The principles of faith, presented

I Having long expected (amongst the multitude of papers, and promised Reformations, that these Parliamentary years, and reforming deformed times have produced) to have found some Champion that would have stood up, some Heroical compassionate spirit that would have taken into consideration the poor and despicable condition and provision of younger Brothers; I thought that there would have been some amongst the reforming Combatants of that fraternity, that would have been mindful of that so grand a pressure still continuing with us, but whether it be through the multitude of their employments, or that they have acquired to themselves (great possessions and sufficient maintenance) being now careless and forgetful of the welfare of their fellow brethren, or whether it be through want of remembrance and ingenuity, as not taking notice of it as so great a grievance▪ in regard of the long use it hath had with us, there being nothing so absurd in nature, so horrible in it self, or so ridiculous in reason and common sense, which long use will not make plausible and acceptable; custom making good seem evil, and evil good. That it might not altogether be buried in oblivion, and that none hath seemed to be sufficiently mindful of it, and ⟨p. 3⟩that it appears to me (as yet) so dissonant unto Scripture, and natural reason, so opposite to common equity, which ought to be the foundation and chief corner stone of all Laws.

I Having long expected (amongst the multitude of papers, and promised Reformations, that these Parlimentary years, and reforming deformed times have produced) to have found some Champion that would have stood up, some Heroicall compassionate spirit that would have taken into consideration the poor and despicable condition and provision of younger Brothers; I thought that there would have been some amongst the reforming Combatants of that fraternity, that would have been mindfull of that so grand a pressure still continuing with us, but whether it be through the multitude of their imployments, or that they have acquired to themselves (great possessions and sufficient maintenance) being now carelesse and forgetfull of the welfare of their fellow brethren, or whether it be through want of remembrance and ingenuity, as not taking notice of it as so great a grievance▪ in regard of the long use it hath had with us, there being nothing so absurd in nature, so horrible in it self, or so ridiculous in reason and common sence, which long use will not make plausible and acceptable; custome making good seem evill, and evill good. That it might not altogether be buried in oblivion, and that none hath seemed to be sufficiently mindfull of it, and