A26924:305
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 13: Point X. Of denying Baptism to them that refuse the Cross.
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.
One would think it should be enough for the Preachers of humility to say, [We are so wise that he that differeth practically from us in that which we call an indifferent ceremony, and he calls a sinful corruption of baptism, shall be punished as much as Swearers, Drunkards and Fornicators be, or shall be made a slave with his Children] without denying them Christianity and Salvation. But the best is, all cannot keep men out of Heaven that boast of the power of the Keys; and there is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy.
L. You make a heinous cruelty of it, as if it were oppression and tyranny to souls, and they say that they impose nothing on you but things indifferent.
M. Must their indifferent things be enforced with so great penalty as damnation? If every one cannot love every Dish that they love, or get down every Pill that they give him, but he be famished therefore, or have his through at cut wider? I had rather live and die a Chimney-sweeper, or a Channel ⟨p. 77⟩cleanser, or a Keeper of Swine, than a Bishop that should put Christ's Disciples and their seed, whom he commandeth them to baptize, Mat. 28. 19. from his Covenant and Church, and specially when themselves make Baptism more necessary and certainly saving, than it is.
M. Must their indifferent things be enforced with so great penalty as damnation? If every one cannot love every Dish that they love, or get down every Pill that they give him, but he be famish'd therefore, or have his thro at cut wider? I had rather live and die a Chimney-sweeper, or a Channel ⟨p. 77⟩