A generall Answer to his accusation of malicious falshoods.
§ 13.
THe summe of all is this: P. R:k 1.1
I haue taken Thomas Mor∣ton in so many falsifications of things alleged by him, as before you haue seene. And the law sayth, Whosoeuer is once euill, is pre∣sumed to be so still, vntill he proue the contrarie.l 1.2 But he hath be∣wrayed euery-where malicious falshoods.
54 From the imputation of malice against the persons of men, if I should need the testimonie of man, my Aduersaries may acquit me, who haue acknowledged in me better mea∣sures by their owne experience, as M. D. Wri. M. Const. M. Ga. I haue halfe iniuried them with halfe naming them: but I hope they will pardon me this wrong, knowing that it is not spoken in exprobration to them, but for iustification of my selfe, forasmuch as selfe-commendation, if forced, is (in the iudgement of the Apostle) a wise follie. Howsoeuer, I can not vnderstand,* 1.3 how any man beholding others with Christian eyes, should be malicious: for either he perceiueth them wan∣dring from grace and saluation, which mooueth pitie; or els discerneth them to be companions with him in the way of life, which worketh loue. But neither can malice be pitifull, nor loue malicious. If my Aduersaries shall further persist in this despightfull obiection of malice, they must giue me leaue rather to feare Gods denunciation of Woe, than their Wrath. m 1.4 Woe vnto them (sayth God) that put light for darknesse, and darknesse for light, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for sowre. And if I prooue not their doctrine concerning Rebellion and Aequiuocation to be as bitter as the water of Meribah, then let them note me for a man aboue the nature of mankinde ma∣licious. Otherwise, I must expostulate with them according to the Apostles example:* 1.5 Am I your enemie, because I tell you