A27016:677
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.
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.
16. And I am sure also that you speak falsly▪, 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.
17. And would you have us believe you, when you contradict your selves? Out of your own mouths will we silence or condemn you. It is Christ that teacheth us to be Holy. And do you not pretend your selves to believe in Christ? That which you dislike as a troublesome or needless thing, is nothing but serious Christianity it self. And do you not say your selves that you are Christians? Do not you profess the Articles of the Christian Belief? And what do we but practice that which you profess? We do but obey that God whom you say you believe in, as the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and all things. We do but love the Lord our Saviour, whom you say you believe in as your Saviour. We do but obey the Holy-Ghost that sanctifieth all that God will save, whom you also profess to believe in your selves. We practise that Communion of Saints which you deride, and yet profess that you believe. We seek after the remission of sin, and that life everlasting, which you take on you to believe your selves. And will you profess to Believe these things, and yet say they are naught, or that it was never a good world since they were regarded and practised? And do you not profess to take the ten Commandments for the Law of God, which all men should obey? And what do we but endeavour to obey them? All that which you hate as too much preciseness, is nothing but the obeying of these ten Commandments. And O that we could do it better! And do you not use in the saying of the Lords Prayer, to