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

Liberavi animam meam. Deus Omnipotens dirigat Te in omnibus viis tuis.

Many years past I met with an Expression in a Preface to another Mans Writing, with your Name to it, which much troubled me that it should fall from that Pen which had writ such Excellent Helps to follow Christ Jesus his Rules and Example. It was this; You was speaking of Hell, and the Government and Order among Devils, and clapped in that common Pulpit-prayer Expression concerning the Ministry of the Church of England, viz. By what Names or Titles soever Dignified or Distinguished, which I thought one of the bitterest unchristian Reflections I ever read; and I was heartily troubled to read it, because I thought it impossible for Hell to have crowded it in where there was so much of Heaven.

Many years past I met with an Expression in a Preface to another Mans Writing, with your Name to it, which much troubled me that it should fall from that Pen which had writ such Excellent Helps to follow Christ Jesus his Rules and Example. It was this; You was speaking of Hell, and the Government and Order among Devils, and clapt in that common Pulpit-prayer Expression concerning the Ministry of the Church of England, viz. By what Names or Titles soever Dignified or Distinguished, which I thought one of the bitterest unchristian Reflections I ever read; and I was heartily troubled to read it, because I thought it impossible for Hell to have crouded it in where there was so much of Heaven.

Sir, You have the best Prayers I can put up to God for you, and humbly beg your Prayers that I may follow Paul's advice to Timothy, in taking heed to my Self and Doctrine, and continue therein, that (thorough Gods Mercy and Christs Merits) my own Soul may be saved and theirs that hear me.