A26965:12
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
and had long before read them and Saravia, Bishop Downam, Spalatensis, ⟨image 4⟩Petavius, Sancta Clara, Dr. Hammond, and abundance more for Prelacy, &c. He is not worthy the name of a man that would not know that truth, which maketh both for his temporal and eternal welfare
Under these accusations my conscience urged me to acquaint the accusing Clergy with our Case, believing it be uncharitable to impute all their false report to Malignity, or Diabolism, but that it was STRANGENESS to our Case, while wrath and cross interest kept them from hearing us: But my prudent friends persuaded me silently to leave all to God, assuring me it would but more exasperate, till they called us themselves to speak. Twice we were since invited to a Trial for Concord, and both times came to an Agreement with the moderate and eminent Persons that we treated with: But it was buried in privacy; and still we are called on, to give the reasons of our Dissent.
Under these accusations my conscience urged me to acquaint the accusing Clergy with our Case, believing it be uncharitable to impute all their false report to Malignity, or Diabolism, but that it was STRANGENESS to our Case, while wrath and cross interest kept them from hearing us: But my prudent friends perswaded me silently to leave all to God, assuring me it would but more exasperate, till they called us themselves to speak. Twice we were since invited to a Tryal for Concord, and both times came to an Agreement with the moderate and eminent Persons that we treated with: But it was buried in privacy; and still we are called on, to give the reasons of our Dissent.
Having long forborne for fear of offending them that require it, at last I have here adventured, not so far as to urge the Case, but only to state it, and tell you barely what it is that I dare not do: If I find that you can bear this, if I have leave from God and man, I shall venture on more, and give you my reasons: This unarmed Account is easily trampled on. I doubt not but it will meet