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

Let me add this also, that 'tis one Objection which hath been formerly made against the Liturgy, That it occasions an ignorant, dumb, and a lazy Ministry, but were it not for Pluralities and Non-residency and insufficient Livings, there might be no place for such objection.

The Author of the Debate tells us in his Continuation, p. 383. that at first the chief promoters of stinted Liturgies were renowned for their constant and unwearied preaching every day in the week, and sometimes twice; and as probably this was one thing that advanced the credit and esteem of Liturgies in former times: As I am persuaded one great cause why many do not esteem of the Liturgy so much now, is, that so many great Conformists and sticklers for it are Pluralists and ⟨p. 122⟩Nonresidents; and divers of them either preach not at all, or very seldom; and then too, some of them preach against Preaching, and saw down the branch of that Tree upon which they stand so high above their Brethren. And on the other side, those who scruple some things in the Liturgy and Ceremonies, are such constant and zealous Preachers, and that when Bonds and Imprisonments abide them for their so doing.

The Author of the Debate tells us in his Continuation, p. 383. that at first the chief promoters of stinted Liturgies were renowned for their constant and unwearied preaching every day in the week, and someeimes twice; and as probably this was one thing that advanced the credit and esteem of Liturgies in former times: As I am perswaded one great cause why many do not esteem of the Liturgy so much now, is, that so many great Conformists and sticklers for it are Pluralists and ⟨p. 122⟩Nonresidents; and divers of them either preach not at all, or very seldom; and then too, some of them preach against Preaching, and saw down the branch of that Tree upon which they stand so high above their Brethren. And on the other side, those who scruple some things in the Liturgy and Ceremonies, are such constant and zealous Preachers, and that when Bonds and Imprisonments abide them for their so doing.