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

5. You have other punishments enough, besides forbidding them to preach Christs Gospel, whereby to be revenged on Nonconformity. Is their fearing an Oath a greater sin than profane swearing? If not, let us pay at the same rates for not swearing, and for not disobliging all others from a Vow, as swearers do by the Law for every Oath. And we will not desire you to execute the Laws as seldom on us, as they are executed on them; which is not, I think, for one Oath of Twenty thousand? Or are we worse than drunkards, or fornicators? If not, punish us no worse than they are punished? Are we worse than petty thieves? If not, let ⟨p. 194⟩us be put in the stocks and whipped, as Paul and Silas were▪ so we may but preach Christs Gospel? Or if we are as bad as felons, allow us our Clergy, and burn us in the hand, use us as Prynne, Bastwick and Burton were used on the Pillory, so you will not hinder us from preaching to sinners, the word of salvation. Or put us in the House of Correction, and use us as the Israelites were used in Egypt, rather than forbid us to labour to save the peoples Souls? Can your profound understandings find no way to punish a man that feareth Lying, Perjury, and false Worship (suppose mistakingly), which will consist with such intermission and liberty as is necessary to the doing of our Masters work? The servants of the King and Parliament are privileged from arrests and molestation, which would hinder them from their necessary duty: We crave no impunity for our sins above the basest subjects in the Land! We will be thankful to be under no severer usage, than Colliers, and Bargemen, and Seamen, and begging Rogues and Vagabonds have; yea constrain us to beg our bread in rags from door to door, rather than restrain us from doing the work to which in our Ordination we are devoted, and by the belief of a life to come, obliged. Have all other faults more suitable punishments, save only those of the Ministers of Christ? You can punish your child, without forbidding him to love you or obey you: you can punish a School-boy otherwise than by forbidding him to learn; and a Master, otherwise than by forbidding him to teach; and your Servant, otherwise than by forbidding him to work; and Eighteen hundred scrupulous Physicians, otherwise than by forbidding them to help the sick. Deal not worse with Christ and Souls.

5. You have other punishments enough, besides forbidding them to preach Christs Gospel, whereby to be revenged on Nonconformity. Is their fearing an Oath a greater sin than prophane swearing? If not, let us pay at the same rates for not swearing, and for not disobliging all others from a Vow, as swearers do by the Law for every Oath. And we will not desire you to execute the Laws as seldom on us, as they are executed on them; which is not, I think, for one Oath of Twenty thousand? Or are we worse than drunkards, or fornicators? If not, punish us no worse than they are punished? Are we worse than petty thieves? If not, let