The Anabaptists in New-England, have in their Narrative lately published, endeavoured to make Candida de nigris & de candentib•s atra, themselves the Innocent persons, and the Lords servants here, no better than Persecutors. In which respect, it hath been judged necessary, that some one should Animadvert upon what they have done, that so such persons as have been imposed upon by their untrue Relations, may be disabused. Many are of the mind, that it is not worth the while, to take notice of what is emitted, by men so obscure and inconsiderable. And I confess I have thought so my self, so far as I am personally concerned in any of their reflections; and therefore shall not lose precious time in a needless defence. Ita concurrimus utrinque; illiextremo furore, ego summo contemptu; & vincit mea audacia in Christo. It seems to me, that the Reverend Author of the following Animadversions, hath showed much humility, in condescending to take persons in hand, between whom, and himself there is such an Impar congressus, and let it be, that for this once, He hath contradicted that proverbial saying Aquila non capit Mus••s. Had he not been sensible, that by good words, and fair speeches the hearts of the simple are deceived, this pains would have been spared. I verily believe, that the Anabaptists by their fallacious Narrative, have grievously offended God; inasmuch as the things by them misrepresented, were not done a far off (for then mistakes about them would have been excusable) but at home, where right Information was easy to have been obtained; had they been willing to have known, and that others should have known the truth. And by this means, have they done ill for themselves, forcing others to discover the enormities of some, whose nakedness and shame should not have been divulged to the World, and to posterity forever; but slept in a grave of silence: had not their own Narrative brought them forth. They have also by Letters, misrepresented worthy and honourable persons as well as things, and their reports have been received elsewhere, with too much readiness and credulity, as I perceive by certain Complainants, who say they understand that the present Honourable Governor of this Colony, had threatened th•• poor people, their Christian friends (as they stile them) with death:
THe Anabaptists in New-England, have in their Narrative lately published, endeavoured to make Candida de nigris & de candentib•s atra, themselves the Innocent persons, and the Lords servants here, no better than Persecutors. In which respect, it hath been judged necessary, that some one should Animadvert upon what they have done, that so such persons as have been imposed upon by their untrue Relations, may be disabused. Many are of the mind, that it is not worth the while, to take notice of what is emitted, by men so obscure and inconsiderable. And I confess I have thought so my self, so far as I am personally concerned in any of their reflections; and therefore shall not lose precious time in a needless defence. Ita concurrimus utrinque; illiextremo furore, ego summo contemptu; & vincit mea audacia in Christo. It seems to me, that the Reverend Author of the following Animadversions, hath shewed much humility, in condescending to take persons in hand, between whom, and himself there is such an Impar congressus, and let it be, that for this once, He hath contradicted that proverbial saying Aquila non capit Mus••s. Had he not been sensible, that by good words, and fair speeches the hearts of the simple are deceived, this pains would have been spared. I verily believe, that the Anabaptists by their fallacious Narrative, have grievously offended God; inasmuch as the things by them misrepresented, were not done a far off (for then mistakes about them would have been excusable) but at home, where right Information was easie to have been obtained; had they been willing to have known, and that others should have known the truth. And by this means, have they done ill for themselves, forcing others to discover the enormities of some, whose nakedn•ss and shame should not have been divulged to the World, and to posterity forever; but slept in a grave of silence: had not their own Narrative brought them forth. They have also by Letters, misrepresented worthy and honourable persons as well as things, and their reports have been received elsewhere, with too much readiness and credulity, as I perceive by certain Complainants, whosay they understand that the present Honourable Governour of this Colony, had threatned th•• poor people, their Christian friends (as they stile them) with death:
