Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…

P. X. & XI. OF the first of these I have said so much before, that I will here pass it by. And as to the second, you are a man of pernicious principles, and downright heretical and damnable, if indeed you would have us call no unregenerate persons to any duty whatsoever. Answer me these Questions: Quest. 1. Would you not have your Wife, Children and Servants taught, that it is their duty to love, honour and obey you? and your neighbours to deal justly with you? and the Rulers to protect you, and the Judges to do you Justice?

Lib. I speak only of Religious and not Civil duties.

P. You are indifferent it seemeth as to the Interest of Gods honour and mens salvation: Let those alone, so be it your own interest be secured. Duty to you, must be preached, but not to God. But would you not have them taught to do you service as to the Lord, and as such as from him shall have punishment or reward? and to submit themselves to the Higher Powers for conscience sake as to the Ministers of God? and •o Honour Father and Mother in obedience to God, and that by his reward their days may be long? Should not all be done to the Glory of God?

P. You are indifferent it seemeth as to the Interest of Gods honour and mens salvation: Let those alone, so be it your own interest be secured. Duty to you, must be preached, but not to God. But would you not have them taught to do you service as to the Lord, and as such as from him shall have punishment or reward? and to submit themselves to the Higher Powers for conscience sake as to the Ministers of God? and •o Honour Father and Mother in obedience to God, and that by his reward their dayes may be long? Should not all be done to the Glory of God?

P. We are as much and more for Heart-work, and for beginning there, than you are •• we know that God accepteth not the hypocrite, that draweth near him, and honoureth him with the lips, when the heart is far from him: The outward actions are no further Good or Bad, than they are •••• or from the Will. The Divine Nature, and Image of God, and life of the new creature, is the new heart by the Love of God shed abroad upon it by the Holy Ghost. But, Quest. 2. Are we to call men to no duty at all, to the getting of a new heart? Should we not persuade them to hear Gods Word?

P. We are as much and more for Heart-work, and for beginning there, than you are •• we know that God accepteth not the hypocrite, that draweth near him, and honoureth him with the lips, when the heart is far from him: The outward actions are no further Good or Bad, than they are •••• or from the Will. The Divine Nature, and Image of God, and life of the new creature, is the new heart by the Love of God shed abroad upon it by the Holy Ghost. But, Quest. 2. Are we to call men to no duty at all, to the getting of a new heart? Should we not perswade them to hear Gods Word?

Lib. Ye•: How shall they believe unless they hear?

P. Quest. 3. Must we call them from the Tavern, Ale-house, Gaming-house, Play-house, Whore-house, yea, from their lawfuiler employments that they may hear in season? and call Martha to choose Mary's part, and those that say, They cannot come because of their Oxen, Farms and Business, to change that mind?

P. Quest. 3. Must we call them from the Tavern, Ale-house, Gaminghouse, Play-house, Whore-house, yea, from their lawfuiler imployments that they may hear in season? and call Martha to choose Maries part, and those that say, They cannot come because of their Oxen, Farms and Business, to change that mind?

Lib. Yes, no doubt of it: Zaccheus must be in Christs way.

P. Quest. 4. Must we not persuade them to take heed how and what they hear? and to set their hearts to all Gods Words, and to see that they despise not him that speaketh? but he that hath ears to hear, let him hear; and to consider of the truth and weight of all, and to search the Scriptures to see whether the things be so?

P. Quest. 4. Must we not perswade them to take heed how and what they hear? and to set their hearts to all Gods Words, and to see that they despise not him that speaketh? but he that hath ears to hear, let him hear; and to consider of the truth and weight of all, and to search the Scriptures to see whether the things be so?

Lib. I deny none of this.

P. Quest. 5. May we not persuade them to come and talk and reason the case with Friends or Ministers, that we may convince them?

P. Quest. 5. May we not perswade them to come and talk and reason the case with Friends or Ministers, that we may convince them?

Lib. Yes no doubt, as well as to hear in public.

Lib. Yes no doubt, as well as to hear in publick.

P. Quest. 6. May we not Catechise them, and teach them the Principles of Christianity, that they may understand them?

Lib. Yes, as to the Matter; but to teach them your forms of Questions and Answers, is but formality and deceit.

P. What? May we not teach them the words of Christ and Scripture? How shall the matter be understood without words? And what better words, than the words of Scripture?

Lib. But a Form of the same words is but formality.