In dealing about this business among Christians,1 the Advantage hath been extremely hitherto on their part, who found it their interest to begin the charge. For whereas perhaps themselves were, and are of all men most guilty of the Crime, yet by their clamorous Accusation, putting others upon the defence of themselves, they have in a manner clearly escaped from the trial of their own guilt, and cast the issue of the Question purely on them, whom they have accused. The Actors or Complainants part was so privileged by some Laws and Customs, that he who had ⟨p. 6⟩desperately wounded another, chose rather to enter against him the frivolous plea, that he received not his whole Sword into his body, then to stand to his best defence, on the complaint of the wounded man. An accusation managed with the craft of men guilty, and a confidence becoming men wronged and innocent, is not every ones work to sleight & wave. And he is in ordinary judgements immediately acquitted, who avers that his charge is but recrimination. What advantage the Romanists have had on this account, how they have expatiated in the aggravation of the sin of Schism, whilst they have kept others on the defence, and would fain make the only thing in Question to be, whether they are guilty of it or no, is known to all. And therefore ever since they have been convinced of their disability to debate the things in difference between them and us, unto any advantage, from the Scripture, they have almost wholly insisted on this one business, wherein they would have it wisely thought, that our concernment only comes to the trial, knowing that in these things their defence is weak, who have nothing else. Nor do they need any other Advantage. For if any party of men can estate themselves ⟨p. 7⟩at large in all the privileges granted & promises made to the Church in general, they need not be solicitous about dealing with them that oppose them; having at once rendered them no better then Jews Solis nose Deos & Coeli numina nobis and Mahumetans,—out solis neseire datum. Heathens or Publicans, by appropriating the Privileges mentioned unto themselves. And whereas the parties litigant, by all rules of Law and Equity, ought to stand under an equal regard, until the severals of their differences have been heard and stated; one party is hereby utterly condemned before it is heard:
In dealing about this businesse among Christians,1 the Advantage hath been extreamly hitherto on their part, who found it their interest to beginne the charge. For whereas perhaps themselves were, and are of all men most guilty of the Crime, yet by their clamarous Accusation, putting others upon the defence of themselves, they have in a manner cleerly escaped from the triall of their own guilt, and cast the issue of the Question purely on them, whom they have accused. The Actors or Complainants part was so priviledged by some Lawes and Customes, that he who had ⟨p. 6⟩desperately wounded another, chose rather to enter against him the frivolous plea, that he received not his whole Sword into his body, then to stand to his best defence, on the complaint of the wounded man. An accusation mannaged with the craft of men guilty, and a confidence becoming men wronged and innocent, is not every ones worke to sleight & wave. And he is in ordinary judgements immediately acquitted, who averrs that his charge is but recrimination. What advantage the Romanists have had on this account, how they have expatiated in the aggravation of the sinne of Schisme, whilst they have kept others on the defence, and would faine make the only thing in Question to be, whether they are guilty of it or no, is known to all. And therefore ever since they have been convinced of their disability to debate the things in difference between them and us, unto any advantage, from the Scripture, they have almost wholly insisted on this one businesse, wherein they would have it wisely thought, that our concernment only comes to the triall, knowing that in these things their defence is weake, who have nothing else. Nor doe they need any other Advantage. For if any party of men can estate themselves ⟨p. 7⟩at large in all the priviledges granted & promises made to the Church in generall, they need not be sollicitous about dealing with them that oppose them; having at once rendered them no better then Jewes Solis nosse Deos & Coeli numina nobis and Mahumetans,—out solis neseire datum. Heathens or Publicans, by appropriating the Priviledges mentioned unto themselves. And whereas the parties litigant, by all rules of Law and Equity, ought to stand under an equall regard, untill the severalls of their differences have been heard and stated; one party is hereby utterly condemned before it is heard:
- 1§. 4.
