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

Quest. How can the Nonconformists reasonably expect any alterations and condescensions now for their sakes? Did not they deny a toleration to the Episcopal Clergy but lately? And did not the Elder Brother, Presbytery, deny to bear with the Younger, Independency? And were they not very severe and strict in punishing all Dissenters from their way? See Cont. p. 124, 125.

Quest. How can the Nonconformists reasonably expect any alterations and condescentions now for their sakes? Did not they deny a toleration to the Episcopal Clergy but lately? And did not the Elder Brother, Presbytery, deny to bear with the Younger, Independency? And were they not very severe and strict in punishing all Dissenters from their way? See Cont. p. 124, 125.

Answ. The Nonconformists of the Congregational way were then, and still are for Liberty of Conscience; and the Presbyterians humbly move for the like Favour and Liberty which others had in those days, different as to Government from them in the like Circumstances. They forbore the imposing of unnecessary things, or such things ⟨p. 23⟩as were doubtful, in and about the service of God, as terms and conditions of Communion with them. Besides, they suffered many of the Episcopal persuasion without ever taking the Covenant to enjoy places in Churches, Colleges, and Schools. And 'tis notoriously known, That Dr. Wild, afterward Bishop Wild, Dr. Gunning, and others, had numerous Meetings for Common Prayer and Preaching, at London; and Dr. Hyde, Dr. Fell, and others, at Oxford, in those days. As to the five poor men (as the Author calls the Apologists) they had liberty to preach, and enjoyed the fattest and richest public Lectures in London. Give me leave to add too, that the Parliament by their Ordinance allowed the Bishops 200 l. per annum for their Lives; and I find in the Life of Bishop Morton, that he had an Order to have 1000 l. out of the Treasury at Goldsmiths-Hall, with which he paid his Debts, and purchased to himself an Annuity of 200 l. per annum during his Life. And a fifth part of Livings, where the Minister was ejected, for maintenance of Wife and Children: And scarce any man in those days, that was able, sober, and peaceable, but might, if he had pleased, have Employment and a Livelihood. The Parliament made no Act for Banishment of them from Corporations, forbade them not to teach Schools, or entertain Boarders in their Houses, imposed no Oath on Women that taught School, to capacitate