TO CHAP. XXIII.

TO CHAP. XXIII.

His 23. Chapter examineth a speech of mine which might tend to the dishonour of the Separation, as the reproach against ⟨p. 115⟩Salem had done before. My Speech was, That God had not prospered the way of Separation: which least it should be mistaken, I interpreted, not in respect of outward prosperity: for they found more favour in our native Country, then those who walked in the way of Reformation, which is commonly reproached by the name of Puritanism. The meetings of the Separatists might be known to the Officers in the Courts, and winked at, when the Conventicles of the Puritans (as they call them) are hunted out with all diligence, and pursued with more violence, then any Law can justify. But I said, that God had not prospered the way of Separation, in that he had not blessed it, either with peace amongst themselves, or with growth of grace, such as erring through simplicity, and tenderness of Conscience, have grown in grace, have grown also to discern their lawful liberty, to return to the hearing of the Word from English Preachers.

HIs 23. Chapter examineth a speech of mine which might tend to the dishonour of the Separation, as the reproach against ⟨p. 115⟩Salem had done before. My Speech was, That God had not prospered the way of Separation: which least it should be mistaken, I interpreted, not in respect of outward prosperitie: for they found more favour in our native Countrey, then those who walked in the way of Reformation, which is commonly reproached by the name of Puritanisme. The meetings of the Separatists might be knowne to the Officers in the Courts, and winked at, when the Conventicles of the Puritans (as they call them) are hunted out with all diligence, and pursued with more violence, then any Law can justifie. But I said, that God had not prospered the way of Separation, in that he had not blessed it, either with peace amongst themselves, or with growth of grace, such as erring through simplicitie, and tendernesse of Conscience, have growne in grace, have growne also to discerne their lawfull libertie, to returne to the hearing of the Word from English Preachers.