A26982:191
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…
Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called The second part of the mischiefs of separation, written by an unnamed author with a preface to Mr. Cantianus D. Minimis, in answer to his letter which extorted this publication.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
XXXI. Though I am not able to see, that I did not my Duty (my most Self-denying and costly Duty) in taking the defence of the Nation, Religion, King and Parliament (to be reduced to Unity) to be my necessary Employment (while I owned not their Miscarriages) yet knowing the frailty of my understanding, I daily beg of God, that if I was mistaken he will make me know it (for which I have long Prayed); and that he will pardon my Sins, which I would fain know, and fain repent of, and publicly confess if I could know them; but dare not take the greatest Duty of my life to be my Sin.
XXXI. Though I am not able to see, that I did not my Duty (my most Self-denying and costly Duty) in taking the defence of the Nation, Religion, King and Parliament (to be reduced to Unity) to be my necessary Employment (while I owned not their Miscarriages) yet knowing the frailty of my understanding, I daily beg of God, that if I was mistaken he will make me know it (for which I have long Prayed); and that he will pardon my Sins, which I would fain know, and fain repent of, and publickly confess if I could know them; but dare not take the greatest Duty of my life to be my Sin.
XXXII. I am in great doubt how far I did well or ill in my opposition to Cromwell and his Army at last. I am satisfied that it was my duty to disown, and as I did, to oppose their Rebellion and other Sin: But there were many honest Pious men among them: And when God chooseth the Executioners of his Justice as he pleaseth, I am oft in doubt whether I should not have been more Passive and Silent than I was; Though not as Jeremiah to Nebuchadnezzar, to persuade men to submit: ⟨p. 25⟩Yet to have forborne some sharp public Preaching and Writing against them, too late, when they set themselves to promote Piety to ingratiate their Usurpation. To disturb Possessors needeth a clear Call, when for what end soever they do that good, which men of better title will destroy.
XXXII. I am in great doubt how far I did well or ill in my opposition to Cromwell and his Army at last. I am satisfied that it was my duty to disown, and as I did, to oppose their Rebellion and other Sin: But there were many honest Pious men among them: And when God chooseth the Executioners of his Justice as he pleaseth, I am oft in doubt whether I should not have been more Passive and Silent than I was; Though not as Jeremy to Nebuchadnezzar, to perswade men to submit: