The English Nonconformity Under King Charles II and James II, Chapter 32 – Chapter 35
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 Excommunicateth all that go for Baptism for their Children, or Communion 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 worthiness or ability of the Minister.
M.
1. But the Edification, and consequently the Salvation of Souls, hath no small dependance on the Ability and Ministration 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 Ephesian 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 taketh 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 encourage People that need better to be content with such a Pastor; Tho' I determine not whether he have the Essentials of the Ministry, 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 Ministers, and that such excellent Men as Blondel, Chamier, Sadeel, Dalle, and all such abroad are none, I think them more excusable who take him for none that cannot Preach, and must be forbidden 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 Christianity, that understands it not: no, nor so much as of Christianity 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.
Chap. XXXIII. Point XXX. Of Canon 58. that maketh the Surplice necessary to Ministration.
M.
I Am not determining whether it be any Sin to wear a Surplice, nor censuring any man for it: But when it is known how many learned and excellent Ministers have been against it, I take it for a greater Sin than I will name, to eject them from the Ministry for it; and I cannot approve of such a Canon. But enough of this before.
Chap. XXXIV. Point XXXI. Of Christening all Children without Exception, according to Canon 68.
M.
THe words are [No Minister shall refuse or delay to Christen any Child according to the Form of the Book of Common-Prayer, that is brought to the Church to him upon any Sunday or Holy-Day to be Christened.
I have said so much of this before, that I here only say briefly,
1. This supposeth a false or unproved Doctrine, that the Infants of all Atheists, Infidels, Jews, Hereticks, Blasphemers, &c. are in the Covenant of Grace, so far as to have right to be put by Baptism into present Possession of Pardon, and of right to Salvation.
2. When none must be delayed that are brought to Church, the Minister cannot so much as enquire whether the God-fathers know what Christianity is, or are Christians, or Jews, or Infidels. Or whether ever they received the Lord's Supper; which the Canon makes necessary.
3. Till they have given the Church proof from God's Word, that all Infants in the World have right to Baptism, it is too great Domination over mens Faith to command Obedience on pain of Suspension. Had we given no better proof for the Holiness and Baptism of the Seed of the Faithful, than these men bring for the Seed of Infidels, most good▪ Christians had turned Anabaptists long ago.
Chap. XXXV. Point XXXII. Of Can. 72. Against Fasts and Prayer.
L.
VVHat are the words of that Canon?
M.
[No Minister or Ministers shall without License and Direction of the Bishop of the Diocess first obtained and had under his Hand and Seal, appoint or keep any Solemn Fasts, either publickly or in private Houses, other than such as by Law are, or by Publick Authority shall be appointed; Nor shall be wittingly present at any of them, under pain of Suspension for the first Fault, of Excommunication for the second, and of Deposition from the Ministry for the third. Neither shall any Minister (not Licensed as is aforesaid) presume to appoint or hold any Meetings for Sermons, &c.—nor attempt by Fasting and Prayer to cast out any Devil, &c.
L.
All this was done to prevent Abuses.
M.
It fell out well that they did not forbid Christianity or reading Scripture in a known Tongue, to prevent abusing it: And next, that they forbad not Law and the use of Reason, which is most of all abused.
But do not you th…k that they make very unworthy Men Ministers, or that they change or maim the Pastoral Office, when no Minister, no not the wisest may be trusted to fast and pray with his Neighbours? Should a Master of a Family be forbidden this in his House? the Iews forbad it not to Cornelius. What jealousies have such a Clergy of one another? And of Preaching, Fasting and Praying? What if some Neighbours have some great Temptations, some great Guilt, some great Danger, by a Plague, or the like, or some great Affliction (some Friends near Death…) or some important Business of great moment, (as Marriage, Travel, Navigation, &c.) Must the Bishop know all their secrets that their Pastor at home must know? Or is he a capable Judge for many Hundred Parishes when they must Fast or Pray? Or did you ever know any go to him for such a License? Are not those unworthy Ministers that be not fit to be trusted to Fast and Pray with their People, while the Law is open to punish all abuses of it? And are not those over-subject to Prelacy that will Swear Obedience in this, any more than against Preaching the Gospel? Dan. 6. 5. We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it concerning the Law of his God.