A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease publick worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.

CHAP. XIII. Of the three French Letters which he subjoyneth.

§. 1. WHat advantage to the Drs. Cause the three Letters of the French Divines annexed, can be to any that will not be decoyed by meer sounds and shews, I know not: But could we know these things following, we might better understand the judg∣ment of the Writers.

Quest. 1. Whether he that sought their judgment did make them understand what all our present Impositions and Acts of Conformity are? and what alterations are made in the Church of England since the beginning of Bishop Lands power?

2. Whether he made them truly understand the difference between the ancient Episcopacy, and the English Diocesan frame in all its parts?

3. Whether he did put the Case as about Subscribing •••• Declaring, Covenanting or Swearing, Assent and Consent to all things, and pra∣ctising accordingly? or only of living in Communion with them which do such things?

4. Whether he put the case as of denying active Communion in the practice of unlawful things; or as denying Communion in the rest which are lawful?

5. Whether he made them understand that we are ipso facto excom∣muncate by their Canon for telling our judgment?

6. Whether he made them understand that it was about 2000 Mini∣sters that were silenced, and what men are in many of their places? and what claim their ancient Flocks lay to many of them; and what men they are, and what they did to prevent all our divisions?

7. Whether he made them understand what measure of Communi∣on we still maintain with the Church of England and the Parish Chur∣ches?

8. Whether he put the case to them, whether we that have Commu∣nion with them are Schismaticks, if we also have Communion with o∣thers whom they prosecute?

9. Whether he put the question to them, whether we are lawfully silenced? and if not, whether rebus sic stantibus we are bound to forbear our Ministry?

10. Whether he made them know that all the Ministers of England as well as we were forbidden to Preach, &c. unless they would Con∣form to that we are ready to prove unlawful? And if it prove so, whe∣ther they should all either have sinned or been silent in obedience?

11. Whether he made them understand how many thousands there be in London that cannot have room in the Parish-Churches and the Non∣conformists Churches set together, but live like Atheists.

12. Whether he acquainted them that the question is, whe∣ther all godly dissenters that are cast out, or cannot joyn in the Parish way of Liturgick Worship, must (till their judgments change) give o∣ver all publick worship of God, and be forsaken of all Teachers?

13. Whether he acquainted them, how loud a Call we had to preach in London, first by the Plague, & then by the burning of the Churches, the people being deserted by the Parish Ministers in these sad extremities?

14. Whether he acquainted them with the Kings Licences, and our being accused of Schism, even when Licensed?

15. Whether he acquainted them with what we have said for our∣selves lately in divers Books; or they judg'd us unheard?

16. Whether they be singular? or whether it be the judgment of the Protestant Churches in France, that it is a sin for any to preach or pub∣lickly worship God, when the King, Bishops and Law forbid them? And if so, How long it hath been their judgment? and why all their Churches ceased not when prohibited?

If not so, How to know that our silencing Laws and Bishops must be obeyed, and not theirs?

There is no understanding their answers, till we know how the case was stated.

§. 2. Mr. Clodes Letter is moderate, and it's like they took the case to be about proper separation, and so say no more in the main than some Nonconformists have said against the Brownists. But the Dr. hath dealt too unmercifully with Mr. Le Moine in publishing his Epistle, when it was so easie to know how few, if any, would believe his story, but take it for a confirmation, how incredible our accusers are? I mean his story that [five years ago he heard one of the most famous Noncon∣formists preach in a place where were three men, and three or fourscore wo∣men: he had chosen a Text about the building up the ruins of Jerusalem, and for explication cited Plinny and Vitruvius a hundred times, &c.] I think I shall never speak with the person that will believe him: sure I am, London knoweth that the Nonconformists are the most averse to such kind of Preaching. And I know not one of them that I can say ever

read a quarter of Vitruvius: I confess I never read a leaf of him. This Monsieur would do well to tell us yet the name of the man, that if li∣ving he may be call'd to account: But I doubt he fell into some Taber∣nacle, of which many are erected in place of the burnt Churches, and perhaps heard the Conformist who had occasion to talk of architecture? But yet I will not believe that either Conformist or Nonconformist would expose himself to common scorn by an hundred or twenty such citations.

§. 3. And his description of the mens horrible impudence to excommu∣nicate without mercy the Church, &c. imagining that they are the only men in England, nay in the Christian world that are predestimated to eternal hap∣piness, &c. and then pronouncing them intolerable, sheweth that it is not us that he speaketh of, nor any company that is known to us, neither our Separatists here, nor Anabaptists, nor so much as the very Qua∣kers holding any such thing.

§. 4. And though he saith [He was not at all edified by the Noncon∣formists preaching, it followeth not that no others are: Nor that none were edified in England or Scotland, while publick Preachers went the Nonconformists way.

§. 5. But because the Doctor chuseth this way, I will imitate him, though with the Apology that St. Paul gloried, and give him notice of some Epistles of men that judged otherwise of the Nonconformists.