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

L. But what Sin fear you by ceasing your ministry?

M. 1. We fear the guilt of Perfidious breaking of our Ordination Vow, by which we solemnly obliged our selves to diligent performing of our Ministry. The Bishops put those of us on this whom they ordained, who now would force us to violate it. 2. Therein we fear the guilt of Sacrilege, as alienating Persons consecrated to God. And we can judge it to be no better than Pharisaical Hypocrisy, in them that aggravate the Sacrilege of alienating consecrated Utensils and Lands, and yet will alienate consecrated Persons, and take it to be well done: whereas the Lands and Goods are but to serve the Persons who are nearer to God, while they serve him. 3. We fear the Sin of Cruelty, Unmercifulness, and the guilt of Damning Souls. As if we were commanded to forbear feeding our Children, or the Poor, we should expect to be charged with Murdering them, if they died of Famine, by our Neglect. 4. We fear being charged with fighting against Christ, or as Enemies to his Kingdom, and to his Saving Work: He was so great an Esteemer of Souls and Holiness, that by the greatest of Miracles, he came in Flesh to redeem, and sanctify, and save Men: And if we starve and betray them to Satan by our neglect, we are Enemies to his saving Work and Office. And he that condemneth ⟨p. 157⟩them that do not feed, and clothe, and visit them, may condemn us more, if we betray their Souls. 5. We fear being guilty of serving the Devil, in deserting and betraying Souls that are our trust: As a Captain that should desert his Station and fly, or should desert his Garrison and Trust, doth let in the Enemy: Or as Christ saith, The hireling fleeth and leaveth the flock to Wolves: God saith to the negligent Watchman, Ezek. 33. Their blood will I require at thy hands. 6. We shall be a Temptation to the People to imitate us, and forsake the truth, and turn from Christ: For if the Captains fly, the Soldiers are like to follow. And if we may cease Ministerial Piety, they may think they may as well cease Family and Private Piety. 7. We may look for the doom of the slothful Servant that hid his Master's talent, and was sentenced to be cast for it into outer Darkness. 8. We cast away our hopes of Salvation by Christ, if we cast away our Evidence of our Title to his Love: As he charged Peter, three times, If he loved him to feed his Sheep and Lambs; so the same extends to us: