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I have (I confesse) in this subject gone out of the ordinary path of my employments in medita∣tion and writing, but I did it occasionally out of zeale to peace; and that which I beleeve to be truth; being very sorry to see well meaning and
(I hope) pious persons, by not obeying, swiftly and resolutely to goe out of the way of Peace, and (as I suppose) of truth; At least it seemed to me a sad thing that those who had not searched the grounds of that which they held to be truth, yet did certainely endanger the losse of peace for that which they had not searched, and by searching found certainely to be truth. Yet I wonder not much if truth in this point be not commonly knowne in this Nation, since amongst the Prote∣stants in this Nation for these last fourescore years there hath been little debate of it. But having ga∣thered the substance and summe of those grounds which in my judgement make out this truth, That it is lawfull to obey the present Government, and having shewed that this truth hath beene anciently held and is not newly invented to serve present turnes, and that either it may be beleeved, or at least not condemned, unheard and unknowne, I shall now desire leave to retire and return to my more proper worke, whereof I have so much in my hands that I cannot well expect a life now come farre into the yeare accounted to be the terme of life should have time to dispatch. If the grounds proposed be sound (as we have seene them thought so by men of great judgement) I hope they will stand against all waves and winds, and they will finde Patrons who have both strength of body and minde to maintaine them; if they be proved un∣sound, I would not mainetaine them if I could.