The Preface to the Reader. Of his Appeals to God for the Sincerity of his Defigns and Heart, from fome who have heard him make them as they have credibly told me : Of his Encouragement of, ferious Godlinefs, and of the great Difcouragement which Irreligion and Pro- phanenels and Debauchery ever met with from him. Thefe Things were good and great. But from what Principles they came, and by what right from God and Man they were his Re&oral Province, and to what ultimate End he really did di- re& them ; there Things requiredeeper Thoughts than mine, in order to a fober Judgment on them. It is more than I can do to vindicate his Right to Govern, and to behead our King, and to keep out another but I am alway glad of any thing which may allay the Guilt of Men : though I had rather find no Guilt (nor any appearance or fulpicion of it) that (hall need Charityor Induftry to ex- tenúate or allay it. God giant there Kingdoms greater Careand Wifdomfor time to come : and calk us to fit peaceably, orderly, obediently,fùbmiffively and thank- fully underthe gracious Government of KingWilliam our prefent rightfifl and law- ful Soveraign, in fò great Mercy to there Kingdoms , whom may the molt high God long preferve, condu&, and greatly profper. ( 6. ) As to the Relatives and under Agents of Oliver Cromwell, 1 offer there things: s. The Author would not charge themwith what they never did. a. Their Difadvantages through the Exi- gencies; Influences, and Temptations of their Day ought to be well confidered left otherwife Men be intemperate andexceflìve in their cenforious Refle &ions ois them.. Things now appear ( perhaps) in a far clearer Light than heretofore: ;. lnftant Necelfities may admit of greater Pleas : and Men at a greater diftance may not fo fitly judge of prefent Duty or Expediency. And 4. there is undoubtedly fuck a thing as interpretative Faithfulnefs and Sincerity, which fo far cheers Mens 'hearts, and fpirits refolution and'appeals to God , although the Principles which bear Men up herein may be, and frequently are erroneous, and but meer Milìakes. 5. We know not all that Men can fay, when calmly heard and fairly dealt with, for their own cenfirréd A&ions, by way of Apology or Defence. 6. We mufcon- fider our own (elvesas in this World and Body ; and as liable to equivalent ( ifnot the fame) Dangers and Temptations. The fence and provident reach of that Di- vine Advice, Gal. 6. n. is vaflly great, and greatly ulèful and would prevent rigid Conitm&ions if well attended to. 7. Oliver Cromwef's Progeny (thofe that are yet alive ) are chargeable no further with his Crimes than they are approved by them : and this I never heard them charged with since 6e. I know them not : but nave been told that they are ferious, peaceable , ulèful , commendable Perlons, and make a lovely Figure in their refpeelive, though more privateStations. 8. As to Dr. Owen, r. It is too well known (to need my proof) how great his Worth and Learning was. How loft and peaceable his Spirit, for many of his laft years, if credibleFame bely him not. And perrar''a in maimmendaxfama. He was indeed both a burning and a finning Light. 2. As to the Wallingford-Houfe Affair, and the Doetor's Hand therein; our Reverend Author confidered him and others as to. what he thought culpable, and orpernicidus Confequence and fcandalous' Report and Influence, as to both the prefent and fucceeding Ages. He had no Perlima! Prejudice againR him or others. But as bosh Church and State were fò diforderly endangered and affe&ed by what was thereconfùlted and done ; lb Mr.Baxrer did fo much relent the thing, as to think it fit to be recorded , and accented with fit aggravations; as a Remonfrance to the Crime, and as a Warning to theChriftiata World. And he is not the only Perfon who Lath believed, noticed and blamed that Matter. But that the Doctor is is bragreat Matter's jots , is what our Author Lath reported, his very firm perfwafion of, in print. 9. As to our Brethren the fide/mile/ants, 'tis true that no mean Ferment appears to have been upon the Author's Spirit. But (r.) is he sharper upon them , then on the Presbyterian,, AnabapriFts, Prelates, where bethought or found them culpable ? (2. ) What Party did our Author wholly fide with? (3 ) What bofom Friend did he ever fpare wherein he found him reprehenfible ? (4.) He was fo intent upon Orthodox Do&rines, Ca- tholiek Union, Chrifian Concord and Behaviour, and Peaceable Ufefulnefs and Converfàtion amoggf all Proteft ants, and upon avoidingDivifions amongft Chrift's Followers, as that whatever obffruaed there Concerns, he was impatient of , and warm againR. Truth, Peace, and Love,was he a Votary ro, and Martyr for : and hereunto did he devote molt of his Life and Labours, Dicam good res eil. It is fèandalous that there fhould be Divifions, Dillances, Animofties and Contentions, amongft Chriftians, Protellants, Diffenters, againR each other, and in the Bowels of each Party. But much hereof arifes from unhappy Tempers, Self ignorance, Confidence and Inobfervance, want of frequent, patient, and calm Conterenceanci im-
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