A27035:178
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease public worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease publick worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1681
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.
§. 5. If he would first have told us what Separation is sinful; secondly▪ and then have proved us guilty of it, instead of the confused talk of Separation, and a begging the question by supposing that to be sinful, which he will neither describe, nor prove such, it had been of some usefulness to our conviction. But I confess I never liked those Physicians who give their Patients the Medicines that they are best stored with, or they can best spare, be the disease whatsoever; Nor the disputer that poureth out what he is best furnished to say, how useless soever to the reader or to the Cause. Disputing should not be like boys playing at Dust point, who cover their Points in a great heap of Dust, and then throw Stones or Cudgels at it, and he that first uncovereth them wins them. Dusty heaps of ambiguous words confusedly poured out, befriend not Truth that should be Naked, nor the reader.
§. 5. If he would first have told us what Separation is sinful; secondly▪ and then have proved us guilty of it, instead of the confused talk of Separation, and a begging the question by suposing that to be sinful, which he will neither discribe, nor prove such, it had been of some usefulness to our conviction. But I confess I never liked those Physitians who give their Patients the Medicines that they are best stored with, or they can best spare, be the disease whatsoever; Nor the disputer that poureth out what he is best furnished to say, how useless soever to the reader or to the Cause. Disputeing should not be like boys playing at Dust point, who cover their Points in a great heap of Dust, and then throw Stones or Cudgels at it, and he that first uncovereth them wins them. Dusty heaps of ambiguous words confusedly poured out, befriend not Truth that should be Naked, nor the reader.
§. 6. Some thought it was the Place called Conventicle houses, which made the Conformists call us Separatists; and they got oft into Parish Churches and Chapels. But these were made the worst of separatists, ⟨p. 25⟩and punished the more. And doubtless it is not meeting at any of the new Tabernacles, nor at the Spittle, nor at Stourbridge Fair, where Preaching hath long been used, nor in a Prison nor at the Gallows to Prisoners and People, which are faulty Separation.