A26982:539
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. 1. And must we go on such suppositions that our Law-makers must not be said to make sinful Laws? Where and in what Ages doth this Principle hold? Not in Jeroboam's days, nor in Ahab's, nor in any Age after Christ, till Constantine, and Athanasius had exceptions then. Not in the days of Constantius or of Valens, no nor of Theodosius the Second, Zeno, Basiliscus, Anastasius, Philippicus, or of few Christian Emperors. Nor now in Rome, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal, Germany, &c. The Lutherans under Calvinists believe it not, nor the Calvinists under Lutherans; nor the Prelatists under Presbyterians: Nor those English Bishops and Clergy that now here refuse the Oath to King William imposed by the Parliament.
If this Man think that we have not fully shamed that worse than brutish conceit that we must not plead Conscience against Mens Laws (though as good men as any Rulers we know) he should have said more to confute us, than that [we fear not God] because we fear him more than man.
This easy Disputant confuteth my many Volumes of Reasons against obeying their Impositions of Oaths, Subscriptions, Professions and Practices, by telling men that [I may be ashamed to call them Reasons.] A short and cheap Confutation: Cannot the French say as much for Dragooning the Protestants: And that [the Laws were made upon deliberation, and for our peace.] That is, for the peaceable success of Silencers, and Persecutors of Gods Faithful Servants: And were not the Six Articles in Henry the Eighth's days made on deliberation? And the French Edicts against the Protestants?
This easie Disputant confuteth my many Volumes of Reasons against obeying their Impositions of Oaths, Subscriptions, Professions and Practices, by telling men that [I may be ashamed to call them Reasons.] A short and cheap Confutation: Cannot the French say as much for Dragooning the Protestants: And that [the Laws were made upon deliberation, and for our peace.] That is, for the peaceable success of Silencers, and Persecutors of Gods Faithful Servants: And were not the Six Articles in Henry the Eighth's days made on deliberation? And the French Edicts against the Protestants?