We further say, that imposition, restraint, and persecution are repugnant to the plain Testimonies and precepts of the Scriptures.
The inspiration of the Almighty gives understanding, 1. Job 32. 8.
If no man can believe before he understands, and no man can understand before he is inspir'd of God, then are the impositions of men excluded as unreasonable, and their persecutions for non-obedience as inhumane.
Wo unto them that take counsell, but not of me, 2. Isa: 30. 1.
Wo unto them that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproves in the gate, and turns aside the Just for a thing of naught, 3. Isa. 29. 15, 21.
Let the Wheat and the Tares grow together until the time of the harvest, or end of the World. 4. Mat. 13. 27, 28, 29.
And Jesus call'd them unto him, and said ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are greatest exercise authority upon them, but it shall not be so amongst you. 5 Matt: 20. 25, 26.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Cesars, and unto God the things that are Gods, 6 Luke 20. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.
When his Disciples saw this (that there were Non-conformists then as well as now) they said, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, as Elisha did; But he turned, and rebuk'd them, and said, Ye know not what spirit ye are of; for the Son of Man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them, 7. Luke 9. 54. 55. 56
Howbeit, when the spirite of truth is come, he shall lead you into all Truth. [...]. John 16. 8, 13.
But now the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you (much less impose upon any, or restrain them from what any are perswaded it leads to) but as the same anointing teaches you of all things and is truth, and is not lye. 9. John. 1, 9, 27.
Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves but rather give place unto Wrath (much less should any be Wrath that are call'd Christians where no occasion is given) therefore if thine Enemy Hunger Feed him, and if he Thirst, give him Drink; Recompence no man Evil for Evil. 10 Rom. 12. 19, 20, 21.
For though we walk in the flesh (that is in the body or visible world) we do not war after the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 11 2. Cor. 3. 4, 5. (but Fines and Imprisonments are, and such use not the Apostles Weapons that employ those) for a Bishop, 1 Tim. 3. 23 (saith Paul) must be of a good behaviour, apt to teach, no striker, but be gentle
Lastly, We shall subjoyn one Passage more, and then no more of this Particular; Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them. 12. Matt. 7. 12. Luke 6. 31.
Now upon the whole we seriously ask, Whether any should be Impos'd upon, or Restrain'd, in matters of Faith and Worship? Whether such Practices become the Gospel, or are sutable to Christs Meek Precepts and Suffering Doctrine? And lastly, Whether those, who are herein guilty, do to us, as they would be done unto by others?
What if any were once severe to you; many are unconcern'd in that, who are yet lyable to the Lash, as if they were not. But if you once thought, the Imposition of a Directory Unreasonable, and a Restraint from your way of Worship Unchristian, can you believe that Liberty of Conscience is changed, because the Parties in points of Power are? or that the same Reasons do not yet remain in vindication of an Indulgeance for others, that were once Employ'd by you for your selves? Surely such Conjectures would argue gross Weakness.
To conclude, Whether Persecutors at any time, read the Scriptures we know not; but certain we are, such practise as little of them as may be, who with so much Delight reject them, and think it no small Accession to the discovery of their Loyalty, to lead us and our Properties in Triumph after them.