A27045:739
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.
Sir, That you can have such charitable thoughts of one that is not of the Roman subjection, and of my function, being not received from the Pope, is so extraordinary, yea and contrary to the judgement of your writers, that I must needs entertain it with the more gratitude, and some admiration. And that you are so impartially willing to entertain the truth, (as you profess) though it be no more then the truth deserves of you, and your own welfare doth require; yet is the more amiable in you, by how much the more rare in those of your Profession, so far as my acquaintance can inform me: for most of them that I have met with, understand not well their own Religion, nor think themselves much concerned to understand it, but refer me to others for a Reason of their hope. For my part, I do the more gladly entertain the occasion ⟨p. 368⟩of this intercourse with you (though unknown,) that I may learn what I know not, and may be true to my own conscience in the use of all means that may conduce to my better information. And therefore I shall plainly answer your Questions according to the measure of my understanding; most solemnly professing to you, that I will say nothing which comes not from my heart in plain simplicity, and that I will with exceeding gladness and a thousand thanks come over to your way, if I can find by any thing that you shall make known to me, that it is the mind of God that I should so do. And therefore I am desirous, that if what I write to you shall seem unsound, you would not only afford me your own advice for the correction of it, but also the advice of the most learned of your mind, to whom you shall your self think meet to communicate it. But on these conditions. 1. That it be a person of a tender conscience, that dare speak nothing but what he verily believes. 2. That he will argue closely, and not fly abroad or dilate Rhetorically. And for any divulging of it to your danger or hurt, you need not fear it: For these two grounds of my following answers; I shall here promise, 1. That I am so far from persecuting ⟨p. 369⟩bloody desires against those of your way, that their own bloody principles and practices where they have power (in Italy, Spain, &c.) hath done much to confirm me, that the cause is not of God that must be so upheld and carried on. 2.
Sir, THat you can have such charitable thoughts of one that is not of the Roman subjection, and of my function, being not received from the Pope, is so extraordinary, yea and contrary to the judgement of your writers, that I must needs entertain it with the more gratitude, and some admiration. And that you are so impartially willing to entertain the truth, (as you profess) though it be no more then the truth deserves of you, and your own wellfare doth require; yet is the more aimiable in you, by how much the more rare in those of your Profession, so far as my acquaintance can inform me: for most of them that I have met with, understand not well their own Religion, nor think themselves much concerned to understand it, but refer me to others for a Reason of their hope. For my part, I do the more gladly entertain the occasion