But since he advanceth Reason so much in word, upon all occasion, we may wonder he hath made no more real use of it in his Discourse. For say we might (and think we can justify it) that his Words are more than his Matter, his Rhetoric far beyond his Logic; and therefore we choose rather that he should smite us with his Fist, than with the Palms of his Hands; I mean with his Logic, rather than with his Rhetoric. What Reason or Logic is in such a Discourse as this? Mr. T. W. and Mr. W. B. have Printed such and such things, therefore all, or almost all the Non-conformists are so and so; or Preach and Print thus and thus; or else Mr. Lewes Hughes, Mr. Vicars, the two Mr. Bridges, say or write thus; Ergo, this is the Way, the Spirit, and the Language of the whole Party. Or one or two in a Kingdom, or in the three Kingdoms, and that too, when the Kingdoms were all in a flame with the Civil War, were hot and fiery, &c. Ergo (now notwithstanding that there has been nine years peace, an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion passed, the generality of men formerly divided, ⟨image 5⟩quiet and quietly disposed, uniting, cementing and soldering together, co-operating For the peace, settlement, and welfare of the whole (a few Clergy-men excepted) all that were sometimes of the one Side or Party, must be looked upon as Hotspurs, Incendiaries, very dangerous Persons, Enemies to Authority still, &c. must have the skins of wild Beasts put upon them, and a hideous noise and out-cry made after them, on purpose to stir up the People to hunt them down, or worry them; or else to move and provoke Authority to make and spread Nets and Toils to take them: Would it not have been more rational and Christian, more Logical and Theological, for the Author to have argued thus; Mr. Baxter, Mr. Allen, Dr. Tuckney, Dr. Conant, and many others now living, though Non-conformists, are good men, good Christians, good Subjects, good Preachers, good Writers; therefore we must not judge all our Brethren Inconformists, for the failings or miscarriages of a few? Or might not the Author of the Debate, if he had pleased; have argued much better and stronger, thus; Mr. Dod, Mr. Ball, Mr. Hildersham, Mr. Rathband, Mr. Geree, and many others of the old Non-conformists, were meek and moderate, serious and sober, zealous against Separation;
But since he advanceth Reason so much in word, upon all occasion, we may wonder he hath made no more real use of it in his Discourse. For say we might (and think we can justifie it) that his Words are more than his Matter, his Rhetorick far beyond his Logick; and therefore we choose rather that he should smite us with his Fist, than with the Palms of his Hands; I mean with his Logick, rather than with his Rhetorick. What Reason or Logick is in such a Discourse as this? Mr. T. W. and Mr. W. B. have Printed such and such things, therefore all, or almost all the Non-conformists are so and so; or Preach and Print thus and thus; or else Mr. Lewes Hughes, Mr. Viccars, the two Mr. Bridges, say or write thus; Ergo, this is the Way, the Spirit, and the Language of the whole Party. Or one or two in a Kingdom, or in the three Kingdoms, and that too, when the Kingdoms were all in a flame with the Civil War, were hot and fiery, &c. Ergo (now notwithstanding that there has been nine years peace, an Act of Indempnity and Oblivion passed, the generality of men formerly divided, ⟨image 5⟩quiet and quietly disposed, uniting, cementing and soddering together, co-operating For the peace, settlement, and welfare of the whole (a few Clergy-men excepted) all that were sometimes of the one Side or Party, must be looked upon as Hotspurs, Incendiaries, very dangerous Persons, Enemies to Authority still, &c. must have the skins of wild Beasts put upon them, and a hideous noise and out-cry made after them, on purpose to stir up the People to hunt them down, or worry them; or else to move and provoke Authority to make and spread Nets and Toyles to take them: Would it not have been more rational and Christian, more Logical and Theological, for the Author to have argued thus; Mr. Baxter, Mr. Allen, Dr. Tuckney, Dr. Conant, and many others now living, though Non-conformists, are good men, good Christians, good Subjects, good Preachers, good Writers; therefore we must not judge all our Brethren Inconformists, for the failings or miscarriages of a few? Or might not the Author of the Debate, if he had pleased; have argued much better and stronger, thus; Mr. Dod, Mr. Ball, Mr. Hildersham, Mr. Rathband, Mr. Geree, and many others of the old Non-conformists, were meek and moderate, serious and sober, zealous against Separation;
