A second admonition to Mr. Edward Bagshaw written to call him to repentance for many false doctrines, crimes, and specially fourscore palpable untruths in matter of fact ... : with a confutation of his reasons for separation ... / by Richard Baxter ...

Sect. 80. R. B. 23. Mr. Bagshaw having done, begins again to call me to recant un∣seemly abuses of Mr. Brown, and one that a Book prefaced by him is written of: And he reciteth both their Letters. As to Mrs.—Letter, I give her this account of my thoughts of her and the Book thats written of her: 1. That I make no doubt but all the holy truth which she hath learned, all the mortification of sin, and reformati∣on of life, all the faith in Christ, and Love to God and holiness, which is in her, are the true fruits of the Spirit of God, and he is a wretched person that will ascribe these to Melancholy: 2. And I doubt not but in a

Melancholy distemper, as Satan findeth his advantage for some special temptati∣ons, so God can make his advantage to further the sanctification of such a soul.

3. But he that giveth me that Book to read, and would have me ignorant that Melancho∣ly had a great hand in her fastings, tem∣ptations and several conceits, there menti∣oned, and this after my experience of mul∣titudes in the like condition, yea, when I am still wearied out with the Cases of such, from time to time, doth put an utter im∣possibility upon me: For if my Ignorance herein would gratifie such, it is not in my power to be ignorant when I will: But I can bear with it in others.

Therefore her words [If this be the ef∣fect of Melancholy] go on an untrue suppo∣sition. I have told you what were the ef∣fects. And her sorrow that [I am found deriding] the effects she mentioneth, is the effect of worse than Melancholly, as being founded in her untruth.

Next this Woman accuseth me with all these following untruths.

1. That Brother Browne was the Author of that Book.

Answ. Not a true word: I only said that it was published by him, as uncontrolled fame affirmed;] but not that he was the Author: I can find no such word in my writings:

If you can, tell me where. And doth not his Epistle before it shew that he was one of the Publishers?

2. That I was suddenly moved to go hear Mr. Baxter.

Answ. False again: I only said [was suddenly moved to go into the Church;] that is, As she was passing by in the street, not knowing who Preached.

3. That ought of his Sermon had any im∣pression upon me (which I could not attend to, because I was so terrified with the words of the Text, Rom. 6. 21.)

Answ. False again: I have no such words that ought of my Sermon had any impression on her? but only of the Time, that before the Sermon was done she oould hardly forbear crying out.

4. That I went away resolved upon a holy life.

Answ. Another mistake: I said only, [she went home a changed person; Resolved, (that is, did resolve) for a holy life. That she went home changed she denyeth not, for her terrours were some change: That she Resolved for a holy life, her self and her Book profess; But whether as soon as she went home, or how many dayes after, I never undertook to tell! But how could she be Converted without resolving of a holy life?

5. That Brother Browne instructed me in the fifth Monarchy principle, whereas he then opposed it.

Answ. I said [Mr. Browne and others were her Instructers, who were very zealous for the way called the fifth Monarchy, and having instructed her in those opinions, &c. If I did mistake here I recant my errour; But I will tell you my grounds. 1. That the others were of that opinion as they deny not, so I have heard no others deny. 2. At the publishing of that Book, same spake the same of Mr. Browne and of his companion. 3. The Book doth plead for that opinion. 4. His Epistle is before the Book as a Pub∣lishing applause of it. 5. He professeth that opinion to this day. And all these ap∣pearances might induce such a judgement of him. But if he took it up between the Action, and the publication of the Book, on what day or week, it is none of my bu∣siness to declare: He better knoweth those himself.

[6. That I imposed abstinence upon my self as to meat (when I would gladly have eaten but durst not, because I appre∣hended I had no right to the Creature be∣ing out of Christ) This is all false and un∣true; and I am astonished that Mr. Baxter should with so much confidence affirm these things.]

Answ. 1. The good Woman understand∣eth not that she contradicteth her self: She did not impose abstinence on her self; but she durst not eat for the reason here given: that is, She did not impose absti∣nence on her self, but she did impose it for fear upon this reason. These untruths and nonsence in a Woman are more ex∣cusable than in her Teachers: Why doth She render a Reason why She durst not eat, if by that fear and for that reason she did not impose abstinence on her self? Did any other impose it, or shut her mouth? Is not that our own doing which we give a reason of, and say that we did it through fear? Doth not he that giveth a Thief his Purse, consent him∣self to it, and make it his own act to save his life? If she knew not what she did, why is she angry for being thought Melancholy, (which is many a Godly per∣sons case?) If she did know, why doth she falsly call it an untruth, that she imposed it on her self? By this taste you may see that even in well-meaning people the same principles will oft have the same practices, when here are five untruths in this short Letter, and four at least of her accusation of my words are visible un∣truths.

But I would know of Mr. E. B. or her, whether it be true doctrine, that one out of Christ should not eat, because they have

no right, and whether almost to consume her self with Famine was well done? If so, must all wicked men do so? If it be false doctrine (as undoubtedly it is) I further ask, whether it was the spirit of God, or Satan that was the Author of it? I hope she dare not father sin and falshood on Gods Spirit: And if it was a Temptation of Satan (as it was) I ask whether to yield so far to a Tempta∣tion so much against the light of Scri∣pture, nature, and self-preservation, in a case so plain that common people know the errour of it, and to proceed so long almost to famishment in that errour and sin, I say, whether this shewed not some flaw at that time in natural understanding and reason∣ing as well as in grace? If it did (as sure it did) what could it be less than Melancholy? And I hope it was never the mind of Mr. Jordan, or Mr. Browne in that Book, to father this opinion or practice on Gods spirit. I doubt not but God thus oft tryeth his own; but it is as little doubt but that he oft leaveth them under Me∣lancholy as the Tempters opportunity and advantage. And its pitty that poor souls should be angry with those that know their case, better than they themselves, and truly pitty them.

Notes

• 1. Untruth of Mrs.—
• 2. Untruth.
• 3d Un∣truth.
• 4th Un∣truth.
• 5th Un∣truth.