No More Learning

Epicurean, Stoick, Cartestan, Copernican, or Aristote lian, or to come nearer to religion, Thomist, or Scotifl and may change his sentiments ten times day, without being accountable to any. And as none of these
blished any law, in opposition to the other so
yours of this Nov. 18. N. 69. you would not have this
sr that religion establish'd, or to have the rule and power, in oppofition to the other. This would make all
religion precarious, and suppose mankind 'perfectly in
as to that matter, and to think of no more (onfequenee than the most trifling disputes but especially
different
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The REHEARSAL.
107
it is most reflecting upon the christian religion, as if there were nospirituality in or concerns of another life. This rank Deism, and beyond even heathen Rome, or
(upon both of which religions you bestow very large encomiums for both of these pretended to re velation, and both establistid church in pursuance to it, and oppofition to all other Therefore you were mightily out when you fay, N. 68. that Cicero was of no church, for he was of the then establish'd church that taking the word church for society under government, prosessing some religion (whether true or salseh not the matter now) and established by the laws of the land, in opposition to others. This has been the way of the whole earth, and you can never have otherwise.
Even Holland, that place of toleration, they have an established church, and so guarded, that aone of any other communion have any access to magistracy, or share in the
government .
When Christ our Lord founded his religion, he esta-
blished a church (not upon secular power, to shew its in dependency, and prerogative above all others) with autho
rity in the governors, the apostles, and their successors the bishops, to the end of the world, to admit into, and go vern this society, and to exclude out of and from all
tile privileges of it, both in this world, and that to come. Without a church, no religion can be preserved; there
fore the christian church called the pillar and ground of the truth.
No man can be excommunicated, or turned out of an tpimon, or the privileges of but he may out of
ciety Therefore the church society, with governors,
Mahometism
rules and privileges; and not
far less of meer thinkers, without restraint or limitation.
will add this, that your notions can never be right as to the state, while they are thus loose as to the church which, as faid, ever was, is, and must be part of the state, and the establishment, and cannot be separated from until yoa can get the world persuaded, to have
no religion at all, or to have no value for it. Till when, ac*
company professors only,
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to8 The REHEARSAL.
no church, and no religion will always be thought the
fame thing.
O. I will take time to my next to consider of this.
C. Then I will go on with the other part we were last upon, that your method of answering books. There are three forts of answers, good, bad, and indifferent. Bat
fourth fort would speak something of. O. What the fourth fort good countryman.
there
C. Thefourth fort of answer stops reply, and an answer still
no answer at all, which
O. Thou'rt merry! countryman.
C. No, Sir, I'm in sober fadness, and I'll fhew to
you, lately come forth called Mr. Sach — el\» prin
ciples examind, or im-moderation display To which it
annex'd, an impartial comparison between him and the Ob-
London, printed 1704.
Now here we would expect, 17? . Mr. Z's prin-
fervntor.
ciples set down, and confuted, zdly. His im-moderation pursuing them display And ^etly. Some comparison or other between (he meant betwixt) him and theObservator.
But what no principles at all of Mr. ss be set
down
O. Then a no answer indeed The im-moderation,
and the comparison are about nothing
C. No, master, they are about something! they are
andfurious, Sec.
O. That still upon the id. point of im-moderation. But the principles must be first laid down before they can
be either confuted, or called im-moderate.
C. Why then, master, have read over with all the
have and cannot sind any such thing as one prin ciple in all. There nothing but an empty, flashy ha rangue, like theme of one of the school-boys in their
private academies, learning to put fine words together, and to fay something upon nothing He loves jimilies, and pretty finfences but, like Bays, knows not how to apply
them. Nay he so unlucky, that they apply themselves against himself, and the party he pleads for. He accuses Mr. — for preaching sedition, but tells not against
. whm;
about passion, and resentment
eyes
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The REHEARSAL.
109 whom ; nor can any body tell, unless it be against the dissenters: And ifso, here's a new argument for their being not only tolerated, but establish' d! Let any one read the dissenters fayings, by Sir Roger UEstrange, and keep in mind, how their traiterous and seditious sermons blew up the cursed rebellion of forty-one; and then see to
whom he can asfly such periods as these, in this examina tion of Mr. 5 — f% principles, as p. 2. That nothing has a greater influence upon the ignorant mob, than factious and
seditious sermons—That from the pulpit shouldproceedper suafions to violent commotions, entreaties to revengeful re
sentments, and commands for a universal extirpation, iar nished with the paintedface os innuendo s, and implication, is a crime inexpiable both to God and prince. How then their ovmpractice so truly here describ'dhzs been expiated,
The like
thro' all his book ; and as he begins he ends, p. 22- 'Tit an easy matter with factious sermons to excite commotions — There are few publick disturbances, but some hot-headed
or is expiable let them consider !
strain goes
preacher is their chief fomentet — ,Tis impcssible we should live in peace a7id unity, until the sanctifying mouths ofsedi tion are put to filence. That is most true ; but on which
side the application lies even as to our present disturbances, will appear from this, that, as I have told thee in my t-ivo
last, the -whigs and dissenters have been the aggressors in all that paper-war, which has kept the nation in hot -water ever since this reign. Let them name one bock wrote tm behalf of the church, or government, that was not in an swer to some of their virulent libels. Their numbers are
vastly more ; and they have re-printed the most spiteful and hitter, wrote in former times. They have recom mended those wrote in Elizabeth's reign, for which some of their preachers and authors were xhea. condemn'dto
be bang'd; and others in the after reigns, even of the most higotted cameronians in Scotland; a list of which Mr. Calamy has printed, and vouch' d as their principles at present. And. let me add, as a conclufion, (for I can stay no longer with thee now) that the most numerous spawn, of these seditious pamphlets against both church and
3
state
no The REHEARSAL.
I
state have come out since the toleration ; to shew wVut \ grateful use the dissenters have made of it i and how I f,ercely they move since they began to think of establise- \
ment! for which they now . openly fntendI Ass. stem that is falling upon us, moves the swifter the nearer it
comes to its centre. And as a nearer view to what we
desire, provokes double diligence, and a xeal, with impa tience at any thing that stands in our way ! But onestep more, and we have it! Then the word is, have at it!
N° 18.
Of priestcraft, (ystrouling preachers. And tickets for
From ^at. Nov. 25, to •f>at. Dec. 2,
1704.
sermons. With some of Dan. Burgess'/ stars. Tie present state ofthe church of England exemplified in trial at the Old-Baily. Two books aa-
Iwerd.
Co««. TT 7HAT ! havelgotaNEw masterevery
VV noator? Is legion Obser- must 1 be going his rounds ; and
possessed- with a of difFerentyi&^/fo, fwuv ever)' wed? In thine of last Saturday, N. 72. thca
inad'st me rail, after a beastly rate, at churchmen, and their sermons, and the p^'«\t in the liturgy ; and brought'st
up again the thread-bare topick of pri,fi-crast to give a>f»/ to thy spleen ! with thy nasty and tears ! and
thou own'st thy, self of no church, which thou call'st
party; and consequently, as I prov'd to thee, in my last, thou can'st be of no religion.
But if thou had'st a grain of grace or goodness left, thou vrould'st distinguish betwixt persons and things. There was a defection among the angels of heaven j and
there was a Judas among the apostles, and, as the old faying is, the corruption of the best things is the :
A corrupt angel, is a devil, worst next to him in and a corrupt friest is
thou might'ft, wickedness, because next in dignity ; and with as much fense, set up thy throat, and
hel-
necessary to be ai
The REHEARSAL. in
btllorw against angels, for angel-craft ; as against priests, for priest-craft.
O. ThouYt a pitiful priest-ridden sellow. Thou wor- fllip'st the very shadmv of a black gown. Thou can'st see nofault in them.
C. The reverence I have for their character, makes me* more sharp-fighted than thou art, to spy out the faults in the persons. But with this difference ; thou rejoices and insults, and improves it to an argument against the office ; whereas it grieves me to the soul ; and makes me think of the fins of the people, which have deserv'd fnch a judgment, as to have such priests set over them. As the prophet fays, Like people, like priests. I pay re
spect to the clerical Hahit; but if I see a wolf un
der it, lam sill'd with fear and indignation too against
the person, though I preserve my reverence to the fun ction. And the more sanctify d and theatrically he car ries on the deceit, with antick actions, and distorted countenance, and wonderful vehemency of style! My horror encreases, and it sets me more upon my guard. Then [ think, I am now going to be cheated! I must look well about me !
pits of the town, and almost at one time ! And notice read publickly by the clerk, out of his desk, and the fame given in written tickets to the auditors, telling at what church the fame is to preach the sunday follow
Especially, when I see a man affect popularity, and thrusting himielf into other mens cures, sill all the pul
/w,
are bespoke, as at the Bath ! sill'd with cons, non-cons, and
ing : Whither crowds do bustle, as to a
and
feats
occafiona lists, hodce-potch !
Now as this is un-canonical, without the licence of the
hishop of the diocese, and introductive of all confufion into the church, . against which I am told the canons, both ancient and modern, have provided: So has it been the method of sedition, when popular orators run through
the people, and alarm the nation. There is something then a working !
When, on the one side, some shall be employ'd to go
112 The REHEARSAL.
go up and down every where, crying Peace, peace, theie is no danger! No, none at all ! Therefore shew your moderation, in your see urity, leave off your watches, let the honest men go to their beds !
When, at the fame time, the bell-weatbsrs on the o- ther side, are silling their people's heads with jealous a and fears, no less than downright persecution and utter
destruction coming upon them !
Dan. Burgess told them last funday se'nnight, at his Meeting, where I look'd in, and heard him, advising them to be stars, and moving stars, not only to shim, but that they must move too. And how move ? not only with their hearts, but with their hands! Some, faid he, will open their purse-strings, and have the heart to part with their money ; which is a good thing ; but it is not all. They must lend their hands too to the work, when there is need of them ! money is shining ; but it is hands must name. You must not only shine, but
I quoted to thee in Rehearsal, N. tongue
1 6. That when tie has done its utmost, we must fall to work iuith
the hand. We must shine with the tongue, in our learned discourses ; but we must mome w ith our bands, to
dO bufiness !
And when the onestde is morning, to persuade the
other to liestill, is being certainly in fee with the mov ing side. And such a strouling preacher of peace
does 'em more service than twenty of their own trum
peters for war ; for they are known and suspected. And
he (good man! ) wou'd only disarm those whom they intend to de•vour. And that only for peace fake, to pre
vent a quxrrelt
This minds me of a passage I heard pnee at a trial in
the Old-Bailey , where a house-breaker endeavouring to cut the throat of a servant-maid, who erfd out ; and she struggling hard, and hav ing her hands mangl'd in saving her mini pipe, he faid to her, Why do you put yourself to all this pain and trouble ? Do but let me a- lone, and the work will be over presently !
To which, as prevent
move, &c.
This is a good comment upon the text of De Foe, which
Thus
The REHEARSjAL.
113
Thus it is now preach'd to the church ! She will fave
herself a great deal of trouble, and die in more peace and
quietness!
But there is no word of exhortation to the robbers, to
make peace by forbearing their unjust askults upon the rz'fi/ of others.
No advice to the dissenters, to restrain their iirulent invectives against the church, which come out thick
and threefold every week. Besides their printing, re
printing, and recommending the hitterefi and most spiteful books have been wrote against her in Q^Elizabeth's time, and all the way downwards, as I have shew'd thee in my three last. And likewise how the dissenters are the aggressors in the present paper-war, and the church upon
the defenfive ; what is wrote on her side being in an
swer to their railing accusations. And as men who
are upon the attack, are generally more sierce than
the defendants ; so is it in the present cafe. Let any one read both sides, and he will sind ten-fold more of the
spirit of gall and fury in the pamphlets and papers of the
than of the church. In those wrote for mode ration, than in those who answer, and wou'd explain it to its true meaning.
she only wanted it ! The dissenters are not persuaded to forbear their attacks; but the church, not to answer
for herself, till she shall be render'd sufficiently vile and odious to all the nation ! Notwithstanding that she is insulted for not answering ; and her filence made an ar
dijsenters,
Yet moderation is press 'd only upon the church ! as if
gument of her confessing the charges laid against her ! As
I have shew'd before, N.
Thus was moderation preach'd to the poor maid before
1 from De Foe, &c. 5.
mention'd, only to hinder her out-cries, and disturbing the neighbourhood I What a noise is here ? Stop her breath ! and then it will be over presently!
0. Do'st thou think that these men, whose sermons
and wiitings serve our ends so effectually, do ever read
the pamphlets, that our friends write so smartly against the church ? I am afraid they wou'd alter their note, if
they did. C. I
ii4
The REHEARSAL.
C. I dare fay, that many of them never give them selves that trouble. These pamphlets of the disinters aie id very numerous, and so full of rancour and scurrility, that the reading them wou'd be too great a penance on such as have any other employment ; and they are cal
culated for mob understandings. But I wou'd recommend to the perufal of that eminent preacher of moderation, only tnvo short ones, that would take up but little of his time ; that The new test cs the church of England; loyalty and, The new test the church England'/ honesy, by the fame hand. And then am sure he wou'd be of opinion, that they are refiless, and very pro voking and spiteful writers And let him consider, that these are not answers to any high church pamphlet, or defence of the dissenters from their accusations, which might be some excuse but they are originals in their kind, except some pamphlets of the like kind, and with the fame title, which were put out the papiss the reign of the late K. James, to blacken the church of Eng land; and are now seasonably (as they think) revind! This not the only artillery they have borrow'd from the papiss against our church!
And likewise he will reflect, that for peace fake, and not to stir up heats in this time of war, no answer has hitherto been given any of the church to either of these invidious pamphlets though they have been trum
peted up and down both town and country, more than any other since the revolution and are boasted of as un
answerable, all the dissenters, who triumph in them
Can they shew such an instance of moderation on their
side To be content to lie patiently under such load of
infamy, rather than disturb the calm and quiet of the na
tion with their vindications And yet must they be ac
counted the aggreffors, the men of passion and resent ment, thesurious and the spiteful, because they will not
be totally silent, but answer in some other things
O. am afraid, lest such great provocations shou'd, at last, rouse up the spirit of some of the high-church to answer these two scandalous pamphlets since they can
hardly
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The REHEARSAL.
hardly go into company, where there is a whig, a dis senter, or even a Icw-church-nmn, but such an answer is call'd for, with no little insulting! And if they shou'd anjkcer with as much mettle and concern, as the rcs«/i seems to require, who knows what a fiame, what a
change i: might produce! Therefore, to prevent ail such consequences, I do join heartily with thee, countryman, in an humble petition to the fame to take this task out cf any other hot hand, and himself to give an an
swer to these t-zvo so much celebrated pamphlets; be cause we are sure he wou'd do it vvith moueration ! And tho' it is much beneath him to enter the lists with De Foe, as of any man of character to answer die Ob-
servator; yet where the mischief . is great and spreading, the putting a siop to not unworthy tiie greatest man, tho' he steep below himself, when that becomes ne cessary. And he will judge sitting for him to conde
scend to this the more readily, in consideration that he himself not meanly concern'd in the black asperfions cast upon the church in these books
C. hope he will do it. But not, have good mind to do myself for think can.
And be not well done, the more blame will lie upon him for not doing better, and trusting to a poor country man. So good night, master for am sleepy.
From &at. Dec. z, to. fzat. Dec. 1704. N° 19.
Some more of Sir George Rook.
New-Fashion'd tests for Elections unchurches.
Coun. TN
Sir George Rook again, and Gibraltar. Must we ne ver have done with that old 'song thought the clear and plain account had given of matter of fact in my
former Rehearsals, against the false and malicious as persions
Of
thy Observator of last November 22. N. 71. And again N. 73. thou mak'st me Have at
And
Addresses.
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REHEARSAL.
of my former master Observator against thai honourable gentleman, wou'd have filenc'd these clamcun for the future. And I can still fay more, if it be need- \ ful. The victory at La Hague was put in balance again!
n6 The
pensions
Sir George Rook, his taking of Gibraltar, and uictorj over the Trenchfleet last summer, and all that ever he did in his lise. Whereas in my Rehearsal, N. 8. I shew'd out of K. Williams life, that Sir Gecrge was not only in that action at La Hogue, but that he w-as the
I have heard se were refilvd to believe ! nay, they made me believe it
chief actor in it. But notwithstanding,
veral dispute, and stand it out, that Sir George was not there. And they pretended to tell at what other plau he was at that time. For they believ'd the Obser-vatars, rather than him who wrote K. Williams life. They
too for a while, by their intolerable impudent
rance ! Sure there never was such a generation of met since the world was made, for lying and believing !
Therefore I have got other Evidence, which I sop- pose cannot be resisted. It is Mr. Barchet, who is Secre tary to my Lord Orford, and cannot be suspected of
partiality towards Sir George Rook, or to have given to
any other the honour that belong'd to his master. And
he in his Memoirs of transactions at sea, p. 145, 1 46. speaking of this great action at La Hogue, 1692, tells, that it was Sir George Rook, then vice-admiral of the Blue, who went in himself with the boats, and burnt fix of the French ships that night, and about eight the next morning burnt the other seven, together with several trans
port /hips, and some small vessels with ammunition, £if c. And speaking of Sir George's greater action at Vigo, 1,702, he makes it of more consequence than even that at
La Hogue. And fays in his epistle to the reader, p. 25, 26. That the French will not be able to repair this loss with that expedition they did the blow given them the last
war at La Hogue and Cherbrook.
But I have more than this still. For in the London
Gazette of May 30, 1692, it is told, -that it was vice- admiral Rook, who perform'd that great action at La Hogue,
assu
1
The REHEARSAL
117
Hague, which was very difficult and dangerous, with such
conduce and resolution.
And this service was thought so very confiderable, that
K. William gave Sit George a. penfion for it of a thousand pounds a year, which he enjoys to this day.
Yet I have heard some of these lying devils fay, that Sir George Rook never faw a sword drawn, or a gun sir'd in anger in his lise.
Whereas, since he sirst went a volunteer to sea, there has hardly been one, if any, considerable engagement, where he was not present. And always behavd with equal bravery and conduct. In the Memoirs of Mr. Bur- chet before mention'd, we sind Sir George in Ireland, the
year 1690, p. 25, &c. At La Hogue, in 1692, p. 145. At Lagos Bay, 1693, p. 187. At Cadiz, 1695, p. 287. tiff. At Camaret, 1696, p. 342. And at Vigo, 1702.
To those who know these things, this vindication will appear ridiculous, because they must suppose no body so
ignorant in England and so malicious together, as to deny what is so notorious ! But such malice there and many
are deluded by
How many Qbservators have been spent upon Sir G.
Rook and reflecting upon his skill in sea-afsairs, as well as on his courage and how many of the mob through England swallow up all the Observator fays, as gospel?
The mischief'of this, in more instances than this, not easy to be imagin'd All the vile asperfions in the Ob-
upon the government and ministry, upon the house os commons, some of the bishops and clergy, the
servators
judges and civil officers, are taken for granted by the ob sequious herd, and their tempers are sourd and prejudic'd against the whole administration, both in church and This shews itself slagrantly upon Elections, and
flate.
all other occafions, daily more and morel
And to shew an instance of in the cafe now before us, the inveteracy of that party has pursu'd Sir George Rook so implacably, and with such industry, that his name
now become test, even in addresses And to name without some lessening distinction, to be that scan-
is .
is,
is
a; !
it !
!
it
is
;
The REHEARSAL.
scandalous thing call'd a churchman! And some will ra
ther drop their address, and stand out in the general con gratulations of the nation, than have Sir George Rock seen in what comes from them ! lest they mould be thought true churchmen f And it is more agreeable to such, to let the viStory go on the French side (since viffory it must be on one side or other) than to give it to the English, by the means of Sir George Rook, that of churchman For which reason my Lord Duke of Marl-
n8
must come in for his share too; and he
borough
Eugend now again See before in Rehearsal N. where the Duke Marlhorough's health was drank.
But as no small honour to his Grace, and to Sir George Rook, to be thus mark'd out as most faithful Co the church, and to the queen hop'd, that the clamours of both their enemies will not sufser them, or either of them, to yield the victory to those who feck by trying they can talk them out of their places and so to deprive the church and her majesty of their service: (when they stand most in need) merely to gratify and
strengthen their enemies, who wou'd have so He who
cannot be beaten from his post, will cKsdain to be
laugh'd or scolded out of
What admiral that ever England had, has done more
signal services to the nation than Sir George Rook Be sides La Hogue, Vigo, and driving the naval powers of France and Spain (who came out in pursuit of victory) back into their harbours, with an inserior number was
not of as near importance to to France And do not the Spa
Gibraltar nothing
Spain, as Landau
niards think so,
cover And shall any scruple to call this
the attempts they have made to *-
victory?
whig
And this the un-pardonable fln, for which he must
not be protectcd so much as from the soul-mouth of
nasty Observator, to be by him trumpeted through the kingdoms But
And can the worst of Sir Gross's enemies
give any church-
him, than that he
man And that he will be neither an occafionalist nor
other reason
against
? ?
is ?
aa
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it
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os
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if
it is
!
so it is
The REHEARSAL.
119
But admiral Rook may take this the more patiently, when he sees, that greater rhan-he are treated after the fame ignominious rate, the Lord High Admiral by name, and the S>uecn by innuendo's, as- 1 have fully shew'd in my Rehearsals, with the house of commons, and all in the
legifature and mhtistry, whom they suspect to have any regard to the church, or to the monarchy. But above
all, the duke and dutchess of Marlbormigh are expos'd in the vilest and most opprobrious manner !
And it is the greatest honour to Sir G. Rook, to stand next to them, the but, the envy, and grievance of a party, who cannot make their way to the destruction (once more) of the church and the crown, unless they
can compass his removal.
And his standing in the gap, at this time, and main
taining his post, is the noblest campaign ever he made,
and against the most dangerous enemy, and will be the most considerable service ever he render'd to his country; after having conquer d for them abroad, to rescue them from destruction at home. And his being made a test in this case, is a more glorious distinction of honour, than any can be found in the Herald's office, and will be mora lasting ; and we hope he will not be weary or asham'd of it. He who so often has fae'd the fury of two most raging elements, join'd with the most potent
ENEmies upon earth, cannot besbaken at the barking of impotent c u r r s ; who are no otherwise confiderable, than by the filthy noise they make ; and are as soon conquer d, as look'd upon ; but are never weary in run ning after heels.
And he cannot lay it to heart, that the government does not protect him from these , when he sees, that they (I will not fay) cannot, but for whatever reasons at pre sent, think not sit to protect themselves ! he suffers for Hie government, and with it.
And it wou'd be a far greater reproach to him (as it has been to others) if these men spoke well of him. For then we wou'd inquire, why ? what evil hath, he done ?
1 O. Thou
The REHEARSAL.
O. Thou tak'st all the talk to thyself ; I shall have leave to put in word. Must we speak of notion but Sir G. Rooks' What's thy concern for him?
C. As told thee before, know him not at all, bs by sight nor have any concern for him. But when
made test by party, every body's concern to look into the bottom of and see the cause of it. It then comes national concern.
And can tell thee ot more tests than this, set up the fame party, to enflame the nation. I'll read thee letter dated from Northampton, Nov. 13, 1704 ani subscrib'd by gentlemen of undoubted reputation and credit. It in these words In this town there ivas mt election to choose a member in the room of Mr. Tate ceas'd, on the zd instant the candidates were Mr. Arun-
del,jun. and Mr. Mountague. Mr. Arundel carry above 40 majority, althd' the whole number of elec tors but about 800. The day before the eleSion Aw»
dissenters, the most substantial that body, came n Mr. Arundel, pretending to be sent the whole body the dissenters, to offer him their votes and interest, up on condition he ivou 'd promise to oppose the bill to prcvuA occasional conformity. Upon Mr. Arundel'/ re
Ho
fufing to make any such promise, there was a story not through the whole Whig party, vi2. That Mr. Arundei
was resolv'd to promote andsetforward that bill as much as in him lay tho' he said no such thing. This did him
some small injury, but nevertheless he carry'd the electim as beforeset down. This we call the new state test. We have had lately within five miles this town a new CHURCH test, which agrees very well with the fort-
going story. In short was thus: The patron of a certain living in this country refus'd to give the presentation to
the person that made application to him for it, unless
woud promise to vote as a certain person in that diocest should direct him. The names of the persons have but
forbear.
And in another letter from thence, dated Nov. 11.
wherein there an account of the forefaid
election and tests
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The REHEARSAL; 121
tefls ; the gentleman fays to his friend :
Sir, Ireceiv'd
jour laji, and nuoud have acknowledg'd your favour be~ fore, but really our trouble and frights have been very
great; for we have had no less than four fires within fifty
yards of my house, in no less than fix weeks. And I
am in daily apprehenfion offurther mischief, there being such cir
if
pose to fire the whole town. In short, we are all so
frighted, that we durst not sites in our beds, having been so
esten luaKd out of our fleeps, and been forc'd to fit up all
night. God preserve us all, defiring your prayers to God for us. 1 amyours, £sfc.
From^at. Dec. 9, to &at. Dec. 16, 1704. N° zo.
The true state of the case, ^tveixt the church of England,. and the dissenters. That the church of England im
poses no term of communion, but that of the Apostles creed. Of occasional conformity. And the rights. of the disienters to places. . . , -
cumstances in it, that it looks as
they were done on pur
\J Master, I am now in a peck of troubles, and &un. {~\ come to thee for advice.
O. Tho' wesquabble sometimes, I'll assist thee what I can, honest countryman, come tell me your case. , .
C. lam summon'd before a justice of peace, upon the complaint of some servants of mine, who fay I have broke articles with them.
O. About what then ?
O. What were your articles?
C. I agreed with them for their work, and their wages. And there is no dispute betwixt us as to that.
C. They liv'd at the beginning very peaceably and well, and submitted to the rules and customs of the family,
without any grudging. And tho' I keep a great farm, and employ many servants, yet I can fay no family the county was in better order, with more love and
kindness among our selves, than mine.
But at last, some of my servants grew peevish. They G faid.
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122 The REHEARSAL.
faid, that the colour of the cloaths I was to give them,
not being expressed in the articles, they would no longer
•wear that colour they had worn before.
found fault with the colour and shape of my own cloaths ; and faid, that neither f, my wife or children shou'd wear such, as we always had done before. They faid it was an offence to them to see tho' upon our backs and not being express in the artic{es with them, they were not oblig'd to bear with it. And that our wearing such fort of cloaths, was an impofition upon them, and putting new articles upon them, which were not in our sirst agreement.
Then they quarreWd with the hours always us'd in the family for meal-time, and going to bed, and forshutting
up "th'e doors'. ' They faid' it was suspecting their honesty,
not to let them sit up all night, if they pleased, and to
Nay, they
keep the keys of the house. It was making persect saves of them, because not exprefid'Ysx their articles.
Then they broke off from our family-prayers, which always use, every night and morning. They faid they
did not like them. • ,"•
O. What sort ofprayers do you use
C. good old prayer, one for morning, and another
for evening, which my sather and grand-father before him always us'd. And several divines have seen and
fay an excellent prayer. And so these servants of mine thought, and found no fault for long time. But now fay, that nasty popish prayer and tjiat tjugr can make better themselves. And that they aught to
make prayers in the family, as well as
Then some of them say, that must not fing psalm.
That finging foolish. Others fay, may fing, but must not fing well, or better than they, but after the fame scur vy manner that they do, like the creeking of their casts.
They fay, they' will not have the head of the. tafilt my hall (where use to fay prayers to myfamily) stand towards the window, but put the middle of tfye. hail;
And 100 such like freekish things. They ^yill riqt Jtt my weather-cock stand upon my house, because there is
cross upon pointing to the winds, which they lay
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