20. I add, such woefully harden men in that which they themselves suffer by, and which they call enmity and persecution, and make more Conformists while they deny it, than R. B. whom he frivolously talketh of, ever did (except it be a Conformity to Truth and Goodness.) For when men read and hear others confidently rage against Truth and Duty, by rash presumptuous ignorance, they judge of all our dissent by this: And while many run into this Guilt, it seems to justify their Afflicters: And it tempteth weak Persons to suffer for sinful separation as evil do•rs▪ thinking it is for Truth. Oh with what grief will understanding men see Christians together, as in a state of enmity by mistakes. To see some at once require from others, things good and necessary, things Lawful but unnecessary, things necessary in their Genus, but not this more than that, and some things sinful, as if they were all almost alike. To see those whose Senses are not exercised to discern things that differ, misled by the words and reverence of men, to swallow some Sins as excellent Duties, and fly from things Lawful; yea, oft from great Duties, as odious Sins, and suffer rejoicingly for sinning against God, and condemning all that sin not as they do; yea, even all, or almost all the Churches on Earth; yea, and calling them Idolaters for being wiser and better than they, who alas, do in all things show themselves to be ignorant Babes, and who speak evil of that which they understand not. And then to see others revile, and hate, and ruin these mistaking Christians by a far more dangerous mistake; as if Religious fear of Sin, were an unsufferable thing, and such were intolerable Hypocrites, and Conscience were a disgraceful thing; and as if themselves and all Mankind were not liable to worser Errors, than to take some lawful things for Sin, when they see unlawful things stand near them, or among them.
20. I add, such wofully harden men in that which they themselves suffer by, and which they call enmity and persecution, and make more Conformists while they deny it, than R. B. whom he frivolously talketh of, ever did (except it be a Conformity to Truth and Goodness.) For when men read and hear others confidently rage against Truth and Duty, by rash presumptuous ignorance, they judge of all our dissent by this: And while many run into this Guilt, it seems to justify their Afflicters: And it tempteth weak Persons to suffer for sinful separation as evil do•rs▪ thinking it is for Truth. Oh with what grief will understanding men see Christians together, as in a state of enmity by mistakes. To see some at once require from others, things good and necess•ry, things Lawful but unnecessary, things necessary in their Genus, but not this more than that, and some things sinful, as if they were all almost alike. To see those whose Senses are not exercised to discern things that differ, misled by the words and reverence of men, to swallow some Sins as excellent Duties, and fly from things Lawful; yea, oft from great Duties, as odious Sins, and suffer rejoycingly for sinning against God, and condemning all that sin not as they do; yea, even all, or almost all the Churches on Earth; yea, and calling them Idolaters for being wiser and better than they, who alas, do in all things shew themselves to be ignorant Babes, and who speak evil of that which they understand not. And then to see others revile, and hate, and ruin these mistaking Christians by a far more dangerous mistake; as if Religious fear of Sin, were an unsufferable thing, and such were intollerable Hypocrites, and Conscience were a disgraceful thing; and as if themselves and all Mankind were not liable to worser Errors, than to take some lawful things for Sin, when they see unlawful things stand near them, or among them.
