To the Reader.

Reader,
IT hath bin my constant Course for some Months, to Preach every Sunday
either on the whole Epistle for the Day, or some part of it. And
finding I was commanded in the Brief for the Persecuted Protestants
in France, which was brought me in the Week before the 4th. Sunday
in Lent to publish it the next Sunday; I found there was no
need to alter my wonted course, in order to my pitching on a Subject which
might suit with that Occasion. The famous Dr. Patrick in his Epistle Dedicatory
before his Sermon Preached before the Lord Major, &c. the 21st.
Sunday after Trinity 1680. ascribes his being directed to the Subject he
then Preached on, not so much to his own Prudence, as a kind of Divine
Providence; because having observed this same Course that Year, he did
not on that Occasion go out of his way to meet with a fitting Argument.
Whether People will put the same Construction on this Discourse or
not, I neither know nor care. But I think I may truly say, I have discoursed
on this Text, with a Freedom which becomes a Christian, and particularly
a true Son of the Church of England.
It may be some who pretend to the Church, will take Exception at this
Sermon, for there are some so shallow, and of so short Discourse, they
cannot understand how a man can except against their violent Proceedings
against some Dissenters, and yet he himself a thorough Conformist. Indeed
it is not of any moment what such may either say or think, but yet to
give them some Satisfaction, if they ever happen to be favoured with any sober
and lucid Intervals, I will amongst the many Instances I might mention
for this end, offer these few to their Consideration.
1. I could never yet understand that Conformity did oblige any man to
lay aside all Bowels of Compassion. Nay I am sure, to Convince and Satisfy
Men with Reason, and by Humility, Gentleness, and Meekness is most
Christian, and tends most to the Honour of particular Persons, and whole
Churches. How much of Fierceness and Violence there is in any Party, especially
if countenanced by the Principles of that Perswasion, so much there is
of some Infernal and Devilish Mixture in it.
2. Those who do generally Decry and Prosecute Dissenters with greatest
Passion and Virulence, are greatest Strangers unto them. They usually know
no more of them, than they learn from some false and scandalous Observator
or other.
3. They are commonly Ignorant of the State of the Controversy betwixt

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us, and the Dissenters. The true Reason, why Judicious and thinking
Conformists do use those particular Ceremonies which are enjoyned, is
because they are satisfied they come under the general Rule given by the Apostle,
viz. that all things be done decently and in order. And the Reason
why they observe no other Rites and Ceremonies, whil'st it must be acknowledged
there are others every whit as orderly and decently in themselves
as these is because, these alone are enjoyned by an Authority, they are
perswaded, has Power to interpose in these things. And now if others do
not break the general Rule given by the Apostle, but apprehend that a Freedom
from Impositions in these things, is one part of the Liberty they are commanded
to stand fast in, why should we quarrel with, and prosecute them?
especially whil'st they acknowledg that it pertains to Authority to take notice
of them who are Indecent, and Disorderly in their Worship. Is it not enough
that we may act according to our own more minute Perswasion, and have
the Countenance and Incouragement of those in Power, but we must ruine and
oppress them who will not truckle to our Fancies?
4. I have had the Opportunity to be acquainted both with Conformists,
and Nonconformists. And as I acknowledg I have great cause to bless
God for the worthy Labors, and exemplary Lives of very many in the
Church of England, so I ought to give others their due. And this I must
say, that those of the Dissenters whom I have bin acquainted with, have
bin men of great Learning, exemplary Piety, strict Devotion, and extraordinary
Loyalty. Men who have bin diligent Attenders on God in his
publick Ordinances, eminently Religious in their Families, who have had a
great regard to Conscience in all the parts of their Conversation with Men.
They have neither bin Haunters of Taverns, nor obscene and loose in their
Discourse, nor have they bin guilty of sitting Days and Nights at Cards
and Dice. Indeed they have bin Persons that could not be justly blamed
for any thing, but that they had straighter Notions concerning humane
Impositions in the Service of God, than we Conformists have.
And a very learned Gentleman has upon Consideration given a very just
and good Reason of this. He expresseth himself in these Words. I think
this their Scrupulosity may be of God, and that some men are by him
framed to it, that he hath provided it as a Bar and Obstacle in the
Natures and Complexions of some devout Men, against any Innovations
whatsoever, that dangerous ones may not steal upon the
Church, for the better maintaining the Simplicity and Purity of
Christian Religion and Worship.
If after all this, any remain unsatisfied, they may seek Satisfaction where
they please, for [illegible] Sa. Bolde.