Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 3 · Floating text 4
The Reasons why we cannot consent to Reordination.
I. WE dare not causelesly consent to the use of such Words as imply an untruth, viz. That such as were Ordained by Lawful Pastors, and the Presidents of their Synods, are not lawful Ministers of Christ, in an Ecclesiastical Sense.
II. We dare not consent to the taking of God's Name in vain, by using holy Expressions, and a Divine Ordinance, either as a Scenical Form, or to confirm an Error.
III. We dare not causelesly go against the Iudgment of the Vniversal Church of all Ages, who have condemned Reordination, as they did Rebaptization. The Canons, called the Apostles, deposing both the Ordainers, and the Ordained.
IV. We dare not so far wrong the Protestant-Churches, as to do that which importeth, That their Ministry is null, and consequently all their Churches null (politically taken:)
V. We dare not so far wrong all the People of England, and all other Protestant-Churches, who have lived under the Ministry of meer Presbyters, or such Bishops as were Ordained only by Presbyters, as to tempt them to think, that all the Sacraments were nullities which they received; and so that they are all unchristened or unbaptized: even Denmark, and those parts of Germany, which have some kind of Bishops, had their first Ordination of them by Pomeranus, and others, that were no Bishops. And most Protestants: hold, That Baptism is null, which is not performed by a Minister of Christ. Because no one else is Authorized to deliver God's part of the Covenant, or to receive the Covenanter, or invest him in the Christian State and Privileges.
VI. We dare not so far strengthen the cause of the Anabaptists, as to declare thus far, That all the People of England, and all Protestant-Churches, as were Baptized by such as had not Ordination by Diocesans, are to be Re-baptized.
VII. We dare not so far harden the Papists, and honour their cause, nor tempt the People to Popery, as to seem to consent, that their Churches, Ministry and Baptism is true, and the Protestant Ministry, Churches and Baptism is false: Nor dare we teach them, if (which God forbid) they should get the power of governing us, to call us all again to be Re-ordained and Re-baptized: Our Liturgy bidding us to take private Baptism as valid, [if the Child was Baptized by any Lawful Minister] intimating that else it is invalid: and so that seemeth the Iudgment of the Church of England.
VIII. We dare not tempt any other Sects, or Vsurpers to expect, that as oft as they can get the upper hand, we must be Re-ordained and Re-baptized at their pleasure.
IX. We dare not make a Schism in our Congregations, by tempting the Pastors to reject most of the People from the Communion, as unbaptized Persons.
X. We dare not dishonour the King and Parliament so far as to encourage them, to confirm these Errors by an Act of Parliament; Enacting (really) Re-ordination.
And I R. B. must profess, That having eight Years ago, written a Treatise purposely to prove the validity of the late Ordination, by the Synods of Presbyteries in England (though I never practised any my self) and having openly called for some Coufutation of it, I never could procure any to this day: And therefore am the more excusable if I err. (Though I was my self Ordained by a Bishop.)
Note, That by Ordination, we mean the Solemn Separation of a Person from the number of the Laity, to the Sacred Ministry in general; and not the designation, appointment, or determination of him to this or that particular Flock or Church; nor yet a meer Ecclesiastical Confirmation of his former Ordination, in a doubted Case: Nor yet the …agistrate's License to exercise the Sacred Ministry in his Dominions; All which we believe on just Occasion, may be frequently given and received: And we thereby profess to consent to no more.
§ 72. Besides the foresaid Alterations of their Proposals, we offered them this following Emendation of the Liturgy, containing in some Points less, and in some Points more, than their own Proposals (for in this Dr. Wilkins was not streight.)
| The most necessary Alterations of the Liturgy THat the old Preface be restored instead of the new one. The Order for all Priests, Deacons, and Curates, to read the Liturgy once or twice every Day, to be put out. The Rubrick for the old Ornaments, which were in use in the second Year of Edw. VI. put out. The Lord's Prayer to be used intirely with the Doxologies. Add to the Rubrick before the Communion thus: Nor shall any be admitted to the Communion, who is grosly ignorant of the Essentials of Christianity; or of that Sacrament; or who is an Atheist, Infidel, or Heretick, (that is, denyeth any Essential part of Religion) nor any that derideth Christianity, or the Holy Scriptures; or the strict obeying of God's Commands. Read the Fourth Commandment as it is in the Text, viz. God blessed the Sabbath Day. Add to the Communion Rubrick; [None shall be forced to Communicate; because it is a high Privilege, which the Unwilling are unworthy of; and so are those who are conscious that they live impenitently in any secret or open hainous sin: And because many conscionable Persons, through Melancholy, or too hard thoughts of themselves, have so great fears of unworthy receiving, that it were like to drive them to despair, or distraction, if they are forced to it before they are satisfied. Therefore let Popery and Prophaneness be expressed, by some fitter means than this. In the Prayer before the Consecration Prayer, put out [That our sinful Bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our Souls washed by his precious Blood,] and put it thus: That our sinful Souls and Bodies may be cleansed by his Sacrificed Body and Blood. | Alterations very desirable also. THE Lord's Prayer, and Gloria Patri, seldomer used. Begin with the Prayer for the second Sunday in Advent, for Divine Assistance; or some other. Let none be forced to hear the Decalogue kneeling; because the Ignorant, who take them for Prayers, are scandalized and hardened by it. Let none be forced to use Godfathers at their Childrens Baptism, who can (either Parent) be there to perform their Duty. Or, at least, let the Godfathers be but as the ancient Sponsors; whose Office was, 1. To attest the Parents Fidelity; 2. And to promise to bring up the Child in Christian nurtue, if the Parents dye, or prove deserters. Because Ministers subscribe to the 25th. Article of the Church's Doctrine, which saith [Those Five, commonly called Sacraments, that is Confirmation, &c. are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles.—For they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.] Therefore in the Collect for Confirmation, put out [Upon whom after the Example of the Holy Apostles, we have now laid our Hands, to certifie them by this sign, of thy favour and gracious goodness toward them. Holidays left indifferent, save only that all be restrained from open labour, and contempt of them. Especially [Holy Innocents-Day, St. Michael's Day, and All-Saints] because there is no certainty that they were Holy Innocents. And its harsh to keep a Holiday for one Angel. And all true Christians being Saints, we keep Holidays for our selves. The Book of Ordination restored as it was. |
Let there be liberty to use Christ's own Form of Delivery, recited by St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11. changing only the Person, [Take, Eat, this is Christ's Body, which, &c.]
Let Christian Parents be permitted to offer their own Children to God in Baptism, and enter them into the Holy Covenant, by using those Words that are now imposed on the Godfathers.
That where any Minister dare not in Conscience Baptize the Child of proved Atheists, Infidels, gross Hereticks, Fornicators, or other such notorious Sinners, as the Cannon forbiddeth us to recive to the Communion (both Parent being such, and the Child in their power and possession) that Minister shall not be forced to do it; but the Parents shall procure some other to do it.
For […t thou be Baptised] put […ilt thou have this …ld Baptized.]
The Cross and the Surplice left at liberty, and kneeling at the Act of Receiving, and bowing at the Name […esus] rather than […hrist, God, &c.]
After Baptism put [Seing this Child is Sacramentally Regenerated.] And in the Prayer following put it, [That it hath pleased Thee Sacramentally to Regenerate and Adopt this Infant, and to incorporate him into thy Holy Church.]
Instead of the new Rubrick [it is certain by God's Word, &c.] put [True Christian Parents have no cause to doubt of the Salvation of their Children, dedicated to God in Baptism, and dying before they commit any actual sin.]
In the Exhortation put it thus, [Doubt not therefore, but earnestly believe, That if this Infant be sincerely dedicated to God, by those who have that power and trust, God will likewise favourably receive him, &c.
Let not Baptism be privately administred, but by a lawful Minister, and before sufficient Witnesses: and when it is evident that any was so Baptized, let no part of the Administration be reiterated.
Add to the Rubrick of Confirmation (or the Preface) [And the tolerable Understanding of the same Points, which are necessary to Confirmation, with this owning of their baptismal Covenant, shall be also required of those that are not confirmed before their admission to the holy Communion.
Let it be lawful for the Minister to put other Questions besides those in the Catechism, to help the Learners to understand; and also to tell them the meaning of the Words as he goeth along.