A27045:188
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far heretics are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far hereticks are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
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.
To Mr. T. L. (who called me to this work.)
Sir,
Though I am a stranger to you, I thought meet to take notice of the Letters which you sent your friend here (T. H.) It seems you urge hard for a Reply, and intimate somewhat of triumph in my delay: you speak as an incompetent Judge. God is the Master of my time and work; and him I must serve: and not neglect his greater work, for such trivial objections as your friend hath sent me, which are answered over and over by many so long ago. Had you read Blondel, Molineus de novitate Papismi, Whitaker, Sibrandus, Lubbertus, Chamier, Abbots, Crakenthorp, Spalatensis, or one of many that have confuted them, you would sure call for no more: Or if in English you had read Dr. Field, Dr. White; yea, or but Sir Humphrey Lind (to pass by multitudes) you might have seen their vanity. Yea plainly read impartially my two books ⟨p. 69⟩against Popery, and be a Papist if you can. But it seems you take it for a poor answer to be referred to books. Do not fear it. But yet let me tell you, that my hand is not more legible then my printed books: and if I had sent you this in print, would that have made it a poor answer? Or rather, is not this a poor exception, and shows that it is not truth that is look after: for truth may be printed as well as written. If you be deceived by the men of the Papal way, let me yet entreat you, but to read over those two books (The safe Religion, and the Key for Catholics): If your soul be not worth so much labour, take your course: I did my duty.