A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's worship. Or a triplication unto. D.…A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. Or a triplication unto. D.…

His defence to the 2. obj: is yet more feeble, though more ingenious: For his answer is nothing but yielding the cause, in some compass and circumlocution of words.

His defense to the 2. obj: is yet more feeble, though more ingenious: For his ansvvere is nothing but yeilding the cause, in some compasse and circumlocution of vvords.

For (1) when he grants: that he forbore some years this course of writing, that he might not exasperate authority: he privily, yea plainly yields, the objection had such rational face in it, that it did not only press him, but prevail with him also: where as 2.ly. he adds: that by this means he hath some hope to persuade some to conform, & so to avoid the lash of authority. By this he doth not only yield the objection, but confirm & establish it. For if only those, who are persuaded by his answer, shall avoid the lash, therefore they who vvill not be persuaded, must expect the blow, and shall be sure to feel it.

For (1) vvhen he graunts: that he forbore some yeares this course of vvriting, that he might not exasperate authority: he privily, yea playnly yeilds, the objection had such rationall face in it, that it did not only presse him, but prevayle vvith him also: vvhere as 2.ly. he adds: that by this meanes he hath some hope to persvvade some to conforme, & so to avoyd the lash of authority. By this he doth not only yeild the objection, but confirme & establish it. For if only those, vvho are persvvaded by his ansvvere, shall avoyd the lash, therfore they vvho vvill not be persvvaded, must expect the blovv, and shall be sure to feele it.

3. He adds for his own intention: Sure I am that I desire not the vexation of any sober man: But his own bond vvill not be taken, because he hath so often broke his word; he must seek for other suretyes: (Quid verba audiam, cum facta videam?) Little power have words to persuade any of common understanding, when the practise goes the contrary way. Nor yet can I discern, how to judge of any mans desire, but only by his endeavour. Those heavy accusations, uncharitable censures, whereby he chargeth & that with much bitterness, the generation of Non-conformists, from what root they come, & what desire they imply, let any rational man determine: For it cannot be to ingratiate them, or procure favour for them, in the affections of the Governors, when he makes them appear such as deserve none; nay such as ought to receive none, but the contrary at their hands.