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

20. We are so far from believing our selves, that the soundness of a mans judgement or excellency of his parts in other matters, hath any necessary connection to his Conformity or Nonconformity, that we can hardly believe that any of the most fiery of our Reproachers that is sober, doth himself believe it, when the world hath so large a proof in the effects, of very great Learning, judiciousness and worth in many of both parts.

20. We are so far from believing our selves, that the soundness of a mans judgement or excellency of his parts in other matters, hath any necessary connexion to his Conformity or Nonconformity, that we can hardly believe that any of the most fiery of our Reproachers that is sober, doth himself believe it, when the world hath so large a proof in the effects, of very great Learning, judiciousness and worth in many of both parts.

21. And so far are we from thinking that no Ministers that conform not are defective, weak or imprudent in expressions, or injudicious in some Controversies of Religion, that we are past all doubt, that the far greatest part of the Clergy in the world are so; and alas, much worse than so! And that it is the great numbers of ignorant, weak, injudicious, or proud, self-seeking, Carnal, Covetous Pastors, that is the great plague and calamity of the Christian Church through all the earth: ⟨p. 194⟩The great cause of the ignorance and ungodliness and unprofitableness of the people, and the dominion of sensuality, and the increase of Atheism, Infidelity and Heresy, and of the great divisions and confusions among Christians in East and West, is a Clergy that is either so ignorant as to be unable, or so ungodly as to be unwilling, or slothful about their masters work; or so proud and worldly and malignant, as to set up their own Domination, wealth and will, as the Rule of order and unity, and to account their fleshly interest to be the interest of Christ, and to hate and persecute all those as schismatics and disobedient, that will not serve such sinful ends.

21. And so far are we from thinking that no Ministers that conform not are defective, weak or imprudent in expressions, or injudicious in some Controversies of Religion, that we are past all doubt, that the far greatest part of the Clergy in the world are so; and alas, much worse than so! And that it is the great numbers of ignorant, weak, injudicious, or proud, self-seeking, Carnal, Covetous Pastors, that is the great plague and calamity of the Christian Church through all the earth: