Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters

Of Conformity.

For Conformity, ¹though to Ministers it be another thing, by reason of the new impositions, than it was to our Predecessors; yet to the People, Conformity is the same, if not easier, (especially to them that I now speak to:) for it is the Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Ministry, that most alienate them. And the Liturgy is a little amended, as to them, by the change of the Translation, and some little words, and by longer Prayers; and the Ceremonies are the same; and Thirty Years ago, there were many bare reading, not preaching Ministers, for one that is now. Therefore our case of Separation being the same as of old, I take it to be fully confuted, by the ancient Non-conformists: and I have so great a Veneration for the worthy Names, much more an Estimation of the Reasonings, of Mr. Cartwright, Egerton, Hildersham, Dod, Amesius, Parker, Baines, Brightman, Ball, Bradshaw, Paget, Langley, Nicols, Herring, &c. that I shall not think, they knew not why they chose this Subject, and wrote more against Separation, than the Conformists did. I am very glad that the pious Lectures of Mr. Hildersham, Mr. R. Rogers, and such old Non-conformists, are in so good esteem among good People, where they will read them, urging the People, not only against Separation, but to come to the very beginning of the Public Worship, and preferring it before their Private Duties.

For Conformity, ¹though to Ministers it be another thing, by reason of the new impositions, than it was to our Predecessors; yet to the People, Conformity is the same, if not easier, (especially to them that I now speak to:) for it is the Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Ministry, that most alienate them. And the Liturgy is a little amended, as to them, by the change of the Translation, and some little words, and by longer Prayers; and the Ceremonies are the same; and Thirty Years ago, there were many bare reading, not preaching Ministers, for one that is now. Therefore our case of Separation being the same as of old, I take it to be fully confuted, by the ancient Non-conformists: and I have so great a Veneration for the worthy Names, much more an Estimation of the Reasonings, of Mr. Cartwright, Egerton, Hildersham, Dod, Amesius, Parker, Baines, Brightman, Ball, Bradshaw, Paget, Langley, Nicols, Herring, &c. that I shall not think, they knew not why they chose this Subject, and wrote more against Separation, than the Conformists did. I am very glad that the pious Lectures of Mr. Hildersham, Mr. R. Rogers, and such old Non-conformists, are in so good esteem among good People, where they will read them, urging the People, not only against Separation, but to come to the very beginning of the Publick Worship, and preferring it before their Private Duties.