The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. They do so; and I am glad to find that falseness, and wickedness as such is yet disowned in the World, and that men do not glory in the very names of them. It is a notable evidence that there is a Life of retribution, that naughtiness is disowned by all Mankind, and the worst would be thought and called honest, and true, and good; and that the World would not Crucify Christ, nor Persecute and Murder his Apostles under the name of righteous holy men, but under the name of Malefactors, Enemies to Caesar, Breakers of the Law, and Pestilent Fellows ⟨p. 152⟩that troubled the Peace, and turned the World upside down. The Devil himself dare not own the name of Lying, Malignity and Murder, nor of Persecuting Men for Truth and Goodness, and Gods Cause. And verily it seemeth the Controversy of many in this Age, whether they that scarce speak of God but in Swearing and Cursing, nor of Religion, but in scorning or threatening the serious practisers of it, and that savour little but Eating and Drinking to the full, and Playing, and getting Riches, and hating all that are stricter than they, or those that make Gods Law their rule, and Obedience to him the work of their Lives, and his serious Worship their delight, and Heaven their hope, and dare not wilfully sin against God, nor be Perjured or Lie; I say, which of these be the honester Men?

M. They do so; and I am glad to find that falseness, and wickedness as such is yet disowned in the World, and that men do not glory in the very names of them. It is a notable evidence that there is a Life of retribution, that naughtiness is disowned by all Mankind, and the worst would be thought and called honest, and true, and good; and that the World would not Crucifie Christ, nor Persecute and Murder his Apostles under the name of righteous holy men, but under the name of Malefactors, Enemies to Caesar, Breakers of the Law, and Pestilent Fellows ⟨p. 152⟩that troubled the Peace, and turned the World upside down. The Devil himself dare not own the name of Lying, Malignity and Murder, nor of Persecuting Men for Truth and Goodness, and Gods Cause. And verily it seemeth the Controversie of many in this Age, whether they that scarce speak of God but in Swearing and Cursing, nor of Religion, but in scorning or threatning the serious practisers of it, and that savour little but Eating and Drinking to the full, and Playing, and getting Riches, and hateing all that are stricter than they, or those that make Gods Law their rule, and Obedience to him the work of their Lives, and his serious Worship their delight, and Heaven their hope, and dare not wilfully sin against God, nor be Perjured or Lie; I say, which of these be the honester Men?