Ans. To this I would say, There can be no Justice in such an Objection against this Proposal, as made to us in the forementioned Memorial. And indeed that Caution and Prudence appears in the Projection it self, and in the Manner in which it is proposed to us, that there is not so much as any Colour for the Objection. The Proposal is such, and so well guarded, that there seems to be no Room for the weakest Christian that well observes it, so to mistake it, as to understand those Things to be implied in it, that have indeed been objected against, by many eminent Christians and Divines among Protestants, as entangling Mens Consciences, and adding to divine Institutions, &c.—Here is no Pretence of establishing any Thing by Authority; no Appearance of any Claim of Power in the Proposers, or Right to any Regard to be paid to their Determinations or Proposals, by virtue of any Deference due to them, in any Respect, any more than to every individual Person of those that they apply themselves to. So far from that, that they expressly mention that which they have thought of, as what they would propose to the Thoughts of others, for their Amendments and Improvements, declaring that they choose rather to receive and spread the Directions and Proposals of others, than to be the first Authors of any.—No Times, not sanctified by God's own Institution, are proposed to be observed more than others, under any Notion of such Times being, in any Respect, more holy, or more honourable, or worthy of any Preference, or distinguishing Regard; either as being sanctified, or made honourable, ⟨p. 87⟩by Authority, or by any great Events of divine Providence, or any Relation to any holy Persons or Things; but only as circumstantially convenient, helpful to Memory, especially free from worldly Business, near to the Times of the Administration of public Ordinances, &c. None attempts to lay any Bonds on others, with Respect to this Matter; or to desire that they should lay any Bonds on themselves; or look on themselves as under any Obligations, either by Power or Promise; or so much as come into any absolute Determination in their own Minds, to set apart any stated Days from secular Affairs; or even to fix on any Part of such Days, without Liberty to other Circumstances, as shall be sound expedient;
Ans. To this I would say, There can be no Justice in such an Objection against this Proposal, as made to us in the forementioned Memorial. And indeed that Caution and Prudence appears in the Projection it self, and in the Manner in which it is proposed to us, that there is not so much as any Colour for the Objection. The Proposal is such, and so well guarded, that there seems to be no Room for the weakest Christian th•t well observes it, so to mistake it, as to understand those Things to be implied in it, that have indeed been objected against, by many eminent Christians and Divines among Protestants, as entangling Mens Consciences, and adding to divine Institutions, &c.—Here is no Pretence of establishing any Thing by Authority; no Appearance of any Claim of Power in the Proposers, or Right to any Regard to be paid to their Determinations or Proposals, by virtue of any Deference due to them, in any Respect, any more than to every individual Person of those that they apply themselves to. So far from that, that they e•presly mention that which they have thought of, as what they would propose to the Thoughts of others, for their Amendments and Improvements, declaring that they chuse rather to receive and spread the Directions and Proposals of others, than to be the first Authors of any.—No Times, not sanctified by God's own I•stitution, are proposed to be observed more than others, under any Notion of such Times being, in any Respect, more holy, or more honourable, or worthy of any Preference, or distinguishing Regard; either as being sanctified, or made honourable, ⟨p. 87⟩by Authority, or by any great Events of divine Providence, or any Relation to any holy Persons or Things; but only as circumstantially convenient, helpful to Memory, especially free from worldly Business, near to the Times of the Administration of publick Ordinances, &c. None attempts to lay any Bonds on others, with Respect to this Matter; or to desire that they should lay any Bonds on themselves; or look on themselves as under any Obligations, either by Power or Promise; or so much as come into any absolute D•termination in their own Minds, to set apart any stated Days from secular Affairs; or even to fix on any Part of such Days, without Liberty to other Circumstances, as shall be sound expedi•nt;
