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

XXXVII. Whereas there is a sort of ignorant or ill meaning men, that still say [we know not what the Nonconformists would have, and why will they not tell us what would satisfy them,] While ⟨p. 248⟩we offer to beg on our Knees for leave to do it; we humbly entreat them to weary men awake no more with that canting. 1. As long as the Kings Declaration about Ecclesiastical affairs is visible. 2. And as long as our Reply and our Reformed additions to the Liturgy, and our Petition for Peace which respected the old Conformity remain unanswered by those to whom in 1660 we did present them: 3. And till we are once called or allowed to speak for our selves against the new conformity; a favour which the justice of old Roman Heathens, yea and splenetic Jews did grant to all that were accused before they punished them, but since Popery prevailed in the world is become a thing among them not to be expected. 4. And as long as men know that Bishop Wilkins and Dr. Burton appointed by the Lord Keeper Bridgman to treat with some of us of the terms of Union, (saying it was His Majesties Pleasure,) did come to a full agreement with us in terminis, which was drawn up into the form of an Act by no worse a man than that PILLAR OF JUSTICE the excellent Judge Hale, and the Parliament presently Voted that no such Act should be brought in and offered. Dear Brethren, God is the father of Lights and with him is no darkness: Men may be mocked, but God is not mocked: If the day that will bring works of darkness to light, and finally clear the Innocent, be not the object of certain faith and hope, let our cause be bad, and let us as fools be judged such as have forsaken our best hopes: But that it is otherwise we believe, and therefore appeal to a righteous God from an unrighteous world.

XXXVII. Whereas there is a sort of ignorant or ill meaning men, that still say [we know not what the Nonconformists would have, and why will they not tell us what would satisfie them,] While ⟨p. 248⟩we offer to beg on our Knees for leave to do it; we humbly intreat them to weary men awake no more with that canting. 1. As long as the Kings Declaration about Ecclesiastical affairs is visible. 2. And as long as our Reply and our Reformed additions to the Liturgy, and our Petition for Peace which respected the old Conformity remain unanswered by those to whom in 1660 we did present them: 3. And till we are once called or allowed to speak for our selves against the new conformity; a favour which the justice of old Romane Heathens, yea and splenetick Jews did grant to all that were accused before they punished them, but since Popery prevailed in the world is become a thing among them not to be expected. 4. And as long as men know that Bishop Wilkins and Dr. Burton appointed by the Lord Keeper Bridgman to treat with some of us of the terms of Union, (saying it was His Majesties Pleasure,) did come to a full agreement with us in terminis, which was drawn up into the form of an Act by no worse a man than that PILLAR OF JUSTICE the excellent Judge Hale, and the Parliament presently Voted that no such Act should be brought in and offered. Dear Brethren, God is the father of Lights and with him is no darkness: Men may be mocked, but God is not mocked: If the day that will bring works of darkness to light, and finally clear the Innocent, be not the object of certain faith and hope, let our cause be bad, and let us as fools be judged such as have forsaken our best hopes: But that it is otherwise we believe, and therefore appeal to a righteous God from an unrighteous world.