Reply.
And lying in the manger, having no mind to hear themselves, nor yet that those should who had a mind to it, having the key of knowledge, the keys and power of that place, yet neither abiding there, nor abiding that others should a∣bide there to so precious a purpose; which is so much to their commendation, that men must needs see them to be not like Christs Ministers, for if they had, they would have rejoiced in Christs being preached, whether in pretence, or in truth, of envy or good will, well knowing all should have tended to the furtherance of the Gospel, Phil. 1.15, 16, 17, 18
Ob. And if they object that preaching of error will hinder it.
Ans. I say that publishing whether of error or truth, gives that advantage of trying all things, which as it is that duty men cannot do, unless they hear all, so that which they might not do by any means in ages above, when the Arch-Here∣ticks the Pope, and the Priest-hood stopt the mouths of all Hereticks, save their own: besides, it puts people into a fairer capacity of right cariage towards all things, viz. if they appear truth (though cri'd out on as error) of imbracing them, if error indeed (as much of the Priestly doctrine is under a name of truth) of de∣clining it, and all this upon none of that implicit, but that explicit faith, which onely becomes him that will be a Christian, not in name onely, but in very deed: and all this the Ministers know as well as I, page 24. affirming preaching to be a better way to oppose the approach of Heresies, then that of disputing; wher∣upon, though they stirre up one another to oppose in preaching the growth, and propagation of what they call Anabaptism, to prevent peoples departure to the truth, yet are they (and I cannot blame them, they knowing no better way, and seeing how fast their old friends fall from them, by the late light that is risen up from under their dark night of traditions) as carefull to keep all from their pulpits, save such as sing to the same tune with themselves, though we never speak, but we give them leave, which is more then they give us in the like case, to take their exceptions.