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I cannot doubt but the Reports, which have late∣ly spread concerning me, and of my change and Alteration in the great Affair of Religion, put you upon an Expectation to hear some∣thing from me; and that in Print too: It having been my constant former Method to give an account of my self to the World that way. And although I might very well excuse my self from the same thing now, that scribling humor being only in the dayes of my Ignorance; when God Almighty pleased to permit a Veil to hang between my eyes and his most glorious Truth, Namely the veile of my Pride, and Folly: Yet least from a total silence, the world which in its own Nature is censorious enough, should apprehend, that I either wanted Charity to my late dear Breathren, or Courage to own the Truth, or that I thought the way unjustifiable, wherein I now Worship and Adore the God of my Fathers, these good and Pi∣ous men, who until the pretended Reformation of Luther and his Followers, knew no other way of Worship or Religion, then this, by which Millions of them were sent into the Bosome of Christ. I have at last resolved to give you a short accompt of my self, and what hath befallen me since the Happy Restauration of our most Gracious Soveraign to his Crown and Dignities.
And indeed when I consider the Love which I have ever had for you, and the returns of Affection, which I have received from many, and most of you; I think my self more then ordina∣rily Engaged, to be free with you in these things, as hoping, and in Charity believing, that if I can Convince you of the reasona∣bleness of my Proceedings, you will approve of what I have done; And on the other side, if any of you can make it appear, wherein I have done amiss, you will be so just (and this Justice I here challenge from you) as to shew me my Errors.
My carriage whilst I was in Communion with you, was (I hope) alwaies such, as to give you a sufficient reason to beleive that I neither was, nor am byassable by Worldly Interests, and