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

Ans. I grant the taking down the old Mound or Hedge, and not setting a new one in the room, was an occasion that many erroneous persons, like wild beasts, did get into the Vineyard, and that some strange Doctrines, Fancies, Phrases and Whimsies were vented in the Times of War and late Confusions; but I say, that these things are not to be charged upon the Presbyterians: for if they had had power to their principles and purposes, they would doubtless have raised up a Mound or Fence against such Errors, Fancies and Follies, as strong as that the Parliament removed. I have heard it observed, that of all Churches, no Church hath had fewer Heresies and Heterodoxies spring up, or at least prosper in it, than the Church of Scotland, and that this was acknowledged by King James.

Ans. I grant the taking down the old Mound or Hedge, and not setting a new one in the room, was an occasion that many erronious persons, like wild beasts, did get into the Vineyard, and that some strange Doctrines, Phancies, Phrases and Whimses were vented in the Times of War and late Confusions; but I say, that these things are not to be charged upon the Presbyterians: for if they had had power to their principles and purposes, they would doubtless have raised up a Mound or Fence against such Errors, Fancies and Follies, as strong as that the Parliament removed. I have heard it observed, that of all Churches, no Church hath had fewer Heresies and Heterodoxies spring up, or at least prosper in it, than the Church of Scotland, and that this was acknowledged by King James.

Quest. Were all that took the Covenant bound thereby to endeavour to introduce the Government of the Church of Scotland into England, ⟨p. 140⟩because they obliged themselves to maintain and defend Religion in the Church of Scotland, and to reform Religion in the Church of England! Vid. Contin. p. 168.