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

As for them that think that to name the late Wars is a Confutation of Nonconformists, as if they knew not that they were raised on both sides by Conformists (Heylin in Lauds Life will tell them who.) I now only repeat, [Silence all that had a hand in those Wars (except the Conformists) and no more, and I and thousands will give you thanks:] I plead not for my self: The years are past in which I might have better served the Church, had I been thought tolerable. I am almost uncapable now of your kindness, or of any great hurt that you can do me. A torrent of reproaching scornful words may ease some mens minds, and serve some mens ends, ⟨image 5⟩but will not satisfy my conscience, nor heal the Land. I write not this as accusing Conformists, or the Law-makers, but as answering their loud and long accusations and demands. If telling what I fear, seem a telling what others are guilty of, it is a consequent which I cannot avoid; but to avoid it and such like, have seventeen years been herein silent. So far am I from desiring the weakening of the Church, that I had not written this, but to prevent it. Though I with Saint Martin renounce communion with Ithacius and Idacius, I go not so far as he in separating from the Synods of Bishops; nor will I separate from any Christians, further than they separate from Christ, or expel me: Church-Order I love; Church Tyranny and Schism I love not: I am for more Bishops, and not for fewer: If Parish-Oratories, or Chapels were made Parish-Churches, at least in each Corporation anciently called [Greek or Hebrew]: Yea if the Parish-Ministers might be Pastors, Episcopigregis, and not forced by strangers to excommunicate, absolve and receive to communion against their knowledge and consciences, nor to profess, promise or practice sin against God, nor omit their known Ministerial duty, far be it from me to be against Conformity. I doubt not but he that will preserve Religion here in its due advantages, must endeavour to preserve ⟨image 6⟩the Soundness, Concord and Honour of the Parish-Churches. And as the truly wise and honest Judge Hale hath said to me, It must be a new Act of Uniformity that must heal us, if ever we be healed. I am of the mind of old Mr. Dod, who, for the peoples sake, thanked God that there were so many worthy Conformists, and for Truth and Conscience sake, thanked God that there were so many Nonconformists.

As for them that think that to name the late Wars is a Confutation of Nonconformists, as if they knew not that they were raised on both sides by Conformists (Heylin in Lauds Life will tell them who.) I now only repeat, [Silence all that had a hand in those Wars (except the Conformists) and no more, and I and thousands will give you thanks:] I plead not for my self: The years are past in which I might have better served the Church, had I been thought tolerable. I am almost uncapable now of your kindness, or of any great hurt that you can do me. A torrent of reproaching scornful words may ease some mens minds, and serve some mens ends,