Thenumber of chofenMinisters in National Synods; willbe inconfiderableas to the refl. 96. The life of a National Synod (where all Bithops and Moderatorsare chofen by the King, and the Commiffioner ruleth) being before -hand refolved tobe [to Compile a Liturgy, andRules for all Points ofDivine Worfhip, with the Methods, Cir- eumffances, and Rites to be obferved therein;] Many knowing what Liturgy, Sub, fcriptions, Declarations and Rites, are pleating to Authority in England, will imagine them in fers; if' ot virtually fet up already in Scotland, when thefe Rules are let up. 107. Publick Pennance -- --And why not ? [ and Sufpenfion from Communion till penitent Confeffion be made.] But I knownot why Compenfations thould ferve inftead of Confe]fon, andPromife ofReformation (without which Moneywill not make aMan a Chriltian, nor fit ;for Church-Communion:) But for anyother Pennance, befides one penitent Confeffion, and Promife of Amendment, and delire of the Churches Prayers for Pardon, I know nothing of it, and therefore meddle not with it. 132. [No Ail; Order, nor Cenflitution ] may be Expounded to reach to Scri- pture Cóiiftitutions and Orders, and the proper Ails ofthe Ministerial Office, if not better explained. 33. The Word [ Ecclefsaffical Meeting] may be interpreted of particular Sy- naxes or Congregations of a Parish for Worfhip, if not limited, which Convoca- ting of the People is part of the Paftor's proper Office, and for a thoufand Years was fo accountedby the Catholick Church. And if in cafe ofDifcord or Herche, a few Neighbour Minifters meet for a Friendly Conference, to cure it, it feetgeth hardto charge them withSedition. 14.o. If the Parties be able to come. 143. Many of there Faults should be .Corrected by Mulcts, before Men be for-. bidden toPreach the Gofpel. If every Man beSufpended (which I fuppofe ispro- hibiting him to Preach and Endeavour Mens Salvation) who ufeth unfoundSpeeches, Flattery, or Lightness, I doubt fo many will talkthemselves into Silence, that atliarp Profecution will leave many Churches defolate. 43. But what if there be no Preachers to be had May not the Sufpended Preach? L 1 1 1 z46. Dif
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