The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

Under these accusations my conscience urged me to acquaint the accusing Clergy with our Case, believing it be uncharitable to impute all their false report to Malignity, or Diabolism, but that it was STRANGENESS to our Case, while wrath and cross interest kept them from hearing us: But my prudent friends persuaded me silently to leave all to God, assuring me it would but more exasperate, till they called us themselves to speak. Twice we were since invited to a Trial for Concord, and both times came to an Agreement with the moderate and eminent Persons that we treated with: But it was buried in privacy; and still we are called on, to give the reasons of our Dissent.

Under these accusations my conscience urged me to acquaint the accusing Clergy with our Case, believing it be uncharitable to impute all their false report to Malignity, or Diabolism, but that it was STRANGENESS to our Case, while wrath and cross interest kept them from hearing us: But my prudent friends perswaded me silently to leave all to God, assuring me it would but more exasperate, till they called us themselves to speak. Twice we were since invited to a Tryal for Concord, and both times came to an Agreement with the moderate and eminent Persons that we treated with: But it was buried in privacy; and still we are called on, to give the reasons of our Dissent.

Having long forborne for fear of offending them that require it, at last I have here adventured, not so far as to urge the Case, but only to state it, and tell you barely what it is that I dare not do: If I find that you can bear this, if I have leave from God and man, I shall venture on more, and give you my reasons: This unarmed Account is easily trampled on. I doubt not but it will meet ⟨image 5⟩with such usage as I have had already: But I must say, that if such as the Counterminer will say that to fear such sin as I have here named, by one that is not willing to be damned, is Treason, Rebellion, Schism, Faction, Pride, Obstinacy; this will not pass with me for convincing Argument, on which I may venture my salvation. Jul Scaliger exercit. tells us, that in France our Bicott, the Learned Schoolman, was envied by another for his Auditors in Philosophy, and his crafty adversary told the King, that Bicott was a Peripatetic, and Aristotle was against Monarchy: There needed no more, and Bicott was cast down.