A26982:595
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.
§ 120. I have not thought his mere general Clamours worthy of a particular Answer, lest I tire the Reader, as I have tired my self with so unsavoury an Employment. But I will here tell the Reader, how I that these eight Years have never thought this Accuser worthy of an Answer, have been brought to change my Judgment and to be at this unpleasing Labour, when other Thoughts are more suitable to my Condition.
I. A Letter from some ancient Conformist, that calls himself Cantianus De Minimis, (of my Age, Seventy five,) so earnestly calleth me to Repentance and Retractation before I dye, referring me to this Book for the notice of my Sins, that I thought not meet to resist his Importunity.
II. I read so much of the horrid Reports of many Papists, of the Crimes and Deaths of Luther, Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Calvin, Bucer, Phagius, Beza, and many such, and how confidently they are commonly believed in the Roman Church, and how greatly it hardeneth many against the Reformation, that I was loth to contribute to their Deceit.
And I find that the same Sect accuseth the Generality of Dissenters, that do but affirm that there is AND THING in their Books of Liturgy or Articles, or in their Ceremonies or Ordination, or in their Government by Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, AND THE REST that bear Office therein, unlawful or repugnant to the Word of God,) who are my Accusers, and cry, as Morley, Ex uno disce omnes; and when they have rendered me as one of the worst on Earth, they make the rest as bad; when I take them to be (for the most) the best Ministry that I ever knew. And no wonder that their Writers and Preachers thus report them, when their Canons ipso facto excommunicate them (unheard,) not excepting Lords, Knights, Ministers, or any. And Lying is now grown so common a Sin in England, (confessed by all,) that few know what Reports to believe, or to reject: So that to betray my own Cause to these Accusers and Canoneers, is to betray the Innocency of many Thousands.