Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

and your desires of my reducing I know do proceed from your zeal and sincere affections. That which I take worst is, that you should so desire me not to take it ill to be called an erring shepherd: As if I did not know my Proneness to err, and were not conscious of the weakness of my understanding: or as if the expressions of so sincere love did need excuse; or as if I were so tender and brittle as not to endure so gentle a touch: as if my confidence of your love were Plumea, non Plumbea, and would be blown away with such a friendly breath! Certainly Sir, your sharper smiting would be precious Balm, so it light not on the Truth, but me! I am not so unctuous, nitrous, or sulphureous, as to be kindled with such a grateful warmth. My Intellect were too much active, and my affections too passive, if by the reception of the beams of such favourable expressions, my soul as by a Burning-Glass should be set on fire. I am oft ashamed and amazed to think of the horrid intolerable Pride of many learned Pious Divines, who though they have no worse Titles then Viri docti, reverendi, celeberrimi: yet think themselves abused and unsufferably vilified, if any word do but acrius pungere, or any Argument do faucibus premere (witness Rivet and Spanhemius late angry censure of Amyraldus) Can ⟨p. 250⟩we be fit Preachers and Patterns of meekness and humility to our people, who are so notoriously proud, that we can scarce be spoke to? My knowledge of your eminent humility and gentleness hath made me also the freer in my speeches here to you: which therefore do need more excuse then yours: And I accordingly entreat you, if any thing have passed that is unmannerly, according to the natural eagerness and vehemency of my temper, that you will be pleased to excuse what may be excused, and the rest to remit and cover with love, assuring your self it proceeds not from any diminution of his high esteem of you, and love to you, who acknowledgeth himself unfeignedly so very much below you, as to be unworthy to be called Your fellow-servant RICHARD BAXTER. June 28. 1650. Kidderminster. ⟨p. 251⟩Postscript. Dear Sir, while I was waiting for a messenger to send this by, Master Brooksby acquaints me, that you wished him to tell me, that I must expect no more in writing from you.

and your desires of my reducing I know do proceed from your zeal and sincere affections. That which I take worst is, that you should so desire me not to take it ill to be called an erring shepherd: As if I did not know my Proneness to err, and were not conscious of the weakness of my understanding: or as if the expressions of so sincere love did need excuse; or as if I were so tender and brittle as not to endure so gentle a touch: as if my confidence of your love were Plumea, non Plumbea, and would be blown away with such a friendly breath! Certainly Sir, your sharper smiting would be precious Balm, so it light not on the Truth, but me! I am not so unctuous, nitrous, or sulfureous, as to be kindled with such a gratefull warmth. My Intellect were too much active, and my affections too passive, if by the reception of the beams of such favourable expressions, my soul as by a Burning-Glass should be set on fire. I am oft ashamed and amazed to think of the horrid intolerable Pride of many learned Pious Divines, who though they have no worse Titles then Viri docti, reverendi, celeberrimi: yet think themselves abused and unsufferably vilified, if any word do but acrius pungere, or any Argument do faucibus premere (witness Rivet and Spanhemius late angry censure of Amyraldus) Can