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

Ans. 1. And what get we by so doing? 2. Why are we censured for preaching against mens sins, if we are flatterers? 3. Whom is it that we cry up for Saints? Is it only Nonconformists? Let our Writings witness whether our description of Saints be right or wrong. But if none must be justified as Saints, none will be saved as Saints. Which doth the world among us take for the plainer dealers? and which party for the more smooth and toothless Preachers?

And now let it be judged by impartial men, whether our sufferings were not enough, and the far sadder sufferings of the peoples souls by our divisions, and the (undeniable) want of due teaching in many places, without all the addition of these hard reproaches? And whether the cited Debate maker, Vol. 1. p. 113. spake like a Divine, a Christian, or a man, when he said, There can no account be given of their behaviour since, in cherishing this fancy among you, (or suffering it to grow) that Conformity ⟨p. 172⟩is unlawful, unless it be this, that they think it will make more for their reputation among you, if you believe it was conscience, not care of their own credit and reputation, that kept them from conforming]. When we can obtain leave to be heard, and give in our reasons, it will be better known whether they be but fancies. In the mean time, he that so boldly doth that which so many others take to be sin of so grand a magnitude, should have better asked us for our reasons, before as a heart-searcher he had pronounced that no other account can be given: and he that is so free in naming those whom he traduceth, is not by sober charity to be believed when he telleth us that he hath heard some acknowledge that they did not scruple what these men do, when he nameth none; and we never knew such wretched fools, who were for number or quality so considerable, as that the Nonconformists (and the refusers of Preferment in particular) should be known even in their secret intentions, by their words, and from them be characterized. But sure he thinks himself, that some considerable party of men take Conformity for no indifferent thing, but a very shameful wickedness, if he think that we deny even Lordships and worldly Honours and Wealth, and all the love, reverence, and honour which from the Conformable party is given to the Dignified Clergy, and take up instead of it, with poverty, reproach, and sometimes a Gaol, and all to escape the dishonour of Conformity, and obtain the contrary esteem. But they are not ignorant for all this talk, that some of us by free reprehending the faults of Nonconformists as well as others, (for they have their faults) have been as prodigal of our Reputation with them, as with the Conformists, when we could (with great gain also) have easily preserved it.