A26859:294
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.
XVIII. I am loth to displease you; and I write not to Accuse You, or other Conformists. But as Paul was constrained by Accusers, to speak sharply of them, and like a Fool (though not Foolishly) of himself: So you constrain us to say that in our own Defence, which will exasperate you; and, I doubt, you cannot easily bear. And God saith, Thou shalt not Hate thy Brother in thy Heart: Thou shalt in any wise Rebuke thy Neighbour, and not suffer Sin upon him. I have told you only, how many and heinous the Sins are, which we fear we should be Guilty of, should we Conform. The Thirty Aggravations, named Sect. 16. are Tremendous. We have yet heard from none of you, any thing which should excuse us from such Guilt, if we did Conform. And if the People think, (though they should mistake) that all the Conformists are Guilty of the like, Can ye wonder, that they Prefer less Guilty▪ Pastors, to trust the Conduct of their Souls with; when Heb. 13. they are Commanded to be Followers of their Guides? If they mistake, [1 Cor. 5. With such not• to Eat,] and [From such turn away […] it Intolerable?
XVIII. I am loth to displease you; and I write not to Accuse You, or other Conformists. But as Paul was constrained by Accusers, to speak sharply of them, and like a Fool (though not Foolishly) of himself: So you constrein us to say that in our own Defence, which will exasperate you; and, I doubt, you cannot easily bear. And God saith, Thou shalt not Hate thy Brother in thy Heart: Thou shalt in any wise Rebuke thy Neighbour, and not suffer Sin upon him. I have told you only, how many and heinous the Sins are, which we fear we should be Guilty of, should we Conform. The Thirty Aggravations, named Sect. 16. are Tremendous. We have yet heard from none of you, any thing which should excuse us from such Guilt, if we did Conform. And if the People think, (though they should mistake) that all the Conformists are Guilty of the like, Can ye wonder, that they Prefer less Guilty▪ Pastors, to trust the Conduct of their Souls with; when Heb. 13. they are Commanded to be Followers of their Guides? If they mistake, [