Remarks from the country, upon the two letters relating to the convocation and alterations in the liturgy
         Maurice, Henry, 1648-1691.
      
       
         
           1690
        
      
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             Remarks from the country, upon the two letters relating to the convocation and alterations in the liturgy
             Maurice, Henry, 1648-1691.
             Basset, Joshua, 1641?-1720.
          
           [2], 18 p.
           
             Printed and are to be sold by most booksellers,
             London :
             1690.
          
           
             Attributed to Henry Maurice. Cf. BM.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Basset, Joshua, 1641?-1720.
           Great Britain -- Religion -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           REMARKS
           FROM
           THE
           COUNTRY
           ;
           Upon
           the
           Two
           LETTERS
           Relating
           to
           the
           CONVOCATION
           AND
           Alterations
           in
           the
           LITURGY
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           Sold
           by
           most
           Booksellers
           .
           1689
           /
           90.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           REMARKS
           FROM
           THE
           COUNTRY
           .
        
         
           I
           Am
           sorry
           to
           find
           the
           Abilities
           of
           our
           English
           Convocation
           so
           much
           distrusted
           by
           some
           of
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           thought
           necessary
           to
           send
           publick
           Letters
           of
           advice
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           charitable
           assistance
           to
           direct
           them
           what
           to
           do
           ;
           had
           they
           been
           left
           to
           themselves
           ,
           they
           might
           possibly
           have
           erred
           dangerously
           concerning
           those
           Fundamental
           Points
           of
           the
           Kalendar
           ,
           the
           old
           Translation
           of
           the
           Psalms
           ,
           the
           Surplice
           ,
           &c.
           and
           have
           retained
           a
           too
           favourable
           opinion
           of
           the
           Service
           and
           Constitution
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           is
           now
           become
           the
           only
           intolerable
           and
           unpardonable
           Heresy
           .
           That
           Reverend
           Assembly
           will
           I
           hope
           pardon
           me
           ,
           if
           at
           present
           I
           wave
           all
           vindication
           of
           the
           capacity
           they
           may
           be
           presumed
           to
           have
           ,
           for
           the
           setling
           of
           these
           profound
           Points
           ;
           for
           it
           would
           reflect
           too
           much
           upon
           the
           wisdom
           of
           those
           Directors
           ,
           if
           the
           Convocation
           should
           appear
           to
           stand
           in
           no
           need
           of
           their
           charity
           ,
           and
           their
           Letters
           look
           like
           a
           too
           forward
           and
           solemn
           impertinence
           .
           It
           is
           a
           Thousand
           Pities
           so
           instructive
           and
           so
           Eloquent
           Papers
           should
           ever
           fall
           under
           such
           an
           imputation
           ,
           and
           be
           ranked
           among
           the
           Scriblings
           of
           
             Elenor
             James
          
           ,
           with
           this
           only
           advantage
           of
           having
           better
           Language
           ;
           whereas
           the
           Woman
           Counsellor
           is
           judged
           to
           have
           the
           better
           meaning
           .
        
         
         
           But
           supposing
           the
           Convocation
           so
           weak
           indeed
           as
           this
           way
           of
           Proceeding
           does
           suggest
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           matters
           to
           be
           brought
           before
           them
           ,
           like
           Childrens
           Meat
           ,
           must
           be
           chewed
           before-hand
           ,
           and
           put
           into
           their
           Mouths
           ;
           yet
           the
           charity
           had
           born
           a
           better
           grace
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           conveyed
           more
           privately
           ,
           and
           had
           concealed
           those
           defects
           of
           our
           Church
           Representative
           which
           it
           pretended
           to
           supply
           .
           If
           these
           Gentlemen
           intended
           only
           to
           be
           Prompters
           to
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           they
           mistook
           their
           part
           ,
           and
           spoke
           much
           too
           loud
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           Assisting
           ,
           served
           only
           to
           Disgrace
           the
           Actors
           .
           Therefore
           when
           these
           instructing
           Papers
           were
           publictly
           exposed
           among
           the
           Toys
           of
           Westminster-Hall
           ,
           and
           Proclaimed
           by
           Hawkers
           ,
           together
           with
           Scotch
           News
           ,
           and
           Observators
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           if
           the
           Company
           at
           Harry
           the
           Seventh's
           Chappel
           resented
           the
           affront
           ,
           and
           cryed
           out
           a
           Libel
           ,
           and
           carryed
           their
           Complaints
           as
           far
           as
           Jerusalem-Chamber
           there
           to
           be
           decently
           buried
           in
           Oblivion
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           doubtless
           out
           of
           pure
           condescention
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           these
           Directors
           is
           pleased
           to
           stile
           himself
           a
           
             Minister
             in
             the
             Countrey
          
           ;
           the
           undertaking
           does
           not
           agree
           very
           well
           with
           his
           Character
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           seldom
           that
           Persons
           of
           that
           Rank
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           direct
           and
           Chatechise
           Synods
           .
           Country
           Ministers
           ,
           Poor
           Men
           ,
           are
           at
           too
           great
           a
           distance
           from
           the
           Spring
           of
           Business
           to
           be
           so
           early
           acquainted
           with
           these
           Mysteries
           ,
           hid
           from
           the
           Country
           ,
           till
           these
           Letters
           Revealed
           them
           .
           But
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           affairs
           ,
           and
           the
           assuming
           that
           commonly
           attends
           too
           much
           Knowledge
           ,
           speaks
           this
           Author
           rather
           of
           the
           Commission
           than
           of
           the
           Country
           .
           But
           if
           the
           Title
           be
           serious
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           great
           Pity
           that
           the
           obscure
           Dull
           Country
           ,
           that
           knows
           not
           how
           to
           value
           such
           a
           Treasure
           ,
           should
           possess
           him
           any
           longer
           so
           much
           to
           his
           own
           disadvantage
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           regret
           of
           the
           Court
           and
           City
           .
        
         
           The
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Letter
             to
             a
             Friend
          
           is
           pleased
           to
           give
           some
           intimations
           of
           his
           being
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           which
           some
           Persons
           who
           wish
           well
           to
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           will
           by
           no
           means
           allow
           ;
           and
           indeed
           it
           seems
           something
           odd
           and
           preposterous
           ,
           that
           a
           Person
           of
           so
           impetuous
           
           and
           irresistible
           Eloquence
           ,
           should
           in
           the
           First
           place
           enter
           his
           publick
           Protestation
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           final
           Appeal
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           before
           he
           had
           tryed
           the
           force
           of
           one
           of
           his
           Reasons
           within-doors
           .
           But
           some
           of
           our
           Friends
           from
           this
           rough
           way
           of
           Proceeding
           ,
           guessed
           him
           to
           be
           an
           Undertaker
           ,
           who
           was
           to
           prepare
           Men
           as
           well
           as
           Matter
           for
           this
           Convocation
           ;
           and
           not
           finding
           the
           success
           of
           his
           Private
           application
           to
           answer
           the
           expectations
           he
           had
           conceived
           ,
           or
           the
           assurances
           he
           had
           given
           ,
           grew
           wroth
           with
           the
           disappointment
           ,
           and
           fearing
           to
           have
           lost
           his
           design
           ,
           lost
           his
           Patience
           and
           Discretion
           to
           that
           degree
           ,
           as
           to
           cry
           out
           of
           Obstinacy
           and
           Rigor
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           sort
           to
           post
           the
           Convocation
           for
           Stiff
           and
           Inflexible
           People
           ,
           before
           any
           thing
           had
           been
           in
           due
           form
           laid
           before
           them
           .
        
         
           You
           may
           imagine
           from
           this
           beginning
           ,
           that
           I
           shall
           differ
           from
           the
           sense
           of
           these
           Letters
           in
           every
           Point
           proposed
           ;
           but
           to
           prevent
           such
           a
           Mistake
           ,
           I
           will
           let
           you
           see
           at
           setting
           out
           how
           easily
           we
           are
           agreed
           ;
           for
           I
           joyn
           heartily
           with
           the
           Country
           Minister
           in
           the
           First
           thing
           he
           lays
           down
           ,
           p.
           3
           ,
           4.
           as
           the
           Foundation
           of
           what
           he
           afterwards
           should
           propose
           ,
           
             that
             there
             are
             such
             things
             in
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           
             that
             are
             in
             their
             own
             nature
             alterable
             ,
          
           and
           the
           other
           Letter
           notes
           it
           as
           
             a
             great
             mistake
             in
             us
             to
             hold
             any
             thing
             of
             this
             nature
             not
             prescribed
             in
             Scripture
             to
             be
             unalterable
             .
          
           I
           have
           some
           exception
           against
           the
           words
           
             in
             us
          
           ,
           because
           I
           do
           not
           know
           the
           Companions
           of
           his
           Mistake
           ;
           and
           I
           dare
           be
           bound
           to
           free
           all
           Church
           of
           England
           men
           from
           the
           imputation
           .
           For
           how
           addicted
           soever
           they
           may
           be
           thought
           to
           their
           constitution
           and
           their
           forms
           ,
           I
           never
           could
           meet
           with
           any
           of
           them
           so
           unreasonably
           stiff
           ,
           as
           not
           readily
           to
           allow
           every
           thing
           of
           Humane
           Institution
           and
           use
           ,
           to
           be
           in
           it's
           nature
           changeable
           .
           And
           because
           I
           would
           not
           have
           a
           Point
           so
           evidently
           true
           as
           I
           take
           this
           to
           be
           ,
           brought
           under
           evil
           suspicion
           by
           a
           False
           Argument
           ,
           I
           desire
           the
           Convocation-Man
           pretended
           ,
           to
           Pray
           in
           the
           Aid
           of
           somebody
           who
           understands
           the
           Language
           ,
           and
           to
           look
           over
           the
           Titles
           of
           those
           Twenty
           Volumes
           of
           Greek
           Liturgies
           ,
           that
           he
           calls
           to
           witness
           p.
           13.
           4.
           
             how
             much
             the
          
           Greek
           
             Church
             has
             altered
             Forms
          
           ,
           
           for
           fear
           all
           these
           Volumes
           should
           happen
           to
           be
           
             not
             so
             many
             different
             Forms
             of
             their
             Liturgies
             ,
          
           often
           altered
           and
           brought
           to
           a
           Review
           ,
           but
           parts
           of
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Service
           ;
           because
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           many
           Volumes
           of
           Greek
           Liturgies
           Printed
           ,
           besides
           those
           which
           as
           several
           Offices
           make
           up
           the
           present
           Service
           of
           the
           Greek
           Church
           .
           There
           are
           indeed
           Three
           old
           ones
           Printed
           by
           Morellius
           ,
           but
           all
           of
           them
           not
           half
           so
           big
           as
           our
           Common-Prayer
           .
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           more
           which
           I
           would
           desire
           him
           to
           consider
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           this
           first
           Point
           in
           which
           we
           are
           agreed
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           what
           he
           affirms
           in
           the
           same
           place
           ,
           p.
           14
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Act
             of
             King
          
           Edward
           the
           6th
           ,
           
             was
             the
             First
             Law
             for
             an
             Vniform
             Liturgy
             in
             any
             Church
             ,
             that
             was
             ever
             Enacted
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             Christianity
             to
             that
             time
             .
          
           Such
           a
           man
           as
           our
           Author
           who
           speaks
           of
           
             M.
             SS
          
           .
           in
           the
           lump
           ,
           cannot
           be
           ignorant
           that
           the
           Canons
           of
           Provincial
           Synods
           ,
           for
           Uniform
           Liturgies
           ,
           had
           the
           effect
           of
           Laws
           ,
           and
           especially
           in
           these
           Western
           parts
           ,
           where
           Kings
           were
           commonly
           present
           in
           Synods
           ,
           and
           ratified
           what
           was
           there
           concluded
           .
           This
           Men
           of
           ordinary
           Reading
           may
           be
           allowed
           to
           know
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           in
           Print
           ;
           but
           besides
           many
           very
           ordinary
           Men
           without
           affecting
           to
           pry
           into
           the
           Secrets
           of
           Learning
           ,
           have
           heard
           of
           such
           Men
           as
           King
           Pippin
           and
           his
           Son
           Charles
           the
           Great
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           laid
           aside
           the
           French
           Service
           ,
           and
           established
           the
           Roman
           in
           its
           place
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           such
           Laws
           as
           passed
           in
           those
           times
           :
           And
           Charles
           in
           his
           constitution
           ,
           
             de
             Emendatione
             Librorum
             Ecclesiasticorum
          
           ,
           expresly
           ratifies
           the
           
             Service
             Book
          
           so
           corrected
           by
           a
           Law
           ,
           
             nostra
             eadem
             volumina
             authoritate
             constabilimus
             ,
             vestraque
             Religioni
             in
             Christi
             Ecclestis
             tradimus
             ad
             legendum
             .
          
           It
           was
           likewise
           by
           Law
           ,
           that
           the
           Roman
           Office
           was
           Established
           in
           Spain
           under
           Alphonsus
           the
           6th
           ,
           much
           against
           the
           grain
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           part
           with
           its
           old
           Office
           without
           Tears
           .
           Therefore
           to
           conclude
           this
           Point
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           things
           in
           their
           nature
           alterable
           ,
           I
           would
           desire
           this
           Gentleman
           to
           alter
           these
           Passages
           ,
           if
           he
           thinks
           fit
           in
           the
           next
           Edition
           of
           his
           Letter
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           you
           may
           not
           think
           ,
           that
           we
           shake
           hands
           here
           at
           setting
           out
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           part
           presently
           ;
           I
           do
           willingly
           
           agree
           with
           the
           same
           Author
           ,
           P.
           1.
           
           ●
           .
           
             That
             nothing
             is
             more
             dangerous
             to
             Religion
             ,
             than
             frequently
             to
             make
             alterations
             in
             things
             pertaining
             thereto
             :
          
           Nay
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           
             in
             outward
             Circumstantials
             only
             that
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           
             may
             be
             justified
             in
             her
             proceedings
             hitherto
             ,
             that
             she
             has
             not
             been
             forward
             on
             every
             demand
             of
             the
             Dissenters
             ,
             to
             unhinge
             those
             of
             her
             Communion
             from
             her
             long
             received
             Establishments
             ,
             but
             has
             to
             the
             utmost
             resisted
             all
             alterations
             from
             them
             ,
             hoping
             by
             less
             dangerous
             methods
             to
             cure
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           When
           I
           met
           with
           so
           many
           passages
           in
           these
           Letters
           ,
           reflecting
           with
           great
           sharpness
           upon
           our
           Service
           and
           present
           Constitution
           ,
           I
           began
           to
           be
           affraid
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           have
           been
           in
           the
           wrong
           ,
           ever
           since
           Edward
           the
           6th
           .
           Days
           :
           But
           I
           took
           courage
           when
           I
           found
           that
           hitherto
           all
           had
           been
           well
           ,
           and
           provided
           we
           yield
           our selves
           tractable
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           all
           our
           past
           proceedings
           and
           stifness
           against
           Dissenters
           may
           be
           justified
           .
           It
           is
           well
           for
           the
           Church
           that
           she
           needs
           not
           apprehend
           any
           retrospect
           into
           her
           behaviour
           ;
           since
           as
           Times
           go
           with
           Churchmanship
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           no
           common
           favour
           .
           But
           good
           Sir
           ,
           how
           can
           this
           Liberality
           consist
           with
           those
           Reflections
           you
           make
           upon
           the
           past
           Conduct
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           how
           can
           it
           consist
           with
           your
           Censure
           of
           
             that
             unreasonable
             Rigor
             ,
             whereby
             we
             have
             hitherto
             maintained
             them
             .
          
           P.
           5.
           or
           with
           this
           kind
           Expostulation
           ,
           
             have
             we
             not
             already
             lost
             our
             Reputation
             with
             the
             People
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             by
             insisting
             too
             rigorously
             on
             those
             things
             ?
          
           How
           can
           it
           agree
           with
           the
           frightful
           Representation
           you
           are
           pleased
           to
           give
           of
           the
           faults
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           .
           P.
           15.
           
             for
             if
             me
             are
             forced
             to
             read
             such
             ridiculous
             things
             to
             our
             People
             instead
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ;
             if
             by
             reading
             the
             old
             Translation
             of
             the
             Psalms
             we
             impose
             that
             on
             our
             People
             for
             true
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             in
             so
             great
             a
             Number
             of
             places
             quite
             differs
             from
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             there
             be
             many
             Grievances
             ,
             and
             Defects
             of
             this
             Nature
             which
             he
             could
             tell
             us
             of
             ,
             to
             which
             we
             are
             bound
             :
          
           If
           all
           this
           be
           in
           earnest
           ,
           I
           must
           needs
           confess
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           see
           how
           we
           may
           be
           justified
           for
           the
           Time
           past
           ;
           for
           were
           these
           
             ridiculous
             things
          
           less
           ridiculous
           ,
           or
           these
           reading
           Psalms
           less
           differing
           from
           true
           Scripture
           a
           hundred
           years
           ago
           ?
           Was
           it
           allowable
           to
           retain
           
             most
             Religious
             and
             Gracious
             King
          
           in
           the
           
           last
           Reigns
           ,
           and
           is
           it
           now
           grown
           a
           
             Flattery
             not
             to
             be
             warranted
          
           ?
           Those
           things
           that
           are
           now
           such
           Grievances
           and
           Defects
           ,
           were
           they
           of
           another
           Nature
           in
           the
           Days
           of
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ?
           In
           short
           ,
           the
           Liturgy
           and
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           are
           they
           grown
           worse
           and
           more
           intolerable
           now
           than
           when
           these
           Gentlemen
           thought
           fit
           to
           declare
           their
           Assent
           and
           Consent
           to
           them
           ?
           Yet
           both
           give
           the
           Church
           and
           Liturgy
           very
           good
           words
           ;
           
             a
             Church
          
           ,
           says
           one
           ,
           
             which
             I
             am
             certain
             of
             in
             respect
             of
             its
             Doctrin
             ,
             Worship
             and
             Order
             is
             inferior
             to
             none
             upon
             upon
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
          
           P.
           1.
           
           
             As
             to
             the
             Liturgy
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
          
           says
           the
           other
           ,
           
             I
             freely
             acknowledge
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             no
             Man
             can
             contradict
             me
             herein
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             the
             best
             which
             was
             ever
             yet
             used
             in
             any
             Christian
             Church
             ,
          
           P.
           12.
           
           Now
           if
           this
           Liturgy
           ,
           so
           faulty
           ,
           so
           ridiculous
           ,
           so
           wicked
           as
           to
           impose
           false
           Scripture
           upon
           the
           People
           be
           yet
           the
           best
           of
           any
           ,
           and
           if
           this
           Church
           with
           all
           the
           Faults
           here
           represented
           ,
           so
           unwary
           as
           to
           turn
           the
           Sign
           of
           the
           Cross
           into
           a
           Sacrament
           ,
           be
           inferior
           to
           none
           ;
           God
           help
           the
           rest
           I
           say
           !
           I
           am
           afraid
           ,
           that
           I
           should
           be
           tempted
           to
           have
           a
           very
           sorry
           opinion
           of
           Churches
           and
           Liturgies
           ,
           if
           I
           had
           not
           some
           hopes
           that
           our
           Authors
           might
           be
           mistaken
           in
           many
           of
           those
           things
           they
           expose
           for
           the
           Defects
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           :
           But
           I
           must
           confess
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           see
           how
           't
           is
           possible
           to
           reconcile
           the
           Complement
           with
           the
           Reproach
           .
           Weigelius
           indeed
           pretends
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           School
           of
           Grace
           Contradictories
           may
           be
           reconciled
           and
           united
           by
           the
           mind
           ;
           but
           the
           matter
           being
           passed
           my
           Skill
           ,
           all
           the
           Service
           I
           can
           do
           him
           is
           to
           refer
           him
           to
           that
           Mystical
           Divine
           .
        
         
           I
           once
           thought
           ,
           these
           alterations
           so
           much
           talked
           of
           ,
           were
           intended
           by
           way
           of
           condescention
           and
           favour
           ;
           but
           when
           I
           find
           these
           Advocates
           for
           the
           project
           ,
           lick
           up
           the
           Venome
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           spit
           it
           in
           the
           face
           of
           their
           own
           Church
           ;
           when
           they
           try
           to
           give
           new
           strength
           to
           old
           weak
           Objections
           ,
           and
           affect
           new
           Quarrels
           and
           Cavils
           against
           the
           Liturgy
           ;
           there
           is
           too
           great
           reason
           to
           be
           jealous
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           not
           intend
           to
           mediate
           an
           Accommodation
           ,
           but
           to
           procure
           a
           Conquest
           for
           the
           Dissenters
           .
           Many
           therefore
           that
           seemed
           not
           averse
           to
           make
           some
           Concessions
           ,
           
           provided
           it
           might
           have
           been
           to
           any
           good
           effect
           ,
           were
           extreamly
           discouraged
           by
           the
           method
           which
           these
           undertakers
           took
           to
           perswade
           them
           .
           For
           if
           this
           new
           pretended
           Reformation
           ,
           cannot
           be
           introduced
           but
           upon
           the
           Disparagement
           and
           Condemnation
           of
           the
           old
           ,
           if
           it
           must
           reflect
           blemish
           and
           infamy
           upon
           the
           Memory
           of
           the
           preceeding
           Generations
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           if
           it
           must
           through
           Contempt
           and
           Ignominy
           upon
           so
           many
           excellent
           Persons
           ,
           who
           have
           not
           only
           consented
           to
           this
           Constitution
           ,
           but
           defended
           and
           justified
           it
           against
           the
           frivolous
           Exceptions
           of
           Dissenters
           ;
           if
           this
           be
           the
           Case
           ,
           you
           must
           pardon
           me
           ,
           if
           I
           have
           not
           now
           that
           inclination
           to
           alterations
           which
           I
           own
           my self
           to
           have
           had
           heretofore
           .
        
         
           Neither
           would
           I
           be
           thought
           so
           punctilious
           ,
           as
           to
           prefer
           a
           Point
           of
           Honour
           to
           a
           Case
           of
           Necessity
           .
           If
           it
           be
           so
           necessary
           to
           make
           these
           Changes
           ;
           if
           it
           will
           unite
           all
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           create
           an
           universal
           Concord
           ;
           I
           am
           content
           to
           discharge
           all
           these
           Circumstantials
           ,
           and
           bid
           them
           stand
           out
           of
           the
           way
           of
           such
           mighty
           Blessings
           .
           That
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           a
           certain
           Person
           positively
           affirms
           
             to
             a
             Friend
          
           ,
           P.
           2.
           
           
             I
             think
             now
             to
             make
             such
             alterations
             as
             are
             proposed
             ,
             so
             absolutely
             necessary
             as
             ought
             no
             longer
             to
             be
             deferred
             ,
          
           and
           then
           P.
           8.
           
           
             That
             these
             things
             administer
             only
             to
             Schism
             and
             Division
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             Distraction
             in
             the
             State
          
           ;
           and
           again
           ,
           P.
           9.
           
           
             They
             become
             mischievous
             too
             in
             the
             Evils
             that
             they
             bring
             upon
             the
             Church
             and
             State.
          
           Nay
           further
           ,
           P.
           10.
           
           
             I
             here
             plainly
             aver
             ,
             that
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           
             cannot
             be
             guiltless
             in
             this
             matter
             ,
          
           if
           ●he
           do
           not
           alter
           some
           of
           these
           things
           .
           And
           to
           conclude
           ,
           
             The
             present
             Posture
             of
             Affairs
             require
             it
             :
             For
             the
             greatest
             hopes
             of
             the
             French
             for
             our
             Destruction
             is
             from
             our
             Divisions
             —
             and
             what
             remedy
             have
             we
             left
             to
             prevent
             this
             terrible
             Ruine
             ,
             but
             to
             come
             to
             as
             firm
             a
             Vnion
             among
             our selves
             as
             we
             are
             able
             ?
             and
             the
             hopes
             of
             preserving
             Church
             and
             State
             from
             the
             great
             dangers
             under
             which
             they
             are
             both
             involved
             ,
             do
             in
             a
             great
             measure
             depend
             upon
             what
             we
             shall
             do
             .
          
           P.
           5.
           
           Who
           could
           have
           imagined
           ,
           that
           these
           little
           things
           should
           be
           of
           so
           great
           Consequence
           either
           for
           good
           or
           hurt
           ?
           If
           these
           Trifles
           had
           but
           sense
           enough
           to
           understand
           the
           Charge
           layed
           against
           them
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           but
           wonder
           with
           the
           Fly
           upon
           the
           Coach-wheel
           at
           the
           
           mighty
           Dust
           they
           made
           ;
           and
           could
           they
           but
           speak
           for
           themselves
           ,
           they
           might
           plead
           with
           the
           Officers
           of
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           ,
           Exod.
           5.
           16.
           
           
             Behold
             thy
             Servants
             are
             beaten
             ,
             but
             the
             fault
             is
             in
             thine
             own
             People
             .
          
           However
           since
           they
           are
           so
           positively
           accused
           of
           having
           raised
           the
           Tempest
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           way
           to
           calm
           it
           ,
           but
           by
           throwing
           these
           unhappy
           occasions
           overboard
           :
           Let
           us
           consent
           ,
           and
           by
           way
           of
           supposition
           lay
           all
           these
           things
           aside
           .
           Now
           Sirs
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           done
           as
           you
           have
           ordered
           :
           Call
           the
           Dissenters
           in
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           may
           be
           full
           :
           Go
           to
           the
           Quakers
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           a
           numerous
           and
           very
           compact
           Party
           ;
           and
           let
           them
           know
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           now
           neither
           Apocrypha
           ,
           nor
           obsolete
           Translations
           ,
           nothing
           but
           Scripture
           in
           the
           Lessons
           ;
           that
           there
           are
           now
           Collects
           more
           spiritual
           than
           the
           old
           ,
           and
           in
           short
           ,
           a
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           a
           Church
           better
           than
           the
           best
           .
           What
           Answer
           think
           ye
           ,
           the
           Foreman
           of
           a
           Quaker
           Assembly
           would
           probably
           return
           to
           such
           an
           Invitation
           ?
           You
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           something
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
           Friend
           ,
           go
           to
           thy
           Steeple-house
           and
           thy
           dead
           Letter
           again
           ,
           thou
           mightest
           have
           kept
           thy
           old
           Lessons
           ,
           and
           thy
           Prayers
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           forbear
           tempting
           and
           troubling
           our
           Spirit
           any
           further
           .
        
         
           But
           pray
           Sirs
           ,
           be
           not
           so
           far
           discouraged
           by
           the
           obstinacy
           of
           one
           unmannerly
           Sect
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           proceed
           to
           a
           Trial
           of
           the
           rest
           .
           Carry
           then
           your
           reformed
           Liturgy
           to
           the
           Anabaptists
           ,
           and
           acquaint
           them
           what
           glorious
           Alterations
           you
           have
           made
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           now
           quite
           another
           thing
           from
           the
           old
           one
           ,
           at
           which
           they
           were
           so
           justly
           offended
           :
           Nay
           ,
           the
           Sign
           of
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           ,
           that
           great
           Stumbling-block
           ,
           is
           removed
           ,
           and
           the
           Surplice
           that
           offended
           tender
           Eyes
           ,
           is
           turned
           into
           Aprons
           for
           the
           Church-warden's
           Wife
           :
           Come
           Brethren
           ,
           let
           us
           all
           go
           into
           one
           Church
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           beat
           the
           French
           ,
           and
           save
           the
           Nation
           .
           When
           you
           had
           said
           all
           you
           could
           ,
           the
           Pastor
           on
           behalf
           of
           his
           sworn
           Congregation
           would
           gravely
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           were
           much
           mistaken
           ,
           if
           you
           intended
           to
           gain
           them
           by
           your
           Alterations
           .
           For
           you
           could
           not
           but
           know
           ,
           that
           their
           Exceptions
           were
           not
           against
           this
           or
           that
           passage
           in
           the
           Common-Prayer
           ,
           but
           against
           the
           whole
           ;
           all
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           in
           their
           opinion
           tending
           to
           suppress
           the
           free
           motions
           of
           the
           
           Spirit
           :
           Besides
           ,
           what
           could
           it
           avail
           in
           respect
           of
           them
           ▪
           that
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           was
           removed
           ,
           since
           Infant
           Baptism
           was
           to
           them
           a
           greater
           Offence
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           Ceremonies
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ?
           and
           as
           for
           the
           French
           ,
           they
           were
           willing
           to
           joyn
           against
           them
           ;
           but
           there
           was
           no
           necessity
           of
           making
           the
           Church
           the
           General
           Rendezvous
           .
        
         
           The
           Design
           is
           great
           and
           generous
           .
           I
           beseech
           you
           do
           not
           sit
           down
           and
           despair
           after
           ,
           but
           two
           Denials
           .
           Go
           on
           to
           the
           Independents
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           civil
           Men
           ;
           and
           tell
           your
           Story
           to
           the
           best
           Advantage
           .
           Tell
           them
           ,
           that
           now
           you
           have
           Prayers
           that
           Angels
           would
           be
           content
           to
           joyn
           in
           ;
           Prayers
           ,
           that
           must
           make
           all
           men
           Saints
           that
           use
           them
           ;
           come
           then
           to
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           see
           the
           new
           and
           heavenly
           Face
           of
           things
           these
           Alterations
           have
           made
           ;
           You
           cannot
           possibly
           find
           fault
           now
           with
           our
           Parish
           Churches
           :
           Besides
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           absolute
           Necessity
           now
           for
           our
           joyning
           in
           one
           national
           Church
           ,
           otherwise
           the
           French
           and
           the
           Philistins
           will
           be
           upon
           us
           .
           Parish-Churches
           ,
           and
           national
           Churches
           ,
           reply
           the
           Independents
           ;
           and
           what
           can
           the
           French
           and
           the
           Philistins
           do
           worse
           ?
           You
           know
           we
           are
           in
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           our
           Pastors
           ,
           from
           which
           we
           cannot
           recede
           ,
           though
           all
           the
           World
           should
           be
           destroyed
           :
           Those
           mixed
           Companies
           and
           Parish
           Assemblies
           our
           Souls
           hate
           ,
           and
           therefore
           do
           not
           urge
           us
           .
           We
           have
           our
           Liberty
           now
           to
           meet
           in
           our
           own
           way
           ,
           and
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           this
           Disturbance
           you
           have
           given
           us
           ,
           may
           fall
           within
           the
           Compass
           of
           the
           Act
           :
           You
           know
           the
           Forfeit
           ,
           therefore
           be
           wise
           .
           But
           before
           you
           go
           ,
           take
           your
           Answer
           in
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Prophet
           ;
           
             who
             has
             required
             this
             at
             your
             hand
             ?
          
        
         
           Now
           Gentlemen
           ,
           if
           you
           are
           weary
           of
           walking
           ,
           send
           for
           
             T.
             F.
          
           and
           the
           Socinians
           ;
           he
           perhaps
           may
           owe
           you
           a
           Visit
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           glad
           of
           an
           opportunity
           to
           shew
           his
           Coach.
           Let
           him
           understand
           his
           Obligation
           to
           you
           ,
           how
           for
           his
           sake
           you
           have
           either
           taken
           away
           the
           Athanasian
           Creed
           ,
           or
           pulled
           out
           the
           Sting
           of
           it
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           more
           for
           their
           Credit
           to
           joyn
           with
           us
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           than
           to
           make
           themselves
           odious
           to
           all
           Christians
           ,
           by
           joining
           interest
           and
           Friendship
           with
           Mahometans
           .
           A
           Man
           of
           less
           Pertness
           than
           
             T.
             F.
          
           would
           return
           upon
           you
           ,
           That
           you
           cannot
           expect
           any
           
           compliance
           from
           them
           ,
           as
           long
           as
           the
           Nicene
           Creed
           ,
           the
           Spring
           of
           all
           the
           Doctrin
           which
           makes
           up
           your
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           their
           Abomination
           ,
           does
           remain
           ;
           they
           will
           do
           you
           the
           civility
           to
           hear
           you
           Preach
           ,
           provided
           you
           confine
           your selves
           to
           Morality
           ,
           and
           forbear
           the
           Doxology
           at
           the
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           Unfortunate
           Enterprise
           !
           yet
           surely
           thou
           deservest
           a
           more
           favourable
           Providence
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           suitable
           success
           :
           But
           Sirs
           ,
           be
           of
           good
           comfort
           ,
           there
           is
           yet
           one
           hopeful
           reserve
           that
           can
           never
           fail
           you
           ,
           I
           mean
           the
           good
           Presbyterians
           ;
           make
           haste
           therefore
           to
           Mr.
           A.
           and
           Mr.
           B.
           before
           the
           Scotch
           Covenanters
           have
           engaged
           them
           :
           make
           them
           sensible
           that
           the
           Gates
           of
           Iron
           are
           broken
           down
           ,
           and
           the
           Trojan
           Horse
           may
           now
           enter
           in
           with
           all
           that
           he
           has
           in
           his
           Belly
           ,
           without
           any
           hard
           Examination
           that
           may
           discover
           a
           Conspiracy
           .
           Now
           the
           Ceremonies
           are
           given
           up
           as
           useless
           and
           mischievous
           ;
           now
           the
           Communion
           may
           be
           given
           you
           Standing
           ,
           or
           Sitting
           ,
           or
           Lolling
           if
           you
           think
           it
           more
           for
           Edification
           ;
           all
           Superstition
           and
           Offence
           is
           taken
           out
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           old
           Demands
           yielded
           ;
           nay
           there
           is
           nothing
           left
           in
           our
           new
           Book
           ,
           that
           ever
           fell
           under
           your
           displeasure
           :
           Come
           in
           now
           ,
           for
           we
           have
           engaged
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Credit
           is
           at
           stake
           .
           Methinks
           I
           see
           Mr.
           A.
           draw
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           and
           put
           this
           sly
           Question
           ,
           And
           must
           this
           new
           Book
           be
           imposed
           ?
           Why
           ,
           you
           will
           say
           it
           is
           so
           absolute
           and
           so
           perfect
           that
           it
           were
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           it
           were
           imposed
           upon
           the
           whole
           World.
           Nay
           saith
           Mr.
           A.
           do
           you
           not
           know
           
             the
             mischief
             of
             impositions
          
           ?
           Can
           you
           be
           ignorant
           that
           it
           is
           our
           Common
           Doctrin
           from
           which
           we
           can
           never
           depart
           ,
           That
           Command
           changes
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           thing
           ?
           Besides
           after
           all
           your
           Cobling
           ,
           it
           is
           still
           but
           Common-Prayer
           ,
           and
           our
           People
           can
           never
           endure
           it
           ;
           for
           after
           they
           have
           been
           used
           to
           the
           excellence
           and
           variety
           of
           our
           Spiritual
           effusions
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           brought
           down
           to
           the
           Poor
           and
           Beggerly
           Elements
           of
           Common-Prayer
           .
           To
           be
           brief
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           Fervent
           pouring
           out
           ,
           is
           the
           very
           Brandy
           of
           Devotion
           ;
           those
           that
           are
           once
           accustomed
           to
           it
           ,
           can
           never
           leave
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           last
           Stage
           of
           your
           Apostleship
           for
           Union
           ,
           address
           your selves
           to
           the
           moderate
           Presbyterians
           ,
           if
           any
           such
           Creatures
           there
           be
           ;
           you
           may
           assure
           your selves
           they
           are
           
           but
           few
           ,
           and
           scarce
           arise
           to
           the
           number
           of
           the
           Apostles
           :
           However
           they
           are
           considerable
           for
           the
           scarcity
           of
           them
           ,
           if
           for
           nothing
           else
           ;
           these
           are
           your
           own
           wherever
           you
           can
           find
           them
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           impossible
           they
           should
           ever
           resist
           the
           Power
           of
           your
           Alterations
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           understand
           that
           for
           their
           sakes
           you
           have
           changed
           your
           constitution
           ,
           and
           hazarded
           the
           displeasure
           and
           separation
           of
           your
           own
           People
           .
           But
           because
           it
           is
           customary
           after
           the
           first
           Groan
           for
           the
           Zeal
           of
           these
           Good
           Men
           ,
           to
           Fire
           against
           Lords
           ,
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           the
           Hierarchy
           ,
           give
           them
           the
           Wink
           ,
           and
           whisper
           them
           in
           the
           Ear
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           it
           may
           come
           now
           to
           the
           turn
           of
           such
           Godly
           Men
           as
           they
           ,
           to
           be
           Bishops
           :
           Assure
           your self
           ,
           this
           will
           make
           them
           much
           more
           moderate
           ,
           especially
           when
           they
           see
           so
           many
           Bishops
           Seats
           upon
           the
           point
           of
           being
           pronounced
           void
           ,
           and
           the
           countenance
           of
           the
           Court
           to
           shine
           so
           auspiciously
           upon
           their
           merit
           .
           And
           lest
           they
           may
           fear
           this
           Hierarchy
           may
           lye
           too
           heavy
           upon
           their
           Consciences
           ;
           you
           may
           assure
           them
           that
           care
           shall
           be
           taken
           to
           relieve
           them
           under
           this
           Oppression
           ;
           and
           they
           may
           when
           they
           think
           fit
           ,
           resign
           their
           Dignity
           and
           Revenue
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           Honour
           of
           standing
           last
           in
           the
           Catalogue
           of
           that
           order
           .
           And
           what
           better
           course
           can
           they
           take
           to
           secure
           themselves
           a
           Name
           in
           after
           Ages
           ,
           than
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           in
           them
           the
           English
           Hierarchy
           so
           much
           spoken
           against
           ,
           did
           finally
           expire
           ?
           One
           Private
           Friendly
           reason
           in
           ones
           ear
           ,
           proves
           many
           times
           more
           convincing
           than
           all
           the
           Arguments
           that
           can
           be
           alledged
           in
           Print
           or
           Publick
           Disputation
           ;
           and
           to
           moderate
           Men
           ,
           Alterations
           with
           Preferments
           must
           be
           irresistible
           motives
           of
           Conformity
           ,
           unless
           they
           think
           they
           have
           a
           fairer
           Game
           than
           this
           you
           would
           put
           into
           their
           hands
           ,
           and
           it
           shall
           seem
           more
           advisable
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           stick
           where
           they
           are
           ,
           than
           to
           joyn
           in
           a
           discouraged
           sinking
           Communion
           .
           This
           ramble
           of
           imagination
           is
           not
           altogether
           a
           Dream
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           be
           ,
           it
           is
           neither
           vain
           nor
           delusory
           ,
           but
           flew
           abroad
           through
           the
           right
           Gate
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Letters
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           
             suppose
             there
             were
             never
             a
             Dissenter
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
          
           those
           Alterations
           ought
           to
           be
           made
           ;
           Minist
           .
           P.
           27.
           
             to
             gratify
             our selves
             by
             further
             Improvements
             ,
             Amendments
             and
             Perfection
             .
          
           Let
           us
           then
           before
           we
           comply
           ,
           
           consider
           a
           little
           of
           the
           State
           of
           Perfection
           into
           which
           these
           Alterations
           would
           translate
           us
           .
           Is
           it
           for
           our
           own
           sake
           and
           perfection
           that
           we
           should
           leave
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           ,
           and
           renounce
           the
           common
           badge
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Universal
           Church
           ?
           Is
           it
           for
           Perfection
           that
           we
           should
           lay
           aside
           the
           Surplice
           for
           the
           short
           Mantle
           ?
           Is
           it
           for
           the
           heightning
           and
           perfection
           of
           our
           Devotion
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           chuse
           to
           receive
           the
           Communion
           Standing
           or
           Sitting
           ,
           rather
           than
           upon
           our
           Knees
           ?
           Is
           it
           for
           our
           own
           sake
           that
           we
           should
           leave
           the
           old
           version
           of
           the
           Psalms
           ,
           that
           has
           generally
           a
           plain
           and
           determined
           sense
           ,
           for
           the
           new
           that
           affects
           too
           much
           of
           the
           Hebrew
           Phrase
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           the
           sense
           in
           many
           places
           is
           suspended
           ?
           Is
           it
           for
           greater
           Edification
           ,
           to
           astonish
           our
           People
           with
           Reading
           in
           our
           Churches
           all
           the
           hard
           names
           in
           the
           
             Chronicles
             ,
             Ezra
          
           and
           Nehemiah
           ,
           instead
           of
           the
           Books
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Ecclesiasticus
           ?
           If
           the
           Canticles
           are
           omitted
           ,
           because
           Interpreters
           of
           that
           Misterious
           Song
           are
           not
           so
           easily
           to
           be
           found
           as
           Readers
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           practice
           of
           the
           Synagogue
           and
           the
           Antient
           Church
           to
           justify
           us
           .
           But
           Tobit
           and
           his
           Dog
           are
           abominable
           .
           Give
           me
           leave
           for
           once
           to
           intercede
           for
           that
           Poor
           Dog
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           a
           Dog
           of
           good
           example
           ,
           for
           he
           was
           faithful
           and
           loved
           his
           Master
           ;
           besides
           that
           ,
           he
           never
           troubles
           the
           Church
           on
           Sundays
           when
           People
           have
           their
           best
           Cloaths
           on
           :
           only
           on
           a
           Week
           day
           ,
           when
           Scrupulous
           Brethren
           are
           always
           absent
           ,
           the
           poor
           Cur
           makes
           bold
           to
           follow
           his
           Master
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           all
           ,
           I
           would
           not
           be
           thought
           so
           fond
           of
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           as
           to
           pronounce
           it
           beyond
           all
           improvement
           ;
           yet
           I
           must
           avow
           ,
           that
           in
           my
           Judgment
           the
           Authors
           of
           the
           Letters
           have
           not
           put
           us
           in
           the
           right
           way
           to
           perfection
           .
           In
           the
           last
           place
           therefore
           ,
           although
           many
           things
           in
           our
           Church
           might
           receive
           improvement
           ,
           if
           our
           Directors
           had
           put
           us
           in
           the
           right
           way
           of
           retaining
           them
           ;
           yet
           I
           must
           declare
           that
           in
           my
           judgment
           ,
           the
           present
           time
           is
           the
           most
           improper
           to
           try
           the
           practice
           of
           any
           that
           has
           past
           since
           the
           Reformation
           .
           Perfection
           is
           certainly
           a
           desirable
           thing
           ,
           yet
           if
           Mens
           minds
           are
           averse
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           present
           uncapable
           ,
           if
           the
           times
           are
           unseasonable
           ,
           if
           inconveniences
           appear
           inseparable
           
           from
           the
           experiment
           ,
           Men
           may
           be
           excused
           if
           they
           do
           not
           presently
           run
           away
           with
           every
           project
           of
           good
           appearance
           ;
           and
           their
           shieness
           for
           medling
           with
           new
           practices
           ought
           to
           be
           ascribed
           rather
           to
           their
           tenderness
           and
           godly
           jealousy
           and
           mistrust
           of
           consequences
           ,
           than
           as
           one
           of
           our
           Epistlers
           in
           his
           great
           charity
           is
           pleased
           to
           judge
           to
           their
           
             peevishness
             ,
             stiffness
          
           ,
           or
           what
           is
           the
           hardest
           charge
           of
           all
           their
           Wickedness
           .
           Nor
           ,
           can
           I
           blame
           any
           Men
           ,
           who
           in
           hopes
           of
           Fairer
           Weather
           ,
           think
           it
           advisable
           to
           lye
           short
           ,
           in
           compliance
           with
           St.
           
           Paul's
           rule
           ,
           Phil.
           3.
           16.
           
           
             Nevertheless
             whereto
             we
             have
             attained
             ,
             let
             us
             walk
             by
             the
             same
             rule
             ,
             let
             us
             mind
             the
             same
             things
             .
          
        
         
           But
           why
           is
           not
           this
           a
           time
           ?
           
             not
             a
             Season
          
           .
           Says
           the
           Minister
           ,
           
             is
             there
             any
             thing
             can
             make
             that
             not
             seasonable
             which
             is
             always
             a
             duty
             ?
          
           I
           am
           sorry
           all
           our
           Predecessors
           have
           died
           in
           the
           mortal
           omission
           of
           this
           indispensible
           duty
           .
           But
           our
           Minister
           suggests
           sometimes
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           ignorant
           and
           knew
           no
           better
           :
           Here
           I
           must
           leave
           him
           to
           dispute
           this
           with
           his
           Friend
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           other
           Letter
           ,
           who
           takes
           upon
           him
           to
           justify
           our
           Forefathers
           for
           refusing
           Alterations
           in
           their
           time
           .
           Let
           it
           not
           displease
           ,
           if
           I
           cite
           a
           scrap
           of
           Horace
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           which
           never
           gave
           any
           offence
           before
           this
           last
           Convocation
           ;
           
             Vixerunt
             fortes
             ante
             Agamemnone
          
           ,
           —
           thus
           rendred
           by
           the
           Old
           Translator
           .
        
         
           
             Before
             his
             time
             the
             Fool
             maintains
          
           
             That
             Men
             were
             born
             without
             their
             Brains
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           it
           not
           a
           Season
           to
           remember
           the
           
             tenderness
             towards
             Dissenters
          
           ,
           and
           the
           promise
           of
           
             coming
             to
             a
             temper
          
           in
           the
           Bishops
           Petition
           ?
           What
           have
           we
           to
           do
           with
           the
           Bishops
           Petition
           ?
           were
           they
           not
           put
           in
           the
           Tower
           for
           it
           ?
           Who
           will
           concern
           himself
           with
           those
           Forsaken
           Bishops
           ,
           whom
           one
           of
           our
           Authors
           threatens
           with
           Annihilation
           ;
           Poor
           Men
           ,
           
             that
             must
             be
             immediately
             crushed
             and
             fall
             to
             nothing
             ,
          
           P.
           25.
           
           But
           I
           hope
           that
           without
           falling
           under
           the
           
             heavy
             resentments
             of
             the
             State
          
           ,
           I
           may
           ask
           one
           Question
           on
           the
           behalf
           of
           those
           Reverend
           Persons
           against
           whom
           every
           Ass
           is
           now
           lifting
           up
           his
           Heels
           :
           Are
           our
           Directors
           sure
           that
           they
           have
           
           in
           their
           Project
           of
           Alterations
           hit
           the
           temper
           promised
           by
           the
           Bishops
           ?
           If
           a
           Project
           formed
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           where
           nor
           by
           whom
           ,
           has
           not
           the
           fortune
           to
           be
           approved
           ,
           must
           the
           
             Clamour
             of
             the
             People
             be
             raised
             against
             the
          
           Bishops
           ,
           
             as
             a
             Base
             False
             sort
             of
             Men
             ,
             who
             can
             promise
             fair
             in
             times
             of
             Adversity
             ,
             and
             forget
             all
             performances
             when
             they
             are
             over
             ?
          
           I
           wish
           indeed
           that
           the
           times
           of
           Adversity
           were
           over
           with
           those
           Good
           Men
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           able
           to
           perform
           their
           Vows
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           one
           circumstance
           of
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Petition
           generally
           forgot
           .
           All
           the
           Penal
           Laws
           for
           the
           security
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           against
           Papists
           and
           other
           Dissenters
           ,
           were
           then
           in
           full
           force
           ;
           against
           these
           the
           Dispensing
           Power
           was
           directed
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           these
           the
           Bishops
           did
           Petition
           ;
           but
           now
           all
           those
           Laws
           as
           far
           as
           they
           concern
           the
           Dissenters
           in
           their
           private
           capacity
           are
           Repealed
           ,
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           any
           other
           temper
           than
           Toleration
           ,
           which
           they
           all
           have
           ,
           and
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           who
           alone
           of
           all
           our
           Sects
           are
           capable
           of
           uniting
           with
           a
           National
           Church
           ,
           are
           so
           for
           from
           desiring
           an
           accommodation
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           raising
           new
           Objections
           against
           Conformity
           ,
           and
           standing
           off
           at
           greater
           distance
           than
           ever
           .
           Their
           very
           sitting
           still
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           without
           offering
           any
           Proposals
           for
           Union
           ,
           while
           Churchmen
           are
           wrangling
           with
           one
           another
           about
           giving
           them
           satisfaction
           ,
           declares
           plainly
           that
           they
           are
           resolved
           to
           stick
           to
           their
           own
           way
           after
           all
           the
           Alterations
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           make
           .
           So
           that
           I
           do
           not
           see
           what
           those
           Bishops
           ,
           if
           their
           Authority
           were
           still
           entire
           ,
           could
           possibly
           do
           further
           to
           make
           good
           the
           temper
           which
           they
           promised
           .
        
         
           
             Not
             a
             Season
          
           ?
           says
           the
           Minister
           ;
           what
           ,
           
             because
             the
             Enemy
             is
             withdrawn
             shall
             we
             devour
             one
             another
             ,
          
           P.
           27.
           
           This
           is
           doubtless
           an
           Eloquent
           vehemence
           ,
           if
           I
           were
           worthy
           to
           reach
           the
           sense
           of
           it
           ;
           
             devour
             one
             another
          
           !
           God
           bless
           us
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           such
           Canabals
           sure
           !
           I
           cannot
           devise
           how
           this
           should
           come
           in
           ,
           unless
           it
           slipp'd
           from
           some
           Scripture
           Common-place-Book
           made
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Vavasor
           and
           Lunsford
           .
           But
           
             are
             we
             yet
             without
             danger
          
           ?
           Now
           because
           
             the
             Man
             to
             his
             Friend
          
           represents
           the
           dangers
           more
           sensibly
           ,
           we
           'll
           take
           his
           Description
           .
           
             We
             have
             a
             formidable
             Enemy
             in
             our
             Neighbourhood
             ,
             who
             thinks
             of
             nothing
             less
             than
             of
             subjugating
             these
             Three
             Kingdoms
             
             to
             his
             Absolute
             Tyranny
             ;
             his
             greatest
             hopes
             for
             our
             destruction
             is
             our
             Divisions
             among
             our selves
             ,
             —
             these
             make
             us
             unable
             to
             resist
             him
             with
             that
             success
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Is
           there
           any
           Prophesy
           I
           pray
           (
           for
           it
           is
           not
           Civil
           to
           ask
           this
           Gentleman
           for
           Reason
           )
           that
           Duke
           Schomberg
           cannot
           Reduce
           Ireland
           ,
           unless
           the
           Cross
           in
           Baptism
           be
           taken
           away
           ?
           Or
           will
           not
           our
           Fleet
           engage
           the
           French
           ,
           except
           Presbyterian
           Ordinations
           made
           in
           defiance
           of
           Bishops
           and
           Episcopacy
           be
           allowed
           ?
           Have
           the
           Quakers
           promised
           to
           Fight
           if
           we
           Reform
           the
           Kalendar
           ?
           Or
           will
           not
           the
           Independants
           and
           Presbyterians
           strike
           one
           Stroke
           ,
           but
           under
           the
           Banner
           of
           the
           New
           Reformed
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           provided
           always
           it
           be
           not
           a
           Cross
           ?
           Is
           there
           no
           way
           of
           joining
           in
           Fight
           ,
           and
           Paying
           Taxes
           without
           this
           Church
           Union
           so
           much
           talked
           of
           by
           us
           ,
           and
           never
           so
           much
           as
           mentioned
           by
           the
           Dissenters
           ?
           Indeed
           Sir
           ,
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           much
           to
           blame
           ,
           if
           after
           so
           ample
           Toleration
           ,
           that
           as
           you
           observe
           
             has
             put
             them
             upon
             as
             good
             a
             bottom
             of
             Legal
             Right
             and
             Protection
             as
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           they
           refuse
           to
           assist
           the
           Government
           ,
           unless
           the
           poor
           defective
           Common-Prayer
           be
           put
           into
           a
           state
           of
           Perfection
           .
           This
           Church
           of
           England
           is
           certainly
           under
           the
           Dominion
           of
           the
           most
           unfortunate
           of
           all
           the
           Planets
           ,
           for
           whoever
           miscarries
           ,
           she
           must
           bear
           the
           Blame
           .
           If
           a
           Frigat
           be
           cast
           away
           ,
           the
           Winds
           and
           the
           Sea
           ,
           though
           subject
           to
           no
           Actions
           in
           our
           Courts
           ,
           are
           absolved
           ,
           and
           the
           faults
           layed
           upon
           our
           Rigours
           ,
           much
           harder
           than
           the
           Marble
           Rocks
           of
           Plymouth
           .
           If
           a
           Disease
           in
           the
           Camp
           ,
           render
           our
           Army
           unfit
           for
           Action
           ,
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           is
           the
           cause
           ,
           because
           she
           does
           not
           unite
           all
           Protestants
           :
           If
           a
           Commissary
           Victuals
           not
           the
           Camp
           sufficiently
           ,
           and
           a
           French
           Apothecary
           provides
           not
           proper
           Drugs
           ,
           O
           the
           lamentable
           
             Divisions
             and
             Distractions
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             State
          
           ;
           and
           our
           Stiff
           Church-men
           will
           never
           come
           to
           a
           healing
           temper
           .
           I
           have
           heard
           some
           Learned
           Men
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           were
           in
           their
           time
           in
           the
           same
           office
           of
           Blame-beating
           that
           we
           are
           now
           ;
           if
           the
           Roman
           Arms
           wanted
           success
           ,
           some
           Oracle
           spoke
           ,
           Away
           with
           these
           Atheistical
           Christians
           :
           If
           the
           Year
           was
           unfruitful
           ,
           Hang
           up
           the
           Christians
           .
           Let
           the
           Dissenters
           or
           the
           Moderate
           Men
           say
           what
           they
           please
           of
           Bishops
           and
           Liturgies
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           this
           one
           thing
           at
           least
           we
           may
           
           be
           allowed
           to
           have
           common
           with
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           I
           have
           almost
           filled
           up
           my
           sheet
           though
           I
           write
           in
           short
           hand
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           now
           give
           you
           my
           reasons
           at
           length
           ,
           why
           I
           think
           this
           an
           unfit
           Time
           for
           Alterations
           ,
           if
           any
           at
           all
           were
           to
           be
           thought
           of
           .
           I
           will
           only
           hint
           them
           to
           you
           .
           In
           the
           first
           place
           the
           Dissenters
           do
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           any
           Disposition
           to
           an
           Accommodation
           ,
           having
           never
           made
           any
           Proposals
           either
           to
           the
           Commissioners
           or
           Convocation
           .
           2.
           
           The
           Condition
           they
           are
           in
           at
           present
           by
           the
           Act
           of
           Toleration
           raises
           their
           expectations
           too
           high
           to
           be
           satisfied
           with
           any
           reasonable
           Terms
           .
           3.
           
           The
           abolishing
           of
           Episcopacy
           by
           their
           Brethren
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           may
           encourage
           them
           here
           to
           think
           of
           such
           matters
           as
           can
           never
           be
           the
           fruits
           of
           a
           Treaty
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           to
           dream
           of
           a
           second
           Conquest
           .
           4.
           
           Their
           insolence
           in
           all
           places
           since
           this
           Revolution
           declares
           them
           to
           be
           above
           the
           humble
           Dispensation
           of
           an
           amicable
           Composure
           .
           5.
           
           The
           great
           men
           that
           influence
           them
           ,
           will
           always
           think
           it
           their
           interest
           to
           keep
           them
           separate
           from
           the
           Church
           ,
           for
           so
           they
           will
           be
           most
           for
           their
           turn
           ,
           and
           therefore
           will
           never
           suffer
           them
           to
           joyn
           with
           us
           ;
           or
           should
           they
           come
           in
           ,
           will
           always
           keep
           them
           up
           as
           a
           separate
           Party
           within
           the
           Church
           .
           6.
           
           Several
           of
           the
           most
           considerable
           among
           them
           have
           declared
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           think
           of
           treating
           ,
           unless
           their
           Orders
           are
           allowed
           ,
           and
           then
           too
           they
           will
           insist
           upon
           the
           Point
           of
           Episcopacy
           .
           7.
           
           The
           Church
           of
           England
           Men
           do
           not
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           a
           Disposition
           for
           altering
           at
           this
           Time
           ;
           for
           they
           find
           themselves
           insulted
           and
           oppressed
           in
           all
           parts
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           where
           the
           moderate
           Men
           are
           got
           into
           Power
           and
           Commission
           .
           8.
           
           The
           Clergy
           are
           alarmed
           with
           the
           Destruction
           of
           Episcopacy
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           and
           think
           they
           have
           reason
           to
           be
           jealous
           ,
           that
           now
           the
           Presbyterians
           of
           England
           hold
           intelligence
           with
           the
           Scots
           ;
           because
           they
           have
           always
           corresponded
           .
           9.
           
           Our
           Lay-men
           find
           Dissenters
           even
           in
           this
           State
           of
           Separation
           to
           have
           the
           Preference
           ;
           and
           upon
           a
           new
           Model
           they
           may
           have
           reason
           to
           suspect
           ,
           that
           the
           Proselites
           may
           pass
           for
           the
           only
           Church-men
           ,
           and
           then
           
             Veteres
             migrate
             Coloni
          
           .
           10.
           
           There
           seems
           to
           want
           a
           Plenitude
           of
           Authority
           in
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           to
           enact
           these
           Alterations
           ;
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           ,
           and
           Five
           of
           his
           Suffragans
           ,
           Persons
           of
           great
           Consideration
           
           and
           credit
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           lying
           at
           present
           under
           an
           incapacity
           .
           The
           Objection
           about
           their
           Schism
           is
           nothing
           but
           a
           Calumny
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           shall
           have
           no
           Answer
           from
           me
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           not
           agreeable
           to
           my
           temper
           to
           give
           it
           such
           an
           Answer
           as
           it
           deserves
           :
           But
           certainly
           an
           Archbishop
           the
           
             Praeses
             natus
          
           of
           the
           Convocation
           ,
           and
           Five
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Province
           must
           needs
           be
           missed
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           consisting
           of
           but
           Two
           and
           Twenty
           .
           It
           is
           not
           enough
           to
           say
           that
           it
           is
           a
           Legal
           House
           without
           them
           ;
           for
           a
           House
           of
           Commons
           of
           Forty
           Persons
           is
           a
           Legal
           House
           ;
           but
           there
           would
           be
           great
           exceptions
           ,
           if
           Three
           times
           the
           number
           ,
           and
           no
           more
           ,
           should
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           Repeal
           a
           Statute
           ,
           or
           alter
           common
           Law.
           And
           in
           this
           Jealousy
           that
           one
           Party
           has
           of
           another
           ,
           it
           appears
           odly
           ,
           that
           this
           time
           of
           all
           others
           should
           be
           thought
           most
           proper
           to
           introduce
           Alterations
           of
           such
           a
           consequence
           as
           these
           appear
           to
           be
           at
           the
           first
           view
           .
           11.
           
           The
           Kingdom
           is
           yet
           in
           such
           a
           ferment
           ,
           and
           many
           things
           so
           unsetled
           ,
           that
           to
           change
           now
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           like
           altering
           Military
           Exercise
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           Battle
           ,
           or
           cavining
           a
           Ship
           in
           a
           Storm
           .
           The
           most
           proper
           time
           for
           Alterations
           in
           Religion
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           most
           calm
           ,
           when
           the
           Spirits
           of
           Men
           run
           low
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           a
           mutual
           confidence
           between
           parties
           ,
           when
           they
           all
           conspire
           in
           one
           desire
           of
           accommodation
           ,
           and
           when
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Authority
           that
           is
           to
           Enact
           them
           ,
           is
           entire
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           but
           of
           Common
           Opinion
           :
           And
           whether
           these
           circumstances
           belong
           to
           the
           present
           time
           ,
           you
           will
           easily
           discern
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           conclude
           with
           answering
           Two
           Arguments
           in
           the
           Letters
           ,
           which
           I
           had
           almost
           forgot
           ;
           The
           First
           is
           ,
           that
           
             if
             we
             do
             not
             make
             Alterations
             ,
             most
             certainly
             the
             Parliament
             will
             ,
             and
             we
             may
             provoke
             them
             by
             our
             stiffness
             ,
             to
             follow
             the
             Example
             of
          
           Scotland
           .
           It
           is
           a
           strange
           confidence
           ,
           and
           scarce
           of
           English
           growth
           ,
           to
           declare
           so
           certainly
           before-hand
           what
           our
           Parliament
           will
           do
           .
           These
           Gentlemen
           will
           pardon
           me
           ,
           if
           I
           should
           think
           the
           Parliament
           something
           wiser
           than
           them
           ,
           and
           cannot
           apprehend
           any
           thing
           from
           them
           that
           may
           prove
           for
           the
           prejudice
           of
           the
           established
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           dissatisfaction
           of
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           For
           the
           Example
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           we
           despise
           the
           
           Threatning
           ▪
           I
           have
           read
           of
           an
           Owl
           ▪
           that
           appeared
           in
           a
           Roman
           Councel
           and
           frighted
           the
           whole
           Assembly
           ;
           but
           our
           Church
           of
           England
           Convocations
           are
           not
           so
           easily
           scared
           .
           This
           is
           the
           third
           Time
           that
           Episcopacy
           has
           been
           abolished
           in
           Scotland
           ,
           we
           know
           it
           to
           have
           revived
           twice
           ,
           and
           we
           still
           believe
           〈◊〉
           Resurrection
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           Argument
           is
           ,
           that
           
             the
             King
             is
             desirous
             of
             these
             Alterations
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           cannot
           but
           be
           safe
           in
           his
           hands
           .
           This
           is
           an
           Argument
           I
           must
           acknowledge
           my self
           to
           be
           unable
           to
           answer
           yet
           .
           I
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           King's
           Name
           and
           the
           King's
           Money
           are
           often
           used
           without
           his
           knowledge
           ;
           but
           because
           I
           cannot
           reply
           directly
           ,
           I
           will
           plead
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           Old
           Age
           ,
           and
           tell
           you
           a
           short
           Story
           .
           In
           the
           Beginning
           of
           King
           James
           the
           First
           's
           Reign
           ,
           the
           Presbyterians
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           entertained
           violent
           hopes
           of
           an
           Ecclesiastical
           Revolution
           ,
           and
           gave
           out
           every
           where
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           having
           been
           bred
           in
           Scotland
           in
           the
           Presbyterian
           way
           ,
           was
           desirous
           of
           a
           change
           in
           favour
           of
           it
           :
           A
           great
           Number
           of
           Conformists
           ,
           and
           much
           a
           greater
           Number
           than
           have
           yet
           appeared
           ,
           for
           this
           new
           Project
           ,
           joyned
           with
           the
           Non
           conformists
           ;
           defamed
           the
           Common-Prayer
           beyond
           Measure
           ;
           declared
           they
           could
           never
           subscribe
           again
           ,
           though
           they
           had
           done
           it
           several
           Times
           before
           ;
           You
           know
           the
           Issue
           ,
           they
           found
           themselves
           mistaken
           in
           the
           King's
           Inclinations
           ,
           the
           moderate
           Men
           were
           glad
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           their
           Common-Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           outlived
           the
           too
           hasty
           Triumphs
           of
           her
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           the
           Treachery
           of
           her
           pretended
           Friends
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .