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GOD save you Ma∣ster; You are wel∣come home.
I thank you John. How do all my Neighbours?
Very well, Sir, God be prai∣sed.
I am glad to hear it: But what makes you stare more at me
now, than you were wont to do formerly? You wonder, I warrant, to see me wear a Sword and Cre∣vat.
Indeed, Master, so I do: I never saw you in this Garb before.
There are great Altera∣tions in the World, and it ought to seem no strange thing if I am some∣what alter'd from what I was.
There are great Alterations indeed Master, but I cannot under∣stand why they should make you leave off your Gown and Cassock. I hope you do not intend, Sir, to preach in your Sword and Crevat.
You need not fear it, Man, for I do not intend to preach at all: I must leave that to others who have better Authority to do it than I have.
Better Authority? I am sure you are a Minister, Sir, and I have heard my Father, who was a Cler∣gy-man, and died in the beginning
of the great Rebellion, often say, That once a Minister, and always a Minister; and that a Man's Orders could never be taken from him.
That is true, if a Man has such Orders as he ought to have; but I never was so happy as to have any such.
I beg your Pardon, Sir, I now guess what you mean, and tru∣ly, Sir, it has been a great trouble to the whole Parish to hear that you was turn'd. But pray, Master (if I may be so bold) how could you officiate as a Minister, if you had no Orders? Or have you only since his present Majesty came to the Crown, discovered that you have none?
I knew it a long time before that happened.
I am sorry to hear you say so, Master; because there are some ill Men in the Parish, who, if this be once known, will clamour a∣gainst
you, as if you were a Man of no Conscience, in that altho you knew your self to be no Minister, you have officiated as one, and al∣tho you knew the Church of Eng∣land to be in the wrong, yet you instructed all your People to live and die in the Communion of it.
Whatever I may have done heretofore, I intend to do so no longer.
Shall we then lose you, Sir, presently?
I do not intend to offici∣ate any longer amongst you, but I will send you a very good Curat.
And take the Profits your self, as you did formerly?
Ay John, Why should I not?
O, Master, it would be bet∣ter to resign your Living: for, if he be satisfied in his Mind (will those ill Men say) that he is no Minister, why does he pretend to take care of
our Souls? Nay, if he thinks no Man can be saved in the Communion of the Church of England, and there∣fore has himself left it, what a wicked thing is it for him to con∣tribute still to our being educated in the same Errors, and to take Mony for deceiving us by his Cu∣rat after the same manner, as he for several Years has deceived us him∣self. Excuse my Boldness, Master, I only tell you what Mr. G. and Mr. H. who never loved you hear∣tily, will say of you.
You know John, I al∣ways liked your freedom. Mr. G. and Mr. H. may say what they please, but perhaps it will not be long before I return to my Cure my self.
To tell you the Truth, Ma∣ster, the whole Parish is very much against Popery; but if they must have a Popish Minister, I am very confident, that the generality of
them would rather have you, with whom they are acquainted, than any Stranger whatsoever.
I am much beholden to them: Pray remember me to Esq F. and to every body else. Fare∣well John.
Farewell Master.