A27045:56
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.
Postscript.
Reader,
Though the Papists have seemed to be the most discountenanced party under the late Usurpers, and to have no interest or power, yet I have still found, that those sped worst from men, that were most against them; and that I never wrote any book against them, but it brought a sharper storm upon me, then any thing that I wrote against any other Sect that was more visibly in power. And yet it was not openly professed to be for my opposition to Popery, but on some other account: and though the fountain by the taste of the waters, might be known yet it self and secret conducts were all underground and undiscernible. The Jesuits that are the spring of these and greater things then these, are latent, and their motion is not seen, while we see the motions which are caused by their secret force. So that by this means its only those few inquisitive discerning persons, that can see a cause in its effect, that find them out: and those few are unable to make full proof, even of the things they know; and thereby ⟨p. 26⟩are prohibited from appearing openly in the cause, lest coming short in legal proof, they leave the guilty triumphing over the innocent as calumniators. For the last book that I wrote against them (My Key for Catholics) the Parliament-house it self, and all the land did ring of my accusations; and the menaces were so high, that my intended ruin was the common talk. And I know their indignation is not abated. My crime is, that their zeal to proselyte me, hath acquainted me with some of their secrets, and let me know what the Jesuits are doing, and how great a party that are masked under the name of Seekers, Familists, &c. they have in the land. I have therefore Reader, this double request to thee: First, arm thy self diligently against Popery, if thou wouldst preserve thy Religion and thy soul. Whatever Sects assault thee openly, suspect and avoid the disease that is endeavouring with greatest advantages to be Epidemical. To this end, be well studied in the writings that have opened their vanity and shame: I hope, what I have written on that subject, will not be useless to them that are not at leisure to read the larger volumes. Read Dr. Challoners Credo sanctam Ecclesia Catholicam. Peter Moulins Answer to Cottons