r94] indifferent Things, as a neceffary Means to gain their Attention. This was agreeable to the ConduF of the great Author of our Faith and his Apoftles, who inftruded Men as they were able to bear it ; and took Care to give no Offence to Jews or Gentiles, nor to the .Church of God. The Puritanical Rigour and Severity, by driving them from the Church, would in all Proba- bility have thrown them upon the Queen of Scots, or into fom,e Scheme equally fatal to the Reformation. It cannot be denied, that the People might have the fame InfirzsEtion from thofe that wore a Surplice, as from him that wore a Cloak, with this Difference, that they were prejudiced in Favour of the one, and had a Diflike to the other. Who then was likely to be belt heard A Man may as well throw afide his Shirt, or his Shoes, becaufe a Popifh Prieft wore fuch, as, lay afide an out- ward Garment, for no other Reafon. But notwithftanding the appointing the Surplice was not only the injoining an indifferent Matter; but, at that Jun- ¿ture very convenient, fo agreeable to the general Senfe of the Nation, and the laying it afide fo likely to be at- tended with very ill Confequences; yet we {hall fee prefently, whatever Mr..N. has
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