PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK 473

used and enjoyed this freedom and liberty by the indulgency and favour of the Succeeding Governours Grounded upon their instructions for that purpose (as We have reason to believe) -- They also passed the like Censure formerly against other ffrench Protestant Ministers for their offences which being particular to themselves the Government (for the time being) was never made privy to it by either party, and altho no doubt the then Governours Might liave heard thereof yet did they never interpose nor meddle therein ; We find that in S^ Peters time such Corruption of manners had crept into that set of mankind devoted to the preaching of the Gospell of Jesus Christ that in his first Epistle the 5**1 2*1 & S'l V. Caution was given by this Apostle against this evil as it was likewise reproved under the law by the holy Prophet see the 34*h of tlie Prophet Ezekiel v. 4.

We do not mean to affirm tlie act of Toleracon made in the first year of King William the 3^ in favour of Dissenters in England to be in force in this Colony being advised to the Contrary however We begg leave Immbly to offer that as we cannot be called dissenters from the Churcli of England as by law Established Yet as We contribute and pay towards the maintenance and Support of the Minister of Trinity Church which is Established in this City for the nationall worship of the Church of England as by law and are in all other respects ameanable to the laws of this province We humbly presume We are in great measure (from a parity of reason) intituled to all that favour here wliich is granted by that law to the dissenters in England.