A26924:985
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
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.
M. 1. I have no hope of Concord, but by disputing ex concessis, and improving mens own principles: Do you think I am so foolish as to expect that Adversaries so fierce should change their judgments by any thing that I can say, if their own interest or their own principles by inference change them not? 2. We want nothing more in reality and practice than that which is most granted us in shadow and general words; who grant not that we must obey God before man? And must love God above all, our neighbours as our selves, and must do as we would be done by? And must bear with the receive the weak, and persecute none, &c. And if this were done, we were all agreed. O happy England if all were granted practically and indeed, which men in general words approve! But if they grant this, and yet will not grant it, but seek to ruin them that seek it, are they not unexcuseable?
M. 1. I have no hope of Concord, but by disputing ex concessis, and improving mens own principles: Do you think I am so foolish as to expect that Adversaries so fierce should change their judgments by any thing that I can say, if their own interest or their own principles by inference change them not? 2. We want nothing more in reality and practice than that which is most granted us in shadow and general words; who grant not that we must obey God before man? And must love God above all, our neighbours as our selves, and must do as we would be done by? And must bear with the receive the weak, and persecute none, &c. And if this were done, we were all agreed. O happy England if all were granted practically and indeed, which men in general words approve! But if they grant this, and yet will not grant it, but seek to ruine them that seek it, are they not unexcuseable?
L. Why begin you with the qualifications requisite to Baptism, as if you spake to Infidels?
M. Because I cannot build without a foundation: This is the chief thing necessary to our Reformation, that the Church may consist of capable persons.