A26965:366
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.
Some Matters of Fact preparatory to the true Application of what is before laid down.
WE must crave that justice of the Reader as to note, that hither to we have spoken but of the Doctrinal part about Schism, not applying it to England or any others: Nor shall we now any otherwise apply it, than to lay down some little part of the Matters of Fact, which ⟨p. 119⟩the Nonconformists are considering to help others to apply it without mistake, as they shall see cause.
We intend not, in this, the determination of the points in matter of right; nor do we here tell men (unless on the by in the stating of some few questions,) what it is that we account good or evil, much less do we here give the proofs or reasons of our Cause: That is the thing for which we greatly desire the allowance of our Superiors; But must not unnecessarily presume to do it, lest we displease them; though we hear that some of them take us as not sincere, for keeping up a difference, and giving no more reasons of it: The thing which we so greatly desire leave to do, but dare not be so bold yet as to venture by it to displease them, who condemn us for not doing it, lest their anger would be sharper to us if we do it: so great is our difficulty between this Scylla and Charybdis.
We intend not, in this, the determination of the points in matter of right; nor do we here tell men (unless on the by in the stating of some few questions,) what it is that we account good or evil, much less do we here give the proofs or reasons of our Cause: That is the thing for which we greatly desire the allowance of our Superiours; But must not unnecessarily presume to do it, lest we displease them; though we hear that some of them take us as not sincere, for keeping up a difference, and giving no more reasons of it: The thing which we so greatly desire leave to do, but dare not be so bold yet as to venture by it to displease them, who condemn us for not doing it, lest their anger would be sharper to us if we do it: so great is our difficulty between this Soylla and Charybdis.