To CHAP. II.

To CHAP. II.

His second Chapter is spent in answering to a double charge, which he saith, he observeth, I laid against him. Though in very Truth, I laid neither of them down as charges against him, but as discharges to my self from expecting that He should vouchsafe to hearken to my voice, who had refused to hearken both to the voice of the body of the whole Church of Salem (whereof he was a member) and to the voices of so many Elders, and brethren of other Churches.

His second Chapter is spent in answering to a double charge, which he saith, he observeth, I laid against him. Though in very Truth, I layd neither of them downe as charges against him, but as discharges to my selfe from expecting that He should vouchsafe to hearken to my voyce, who had refused to hearken both to the voyce of the body of the whole Church of Salem (whereof he was a member) and to the voyces of so many Elders, and brethren of other Churches.

But suppose I did charge him with a double sin in refusing to hearken to this double voice, (though I did not say it was a sin:) how doth he discharge himself? For neglect of the former, he excuseth himself by the charge of his Office, which lay upon him, on a Fast-day to discover to them eleven public sins, as causes of the present, and public calamities. Which most of the Church seemed at first to assent unto, until afterwards, the greater part of the Church (whether for fear of Persecution, or otherwise) was swayed, and bowed to practise such things, which with sighs and groans many of them mourned under.

But suppose I did charge him with a double sinne in refusing to hearken to this double voyce, (though I did not say it was a sinne:) how doth he discharge himselfe? For neglect of the former, he excuseth himselfe by the charge of his Office, which lay upon him, on a Fast-day to discover to them eleven publick sinnes, as causes of the present, and publick calamities. Which most of the Church seemed at first to assent unto, untill afterwards, the greater part of the Church (whether for feare of Persecution, or otherwise) was swayed, and bowed to practise such things, which with sighes and groanes many of them mourned under.