A letter written out of the country to a person of quality in the…A letter written out of the countrey to a person of quality in the…

Secondly, Say somewhat (as yours sufficiently lets me see there is Cause) in his just defence against you. And really Sir, though that be an untoward thing to dispute against, I find it needful to defend him only against your anger, i.e. the excess of it: Which although it can no more harm him, than he hath done the Cause; and consequently the blunting and breaking its edge (which is ⟨p. 41⟩the thing I aim at) cannot advantage him, yet it will do him right; and (which was the thing I first intended) 'twill be an advantage and kindness to you.

I must here indeed tell you, that I cannot blame you for being in some measure offended, as I can excuse the Doctor but in part. I do dislike as well as you two things especially in his way of managing this business; viz. His too great acrimony, and too little seriousness.

For the former it is too evident, and I heartily pity him for it, that he should so forget, and suffer himself to be transported beyond the rules of Christianity and Prudence; neither of which would allow him, (and I am sure within the compass of the former, his Text would not) so to make himself a Standard to all other men, as to suppose no man can be honest or conscientious that is not of his mind in the matters he then undertook to controvert, or that should not judge of the connections of things as he did: I cannot think it hath added to his Reputation to reflect so grossly before such an Assembly, upon a whole Party of Men that are, many of them, well known in the World; and who, in point of Integrity, are so little liable to be suspected, that an attempt to blemish them upon so slight a pretence, and in matter of fact, so untrue, could not but recoil upon himself; especially with them that shall impartially compare their Inducements to prevaricate with what he hath.