A27035:204
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.
11. At last after about seventeen or eighteen years silence▪ by such importunity (and the Press being more open) I ventured first but to write my first Plea for Peace, which only nameth matter of Fact, and our bare Judgment, enumerating the things which we think sin, without our Arguments, lest it should provoke them more. And therein professed that (knowing mens different Educations, studies, interests, &c.) I did not by this accuse the Conformists, nor the Law makers, but only tell. 1. What I thought would be sin in us, 2. And how great a sin, if we conformed.
Reader, should I have stayed longer (the small Tract of Sacrilegious desertion of the Ministry, came out when we were licensed, but ventured not to name the matters of our Nonconformity) what could we do less? I staid till I think half the silenced Ministers were dead. Is the call of superiors, the Interest of our Ministry, and Consciences of so little regard as that I must not tell men that so loud and long had asked, whats the matter? Must we neither be silent nor speak?
Reader, should I have stayed longer (the smal Tract of Sacrilegious desertion of the Ministry, came out when we were licensed, but ventured not to name the matters of our Nonconformity) what could we do less? I staid till I think half the silenced Ministers were dead. Is the call of superiours, the Interest of our Ministry, and Consciences of so little regard as that I must not tell men that so loud and long had asked, whats the matter? Must we neither be silent nor speak?
And now see here. 1. If Dean Stillingfleet be a man to be believed in such accusations, [All this was done by me, without the least provocation on their side] wonderful difference! Is my naming what I think God forbids me, so great a provocation to them, and is all this for seventeen years before named [not the least provocation to us on their part? What shall one think could bring such a man to such a word?