ect of Ridicule with him; as are Bishop
_Nicholson_, Bishop _Kennet_, Bishop _Gibson_, Bishop _Trimnel_ [to whom
he writes a most drolling [120] Letter] and Dr. _West_; and all the
Topicks that can affect them as Scholars, as honest Men, and Clergymen,
are imploy'd to render them ridiculous, and set the World a laughing at
them, who are not in the least spar'd for their being of the Holy Order;
but on the contrary seem more loaded and baited with Sarcasms for that
reason.

For a _Specimen_, take this Banter or Burlesque upon Bishop _Kennet_'s
Dedication of his _Ecclesiastical Synods and Parliamentary Convocations_,
&c. to the Archbishop of _Canterbury_; which Banter runs thus[121].

"_May it please your Grace_,

"Mr. _Atterbury_ has lately forc'd a Dedication upon you, which
favours too much of Presumption or Design; he has presum'd to
surprize you with an unexpected Address, and appears very indecently
before your Grace, because he has taken no care to express upon this
Subject a due Respect and Reverence to the Governors in Church and
State, such as is suitable to the Christian Religion, and his
particular Function: The Reports and Authorities in his Book are
Fruits of other Mens Collections, not the immediate Effects of his
own Searches into _Registers_ and _Records_; he imperiously summons
your Grace and my Lords the Bishops to an immediate Compliance upon
pain of being pronounc'd Betrayers of the Church----This, my Lord, is
the Character of the Person _I set up_ against; but as for me, I am
quite another sort of Man, I am very well bred, a great Antiquary,
beholden to no body, _some Wits and merry Folks call me a Tool and a
Play-thing_ (_Pref. p._ 8.) But I assure your Grace, that what
Freedom soever I may have taken in taxing the Vices of the inferior
_Clergy_, (_p._ 77. 188.) and in reflecting _upon the ambitious
Designs of dignify'd Presbyters_ (_p._ 196.); yet _I am however
tender and dutiful in treating the Governors of our Church_ (p. 78.);
especially _those of them who are of the Ecclesiastical Commission
for Preferments_, (p. 311). I have a very great Respect and Reverence
for every body that will give me any thing; and how resolute soever
Mr. _Atterbury_ may be, your Grace may do what you please with

_Your Grace's most humble_

_and obedient Servant_,

WHITE KENNET.