The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...

Chap. XXXII. Point XXIX. Of the Execution of the 57th Canon.

L.

VVHat is the 57th Canon, and its Execution?

M.

It Suspendeth, and after a Month Excommu∣nicateth all that go for Baptism for their Children, or Commu∣nion themselves from their own Parish, because the Minister is no Preacher, to another Parish that hath a preaching Minister. When if these be Pastors, and feed the Flock, they had more need to drive such Men to Preaching Ministers, than from them.

L.

But the Validity of the Sacrament dependeth not on the worthi∣ness or ability of the Minister.

M.

1. But the Edification, and consequently the Salvation of Souls, hath no small dependance on the Ability and Ministra∣tion of skilful faithful Pastors; as Mens Health and Lives do on skilful Physicians. And no man should deny himself the benefit of such that can lawfully have it, nor should starve his Soul in Obedience to Canons. If Preaching, and that soundly and skilfully, be as needless as such men pretend, why did Christ Preach, and send out Preachers? and why did Paul so dreadfully charge Timothy, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. to Preach the Word, and be instant in season and out of season, &c. And why doth he so urge the Ephe∣sian Elders, Act. 20. to imitate him that taught them publickly and from house to house, day and night with tears. And why do the Prelates make every Priest Covenant in their Ordination to instruct the People out of the Scripture, and with all faithful diligence to Minister Doctrine, and teach the People with all diligence to observe God's Commandements, and to use both publick and private Monitions and Exhortations, as well to the sick as the whole, within their Cures, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given. Why do they Ordain them all to be faithful Dispensers of the Word of God?] Is all this done by mere Reading that which a Woman or a Boy of 12 years old can read as well as they? Do these Men know what Souls are worth?

how the Reason and Will of Man are moved? How strong Sin is, and how blind and bad the Heart of Man?

L.

But it is the Sacraments that they are forbidden to go far from an unpreaching Minister.

M.

1. Other Canons also forbid them oft to Hear in other Parishes. 2. If my Need and God's Law oblige me to choose a better Pastor than that ignorant Reader, tho' in another Parish; is it not fit, and my Duty to Communicate with him that I justly take for my Pastor?

Moreover, I must tell you, that when an Ignorant Fellow ta∣keth on him the Sacred Office which he is unfit for, and so liveth in the constant Sin of omission, and of Prophanation of Holy Things, and of betraying Souls, I take it to be a Sin to harden and encourage such a bold Presumer in so great Evil, and to en∣courage People that need better to be content with such a Pastor; Tho' I determine not whether he have the Essentials of the Mi∣nistry, and tho' I doubt not but the Sacraments are no nullities to them that take him for a true Minister.

And yet I must add, that there are some Abilities Essential, without which no Man is truly a Minister of Christ: And this Essential Ability, as certainly reacheth to the work of Teaching, as to Administring Sacraments: He is not worthy the Name of a Minister that denies this: I would not strain this Necessity over high: But I say, that he is no Minister that wants Essential Ability: And if the Papists and their Emissaries would make the People believe that all not ordained by Prelates are no Mini∣sters, and that such excellent Men as Blondel, Chamier, Sadeel, Dalle, and all such abroad are none, I think them more excusa∣ble who take him for none that cannot Preach, and must be for∣bidden to Expound any Doctrine. If it were for want of Tongue and Voice he could not read: If it be for want of Knowledge, can that Man be by Office a Teacher of Christian Doctrine that knoweth it not, and cannot teach it? and cannot do that for his Flock that every Parent and Husband should do, whom the Children and Wives are commanded to learn of.

L.

A man may read sound Doctrine that understands it not, and by reading may teach others.

M.

But he is not capable of the Office of a Teacher of Chri∣stianity, that understands it not: no, nor so much as of Christia∣nity it self, or adult Baptism. A Turk that believeth not the

Gospel may read it: And you may write it on a Pillar, and that may teach Men, and yet Pillars and Books are not Pastors.

L.

But what's all this to your Conformity?

M.

1. It's unlawful for me to Swear Obedience to this. 2. Or to publish an Excommunication against good Christians, for not despising their Souls, and the Preaching of the Gospel. 3. Or to repel such Persons if they seek to me for any Pastoral Helps, and Sacramental Communion.