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

2. And now I come to the second branch of my Antecedent; As it is not morally possible, for to change the judgements of so many in this point, and to keep them in that mind from age to age; so it is as impossible to bring them all to conform against their judgements by any force that can be offered. I need not prove this to any that believeth ⟨p. 175⟩that there is a God and a life to come, and believeth that any others do believe it: And those that believe neither of these, should be no Bishops if I could help it. 1. From the Nature of faith and holiness: Every one that unfeignedly believeth that there is a God and a life to come (with a true practical belief) will rather die than deliberately and continuedly do that which he believeth doth displease God, and forfeit everlasting happiness. 2. Gods promise is to strengthen his servants against such wilful impenitent sinning, and to keep them by his power through faith unto salvation: If Christ should suffer all his members to be deliberately and impenitently guilty of that, which they verily think is aggravated Perjury, Ministerial Lying, renouncing reformation, justifying the sins of thousands, &c. then should the gates of hell prevail, and his Church be no Church (because not holy), and consequently Christ be no Head of a true Church, that is, no Christ. He that hath commanded, Fear not them that can kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but fear him, &c. Luke 12. 4. will give grace to his servants to obey his commands; for he hath promised to write his Laws in their hearts, &c. 3. And the Martyrdom undergone in so many ages doth assure us, that men will rather die, than deliberately do that which they judge to be so great a sin. 4. And the sufferings of these times do tell you what men will further undergo, if you follow it on to the utmost: Some have died in prison already; And some have died of the diseases there taken; And many families live in very great necessities, that in the days of Usurpation had food and raiment. Lately I saw a credible letter craving relief for a godly Minister in Kent, who (when his infirmities lately contracted will permit him) doth spin at the wheel to get some bread for his family: And many others have suffered ⟨p. 176⟩more.