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

26. And another reason was, because I knew but few that I was willing to thrust upon it, so forwardly as my self, for fear of being the author of their sufferings. Many may be abler, that are not in other respects so fit. Some Ministers are young men. and like to live longer to serve God in his Church; and their Reputation is needful to their success: If they be vilified, it may hinder their labours. And experience telleth us, that the dividing spirit is very powerful and victorious in censorious vilifying of dissenters. But I am almost miles Emeritus at the end of my work, and can reasonably expect to do but little more in the world; and therefore have not their impediment: And for popular applause, I have tried its vanity: I have had so much of it, till I am brought to a contempt if not a loathing of it. And whereas some brethren, say, that Censures will hinder the success of my Writings, I answer, No man shall do his duty without some difficulties and impediments. If my writings will not do good by the evidence of truth in them, and if the censures of Dividers are able to frustrate them, let them fall and fail. And some of my brethren have great Congregations to teach, which are so inclined to this dividing way, that they cannot bear their information. But when I preached in my house to the most, I knew scarce any of the Parish that came not to the Parish Church, but such as lived in my own ⟨p. 63⟩house. Also many Ministers being turned out of all their maintenance, have families and nothing to maintain them, but what the Charity of Religious people giveth them. (Little do some know what the families of many godly Ministers suffer!) And some Independents are maintained by their gathered Churches, and if they cast them off, both reputation, work and maintenance would fail (For those that silence them will neither honour them, nor maintain them). And though I suppose that these brethren would serve God in the greatest contempt and poverty, and self-denial, if they perceive that God doth call them to it, yet I think it a duty of Charity in me, to go before them, and do the more displeasing work, to prevent the sufferings of such, or at least, not to thrust them on so hard a service.

26. And another reason was, because I knew but few that I was willing to thrust upon it, so forwardly as my self, for fear of being the author of their sufferings. Many may be abler, that are not in other respects so fit. Some Ministers are young men. and like to live longer to serve God in his Church; and their Reputation is needful to their success: If they be vilified, it may hinder their labours. And experience telleth us, that the dividing spirit is very powerful and victorious in censorious vilifying of dissenters. But I am almost miles Emeritus at the end of my work, and can reasonably expect to do but little more in the world; and therefore have not their impediment: And for popular applause, I have tryed its vanity: I have had so much of it, till I am brought to a contempt if not a loathing of it. And whereas some brethren, say, that Censures will hinder the success of my Writings, I answer, No man shall do his duty without some difficulties and impediments. If my writings will not do good by the evidence of truth in them, and if the censures of Dividers are able to frustrate them, let them fall and fail. And some of my brethren have great Congregations to teach, which are so inclined to this dividing way, that they cannot bear their information. But when I preached in my house to the most, I knew scarce any of the Parish that came not to the Parish Church, but such as lived in my own