Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

This Day while I am writing these words, my Pockets are too full of Letters sent me, on one side importunately charging it on me as my duty to conform (to the Oaths, Declarations, Covenants and Practises, now imposed) or else to give over preaching (which would ⟨p. 105⟩please them;) and on the other side vehemently censuring me as guilty of grievous sin, for declaring my judgment for so much of Conformity as I have done; and charging me by Predictions as guilty of the Sufferings of all that are otherwise minded, for communicating in the Sacrament, and the common Prayers of the Church; and others in the mid way, persuading me equally to bear my Testimony against unjust Separation and Persecution, and to endeavour still if possible to save a self destroying People, from the tearing fury of these two extremes: And how should I answer these contrary expectations, or escape the Censures of such expectants?

This Day while I am writing these words, my Pockets are too full of Letters sent me, on one side importunately charging it on me as my duty to conform (to the Oaths, Declarations, Covenants and Practises, now imposed) or else to give over preaching (which would ⟨p. 105⟩please them;) and on the other side vehemently censuring me as guilty of grievous sin, for declaring my judgment for so much of Conformity as I have done; and charging me by Predictions as guilty of the Sufferings of all that are otherwise minded, for communicating in the Sacrament, and the common Prayers of the Church; and others in the mid way, persuading me equally to bear my Testimony against unjust Separation and Persecution, and to endeavour still if possible to save a self destroying People, from the tearing fury of these two extreams: And how should I answer these contrary expectations, or escape the Censures of such expectants?

And it hath pleased God, who Thirty Years and more hath tried me by humane Applause, of late in this City (where multitudes of Persons of contrary Minds are like Passengers in crowded Streets, still jostling and offending one another) to exercise me with mens daily backbitings and cavils: And so many have chosen me for the subject of their Discourse, that I may say as Paul,