A letter of religion to the Protestant-dissenters from the Church of England, of what denomination soever in the county of Kent wherein is reported the ground of their dissent, their worship, way of instruction, and behaviour towards laws and government : to which is added a perswasive to conformity, at least an acquiescence in the religion established / by a curate of the same county.
         Curate of the same county.
      
       
         
           1675
        
      
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             A letter of religion to the Protestant-dissenters from the Church of England, of what denomination soever in the county of Kent wherein is reported the ground of their dissent, their worship, way of instruction, and behaviour towards laws and government : to which is added a perswasive to conformity, at least an acquiescence in the religion established / by a curate of the same county.
             Curate of the same county.
          
           27 p.
           
             Printed by F. Leach for Chr. Wilkinson ...,
             London :
             1675.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Dissenters, Religious -- England -- Kent.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           OF
           RELIGION
           TO
           THE
           
             PROTEST
             ANT-DISSENTERS
          
           FROM
           The
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           of
           what
           denomination
           soever
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Kent
           ;
           wherein
           is
           reported
           the
           Ground
           of
           their
           Dissent
           ,
           their
           Worship
           ,
           way
           of
           Instruction
           ,
           and
           behaviour
           towards
           Laws
           and
           Government
           .
           To
           which
           is
           added
           A
           perswasive
           to
           Conformity
           ,
           at
           least
           an
           acquiescence
           in
           the
           Religion
           established
           :
        
         
           
             By
             a
             Curate
             of
             the
             same
             County
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             F.
             Leach
          
           ,
           for
           
             Chr.
             Wilkinson
          
           over
           against
           St.
           Dunstans
           Church
           ,
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           1675.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           IF
           I
           thought
           it
           would
           any
           thing
           contribute
           to
           the
           success
           of
           this
           Paper
           to
           set
           down
           particular
           Motives
           ,
           by
           which
           I
           became
           perswaded
           to
           write
           to
           you
           ,
           I
           would
           not
           have
           forgone
           the
           pains
           ,
           though
           it
           had
           cost
           me
           a
           long
           ,
           and
           distinct
           Paragraph
           .
           I
           hope
           it
           may
           be
           enough
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           one
           of
           the
           meanest
           Clergy-men
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           whom
           there
           should
           be
           always
           a
           Conscience
           of
           its
           condition
           ,
           and
           a
           zeal
           to
           do
           any
           office
           ,
           that
           is
           but
           probable
           for
           its
           peace
           and
           establishment
           ;
           and
           moreover
           ,
           that
           I
           think
           there
           is
           something
           in
           the
           present
           guise
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           that
           may
           call
           you
           at
           this
           time
           to
           heed
           any
           man
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           ,
           that
           means
           no
           worse
           ,
           than
           to
           awaken
           you
           after
           many
           ,
           to
           another
           consideration
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           assigned
           my
           Paper
           to
           you
           of
           Kent
           ,
           because
           dwelling
           in
           the
           same
           County
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           more
           capable
           to
           observe
           you
           in
           such
           particulars
           ,
           as
           are
           here
           considered
           ,
           and
           not
           knowing
           but
           the
           dissenters
           of
           other
           Connties
           may
           not
           be
           such
           ,
           as
           you
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Articles
           and
           practises
           of
           your
           dissent
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           I
           therefore
           shall
           leave
           them
           to
           others
           who
           have
           greater
           abilities
           ,
           and
           better
           opportunities
           to
           deal
           with
           them
           .
           And
           though
           in
           London
           for
           an
           hundred
           good
           Reasons
           ,
           the
           Heads
           of
           all
           dissenters
           may
           be
           presum'd
           to
           reside
           (
           for
           that
           is
           the
           Mount
           ,
           from
           whence
           a
           long
           time
           you
           have
           
           had
           your
           various
           Patterns
           )
           yet
           considering
           my
           own
           insufficiencie
           to
           manage
           any
           matter
           ,
           and
           withal
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           many
           in
           the
           same
           City
           of
           strength
           ,
           and
           warmth
           enough
           to
           take
           knowledge
           of
           ,
           and
           reprove
           too
           ,
           any
           thing
           contrary
           ,
           or
           prejudicial
           to
           the
           estabilihed
           Religion
           in
           their
           ablest
           Adversaries
           ,
           I
           betake
           my self
           to
           the
           weaker
           Country
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           to
           convince
           and
           perswade
           ,
           at
           least
           to
           mind
           those
           Head-men
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           in
           what
           Opinions
           and
           Practises
           they
           will
           continue
           to
           live
           .
        
         
           The
           beginning
           of
           my
           attempt
           on
           you
           shall
           be
           thus
           fair
           ;
           as
           first
           to
           lay
           together
           those
           grounds
           of
           dissent
           ,
           which
           either
           in
           Print
           or
           Discourse
           I
           have
           found
           owned
           by
           such
           among
           you
           ,
           who
           think
           they
           can
           give
           Reasons
           for
           their
           dissent
           .
           Yet
           ,
           before
           I
           do
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           perhaps
           but
           very
           needful
           to
           interpose
           thus
           much
           ,
           and
           to
           tell
           you
           (
           especially
           those
           among
           you
           who
           boast
           of
           number
           )
           that
           there
           are
           many
           practical
           Dissenters
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           appear
           mostly
           at
           your
           Assemblies
           ;
           who
           cannot
           be
           suspected
           to
           have
           any
           grounds
           ,
           and
           indeed
           have
           none
           ,
           or
           no
           other
           ,
           but
           what
           are
           so
           apparently
           weak
           ,
           that
           themselves
           are
           ashamed
           to
           confess
           them
           ,
           notwithstanding
           they
           are
           wholly
           managed
           by
           them
           ;
           and
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           contested
           with
           ,
           are
           forc'd
           to
           say
           them
           (
           in
           another
           dress
           )
           or
           nothing
           .
           For
           there
           are
           many
           conducted
           to
           your
           Societies
           ,
           and
           fill
           your
           Meeting-houses
           ,
           on
           no
           better
           score
           than
           
             Curiosity
             ,
             Discontent
             ,
             Designe
             ,
             Dependance
             ,
          
           and
           Obedience
           .
           In
           which
           enumeration
           ,
           because
           there
           is
           one
           good
           word
           or
           two
           (
           which
           you
           are
           wont
           to
           take
           presently
           for
           good
           Arguments
           )
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           call
           them
           over
           again
           ,
           and
           annex
           unto
           them
           a
           small
           Paraphrase
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Curiosity
           .
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           whether
           old
           descriptions
           of
           Virtues
           or
           Vices
           will
           serve
           those
           of
           the
           present
           Age
           ,
           for
           't
           is
           conceited
           our
           Virtues
           are
           greater
           ,
           but
           known
           (
           I
           am
           sure
           )
           that
           
           our
           Vices
           are
           not
           less
           ,
           and
           even
           in
           this
           particular
           of
           Curiosity
           ,
           which
           School-Divinity
           hath
           reckoned
           for
           a
           Vice
           :
           for
           ,
           though
           more
           knowledge
           be
           the
           pretence
           ,
           yet
           the
           appetite
           may
           be
           inordinate
           ,
           perverse
           ,
           and
           vitious
           ,
           even
           after
           knowledge
           .
           And
           such
           surely
           is
           That
           ,
           which
           shall
           engage
           men
           to
           leave
           their
           immediate
           places
           ,
           and
           duties
           to
           pursue
           an
           idle
           inspection
           and
           acquaintance
           with
           the
           Practises
           and
           Opinions
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           for
           love
           of
           this
           satisfaction
           only
           ,
           shall
           address
           themselves
           to
           every
           Meeting-house
           and
           place
           of
           Conventicle
           ,
           intending
           to
           make
           no
           more
           gain
           thereby
           ,
           either
           to
           themselves
           or
           others
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           able
           to
           become
           pleasant
           ,
           and
           talkative
           about
           divers
           manners
           ,
           matters
           ,
           and
           Persons
           ,
           over
           their
           Meat
           ,
           Wine
           ,
           and
           Coffee
           ;
           of
           this
           sort
           there
           are
           not
           a
           few
           among
           you
           ,
           and
           of
           whom
           you
           are
           not
           all
           ignorant
           ;
           for
           it
           needs
           no
           proof
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           careful
           to
           conceal
           themselves
           ,
           nor
           apprehensive
           of
           any
           injury
           done
           to
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           censured
           ,
           as
           curious
           :
           Not
           that
           I
           think
           you
           have
           all
           the
           curious
           ones
           among
           you
           ;
           or
           that
           this
           sort
           of
           Curiosity
           is
           all
           that
           is
           to
           be
           found
           among
           the
           Professors
           of
           Religion
           ;
           for
           indeed
           there
           is
           more
           ,
           as
           is
           evident
           by
           such
           Questions
           ,
           as
           are
           very
           familiar
           with
           us
           ;
           which
           ,
           though
           Fashion
           and
           Custome
           do
           now
           save
           from
           being
           condemn'd
           commonly
           ,
           yet
           nothing
           but
           Curiosity
           is
           in
           their
           birth
           and
           original
           .
           For
           not
           to
           go
           further
           ,
           who
           can
           give
           any
           better
           account
           of
           this
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           Quest
           .
           How
           doth
           Mr.
           
             A.
             B.
          
           preach
           ,
           or
           was
           it
           a
           good
           Sermon
           ?
           Supposing
           there
           was
           nothing
           preached
           but
           the
           common
           and
           invariable
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           is
           for
           the
           most
           part
           supposed
           by
           such
           Inquirers
           :
           for
           the
           Questions
           ,
           and
           the
           designe
           of
           them
           that
           so
           ask
           rarely
           refer
           to
           truth
           or
           falshood
           ,
           which
           are
           Questions
           only
           material
           in
           instructing
           men
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           therefore
           these
           Questions
           are
           made
           to
           know
           ,
           with
           what
           voice
           ,
           face
           ,
           gesture
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           method
           't
           is
           preach'd
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           idle
           Curiosities
           in
           so
           
           weighty
           an
           affair
           ,
           as
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           .
           But
           to
           say
           truth
           ,
           You
           above
           all
           others
           do
           invite
           the
           Curious
           and
           do
           not
           often
           suffer
           them
           to
           lose
           their
           labour
           in
           such
           a
           miserable
           quest
           .
           For
           you
           are
           not
           contented
           with
           the
           general
           and
           plain
           Doctrines
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           either
           in
           preaching
           or
           hearing
           ,
           but
           betake
           your selves
           to
           odd
           and
           uncouth
           Subjects
           ,
           which
           do
           not
           concern
           the
           Substance
           of
           a
           Christian's
           faith
           ,
           or
           life
           ;
           but
           are
           devised
           ,
           and
           framed
           to
           the
           Hypothesis
           of
           your
           peculiar
           Saintship
           .
           And
           when
           a
           Text
           containing
           wholesom
           and
           necessary
           Doctrine
           falls
           into
           your
           hand
           ,
           it
           is
           so
           shattered
           into
           niceties
           ,
           or
           smothered
           by
           your
           Phrases
           ,
           that
           though
           the
           Curious
           be
           gratified
           ,
           the
           plain
           man
           is
           little
           edified
           .
        
         
           The
           Curious
           come
           not
           to
           you
           for
           truth
           ,
           or
           pertinacie
           ,
           but
           for
           that
           (
           whatever
           it
           be
           )
           they
           think
           they
           have
           not
           yet
           had
           any
           where
           else
           ,
           and
           as
           long
           ,
           as
           so
           much
           of
           your
           study
           is
           laid
           out
           to
           provide
           for
           them
           (
           as
           you
           have
           been
           often
           told
           )
           they
           will
           be
           your
           Customers
           .
           And
           as
           a
           man
           presented
           with
           a
           fresh
           Nosegay
           ,
           at
           first
           will
           handle
           it
           gently
           ,
           and
           often
           scent
           it
           ,
           though
           he
           is
           sure
           't
           will
           quickly
           grow
           flat
           ,
           and
           wither
           ;
           so
           do
           the
           Curious
           with
           your
           Phrases
           ,
           till
           their
           very
           thinking
           on
           them
           makes
           them
           sink
           in
           their
           esteem
           ,
           and
           so
           would
           desert
           you
           as
           well
           as
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           their
           Experiences
           make
           them
           hope
           ,
           you
           will
           next
           time
           provide
           them
           more
           .
        
         
           How
           many
           soever
           they
           be
           ,
           you
           procure
           to
           your selves
           by
           this
           trifling
           ,
           and
           how
           bad
           soever
           they
           are
           in
           themselves
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           so
           distress'd
           as
           to
           want
           a
           piece
           of
           Scripture
           to
           help
           them
           ,
           when
           by
           discourse
           they
           are
           reduced
           to
           that
           modesty
           as
           to
           be
           asham'd
           of
           a
           naked
           and
           profane
           Curiosity
           ;
           for
           then
           (
           as
           you
           have
           taught
           them
           )
           their
           Curiosity
           is
           Scriptural
           and
           holy
           ;
           and
           the
           Text
           is
           1
           
             Thes
             .
             5.
             21.
             
             Prove
             all
             things
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           As
           if
           a
           man
           was
           thereby
           obliged
           to
           peep
           into
           every
           corner
           ,
           and
           forsaking
           his
           own
           station
           to
           hunt
           after
           new
           matters
           to
           
           try
           his
           skill
           about
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           stay
           till
           they
           are
           offered
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           matters
           concerning
           ,
           and
           weighty
           (
           for
           every
           matter
           offered
           to
           us
           is
           not
           worth
           searching
           into
           )
           and
           by
           those
           too
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           some
           reason
           to
           think
           are
           affected
           with
           care
           and
           Conscience
           for
           the
           good
           of
           our
           Souls
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Discontent
           is
           another
           thing
           that
           hath
           added
           to
           the
           number
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           which
           I
           might
           call
           (
           without
           taking
           extraordinary
           licence
           to
           my self
           )
           spite
           and
           peevishness
           .
           For
           some
           ,
           in
           whose
           thoughts
           it
           never
           entred
           to
           alter
           their
           Principles
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           to
           question
           the
           usages
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           have
           yet
           made
           too
           open
           shew
           of
           deserting
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           a
           bold
           frequenting
           your
           Meetings
           ;
           when
           the
           only
           reason
           of
           so
           doing
           was
           some
           occasional
           heat
           ,
           they
           have
           lately
           had
           with
           their
           lawful
           Ministers
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           a
           Minister
           ,
           either
           prest
           by
           a
           Conscience
           of
           his
           duty
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           necessity
           of
           his
           condition
           ,
           do
           venture
           to
           take
           a
           measuring-cast
           of
           the
           Tythes
           due
           to
           him
           from
           his
           Neighbours
           Farm
           ,
           and
           would
           thereby
           adjust
           some
           mistakes
           and
           ill
           customs
           to
           do
           himself
           justice
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           no
           Arts
           left
           for
           the
           Owner
           to
           continue
           the
           fraud
           ,
           he
           shall
           be
           sure
           to
           find
           this
           woful
           revenge
           ready
           for
           him
           ,
           viz.
           That
           his
           angry
           Neighbour
           will
           hear
           him
           no
           more
           .
           And
           to
           carry
           on
           this
           hasty
           and
           unwarrantable
           resolution
           ,
           he
           for
           a
           while
           perhaps
           keeps
           at
           home
           ,
           afterwards
           hovers
           about
           some
           neighbour
           Parishes
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           settles
           upon
           a
           Conventicle
           ,
           where
           ,
           whatever
           his
           Motives
           were
           for
           so
           doing
           ,
           he
           is
           sure
           to
           be
           welcome
           .
           And
           if
           you
           had
           leisure
           ,
           or
           did
           dare
           to
           ask
           such
           a
           one
           his
           reasons
           of
           departure
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           joyning
           with
           you
           (
           which
           were
           but
           fair
           in
           such
           a
           change
           )
           you
           would
           find
           the
           account
           very
           shameful
           .
           For
           it
           is
           not
           his
           love
           and
           liking
           of
           you
           ,
           but
           his
           despite
           ,
           and
           revenge
           to
           his
           Minister
           ,
           and
           he
           commends
           your
           Exercises
           on
           no
           other
           reason
           ,
           but
           to
           disgrace
           his
           Sermons
           .
           I
           know
           some
           of
           you
           have
           ways
           not
           only
           to
           salve
           the
           man's
           Conscience
           ,
           
           but
           even
           to
           sanctifie
           the
           very
           occasion
           of
           leaving
           us
           ;
           but
           the
           great
           Topick
           ,
           from
           whence
           your
           Methods
           are
           derived
           ,
           is
           Interest
           not
           Integrity
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Designe
           hath
           helpt
           you
           much
           in
           this
           matter
           :
           There
           being
           some
           who
           have
           such
           desires
           and
           Projects
           in
           their
           Heads
           ,
           (
           distinct
           enough
           from
           Religion
           )
           which
           can
           never
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           but
           by
           your
           Success
           and
           Prosperity
           .
           You
           well
           remember
           (
           I
           suppose
           )
           ,
           when
           his
           Majesty
           was
           restor'd
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           his
           Ancestors
           ,
           there
           were
           many
           with
           him
           returned
           to
           their
           own
           Estates
           ,
           that
           had
           long
           been
           under
           the
           hands
           ,
           and
           embezelments
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           knew
           how
           to
           make
           a
           good
           Market
           of
           an
           unnatural
           War.
           These
           men
           enjoy'd
           what
           they
           had
           thus
           basely
           gotten
           ,
           long
           enough
           to
           make
           them
           in
           love
           with
           what
           they
           possessed
           ,
           and
           such
           love
           they
           have
           thereto
           still
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           not
           be
           out
           of
           the
           Designe
           for
           another
           embrace
           .
           For
           there
           are
           many
           pleasant
           Meadows
           ,
           large
           Woods
           ,
           and
           goodly
           Houses
           which
           yet
           hang
           in
           their
           eyes
           ,
           though
           they
           do
           not
           stick
           in
           their
           fingers
           ,
           but
           these
           can
           never
           be
           compassed
           again
           by
           them
           without
           making
           a
           new
           Bead-roll
           of
           Delinquents
           ,
           repairing
           to
           Haberdashers-Hall
           ,
           and
           extirpating
           Episcopacie
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           bringing
           all
           things
           again
           into
           War
           and
           confusion
           .
           Or
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           done
           peaceably
           ,
           yet
           cannot
           be
           done
           without
           laying
           Bishops
           aside
           ,
           and
           distributing
           their
           Lands
           .
           Now
           ,
           how
           can
           any
           labouring
           with
           this
           designe
           of
           a
           re-investiture
           to
           such
           Lands
           ,
           more
           properly
           bestow
           himself
           and
           his
           ways
           ,
           than
           in
           a
           diligent
           attendence
           on
           your
           Conventicles
           ,
           wherein
           Bishops
           have
           been
           so
           often
           declar'd
           your
           utter
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           the
           rooting
           them
           out
           both
           your
           aims
           and
           prayers
           ?
           There
           is
           little
           in
           such
           Designers
           Consciences
           ,
           to
           byass
           them
           more
           to
           you
           than
           to
           Rome
           ;
           but
           dreading
           that
           Church
           is
           not
           their
           friend
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           they
           continue
           with
           others
           ,
           but
           on
           worse
           Principles
           ,
           to
           cry
           out
           against
           her
           .
           It
           
           may
           perhaps
           be
           Objected
           ,
           that
           all
           of
           you
           are
           not
           for
           Alienation
           of
           Church-Land
           ,
           but
           some
           are
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           (
           as
           some
           of
           your
           Brethren
           at
           first
           did
           )
           to
           declare
           against
           it
           .
           If
           this
           be
           true
           (
           of
           which
           there
           is
           some
           suspicion
           )
           you
           may
           please
           to
           make
           it
           known
           at
           your
           next
           meeting
           ,
           which
           will
           be
           well
           for
           us
           ,
           but
           I
           doubt
           not
           for
           your selves
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Dependance
           hath
           given
           you
           some
           advantage
           ,
           which
           because
           it
           is
           various
           ,
           I
           will
           only
           instance
           in
           such
           common
           connexions
           ,
           as
           are
           every
           where
           observable
           to
           have
           a
           power
           to
           increase
           the
           bodies
           of
           any
           sort
           of
           men
           that
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           separate
           themselves
           for
           a
           distinct
           Society
           .
           The
           Dependances
           which
           I
           mean
           ,
           are
           those
           which
           have
           a
           strong
           relation
           to
           food
           and
           raiment
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Shop-keeper
           hath
           on
           the
           good
           Customer
           ,
           and
           the
           Tenant
           on
           the
           hopeful
           Landlord
           ,
           which
           though
           they
           are
           not
           intrinsecally
           evil
           ,
           nor
           the
           arts
           of
           obliging
           one
           and
           the
           other
           to
           be
           condemned
           ,
           as
           universally
           dishonest
           ;
           yet
           ,
           if
           on
           such
           considerations
           men
           shall
           sort
           themselves
           to
           a
           Sect
           ,
           and
           distinguish
           out
           to
           themselves
           a
           meet
           Religion
           ,
           or
           Religious
           party
           ,
           they
           are
           wicked
           and
           unreasonable
           .
           Neither
           will
           it
           help
           you
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           the
           same
           presumptions
           of
           such
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           though
           it
           were
           true
           (
           as
           in
           this
           't
           is
           probable
           )
           what
           you
           say
           .
           For
           whatever
           mens
           secret
           motives
           are
           in
           abiding
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           they
           are
           besides
           under
           a
           known
           Law
           for
           obedience
           and
           conformity
           to
           it
           ,
           by
           which
           all
           men
           under
           the
           same
           Government
           are
           equally
           obliged
           ,
           the
           Seller
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Buyer
           ,
           the
           Tenant
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Landlord
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           motive
           more
           extrinsecally
           honest
           than
           the
           other
           can
           pretend
           unto
           .
           But
           to
           see
           men
           take
           a
           fair
           place
           in
           your
           meetings
           ,
           not
           to
           see
           and
           hear
           best
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           seen
           and
           noted
           best
           ,
           to
           remove
           from
           thence
           timely
           to
           the
           door
           ,
           and
           there
           
           to
           abide
           the
           train
           of
           the
           Company
           in
           their
           departure
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           time
           to
           distribute
           glances
           ,
           smiles
           ,
           and
           cringes
           according
           to
           the
           hopefulness
           of
           the
           person
           going
           out
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           to
           acknowledge
           to
           their
           private
           Friends
           ,
           that
           their
           Trades
           and
           livelihoods
           engage
           them
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           whatever
           profit
           it
           brings
           to
           them
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           great
           comfort
           to
           you
           ,
           unless
           you
           are
           wonderfully
           pleased
           with
           gang
           and
           multitude
           .
           I
           will
           acknowledge
           that
           't
           is
           not
           to
           be
           believed
           that
           you
           can
           easily
           discriminate
           those
           from
           others
           ;
           or
           if
           you
           could
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           exclude
           them
           ;
           but
           yet
           I
           know
           this
           to
           be
           a
           truth
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           told
           only
           those
           of
           you
           ,
           who
           glory
           in
           your
           number
           and
           sincerity
           .
           My
           intent
           is
           to
           speak
           to
           such
           that
           understand
           and
           own
           the
           best
           appearing
           Grounds
           of
           Dissent
           and
           Separation
           ;
           and
           that
           I
           might
           so
           do
           ,
           I
           thought
           it
           best
           first
           to
           set
           aside
           those
           persons
           that
           have
           none
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Obedience
           hath
           done
           you
           no
           hurt
           in
           your
           Plot
           of
           Separation
           ,
           though
           a
           little
           more
           Obedience
           in
           you
           or
           them
           (
           that
           have
           on
           this
           score
           separated
           )
           would
           have
           done
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           much
           good
           .
           They
           that
           are
           drawn
           and
           held
           to
           you
           by
           this
           Argument
           are
           Children
           and
           Servants
           ,
           who
           certainly
           are
           the
           most
           defensible
           of
           all
           the
           Families
           that
           belong
           to
           these
           Tribes
           ;
           considering
           they
           do
           in
           some
           sense
           assert
           hereby
           what
           their
           Parents
           and
           Masters
           do
           deny
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           viz.
           Obedience
           .
           There
           are
           many
           considerations
           of
           great
           efficacie
           to
           binde
           these
           persons
           to
           the
           very
           Sentiments
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Commandments
           of
           their
           domestic
           Superiours
           .
           'T
           is
           sufficient
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           only
           in
           the
           case
           a
           quiet
           life
           ,
           Trade
           and
           Portion
           to
           be
           forfeited
           by
           their
           reluctancie
           ,
           and
           this
           there
           is
           too
           often
           ;
           to
           say
           nothing
           of
           those
           fearful
           curses
           some
           are
           afraid
           to
           incur
           being
           pronounced
           on
           them
           by
           their
           dying
           friends
           ,
           on
           condition
           
           of
           returning
           to
           the
           obedience
           to
           the
           English
           Antichristian
           and
           Idolatrous
           Church
           .
        
         
           I
           think
           the
           Servants
           are
           under
           the
           hardest
           terms
           ,
           who
           for
           the
           most
           part
           have
           had
           other
           kind
           of
           Education
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           their
           Masters
           with
           Catechisms
           ,
           Principles
           and
           Practises
           according
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ;
           and
           therefore
           must
           unlearn
           somethings
           ,
           and
           disuse
           more
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           their
           Religion
           before
           they
           can
           comply
           with
           yours
           .
           You
           know
           a
           little
           skill
           in
           Case-Divinity
           will
           help
           these
           young
           people
           to
           some
           ease
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           Doctrine
           you
           often
           needlesly
           press
           of
           an
           indispensable
           and
           prime
           subjection
           to
           God
           ,
           will
           do
           them
           real
           good
           ,
           and
           you
           know
           the
           subjection
           we
           owe
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           King
           for
           Gods-sake
           ,
           supercedes
           the
           obedience
           we
           owe
           to
           Parents
           and
           Masters
           ,
           if
           they
           once
           draw
           up
           to
           a
           competition
           .
           And
           '
           truly
           't
           is
           pity
           ,
           but
           these
           should
           be
           relieved
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           good
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           their
           bodies
           ,
           especially
           when
           they
           are
           galli'd
           often
           a
           whole
           day
           to
           hunger
           ,
           to
           strange
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           strange
           Propositions
           ,
           whereof
           many
           of
           your
           underling
           Conventicles
           are
           very
           full
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           unknown
           to
           your
           Chief
           Rabbies
           and
           Masters
           .
        
         
           Let
           me
           then
           dismiss
           these
           as
           not
           bringing
           much
           credit
           to
           any
           Society
           ,
           and
           least
           of
           all
           to
           yours
           ,
           whose
           pretended
           formality
           and
           essence
           is
           to
           outgo
           others
           in
           purity
           of
           heart
           and
           life
           .
        
         
           The
           ground
           of
           your
           Dissent
           is
           next
           to
           be
           lookt
           into
           ,
           which
           after
           the
           most
           diligent
           search
           that
           I
           could
           make
           ,
           seems
           finally
           resolved
           into
           this
           Principle
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             nothing
             may
             be
             lawfully
             done
             ,
             or
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             without
             Command
             or
             Example
             for
             it
             in
             Scripture
             .
          
        
         
         
           For
           I
           suppose
           your
           chief
           dislike
           of
           our
           Church
           is
           ,
           because
           in
           its
           usages
           there
           are
           somethings
           inscriptural
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           may
           boldly
           say
           ,
           will
           be
           while
           the
           world
           stands
           .
           But
           this
           is
           such
           a
           Principle
           ,
           that
           if
           you
           resolve
           to
           stand
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           content
           to
           abide
           by
           the
           just
           Consequences
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           it
           will
           as
           well
           serve
           you
           against
           any
           Church
           ,
           as
           ours
           ,
           not
           only
           that
           of
           Rome
           ,
           but
           Geneva
           ;
           not
           only
           against
           the
           late
           magnified
           Platform
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           but
           
             New
             England
          
           also
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           be
           short
           ,
           either
           you
           approve
           of
           this
           Principle
           ,
           or
           you
           do
           not
           ;
           if
           you
           do
           ,
           why
           do
           you
           not
           observe
           it
           ,
           and
           govern
           your selves
           within
           your selves
           by
           it
           ?
           If
           you
           do
           not
           ,
           why
           would
           you
           obtrude
           it
           on
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           desert
           her
           too
           for
           want
           of
           an
           impossible
           Conformity
           to
           it
           ?
           For
           examine
           the
           next
           most
           Evangelical
           Assembling
           ,
           and
           tell
           me
           ,
           whether
           there
           be
           not
           some
           Circumstances
           in
           the
           time
           ,
           place
           ,
           gesture
           ,
           manner
           of
           Preaching
           and
           Praying
           ,
           for
           which
           the
           best
           Textuary
           of
           you
           all
           can
           bring
           forth
           no
           plain
           ,
           positive
           ,
           and
           particular
           Commands
           and
           Examples
           from
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           :
           And
           these
           Circumstances
           of
           yours
           ye
           are
           over-rul'd
           in
           ,
           and
           suffer
           your selves
           to
           be
           obedient
           to
           on
           a
           Vassalage
           to
           some
           private
           man
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           he
           no
           great
           Apostle
           ;
           yet
           continuing
           to
           blame
           those
           ,
           that
           in
           as
           innocent
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           decent
           Ceremonies
           and
           Circumstances
           are
           observant
           of
           Authority
           ,
           and
           were
           derived
           from
           those
           men
           that
           were
           not
           ashamed
           to
           live
           ,
           nor
           afraid
           to
           die
           for
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           this
           being
           the
           great
           Postulatum
           of
           the
           Science
           of
           Non-conformity
           ,
           and
           Novel
           Puritanism
           ,
           may
           I
           be
           so
           bold
           as
           to
           ask
           you
           ,
           whence
           you
           had
           it
           ?
           Not
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           neither
           in
           word
           ,
           nor
           sense
           ;
           not
           from
           Examples
           of
           Jewish
           or
           Christian
           Church
           in
           the
           Scripture
           registred
           ,
           for
           they
           both
           used
           Ceremonies
           and
           Circumstances
           in
           Worship
           ,
           
           again
           took
           them
           up
           ,
           and
           laid
           them
           down
           without
           the
           interposition
           of
           a
           particular
           Divine
           Command
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           guiltless
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           can
           find
           of
           Scriptures
           that
           you
           are
           wont
           to
           alledge
           for
           this
           .
           Opinion
           ,
           are
           some
           conceptions
           of
           your
           own
           on
           those
           Texts
           that
           mention
           God's
           Holiness
           and
           Jealousie
           ,
           That
           
             thou
             shalt
             not
             add
             nor
             diminish
             ,
          
           &c.
           which
           have
           been
           an
           hundred
           times
           answered
           to
           you
           ;
           and
           had
           you
           been
           ingenuous
           ,
           the
           Answers
           had
           long
           before
           removed
           the
           dotage
           .
           You
           will
           not
           say
           sure
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           a
           Principle
           enforced
           on
           you
           by
           Spiritual
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           prudential
           debates
           in
           the
           understanding
           of
           every
           man
           that
           is
           possessed
           with
           a
           due
           fear
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           this
           were
           to
           make
           your selves
           the
           only
           true
           Christians
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           found
           (
           if
           you
           venture
           to
           talk
           of
           prudence
           )
           in
           the
           same
           Oven
           wherein
           you
           seek
           to
           finde
           ,
           or
           to
           put
           your
           Adversaries
           .
           But
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           must
           be
           cautious
           in
           contending
           against
           this
           Principle
           ;
           for
           scarce
           any
           of
           her
           Members
           do
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           readily
           accused
           for
           disparaging
           the
           fulness
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           for
           speaking
           un-Protestantlike
           of
           the
           perfection
           of
           that
           Sacred
           Volume
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           that
           Christ
           ,
           as
           Moses
           was
           not
           faithful
           in
           his
           house
           .
        
         
           Which
           Accusations
           were
           they
           true
           would
           signifie
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           not
           true
           ;
           inasmuch
           as
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           have
           always
           willingly
           asserted
           ,
           and
           learnedly
           justified
           the
           perfection
           of
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           as
           having
           in
           them
           a
           sufficient
           and
           full
           Revelation
           of
           supernatural
           Truths
           ,
           and
           the
           Substantials
           of
           God's
           Worship
           ;
           and
           the
           advancing
           moral
           and
           civil
           Duties
           to
           a
           more
           sublime
           and
           spiritual
           height
           ,
           by
           directing
           them
           to
           a
           more
           noble
           end
           ,
           and
           exacting
           performance
           of
           them
           in
           a
           holy
           manner
           .
           Bishop
           
             Sanderson
             ,
             Pref.
          
           to
           20
           Serm.
           But
           then
           't
           is
           added
           by
           that
           renowned
           Bishop
           ,
           that
           this
           the
           Protestants
           do
           assert
           without
           any
           purpose
           
           thereby
           to
           exclude
           belief
           of
           what
           is
           otherwise
           reasonable
           ,
           or
           the
           practise
           of
           what
           is
           prudential
           .
           
             Idem
             ibid
          
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           that
           Bishop
           might
           say
           what
           he
           pleased
           ;
           my
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           his
           Exercitations
           on
           the
           Cause
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           as
           it
           stands
           in
           Controversie
           with
           you
           are
           above
           your
           refuting
           :
           Else
           though
           Mr.
           
           Hookes's
           be
           a
           longsome
           Book
           ,
           why
           are
           not
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           
           Sanderson's
           few
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           two
           Prefaces
           taken
           into
           consideration
           ?
           For
           doth
           he
           not
           enervate
           your
           Principle
           ,
           and
           establish
           our
           Ceremonies
           with
           that
           freeness
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           craved
           favour
           from
           no
           man's
           Reason
           or
           Learning
           ?
           Therefore
           let
           it
           be
           thought
           no
           unreasonable
           request
           of
           mine
           to
           you
           who
           are
           engaged
           in
           this
           County
           to
           the
           way
           of
           dissention
           from
           us
           ,
           if
           I
           desire
           you
           to
           peruse
           that
           Author
           ,
           and
           to
           proceed
           moderately
           (
           if
           you
           can
           )
           in
           your
           Inconformity
           ,
           till
           you
           or
           yours
           have
           answered
           him
           .
        
         
           Neither
           can
           I
           think
           the
           denying
           of
           this
           your
           Principle
           will
           argue
           an
           Opinion
           in
           those
           that
           oppose
           it
           ,
           that
           Christ
           was
           less
           faithful
           than
           Moses
           :
           For
           ,
           if
           he
           hath
           made
           known
           unto
           us
           all
           things
           that
           he
           hath
           heard
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           John
           15.
           15.
           as
           to
           that
           Errand
           about
           which
           his
           Father
           sent
           him
           ,
           as
           Moses
           did
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           promulgation
           of
           the
           Laws
           he
           received
           from
           God
           for
           the
           Instruction
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Israelites
           ,
           and
           yet
           left
           some
           circumstances
           unmentionned
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           unfaithful
           ,
           nor
           his
           dispensation
           uncomplete
           ;
           nor
           fail'd
           any
           more
           than
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             to
             declare
             the
             whole
             Counsel
             of
             God
             ,
          
           though
           he
           hath
           said
           nothing
           of
           the
           Antipodes
           ,
           Motion
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           or
           World
           in
           the
           Moon
           ;
           no
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           of
           God's
           Decrees
           ,
           as
           some
           others
           have
           ,
           and
           continue
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           What
           Ceremonies
           and
           Circumstances
           are
           recorded
           in
           the
           
           New
           Testament
           ,
           as
           the
           issues
           of
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Great
           Captain
           of
           our
           Salvation
           to
           be
           constantly
           and
           universally
           practised
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           let
           him
           be
           anathematized
           that
           renounceth
           to
           them
           either
           in
           Opinion
           or
           Practice
           ;
           and
           let
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           stand
           charged
           of
           partiallity
           and
           falsehood
           ,
           If
           any
           children
           of
           her
           Family
           will
           not
           say
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           many
           Acts
           of
           Religion
           and
           Piety
           are
           commanded
           in
           their
           Substance
           only
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           men
           cannot
           perform
           them
           without
           circumstance
           ,
           what
           should
           be
           the
           Reason
           (
           not
           the
           pretence
           )
           why
           lawful
           Authority
           (
           which
           is
           judge
           of
           decencie
           ,
           and
           always
           aims
           at
           a
           blessed
           Uniformity
           ,
           and
           in
           pursuance
           thereof
           injoyns
           nothing
           contrary
           to
           the
           least
           Iota
           of
           the
           will
           of
           our
           Saviour
           )
           should
           not
           determine
           them
           ?
           when
           
             de
             facto
          
           some
           circumstances
           will
           (
           though
           variously
           )
           be
           used
           and
           determined
           by
           every
           private
           person
           .
        
         
           But
           should
           this
           very
           obnoxious
           Principle
           be
           allowed
           you
           ,
           yet
           I
           make
           a
           Question
           ,
           whether
           you
           have
           not
           exceeded
           (
           in
           your
           modern
           cavil
           )
           the
           fairest
           extension
           of
           it
           :
           For
           under
           pretence
           of
           precisely
           standing
           to
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           therein
           often
           to
           words
           ,
           sounds
           ,
           and
           syllables
           ,
           you
           have
           rejected
           somethings
           that
           are
           Scriptural
           in
           sense
           and
           signification
           ,
           at
           least
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           those
           that
           are
           as
           pious
           and
           learned
           as
           your selves
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           beyond
           you
           in
           number
           ,
           and
           Antiquity
           ,
           yet
           still
           within
           the
           acknowledged
           Church
           of
           Christ
           .
           For
           what
           a
           daring
           rudeness
           was
           it
           in
           you
           to
           damn
           Episcopacie
           (
           supposing
           such
           ,
           as
           obtains
           in
           England
           )
           as
           Unscriptural
           ,
           if
           the
           
             Jus
             Divinum
          
           thereof
           (
           which
           is
           equivalent
           to
           the
           obligation
           of
           Scripture
           )
           be
           so
           fairly
           pleadable
           by
           men
           ,
           that
           are
           ever
           ready
           to
           go
           down
           with
           you
           into
           the
           Sand
           to
           defend
           it
           at
           any
           Weapon
           in
           the
           Spiritual
           Armory
           ,
           and
           are
           no
           near
           
           at
           a
           loss
           ,
           or
           short
           of
           you
           in
           Piety
           than
           Learning
           .
           For
           not
           to
           remember
           your
           former
           rage
           against
           this
           Government
           on
           the
           account
           of
           the
           former
           Principle
           ,
           or
           none
           :
           I
           ask
           ,
           whether
           ever
           any
           Society
           of
           men
           were
           unchurcht
           for
           being
           govern'd
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           but
           by
           you
           ?
           For
           to
           reckon
           our
           Episcopacie
           Antichristian
           ,
           is
           as
           much
           as
           to
           unchurch
           us
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Long-Parliament-Sermons
           call'd
           it
           Prelacie
           ,
           yet
           thereby
           they
           meant
           nothing
           else
           but
           our
           Episcopacie
           both
           in
           sense
           and
           execution
           .
           But
           the
           people
           must
           have
           the
           new
           word
           Prelacie
           (
           as
           then
           used
           by
           you
           )
           having
           something
           yet
           left
           in
           them
           of
           the
           antient
           reverence
           to
           Episcopacie
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Divine
           right
           of
           Episcopacie
           be
           not
           demonstrable
           (
           as
           I
           believe
           it
           is
           )
           yet
           hath
           it
           not
           as
           fair
           pretence
           thereto
           ,
           as
           any
           of
           those
           Hebrew
           ,
           or
           Scotch
           Roots
           from
           whence
           your
           different
           Associations
           are
           derived
           ?
           For
           let
           it
           be
           shewn
           wherein
           it
           comes
           behind
           in
           evidence
           to
           your
           forming
           and
           predominant
           
             Theses
             ,
             viz.
          
           The
           Doctrine
           of
           Lay-Elders
           ,
           and
           purity
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           The
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           and
           Independent-Pastors
           .
           Or
           again
           ,
           That
           the
           Gospel
           hath
           so
           restrained
           the
           Subject
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           as
           to
           exclude
           Infants
           ;
           And
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           now
           expect
           the
           same
           degree
           of
           conduct
           and
           assistance
           from
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           to
           guide
           them
           into
           all
           truth
           ,
           and
           even
           to
           prevent
           study
           and
           meditation
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostles
           had
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           And
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Government
           ,
           so
           I
           go
           on
           to
           demand
           of
           you
           in
           the
           point
           of
           worship
           ,
           Who
           ever
           besides
           your selves
           ran
           away
           from
           an
           explicite
           Communion
           with
           a
           Church
           for
           having
           a
           form
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           for
           kneeling
           at
           the
           Lords-Supper
           ,
           for
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Cross
           after
           Baptism
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Surplise
           ?
           when
           they
           were
           declared
           not
           essential
           to
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           substantial
           in
           Worship
           ,
           but
           recommended
           ,
           and
           enjoyned
           out
           of
           Reverence
           to
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           zeal
           for
           Uniformity
           by
           those
           
           who
           had
           Authority
           over
           us
           ,
           yet
           never
           asserted
           any
           other
           Authority
           in
           such
           matters
           ,
           but
           for
           edification
           :
           Concerning
           which
           Ceremonies
           there
           is
           no
           man
           among
           you
           (
           who
           seems
           to
           have
           retained
           discretion
           ,
           or
           a
           faculty
           of
           judging
           )
           but
           only
           hovers
           and
           makes
           slight
           reflections
           ,
           but
           never
           prove
           them
           to
           be
           directly
           sinful
           ,
           unless
           by
           the
           former
           weak
           ,
           and
           every
           where
           (
           even
           among
           your selves
           )
           contradicted
           Principle
           .
        
         
           The
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           contained
           in
           the
           39
           Articles
           have
           of
           late
           obtained
           to
           some
           better
           respect
           among
           you
           ,
           and
           on
           a
           sudden
           grow
           into
           favour
           with
           many
           Dissenters
           ,
           which
           one
           would
           think
           were
           a
           good
           pledge
           of
           their
           farther
           conformity
           ,
           there
           being
           nothing
           (
           as
           I
           know
           )
           in
           our
           Government
           and
           Worship
           that
           is
           contradictory
           or
           abhorrent
           from
           those
           Articles
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           the
           reason
           should
           be
           of
           your
           approbation
           ,
           or
           whether
           you
           be
           not
           real
           in
           it
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ;
           but
           if
           you
           are
           then
           proceed
           to
           examine
           other
           matters
           ,
           and
           your selves
           by
           them
           .
           I
           doubt
           ,
           if
           you
           were
           urged
           to
           subscribe
           to
           them
           ,
           you
           would
           again
           ,
           as
           heretofore
           have
           your
           exceptions
           ,
           and
           only
           acknowledge
           for
           truth
           in
           them
           those
           which
           be
           the
           great
           Commandments
           .
        
         
           However
           it
           were
           but
           fair
           ,
           if
           you
           do
           own
           our
           Articles
           ,
           to
           let
           the
           rest
           of
           your
           Societies
           know
           from
           your
           own
           mouths
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           some
           good
           things
           among
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           become
           more
           modest
           in
           their
           revilings
           ,
           who
           seldome
           rate
           us
           below
           the
           Idolatrous
           ,
           the
           Superstitious
           ,
           and
           Antichristian
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           one
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           matters
           that
           pertain
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           a
           Church
           .
        
         
           Perhaps
           you
           lay
           hold
           on
           our
           Articles
           now
           as
           an
           Argument
           
             ad
             hominem
          
           ,
           and
           to
           beat
           us
           (
           as
           you
           think
           )
           with
           our
           
           own
           Weapon
           ;
           for
           there
           are
           great
           cries
           among
           you
           ,
           as
           if
           many
           that
           live
           in
           conformity
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           are
           departed
           in
           their
           Opinion
           from
           the
           Catholick
           soundness
           of
           the
           30
           Articles
           ,
           by
           espousing
           Socinianism
           ,
           of
           which
           there
           is
           much
           suspition
           ,
           and
           dread
           express'd
           in
           some
           late
           Writers
           ;
           but
           then
           they
           charge
           such
           persons
           therewith
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           clearly
           not
           guilty
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           approve
           and
           use
           that
           Lyturgy
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           a
           particular
           Creed
           against
           the
           farce
           of
           Socinianism
           ,
           and
           are
           willing
           (
           for
           ought
           I
           hear
           )
           to
           give
           other
           assurance
           of
           their
           detestation
           of
           it
           ,
           notwithstanding
           those
           passages
           in
           some
           late
           Papers
           that
           they
           have
           with
           great
           confidence
           accused
           and
           condemned
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Socinus
           and
           his
           followers
           hath
           gotten
           any
           credit
           among
           us
           (
           which
           God
           forbid
           )
           who
           may
           we
           blame
           for
           it
           but
           your selves
           ,
           and
           your
           Fore-runners
           ,
           who
           could
           never
           endure
           that
           body
           of
           Canons
           ,
           wherein
           was
           one
           in
           Title
           and
           Doctrine
           against
           Socinianism
           ?
           It
           is
           the
           fourth
           Canon
           agreed
           on
           by
           the
           several
           Synods
           of
           London
           and
           York
           1640.
           wherein
           Socinianism
           is
           called
           a
           damnable
           and
           cursed
           Heresie
           ,
           a
           complication
           of
           many
           antient
           Heresies
           condemn'd
           by
           the
           four
           first
           General
           Councils
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           contrariant
           to
           the
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           now
           established
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
           I
           know
           on
           what
           Canon
           or
           Canons
           the
           burden
           of
           your
           clamour
           was
           laid
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Lawyers
           helpt
           you
           to
           find
           out
           an
           irregularity
           in
           their
           making
           (
           though
           the
           Composers
           had
           the
           King's
           Commission
           to
           impower
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           Canons
           the
           King's
           Declaration
           before
           them
           )
           yet
           this
           Canon
           underwent
           the
           same
           fate
           as
           others
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           audibly
           complain'd
           against
           ;
           which
           I
           cannot
           think
           for
           all
           that
           ,
           but
           was
           as
           well
           as
           the
           rest
           secretly
           design'd
           against
           by
           the
           first
           Authors
           of
           our
           confusions
           in
           Religion
           :
           For
           soon
           after
           the
           Ministers
           that
           exercised
           before
           the
           Lords
           and
           
           Commons
           at
           their
           Monthly
           Fasts
           complain'd
           against
           infinite
           Errors
           and
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           this
           (
           by
           name
           )
           of
           Socinianism
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           persons
           who
           were
           guilty
           of
           it
           were
           not
           the
           adherents
           to
           Episcopacie
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           were
           hearded
           among
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           joyn'd
           for
           a
           pretended
           Reformation
           .
           The
           matter
           therefore
           well
           considered
           ,
           though
           you
           dislike
           Socinianism
           (
           as
           well
           you
           may
           )
           yet
           you
           may
           see
           whether
           directly
           ,
           or
           by
           accident
           ,
           I
           enquire
           not
           ,
           who
           unhappily
           ministred
           to
           its
           growth
           ,
           if
           not
           to
           its
           first
           Introduction
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           nothing
           so
           boldly
           talkt
           against
           ,
           as
           the
           particular
           of
           Excommunications
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           irregularly
           decreed
           ,
           and
           on
           light
           and
           unmeet
           occasions
           .
           But
           these
           exceptions
           are
           so
           idle
           and
           vain
           ,
           that
           they
           argue
           either
           ignorance
           or
           unrighteousness
           in
           those
           who
           first
           made
           them
           .
           For
           had
           they
           observ'd
           how
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           men
           are
           Ecclesiastically
           censured
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           think
           the
           Keys
           usurp'd
           by
           Lay-men
           .
           'T
           is
           no
           news
           to
           hear
           Courts
           and
           their
           proceedings
           first
           misunderstood
           ,
           and
           then
           misrepresented
           by
           those
           who
           are
           obnoxious
           ,
           or
           have
           an
           itch
           to
           rule
           ,
           and
           are
           impatient
           of
           Government
           .
           Now
           Government
           it self
           being
           sacred
           and
           necessary
           ,
           they
           that
           quarrel
           at
           it
           must
           begin
           with
           the
           suspected
           corruptions
           of
           it
           (
           of
           which
           they
           are
           neither
           capable
           to
           judge
           or
           amend
           )
           and
           so
           proceed
           to
           confusion
           ;
           but
           still
           keeping
           up
           to
           a
           noise
           of
           corruption
           ,
           till
           themselves
           are
           possess'd
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           become
           abominable
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           the
           causes
           and
           occasions
           of
           Excommunications
           ,
           that
           are
           insisted
           on
           by
           you
           to
           be
           light
           and
           trivial
           ,
           it
           is
           manifest
           that
           those
           who
           so
           accuse
           are
           very
           heedless
           ,
           or
           very
           illiterate
           .
           For
           let
           them
           but
           read
           the
           ordinary
           form
           of
           that
           Instrument
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           find
           the
           cause
           is
           renouncing
           to
           Government
           ,
           
           and
           contempt
           of
           the
           Court
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           men
           do
           not
           acknowledge
           the
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           or
           will
           not
           submit
           and
           acquiesce
           in
           its
           determinations
           and
           censures
           ,
        
         
           Having
           thus
           mentioned
           your
           Principle
           of
           Dissent
           ,
           and
           some
           Applications
           that
           you
           make
           thereof
           for
           your
           own
           pitiful
           defence
           against
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           let
           me
           further
           add
           something
           of
           the
           ways
           and
           manners
           you
           observe
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           are
           in
           use
           among
           your selves
           .
           I
           have
           sometime
           considered
           your
           Worshipping
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           finde
           ,
           that
           though
           you
           have
           long
           handled
           that
           Text
           
             [
             That
             God
             is
             a
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             worship
             him
             ,
             must
             worship
             him
             in
             spirit
             and
             in
             truth
             ]
          
           to
           serve
           you
           against
           those
           you
           oppose
           ;
           yet
           there
           is
           little
           assurance
           that
           there
           is
           more
           spirit
           or
           truth
           in
           your
           worship
           than
           in
           your
           slighted
           Neighbour's
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           to
           worship
           God
           in
           spirit
           be
           to
           joyn
           the
           Soul
           with
           external
           performances
           in
           God's
           Worship
           ,
           what
           can
           you
           say
           for
           your selves
           more
           ,
           than
           those
           from
           whom
           you
           separate
           ,
           who
           acknowledg
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           profess
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           same
           beyond
           your
           disproof
           ,
           knowing
           herein
           they
           are
           to
           be
           tried
           by
           God
           (
           and
           not
           you
           )
           who
           searcheth
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           trieth
           the
           reins
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           have
           not
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           greater
           appearances
           ,
           that
           their
           Souls
           are
           joyn'd
           to
           the
           material
           parts
           of
           Gods
           worship
           than
           you
           ?
           when
           they
           readily
           use
           such
           Acts
           and
           Indications
           of
           reverence
           ,
           as
           you
           make
           Conscience
           to
           deny
           ,
           and
           a
           piece
           of
           Religion
           to
           contemn
           ;
           nay
           sometime
           become
           distinctly
           character'd
           from
           us
           by
           an
           obstinate
           and
           insolent
           refusal
           to
           use
           them
           .
           The
           Congregations
           that
           worship
           God
           according
           to
           the
           Canons
           and
           Rubricks
           yf
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           do
           in
           Prayer
           and
           Communions
           kneel
           ,
           in
           hearing
           they
           are
           uncovered
           ,
           and
           in
           any
           other
           constant
           or
           contingent
           Office
           are
           decent
           &
           orderly
           ;
           of
           which
           they
           are
           so
           far
           observant
           ,
           that
           to
           prevent
           any
           opportunity
           
           for
           confusion
           ,
           it
           is
           their
           Principle
           to
           submit
           and
           conform
           to
           a
           stated
           rule
           given
           them
           by
           their
           Superiours
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           only
           guard
           against
           indecencie
           and
           distraction
           .
        
         
           But
           your
           Assemblies
           (
           those
           of
           our
           County
           )
           are
           otherwise
           managed
           .
           Many
           profess
           to
           come
           with
           no
           other
           designe
           than
           to
           hear
           only
           ,
           and
           think
           themselves
           discharg'd
           to
           God
           and
           their
           own
           wish
           ,
           if
           they
           come
           time
           enough
           to
           hear
           a
           mystical
           Text
           pronounc'd
           ,
           as
           the
           warning
           to
           a
           Sermon
           .
           This
           they
           believe
           to
           be
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           else
           have
           knowledge
           of
           none
           .
           And
           when
           they
           come
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           difference
           between
           them
           in
           the
           Market
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Meeting-house
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           truth
           ,
           there
           needs
           none
           ,
           that
           their
           carriage
           may
           bear
           proportion
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           such
           unlawful
           Assemblies
           .
        
         
           They
           have
           been
           taught
           ,
           that
           Preaching
           and
           Hearing
           are
           the
           principal
           Duties
           of
           Minister
           and
           People
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           one
           to
           preach
           plain
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           to
           be
           uncovered
           are
           both
           superstitious
           ;
           and
           moreover
           ,
           that
           Superstition
           is
           so
           dangerous
           ,
           that
           rudeness
           is
           much
           safer
           with
           such-like
           whimsies
           ,
           that
           whenever
           they
           are
           reproved
           for
           it
           in
           our
           Assemblies
           ,
           especially
           in
           this
           point
           of
           the
           Hat
           ,
           they
           think
           they
           are
           abridged
           of
           their
           Christian
           Priviledges
           .
        
         
           Neither
           is
           your
           Worship
           better
           for
           truth
           than
           spirit
           ,
           if
           to
           worship
           God
           in
           truth
           be
           to
           worship
           him
           after
           the
           manner
           ,
           that
           Christ
           hath
           revealed
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           true
           God.
           For
           ,
           concerning
           God
           ,
           nothing
           is
           more
           Emphatical
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           him
           by
           Christ
           ,
           than
           ,
           
             then
             that
             he
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
             but
             delivered
             him
             up
             for
             us
             all
             ,
          
           Rom.
           8.
           32.
           which
           Doctrine
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           be
           preserved
           fresh
           in
           the
           memories
           of
           Christians
           ,
           then
           was
           an
           holy
           Rite
           instituted
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           that
           carried
           with
           it
           the
           most
           easie
           and
           familiar
           signification
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Lords-Supper
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           be
           celebrated
           with
           such
           words
           that
           do
           import
           the
           
           very
           Doctrine
           ,
           whereby
           is
           shewn
           not
           only
           our
           Saviour's
           care
           and
           faithfulness
           to
           continue
           an
           assertion
           of
           the
           Point
           ;
           but
           over
           and
           above
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           the
           most
           properly
           differing
           Character
           of
           the
           Christian
           Society
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           alas
           !
           Of
           what
           little
           use
           is
           this
           among
           you
           ?
           your
           former
           setting
           up
           spiritual
           Rails
           by
           strange
           and
           unchristian
           Niceties
           hath
           made
           a
           desolation
           of
           this
           Table
           ,
           not
           yet
           to
           be
           repaired
           by
           the
           soundest
           Doctrines
           and
           vehementest
           exhortations
           to
           those
           that
           otherwise
           are
           governable
           people
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           for
           your
           own
           Societies
           (
           I
           speak
           of
           Kent
           )
           there
           is
           a
           very
           little
           obedience
           to
           it
           ,
           or
           such
           obedience
           as
           little
           comports
           with
           the
           merit
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           it
           relates
           to
           ,
           or
           the
           solemnity
           wherewith
           it
           was
           instituted
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           my
           experience
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           who
           frequent
           your
           Assemblies
           with
           good
           affection
           ,
           having
           yet
           a
           veneration
           of
           that
           Sacrament
           do
           constantly
           communicate
           with
           us
           ,
           not
           our
           of
           compulsion
           ,
           or
           more
           than
           ordinary
           perswasion
           ;
           but
           because
           not
           in
           practice
           in
           such
           Meetings
           of
           yours
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           usually
           betake
           themselves
           .
           I
           pray
           then
           consider
           how
           intire
           &
           integral
           your
           Worship
           is
           ,
           especialiy
           where
           there
           is
           nothing
           but
           an
           extemporary
           prayer
           and
           attempts
           on
           a
           Theological
           Discourse
           .
           If
           in
           any
           place
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           are
           read
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           hear
           of
           any
           great
           care
           or
           order
           had
           for
           reading
           the
           same
           ,
           in
           the
           most
           material
           parts
           thereof
           ;
           but
           in
           many
           places
           there
           is
           no
           more
           use
           of
           them
           than
           in
           such
           Quotatations
           that
           are
           brought
           in
           to
           attend
           the
           Sermon
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           rest
           ,
           the
           Method
           or
           Confusion
           of
           reading
           is
           left
           to
           the
           discretion
           of
           the
           gifted
           Brother
           ,
           Pastor
           ,
           or
           Minister
           ,
           be
           he
           young
           or
           old
           ,
           Stranger
           or
           home-born
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           skill
           your
           Auditors
           have
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           is
           very
           narrow
           ,
           referring
           only
           to
           those
           Texts
           which
           are
           most
           in
           fashion
           for
           your
           Sermons
           :
           They
           observe
           little
           connexion
           or
           discrimination
           
           between
           Old
           and
           N.
           Testament
           ,
           nor
           particularly
           understand
           those
           Scriptures
           that
           essentially
           concern
           Christianity
           but
           are
           under
           Rote
           and
           Government
           of
           such
           glosses
           ,
           as
           you
           have
           fixt
           on
           those
           places
           that
           appear
           fairest
           (
           at
           least
           in
           sound
           )
           for
           dissent
           and
           difference
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
        
         
           This
           consideration
           makes
           me
           reflect
           on
           your
           way
           of
           instruction
           ,
           supposing
           instruction
           of
           men
           ,
           not
           worship
           of
           God
           to
           be
           the
           chief
           end
           of
           your
           assembling
           :
           For
           if
           it
           were
           not
           ,
           you
           could
           not
           reasonably
           lay
           such
           stress
           on
           Sermons
           as
           you
           do
           ;
           and
           you
           cannot
           deny
           ,
           but
           God
           may
           be
           publikely
           worshipped
           without
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           acceptably
           too
           ,
           especially
           in
           those
           places
           where
           the
           Gospel
           hath
           been
           long
           received
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           a
           Church
           ,
           where
           there
           are
           ways
           of
           another
           name
           constantly
           used
           to
           instruct
           the
           Members
           thereof
           .
           But
           if
           you
           should
           assemble
           without
           Sermons
           for
           worship
           ,
           what
           will
           become
           of
           you
           ?
           For
           you
           have
           so
           long
           preach'd
           a
           woe
           upon
           the
           neglect
           and
           very
           omission
           of
           Preaching
           ,
           that
           the
           people
           (
           you
           know
           )
           will
           curse
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           should
           but
           attempt
           to
           call
           them
           together
           in
           any
           publike
           Meeting
           without
           it
           .
           But
           yet
           to
           let
           this
           pass
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           conven'd
           ,
           your
           way
           of
           instructing
           one
           would
           think
           might
           be
           better
           advised
           .
           I
           meddle
           not
           now
           with
           the
           unaptness
           of
           your
           Subjects
           to
           beget
           Principles
           of
           Christianity
           in
           your
           Hearers
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           were
           Principles
           which
           you
           teach
           ,
           how
           unduly
           they
           are
           proportion'd
           to
           their
           capacities
           being
           inveloped
           with
           such
           Phrases
           ,
           that
           it
           were
           hard
           for
           the
           very
           Apostles
           to
           know
           their
           own
           Doctrines
           again
           ,
           or
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           to
           resume
           their
           faith
           and
           practice
           of
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           to
           judge
           and
           live
           by
           your
           Discourses
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           say
           your
           way
           of
           Preaching
           is
           mended
           (
           for
           indeed
           the
           Writings
           of
           Dissenters
           in
           other
           Cities
           and
           Countries
           
           are
           ,
           being
           more
           congruous
           to
           sense
           ,
           and
           beginning
           to
           be
           more
           Orthodox
           as
           to
           Doctrine
           )
           what
           reasons
           can
           there
           be
           in
           order
           to
           better
           edification
           (
           as
           you
           pretend
           )
           to
           neglect
           the
           use
           of
           the
           Ten
           Commandments
           ,
           publike
           Catechisms
           ,
           the
           Antient
           Creeds
           ,
           and
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           deliver
           the
           Elements
           of
           Religion
           in
           such
           plain
           words
           ,
           and
           tractable
           Periods
           as
           the
           meanest
           judgment
           and
           memory
           may
           receive
           and
           manage
           them
           ?
           And
           if
           the
           memory
           only
           be
           first
           obliged
           in
           those
           wise
           and
           blessed
           accomodations
           of
           Divine
           Truths
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           nearer
           to
           the
           understanding
           ,
           and
           may
           at
           last
           rule
           in
           the
           affections
           and
           conversation
           .
        
         
           Yet
           with
           these
           you
           instruct
           not
           ,
           but
           make
           them
           all
           subside
           to
           your
           own
           private
           senses
           and
           illustrations
           of
           Scripture
           .
           If
           this
           be
           told
           abroad
           to
           those
           who
           are
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           it
           will
           become
           to
           their
           Judgment
           equally
           wicked
           and
           incredible
           .
           That
           men
           should
           pretend
           to
           instruction
           (
           and
           the
           best
           way
           too
           )
           without
           a
           Catechism
           ,
           or
           the
           use
           of
           it
           without
           the
           Decalogue
           ,
           Creeds
           ,
           or
           Lords
           Prayer
           .
           For
           to
           say
           you
           touch
           on
           all
           these
           in
           your
           Pulpit-declamations
           is
           but
           to
           tell
           us
           of
           a
           Wild-goose-chase
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Learner
           though
           he
           may
           come
           to
           hear
           some
           good
           ,
           shall
           never
           have
           a
           form
           of
           sound
           words
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           stranger
           for
           that
           these
           things
           are
           omitted
           ,
           not
           only
           on
           choice
           ,
           but
           in
           opposition
           to
           Laws
           ,
           that
           enjoyn
           them
           :
           but
           what
           speak
           I
           of
           Laws
           ,
           when
           as
           there
           is
           no
           Church
           or
           Kingdom
           on
           the
           face
           of
           the
           whole
           earth
           that
           hath
           better
           and
           more
           wholesome
           Laws
           than
           ours
           ;
           and
           yet
           none
           so
           slighted
           and
           baffled
           ;
           not
           by
           the
           Banditi
           ,
           or
           men
           that
           live
           without
           any
           conduct
           of
           Law
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           but
           by
           those
           that
           pretend
           to
           have
           the
           greatest
           apprehension
           of
           Religion
           and
           liveliest
           sense
           of
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ?
           For
           what
           Authority
           hath
           consulted
           with
           greater
           wisdom
           and
           compassion
           
           towards
           those
           it
           governs
           ,
           hath
           waited
           with
           more
           patience
           and
           desire
           of
           Conformity
           and
           Obedience
           ,
           or
           inflicted
           more
           gently
           and
           tenderly
           on
           transgressours
           than
           ours
           ?
           yet
           what
           Government
           hath
           been
           more
           complain'd
           and
           libell'd
           against
           ?
           That
           stand
           reproach'd
           and
           foil'd
           in
           its
           wisest
           Decrees
           ,
           and
           most
           Christian
           Sanctions
           to
           the
           wonder
           and
           astonishment
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           evil
           Example
           of
           all
           the
           Nations
           round
           about
           us
           .
        
         
           Should
           other
           men
           take
           your
           licence
           to
           except
           against
           .
           Laws
           that
           they
           do
           not
           like
           and
           abate
           openly
           in
           their
           Obedience
           to
           them
           as
           you
           do
           ,
           no
           Law
           would
           be
           regarded
           ,
           but
           the
           constitution
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           must
           dissolve
           .
           Yet
           for
           this
           you
           have
           taught
           them
           Principles
           ,
           and
           given
           them
           Patterns
           ,
           which
           they
           may
           know
           how
           to
           use
           in
           matters
           of
           body
           and
           estate
           ,
           as
           you
           in
           your
           pretended
           concerns
           of
           Soul
           ,
           and
           Religion
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           you
           may
           deny
           Conformity
           to
           Law
           on
           the
           account
           of
           Conscience
           towards
           God
           in
           a
           matter
           that
           is
           not
           intrinsecally
           evil
           ,
           or
           by
           any
           word
           of
           God
           absolutely
           sinful
           (
           as
           you
           cannot
           prove
           any
           thing
           in
           our
           usages
           is
           )
           then
           may
           others
           also
           be
           set
           onto
           violate
           other
           Laws
           ,
           which
           they
           judge
           inexpedient
           ,
           or
           otherwise
           ;
           for
           I
           know
           not
           what
           reason
           ,
           do
           not
           please
           them
           .
           I
           believe
           many
           of
           you
           intend
           no
           such
           evil
           to
           your
           Nation
           and
           Country
           ,
           but
           then
           why
           will
           you
           hold
           and
           love
           that
           Principle
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           so
           naturally
           improv'd
           to
           infinite
           mischiefs
           ?
        
         
           The
           time
           past
           surely
           may
           suffice
           you
           to
           have
           wrought
           your
           own
           will
           ,
           the
           Consequences
           whereof
           cannot
           without
           horrour
           be
           contemplated
           by
           any
           that
           have
           affection
           to
           the
           Church
           or
           Commonwealth
           .
           Remember
           ,
           I
           pray
           ,
           your
           endeavours
           and
           oppositions
           were
           and
           are
           against
           such
           a
           Church
           ,
           that
           you
           cannot
           accuse
           of
           any
           defect
           in
           necessaries
           to
           Salvation
           ,
           or
           hath
           any
           thing
           in
           use
           or
           injunction
           ,
           that
           
           may
           otherwise
           hazard
           any
           mans
           happiness
           (
           but
           set
           it
           forforward
           )
           that
           shall
           unite
           unto
           it
           :
           And
           yet
           your
           opposition
           to
           it
           visibly
           contradicts
           such
           a
           Doctrine
           (
           for
           ought
           yet
           hath
           been
           proved
           )
           whose
           infringement
           brings
           damnation
           ,
           viz.
           obedience
           to
           Authority
           .
           Nor
           are
           your
           followers
           any
           way
           better
           prepared
           to
           discharge
           themselves
           of
           being
           involved
           in
           this
           guilt
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           precarious
           Argument
           of
           an
           implicite
           Belief
           ,
           that
           your
           Leaders
           are
           good
           men
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           go
           against
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           which
           Scriptures
           if
           you
           would
           be
           intreated
           to
           look
           into
           without
           Party
           or
           Passion
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           yield
           to
           as
           you
           are
           convinc'd
           ,
           you
           would
           quickly
           both
           Leader
           and
           Follower
           ,
           leave
           your
           Tents
           and
           Camps
           ,
           and
           find
           more
           comfort
           (
           though
           perhaps
           not
           success
           )
           in
           obedience
           than
           obstinacie
           .
        
         
           Here
           is
           nothing
           (
           I
           believe
           )
           in
           this
           Paper
           ,
           but
           some
           of
           you
           may
           have
           heard
           ,
           but
           ,
           I
           doubt
           ,
           few
           of
           you
           consider'd
           ,
           and
           therefore
           my
           design
           hereby
           is
           only
           to
           give
           in
           familiarly
           another
           Memorial
           ,
           and
           to
           renew
           the
           instance
           for
           peace
           and
           conformity
           ;
           which
           I
           do
           offer
           to
           you
           from
           the
           bottom
           of
           my
           heart
           ,
           without
           sense
           of
           any
           particular
           wrong
           or
           provocation
           from
           you
           ,
           save
           what
           is
           to
           every
           Member
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           by
           your
           recessions
           from
           it
           ,
           or
           batteries
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           need
           not
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           with
           us
           are
           of
           one
           common
           Nature
           and
           Country
           ,
           but
           Religion
           too
           ,
           for
           you
           are
           wont
           to
           defend
           your selves
           in
           all
           aggresses
           upon
           you
           by
           the
           name
           and
           pretence
           to
           the
           cause
           of
           English
           Protestants
           ;
           but
           sure
           you
           were
           never
           acknowledged
           abroad
           ,
           as
           you
           stand
           in
           your
           disagreements
           from
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           to
           be
           in
           respect
           of
           Forein
           Churches
           either
           Mother
           ,
           Sister
           ,
           or
           Daughter
           ,
           yet
           will
           you
           not
           cease
           to
           multiply
           distinctions
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           enmities
           against
           us
           .
           Consider
           how
           much
           the
           right
           spirit
           of
           
           Christianity
           is
           seen
           in
           meekness
           and
           peaceableness
           ,
           which
           ;
           if
           they
           are
           to
           be
           exercised
           towards
           all
           ,
           then
           doubtless
           not
           to
           be
           denied
           to
           a
           righteous
           and
           innocent
           Authority
           .
        
         
           We
           ask
           you
           not
           to
           part
           with
           any
           Christian
           Vertue
           or
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           necessary
           to
           a
           compliance
           with
           us
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           become
           more
           practical
           in
           the
           most
           eminent
           points
           thereof
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           would
           leave
           off
           to
           mingle
           ,
           and
           prefer
           your
           own
           things
           before
           the
           things
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           There
           was
           a
           time
           when
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           a
           small
           piece
           of
           a
           Parliament
           were
           cried
           up
           for
           Laws
           by
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           Obedience
           press'd
           to
           them
           on
           pain
           of
           Delinquencie
           and
           Damnation
           ,
           but
           Neutrality
           cursed
           ,
           though
           the
           very
           matter
           of
           those
           Laws
           was
           either
           to
           begin
           ,
           or
           justifie
           Rebellion
           or
           Schisme
           :
           And
           shall
           an
           integral
           and
           full
           Authority
           betrampled
           under
           your
           feet
           in
           Laws
           that
           are
           for
           right
           Religion
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           ?
           Unity
           ?
        
         
           FINIS
           .