A26859:156
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.
§. 6. And no wonder if they are ill Men; when you are but finding out a certain Foundation for a lasting Union, which is impossible to be attained, till Men are convinced of the evil and danger of the present Separation, &c. That is, you are but proving our Union impossible; for I have elsewhere proved, that the Conviction which you speak of is morally impossible, to become ⟨p. 27⟩the terms of a common Union. It is impossible that we should all be convinced that none of the Particulars imposed are sinful, which I have named in my first Plea. And secondly, 'tis as impossible that we should all be convinced, that it is any more lawful for us to forsake our Ministry, to which we were vowed in our Ordination, than to break our Oath of Allegiance, and deny our Duty to the King. So that you do no worse, than for Union, to prove our Union impossible: and who is it that makes it so?
§. 6. And no wonder if they are ill Men; when you are but finding out a certain Foundation for a lasting Vnion, which is impossib•e to be attained, till Men are convinced of the evil and danger of the present Separation, &c. That is, you are but proving our Union impossible; for I have elsewhere proved, that the Conviction which you speak of is morally impossible, to become ⟨p. 27⟩the terms of a common Union. It is impossible that we should all be convinced that none of the Particulars imposed are sinful, which I have named in my first Plea. And secondly, 'tis as impossible that we should all be convinced, that it is any more lawful for us to forsake our Ministry, to which we were vowed in our Ordination, than to break our Oath of Allegiance, and deny our Duty to the King. So that you do no worse, than for Union, to prove our Union impossible: and who is it that makes it so?
§. 7. And this Impossibility you infer from this Principle, [That it is lawful to separate on a pretence of greater Purity, where there is an agreement in Doctrine, and the substantial parts of Worship.]