He also mentions, that Hickes gave him a prayer, not long before his death, which he wished to be offered for him after his departure. It contains the following petitions:
"Do thou, O Lord, now look upon this thy servant, whom thou hast chosen, and taken from this into the other state.
"O thou lover of men, forgive him all his offences, which he hath committed willingly or unwillingly against thee, and send thy benevolent holy angels to him, to conduct him into the bosom of the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, &c."[1]
Among the works of this period, from the pens of Nonjurors, to whom the theology and the literature of the eighteenth century were so deeply indebted, may be noticed Sclater's Answer to King. As early as 1691, King, who subsequently became Lord Chancellor, published the first part of "An Inquiry into
- ↑ Campbell, pp. 178, 179.
pediency of Forms of Prayer, &c. London, 8vo. 1719. These are two pieces translated from St. Cyprian. Dr. Grabe's prayer is prefixed. There is also a Preface of considerable length, in which the Usages are discussed and recommended. The author also alludes to the breach in communion among the Nonjurors, which he laments. Preface, p. 8. The following extract will shew how ready the opponents of the Nonjurors were to load them with the charge of Popery: "June 5, 1713. About this time, to carry on the design of representing Popery on the smoother and softer side, there came out a tract, entituled Some Primitive Doctrines Revived. Both the author and the recommender are not only for a middle state of souls in some intermediate places, distinct from heaven and hell, but as a consequence of this doctrine, they do affirm, that prayer for the dead is lawful and useful, and would have it restored to our public service. It is very hard to distinguish this doctrine from gross Popery: for if there be a middle state, why may it not be called a Purgatory?" Wisdom of Looking Backward, 286, 287.
