The Case of the Protestant dissenters represented and argued

A. The Question to any of common Sense, answers it self. For it is not put concerning such as dissent from any Part of the Substance of Worship which God hath commanded; but concerning such Additions as he never commanded. And there are sufficient Tests to distinguish such Dissenters, from those that deny any substantial Part of Religion, or assert any thing contrary thereto. Wherefore to forbid such to worship that God that made them, because they cannot receive your devised Additions, is to exclude that which is necessary, for the mere want of that which is unnecessary.

A. The Question to any of common Sense, answers it self. For it is not put concerning such as dissent from any Part of the Substance of Worship which God hath commanded; but concerning such Additions as he never commanded. And there are sufficient Tests to distinguish such Dissenters, from those that deny any substantial Part of Religion, or assert any thing contrary thereto. Wherefore to forbid such to worship that God that made them, because they cannot receive your devised Additions, is to exclude that which is necessary, for the meer want of that which is unnecessary.

And where is that Man that will adventure to stand forth, and avow the hindering of such Persons from paying their Homage to the God that made them? If we thus expostulate the matter on Gods behalf, and their own; will you cut off from God his Right in the Creatures he hath made? Will you cut off from them the means of their Salvation, upon these terms? What reply can the matter admit?

'Tis commonly alleged, That great deference is to be paid to the Laws; and that we ought to have forborne our Assemblies, till the public Authority recalled the Laws against them. And we will say the same thing, when it is well proved, that they who made such Laws, made the world too.