An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

But he further signifieth to the world how hardly I parted with it at the last.

And such usage is very useful to believers, that they may know what to expect, even from some great Pastors of the Church in this present evil world. Therefore Reader, seeing such men will have it so, if I weary thee with one more of my own stories, forgive it as a necessary trouble. The truth is this.

When General Monk came up to London, I came away from the place I was at before the Sequestration revolved to the Vicar: When the King was restored, and his Declaration about Ecclesiastical Affairs was published, the Lord Chancellor moved me to accept a Bishopric (of which more anon); which when I refused, (in a manner not displeasing to him), I told him that if he had any kindness for me, I should accept of my continuance with my ancient flock, as a satisfying expression of it, sobeit he would give the old Vicar a better place, that is, some Prebendship which required no Preaching, or some sine Cura, (for I durst motion him to no other.) To which my Lord Chancellor expressed readiness and resolution. Sir Ralph Clare was used by him (who liveth in the place) to treat about it with the Vicar; but it was so ordered that the Vicar refused unless he had another place: no place could be found▪ My Lord Chancellor would not put such a man (pardon his censure), into a Prebendship, lest it should dishonour the Church. I told him that in a Pastoral Cure it would be much worse. At last my L. Chancellor wrote a Letter with his own hand to Sir Ralph Clare, expostulating with him that it was not done, and telling him that it was his Majesties Desire; and speaking more of my desert and his Majesties favour than I will recite; and promising that his own Steward should pay yearly to the Vicar the full value of the Vicarage if he would resign it to me. And he gave me the Letter unsealed, and I took a copy of it. But the Vicar was not to take this for security. At length that I might satisfy my conscience and people to the utmost that I did not forsake them, I moved the Lord Chancellor that I might be but the old Vicars Curate, and preach under him as such, for any thing or nothing. And at last this also was refused, and Sir Ralph Clare plainly told me, that I was the fittest man in England for the place if I would conform, and the unfittest of all others if I would not, because of my interest in the people. (And at the parting I thank him, he sent me a purse of money, which I returned him as it came.) And so long a time was spent in attendance of my Lord Chancellor before this business came to an end, that I suppose it is all the occasion of