A26859:146
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…
Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denieth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendered, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries necessary for the understanding of his accusation, II. a reply to his letter which denyeth a solution, III. an answer to his printed sermon : humbly tendred, I. to himself, II. to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the court of aldermen, III. to the readers of his accusation, the forum where we are accused.
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1680
Letter: To the Reverend Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls, &c.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the Reverend Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls, &c.
Richard Baxter returneth this Account of his Doctrine and Practice, which by his published Sermon, preached before the Lord Mayor, May 2. 1680. he often calleth me to; and the Lord Mayor's and Court of Aldermen's earnest desire of his printing it, add to my Obligation.
§. 1. SIR, I apprehend much reason for my rendering you this following Account, and some against it: And it was not easy to me quickly to resolve which did preponderate. It is easy to foresee, that the Papists will be glad that your Pen be turned from them, against those whom they are most against, and will laugh to see you diverted by such a Scuffle. And Satan, knowing our frailty, will hope to persuade you, that all that is said against the weakness and error of your Writings, is against your Interest and You, and so to stir up in you Passions and Thoughts directly contrary to Love and Concord, and your own and the Public Good: For with some he hath unhappily succeeded to carry them from one Error to another, till he hath brought them to the bitter hatred of their Confuters. And though I am not so considerable as you, the Tempter disdaineth not so low a Game, as to try whether he can make your erroneous opposition a snare to me. When I saw that you had begun this contentious way, it was easy to foresee that Satan's Cause was like to gain by it, and therefore I fear that he was much the cause.
§. 1. SIR, I apprehend much reason for my rendring you this following Account, and some against it: And it was not easy to me quickly to resolve which did preponderate. It is easy to foresee, that the Papists will be glad that your Pen be turned from them, against those whom they are most against, and will laugh to see you diverted by such a Scuffle. And Satan, knowing our frailty, will hope to persuade you, that all that is said against the weakness and error of your Writings, is against your Interest and You, and so to stir up in you Passions and Thoughts directly contrary to Love and Concord, and your own and the Publick Good: For with some he hath unhappily succeeded to carry them from one Error to another, till he hath brought them to the bitter hatred of their Confuters. And though I am not so considerable as you, the Tempter disdaineth not so low a Game, as to try whether he can make your erroneous opposition a snare to me. When I saw that you had begun this contentious way, it was easy to foresee that Satan's Cause was like to gain by it, and therefore I fear that he was much the cause.