A funeral-sermon for the reverend, holy and excellent divine, Mr. Richard Baxter who deceased…

In the Year 1661, a Parliament was called, wherein was past the Act of Uniformity, that expelled from their public Places about two thousand Ministers. I will only take notice concerning the Causes of that Proceeding, that the Old Clergy from Wrath and Revenge, and the young Gentry from their servile Compliance with the Court, and their Distaste of serious Religion, were very active to carry on and complete that Act. That this is no rash Imputation upon the ruling Clergy then is evident, not only from their Concurrence ⟨p. 102⟩in passing that Law, for Actions have a Language as convincing as that of Words, but from Dr. Sheldon then Bishop of London their great Leader; who when the Lord Chamberlain Manchester, told the King, while the Act of Uniformity was under debate, that he was afraid the Terms of it were so rigid, that many of the Ministers would not comply with it; he replied, I am afraid they will. This Act was past after the King had engaged his Faith and Honour in his Declaration from Breda, to preserve the Liberty of Conscience inviolate, which promise opened the way for his Restoration; and after the Royalists here, had given public Assurance, that all former Animosities should be buried, as Rubbish under the Foundation of a Universal Concord. Mr. Baxter was involved with so many Ministers in ⟨p. 103⟩this Calamity, who was their brightest Ornament, and the best Defence of their righteous, though oppressed Cause: Two Observations he made upon that Act and our Ejection.

In the Year 1661, a Parliament was call'd, wherein was past the Act of Uniformity, that expell'd from their publick Places about two thousand Ministers. I will onely take notice concerning the Causes of that Proceeding, that the Old Clergy from Wrath and Revenge, and the young Gentry from their servile Compliance with the Court, and their Distaste of serious Religion, were very active to carry on and compleat that Act. That this is no rash Imputation upon the ruling Clergy then is evident, not onely from their Concurrence ⟨p. 102⟩in passing that Law, for Actions have a Language as convincing as that of Words, but from Dr. Sheldon then Bishop of London their great Leader; who when the Lord Chamberlain Manchester, told the King, while the Act of Uniformity was under debate, that he was afraid the Terms of it were so rigid, that many of the Ministers would not comply with it; he replyed, I am afraid they will. This Act was past after the King had engaged his Faith and Honour in his Declaration from Breda, to preserve the Liberty of Conscience inviolate, which promise open'd the way for his Restoraton; and after the Royalists here, had given publick Assurance, that all former Animosities should be buried, as Rubbish under the Foundation of a Vniversal Concord. Mr. Baxter was involv'd with so many Ministers in