A27045:748
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, The speed of your former applications to me by way of answer, incites me to the confirmation of those thoughts of your worth which were at my first addresses to you harboured in my breast; but the substance of your ⟨p. 382⟩discourse is a stronger motive. Although peradventure it may seem somewhat wonderful, that I should so soon be brought over to the serious apprehensions of the weight of what you have written to me; yet when you consult the divine providence, and the Almighty direction which prompted me to the choice of your self above others, upon grounds not altogether insufficiently established, which will be further made good when I shall have the happiness of a personal intercourse of communion with you, it will be certainly concluded upon by your self and whosoever it shall be communicated to, that the truth, which I have already seriously pondered, was the full aim of my intentions: which truth I shall impartially and joyfully entertain wheresoever I find it, without any thoughts at all of temporal or external discouragements, of which I have already contested with some, and expect (the Lord arm me against them) far greater. It is no small thing that I shall be looked upon as an Apostate, and so worthy of excommunication utterly; but I conclude according to St. Augustine (I guess) that it is no shame to turn to the better, and withal I add (although I could insert some small exceptions) I am to the main satisfied, but yet in some doubtful suspense, wherein I expect full satisfaction by your ⟨p. 383⟩book, which I received intimation from you is in the Press, and quickly to be published. If I might receive two or three lines from you in the interim, by way of establishment, it would be very gratefully accepted, in relation to the comfortable taking off those obstacles which I am certain to meet with in my change of judgement. I am very sorry that a person whom I know to be so tender of eternal souls in general, should be so continually taken off your important business daily by particulars. But being likewise sensible that you value a soul according to the worth of the same; I am encouraged to think, yea I verily believe, these rude things proceeding from a soul that is to rise or fall according to what is now determining between us, it will not be unacceptably received from, Sir, The admirer of your worth, Tho. Smith. March 24. 1656/7.