A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schism as it was…A brief vindication of the non-conformists from the charge of schisme as it was…

(2) To aggravate their supposed Guilt and Crime, both in its Nature, and all the pernicious Consequents of it that can be imagined.

(3) To charge them, especially their Ministers, with want of Sincerity and Honesty, in the management of their Dissent from the Church of England, with reference unto the People that hear them. What there is of Truth in these things, or what there may be of mistake in them, it is the Duty of Nonconformists to try and examine. But some few things must have a previous consideration, before we come to the Merits of the Cause itself.

1. The Reverend Author of this Discourse affirms, that in the Preaching of this Sermon he was far from intending to stir up the Magistrates and Judges unto a Persecution of Dissenters, as some ill men have reported. Epist. Dead. Without this Information I confess I could not but judge it would have been as liable unto a supposition of such a Design, as the actings of the Nonconformists in the management of their Cause are unto that of Insincerity in the judgment of this Reverend Author. For,

1. The Reverend Author of this Discourse affirms, that in the Preaching of this Sermon he was far from intending to stir up the Magistrates and Judges unto a Persecution of Dissenters, as some ill men have reported. Epist. Ded. Without this Information I confess I could not but judge it would have been as liable unto a supposition of such a Design, as the actings of the Nonconformists in the management of their Cause are unto that of Insincerity in the judgment of this Reverend Author. For,