An Apology for the Non-Conformists, Text – To the reader
AN APOLOGY FOR THE NON-CONFORMISTS, SHEWING Their Reaſons, both for their not Conforming, and for their Preaching PUBLICKLY, though forbidden by LAW. WITH AN Anſwer to Dr. Stillingfleet's Sermon, and his Defence of It. So much as concerneth the Non-Conformiſts PREACHING.
By John Troughton, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Gal. 5. v. 15.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not conſumed one of another.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Parkhurſt, and are to be ſold at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheap-ſide, 1681.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
Good Reader,
THE firſt part of this Diſcourſe was written laſt Summer, occaſioned by Dr. Stillingfleet's Sermon: but ſo many Anſwers to it came forth, and there was ſo much diſcourſe of his Reply long before it appeared, that it was laid aſide, till We might know what further ſtrength the Dr. had to bring into the field, which when I had conſidered, I found no reaſon to alter any thing conſiderable of what was writ before, but only to add ſomething in anſwer to a few things ſuggeſted in the Drs. ſecond Book, which therefore I have made a ſecond Part. I muſt beg pardon for ſome Repetitions, eſpecially in the Hiſtorical Parts, the Drs. Diſcourſe inforcing me to them. I do not meddle with the many Queſtions about Church Government and Ceremonies, which the Dr. and his other Opponents have started; my deſign is only to ſhew the most plain, and the most generally prevailing Reaſons of the Non-Conformiſts for their practice in diſſenting from the Liturgy, and in exerciſing their Miniſtry though ejected, and this I do becauſe the Dr. hath endeavoured to repreſent Ʋs, eſpecially in the latter of theſe, as acting againſt our own Principles and Conſciences, as if we knew it was Schiſm, but dare not tell the People ſo. Therefore I have plainly given our Senſe of things, and ſhall leave it to the Judgement of the Readers. What the Dr. hath ſaid against our practice I have conſidered, being unconcerned with all the rest; and if He pleaſe at any time hereafter to give us his Arguments directly to this Question; which he first propoſed, viz. Whether the Non-Conformists Preaching to their own People, when forcibly cast out; or to other People that call them in this time of Confuſion and Oppreſſion of the Church be Schiſme or Sinful? I ſay if He ſhall give us his Arguments, which He may do in a few ſheets, they ſhall be examined with as much impartiallity and Candour, as He ſhall pleaſe to write them. In the mean time our Adverſaries may here ſee we have ſome Reaſon for what We do, and our Friends may ſee that we do not own the Principles of Separation and Confuſion.
Farewel,