Worthy Sir,
I Having some intimation that you are about to make some return to the Author of a late Treatise of Baptism, do apprehend that if you think fit to Print this following Paper at the end of your Book, you may do the good office of removing a stumbling-block, at which some are too apt to dash their foot, and thereby also further caution men against being misled by giving too much credit to the quotation of Authors, as managed by that Treatisor.
In reading a Treatise of Baptism of the first Edition, Penned by H. D. I observed that in the two last pages of his Postscript, he mentions two discourses that were published about one and twenty years ago▪ the one by my self and the other by another; and saith that both of us are gone back to that which therein we call will-worship and Idolatry.
Indeed I am sorry that that author should put me upon any necessity of reflecting so much upon him in vindicating my self, as to tell the world ⟨p. 336⟩that upon this occasion I having twice reviewed that Book of mine, did not find so much as the mention of either of those two words will-worship or idolatry, upon any occasion whatsoever. Nor am I conscious to my self of ever being so absurd as once to think that to be idolatry, which he most untruly saith I call so in that Book. That cause doubtless whatsoever it is, is little beholding to such an Advocate as thinks to reconcile men to it by abusing dissenters.
As for the alteration I have made, I gave the world an account of the reasons and grounds of it, in my Retractation of Separation, published in the year 1659. which was before the turn of times, and in my persuasive to Peace and Unity, since published. And if this Author could have solidly discovered the insufficiency of those reasons and grounds to justify such an alteration and my present practice, he would have done his cause better service in my opinion, than he hath done in his Treatise by labouring to support it by a misrepresentation of persons and their opinions. As for me, I can truly say I have had great satisfaction and peace in my own mind, touching the alteration I have made upon those grounds, not only at other times, but even then also when I have been near unto death in my own apprehension. As for the other person he mentions with me, I suppose he may ere long give the world an account of that alteration he also is charged with as great fault.
Will.
Worthy Sir,
I Having some intimation that you are about to make some return to the Author of a late Treatise of Baptism, do apprehend that if you think fit to Print this following Paper at the end of your Book, you may do the good office of removing a stumbling-block, at which some are too apt to dash their foot, and thereby also further caution men against being misled by giving too much credit to the quotation of Authors, as managed by that Treatisor.
In reading a Treatise of Baptism of the first Edition, Penned by H. D. I observed that in the two last pages of his Postscript, he mentions two discourses that were publi•hed about one and twenty years ago▪ the one by my self and the other by another; and saith that both of us are gone back to that which therein we call will-worship and Idolatry.
Indeed I am sorry that that author should put me upon any necessity of reflecting so much upon him in vindicating my self, as to tell the world ⟨p. 336⟩that upon this occasion I having twice reviewed that Book of mine, did not find so much as the mention of either of those two words will-worship or idolatry, upon any occasion whatsoever. Nor am I conscious to my self of ever being so absurd as once to think that to be idolatry, which he most untruly saith I call so in that Book. That cause doubtless whatsoever it is, is little beholding to such an Advocate as thinks to reconcile men to it by abusing dissenters.
As for the alteration I have made, I gave the world an account of the reasons and grounds of it, in my Retractation of Separation, published in the year 1659. which was before the turn of times, and in my perswasive to Peace and Ʋnity, since published. And if this Author could have solidly discovered the insufficiency of those reasons and grounds to justifie such an alteration and my present practice, he would have done his cause better service in my opinion, than he hath done in his Treatise by labouring to support it by a misrepresentation of persons and their opinions. As for me, I can truly say I have had great satisfaction and peace in my own mind, touching the alteration I have made upon those grounds, not only at other times, but even then also when I have been near unto death in my own apprehension. As for the other person he mentions with me, I suppose he may e're long give the world an account of that alteration he also is charged with as great fault.
Will.
