In opposition to this National Church they have entertained and fomented for several years a scandalous schism at Mew-Rochel, where the incapacity of providing for a Minister, obliged the Inhabitants ^o establish an Episcopal Church, thro' the Bounty and Protection of the Society in England, and tliey would still support this schism, if their M . . . . was not taken up in the Custody of our Churcli, of wliich he keeps the keys, in order to keep me out unjustly. In short, they have always looked upon

(C) Fistula dulce canit volucrem clum decipit auceps.

Vol. III. 74

1170 DIFFICULTIES IN THE

my Inclination, Esteem and Respect for tlie Church of England as a Crime in me. They have conceived at length such Mistrust and Suspicion thereof, that they have not been able to dissemble it in the last Meeting of the heads of Families, on the 20th of September J so that it is I, and several of my Subscribers who have a Right to say, that We cannot be called Dissenters from the Church of England^ no more than were our Ministers in France^ and all the wisest and most moderate among the Refugees in England^ and all over the Protestant world.

They say at last. That they are not indebted unto me one Far thing for all the time that I have served them. But this must be examined and enquired into in due time. In the mean while, I give them notice, that they owe me One Quarters Salary, which is past, and tliat at Easter they will owe me Two. If I have not served them during all this time^ it is they who have hindred my doing it, by discharging me from my Functions, as they have done, and which they now dissemble through deep Malice.