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

L. What confusion will this bring in? Shall one that is no Pastor have the Benefice? and whom shall the People choose, and where shall they Assemble?

L. What confusion will this bring in? Shall one that is no Pastor have the Benefice? and whom shall the People chuse, and where shall they Assemble?

M. If great Men that should keep Gods Order, will obstinately break it, it's they that cause the confusion, and inferiors cannot remedy it. But if you will lay by prejudice and have patience I shall open the case to you. I. The Magistrate as the Patron of the Church, must see that every place have competent Teaching: And over the mere Catechumens or Auditors, he may appoint who shall choose these Parish Teachers, and to them as such he may give the public Place and Maintenance (if Original Dedication to Pastors as such make it not Sacrilege to alienate it.) And these Teachers are bound to Preach, Catechise, and do all that's due to Catechumens. II. If these men be tolerable, no doubt the generality of the People will choose them for their Pastors, prudence requiring it; rather than lose the advantage of the Place, and of a countenanced maintained Ministry. III. If intolerable Men get in, or such as the Flock of Communicants cannot submit to, it's most like that the People will for the advantage of the public Place and Countenance, take some Neighbour Pastor for theirs, and there Communicate, paying their Tithes at home. IV. If most choose the Parish Teacher for their Pastor, and a few Dissenters go to the next Parish Church, the inconvenience will be comparatively small. V. If any number can consent to no Parish Minister near them, it is but to tolerate their Communion in a place of their own preparing, if the Magistrate find their Principles and Conversation tolerable, and this under Laws of Peace and good Behaviour; and what harm is in all this?

M. If great Men that should keep Gods Order, will obstinately break it, it's they that cause the confusion, and inferiors cannot remedy it. But if you will lay by prejudice and have patience I shall open the case to you. I. The Magistrate as the Patron of the Church, must see that every place have competent Teaching: And over the meer Catechumens or Auditors, he may appoint who shall chuse these Parish Teachers, and to them as such he may give the publick Place and Maintenance (if Original Dedication to Pastors as such make it not Sacriledge to alienate it.) And these Teachers are bound to Preach, Catechise, and do all that's due to Catechumens. II. If these men be tolerable, no doubt the generality of the People will chuse them for their Pastors, prudence requiring it; rather than lose the advantage of the Place, and of a countenanced maintained Ministry. III. If intolerable Men get in, or such as the Flock of Communicants cannot submit to, it's most like that the People will for the advantage of the publick Place and Countenance, take some Neighbour Pastor for theirs, and there Communicate, paying their Tythes at home. IV. If most chuse the Parish Teacher for their Pastor, and a few Dissenters go to the next Parish Church, the inconvenience will be comparatively small. V. If any number can consent to no Parish Minister near them, it is but to tolerate their Communion in a place of their own preparing, if the Magistrate find their Principles and Conversation tolerable, and this under Laws of Peace and good Behaviour; and what harm is in all this?