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

XXXII. And to complete all, some blush not to accuse them, as the bringers in of Popery, by desiring Liberty; as if Preaching the Gospel did not do more to keep out Popery, than the ignorance of untaught people: As if our earnest requests eighteen years ago, that we might not be massed up with the Papists, nor a door opened to them by our divisions and sufferings, were all forgotten: As if the Nonconformists were nearer Popery than they that would have the Pope to be Principium Unitatis to the Universal Church: As if their Printed Morning Lectures against Popery, and many other Writings, did not sufficiently show their distance from it: As if the Papists desired the Liberty, rather than the silencing of the Nonconformists; or desired any thing more than that so many hundred adversaries to Popery, and all the Protestants of England who adhere to them, might be cast out, and brought as low as themselves, and put into the same condition, that they might stand or fall together. Nay, what if on such necessity they should accept of favour from any Papists that would save them? If one Party would bring men to such a pass that they must be hanged, imprisoned, ⟨p. 246⟩ruined, or worse, unless the favour of the Papists deliver them; and the other Party had rather be saved by Papists, than be hanged or ruined by Protestants, which of these were more to be suspected of Popery? especially if the same men that give us the Alarm that Popery is coming in, undertook the sole teaching of those by whom they suspect its entrance, and yet would not abate a needless Oath, or covenant or ceremony to keep it out, or strengthen the Protestants by the Union, for which we have so long patiently begged and waited.

XXXII. And to compleat all, some blush not to accuse them, as the bringers in of Popery, by desiring Liberty; as if Preaching the Gospel did not do more to keep out Popery, than the ignorance of untaught people: As if our earnest requests eighteen years ago, that we might not be mass'd up with the Papists, nor a door opened to them by our divisions and sufferings, were all forgotten: As if the Nonconformists were neerer Popery than they that would have the Pope to be Principium Unitatis to the Universal Church: As if their Printed Morning Lectures against Popery, and many other Writings, did not sufficiently shew their distance from it: As if the Papists desired the Liberty, rather than the silencing of the Nonconformists; or desired any thing more than that so many hundred adversaries to Popery, and all the Protestants of England who adhere to them, might be cast out, and brought as low as themselves, and put into the same condition, that they might stand or fall together. Nay, what if on such necessity they should accept of favour from any Papists that would save them? If one Party would bring men to such a pass that they must be hanged, imprisoned,