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…

In these Circumstances, to be required severely to change their Judgments and Practices, as it were Momento Turbinis, immediately and in an instant; or else to be looked on and treated as Adversaries; many do think as unseasonable, as to command a good part of an Army when it is actually engaged against an Enemy, to change all their Order, Postures, Discipline and Advantages, or immediately to depart out of the Field. And they do withal suppose that such a sudden change is least of all to be expected to be wrought by such severe Charges and Reflections, as are made on all Nonconformists in this Discourse. Such like things as these do men talk concerning the season of the Preaching and Publishing of this Sermon: But in such things every man is to be left unto his own Prudence, whereof he may not esteem himself obliged to give an Account.

For my part I judge it not so unseasonable as some others do. For it is well that honest men should understand the state of those things wherein they are greatly and deeply concerned. Nonconformists might possibly suppose that the common danger of all Protestants had reconciled the minds of the Conforming Ministry unto them, so as that they were more than formerly inclined unto their forbearance, and I was really of the same judgment my self. If it be not so, it is well they are fairly warned, what they have to expect, that they may prepare themselves to undergo it with patience. But we shall pass by these things, and attend a little unto the consideration of the Sermon itself.

The Design of this Discourse seems to consist in these three things, or to aim at them.