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

§ 9. But I that here obey your Call to Repentance, am past doubt that by the true and just defence which you have forced or called me to, I shall seem to the Guilty, and to men of your tenderness and partiality, to add yet much more to my offence. For you have referred me to an Accuser of such a temper, stile and guilt, as can bear no true Answer adapted to the matter, but what will seem uncivil and too sharp. It was ill Counsel that was given to one that asked, How he should have the better of any Adversary that blamed him; viz. Speak and do things that are most odious, as Perjury, Lying, Persecution, &c. and cover them with sacred Pretences, and then all that accuse thee will be taken for uncharitable Railers.] If we will defend our selves against Slanderers and impudent Liars, and Church-confounders, and oppressing Persecutors, we must find some other than the common names, for such mens sins, yea names that are not disgraceful, and provoke them not to Repentance, especially if they are listed in an Army of Crusado's, where those by the Honour and Power of their Company, take themselves as fortified, that would be afraid were they assaulted in their singular state. Every Delinquent thinks all his Crimes are secured and garrisoned by the Honour of the Army or Body that he is Listed in. They can bear it ⟨image 6⟩if we call a common Lay Drunkard, or Whoremonger by his Name; yea if one call a Godly Man an Hypocrite, or a Peace-maker a Schismatic. But he is a Railer that calleth a Clergy Liar, or Persecutor, or Schismatic, or a Betrayer of Souls by his proper Name. They know not how to Preach, without calling other Men to Repentance, but to motion themselves to Repent of Sins that destroy Souls, confound Churches, and endanger the Land, is to enrage them by dishonouring them, and deserveth the bitterest Reproaches, and Revenge.

§ 9. But I that here obey your Call to Repentance, am past doubt that by the true and just defence which you have forced or called me to, I shall seem to the Guilty, and to men of your tenderness and partiality, to add yet much more to my offence. For you have referred me to an Accuser of such a temper, stile and guilt, as can bear no true Answer adapted to the matter, but what will seem uncivil and too sharp. It was ill Counsel that was given to one that askt, How he should have the better of any Adversary that blamed him; viz. Speak and do things that are most odious, as Perjury, Lying, Persecution, &c. and cover them with sacred Pretences, and then all that accuse thee will be taken for uncharitable Railers.] If we will defend our selves against Slanderers and impudent Lyars, and Churchconfounders, and oppressing Persecutors, we must find some other than the common names, for such mens sins, yea names that are not disgraceful, and provoke them not to Repentance, especially if they are listed in an Army of Crusado's, where those by the Honour and Power of their Company, take themselves as fortified, that would be afraid were they assaulted in their singular state. Every Delinquent thinks all his Crimes are secured and garrisoned by the Honour of the Army or Body that he is Listed in. They can bear it