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A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF THE PERSECUTION Laid to the CHARGE of the Church of England.
THE Desire of Liberty to serve God in that Way and Manner which Men judge to be most acceptable to him, is so Natural and Reasonable, that they cannot but be extream∣ly provoked against those who would force them to serve him in any other. But the Conceit withal, which most Men have, that their Way of Serving God is the only acceptable Way; naturally inclines them, when they have Power, to use all Means to constrain all other to serve him in that way only. So that Liberty is not more desired by all, at one time, than it is denied by the very same Persons at another. Put them into different Conditions, and they are not of the same Mind: but have different Inclinations, in one State, from what they have in another. As will be apparent by a short View of what hath passed in these Churches and Kingdoms, within our Memory.
II. Before the late Civil Wars, there were very grievous Complaints made of the Bishops; that they pressed the Ceremonies so strictly, as to inflict heavy Censures upon those called Puri∣tans, who could not in Conscience conform to them. Now no sooner had those very Persons who thus complaned, got their Liberty to do as they pleased, but they took it quite away from the other: and suquestred all those who would not enter into their Holy League and Covenant; for the reforming all things according to the Model which they propounded. Nay, they were not willing to bear with Five Dissenting Brethren among themselves; who could not conform to the Presbyterial Government. And when these Dissenting Brethren, commonly known by the Name of Independants, had got a Party strong enough, which carried all before them; they would not allow the use of the Common Prayer in any Parish; no not to the King himself in his own Chappel: not grant to one of the old Clergy, so much Liberty as to teach a School, &c. Which things I do not mention (God knows) to reproach those who were guilty of them; but only to put them in mind of their own Failings: that they may be humbled for them, and not insult over the Church of England, nor severely upbraid them with that, which when time was, they acted with a higher Hand themselves. If I should report all that the Presbyterians did here, and in Scotland, and all that the Independants did here and in New England; it would not be thought that I exceed the Truth, when I say they have been more Guilty of this Fault, than those whom they now charge with it. Which doth not excuse the Church of England, it must be confessed, but doth in some Measure mitigate her Fault. For the Conformable Clergy having met with such very hard Usage in that disinal Time, wherein many of them were op∣pressed above Measure; no wonder if the Smart of it, then fresh in their Minds, something imbittered their Spirits; when God was preased, by a wonderful Revolution, to put them into Power again.
III. Then a stricter Act of Ʋnifamity was made, and several Laws pursuant to it, for the en∣foreing that Uniformity, by severe Penalties. But let it be remembred that none were by those Laws constrained to come to Church, but had Liberty left them to serve God at Home (and some Company with them in their own Way. And let it be farther remembred, that the Re••ion why they were denied their Liberty of meeting in greater Assemblies was, because such Assemblies were represented, as greatly endangering the publick Peace and Safety: as the Words are in the very first Act of this Nature against ••uakers, in the Year 1662. Let any one read the Oxford Act, (as it is commonly called) made in the Year 1665. and that at Westminster, in the Year 16••••. and he will find them intended against Sed••••ous Conventicles; That is, they w•••••• made them, were persw••d••d by the J••su•• I••terest at first to look upon such Meetings as