doctrines were experimented to have on men's lives. And by these
means it is not strange that he should fall under great displeasure
from those who, having espoused the opinion of Irrespective
Decrees, did not only publish it as the THE TRUTH and TRUTH OF GOD,
but farther asserted the questioning of it to be injurious to God's
free grace and his Eternal Election, and consequently retained no
ordinary patience for or charity to opposers. But, then, still this
is no medium to to infer that charge. The doctrines which he thus
maintained were neither branches nor characters of Popery, but
asserted by some of the first and most learned and pious Reformers.
Witness the writings of Hemingius in his _Opuscula_, most of which
are on these subjects. Whereas on the contrary side, Zuinglius and
others, who maintained the rigid way of Irrespective Decrees, and
infused them into some of this nation of ours, are truly said, by
an excellent writer of ours, Dr. Jackson, to _have had it first
from some ancient Romish Schoolmen_, and so to have had as much or
more of that guilt adherent to them, as can be charged on their
opposers. So that from hence to found the jealousy, to affirm him a
papist because he was not a contra-remonstrant, is but the old
method of speaking all that is ill of those who differ from our
opinions on any thing; as the Dutchman in his rage calls his horse
an ARMINIAN, because he doth not not go as he would have him. And
this is all that can soberly be concluded from such suggestions,
that they are displeased and passionate that thus speak.

"As for the _Annotations on Cassander_, &c. and the consequent
vindications of himself against _Rivet_, those have with some
colour been deemed more favourable toward Popery; but yet I suppose
will be capable of benign interpretations, if they be read with
these few cautions or remembrances:

"_First_. That they were designed to shew a way to peace whensoever
men's minds on both sides should be piously affected to it.

"_Secondly_. That he did not hope for this temper in his age, the
humour on both sides being so turgent, and extremely contrary to
it, and the controversy debated on both sides by those 'who,' saith
he, '_desire to eternize, and not to compose contentions_,' and
therefore makes his appeal to posterity, when this paroxys