author than an Engliſh courtier: for I ſhould not have writ againſt Sir Robert, or taken the pains to ſhew his miſtakes, inconſiſtencies, and want of (what he ſo much boaſts of, and pretends wholly to build on) ſcripture-proofs, were there not men amongſt us, who, by crying up his books, and eſpouſing his doctrine, ſave me from the reproach of writing againſt a dead adverſary. They have been ſo zealous in this point, that, if I have done him any wrong, I cannot hope they ſhould ſpare me. I wiſh, where they have done the truth and the public wrong, they would be as ready to redreſs it, and allow its juſt weight to this reflection, viz. that there cannot be done a greater miſchief to prince and people, than the propagating wrong notions concerning government; that ſo at laſt all times might not have reaſon to complain of the Drum Eccleſiaſtic. If any one, concerned really for truth, undertake the confutation of my Hypotheſis, I promiſe him either to recant my miſtake, upon fair conviction; or to anſwer his difficulties. But he muſt remember two things,
Firſt, That cavilling here and there, at ſome expreſſion, or little incident of my diſcourſe, is not an anſwer to my book.
Secondly, That I ſhall not take railing for arguments, nor think either of theſe worth my notice, though I ſhall always look on myſelf as bound to give ſatisfacton to any one, who ſhall appear to be conſcientiouſly
ſcrupulous
