An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…

Here he quarrelleth the Complainants 1. For stilling themselves burdened and oppressed, which is, as if a Father should beat his children till they cry, and then beat them again for crying. How unjust this passage is, will appear in the examination of the ensuing Sections. 2. For calling themselves members of the English Church. How unreasonable this reproof is, may easily be perceived. For, what though the words were understood, as meaning the body of the Church (which yet is not necessary) & that the greatest part of the congregation were otherwise minded, which yet is not so? will it thence follow, that their words are notoriously false? I trow not. For the denomination may follow the better part, though it be not the greater, as a man hath his denomination from his reasonable soul, though the unreasonable body be the greater part, and a corn field is denominated, not from the chaff which is the greater, but from the corn, which is the better, though the lesser part. I will not stand to enquire of the Answerer what necessity there is that Elem, in Psal. 58.1. should signify a faction in the Church, seeing the word (which signifieth binding in a sheaf or bundle) may note a combination in the Common wealth, as well as a faction in the Church, and the context seemeth to carry it to the former, rather then to the latter sense? Nor will I return upon him his descant on Jonath Elem rechokim, in the title of psal. 56. My desire & purpose was to continue (as I went on, 4, or 5 months) in a patient silent ⟨p. 22⟩bearing of my personal grievances,¹ forbearing him in love, & endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. For which purpose I may say, in some measure, with the Psalmist. I as a deaf man, ²heard not, and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. And so had remained to this day, if I had not been, by unkind importunity compelled to these Apologies, first in private, and now, in public.

Here he quarelleth the Complainants 1. For stiling themselves burthened and oppressed, which is, as if a Father should beate his children till they cry, and then beate them againe for crying. How unjust this passage is, will appeare in the examination of the ensuing Sections. 2. For calling themselves members of the English Church. How unreasonable this reproofe is, may easily be perceived. For, what though the words were understood, as meaning the body of the Church (which yet is not necessary) & that the greatest part of the congregation were otherwise minded, which yet is not so? will it thence follow, that their words are notoriously false? I trowe not. For the denomination may follow the better part, though it be not the greater, as a man hath his denomination from his reasonable soule, though the unreasonable body be the greater part, and a corne feild is denominated, not from the chaffe which is the greater, but from the corne, which is the better, though the lesser part. I will not stand to enquire of the Answerer what necessity there is that Elem, in