A26982:192
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.
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: ⟨p. 25⟩Yet to have forborn some sharp publick 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.
XXXIII. When they commanded days of Prayer and Thanksgiving for their Wars in Scotland, &c. And when they imposed the ENGAGEMENT to be true to the Commonwealth as it was established without a King, and House of Lords, I repent not that I refused it, and wrote and preached against it: But I doubt whether I did well in overdoing herein: And had not waited more silently on God's Providence, till he had cleared my way.