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

33. Their interest, honour or somewhat else ⟨p. 137⟩led many persons of those times, when they had made the name of Presbyterians odious, to call all the Nonconformists that were Episcopal or neutral, by the name of Presbyterians, even those that had declared themselves against the Presbyterian frame, so they were not Independents. And they continue that practice to serve their ends to this day.

34. The elder sort of the Nonconformists were ordained by Diocesan Bishops: The younger sort were ordained by Assemblies of the Parish Pastors of Cities and Countries, no other ordination being then allowed by those in Power.

35. As to the late Civil Wars which some most loudly charge on the Nonconformists, this is the truth, that the several parties charge the beginning of that war on one another: One party saith that the Presbyterians begun it in England: Another party lay it on the old Church of England men that followed Archbishop Abbot, and such like: Both these accused Parties laid the beginning on Archbishop Laud as an Innovator, and those that followed him: And some think that every side had too much hand in it, and were to be blamed. The truth is, 1. That more by far of the Nonconformists than of the late sort of the Prelatists were for the Parliament in those times: 2. That some that were Sectaries, and some that were hot for the Parliament did conform: 3. That some few that had been in the King's Army or Cause, and that were sufferers for him, and were against the Covenant and the Parliaments War, were Nonconformists: 4. That many more of the old Episcopal Conformists, ⟨p. 138⟩