Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

And yet it were well if all the guilt had lain upon that party! But alas it was not so! Those pious and painful Divines that were oppressed, and much more that part of the people that joined with them, were too impatient under their suffering! and bent themselves (some of them) more then was meet against the persons of those that they suffered by; and too much endeavoured to make the Prelates odious with the people; as persecutors of the Church of God: and were ready to go too far from them on the other hand; and to think the worse of some things because they commanded them. Doubtless had we all suffered with more patience, and carried our selves with meekness and gent eness to those that we differed from, and given them so much commendation as was their due, and put the best constructions on ⟨p. 162⟩their actions that we could, and covered their infirmities with the most charitable interpretations, we might have done more to mollify their minds; or at least, to have maintained our own innocency. But as there was no room on their part to a motion for peace, or a petition for liberty, in the time of their prosperity; so when advantages did seem to appear to us of vindicating our liberties, we looked upon them as unreconcilable, and too inconsiderately rushed on, and were wanting in those peaceable endeavours that were our duty. We did not in our Assembly invite them to a free consultation, that their cause might have the fullest and fairest hearing, before it had been condemned. Proposals that had any tendency to healing and accommodation, had never that entertainment from us that they did deserve. What moderate Proposals were made to one party by Bishop Usher, which both parties did dislike! How many pacificatory motions and excellent Treatises came from that Heavenly peaceable Bishop Hall, especially his Peace-maker, his Pax terris, and his Modest Offer! But how little did they effect! Certainly some of the men were so venerable for their admirable learning and piety, that they deserved to have been heard, and consulted with too, as wise and most Judicious men. And Prelacy was not so young a plant in the Church, nor had it in former and latter ages, had so few or mean persons to adorn and credit it, but that it well deserved the fairest hearing and debate.

And yet it were well if all the guilt had lain upon that party! But alas it was not so! Those pious and painful Divines that were oppressed, and much more that part of the people that joyned with them, were too impatient under their suffering! and bent themselves (some of them) more then was meet against the persons of those that they suffered by; and too much endeavoured to make the Prelates odious with the people; as persecutors of the Church of God: and were ready to go too far from them on the other hand; and to think the worse of some things because they commanded them. Doubtless had we all suffered with more patience, and carried our selves with meekness and gent eness to those that we differed from, and given them so much commendation as was their due, and put the best constructions on