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

Illud etiam verè adjicere possum plus uni Augustino jam veterano & in ista causa versatissimo tribuendum esse quàm centùm Corvinis, Grotiis, Vorstiis, Bertiis, Tilenis & id genus, recentioribus Dogmatistis. ⟨p. 145⟩Accedat & illud coronidis loco, Augustino semper ad baesisse, hac ex-parte, Ecclesiam Universalem ab ejus temporibus Ecclesiam item Anglicanam, ab initio Reformationis, &c.

Quest. Is the case of the Donatists and the case of the Non-conformists alike?

Answ. The Donatists, as they had no cause in regard of the Faith (by reason of any dangerous Doctrines or Practices imposed on them) to cease from communicating with any part of the Catholic Church; so they divided from the whole Church, with the breach of Charity, condemning it for no Church, and drawing the Communion wholly to themselves. The Nonconformists do not condemn the Church of England as no Church; they do not confine the Communion to themselves; they humbly pray a Reformation of some things which they conceive amiss, and are willing to have Communion with them as Parts of the Catholic Church (saving the Practices wherein they differ) they leave them to their Liberty, and desire a Liberty for themselves to serve God according to their Consciences. The Presbyterians showed their Charity in their earnest endeavours to save the life of Dr. Hewit an Episcopal Dr; for which purpose, they joined in an Address to O. C. the only Address they ever made unto him; Neither Presbyterians, nor Congregationists, charge the Episcopalians for being Schismatics, because ⟨p. 146⟩they do not communicate with their Congregations, and yet they look upon themselves as true Churches of Christ, and both for Doctrine and Discipline, to come as near the Scripture-Pattern as themselves. They offered to Unite and Reconcile with the Episcopal-Clergy upon Christian terms, before His Majesties Return, and since. As for out Brethren of New England, they are of Age, let them answer for themselves. As for our Congregational Brethren at home, I lately heard that Dr. Goodwin should profess to hold Communion even with the Lutheran Churches. And Dr. Owen professeth against all Impositions; and that 'tis his Judgment, That the Episcopals and Presbyterians be left to worship God as they judge in their Consciences best; That for his part, he judgeth no man for his Conformity, provided he be not a Persecutor of those that cannot.