An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

And as for the many Volumes which have been written against my self, I thought it not necessary to confute them, nor seasonable to stand upon a Personal Vindication, when I knew it would exasperate the accusers (to be accounted injurious and false) and would increase the breach.

Yea, when it was judged against me, that my presence would be injurious to the people that I had long preached to, and that my absence would more conduce to their Conformity, and that they were none of my Charge, I so far denied my self and them, as that I never since came near them; nor, unless very rarely, sent them one line: Though I thought if I had been allowed so much, it might have better answered the ends of those that were most for my removal. Yet did I not take this for any perfidious forsaking them, when upon many accounts I believed it to be for their good, and I sent them all the Books which I wrote.

If any think that I should not say so much of my self, in an Apology ⟨p. 11⟩for others, I answer, 1. It is because that men will needs have it so whether I will or not. I say not a word to them; and yet what a multitude of Volumes have these seven years and more been tossing my Name as a football of reproach about the land? And when the cause is pleaded, they presently let fly at the persons, and say what you can, it's there that they will stick; and till they are answered there, they think they are unanswered. 2. And because I am best acquainted with my self, and can speak with more certainty of my own case and reasons, than of any others. 3 But chiefly because as our late Tilenus hath styled me, Purus putus Puritanus, so the late Episcopal Indignation published me the Antesignanus of the Presbyterians. I deserve not so much honour. But hence the world and posterity may know, that whereas but a few years ago, a Puritan was one that was against Bishops and Ceremonies, and Liturgy, and a Presbyterian was one that was for Lay-Elders, and the power of Classes composed partly of such, not only for concord, but as Governors of all the particular Churches; now in England, a Puritan is one that is no more against, and as much for Archbishops, Bishops, Liturgy and Ceremonies, as in my Books I have long published my self to be. And a Puritan as a Puritan is no worse a person than I am, (whose life and writings have had the happiness to have some share in their commendations) And a Presbyterian now is one that is against Lay-Elders, and in his judgment against the Regimental power of Classes and Synods as over the Pastors of the particular Churches, and only for their consultation and their use to concord; and one that is, as aforesaid, for Archbishops, Bishops, &c. as far as in my dispute for Church-Government I have declared my self to be. It is of some use to know the mutability of the world, and what a purus putus Puritanus, and a Presbyterian now is.