LIFE OF RICHARD BAXTER. 131 homiletics. Thework is at the same time worthy of diligent atten- tion as a theological treatise. It shows what views of conversion' were entertained by a man whose success in promoting the conver- sion of sinners has rarely been equaled. 22. Several single sheets, corresponding in their plan with the publications of. our Tract Societies, were among the works which he published in 1657. The titles of these were "AWinding Sheet for Popery ;" "One Sheet for the Ministry against Malig- nants of all Sorts;" "One Sheetagainst the Qivakers;" "A second Sheet for, the Ministry, justifying our calling against the Quakers, Seekers, and Papists, and all that deny us to be the.Ministers of Christ; " and,' A Sheet directing Justices in Corporations to dis- charge their Duty to God." The industry and spirit of the author has been illustrated by a few words from one of these fugitive pub- lications. "The Quakers say, we are idle drones, that labor not, and therefore should not eat. The worst I wish you is, that you had but my ease instead of your labor. I have reason to take myself for the least of saints, and yet I fear not to tell the accuser that I take the labor, of most tradesmen in the town to be a pleasure to the body, in comparison with mine ; though, for the ends and pleasure of mymind, I would not change it with the greatest prince. Their labor preserveth health, and mine consumeth it ; they work in ease, and. I in continual pain; they have hours and days of rec- reation, I have scarce time to eat and drink. Nobody molesteth them for their labor, but the more I do, the more hatred and trouble I draw upon me. If a Quaker ask me what all this labor is, let him come and see, or do as I do, and he shall know."5 23. "A Call to the Unconverted to turn and live, and accept of Mercy while Mercy may be had, as ever they would find Mer- cyin the day of theirExtremity: From the Living God. Towhich are added Forms of Prayer for Morning and Evening for a Family, for a penitent Sinner and for the Lord's Day.'? 8vo. published in 1657. "The occasion of this," he says, "was my converse with Bishop Usher, while I was at London, who, much approving my Directions for Peace of Conscience,' was importunate with me to write directions. suited to the various states of Christians, and also against particular sins. I reverenced the .man ; but disregarded these persuasions, supposing I could do nothing but what is done as well or better already. But when he was dead, his words went deeper to my mind, and I purposed to obey his counsel ; yet so as that to the first sort of men, the ungodly, I thought vehement per- suasions meeter than directions only. And so for such, I publish- *This quotation is ön the authörity of 0r1116.
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