More reasons for the Christian religion and no reason against it, or, A second…

Thirdly, You had a Brother of your own, so holy a man, as his sincerity was past exception; and so zealous in his Sacred Ministry, as showed he did not dissemble; And I suppose had it been necessary, you would have so maintained him, that he should not have fled from truth for fear of poverty.

Thirdly, You had a Brother of your own, so holy a man, as his sincerity was past exception; and so zealous in his Sacred Ministry, as shewed he did not dissemble; And I suppose had it been necessary, you would have so maintained him, that he should not have fled from truth for fear of poverty.

Fourthly, What can you think of all those that gave up their lives for the Christian saith and hopes? Did they go upon such carnal grounds as you mention.

Fifthly, The revolutions of States, and the diversity of Sentiments, and especially the Interests of the Carnal part, do bring it to pass (by Gods over-ruling of all) that usually the most serious Christians and Pastors, are the sufferers of the age they live in: so that how much hath God done hereby to confute such suspicions and accusations! There are now in England learned and worthy men, in Church preferments, which doubtless do not so love them as to buy them with the loss of truth, and that to keep up a Religion against their Consciences. But if you did so accuse them, sure the many hundred silenced Ministers now in England that live in poverty, and many of them want Bread, when they might have preferment as well as others, do live out of the reach of this accusation: I write not this at all as meddling with their Cause, but as answering your Exception. I have my self got no more for Preaching the Gospel these nine years, than if I had been a Lay-man; I mean I have Preached for nothing, if the success on mens souls were not something, and Gods ⟨p. 166⟩