A44973:246
An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…
An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate and the continuation thereof / by a lover of truth and peace.
S.l. : s.n., 1669
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. Are Nonconformists most guilty of breaking the third Commandment in the main sense? See Cont: p. 4.
Answ. Mr. Case, Mr. Edwards, and the London Ministers (cited by the Author of the Debate in his Continuation) all prove they were very tender of the breach of an Oath, desirous to keep far from it themselves; and to save others, with fear plucking them out of the fire; and the present ejected and dejected estate of the Nonconformists may testify, that they are such as fear an Oath. The Presbyterians are bold to say in one of their Papers to his Majesty, That the Obligation of the Covenant upon the Consciences of the Nation, was not the weakest Instrument of his Return. As to your citations out of Mr. John Goodwyn and Mr. John Lilborne, I say there lieth an Exception against the Witnesses in the Case; as I suppose you might say, if their Testimonies were produced against the Hierarchy, Liturgy, and Ceremonies.
Answ. Mr. Case, Mr. Edwards, and the London Ministers (cited by the Author of the Debate in his Continuation) all prove they were very tender of the breach of an Oath, desirous to keep far from it themselves; and to save others, with fear plucking them out of the fire; and the present ejected and dejected estate of the Nonconformists may testifie, that they are such as fear an Oath. The Presbyterians are bold to say in one of their Papers to his Majesty, That the Obligation of the Covenant upon the Consciences of the Nation, was not the weakest Instrument of his Return. As to your citations out of Mr. John Goodwyn and Mr. John Lilborne, I say there lyeth an Exception against the Witnesses in the Case; as I suppose you might say, if their Testimonies were produced against the Hierarchy, Liturgy, and Ceremonies.
Quest. What may be the cause the Author of the Debate is so fierce against the Protestation taken by the Parliament before the War, and which his late Majesty excepted not against when taken, although he was then at Whitehall?