Faith, and Holiness, are my professed principles, with an endeavour, so far as in me lieth, to be at peace with all men. What shall I say, let mine enemies themselves be judges, if any thing in these following doctrines, or if ought that any Man hath heard me preach, doth, or hath according to the true intent of my words, savoured either of heresy of rebellion. I say again, let they themselves be judges, if ought they find in my writing or preaching, doth render me worthy of almost twelve years imprisonment, or one that deserveth to be hanged, or banished ⟨image 4⟩for ever, according to their tremendous Sentence. Indeed my principles are such, as lead me to a denial to communicate in the the things of the Kingdom of Christ, with ungodly and open profane; neither can I in, or by the superstitious inventions of this World, consent that my Soul should be governed, in any of my approaches to God, because commanded to the contrary, and commended for so refusing. Wherefore excepting this one thing, for which I ought not to be rebuked; I shall I trust in despite of slander and falsehood, discover my self at all times a peaceable, and an obedient Subject. But if nothing will do, unless I make of my conscience a continual butchery, and slaughter-shop, unless putting out my own eyes I ⟨image 5⟩commit me to the blind to lead me, (as I doubt is desired by some) I have determined the Almighty God being my help, and shield, yet to suffer, if frail life might continue so long, even till the moss shall grow on mine eye-brows rather then thus to violate my faith and principles. Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon, that cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters, that come from another place be forsaken? Jer. 18.14. Hath a Nation changed their Gods which yet are no Gods? For all People will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. Micah 4.5.
Faith, and Holiness, are my professed principles, with an endeavour, so far as in me lyeth, to be at peace with all men. What shall I say, let mine enemies themselves be judges, if any thing in these following doctrines, or if ought that any Man hath heard me preach, doth, or hath according to the true intent of my words, savoured either of heresie of rebellion. I say again, let they themselves be judges, if ought they find in my writing or preaching, doth render me worthy of almost twelve years imprisonment, or one that deserveth to be hanged, or banished ⟨image 4⟩for ever, according to their tremendous Sentence. Indeed my principles are such, as lead me to a denial to communicate in the the things of the Kingdom of Christ, with ungodly and open prophane; neither can I in, or by the superstitious inventions of this World, consent that my Soul should be governed, in any of my approaches to God, because commanded to the contrary, and commended for so refusing. Wherefore excepting this one thing, for which I ought not to be rebuked; I shall I trust in despite of slander and falsehood, discover my self at all times a peaceable, and an obedient Subject. But if nothing will do, unless I make of my conscience a continual butchery, and slaughter-shop, unless putting out my own eyes I ⟨image 5⟩commit me to the blind to lead me, (as I doubt is desired by some) I have determined the Almighty God being my help, and shield, yet to suffer, if frail life might continue so long, even till the moss shall grow on mine eye-browes rather then thus to violate my faith and principles. Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon, that cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters, that come from another place be forsaken? Jer. 18.14. Hath a Nation changed their Gods which yet are no Gods? For all People will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. Micah 4.5.