A26982:573
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. Were I not a dying Man, the World might more powerfully have tempted me to be like you; and to call Evil Good, and Good Evil; and to regard as little the Interest of Souls, and of serious Godliness. And are my Betters better than he that bid us pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth more Labourers; and that said of such as offend one of his Little Ones, it had been better for them that a Millstone had been hanged about their Necks, and they cast into the Sea? Were they better than he that told James and John, that they knew not what manner of Spirit they were of, when they showed their natural Inclination to that Prelacy which is now your Glory? 1. By desiring to be greatest, and to sit at his Right Hand and Left. 2. By silencing a Man that used Christ's Name against Devils, because he followed not with them. 3. By desiring a fiery Punishment upon those that received not Christ and them.
Ans. Were I not a dying Man, the World might more powerfully have tempted me to be like you; and to call Evil Good, and Good Evil; and to regard as little the Interest of Souls, and of serious Godliness. And are my Betters better than he that bid us pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth more Labourers; and that said of such as offend one of his Little Ones, it had been better for them that a Millstone had been hanged about their Necks, and they cast into the Sea? Were they better than he that told James and John, that they knew not what manner of Spirit they were of, when they shewed their natural Inclination to that Prelacy which is now your Glory? 1. By desiring to be greatest, and to sit at his Right Hand and Left. 2. By silencing a Man that used Christ's Name against Devils, because he followed not with them. 3. By desiring a fiery Punishment upon those that received not Christ and them.
Are my Betters better than Peter and the Apostles, that were for obeying God before Men? Or than Paul, that charged Timothy so dreadfully, as before God and Christ, to preach the Word, and be instant, in Season, and out of Season? &c. Are my Betters so good at Alchemy, that they can transform the most heinous Crimes into sacred Virtues, and the greatest Duties into odious Sins?