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

Is not the Non-conformists doctrine the same with that of the Church of England, when they subscribe to it, or offer so to do? Did not his Majesty in his Declaration about Ecclesiastical affairs, complain of them (Dr. Burges I suppose) who pretended a difference between us in doctrine? If they say that the Non-conformists are to be denominated from the Major part, I answer, we provoke the willingest of their adversaries to prove, that either the Major part, or any thing near it, is of more erroneous doctrinal principles than themselves? The Independents as well as the Presbyterians offer to subscribe to the doctrine of the 39. Articles, as distinct from Prelacy and Ceremony. And I must witness that when I was in the Country, I knew not of one Minister of ten that are now silenced, that was not in the main (as far as I could discern) of the same principles with my self. And though any Reproacher will blindly injure the Non-conformists, who shall judge of them throughout England and Scotland by the many parties in London, where a great number of differing opinions always inhabited; Yet I may add that even in London, the burning of the Churches, and the notorious necessity of many thousand souls, and the Acts which punish them by six months imprisonment, if they come within five miles of a Corporation, (and therefore make them think it necessary to keep out of the Parish Churches, ⟨p. 65⟩where they may presently be both accused and apprehended) doth make the Practice of many very humble, godly, peaceable, and moderate men (by Preaching at the time of public worship, when their hearers cannot well come at another time) to be such as causeth men to mistake their principles.

Is not the Non-conformists doctrine the same with that of the Church of England, when they subcribe to it, or offer so to do? Did not his Majesty in his Declaration about Ecclesiastical affairs, complain of them (Dr. Burges I suppose) who pretended a difference between us in doctrine? If they say that the Non-conformists are to be denominated from the Major part, I answer, we provoke the willingest of their adversaries to prove, that either the Major part, or any thing near it, is of more erroneous doctrinal principles than themselves? The Independents as well as the Presbyterians offer to subscribe to the doctrine of the 39. Articles, as distinct from Prelacy and Ceremony. And I must witness that when I was in the Country, I knew not of one Minister of ten that are now silenced, that was not in the main (as far as I could discern) of the same principles with my self. And though any Reproacher will blindly injure the Non-conformists, who shall judge of them throughout England and Scotland by the many parties in London, where a great number of differing opinions alwaies inhabited; Yet I may add that even in London, the burning of the Churches, and the notorious necessity of many thousand souls, and the Acts which punish them by six moneths imprisonment, if they come within five miles of a Corporation, (and therefore make them think it necessary to keep out of the Parish Churches,