A27035:986
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.
§. 3. But because Mr. Jos. Glanvile was one of themselves here (though an Origenist) a most triumphant Conformist, and not the gentlest contemner of Nonconformists, and famous for his great wit, I will repay the Dr. with the annexing one (among many since) of his Letters to my self; which yet indeed I do not chiefly to balance the Drs. but to help the Reader to understand Mr. Glanvile and his posthumous Book, which I think not meet to pass by without some Animadversions.
§. 3. But because Mr. Jos. Glanvile was one of themselves here (though an Origenist) a most triumphant Conformist, and not the gentlest contemner of Nonconformists, and famous for his great wit, I will repay the Dr. with the annexing one (among many since) of his Letters to my self; which yet indeed I do not chiefly to ballance the Drs. but to help the Reader to understand Mr. Glanvile and his posthumous Book, which I think not meet to pass by without some Animadversions.
Though I have great reason to hope that dying so soon after it and his preferment, the experience of the Vanity of a flattering World might help to save him from impenitence: As I have read in divers credible writers, it was with Dr. Matthew Sutliffe; that on his Deathbed ⟨p. 175⟩he repented that he had written so much against the Reformers called Puritans.
I perceive Dr. Stillingfleet marvelleth, that my own expectations of approaching Death do not hinder me from writing what I do for the Nonconformists; whereas the truth is, had not pain and weakness kept me from my youth as in the continual prospect of the Grave and the next life, I had never been like to have been so much against Conformity, and the present Discipline of this Church (that is, their want of Discipline) as I have been; For the World might have more flattered me and biassed my Judgment, and my Conscience might have been bolder and less fearful of sin; And, though I love not to displease them, I must say this great truth, that I had never been like to have lived in so convincing sensible experience of the great difference of the main body of the Conformists from the most of the Nonconformists, as to the seriousness of their Christian Faith, and hope and practice, their victory over the flesh and world, &c. I mean both in the Clergy and Laity of mine acquaintance! O how great a difference have I found, from my youth to this day? Though I doubt not but very many of the Passive Conformable Ministers (to say nothing of the Imposers) have been and are worthy pious men; and such as would not persuade their hearers, that the Jesuits first brought in spiritual prayer: And I had the great blessing of my Education near some such, in three or four neighbour Parishes.