Tranfubftantiation, &c?

Since it

is manifeft, that before the Reformation took place, the fame Arguments were then made use of against any Innovations in Religion that And all Alterations in

are now.

the established Form of Worfhip were then as much declaimed against by the Ecclefiaftics of those Days, as they can be at present.

I am not against joining the Wif dom of the Serpent with the Innocence of the Dove: But I would not have the Wisdom of the Serpent without the Innocence of the Dove. Let us be as wife as poffible in defending what is right in our Eftablishment, but let us not exert the fame Wisdom in defend

ing what is wrong. But, above all, let us, in the Name of God, take care, that our Foundations be clear, and that our Articles and Creeds. are free from Error.

The Author of thefe Papers, though he hath addreffed them to Your GRACE, is very fenfible, that it is not in Your Power, nor in that of all the Ecclefiaftics of the Land, to alter the established Form of Worship; he knows, that the Act of Uniformity, upon which it depends, and of which our Liturgy is a Part, was paffed into a Law, by the joint Confent of the three Eftates of the Realm; and he trufts in God, that he never fhall fee the Church independent on the State.

But,

But, my LORD, though the Bifhops and Clergy, either in or out of Convocation, cannot redress, yet · they may recommend; the Author, however, cannot but remark, that he does not recollect any Inftance in Hiftory, fince the Times of the Apoftles, where the Reformation of Religion in any material Points hath been brought about by the Influence of the Clergy in general; the Bulk of them, who are always the leaft knowing, being moft tenacious of old Opinions. The Pope, indeed, every now and then, makes fome Reformation of the Calendar of Saints, and ftrikes out a few antiquated Holy-days, in order

to make Room for new Canonizations:

d

tions: But if we are to take our Precedents from what hath hitherto paffed in the Reformation of any material Points in Religion, it must be effected by a few leading Perfons among the Clergy, when fupported by the upper and more thinking Part of the Laity.

And, as it hath pleased God and His Majefty to call you to the Primacy of this Church, the Author cannot think of any Perfon more proper to address himself to at present, than Your GRACE; as well on account of Your perfonal Abilities, as of Your Intereft with those leading Members of the Society, whether Laymen or Clergy, who compose the Legislative Power of this Realm.

And

And as he thinks this to be the most proper and Chriftian Method of conveying his own Sentiments to the Powers that be; fo hath he alfo publifhed his Sentiments in the Garb of a metaphyfical Effay, to prevent their falling into the Hands of the lower Clafs of Readers, whose Thoughts might be disturbed by an Enquiry into Subjects of this Nature; till by gentle Degrees they come, by the Bleffing of God, to be made a Part of the established Religion of the Country; which will give them a proper Recommendation and Weight with those, who are not otherwife capable of judging of them.

Not that he expects, that every Thing, which he hath advanced