More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…

§. 15. II. But yet for all this, as Politicians use to tell Tyrants, that if God and man did but secure them from all resistance, men would fly from them as from Tigers or Crocodiles, and suppose their boundless uncontrolled pride and cruelty would be insatiable; so I say of Heretical and truly Schismatical Contenders, that If they were once secured that whatever folly, heresy, or ungodly mischievous conceits they vend, and that with the greatest industry and turbulency ⟨p. 192⟩to deceive the people, no man yet must contradict them, nor open their folly that it may be known to all, and go no further, for fear of being taken for a man of disputation, controversy and strife, this would so embolden them to attempt the seduction of all sorts of people, that no place would be safe or quiet.

§. 15. II. But yet for all this, as Politicians use to tell Tyrants, that if God and man did but secure them from all resistance, men would flie from them as from Tigers or Crocodiles, and suppose their boundless uncontrouled pride and cruelty would be insatiable; so I say of Heretitical and truly Schismatical Contenders, that If they were once secured that whatever folly, heresie, or ungodly mischievous conceits they vend, and that with the greatest industry and turbulency ⟨p. 192⟩to deceive the people, no man yet must contradict them, nor open their folly that it may be known to all, and go no further, for fear of being taken for a man of disputation, controversie and strife, this would so embolden them to attempt the seduction of all sorts of people, that no place would be safe or quiet.

§. 16. It is a foolish pretence of peaceableness and quietness, to stand by in silence for fear of our own or others trouble, and see well-meaning people seduced, Christ and his truth and name abused, and God dishonoured, and his Churches shaken, and made a scorn and scandal to the world, and all for fear of being accounted contentious. If it be lukewarm (as they say themselves) to hear daily swearers, cursers, scorners, and such other profane sinners, and not give them a close reproof or admonition, so much more is it to see or hear hurtful falsehoods published as the precious truths of God, and not to contradict it, nor endeavour to save mens souls from the infection. If Satan's work must be done without resistance as oft as a mistaken well-meaning man will do it, there will be little safety for the flocks.