The Preface. 43 were the Ways, As and Deeds at the fame time of thofe by whom the others were caft out and rejected. And whereas it was the Defignof the Reverend Author, to load the Caufe and Perfons of the prefent Nonconfor- mifts with Prejudice and contempt, it is well fallen out, in the Merciful difpofal of things towards and amongft us, by the Providence and Grace of God, that he is forced to derive the principal Matter of his Charge, from what was done by a fewprivate Terfons, three or fourfcoreyears agoe and more, in whole Principles and PraEEtifes we are not concerned. And as for the Diffe- rence that fell out more lately among the Divines in the Afnsbly at Weflnrinfier, about the Ways, Means, and MeafuresofReformation and mutual Forbearance,which he gives us a large account of in a long Tranfcription out oftheir Writings, I muff have more Health, and Strength and Leifure than now I have, (which I look not for in this World ) before I efteem my felf concern- ed to ingage in that conteft, or to .Apologize for the one fide or other. The things in Agitation between them, had no Relation unto or prefent Diffent from the Church ofEngland, being here infifted onmeerly to fill up the [tory, with Reference unto the General End defigned. Neither to my Knowledge did I ever read a Book, wherein there was a greater Appearance ofDiligence in the Collection ofThings, Words, Sayings, Expreflions, Difcourfes unto other Ends, which might only caft Odi- um on the Caufe oppofed , or give advantage for Ar- guings untoa Teeming Succefs, very little or no way at all belonging unto the Caufe in hand, than there is in this of our Reverend Author, though much in the fame way and kind hath been before attempted. G 2 But
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