The new command renewed, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…The new command renew'd, or, Love one another being an endeavour after the unity…

I said, yea to my self and others I often said, I was few of days, and therefore I was afraid and durst not show forth mine opinion; I said, days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom: but the spirit within me constrained me, and I spake and must speak that I may be refreshed. My belly! (should I hold my peace at such a time as this) if this Wine should not have vent, would be ready to burst like new Bottles.

I said, yea to my self and others I often said, I was few of days, and therefore I was afraid and durst not shew forth mine opinion; I said, days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom: but the spirit within me constrained me, and I spake and must speak that I may be refreshed. My belly! (should I hold my peace at such a time as this) if this Wine should not have vent, would be ready to burst like new Bottles.

But let me not (I pray you) accept [nor except] any mans person, neither let me give flattering titles nor upbraiding language unto any ⟨p. 3⟩man; should I do so, my Maker would soon take me away. I know God would lay it to my charge.

Censures perhaps I may undergo, and I indeed expect it; but not from you: let the world scoff, I care not, having learned to pass through their good report and bad. I am not ignorant in what a narrow way I walk, how it concerns me to be cautious, both what I speak and how: for who would undertake to moderate the extreme immoderation of our days? and yet for my own part I am not solicitous (good meaning and innocency are careless, and seldom fore-think what to say) my conscience, yea God himself bears me witness, that I would not write a Syllable which should give offence. ¹