The nonconformists advocate

I Answer, It would be well, if the Minister might thus be left to his own discretion, supposing all parties agreed, and that there would be no scandal in the Case; which I look upon as an impossibility. For put the Case, after you have declared your unfeigned Assent and Consent to all and every thing contained in the book of Common-prayers, before the face of God, and the Congregation, one of them should immediately step forth and say, Sir do you like and approve of all, and every thing contained in, and prescribed by the order for the burial of the dead? Ere long your Office will call you to bury as cursed, Reprobate wretches as ever breathed; for too too many such are among us. Do you think it lawful and expedient to stile every one of that sort, dear brother? can you then with a good Conscience say, God in great mercy hath taken his Soul to himself? Or can you express your hope before God, even sure and certain hope, of his resting in Christ, and eternal happiness? What now will you answer to his Questions? will you bring in your last mentioned plea, and think to help and justify your self by it? Will you reply thus, Friend, I have indeed in your hearing, as in the hearing of the whole Congregation, declared my unfeigned assent and consent to all, and every thing contained in, and prescribed by the book of Common-prayer, and by consequence, as you justly infer, to all and every thing appointed for the burial of the dead; but yet you must know, I have a mental reservation according to my own discretion; and besides, my Ordinary, though I have avouched I will do this and that, has given me a secret Licence, to leave it undone in such and such Cases; and in this very Case in particular about burying the dead; and therefore when I shall judge it meet and necessary, I will omit several Expressions, when they shall not be proper nor applicable to the persons to be buried, or at least I will ⟨p. 61⟩take the words in a contrary sense, according to what they are usually taken? should this be your answer? but with what forehead could you utter it? How quickly might the said person reply upon you, to your shame and confusion, in this or the like manner? Belike, Sir, though you have declared your unfeigned assent and consent to all, and every thing contained in and prescribed by the book of Common-prayer, you have but juggled in all you have declared;

I Answer, It would be well, if the Minister might thus be left to his own discretion, supposing all parties agreed, and that there would be no scandal in the Case; which I look upon as an impossibility. For put the Case, after you have declared your unfeigned Assent and Consent to all and every thing contained in the book of Common-prayers, before the face of God, and the Congregation, one of them should immediately step forth and say, Sir do you like and approve of all, and every thing contained in, and prescribed by the order for the burial of the dead? E're long your Office will call you to bury as cursed, Reprobate wretches as ever breathed; for too too many such are among us. Do you think it lawful and expedient to stile every one of that sort, dear brother? can you then with a good Conscience say, God in great mercy hath taken his Soul to himself? Or can you express your hope before God, even sure and certain hope, of his resting in Christ, and eternal happiness? What now will you answer to his Questions? will you bring in your last mentioned plea, and think to help and justifie your self by it? Will you replie thus, Friend, I have indeed in your hearing, as in the hearing of the whole Congregation, declared my unfeigned assent and consent to all, and every thing contained in, and prescribed by the book of Common-prayer, and by consequence, as you justly infer, to all and every thing appointed for the burial of the dead; but yet you must know, I have a mental reservation according to my own discretion; and besides, my Ordinary, though I have avouched I will do this and that, has given me a secret Licence, to leave it undone insuch and such Cases; and in this very Case in particular about burying the dead; and therefore when I shall judge it meet and necessary, I will omit several Expressions, when they shall not be proper nor applicable to the persons to be buried, or at least I will