The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…

In 1649. I wrote a Book called Political Aphorisms, in which, 1. I asserted the Universal Monarchy of God, 2. The Preeminence of Monarchy before Democracy against Mr. Harington's Oceana, 3. The way to secure a pious Monarchy; 4. And I added the reasons why I then had adhered to the Parliament, out of a desire of conviction if I had ⟨image 7⟩erred: But for great Reasons I have since desired that the book be taken as non scriptus. But what I judge undeniable I here declare.

In 1649. I wrote a Book called Political Aphorismes, in which, 1. I asserted the Universal Monarchy of God, 2. The Preheminence of Monarchy before Democracy against Mr. Harington's Oceana, 3. The way to secure a pious Monarchy; 4. And I added the reasons why I then had adhered to the Parliament, out of a desire of conviction if I had ⟨image 7⟩erred: But for great Reasons I have since desired that the book be taken as non scriptus. But what I judge undenyable I here declare.

Were sin and madness any wonder in the world, it were a wonder that England is not as happy and concordant a Nation as any under heaven. God hath kept us from tasting of those miserable wars, which have distressed many other Nations: God loudly calleth us to peace: old and sad experience of the mischiefs of war, do call unto all that are in their wits if possible to avoid it. The militant Nations round about us, have left us to sweet peace. But sin, folly and pride, will not consent: How many years have we begged for peace, of those that should have been the preachers and wisest promoters of peace, and cannot yet obtain it, nor quiet them that call for fire and sword, not knowing what spirit they are of? A miserable Nation's afraid of confusions, prayeth for the King and all in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty: and the Declaration about Ecclesiastical affairs telleth us that the King would have given the people Peace: but with unpeaceable Clergymen, no plea, no petition could prevail. The things that have been, are; and the confusions of our age have come from the same causes and sorts of men, as the confusions in former ages did; which in an Abridgement of Church History I have lately opened: we rejoice with Paul that Christ is preached: but alas, that so many preach him not sincerely, of good will and love, but in envy, strife and contention, to add affliction to the afflicted,