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which heretofore was branded as fo heinous a Sin (and defervedly too,) fo changed its Nature all of a fudden, that it is become not only innocent, but a Duty?

Have we not the fame Government, both in Church and State, that we formerly had? Have we not the fame Articles and Doctrines of Religion publickly owned, and profeffed, and taught, without the leaft Alteration? Have we not the fame Liturgy, the fame Of fices and Prayers ufed every Day that have always been? What is there then to ground a Separation upon?

Yes, But the Names in the Prayers are changed, and we cannot Pray for those that are now in Authority, as we could for thofe that were heretofore.

But how unreasonable is this, when St. Paul has bid us to put up Prayers, and Supplica tions, and Interceffions for all Men; efpecially for Kings, and all that are in Authority. Doth he make any Restriction, any Diftinction, what Kings, or what Perfons in Authority we are to Pray for, and what not? Doth he not exprefly fay, we muft Pray for all Men, and for all that are in Authority? And doth not the Reafon of this Exhortation imply as much, if his Words did not? Namely, that we may lead quiet and peaceable Lives, in all Godliness and Honesty.

But I pray confider what this Doctrine leads to. If this Principle be admitted to be good Divinity, then Farewell all the Obligations to Ecclefiaftical Communion among Chriftians: For what Government is there in the World, that will not meet with fuch Subjects

Subjects are not satisfied with it? And if that Diffatisfaction, be a juft Reafon to break Communion with the Established Church, what Ligaments have we to tie Chriftians together? What will become of holding the Unity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace? What is the Confequence of this, but endless Schifms and Separations?

But further I wish these Perfons would confider what an unaccountable Humour it is to make a Rent and Schifm in the Church, upon a mere Point of State.

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Great Revolutions have happened in all Ages, and in all Countries, and we have frequent Inftances of them in Story. But, I believe, it will not be eafily found, that ever any Chriftians feparated from the Church, upon account of them. ftill they kept unanimously to their Doctrine and their Worship, and never concerned themfelves farther in the Turns of State (how great foever they were) than peaceably to fubmit to the Powers in being; and heartily to pray to God, for to profper their Government, and direct all their Affairs, that all their Subjects might lead Quiet and Peaceable Lives under them, in all Godlines and Honesty. But when in a Revolution, a Prince was advanced to the Throne, that they looked upon to be a good Man, and an Encourager of the True Religion; in that Cafe, they did not only readily fubmit to him, but acknowledged it as the great Bleffing of God to them, that he had raised up fuch a Man to Rule over them. VOL. I. This

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This was the Notion, and this was the Pra&tice of the Primitive Chriftians as to this Matter; I may, indeed, fay of the Chriftians in all Ages. And whatever you may have heard to the contrary, I doubt not to fay, that this is the very Doctrine of the Church of England.

Let me therefore, exhort all of you to be Followers of Peace: to promote publick Unity and Concord, as much as is poffible; to tudy to be quiet, and mind your own Bufinefs; to be more concerned for your Country and Nation, than the Intereft of any fingle Man in it; heartily to fubmit to the Government; and not only fo, but to thank God for the Bleffings you enjoy under it, and most earneftly to pray for the Continuance of them: Laftly, Never to efpoufe any Party or Faction against the Government, nor ever to be driven away from the Communion of the Church, of which you have always profeffed yourselves Members, by any of the Pretences which fome warm Men may fuggeft to you. This, I dare venture to fay, how uneafy foever fome of you now may be in joining with our Prayers, you will at laft be Ten Times more uneafy in feparating from us. For Faction has no Bounds, and God knows whither it will lead a Man at laft. Were there nothing elfe but the Heat and Turbulency, the Paffion and Peevifhnefs, the bitter Zeal of Uncharitableness, that the Being of a Party doth naturally ingage Men in; I fay, were there nothing else but this, no Man that confults

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the Peace of his own Mind, would for any Confideration leave the Publick Communion, and espouse the Caufe of a feparate Intereft. But there are worfe Confequences than these, and I pray God we may never feel them.

And now I have done with my Exhortation. And I have spoke my Thoughts very. freely to you. And I hope you will receive. what I have faid with the same Kindness that I meant it. And truly, I have no Reafon to doubt of it, after fo long an Experience as I have had of your Civility and Candor. Indeed, during all the Time I have been among you (which hath been now near Sixteen Years) I have been fo kindly treated by you, and have received fo many Teftimonies of your Good-will, that I cannot but take this Opportunity of Publickly acknowledging my Obligations to you, and returning you my folemn Thanks for them.

I cannot, indeed, fay, that I have done my Duty as I ought; and I heartily beg of God to forgive all my Defects. But I have this Satisfaction, that I have fincerely endeavoured in all my Preaching, to inftruct you in the true Doctrine of the Gofpel, and to teach you the right Way that leads to Salvation. And I am fo certain, that I have not been mistaken myself, nor misled you in that Matter, that I dare with Confidence addrefs myself to you in fome of the Words of the Apostle, which do immediately follow after my Text; Viz. Those Things which you have learned and received,

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and heard from me, do; and the God of Peace fball be with you.

I fhall ever Bless God for that Providence of his which placed me among you; and as I fhall always and do earneftly defire all your Prayers for me; fo I fhall always heartily Pray for you; that God would guide and profper you, that his good Providence would always watch over you for Good; that he would bestow upon you, and your Children after you, all Sorts of Bleffings needful and convenient for you; and especially, that he would deliver you from every evil Work, and preserve you to his Heavenly Kingdom.

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This, God of his infinite Mercy, grant, &c.

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