To the Right Reverend Father in GOD,

THOMA S,

Lord Bishop of NORWICH.

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My LORD,

F the subject of the following fheets be not a fufficient plea, for addreffing them to a person of Your Lordship's character, I can alledge another, which will give them a kind of right to Your protection; that it is owing chiefly to Your authority, that they are now offered again to the public, in this new and different form; enlarged with a prefatory answer to the exceptions of a Popish Writer, who has charged them with falfehood and mifrepresentation; not in any of the facts, which they contain, but in the A 2

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conclufions, deduced from thofe facts, to the dishonor of his Church. Your Lordship, who in every part of Your life, has diftinguished Yourself, by a juft zeal against the Popish interest, thought it neceffary for me, to take notice of an author, who has the hardiness to revive an exploded caufe, and to publish an elaborate defense of the Romish Church in our very Metropolis. Thus far however he must be allowed to act like a generous adversary, in referring the merit of his argument to the trial of the Prefs; which in all countries, where it can have it's free course, will ever be found the fureft guardian of right and truth; and to which this particular country, among the many great bleffings, which it enjoys, is manifeftly indebted for one of the greatest, it's deliverance from a Popish Slavery; as all our Histories testify, from the Reformation, down to this day. In the very infancy of printing amongst us, Cardinal Wolfey forefaw this effect of it; and in a Speech to the Clergy, publicly forewarned them, that, if they did not destroy the Prefs, the Prefs would deftroy them.

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endeavours therefore fhould be of any service towards verifying the Cardinal's prediction; or should in any degree answer Your Lordship's views, of giving fome check to the restless spirit of Rome, which, how often foever repulfed, will always be renewing it's attacks, I shall gain the end, that I proposed by them. But while I was flat-. tering myself with this hope, and fancying myself engaged in a laudable attempt, of difarming these profeffed enemies of our religion and liberty; there were fome, as Your Lordship knows, even of our own Church, whose displeasure I incurred, and whose re-. sentment I have felt, on the account of this very work: who, from the different motives of party, or envy, or prejudices hasti ly conceived against me, were ready to join in any clamor, that could blaft the credit of my performance. To fuch of thefe, as profess to act from any good principle, I have endeavoured to give fome fatisfaction in my Preface; but my chief comfort is, in this decline of life, that I can appeal to Your Lordship, who knew me from the beginning of it; and under all the attempts to deprefs my character, and all the fufpicions. A 3

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of those, who were ftrangers to it, continued ftill to treat me with all the usual marks of Your friendship, as believing me incapable of harbouring any thought, or pursuing any defign, which could be injurious to virtue, and true religion.

For Your Lordship had always too enlarged and liberal a way of thinking, to judge of men or things, by the narrow views or prejudices of a party; and fuperior to all the impreffions of envy or fpleen, was ever ready to encourage merit, wherefoever You obferved it. This has been Your constant rule of acting in the University; where, as a Governor of our Youth, You have lived an example of that discipline, which You injoined to others; punctual in discharging all the duties of Your Station; nor more forward to prescribe, than diligent to perform every thing, that tended to promote religion, good manners, and good learning.

These fame qualities, which now exert themselves in a higher sphere, are acknowledged by the general voice of the Diocese,

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over which You prefide; where all people loudly celebrate Your Lordship's unwearied application to the labors of Your Epifcopal charge; Your continual care, as a common Paftor of all, to extend the benefits of it equally to all; Your beneficence to the poor, obliging behaviour to the rich; Your gene rous and hospitable table, open to all, who feek access to You; where You know, how to unite the character of the Gentleman,' with that of the Prelate; to create an ease and chearfulness around You, and without descending from Your dignity, to enter into a familiarity with Your guests. By these arts, You have gained the affections both of Your Clergy and Laity; and in a country, unhappily divided into parties, have effected, what was hardly thought poffible, an agreement of all parties in their esteem and praises of Your Lordship. By fuch happy fruits of Your prudence, Your affa→ bility, and your moderation in governing, You have shewn what are the most probable means of healing our public diffensions ; and that the Church, in proportion as it has more fuch Bishops, will always have the

fewer enemies.

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