A26982:445
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.
For instance, in the County of Worcester where I lived, where before there was one Family that minded Piety, or the Life to come, or Prayed, or Read the Scripture, there were many after that did it. In the Town where I lived, where there was before one or two Houses in a Street that worshipped God by Prayer in their Families, and avoided Profaneness, and minded the Concerns of their Souls, at last there was scarce more than two Houses on a Street-side, that did not learn the Catechism read the Scripture, pray and live soberly, and this in great love and peace, and humility towards others; commonly disowning the Cromwellians, and Sectarians Disloyalties, Rebellions and Schisms.
For instance, in the County of Worcester where I lived, where before there was one Family that minded Piety, or the Life to come, or Prayed, or Read the Scripture, there were many after that did it. In the Town where I lived, where there was before one or two Houses in a Street that worshipped God by Prayer in their Families, and avoided Profaneness, and minded the Concerns of their Souls, at last there was scarce more than two Houses on a Street-side, that did not learn the Catechism read the Scripture, pray and live soberly, and this in great love and peace, and humility towards others; commonly disowning the Cromwellians, and Sectarians Disloyalties, Rebellions and Schisins.
But indeed when the Sectaries got dominion, many Anabaptists and Self conceited Novices set up themselves for Preachers where they could get Hearers; but the sober godly people kept so much Concord and Integrity, that these others were but here and there, and that as a disgraced broken Sect, as the Quakers be among us now. But Harrison took the advantage of the ignorance and badness of the Parish Ministers in Wales, to set up Itinerant Anabaptists and Separatists in many places.
This is the truth of the Consequents about Religion: And it fell out that the Cromwellians and Anabaptists professing more Zeal for Godliness than ordinary, did much of their work by suppressing sin and profaneness,