A26865:606
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…
An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II. an answer to the accusations urged as reasons for the silencing of about 2000 by Bishop Morley ..., III. reasons proving it the duty and interest of the bishops and conformists to endeavour earnestly their restoration : with a postscript upon oral debates with Mr. H. Dodwell, against his reasons for their silence ... : written in 1668 and 1669, for the most of it, and now published as an addition to the defence against Dr. Stillingfleet, and as an account to the silencers of the reasons of our practice / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst and D. Newman, 1681
AN APOLOGY FOR THE SILENCED MINISTERS, Especially for their not cea… › Part › Accusation 31
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.
His second proof runs thus: If this excellent Author shall be condemned as Apocryphal (and it is a very easy confutation to cry Fie upon him, when they are not able to answer his Arguments, (Alas for the Church of England, if her Doctors take such inhumane Calumnies for unanswerable Arguments)! I shall then give them an Authority, formerly little less than Canonical: How the case stands with him at present, I am wholly ignorant: However he is one that full well understands the Intrigues of his party. Baxters Def. of the Princip. of Love, p. 92. And here he reciteth the Authors words against that pride and self-interest which we are accused of.
His second proof runs thus: If this excellent Author shall be condemned as Apocryphal (and it is a very easie confutation to cry Fie upon him, when they are not able to answer his Arguments, (Alas for the Church of England, if her Doctors take such inhumane Calumnies for unanswerable Arguments)! I shall then give them an Authority, formerly little less than Canonical: How the case stands with him at present, I am wholly ignorant: However he is one that fullwell understands the Intrigues of his party. Baxters Def. of the Princip. of Love, p. 92. And here he reciteth the Authors words against that pride and self-interest which we are accused of.
And here again we appeal to common ingenuity, 1. Whether this man who professeth himself wholly ignorant of the Authors case (and to him is utterly unknown), be liker to know the secrets of his and other mens hearts (it's like as much unknown to him) than he himself, who he saith knoweth the intrigues of his party? 2. Whether it be a good proof that Nonconformists are chiefly moved by Pride, because they openly write against it, and condemn those that are so moved, with words which the Accuser himself highly approveth?
Obj. But it seemeth by your words that some such there are among you, and it is not Baxter himself that he accuseth.