You many times repeat, that upon the Nonconformists grounds to return unto the service in the Church of England, is to join with Idolaters in Idolatry. This no doubt is a vehement accusation, if it can be proved: if it be rashly surmised, then it is as pestilent a slander: But ground out of the Nonconformists for such conclusions you have showed none nor once take notice of that which is alleged to the contrary, which you could not but see, if you could have found any exception against it. They do not deny, but there is a visible Church of God in England, and therefore your saying of them, that they do almost in plain and flat terms, say that we have not so much as any outward face, and show of the true Church, argueth that you have almost no love in you, which upon one word once uttered, contrary to the tenor of their book, 1and course of their whole life, surmise this of them. Thus a chief Nonconformist long ago. Another in the book, which you pretend to answer, and in these very pages, He most shamefully and lewdly, as a man void of all common honesty and grace, maketh the Ministers of Lincoln to affirm, that the Prelates are reviled to be great Antichrists and their Ministry and constitution, to be great troublers of the Church at this day, and that it cannot but be very sinful and hurtful to retain or communicate with them. 2The Devil himself would have been ashamed in this open manner to have told such a lie, and therefore he is to be trusted no further, than he is seen. This you pass over in silence; and if the substance of the accusation be applied unto your self, I know not what apology you can make.
You many times repeate, that upon the Nonconformists grounds to returne unto the service in the Church of England, is to joyne with Idolaters in Idolatry. This no doubt is a vehement accusation, if it can be proved: if it be rashly surmised, then it is as pestilent a slander: But ground out of the Nonconformists for such conclusions you have shewed none nor once take notice of that which is alledged to the contrarie, which you could not but see, if you could have found any exception against it. They doe not deny, but there is a visible Church of God in England, and therefore your saying of them, that they doe almost in plaine and flat tearmes, say that we have not so much as any outward face, and shew of the true Church, argueth that you have almost no love in you, which upon one word once uttered, contrary to the tenour of their booke, 1and course of their whole life, surmise this of them. Thus a chiefe Nonconformist long agoe. Another in the booke, which you pretend to answer, and in these very pages, He most shamefully and lewdly, as a man void of all common honestie and grace, maketh the Ministers of Lincoln to affirme, that the Prelates are reviled to be great Antichrists and their Ministerie and constitution, to be great troublers of the Church at this day, and that it cannot but be very sinfull and hurtfull to retaine or communicate with them. 2The Divell himselfe would have beene ashamed in this open manner to have told such a lie, and therefore he is to be trusted no further, than he is seen. This you passe over in silence; and if the substance of the accusation bee applyed unto your selfe, I know not what apologie you can make.
- 1T.C. repl. 1. p. 8. Unreasonab. of separation p. 81.T.C. repl. 1. p. 8. Vnreasonab. of separation p. 81.
- 2CAN Stay §. 3. p. 59.69. Rai•old. de idelo•l. 2. c. 1. §. 2. Bilson. Christ. subj. part. 3. pag. 269. The Devil himself can show no greater malice, than to pervert that which is well spoken: and to force a lewd senes of his own or another mans wordsCAN Stay §. 3. p. 59.69. Rai•old. de idelo•l. 2. c. 1. §. 2. Bilson. Christ. subj. part. 3. pag. 269. The Divell himselfe can shew no greater malice, than to pervert that which is well spoken: and to force a lewd senes of his owne or another mans words
