A letter to a friend relating to the present convocation at Westminster
      
       
         
           1690
        
      
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             A letter to a friend relating to the present convocation at Westminster
             Prideaux, Humphrey, 1648-1724.
             Kidder, Richard, 1633-1703.
             Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
          
           [2], 27 p.
           
             Printed for Brabazon Aylmer ...,
             London :
             1690.
          
           
             Signed: A.B.
             Attributed to Humphrey Prideaux by Wing, and by others to Richard Kidder and John Tillotson.
             Reproduction of original in Duke University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Government.
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Letter
           to
           a
           Friend
           Relating
           to
           the
           present
           CONVOCATION
           AT
           Westminster
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Brabazon
             Aylmer
          
           at
           the
           Three
           Pigeons
           against
           the
           
             Royal
             Exchange
          
           in
           Cornhill
           .
           MDCXC
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           LETTER
           to
           a
           FRIEND
           ,
           Relating
           to
           the
           Present
           Convocation
           at
           Westminster
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           fully
           considered
           what
           you
           have
           been
           pleased
           to
           offer
           to
           me
           in
           yours
           concerning
           the
           Convocation
           now
           met
           at
           Westminster
           ,
           and
           the
           Alterations
           intended
           to
           be
           made
           therein
           in
           the
           present
           Offices
           ,
           Rites
           and
           Constitutions
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           all
           what
           you
           say
           I
           apprehend
           to
           be
           reducible
           to
           these
           three
           heads
           :
           1.
           
           
             That
             no
             alterations
             ought
             at
             all
             to
             be
             made
             in
             things
             pertaining
             to
             Religion
             but
             when
             there
             is
             a
             very
             great
             necessity
             for
             it
             .
          
           2.
           
           
             That
             at
             present
             there
             is
             no
             such
             necessity
             for
             the
             alterations
             intended
             .
             And
             ,
          
           3.
           
           
             That
             ,
             if
             there
             were
             ,
             this
             is
             no
             time
             for
             it
             ,
             when
             so
             many
             of
             the
             Fathers
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
             and
             other
             eminent
             persons
             of
             the
             Clergy
             do
             now
             by
             their
             suspension
             stand
             incapacitated
             to
             act
             with
             us
             in
             this
             matter
             .
          
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           I
           readily
           grant
           what
           you
           say
           ,
           That
           nothing
           is
           more
           dangerous
           to
           Religion
           ,
           than
           frequently
           to
           make
           alterations
           in
           the
           things
           pertaining
           thereto
           ,
           because
           an
           unsteadiness
           as
           to
           these
           ,
           although
           in
           outward
           circumstantials
           onely
           ,
           which
           are
           always
           alterable
           ,
           may
           to
           many
           become
           an
           argument
           against
           the
           whole
           .
           For
           there
           being
           multitudes
           among
           us
           who
           are
           not
           able
           to
           distinguish
           between
           what
           is
           circumstantial
           and
           what
           is
           essential
           in
           our
           Worship
           ,
           what
           is
           in
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           alter
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           are
           apt
           to
           call
           every
           alteration
           though
           in
           things
           merely
           indifferent
           ,
           
           and
           which
           the
           variation
           of
           times
           have
           made
           totally
           insignificant
           to
           the
           first
           end
           of
           their
           establishment
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           change
           of
           the
           Religion
           it self
           ;
           and
           therefore
           concluding
           that
           we
           have
           no
           firm
           bottom
           at
           all
           for
           that
           which
           they
           see
           us
           so
           often
           vary
           from
           ,
           may
           from
           hence
           be
           induced
           to
           cast
           off
           all
           regard
           both
           for
           our
           Church
           and
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           established
           therein
           ,
           and
           become
           Apostates
           from
           us
           either
           to
           Popery
           or
           Atheism
           all
           their
           life
           after
           .
           For
           the
           prevention
           whereof
           I
           readily
           grant
           what
           you
           say
           ,
           That
           such
           alterations
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           attempted
           but
           when
           there
           is
           an
           absolute
           necessity
           for
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           may
           be
           justifyed
           in
           her
           Proceedings
           hitherto
           ,
           that
           she
           hath
           not
           been
           forward
           on
           every
           demand
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           to
           unhinge
           those
           of
           her
           Communion
           from
           her
           long
           received
           establishments
           ,
           but
           hath
           to
           the
           utmost
           resisted
           all
           alterations
           from
           them
           ,
           hoping
           by
           other
           less
           dangerous
           methods
           to
           cure
           the
           distractions
           and
           heal
           the
           divisions
           that
           are
           among
           us
           .
           But
           when
           after
           her
           utmost
           tryal
           of
           all
           other
           ways
           they
           have
           all
           proved
           ineffectual
           to
           attain
           the
           end
           proposed
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           hath
           still
           grown
           weaker
           and
           weaker
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           it
           still
           stronger
           and
           stronger
           under
           all
           those
           attempts
           which
           have
           been
           made
           use
           of
           for
           the
           reuniting
           them
           to
           us
           ,
           so
           that
           now
           we
           are
           brought
           to
           that
           pass
           ,
           that
           without
           coming
           to
           a
           temper
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           abating
           something
           on
           our
           side
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           peace
           and
           union
           with
           them
           ,
           we
           cannot
           have
           that
           prospect
           as
           formerly
           of
           supporting
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           and
           maintaining
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           Worship
           with
           success
           among
           us
           .
           I
           think
           now
           to
           make
           such
           alterations
           as
           are
           proposed
           a
           thing
           so
           absolutely
           necessary
           as
           ought
           not
           any
           longer
           to
           be
           deferr'd
           .
           And
           this
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           be
           able
           clearly
           to
           convince
           you
           of
           in
           answer
           to
           your
           second
           head
           of
           objection
           ,
           from
           these
           following
           reasons
           .
        
         
         
           For
           ,
           first
           ,
           There
           lyes
           an
           indispensable
           obligation
           upon
           us
           to
           doe
           the
           utmost
           we
           are
           able
           to
           remove
           this
           mischievous
           Schism
           ,
           from
           among
           us
           ,
           which
           hath
           so
           long
           disturb'd
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           in
           this
           Land.
           How
           prejudicial
           this
           hath
           been
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Salvation
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           how
           advantageous
           to
           the
           encrease
           of
           Popery
           and
           Atheism
           ,
           and
           the
           propagating
           also
           of
           all
           manner
           of
           iniquity
           among
           us
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           by
           wofull
           experience
           is
           too
           well
           known
           unto
           you
           to
           need
           a
           description
           :
           And
           all
           this
           evil
           most
           certainly
           must
           lye
           at
           our
           doors
           as
           far
           as
           we
           doe
           not
           the
           utmost
           that
           in
           us
           lyeth
           to
           remove
           it
           ,
           and
           what
           other
           way
           is
           there
           now
           left
           of
           attempting
           it
           but
           by
           coming
           to
           some
           terms
           of
           moderation
           and
           temper
           with
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           us
           .
           We
           have
           already
           tryed
           all
           methods
           of
           persuasion
           to
           mollifie
           them
           ,
           all
           force
           of
           argumentation
           to
           convince
           them
           ;
           we
           have
           tryed
           also
           Church
           Censures
           and
           Penal
           Laws
           ,
           and
           inflicted
           them
           too
           with
           a
           severity
           perchance
           beyond
           what
           we
           can
           justifie
           ;
           and
           what
           have
           we
           availed
           our selves
           of
           all
           this
           ,
           but
           onely
           to
           heighten
           the
           divisions
           and
           increase
           the
           mischief
           which
           we
           endeavoured
           to
           remove
           ;
           and
           therefore
           what
           other
           remedy
           is
           now
           left
           us
           ,
           what
           other
           means
           for
           us
           to
           have
           recourse
           to
           for
           the
           curing
           of
           this
           prevailing
           evil
           among
           us
           ,
           but
           that
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           we
           are
           able
           we
           abate
           of
           that
           which
           hath
           given
           the
           whole
           origin
           thereto
           ;
           those
           excepted
           passages
           in
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           those
           ceremonies
           in
           our
           Worship
           which
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           cannot
           conform
           with
           us
           in
           .
           And
           for
           this
           the
           late
           Act
           of
           Toleration
           hath
           added
           a
           very
           pressing
           necessity
           .
           For
           when
           our
           divisions
           ran
           so
           high
           ,
           and
           our
           animosities
           against
           each
           other
           so
           far
           increased
           as
           that
           Dissenters
           were
           driven
           by
           them
           to
           take
           shelter
           from
           us
           in
           the
           Camp
           of
           our
           common
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           join
           with
           the
           Papists
           against
           us
           to
           the
           endangering
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           to
           utter
           ruin
           .
           The
           Parliament
           then
           thought
           
           it
           time
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           publick
           Safety
           by
           reconciling
           those
           men
           thereto
           by
           an
           Act
           of
           Toleration
           and
           Indulgence
           ,
           whereby
           they
           being
           now
           put
           upon
           as
           good
           a
           bottom
           of
           legal
           right
           and
           protection
           as
           we
           our selves
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           other
           way
           left
           us
           of
           coming
           to
           a
           union
           with
           them
           but
           by
           following
           the
           same
           steps
           which
           the
           State
           hath
           gone
           in
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           by
           condescension
           and
           abatements
           to
           reconcile
           those
           men
           unto
           us
           :
           For
           they
           are
           now
           no
           more
           in
           our
           power
           to
           force
           them
           to
           a
           conformity
           with
           us
           than
           we
           are
           in
           theirs
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           being
           on
           equal
           terms
           with
           us
           of
           right
           and
           protection
           from
           the
           Government
           under
           which
           we
           live
           ,
           treaty
           and
           mutual
           abatement
           is
           the
           onely
           method
           now
           whereby
           we
           can
           be
           brought
           to
           a
           union
           with
           each
           other
           ;
           and
           why
           we
           should
           not
           abate
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           this
           which
           carrieth
           with
           it
           a
           promise
           of
           so
           great
           good
           and
           benefit
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           among
           us
           ,
           I
           would
           desire
           a
           reason
           from
           him
           that
           is
           able
           to
           give
           it
           .
           For
           what
           are
           those
           things
           which
           we
           differ
           about
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           for
           ever
           sacrifice
           to
           them
           the
           peace
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           without
           abating
           the
           least
           tittle
           for
           so
           great
           a
           good
           as
           that
           of
           the
           common
           union
           of
           Christians
           among
           us
           ?
           are
           a
           few
           excepted
           passages
           in
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           two
           or
           three
           ceremonies
           in
           our
           Worship
           things
           of
           so
           great
           value
           that
           we
           must
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           them
           still
           maintain
           those
           discords
           and
           divisions
           both
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           which
           have
           so
           long
           harassed
           both
           almost
           to
           utter
           ruine
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           enough
           that
           we
           have
           had
           already
           a
           twenty
           years
           War
           about
           them
           ?
           and
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           enough
           ,
           that
           ever
           since
           our
           deliverance
           from
           that
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           those
           trifles
           ,
           we
           have
           for
           these
           thirty
           years
           last
           past
           driven
           up
           our
           divisions
           and
           animosities
           against
           each
           other
           to
           that
           height
           as
           that
           we
           had
           almost
           totally
           given
           up
           our
           Church
           to
           Popery
           and
           our
           Government
           to
           Tyranny
           thereby
           ?
           Certainly
           ,
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           it
           's
           time
           to
           sit
           down
           and
           consider
           whether
           
           those
           things
           are
           of
           such
           great
           value
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           which
           we
           bring
           so
           much
           mischief
           to
           this
           poor
           distressed
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           that
           nothing
           must
           be
           abated
           of
           that
           unreasonable
           rigor
           whereby
           we
           have
           hitherto
           maintained
           them
           .
           And
           if
           the
           consideration
           of
           things
           past
           cannot
           move
           us
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           consider
           a
           little
           the
           present
           posture
           of
           our
           affairs
           ;
           we
           have
           a
           formidable
           Enemy
           in
           our
           neighbourhood
           now
           engaged
           in
           War
           against
           us
           ,
           who
           thinks
           of
           nothing
           less
           than
           subjugating
           these
           three
           Kingdoms
           to
           his
           absolute
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           imposing
           Popish
           Idolatry
           and
           Superstition
           upon
           all
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           gives
           him
           the
           greatest
           advantage
           against
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           greatest
           hopes
           for
           our
           destruction
           is
           ,
           our
           divisions
           among
           our selves
           at
           home
           which
           enfeeble
           both
           our
           hearts
           and
           hands
           for
           the
           battel
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           unable
           to
           resist
           him
           with
           that
           success
           which
           formerly
           used
           to
           attend
           most
           of
           our
           other
           expeditions
           against
           Enemies
           altogether
           as
           potent
           ;
           and
           what
           remedy
           have
           we
           left
           to
           prevent
           this
           terrible
           ruin
           that
           now
           so
           formidably
           threatens
           us
           ,
           but
           to
           come
           to
           as
           firm
           a
           union
           among
           our selves
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ?
           and
           could
           but
           this
           be
           once
           happily
           effected
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           fear
           all
           the
           power
           of
           France
           and
           Rome
           in
           the
           firmest
           union
           against
           us
           ;
           but
           should
           be
           strong
           enough
           to
           resist
           all
           their
           efforts
           for
           our
           ruin
           ;
           and
           ,
           by
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           still
           continue
           in
           safety
           ,
           in
           spight
           of
           all
           the
           endeavours
           of
           both
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           And
           since
           it
           hath
           pleased
           God
           to
           move
           the
           King
           to
           call
           us
           together
           in
           Convocation
           in
           this
           conjuncture
           ,
           I
           hope
           we
           shall
           not
           let
           slip
           this
           opportunity
           of
           doing
           the
           utmost
           we
           are
           able
           to
           unite
           the
           Nation
           now
           our
           affairs
           do
           so
           much
           require
           it
           for
           the
           publick
           safety
           thereof
           .
           For
           the
           expectations
           of
           all
           men
           are
           now
           upon
           us
           for
           this
           purpose
           ,
           and
           the
           hopes
           of
           preserving
           Church
           and
           State
           in
           the
           great
           dangers
           under
           which
           they
           are
           now
           both
           involv'd
           ,
           do
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           depend
           upon
           what
           we
           shall
           
           doe
           for
           our
           common
           Peace
           now
           met
           together
           and
           put
           in
           a
           way
           to
           remove
           those
           obstacles
           which
           have
           so
           long
           disturbed
           it
           .
           Have
           we
           not
           already
           lost
           our
           reputation
           with
           the
           people
           of
           the
           Land
           by
           insisting
           too
           rigorously
           on
           those
           things
           ?
           And
           now
           we
           have
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           again
           retriev'd
           it
           by
           our
           firm
           and
           successfull
           engagement
           against
           the
           Popish
           cause
           ,
           shall
           we
           be
           so
           far
           infatuated
           as
           again
           to
           run
           the
           same
           risk
           ?
           will
           we
           but
           now
           come
           to
           that
           temper
           and
           moderation
           in
           our
           establishments
           as
           may
           remove
           that
           bone
           of
           contention
           which
           hath
           so
           long
           disturbed
           us
           ,
           and
           think
           of
           such
           abatements
           as
           may
           tend
           to
           the
           setling
           of
           Peace
           and
           Union
           among
           us
           ,
           the
           mouths
           of
           all
           this
           people
           shall
           bless
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           acquire
           thereby
           that
           veneration
           and
           regard
           among
           them
           that
           they
           shall
           all
           look
           on
           us
           as
           the
           onely
           faithfull
           Shepherds
           whose
           voice
           they
           are
           to
           hear
           ,
           and
           we
           thereby
           be
           enabled
           to
           discharge
           the
           duties
           of
           our
           Ministry
           among
           them
           with
           that
           comfort
           to
           our selves
           and
           benefit
           to
           them
           as
           shall
           soon
           fix
           our
           Church
           upon
           a
           foundation
           never
           more
           to
           be
           shaken
           by
           any
           of
           its
           Enemies
           .
           But
           if
           on
           the
           contrary
           we
           still
           persist
           in
           our
           old
           rigor
           ,
           and
           abate
           no
           expression
           in
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           nor
           ceremony
           in
           our
           Worship
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           so
           great
           a
           good
           ;
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           can
           expect
           nothing
           less
           than
           that
           we
           become
           abhorr'd
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           as
           the
           common
           Enemies
           of
           its
           peace
           ,
           and
           be
           treated
           accordingly
           in
           every
           Parish
           where
           we
           live
           among
           them
           .
           Were
           those
           matters
           in
           which
           abatements
           are
           desired
           of
           us
           by
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           things
           of
           that
           moment
           that
           they
           either
           carried
           with
           them
           the
           force
           of
           a
           divine
           Institution
           ,
           or
           were
           of
           their
           own
           nature
           so
           necessary
           to
           our
           Worship
           that
           either
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           or
           the
           Interest
           of
           man's
           Salvation
           should
           suffer
           the
           least
           prejudice
           by
           their
           omission
           ,
           it
           would
           become
           us
           then
           ,
           whatever
           the
           Consequences
           should
           be
           ,
           to
           stick
           to
           them
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           and
           with
           
           the
           same
           constancy
           as
           formerly
           the
           ancient
           Christians
           did
           against
           the
           Arrians
           ,
           not
           yield
           a
           letter
           to
           them
           to
           end
           the
           whole
           controversie
           between
           us
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           what
           our
           learned
           Prolocutor
           hath
           been
           pleased
           in
           his
           Latin
           Speech
           to
           the
           Convocation
           to
           suggest
           ,
           this
           is
           by
           no
           means
           our
           present
           case
           .
           For
           what
           Article
           of
           Faith
           ,
           what
           necessary
           requisite
           of
           our
           Worship
           is
           it
           in
           which
           any
           alterations
           are
           at
           all
           intended
           to
           be
           proposed
           in
           this
           present
           Convocation
           ?
           if
           he
           knows
           of
           any
           such
           ,
           he
           would
           doe
           well
           to
           discover
           them
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           come
           to
           be
           offered
           ,
           oppose
           them
           to
           the
           utmosh
           But
           ,
           alas
           ,
           the
           alterations
           intended
           ,
           how
           great
           oppositions
           soever
           they
           may
           meet
           with
           ,
           are
           so
           far
           from
           touching
           upon
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           that
           I
           can
           assure
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           himself
           well
           knows
           it
           ,
           as
           being
           one
           of
           the
           Commission
           ,
           where
           they
           are
           prepared
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           onely
           in
           those
           indifferent
           things
           ,
           which
           have
           through
           all
           ages
           of
           the
           Church
           from
           the
           beginning
           been
           ever
           allowed
           to
           be
           alterable
           ,
           whensoever
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           should
           require
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           since
           at
           present
           (
           as
           I
           have
           shown
           )
           not
           onely
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           order
           to
           the
           establishment
           of
           its
           peace
           among
           us
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           publick
           interest
           of
           the
           State
           too
           in
           order
           to
           its
           preservation
           in
           its
           present
           exigencies
           do
           so
           much
           require
           that
           those
           alterations
           should
           be
           made
           ,
           why
           do
           we
           so
           obstinately
           stick
           at
           those
           matters
           ,
           whereby
           not
           onely
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           in
           the
           welfare
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           but
           our
           own
           also
           in
           the
           publick
           interest
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           is
           so
           greatly
           prejudiced
           by
           us
           ?
           As
           it
           is
           a
           great
           errour
           in
           some
           of
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           to
           allow
           nothing
           lawfull
           to
           be
           made
           use
           of
           in
           our
           publick
           Worship
           but
           what
           they
           find
           particular
           warrant
           for
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           is
           it
           no
           less
           a
           mistake
           in
           us
           to
           hold
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           nature
           not
           prescribed
           there
           to
           be
           unalterable
           .
           For
           our
           Saviour
           having
           given
           us
           his
           divine
           Law
           ,
           and
           therein
           among
           
           other
           Precepts
           ,
           commanded
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Celebration
           of
           his
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           the
           Government
           of
           his
           Church
           for
           the
           better
           influencing
           of
           every
           member
           of
           it
           to
           all
           the
           duties
           enjoined
           ,
           for
           this
           very
           reason
           descended
           not
           to
           prescribe
           the
           particular
           manner
           ,
           rites
           and
           constitutions
           which
           his
           Church
           afterwards
           made
           use
           of
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           all
           this
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           impossible
           that
           any
           unalterable
           rule
           could
           at
           all
           be
           given
           of
           those
           matters
           .
           For
           the
           reason
           of
           these
           being
           only
           decency
           and
           order
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           as
           helps
           therein
           the
           better
           to
           influence
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           the
           Divine
           Commands
           must
           necessarily
           be
           of
           their
           own
           nature
           variable
           ,
           according
           as
           to
           the
           different
           variations
           of
           times
           ,
           circumstances
           and
           the
           customs
           of
           men
           they
           more
           or
           less
           become
           capable
           of
           answering
           the
           end
           design'd
           ,
           and
           therefore
           have
           ever
           been
           in
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           constitute
           ,
           alter
           and
           abolish
           them
           according
           as
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           the
           interest
           of
           Religion
           might
           be
           best
           promoted
           thereby
           .
           As
           long
           therefore
           as
           these
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           which
           are
           used
           in
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           those
           Rites
           and
           Constitutions
           which
           are
           received
           therein
           do
           answer
           the
           end
           of
           their
           first
           establishment
           in
           being
           usefull
           to
           the
           promoting
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           and
           the
           edification
           of
           his
           people
           ,
           so
           long
           they
           ought
           with
           constancy
           always
           to
           be
           retained
           ;
           but
           when
           either
           the
           infirmity
           or
           the
           wickedness
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           cause
           hath
           made
           that
           alteration
           in
           the
           Times
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           humours
           and
           customs
           of
           those
           that
           live
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           these
           things
           instead
           of
           conducing
           any
           longer
           to
           that
           good
           end
           proposed
           ,
           do
           on
           the
           contrary
           administer
           only
           to
           Schism
           and
           Division
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           distraction
           and
           discord
           in
           the
           State
           ,
           whereby
           the
           peace
           of
           both
           is
           miserably
           disturb'd
           ,
           as
           is
           too
           manifestly
           our
           case
           ;
           from
           hence
           there
           ariseth
           a
           reason
           altogether
           as
           strong
           for
           their
           alteration
           ,
           as
           ever
           there
           was
           at
           first
           for
           
           their
           institution
           .
           Were
           they
           become
           only
           useless
           and
           no
           longer
           answered
           their
           end
           ,
           this
           would
           be
           a
           sufficient
           reason
           alone
           for
           an
           alteration
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           when
           over
           and
           above
           they
           become
           mischievous
           too
           in
           the
           evils
           that
           they
           bring
           both
           upon
           Church
           and
           State
           this
           adds
           an
           obligation
           ,
           which
           cannot
           I
           think
           without
           guilt
           be
           resisted
           ,
           of
           coming
           to
           a
           change
           in
           these
           matters
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           come
           to
           the
           particular
           things
           controverted
           between
           us
           ,
           I
           readily
           assent
           that
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           had
           a
           very
           good
           reason
           for
           its
           first
           institution
           :
           For
           when
           in
           the
           primitive
           times
           the
           Heathens
           made
           it
           a
           matter
           of
           constant
           reproach
           to
           the
           Christians
           ,
           that
           they
           worshipped
           a
           crucified
           God
           ,
           they
           for
           this
           reason
           appointed
           the
           Cross
           after
           Baptism
           to
           be
           thenceforth
           put
           as
           a
           Badge
           upon
           all
           whom
           they
           received
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           let
           them
           know
           ,
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           ashamed
           hereof
           .
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           that
           it
           was
           of
           excellent
           use
           in
           those
           times
           to
           fortifie
           the
           minds
           of
           Christians
           with
           that
           constancy
           and
           resolution
           as
           was
           requisite
           to
           bear
           them
           up
           against
           the
           scoffs
           and
           reproaches
           of
           their
           Heathen
           Adversaries
           amongst
           whom
           they
           lived
           .
           But
           now
           Heathenism
           hath
           so
           many
           Ages
           since
           been
           totally
           extinguished
           in
           those
           parts
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           we
           live
           in
           a
           State
           which
           is
           totally
           Christian
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           is
           no
           longer
           liable
           of
           being
           objected
           to
           us
           as
           a
           reproach
           by
           any
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           but
           that
           this
           Ceremony
           hath
           now
           totally
           lost
           its
           use
           ,
           and
           although
           it
           might
           innocently
           enough
           be
           still
           retain'd
           ,
           yet
           may
           it
           with
           as
           much
           innocency
           also
           be
           totally
           laid
           aside
           now
           the
           alterations
           of
           times
           have
           made
           it
           wholly
           useless
           to
           the
           end
           for
           which
           it
           was
           first
           designed
           .
           But
           in
           our
           present
           circumstances
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           become
           not
           only
           useless
           but
           also
           mischievous
           to
           the
           cause
           of
           Christ
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           Dissensions
           and
           Schisms
           which
           it
           occasions
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           is
           thereby
           instead
           of
           a
           badge
           of
           Union
           and
           Christian
           constancy
           
           under
           the
           banner
           of
           the
           Captain
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           as
           was
           first
           intended
           ,
           become
           an
           Ensign
           of
           war
           to
           make
           us
           fight
           against
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           a
           Cross
           of
           torment
           thereon
           again
           to
           crucifie
           the
           Lord
           of
           life
           in
           his
           body
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           rent
           its
           bowels
           asunder
           by
           those
           lamentable
           divisions
           which
           it
           causeth
           among
           us
           ;
           in
           this
           case
           I
           think
           we
           have
           an
           obligation
           upon
           us
           not
           to
           be
           resisted
           from
           the
           absolute
           necessity
           of
           the
           thing
           ,
           either
           totally
           to
           lay
           this
           Ceremony
           aside
           ,
           or
           else
           make
           such
           abatements
           concerning
           its
           use
           ,
           as
           may
           allay
           all
           these
           heats
           of
           contention
           and
           mischiefs
           of
           separation
           which
           have
           been
           caused
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           thereby
           .
           And
           I
           here
           plainly
           aver
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           cannot
           be
           guiltless
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           if
           she
           doth
           not
           on
           this
           opportunity
           ,
           now
           put
           into
           her
           hands
           by
           this
           present
           meeting
           of
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           doe
           something
           herein
           ,
           and
           that
           especially
           since
           by
           an
           unwary
           expression
           in
           her
           Canons
           ,
           wherein
           she
           hath
           explained
           this
           Ceremony
           to
           be
           that
           whereby
           the
           person
           baptized
           is
           dedicated
           to
           the
           service
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           she
           hath
           wrongfully
           attributed
           thereto
           the
           sacramental
           effect
           which
           belongs
           to
           Baptism
           onely
           ,
           and
           thereby
           administred
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           occasion
           to
           all
           the
           divisions
           which
           have
           been
           risen
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           to
           the
           Surplice
           I
           am
           sufficiently
           satisfied
           that
           nothing
           is
           more
           unreasonable
           than
           those
           Cavils
           which
           are
           risen
           against
           it
           .
           For
           it
           is
           onely
           an
           habit
           of
           distinction
           ,
           which
           the
           Minister
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           order
           and
           decency
           makes
           use
           of
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           his
           Function
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           as
           is
           practised
           in
           all
           other
           Offices
           and
           Professions
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           except
           against
           it
           may
           as
           well
           except
           against
           the
           Robes
           of
           a
           Judge
           on
           the
           Bench
           ,
           or
           the
           Gown
           of
           a
           Mayor
           when
           he
           presides
           in
           his
           Corporation
           ,
           it
           being
           altogether
           as
           reasonable
           that
           a
           Minister
           should
           be
           distinguished
           by
           a
           proper
           habit
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           his
           Office
           ,
           as
           they
           in
           theirs
           .
           But
           when
           
           through
           the
           malice
           of
           some
           in
           working
           strange
           objections
           against
           it
           into
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           weakness
           of
           others
           in
           receiving
           and
           believing
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           now
           become
           so
           great
           a
           stumbling-block
           of
           offence
           as
           to
           drive
           multitudes
           to
           forsake
           our
           Churches
           ,
           and
           be
           disaffected
           to
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           which
           is
           performed
           in
           them
           ;
           whatsoever
           was
           the
           reason
           of
           its
           first
           appointment
           ,
           sure
           I
           am
           that
           from
           hence
           there
           is
           a
           much
           greater
           totally
           to
           lay
           it
           aside
           ,
           and
           appoint
           another
           that
           may
           be
           less
           offensive
           in
           its
           stead
           .
           The
           Union
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           Benefit
           which
           the
           Souls
           of
           men
           may
           receive
           thereby
           being
           certainly
           things
           of
           far
           greater
           moment
           than
           to
           be
           sacrificed
           to
           so
           trivial
           a
           matter
           as
           that
           of
           a
           Garment
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Kneeling
           at
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Supper
           is
           a
           posture
           so
           proper
           to
           that
           Holy
           Ordinance
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           the
           Constitutions
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           last
           I
           should
           be
           willing
           to
           part
           with
           ;
           because
           I
           think
           the
           highest
           posture
           of
           Devotion
           is
           that
           which
           is
           always
           most
           natural
           for
           us
           to
           be
           in
           when
           we
           are
           receiving
           from
           Christ
           so
           great
           and
           inestimable
           Benefits
           as
           those
           which
           are
           reached
           out
           unto
           us
           in
           that
           Holy
           Mystery
           .
           But
           since
           the
           weakness
           of
           many
           who
           are
           good
           and
           well
           meaning
           men
           have
           been
           so
           far
           imposed
           on
           by
           several
           fallacious
           arguments
           which
           they
           have
           not
           skill
           enough
           to
           see
           through
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           it
           sinfull
           to
           receive
           in
           this
           posture
           ,
           and
           hereby
           the
           Table
           of
           the
           Lord
           becomes
           deserted
           ,
           and
           the
           Souls
           of
           many
           deprived
           of
           the
           benefit
           of
           that
           Spiritual
           Food
           which
           is
           administred
           thereon
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           intention
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           hath
           by
           no
           means
           impowred
           us
           on
           any
           such
           account
           as
           this
           to
           debar
           men
           from
           Communion
           ,
           and
           deprive
           them
           thereby
           of
           those
           Benefits
           of
           Salvation
           which
           we
           are
           sent
           to
           administer
           unto
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           time
           for
           us
           now
           to
           abate
           of
           our
           rigor
           in
           this
           matter
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           bring
           men
           up
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           weakness
           to
           the
           Constitutions
           of
           
           the
           Church
           ,
           be
           so
           far
           indulgent
           as
           to
           descend
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           the
           Sacrament
           in
           their
           own
           way
           ,
           rather
           than
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           a
           posture
           onely
           debar
           them
           of
           the
           Benefits
           which
           their
           Souls
           may
           receive
           thereby
           ;
           and
           to
           doe
           otherwise
           I
           doubt
           will
           not
           onely
           be
           a
           Sin
           against
           Christian
           Charity
           ,
           in
           prejudicing
           the
           Salvation
           of
           many
           ,
           but
           also
           be
           an
           abuse
           of
           the
           Commission
           intrusted
           with
           us
           .
           For
           I
           can
           by
           no
           means
           be
           persuaded
           that
           Christ
           hath
           given
           us
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Keys
           to
           shut
           out
           those
           from
           the
           Benefits
           of
           this
           Sacrament
           who
           in
           all
           other
           respects
           being
           good
           and
           righteous
           men
           ,
           have
           onely
           this
           weakness
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           comply
           with
           us
           in
           receiving
           thereof
           in
           that
           posture
           which
           the
           Church
           prescribes
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           it
           hath
           no
           other
           warrant
           but
           its
           own
           Constitutions
           .
           For
           how
           fitting
           a
           posture
           soever
           Kneeling
           may
           be
           for
           the
           receiving
           of
           this
           Sacrament
           ,
           this
           must
           undeniably
           be
           allowed
           ,
           that
           neither
           Scripture
           directs
           it
           ,
           nor
           Antiquity
           ever
           used
           it
           ;
           it
           having
           been
           for
           several
           ages
           after
           Christ
           the
           constant
           practice
           of
           all
           the
           Churches
           in
           the
           World
           to
           communicate
           Standing
           ,
           and
           why
           this
           may
           not
           again
           by
           a
           particular
           dispensation
           from
           the
           present
           establishment
           be
           allowed
           to
           weak
           and
           scrupulous
           persons
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           peace
           and
           union
           with
           them
           ,
           I
           can
           see
           no
           reason
           that
           savours
           either
           of
           a
           Christian
           temper
           or
           Christian
           Charity
           that
           can
           be
           said
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           As
           to
           the
           Liturgy
           of
           our
           Church
           I
           freely
           acknowledge
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           no
           man
           can
           contradict
           me
           herein
           ,
           that
           it
           i●
           the
           best
           which
           was
           ever
           yet
           used
           in
           any
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           should
           therefore
           be
           so
           perfect
           as
           not
           to
           be
           capable
           of
           amendments
           or
           alterations
           for
           the
           better
           doth
           by
           no
           means
           follow
           .
           For
           nothing
           of
           humane
           composure
           can
           be
           such
           ,
           especially
           in
           a
           thing
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           where
           process
           of
           time
           and
           alteration
           of
           circumstances
           frequently
           produce
           a
           necessity
           for
           correction
           ,
           as
           most
           
           certainly
           in
           our
           Liturgy
           they
           very
           often
           doe
           .
           For
           the
           language
           in
           which
           it
           is
           wrote
           being
           constantly
           
             in
             fluxu
          
           ,
           as
           all
           other
           living
           languages
           are
           ,
           in
           every
           age
           some
           words
           that
           were
           in
           use
           in
           the
           former
           grow
           obsolete
           ,
           and
           some
           phrases
           and
           expressions
           formerly
           in
           grace
           and
           fashion
           through
           difuse
           become
           uncouth
           and
           ridiculous
           ,
           and
           always
           to
           continue
           these
           in
           our
           Liturgy
           without
           correction
           would
           be
           to
           bring
           a
           disparagement
           upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           and
           expose
           to
           contempt
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           among
           us
           .
           Besides
           there
           are
           several
           things
           which
           in
           one
           age
           may
           conduce
           to
           devotion
           ,
           which
           through
           variation
           of
           times
           and
           circumstances
           may
           not
           be
           born
           in
           another
           ;
           several
           things
           which
           may
           be
           the
           proper
           matter
           of
           Prayer
           at
           one
           time
           which
           may
           not
           be
           so
           in
           another
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           things
           call
           for
           alterations
           and
           amendments
           whenever
           they
           happen
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           am
           so
           far
           from
           assenting
           with
           some
           of
           our
           Brethren
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           that
           our
           Liturgy
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           altered
           ,
           that
           I
           think
           it
           absolutely
           necessary
           from
           the
           abovementioned
           particulars
           that
           it
           be
           always
           at
           least
           once
           in
           30
           years
           brought
           to
           a
           review
           for
           this
           purpose
           .
           And
           I
           am
           sure
           this
           hath
           been
           the
           judgment
           of
           the
           whole
           Christian
           Church
           from
           the
           beginning
           till
           this
           time
           .
           The
           Greek
           Church
           hath
           so
           often
           altered
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           and
           made
           so
           many
           different
           forms
           of
           their
           Liturgies
           ,
           that
           a
           Collection
           of
           them
           in
           a
           late
           Auction
           amounted
           to
           twenty
           Volumes
           ;
           and
           the
           Latin
           Church
           who
           brag
           most
           of
           their
           constancy
           in
           these
           matters
           have
           rather
           exceeded
           than
           come
           behind
           them
           herein
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           old
           Manuscripts
           of
           their
           Liturgies
           will
           sufficiently
           appear
           to
           any
           that
           will
           take
           the
           pains
           to
           look
           into
           them
           .
           Nay
           they
           were
           so
           far
           from
           continuing
           one
           age
           in
           conformity
           with
           another
           herein
           ,
           that
           they
           observed
           none
           at
           all
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           but
           almost
           every
           Province
           had
           its
           different
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           it
           's
           well
           known
           that
           there
           were
           five
           different
           forms
           of
           them
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           till
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           was
           
           also
           practised
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           the
           Latin
           or
           Romish
           Church
           ,
           and
           a
           general
           Agreement
           as
           to
           this
           was
           then
           so
           far
           from
           being
           thought
           necessary
           ,
           That
           the
           Act
           of
           King
           Edward
           the
           VIth
           was
           the
           first
           Law
           for
           a
           uniform
           Liturgy
           in
           any
           Church
           that
           was
           ever
           enacted
           from
           the
           beginning
           of
           Christianity
           to
           that
           time
           .
           But
           neither
           did
           that
           exclude
           all
           varying
           from
           it
           in
           after
           times
           .
           The
           Liturgy
           that
           was
           first
           established
           in
           that
           King's
           reign
           ,
           within
           a
           very
           little
           while
           after
           underwent
           a
           review
           ,
           which
           produced
           very
           considerable
           alterations
           in
           it
           .
           And
           when
           Q.
           Eliz.
           came
           to
           the
           Crown
           many
           others
           were
           made
           therein
           .
           And
           those
           who
           compute
           the
           late
           alterations
           decreed
           in
           the
           Convocation
           of
           1662.
           tell
           us
           they
           amount
           to
           the
           number
           of
           400.
           
           And
           why
           we
           onely
           of
           this
           present
           time
           should
           be
           debarred
           the
           privilege
           of
           bettering
           our selves
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           which
           all
           other
           times
           of
           the
           Church
           before
           us
           have
           enjoyed
           ,
           I
           would
           fain
           know
           a
           reason
           .
           Thus
           far
           sure
           I
           am
           that
           no
           time
           had
           ever
           more
           need
           to
           make
           use
           of
           it
           for
           the
           publick
           good
           than
           this
           in
           which
           we
           now
           live
           .
           For
           the
           Exigences
           of
           the
           State
           call
           loudly
           upon
           us
           to
           doe
           that
           herein
           which
           may
           tend
           to
           its
           safety
           ,
           and
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           interest
           of
           Religion
           plead
           as
           hard
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           ,
           for
           the
           removing
           of
           animosities
           and
           divisions
           ,
           and
           the
           restoring
           of
           Union
           and
           Charity
           among
           us
           .
           And
           what
           can
           we
           say
           for
           our selves
           if
           we
           continue
           deaf
           as
           to
           all
           this
           ?
           But
           to
           come
           to
           the
           Liturgy
           it self
           ;
           are
           there
           not
           many
           things
           in
           it
           which
           with
           some
           shew
           of
           reason
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           except
           against
           ?
           and
           are
           there
           not
           many
           more
           which
           we
           our selves
           heartily
           wish
           might
           be
           amended
           and
           improved
           ?
           certainly
           ,
           were
           there
           no
           other
           reason
           to
           induce
           us
           to
           comply
           with
           our
           Brethren
           that
           dissent
           from
           us
           ,
           in
           making
           such
           alterations
           as
           would
           satisfie
           them
           ,
           I
           should
           think
           this
           a
           very
           sufficient
           one
           ,
           that
           
           that
           we
           have
           an
           opportunity
           given
           us
           at
           the
           same
           time
           also
           to
           gratifie
           our selves
           in
           such
           further
           alterations
           and
           improvements
           which
           we
           our selves
           desire
           .
           For
           must
           the
           Story
           of
           Tobit
           and
           his
           Dog
           and
           that
           of
           Bell
           and
           the
           Dragon
           always
           supplant
           Canonical
           Scripture
           in
           our
           Churches
           ,
           and
           we
           be
           forced
           to
           read
           such
           ridiculous
           things
           to
           our
           people
           instead
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ?
           must
           we
           always
           be
           forced
           to
           read
           the
           old
           Translation
           of
           the
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           impose
           that
           on
           the
           people
           for
           true
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           in
           so
           great
           a
           number
           of
           places
           quite
           differs
           from
           it
           ?
           must
           we
           always
           be
           forced
           in
           our
           addresses
           to
           God
           Almighty
           with
           a
           flattery
           not
           to
           be
           warranted
           ,
           to
           call
           every
           King
           that
           reigns
           over
           us
           most
           Religious
           ,
           though
           the
           whole
           tenor
           of
           his
           life
           may
           be
           quite
           the
           contrary
           ;
           and
           pray
           that
           he
           may
           be
           kept
           and
           strengthned
           in
           the
           true
           worshipping
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           openly
           professing
           so
           false
           a
           worship
           as
           that
           of
           Popery
           ?
           And
           must
           we
           also
           be
           forced
           still
           to
           put
           that
           abuse
           upon
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Keys
           committed
           to
           our
           charge
           ,
           as
           to
           excommunicate
           ,
           and
           thereby
           thrust
           out
           of
           our
           Churches
           sometimes
           the
           best
           of
           our
           people
           for
           being
           right
           or
           wrong
           overthrown
           in
           some
           penny
           or
           twopenny
           Cause
           in
           our
           Ecclesiastical
           Courts
           ?
           And
           must
           we
           always
           be
           necessitated
           to
           pronounce
           all
           damn'd
           that
           do
           not
           believe
           every
           tittle
           in
           
           Athanasius's
           Creed
           which
           so
           few
           do
           understand
           ;
           and
           on
           the
           contrary
           to
           declare
           every
           man
           sav'd
           at
           his
           burial
           how
           wickedly
           soever
           he
           liv'd
           all
           his
           life
           before
           ?
           And
           must
           we
           always
           be
           bound
           to
           many
           other
           grievances
           and
           defects
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           which
           I
           could
           tell
           you
           of
           ,
           and
           still
           deny
           our selves
           all
           redress
           under
           the
           burden
           of
           them
           ,
           by
           refusing
           all
           those
           desirable
           alterations
           and
           improvements
           which
           are
           now
           in
           our
           own
           power
           to
           effect
           ,
           because
           some
           of
           our
           Brethren
           are
           obstinately
           bent
           to
           doe
           nothing
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           us
           ?
           In
           summ
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           but
           that
           there
           are
           many
           things
           in
           our
           
           Liturgy
           which
           may
           be
           amended
           and
           improved
           ,
           many
           defects
           in
           our
           Discipline
           and
           Constitutions
           which
           may
           be
           supplied
           ,
           and
           abundance
           of
           other
           particulars
           in
           our
           Church
           which
           may
           receive
           a
           great
           advance
           for
           the
           better
           enabling
           us
           to
           promote
           Religion
           and
           Piety
           ,
           and
           suppress
           sin
           and
           iniquity
           among
           us
           .
           And
           since
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           are
           now
           so
           well
           inclined
           to
           comply
           with
           us
           in
           all
           these
           particulars
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           so
           often
           laboured
           for
           in
           vain
           in
           other
           times
           ,
           provided
           that
           we
           will
           on
           our
           side
           doe
           what
           justly
           we
           may
           to
           satisfie
           our
           dissenting
           Brethren
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           peace
           and
           union
           among
           us
           ,
           which
           the
           necessities
           of
           our
           present
           circumstances
           doe
           so
           much
           require
           for
           our
           common
           safety
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           barter
           of
           that
           advantage
           on
           our
           side
           ,
           that
           none
           I
           think
           can
           refuse
           that
           have
           any
           regard
           to
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           or
           the
           true
           interest
           of
           Religion
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           all
           what
           I
           have
           said
           I
           very
           well
           know
           many
           objections
           will
           be
           made
           ,
           which
           I
           daily
           hear
           from
           those
           who
           are
           of
           your
           opinion
           in
           this
           matter
           .
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           That
           altering
           any
           thing
           in
           this
           now
           constituted
           Church
           will
           be
           like
           the
           plucking
           of
           a
           Beam
           out
           of
           a
           well
           built
           House
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           cannot
           be
           done
           without
           endangering
           the
           whole
           Fabrick
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           If
           all
           had
           been
           of
           this
           mind
           we
           could
           never
           have
           reformed
           from
           Popery
           ,
           because
           this
           Argument
           would
           have
           been
           as
           strong
           against
           all
           alterations
           then
           as
           now
           ;
           but
           I
           thank
           God
           we
           altered
           for
           the
           better
           then
           ,
           and
           still
           preserv'd
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           hope
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           doe
           so
           still
           without
           any
           prejudice
           thereto
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           objected
           ,
           If
           we
           once
           begin
           to
           alter
           ,
           where
           shall
           we
           stop
           ?
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           Whensoever
           any
           thing
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           which
           is
           not
           fit
           to
           be
           done
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           's
           objected
           ,
           If
           we
           yield
           now
           ,
           they
           will
           still
           be
           craving
           more
           ,
           and
           never
           rest
           till
           at
           last
           they
           have
           taken
           
           all
           from
           us
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           When
           they
           doe
           this
           ,
           then
           it
           will
           be
           time
           enough
           to
           resist
           them
           ;
           in
           the
           interim
           let
           us
           not
           refuse
           them
           what
           is
           just
           and
           sitting
           for
           us
           to
           grant
           them
           ,
           lest
           thereby
           we
           make
           good
           the
           old
           Saying
           ,
           
             Omnia
             dat
             qui
             justa
             negat
          
           ;
           and
           we
           give
           them
           an
           advantage
           against
           us
           ,
           by
           our
           obstinate
           rigor
           against
           yielding
           any
           thing
           ,
           to
           get
           that
           power
           on
           their
           side
           which
           may
           deprive
           us
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           's
           objected
           ,
           That
           some
           of
           those
           alterations
           which
           they
           require
           are
           in
           things
           as
           ancient
           as
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           from
           which
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           vary
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           instanced
           in
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           we
           are
           not
           bound
           to
           retain
           all
           things
           that
           were
           used
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           .
           For
           if
           so
           ,
           why
           have
           we
           not
           still
           their
           Love-feasts
           and
           their
           Deaconesses
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           long
           since
           disused
           in
           all
           Christian
           Churches
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           mention
           of
           them
           is
           as
           ancient
           as
           the
           Scriptures
           themselves
           .
           For
           in
           truth
           it
           is
           not
           ancient
           usage
           ,
           but
           the
           necessities
           and
           exigencies
           of
           the
           Church
           that
           are
           the
           reasons
           of
           all
           its
           constitutions
           and
           establishments
           ,
           which
           are
           to
           be
           framed
           in
           every
           Age
           as
           will
           best
           sute
           with
           the
           promoting
           of
           the
           honour
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           edification
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           to
           which
           abundance
           of
           things
           might
           very
           well
           serve
           in
           the
           primitive
           times
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           now
           ;
           and
           therefore
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           what
           was
           in
           use
           ,
           in
           the
           primitive
           times
           must
           be
           retained
           now
           for
           this
           reason
           onely
           without
           any
           other
           to
           enforce
           it
           is
           just
           the
           same
           as
           if
           we
           were
           bound
           to
           revive
           all
           the
           old
           Saxon
           and
           British
           Laws
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           the
           ancient
           Constitutions
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           without
           considering
           whether
           they
           are
           usefull
           to
           us
           or
           no.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           fifth
           Objection
           is
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           be
           a
           reproach
           to
           change
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           be
           a
           much
           greater
           reproach
           obstinately
           to
           resist
           a
           change
           when
           there
           is
           good
           reason
           for
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           cannot
           approve
           
           the
           confidence
           of
           that
           Gentleman
           ,
           who
           hath
           lift
           up
           his
           banner
           against
           the
           whole
           intent
           and
           design
           of
           this
           Convocation
           ,
           with
           a
           
             Nolumus
             Leges
          
           Angliae
           mutare
           .
           For
           doth
           he
           think
           we
           are
           bound
           never
           to
           make
           any
           new
           Constitutions
           in
           our
           Church
           ,
           or
           abolish
           old
           ones
           ,
           according
           as
           the
           exigencies
           of
           it
           doe
           require
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           why
           have
           we
           any
           Convocations
           at
           all
           ?
           for
           is
           not
           the
           whole
           intent
           and
           reason
           of
           these
           assemblies
           of
           the
           Clergy
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           to
           consider
           its
           grievances
           and
           corruptions
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           as
           the
           Parliament
           doth
           those
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           in
           like
           manner
           ,
           provide
           remedies
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           abolishing
           old
           Constitutions
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           decreeing
           new
           ones
           ?
           and
           hath
           not
           the
           Church
           ever
           asserted
           this
           power
           as
           one
           of
           the
           most
           essential
           things
           which
           belong
           to
           its
           Constitution
           ?
           and
           must
           it
           now
           renounce
           all
           this
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           this
           Gentleman's
           motto
           ?
           and
           now
           ,
           in
           this
           critical
           time
           ,
           when
           its
           safety
           doth
           so
           much
           depend
           upon
           what
           it
           shall
           doe
           for
           it self
           ,
           rather
           sit
           quietly
           down
           and
           languish
           to
           death
           ,
           than
           make
           the
           least
           motion
           of
           effort
           to
           save
           it self
           .
           If
           this
           be
           it
           which
           this
           Gentleman
           would
           have
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           thank
           him
           either
           for
           his
           Speech
           or
           his
           Motto
           ,
           the
           last
           of
           which
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           pleased
           him
           best
           ,
           because
           it
           carried
           a
           double
           stab
           with
           it
           ,
           the
           one
           against
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           against
           him
           that
           was
           his
           greatest
           benefactor
           to
           promote
           him
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           The
           sixth
           Objection
           is
           ,
           That
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           alter
           any
           thing
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           because
           the
           fault
           of
           our
           divisions
           is
           not
           from
           any
           Constitutions
           of
           ours
           ,
           but
           from
           their
           obstinacy
           and
           perverseness
           in
           unreasonably
           dissenting
           from
           them
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           I
           acknowledge
           all
           this
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Church
           which
           is
           the
           Cause
           of
           our
           divisions
           by
           any
           of
           its
           constitutions
           or
           impositions
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           rational
           and
           good
           ,
           but
           they
           onely
           who
           refuse
           to
           conform
           to
           
           them
           .
           But
           it
           doth
           not
           follow
           therefore
           ,
           that
           when
           nothing
           else
           will
           remove
           the
           divisions
           now
           raised
           among
           us
           on
           the
           account
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           or
           again
           reduce
           Dissenters
           to
           the
           Unity
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           some
           alterations
           in
           them
           ,
           (
           which
           without
           the
           least
           prejudice
           to
           our
           Church
           ,
           or
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           therein
           we
           may
           lawfully
           make
           )
           it
           may
           not
           be
           a
           great
           fault
           in
           us
           now
           to
           be
           over
           obstinate
           in
           these
           matters
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           ought
           not
           rather
           when
           there
           is
           before
           us
           so
           great
           a
           good
           ,
           as
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           Salvation
           of
           so
           many
           therein
           (
           which
           it
           's
           to
           be
           fear'd
           may
           be
           too
           much
           obstructed
           by
           these
           divisions
           )
           be
           ready
           to
           comply
           with
           them
           as
           far
           as
           lawfully
           we
           may
           for
           the
           sake
           hereof
           .
           For
           they
           being
           the
           〈…〉
           k
           and
           the
           infirm
           whom
           we
           are
           sent
           to
           heal
           ,
           our
           part
           to
           them
           must
           be
           that
           of
           a
           Physician
           ,
           who
           ,
           when
           he
           finds
           his
           Patient
           ,
           through
           that
           peevishness
           which
           is
           commonly
           incident
           to
           the
           sick
           ,
           obstinately
           refuse
           an
           wholsom
           medicine
           which
           he
           prescribes
           him
           ,
           doth
           not
           for
           this
           reason
           immediately
           cast
           off
           all
           care
           of
           him
           ,
           but
           thinks
           of
           something
           else
           more
           agreeable
           to
           his
           palate
           and
           humour
           ,
           that
           may
           doe
           as
           well
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           The
           seventh
           Objection
           is
           ,
           If
           we
           make
           those
           alterations
           and
           so
           often
           change
           ,
           how
           shall
           we
           answer
           the
           Papists
           ,
           who
           will
           upbraid
           us
           with
           it
           ?
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ,
           As
           well
           as
           we
           did
           in
           the
           first
           of
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ,
           and
           in
           1662.
           or
           ,
           if
           this
           be
           an
           Objection
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           us
           for
           their
           alterations
           by
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           ,
           the
           late
           reformation
           of
           their
           Mass-books
           at
           Paris
           ,
           and
           the
           last
           Pope's
           abolishing
           several
           Offices
           concerning
           the
           Virgin
           Mary
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           The
           eighth
           Objection
           is
           ,
           We
           shall
           by
           these
           alterations
           dissatisfie
           our
           own
           People
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           Why
           more
           now
           than
           in
           1662.
           when
           all
           readily
           complyed
           with
           and
           approved
           the
           like
           alterations
           ?
           but
           I
           believe
           more
           noise
           is
           made
           of
           this
           Objection
           ,
           than
           there
           is
           
           truth
           or
           reason
           in
           it
           ;
           perchance
           there
           may
           be
           some
           few
           ignorant
           and
           weak
           People
           ,
           that
           may
           be
           over
           zealously
           affected
           to
           these
           matters
           among
           us
           ,
           but
           they
           being
           our
           own
           ,
           I
           hope
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           better
           instructed
           by
           us
           ;
           than
           to
           think
           any
           of
           those
           things
           in
           which
           the
           alterations
           are
           desired
           so
           sacred
           as
           not
           to
           be
           meddled
           with
           :
           For
           this
           is
           to
           attribute
           that
           to
           the
           appointments
           of
           men
           ,
           which
           is
           due
           onely
           to
           the
           Divine
           institutions
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           sinfull
           superstition
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           ought
           by
           no
           means
           to
           be
           indulged
           ,
           but
           are
           as
           to
           this
           to
           be
           corrected
           ,
           and
           better
           informed
           by
           us
           ,
           under
           whose
           care
           they
           are
           .
        
         
           And
           thu●
           far
           having
           shewn
           you
           what
           necessity
           is
           upon
           us
           to
           c
           〈…〉
           ent
           to
           the
           alterations
           that
           will
           be
           proposed
           in
           this
           present
           Convocation
           ,
           from
           the
           great
           obligation
           we
           have
           to
           remove
           the
           Scisms
           and
           heal
           the
           Divisions
           that
           are
           among
           us
           ,
           I
           shall
           in
           the
           second
           place
           shew
           you
           another
           reason
           of
           this
           necssity
           from
           the
           promise
           ,
           whereby
           we
           have
           obliged
           our selves
           so
           to
           doe
           .
           For
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           in
           their
           Petition
           to
           King
           James
           ,
           promised
           that
           they
           would
           come
           to
           a
           temper
           with
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           whenever
           put
           in
           a
           legal
           way
           ,
           and
           this
           promise
           all
           the
           Clergy
           in
           the
           Land
           have
           seemed
           to
           approve
           of
           by
           owning
           that
           Petition
           in
           which
           it
           was
           contained
           ,
           as
           they
           all
           plainly
           did
           who
           refused
           to
           read
           that
           King's
           Declaration
           in
           compliance
           therewith
           ;
           and
           therefore
           now
           we
           are
           put
           in
           a
           legal
           way
           by
           being
           called
           together
           in
           Convocation
           ,
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           make
           this
           Promise
           good
           .
           For
           hereby
           we
           have
           not
           only
           raised
           the
           expectations
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           but
           also
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           too
           ,
           who
           are
           earnest
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           publick
           good
           and
           peace
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           that
           the
           differences
           between
           us
           should
           be
           composed
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           doe
           nothing
           in
           complyance
           herewith
           ,
           what
           can
           we
           expect
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           general
           clamour
           of
           the
           People
           will
           be
           raised
           against
           us
           hereon
           ,
           as
           a
           base
           and
           false
           sort
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           can
           promise
           fair
           in
           times
           of
           adversity
           ,
           and
           forget
           all
           
           performances
           when
           they
           are
           over
           ,
           and
           we
           become
           the
           reproach
           of
           every
           man
           hereon
           ,
           I
           know
           the
           answer
           hereto
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Dissenters
           will
           do
           nothing
           on
           their
           part
           towards
           this
           temper
           ,
           and
           that
           after
           all
           that
           we
           can
           doe
           on
           ours
           we
           cannot
           have
           assurance
           that
           any
           one
           of
           them
           will
           come
           over
           to
           us
           thereon
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           will
           be
           in
           vain
           for
           us
           to
           proceed
           any
           further
           on
           this
           Project
           .
           To
           which
           I
           reply
           ,
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           by
           no
           means
           true
           that
           all
           Dissenters
           are
           so
           averse
           to
           a
           reconciliation
           with
           us
           ,
           as
           this
           answer
           suggests
           ,
           for
           I
           know
           multitudes
           that
           on
           granting
           the
           alterations
           proposed
           would
           most
           gladly
           come
           in
           and
           unite
           themselves
           to
           us
           .
           That
           their
           Ministers
           are
           not
           so
           forward
           as
           to
           this
           I
           believe
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           because
           they
           having
           many
           of
           them
           very
           beneficial
           Conventicles
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           a
           more
           plentifull
           Income
           ,
           greater
           respects
           ,
           and
           a
           larger
           power
           than
           they
           can
           hope
           for
           in
           a
           Church
           Benefice
           ,
           would
           rather
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           self
           interest
           continue
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           Comprehension
           at
           all
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           brought
           into
           the
           Church
           thereby
           to
           their
           loss
           .
           But
           with
           the
           People
           I
           know
           it
           will
           be
           otherwise
           ,
           who
           will
           in
           large
           numbers
           come
           in
           to
           us
           as
           soon
           as
           those
           alterations
           shall
           be
           in
           our
           Churches
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           are
           once
           come
           off
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           long
           ere
           their
           Ministers
           also
           will
           be
           forced
           to
           follow
           .
           But
           ,
           Secondly
           ,
           suppose
           it
           true
           ,
           That
           no
           Dissenter
           at
           all
           would
           be
           brought
           over
           to
           us
           by
           the
           Concessions
           proposed
           ,
           yet
           I
           say
           that
           we
           are
           still
           bound
           as
           well
           by
           interest
           as
           duty
           to
           perform
           what
           we
           have
           promised
           :
           For
           by
           doing
           our
           part
           herein
           ,
           first
           ,
           we
           shall
           leave
           them
           without
           excuse
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           not
           satisfied
           thereon
           ,
           and
           deliver
           our selves
           from
           abundance
           of
           their
           clamour
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           now
           continually
           vexed
           with
           by
           them
           on
           this
           account
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           we
           shall
           thereby
           give
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           who
           expect
           this
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           fix
           them
           thereby
           the
           more
           firmly
           to
           us
           .
           For
           say
           we
           what
           we
           will
           of
           the
           strength
           and
           number
           of
           those
           
           that
           are
           for
           us
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           deceive
           our selves
           ,
           As
           they
           that
           are
           zealous
           for
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           no
           great
           number
           ,
           neither
           are
           they
           that
           are
           zealous
           for
           us
           .
           The
           main
           body
           of
           the
           Nation
           I
           look
           on
           to
           stand
           indifferently
           affected
           both
           to
           them
           and
           us
           ,
           and
           although
           they
           now
           come
           to
           our
           Churches
           ,
           yet
           are
           they
           as
           ready
           to
           joyn
           also
           with
           them
           were
           they
           in
           the
           publick
           Ministry
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           times
           of
           Cromwell
           hath
           been
           sufficiently
           made
           appear
           .
           For
           they
           think
           not
           the
           Controversie
           between
           us
           of
           that
           moment
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cry
           loudly
           to
           us
           to
           agree
           ,
           and
           take
           it
           very
           ill
           that
           such
           discords
           and
           divisions
           should
           be
           still
           maintained
           in
           the
           Nation
           so
           much
           to
           the
           prejudice
           of
           the
           publick
           peace
           and
           safety
           about
           such
           trifling
           matters
           as
           they
           think
           them
           to
           be
           which
           we
           contend
           with
           each
           other
           about
           .
           And
           at
           present
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           they
           are
           readier
           to
           cast
           the
           blame
           of
           all
           this
           rather
           on
           us
           than
           them
           because
           they
           are
           now
           the
           suffering
           party
           .
           But
           if
           we
           do
           our
           part
           on
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           make
           all
           those
           steps
           to
           peace
           and
           agreement
           which
           are
           proposed
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           onely
           set
           our selves
           right
           with
           them
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           but
           if
           the
           Dissenters
           do
           not
           hereon
           come
           in
           and
           comply
           with
           us
           ,
           they
           will
           so
           plainly
           manifest
           themselves
           thereby
           to
           be
           a
           sort
           of
           obstinate
           and
           unreasonable
           people
           ,
           that
           the
           whole
           Nation
           shall
           condemn
           them
           and
           justifie
           us
           ,
           and
           be
           thereby
           firmly
           fixed
           on
           our
           side
           ever
           after
           .
           But
           on
           the
           contrary
           if
           we
           do
           not
           our
           part
           ,
           but
           break
           our
           promises
           ,
           and
           reject
           the
           present
           opportunity
           put
           into
           our
           hands
           of
           doing
           our
           best
           towards
           the
           restoring
           peace
           to
           this
           poor
           divided
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           which
           all
           now
           so
           earnestly
           desire
           ,
           and
           the
           exigency
           of
           our
           present
           affairs
           do
           make
           so
           necessary
           for
           our
           safety
           ,
           we
           shall
           so
           far
           lose
           the
           people
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           give
           our
           Adversaries
           that
           advantage
           over
           us
           thereby
           ,
           as
           I
           fear
           may
           become
           our
           total
           ruine
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           Thirdly
           ,
           another
           reason
           there
           is
           which
           shews
           the
           necessity
           of
           our
           doing
           what
           is
           propos'd
           ,
           because
           if
           we
           do
           
           not
           doe
           it
           most
           certainly
           the
           Parliament
           will.
           For
           it
           may
           be
           very
           well
           remembred
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           last
           Sessions
           the
           Bill
           past
           the
           House
           of
           Lords
           in
           order
           hereto
           ,
           and
           when
           it
           came
           down
           into
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           it
           was
           by
           their
           desire
           that
           the
           matter
           was
           referred
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           now
           do
           nothing
           in
           it
           ,
           you
           may
           assure
           your self
           the
           Parliament
           will
           resume
           it
           again
           ,
           and
           doe
           it
           their
           own
           way
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           the
           whole
           thanks
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           we
           onely
           the
           odium
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           for
           refusing
           it
           .
           To
           prevent
           which
           let
           us
           not
           cast
           the
           present
           opportunity
           out
           of
           our
           hands
           of
           doing
           the
           thing
           our selves
           :
           for
           we
           as
           Divines
           are
           best
           able
           to
           doe
           it
           as
           it
           ought
           without
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           whereas
           if
           we
           cast
           it
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           Laymen
           ,
           they
           may
           instead
           of
           altering
           Circumstantials
           strike
           at
           Essentials
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           a
           breach
           upon
           the
           Religion
           it self
           to
           the
           undoing
           of
           all
           .
           And
           although
           this
           should
           be
           avoided
           ,
           as
           I
           fear
           it
           will
           not
           in
           some
           particulars
           I
           could
           instance
           ,
           as
           particularly
           in
           that
           of
           our
           Orders
           ,
           yet
           the
           least
           mischief
           we
           can
           expect
           will
           be
           totally
           to
           extinguish
           all
           Convocations
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           and
           resolve
           the
           whole
           power
           of
           the
           Church
           into
           the
           two
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           thereby
           perpetually
           fix
           that
           reproach
           of
           the
           Papists
           upon
           us
           ,
           that
           our
           Religion
           is
           a
           Parliamentary
           Religion
           .
           And
           whether
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           is
           now
           met
           together
           onely
           to
           be
           
             felo
             de
             se
          
           is
           that
           which
           the
           Members
           of
           this
           present
           Convocation
           are
           earnestly
           desired
           to
           consider
           .
        
         
           But
           in
           answer
           to
           all
           this
           your
           third
           head
           of
           Objection
           tells
           us
           ,
           That
           how
           necessary
           soever
           this
           may
           be
           from
           the
           abovementioned
           Reasons
           ,
           yet
           this
           is
           no
           proper
           time
           for
           it
           ,
           when
           so
           many
           of
           the
           Fathers
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           other
           eminent
           persons
           of
           the
           Clergy
           by
           their
           Suspension
           stand
           incapacitated
           to
           act
           with
           us
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           that
           because
           if
           this
           be
           now
           done
           ,
           when
           their
           consent
           cannot
           be
           had
           in
           the
           doing
           of
           it
           ,
           they
           will
           renounce
           it
           all
           ,
           
           and
           by
           sticking
           to
           the
           present
           Form
           create
           a
           new
           Schism
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           thereby
           as
           great
           a
           breach
           be
           made
           in
           the
           Church
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           as
           possibly
           can
           be
           made
           up
           on
           the
           other
           .
           And
           this
           I
           hear
           is
           a
           reason
           much
           insisted
           on
           to
           defeat
           the
           whole
           design
           and
           intent
           of
           this
           Convocation
           But
           in
           answer
           hereto
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           those
           excellent
           persons
           are
           very
           little
           beholding
           to
           them
           that
           talk
           of
           them
           at
           this
           rate
           ,
           there
           being
           nothing
           that
           can
           be
           a
           more
           bitter
           Libel
           against
           them
           .
           For
           is
           it
           possible
           to
           imagine
           that
           those
           who
           have
           so
           eminently
           signallized
           themselves
           in
           the
           defence
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           so
           readily
           yielded
           themselves
           to
           be
           Confessors
           for
           it
           (
           as
           all
           well
           know
           in
           the
           late
           Reign
           )
           should
           now
           on
           a
           sudden
           turn
           their
           hands
           against
           it
           to
           wound
           and
           destroy
           it
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           onely
           out
           of
           a
           desperate
           peevishness
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           some
           infelicities
           at
           present
           upon
           them
           which
           none
           of
           us
           can
           help
           .
           Far
           be
           it
           from
           those
           eminent
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           become
           guilty
           of
           so
           great
           a
           wickedness
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           it
           is
           impossible
           they
           ever
           should
           ,
           whatsoever
           some
           men
           may
           talk
           hereof
           to
           serve
           their
           own
           purpose
           .
           For
           how
           can
           they
           who
           have
           so
           long●
           preached
           and
           wrote
           against
           Schism
           and
           the
           wickedness
           of
           it
           in
           separating
           from
           the
           Church
           without
           a
           just
           cause
           ,
           now
           become
           guilty
           hereof
           themselves
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           no
           cause
           at
           all
           to
           drive
           them
           to
           it
           ?
           Should
           we
           indeed
           put
           any
           thing
           either
           into
           our
           Liturgy
           or
           Constitutions
           ,
           which
           is
           contrary
           either
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           or
           the
           Precepts
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           I
           must
           confess
           then
           there
           would
           be
           reason
           for
           them
           to
           separate
           ,
           and
           I
           my self
           would
           make
           one
           of
           their
           number
           ;
           but
           those
           that
           are
           most
           hot
           against
           the
           design
           of
           this
           present
           Convocation
           do
           not
           tell
           us
           that
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           is
           likely
           to
           be
           done
           therein
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           may
           suppose
           the
           Liturgy
           after
           its
           present
           review
           will
           have
           nothing
           of
           this
           therein
           ,
           and
           that
           any
           then
           should
           separate
           
           from
           us
           in
           that
           where
           they
           can
           find
           no
           fault
           to
           object
           is
           a
           thing
           that
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           ,
           but
           of
           such
           onely
           as
           are
           most
           perversly
           bent
           against
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           to
           doe
           all
           the
           wickedness
           they
           can
           to
           gratifie
           a
           peevish
           humour
           .
           And
           therefore
           those
           that
           talk
           after
           this
           rate
           of
           those
           excellent
           and
           most
           Religious
           persons
           have
           a
           great
           deal
           to
           answer
           for
           to
           them
           for
           the
           injury
           which
           they
           doe
           them
           by
           this
           slanderous
           and
           vile
           imputation
           .
           But
           since
           they
           will
           have
           it
           so
           we
           will
           for
           once
           (
           begging
           their
           pardon
           for
           doing
           so
           )
           suppose
           what
           they
           suggest
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           are
           now
           of
           so
           tender
           a
           Conscience
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Oaths
           ,
           will
           have
           none
           at
           all
           as
           to
           this
           which
           is
           a
           much
           plainer
           case
           ,
           but
           go
           on
           in
           opposition
           to
           all
           which
           we
           shall
           do
           in
           this
           present
           Convocation
           to
           make
           that
           Schism
           which
           they
           would
           fright
           us
           with
           ,
           the
           hurt
           will
           be
           so
           little
           which
           they
           will
           be
           able
           to
           doe
           us
           thereby
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           will
           not
           need
           either
           to
           be
           feared
           or
           regarded
           by
           us
           .
           For
           their
           number
           is
           so
           small
           ,
           and
           the
           Proselytes
           they
           are
           like
           to
           get
           so
           few
           ,
           and
           the
           resentments
           of
           the
           State
           will
           be
           so
           heavy
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           being
           enemies
           to
           them
           as
           well
           as
           us
           in
           this
           opposition
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           no
           sooner
           appear
           in
           the
           Schism
           which
           is
           talked
           so
           much
           of
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           immediately
           be
           crush'd
           and
           fall
           to
           nothing
           ,
           and
           therefore
           to
           talk
           of
           this
           as
           some
           do
           ,
           in
           so
           formidable
           a
           manner
           for
           the
           obstructing
           all
           the
           good
           intentions
           of
           this
           present
           Convocation
           ,
           is
           a
           Scare-crow
           which
           Knaves
           may
           lift
           up
           ,
           but
           none
           but
           Fools
           can
           be
           frighted
           therewith
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           far
           having
           shewn
           you
           the
           necessity
           which
           urgeth
           us
           to
           doe
           what
           may
           become
           us
           in
           this
           present
           Convocation
           ,
           methinks
           the
           case
           is
           so
           plain
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           imagine
           from
           whence
           it
           is
           that
           the
           present
           opposition
           may
           arise
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           that
           some
           ,
           when
           they
           hear
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           are
           afraid
           of
           their
           Church
           power
           and
           
           Church
           promotions
           .
           If
           this
           be
           the
           matter
           ,
           as
           I
           doubt
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           makes
           so
           many
           hang
           off
           from
           the
           publick
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           I
           desire
           they
           would
           consider
           whether
           they
           doe
           not
           take
           the
           most
           effectual
           course
           to
           bring
           that
           about
           which
           they
           fear
           .
           If
           by
           such
           moderate
           abatements
           as
           are
           required
           we
           give
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           the
           better
           inclined
           to
           bear
           with
           us
           in
           all
           things
           else
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           continuance
           of
           our
           establishments
           more
           lasting
           among
           them
           .
           But
           if
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           by
           our
           refusal
           ,
           we
           provoke
           them
           against
           us
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           but
           that
           ,
           instead
           of
           that
           moderate
           and
           just
           reformation
           which
           they
           will
           now
           be
           contented
           with
           ,
           they
           may
           take
           the
           matter
           into
           their
           own
           hands
           ,
           and
           bring
           us
           to
           that
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           so
           much
           afraid
           of
           ,
           and
           deprive
           us
           of
           all
           .
           And
           of
           this
           we
           have
           a
           plain
           instance
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Trent
           .
           Had
           they
           granted
           any
           moderate
           Concessions
           to
           the
           just
           demands
           of
           the
           Germans
           ,
           and
           yielded
           them
           but
           some
           of
           those
           things
           which
           are
           now
           a
           burthen
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           would
           be
           gladly
           rid
           of
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           with
           reputation
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           might
           have
           retained
           its
           power
           over
           the
           whole
           Latin
           Church
           till
           this
           time
           ;
           but
           their
           jealousie
           of
           this
           power
           making
           them
           rigorous
           to
           yield
           nothing
           ,
           hath
           put
           them
           in
           the
           direct
           way
           to
           lose
           all
           .
           And
           if
           we
           follow
           the
           same
           course
           ,
           I
           doubt
           the
           same
           effect
           will
           ensue
           .
           In
           summ
           ,
           such
           bye
           ends
           are
           always
           most
           unjustifiable
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           Councils
           ,
           in
           which
           no
           considerations
           of
           secular
           interest
           ,
           but
           those
           onely
           which
           may
           best
           tend
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Salvation
           of
           men
           ought
           to
           influence
           all
           our
           determinations
           ,
           and
           could
           we
           but
           all
           come
           together
           with
           this
           mind
           ,
           I
           should
           think
           our selves
           so
           sure
           of
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           all
           our
           endeavours
           ,
           that
           I
           durst
           promise
           you
           all
           the
           good
           success
           from
           this
           Convocation
           that
           can
           be
           desired
           ,
           whatever
           appearance
           there
           may
           at
           present
           be
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
        
         
         
           As
           to
           the
           account
           which
           you
           desire
           of
           our
           Proceedings
           hitherto
           ,
           I
           can
           onely
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           on
           Monday
           last
           we
           chose
           our
           Prolocutor
           ,
           and
           adjourned
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           again
           adjourned
           till
           Monday
           next
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           expect
           to
           have
           our
           Commission
           to
           act
           and
           fall
           to
           business
           .
           The
           first
           thing
           to
           be
           brought
           before
           us
           will
           be
           the
           reformation
           of
           the
           Kalendar
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           whether
           the
           Apocryphal
           Lessons
           shall
           be
           struck
           out
           or
           no
           ;
           and
           here
           I
           apprehend
           the
           main
           Question
           will
           come
           to
           the
           debate
           ,
           whether
           Alterations
           ,
           or
           no
           Alterations
           :
           If
           the
           latter
           be
           carried
           ,
           you
           will
           have
           your
           desire
           ,
           and
           I
           my
           liberty
           again
           to
           return
           home
           ,
           where
           the
           old
           saying
           ,
           
             Quos
             Deus
             perdet
             dementat
          
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           have
           that
           influence
           upon
           my
           mind
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           me
           fear
           our
           total
           ruin
           cannot
           be
           long
           behind
           after
           so
           great
           an
           infatuation
           ;
           if
           it
           must
           be
           so
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           our
           sins
           have
           deserved
           it
           ,
           and
           God
           endue
           us
           with
           Patience
           to
           submit
           thereto
           .
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           
             Your
             affectionate
             humble
             servant
             ,
             
               A.
               B.
            
             
          
           
             Nov.
             27.
             1689.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .