Peiret, who was a worthy Minister, lived in torment among them, as some very credible Persons who were his friends, have assured me; I know that they have put their Ministers out, and that they always pretended to a Power to do it, and that they will always attempt it, as often as the Fancy takes tliem. But the time is come, when they must learn, that they have not this Power and Authority, according, to our Discipline, and that as for me, (Saving always his Majesty's Authority over me, who am his Naturalized Subject) I depend only in Spirituals on the Synod of the Walloon Churches of Holland, wlio alone can suspend or deprive me. 1^ Govemours formerly have not interposed or inter-

1168 DIFFICULTIES IN THE

meddled in their Affairs^ it was, I suppose, because no body applyed to them to represent their Complaints and Grievances, and perliaps, because no person belonging to the Church, concerned or declared themselves in favour of tlie Ministers wliom tliey would speak of. But that is not tlie Case at present, since tliere is a Majority of the Cliurch, wlio have declared themselves in my favour, or who desire earnestly that I may be Re-established, and who do not approve what the Consistory hath done. What do they mean by those Passages of St. Peter and Ezekiel, whicli they quote with an affectation of Piety, tho' at the same time tliey discover an insolent Contempt and bitter Malice against all the Body of the Ministers of Jesus Christy devoted to the preaching of his holy Gospel? whom they call that set of Man- Icind devoted, Sfc. As for the Passage of St. Peter (1 Epist. ch. 5. v. 2, 3.) which instructs us all in our duty, and ought to make us think with humility of our own weaknesses and failings, their malicious Reflections will not hinder us Ministers from finding our Comfort in this Passage, while we find nothing in it, but what we study to do by the grace of God, according to our ability, and what we incessantly ask of him in our prayers.