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

XXXIV. I repented oft that I wrote the Book called Aphorisms of Justification and the Covenant: Not but that I think it sound Doctrine and useful: But it being my first, is defective in Method and in some words which should have been more clearly and cautiously expressed: And in my personal opposition to Dr. Owen's Errors, I should have considered what a temptation it would prove to the Passions of such a man (who yet grew more humble and orthodox before he died).

XXXIV. I repented oft that I wrote the Book called Aphorisms of Justification and the Covenant: Not but that I think it sound Doctrine and useful: But it being my first, is defective in Method and in some words which should have been more clearly and cautelously exprest: And in my personal opposition to Dr. Owen's Errours, I should have considered what a temptation it would prove to the Passions of such a man (who yet grew more humble and orthodox before he died).

XXXV. Though my Conscience telleth me that the very many Books which I after wrote, were for the propagating and defending of needful Truth, and that I never trusted to any thing but Truth and Evidence for Victory, yet I fear lest in many of them there be the faultiness of some imprudent provoking words, and that I did not always sufficiently consider what mistaking men cannot bear, as well as what is congruous to the Matter and Cause. I still found it difficult to avoid too much Keenness, and yet not to wrong the Cause by dull pretence of Lenity.

XXXVI. Two things concurred to cause me to write my Political Aphorisms or Holy Common-wealth, of which I afterward repented.