A26859:489
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.
2. If they spake either for or against Toleration as you do without distinction, and were for all or against all, and distinguished not the tolerable from the intolerable, it's no great heed to be taken what they say. If there were but one false word imposed on you, which you could not assent to, and on 2000 such as you, should you be no more tolerated than a Mahometan?
§. 71. As to your advice to us p. 47. 48. 1. Did you think that because we must bear with much that is amiss in the Church, that therefore we must either consent to it, or practise it, and Covenant against all endeavours of amending it, or prefer it before better. ⟨p. 92⟩The man you talk of out of Mr. Ball was near Birmingham, and was Melancholy to a kind of madness.
§. 71. As to your advice to us p. 47. 48. 1. Did you think that because we must bear with much that is amiss in the Church, that therefore we must either consent to it, or practise it, and Covenant against all endeavours of amending it, or prefer it before better. ⟨p. 92⟩The man you talk of out of Mr. Ball was near Bremicham, and was Melancholy to a kind of madness.
To your second I answer, It followeth not, that because we must not judge too hardly of Impositions, therefore we must say, swear and do all that is now imposed on us. Or that he that dares not do it, is unpeaceable. I would we knew in what cases only you would deny Obedience and Conformity your self. Doubtful passages and undoubted evils somewhat differ. A fault-finding disposition, and the Roman art that Boccaline mentions to swallow a Pimpion, have a mean between them. Papists, Socinians, or any that are uppermost, may call for Conformity under the names of Unity and Peace.