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

And though perhaps some others would never have scrupled to have answered these Pieces, Raillery with Raillery, or even Railing with Railing, and to have thrown that Dirt in his Face which he put into our hands; and to have laboured to quench his Wild-fire, though with dirty and stinking Billings-gate Kennel-Water: Yet this hath not been my design, but rather the contrary, to overcome him with good usage and good words; and because I cannot give him as good Language as he brings, therefore to study to give him better; however nothing so bad; to use hard Reasons, and soft Words; and herein to follow the Reverend and Judicious Hooker, rather than Martin Mar-Prelate.

And though perhaps some others would never have scrupled to have answered these Pieces, Railery with Railery, or even Railing with Railing, and to have thrown that Dirt in his Face which he put into our hands; and to have laboured to quench his Wild-fire, though with dirty and stinking Billings-gate Kennel-Water: Yet this hath not been my design, but rather the contrary, to overcome him with good usage and good words; and because I cannot give him as good Language as he brings, therefore to study to give him better; however nothing so bad; to use hard Reasons, and soft Words; and herein to follow the Reverend and Judicious Hooker, rather than Martin Mar-Prelate.

As for the way and method I take in assaulting his two strong Holds or Forts, (which some think impregnable) namely, why I do not charge in a right Line, and rush directly upon the Pikes, the Noli me Tangere's of the Books; my answer is that of the Duke of Parma, upon occasion, I know very well what is fit for me to do, for the attaining my Ends, and am not come so far, to take counsel of my Enemy. Or as another Prince said, I will not take a burning Coal out of the fire with my bare Fingers, when I can do it better with a pair of ⟨image 7⟩Tongs. I add further, It doth not necessarily argue the want of a good Cause, or a good Courage, to come on the Flank or Rear of an Enemy as well as on the Front; or to seem sometimes to give Ground and Wheel-about, with a design to charge with the more advantage.