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GOD is my Witness, what I have discoursed in these Papers, is my fixed Judge∣ment, which I have taken up upon Convictions, which I am not able to resist, and not from any carnal Motives or any Prejudices whatso∣ever.
Yet, being sensible of my own weak∣ness and proneness to mistake in judging, and most unwilling to do the least dis-ser∣vice to the Church, of which I am at pre∣sent an unworthy Member, or to those Reverend Superiours, whom from my heart I honour and own, as the true Apostolick Guides and Rulers of the Church, (which, if I be mistaken in my Judgement, I unwillingly may do) I therefore do entreat my Brethren of the Clergy, who shall peruse these Lines, to do it with the exactest scrutiny, and, if, upon perusal, they do find, or judge my Reasons unconcluding, and that my Judgement in this Matter is not accor∣ding to Truth, that out of their abun∣dant Charity they would be pleased to convince me of my Error.
There being nothing in the World, in which I shall more heartily rejoyce, than a clear Conviction, that in that part of my Discourse, which doth concern my ever-honour'd Superiours, I have been mistaken.
Teach me, my Reverend Brethren, and I will hold my peace; cause me to understand, wherein I have erred, and I will thankfully, yea I will publickly retract it.
I hope, I shall not be accused of Sin∣gularity, or Unkindness to the Church of England.
Since, what I plead for in this Book, is only the Religion of my King, and that which I have learn'd from his most excellent Declaration, &c.
Since I my self do from my heart con∣form to all that is required by the Church of England, &c.
Since I verily believe all separate Con∣gregations in the Nation, which are not subject to the Government of our Dio∣cesans, are schismatical, and all they, that do abet and head them, and exer∣cise among them a spiritual Jurisdiction independent on them, do set up Altar against Altar, and therefore out of pure commiseration to their souls do plead in their behalf.
Since I do only plead for this Con∣descension, because I do really believe; 'tis for the Glory, the Safety, the Ad∣vantage of the Church of England, and of the Protestant Religion; that it will be highly instrumental for the Good of Souls, and will conciliate so great Re∣nown and Credit to our Reverend Bi∣shops, as to make future Generations rise up and call them Blessed. And there∣fore,
if I have been somewhat transport∣ed beyond the measures of my Station, it is pure zeal for my Religion, and the Good of Souls, and for the Honour, Safety, and Advantage of the Church of England and her Apostolical Governours, which caused me to be thus transported.
Since I, who do now humbly plead for Condescension, do intend, God wil∣ling, to plead, as stiffly, and, I hope, with more Conviction, for submission to the Constitutions of the Church of Eng∣land.
Since, lastly, I am very willing and desirous to be convinced of my Error, and, such conviction being given, to re∣tract, what I have writ on this Sub∣ject.
I hope, what is written with all the modesty I could, and as much deference to my most honour'd Superiours, as the application of the present Subject would permit: I say, if these things be consi∣der'd, I hope, that I have given no just occasion of offence to any Member of the Church of England.
[All this I allow of, so far as it is not evidently protestatio contra factum; for in that case the Reconciler himself will ex∣cuse us from believing of men's demurest Protestations.]
[He entreats his Readers, who shall peruse these Lines, to do it with the ex∣actest scrutiny, and professeth, wherein-so∣ever he shall be convinced of Error, not only thankfully to accept of it, but pub∣lickly to retract, &c.]
Ibid. p. 55
P. 60.
P. 118.