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

I am judged by your selves to be too censorious of you, and too sharp in telling you of that which I doubt not to be your sin: why then are you so offended with me for being no more censorious and sharp towards others? was I ever thought to be kinder to them than to you? Is not every man naturally most favourable to those of his own opinion? Is it Conformity or Non-conformity which I have most defended? Is it as a Conformist or a Nonconformist that I have been judged and used these 33. years? It is they that have lately written reproachfully against me: It is they that have—I need name no more. But for the Non-conformists I must bear witness of their kindness to me, that they never rejected me, never forbade me to preach (but one Sermon,) nor, (except particular angry parties whom I wrote against,) they never denied me their good word. What then can you think should draw me to be too sharp against them, and too favourable ⟨p. 12⟩to the other? I look for no worldly advantage or benefit from them. Surely be that is apt to be too sharp, is liker to be so against dissenters from whom he suffereth, than against those that have ever been his friends? But truth is truth, and the wisdom from above is without partiality and without hypocrisy. Do but mark how both parties justify me, while both condemn me, (though I am too Conscious of my faultiness to justify my self) The one side think that I am not half sharp enough against the Anabaptists, Separatists and Independents: And you that I now write to, think that I am not half sharp enough against the Conformists: so that one side doth not only justify me from the charge of c•ns••iousness or sharpness against the other, but blame me for the contrary, and are angry with me that I am no sharper. But Gods judgement of us all is right, and his seal is sure, The Lord knoweth who are his whoever shall deny it. God will not judge of upright Christians as they judge of themselves, when they unjustly accuse themselves; Much less according to the judgement of their adversaries.

I am judged by your selves to be too censorious of you, and too sharp in telling you of that which I doubt not to be your sin: why then are you so offended with me for being no more censorious and sharp towards others? was I ever thought to be kinder to them than to you? Is not every man naturally most favourable to those of his own opinion? Is it Conformity or Non-conformity which I have most defended? Is it as a Conformist or a Nonconformist that I have been judged and used these 33. years? It is they that have lately written reproachfully against me: It is they that have—I need name no more. But for the Non-conformists I must bear witness of their kindness to me, that they never rejected me, never forbad me to preach (but one Sermon,) nor, (except particular angry parties whom I wrote against,) they never denyed me their good word. What then can you think should draw me to be too sharp against them, and too favourable