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

I know that the great objection is, That under pretence of Love, I would bring ungodly persecutors into reputation, and tempt men to unlawful Communion with them, and that I make an ill application of good principles, to hide the odiousness of their sins, that care so little for the souls of men, as their usage of Ministers and people doth openly declare. If I had only persuaded you to unite in Love to one another, and not to think better of the destroyers of the Church, nor to comply with them in their Idolatrous way of worship, you could have born it.

I know that the great objection is, That under pretence of Love, I would bring ungodly persecutors into reputation, and tempt men to unlawful Communion with them, and that I make an ill application of good principles, to hide the odiousness of their sins, that care so little for the souls of men, as their usage of Ministers and people doth openly declare. If I had only perswaded you to unite in Love to one another, and not to think better of the destroyers of the Church, nor to comply with them in their Idolatrous way of worship, you could have born it.

Brethren, will you, that take it for injustice in a Judge, who will condemn a man before he hear him speak for himself, be entreated but to repress your passions for a little while, till you have calmly considered these things following.

Brethren, will you, that take it for injustice in a Iudge, who will condemn a man before he hear him speak for himself, be intreated but to repress your passions for a little while, till you have calmely considered these things following.

1. Did I ever persuade you to think well of the faults of other men, while I persuaded you to love their persons? (unless you call the Communion a fault of which we are to speak anon) Did I ever seek to abate your dislike of the sins which you most speak against? Either malignity, cruelty, persecution, or any other.