A26982:607
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.
To which I say, 1. That we have largely enough, in Folio, oft told the World what it is we account and call Godliness, even the making and keeping the Baptismal Covenant; Believing, willing and living according to the Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Law of Christ. We offered them a Liturgy; we owned all that was good in theirs: We know that Prayers from a Book, as from a Habit, are accepted, if they come from a penitent, believing and obedient Soul; and that the Prayers of ungodly Hypocrites are unacceptable to God, whether with a Book, or without.
2. And we love and honour Conformable Ministers and People that are Christians indeed, and show it by serious practice of Christianity: And we are very thankful to God, that England hath had so many such, that were conformable long ago; and we doubt not, hath many such yet, even under the new (and much worse) Conformity. We know not that Nation that hath more excellent Men than many of the Bishops were in Queen Elizabeth's Time, and than many Divines since have been; such as Robert Bolton, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibs, Mr. Scudder, Mr. Wheatley, Mr. Dyke, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Downham, Dr. Stoughton, Dr. Gouge, Mr. Gataker, Dr Willet, Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Field, Archbishop Usher, Bishop Downam, Bishop Beadle, &c. Oh, how many of such excellent Men hath this Land been blessed with! (And the pious Nonconformists ⟨image 53⟩were of the same Spirit, though not in all things of the same Opinions.
2. And we love and honour Conformable Ministers and People that are Christians indeed, and shew it by serious practice of Christianity: And we are very thankful to God, that England hath had so many such, that were conformable long ago; and we doubt not, hath many such yet, even under the new (and much worse) Conformity. We know not that Nation that hath more excellent Men than many of the Bishops were in Queen Elizabeth's Time, and than many Divines since have been; such as Robert Bolton, Dr. Presion, Dr. Sibs, Mr. Scudder, Mr. Wheatley, Mr. Dyke, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Downham, Dr. Stoughton, Dr. Gouge, Mr. Gataker, Dr Willet, Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Field, Archbishop Usher, Bishop Downam, Bishop Beadle, &c. Oh, how many of such excellent Men hath this Land been blessed with! (And the pious Nonconformists