Sect. 3. Sentences.
Ans. [The Sentences tend all to exhort the People to pious liberality, whether the Object be the Minister, or the Poor; and though some of the Sentences be Apocriphal, they may be useful for that purpose.] Why Collection for the Poor should be made at another time, there is no reason given, only change desired.]
Repl. We have oft told you, why the Apocripha should be cautelously used in the Church; that Usurper that should pretend to the Crown, and have a more numerous party than the King (that hath the undoubted Right) will be lookt on more suspitiously than ordinary Subjects. 2. It is a sordid thing for Ministers to love Money, and it's sordid, unless in extraordinary necessi∣ties, to have them beg, and beg for themselves, and beg under a pretence of serving God; even in times when the Clergy seems advanced. 3. We con∣fest our selves deceived, in thinking we should have free personal debates with you, which made us reserve many of our Reasons. Our Reasons are, 1. For less disturbance. 2. Because the Peoples affections are much more raised usually, and so fitter for returns, when they have received. 3. Espe∣cially, because it is most seasonable to do the Acts of Gratitude, when we had received the obliging benefits, and so say, [What shall I give the Lord for all his Benefits?] when we have partaked of them; and to offer our selves first, and with our selves, what he giveth us, unto him, when we have received him, and his Graces offered to us. These are the Reasons that brought us under your Censure of desiring a Change.