A WORD TO A Wavering Levite: OR AN ANSWER TO Dr. SHERLOCK's REASONS Concerning the Taking of the Oaths, WITH REFLECTIONS Thereupon.  
By a London Apprentice of the Church of England.  
London, Printed in the Year 1690.   

AN ANSWER TO Dr. Sherlock, &c.  

To the Reader.  
WHat Constructions have been put upon Dr. S— k's late Book concerning the Oaths, I need not multiply words to acquaint you: But my Opinion is, that he has been more contravene, or more seen-over within these few years than in all his Life before: I have only reflected upon the Preface of his Book, not thinking it worth my labour to answer the Book itself, which would swell too big. I presuppose he will be displeased at what I have done, but it is all a case to me, for I design no ill in it, only to let him see that the World takes notice of his Actions, and that my Bookseller may be set on work as well as his.   

IN the first page. of his Preface he begins with these words.  
Doctor. I need not acquaint the World with the occasion of Publishing this Book, which indeed is extorted from me by the Rude Clamours and Unchristan Censures of some, and the earnest Importunities of others.  
Paraphrased. I am ashamed to let the World see my Folly in Print, but am compelled to it, so many busy Tongues having buz'd it about the Town, to the utter ruin of my Reputation: My W— fe and some near Friends have importuned me to publish my Reasons, for Non and comforming to the Oaths.  
Doct. 2. My taking the Oaths of Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary, after so long a Refusal, has occasioned a great deal of Talk, and a great many uncharitable Guesses about it, Faction and blind Zeal always wanting either the Wit, or the Good will to guess right.  
Paraph. My complying with the Oaths by my W— fes Instigation, contrary to my Conscience, in hopes of a Mitre, has given good matter for the Judicious to reflect upon my Proceedings; guessing exactly at the Reasons, Loyalty and Religion always wanting either the Modesty or Ingenuity to be lead Blindfold.  
Answ. Good Doctor, be not so angry at so small a matter as a Report of uncharitable Guessers, as you are pleased to call them; indeed it is no Matter of Admiration, for what Man of sense can be silent and not reflect upon such Strange Proceedings as these of yours. First you will not take the Oaths, till after mature Deliberation, or some other Reason, you have at All, and Swear Right or rung: If the Oaths were Lawful, why did you not take them before, there being time enough to consider of so weighty an Affair, and so Learned a Man as Dr. S—k, one would think, needed not a School-master nor a counselor in this Matter; and if the Oaths were not Lawful, why did you take them now? Was your Conscience more Tender then, or was the persuasions of a W— fe now the greater persuasive, to one or the other? May not People with good reason say, you act against the Dictates of your own Conscience, having formerly preached against what you now act; and act now for Interest-sake, against what you with so much Zeal formerly preached.  
Doct. 3. One would have thought it the most probable Conjecture, that a Man who had forfeited all his Preferments by refusing the Oath, and had for ever lost them, had not the Government been more mildred and gentle in delaying the Execution of the Law, acted very honestly and sincerely in it; and if so, that there is also good Reason to believe, that if the same Person takes the Oaths, he acts honestly in that too; for what Reason is there to suspect, that he who would not Swear against the present persuasion of his Conscience, to keep his Preferments, should Swear against his Conscience to get them again?  
Paraph. I had fully persuaded myself, that the World would think, because I had like to have lost my place for not taking the Oaths half a year ago, I was a Real and Honest Man: That being presupposed, they might with good reason likewise entertain that Honest Credibility of me now I have taken the Oath, which I declare at first my Conscience would not suffer me to do; for who could think I would do any thing against my Conscience?  
Answ. Under Correction Doctor, give me leave to propose two things, which I offer to your Serious Consideration.  
First, If you had a Servant in your House, to whom you had revealed a Secret concerning your Life, and he had Faithfully Sworn to conceal it from all Persons Living; now suppose you was gone over to F—, and had left your Son in Possession of your Goods, and this aforesaid Servant with your Son; if after you were gone, your Son should go to this Servant, and tell him, if he would not reveal this Secret which he had Sworn to keep; he would turn him out of his Service; and so threatens him from time to time,( tho suffers him still to enjoy the Benefits of his place) but he holds out against his Masters Threats and Promises, knowing in his Conscience if he did it he was perjured; yet at length by the Importunity of some Friends he reveals it, and took another contrary to the former( being first promised Preferment) to your Son; who at your return acquaints you with the whole Matter: Now how could such a Servant look you in the Face? or with what Indignation would you look upon him? Would you not turn him out of your Service? out of your Doors? Banish him from your Sight? and Brand him with the Odious Epithet of PERJURER? Nay your Son would not trust him any farther than he could see him; because he that will act against his Conscience once, why may he not do it always when occasion offers.  
Secondly, Suppose this Servant, to excuse himself, should allege, that he expected you would never return; he waited long for your coming, and delayed the time in hopes of it; his Conscience was too Tender to reveal the Secret at first, but the Threats of his Master, and Importunity of Friends, he judged a Matter of Moment enough to excuse his Infidelity to you, and his taking a new Oath in opposition to the former. So that he revealed your Secret with as safe a Conscience as before he concealed it. Now Doctor, if there be any such thing as Conscience in Man, speak, or at least think sincerely if this Servant was to be trusted? If he was not to be rejected of all Men? And if his Conscience was not Seared? Could you ever Love that Man, or trust him again? Sure no. Just even so, or not much different from it, is the Case of Dr. S—k, who takes it for a Maxim, that he who will not Swear against the Present persuasion of his Conscience to keep his Preferments, will not Swear against his Conscience to get them again: Now where the Sense of this is no Man can tell; for you must either have a pair of Consciences, or else Swear against the Light of your single one. For first you would not take the Oath, because it was against your Conscience; and then you would take it, because you were satisfied in your Conscience that you might lawfully do it. What a strange Conscience is here! Indeed Doctor, I think in my opinion that your Conscience is stretched within this Twelve Month, or else you then seemed more nice than you need to have done.  
Doct. 4. I do not know that I have given the World any just occasion to mark me out for a Dishonest Man or a Fool; I may be mistaken, and so may any body else, tho never so Wise and Honest; but this I am sure of, that I never acted with more Sincerity in any Affair of my whole Life, than I have done in this Matter, from the beginning to the end; and whether I have Reason for What I do, I refer to the trial of this Discourse.  
Paraph. I never before this gave the World any Just occasion of Scandal, I may be willfully mistaken, and so may any body else, if Selfinterested; but this I am certain of, I never acted with more subtlety in any Affair in my whole Life, from the first hour of my Birth, to the Date hereof, and whether I had Reason for what I did, let the Self-interested Judge.  
Answ. Indeed Doctor the World must own, that you never gave such a Manifest Proof of your Weakness as now, and I am Truly Sorry for this; had you taken the Oath at first without Scruple of Conscience as you did now, you had acted well and like a good Subject; but how can their Majesties confided in a Man with a pair of Consciences, one to take the Oath, and the other to let it alone? Really Doctor, you was( as I may so say) very much overseen, will not the World say Interest was the main Ground of your taking the Oath? by which you give matter for your Enemies to Triumph, your Profession you lay open to Reproach and Scandal; and give a very bad Example to all Men.  
Doct. 5. The Truth is, tho I refused to take the Oaths, I never engaged in any Faction against it: I never made it my husiness to dissuade Men from it; when my Opinion was asked, I declared my own thought, but I never sought out Men to make Prosel●tes.  
Paraph. Tho I declared, and every Body knew, that I would not take the Oaths, I never publicly Preached against it, nor raised a Tumult to hinder it; tho my Conscience was then too Tender to take it; but I, when my Sentiments were asked, would declare my thoughts, which were, that I could not in Conscience, nor would take it.  
Answ. Now Doctor, you say you never engaged in any Faction against it, nor made it your Business to dissuade Men from it, yet gave your Opinion, but sought not to make proselytes. If you gave your Opinion your opinion was then, that it could not with a safe Conscience be taken; and if this was your Opinion, as you cannot deny but it was, then Men asked your Opinion to no purpose, and did not regard what your Opinion was( which is altogether and really improbable) or else you must of necessity make proselytes, and bring Men over to your Opinion, which you here deny; for if you was unwilling to make proselytes, why did you declare your opinion affirmatively, and not dubiously, which you did not, I presume, being in your opinion positively right, tho now it appears by your own words you were positively rung. And certainly any Man that was dubious, receiving your positive opinion, must of necessity be a proselyte,( contrary to your word) for who would call in question what came from the Mouth( and Heart too) of Dr. S—k.  
Doct. 6. While I thought it an ill thing, I was secretly concerned that some of my Intimate Friends had taken the Oaths, &c.  
Answ. This Paragraph, Doctor; begins with these words, Here you are concerned that they took the Oaths, and then by and by you believe them to be Honest Men, and that they acted Honestly too. This is a strange Paradox, that Dr. S—k should be concerned at Mens Actions, when at the same time he was satisfied they acted Honestly, this looks not at all like a Ministerial Zeal, neither do I believe there is any Man of your Function, but what will be apt to cast a Smile when they red these words of yours, and construe them( in a sense contrary to what you would have the World believe.) Pray, Doctor, do but see how your words agree; first concerned at your Friends that had taken the Oaths, tho at the same time you thought they acted Honestly and with a good Conscience too; yet tho you were satisfied in this Point, your Conscience was so Tender as not to permit you to do as they had done, tho you thought th●y acted Honestly. Then you tell us you complied with the Government so far as you could with a good Conscience, O Monstrum! horrendum!  
Doct. In the next place you tell us, You lived Peaceably, and prayed for their Majesties, according to the Apostles direction, who gave directions to pray for all in Authority, which they visibly were.  
Answ. As for your living peaceably, it was no more than what you ought to have done, neither durst you do otherwise: And if you thought it lawful to pray for Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary; why not as lawful to take the Oaths at that time as now? May not People with Reason guess that you looked( not to say that you hoped) for a Catastrophe of Affairs in England, and now you see no hopes of keeping your Place unless you take the Oaths, and Ireland being reduced to Their Majesties, and the late K. J. fled, you see no prospect of his returning; your Conscience on a sudden alters the property, and you that could not before Swear, can now do it with a safe Conscience: Oh Interest! Interest! how many Servants hast thou!  
Doct. 7. I did not refuse the Oaths out of any fondness to King James his Government, nor Zeal for his return; which the present prospect of Affairs gives no Man who loves the Church of England, and the Liberty of his Country, any reason to wish, nor yet out of any Aversion to the Government of King William and Queen Mary: But against my own Inclinations and Interest, out of pure Principles of Conscience, to comply with the Obligations of my former Oaths; and that Duty which Subjects owe to their Prince, which I then apprehended irreconcilable with the new Oath.  
Paraphrased— I did not then Swear because many of King J's. Friends had hopes of his return, and I was a little inclining that way too, and if he had come and I took the new Oaths, where had I been then? But Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary being so merciful as not to have me suspended, till such time as I saw it improbable, or rather impossible for my old Mr's. return; though till that time I thought the old Oaths and the new ones irreconcilable, yet now they agree very well, and I resolve nemine contradicente to take them, let the World censure as they please, Honesty is not always the best Policy, for some times Policy is the best Honesty.  
Answ. Why all this stickling and scruple of Conscience, Doctor? Did so many Learned, Judicious, and unbiased Men, take the Oaths before you? and think you that they who understood what they did, and bore as good a Conscience as you, would for Interest sake act against their Consciences? and if you was not satisfied in the legality of the Oaths, they could have given you ample Satisfaction in that point; who, I presume, did what they did, not without deliberation, and had as good Reason for taking the Oaths then, as you had now.  
Doct. 8. I find the general Cry and Expectation is, that I should give my Reasons, though why I should be more obliged to give my Reasons for Swearing than I was for not Swearing, I cannot tell.  
Paraph. Some Men have of late, and do still, impatiently expect to see my Reasons for not taking the Oaths made public, though I can give no more reason for the taking of them now, than for the refusing of them formerly; and why should I expose my Failings to the Censures of reasonable Men, who I fear will detect me.  
Answ. Now, Doctor, the Reason why you should give your Reasons, more for your Swearing than for your not Swearing, is plain;( tho indeed you ought for the sake of your Reputation to have done both) for the World did suppose, and were partly satisfied, why you did not take the Oaths; but after having so long stood proof against the Reasons and Persuasions of other Men, and yet at last to take them, and give no Reason for it, will give the World reason to judge partially of you; and therefore for the sake of your own Reputation, and( which is another main point, and ought to be considered, if nothing else) others, who have not yet taken the Oaths, seeing Dr. S—k had sound Reasons for what he did, would by your Example take the Oaths likewise. If this is not Reason enough let the World judge. Though a little farther you say, if Reasons were never so plentiful with you, yet you could hardly think it worth your while to writ a Book to gratify a mere Curiosity, but if my Reasons to the contrary do not out balance yours, let me know in Print, for Reason is, or at least ought to be, our North Point by which we must steer our Course, but I fear your Reason was over-swayed by an unreasonable W— fe.  
Doct. 9. We live in an Age of great profaneness and Infidelity, which is ready to take all occasions to reproach Religion, and expose it as a Cheat and Imposture, and to neglect no Opportunity to blacken the Clergy, as Men of no Faith nor Religion themselves, though they make a great noise about it to serve their own Interest.  
Answ. It may be, Doctor, there may be some( as the World is never without them) who are Men of such Principles as you describe them to be; but if there were none, such proceedings as these of yours, are enough to create some: Though God forbid all should be condemned for one, for I am verily persuaded there is not more Pious, Sincere, Religious honest Men upon the face of the Earth than our Clergy of England in general,( but here is matter enough for Censure) and as for Particulars let the World judge.  
Doct. 10. It is time to give chieck to such unchristian Censures, if we have any regard to our common Christianity: and since some little Writers among them( who are too head-strong to be governed by Wiser Men) engross the Church and Religion to themselves, and represent all who have taken the Oaths, especially the Clergy, as Apostates, at least from the Church of England, if not from the Christian Faith.  
Answ. This indeed is a business of dangerous Consequence, and ought to be speedily remedied; but is it either better or worse than what you in effect formerly set forth, in your grand and dearly beloved Doctrine of Non-resistance? First preach up Non-resistance, then refuse the Oaths, when tendered to you; till after half a Years Consideration, your W— fe's Persuasion, and fear of being suspended, you take them, and then you give no good Reason why you did not take them, nor why you did take them neither; Can you imagine that Peoples Tongues will be filent at such irregular unheard of Proceedings as these? had you took them at first all had been well.  
Doct. 11. It is necessary to convince all sober Christians, that Men may Swear Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary without Perjury, and without renouncing any Principles of the Church of England; nay, that the Doctrine of the Church of England requires us so to do: and I hope, if this appear, their Zeal for the Church of England, if no other Consideration can prevail with them, will oblige them also to do it.  
Answ. Ay, Doctor, now you say something to the matter, this is positively true; and now you verify the Proverb. A Man may live and learn— & for you have exrremely improved you self within a few Months, who then thought and declared the Oaths Illegal, and now declare it may be done without Perjury( which I own) and farther, That the Doctrine of the Church of Engtand commands us so to do, which I own likewise: But how comes this vast difference, Doctor, in your judgement, pray consider, if here is not sufficient matter to set Tongues and Pens too on work: Who can be filent to see so Reverend and Learned a Divine as Dr. S—k so much overseen? But to proceed to your next Paragraph.  
Doct. 12. But it seems it will not serve my turn to offer such Reasons as will justify my Compliance now, unless I can give a good Reason why I did not take the Oaths before, that is, I must give such Reasons as will equally prove, that no Man ought to have taken the Oaths before; and that they ought to take them now.  
Paraph. The World would extort a sincere Confession from me, how I expected a sudden Change of the Times, therefore delayed the time till I see my old M— r beaten; Then how my W— fe persuaded me to recant; but let them judge as they please, I am resolved if I can to defend myself: For thus much I say I had Reason for not taking them then, and I had Reason for taking of them now: but what my other Reasons was I will not divulge, this may very well be the Construction of your Words, no Man of Sense I think will deny.  
Doct. 13. These are very hard Task-Masters and no doubt have very kind designs in it— What if I was not so well satisfied about thi● matter before as I am now, is any Man forbidden to grow Wiser? and upon a through Examination of things, to alter his mind when he see● good Reason for it?  
Parapb. What if I had not such a prospect o● Preferment before, as I have now; is any Man forbidden to wear a Mitre, or after having mad● a firm Promise or Vow, if he sees it will be fo● his Interest, why should he not break it? Half 〈◇〉 Years Consideration, large Promises, and a W— fe●… Persuasions, are strong enticements for a Man t● break his Promise or Oaths either.  
Doct. 14. So that without producing the Reasons of my Dissatisfaction before, or being obliged to answer them, having never made them public. I think it very fair to give a satisfactory Reason now, for my taking of this Oath hoping that what hath satisfied me may have th● same effect upon some others, that will have th● Patience impartially to consider it,  
Answ. Now, Doctor, you follow the Example of Holy Writ, when you are Converte● Strengthen your Brethren; but it will be a ve●… hard thing, and almost impossibie to persua●… those Men( whom you have formerly persua●ed to the contrary) to be of your Opinion, for a Man that will say and unsay, uvho can believe? Can the Brier bring forth Figs? Or can Honey come forth of a lions Jaws? It is an undoubled Maxim, He that is once false for his Interest will always be so if his Interest requires it.  
The next place, Doctor, you acquaint the Reader, that you had drawn up your Thoughts long since, and shewed to some of your Friends, if so, it had been a very discreet part in you, in my Opinion, to have published them to satisfy the World; but you stuck( or rather something stuck in your Stomach) and had stuck there till this day, had you not been relieved by Bistop Overals Convocation Book,( or a prospect of losing your Place, if you do not Swear, or getting a better if you did together with the persuasions of your W— fe) blessed Book! to bring a Man from Darkness to the RIGHT WAY.  
Doct. 15. Then you tell the Reader you have made him your Confessor.  
Answ. I declare I believe if I was your Confessor, and you to be turned out of your Place if you did not confess your real Cogitations to me, as to this matter, I should have another manner of Confession from you. And to close up all, you say you have renounced no Principle excepting in the Case of Resistance, which you retract, and which is indeed the only material thing next to the Oaths, that the World lays to your Charge. You say, that in a Hereditary Monarchy, where the right Heir is living, Usurped Powers are not of God, proved by the 〈◇〉 of Joash. And now you reject they 〈◇〉 and own it a Mistake. Whoever had  told three Years ago, that Dr. S—k would 〈◇〉 done as he has done, I would not have credit his Words, but THERE IS NO BELI●… IN MAN.  
Thus I have done with the Preface of yo●… Book; and leave the Book itself to be answer●… by him that will take the pains, for I assure y●… I will not go about so tedious a Work, tho●… believe some body or other will. And wha●… 〈◇〉 have here wrote, I assure you, Dr. S— I have not done out of any Malice to your p●… son, but to your proceedings, not for your ●… king the Oaths, but for taking of them no soon●… For I hearty wish, all Englishmen( w●… ought to be) were really true and loyal Subject● to Their Majesties King William and Queen marry, as I declare I myself am: And what I ha●… wrote here is nothing but truth, as you are satisf●ed in your Conscience it is; and if you have an●thing to allege to the contrary, let the Worl● know it. Now, Doctor, you may suppose I d● not this for lucre sake, I shall not have a hundre● pounds for this Paper, as you had for your 〈◇〉 Book, but meeting with a Hawker who 〈◇〉 yours, I bought it, and could not be satisfied til● I let you know how I approved of it, which have done in as little Paper as possibly I could and is the Work of two or three vacant hour of a London Apprentice.  
FINIS.