A letter written out of the country to a person of quality in the…A letter written out of the countrey to a person of quality in the…

Which is to be done not by professing another opinion, for we depend not on his authority, which he hath himself so much diminished; but on the reasons he alleged, which if they were fallacious, let him show wherein, and answer his own reasons. To say the truth, the gravity and seriousness wherewith that Book was written, appears to have so little of the youth in it, in comparison of the jocularity, and sportful humour of some of his latter Writings, when he hath been discussing the most weighty and important Cases of Conscience, that it seems as a Prodigy in Nature, and that he began his life at the wrong end; that he was ⟨p. 33⟩old in his youth, and reserved his puerility to his more grown age. But we hope there is a great residue behind, wherein he may have opportunity and inclination to show the World, that he did not repent the pious design of that Book: Or, at least with a repentance that (can, as well as that) ought to be repented of.

Which is to be done not by professing another opinion, for we depend not on his authority, which he hath himself so much diminished; but on the reasons he alledged, which if they were fallacious, let him shew wherein, and answer his own reasons. To say the truth, the gravity and seriousness wherewith that Book was written, appears to have so little of the youth in it, in comparison of the jooularity, and sportful humor of some of his latter Writings, when he hath been discussing the most weighty and important Cases of Conscience, that it seems as a Prodigy in Nature, and that he began his life at the wrong end; that he was ⟨p. 33⟩old in his youth, and reserved his puerility to his more grown age. But we hope there is a great residue behind, wherein he may have opportunity and inclination to shew the World, that he did not repent the pious design of that Book: Or, at least with a repentance that (can, as well as that) ought to be repented of.

4. And whereas such of the dissenting Ministers, as have most openly declared for communicating at some times with some of the Parochial Churches, have also declared their judgment of the lawfulness and necessity of Preaching and Hearing, and doing other Religious Duties in other Congregations also. If now either the Doctor discern not the consistency of these things, or they discern not their inconsistency; is there nothing to be said or thought but that they acquit not themselves like honest and conscientious men? Must it be taken for a demonstration of a mans want of honesty and conscience, not be presently of the Doctors Opinion in every thing? or not to see every consequence which he sees, or thinks he sees?