To this I say, I have no acquaintance with any Scots Minister, nor ever had in my life, except with Bishop Sharp that was murdered, and two other Bishops (and two or three that live here in London) therefore what they are I know not, save by Fame: But though I have heard that Country asperst, as too much inclined to Fornication, I never before heard the ⟨image 9⟩Religious part and Ministers so accused: Either it is true, or false; if false, shame be to the reporters; if true, what doth it concern us here, or any that are innocent, any further than to abhor it, and lament it, and to be thankful to God that it is another sort of men that are called Puritans in England; and that in all my acquaintance with them these 56 years (which hath been with very many in many Countries) I remember not that ever I heard of one Puritan, man or woman, save one, accused or suspected of fornication; and that one yet living, though openly penitent, hath lived disowned and shamed to this day; but I have heard of multitudes that revile them, that make a jest and common practice of it: Try whether you can make the Inhabitants of this City believe, that the Nonconformists or Puritans are fornicators, drunkards, or perjured, and that their accusers and haters are innocent men that hate them for such Crimes! But its possible that you may make men of other Countries or Ages believe it, and believe that we wear Horns, and have Cloven Feet, and what you will; but I fear not all your art or advantages on those that are acquainted with both sides: But the misery is, that faction engageth men to associate only with their party where they hear reproaches of the unknown dissenters, from whom they so estrange themselves, that the Neighbours near them are as much unknown to them, save by lying same, as if they lived an hundred miles from them. I remember Mr. Cressey once wrote to me, that he turned from the Protestant Religion to the Roman, because there was among us no spiritual Books of Devotion for Soul Elevations, and affectionate Contemplation: And I told him it was Gods just Judgment on him, that lived so strange to his Neighbours, because they are called Puritans, and to their Writings, which Shops and Libraries abound with; had he read Bishop Halls, Mr. Greenhams, Mr. Ri. Rogers, Mr. Jo. Rogers, Mr. Hildershams, Mr. Bolton's, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Downham's, Mr. Reyners, Dr. Sibbes, &c.
To this I say, I have no acquaintance with any Scots Minister, nor ever had in my life, except with Bishop Sharp that was murdered, and two other Bishops (and two or three that live here in London) therefore what they are I know not, save by Fame: But though I have heard that Country asperst, as too much inclin'd to Fornication, I never before heard the ⟨image 9⟩Religious part and Ministers so accused: Either it is true, or false; if false, shame be to the reporters; if true, what doth it concern us here, or any that are innocent, any further than to abhor it, and lament it, and to be thankful to God that it is another sort of men that are called Puritans in England; and that in all my acquaintance with them these 56 years (which hath been with very many in many Countries) I remember not that ever I heard of one Puritan, man or woman, save one, accused or suspected of fornication; and that one yet living, though openly penitent, hath lived disowned and shamed to this day; but I have heard of multitudes that revile them, that make a jest and common practice of it: Try whether you can make the Inhabitants of this City believe, that the Nonconformists or Puritans are fornicators, drunkards, or perjured, and that their accusers and haters are innocent men that hate them for such Crimes! But its possible that you may make men of other Countries or Ages believe it, and believe that we wear Horns, and have Cloven Feet, and what you will; but I fear not all your art or advantages on those that are acquainted with both sides: But the misery is, that faction ingageth men to associate only with their party where they hear reproaches of the unknown dissenters, from whom they so estrange themselves, that the Neighbours near them are as much unknown to them, save by lying same, as if they lived an hundred miles from them. I remember Mr. Cressey once wrote to me, that he turned from the Protestant Religion to the Roman, because there was among us no spiritual Books of Devotion for Soul Elevations, and affectionate Contemplation: And I told him it was Gods just Judgment on him, that lived so strange to his Neighbours, because they are called Puritans, and to their Writings, which Shops and Libraries abound with; had he read Bishop Halls, Mr. Greenhams, Mr. Ri. Rogers, Mr. Io. Rogers, Mr. Hildershams, Mr. Boltons, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Downhams, Mr. Reyners, Dr. Sibbes, &c.
