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So that if I had been Accused of Curfeing my Self, or my Brethren, instead of the Papifts, and thofe that Encourage them, there had been a much more Colourable Pretence for fuch a Calumny.

I know I han't lived fuch a Life as that after fo Solemn Appeals as I have now made, my perfect Innocence, as to this Charge, fhould be in the leaft Queftioned by thofe, who have the leaft Knowledge of me. Bur as for those that are Acquainted with me, I am certain they need no fuch Appeals to Satisfy them, that I could not be Guilty of fo Un-Christian a thing, as the Curfing of any Man, upon any account; and much less, as the Curfing of any Sort of Men, upon the account of their being of a different Religion from my Self. For as to all fuch, I have very rarely been blamed for any Defect of Charity towards them; but I have often been Cenfured as being in the other Extreme, viz. Of the Excefs of Charity, which I have alwayes concluded to be much the Safeft.

Good Lord, That any, who profess themfelves Chriftians, fhould be fo depraved, as to attend our Preaching God's holy Word, with no better a Design, than to be Spyes upon Us,

and

and to catch at all advantages (and when they can find none, to make them) for the Ruining of us and our Families; Nay, and which is worse, if worse can be, that such should dare to receive the Holy Communion, and that at Their hands too, against whom they are alwayes Contriving of Mischief.

God Grant that fuch People may at length feriously lay to heart, the wretched State they are in, and confider what a fevere Reckoning, they fhall one day be called to for fuch Practices. And that, if timely Repentance prevent it not, there will most certainly be Bitterness in the Latter End.

I have sometimes e'ne Trembled to think, what horrid Crimes the Devil in time may draw fuch into, who are so forfaken of the Divine Grace, as to be Able to do fuch things as Thefe.

I have long Remembred my Adverfaries particularly in my Daily Prayers, that God would be pleased to give them true Repentance for the many great Injuries they have done me, and for their other Sins, that their Souls may be faved in the day of the Lord Jefus.

I am under a greater neceffity than you are aware of, thus to clear my Innocence; and what I have now done, hath not been without the best Advice.

Thanks

Thanks be to God, His Majefty is fo Juft and Gracious a Prince, as inftead of readily crediting ill Stories of us, to give us Opportunities for the clearing of our Innocence: And very willingly Condefcends, Audire alteram Partem, to the hearing of our Vindications. Nor is His Majefty lefs forward to the receiving of Satisfaction concerning our Innocence, than Patient in Hearing Complaints against us. Which Grace of His lays a Farther Obligation upon us, to Pray for His Majefties Long and Happy Reign over us.

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I will now Conclude, with that moft Chriftian Petition of our Church in the Litany. We befeech thee Good Lord, That it may please Thee to forgive our Enemies, Perfecutors and Slanderers, and to turn their Hearts. And with the Interceffion of our Blessed Saviour upon the Crofs, for his Bloody Enemies: Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

FINIS.

SERMON,

Preached upon

JANUARY the 29th. 1688.

Upon Occafion of

Her Majesties

HAPPY

CONCEPTION.

JUD G. 17. 6.

In those Days there was no King in Israel, but every Man did that which was right in his own Eyes.

B

Eing unhappily prevented by Indifpofition, upon the Day appointed for this City and Suburbs, and the Parts adjacent, to exprefs their Thankfulness to Almighty God, for the Hopes he hath given us b

of

of ascertaining theSucceffion of theRoyal Line, and establishing the Throne for ever in a regular and peaceable Defcent, by a new Prospect of Majestic Iffue, from the Loyns of our Sovereign and hisRoyal Confort;I hope I fhall be eafily excufed, if rather than be wholly wanting in my Duty upon fo great and folemn an Oc cafion, I have taken hold of this other Opportunity to offer up my worthless, but fincere Oblation, at a time when the whole Nation is beleaguering Heaven,and laying fiege to the Divine Goodness, for an happy and fuccesful End of fuch fair, aufpicious and promising Beginnings, and the Shout of a King is among them. Befides, whenl confider how unfit I am to bear any part in fo glorious a Scene, I ought to chuse rather to appear in such a numerous Multitude of Votaries, as may at once conceal and drown my imperfections in a Cloud of Incense, and fupply my Poverty, Infirmity and Weakness,by its united and confederate Strength.

Let us therefore, if you please, that we may take the truer Eftimate, and have the more juft and worthy Apprehenfions of that Extraordinary Bleffing, which God in his Mercy feems to have defigned us,if our Sins or our Ingratitude do not disappoint it; begin at

the

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