The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter…

The words cited by you in the Preface to the Articles of 1604 are impertinent to our business: It followeth not that you have leave to break the Laws when you think mercy requireth it, because they are not equivalent to the Eternal Word of God, nor bind conscience as of necessity in the nature of them, considered in themselves] and not in the Authority of the Commander. Again I ask, Shall any man escape punishment by such a plea of mercy? Are not two thousand Ministers silenced, and more, that pleaded Mercy to themselves and others, for the reason of their Non-conformity? Did your Learned, Pious, Moderate Bishop, excuse you for that plea? Doth not the express words of the Law, and Canon, and Rubric, and the sentence and execution of all Judges to this day, confute your exposition and exception?

The words cited by you in the Preface to the Articles of 1604 are impertinent to our business: It followeth not that you have leave to break the Laws when you think mercy requireth it, because they are not equivalent to the Eternal Word of God, nor bind conscience as of necessity in the nature of them, considered in themselves] and not in the Authority of the Commander. Again I ask, Shall any man escape punishement by such a plea of mercy? Are not two thousand Ministers silenced, and more, that pleaded Mercy to themselves and others, for the reason of their Non-conformity? Did your Learned, Pious, Moderate Bishop, excuse you for that plea? Doth not the express words of the Law, and Canon, and Rubrick, and the sentence and execution of all Judges to this day, confute your exposition and exception?

You truly say [It is a sin to make a false construction of the Law.] But if against the express words, and scope, and common judgment and execution, you will presume to put your sense, which is merciful, because Charity thinketh no evil. Any thing, almost, may be so said, consented to, and sworn.