Sentence:  The time was, when the minister, in a solemn <WSD>preconization</WSD>, called you either then to speak, or for ever after to hold your peace: had you then spoken, it might have been construed as zeal; now, not to hold your peace, will be interpreted no better than malice. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation.