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

6. If he say that he told us that he spake it not of all: I answer, what if he had put the word [Christians] instead of the word [Nonconformist] and said that Christians hold all those sottish and impudent opinions, but yet said, It is not all Christians, had this been justice to Christianity? and yet it is true; for if Nonconformists be Christians, then Christians hold what they hold. He that heareth such a word [Christians, or Protestants, or Nonconformists have a foolish Religion], doth suppose it to be locutio formalis, and that the meaning is, [As Christians, or as Protestants, or as Nonconformists, their Religion is foolish.] And for the Author to say when he hath done, [I meant not, All Christians, All Protestants, All Nonconformists] is to say, I speak not of them as such▪ What then? Why, as Antinomians, or as ignorant unlearned people. But why then did you not charge your fooleries only on Antinomians, Sectaries, and ignorant people, and make them as such only the actors in your scene? and not as Christians, Protestants, &c. I know the name Christians is more venerable than Protestant, or Nonconformist. But the injustice is as palpable in the one as in the other. And the cause or the principle is bad that can engage men in such unrighteousness, and make them so strange to themselves as not to see it, yea to proceed impenitently in it, even when Righteousness is one of the things which they write for, as neglected by them whom they endeavour to disgrace. It is an ill cause that produceth such effects, though a quick and hasty wit can write another Volume to defend it; till love it self shall sit in judgment, and condemn all the issues of uncharitable wrath.

The cause of Nonconformity as of old, and as owned now by us, was punctually expressed to you in our many Papers given in when we vainly attempted unity; and the new Conformity is known by the Acts which are lately made. And what is the matter of the Debaters Dialogues to any of this? Doth any Act of Parliament ⟨p. 118⟩forbid men to say, I am well through mercy. Or is there any Nonconformity in that speech (or any unfitness either.) And so of abundance of such other passages.