A26982:430
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.
§ 62. Accus. XLIX He next accuseth me for praising Richard Cromwell's Government.] Ans. I spake nothing but Truth. He was never in any War: The Royalists reported that he would restore the King. He was not for Sectaries, but for uniting pious Counsels: He presently gave up his Government, because it should cost no Mans Blood. And this was enough to aggravate their sin that had set him up when he sought it not, and then cast him out (to their own destruction.)
§ 63. Accus. L. He saith, That I never so much complained of Arbitrary Government and Persecution as since the King and Church were restored.
Ans. Notoriously false: My Political Aphorisms witness my complaints then, and let him tell if he can, where or when I complained of Arbitrary Government since King Charles the Second came in. I knew he did what was done against us by Parliaments. I knew the Bishops got Laws for their purpose. But if I complain more of Persecution, it is because I think it no sin to feel, nor a Duty to love the Silencing of Faithful Ministers, and laying them in Goals for nothing but preaching the Gospel, nor was I of the mind that undoing thousands of sincere godly Christians was no Persecution, I dare not rail at Christ's Judgment, Matth. 25. that reckoneth that as done for or against him that is done for or against the least of those whom he calleth Brethren while Pharisees call them Accursed. Till Cruel Persecution be Sanctity, it will be no sin to hate it.