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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.
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