Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…

IX. Weakness keeping me in expectation of Death, and God then having given me a greater sense of Mans Everlasting state, and of the differences between Faith and Hypocrisy, Holiness and a worldly state, I thirsted to win others to the same sense and state; and to that End offered my self to Ordination when I was too low for so high a Work, both in Learning, and in a methodical knowledge of Theology. And though I was naturally inclined to Logical and Metaphysical Accurateness and method, I was too ignorant in Languages and Mathematics, and divers parts of Knowledge; had I not been a continual Learner (by Books) while I was a Teacher, I had been a dishonour to the Sacred Office and Work, and do repent that I made such haste.

IX. Weakness keeping me in expectation of Death, and God then having given me a greater sence of Mans Everlasting state, and of the differences between Faith and Hypocrisie, Holiness and a worldly state, I thirsted to win others to the same sense and state; and to that End offered my self to Ordination when I was too low for so high a Work, both in Learning, and in a methodical knowledge of Theology. And though I was naturally inclined to Logical and Metaphysical Accurateness and method, I was too ignorant in Languages and Mathematicks, and divers parts of Knowledge; had I not been a continual Learner (by Books) while I was a Teacher, I had been a dishonour to the Sacred Office and Work, and do repent that I made such haste.

X. I too rashly in this Ignorance took the Judgment of the Country Ministers that had been my Helpers, and told me of the Lawfulness of Conformity, and believed the Books for Conformity which they persuaded me to read, for the English frame of Government and Subscriptions, before I had read impartially what was against it, or heard any speak on the other side, or had well studied the case: And so I subscribed sinfully because temerariously: And though I was so rash that I cannot say, that I am sure that I took the Oath of Canonical Obedience ⟨p. 10⟩(it is so long since) yet I think I did, because else I had not been Ordained. Of this I repent, and beg forgiveness for the Merits of Christ. (Though I had never been like to have been a Minister without it, but had turned to some other Calling.)