The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience Discussed and Mr. Cotton's Letter Examined and Answered, by Roger Williams
CHAP. LXXIX.
Peace. Yea, but they say, they doubt not if they were
there but they should agree; for, say they, either you
will come to us, or you may show us light to come to you,
for we are but weak men, and dream not of perfection in
this life.
Lamentable differences even amongst them that fear
God. Between the presbyterians and independents, covenanters and
non-covenanters, of both which many are truly godly in their persons.
Truth. Alas, who knows not what lamentable differences
have been between the same ministers of the church
of England, some conforming, others leaving their livings,
friends, country, life, rather than conform; when others
again, of whose personal godliness it is not questioned,
have succeeded by conformity unto such forsaken (so
called) livings? How great the present differences, even
amongst them that fear God, concerning faith, justification,
and the evidence of it? concerning repentance and godly
sorrow, as also and mainly concerning the church, the
matter, form, administrations, and government of it?
Let none now think that the passage to New England
by sea, or the nature of the country, can do what only the
key of David can do, to wit, open and shut the consciences
of men.
Beside, how can this be a faithful and upright acknowledgment
of their weakness and imperfection, when they
preach, print, and practise such violence to the souls and
bodies of others, and by their rules and grounds ought to
proceed even to the killing of those whom they judge so
dear unto them, and in respect of godliness far above
themselves?