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

23. When Ministers had some time forborne public Sacraments in the Parish Churches, I got many of the most Eminent in London together, and in writing gave them so many reasons for such Communion as they approved. But the Oxford Parliament having by an Act Banished us five Miles from all Corporations, forced them from the London Churches when in Conscience they durst not leave London Service; when 100000 had died of the Plague, and the Ministers fled and left the dying without their help, many Nonconformists ventured their lives among them, begged Money for them, and relieved them, and found the dying Persons so much inclined to hear, repent and pray, that this brake the Bonds of the Acts of Uniformity and Banishment, so that they resolved rather to die than to cease preaching while they were out ⟨p. 37⟩of Prison and could speak. And the City being burnt the next year, confirmed their resolution, the Conformists ceasing to preach long for want of Churches. But all this time, had a Nonconformist Minister been seen in a Parish Church, he must for Six Months have lain in Goal with Rogues: So that the sum of their imposed Obedience was, [Either inhumanely desert the deserted City after Plagues and Flames left desolate; or go to the Parish Ministers when they return and Communicate with them, and go Six Months to Goal; or else be Excommunicate and lye in Goal for not Communicating with them.] Of these three they had their choice.

23. When Ministers had some time forborn publick Sacraments in the Parish Churches, I got many of the most Eminent in London together, and in writing gave them so many reasons for such Communion as they approved. But the Oxford Parliament having by an Act Banished us five Miles from all Corporations, forc'd them from the London Churches when in Conscience they durst not leave London Service; when 100000 had died of the Plague, and the Ministers fled and left the dying without their help, many Nonconformists ventured their lives among them, beg'd Money for them, and relieved them, and found the dying Persons so much inclined to hear, repent and pray, that this brake the Bonds of the Acts of Uniformity and Banishment, so that they resolved rather to die than to cease preaching while they were out ⟨p. 37⟩of Prison and could speak. And the City being burnt the next year, confirmed their resolution, the Conformists ceasing to preach long for want of Churches. But all this time, had a Nonconformist Minister been seen in a Parish Church, he must for Six Months have lain in Goal with Rogues: So that the sum of their imposed Obedience was, [Either inhumanely desert the deserted City after Plagues and Flames left desolate; or go to the Parish Ministers when they return and Communicate with them, and go Six Months to Goal; or else be Excommunicate and lye in Goal for not Communicating with them.] Of these three they had their choice.