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

Answ. But these be but unproved words. 1. How shall we be sure that other mens sinning will absolve the two thousand innocent from their duty? If in the first Instant it be confessedly the equal duty of all, how will the weakness and sin of one part change the obligation of all the rest? 2. If the Churches be somehow supplied by mens sin, will it follow that truth and righteousness in sounder blameless men will not mend their supply? but must be cast out by others sin? 3. And where can the wit of man ever set bounds to such power of sinners? It will here be granted us, that if the most in France conform to Popery, it will not disoblige all others from the exercise of their Ministry: And who then can say, what those untruths and sins are which a weak and erring Ministry may be guilty of, which shall serve to disoblige the rest? No man here can set us any certain measure. 4. Would it have an honest sound if it should be said to the people, The greater part of the ⟨p. 116⟩Ministers by sin (yea gross deliberate sin unrepented of) have procured the liberty of their Ministry; and they are enow for you, and therefore you must hear none of those that refused so to sin, and are cast out, e. g. suppose it were the subscribing of the Covenant against P•elaey that were made the Condition of our Preaching here by Law: Or subscribing to the Divine Right of unordained Elders and their power in Presbyterian-Classes: If most of the Ministers take that Covenant, doth that prove that all the rest if forbidden to Preach must be silent? This were an easy way to introduce any Error, by forbidding any but the defenders of it to Preach? If Julian might not thus have put down the Gospel, nor Valens have put down the Homoousians (as they called the Orthodox,) nor the Papists so put down the Protestants, why may Calvinists or Lutherans so put down one another? As if I were bound to be a Minister only till other men will sin!

Answ. But these be but unproved words. 1. How shall we be sure that other mens sinning will absolve the two thousand innocent from their duty? If in the first Instant it be confessedly the equal duty of all, how will the weakness and sin of one part change the obligation of all the rest? 2. If the Churches be somehow supplied by mens sin, will it follow that truth and righteousness in sounder blameless men will not mend their supply? but must be cast out by others sin? 3. And where can the wit of man ever set bounds to such power of sinners? It will here be granted us, that if the most in France conform to Popery, it will not disoblige all others from the exercise of their Ministry: And who then can say, what those untruths and sins are which a weak and erring Ministry may be guilty of, which shall serve to disoblige the rest? No man here can set us any certain measure. 4. Would it have an honest sound if it should be said to the people, The greater part of the