A26982:474
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.
Ans. And is it a Crime to be against a scandalous, insufficient Ministry, and a Duty to be for them, that we may be the best Church in the World? Reader, the truth is this; There was a Petition by some, that those, of what side soever, for King or Parliament, whose Insufficiency and Scandal was so great, as to render them utterly uncapable of Ministry, might not be allowed it: And I petitioned withal, that no Man might be cast out, or restrained, for being for the King, against the Parliament, and their Cause. Is this so poisonous?
Ans. And is it a Crime to be against a scandalous, insufficient Ministry, and a Duty to be for them, that we may be the best Church in the World? Reader, the truth is this; There was a Petition by some, that those, of what side soever, for King or Parliament, whose Insufficiency and Scandal was so great, as to render them utterly uncapable of Ministry, might not be allowed it: And I petitioned withal, that no Man might be cast out, or restrained, for being for the King, against the Parliament, and their Cause. Is this so poysonous?
Doth not this Man more disgrace his Church than me, that taketh it for the poison of Asps to cast out only the uncapable, and keep in the rest?
Doth not this Man more disgrace his Church than me, that taketh it for the poyson of Asps to cast out only the uncapable, and keep in the rest?
§ 78. Accus. LXI. He accuseth me for telling the World truly how the English Prelates had encouraged the Enemies of serious Godliness in the Land, and at how much cheaper a rate a Man might be a Swearer, a Drunkard, a Whoremonger, an open Scorner of Godliness, than to fast and pray, or to hear a Conformist in the next Parish, when there was no Sermon at home.