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

And I foresaw that the further they go in this way; the further they will go from God and Godliness▪ from peace and safety, and that it will be the longer the worse, till they retire: For one hard usage on one side, and hard censure on the other side, after another, will by degrees raise men to the height of bitterness, and make them think, that their interest consisteth in the hurt and ruin of each other.

And I foresaw that the further they go in this way; the further they will go from God and Godliness▪ from peace and safety, and that it will be the longer the worse, till they retire: For one hard usage on one side, and hard censure on the other side, after another, will by degrees raise men to the height of bitterness, and make them think, that their interest con•isteth in the hurt and ruine of each other.

Also I foresaw that while we worried, and weakened one another, as all Sects would grow under the discontents of one party, so the Papists were like to be the principal gainers; And they would be ready to offer their service to strengthen one of the parties against the other; and would be glad to take up the reproaches against the most religious people, that were by angry adversaries brought unto their hands; And that when we had made our selves a Common scorn by our manifold divisions, and by our biting and devouring one another, they would plead this as our shame, to draw people to themselves, as the only stable and consistent Church; ⟨p. 33⟩and would make us giddy that we might rest on them as our Supporters; and when they saw us weak enough, would be ready to devour us all.

Also I foresaw that while we worried, and weakned one another, as all Sects would grow under the discontents of one party, so the Papists were like to be the principal gainers; And they would be ready to offer their service to strengthen one of the parties against the other; and would be glad to take up the reproaches against the most religious people, that were by angry adversaries brought unto their hands; And that when we had made our selves a Common scorn by our manifold divisions, and by our biting and devouring one another, they would plead this as our shame, to draw people to themselves, as the only stable and consistent Church;