Letters that passed between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Tombs concerning the disputeLetters that passed between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Tombes concerning the dispute

SIR,

Though your people my neighbours have much room in my affections, and I heartily desire their unity and steadfastness: yet do not think that I have a mind to take upon me to be their Teacher, and to play the Bishop in your Diocese, much less to be so rude as to challenge you to a Dispute. But some of your people having been several times soliciting me to do something towards the determining of this controversy, I still told them that I thought a dispute the fittest way; but they told me that you refused it. The messenger that came on Saturday, came on the like errand, and before I understood that he came with your consent and privity, I told him I would do nothing without a ⟨p. 406⟩call from more of your people, and without your consent. The offer I made to him I now make again to you: that if to you or your people a debate seem necessary and desirable, (for I or my people do not desire it much, but affect quietness) I shall (if God enable me) spend a day or two in public conference with you (as far as my strength will bear.) 2 Or if you so absolutely refuse that, that there is no hopes of it, I offer, that if you will preach two Sermons against it, and I two for it, and so let fall the debate, and leave it to the peoples judgment, I shall agree to it. 3 If you absolutely refuse both these (which seem to me the only means) if you can contrive how to make a short dispatch, and give me sufficient assurance of it upon equal terms before we begin, I shall consent to write. But to write without such assurance I cannot for these reasons. 1 I have ground enough to be confident that it will never be ended while you and I both live, except either be convinced, which I discern to be unlikely; Though for my own part, I resolve to yield to the most disgraced truth, and to search as impartially as I can; yet I am somewhat confident that you are in an error, and you are more confident that you are not, and so we are likely to remain. 2 If I should waste so much time on so small a thing (comparatively) it would wound my conscience. 3 Especially being ignorant in so many far greater, which I am bound to study in the first place. 4 I am engaged in more work already then I am able to go through; having one Treatise in the Press, whereof part is unfinished, and another or two at least under hand: