AN APOLOGY FOR VILLAGE PREACHERS; OR, AN ACCOUNT Of the PROCEEDINGS and MOTIVES of Proteftant Diffenters, And SERIOUS CHRISTIANS of other Denominations, IN THEIR ATTEMPTS, TO SUPPRESS INFIDELITY and VICE, and to SPREAD ESPECIALLY Where the MEANS of PIOUS INSTRUCTION, among the POOR, ARE RARE: With fome ANIMADVERSIONS on an Anonymous "APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE AND Replies to Dbjections. By WILLIAM KINGSBURY, M. A. The Jews ftirred up all the People, -crying out, Men of Ifrael, help! Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. LUKE Xxiii. 34. For neither at any time used we flattering words, nor a cloke of covetouf- By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, Southampton: Printed for the AUTHOR by T. BAKER: SOLD BY T. CHAPMAN, FLEET-STREET; S. CONDER, CHEAPSIDE; MDCCXCVIII. 110. j. 188 PREFACE. ERHAPS fome Readers may think too much notice has PER been taken of an Anonymous Pamphlet, which might otherwise have funk into disregard or oblivion.-Let it be confidered, however, that the things which have been so broadly fpoken by it's Author, will probably be infinuated by more able and even excellent men: and, while they remain unacquainted with the Proceedings and Motives of Village Preachers, they may ignorantly oppofe endeavours to obtain the benevolent end in which their pious hearts, were their prejudices removed, would fincerely rejoice. I have not meddled with the controversy between the Church of England and the Diffenters, though fo much enlarged on by the Appellant. Neither my plan nor inclination led me to engage in that warfare. I wish serious Minifters, in both Communions, would do all they can, in their refpective spheres, to promote pure religion; keeping out of view those circumftantials, respecting which we differ. Still, I must say, that Diffenters have no reason to tremble for their cause, while oppofed by an Adverfary who appears to know very little of the Grounds and Reasons of our Diffent,* and, I am forry to say, frequently makes contempt and abuse supply the place of argument. The defeat of such a champion would be no triumph. * If the Reader wishes to see these things treated of, he may refer to Towgood's Letters to White; and with regard to "Schifm and John "Calvin, he may confult Sir. R. Hill's "Apology for Brotherly "Love;" where he will find peaceable Diffenters vindicated from Schifm by an able Church of England Divine,-and John Calvin's character set in a true light. (p. 179-188.) Some |