"Custom,
as I said before,
is the thing that sways much with the multitude;
and they who first break a destructive custom
must bear the brunt of their indignation.
Now, somebody must do this.
If we do it not, it will lie upon our successors;
and how can we expect that they shall be more
hardy,
and resolute,
and faithful, than we?
… But if they do prove better than we,
the same odium and opposition must
befall them which we avoid,
and that with some increase,
because of our neglect; for the people will tell them, that we,
their predecessors, did no such things."
Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Page 271
as I said before,
is the thing that sways much with the multitude;
and they who first break a destructive custom
must bear the brunt of their indignation.
Now, somebody must do this.
If we do it not, it will lie upon our successors;
and how can we expect that they shall be more
hardy,
and resolute,
and faithful, than we?
… But if they do prove better than we,
the same odium and opposition must
befall them which we avoid,
and that with some increase,
because of our neglect; for the people will tell them, that we,
their predecessors, did no such things."