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

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.)

X. I too rashly in this Ignorance took the Judgment of the Countrey Ministers that had been my Helpers, and told me of the Lawfulness of Conformity, and believed the Books for Conformity which they perswaded 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.)

XI. Though I know not that ever I broke the Oath of Canonical Obedience▪ or ever disobeyed my Ordinary, yet I changed my Judgment, of the Canons, of which I cannot repent: While I lived a year as a Schoolmaster my Ordinary commanded me nothing which I disobeyed: When I removed to a Privileged place (Bridgnorth) I was only a Lecturer, and my Ordinary commanded me nothing which I did not: I did read most of the Liturgy, and kneel at the Sacrament: And my Ordinary himself Baptized without Crossing, and never commanded me to use it, or the Surplice. When I came to Kidderminster Bishop Thornbury died, and Bishop Prideaux never gave me any Command or Prohibition, I being a mere Lecturer that never had Presentation, and the Vicar using the Liturgy and Ceremonies. But yet I repent at I did think worse of that sort of Diocesan Government, which puts not down the Parochial Pastors and Churches than I now do, and these Forty years have done: For I think that a General Episcopacy over many Churches and Bishops, is Jure Divino an Order succeeding Apostles and Evangelists in that part of their Office which as Ordinary must continue.