Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 2 · Section 10 · Floating text 2 – Floating text 3
R. Baxter's Proposals sent by Sir R. Clare to Dr. Hammond.
HAving premised the Terms on which the Episcopal Presbyterian and Independant, &c. may maintain a Brotherly Agreement, in case the Magistrate gives Liberty to them all, I shall add some Propositions containing those things that we desire the Brethren of the Episcopal way will grant us, as necessary to the Peace of these Churches, and the avoiding of Persecution, to the hindrance of the Gospel, in case the Magistrate should establish their way.
1. We desire that private Christians may not be hindered from praying in their Families, according to the sense of their Necessities, without imposed Forms; nor from reading Scripture and good Books, catechising and instructing their Families and restraining them from dancing and other Vanities, which would withdraw them from holy Exercises on the Lord's Day: And that Neighbours be not hindred from meeting at convenient times in each others Houses, to edifie themselves by Godly Conference, Reading, repeating Sermons, Prayer, singing Psalms; so be it they refuse not the oversight of their faithful Pastors in the management hereof; nor set up these Meetings in Opposition to the publick Assemblies, but in due Subordination to them; and be responsible to Governors for all Miscarriages.
2. We desire that the ungodly sort of People may not be suffered to make the serious practice of Godliness an open Scorn, or to deride the Practice of such holy Duties, as by God, and our Governors we are allowed to perform.
3. That the most able, Godly, faithful Men be Pastors of the Flocks; and the insufficient, ungodly, negligent, scandalous, and Heretical be kept, and cast out; the Welfare of the Church consisting so much in the Quality of the Pastors.
4. That no Pastors be forced upon the Flocks against their Consent (the Church Governors being the Approvers and Ordainers and fit means being used to procure their Consent) though meer Teachers may be forced on the Ignorant, Heretical, and obstinate, that are unmeet for Church-Communion.
5. That the Teachers of the Parishes may be urged to catechise the People, and personally (in due time and Place) to confer with them all, and instruct them in the Matters of Salvation; and all the People may be urged to submit thereunto.
6. That before any Person's baptized in infancy be admitted among the adult Members of the Church, to their holy Communion and Priviledges, they make an open Profession of Faith and Holiness, such as shall be approved by the Pastor of that particular Church (who is responsible if he deny Approbation unjustly.) The solemnity of Confirmation we leave to the Wisdom of Church-Governors.
7. That we may have Liberty in the Temples to assemble for God's Worship, and may have no new Worship and Ordinances or symbolical mystical Ceremonies enforced on us against our Consciences: And that such as dare not use the Cross, Surplice, or kneeling in the Act of Receiving, may not be Penalties be forced to them, nor therefore denied the Exercise of the Ministry, or the Communion of the Church; and those that Scruple the English Common Prayer-Book, may have leave to exercise their Ministry without it; at least that they may be allowed the use of a Liturgy to be drawn up in Scripture Words, and approved by a Synod; and besides that, freely to pray according to the variety of Occasions; and Subjects which they preach of; they being responsible to their Governors for all that they say and do amiss.
8. That the Pastors of each Parish-Church may have Liberty to hear Accusations of Hereby or Scandal, and to admonish the Offenders publickly, that hear not private Admonition; to call them openly to Repent, and confess their Sin, and promise Reformation, to absolve the Penitent, and reject the Impenitent, requiring the People to avoid them. But yet, if you require that no Pastor should proceed to the publick admonishing and rejecting any, but upon the Judgment of the next Synod, and their President, we submit; unless (which God forbid) they should defend Heresy and Wickedness, and prohibit Discipline.
9. That the Neighbour-Pastors associating for Union and Communion, may hold monthly Synods in every Market-Town, having a President (stated for Life, unless he prove unfit): And that the Pastors of the Particular Churches be here responsible for their Doctrine and Practice, if any shall accuse them. And that Cases about Publick Confirmation, Admonitions, or Censures, excepted from the Power of the Pastors of the particular Churches of that Association may be here decided. But yet, that the President and Synod may not be forced to undertake the special Charge of all the Souls of each Congregation, as it belongeth to the several Pastors.
10. That every Quarter (and oftner, if the President see cause) there may be a Synod of all the Pastors of each County (or Diocesses if that may not be granted) who also shall have a stated President (the Name we leave to you) who shall maintain a more general Communion, and without destroying the Power of the particular Pastors, or lesser Synods, shall receive Appeals, and take Cognizance of such Cases as are proper to them. And that no President of greater or lesser Synods, shall ordain, suspend, deprive, or excommunicate any Pastor or Deacon, without the Consent of the Synod, and the Presence of some of them; nor censure the Members of any particular Church, without the Consent of the Synod or of the Pastor of that Church. And that all Presidents be freely chosen by the Synods where they must preside.
11. That National Councils may consist of the Presidents of both the Diocesane and inferior Synods; or else of the Diocesane, and two out of each County, freely chosen by the Major Vote of all the Pastors.
12. That no Subscription be required of the Pastors to any thing about Religion, but to the Holy Scriptures, and the ancient Creeds, and to the necessary Articles of Faith and Practice exprest in Scripture Terms, and to the Renunciation of all Heresies contrary thereto: And that in the Matter of the Divine Right of Prelacy, or Synodical Government, or Ceremonies, it may suffice that we are responsible for any Disobedience, and be not forced to subscribe our Approbation; they being not Articles of Faith, but Points of Practice; and if you see Cause to restrain Men from Preaching against any other controverted Opinions, they may not be forced to approve them.
13. That no Pastor be displaced, unless for Insufficieney, Negligence or Scandal committed within two Years before the Accusation; or unless some able Godly, faithful Pastor prove a better Title to the Place.
14. Lastly, That Persons Excommunicate, may not be punished eo Nomine, because Excommunicate, by corporal Punishments, unless it be by disfranchising, that they be uncapable of Government, or of choosing Governors; seeing the same Men are also obnoxious to the Laws of the Land, for such Crimes as the Laws condemn, notwithstanding their Excommunication.
On these Terms we may hold a Christian Concord, without any Danger of Persecution, or Breach of Charity, or Peace, if the Magistrate should think meet to settle Episcopacy: as we may on the forementioned Terms, while the present Liberty continueth.
Iuly 1659.
Dr. Hammond's Answer.
1. WHAT concerns private Christians in their own Families, will I suppose easily be granted, care being taken that nothing contrary to known Laws be attempted under Pretence of convening for Christian Advantages.
2. What concerns the Rectors of each Parish in the Discharge of the Duty by Law committed to them, there can be no doubt of. What is more required to be intrusted to them, being now by Law in the Bishops cannot be removed without changing the Law; which must be left to the Law-Makers, upon due Consideration of Ancient, Primitive Practice, and what may probably most tend to Edification.
3. What concerns the Observation of Ceremonies by Minister or People, by Law established, must be done by Tolleration or Exemption from Punishments, allowed to tender Consciences, with care had also to Uniformity.
4. The Nomination of Persons to Offices in the Church, must have respect to to the lawful right of Patrons, unless by Law some Change be thought expedient to be introduced herein.
5. If the Presidents of inferior Synods are to have Episcopal Power in Confirmation, Censures, Ordination, then this being the multiplying of Bishops, must be referred to the Supreme Power to judge whether all things considered, it be best, or whether some larger Diocesses being divided, some lesser may not remain as they are. But if inferior Presidents be not vested with Episcopal Power, but be in the Nature of our rural Deans, or of Archdeacons, the use of them and their Synods may be good, with Subordination to Bishops and regulated by Laws.
6. If there be Bishops in the Church, sure they must have the superintendent Care; and so Power over the whole Flock, Presbyters and People; yet so that for the Exercise of it, they intrust to the Rector of each Parish with what shall be found necessary for the Souls of the People in daily Administration.
7. I cannot think it meet that the 39 Articles which are the Hedge between us and the Papacy should be removed, and Articles in bare Scripture…terms substituted in their room, unless by this means (the Papacy receding also) an universal Peace might be hoped, which is a thing beyond our Prospect. That no more Articles be added to clog our Communion, is very reasonable. That any of these established, are excepted against by those, in Relation to whom we now consider, is more than I have heard.
8. For the not removing any Minister but upon weighty Cause, and not punishing Offenders by other than Ecclesiastical Censures, leaving the rest to the Civil Magistrate, I see no matter of Debate between us.