The Conformists Third Plea, Postscript – Publishers advertisement
POST-SCRIPT.
I Am forced to break off abruptly in the Cloſe of theſe Sheets about Ʋnion, and must leave what is behind to another Part. In the mean Time, that the Ʋnion I preſs for, may be more eaſily effected, I humbly beſeech my Brethren in the Miniſtry, and all others, to revive the almost lost Virtue of Moderation. Conſider what the excellent Dean of Canterbury ſays in his Preface to Biſhop Wilkin's 15 Sermons, lately publiſhed; where, in Vindication of that rarely accompliſhed Biſhop, (whoſe great Name, and excellent Spirit it ſeems could not eſcape a ſmutting from ſome of our Fire-brands) He thus defends both the Vertue of Moderation, and that great Example of it, to wit: And I purpoſely (ſays the Dean) mention his Moderation, and likewiſe adventure to commend him for it; notwithſtanding that this Vertue, ſo much eſteemed and magnified by wiſe Men in all Ages, hath of late been declamed againſt with ſo much Zeal and Fierceneſs, and yet with that good Grace and Confidence, as if it were not only no Vertue, but even the Sum and Abridgment of all Vices: I ſay, notwithſtanding all this, I am ſtill of the old Opinion, that Moderation is a Vertue, and one of the peculiar Ornaments and Advantages of the excellent Conſtitution of our Church, and muſt at laſt be the Temper of her Members, eſpecially the Clergy, if ever we ſeriouſly intend the firm Eſtabliſhment of this Church, and do not induſtriouſly deſign, by cheriſhing Heats and Diviſions among our ſelves, to let in Popery at theſe Breaches. But more eſpecially conſider our bleſſed Saviour teacheth us Moderation by his Laws concerning theſe Matters in Difference, by his Apoſtles, by his eaſy Yoke, his Bleſſings and his Judgments; and by a viſible Providence over our chief City London, which ſhould be an Example to Norwich, Briſtol, Coventry, and a Warning to them. There was nothing to be done in the Year of the dreadful Plague: The Magiſtrate found other Work the next Year after the dreadful Fire: two Years after, the Government fell into the Hands of Sr. W. Turner, whoſe unſuſpected Affection to the Church, made his Wiſdom and Moderation the more remarkable, and the Bleſſing of Peace and Contentment of Mind attended. And how much happier was his Year, and of the Succeſſors of Sir S. Sterling, than that troubleſome Year to the Nonconformiſts, and certainly as little comfortable as it was honourable to himſelf. Sir Richard Ford was feared, but his eminent Prudence procured him Honour and Eſtimation; And what Conſpiracies or Seditions were moved as much as to make him thoughtful about them? What Cauſe of Suſpicion or Fear did the Diſſenters give his honourable Succeſſors, till the breaking out of the dreadful Plot? and did not the Lord Mayors ſince that, rest confident in the Loyalty and Fidelity of the Diſſenters? and did not two of them concur in the Vote, against the Proſecution of them? And ſince the Presbyterian Sham-plots have made even Hardineſs and Impudence, to bluſh at their Confidence, what Suſpicions have they moved to give any Colour for them? How dear was Sir Patience Ward to all good Men, as appeared in their publick and private Prayers for him in his dangerous Sickneſs? and did not he leave his Government in a peaceable, ſafe State? After ſeveral Years Indulgence of the Non-Conformiſts, did they grow trouble ſome by their Numbers, or factious by their Eaſe? And I do heartily wiſh the R. H. Sir John More, now L. Mayor, may leave it as he found it; and carry a Peace in his Boſom, anſwerable to the Piety and Moderation of his Speech at his Election, (for which I know many Prayers were made for him, by ſome that never ſaw him) that his Piety may not be outdar'd by ſome of an imperious Humour, to impoſe upon others an impious notion,I do humbly recommend to you Mr. Bold's Sermon againſt Perſecution: to which I ſet my Seal. That Men cannot be Conſcientious, but they muſt be Factious, and take Pleaſure, or Pride, or ſomething elſe, in repreſenting. peaceable Religion as a Torch of Rebellion. What tender Heart will be able to bear the Stings of Conſcience, for touching ſuch as fear God, with but the Point of the Sword, for profeſſing that ſame ſubſtantial Piety, by which they hope to be ſaved themſelves. Dureſce, dureſce. Peace upon Iſrael.
The Conformiſt's fourth Plea for the Non-Conformiſts; containing (chieſly) Relations of the Sufferings of many Non-Conformiſts in ſeveral Parts of England, will be ſhortly publiſhed.
The Caſe and Cure of Perſons excommunicated according to the preſent Law of England. With ſome friendly Advice to perſons purſued in inferior Eccleſiaſtical Courts, by malicious promoters; both in order to their avoiding Excommunication, or delivering themſelves from priſons, if impriſoned, becauſe they have ſtood excommunicated four by Days.
Mr. Jekyl's Sermon, intituled, Religion makes the beſt Loyalty, which was prepared for that great Aſſembly of Proteſtant Lords, Gentlemen, and Citizens, that was to meet at St. Michael's Corn-hill on 21 April laſt, to give God thanks for the Preſervation of his Majeſtie's Perſon, the Proteſtant Religion, and Proteſtant Subjects from the Popiſh Plot, and many Sham-plots, &c. is now publiſhed.
Sold by Jonathan Robinſon at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-yard.