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The CASE of the ENGAGEMENT.
SIR,
I Have hitherto been very sparing in de∣livering my opinion concerning the point now most in agitation, viz. Of the lafwulness or unlawfulness of Subscribing the Engagement: considering the mischiefs that must needs have followed, if it should be once noised abroad, that I had given forth any determi∣nation in so tickle a point. I could not but foresee on the one side, if I should condemn it as utterly unlawful, how I should be look∣ed upon by those that have all power in their hands, not as a refuser only, but a dis∣suader also of what they have thought fit to require: and on the other side, if I should allow it in any case lawful, what ill use would certainly be made thereof by mul∣titudes of people, apt to be so far scandali∣zed thereby, as either to swallow it whole without chewing, (that is, resting them∣selves upon the general determination of the lawfulness to take it hand over head,