Second Reply to Baxter, Title page – To the reader
A Second REPLY In Defence of the TREATISE OF BAPTISM; (WHEREIN M. Baxters More-Proofs, are found no Proofs:) In Two Parts. The First Defending the Antiquityes against his Charge of Forgery. The Second Justifying the Charge of slander, contradiction, and Popery, against his Writings. AS ALSO An Admonition to M. B. And some Reflections by Mr Tombs upon Mr B's More Proofs. With a Rejoynder to Mr Will's his Vindiciae, and an Answer to his Appeal. Si judicas cognosce, si regnas, jube, Seneca. By H. Danvers.
Job. 11.2.
Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justifyed?
3.
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest shall no man make thee ashamed?
LONDON. Printed, for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle, near the Royall Exchange in Cornhil. 1675.
To the Reader.
I Had no sooner finished my defence against M. Wills's his first and furious assault; but was summoned to a fresh encounter by the daring challenge of my old fellow-Soldier Mr Baxter, and whom I presume so to own, because he now seems so contemptuously and ignominiously to treat persons under that character, as though he had quite forgot that he himself had so long acted that part in the Army, and been by word and deed so active in that cause, none more in his capacity in the 3 Nations if we may believe himself; having n…t only defended it by law, reason, and Scripture ag…inst all its opposites; but by zealously engaging and bringing in so many others also into it, as his own words hath it: Encouraged thousands to it, and thought when he was ingaged in it he never did God that outward service as then. And was not this a hearty souldier, and Hero indeed? It is true it may be he will now tell you that he has recanted these things, and as lately in his Preface to his Cath. Thol. That at heart he little regarded that Interest, especially as to the civil part of it: (And is not that wonderful strange? What pray, and preach so many 1000 into it? write, covenant, fight, and engage at that rate for it, and avow that he never did God th…t outward service as then, and yet no heart to it or for it; if this be not desperate Hypocrisy or Prevarication I know nothing:) But as to those repentings, Mr Bagshaw has told us from himself how we are to esteem them: repeating that most remarkable passage that Mr Baxter has given us long since about them, viz. That should the change of times make him forget that state that we were fully in, and change his judgment, by loosing the sence of what then conduced to its infortion (which it seems to appearance it hath fully done, bespeaking him a great Prophet, to foretell how it would befall him under such like circumstances) this folly and forgetfulness (sayth he) [for so it seems we are to interpret such Tergiversations] would be the way to a sinful and not obedient Repentance, therefore it seems all such repentings and turnings with the time must go for nothing, yea worse then nothing, even sinful and disobedient.
Which things are mentioned for his better remembrance, not doubting but upon the calling to minde some such passages he may (at least others I doubt not will) conceive, that one that has acted at such a rate, and falls so justly under such censure himself, ought to carry it to others with more sobriety and moderation, and with less censure and reflection then he usually doth; and that scornful and contemptuous ill language will neither become souldier, Christian or Minister, much less one that professeth more then any to invite, yea, to conjure all men to love, peace, union, and moderation.
But the matter under consideration before you, is, how the contemned souldier has acquit himself in the contest with this man of might: and which you will best understand by considering his charge, and the defence he makes thereto.
You may remember therefore, that the charge is of 2 parts: First, for Forgery and Prevarication in abusing Antiquity, relating especially to 4. sorts of people, viz. The Donatists, Old Britans, Waldenses, and Wickliff: All which are particularly examined, orderly and fully replyd to, and freed from the pretended Forgery and Prevarication, no sueh thing being to be proved; and except the oversight of misnaming an Author quoted from Fuller, though the words truly recited, viz. Chocleus for Walden, and mentioning Austins 3d. and 4th. Book against the Donatists for the 4th Book only: And the mistake about Lanifrank to prove Beringarius denyed Infants-Baptism, though fully made good by 2 more, viz. Guitmund & Durandus, not another that I know of in the whole, whereas diverse palpable gross mistakes are apparently made good against him.
Secondly, for in justice done him by changing several contradictions and calumnies upon his writings, which he denies, challenging proof to be made thereof, and which you have particularly and fully done, Proving by clear, and ample demonstration, that he has been for and against Episcopacy, for and against Arminianism; for and against Anabaptism; for and against Tradition, for and against Popery; the last (viz. his being for Popery) to be lamented above all: the other but naturally leading to it. As Dr. Peirce tells him, p. 171. of his Appendix: you have (saith he) vilified the Protestants of every sort, Episcopacy, Presbytery, Independancy, Erastanisme, and so make men run into Popery by way of Refuge, and if you fright them from them, you leave them to be nothing but Jews, and Heathens, and I would fain know (saith he) what sort of Christians in the world you have not endeavoured to disgrace at one time or another (professing he knows none.) And as to that of Popery (tells him) that Mr Crandon [viz. a late Presbyterian Minister who wrote that large book against him] had told the world he were a Papist, and one of the worst sort of Papists too, and what the particular Books were that had made him a Papist, and what Emissares he had in all parts of the Land: Which with a friendly Admonition is left to his Conscience and the judicious Reader, with this twofold Lamentation.
First, that a man of those parts and endowments that might be so serviceable to the Church of Christ, should prove so great a troubler and disturber thereof.
Secondly, that notwithstanding his daring and renew'd opposition day by day, not only against the whole Nonconforming party, but the Protestant Doctrine and interest it self, that no more hath come forth against him to defend the truth; and that whilst one little Sherlock, is met with by so many Ciceronian Champions, there is yet but one Tully come forth to encounter this great Baxter in his voluminous defiance against the truth; and therefore wonder not if the stones in the street should rise up as witnesses, and babes and sucklings, yea contemptible soldiers should have their Mouths opened in such a cause, against such an enemy and avenger.
That truth may prevail, righteousness, love, and peace kiss each other, and all errour and iniquity stop its mouth, is the sincere desire, and shall ever I trust be the hearty endeavour of him, that designes nothing more then to approve himself an affectionate servant to truth and all the friends thereof whilst
Henry Danvers.