Note 95 — INTRODUCTION. (continued 2)

“Fourthly. The direction is amplified, to remove an objection (say some) ‘All heresies, or all heretics are not equal; some comparatively are little to be regarded, and it is cruelty to meddle with these, that seem to profess fair.’ ‘No (saith he), take them all, even THE LITTLE FOXES; for though they be but little, yet they are foxes; though they be not of the grossest kind (as all scandals in fact are not alike, yet none is to be dispensed with), so they are (saith he) foxes, and corrupt others; for a little leaven will leaven the whole lump (often small-like schisms, or heresies, such as the Novations and Donatists, &c., have been exceedingly defacing to the beauty of the Church), therefore, saith he, hunt and take them up.’ How small a friend is our Lord to toleration! and how displeased is he with many errors, that the world thinks little of! Magistrates, ministers and people may learn here, what distance ought to be kept with the spreaders of the least errors; and how every one ought to concur, in their stations, for preventing the hurt that comes by them.”95