A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and…

24. All these dangers lying before us, and the Non-conformable Ministers being under great reproaches, ⟨p. 61⟩and lamentable hinderances from their sacred work, and called by God to fidelity as in a day of trial, what guilt would be upon us, what shame would be our due, if we should all be silent whilst we see the principles of Division continually increase? The […] principles which the old Non-conformists confuted, greatly propagate themselves, through the smart which alienateth the peoples minds. And Reason doth so hardly prevail against Feeling, that all that we can say will prove too little. This is the true cause why they cry out now, [Oh the case is changed! It is not with us as it was in the old Non-conformists days;] Because they did but hear of what was in those days, but they see and feel what is done in ours. Therefore we had so easy a work comparatively to persuade men that the old separatists were mistaken, but can hardly now persuade them that the same principles are a mistake; because now they smart, and Passion is not easily held in by reason. I can make shift to hold in a mettlesome horse, while he is not provoked; But if a Bishop will come behind me, and la•h him, or prick him, and then blame the rider if he run away with me, I cannot help it. But sure if we must needs have to do with such men, it concerneth us to hold the reins the harder. And if after such grievous judgements, as plagues, flames, poverty, reproach, and silencings, and sad confusions, which God hath tried us with in these times, his Ministers should through passion, policy or sloth, sit still and let Professors run into sinful principles and extremes, it will be our Aggravated sin.

24. All these dangers lying before us, and the Non-conformable Ministers being under great reproaches, ⟨p. 61⟩and lamentable hinderances from their sacred work, and called by God to fidelity as in a day of tryal, what guilt would be upon us, what shame would be our due, if we should all be silent whilest we see the principles of Division continually increase? The 〈…〉 principles which the old Non-conformists confuted, greatly propagate themselves, through the smart which alienateth the peoples minds. And Reason doth so hardly prevail against Feeling, that all that we can say will prove too little. This is the true cause why they cry out now, [Oh the case is changed! It is not with us as it was in the old Non-conformists daies;] Because they did but hear of what was in those daies, but they see and feel what is done in ours. Therefore we had so easie a work comparatively to perswade men that the old separatists were mistaken, but can hardly now perswade them that the same principles are a mistake; because now they smart, and Passion is not easily held in by reason. I can make shift to hold in a mettlesome horse, while he is not provoked; But if a Bishop will come behind me, and lah him, or prick him, and then blame the rider if he run away with me, I cannot help it. But sure if we must needs have to do with such men, it concerneth us to hold the reines the harder. And if after such grievous judgements, as plagues, flames, poverty, reproach, and silencings, and sad confusions, which God hath tryed us with in these times, his Ministers should through passion, policie or sloth, sit still and let Professors run into sinful principles and extreams, it will be our Aggravated sin.