The Act of Parliament against religious meetings, proved to be the bishops act, or, A letter of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury to his fellow-bishops, to promote the persecution intended by it printed, to save the trouble of copying it out : with some Animadversions thereupon.
      
       
         
           1670
        
      
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             The Act of Parliament against religious meetings, proved to be the bishops act, or, A letter of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury to his fellow-bishops, to promote the persecution intended by it printed, to save the trouble of copying it out : with some Animadversions thereupon.
             Sheldon, Gilbert, 1598-1677.
          
           8 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London? :
             1670.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Letter, p. 2-4, signed and dated: "Gilbert Cant' May the 7th, 1670" [i.e. Gilbert Sheldon]
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Government.
           Church and state -- Great Britain.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Act
           of
           Parliament
           AGAINST
           Religious
           Meetings
           ,
           Proved
           to
           be
           The
           Bishops
           Act
           :
           OR
           ,
           A
           LETTER
           of
           the
           Arch-Bishop
           of
           
             Canterbury
          
           to
           his
           fellow-Bishops
           ,
           to
           promote
           the
           Persecution
           intended
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           Printed
           ,
           to
           save
           the
           trouble
           of
           copying
           it
           out
           .
        
         
           With
           some
           ANIMADVERSIONS
           thereupon
           .
        
         
           
             Anno
             Dom.
          
           1670.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             For
             the
             Right
             Reverend
             Father
             in
             God
             ,
             my
             very
             good
             Lord
             and
             Brother
             ,
             the
             Lord
             Bishop
             of
             —
          
           
             
               Right
               Reverend
               and
               my
               very
               good
               Lord
               ,
            
          
           
             IT
             hath
             pleased
             his
             Majesty
             and
             the
             two
             Houses
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             out
             of
             their
             
               pious
               care
            
             for
             the
             welfare
             of
             this
             Church
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             by
             making
             and
             publishing
             the
             late
             Act
             for
             the
             preventing
             and
             suppressing
             Conventicles
             ,
             to
             lay
             a
             hopeful
             way
             for
             the
             peace
             and
             settlement
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             Uniformity
             of
             Gods
             Service
             in
             the
             same
             ;
             It
             becomes
             VS
             the
             Bishops
             
               [
               as
               more
               particularly
               sensible
            
             of
             the
             good
             providence
             of
             God
             ]
             to
             
               endeavour
            
             as
             much
             as
             in
             us
             lies
             ,
             the
             promoting
             so
             
               blessed
               a
               work
               ▪
            
             And
             therefore
             ,
             having
             well
             considered
             what
             will
             be
             fit
             for
             me
             to
             do
             in
             my
             particular
             Diocess
             ,
             I
             thought
             fit
             to
             recommend
             the
             same
             
               Counsel
            
             and
             Method
             (
             which
             I
             intend
             ,
             God
             willing
             ,
             to
             pursue
             my self
             )
             to
             your
             Lordship
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             of
             my
             Brethren
             the
             Bishops
             of
             my
             Province
             ,
             being
             thereunto
             encouraged
             by
             
               his
               Majesties
               Approbation
            
             and
             
               express
               Direction
               in
               this
               affair
               .
            
          
           
             
             In
             the
             first
             place
             therefore
             I
             advise
             and
             require
             you
             ,
             that
             you
             call
             
               before
            
             you
             not
             only
             your
             Chancellors
             ,
             Archdeacons
             ,
             Commissaries
             ,
             Officials
             ,
             Registers
             ,
             and
             other
             your
             Ecclesiastical
             Officers
             ,
             but
             that
             also
             by
             such
             means
             ,
             and
             at
             such
             places
             as
             you
             shall
             judge
             most
             convenient
             ,
             you
             assemble
             before
             you
             ,
             or
             some
             grave
             and
             discreet
             person
             or
             persons
             ,
             your
             Commissioner
             or
             Commissioners
             ,
             the
             several
             Parsons
             ,
             Vicars
             and
             Curats
             of
             your
             Diocess
             and
             Iurisdictions
             ,
             within
             their
             several
             Deanaries
             ;
             and
             that
             you
             impart
             to
             them
             respectively
             ,
             as
             they
             shall
             come
             before
             you
             or
             your
             Commissioners
             ,
             the
             tenure
             of
             
               these
            
             my
             Letters
             ,
             requiring
             them
             and
             every
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             well
             in
             
               Mine
            
             as
             in
             your
             own
             Name
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             several
             capacities
             and
             stations
             they
             all
             perform
             their
             duty
             towards
             God
             ,
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             by
             an
             exemplary
             conformity
             in
             their
             own
             persons
             and
             practice
             ,
             to
             his
             Majesty's
             Laws
             ,
             and
             the
             Rules
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             this
             behalf
             .
          
           
             
             I
             advise
             that
             you
             admonish
             and
             recommend
             to
             all
             and
             every
             of
             the
             Parsons
             ,
             Vicars
             and
             Curates
             within
             your
             Diocess
             and
             Iurisdiction
             ,
             strictness
             and
             sobriety
             of
             life
             and
             conversation
             ,
             checking
             and
             punishing
             such
             
               astransgress
            
             ,
             and
             encouraging
             such
             as
             live
             orderly
             ;
             that
             so
             they
             by
             their
             vertuous
             and
             religious
             deportment
             may
             shew
             themselves
             patterns
             of
             good
             living
             to
             the
             people
             under
             their
             
               charge
            
             .
             And
             next
             ,
             that
             you
             require
             
               of
            
             
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             will
             answer
             the
             contrary
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             own
             persons
             in
             their
             Churches
             ,
             they
             do
             decently
             and
             solemnly
             perform
             the
             
               Divine
               Service
               ,
            
             by
             reading
             the
             Prayers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             appointed
             and
             ordered
             in
             and
             by
             the
             Book
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             ,
             without
             addition
             to
             or
             diminishing
             from
             the
             same
             ,
             or
             varying
             either
             in
             substance
             or
             ceremony
             from
             the
             order
             &
             method
             which
             by
             the
             said
             Book
             is
             set
             down
             ;
             wherein
             I
             hear
             and
             am
             afraid
             too
             many
             do
             offend
             ;
             And
             that
             in
             the
             time
             of
             such
             their
             officiating
             they
             ever
             make
             use
             of
             and
             wear
             their
             
               Priestly
               Habit
               ,
            
             the
             
               Surplice
            
             and
             
               Hood
               ,
            
             that
             so
             by
             their
             due
             and
             reverend
             performance
             of
             so
             
               Holy
               a
               Worship
            
             they
             may
             give
             honour
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             own
             Example
             instruct
             the
             people
             of
             their
             Parishes
             what
             they
             ought
             to
             teach
             them
             in
             their
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             Having
             thus
             counselled
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Iudges
             and
             Officers
             &
             the
             Clergie
             of
             your
             Diocess
             in
             their
             own
             particular
             duties
             ,
             
             your
             Lordship
             is
             further
             desired
             to
             recommend
             unto
             them
             the
             care
             of
             the
             people
             under
             their
             respective
             Iurisdictions
             and
             Charges
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             several
             places
             they
             do
             their
             best
             to
             perswade
             and
             win
             all
             Nonconformists
             and
             Dissenters
             to
             obedience
             to
             his
             Majesties
             Laws
             ,
             and
             unity
             with
             the
             Church
             ;
             and
             such
             as
             shall
             be
             refractory
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             to
             reduce
             by
             the
             Censures
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             such
             other
             good
             means
             as
             shall
             be
             most
             conducing
             thereunto
             :
             to
             which
             end
             I
             advise
             ,
             that
             all
             and
             every
             of
             the
             said
             Ecclesiastical
             Iudges
             and
             Officers
             ,
             and
             every
             of
             the
             Clergie
             of
             your
             Diocess
             ,
             and
             the
             Churchwardens
             of
             every
             Parish
             ,
             by
             their
             respective
             Ministers
             ,
             be
             desired
             in
             their
             respective
             stations
             and
             places
             ,
             that
             they
             take
             notice
             of
             all
             Nonconformists
             ,
             Holders
             ,
             Frequenters
             ,
             Maintainers
             ,
             Abetters
             of
             Conventicles
             and
             unlawful
             Assemblies
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             Religious
             Worship
             ,
             especially
             of
             the
             Preachers
             and
             Teachers
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             places
             wherein
             the
             same
             are
             held
             ,
             ever
             keeping
             a
             more
             watchful
             eye
             over
             the
             Cities
             and
             greater
             Towns
             ,
             from
             whence
             the
             mischief
             is
             for
             the
             most
             part
             derived
             unto
             the
             lesser
             Villages
             and
             Hamlets
             :
             and
             wheresoever
             they
             find
             such
             wilfull
             Offenders
             ,
             that
             then
             with
             
               A
               Hearty
               Affection
            
             to
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Honour
             of
             the
             King
             and
             his
             Laws
             ,
             and
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             Kingdom
             ,
             They
             do
             address
             themselves
             to
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             ,
             Iustices
             and
             others
             concerned
             ,
             imploring
             their
             help
             and
             assistance
             for
             preventing
             and
             suppressing
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             late
             said
             Act
             in
             that
             behalf
             made
             and
             set
             forth
             .
          
           
             And
             because
             there
             may
             be
             within
             the
             limits
             of
             your
             Diocess
             some
             peculiar
             or
             exempt
             Iurisdictions
             ,
             
             belonging
             either
             to
             your
             Dean
             ,
             Dean
             and
             Chapter
             ,
             Archdeacons
             ,
             or
             to
             some
             Ecclesiastical
             or
             other
             persons
             :
             I
             do
             therefore
             desire
             that
             by
             such
             wayes
             and
             means
             as
             your
             Lordship
             shall
             conceive
             most
             proper
             ,
             you
             do
             communicate
             this
             my
             Letter
             unto
             them
             ,
             delivering
             unto
             every
             of
             them
             Copies
             of
             the
             same
             for
             their
             better
             Instruction
             ;
             
             and
             that
             you
             require
             them
             in
             My
             Name
             ,
             that
             within
             their
             several
             Iurisdictions
             they
             also
             pursue
             the
             Advices
             and
             Directions
             before
             set
             down
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             same
             had
             been
             given
             by
             a
             particular
             Letter
             unto
             them
             under
             my
             own
             hand
             .
          
           
             
             Lastly
             ;
             That
             for
             the
             better
             direction
             to
             all
             those
             who
             shall
             be
             concerned
             in
             the
             Advices
             given
             by
             this
             Letter
             ,
             I
             advise
             you
             will
             give
             out
             amongst
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Officers
             and
             your
             Clergie
             ,
             as
             many
             Copies
             of
             the
             same
             as
             your
             Lordship
             shall
             think
             conducible
             to
             the
             end
             for
             which
             it
             is
             designed
             .
          
           
             And
             now
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             what
             the
             success
             will
             be
             we
             must
             leave
             to
             God
             Almighty
             ;
             yet
             (
             my
             Lord
             )
             I
             have
             this
             confidence
             under
             God
             ,
             That
             if
             we
             do
             our
             parts
             now
             at
             first
             seriously
             ,
             
               by
               Gods
               help
               ,
               and
               the
               assistance
               of
               the
               Civil
               Power
               ,
               [
            
             considering
             the
             abundant
             care
             and
             provision
             the
             Act
             contains
             
               for
               Our
               Advantage
               ]
            
             We
             shall
             within
             a
             few
             monthes
             see
             so
             great
             an
             alteration
             in
             the
             destractions
             of
             these
             times
             ,
             as
             that
             the
             
               seduced
               People
            
             returning
             from
             their
             
               seditious
            
             and
             
               self-seeking
               Teachers
               ,
            
             to
             the
             Unity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             Uniformity
             of
             God's
             Worship
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             welfare
             of
             the
             Church
             the
             praise
             of
             his
             Majesty
             and
             Government
             ,
             the
             happiness
             of
             the
             whole
             Kingdom
             .
             And
             so
             I
             bid
             your
             Lordship
             heartily
             farewell
             ,
             and
             am
             ,
          
           
             
               My
               Lord
               ,
            
             
               
                 Your
                 Lordships
                 most
                 affectionate
                 Friend
                 and
                 Brother
                 ,
              
               GILBERT
               CANT
               '
            
             
               
                 Lambeth-house
                 ,
              
               
                 May
                 the
                 7th
                 .
                 1670
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             A
             Copy
             of
             a
             Letter
             from
             the
             Archdeacon
             of
             
               Lincoln
               ,
            
             to
             the
             several
             Parishes
             within
             his
             Iurisdiction
             .
          
           
             
               SIR
               ,
            
          
           
             I
             have
             received
             a
             Command
             from
             my
             Lord
             Bishop
             of
             
               Lincoln
               ,
            
             to
             disperse
             Copies
             of
             the
             preceding
             Letter
             ,
             to
             the
             several
             Parishes
             within
             the
             Jurisdiction
             of
             the
             Arch-Deaconry
             of
             
               Lincoln
               .
            
             In
             pursuance
             therefore
             of
             his
             Lordships
             Order
             ,
             I
             send
             this
             to
             you
             ;
             Earnestly
             
               desiring
            
             you
             to
             take
             especial
             regard
             to
             perform
             whatsoever
             is
             therein
             required
             of
             you
             ,
             either
             in
             your
             own
             Person
             ,
             or
             relating
             to
             your
             Parishioners
             .
             And
             how
             you
             shall
             discharge
             your
             duty
             therein
             ,
             I
             shall
             expect
             an
             account
             at
             the
             next
             Visitation
             .
             I
             am
          
           
             
               Your
               very
               loving
               Friend
               and
               Brother
               ,
               
                 I.
                 CAWLEY
                 ,
                 Archidiac
                 .
                 Lincoln
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Iune
                
                 7.
                 1670.
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Some
             Animadversions
             upon
             the
             foregoing
             Letter
             .
          
           
             IT
             hath
             been
             some
             matter
             of
             Wonder
             ,
             to
             many
             sober
             and
             impartial
             men
             ,
             to
             see
             that
             
               Gospel
               Liberty
               ,
            
             which
             out
             Lord
             
               Christ
            
             hath
             purchased
             for
             all
             his
             Followers
             ,
             and
             which
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             by
             many
             remarkable
             Providences
             ,
             and
             sad
             Rebukes
             ,
             God
             hath
             been
             working
             (
             as
             it
             were
             out
             of
             the
             fire
             )
             on
             the
             behalf
             of
             his
             Innocent
             and
             Mistaken
             People
             ,
             and
             which
             for
             some
             years
             they
             have
             been
             in
             a
             peaceable
             and
             undisturbed
             possession
             of
             (
             to
             the
             Universal
             satisfaction
             of
             all
             ,
             that
             without
             prejudice
             have
             observed
             their
             carriage
             )
             should
             now
             lately
             of
             a
             sudden
             ,
             and
             without
             any
             provocation
             given
             ,
             be
             ravished
             from
             them
             ;
             and
             an
             
               Act
               of
               Violence
            
             contrived
             and
             executed
             against
             them
             ,
             in
             so
             precipitate
             and
             furious
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             (
             together
             with
             their
             undoubted
             
               Liberty
            
             as
             
               Christians
            
             )
             their
             known
             
               Common
               Rights
            
             as
             
               English-men
            
             and
             
               Free-born
               ,
            
             are
             forcibly
             taken
             away
             ;
             and
             they
             ,
             in
             their
             Persons
             and
             Estates
             ,
             are
             exposed
             to
             the
             utmost
             rapine
             and
             malice
             of
             all
             that
             are
             willing
             to
             destroy
             and
             devour
             them
             ;
             as
             if
             meer
             difference
             of
             opinion
             had
             made
             them
             the
             vilest
             of
             Malefactors
             ,
             and
             ,
             for
             that
             ,
             they
             were
             utterly
             to
             be
             excluded
             ,
             from
             the
             relief
             of
             
               Pity
            
             as
             well
             as
             of
             
               Protection
               .
            
          
           
             After
             many
             conjectures
             about
             the
             Rise
             and
             Projection
             of
             this
             Mischievous
             Device
             ,
             it
             hath
             pleased
             God
             (
             who
             will
             not
             suffer
             the
             Authors
             of
             Iniquity
             to
             lie
             long
             concealed
             )
             to
             bring
             it
             now
             to
             light
             :
             And
             in
             this
             Letter
             
               (
               Reader
               )
            
             thou
             seest
             who
             they
             are
             that
             are
             called
             upon
             
               to
               rejoyce
            
             ▪
             
             
               as
               more
               particularly
               sensible
               of
               the
               good
               providence
               of
               God
               therein
               ,
            
             and
             who
             are
             earnestly
             
               desired
            
             ,
             to
             execute
             it
             with
             utmost
             Rigor
             ,
             
             
               considering
               the
               abundant
               Care
               and
               Provisions
               that
               Act
               contains
               for
               their
               Advantage
               :
            
             And
             these
             are
             no
             less
             persons
             ,
             than
             ,
             
               The
               Right
               Reverend
               Fathers
               in
               God
               ,
               our
               very
               good
               Lords
               ,
               the
               Lord
               
                 Bishops
              
            
             :
             Persons
             whose
             Names
             and
             Titles
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             in
             this
             Letter
             given
             to
             them
             ,
             the
             Scripture
             is
             utterly
             unaquainted
             with
             ;
             and
             yet
             they
             daily
             boast
             of
             their
             Pedigree
             ,
             and
             cry
             out
             ,
             as
             the
             Jews
             did
             of
             old
             ,
             
               The
               Church
               ▪
               the
               Church
               !
            
             But
             by
             no
             means
             will
             they
             be
             prevailed
             with
             to
             tell
             us
             ,
             what
             they
             mean
             by
             the
             
               Church
               ,
            
             or
             who
             is
             their
             
               Father
               :
            
             only
             we
             are
             sure
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             not
             ;
             since
             they
             have
             so
             little
             resemblance
             to
             the
             
               Humility
               ,
               Patience
               ,
               Condescention
            
             and
             
               Meekness
            
             of
             the
             
               Lord
               Christ
            
             ▪
             his
             Son.
             
          
           
             Though
             these
             may
             be
             accounted
             
               Harsh
               words
               ,
            
             yet
             we
             desire
             they
             may
             be
             weighed
             ;
             for
             we
             are
             sure
             we
             need
             go
             no
             further
             than
             this
             
             Letter
             ,
             to
             justifie
             our selves
             in
             using
             them
             ;
             Behold
             here
             the
             
               Chief
               of
               the
               Bishop's
               Order
               ,
            
             an
             
               Arch-Bishop
            
             ;
             one
             who
             is
             in
             Name
             
               a
               Christian
               ,
            
             in
             profession
             
               a
               Protestant
               ,
            
             yet
             so
             wholly
             unconcerned
             ,
             in
             either
             of
             these
             ,
             that
             throughout
             his
             whole
             Letter
             ,
             in
             matters
             of
             the
             greatest
             concernment
             ,
             he
             makes
             no
             mention
             at
             all
             of
             the
             
               Name
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             (
             as
             if
             he
             knew
             he
             had
             nothing
             at
             all
             to
             do
             with
             him
             ;
             but
             were
             wholly
             ,
             as
             indeed
             he
             is
             ,
             an
             
               Apocryphal
               Officer
               .
            
             )
             And
             likewise
             ,
             altogether
             passing
             by
             the
             
               Papists
            
             (
             as
             if
             no
             Law
             had
             ever
             been
             made
             against
             them
             ,
             or
             they
             had
             left
             off
             to
             be
             dangerous
             )
             .
             He
             only
             fixes
             a
             Character
             of
             
               Odium
            
             upon
             his
             
               Protestant
               Brethren
            
             ;
             To
             persecute
             and
             oppose
             these
             ,
             he
             calls
             
               a
               Pious
               and
               Blessed
               work
               ,
            
             
             and
             is
             so
             far
             from
             bewailing
             the
             Calamity
             that
             is
             likely
             to
             be
             brought
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             whole
             Nation
             for
             the
             Injuries
             done
             to
             them
             ,
             that
             he
             stirs
             up
             All
             to
             help
             it
             forward
             ,
             and
             to
             joyn
             with
             him
             in
             this
             odious
             and
             for
             ever
             to
             be
             abhorred
             Imployment
             .
             All
             which
             ,
             though
             we
             might
             ascribe
             to
             
               Gilbert
               Shelden
               ,
            
             and
             make
             it
             his
             personal
             miscarriage
             ,
             (
             of
             whom
             we
             can
             say
             ,
             and
             are
             ready
             to
             prove
             ,
             That
             
               his
               too
               little
               Learning
               hath
               made
               him
               thus
               mad
            
             )
             yet
             we
             will
             fix
             this
             Violence
             rather
             ,
             upon
             (
             according
             to
             his
             own
             stile
             )
             
               Gilbert
               Cant.
            
             or
             ,
             (
             to
             speak
             out
             his
             Title
             in
             words
             at
             length
             )
             
               Gilbert
               Archbishop
               of
               Canterbury
            
             ;
             who
             being
             (
             as
             such
             and
             in
             that
             capacity
             )
             
               not
               a
               creature
               of
               God's
               making
               ,
            
             nor
             any
             part
             of
             a
             
               Divine
               Ordinance
               ,
            
             must
             answer
             the
             Darkness
             of
             his
             Original
             ,
             since
             the
             same
             evil
             Spirit
             which
             begets
             
               Pride
            
             in
             any
             ,
             doth
             likewise
             instil
             and
             direct
             unto
             
               Civility
               ,
            
             by
             which
             that
             Pride
             may
             be
             maintained
             and
             upheld
             .
          
           
             Concerning
             this
             
               Prelates
               Pride
               ,
            
             besides
             his
             
               Intolerable
               Title
            
             (
             which
             is
             no
             small
             part
             of
             that
             
               Name
               of
               Blasphemy
               ,
            
             which
             is
             more
             fully
             and
             at
             large
             written
             upon
             his
             
               Father
               ,
            
             the
             
               Pope's
            
             forehead
             )
             what
             need
             w●●
             any
             other
             Argument
             to
             prove
             it
             by
             ,
             than
             the
             base
             and
             contemptible
             stile
             he
             useth
             to
             those
             ,
             whom
             (
             What
             ever
             we
             think
             of
             them
             )
             yet
             he
             owneth
             as
             
               Ministers
               of
               Christ
               ?
            
             The
             Apostle
             
               Peter
            
             calls
             those
             he
             writes
             to
             ,
             
               Elders
               ,
            
             and
             himself
             their
             
               fellow-Elder
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             5.1
             .
             But
             this
             Archbishop
             being
             in
             a
             higher
             
               elevation
               ,
            
             and
             transcendent
             in
             his
             Priviledges
             to
             any
             Apostle
             ,
             looks
             down
             with
             scorn
             upon
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             the
             Teachers
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             and
             
               Parsons
               ▪
               Vicars
               ,
               Curates
            
             is
             the
             best
             language
             he
             can
             afford
             them
             .
             We
             wish
             those
             poor
             despised
             men
             (
             many
             of
             whom
             we
             hope
             are
             only
             mistaken
             in
             their
             way
             )
             would
             a
             little
             consider
             what
             unworthy
             Bondage
             they
             are
             under
             ,
             and
             what
             vile
             drudgery
             is
             exacted
             from
             them
             ;
             instead
             of
             being
             
               Gospel-Preachers
               ,
            
             they
             must
             now
             turn
             
               State-Informers
               ,
            
             and
             set
             up
             an
             Inquisition
             to
             rack
             and
             torture
             their
             innocent
             Neighbours
             ,
             whom
             it
             should
             be
             their
             business
             to
             convert
             and
             save
             :
             It
             is
             indeed
             pritty
             (
             but
             too
             thin
             a
             covering
             at
             this
             
             
               time
            
             of
             day
             )
             to
             command
             them
             
               to
               be
               careful
               of
               their
               Lives
               ,
            
             
             [
             Pope
             
               
                 Paulus
              
            
             did
             it
             to
             prevent
             
               
                 Luther's
              
               Reformation
            
             ]
             and
             now
             it
             is
             meerly
             in
             other
             words
             ,
             to
             desire
             them
             to
             put
             on
             
               Sheeps
               cloathing
            
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             play
             the
             
               Wolves
            
             with
             the
             better
             pretence
             and
             greater
             advantage
             .
          
           
             We
             may
             indeed
             be
             excused
             if
             we
             seem
             to
             wonder
             ,
             that
             he
             did
             not
             (
             at
             least
             for
             forms-sake
             )
             desire
             his
             
               Curates
            
             to
             preach
             somewhat
             more
             frequently
             ;
             but
             we
             think
             it
             prudently
             forborn
             :
             for
             why
             should
             those
             who
             are
             so
             professedly
             the
             
               Servants
               of
               men
               ,
            
             be
             exhorted
             so
             much
             to
             contradict
             themselves
             ,
             as
             to
             preach
             
               Christ
               the
               Lord
               ?
            
             or
             upon
             what
             pretence
             of
             Reason
             ,
             could
             this
             
               Arch-Bishop
            
             require
             ,
             that
             from
             others
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             so
             little
             care
             or
             skill
             to
             do
             himself
             ?
             Passing
             by
             this
             
               Over-sight
            
             therefore
             (
             wherein
             he
             is
             rightly
             
               Episcopal
            
             )
             as
             carrying
             a
             good
             
               decorum
            
             with
             it
             ,
             give
             us
             leave
             (
             
               Christian
               Reader
            
             )
             to
             observe
             only
             that
             we
             find
             him
             in
             
               open
               terms
               ,
            
             without
             any
             
               figure
               ,
            
             to
             call
             the
             
               Surplice
            
             and
             
               Hood
            
             a
             
               Priestly
               habit
               ,
            
             
             enjoyning
             all
             
               to
               wear
               them
               in
               the
               time
               of
               officiating
               at
               Divine
               Service
               ,
               that
               so
               by
               their
               Ordered
               performance
               of
               so
               Holy
               a
               work
               ,
               they
               may
               give
               honour
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               by
               their
               own
               example
               instruct
               the
               People
               of
               their
               Parishes
               ,
               as
               they
               ought
               to
               teach
               them
               in
               their
               Doctrine
               .
            
             We
             hope
             he
             is
             serious
             ,
             and
             if
             so
             ,
             and
             these
             things
             he
             would
             indeed
             have
             thus
             highly
             esteemed
             ;
             we
             need
             no
             more
             to
             justifie
             us
             in
             our
             continued
             refusal
             ,
             and
             utter
             abhorrance
             of
             them
             :
          
           
             For
             ,
             to
             call
             any
             kind
             of
             Garments
             
               a
               Priestly
               Habit
               ;
            
             to
             command
             the
             wearing
             of
             them
             ,
             as
             conducing
             to
             the
             honour
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Worship
             ;
             and
             by
             these
             to
             think
             to
             instruct
             the
             People
             (
             which
             is
             to
             make
             them
             not
             only
             
               
                 significant
              
               ,
            
             but
             
               teaching
               Ceremonies
            
             )
             This
             is
             to
             introduce
             the
             old
             Antiquated
             
               Iewish
               Rites
            
             and
             
               Habits
               ,
            
             which
             were
             to
             be
             disused
             with
             their
             Worship
             :
             It
             is
             to
             fill
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             with
             as
             many
             Inventions
             ,
             under
             pretence
             of
             
               Decency
               ,
            
             as
             vain
             men
             are
             pleased
             to
             devise
             ,
             and
             wilful
             men
             have
             power
             to
             impose
             ;
             and
             lastly
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             render
             all
             
               Qualifications
            
             requisite
             unto
             the
             
               Ministry
               ,
            
             wholly
             useless
             :
             For
             ,
             the
             
               Reading
               Clerk
            
             of
             every
             Parish
             ,
             or
             the
             
               Publick
               Cryers
               ,
            
             may
             do
             all
             that
             our
             
               Arch.
            
             requires
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             ablest
             and
             most
             Learned
             Minister
             .
          
           
             It
             will
             be
             necessary
             ,
             before
             we
             conclude
             ,
             to
             wipe
             off
             that
             slander
             wherewith
             he
             reproacheth
             those
             that
             joyn
             with
             the
             
               Nonconformists
               ,
            
             calling
             them
             
               Seduced
               People
            
             ;
             
             and
             their
             Teachers
             ▪
             
               Seditious
               ,
            
             and
             
               
                 self-seeking
              
               .
            
             In
             just
             indignation
             against
             which
             base
             and
             unworthy
             
               Calumny
            
             ,
             we
             have
             this
             to
             say
             ,
             That
             we
             stand
             amazed
             that
             one
             ,
             who
             enjoys
             
               for
            
             his
             own
             single
             share
             ,
             more
             than
             would
             well
             maintain
             an
             hundred
             
               able
            
             Preachers
             with
             their
             Families
             ;
             and
             yet
             never
             did
             ,
             nor
             can
             do
             
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             to
             deserve
             the
             
               hundredth
            
             part
             of
             it
             ▪
             should
             venture
             to
             charge
             any
             with
             
               self-seeking
            
             :
             But
             we
             know
             that
             those
             ,
             
               who
               persecute
               the
               poor
               through
               the
               pride
               of
               their
               countenance
               ,
            
             will
             never
             seek
             nor
             make
             any
             inquiry
             into
             their
             own
             actions
             ,
             
               Ps
               ▪
            
             10.2
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             And
             indeed
             ,
             How
             can
             these
             Preachers
             be
             either
             
               Seditious
               ,
            
             or
             
               self-seeking
               ,
            
             who
             having
             often
             declared
             ,
             that
             
               Men
               for
               their
               Consciences
               are
               not
               to
               be
               imposed
               upon
            
             ;
             and
             being
             under
             the
             conviction
             of
             that
             Principle
             ,
             have
             quietly
             suffered
             the
             loss
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             rather
             than
             they
             would
             deny
             or
             forgo
             it
             :
             whereas
             this
             unrighteous
             
               man
            
             ,
             not
             content
             with
             the
             full
             enjoyment
             of
             his
             own
             
               Corruption
            
             rather
             
               than
            
             
               Conscience
               ,
            
             will
             not
             let
             his
             
               Brethren
            
             alone
             ;
             but
             first
             procures
             a
             Law
             against
             them
             ,
             which
             he
             knew
             before-hand
             they
             could
             not
             obey
             ,
             and
             then
             seeks
             to
             destroy
             them
             for
             not
             obeying
             ;
             In
             which
             lot
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             rejoyce
             ,
             being
             used
             no
             otherwise
             than
             
               Daniel
            
             was
             by
             those
             ,
             that
             for
             his
             
               Integrity
            
             and
             
               Faithfulness
            
             envied
             him
             :
             whose
             Faith
             ,
             and
             the
             gracious
             dealing
             of
             the
             Lord
             with
             him
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             on
             record
             for
             our
             
               encouragement
            
             ;
             so
             the
             unprosperous
             end
             of
             those
             malitious
             and
             crafty
             Contrivers
             ,
             we
             heartily
             wish
             might
             seriously
             be
             reflected
             upon
             by
             this
             their
             grand
             Imitator
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             the
             Peoples
             being
             
               seduced
               ,
            
             it
             is
             a
             Cavil
             not
             worth
             the
             answering
             :
             for
             we
             appeal
             to
             the
             reason
             of
             all
             unprejudic'd
             men
             ,
             whether
             those
             ,
             who
             are
             commanded
             to
             follow
             the
             
               Laws
               of
               the
               King
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
            
             with
             an
             
               Implicit
               faith
            
             and
             
               blind
               obedience
            
             (
             as
             this
             
               blind
               Guide
            
             would
             have
             them
             )
             are
             not
             in
             much
             more
             certain
             danger
             of
             being
             
               seduced
               ,
            
             than
             those
             who
             are
             daily
             exhorted
             by
             their
             Teachers
             ,
             to
             
               search
               the
               Scripture
               ,
            
             and
             by
             that
             unerring
             Rule
             to
             order
             
               their
            
             whole
             Conversation
             :
             Which
             all
             that
             ever
             heard
             the
             
               Nonconformists
            
             preach
             ,
             know
             to
             be
             the
             sum
             of
             their
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             
             And
             now
             ,
             having
             thus
             briefly
             made
             our
             defence
             ,
             We
             must
             (
             as
             this
             
               Bishop
            
             saith
             he
             doth
             )
             
               commit
               the
               success
               to
               God
               Almighty
               ,
            
             Believing
             (
             which
             we
             fear
             he
             doth
             not
             )
             that
             our
             
               Lord
               Christ
            
             ▪
             hath
             committed
             to
             him
             from
             the
             
               Father
            
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             his
             Church
             in
             it
             ,
             for
             whose
             
               Soveraignty
            
             and
             
               
                 Supremacy
              
            
             (
             according
             as
             the
             Apostle
             
               Paul
            
             hath
             stated
             it
             
               Rom.
            
             14.9
             ,
             10.
             )
             we
             are
             now
             contending
             .
          
           
             Therefore
             whilst
             our
             Adversaries
             are
             directed
             
               to
            
             seek
             unto
             Men
             for
             help
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             rely
             upon
             an
             
               Arm
               of
               Flesh
            
             ;
             our
             confidence
             is
             in
             
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             who
             will
             in
             due
             time
             
               bring
               forth
               our
               Righteousness
               to
               light
            
             ;
             and
             then
             perhaps
             this
             very
             Man
             ,
             
               who
            
             now
             so
             proudly
             exalts
             himself
             ,
             
               shall
               see
               it
               ,
               and
               be
               ashamed
            
             at
             all
             his
             envy
             .
             Mich.
             7.9
             ,
             10.
             
             Isa.
             26.11
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59624-e90
           
             
               Par.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             
               Par.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             
               Par.
            
             3.
             
          
           
             
               Par.
            
             4
             
          
           
             
               Par.
            
             5.
             
          
           
             
               Preface
               .
            
          
           
             Par.
             5.
             
          
           
             
               Preface
               .
            
          
           
             Par.
             3.
             
          
           
             Par.
             3.
             
          
           
             Par.
             5.
             
          
           
             Par.
             5.