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 <niiMM««ii L'4. . 
 
 REFORM OR RUIN: 
 
 r^Xi: ro^T-i? choice/ 
 
 r 
 
 IN -WHICH 
 
 Clie ConDutJ of t^e feing, 
 
 THE LORD LIEUTENANT, THE PARLIAMENT, THE 
 
 MINISTRY, THE OPPOSITION, THE NOBILITT 
 
 AND GENTRY, THE BISHOPS AND CLERGY 
 
 OF ALL DENOMINATIONS, THE LAWYERS, 
 
 THE MERCHANTS, THE LOWER 
 
 CLASSES, &C. &C. 
 
 JS CONSlDEREDt 
 
 ,r .» ' 
 
 AND 
 
 THAT REFORM PANTED OUT, 
 
 WHICH 
 Ai.ON£ CAN SArE THE COUXTRi'. 
 
 
 THE THtRD EDITION. 
 
 ,^i; Dublin: 
 
 PRINTED FOR JOHN MttLIKENy MO. 32, GRAfTON-STREET. 
 
 1798. 
 
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 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 f* ; 
 
 A Pamphlet under a fimilar Title with this 
 has been publifhed in England, and has already 
 run through feveral Editions. It is moft admi- 
 rably calculated to produce the greateft good in 
 that Kingdom, but is, in many parts, totally 
 inapplicable to this ; the Editor, therefore, hopes 
 that he will have rendered an effential fervice 
 to the public, and at the fame time extended 
 the views of the truly Chriftian Author, if, in- 
 ftead of reprinting it from the London Edition, 
 he has procured a perfon perfedly adequate to 
 the taik to give it 'an Irifh drefs, and accommo-^ 
 date it to the circumftances of tbia Country. 
 
 Februafjr 16, 1798. - * . 
 
 '^,'*^ ."^"T^ei***" 
 
^-:-^V. , 
 
 ■'4' .3; "^i^^'^" i ""*'*■■ ■'...■'"•'"'■■>>■■■ 
 
 f'l 
 
 ■ - '. ,,"i. ' ». | .,l, ' ,a.^ ' lU^^ ' -^v-' '■'■ --"'■"* 
 
 .-f^ 
 
REFORM OR RUIN 
 
 TAKE TOUR CHOICE! 
 
 <* 
 
 MKEt! 
 
 !5=C! 
 
 
 1 AM a free-born Irlfhman, and an independent man. I 
 am attached to my native land beyond any other fpot on the 
 earth, 1 am ready to facrifice my life for its interefts, anA 
 to fpend the little propprty I have in fecuring its happinefs. 
 I therefore feel myfelf warranted to call upon all true Irifli- 
 men, to lend, at lead, a patient attention to what I have to 
 
 fropofe to them. I think for myfelf, and write as 1 think ; 
 wilh them to read <md to judge for themfelves. 
 It is agreed on all hands that our affairs are in a moft def- 
 perate ftate } our dlificuities and diftrefl'es multiply fronx 
 day to day. War has been long afflifling us from abroad \ 
 heart-buriiings, and difcontents, and infurre£lions, from 
 within. Numbers of our countrymen have periflied by f«a 
 and land, The fvvord has cut off its hundreds, and difeafe 
 its thoufands * millions, and millions of money are daily 
 expending \ trade and manufadlures languid] ; public cre- 
 dit was never mor." deeply fhakcn than we have lately feen 
 it \ Governmi ot fecurities were never at a lower ebb ; our 
 national debt encreafes, ; and we begin to feel, what our pa- 
 triots hav« often talked to us of, the preflure of taxes. Our 
 very tars, among whom it was pur pride to count fo many 
 Irimmen, fuffered themfelves to be deluded for a moment, 
 and made our hearts ake. Some would even make us CiUl 
 in doubt the fidelity of our national troops* and labour to 
 excite; our fears, where we oughjt chiefly to place our re- 
 liance. Religious afperities, after a fleep of one hundrec^ 
 years, are once more awakened, and made inftruments of 
 
 ambition, 
 
C 6 ] • 
 
 ambition and defign to divide and inflame us againtl cncli 
 other, and to renew the mifcries which they liave fo often 
 entailed upon this country. The wicked, the fcditious and 
 the defucftd pro^roki*, and the Isi^V pdnilhcs » and between 
 the horrid excefles of the one, and the neccflary rigour of 
 the other, a great part pf the kingdom is filled with fire and 
 blood. The war, of which hitherto we have otdy felt the 
 diftant efFe£ls, appears now to be approaching to our doors, 
 and to the feats of our family comforts and enjoyments. 
 The French bully, and vapour, and threaten, and their 
 emiflaries and fi-pporters, who no longer conceal themfelves, 
 repeat their threats, nnd exaggerate their power, and are ii 
 thoufand times more virulent, and vinditlive, and fancui- 
 nary than even our ancient and natural enemies — all is 
 alarm, and terror, and difmay, and defpondency. 
 
 It is indeed true, that we are not without fomething to 
 jfut tb the othfet fide of the account. Wc have had many 
 flgnil fucceflcs in the courfe of the war— we have taktn 
 ^ifty iihfe iflands and colonies from oUr enemies— wc have 
 rieatt fceh their flests without bfeatin^ them— we have tak^il 
 thfe iround of thetti, arid all in their turns have vanilhe* be- 
 fdrfe theirdperiotinciU andconduftbf our Admirals, and the 
 briVerytof ourfcSihbh; and, what i^VcV cduld have be;;n 
 faid on any other occafiori, fcarte a {hip of \Var of ours hafe 
 been bken ; and not one foot of Britijb land has been lojl in 
 tiH')fart tf ihe •world! 
 
 'It iouft alfo be allowed, that our ettemies afe flill in a 
 Wtfrfe ftitc thahiiire ate. There is ndt Under the fun, thci'6 
 fitVe'r has b^fi urtdtr the fuii, a moi-e Wretched ptople th^h 
 fkfe Freiich : their King, their Qijeeh, rt\any of the toyal 
 Blddd J ithe bed of their nobility, of theiv clergy, 6f their 
 ^entrr, bf their \)vealthy and Tcfpeaable merchants, and 
 feVeh of their hbn^eft mfechanics, and farraefS, and labourers, 
 tiive flied their tlood on the fcsjffo'.d, or bfe^H fhot, ftabbed, 
 tlrb^lpned, or poifohed. ilMJinbers of all thefe dtfcrlptiDtis 
 I«Ve flea to other countries, diftitUte dnd helplefs, artd of 
 IJhofe iJvho remain, i great part have been pUindered of 
 thBt prbiterty, atid deprived of all the comfbrh and cbfi- 
 i^hSrhcei^ life. Religion, law, ordet, and gdod gdvfrrh- 
 tt(ftiti iikc at an ihd kirtong them. Even they who (Ubh\it 
 i6 the p^efcttt rulers, And fWear alleglahrt td the ptefent 
 Joirtr, cahHQt hope, for a day, to be fafe fVoiii ttle geriWal 
 '©pipreHidh : if *fey tfcape either death ot baniftimettti they 
 
 i*. 
 
 wapfianrrrsrr-r^sr; 
 
gainil Ciicli 
 re fo often 
 ditious anfl 
 id between 
 y rigour of 
 ith fire and 
 tily felt the 
 > our doors, 
 :njoyments. 
 and their 
 themfelves, 
 , and are .i 
 ind fancui- 
 nics — all is 
 
 )mething tft 
 E had many 
 have tikfert 
 s^— we have 
 : have tak^il 
 ^anilheil he- 
 ■als» and the 
 , have be;;n 
 of ours hat 
 been lojl in 
 
 ife ftill Itt A 
 e fun, thci'6 
 ptople thah 
 if the toyal 
 ^, bf their 
 •chants, and 
 id labourers, 
 lot, ftabbed, 
 dtfcrlptions 
 ilefs, artd of 
 hindered of 
 rirs and cbft- 
 ;dod gcvfrrti- 
 who (Ubh^it 
 . the ptefent 
 1 the general 
 hmettti they 
 are 
 
 C 7 3 
 
 are ftiU liable to be plundered and pillaged on every wanton 
 pretext, and to be facrificcd to the neceflities of th* wmy. 
 of which their ufurpers are afraid, and which mull be fed 
 and paid at all events, let who will fuffer and be reduced to 
 
 ™'l"Lain, the cafe is not much better. Being divided 
 into two parties, one betrayed the other to the French, who 
 compelled them to make war againft us, though contrary 
 to their known intercfts -, and the confequence is, that 
 they have been beat moft dreadfully ; that their dear friends 
 and Kood allies arc become their tyrants, and treat them 
 with fuch haughtinefs and infolence, that, if they dared, 
 tliey would cut the throats of every Frenchman in their 
 
 ^'^Th^butch are ftill worfe off. Their trade is dcftroycd ; 
 their colonies are in our hands } the French have drained 
 them of their money, their goods, and almoft every thing 
 they had- they have an army in the midft of them, and iti 
 all their ftrong towns, dragooning them into all their mea- 
 fures, banilhing, imprifoning, and pillaging even thofe who 
 were at firft the moHl forward and aftive in giving up the 
 country to them, and forcing them to Bt out ihips to fight 
 acainft us, when (although they think themfelves obliged 
 to behave like men, lei who will be their opponents) they 
 are much more inclined to fight for us. But what arc w« 
 the better for all this? In fpite of the dreadful things that 
 have happened to our enemies ; in fpite of all the conquefts 
 we have made, and all the fhips we have taken, what u 
 our ftate at this hour ? We arc threatened with invafions ; 
 we arc divided and weakened by parties and faaiogs •, we 
 are finking into gloom and defpair. And yet, the French 
 fleet that was intended to invade us, was difperfed, by 
 the breath of Provideace, and the objeft of the expedition 
 completely defeated. The feditious fpirit in the North 
 fecms faft to fubfide ; numbers of the dl:luded have availed 
 themfelves of the proclamation, and have returned to their 
 allegiance, and to their ufual occupations, and induftnous 
 purfuits. Our credit has not only not loft ground of late, 
 but is looking up again 3 a moft plentiful harvcft and mdd 
 feafon have reduced the prices of all the neccflTaries ot Me, 
 below what they have been long remembered. Travel ixom 
 one end t>f the ifland to the other, and, exo^t in thofe 
 ditrias where the arts and imfreprefMitatiQnB of mcendia- 
 
 ne> 
 
L 8 ] 
 
 rifS are, at the moment, goailin}; the ddiuli-d prul'ints into 
 outrage AwA violence, you will fee every mark of the greatclt 
 plenty and profpcrity the land !i«9 ever cnjoyrd. 'I'he linen 
 markets in the North were never nu)rc llourilliiiij;, iicvlt 
 more crowded with buyers, or dillin5;uillKil hy hi(;lu.r 
 prices. Every wtiere agriculture and tillage arc impiuvin^;, 
 «nd every field producing nujre than it ever did beldri'. 
 Yet flnit your eyes, and open your ears, and lillen to our 
 orators, and our ncwfpipcr wiitirs, and our paniplilttcer-, 
 and v/e fliall hear of itotliini; hut grievances, and opptel- 
 fion, and cvu.-lty, ami peWeeufi.xi, and vuin. 
 
 Now wli. t u liie nieanir'i; of all this ? — How comes it to 
 pafs, after all our wonderful cftapcs, after all our gloiious 
 YiOories ■, in iiie midll nf fo much ploniy and feeuilnf,' prof"- 
 pcritv ; that v.e not only tl. ink ouvteUvs upon the hnn^. oi 
 ruin,' but perhaps really are fo ? 'ihe anfwer iii p!a;n a!'d 
 ihorl—lVd r.tr not nfiniwi!. A thcro'i^h Rijlvm would fee 
 ■ all ri'^ht, and rellore us to p;;ace ami happincfs. " But whiit 
 is that Rtfvm that wouUl do thisi good? To anfwfir thi» 
 queftion is niy objcft in writing. — Some think, a Inform 
 in Parliament will alone be fuilicienf, and that Rcfcrm 
 to confift only in Members being ehofen in a different man- 
 ner. — Some arc fur what ihcy call Catholic emancipation — 
 Some for leirening the power and influence of Ciovetr.- 
 i-ncnt—Some for aboliihing Tithes— Some for niaking an 
 immediate peace wiih Trance — Some for eftablidiing a Re- 
 public on the French plan. The lall would, indeed, be .i 
 ^Iccifive meafure, and do its own work completely -, but as 
 for the :i\\i they are all, to my mind, paltry, partial Re- 
 forms, which can do little good, and may do much mif- 
 
 chicf. 
 
 If every man in the kingdom had a vote for a Member of 
 Parliament, what would be the confequencc I Why each 
 Member would be ehofen by a Mob. And whom would 
 the Mob choofc .? Why the man that made the loudcil 
 fpecch, and the largell promifes.— And who would this be ? 
 Why he that, having neither property, nor charatSler to 
 lofe, was ready to fay any thing to get into the Houfc, in 
 hopes of being paid for breaking every promife he Ijad 
 made. 
 
 As to Catholic emancipation, I really do not know whar 
 the term means, as it applies to the great body of that de- 
 fcriplion of fubjefts. I know no diftindion between a Ro- 
 man 
 
 -V 
 
rulaiits iiU') 
 
 the gveatcit 
 
 'I'hc linen 
 
 liiiij;, never 
 
 l)y higher 
 
 irnptuviii^, 
 
 iliil bet tire. 
 
 lilleu to our 
 
 iniplilcteer?, 
 
 md opprcf- 
 
 ' comes it to 
 our gloiious 
 •eiirnu,', prof- 
 
 'j plain .i!'«l 
 •lit would let 
 . • But wliiit 
 anfwtir this 
 :, a Inform 
 hat Reform 
 liferent nun- 
 •ancipation — 
 of Govcm- 
 ir making an 
 lidiin^ a Re- 
 indceii, be <i 
 nely ; but as 
 , partial Re- 
 a much mif- 
 
 a Member of 
 : ? Why each 
 whom vvouM 
 
 the loudcil 
 vo\i\i\ this be ? 
 
 charatSler to 
 le Houfe, in 
 imife he ]>ad 
 
 3t know wha^ 
 
 ly of that de- 
 
 ictween a Ro- 
 
 nuui 
 
 
 L 9 ■] 
 
 nun Catholic of n,y rank in life, ami '-yrdf. with rcfpcA 
 ,t, cur civil fvanehifes. He votes f<.r a iV en.l r .'•':; 
 mcnt as I do. and U therefore reprclented m Parliament as 
 r m He i an tl,e fame proteaion of property, and of per. 
 <r^rom ir^^me l.w Jin the enaa.n, oi -luch hej^- 
 L fame fi.,ue. He can nurfue h.« '-''!'!'^y ^.l'^,,'^^ .J^' ^^ 
 feeurity, and realize the i^ruits ot it lor hmif.U -"^^ '"^f'- 
 rn ly ly Fivchafe or other wife, in the lame w.-.y. In uhat 
 ^c's\e to be emancipated? SomethiniT. mdced, vemam 
 y to be panted, and which a pevlevrrauce .n loyalty and 
 n , ct would, I am perfuadcd, have obtamed b.fore t us, by 
 .^h 1 three or fotu wealthy individual. "^^^^^^•^\^^:^ 
 ambition or their vanity •, but what the g«^nc.ral h<^ Y ^^^/" 
 from this point btln^ withheld, or what the ^;rantu>g of ,t 
 could dVea towar.ls ^ Reform among tlut defer.plion of iub- 
 leds. is bevond my comprchenfion to dilcover. 
 ^ \Vithrefpedltothc power and iniluence of aov^rnmcnt. 
 I never kni-w a man who, when he was out of o.Ture, d,d 
 not complain of them, and as loon a. he Rot mto ofc^ff^f 
 not exer them, and endeavour to encreafe taem. U he k- 
 bed them in one way, he took care to extend them ,n ano- 
 ;"? an.l nnteh has lately been attempted in ;»»t wav by ou 
 Uate quacks and mountebanks. I do not prete.td to Uy that 
 ibufesmav not creep ih, wherever there is power ; butcvc- 
 y bod knows that Four'nliUione of people cannot be govern- 
 ed wLut fome power: and if the fupreme mu^.ilrate ha. 
 
 'mtW "/power ^"°"i?l^ *" S°^"'^ '^T ^"'1 '*'•'" K ";i- 
 o be ab.e to govern them at all, (and then there caa be .fo- 
 
 thitXt eonfufion and mifchief) or ello he murt r.-ern them 
 bvlhnvful means-, and I appeal t.. any -.an o: common 
 fjnf whether it is not better that akmg ib.ould govern ac- 
 co ding to fixed and fettled laws, wh.ch are 1^"°^";° f 
 the nation, than by undue influence, bnbery, corruption, 
 
 ""But 'fay^fomc, " abolilh iTthes"-! fear this will not an- 
 
 f^er-I do not expeft much towards a reform from wrong 
 
 and robbery. They who * underOand lliole things tell us. 
 
 h the feltlement^of tithes in thefe -^l-%ha^^\,^"" ^j^. 
 
 the ancient and undoubted laws of the and. When al. 
 
 he lands of England were the dcmefnc ot the kmgs, and 
 
 h y enfcofFed t'he Barons for the defence of the kmgdom. 
 
 » Lord, Coke. 
 
 I 
 
rcfcrvlng to thcmfelves the royalties and other rights, one 
 _'of-thefe Kings .+, neaHy a thoufand years ago, conferred 
 the tithes of all the kingdom upon the church by hjs royal 
 charter %. The fame pra£lice was adopted here by our 
 . KingSj and great men, and has fince been confirmed by law, 
 and fo the lands have uniformly defcended to our day, and 
 until they came into t}xe hands of the prefcnt owners, who 
 n'juft have paid more for the purchafe, and required larger 
 rents from their tenants, if they had not been thus charg- 
 ed. Kence, whatever right they may have to the other nine 
 parts of the fee fimple, or leafe, they have certainly none 
 whatever to the tithe or tenth, which is no more theirs, than 
 the other nine parts are the Clergy's. I cannot, therefore, 
 agree in the idea of robbing one man more than ancher of 
 what the Law feciires to him. It is a rule that may extend 
 to every other fpecies of property. As to the holder or 
 (xicupiev, I am of tlie fame opinion with an honeft, cool- 
 lieaded, reafoning neighbour of mine, who on alking who 
 ^vere to have the tithes when they were taken from the par- 
 fon, and being told they would be the landlord's, then, 
 faid he, " I iiad rather they fliould remain as they are ; for 
 I can always deal better with the parfon, than with the 
 landlord, and even v/ith the prodtor, bad as he may be, 
 than with the agent." 
 
 As fi)r a Republic on the French plan. Lord defend me 
 and mine from it ! I have watched it from its firfl: rife to its 
 prefftnt power, and I have feen nothing but murder, and 
 maffiicre, and robbery, and injuftice, and every thing that 
 ' is execrable in the eyes of God or iMan, mark its progrefs 
 and its ellabliniinent. I have feen it fetting out upon a fyf- 
 tem tliat, if it were to prevail univerfaJly, would make a 
 Hell ujron Earth. It is a fyflem that holds out the zCtwA 
 poffeflbrs of authority, or power, or confcquence, or 
 riches, as fair plunder to thofe who chance to have none of 
 tltcfe advantages. l>ut who will not fee that this muft goon 
 ^ ever ? You, or thofe who may claim under you, can 
 have no more title to what you have robbed me. of, than you 
 allowed me to have ', you will therefore be robbed, and. 
 };j:,v» . r ^ : plundered, 
 
 . f l-'tliclvvulf. 
 
 X This chart i-T is to be X«n in the Abbot Ingulf, and in- 
 Matthcwof Wedmiiiftev. - -, 
 
id Other rights, one 
 :ars ago, conferred 
 ;hurch by his royal 
 lopted here by our 
 n confirmed by law, 
 ded to our day, and 
 refcnt owners, who 
 md required larger 
 ot been thus charg- 
 ive to the other nine 
 lave certainly none 
 o more theirs, than 
 [ cannot, therefore, 
 )re than another of 
 ule that may extend 
 s to the holder or 
 :h an honeft, cool- 
 who on alking who 
 taken from the par- 
 le landlord's, then, 
 lia as they are ; for 
 fon, than with the 
 3ad as he may be, 
 
 jn. Lord defend me 
 am its firfl: rife to its 
 ig but murder, and 
 ind €very thing that 
 , mark its progrefs 
 ting out upon a fyf- 
 iilly, would make a 
 tolds out the aiElual 
 )r cpnfcquence, or 
 nee to have none of 
 that this mu ft goon 
 m under you, can 
 ►ed me. of, than you 
 re be robbed, and. 
 plundered, 
 
 A.bbot Ingulf, and in 
 
 Munddre^, and difpofleflbdltt your turn, and fo from age to 
 E^ mTn;mbecSttifl8 each others ^1--^?^; -:^ JJ^ ^CJ^ 
 ahd plundering edch other in ^ndlefs fuccelTon. -But it wiU 
 brfSd" all this willhefet to right U'.th t,me ;-in the 
 • m^ir.^hil^ try tlte Revolution." But if ^vc are to have our 
 Srs cut thlt out gtandchildrett mfty have a chance of en- 
 
 oytg the r live^anlthdr pVoperty, in the fame fecuri y m 
 Uich they have been fo long enjoyed un<kr the prefen^^ 
 
 tern I have no appetite to try the experiment. 1 have leen 
 Sedy tried i/Franee, .ndl am fully fatisfied. I have 
 
 tn kL feveh years, producing confur.on, oppreffion. 
 
 r«elty, poverty, all forts' of mifchlef and wickednefs, as 
 
 well to its original fupportcrs as to its oppofers, and no good 
 
 ''^BuTrieace ^.ith France-, ^'hat cati be faid to this ? A- 
 very fliort anfwer. They will not make peace v'^th you i 
 thev will exterminate you, and cut you off from among the 
 Susof the earth.' « No." fay our great orators and 
 elT-iy tvritets, " they will fraternize with you. Yes, as 
 Ca I fraternized with Abel !-yes, as the French then.- 
 felveshave fraternized with ^^^<^^ders to plunder and ^K 
 ■Afld cohfifcate, and drain you by forced loans and contribu- 
 dons??hat yoi may fuppl/ the total lofs of their own weal v 
 and iWources. "They will admit you to their alliance ; 
 ves, as they have admitted Holland, and Spam, and Ve- 
 VX and the unfortunate Pope, to difpole of your arms 
 and your fleets^ and your rcfources, to the eftabhlhing of 
 their own univerfal dominion, and not to let you even 
 thirtk but as they pleafe. ,, , i -n 
 
 I truft I have now (hewn that none of the above plans will 
 anfwer our ^urpofe: Let us, then, try to find one that wilL 
 But, (that I may not be taken for a quack doaor) before I 
 pfefcril • the n/re, let me try to find out the caf of ouv 
 prefent unhappy ftatc; and in order fo to do, let us take 
 a fliort View of all ranks of people beginning with the 
 
 "of tht King, if I knew ever fo many bad things, 1 ihould 
 be cautious howl mentioned them, beoaufe I have no incli- 
 nation 
 
 * " To confolidate the power of the Republic," fays Buon- 
 aparte, in his anfwer to one of the Parifian addrcffes, " you muft 
 «. henceforth faffcr no ideal lo prevail in the World but thofe of 
 *• the Great Nation," 
 
• ration to be hanged or tianfported. But, in truth, I know 
 iio h'-\iff\ of him ; his private life every body fays is good, 
 •an-li, 1 think, his public cpriduft has been good alfo. Of 
 this i ^m fure that this nation owes him-more than to any 
 oti.cr Kiiig that ever fat on the throne ; 'the fliortening the 
 dur.iiion of our parliament, the emancipation of our Legi- 
 llaturc, the fstedom and cxtenfion of our commerce, the 
 independence of our judges, the communication of the 
 bltlFiii^'s of the Britilh conltitution to every clafs of our feU 
 Jowfiibjeds, are among the many proofs of his royal difpo- 
 iitinn to promote the intereft and happinefs of this land, 
 V liich demand our warmell gratitude and attachment, in fo 
 j7;ucix that we at lead may fjjirly call him the beft of our 
 Kill as. 
 
 Of his reprefentativc in this kingdom I have never 
 heard but one opinion -, amiable and ponciliatirg in his 
 iKaiincrs, regular and ftriftly proper in his conduit, a 
 fciul parent, and affeftionate hulband, wi'h an humane 
 hc3vt and a found underllanding, he has not only efcaped 
 t'.ic ccnfuve even of our molt violent oppofitionifts, but 
 f.eo.uently extorted their praife. To all who love the Con- 
 {'lituiion, and wifli to fee it prcferyed in Church and State, 
 l,c has moil iingularly recommended himfelf. lie under- 
 look the Government of the coumry under circumftanccs 
 V. ii ch might well have made the boldelt flirink from it ; 
 iuid by a fteady, uniform, and refolute condutt, he has 
 Iiit'u rto gu'.dcil us i!irouy,h the llorm, wit'i a fuccefs of 
 V, liich many defjiaiK'd. 
 
 Having no more defire to fee the infide of Newgate than 
 ij tvv vli.; air of Bota-.iy liay, i th/.d! be cautious in what I 
 lur.c to f.iy about tlie Pariianicnt. Of the prefent Parliar 
 ivitiit, indeed, we can as y^t fay nothiog, except that when 
 ve look to the tixcs for the prefent year, we fee a mod 
 i-iwrkcd leaning towivda the eafc of the lower orders, and 
 tliif they are the rich who principally b.ear the additional 
 burdens of the iuite. With relped to the late Parliament, 
 vithcut allowing it the pfivUcge of all dead perlons, to 
 I";;.- nothing of it but good, its Journals can fliew many 
 ft«ii.r:iry regulations for which the nation is indebted to it. 
 It p.iiVcd many c;;celh;nt laws, and though there were many 
 firang ones, yet wiio that will judge impartially for his 
 country will fay, that the times did not require them, and 
 that it is not to thcia we owe all that wc at this nioment 
 
 enjoy.? 
 
riuh, I know 
 fays is good, 
 lod alfo. Of 
 re than to any 
 hortening the 
 of our Legi- 
 immerce, the 
 lation of the 
 afs of our fel-- 
 is royal difpo- 
 of this land, 
 chment, in fo 
 : heft of our 
 
 I have never 
 iiatirg in his 
 ) conduct, a 
 \ an humane 
 only efcaped 
 ifitionids, but 
 love the Con- 
 rch and State, 
 f. lie under- 
 circumftanccs 
 rink from it ; 
 dutt, he has 
 I 'A fuccefs of 
 
 Newgate than 
 )us in what I 
 prefeiit Parliar 
 cpt that when 
 'C fee a mod 
 er orders, and 
 the additiona,! 
 te Parliament, 
 ad perfons, to 
 a fliew many 
 indebted to it. 
 ere were many 
 mially for his 
 lire them, and 
 ,t this nioment 
 enjoy.? 
 
 [ 13 ] 
 
 eniov ' This praife thelaft Parliament defcrved. and thU I 
 hope the prefent will ?lfo merit. I will, however, beg leave 
 to alktwo or three (hort queftions, artd let thofe whom 
 
 the cap fits wear it. ' 1 -i ^ ? 
 
 When the law- forbids bribery, can ,t be right to bnbe ? 
 
 When a man is employed in cna-Sing regulations for the 
 prcfervation of morality and rehg.on, .s it confident to 
 ftew the world that he has himfelf neither morals nor re- 
 
 ''^When a man undertakes to aa for others, can it lie right 
 to necleft his truft ? rj .i - „ 
 
 When aaing for others, ought we to confidcr their m- 
 
 t *"as fo'rXTrllini Miniftry, I allow that they com!-»aca' 
 
 affairs very well till the war began; I allow too, th.t wc 
 have had great fucceffes •, but yet 1 am not convmcc^^ that 
 things might not have been managed better, and at kfs ex- 
 nence. I (hould, however, be more ready to blame Ux^ 
 Siaers In both countries, if I was not ["'Y convinced that 
 Scy have been prevented from doing their bcft by the op- 
 pofition in both countries. And now my patience begms 
 to fail me— for what can be more provoking to anv nv.in 
 who really loves his country, than to fee men pretending to 
 love their country, and to wiOi tofaveit, and yet, inftead 
 of doing all in their power to help things forward, doing 
 all in their power to hinder every meafure propofed; nnd 
 at laft, quitting their poft at the very moment, w.icn (ns 
 they themfelvcs allow) the country is in the utmoft danizcr 
 poffible? This queftion applies to tire Oppofitrcn en both 
 fides of the water. But in the conduft of our Oppofitioii 
 there are many things that muft add to our indignntior.. 
 To hear them declaim with as much vehemence as if tacy 
 were in earneft, againft the influence of the Bnulh Mi- 
 niaer, arid the interference of a Britilh Cabinet, and yet 
 maintain, themfelves, a conftant intercourfe with the hcadj 
 of the oppofition in England, the would-be mimfters •, re- 
 ceive their dlrcaions, adopt all their condua, applaud thnn 
 for facrificing the independence of our Parliament by in- 
 troducing into the EngliHi Parliament qucftions, that con- 
 cern ourPelves exclufively, and leave no doubt, hovv impli- 
 citly they would fubmit to their controul, were their great 
 obica to be fecured, and tbofe who are at prtfent :n power 
 
C M 3 
 
 fliould be turned put to make way for them. Tlicy did (a 
 when in office with the Engliih Secretary of their own 
 p»rtyi they would do fo to-morrow fhoujd their party' 
 come in. But befides this, I do ttbt hefitate to fay, that we 
 ■ arc indebted to them for moft of the miferies with whiph 
 the difturbed parts of the country have been vjfited. J<et 
 apy man read their fptcches in Parliament, their fpceches 
 at public meetings, and the harangues of thofc of tl;ein 
 that are lawyers in the Courts of Juftice, and put toge<- 
 ther the whole of their condu£l, and fay, whether with- 
 out thofe fpeeches and harangues, and this condud, the 
 wretched combination of all that is low and contemptible 
 in the kingdom, could have acquired the confiftency, the 
 arrangement, the confitleiice that now render it fo formida- 
 ble ? I fay nothing of the hopes, with which tJicir exagge- 
 rated reprefentations of the general difcontent, their invec- 
 tives againft the Government, the imputation of cruelty 
 and oppreflion, in which it is impoflible for them to be* 
 lievc, their panegyrics upon every tiling thjt is French, and 
 their deprecation of every thing that is Britiflj or connect* 
 ed with Great Britain, have infpired our enemies ; en- 
 couraging tliem to rejed all overtvires of peace, and hold- 
 ing out this country a$ an 6afy conqueft, that ooly waits 
 for their coming to take pofleffion of it. 
 
 From this view of tlw; Government and the Parliament 
 let us turn to the conduft of the 'Nobility, apd Gentry in 
 general, including tlie ofTicers of the Navy, and Army ^ini 
 the higher clafles of law, phyfic, and commerce. 'llianL 
 God ! you will find among them fome excellent people ; 
 and in general they are willing to aflilj tj»e poor, and not 
 to opprefs them. But do not luxury, corruption, adjiitcry, 
 gaming, pride, vanity, idlsnefs, «xtravigan«e, and diflipa- 
 tion, prevail too generally i Arc they diligently cjuployi^j 
 as they ought to be, cither in the iervice of tlicii' Kiiijj 
 and Country, or in regulating their p\yn families,* or hi' 
 ing ufeful to their neighbours, in t^ofe pl|4CC» V^hpri 
 their property or their iniiHepiife li^ ? Wh^t c;c3{npje iio 
 they fct to the lower orders, of whofe •c*cefl«P, prigiijitirig 
 from a contempt of religion, tlxy fp loudly <:omptaip ? 
 
 04 the BiOiops and Ckrgy pf ^11 denpmii^at.lpuf, 1 fhpuld 
 be very forry to fay any thiijg th^t might Icflcn iiffV in tJw: 
 eyes of the nation ; fpr, ,if we are to fee prcfcrcsdj it «»«*ft 
 be by their means. 
 
 The 
 
They did fd 
 f their own 
 their p?irty' 
 fay, that wc 
 with whipli 
 dfited. J<et 
 eir fpceches 
 afe of tliem 
 id put toge^ 
 hether witli- 
 ;ondu£i:, the 
 rontemptiWc 
 ififtency, the 
 t fo formida- 
 hcir cxagge- 
 the'r invec- 
 1 of cruehy 
 them to \)e<" 
 French, and 
 or coni}e<^»> 
 nemies } eii- 
 e, 9nd hpldr 
 t only waits 
 
 : P?irlij»ment 
 d Gentry iii 
 id Army ami 
 rce. Tlii»iiL 
 lent people ; 
 (jpr, an<l not 
 on, ajtlfiltery, . 
 , wA diflipa- ' 
 ly QfuplojM, ' 
 ' tlisir King 
 lilies,* <>r he* r 
 
 : «;cajnpje Uo 
 g, i9rigi>^«titif . 
 
 011$, i (bpuld 
 
 Ksd, it wvft 
 The 
 
 E IS 1 
 
 - The Bifliops of the eftabliflied church are in general 
 Uarned and good men ;. and while we are particularly in- 
 Jebtc<» to the^King and his advifers for hav.ng fet fuch a maa 
 at their head as now fills that important ftat.on we IhaU 
 find that they all take more pains, and do it more effeftually 
 ^Ti geLrally allowed either by their luke-warm 
 SSids or avowed enemies. Yet if St. Paul were among 
 
 them. I think he wbuld work l^^-^^^" J^»" ?"VL^W 
 and adopt fome ftronger meafures 5° br^"8 '^^^p^J^, fJ^^J 
 duty, fuch Clergymen as have deferted it. For, (foiry 
 I am to fay it) thoug'^ Y"" ^'^ ^"'^ "^f^ among the 
 oi^ Wy who do tlLir duty, and take care of their 
 fiocksi you will find too many, alfo. who negleft both, 
 and fpcnd their time in public places, in dancing, or 
 card leaving, or dangling at the Court. ^I^ ^1*7^";' "^ 
 hopes o/prSerment. If fuch believe in a Day of Reckon- 
 ing, I can only fay, they have a fort of courage which 
 
 ^ A^to^the Bifhops and Clergy of the Roman Catholic 
 perfuafion,! am told that amongft them there "^ many 
 £«ed ar^d exemplary men. But are they all of that n- 
 Jependent mind that iiU ferve them to fpeak ca"d.dly a.«i 
 roindly to thofe on whom they depend £or their fubuft- 
 cnce? Do none of them conform themfelves to the man- 
 ners oi the clafs of people with whoni they chiefly con- 
 vcrfe, and accompany them to die Ale-houfe or theDram- 
 ihoD ? Are they forward or zealous in inculcatmg that 
 loydty and fubmUTion to legal Governn^ent, which they 
 tell us they Icam from their reUgious principles ? And 
 are they as atteorive to the morals of their flock, mi 
 
 and obfervaoces. and the diftinaions that unhappily fepa- 
 
 "To^'hc^iiTentiog Clergy I would apply all ^^at I have 
 ftkidof the Roman Catholics, fubftituting to the kit quef- 
 tion this plain one : Do tbey make religion and morale 
 more the fuJMca of their exhortatkns than politics Have 
 they nothing to flnf^vei: for the iiuiovating fpint tiut has 
 filled tV "orth with crimes? . 
 
 Amone the lawyiirs, merchants, traders, farmers, aod 
 otl«r»^gaged in bttftnefs, we find auny houeft, g^e- 
 rous, andTharitablc men ; Iwt we alfo find among theax 
 
many illflibned, profligate, and covetous cliaiaclers. Tlitf 
 Tery befl; of them are, I fear, as much pngrofled by world- 
 ■ ly bufinefs, and worldly cares, and worldly amufcments, as 
 if they wcr» to live here for ever. How little of their 
 time or their attention do they take from thofe purfuits to 
 devote to religion, or to their improvement in virtue and 
 .11 or a If? ? 
 
 LaRly, look at the Lower Clafles. How willingly would 
 I draw a veil over fome part of the pidlurc which they 
 prcfent ? Great allowances ought to be made for their little 
 inftruftion and fcanty advantages; and it muft be con- 
 fclTcd that, until of late, they were generally acquiring ha- 
 bits of induftry, and making daily advances in morality 
 and good order. Nay, even at this moment, when the 
 fpirit of licentioufnefs and anarchy has fo cxtenfivcly pof- 
 fefled them, and driven fuch numbers of them into tyery 
 fpecies of outrage and violence, I think them to be, in their 
 general defcription, peaceable, well difnofed, amenable to 
 law, with a turn for religion, and a dtiirc of inftru£tion. 
 But when I admit all this, let us look to the public ftreets, 
 let us look to the places of idle and profligate refort, let us 
 look to the infide of their own dwellings, let us look to our 
 prifons, and our courts of juftice, what drunkennefs, what 
 blafphemy, what riot and diforder, what murders, and 
 burnings, and rapine, what fubornation and perjury, aflail 
 our ears and our eyes ? Even taking things in the mofl: fa- 
 vourable light, are they all as honcft, fobcr, and induf- 
 trious, as we could wifh them to be ? Do they fpcnd all 
 they cam in feeding and clothing themfelves, and their 
 wives and families? And do they cam all they can ? 
 Are the Sundays fpent at Church, or at Chapel, or at 
 the Alehoufe and Whifltey-fliop ? Abroad, in bad com- 
 pany, or at home with their families ? Do they in- 
 ftruft their children themfelves; or accept, with hearty 
 thanks, thofe inftru^ions which are provided for them by 
 the bounty of their neighbours ? 
 
 Having now turned our eyes on the various claiTes of 
 which this nation is compofed, can we be at a lofs to know 
 what that Reform is, which our cafe requires ?. — Surely, 
 No. It is as plain, as plain can be, that the Reform we want, 
 and the only Reform which can fave us, (but which cer- 
 tainly will fave us, if adopted in time) is <^ 
 
aers. Thtf 
 ;d by worM- 
 nfcments, as 
 tie of their 
 ! purfuitsto 
 virtue and 
 
 lingly would 
 ! which they 
 jr their little 
 uft. be con- 
 .cquiring ha- 
 in morality 
 t, when the 
 enfivcly pof- 
 n into t:?ery 
 
 be, in their 
 amenable to 
 • inftrudion. 
 mblic ftreets, 
 
 refort, let us 
 IS look to our 
 ;enncfs, what 
 nurders, and 
 jerjury, affail 
 
 the nioft fa- 
 , arid induf- 
 hey fpcnd all 
 :s, and their 
 11 they can ? 
 Chapel, or at 
 
 in bad corn- 
 Do they in- 
 
 with hearty 
 
 for them by 
 
 ous clafles of 
 
 1 lofs to know- 
 res ?— Surely, 
 ibrm vre want, 
 ut which cer- 
 
 # 
 
 A 
 
 t «7. 3 
 
 A Thorough Reform of Principles and Practi- 
 ces AMONG ALL Ranks op People throughout the 
 
 Kingdom. '. , r 
 
 Let the King and Qacen continue to fet aft exampk oi 
 piety, regularity, fobriety, and conjugal fidelity, to their 
 children, their fervants, and all their fubjeas. Let them 
 drive from their Councils, and their Court, ail adulterers 
 and adultercflTes ; all gamblers; all, in fttort, whofe clvArac- 
 ters are notorioiillv had, of either fcx, and of every rank. 
 
 Let them aroid'even inn..ent amufemsnts, if liable to pro- 
 duce iminorahty Among others, which, alas ! is too often 
 the cafe; 
 
 •' Oh hard condirion, twin-bom withGrearnets ! 
 " What infinite heart's eafe muft Kings negled. 
 " That private meil enjoy I" 
 
 i cat! take niy Sunday evening'* walk, chat with my neigh- 
 bours, and view the beauties of nature, and no harm don«. 
 But if my gracious Sovereign could fee but a fmall part of the 
 tonfufion; idlenefs, dtunkenncfs, difregard of the Sabbath, 
 and other incalculable ill efFefts which are produced not 
 only in Windfor, Etonj atid the whole rieighbourhootl, but 
 even in his capital itfelf, by his merely appearing on Wmd- 
 for Terrace ; how gladly would ht give up for the good 
 of his peojile, that heart-felt fatisfadliori, which he 
 has fo ofteti felt, from-^" Reading his hiftory in a nations 
 eves ! 
 
 ' Let his Majefty's deputy in this Kingdom obfci-ve the fame 
 inales. Let him l-ecolleft that, as he reprefcnts the power, 
 he (hould alfo rcprcfciit the virtues of his Sovereign •, that he 
 is equally obliged to be watchful over his conduit, fo as 
 to give no countenance to the cont<fmpt of religion, the nc- 
 gleft of its ordinances, the violation of its Sabbaths, the de- 
 fertion of its temples for which all clafles of people are, I ant 
 afraid , bat too univerfally diftinguiQiablc. Let him recollec%* 
 that he aJfo is a fpeftacle of the people, and that his condtia is a 
 caufe either of offence and degeneracy j or of edification and im- 
 provementto the nationover which hepr»;fid«s. And if ever theJs 
 Iheets (hould meet his eyes, let him be afllired tharthefe ex- 
 
 C hortal ';'-»•.« 
 
■■' 
 
 r i8 1 
 
 . liori.ui'v.ii ir-. !irvt maint for repron/, as if he fallei'., but as 
 i.T- iCf.v-.'tHs io re hMii)l:.a .ut.;ntion.ln tlifle imporHiV. points, 
 
 • M^v.ir.ts wl.lch,' i!i jlie 'Vi^^'i ••;.Mk'^ of f.-niOg Ibcieiy, a^ iii(h 
 an example is, al.is! but too luccrfiry, fo U he cffcftually 
 .ifllrtcd bv his virtuous air.l unliable conlbrt. 
 
 Let CVC17 incmlicr of p;irli;iment, whether pc:er or com- 
 luoiicr, r.necton the a'.vh.l triift committed to hiscirc, .md 
 attend (iil'g.Mitlv to the .-xecution of it ; not merely when a 
 poliiiral tfiiputc arilts, but conftant >and uniformly. Lci 
 110 aa recrive its li;U, wltliout a ftricl fcrutiny into Us merits. 
 • Let them rtjvue, curlj-l. and mcthodile the whole code of 
 ILitn'C i rr, wbolb bulk and coiifufion is fuch, that I fear wc 
 may abnort fay _ 
 
 W ,le ruii fi-a !" 
 
 fi*' 
 
 If bitt r. fa. all part of that time, and thofc talents, which 
 .,rc waited in long-windud harangues, and bitter difputations, 
 were thus applied, our laws would acquire clcarnels, preci- 
 fion, and vigour. The number, the length, and the expence 
 of our fuits, would no more be the reproach of our nation. 
 Ima-rination itfelf can hardly embrace the variety and the mag- 
 nitude of the national benefits, which would be thereby pro- 
 duced. _ , 
 
 Let thofe to whom the adminiftration of the executive go- 
 vernnient is committed, learn by dear-bought and fatal expe- 
 rience, that their own arm cannot favc them i and that human 
 laws and human power can avail nothing, without found 
 principles and pure morals •, and let them, therefore, without 
 delay, bend the whole force of their talents to the reforma- 
 tion of thefe. 
 
 As for thofe who, from motives of perfonal ambition, aU- 
 vancement or gain ; from private pique, or party prejudice, 
 or any other finiftcr delign, are ready to facrificc the public 
 oood, to their private views, it is vain to wafte words on 
 them,— their confcicnces nmft be feared with a hot iron. 
 
 To thofe, on whom Providence has beftowcd rank, or 
 honour, or wealth, or any other ufcful talent, and who 
 have not quite forgot who is the Giver of all good gifts, I 
 next addrefs myfelf i earneftly entreating them to withdraw 
 their minds, for one moment, from all other purfuits, and 
 toconfidcr their own fituation, and, that of their country 
 -md of the furrounding nations. Where arc now the rank, 
 the honours, and the wealth of Trance, of Flanders, ot 
 
 HoUanay 
 
 '%j)h. 
 
 -_jrr-,*».,.,,-**.»*«^»»*BH- 
 
—■ T— 
 
 cd, bat as 
 ,iiv. points, 
 jr, as I'luh 
 cffcaiuilly 
 
 T or com- 
 ^ c.tre, and 
 •cly when a 
 rmly. Lt-*- 
 its merits, 
 ile code of 
 at I ft:ar wc 
 
 ents, which 
 .hfputations, 
 •nels, preci- 
 the cxpencc 
 our nation, 
 ind the mag- 
 thcreby pro- 
 executive go- 
 ld fatal expc- 
 d that human 
 ithout found 
 Fore, without 
 the reforma- 
 
 ambition, ad- 
 rty prejudice, 
 kc the public 
 tfte words on 
 
 hot iron, 
 wed rank, or 
 ent, and who 
 I good gifts, I 
 1 to withdraw 
 
 purfuits, and 
 
 their country 
 
 now the rank, 
 
 • Flanders, ot 
 
 . Holland, 
 
 C '9 ] 
 
 Holland and of Italy ? And where muft thofe of Britain 
 flwtlybe, if their pofleflbrs will neither take warning from 
 the fate of others, nor from the judgments of Heaven, jii(t 
 ready to fallen their own heads ? It is yet in their power to 
 fave their country and their own ibuls ; but not a moment 
 muft be loft. Let them inftantly quit the dice-box, tlic 
 turf, and the tavern, every wickeil, and every trilling em- 
 ployment, and repair caeh to his proper ftation. Let them 
 reform, Hrft themfelves, their expences, their wives ami 
 children, their I'ervants and dependents ; and then exert all 
 their influence, as landlords, as magillraies, as friends, and 
 as neighbours ; encouraging and protei!ting the fober and 
 induftrious, difcouraging and punifliing, with candour, 
 but with vigour the lawlefs and profligate. Few of thofe 
 to whom I am now fpeaking, are aware how mucli niKchief 
 they occafion, merely by being in a wrong place \ or how 
 much good they muji do, if tlvey would only ftay wliere 
 their lot has fallen. It was the obfervation of a man of 
 uiuch good fenfe and experience,—^'* That, if every i"!n- 
 tleman would rclide on his eftate, and cVery clergyma. ^n ' 
 his living, we Ihould need no other reformation." Let 
 thofe then who fly to towns and cities, to public places, 
 or foreign countries, in fearch of paltry amufemcnts, or 
 under a falfe pretext, or at beft a miftaken notion, of re- 
 pairing their (hattered fortunes, no longer think themfelves 
 G«iVV^/>.— Numberlefs are the ways in which their Country 
 is injured by their abfence » If refldept at their family feats, 
 their example, their influence, their fortune, — every talent 
 they pofl*efs, difpenfes blefllngs on all around them. In any 
 other place, they almoft: unavoidably do mifchief, by adding 
 to the number of thofe, whom the vices of cities inevitably 
 corrupt. 
 
 But if purer motives cannot prevail, let pride plead the 
 caufe of patriotifm. In a country like ours and Great Bri- 
 tain, a country gentleman is the firrt of all chara(Sters ; and 
 truly when we view him I'cated in the manfion of his an- 
 ceftors, futrounded by his family, his relations, his fer- 
 vants, his workmen, his tenants and his neighbours, all in 
 their due proportion, partaking of his hofpitality, benevo- 
 lence and protedion, where Ihall we find a more enviable 
 obje<ft? But merely Ihtft the fcene, and place him in the ca- 
 pital, often in an inconvenient and incommodious houfe, 
 or paltrv lodgings ; where now are his honours, his influence, 
 
 e 2 111:: 
 
 
[ Xo ] 
 
 u.' rcm;a.;l)lllty ! M vaiiilhccl and loi> in the crowd, llr 
 b('ro.iics .u oijce a mere cypher without iiie or vahic i 
 rr.n.!i!\j'his days in a club-room, and his evenings in thr 
 M^ivcrn or at tlie card-table j ;.nd that income, which before 
 promifod liini sind" others to much IbUd and iuhftantial com- 
 fort, will barely fupply v hut arc deemed the neceflaiy orna- 
 menis and a.inilcment.; of life. Meantime, his fervants 
 .uc taintal with the vices of the town, and infcftcd with 
 the clangorous Ipirit of the d,iy •, and it is well if his wife 
 and daughter are prefervtd uninjured-, their health certain- 
 W i> not. '11. ■ bathing, or the wells are ordered, and 
 lie is lint wlih all his incumbrances to England or to the fea, 
 tM ,i< cumulate exptuces. His .jianfion-houfe is defcrted in 
 ilie luuimcr as well as the winter, and changed for a narrow 
 Indgin- ; habits of indolence and diflipation are infenfibly 
 .i.ciuiied, perhaps habits of a worftf kind, if a worfc can 
 be i lud he who was the fupj»ort and ornament of a confi- 
 diiahlcdirtria, The fond parent, the indulgent landlord, 
 tiie hofpitable neighbour, the liberal bcnefaaor, the re- 
 ♦\3ccted magiftratc, finks into ufelcfs infignificancc and con- 
 tempt. . 
 
 Abandoned by their owners, our villages might ftill have 
 lb:ne hopes kft, if they were not alfo abandoned by their 
 TAs I oRS i by i\wk, whole hiindf/i duty it is to take care of 
 them, and whole breath of duty has this aggravation, that 
 not by dtfa-iit (as in the former cafe) but by thtir own felemn 
 arceptaiue, this dutv attaches. Far be it from me to Ipeak 
 dil'relpcclfully of the Clergy I 1 reverence their facrcd of- 
 lice : 1 look up to them, as the moft pious, the moft learned, 
 and the moft uftful clafs of all. As individuals, they 
 tiutll of courfe vary, and while Ibme are ably and diligently 
 performing their duty, others, alas | notoriouHy ncglcft 
 
 It has too long been the falfe and (hallow policy of irreli- 
 gious and worldly-minded men, to deprive the clergy of the 
 txercil'e of thole rights, which they receive not from man, 
 and which man, therefore, cannot take from them. It 
 iccms almoft forgotten, in thefe days of novelty, when eve- 
 ry thing ancient and venerable is defpifed, that Chriftians 
 are a regular fockty, formed by Christ bimfelf, under 
 rulers and officers appointed by him, with authority to ap- 
 point others to fucceed them ; and thus our prefent Bifhops 
 •-.ul Clcr-iv derive their aiithority by regular lucccflion from 
 
' ■■ 
 
 Ih.l I- ■vhiTi ali po-.vcr \v:i!. i>iVvii. .m.i -.vl.o, u 4K* 
 
 !>.iU 
 
 umi,..i.mI uuli>ii'y 
 
 ail'u. Hut this 1>J Jul uui i o:i titc cuntr.'.y, llf .■>'_'■»''• 
 AixjCtlfi cvcrv where, lathe nu)lK-K|)licl: ummis, n.,oi)r« ill 
 (J!.rlU;.ii,s to'rabinitliteoth::is to tUcic lis^Jwl G.)V.ruo.-. 
 In Aw;-,r,./ iii.uicrs, thcrffxrc, our bllhj.'s .irul Clagy pin- 
 rrl*-> only iucli powers as .w: i>iv';u 
 
 :lie:n u,' t'lU- lasvr, ut rhis 
 
 1,i!k1; l)iit, in all //!/V;/w/ conccnu^, tlu'y derive th:ir;ui:l..)- 
 riiy f.oiii Hi>n ly nvh.m Kii!,;i rd^^'i, ■^n^ ^»v boiiiul lu .x- 
 ert it {a-: the hi»K'iJt ot lh,.t buvly ovrr v/huiii dr;/ •"•^- "*.-'• 
 
 pointoil. ' I .• 
 
 With all pofl'ihle deference, I fub^i.it to tue fjniidcr^tiou 
 or our Governors, both in CUarcU aiul St.Uf, whether any 
 lociery cat< long Uoiirilh cr even e\\'<\, without r.';ptil aioi: 
 and reform ? And whether the Clnirth of Irelani c..i> Un>n 
 an exception to this rule ? I earueltly entreat them to cona- 
 der the prefcnt lUtc of religion and morals in tliis kui^; !.);u i 
 to confider how impofflble it is for h.uihin lawn to coerce a peo- 
 ple, who have bit all Icnl'e of the i!lv:;u- iaiu i who are no 
 longer reftrained by the ijiaatcs of conftience ; and v.'.io, 
 conlequ^ntly, abftain from no crimes, but fi:ch w are pmlu- 
 bitedby the law of .he land, and from tUofe, only v,M,-n 
 the danger of punilliment is fo apparent, as to overcome 
 the force of corrupt patllons and pampered appetites ! \S hat- 
 cvcr may he the refult of fuch an enquiry, it lurely nwtt be 
 admitted, that the enforcing the r-jidmr of our paroehia 
 Clergy is indifi>eiifably requifuc ■, and that the times call 
 for uncommon exertion in all, cfpecially in thofc who have 
 the care of our principles and our morals. Never did the 
 powers of darknefs exert themfelves more, or with mnrc 
 iucccfs. Do other powers exert themfelves as much to 
 counteraa them ? Treafon, fedition, and mutiny, l.;;vc 
 appeared, and new laws have been made to prevent their 
 {■rowth, and we all faU and moft of us achiowJfdg'-, iha: 
 "his was right and fit. But do not adultery, gaming, .Sab- 
 bath-breaking, negleft of public worlhipi and above all, 
 lukewarnmcls and indifference about Religion itfclf, prevail, 
 to a degree unknown in any former age ? To a degree, which 
 fecms to portend the eradicating Chriftianity in this quar- 
 ter of the world? And where arc the laws againft 
 thefe ? Shall 1 be told that there are fuch already In our 
 (latute books ? The fame was f-id as to the laws againft 
 treafon and fedition >• but by whom was it faid .' War. it by 
 ■ thol<" 
 
t 
 
 [ 22 3 
 
 thofcwhr wifhoJ to pirvcnt I'uch ciir.KJ .' Or ll»olc who by 
 ihelr wrilin^v; iinci fitccchcr, !\.ul cnccMimj'cl tlirm ? 
 
 In tlic name, therefore, of that God who m.ulc us •, of 
 thiU Savioup, wlio diftl to redeem us; of that Ulessbd 
 Spiu:t, who is ever ready to aHlll our wrak but >;./•;'■ en- 
 deavours i 1 call on every IVilhop, PricO, and Dvacon, v lio 
 has devoted hirr.felf to the fcrvice of Cod in the Chin. i. of 
 Ireland, to lay afide every avocation, and inftautly to ex<rt 
 his ulmoft powers, in the prefervation of our holy Rcrij;ioii. 
 So fliallhe fave many fouN from death, and hide a multitude 
 
 of Tins. , /-., f n ■ 
 
 The fame exhortation I would addrcfs to the Clertry ot :iii 
 denor.iinations. I would exhort the diflentini; Clergytr,an to 
 TcikCt whether ir 's from the avowed fubverters of all Ke- 
 ligion, from Free-thinktrs and Atheirts, that l.c is to rxpea 
 th-t form of Church government to which he is fl) /ealoully 
 ntiachcd ? Or if he promotes his owncaufe, or the catiie ot 
 hi'', Religion, by countenancing his hearers in their jTartiahty 
 to Trench principles, and their rxpeflations of a force to 
 lubvert the prefent order of thini-s. I would exhort tlic 
 Roman Catholic Clergyman to rcfleft what chance he cai| 
 havr, not only to obtain the place held by the elVabidhcd 
 Cler-ry, but even to be left in his prcfcnt fituation, or in 
 a way to diicharge the duty he owes to his flock, fliould 
 thofe of his protcfllon, who have united thcmfclvcs w,ll^ 
 the m::icontents of the North, fuccced in their khen.es of 
 chana?na the prefent Gover/iment for a French Republic. 
 The example of the feat of his religion, and of its vtnera- 
 hie head, will afford him an infallible rule by which to judge. 
 It calls upon him by all that is dear to him in his rdigion, 
 and bv the immortal interdls of thofe, over whom he lin-, 
 been appointed the fpirilual Dirtdtor, to redouble his pafto- 
 ral exertions •, to make a common caufe with all the Mi- 
 nifters of tnc Gofpe'l, and inftead of prejudicing his hearers 
 aaaina their Proteftant brethren, or railing a Ipintual wall 
 of reparation between them, now that the legal wall has been 
 broken down, to inculcate a fpirit of mutual love and be- 
 nevolence, and to have no antipathies but agamft the advo- 
 cates of immorality and licentioufnefs, and no enemies but 
 the enemies of Chrift. 
 
 If any lawyers, merchants or others, who are engaged 
 in worldly bufmefs, can fpare time and thought for one fe- 
 rious rcileaion, let that reflexion be, •' how their account 
 
 ••* bm. > mitjf, m 4mKS ■' 
 
L =3 J 
 
 by 
 
 of 
 
 Win lbn.l.n the nay ''• J- ^i^ ' ,,V,,a £.,Lm:. - V 
 
 .It .lit to I'l.iV ;n:j Sl.nJaj t> 
 
 T I l7 brrul l,v ti.eir daily labour. \ ou, my K'llow- 
 
 Javcd, and "'^^'^ '^^ ;"'^,^' ;^,, ,,,ve bchavfd well or Hi in thl. 
 ;;rtr Cf il ^o^^l- ill. you will A>ffVr for it : 
 
 .■ •fvm, behave ^ydl, Ciod and men will aJiiil you L 
 and .f y° » '^^'^^J';;*' ', ,vant hrrad ? If yon are drunken, 
 you are idle, do "^'^ JJ" , .. , j-^ji-.^ ? j- vo-. arc- .\-\\xo- 
 
 ' .. ntr-d nnd dilipcnt, do you not l.nd you are happy ? 
 
 ^ . i S vou have no ficknefs or lorrow l-th«t .s ludi 
 want, o' ^hatyou hav ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ .^ ,, 
 
 '"'Tr Whatever you may think, the ICing upon his 
 
 And the cafe IS he amv NUth the 8 ^^^^.^ ^^^^.^^^^.^^ 
 
 ^nd wa^ uSim t 'Senel Ld' vicf . but others work 
 
 ?^ ' yL^s ty^^^^^^^^^^^ your health, while thdr's de^roy 
 iort., Y our « W^ > (,^j has lo ordered 
 
 \-;;lT ^l" 1 ino man Ihall be co.pleuly happy ; but. 
 ' ' L'n let their iituation be what it will, may be toU- 
 mort .Tien, !«= ;l^^"^;';"^; ^i,,ir own fault ; and every man 
 n,W; happy, jt^e not tie ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^ 
 
 S mea::^^ wStke him happy in another world. 
 b. cxprefled in two Ihort ^'^s— ^ ^^^^ 
 
(I 
 
 [ H ] 
 
 God, who made all things, has Co made them, that it is 
 mpofliiblc for a bad man to be happy, lie has given us 
 aws, and promifed to reward us if we obey them, and to 
 punifh us if we do not. He commands lis to love and fear 
 him i to pray to him •, to believe in Jefus Chrift his Son ; to 
 honour and obey the King, and all who are in authority 
 under him ; to fubmit to our maders, and all lawful go- 
 vernors. To refpefk God's minifters, his Sabbath, and his 
 church To pay all their dues, whether tithes, taxes, cuf- 
 toir,, or other things. To obey the laws of the country 
 in which we live. To do to others as we would have them 
 do to us. To love our neighbours, and affift them as often 
 as it is in our power. To be noneft, fober, modeft, and 
 decent. To work diligently, in order to get our living. 
 ']"o bear patiently fuch misfortunes as befall us. To be 
 thankful for fuch good things as we enjoy ; for our health, 
 and flrength, and daily bread, and- many other bleffings 
 v.hich we are too apt not to confider as we ought. 1 hey 
 .ire all the gifts of God, and ought to be received as 
 fuch. 
 
 Now I would afk any fair man, if there is any thing hard 
 or unrcafonable in all this ? Or whether he is not convinced 
 that, if we would obey thcfc laws, we (hould be much hap- 
 pier than we are ? For, forry I am to fay it, we do not 
 obey them as wc ought. Inftead of praying to him every 
 night and morning, fome, f fear, never pray at all ; inAead 
 of obeying the King, ' and his Magiftrates and Officers, 
 how many have been guilty lately of infulting him and 
 them ! How many have joined in.riotous mobs, and fcdi- 
 tious clubs and meetings ! How many have fuffered them- 
 felves to be deluded into unlawful and impious oaths, pre- 
 jiofteroufly pledging themfelves to God, upon the Holy 
 Gofpel of his Son, to commit robbery, murder, every 
 crime that is moft heinoiis in his fight, or that can cxpofe 
 us moft certainly to his wrath, and to eternal damnation, 
 and thinking themfclves bound by fuch oaths ? How many 
 have been the dupes of a fet of wretches, who are going 
 about, as St. Peter reprefents the E^eyil, feeking whom they 
 may devou*- ; deceiving the fimple apd the ignorant by falfe 
 reprefentations, feeding them with hopes wliich they can 
 never make good, making them renouncq all their prefent 
 comforts and enjoyments, and all their iuduArious purfuits, 
 and expcfe their wives and their children to be left without 
 
 howCtt 
 
them, that it is 
 c has given us 
 y them, and to 
 to love and fear 
 rift his Son 5 to 
 ire in authority 
 d all lawful go- 
 abbath, and his 
 les, taxes, cuf- 
 of the country 
 ould have them 
 1: them as often 
 ;r, modeft, and 
 
 get our living, 
 all us. To be 
 for our health, 
 
 other bleffings 
 : ought. 1 hey 
 
 be received as 
 
 i any thing hard 
 is not convinced 
 Id be much hap- 
 
 it, we do not 
 ng to him every 
 y at all ; inftead 
 s and Officers, 
 lilting him and 
 mobs, and fcdi- 
 ; fuffered them- 
 ious oaths, pre- 
 upon the Holy 
 
 murder, every 
 that can expofe 
 ernal damnation, 
 ths ? How manjr 
 , who are going 
 king whom they 
 ignorant by falfc 
 wliich they can 
 
 all their prefent 
 
 luftrious purfuits, 
 
 ;o be left without 
 
 houi't; 
 
 L ^5 1 
 
 houle or home, or fupport, *«'•/'',,- ^,^ ^oi To ir.ucU 
 fomething, which feme perfon. «' -^^ ;;-\^^ ^" ^^e to get 
 asknow, defirefoa.e perfons to t U l> - ^ ^^> ^^J 
 
 from the French, -i^^^.^^^ J '"v^^v rid., in tnu:.piv 
 iOands, and blow the Br.t.lh ile.t ut u3- > ^^ > ^^ 
 
 through the f-^-^^r^jtX^^^^ '>'• '-J' ^■^^- 
 „.any have .^-'-^ "fi/^ ^^Mccru,, •. or ilth.y Ru 
 
 I the night con^s on ^ ^^ f V^j;; ,§ ,, ,y,, U.e blo-a .n 
 
 acquaintances and fr«e^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ , .,,,,, j',„ge.., 
 
 livenamongitthoewuoa ^^^ ^.^^^^.^^ 
 
 ;,nd cut-throats, f '^^ ^^"f^i^^^^^^^^ God's M.niacrs .uul 
 
 Ordinances ? who karce^yeg^^^^^^ butlneis than on .ny 
 who fpend G°cU U^y »" k ■ „bout. or m ^^ettmg 
 
 other daym the weefc, °V.,'-'._„d'' that neither we, nor 
 drunk., though it .s ^^^['[^''^^'torl. on that day. and 
 our femnts. nor our f /^^^.fj^Uaving to aU the^ 
 that we (hall keep u ho^ [If^^m^^ ckr.y of their tithes, 
 how many try to ^^^ ;;5;^,. .'^e pUtance the/ claim for their 
 
 fupport. and the King 01 _ ^ j-^ .^^^j 
 
 „,any fuch thmg . they. 5 ^^^^^ ,1,,^ ,iways does 
 
 and the laws of the land, w .^^ ^^ j^.^ ^^. j^_ 
 
 as he would be aone by '^a^ "^^^/j^V.^^j, ^r over-reach 
 bour ? that never tries to <*«";* °'f- i^wdnefs, gamb- 
 atjother ? How ^^^^^^rne "urfing and f^vearing, and 
 iing. and above =^^\ P;^°/^^^bich gWe no pleafure'to any 
 the moft ft^ockmg °?**^J'/.Xc God ? How many n.ver 
 tnan. and are fo ^bornmable be fo^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^ 
 
 thank God for any ^^^^nf^^*'; ''Y'" ,iis them, and they arc 
 . and complain. --J^;^^^,^''^^ n.ore unpardonable is 
 not in want ? and ''^at makes a, ^^^ ^ninftruaed, 
 
 that we can noae of us P«;f '^ V" j^,tv. We have 
 
 or deprived of the "^ans of know mg our du ^^ ^^^^. ^,_ 
 
 . eftabUmed among us^he^m^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ,,, 
 
 tianity, and tn« wmcu -I'f primitive 
 
 \ 
 
 ' f 
 
if 
 
 [ 25 
 
 _ prin-iidyc times r,^ [he Apofiie.-, that any Chrifti.in peopic 
 fvcr cnioycil. No Jirliription amonj',(t us art; without I'utficienE 
 Chriftrmi inrthiction to roni-ey to them a thorongli know- 
 l<'uoc of the prVfcpf? of the Goipcl. The Bible is in tlie 
 Iviuds of mcfi pcrtji'.: ; it h explained to nil ; and if we 
 •«'cni!(l read it, or att. nd to thi- explanation, we ronld not 
 {■■:\ lo knov.' our duty : but the tr.ith is, moll of us kwa 
 ourchity, but will n^t ih it. -uiiii 
 
 h it any wonder then, that Cod Ihoidd punifli us for all 
 tliis ? V.c has piven us (iirh good thiniis as few other naiioiis 
 ever had. Wc ii ive the free e.xercite of our Relii^iou, 
 tlu-oiipji all denominations •, our piTt'ons and ottr prop.-ny an; 
 alio free. As lonn as wetranl'grefs not the laws, vve e..ii >'o 
 vht-rewe vill, and do what we will ; and ib iong ns we do 
 mi injure others, nobody can injure us witiiout beuii; punif/i- 
 ablc for it. Wc live \r\ a hsncl o{ plcmty, and the poorcil 
 prrfrn in it, that isibber and frugal, can eat a more whj>le- 
 Jomc and notirilhin? food, and can live in a more warm 
 vv.iX comfortable habitation than thofc of a much higher 
 rank in moll other countries. Great pains have been taken 
 to n rkz the people think otherwife. i'ut I will appeal to 
 e*fr\ crndid man, who has viilred the other countries of 
 l"'r(>^c, if he has ever ken one, where the labourer, if 
 ^^; be indufirious, and does not ipend his money on 
 l; ir'turus liquors, cr in fome other loofc way, lives more 
 con-.rnrt.biy. Thtre is not a cottier in the kingdom who 
 has rot Ins cow's grafs, and his potatoe garden^ at a rent 
 perieuly -^Tf ;>ortion< d to the waives he u'ceives. He can 
 have hii li.;x i,rnin)d, for the incUiftry of his wife, at a rate 
 equally prcpcTtion.rte to the value of the manufadure when 
 he fells it, and v.ifh that and his ho^, which is teen in 
 every cottage, he can clothe his fimily better and more 
 warmly than any oth-^r man of his cklsj even in England, 
 'i h'f v.aj'ps of the common labourer ure aifo more equal to 
 Ms fuj^port tha. in that country, notwithitanding all that is 
 faid to n-:5kc him think otlerwile. It Lc buys as many of 
 tht- neccflhiit s of life for his llxpencc * as the EngUfli la- 
 hoiircr can buy fcr his Ihilling, then may not his wages 
 he faid to bt as Iri^h as the wages in tngland ? But who 
 
 does 
 
 * In mofi rf the^cnunties, nnd in all the cities and great 
 fov*fi>i, 1} ■? irive 1 I h.t'" ur is now as high as in England. Then 
 \^ iTat is ti)e inference ? 
 
 $ 
 
U:.in peopic 
 )ut luffiticni: 
 ongl) know- 
 ble is in the 
 ', and if we 
 : roiild not 
 of us kww 
 
 f,. 
 
 -r; 
 
 1i US fur nil 
 :hor nations 
 r Reliiiioii, 
 irop.Tiy arc 
 , we c^n gf) 
 )" ns we iki 
 :inj; putiiili- 
 llie poorcll 
 lore wh,olc- 
 nore warm 
 uch higher 
 been t.ikcu 
 II appeal to 
 ountries of 
 labourer, if 
 money on 
 lives more 
 gdoni who 
 ) at a rent 
 3. He can 
 :, at a rate 
 £hire whai 
 is Iccn in 
 and more 
 1 Engiarul. 
 re equal to 
 I all that i.> 
 as many of 
 [iingliOi la- 
 fa is wages 
 But who 
 does 
 
 and great 
 nd. Then 
 
 k 
 
 [ 27 1 
 
 does not know that this is the ca'c ? Ts rot the price of 
 bread, of meat, of firing, of clothing, of every thmg th.t 
 the poor man rcquii^s for his fufrenance r,nd comfort kurAn 
 to be twici as clear in England as it i.^ Ikto r Fi.c f^me nv.iy 
 be faid of the lower manuf.iaurers, as of tlic l:jbourr" i 
 and if their condition be better, tlun th t of ihe lame clis 
 of people in England, how mnft it he when compared w.ci 
 the black rye-bread, the chefmiis, the garlkl., tl.^ •'«..,•,..• , 
 the wooden ilioes of the French, who, tlu-y arc tcJ, ;ire 
 to come and better their condition ? ,,,.,. .„ 
 
 It is not that I do not wiHi that thcr could live Ci. more 
 comfortably than they do. I flioidd bo b.ippy to !-'.• uv:. dr.' 
 when every man in the kingdom could have his fuwl .>- 
 his joint of meat in his pot of a Sunday, ns the goo.i Harry 
 (he Fourth of France uledto wilh for his peo|..>-, but whirh 
 thofe wlio murdered his defccndr.nt have taken care Ihou d 
 never be their lot. What I want is this ; that they Ihould 
 not liften to every idle, defigning fellow, who wcu.d per- 
 funde them that they are more poor ana mifeiab.o than 
 perfons of their clais in other ccimtri::!=, and make tacm 
 quit their induftry to engage in dcfpcrate fchemcs that can 
 only end in bringing themfelves and their wives and ch> - 
 dren to (liamc and beggary. I wilh them to have mr.ch 
 more wages than they now get, and tliey would delcrve 
 them, if they would onlv be a little more mduftrions it 
 they would make a confcience of earning them as tliey 
 ou"ht, if they worked as hard by the .^j, as they do by the 
 irrcat or the>^ and if they earned all their money to their 
 wives, indead of fpcnding fo much of it m the ale-houie 
 
 and dram-fliop. . 1 ir i ^t • 
 
 The conclulion of the whole is this : God has blelled tins 
 « co^ntry beyond moft others ; We have the beft religion, 
 the beft form of government, and the moll plcntilul land 
 of any people upon earth : But we have made luch a bad 
 ufe of thofe blcffings that we are in great danger of lofing 
 them. We neglect God, his Service, and h:s Day. A\ e 
 call ourfelveu Chrijiiatis, but w:e hardly know what the word 
 means. Few conlider, that every man, who fiys he is a 
 Chriftian, fays as follows :— «* I am the Soldier and Ser- 
 vant of Jefus Chrift. I have renounced all fin and wicked- 
 nefs, and all the vanities of this world. I have owned that 
 I am a finner, and that I can only be faved by the merits and 
 fufFerings of Jefus Chrift \ and in order to receive the be- 
 ° nents 
 
 y" 
 
n 
 
 [28 
 
 nefits of thefc, -I muft repent of my {[m ; I muft believe in 
 Jefus Chrift, and I muft do what he has commanded. His 
 commands arc contained in the Gofpel ; I mul^ therefore, 
 read.//;.?/, in order to learn. my duty; and, when I have 
 learned it, I mart do it faithfully and dil-i'gently." 
 
 Oh ! my Countrymen ! if we would do this, we Hiould 
 be fafe, and happy, and profperous ! God would make a 
 hedge about us, and about all we have, and would defend 
 us from all our enemies ! ^ye (hould no longer be divided 
 und weakened by parties and oppofitions ; for we fliould ;>.!' 
 fear God, and honour the King, and loie one anoilier , 
 aikf who would dare; to invade us ? Why are wc, then, U' 
 blind to our intereft, to rcjeft peace and prorperity, whin 
 we might fo eafily obtain them ? If you love your country, 
 if you love your wives or your children, if you love yourfelvirf 
 — reform your condudl before it be too late ! The judgmeii's 
 of God are in the world ; they have fallen upon France, 
 upon Flanders, upon Holland ! they are ready to fall upon 
 us. If we will not take warning from all that has palled, 
 and isnowpafilng, almoft at our doors, we have no excufe, 
 and therefore no room to hope that wc fliall efcape. Bui 
 even if we could, what would it avail ? The day of judg- 
 ment mujl come \ when everj^ one who has not repented and 
 reformed, will be condemned to fuffer the torments of Hell 
 for ever ! what thofe torments are, we know not ; and God 
 grant wc never may ! but if there be any truth in the word 
 of God itfelf, they are far greater, and more dreadful, than 
 any thing man ever felt, or can conceive. 
 
 Look down, O God of all Mercy, on this Land ! Open 
 our eyes, that we may fee thy judgments hanging over our 
 heads and ready to fall on us ! Give us a juft fenfe of our 
 guilt, and grace to amend our lives } and let our timely re- 
 pentance make us fit obje(Sls of thy inercy, and prevent the 
 deftruclion of our nation. 
 
 Blels thy fervant our King, with long life and peace. 
 Give true wifdom to all thofe who have any fhare in the 
 government of our Country ; that they may fee and know, that 
 neither our own arm, nor our own devices can fave us, and 
 may learn to look up to thee, O God of Hofts, for thine 
 Almighty aid. 
 
 Give a double portion of thy fpirit to the Bifhops and 
 Paftors of thy Church •, that they may devote themfelves 
 entirely to thy Service } boldly rebuke vice ; and by their 
 
 diligence 
 
 k 
 
 mm 
 
muft believe in 
 ruanded. His 
 mt^ therefore, 
 , when I ha\ e 
 itly." 
 
 his, we nioul(.t 
 would make a 
 would defend 
 [»er be divided 
 • we fliould ?.!' 
 one anoilier ^ 
 we, then, U> 
 ifiK'rity, wlun 
 your country, 
 love yourfrlvrf 
 riic judgments 
 upon l'"rancc_, 
 !y to fall upon 
 lit has patll-d, 
 ive no excule, 
 1 ef"cai>e. Bui 
 day of judg- 
 t repented and 
 ments of tlell 
 lot } and Go(| 
 h in the word 
 dreadful, than 
 
 Land ! Open 
 gipg over our 
 ft lenfe of our 
 our timely re- 
 d prevent the 
 
 fe and peace, 
 y fhare in the 
 ind know, that 
 1 fave us, and 
 ofts, for thine 
 
 : Bifhops and 
 
 }te themfelyes 
 
 and by their 
 
 diligence 
 
 (. 
 
 * 
 
 [ 29 1 
 
 u.llocnrc and zeal, by the foundnefs of their doarlne and 
 holihcls of their lives, may turn the hearts of this nation, 
 from the luft^ of the fle{h, the vanities of life, and the defire 
 of earthly gain, to the knowledge and love of thee and ot 
 thedofpel bf thy Son. , ' 
 
 Gram that thofe, to whom thou haft committed weaith, 
 or power, or learning, or any ufeful talents, may ever re- 
 inemljer from whom they received them, and employ them 
 lor the good of all ; that lb they may give in their account 
 •.vithjoy atthe laftday. , ,, , 
 
 And, finally, we befeech thee, to make us humble and 
 neaceable, fober and diligent, juft and merciful i pious to- 
 wards thee our God \ loyal to our King, obedient to our 
 Governors, refpeftful to our fuperiors, and kmd and affefti- 
 onate to all men : That, being protefted by thy Almighty 
 Power, we may pafs our time here in peace and comfort ; 
 and be made partakers hereafter, of eternal happmefs; 
 through the merits and interceffion of our blefled Lord and 
 Saviour Jefus Chrift— And let every true Irilhman fay, 
 
 AMEN. 
 
 POST' 
 
K 
 
 
 tff p 
 
 r 30 ] 
 
 PosrscRij' r. 
 
 ofiouLD any one, who has a fliarc in the Legiflature or 
 (^overnmcnt of this Land, perufe thefe pages ; 1% him re 
 fieafenounyhow he can anfwcr to God and his Country, 
 for fittmg tamdy by without attempting to reprefs thofe 
 i|rorscnmes, wh.ch .f fufFered to continucf muftbring us to 
 dcftrua.on. If he Avants Jie/o/,,tm, he is unfit for his fta- 
 tion. Let him npt fear tlie fcors of a few impious wretches ; 
 but un.tmg with other ferious and aclive men, and avoiding 
 ull heat and enthuOafm on the one hand, and aU luke- 
 warmnefs ?nd timidity on (,he other ; let them confxder 
 Yliat arc the reigni^ig vices, and at kaft attempt to deck 
 tuem, » *^ 
 
 > Adultery ra^es ; and, whilft oifl- law gives Isrge damages 
 tothemjuredwM/;, no atonement whatever is made to our 
 injured God! nay, both he, and his law, are infulted : for 
 the adulterer and adulterels arc let go free, artd are even 
 allowed to enter mto unholy wedlock. By the Jewifli law 
 (which was the law of God), they were both to die. Under 
 the pure Chriftian difpenfation, fhall they not only efcape 
 but be put on a level with the virtuous ? Surely the woman* 
 at Icaft, ought to be marked with fome perfonal infamy, and 
 m no cafe be permitted to marry again. 
 
 Gaming, though not perhaps fo direft an infult to God 
 IS no lefs pernicious m its effcds. It feems to defy the exill* 
 ing laws, and therefore calls for new ones. 
 
 •' Becaufeof fwearing, the land mourneth."— Swear not 
 " at all."— Above all things, my brethren, fwear not."— 
 Such are the ftrong expreffions of our facred code. How 
 then can we hope to be excufed or pardoned, when we mul- 
 t>ply oaths by every new law, till they are become almoft 
 word<:ofcourfe, and have loil uil that reverence which was 
 formerly annexed to them, and without which, tlicv can onlv 
 increale our condemnation ! 
 
 A Cvlioni-houfe oath is already proverbial, and a tax oath 
 IS m great danger of becoming ib. Were no oath ad- 
 muiiftered, but m a public court, by the Judge himfclf 
 
 and Willi the utmoll 
 
 punib!; 
 
 emnitVj it 
 
 would impreft 
 both 
 
 I 
 
egiflature or 
 let him rc- 
 is Country, 
 eprefs thofe 
 t bring us to 
 for his da- 
 is wretches ; 
 nJ avoiding 
 i aU luke- 
 m confider 
 ipt to deck 
 
 je damages 
 lade to our 
 fulted ; for 
 id are even 
 Jewifli la-ar 
 ie. Under 
 nly efcape, 
 he woman, 
 ifamy, and 
 
 ilt to God, 
 y the exift- 
 
 -Swear not 
 rar not." — 
 de. How 
 n we mul- 
 )me almofl 
 which was 
 y can onlv 
 
 a tax oath 
 
 oath ad- 
 
 5 himfclf, 
 
 d impreft 
 
 L 3> ] 
 
 both the witncfs and the audience with a juft fenfc of its 
 awful nature. In all other cafes, the figning a declaration 
 of the truth of the evidence given, and the juftnefs of the 
 punifliment to be inrurred if it prove falfe, would be more 
 decent, and at leart as effeilual, as the oath now adminif- 
 tered. 
 
 «« Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." — 
 •< In it thou ihalt not do any ivsrk : thou nor thy fon, nor 
 thy daughter, thy man fervant, nor thy maid fcrvant, nor thy 
 cattle." — '» Whofocver doth any work on the Sabbath day, 
 he ftiall furejy be pur to deatii ;" — ilich is dd's Liw \ but 
 what is our pra^ice ? Look at our ftrcets and roads, and fee 
 them crowded, not merely with the carriages of the great, 
 but with ftagcs full of travellers, and wag2;f>'« loaded with 
 goods. Surely when we are diitrcfled for new taxes, a 
 heavy Sunday toll might be l/ul throughout the ifland, to 
 check at leaft, if we will not prohibit, the grofs profanation 
 of tlje Lord's day, that fertile fource of immorality. And if 
 no public houfes, ^^xcept inns on great roads, were fuO'crcd 
 to be open on Sundays, it would prevent lomc murdersj many 
 robberies, and infinite mifchicf. f 
 
 IF any perfon (hould be inclined to think the prcfent 
 ftate of things in this country not ib.ch as to warrant the 
 anxiety and alarm exprelll-d in the preceding pages ; kt him 
 read attentively the following extracts from the writings of 
 two of the ableft men of the age; and having fo done, let 
 him confider the events which have ilnce happened, and 
 the alteration which has fince taken place, in our national 
 principles and morals ; and then i'.iy — wliat //ji.r l"en:iments 
 would tivw be .'' 
 
 ■ ♦« Seldom any (late isruinod, but tli're arcevidc^nt fignals 
 and prefages of it. In gf-ncral, without the fpirit of pro- 
 phecy, it is no difficult matter to perceive when ciii'-s and 
 kingdoms are tending towards their final period and dif- 
 folution. There are as certain tokens and fymptoms of a 
 confumption and decay in the body politic, as in the body 
 natural. I would not prefage ill to n)y country ; but, whi-u 
 we confider the many heinous and prefumptuous fins of this 
 nation \ the licentioufnefs, and violation of all order and 
 dif(:ipline i the daring iijiblence of robbers' and fmugglcrs, 
 in open defiance of all ln»v and 'uftice ; the fa-tion, 
 
 and 
 
1'! 
 
 I 
 
 '! 
 
 I 
 
 jtriil JIvifi.jn<s ; th? vinalit^ and corruption ; the avarice and 
 )»ri)fiilion of all rank? and degrees among us ; the total want 
 cit pu'.)lic rpirit, and ard.-nt pafllon for private ends and inte- 
 rcjis i the luxury and gaming and diffblutenefs in high life, 
 «!id the Lizlnedi and drunkenn-irs and debauchery in low life ; 
 .inJ above all, tliar barefaced ridicule of all virtue and de- 
 cency ; and th.: fcandalous neglect, and I wf(h I rould not 
 J.iy, contempt of al! public worfhip and religion : — When 
 v;2 conlidir thcfe thing's, thcfe ligns of the times, the 
 rtouteft and niofl: fanjiuine of us all muil tremble at the natu- 
 ral and piobable confequences of them. God give us Grace, 
 tliat we r.iay A7WTO rt/ /c.j/?, in this our cLty, f he things "tihich 
 i'i'^iig to our peiuw, before they are hid from our eyes, tttver 
 may fuch blindnefa happen to us as befell the Jews ; but 
 laay we/eel: tie Lord •iivjt/e he viay be found, and call upon 
 ':iiii ivhiL' he is near ; and return unto the Lord, and he •will 
 have mercy upon us, and to cur God, for he will abun- 
 d'tntly pardyii." — Bi/hop Newton, on the Prophecies, Vol. IL 
 
 i'- 2 39- ' 
 
 •' If you behold a nation diftinguhhed by irrcligion and 
 jontei.ipt of things facred ; by licemioufnefs, fadlion, luxu- 
 ry, dill'pation, and ctTiimii.acy •, be afliired that, without a 
 v'formation, and a rttuni to firft principles) the conqucft 
 of tl. at nation by fonv* other Is becoming more an-', more 
 fcafil le every day ; the lUtue vices, which provoke divine 
 vengeance, preparing the way for its execution. Such were 
 the char actoriftics oftlie arttient people of God, in the times 
 preceding their feveral captivities. Such was the cafe when 
 fheold Allyrian empire perilhcd with Sardanapalus ; 
 when Babylon was Curprized by Cyrus -, when Darius was 
 overthrown by Alexander ; when Greece fell under the do- 
 minion of the Romans ; wlien thefe laft were overwhelmed 
 by the Northern nations, and when Conftantiiiople was 
 taken by the Turks. Every man who has the profperity of 
 his country at heart, fhould very ferioufly conlider, how far 
 f hefe tokens are to be found upon ourfelves ; and what can be 
 done to prevent the farther fpreading of the infection ; and 
 to eraxlitate the feeds of the dilbrder." — Bi/f-op Horne^t S/v- 
 teefi Sinttiu.', piioe 162. 
 
 7 M E £ N O. 
 
 / 
 
■aricc and 
 total want 
 and inte- 
 high life, 
 1 low life ; 
 e and de- 
 roulcl not 
 :— When 
 ;imes, the 
 
 the natu- 
 us Grace, 
 ttgs "vhtch 
 •J. iitvtv 
 Jews ; but 
 
 call upon 
 nd he "will 
 will abttn- 
 J, Vol. II. 
 
 iligion and 
 ion, luxu- 
 without a 
 ; conqueft 
 zn-J. more 
 3kc divine 
 Such were 
 , the times 
 cafe when 
 anapalus ; 
 Darius was 
 ler the do- 
 erwhelmed 
 inoplc was 
 rofperity of 
 r, how far 
 fhat can be 
 ^tion ; and 
 iorne'i Si\'-- 
 
.^.d