Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…

I hope, Sir, the Diversity of Opinions in these days, will not diminish your Estimation of Christianity, nor make you suspect that all is Doubtful, because so much is Doubted of. Though the Tempter seems to be playing such a Game in the world, God will go beyond him, and turn that to Illustration and Confirmation, which he intended for Confusion and Extirpation of the Truth. You know its no news to hear of some Ignorant, Proud and Licentious, of what Religion soever they be. And this Trinity is the Creator of Heresies. And as for the sober and Godly, it is but in lesser things that they disagree: and mostly about words and Methods more then Matter (though the smallest things of God are not Contemptible.) He that wonders to see wise men differ, doth but wonder that they are yet Imperfect, and know but in part; that is, that they are yet Mortal sinners, and not Glorified on Earth! And such wonderers know not what man is, and it seems are too great strangers to themselves. ⟨image 5⟩And if they turn these differences to the prejudice of Gods Truth, or dishonour of Godliness, they show themselves yet more unreasonable; to blame the Sun that men are purblind. And indeed were Pride and Passion laid aside in our Disputes, and men could gently suffer contradiction, and heartily love and correspond with those that in lower matters do gainsay them, I see not but such friendly debates might edify.

I hope, Sir, the Diversity of Opinions in these dayes, will not diminish your Estimation of Christianity, nor make you suspect that all is Doubtfull, because so much is Doubted of. Though the Tempter seems to be playing such a Game in the world, God will go beyond him, and turn that to Illustration and Confirmation, which he intended for Confusion and Extirpation of the Truth. You know its no news to hear of some Ignorant, Proud and Licentious, of what Religion soever they be. And this Trinity is the Creator of Heresies. And as for the sober and Godly, it is but in lesser things that they disagree: and mostly about words and Methods more then Matter (though the smallest things of God are not Contemptible.) He that wonders to see wise men differ, doth but wonder that they are yet Imperfect, and know but in part; that is, that they are yet Mortal sinners, and not Glorified on Earth! And such wonderers know not what man is, and it seems are too great strangers to themselves. ⟨image 5⟩And if they turn these differences to the prejudice of Gods Truth, or dishonour of Godliness, they shew themselves yet more unreasonable; to blame the Sunne that men are purblinde. And indeed were Pride and Passion laid aside in our Disputes, and men could gently suffer contradiction, and heartily love and correspond with those that in lower matters do gainsay them, I see not but such friendly debates might edifie.