An expostulatory (but friendly) Adhortation to that part of the Ministry of England, who (being true to the Doctrine) are not yet reconciled to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church.  
I Have passed a double score of years in a Station that afforded me some opportunity to discern, and with inclinations that suffered me not to be unconcerned, for what befell the Church of God in this Nation. There hath nothing been (all along) my business more, than to understand, both the positions and demeanour of the Old Puritan; betwixt whom, and the Hierarchy, the differences were then conspicuous; but not as I conceived of much scandal; for during the first fourth part of that time, there was scarce, either the Denomination of Nonconformity, or the practice. Their Doctrinal Tenets were never arraigned as discrepant from our Established Articles, whatever their private Notions (as to Ceremonies and Forms) were, they exhibited thereto more than passive Obedience; and an utter abhorrence of Common-Prayer they were so far from; that (on the ordinary Holidays) when there was no more enjoined but the using of it, and calling the people to together for that end) they thought it not out of season to be instant with their Auditors in other parts of the Ministerial Office, and added Sermons to the Service. They were content (though perhaps they would not have chosen them) to put on the enjoined sorts of Habit, and Dress, rather than not preach the Gospel of Christ. 'Tis true, when that Book which gave the Rein to the Vulgar (who are too apt to take Head of themselves) and some Liberty (yet not Command) for Recreations, on the Lordsday was to be published; sundry of them quitted their present charge, quietly withdrawing to beyond the Seas: but I remember not, that they gathered Churches, or maintained (publicly) any worship (within the bowels of this Kingdom) by Law prohibited: Others of them (who were no less tenderly conscientious than the former) weathered out that storm, kept their stations, and by the humility of their deportment, or candidness of their Address, found means not to come under the wrath of the Magistrate; except, some three or four, that (for certain immoderate, and ill-timed publications) were somewhat roughly dealt withal. I am fully persuaded (in the general) they only lifted up their hands with Prayers and Tears (the Christians best weapons) to the God of Heaven, for the removal of such things, as (they judged) were burdensome: And, that they had never lifted up an Arm of Flesh, in opposition to the power set over them by Heaven; if a fatal co-incidence of temporal, no less than spiritual concerns, had not melted down the Resolutions of those Times, so as there came out (beyond expectation) a Parliament, 
* Exod. 32.24.  a Parliament, which claimed (even at first dash) a right of dividing (at least) the Empire with our Caesar: And indeed, those praetensions (supported by a jealousy, which a connivance towards all, and the activity of some Romanists had occasioned) were so managed, as might lessen the wonder, if some persons, even of sincere intentions, were Conscientiously led into a mistake of Duty. I speak it knowingly many of you would have parted with your right-eyes (when the dismal consequences of that breach were within view) to have obviated the mischief; And when the appointed time was drawing on, wherein God had determined to bring home our King, you were not behind with you seasonable and vigorous Assistances: Though you could peradventure have been well pleased, to have understood the length and breadth of that Universal regard held forth towards tender Consciences; yet when you did not find it praeviously ascertained, you would not leave the main work at a stand for all that, but helped it forward by all possible and proper means: Notwithstanding the many Invectives which have been thrown (at random) against you, I cannot think that Hacket and Cartwright (in remoter days, or Peter and Calamy in our own) acted upon the same principles; nor that the Original of those woeful dissensions (differing sentiments I would rather term them) took birth merely from obstinacy; for our Reformed Religion was but lately planted here, and the Law for Uniformity (however fit) could not have spread its root so far and deep, as that (like the Laws of God) it should oblige all (English) men, at all times and in all places; nor was it yet become (like those of the Medes and Persians unalterable; when Doctor Cox, who could have no Jurisdiction over his poor exiled Countrymen (taken in at Frank ford about a year before, under a condition that they should not vary from the French Church for fear of divisions) would needs rule alone there, and force the English Liturgy upon them; a thing, that Dr. Story (though himself a Bishop) thought not fit to attempt; hence animosities and heats, which in more than the lapse of an hundred years cannot be allayed or cooled: I find Doctor Cox every where 〈◊〉 charactered, as a vessel well fraught with Learning; and Piety, but, a little over-hung with the sails of an high-rustling Spirit, which rendered him obnoxious to the violent gusts of his own passion; and probably the intemperance of his actings, drew from Calvin, those Diminutions, he put upon the Common-Prayer-Book, which had else never been heard of: yet note we here in passing, that most of the passages in it, whereon he thought sit to fasten the term of Inept (only ('tis likely) because he apprehended them unapt) have since, upon review, been taken off to so good a degree, as his successor Beza found nothing in the substance of it, or the Dependent Rites; whereto the intervention of the Magistrates Command, ought not to oblige (even the conscience) by actual obedience. It was a truly Christian frame the Geneva-English put upon themselves, when they observed, God (by drying up the Red Sea of blood, which had flowed here) to be opening a way for them towards their own land, by Letters to their Brethren dispersed throughout Germany, they sued for reconciliation, and ensued peace, even with those who had supplanted them at, and drove them from Frankford; Nay, I can (me thinks) easily pardon the importunities wherewith after their return, they solicited our Governors, whilst the things in controversy might seem to be (yet) sub Judice, and under Debate: But, now, the case is so much altered, That there is, 

1. No reason but to Obey:  
2. No necessity of Disobedience.    
Consider (I beseech you) whether, All you have said, or writ to justify your separation, can signify any thing, unless what you take offence at, were proposed, either 

1. As, Essential parts of worship, or,  
2. As, Conferring Grace.    
Truly, I have all-a-long (without prejudice, nay, with inclinations tending toward you) consulted some of your persons, and most of your Books, yet am altogether of this mind, that the falling-short herein hath unpointed all your Arguments; The very Imposers themselves having made (a thousand times) as ample and as clear Declaration (in reference to both) as can possibly come from the mouth of man, That, 

1. To Ordain such a multitude of Ceremonies, as would employ most or our thoughts or care, in time of Divine Service, how to do them aright (which seems to have been the very state and posture of the days St. Augustine lived in, yet he broke down no gap, nor leapt out from the fold) deserves really the name of superstistion.  
2. To make any of them an essential part of Worship, or attribute to them the power of obtaining pardon for Us, or working Grace in Us, were direct Irreligion.  
3. To make the Apostolical, or in themselves necessary commands, that bind the Conscience so, as all the Laws of God do, were downright presumption.    
They readily grant, that to Constituted a new object of worship (suppose, by invocation of Saints or Angels;) That to institute a new part of worship (suppose by addition to the number of Sacraments) is not in the Church's prerogative. All they affirm of Rites or Ceremonies, is, but that they may be occasional motives, or remembrancers of Devotion; and what can remain (after such Concessions) worthy so fatal an opposition? If others find them so, why may not I (if a Minister) use them? (If a Layman be present at them? though I find not, they have that tendency upon my Spirit. Nay, I will go one step further, and affirm; 'Tis possible that the Governors of the Church may be culpable in the Season, Manner, Measures, or nature of their injunctions, and yet the members of that Church indispensibly bound to a compliance. Seriously, I would not bespeak (for this sort of things) in any body's apprehension a room beyond their due value; but to me 'tis very clear, that there is no less (yea more) of superstition, in saying, They may not be used (upon the account of Conscience) then in saying; They shall be used (merely upon the account of Order, Decency, and Obedience.) In their own nature they are (by Calvin's judgement) tolerable; in Beza's (being stamped with Authority) Obligatory; and since owned no otherwise, than as Ordinances of men, they may seem to be the direct aim of those two Texts, Rom. 13.5. and 1 Pet. 2.13. Doubtless, the Spouse of Christ would be no less lovely, if some abatements (according to your deire) were made; but, will you scratch and wound her face, because they who have the care of her Attire, esteem those as beauty-spots; which you think only black patches? or because, they judge those well-suited ornaments, which cannot (in your opinion) pass for better than gaudy, will you make an irreparable rent, in that garment which should have ●o seam? Certainly, if (in some cases) we ought to part with much for peace-sake, we may (in this) retain much ●oo, especially, since our Duty is apparently superadded to conveniency. And he hath taken upon him that Honourable Function (to which a woe is fixed, if he preach not) quits not himself like a man (nay comes not off like a good and faithful servant) if he get into the Cellar, when he should be on his watch at the house top; or whisper in some corner, when he should lift up his voice like a trumpet. I know many of you, whom I dare not but think to be men of Holy sincere intentions, and yet I am (verily) persuaded, sin lies at your doors upon this very account: If it be true (which I do not say not think) That the most part of the Conforming Clergy are remiss, negligent, dry, perfunctory in their offices; whey, than (by the mercies of God, by the bowels of Christ) be entreated (nay take heed how you do it not) to put in your sickles into the harvest; and suffer not the Lord's people to perish for want of food; which you cannot (in the posture you have chosen) dispense unto them without disadvantage, without scandal, without crime: Thus you will disappoint all those (many) that have evil will to Zion; Thus you will frustrate the expectation of all such, as could find in their heart, that your voices should never (more) be heard in this land; And, whereas (now) they speak evil of you as of evil-doers, they will (then) be ashamed that falsely accuse your good Conversation in Christ; doubt not but in whatsoever (necessary things) the present settlement hath come short; the great and wise disposer (above) will find means (when we are ready for so great a mercy) to perfect all that concerns his own, or people's interest, without engaging any of them to do evil (or what hath the appearance of evil) That Good may come thereof.  
I wish my Pen were enabled (before I conclude) to release you from an infirmity (under which, some of you have been bowed down, for almost Thirty years;) I mean, the Covenant: And (verily) I have heard great Casuists affirm, That, if the matter of the Oath be unlawful, not within our own (just) Power, or imposed by an Unjust Authority; There needs nothing, but the suppling waters of Repentance, to dissolve its bands.  
It is not (I suppose) of any importance, whether this Address be at all Subscribed or no; yet (being not willing to impose upon the Reader a fictitious Name, and altogether indifferent, whether mine be known) I shall leave him to his choice, whether he will give himself the trouble of unfolding, what a Reverend Minister (now with God) took the pains to lap-up in an ANAGRAM, 
 Our Christ will help.  

He's ours, and therefore will, He's Christ, and can  
Help: when, in vain is all the Help of Man.   
FINIS.