A26883:4570
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.
When I take none of your money, when I have these twelve years preached (as I had liberty) freely without hire; when I had been put on to plead the Non-conformists Cause in the costliest circumstances, and to bear the greatest odium for it; when I was I think the first that was silenced on such accounts; when I have been twelve or fourteen years deprived of all Ecclesiastical maintenance; when I refused a Bishopric▪ when I have laboured in Writings and other duties to the consuming of my flesh in daily and hourly pain and weakness, and now look every Sermon for my last, and am ready to appear before my Judge: to be to the very last thus calumniated and reviled by peevish Sectaries, would be a sad reward, were your favour my reward! But is this just or grateful? or shall the unrighteous and unthankful be accounted the best men? I know I could have been one of the highest in your favour and applause, if I would have humoured and followed you: But I had rather that God should keep me from your honour, than buy it at so dear a rate. 10. And is it no sin thus to hinder the success of our labours, by making us odious or suspected by them that should profit by us? 11. Is it not hypocrisy, to cry out of the Bishops for silencing us, when you show that you would fain do it your selves? Would not you silence me now if it were in your power? Yea, I doubt not but when I die, some of you will rejoice and say, that God did it in judgement on me. ⟨p. 286⟩12. And thus to make divisions among Christians, that should hold the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, will one day be known to be a sin. 13. And so it is hereby to harden the enemies of Religion, by your clamours and the divisions which you cause; and tempt them to hate both you and us. 14. And it is worst of all to father all this on God, and Truth and Godliness, and use such holy Names for so bad a Cause. 15. And it aggravateth your sin, that you take no more notice of all those plain and terrible Scriptures, which as openly condemn your sin, as the sin of Drunkards or Swearers is condemned: were it but James 3. it would leave you utterly without excuse. 16. Yea, and that you can see the sins of such Drunkards and Swearers, yea, and see the Mote in the eyes of one that doth but use a Form or Ceremony which you dislike, and cannot see these Beams in your own. For all these sins I admonish you presently to repent.