A Christian letter

I HAVE received of late (beloved brethren in Christ) a little book by one of your company; which is entitled, A confession of faith of some English men banished in Belgia, and have known your desire partly by the speech of the same messenger, partly by the preface of the writing. But as concerning my self, beloved brethren, whom peradventure ye have thought meet to be appealed unto a part, I verily see not how much I can do in this cause, or how I can fit your purpose. For I know that now long since every man doth abound in his own sense; and that those that are otherwise minded are so far to be borne with, holding the head and foundation, till the Lord reveal things further unto them. I know it is my part not to play the busy body; but that I should serve the truth and charity in my standing and measure which the Lord hath bestowed upon me, in Christian modesty and simplicity, as far as my skill and ability will stretch unto. Certainly when I considered more diligently, I thought nothing more commodious or more safe both for you and for my self, publicly in all this matter; then that we should embrace a holy silence. If there be any thing wherein we be offended, let us commit our cause to the Lord, the author of our faith, and righter of our cause. But because after a sort, you will not suffer me to be silent, and to condole in secret for the wounds of the ⟨image 5⟩Church, which is rent more then enough, by actions thrust forth in public in this our age; I will declare faithfully, and with a good conscience before God what I think: beseeching him who is author of peace and truth that he would lead both you and me alike into all trueth according to his promise, & also dispose each of our minds and affections to interpret brotherly one another's requests, answers, admonitions, and finally all our duties, although (as it cometh to pass, and is incident to man) disagreeing from our sense and taste. I observe therefore that there are three chapters in your little book, wherein you desire our counsel and judgement. The first is that head of doctrine which you profess in your little book. The second is the fact whereof ye have accused the English Churches. Lastly the third is, the conclusion which you infer by comparing that your doctrine with that practise of England;

I HAVE receiued of late (belooued brethren in Christ) a little booke by one of your companie; which is intituled, A confession of faith of some English men banished in Belgia, and haue knowne your desire partly by the speach of the same messenger, partly by the preface of the writing. But as concerning my selfe, beloued brethren, whom peraduenture yee haue thought meete to be appealed vnto a part, I verily see not how much I can doe in this cause, or how I can fit your purpose. For I knowe that now long since euery man doth abound in his owne sense; and that those that are otherwise minded are so farre to be borne with, holding the heade and foundation, till the Lord reueale things further vnto them. I know it is my part not to play the busie body; but that I should serue the truth and charitie in my standing and measure which the Lord hath bestowed vpon me, in Christian modestie and simplicitie, as farre as my skil and abilitie wil stretch vnto. Certainely when I considered more diligently, I thought nothing more commodious or more safe both for you and for my selfe, publickly in all this matter; then that we should embrace a holy silence. Yf there be any thing wherein we be offended, let vs commit our cause to the Lord, the author of our faith, and righter of our cause. But because after a sort, you will not suffer mee to be silent, and to condole in secret for the woundes of the