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

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⟩than of the later sort of them were for the Parliament: 5. That the Archbishop of York (Williams) who had some time been Lord Keeper, was one of the Parliaments Commanders in North-Wales (as it is reported without denial.) 6. That most Ministers are dead that were in that War. 7. That the Westminster Assembly, as is said, came thither almost all Conformists. 8. That so small is the number of the present silenced Ministers who had any hand in those Wars, that if no other were ejected and silenced but they, the case would be judged comparatively very easy, and it would be thankfully accepted, as hath oft been told. For most were then youths at School, and in the Universities, and many lived in the King's quarters and garrisons, and many other never meddled with Wars at all; it being now about thirty four, or five years since the War began. 9. That all the Wars that have been since their opposition to the Parliament and violence done to the person of the King, were far from being owned by the common sort of the now Nonconformists, as was said. 10. The Doctrine of Bilson, Hooker, and such like, containing such Principles as Parliament men then usually professed is before mentioned, though not fully recited, and is commonly known;

35. As to the late Civil Wars which some most lowdly 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 Comformists,