An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Quest. Is it impossible that they should be either good Christians or good Subjects, who keep and frequent private Meetings, commonly called Conventicles?

Answ. There are amongst the Papists (whom may suppose the Author of the Debate thinks good Christians and good Subjects) who assemble themselves for Religious Exercises. And there were a Congregation of Protestants in the Reign of Queen Marry, which yet were good ⟨p. 68⟩Christians and good Subjects; and which I would not brand with the name of a Conventicle, no more than the Author of the Debate would the Meetings of Dr. Gunning, Dr. Hyde, and other, for the Common Prayer in the late time; although if Conventicles be against the Common Law, that was the same then and now. Judicious Mr. Hales in his Tract of Schism, hath more Charity for Dissenten:¹ When either false and uncertain Conclusions are obtruded for Truth, and Acts either unlawful, or ministering just scruple, are required of us to be performed; in these Cases, (saith he) Co• sent were Conspiracy; and of open Contestation is […] Faction or Schism, but due Christian Animosity.

Answ. There are amongst the Papists (whom may suppose the Author of the Debate thinks good Christians and good Subjects) who assemble themselves for Religious Exercises. And there were a Congregation of Protestants in the Reign of Queen Marry, which yet were good ⟨p. 68⟩Christians and good Subjects; and which I would not brand with the name of a Conventicle, no more than the Author of the Debate would the Meetings of Dr. Gunning, Dr. Hyde, and other, for the Common Prayer in the late time; although if Conventicles be against the Common Law, that was the same then and now. Judicious Mr. Hales in his Tract of Schism, hath more Charity for Dissenten:¹