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

M. So can a good Woman or a Child: And an ignorant Man or Woman can read a good Physic or Law-Book. Will you therefore take them for your Physicians or Lawyers? Do you know the case of our Parishes or not? Tell me what you would do your self in this case. Suppose a poor Sinner is convinced of his great ignorance and dullness, and sinful inclinations, and strong temptations, and finds great difference between a clear Judicious, skilful, serious Minister and others, and yet that the best doth prove too little for his help: This Man dwells in a Parish where in the Pulpit he heareth a young Fellow sometime read a Cento of impertinent shreds, as School-boys make an ignorant Declamation: And sometimes he heareth him tell them what damnable Hypocrites they are, and Schismatics, that scruple any thing commanded by the Church, and then make long Prayers, and talk religiously to hide it: And in Company he hath not a serious word for a Holy Life, and to prepare Men for another World, but sometimes reviles Puritans, and at best talks of worldly things, or Opinions or Factions in Religion; and perhaps will be Drunk and Rant it with the most Profane. His Parishioner in Doubts and Trouble of Conscience comes to him for Satisfaction; And the best Answer he can get is, [What Puritan put these Fears or Scruples in your head? If you trouble your mind about such matters you will shortly turn Schismatic or go mad: Trust God, and follow your Business, and be merry. The Scripture is for Divines, and not for such as you; It is above your Capacity.] The Parishioner having no better Answer, goeth no more: And perhaps an hundred or a thousand in the Parish have more need of Pastoral help, than this Man: And in the Pulpit he Preacheth them asleep, ⟨p. 165⟩or into Laughter, or into hatred of Puritans; and out of the Pulpit doth drink, and talk, and live as they. 2. Suppose these Men hear the Clergy tell why they Silence and Banish, and render odious such Men as we are: And they think with themselves, we perceive by this that it is not indifferent what pastors we have: And if these reviled Men be so bad, is our Priest any better, or wise or honester, or more to be trusted? 3. Suppose these poor people had a Teacher 20 or 10 years that is now cast out, whose preaching they found to be clear and edifying, and quickening;

M. So can a good Woman or a Child: And an ignorant Man or Woman can read a good Physick or Law-Book. Will you therefore take them for your Physicians or Lawyers? Do you know the case of our Parishes or not? Tell me what you would do your self in this case. Suppose a poor Sinner is convinced of his great ignorance and dulness, and sinful inclinations, and strong temptations, and finds great difference between a clear Judicious, skilful, serious Minister and others, and yet that the best doth prove too little for his help: This Man dwells in a Parish where in the Pulpit he heareth a young Fellow sometime read a Cento of impertinent shreds, as School-boys make an ignorant Declamation: And sometimes he heareth him tell them what damnable Hypocrites they are, and Schismaticks, that scruple any thing commanded by the Church, and then make long Prayers, and talk religiously to hide it: And in Company he hath not a serious word for a Holy Life, and to prepare Men for another World, but sometimes reviles Puritans, and at best talks of worldly things, or Opinions or Factions in Religion; and perhaps will be Drunk and Rant it with the most Prophane. His Parishioner in Doubts and Trouble of Conscience comes to him for Satisfaction; And the best Answer he can get is, [What Puritan put these Fears or Scruples in your head? If you trouble your mind about such matters you will shortly turn Schismatick or go mad: Trust God, and follow your Business, and be merry. The Scripture is for Divines, and not for such as you; It is above your Capacity.] The Parishioner having no better Answer, goeth no more: And perhaps an hundred or a thousand in the Parish have more need of Pastoral help, than this Man: And in the Pulpit he Preacheth them asleep,