Now if M'' Poyer and his fiiends could have been prevailed upon to liave taken the same measures as his cause is undoubtedly very just & reasonable he would have run no manner of risk in bringing it to trial so I was entirely of opinion it should be determined as soon as it conveniently could by those rules the law prescribed and that I should never [allow] the Government to make use of an arbitrary and illegal power to serve cither Cliiu-ch or State which would not only leave the matter still doubtful but instead of serving bring a scandal upon the Church for that the warrant which my Lord Cornbury was pleased to direct to M^' Cardwell then High Sheriff of tliat County to dispossess the dissenting Minister of the Parsonage house without any form or due course of law did the Churcli more hurt than can easily be imagined. M"" Poyer seemed extremely well satisfied witli what I had proposetl and gave me reason to believe he would proceed in the manner as I had advised him but having since heard notliing from him I can't but suppose he is diverted from hi5 good resolutions by some

236 PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEEXS COUXTY.

who ratlier than Coll Hirnter sliould do anything which might manliest his zeal aiid affection to the Chiu-ch the service sliould remain undone and her interest suffer this their refusal is a plain demonstration they are desirous to keep up the flame to make use of a handle to clamour withall and many good & well meaning men both of the Clergy and Laity who do n€»t rightly understand that affair are by designing men and unfair representations led into an ill opinion of that Gentleman on that account."