The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

M. Do you not know that the London Churches were burnt down 1666, and to this day it's but few of them that are built again: but Ministers preach in small inconvenient Tabernacles: And those that are built, the Seats are commonly all taken up long ago, and locked up: I heard the last Week an Eminent Esquire say, that he offered Five Pound for a Seat, and could have none, and he was not able to stand so long with the Lads in the Alley. People will not let Strangers into their Seats, when they are Crowded with the Owners: I come into no Church that hath a competent sober Preacher, that is not full; Alleys and Seats. And I pray you if ten Thousand out of Stepney, or Martins, or Giles would go about the City to seek for Church-room: 1. How shall they know before hand in what Churches to find it? 2. When they miss it in three or four, the time will be over before they find it in a fifth. 3. Few but strong men are able to stand so long in the Alleys without Seats. 4. And this supposeth them to be honest thirsty Souls that have least need; whereas the worser sort that have no such appetite are the Multitude, who will stay at home if they have not convenience near them. 5. And the most willing People will hardly travel far to hear a man rail at them and slander them, as some do.

M. Do you not know that the London Churches were burnt down 1666, and to this day it's but few of them that are built again: but Ministers preach in small inconvenient Tabernacles: And those that are built, the Seats are commonly all taken up long ago, and lock'd up: I heard the last Week an Eminent Esquire say, that he offer'd Five Pound for a Seat, and could have none, and he was not able to stand so long with the Lads in the Alley. People will not let Strangers into their Seats, when they are Crowded with the Owners: I come into no Church that hath a competent sober Preacher, that is not full; Alleys and Seats. And I pray you if ten Thousand out of Stepney, or Martins, or Giles would go about the City to seek for Church-room: 1. How shall they know before hand in what Churches to find it? 2. When they miss it in three or four, the time will be over before they find it in a fifth. 3. Few but strong men are able to stand so long in the Alleys without Seats. 4. And this supposeth them to be honest thirsty Souls that have least need; whereas the worser sort that have no such appetite are the Multitude, who will stay at home if they have not convenience near them. 5. And the most willing People will hardly travel far to hear a man rail at them and slander them, as some do.