Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an…

Obj. But why did not the people do so all this while?

Ans. Because their own Teachers did, as they thought, more profit them. Many a man thinks it lawful to wear rags that yet had rather wear whole and comely clothes; and lawful to eat brown bread, and drink water, that will fare better when they can, and yet take these when they cannot. The people that had good houses before the fire, did without any change of their judgments, get into any poor rooms or cottages after it.

Ans. Because their own Teachers did, as they thought, more profit them. Many a man thinks it lawful to wear rags that yet had rather wear whole and comely cloaths; and lawful to eat brown bread, and drink water, that will fare better when they can, and yet take these when they cannot. The people that had good houses before the fire, did without any change of their judgments, get into any poor rooms or cottages after it.

2. But suppose they lately change their judgments, (as many no doubt have) you that think it is for the better are strange Christians that reproach men for repenting and amending. Do you call them to Church and reproach them for not coming, and seek to ruin them for it, and now accuse them for coming? Doth not this show that some men desired the present Impositions, not for concord of all, but to drive some away, lest they should come in, and the land have concord? And doth not this show what men we have to do with; and that it is somewhat else than non-conformity which such men hate? Your Justice is ⟨p. 125⟩[Come to Church, or lie in Jail as Schismatics: And if you come you are perfidious rogues.] Whether they do or do not, all's one to such judges: who have some other hateful matter in their Eye.