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to be a little mifunderstood by fome perfons whofe good opinion I prize, rather than trouble the public with what more immedi ately relates to myfelf. But fomething upon this fubject feems expedient in the prefent day; not fo much by way of apology for one or a few individuals, as with a view of obviating prejudices, and preventing, or at least abating, the unhappy effects of a partyfpirit.

There was a time when the Non-conformifts groaned under the iron rod of oppreffion, and were expofed to fines, penalties, and imprisonment, as well as to cruel mockings, and the lawless

rage

rage of a rabble, for worshipping God according to the light of their Yet I apprehend

confciences.

their non-conformity was rather the occafional and oftenfible, than the real caufe of the hard treatment they met with. The greater part of the Non-conformift Minifters of that day were the light and glory of the land. They were men full of faith and of the Holy Ghoft, penetrated with a deep fense of the Redeemer's glory and love, and of the worth of fouls. Their miniftrations were accompanied with unction and power, and they were inftrumental in turning many finners from their evil ways. It is no wonder B 3 that

r

that the world hated fuch men; that fnares were fpread for their feet, their liberty abridged, and that many faid, Away with them, they are not worthy to live! It is, probable that if thefe fervants of the Moft High could have enjoyed that freedom for their perfons and affemblies, which, in answer to their prayers, is now poffeffed by those who bear the fame name, they would have been well fatisfied that the eftablished Church fhould have remained in peaceful poffeffion of its own order and ritual. And feveral among them, not the loweft in repute for wisdom and piety, continued long to worship occafion

ally

ally in the Parish Churches, after they had been ejected from them. as preachers. But things were ftudiously carried against them with a high hand. The exaction of re-ordination, and the little time. allowed for fubfcribing the book of Common-prayer, which many of the Ministers had not been able to procure when the law called for their affent to it; were two circumstances which greatly contributed to fwell the Bartholomewlift. It was well known to fome of the leaders in that unhappy business, that there were among the Non-conformists wife and moderate men, who were not disposed to quit their parochial cures, unB 4

lefs

lefs they were constrained by the harfheft and moft violent meafures; fuch therefore were the measures they adopted.

It is our mercy to live in more quiet times. We are on all fides freed from reftraints in religious concerns; and every perfon is at liberty to profefs, preach, worfhip, or print as he thinks proper, But it is ftill to be lamented, that they who are united upon the fame foundations, and agree in the fame important leading principles, fhould lay fo much stress upon their circumftantial differences in fentiment, as to prevent the exercife of mutual love and forbearance and that inftead of labour

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