It is well known how he banter'd the Presbyterian Ministers, who out of Interest came over to him at _Breda_; where they were placed in a Room next to his Majesty, and order'd to attend till his Majesty had done his Devotions; who, it seems, pray'd so artfully, and poured out so many of their Phrases, which he had learned when he was in _Scotland_, where he was forced to be present at religious Exercises of six or seven Hours a-day; and had practis'd among the _Huguenot_ Ministers in _France_[98], who reported him to have a _sanctify'd Heart_, and to _speak the very Language of_ Canaan. This _Ridicule_ he _cover'd_ with _Seriousness_; having at that time Occasion for those Ministers, who were then his great Instruments in reconciling the Nation to his _Restoration_. When he had no farther Occasion for them, he was open in his _Ridicule_, and would say, that [99] _Presbyterianism was not a Religion for a Gentleman_. X. Would you, who are a Man of Sense and Learning, and of some Moderation, be for punishing the Author of _The Difficulties and Discouragements which attend the Study of the Scriptures in the way of private Judgment_, &c. who is suppos'd to be a Prelate of the Church, for that Book, which is wholly an _Irony_ about the most sacred Persons and Things? Must not the fine _Irony_ it self, and the Execution of it, with so much Learning, Sense, and Wit, raise in you the highest Esteem and Admiration of the Author, instead of a Disposition to punish him? Would you appear to the intelligent Part of the World such an Enemy to Knowledge, and such a Friend to the Kingdom of Darkness, as such Punishment would imply? In fine, can you see and direct us to a better way, to make us inquire after and understand Matters of Religion, to make us get and keep a good temper of Mind, and to plant and cultivate in us the Virtues necessary to good Order and Peace in Society, and to eradicate the Vices that every where give Society so much Disturbance, than what is prescrib'd or imply'd in that Book? And can you think of a better _Form_ of _Conveyance_, or _Vehicle_ for Matters of such universal Concern to all intelligent People (if you consider the State of the World, and the infinite Variety of Understandings, Interests, and Designs of Men, who are all to be address'd to at the same Time) than his Method of _Irony_? And has not Success justify'd his Method? For the Book has had a free Vent in several Impressions; has been very generally read and applauded; has convinced Numbers, and has been no Occasion of trouble either to Bookseller or Author. It has also had the Advantage to have a most ingenious _Letter_ of _John Hales_ of _Eton_ join'd to some Editions of it; who by this _Letter_, as well as by several others of his Pieces, shews himself to have been another _Socrates_, one of the greatest Masters of _true Wit_ and _just Irony_, as well as Learning, which the World ever produc'd; and shews he could have writ such a Book as the _Difficulties_, &c.