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

We take Conformity to be so far from indifferent, that we forbear to tell the world the greatness of the sin which we think to be in it, lest men cannot bear it, and lest it should disaffect the people to the Ministry of the Conformists. II. Your p. 156. I pass by. The main matter is p. 160, 161. that though All the Nonconformists were not in actual arms against the King,—nor did they all as natural agents cut off his Head; but morally, that is, very sinfully and wickedly they had their hands stained with that royal blood; for whosoever did abet these sons of Belial in their rebellions, treasons, murders of their King and fellow subjects, either by consenting to their villainies, praying for their prosperity, praising God for their successes, &c. The Charge is high: If it be not true, 1. They are almost as deeply wronged as you can wrong them. 2. Our Rulers are wronged by being so provoked to abhor them, silence and destroy them. 3. Posterity is wronged by a misinforming History. I. You are too old to be ignorant that it was an Episcopal and Erastian Parliament of Conformists that first took up these arms in England against the King. The Members yet living profess that at that time they knew but one Presbyterian in the House of Commons. Interest forced or led them to call in the Scots, and Presbytery came in with them. If you doubt of it, see the Propositions to the King at Nottingham, where a limited Episcopacy is one. II. The Lord Lieutenants that seized on the Militia were far most Conformists, and scarce any Presbyterians at all. III. The General Officers and Colonels of the Earl of Essex's Army were ten to one Conformists, and few if any Presbyterians save a few deboist Mercenary Scots, if they were such, which I know not; and the General Episcopal himself. IV. The Major Generals of the Militia in the several Counties were mostly Conformists, and scarce any Presbyterians. V. The Assembly at Westminster when they went thither were all Conformists, save about eight or nine, and the Scots Commissioners. V. One of the two Archbishops was a General in the Parliaments Army. ⟨p. 144⟩VI. Many of the present Conformable Ministers were in arms against the King, and some wrote for his death, and many of them took the Covenant and Engagement. VII.

We take Conformity to be so far from indifferent, that we forbear to tell the world the greatness of the sin which we think to be in it, lest men cannot bear it, and lest it should disaffect the people to the Ministry of the Conformists. II. Your p. 156. I pass by. The main matter is p. 160, 161. that though All the Nonconformists were not in actual arms against the King,—nor did they all as natural agents cut off his Head; but morally, that is, very sinfully and wickedly they had their hands stained with that royal blood; for whosoever did abet these sons of Belial in their rebellions, treasons, murders of their King and fellow subjects, either by consenting to their villanies, praying for their prosperity, praising God for their successes, &c. The Charge is high: If it be not true, 1. They are almost as deeply wrong'd as you can wrong them. 2. Our Rulers are wronged by being so provoked to abhor them, silence and destroy them. 3. Posterity is wronged by a misinforming History. I. You are too old to be ignorant that it was an Episcopal and Erastian Parliament of Conformists that first took up these arms in England against the King. The Members yet living profess that at that time they knew but one Presbyterian in the House of Commons. Interest forced or led them to call in the Scots, and Presbytery came in with them. If you doubt of it, see the Propositions to the King at Nottingham, where a limited Episcopacy is one. II. The Lord Lieutenants that seized on the Militia were far most Conformists, and scarce any Presbyterians at all. III. The General Officers and Colonels of the Earl of Essex's Army were ten to one Conformists, and few if any Presbyterians save a few deboist Mercenary Scots, if they were such, which I know not; and the General Episcopal himself. IV. The Major Generals of the Militia in the several Counties were mostly Conformists, and scarce any Presbyterians. V. The Assembly at Westminster when they went thither were all Conformists, save about eight or nine, and the Scots Commissioners. V. One of the two Archbishops was a General in the Parliaments Army.