Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 3 · Floating text 3
The Reasons of our Alterations of your Proposals.
1. I Put in [Presidents] &c. to avoid Dispute, whether such were meer Presbyters, or (as some think) Bishops. 2. I leave out [time of disorder,] because it will else exclude all that were Ordained by Presbyters since the King came in. 3. I put in [Instituted and Authorized] to intimate that it is not an Ordination to the Ministry in general, but a designation to a particular Charge, and a legal License, &c. 4. [By such as by his Majesty, &c.] because it is not for us to offer our selves to a Diocesans Imposition of Hands in that manner; but if you put it in other Words, we cannot help it. 5. There are three things which the Nonconformists here scruple. 1. Renouncing their Ordination; 2. Reordination (which is like Rebaptization.) 3. Owning the Diocesan Species of Prelacy; (for the Presbyterians are against all Prelacy, and the Episcopal Nonconformists are against the English Frame, as contrary to that in the time of Cyprian, &c.) Therefore because these Words so much seem to express a Re-ordination by Diocesans, 1. by the sign of Imposition of Hands. 2. By the Authorising Words, 3. and put in of purpose to satisfie them that think the Presbyterians no Ministers. 4. In a time when this hath been so publickly declared; they cannot submit to all this without either a Declaration to the contrary in the Law, or a Liberty by the Law given them to profess their own Sense, in the three particulars questioned, that they renounce not their Ordination, nor take this as Re-ordination; nor own the Diocesan Prelary, as distinct from the old Episcopacy (though they will submit to it.) 6. As by [Instituted] we intend admittance to a Pastoral Charge, or Authority to administer Sacraments, we desire that may he plainly inserted; seeing he that only preacheth (as Probationers may do) hath no need of this, nor do any scruple to hear him. Or if they do, while he hath no charge, they may turn their back on him; while a Man is a Lecturer only to meer Volunteers, there is no use for this.
II. 1. We mention the Vniversity, because many were turned out of their Fellowships there for non-subscribing, &c. 2. We would have the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy made necessary. 3. The professed belief of the Scriptures and Creed, we take to be needful to Admittance: That which was the only ancient Catholick Profession should not be left out of ours. 4. The professed Assent to the Doctrine of the Church of England, (and not only to approve it in tantum) se…meth needful to satisfie the Suspicious, and to shut out Papists and Hereticks from the comprehension. 5. Yet the word [approve] as related to the Worship and Government (though restrictively) will on many Accounts be scrupled; and that is needless. 6. So [absolutely] as joyned to [necessary] is needful to avoid Ambiguity and just Scruple. 7. The word [promise] requireth fuller certainty than [resolve] doth; and it bindeth us, not to alter our Iudgments, which is not in our power in such a case. 8. The Word [continue] is a needless, and entangling Word, and will deprive us of the use of the Indulgence, if we should ever change our minds. But if (as some say) it be only the Communion of Faith and Love, such as we owe to Neighbour-Churches, and not Subjection, nor local presence in Worship, let that be but expressed, and every sober Person will promise it. 9. To promise to [preserve the Peace and Happiness of the Church] is a fuller Word then [to do nothing to disturb the peace;] and yet more clear, and plainly relateth to the whole Church.
III. We put [bowing at the Name of Iesus, rather than, &c.] to avoid the imputation of Impiety, lest we be thought to be against bowing at that Name simply, when it is but as comparatively and exclusively to others.
IV. 1. [In case if it be thought fit, &c.] We must suppose it thought fit. 2. This whole Vndertaking is proper only to them that take a Cure, and not for an occasional or set Lecturer. 3. It will answer our Sense if you put it thus; [Shall read the Liturgy, when satisfactorily altered, and some considerable part 'till then, if it be delayed.] 4. The profession of the Lawfulness, is but a needless temptation, as to him that is bound actually to use it. 5. And the promise that it shall be constantly used may be hindered by sickness, or so many Casualties, that its much safer to bind them only by a Law. 6. And then [the Event] only must be expressed [that it be used] by whose procurement soever, so it be done. I may think it unlawful to procure another to do that, which I cannot do my self, and yet some other may procure it.
In the Second Article I forgot to tell you, That we annex the grant of the desired liberty, after the Subscription, lest else our hopes be frustrate, when we have done all.
The Reasons of the added Articles are apparent in themselves.
The Sum of all our Reasons is, It is confessed that our Phrase will serve the Ends of our Superiours; and we are certain that they will satisfie a far greater number than the other will do, and to their greater ease and quiet of Conscience, that they may not feel themselves still pinched and uneasie, and kept under desires of further changes: And we are sure that we are much better able our selves, to plead down Men's Objections, if it be thus worded, than as the other way. And we would fain have this no patch or palliate Cure, but such as may cause the now drooping Dissenters, to rejoyce under the Government, and to perceive it to be their Interest to defend it against all Attempters of a Change.
§ 71. But because the grand stop in our Treaty was about Re-ordination, and Dr. Wilkins still insisted on this, That those Consciences must be accommodated who took them for no Ministers who were ordained without Bishops, and some Words were … into their Proposals, which seemed to signifie a Reordination; though he denied such a signification, we were put to give in this following Paper.