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

As for W. B. whether his Writings be so faulty as they are charged to be in the Debates, I cannot tell, having not read them; but a Conformable Doctor told me, that he had searched them, and that the Author of the Debate had dealt disingeniously in his quotations of him, &c.

Quest. May not every whit as much be said for the Papists, why they should be tolerated, as to the public exercise of their Religion, as for Nonconformists? Do not they profess all Loyalty to his Majesty, and declare against all Rebellion?

Quest. May not every whit as much be said for the Papists, why they should be tolerated, as to the publick exercise of their Religion, as for Nonconformists? Do not they profess all Loyalty to his Majesty, and declare against all Rebellion?

Answ. The Papists depend upon a foreign Power in Ecclesiastical Affairs, superior (as they think) to his Majesty. And it was subscribed by twelve Bishops in Ireland, as follows: Their Religion is superstitious and idolatrous, their Faith and Doctrine erroneous and heretical, their Church in respect of both, Apostatical. Whereas the Nonconformists, whether Presbyters or Congregationists, agree with the Church of England in the Doctrine of Faith and Sacraments, differ not in any substantial part of Religion from her. What the Papists practice hath been, how dangerous to the Civil Peace, the History of England in Q. Elizabeth's days, can tell us. That 'tis impossible for any Nation to be free from Troubles or Treason, so long as they suffer Jesuits amongst them, saith Watson in his Quodlibets. And that he and his Order were not so good and loyal as they pretended, may be guessed from hence, that he himself was afterwards executed for Treason.

Answ. The Papists depend upon a forraign Power in Ecclesiastical Affairs, superiour (as they think) to his Majesty. And it was subscribed by twelve Bishops in Ireland, as follows: Their Religion is superstitious and idolatrous, their Faith and Doctrine erronious and heretical, their Church in respect of both, Apostatical. Whereas the Nonconformists, whether Presbyters or Congregationists, agree with the Church of England in the Doctrine of Faith and Sacraments, differ not in any substantial part of Religion from her. What the Papists practice hath been, how dangerous to the Civil Peace, the History of England in Q. Elizabeth's days, can tell us. That 'tis impossible for any Nation to be free from Troubles or Treason, so long as they suffer Jesuites amongst them, saith Watson in his Quodlibets. And that he and his Order were not so good and loyal as they pretended, may be guessed from hence, that he himself was afrerwards executed for Treason.