A26883:4568
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,…
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1675
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.
S. I have somewhat else to do than read all your Writings.
P. Why have you not then somewhat else to do than hear me, and backbite me, and judge of things which you have not leisure to understand? Do we not still deal on hard terms with such men as you? that neither speaking nor writing can make them know our minds? Have all your party that revile me, done more each one against Popery than I have done? But if this be all that you have to call me to repentance for, I have a great deal more to say against my self; And now I will deal faithfully with you: ⟨p. 285⟩I beseech you try, whether it be not necessary that you speedily repent of all these following sins: 1. What a shame is it for one that would be taken for a Religious man to be so Ignorant as you are, and no better know the truth of Christ, from the errors of Popery, than (it appeareth) you do? 2. What a sin for one so Ignorant to be so rash and bold in venturing to judge of that which he understandeth not? 3. What a sin is it for one so Ignorant to be so proud of his pretended knowledge, as to venture to defame his Teachers for contradicting him in his erroneous conceits? Have you studied these things as long and hard as I have done? or are you sure that you have done it more in partially; and that God hath illuminated you so much more, as your confidence would import? 4. What an unchristian crime is it, to make lies and carry them abroad of your Teachers, and then be forced to confess, that it was the failing of your memory as to what you heard? 5. What a sin is it to be a backbiter? Neither you, nor any one of your quality did ever come to my face either to know my meaning, or to hear what I had to say, nor to reprove my sin, or convince me of my error. 6. Is not unrighteousness a sin, in your judging and reports, as it is in public Judgements? Should not a man be heard before he be condemned? especially a Minister of Christ? 7. What a sin is it to receive false reports from others, and encourage backbites whom you should rebuke and frown away? 8. What a heinous sin is it thus to destroy the Hearers souls, and as those that have the Plague, to carry your infection from house to house, and kill mens Love, and breed in them false conceits and bitter injurious thoughts of others? 9. What a sin is it with such unthankfulness to requite Christs servants that spend their days, and strength, and estates in labouring for mens good?