A Reply to the Defense of Dr Stillingfleet, Title page – Dedication
A REPLY TO THE DEFENCE OF Dr. Stillingfleet; BEING A Counter Plot for Ʋnion between the Proteſtants, in oppoſition to the Project of others for Conjunction with the Church of Rome.
By the Authors
Of the Modeſt and Peaceable Inquiry.
Of the Reflections, (i.e.) the Country Confor.
Of the Peaceable Deſigne.
Then Abner called to Joab and ſaid, ſhall the ſword devour for ever? Knoweſt thou not that it will be bitterneſs in the latter end? How long ſhall it be then ere thou bid the people return from following their Brethren.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Parkhurſt, at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapſide near Mercers Chappel. 1681.
To the Right Honourable THE EARL of HALLIFAX.
May it pleaſe your Lordſhip.
THE Deſign of theſe Papers being for the Glory of the King, and the Peace of the Church, we cannot think it diſhonourable for any perſon of moderate Inclinations, and in a capacity to ſerve ſo good an end, to favour it. Your Lordſhip therefore being at preſent at the Helme in the Adminiſtration of the greateſt Affairs, will not, as we hope, receive with any Diſdaine this our humble Dedication.
Not that we concerne your Lordſhip in our little Conteſts, as the Book is Controverſal, for we know Themiſtocles cannot fiddle, but he can govern a State: but becauſe the Thing Deſigned is ſo momentous, and concerns Stateſmen, ſuch as your Lordſhip is.
We do intend, no further avocation of your Honour from your other Imployment, than to look over onelyonly the Preface, and the laſt Half Sheet of the Book: wherein you will find a Foundation laid, and Materials made ready. There is wanting onelyonly the Perfecting skill of ſome Maſter builder, and then Hands to work.
We are ſenſible of the Meanneſs of ſuch an Offering to ſo great and judicious a Perſon; and being conſcious that the blame which we deſerve upon that account is too much for One, there are Two of us to bear it.
Your Lordſhips humble Servants John Humfrey, Stephen Lob.