Richard Baxters answer to Dr. Edward Stillingfleet's charge of separation containing, I. some queries…

Ans. 1. This is like H. F•wlis, The Puritans are the worst men on earth: The Papists, are far preferred before them, Because the Papists differ in fundamentals, but the Puritans take mass for a Ceremony. So we are the most disingenuous and not fair dealers, that own them to be true Churches and Ministers and hold Communion with them; and yet deny that we are Schismatics or separate: We leave you therefore, to treat with the lesser disingenuous and the fair dealers, that say you are no true Ministers, nor is it lawful to have Communion with men that openly avow such heinous sin, and covenant against ever endeavouring to reform notorious Church corruptions: because with such we are forbid even to eat, and commanded from such to turn away; Its well you have some more ingenious and fair dealers than I am.

Ans. 1. This is like H. F•wlis, The Puritans are the worst men on earth: The Papi••s, are far prefer'd before them, Because the Papists differ in fundamentals, but the Puritans take mass for a Ceremony. So we are the most disingenious and not fair dealers, that own them to be true Churches and Ministers and hold Communion with them; and yet deny that we are Schismaticks or separate: We leave you therefore, to treat with the lesser disingenious and the fair dealers, that say you are no true Ministers, nor is it lawful to have Communion with men that openly avow such hainous sin, and covenant against ever endeavouring to reform notorious Church corruptions: because with such we are forbid even to eat, and commanded from such to turn away; Its well you have some more ingenious and fair dealers than I am.

But the disingenuity is my denying your accusation: I heard of a Gentleman that could silence any man: and his way was, he would accuse him (of Murder, Adultery, The•t or what his cause required) and if he denied it he would say; [what will you make me a Liar? To give me the Lie deserveth a stab.] It is not only a crime if we do not toto pectore telum recipere, or with Camero unbutton our selves and say feri miser, or wheever we are beaten, confess that we deserved it: It's an odd kind of suit for a man that calleth an innocent man traitor, to bring his action against him, for saying, you slander me. But it is the name or thing that we must not deny. We will gratify you in the first: I do separate from your Church, by half a miles distance, and by going to my own parish, and by preaching my self, and so do most of the Parish Preachers, that will not sit hearing you when they should preach. But it is de re. And what is it, First I must tell the matter of fact: I never took any pastoral charge these twenty years; I gathered no Church: I never baptized one person: I never administered the Lords Supper once, in about eighteen or nineteen years; but of late seldom to some few, since aged weak persons who were in my