An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Answ. As for many of them they are not rash to utter any thing before the Lord they are very serious and sober in their expressions, affectionate and zealous in their utterance. There is a little ⟨p. 57⟩Book of the Prayers of many of the chief of them; taken, I suppose, in Short-hand, without their knowledge, and published (for ought I know) without their consent; yet I conceive with some grains of allowance for common and pardonable errors, might pass with an Imprimatur. And if there be some who have used unbecoming expressions; Are there not to be found also among the Conformists guilty of the like Indecencies? Not to mention the Pr. of D. I. M. at Oxford, nor the Pr. of D. R. at Windsor; I hope it may be pardonable to cite that of the D. which was printed with his own knowledge; Let the Gold of our Nobility excel in Grace as they do in Honour; purify the Silver of our Gentry from the dross of Vice; engrave upon the Brass of the Commonalty the fear of thy holy Name. As for their affectionate way of utterance, I suppose it may be a means to move themselves & others to suitable affections to the duty they ate about. Vocal Prayer, where it can conveniently be used, is by some preferred before mental, because 'tis a means to excite affections, and prevent distraction. One end of Prayer, as a very learned Author tells us, is not to move or affect God, but our selves, that we may be fit to receive the good things that we beg of him; and then those words and phrases, and that way of utterance or speaking which is most affectionate and least affected, which is best adapted to the matter of the prayer, and productive ⟨p. 58⟩also of good effects in our selves and others, ought to be esteemed least liable to blame or exception. Is it not the part of an Orator to change his voice and gesture, according to the variety of the subject or matter he is speaking of? do not men begin an Oration with a low voice or tone ordinarily, and so rise higher as they go further, and ordinarily are most intense and earnest towards the Conclusion? We are directed in the Common-Prayer-Book to repeat the Confession of Sins after the Minister with a meek, heart and humble voice: And I have heard of one, that, for his voice and confidence, was charged that he confessed his sins as if he was proud of them?

Answ. As for many of them they are not rash to utter any thing before the Lord they are very serious and sober in their expressions, affectionat and zealons in their utterance. There is a little