Nonconformity not inconsistent with loyality, or, Protestant-dissenters no seditious or disloyal sectaries evidenc'd in a sober discourse upon those statutes, by which the Protestant-dissenters are prosecuted at this day : humbly offered to the candid consideration of all Protestants, whether conformists or nonconformists / by James Jones ...

To all Sincere Protestants, whether they be Con∣formists, or Nonconformists.

Fellow Protestants,

I Do humbly present to your sober consideration, a Brief Discourse concerning several Sta∣tutes by which they Protestant Dissenters are Prosecuted, to the very great dammage of multitudes of Families, who are his Majesties Faithful Subjects, and can Appeal to God and the King, that they are persons of Loyalty, notwithstanding their Noncon∣formity. And as it is Recorded concerning Holy Daniel, who was the great Nonconformist of that day, Dan. 6.5. That he could not be fairly accused of any matters to make him a criminal, except it were concerning the Law of his God; Even so it may be truly said of the Nonconformists in England, however they may be Reproached and be spattered as a Seditious and Rebellious People. But it is well known, that it is no new thing for such as fear God, and are greatly favoured by God, to be miscalled. Jerusalem, which was the City of the Great King, viz. God, the King of Kings, Mat. 5.35; was called the Rebellious and Bad City, Ezra 4.12. and in verse 19. A City of Insurrection, Rebellion and Se∣dition. And Jesus Christ was charged with Blasphemy, Mat. 26.56. and called a Decei∣ver, Mat. 27.63. And the Apostle Paul was called a Postilent Fellow, a Mover of Sedition, and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazareens, Acts 24.5. and his way of Worship was called Heresie, verse 14. And no marvel if it be so in those our days. But now it will be Re∣plyed by some, that the Protestant Dissenters are in a Conspiracy and Bloody Plot against the Kings Person and Government.

Ʋnto which let this answer be Considered:

That although some particular persons that have been counted Dissenters, may be so wicked∣ly concerned, yet that is no proof that this is the Dissenters Plot, no more then, (because some of the Church of England, may be proved to have been in such a Conspiracy) it can be called the Church of England's Plot; which to affirm would be very wicked and abominable; for it would render the Church-Protestants no better than Traytors.

However, if either any of the Dissenters, or of the Church-men, should be so wicked as to be really guilty, let them suffer the Justice of the Law, that others may bear, and fear, and do no more so wickedly. But God forbid that a whole Party of any sort of People should be charged with the wickedness of some of the same Party: Simeon and Levi were guilty of a horrid and Bloody Fact, in cutting off Hamor and Shechem, which was the Prince of that Land, and his Son, and they also cut off the Inhabitants of that City where they Ruled, because that She∣chem the Son of Hamor, had defiled Jacobs Daughter. See the whole Story in Gen. 34. But it would be a very unrighteous thing to charge good old Jacob with this Bloody Crime, because he it as their Father; or to charge the rest of his Sons, because they were Simeon and Levi's Brethren. It is enough, that they who be really guilty of any Crimes, be charged with them, and be Prosecuted so as to suffer justly for them.

And besides this, it must be considered that such as have been innocent persons have been Ac∣cused of high Crimes, and have suffered death; as for instance, Naboth was accused that he had Blasphemed God and the King, and was stoned to death for it; when indeed it was a Plot invented by Jezebel, and managed by the Elders of the City where Naboth dwelt. See 1 Kings 21. v. 9, 10, 11.

And thus we find it concerning our Blessed Saviour, he was Accused that he said, he would destroy the Temple, which was made with hands, and within three days build another without hands, Mark 14.58. Now Christ had spoke of Destroying and Raising of a Temple in three days, see John 2. v. 19. Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this Tem∣ple, and in three days I will raise it up, v. 21. But he spoke of the Temple of his Body.

Thus we have two famous Instances of false Accusations concerning words; Naboth was Accused of words that he never spoke; Christ was Accused of some words he had spoke, but the Accusation was not just as the words were spoken: for though he spoke of a Temple, and destroying of it, and raising of it, he did not say the Temple that was made with hands, neither did he say that he himself would destroy any Temple, but he spoke to the Jews, who he knew would destroy his Body, and said to them, Destroy this Temple, and as for Raising of it up, that he said should be his own work; And I will Raise it up in three days. But he was Prosecuted for saying he would destroy the Temple of Solomon, and build it in three days, when it was no such thing. And in our English Chronicle, it is stoired of a good House∣keeper

or, (in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth) that told his Son, who was a Child, saying, Thou art Heir to the Crown, meaning his house, which was the sign of the Crown in Cheap-side. But the Honest Citizen was Accused of Treason, and suffered Death as a Traytor. See bakers Chron. However, it must be confest that Trayterous Designs have been too ma∣ny times managed against the Kings of several Kingdoms, and against the King of England in particular; and whosoever can be proved really guilty thereof, ought to suffer according to their Crimes.

But as for my own part, who do profess my self a Protestant Dissenter, I do solemnly profess, before Almighty God, that I do with my Soul, abhor all acts of violence to the meanest of the Kings Subjects; and do deem it ten thousand times worse to offer any violence to the Per∣son of the Kings Majesty: 1. Because of the Greatness of his Person, he being by the Provi∣dence of God the Head of the Nation: 2. Because the shedding of his Blood, and taking a∣way of his Life, is the ready way to make the Kingdom swim in Blood, by reason of these Di∣stractions that would attend such a bloody action. Besides the greatness of the Sin in the sight of that God who will make inquisition for Blood.

And therefore though persons of contrary minds to the Government in matters of Religion, may be greatly oppressed because of Laws made against them, yet it is their duty to walk by these Following Rules.

• 1. To be subject to the Higher Powers, Rom. 13.1.
• 2. To Render to all their Dues, viz. Tribute, Custom, Fear and Honour, Rom 13.7.
• 3. To be patient in Tribulation, Rom. 12.12.
• 4. To Recompence to no man Evil for Evil, Rom. 12.17.
• 5. To Pray for them that Persecute them and despitefully use them, Mat. 5.44.
• 6. If it be possible as much as in them lieth, to live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12.11.
• 7. Not to be overcome of Evil, but to overcome Evil with Good, Rom. 12.21.

JAMES JONES.