The Successive Visibility of the Church, Postscript
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 undiscernable. 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 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 Catholikes) the Parliament-house it self, and all the land did ring of my accusations; and the menaces were so high, that my intended ruine 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 would'st 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 Questions. And for larger Volumes, Vsher, Chillingworth, Field, Whittakers, especially de Pontif. Roman ▪ may be numbered with the most solid, judicious and useful: And Dr. Mouline of the Novelty of Popery now in the press, with River, and Chamier, to add no more.
And if ever thou fall in company with Seekers, or Familists, that are questioning all things, and endeavouring to disparage the holy Scriptures, and the Ministry, and Church, and Ordinances, though but in a questioning way, look then to thy Religion, and suspect a Papist: Secondly, because experience hath taught me to expect that my renewed assault of Popery should raise some storm, and renew my dangers, (though I know not which way it will come, and expect it should be upon pretence of something that is no kin to the real cause,) let him that hath been so exceedingly beholden to the servants of Christ for prayers, have thy prayers in particular for this, that he may be satisfied in Gods approbation, and count it a small matter to be censured by man, or to suffer those soft and harmless stroaks, that the impotent arm of flesh can inflict; and may live and dye in the Army of believers, described Heb. 11, and 12. and be so far preserved from the contrivances of malice, as is needful to his appointed work: in which it is the top of his ambition: to be found
A faithful though unworthy servant of Christ for his Church, Rich. Baxter. S…p. 3. 1660.