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(a) A Proposal in a private Letter, to be resolved in a case of Consci∣ence, implied no such irresolved thought; nor could by any fair interpretation, move a jealousie of starting from that pro∣fession of Religion, &c. so that I wish the servour of Mr. Dean's desires had
not passed so earnestly into forced fears, for which no occasion at all was given, and the perpetual experience of so ma∣ny years since hath render'd hitherto al∣together frustrate.
(b) I do not remember, in the Eccle∣siastic History, I have read any num∣ber of Orthodox Christians, chaced out of their own Countrey, at loss for a safe Communion in some one or other elsewhere: It was foreseen, that would prove our special difficulty or misfortune, else the question had not been put.
(c) Nor let it be said, we can find no other way to decline the Papists, than by turning Puritans, or Presbyterians.
(d) We might have held it, but for unnecessary jealousies of giving offence to them that were never pleased with the practice of our Canon, in some particu∣lars beside the Surplice, which the French Islanders used not.
(e) That was indifferently well, so long as it held.
(f) O quam bonum & jucundum, &c. I wish D. Martin had not found just cause, since then to think and write otherwise, for our Churches sake.
(g) He had, if I and many others mi∣stook him not, a more awful eye for some Governours in the University, than for the most Orthodox of our Church. He was facile enough to make profession, but, within my knowledge, not so firm in his performance. By fits his confi∣dence was such, as, where advantageous, to croud himself into the number of the most exact Conformists; yet he had the justice done him, never to be taken for one, through-pac'd, or principled: His Sermon is not yet forgot, which, in a critical time, he preached at St. Mary's Cambr. upon 1 Kings 18. 21. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And this he did with so warm a Zeal, though not so pure a Spirit, as that of Elijah, nor so upright a mind: He halted not, indeed, as was plain enough through his whole discourse; but his bent or biass leaned altogether toward the wrong side.
(h) He could not have made his story credible, without using the Dean's name, or some others of like good note.
(i) The authority of their private Or∣dinances signifie little toward the publick practice of the Church.
(k) If any such order be, why appears it not, so far, to justifie what authority can be pretended for 'em.
(l) Nor ever shall have, I hope, until their sense and language be better recti∣fied and refined.
(m) Permitted rather than allowed, says the Reverend Dr. Heylyn; For though it be expressed in the Title of those Sing∣ing Psalms, that they were Set forth, and allowed to be Sung in all Churches, before and after Morning and Evening Prayer, and also before and after Sermons; yet this al∣lowance seems rather to have been a Con∣nivance than an Approbation; no such Allowance being any where found, by such as have been most industrious, and concerned in the search thereof;—in some tract of time, as the Puritan Facti∣on grew in strength and confidence, they prevailed so far in most places, as to thrust the Te Deum, the Benedictus, the Magni∣ficat, and the Nunc dimittis, quite out of the Church. See Hist. of Ed. 6. Further yet, They came to be esteemed the most Divine part of Gods publick Service; the
Reading Psalms, together with the first and second Lessons, being heard in many places with a covered Head; but all men sitting bare-headed, when the Psalm was Sung. And to that end the Parish Clerk must be taught to call upon the people, to sing it to the Praise and Glory of God, no such preparatory Exhortation being used at the naming of the Chapters, or the daily Psalms. See Hist. of the Presby∣terians.