A peace-offering in an apology and humble plea for indulgence and liberty of conscience

As then all inconveniences, yea, and mischiefs relating unto things within the power of men, are to be undergone and born with, that are less than the Evils which nothing but Political Societies can prevent for the sake thereof: So the allowance of those Differences which are inseparable from the nature of man, as diversified in Individuals, and insuperable unto any of their endeavours, is supposed in the Principles of its being and constitution. Yea, this is one Principle of the Law of Nature, to which we owe the Benefits of humane Conversation and Administration of Justice, that those differences amongst men, which unto them are absolutely unavoidable, and therefore in themselves not entrenching upon, nor disannulling the good of the whole, (for nature doth not interfere with itself) should be forborne and allowed among them, seeing an endeavour for their extinguishment must irresistibly extinguish the Community itself, as taking away the main supposal on which it is founded. And in that harmony, which by an answerableness ⟨p. 17⟩of one thing unto another, riseth from such differences, doth the chiefest glory and beauty of Civil Society consist; the several particulars of it also being rendered useful unto the whole thereby. Of this nature are the things concerning which we discourse. They relate, as is confessed, unto things spiritual and supernatural: that the will of God in these things cannot be known but by Revelation from himself, all men will acknowledge: and we suppose they will with no less readiness consent, That Divine Revelation cannot be apprehended or assented unto, but according to the nature and measure of that light, which God is pleased to communicate unto them, unto whom such Revelation is made: That this Light doth so equally affect the minds of all men, or that it is possible it should do so, considering the divers ways and means of its communication, with the different dispositions of them that receive it, that they should all have the same apprehensions of the things proposed unto them, none will judge, but such as take up their profession in these things on Custom, Prejudice or Interest.

As then all inconveniencies, yea, and mischiefs relating unto things within the power of men, are to be undergone and born with, that are less than the Evils which nothing but Political Societies can prevent for the sake thereof: So the allowance of those Differences which are inseparable from the nature of man, as diversified in Individuals, and insuperable unto any of their endeavours, is supposed in the Principles of its being and constitution. Yea, this is one Principle of the Law of Nature, to which we owe the Benefits of humane Conversation and Administration of Justice, that those differences amongst men, which unto them are absolutely unavoidable, and therefore in themselves not intrenching upon, nor disannulling the good of the whole, (for nature doth not intersere with itself) should be forborn and allowed among them, seeing an endeavour for their extinguishment must irresistibly extinguish the Community itself, as taking away the main supposal on which it is founded. And in that harmony, which by an answerableness