A27016:676
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…
A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by R.W. for Francis Tyton, 1662
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
15. And moreover, when you say that the world was better when there was less Godliness and Teaching, you contradict all history, and therefore are not to be believed. You know not well what is before you: much less do you know what hath been in your fore-fathers days. Be it known to you, we have as full advantage to know that, as you have. Many and many a large Volume have I read, concerning the state of the world before us, which tell us of far greater wickedness in our fore-fathers days, then are in these. If you will not believe me, I will show it to any of you, that can read and understand, at any time when you ⟨p. 193⟩will come to me: I will show you the words of the Chroniclers, and Historians of those ages, that make more lamentable complaints of the vices of those times, and tell us of far more evil then, and of a far greater scarcity of good, then can be truly spoken concerning us. And are you that never saw those days, to be believed before them that saw them?
15. And moreover, when you say that the world was better when there was less Godliness and Teaching, you contradict all history, and therefore are not to be believed. You know not well what is before you: much less do you know what hath been in your fore-fathers dayes. Be it known to you, we have as full advantage to know that, as you have. Many and many a large Volume have I read, concerning the state of the world before us, which tell us of far greater wickedness in our fore-fathers daies, then are in these. If you will not believe me, I will shew it to any of you, that can read and understand, at any time when you ⟨p. 193⟩will come to me: I will shew you the words of the Chroniclers, and Historians of those ages, that make more lamentable complaints of the vices of those times, and tell us of far more evil then, and of a far greater scarcity of good, then can be truly spoken concerning us. And are you that never saw those daies, to be believed before them that saw them?
16. And I am sure also that you speak falsely, because you make the most barbarous Heathens to be most happy, and the worst of men to be the best. If it be best where there is least Religion, and least Teaching, or meddling with holy things; then are the naked Indians the best, and the Cannibals that live on the flesh of men. These be they that are least troubled with Preaching and Religion. And if you think that these miserable souls are best and happyest, I pray you go to them, and be happy with them. And by my consent the Magistrate shall promote your happiness, and send you thither.