A97353:812
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
7. For want of clear parts and good expression, many Christians excellent in Grace, (that is, in faith, Love and obedience) do dishonour the holy things which they discourse of, and to captious proud Wits do make themselves oft ridiculous and contemptible.
8. He that hath spent ten or twenty or thirty years in studies, and among books and learned men, and is puffed up because he can speak more congruously than an honest ploughman, that never learnt more than to write and read, nor perhaps so much, or because he can talk more pertinently and composedly, than ordinary good women, that could never speak or write true English, may next be proud that he is not an infant. And he that on such accounts despiseth the honest vulgar Christians, that perhaps have much more faith, Love and obedience than himself, is more foolish than the East-Indians that made a laughing-stock of the most learned Jesuits, that had but begun to learn their language, because they spake it brokenly in their preaching to them.
8. He that hath spent ten or twenty or thirty years in studies, and among books and learned men, and is pufft up because he can speak more congruously than an honest plowman, that never learnt more than to write and read, nor perhaps so much, or because he can talk more pertinently and composedly, than ordinary good women, that could never speak or write true English, may next be proud that he is not an infant. And he that on such accounts despiseth the honest vulgar Christians, that perhaps have much more faith, Love and obedience than himself, is more foolish than the East-Indians that made a laughing-stock of the most learned Jesuits, that had but begun to learn their language, because they spake it brokenly in their preaching to them.
9. We encourage none in the least of their weaknesses; but do our best to increase their understanding and expressive faculty: But we labour first and much more about the greatest needfullest things; to make them holy, and save their souls.