The English Nonconformity Under King Charles II and James II, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. II. Of the restraint of Ordained Ministers from Preaching, and expounding any Scripture, or Matter or Doctrine, Can. 49.
L.
WHat is it that you have against Conformity in this?
M.
I. That men are at once made Christ's Ministers, and forbid to exercise that which they are Ordained to.
II. That we are laid under the hainous guilt of breaking our Vow, when they have engaged us to make it; and of betraying mens Souls, by omitting a vowed duty.
3. That we are forbidden that which is the duty of every Lay Christian that is able, as if they would suppress Religion and Charity it self.
L.
But you do not swear or subscribe to this Canon.
M.
1. But we are bound by them to obey this Canon; for it is the Law of the whole Church of England.
2. I have shewed you that swearing obedience to them must mean, obeying their Laws which are far more of weight than particular mandates.
L.
But as long as you may have Licenses, how doth this put you on any sin of omission or commission?
M.
Both their words and their deeds tell us that they Ordain more than they Licence to Preach or Expound any Doctrine. And is it no sinful omission think you for all the rest to forbear all this?
2. And many were Ordained heretofore, who by the new Act of Uniformity, are denyed Licenses without new Professions and Covenants and terms which they undertake to prove sinful.
3. And our Ministry is by this made arbitrary to the Bishops will. He may bind us to the Office, and when he hath done keep us from it.
L.
If they deny you Licenses they bind you not to preach.
M.
Ordination is a Vow and Dedication to the sacred Office: Mark the Covenant which they impose on us [Are you determined out of the Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your Charge, &c. Answ. I have so determined by God's Grace. Q. Will you give your faithful diligence always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments, and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, &c. that you may teach the people committed to your Care and Charge, with all diligence to keep and observe the same. Answ. I will so do by the help of the Lord. Q. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word, and to use both publick and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your Cure, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given. Answ. I will the Lord being my helper.]
Is it not treachery to draw men into all these Vows, and then to command them never to Preach nor Expound any Doctrine or matter any where? Doth it not come near to an Atheistical prohibition of Religion, may they not tell their people the meaning of Baptism, or the Creed, or Lord's-Prayer, or Commandments? May they not teach their own Children and Servants these. If a Priest may not do it, much lesse the Laity and Vulgar.
L.
The meaning is not, against expounding to their children or wives at home, but in the Church?
M.
Can the Church of England tell such a meaning no plainer than by saying [either in his own Cure or elsewhere.] Is not his House or his Neighbour's House elsewhere: If they can speak no plainer, I would they would make us no Laws till God Licence them.
2. But suppose that [elsewhere] speak only of Churches, you know that other Canons forbid them Preaching in private houses.
3. And what a Priest is that who must be forbidden to teach the people in the Church: or there to tell Children the meaning of the Catechism? How like is this to the Moscovy State?
L.
You know that many men are unable to Preach, Expound or speak sense about Divinity if they should attempt it.
M.
And are such fit to be made the Teachers and Guides of the Flock, shall the same men make a man Physician to an Hospital, and when they have done forbid him to do any more than read to them a Physick Book of their making? Is it not an ability to teach men, at least the Essentials of Christianity, Essential to a Minister? Do they not then make No-ministers and call them Priests, if they ordain men that cannot Teach the essentials.
L.
Reading the Scripture, and Homilies is Teaching.
M.
It is so: but if that only will qualifie one for the Priesthood, one may be a Priest that knows no more than an Infidel or Atheist: and if Reading will qualifie men for a Benefice, many will study for no more: and the people will value them accordingly.
L.
But you know that when the Land came out of Popery, we must have meer Readers in most places, or worse.
M.
And you know that these Canons were made in K. Iames's days long after that, and that they are now continued as the Church Laws: Did our last Convocation alter them? It is such excellent men as the world is not worthy of (Ames, Bayn, Parker, Hildersham, Dod, &c.) that have been forbidden to Preach, whilest these that could not preach were Ordained and inducted. It is only the present things that I am speaking of.
2. And though men of mean abilities, if tolerable, may be tolerated, yet men that want essential qualifications should not be made Ministers; but if bare Reading be necessary, they may Read as Lay-men.
I conclude therefore that as making such Priests and Canons is a sin in them, so to obey them by omission of Ministerial teaching, for want of a Licence from the Bishops would be sinful Conformity in any true Minister of Christ if he live where his Ministerial work is necessary. And to forbear all Expounding any matter, or doctrine, save by Reading our Homilies, is sacriledge and perfidiousness, and uncharitable inhumanity.