of
speaking to you what I understand may be most for the honour of God and
your service.

_Pr._ Such discourse is most pleasing to me, especially from a person of
such piety and honour as I esteem you to be, and who can have no private
ends thereby.

_Wh._ We have observed in England, and it is so everywhere, that the
blessing of God follows those that serve Him.

_Pr._ That is a true rule; but our service must be in heart, and not in
profession or outward show only.

_Wh._ It is true that the enemies of the Parliament use to reproach them
with hypocrisy in their profession of religion and with their preaching
to their soldiers; yet that our profession is real doth appear somewhat
in this, that the blessing of God hath accompanied our profession and our
practice; and when our enemies are in debauchery and injuring the people,
our officers and soldiers meet together, exhorting one another out of the
Scripture and praying together, and God hath given His blessing
thereupon.

_Pr._ I do very well approve that course, and your profession and
practice in matters of religion; but we hear of too much difference of
opinion among you in those matters.

_Wh._ We have indeed too much difference of opinion among us in matters
of religion; but yet the public peace is not broken, but carefully
preserved.

_Pr._ But if there be not a uniformity among you in those matters, your
peace will be endangered.

_Wh._ We do not yet find that danger; and we look upon it as a liberty
due to all Christians to take what way of worship they think best for the
good of their own souls.

_Pr._ Suppose the way they take be not agreeable to the Word of God?

_Wh._ The consequence thereof will be their own misery.

_Pr._ But should not the magistrate lead them and constrain them in the
right way?

_Wh._ We hold the better way to be, by meek exhortations and instructions
to endeavour to reclaim them from any error, and not by force to compel
men's consciences, as is used in these parts.

_Pr._ What if mild means will not work upon them?

_Wh._ They will have the worst of it; but as long as they do not break
the public peace, it is hard for the magistrate imperiously to command
and force his brethren to worship God after his opinion; and it is not
imaginable that he should take more care of men's souls than they
themselves, whose consciences ought to be free.

_Pr._ We are somewhat strict in this point in our country.

_Wh._ But I ha