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

Quest. Why do not Nonconformists preach up Peace and Unity, and Obedience to Superiors?

Quest. Why do not Nonconformists preach up Peace and Unity, and Obedience to Superiours?

Answ. You tell us that the Nonconformists hold it their duty to declare the whole Counsel of God; and they tell us that 'tis their duty to pray for Magistrates, and to obey their lawful Commands for Conscience-sake; and therefore 'tis but Charity to judge they will not be wanting in what they are convinced of, is their Duty.

If there be any that sow the Seeds or Tares of Division and Disobedience, whether in private Meetings, or public Congregations; I say concerning them, O my Soul, come not thou into their ⟨p. 73⟩secrets, unto their Assemblies be not thou united: yet there are, I fear, who cry peace, peace, when there is no peace, but war in their hearts; all the Peace and Unity they intend and endeavour after, is but to bow all to their own Bent, Ways, Opinions, and Sentiments; and to break all those whom they cannot bend. Some there are, who with much pretended Zeal, cry, and that aloud, for obedience to Magistrates and Laws, and act more out of policy and self-interests, than Conscience; making these but as stalking-horses, the better to come near, and to shoot at their own Game; thus taking vengeance on their own supposed Enemies, whilst they seem to do God and his Vice-gerent service: Hereby breaking the whole Law of God, pretending the observation of the fifth Commandment; and that fundamental Law of our Peace and happiness, the Act of Indemnity, whilst they pretend Zeal to the Act of Uniformity: Else what's the reason that they seldom or never preach but upon that subject, when as it sufficeth by the Canons to treat of it four times a year. For my own part, I acknowledge and profess 'tis a duty to preach obedience to God and his Vice-gerent, both to be obedient our self, and to teach others also this duty by Precept and Example: Yet I must confess, I do not think they do all things decently and in order, who always preach up the Duty of the people at Court, not they that preach the duty of Rulers in the Country.