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Neither are thefe natural advantages counterax51ed by anv moral evils, cither religious or political. It enjovs a free conftitution, whilll:, at the fame time, it receives the ])roteaion of a migjity empire,' of Avhich it f^-iiLs a confdtuent paft without fhar- infj its burthens. — Tnflead of navino- tb'- -Pf-*-- A r.j]d ( 4 ) and armies, by which it is defended, they are afource of confiderable wealth to the commu- n]ty ; the executive government is another channel through which it derives a revenue and the trade of the colony is vivified by thJ capitals of the mother country.— In religion it^ IS equally happy. The Church of Endand, ^v which IS the religion of the British Govern- ment, and of an immenfe majority of Britifh lubjeds, IS the Church by law eflabliflied, by the free confent of the Pj-ovince, exprelTed in the aft of Its legiflature, in its firft general af. femb ly *. And every other perfuafion is al- lowed free liberty of confcience, and the unin- terrupted exercilb of public worfhip, according to their feveral opinions. ^ This excellent fyftem of toleration was ad- mirably feconded by the hberality of mind, and the good fenfe of the inhabitants. The moft perfea harmony prevailed among the mem- ' bersofthe dilferent congregations. No man condemned, or thought ill of his neighbour for his religious opinions. 7^he golden age of the Irophet feemed to be realized; the wolf dwelt in concord with the lamb, and the leo- IKird lay down in friendly fociety with the kid ^ x l-^very attempt to dillurb this univerfal trail- qiiility, to low the Ibeds of difcord, to dilTolve the bonds of charity, and to fet man a-ainft his fellow ior a mere difference of fentimentin religious matters, deferves the execration of every they arc commu- another revenue, d by the^ ^Hgion it i^ngland, Sovern- r Britifh flied, by eflecl ill leral af- n is al- le unin- cordinor vas ad- nd, and le mofl ^ mem- ^o man our for of the i wolf be leo- he kid. 1 tran- liffolve igainft lent In ion of George every liN ( 5 ) everyone who boafts of the name of a Chrif- tian. Since fuch is the imperfed ftate of iiu- man nature, ih various the impreinons protki- ced by the fame object upon dilferent minds, ^that Icarccly two men are of the fame way of thinking upon even the moft common topics of hfc, how is it to be exi^edicd of the more im- portant ? Divifions muil: prevail as long as man is man. All that human wifdom can do is to render them harmlefs. Very different is the tendency of a rA'lfer of Injiructions to the Catholic Missionaries, lately printed, and circulated, w ith great in- duftry, throughout this Province, llie pro- fefl'ed objc6ls of this Letter are extremuv lai; - dable; to enforce obedience (o the hio-her powers, to teach the lawfulnefij of the oat1i of allegiance, to warn people agaiml: tlie emiifa- ries of difcord, and to fhew tliem the wicked- nefs of oaths taken in fupport of illeo-al combi- nations. But, unfortunately, thefe ful)ieds oc- cupy the fmallefl fpace of this publication— the greater part of it is filled with doarines of a very adverfe complexion; with plaufil)le mifrepreientations of the tenets of the Romifli Church, and a revival of its haughty preten- fions ; with virulent invedlives againfl all Pro- tcftant minilkrs of every denomination, and with democratical principles, fupported by af- fumj)tions unfounded in truth. This Letter was totally without iuf^ caufe, or provocation. The Catholics were in the quiet pofTeflion, and the undiflurbed enjoy- .A" ^ ment ft t mejit of their rites, niul their prejuchces. No previous dilcufiion had attacked ihcir princi-' I)les,^or irritated their fcchngs. The lii/hoj) of Nova-Scoda's Chaj-ge was not printed till the lafl: fhect of Mr. Burke's hook was in the I)]-efs. With rcii)ca to the Poftfcrij)t, which '^ was written in anfwer to the Charge, in which he treats a refpeaabic Prelate Sf the eflabhflied Church with very indecent and imj)ro])er language ;— 1 /l^.all leave it to the o-e- neral opinion ; and I IjeJieve there is but one iipon the fubjech The common fenfe of man- kind has long iince decided, that fcurrility is the ftrongefl: ])roof of the M'cakncfs of a caufe, and that it dcmonlli ates nothing but the illibe- rahty, and the malevolence, of the ])erlbn, who delcends lb low as to employ it. If there is any evil in thefe Inftrudions it IS likely to become >jery extenfive, for no lefs than a thoufand coj)ics'have been ])rinted, and ' (hftributcd. And tliey have been ufbered into the world by a, pcribn w ho calls himfclf, bv what authoj-ity I know not, the Vian-CkncKd, and under the pretended lan^iion of the Ca- tholic BiJIiop of '-lucbec. Should any well- meaning peojde have been mifled by outward appearances, it is the more neceflar^' that they fliould be undeceived, and the real drift of the Letter j)ointed out to them. Under fuch cir- cun^.ftances, iilence would be a defcrtion of duty. I ])roj)ofe to confider Mr. Biirhcs Letter under three ])oints of view.— 7'7;y/, Mis obler^ vations 1 ^^ ^ ^"i ( 7 ) vations upon the Oath of Allegiance.— ^crow^/, /?/, His Principles of Temporal Authority, and. Thirdly, His Opinions refpeaing Spiri- tual Authority. I. Mr. Burke difcufles minutely the Oath of Allegiance which the Legiflature requires of Catholics, and ihews clearly that they may take It with perfed fafety of confcience. This IS very right, and the only wonder is that it fhould ever have been the fubjeft of doubt. In its effeds, it is a mere queftion of fad, ari- fing from the firft principles of the focial com- pact. When a lawful government is formed. It is entitled to the obedience of all jjerfons who live within its limits, becaufe fuch obe- dience is what conflitutes the very nature of a political union ; and every government may require of any fuch pcrfon to declare, under the folemnity of an oath, that he is willing to fub- mit to it ; and to renounce obedience to every other power. Whoever refufes this teit, j'e his realbn for the rcfufal \^'hat it may, whether it be difafFeaion, religious Ici u])]es, oranv thin^^ elle, he is no longer to be conlidered as a member of that fbciety, or entitled to any of Its privileges, ff his objeaions arife ' ligion, from re- the only thing which his duty can point out^to him, is to quit the country, and find another more fuitable to his principles. For every man's confcience muft tell him, that to claim the benelit of a con- it is wrong T trua, wirhoiit pci lorming the conditions * i ' A J e to i enjoy 4 ( s ) enjoy the advantages of a iociety without per- forming the duties which its laws cxa6l. But though he agrees generally to the ])ro- j)riety of this oath, he fnuls great fault with nioft of the claules in it ; which he lays, " are " mortifying to the Catholics, by obligino- them '• to dilclaim certain oj)inions, there f|)ccified,. " which their anceilors are llippofed to have " entertained, and which fupj)olition is fidih " and^ groundlefs." For thele " calumnious " mifreprclentations" he afligns a realbn^ " that the legiflature was comj)oled of men " who kne\\' Catholics only by vague rej)ort ;, *' and hiw their princij)lcs disfigured in flyino- *' flieets and j)amphlets ; or as they were. " painted in times of general commotion, and " great irritation, by men intereifed in fup- " jM-eiilng Catholicity through political views ; " or from the afperlions of Ibme clergymen,. " who had abjured the Catholic communion." ^Vhether the laws againil: Papiils were of too fanguinary a nature, I ihall not enquire, but I believe our anceftors, wlio intnxluced thole- claules into the oath, had good reafon.for that precaution; and were certainly full as well acquainted with the Catholic religion as we can be. I'hey had fecn it in cverv pofilble: lituation., H'ill the reign of llnn-i/tlic MIL it was the cfcablifliGd church. At the refor- mation, it was in a militant ilate, and in thedif- pututiovis which took place, the minutel^ ar- ticles were, thoroughly examined,. dilculTed. audprobe.d to the UottcMi-i,. In [^niai Jlan/i. time,. «» i J^ T i ( ^ )' time, they had fccn it triumphant, and peril-- ciiting; and, during the following century^ reftlels and ])Iotting. At the Revolution^ ^whenthe oaths oF allegiance and liipremacv 'were lettled nearly in their prelent form, as prelcrihcd by the legifluture of this ])]ovince, they were fhll fmarting under the tyranny of Popery, again vidorious, and again trampiin^r iipon every obligation, luiman and divine! What niferenccs were to be drawn from them, or whether tlie means to counterad them were prudent, or juif, is another queftion ; but no man can doubt but that the |)rinci])Ies, and- dodrines, of the Romilh Church were mofL perfeaiy and accurately knov\ai. Ihat the Catholics now renounce thefci dodrines I am haj)py to find. But when they, make this avowal, \\oukl it not have been till] as judicious, not to have denied, in ih un- quahhed a manner, that they had e\er believed them r JJecauic if this can be proved to be an untrue a/lcrtion, docs it not very much weak> en then- credit uj)o,i other j^oints, and render even their Imcer. _. very liable to be dirtruflcdr --It IS \vorth while, therefore, to alcertaiu whether they ever held flich dodriius, or not, \t for no other rcalbn:^ yet, i'lncj Mr. Bu?-/,.* has niamtai.ucd the negative, /i}s vcmcio/, at leaft, IS imj}licatcd in the quelHoa. ^ 'J "he dcariives adverted to are thefc : rhat if the Ibvereign of a country ha])pens to bea proteflant, or as tl:ey call him a heretic, UQ Cauhvilics are bound to obcv 1 ' ■J <•' nd th; tliey. I ( 10 ) they may even depofe, or murder him ; efpcw ciaJiy It he has been excommunicated by the 1 ope. That, in their opinion, Co imprercrip- tible IS this facred right of inlurredion, that no oaths, or compa6h can flipcrcede it. That all ' heretics that is j^rotcftants, may l)e murdered anddeftioyed; and that no faith is to be kept with them. And, laOIy, that the RomiJh Church can difpenfe with oaths, and abfolve Its members from any declarations to the con- trary. Such arc the o])inions which the oath of allegiance imputes to the Catholics— and in- deed It IS imjx)fnble to conceive maxims more diabolical. They ftrike at the very root of all civil fociety. Is it poffible that they can be the doarines of Chriftianity ? of that mild and amiable religion, whole firfl precept is nniver- iallove and charity, forgivenefs of enemies, ' and fubmifhon to injuries ? of the meek and benevolent Jellis, who refiifed to call down hre from heaven ui)on thofe who oppofed his goipel and infulted God himfelf in his perlon ? yet they tmcinconteftiblv the doarines of the Jiomifh Church. This pofition I fhall prove not from " lyino- " pamphlets, the ])roduaion3 of io-norance'' " malevolence, and Ihnatical phrenzv," but by an authority, which Mr. Burle himlblf will Icarcely be inclined todifpute, that of the P(7/;^ /iimjc/j. l ties and Indies of the Holy See; and vvaspub- idhed and declared to be authaitic under the aulpices of dilferent Poj)es. With rcfpcdt to the obedience due to jirotc- ■ ''^•^^'!'' Heretical Ibvereigns ;-P()pe Gra^oru the iSjoth iliLied a decree in ^\hich he lav. -1 VVe hereby ablohc from every obligation of al- legiance, homage, and every other duty, all thole v\'ho are bound to manifcll heretics by any comj)-id or promile whatlbe\'er ; in ulnt'- ever manner it may be confirmed *, that is evenir an oath of allegiance be taken to con- iirm It. la the year i:,:,s, confb(|uently above a century after fhc Council of Conftance, bv vvhieh, Mr. Burke fays, fuch doftrines were condemned. l>o])e Paul the Fourth, in a law whjch he declares to be of perpetual duration, hy the fullnefs of his a])oftolical pou cr, and conhrming all fo. mer decrees againft heretics, enaas that all and lingular Earls, Jkarons Marquilles, Dukes, Kings, and Kmperor., who halljiave fallen mto, or Ihall heieafier fall into- i:ierdy, lludl, moreover, by fucli crime alone Without the nitervention of law or farther aft be entirely, totally, and for ever, dei)ru'ed of then- Earldoms, Baronies, Marquilfates, Dut- chies. Kingdoms, and Empires ; and Ihall be I'ur AU ( 12 ) held i.iifit, and incapable of holding the fame*. All heretics or proteftants were excommu- nicated by one general decree of Pope InnO' cent the Third. We excommunicate and anathematize every hcrefy againft the holy, orthodox, and catholic faith. Condemning*- all heretics under what- ever names they may be dilliinguifhed, and who indeed, though they have diiFerent faces, have their tails all tied together, fince they agree in vanity •\. Many other palTages might be adduced to the fame effed; befides innumerable quota- tions from Popiih writers of great eminence, by whom the dodrinc is afferted and defend- ed. Nor has it been a mere fpeculative prin- ciple confined to books ; hiftory affords many well known examples of the depofition of royal heretics, which are celebrated with exul- tation by the Romifh Church. Mr. Burke fays, that " in the great perfecutions of Nero, *' and even oi Julian the apoftate, if no refift- * Sept : Decretal. Lib. V. Tit. 3. Cap. 9. Hac noftra in perpetuutn valitura conftitutione ; de apollolice poteftatis plenitudine fancimus : quod fententiis, cenfuris, et puenis prcdidis in fuis robon' et clficacia re- meucntibus, omnes et finguli.— Comites, Baroni-s, Marchiones, Duces, Rcges, ct Imperatores, qui liadlenus deviaffe, aut in hxrefim incidiffe dcprehenfi fuerint, aut in pofterum deviabnnt, aut in ha'refim incident, fint ctiam eo ipfo abfque aliquo juris aut fadli minilterio, Comitatibns, K.ironiis, Marchionatibus, Diicatibus, Regnis, et Imperio, penitus, et in totum, pcrpetuo privati, ctad illade cactcro inhabiles el incapaces hahc antur. f Decree. Greg. Lib. V. Tit. 7. Cap. 13. Excommunicamus itaque et anathematizamusomnem hxrefim extoUentem feadverfus banc fandlam, orthodoxam, et catholicam fidem, quam fuperius expofuimus.— Con- demnantes haercticos univerfos, quibufcunque nominibus cenfeantur, la- ties quid cm diverfas habentes, fed caudds ad iavicem coUigatas, quia ae vanitate conveniuiit in idipfum. ance ^\ -fTV (( Jig the :ommu- e InnO' \t every catholic r what- sd, and It faces, ce they aced to quota- liiience, defend- ^e prin- s many tion of :h exul- Burke f Nero, ) refift- perpetuum f;iiicimus : ^iHcatia re- lies, Duces, im inridiffe m incident, lomitatibus, nitiis, ct in laces habe- as itaque et ic fandlam, lus.— Con- feantur, fa- gatas, quia ance - N ( 13 ) ;; ^f^^^;i. ^^^\^y that incalculable number «* c \^''i^^^^"s who were facrificed to the fury of thofe tyrants, it was not for want of po-vver or means." Cardinal Bellarmine, , one of the moft fplendid luminaries of that communion, entertains an opinion diredlv con- trary « If the Chriftians did not depof. .V.;., or Julian, it was only for want of temporal "power *." Who fhall decide when Doaor diiagree r Thcfe doarines were more diftindly and exprelsly declared 1 - the council of 1>ent which fettled finally ..e Roman Faith, and to which the oath of allegiance moft particularly refers. J have not the canons of that council to produce, but I believe what I have already Itated IS lufficient to convince the reader that It was not through calumny, or ignorance, that rhe Papifts were charged with maintaining hat Princes might be depofed or murdered by the authority of the See of Rome. I low far the decrees of the Popes are binding upon Ro- man Catholics, may be il^n in the words of die Creed of P/«, the Fourth, which is the ftandai-d of their religion, and contains the taith ^vhlch is profeffed by every j.erfon who embraces it. « I do promife and iWear true obedience to the Bilhop of Rome" The next alTertions which 1 fhall confider are thele, » The pofition that 'tis lawful to murder or deftroy heretics is no part of the * Quod n Cliriftiani olim „oti drnoruciunt Krmn.M, n, , r t- Foiicif. C. V. c. 7, --■'■i^."iti.Uimti:tius, Bcli.uui. ue Rom. " Catholic i *l I ( 1* ) *" Catholic clo^lriiie ; and the inve6^ives againft " the Council of Conftaiice, as if it had put " John Ilufs, and Jerome of Prague to death "./or herefy, are idle tales." One is really at a lofs which mofl: to admire, the reprefentations in point of dodrine or of hiflory. Is there any fait better known or attefted, than that the Romifh Church in all ages, when it had the power, has never ceafed to perfecute heretics ? is mankind in its dotage, and has loO: all me- mory of pafl: events, that fuch fidions are to be impolcd upon it r Is tlie inquifition totally unknown which was inftituted whenever the Church had influence enough, and which the Pope endeavoured to eftabhlh in every country in Europe, fo late as the lixteenth century, for the very purpofeof imprifoning, torturing', and deftroying hej-etics ? Have we \o foon forgot Cranmcr, liidlcij, and I^alhner, and thofe other Proteftant martyrs who were the victims of Popery in the Ihort reign of '^uccn Mary r The mof]: flender acquaintance with hiiiory is fufficicnt to confute thofe mifi-eprefentations rcrpecling/o//;^ //?.;/,;■, the celebrated champion of Proteftantifm. Nor is it difficult to fee the reafons for this vehemence cigainil hitn. That Jlufs dcclaiirxed, as man}' other eminent men of that time did, agiiinft the vices of the Ro- mifh Clergy, and endeavoured to Avithdraw his country from blind lubmifllon to the [-\ipal power, that he met with great 0])pofition from the Romifli ecclcfiaftics, and that great dillur- banccs were occafioncd bv ilieir violence, is certain ves againft : had put s to death really at a jfentations there any 1 that the it had the heretics ? )ft all me- ns arc to ion totally never the which the y country :ntiirv, for iring, and on for2:Qt hole other •i(^lims of Uaiy r th hiilorv fentations :hamj)ion to fee the n. That :ient men fthe Ko- ivithfJra'vV :he Fapal :ion from ■itdilliir- tlcncc, is certain ( 15 ) certain; but lam yet to learn that Ilufs was guilty of fedition, or that he denied, as Mr. Burke informs us, the authority of the civii magiftrate. On the other hand it is related ^ that he had obtained extraordinary credit at the court of his fovereign, and had intereft with him fufficient to procure an edid in his favour, refpeaing fome points in difpute with other divines. A joke of the King of Bohemia, ihews, at leaft, that he was not in ill humour with the reformer.— j^wy^, it feems, had been obliged to follow the example of his adver- fanes, in furthering his fuit by repeated pre- fents, as was ufual in thofe days. Upon one of thefe occafions the King is reported to have faid with a laugh, that he had got a good goofe {Hiijs m their language fignifies a goofe) which laid every day golden and filver eggs. ' rr'^^^P^^^ crime, real or fuppofed, for which iTufs fufFered, hiftorians inform us, that by the artifices and bribes of his enemies the Romifli Clergy, he was declared an heretic by the Coun« cil of Conftance, compofed of ecclefiaftics, becaufe he refufed to obev their order, which commanded him to plead guilty of herefv, againft the dilates of his own confcience; and for herefy, by a fcandalous breach of public faith which had been given for his fecuritv he was brought to the ftake. This IVote- ftant martyr to the refentment of tb.e Po])iih Clergy, endured his dreadful punifhment witli unparalleled magnanimity and re'.Hniation. exprelling, in his laft moments, the nobldl feel- m B in2:s ( Iff ) iiigsof his love to God, ami the mofl triumphmit hope of the accomplifhment of the promifes which arm the true Chriftian at the approach of death. Sentiments very dilFerent from thofe of a feditious malefa6tor. It is a grois evalion, by no means new, to endeavour to throw off the odium of fuch cruel ties upon the Emperor. For the ecclefiaftics |)ronounced the guilt though they always tranf- fcrrcd the punishment of the offender to the lecular power. A right, indeed, of inflifting fome puniihments upon heretics, they always claimed, and exercifed themfelves *. To have claimed the right of life and death would have been going farther than perha]:)s fovereio-ns would have been inclined to admit. To avoid thejealouW of Princes, and, at the fame time, to maintain the hypocritical affedation of mercy in the midil of perfecutions, they devol- ^'ed capital jnmilhments upon the civil Go- vernment. The canons againft heretics, after going the full length of eccleliailical cenfures, penances, depri\'atioiis, diiiibilities, depolitions, confilcations,and imprifonments, in themfelves a lufficiently formidable lift of evils, deliver them o\er to the fccular arm to infli6u due jHinifhment-^f-. But the fecular power, that is the lovereign of the country, was bound by another canon to extirpate all perlbns whom the Church Ihould pronounce to be heretics. ]f he did not extirpate them, the pope abfolved * Dcc-vct. C:iuf:i XXHI. (^rx!*. -1-. Cap. 3?. etc. [■Sept. rc(nl;\l. l.ili. V. Tit. f). Cap. 'J. his riumphmit e promifes e approach rent from IS new, to " fuch cruel icclefiaftics vays tranf- uler to the " infliftinsf lev always To have rou\d have Ibvereigns To avoid ame time, Nation of hey devol- civil Go- ctics, after 1 cenfures, ei)ol!tions, :hemfelves Is, deliver m^ltt due 'cr, that is bound ])y ns whom e heretics. e abfolved his ( n ) liis fuhjeds from their allegiance, and gave their dominions to Catholics*. What is under- ilood by extirpation is j^^lain enough from the general pra^icc ; but this likewife ai)pcars upon record. The Kmperor Frederic, to •^oblige the Court of Rome, enaded a hw, by which heretics, and all perfons who devia- ted in rme Jingle article from the Catholic Faith, fhould be burnt alive. This decree was approved and confirmed bv the Po})e,and introduced into the body of the canon law f . And we know that heretics were treated in the fame manner in every Popifn coun- try in FAirope. As well then might it be faid, that a judge and jury have no })o\vci- of infliaing ca])ital punifhmsnts, becaule the ceremony of hanging is performed bv the executioner, as that the Council of Con'- flance, and the ecclefiaftics had no liand in the martyrdom of John llufa, and in other perfecutions of heretics, becaufe they delivered over offenders to be put to death by the civil power. It may be faid, thefe ai. old Tories, times are altered, the Romifh Church is changed, and be- come liberal and tolerant like other peo})le. 'i o fliew that in thefe modern days they have :;ban- doned neither the j^rinciplc of perfecutlon, or the pra61ife, I Hiall relate an anecdote, to vvhich 1 could bring the fullell: attellations.— There is a gentleman, now living, who is at the head of * Decretal. Lib. V. Tit. 7. Cap. 13. t Sept. Dtcret. Lib. V. Tit. M. Cap. 'A ^ - a public IM ( 18 ) a public department in England, particularly conneded with perfons of the Jewifh Nation. A few years flnce, a refpeaabie man and his wife of that perfuafion came to the office upon iume uufinefs. Whihl they were waiting they began converfing with each other in tht Spa- nish language, about their private affairs. The gentleman, with that honourable delicacy which marks the Britifli Charader, gave them a polite hint not to mention any thing which they did not wifh him to hear, as he was well acquainted with the language of Spain, havin j IliOuCit III her I i( u t (( artlcularlj h Nation, in and his iffice upon iti ng, they I the Spa- ^airs. The J delicacy ^ave them ng which : was well n, having country. , and this upon va- the gen- hardlhips ired from inftance, g Jewifh age, bur- The wo- agitation, upoffible r Leah." that the nediately ms, and ed away Tom this " her for- s young, OUCII III her I I ( 19 ) her deportment, affedionate to her parents, be- loved by her acquaintance, and pun6tual in the performance of her religious duties. But that religion was, unfortunately, not the religion of . the Romifli Church, and fhe fell a facrifice un- der the inexorable fentence of the Inquifition, which condemns all Jews, heretics and fchilrn- atics to the flames. Another claufe of the Oath of Allegiance, \\'hkh requires the takers to difclaim the por- tion that no faith is to be kept with heretics or Proteftants, next comes under Mr. Bur/cc's cenfure. He alTures us that, " No Catholic " EVER beheved it. Catholics know, and be- " lieve that all kinds of deceit and duplicity are " clTentially bad, forbidden by the divine and " natural law, of courfe, that there is no power " on earth which can authorize them in anv " cafe. I have already fhewn that it was at Icaft, the Catholic Do6lrine that no faith is to be kept with Heretics, or Proteftants, in the moft im- portant of all obligations, that of allegiance to the Ibyereign. With refpeft to deceit, and duplicity in general, let m Pope. THE DECRETUM. CHAP. THE XXI*. " Simila(io7i is tifcful, and is occaJionuUi/ to " be a fumed:' TJiis lie j)roves by many cx- *C.lus. XXU. Quxn. ?. Uiilcin f;mul;ui<)ncm, ft in tcmpoif.' alTu- mcndam Jthu Kejis Iii.tl iiks docci! CM'niphini.— Ncc miiuni, iniani- visjurtos liomiiKS, t.imfn nlMju.i fiiiiulaa' pio tcmi)<;ie oh luain tialioium f:»lutcin, cuni et iff; Doniimis in dcr non liahcns pt''jc;Hi:m, nee c irr.tin pcfcaii, rim>jlatioiioni pcccatricis carnis aU\ii;ipfeiit.— i i.cc (iiije mcndncia flint vtnisljact c'ico d.'.:nnabilia. ' * ' a2;ain hear the J^ 3 amjilcs Ii I ( ^-^0 ) amples in fcrijjture, one of them is a little ex- traordinary. " Nor is it flrange that o-ood " men fhould fometimes diiremhle for the'fal- " yation of themfelves and others, lince our " Lord himfelf, who had no fin, or flefh which " was capable of fin, affumed thefalfc appear- "ance of finful flefh."— What is to "be under- Itood hyfitmdatUm and diffcmblhg is not left to conjecture ; for it is immediately explained mthelc words, « Behold what Lies are venial '* and what are damnable." Every man who knows any thing of the Komifh Religion muft be fatisfied that it is thehrmpcrlualionof its votaries, that if falfe- liood IS ever juftifiable, and is for « the falva- " tion of themfelves and others," it is wherever the glory and the intereft of that Church are ^:oncerned. This is evident from what I am now going to flatc.— The Oath requires a de- claration, " that it is taken in the i)lain and ^^ ordinary fenfe of the words, without mental releryation or equivocation, and that the ta- ker does not believe that he can be abfolved - of this declaration by the Pope, or anv au- thoritv u-hatfoever." Here again, according to Mr. Burke, is another unjuft refleaioii upon the Catholics. " U duplicitv," he fays, " be *^' criminal, 'tis blafi)hemy to make God an ac^ " complice. As to any previous difpenlktion to • deceive or to do any other evil, the Pope nei- '' ther has, i>or ever pretended to have, any pov.'er to grant it." Perha]>s the Catliolics may think it :>io evil to deceive a Heretic. That I little ex- :hat good or the fai- ence our efh which fe appear- be under- s not left explained ire venial ig of the that it is t if falfe- le falva- ^vherever lurch are hat I am res a de- 'lain and t mental t the ta- abfolved any au-i xordinsr o on u])on., ys, " be 'd an aC' ation to >pe nei- ve, any 'atliolics JC. That ( '-il ) That the Pope has a61ually granted a gene- ral ;;rmo«5 difpenfation from the Oath of Al- legiance when taken to Heretical or Proteftant Sovereigns, has already been fliewn. I fhall ^ now produce a ftili more general previous dif- penfation, from Pope bmocent the Third, who has decreed, " That all oaths which are con- " trary to the advantage of the Romifli " Church, are to be confidered rather as perju- *' ries than oaths *." As it remains with the. Romifh Church itfelfto determine and define what is for its own utihty, it is- evident that, this difpenfation may be at pleafure extended, in its application to every oath which the va- rious occafions of civil fociety may exa6f . In . fliort, that Catholics, may break through any, oath whatever, whenever the intereft of the . Romifh Church requires it. I have now gone through all Mr. Burkes. objeaions to the Oath of Allegiance, and, I truft, have fully eflablifhed my pofition, that, the dodrines there attributed to the Catholics were not calumnious fidiions, and that the le- giflaturedid not require them to be renounced without very fufficient reafons. That the Catholics of this Province, in tak- ing the Oath, have fincerely difclaimed thefe do61rines, 1 ho])e and believe. I am far from attributing fuch maxims to them. I mean only to confute Mr. Burke" a alTertion that they * Decree. Greg. Lib. H. Tit. XXIV. Cap. 27. Tlie Chapter is in- litlerf, — juramcntum contra utilitatcm ccclLfiall.cam pr«Jli;iim non t'jiiet. And she words o( the dvtfee ;itc ;— Ku;i jiinirtltnta, fed prrju- lia poiiiis funt di(/.iuli>; <\uk c r.ua niilitatcm ccdtria.titi'.m aticnuiuur. never ^'■ ( 2'^ ) never made a part of the Romifh Relio-ion.— Vet one may l)e permitted humbly to^alk, if they were once declared to be Orthodox and Catholic by an infalhble and unchano-eable church, by what means have they ceafed to be fo? If they were held to be true dodrines two cen- turies ago, they muft be equally believed to be io now, for time alone can produce no effc6t u])on fuch general principles, and the unity of faith, which is faid to be " the diflinguifhiiiff '' charaaer of the Catholic Church," muft ex- tend to every period of its exiftence, as well as to every member' of its communion, or it muft be a vain pretence. For if a o-eneral principle, which was pronounced to be' true a hundred years ago, is now, by the fame autho- rity, declared to be falfe, there is an end both of the infallibility, and of the unity, of the Ca- tholic Church. At one of thofe periods it muft have been in an error, and, in both, divi- ded againft itfelf. If thefe princij)les are only difpenled with, or the execution fulpended, the fame authority may again revive them. Inltead of denying the exiftence of fuch doc- trines, Mr. Burke would have done more fer- vice to his communion, and would have per- formed a taik more latisfaftory to all His Ma- jefty's loyal fubjeas, if he had n^Mytd thefe doubts, which muft naturally occur to every perfon who at r.Il confiders the matter. i< 4( il <( u .11. The ( 23 ) 'eligion. — to afk, if lodox and 'hangeablc 'edtobefo? ! two cen- eved to be no effc6t e unity of nguifhiiig ' muft ex- as well as on, or it a general be true a ne autho- end both f the Ca- )eriods it oth, divi- •' are only ifpended, ve them. bch doc- nore fer- lave j)er- His Ma- ed thefe to every 11. The , s (( 4t IT. The next fubjeds for obfervation are Mr. Burke's princi])les of temporal authority, or civil government. It is fomewhat inconceivable, that, in a publication which profeflcs to be written to enforce obedience to the conftituted powers, fo many pages fhould be occupied in teaching, and proving thofe very dodrines of the rights of the people, which have been the origin, and foundation, of all the revolutions of modern times. Let us fee thefe principles in his own words. " The different forms of Government depend " upon the ivills and con/hit of the people \ hence it follows, that though all power in political Governments is from God; tis Z>y " the minijliy of the people that God commu- " nicates it. This therefore is placed by God ** himfelf in the great body of the people.^'' He afterwards fpeaks more plainly, and calls it, the right of the people to appoint their " King, and to correct all abufes in govern^ " ment:* Thefe maxims he proceeds to fuppo;. t by the fcriptures, and by the authority of eminent Britifh Lawyers. " The principle," he fays, "is proved by the " hiftory of Saul and David. If ever Princes ** were of divine inftitution immediately Saul ** and David were of the number, yet both the " one and the other were inverted with regal ** authority bi/ the people. Saul] tho' anointed "by « <( V> " by the pn.phet pofreflul no ni)thorilv till « elected b,/ the people, aiul 'tho' that ckaioii by ballot was(iire6lccl by providence; twas 1* "«t W.^ Icfsfrec', nor th.e Icfs (Upcndent on the tvilloj the people which is lb true that be- " c"""',^ lome of the/;^^v^/,. exprciFed their (iiffcu-, J^aul s authonty was not confirmed till Ibme " time after.— So David neither po/nfed nor ' pretended to aiiy regal authority ; till the inc-a ot Juda came and anointed him to -fi^^-n " over Judah, nor the other tribes till after the " death oi JJhhoJhelh. The writer remarks that " he reigned {even years, and fix months over Judah, and thirty three-years over Judah and Ifraeh, as if he had Ihid in tiie ^ moft exprefs terms, that he xua, Kin^ by J ne appointment of the people, and fiW tlie timeofrhat a])pomtment, not before." Now is there any one faft more plainly re- corded in the rcri])tures, than that both Saul aiKl /)«^7rf were immediately appointed bv God ? Mr Burke, indeed, in fome meafu/c acknowledges.it. 13ut let us attend more parti^ cnlarly to the hiftory itfelf *. The Jews had been governed by Judg^^s, under the dire61 o-ui- dance of God himfelf, for a period of about four hundred years. Whe. .V. ..../ was grnvu old, dilguited by the ill condiw:} o'^ his Ibn, tnc Israelites became delirou. ,„ having a Kino^ ike other nations. But, under thele provo"! king ciraimflances, the iniquity and injuftice Qt their Governors, and wishing fo earneflly •^ 1 Sam. Cli. X, ,\i. xii. etc. for ' (( hority till at cltVilion nee; twas (lent u/i tlte e that be- icirdirfciu-, (i till ibme '//(/A'y/ nor 1) the men to 'fju^a II after the larks that : months ;ars over lid in tJie King by from the -c." lainly re- •oth Saul in ted bv mcaiure orej)aiti^ Jews had iredgiii, of about as gr nvii ibno, tnc a Kin^ 3 provo- injuftice -arneftly for ' %■- ( 25 ) for a c^'Tnge In the form of Government, did they f>r -reed to make a revolution, andtock6V a Kirn -^ No, the fcripture on the contrary in- forms us tha» they came to Samuel, and re- (jucih.fl /'///?, as the j)roj3het of God, to make them a King, or to give ihcm a King to judge them. So little does the fcripture fuppofe that thev had a free riijht to alter the form of their Governniau of their own accord, that even their itijh to "Iter it, through tlv; hiterventiou of the propi)et, was highly dirj)leafmg to G(,'d, and was confidered as an wtX of rel)ellian againfl: him *. God however at lafl confents to their rerjuefl: ; and direds the prophet (o aj)- j)oint a Sovereign. " And the Lord laid to *' Samuel, heaiken inito their voi<:e, and ))tak€ " tiicm a King.'' In confe(juence God fends Saul to the projihet, and direfts liim to anoint Saul to be King over his people Ifrael. Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it u]K)n his head, and kifled him, and (aid, is it not be- caufe the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance ? whether he manifelted this his appointment to the peoj)le by lots, or any otiier manner is immaterial. 'Ihat God appointed him of his own free choice is very clear, for when Saul aj)])eared, " Samuel faid *• to all the people, lee ye him wliomthe Lord, " (not the people) hath cholen, and all the " j)eople ihoutcd and laid, God lave the King." Some of the people indeed, as jMr. ,/>?/;•/ e lays, " cxprelTed their dilfent," but the Icrij)- * Hof. cli. \:\ V. I S.iiii. eh. \l. V. XV'. — xw. ture % ( 26 ) ture has likewife exprefled its opinion of them, by calling them Children of Belial, or the De- vil *. Saul however took upon him the Go- vernnrient, and led his fubjefts to viaory. Af- ter this Samuel propofed to the people, " Come " let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom " there." And all the people went to Gilgal, and there made Saul King. Upon this occa- iion, Samuel, in God's name, tells all Ifrael, " Behold I have hearkened unto your voice, " and have made a King over you:' Every paiTage is conformable to thefe. When Saul ofFended God, he faid it repenteth me that / have fet up Saul to be King f . From this hiftory it is evident that Saul was appointed, and even anointed King, before any form whatever of elf^dion took place. Afterwards, come the ceremonies which Mr. Burke calls the Election. Now an ele^ion, if it means any thing, is a nght of chufing, or rejeding, any perfon pro- poled to fill an office. An cledion to choofe, without a power of reje^ing, would be no ele61ion at all. U Mr. Burke then be rio-ht in his reprefentations, that the ekaion of Sml was a fiQc eledHon, and dependent on the will of the people, it fbilows, that t\iQ IJ'raelitesh^d a right to reject that perfon whom God himfelf had appointed to be their King. Or, (luce he brings his example as a proof of a genen;! prin- ci])le, it is the fair conclufion, that democracy or the right of the people to chufe their Kiiiff, * 1 S,)m. th. 10. v. ,\xvii. t Chap. l."j. V. xi. IS i ( 27 ) on of them, or the De- im the Go- 6lory. Af- le, "Come le kingdom t to Gilgal, this occa- all Ilrael, ,'our voice, Every ^hen Said me that / that Saul [ng, before 3ok place, vhich Mr. thing, is a erfon pro- to choofe, Id be no be right m of Sail / 1 the will iclUcs had d himfelf , lince he enU prin- emocracy icir Kine, i is a right of fo imprefcriptible a nature, that it is not to be controuled by God himfelf. But the jull: conclufion which every man muft form from the tranfadion is this. I'hat ^lince-S'^/z// was really appointed King by God himfelf, whatever was done by the people was mere matter of form, and ceremony ; a Iblemn ratification of the appointment ; a public tef- timony on the part of the Ifraelites of thQirixxh- miffion to God's choice, and an acceptance on the part of the King, and the mode of his en- tering upon his Government. A ceremony fomething iimilar to that of an Enghfli Coro- nation. It is equally clear that David was aj^pointed by God alone, without any choice in the pco- j)le. When God was off-ended with Saul for (hfobedience, he lent Samuel to him to tell him, " T\\Q Lord hath rent the Kingdom of " JJ'racl from thee, and hath given it to a " neighbour of thine*." God then fent -S"^;- niuel to Jcfc informing him that he had pro- vided a King among his fons. The manner of the appointment is very rem.arkablc, hv ail /e//t'V fons were brought in ]'eview before God. When lliey were come Samuel looked on FJluh. and, flruck with his prepoirefling figure, faid, furely the Lord's anointed is be- fore him. But the Lord laid unto Samuel ; Look not on his countenance, or on the heii';;!!: of ills flaturc; becauic i li.ive refulbJ iiim ; for t\\c Lord Iceth not as man lesth j for mai> ■I ). V, \l. IS * i S.i'.ii. XV, c Igoketh ( ^8 ) > i Jookcth on the outward ai>pearaiice, but the Lord lookcth on the heart. Seven of the ions were in the lame manner rejefted, and David tiie youngcfl: was lent for fiom the iheej)fo](l and anointed to be the future fove- reigti of the Jews. Heic was the real elc^ion,' and God not only chuJes the Kinghimielf, but he even declares the unfitness of die ])eopie to chufe. — Man lool.ctli only on the ouixcard ap- pearance. After SauCs death lie was puhlkkhj anointed, as Saul had been before. The in- fluence of Abncr, who was commander of SauCs armies, and the attachment of manv of the Ifraclilcs to the familv of the late Kino-, induced them to reiill: David's authority. But the fact of refinance by no means proves the righi^ to reiil}. The oppoiltion of the IJhicUtc.i was in difol^edience to God's declaration, and a rebellion againfl: a hiwful authority. Ac- cordingly the fcripture informs us tliat God ' fet his face againil it, David's parrv waxed Wronger and ftronger, ^^■hilft •Vt??//^ adherents grew weaker and v/eaker ; Aimer and I/hbo- Jhctk both })eril]i, the Ifraciitcs finally fubmit to David, and cxprefs their obedience by the ulual cci-cmony of anointing him Kin'T. Tlic fame confequence follows as in the cafe of Saul. If the ceremony of anointing Vvas an eleilion, then the j)co])ie hnd a ri.o/a to let aiide God's appointment of their kmr. l-3ut it does not rcll even hci'c. David's cle\a- tion to t lie tIrAnie Iiad a much more important ob\ce ij-m t!:- i-crc tempo.-arv government of ice, but the en of the ^jcftcd, and ■ fiom the lit Lire fove- -ale]c6iion,' limfelf, but c people to uiward ap- s pub lie Li)/ Ti]e in- iKuidcr of of man V of late King, ni:y. But [)ro\'es the c Ifniclitci ■ation, and rity. Ac- th'at God rry waxed adherents nd I/hbo~ ly fubmit cc bv the as m the anonitin^ :1 a right heir kinr. id s ele\a- injportant of ( 29 ) of the Jews. It formed a pait of the myftc- rious lyftem of redem[)tion. That iVIciiiah, whole coming, and the manner of it had been revealed bv a fucceiiion of [)ro[)hcts, and molt ^)artic'jl'.irly unfolded to th^ {xitriarch Jacob, was not only to be of tlie race of Abni- ham, but the fon of Ddvid, and of all the Kings of Judab. It v/as in this relation that God ])romited David " that his throne fhovdd " fland for ever." Now if; as ]Mr. J^'nir at-- ierts, David was made king by the ap-point- ment of the people, under the right of chuling their own lovereign, under a free choice, (k-- pendent upon their ov/n will ; which include.; an alternative of rejecring, it would follow, tiuit they would ha\e had the right and the po-.ver, of defeating God's plan refpedin:'; the }.lefii di, and that the whole fchenie of hiunan lalva- > tioii ftood trembliiig upon the event of a p>o|)u- lar eleClion. The examples of Said and David then af- ford' no argument in fivour of the Ilig/i.'s of Man. Nothing like election a]:)pears in the fucceflion of the other kings ofJudah. The throne was eitabliihed in the family of David, and the government was hereditary. Yet the fame form of inauguration continued vvdiich had been employed upoji the appointment! of Saul and David. The new kiu'^ was anointed, crowned, and received the acclamations of the people. Thus Rchoboatn fucceeded Solomon by the hereditary lucceflion, yet the fcripture iiies the fame language, for it fay^ that all C 2 ' Jfrad ]■{)]■' u H' I/'rael mc- ( 30 ) caine to S/^cc/iem to make b.itn The revolt of the ten trib •cs ill the reiorn of /^^//^^.-7;« ami their ckaing Jeroboam foAhc ^nig, though acled *' /> lels tl.an ten parts out of tuxl/e, I hope ^n not be quoted as an r.;- tho.it v for thcriaht of the j)eo])Je to chufe thc^r f.vcrci.n. It was jVa...phcatK3.. of rd^elUon, i.^p^t), and ido- not urrjhia ni more recent tran(haions, of the i ani'= lort, their kuig and their God ; and he ju% puinfted tiicm f )r it, bv carryino- the -aok nation m Cut it is not flom exa-mpk. alone that Mr. />«r/^ deduces us arguments; he favs that tnis rigiit of the people to appoint their kin- 1^ iormallv declui-ed by J/./,,." j,, ,,,, „- Kcnenhon, he declares directly the coiUraAv , \V hen thou art con^.e," iays tlie infplvcd knv- L^ver, ' nito tlic iand which the Lord thv God • giveth thee, and fhalt fav, I will Ibt a kino- J over mc ; tl^ou /halt in .njy ^c(/e iht him .. ^^^S over thee :c/wml/^e Lord thj, GodJhaU Uuj. y He exprcfsly excludes the people .rom clectino-, and referves the choice in every cale to Jumlelf. The np,pointments which he thus declared to be with himlHf, he aduallv: and umverlally exercifed ; their three firii ivings, Saul, David, and Solomon, he a])pointed * ^ ^'"Ss. >-ii. t. t Dcut. xvii. 14. n. by make him the reign of nil for their C/>" 07' tacit P^^l-lc,'" no ^'c, 1 hojje "or the right n. It was , and iclo- time, as [s ons, oF the 1 ; and he I'Oing the 3 be again ; that iMr.. %s that their king ^ hi my ap- contrarw )ircd lavv- l tliy God et a king iet him (jodjhall le peo])Ie I iw every which he adually: ree firit [)pointed hy ( 31 ) by name, and then eflabUflied an hereditary government in the family of D/zr/W*. if iVIr. Burke could mifreprefent the fcrip- tures, it could fcarccly be expeded that the ^Lawyers would fare better under his hands. With refpeft to both his legal authorities, Blackftone, and Bradon, he has been guilty of unfair quotation. By taking a part only of their ftatements, and feparating them from what goes before, or follows after, by laying down as the general rule what is intended merely as an exception ; by altering their cx- prcssiofis, and by adding xcords of Ids own, i?i their name, he has made them both to hold dodlrines directly contrary to their real opi- nions. The firlt quotation is this, as it {lands in .Mr. Burke's book, " A ])hilofo|)her," fays ]uil:icc > Black/tone, " wil) confider a King as a man appointed by mutual confent to preiidc over many, and will pay him that respkct " which the principles of fociety demand." This pafllige taken l}y itfclf, efpecially with th2 alteration which he has made in it, by tlibiH- tuting the fofter word rtfpcct, fei- v/hat Ulack- JioneliiiTiicM ftiles Reverence and duty, is cer- tainly democratical enough, by reprefeiiting the- king upon the loweil: footing pollil)le. Could any man llippofe that it waj e.-'itrailecl from an author, who in that very cha[)ter, and pni- ragra])h, from which it was taken is ftating, and de'criljing the very highcfl pchits of I lis * 1 Sam. X. 21. Tc. xvi (( (t 1 Chron. Jiiiviii. •J K:r.;';S U. 4. JNJaiefl-'f J' J I « f 32' y Majeftj's dignity and prerogative, and is de^ monfhating their ncceffity to the fujjport of ib- ciety, and the maintenance of our civil hber- ties? Yet all this will appear upon readino his own vyords at length. " Under every W narchical ellablifliment, it is neceffary to dif- 2 tinguifh the princefrom his fubjeas, not only ^l !>7 the outward ])omp and decoration of Ma- " jelly, but alfo by afcribing to him certain " qwahties as inherent in his royal capacity, dijunctfrom.andfuperioriothofe of any other mdwidual in the Nation. For, though a phi- lofophical mind will confukr the Royal l\r- ^ Jon merely as one man appointed by mutual ' confent to pre fide over many others, and will " pay hmi that reverence and dutv >vhich the " prmciples of fociety demand. !Jct the niaisof mankind zcdlbe aptio grow infoloitandrefrar- lory If taught to confider their Prince as a man of no^greater perfection than them/lives ^lUc :[ ^^'^ therefore albi ibes to the King, in his hi«!, political charadcr, not onlv large po^ve^s " and emoUiments,, but likcwife certain attri ;-butesof a. great and tranlbendent nature:- h«,.vhich the people are led to contider him" in the light of a fupcrior being, and to pay him that awful relpert, ^^hich ma>' enable " lum u'ltkgrcater eale to carrv on the buli- ^ nels of Government." * From thd-b touncl political ])rincipics, Mr. i-^url^ has extradcd, and dim^minatcd, thoib' (iodriaes only,, which, however true abllrarl- a a a * F -^.'irk'.'or.fc's Coninicnl^jics. Hook .'. C,i. ". I n cdly and is de- )port of lb- civil liber- 'cading his every ino- Fary to dif- s, not only )n of Ma- m certain capacity, f any other '(gk a phi- oyal Pcr- *y mutual , and will, iviiicli the he ma In of ndrcj'rac- ■ as affian ■VCS. Tllc II his hiol) o : powers lin attri- nature;'. :i(ler him d to ])ay y enable :he bull- ies, Mr. ^d, thole abllracl • cdly ^ ( 33 ) ediy fpeaking. Sir William Blackftone fays, if taught to the mafs of mankind are calculated to render them apt to grow infolent and refractory, — How this agrees with Mr. Burke's text,. ^" Remind then:, to be fubjedt to princes and " powers, to obey magiftrates, and to be pre- " pared for every good work," I am unable to difcover. He has adminiftered the poifon without the antidote. The quotation from Bra6lon, which is taken tikewife from the Commentaries, in Mr. Burke appears thus :—« The King is under " the Law, becaufe the Law makes the King," Recoiled that this very paflage is produced to prove that Governments depend on the will- and confent of the people, and that they have a right to corred all abufes in Government, and then confider whether that dodrine is » much favoured by Bradon's words at large : " The King' fays he, " ought not to he fubjeci « toMan,h\^t to God, and the Law; for the " Law maketh the King." It is imjioffible to find a paflage more decidedly adverie to the principles which it is garbled to fuj)port. " From thefe principles," Mr. Burke con- tiiuies, " the JufHce concludes that there are " in fociety inherent latent powers to correct all •' abufes in Government, which no climate, no '* time, no conftitution, no contract can ever " defh-oy, or dhuinifh." I have already fhev.n that he has miiieprerented thofe p.ri'ncipies, and that no fuch conclulion can therefore bci drawn from them. But, in this paf- fage Ni p^l ^ 1 ( Si ) %e the moft material words, "to correfl all abuies in Government." which he has quo- ted as Blackftone's, are not Blackftone'sTut entire y h,s o,vn. This will appear from the pairage at length . That eminent La wye^ "Kln"lw.'' 'he legal doarine. "that Ihl „ ^'"S 's the reprefentative, and minifter of Ood upon earth, that every thing is under ;;h.m whdftheis fubjeato nonf but G^: i hat his perfon is facred, and that no iurif- " thft'inT" "'"^ H' l'""^^ '° "-^ him,- that if luchapower of jurifdiaion over him were veiled in any tribuLl, there would foon be an end of the Conftitution." Such is °he id"; whaf "'"' f"'^ ;hen proceeds to con! cafe the S '"""^y'W^^' has provided in fn L •u°''7"S:i '^""'•^ '"^ ^° ill-advifed as Ind fe •?/'"'''^§T™"^ 1™"'^ oppreffion: and he obferves, that if the oppres of Government; " Trfl iT,"'- "'"'' S'gantic ftrides, and threaten defolat.on to a ftate; in fuch cir- _^ cumftances we mull leave to future genera- ^^ thofe inherent, though latent powers of fo- „ ciety, whicli no climate, no time, no confti- " nX"' "° ^°"'"''* '''"' ^''"' ''="'■">■<"■ 'limi- All that Blackftone's doflrine amounts to, diin -TTr " !" '""'u ''"^'^™^' ="'! <=^''-<"-- • " •' ^'^^^'^ ^ne verv GxiUciicc oi- io- cicty correal all le has quo- :one's, but pear from It Lawyer "that the linifler of is under but God. : nojurif- trv him- over him ould foon uch is the s to con- )vided in dvifed as )preffion ; i)])reffion, to iub. ^rnment ; des, and fuch cir- ^ genera- fafety of Ttion of 's of fb- ) confli- 3r dimi- unts to, EXtraor- cicty i I I k ( 35 ) cicty is endangered, a country muft employ fuch. extraordinary means, as their prudence fhall fuggeft to them. But Mr. Burke has taken a j)art of Blackftone's words, which re- hite only to this extreme cafe, and has aj)pHed them to a general power of " corrcciing all " abiifesin Government ^^' not only attributing to lihickltone thofe words, which are entirely Mr. Burke's own invention, but making, by fuch infertion, that truly Conftitutional Lawyer to hold dcmocratical principles, as opj)ofite as lii2;ht and darknefs, to thofe AA'hich he has been Itatmcr and proving: throuoh the whole of his admirable Chapter upon the King's j)reroga- tivc, from \\'hich Mr. Burke pretends thcfe ex- prefiions arc extrafted. Since then Mr. Burke's political do6lrines> are fupported neither by the fcripture or the lawyers, which indeed make direftly againft them, his divine minijity of the people rauft fland upon its own foundation. How far fuch abftraft ri2;hts misjht cxifl a- mong a number of men, not formed nito foci- ety, and where all things were in common, it is ufelefs to examine, as it is a ftate which does not lubfift in this country, or perhaps any where elfe. We have here both a regular go* vernment, and private proj)erty, and Mr^ Burke''s ])rinciplc3 lead to the abolition of both. That a majority of the people, as a mere majority, are inverted with thefe rights of government, without any regard to property, and other confiderations, in practice has never been ! ■ ' V'.» li If * ;■ P| it ( 3(> ) I'eeii admitted by the mod ardent ck In all the conllituticMis which revol madiiels eftahhflicd in I'Vance 1 cmocrats. utiona'rv turn ot property and inde,)endance limited the n-ht ot lutlragc. jjut M,-. /i,,,/,. ,,,,,|, mere number the tell: of lawful [vCj '^^nd hol(k that ni in an governn^cnt, ) political power can be vcfied y man or body of men but by the exprefs or tacit conient of a ^ma mujoriij/ of the pco^ But oblcrvc the extent of thefe nrincinles Since as Mr. /^/.r/r aderts, all poHticld ^o^,^ n^^ntis trom God, and is communicatecfby the miniOry of the people, they have the posver to change it ^vhene^•er they pleafe. Nor, ac- cording to him, are tiiey bound to confult any oherruleinthechangethantheirownfovereio-u ^m'V'^'''^'^'^'''''^'^' revolutioiJ:- la>s Mr. Burh., - were jurtifiable, or not, or ^^ even, in the moft unfavourable fenfe, fun- ^J^olethem fc^-Jccf/j/ w^u/////a/,ic ; ifthei- ^^ merican revolution was as ca./c!c/s as Ibme wi Iters have reprelcnted it ; ftill, he Ihys It does not in the leaft diminidi the force of his reafcming." The defpotic people then without caule, and without uftifikatiln, may deflroy a iubl.ftmg government ; the pJlitica^ power eftabh/hed by them becomes immedt.- ^^tely a la w u authority. They may a^ain al- te,- It caufelel.ly, and unjuftiiiibly ; ftfu all Is I ?rJ ;. ' 'c^^y '^^'?^^ ^^^ experiment again aad again as often as their inclination for fuch paitime recurs ; thele miniilers of God can do { •" ) democrats. ^voJutiona'rv e qualihca- limited the rlic makes oveninicnt, n be vcftcfi the exprefs of the pco- princi])Ies.. :a] govei'ii- ited by the the power Nor, ac- ontult any ) lovereio-n volution," :>r not, or enfe, llip. if the A- *s as fome , he lays, tlie force 3ple then^ :ion, may ^ political immech- again al- ftill all is ent again for fuch )d can do no vvron^. Such a political fyftem, if fyftem that can be called which has in it nothing of ftability, no fundamental law, no rule of rio-ht and wrong but popular caprice, in confulion and mifchief does not yield jjrccedence to the *'moft downright anarchy. In plain Englifh the dodrinc is this, thai a fuccefsful rebellion is no rebellion at all, but a lawful a6\ ; for if even theleaft numerous party in a country can once get the government into the r own hands, th'j pike or the guillotine, are never failing receipts toinfurc the tacit coufent of all the reft. But Mr. Burlccs doflrines cannot be con- fidered as mere remote fpeculation, they mufl either apply to the government under \vhich we live, or they arc perfeftly ufelefs and irre- levant. As he is writing for the iriftrudion of his own congregations, he mufl be underfiood , to intend to teach them fomcthing uliich is applicable to their own fituiition, iorrjelhinp- which may ferve them as a rule of adicn. He is Icarcely forming plans of political morality for the new government in the Mi- ifiiippi, or for the fubjecls of the King of Mo- nomotapa: When he laysdown apjoiitical prin- cii)]e in general terms, and without any ex- ception,it mu]l; nccefTarily include the ifritiih Empire, and it mufl: even principally refer to it, and to this part of it in jjarticular. I totally deny then that th.cfe governments are valid on- ly becaule they hn^'e been approved by a great majority of the people. I will fuo^gell another ?.iici muc.i lecurer foundation ; it lubdils by the laws C 38 ) f ' If ,f fawSf of the Country, which have eftablilhed the Britidi conftitutioii, and which no individu- als, nobody of men, no majority of the people, have a right to contravene, or to refift. Thefe have indeed afcertained that the people Ihall have a certain fhare in the government by their reprefentatives, but the general form of that government, the fucccfiion to the throne, the privileges, and prerogatives of the crown, and each diftin6l part of the conftitution, are per- fe611y independent of any choice in the ])eo- ple : not a fhadow of any thing like eledion is to be feen in them. The ri2;ht ofeledtins; a fovereign has been wilely renounced by the Britifh Em])irefrom the earlicft periods of its exigence. To revive it would be totally to endanger the unity, peace, and tranquility of the nation ; to give life to defpeiate and enven- omed faftion, and to expofe it to deluges of blood, and the unlpeakable evils to which an eledlive government is expofed ; evils which peculiar circumftauces may [)erha])s for a time prevent, but which mull inevitably happen fbonerorlatei*, as long as aml)ition, ielf-interell and refcntment, (hall continue to hold a place in the human breafl. Such were not the principles of the authors of the revolution in the rei«;n of James the Second, to which Mr. I]ur/,c refers. They were anxious to explaii^, and to juilifv their condufl to the nation, not by recurring to anv fuppofed light in the people to nominate their Monarch, but as an acl of abiolutc neccifity, under •5, ( 39 ) ; eftablilhed no indivitlu- the people, fift. Theie )eopIe Ihall lent by their Drm of that throne, the crown, and on, are per- in the j)eo- ike eledioii dF eledting a iced by the eriods of its ; totally to anquility of ; and enven- > deluges of :) which an evils which s for a time bly happen felf-interell lold a place the authors James the srs. They ulHfv their ■ing to any inate their c nccciiit-*-, under \ \mder new and un|)recedented circumftance?;, the King s abdication of the government and an actual vacancy of the throne. And even then they did not have recourfe to the danger- ^ous expedient of an eledion hut they prefer- ved as nearly as pofllble the old line of heredi- tary dcfccnt, and the eilaldilhcd forms of the conftitution. Of thefe principles, though ojien to a great many obfervations, I (hall fav nothmir further, than that they are the corner flone of all the modern f\\'ccj)ing revolutions, that they coni- pofe the creed of all jacobiris, and are the ef- lence of the dcilructive dodrlnes which v. ere fb luccefsfuUy j)ro{:agatcd !)y Tom Paine ; that they are maxims which INlr. Bttinc cannot preach without violating his oathof AllegKincc, and which his congregntion cannot ];racl:ice , without incurring the guilt of liigh trcalbn, and committing the lin of rebellion. III. 1 now enter upon the lafl fuhjc<5i I propo- fed to examine, Air. Bur/ic's opinions rclj,ecl- ing Spiritual Authority. By the Oath of Allegiance, it Is required of the j)erfons who take it to declare, thiit thcvdo not l)clievc that the Pope of Rome, or any ether foreign Frince hath any h'^a/wral, or ci- vil poucr within this realm. This doctrine, I believe, in term.s at Icaft, thfe Romanics have never controverted, and it is therefore admit- ted by Mr. Burke. But could any man have, imagined by what arguments he has fupporlcJ D it ? Ill "j, \ i a t( ( 40 ) it ? He has proceeded to prove that all politi- cal, civil, and temporal jurifdi<5tion, and pre- eminence are vefted in the King, by denyino- that he lias any fpiritiud poiver^ authority^ or jurisdiction tvkutcver. It is a curious method of reminding j>eople " to he fubjed to princes " and powers," by pointing out to them, that there are certain lubjedls upon which they may lawfully difobey them. Nothing in the oath certainly required his fa}'ing a word upon the queftion, becaufe it mentions only civil or temporal authority. I'o Mr. Burke s aflertion then, that " no temjwral prince can jioflefs any i|)iritual powers, autliority or jurildidion," it is a complete anfwer to lay, that it is an aflertion directly contrary to the late of the land, and the Britifli Conjlitution ; which declare the Kino- to be on Earth the Supreme Head of ilie Church of England; which is the religion eftabliflicd by law in this Province. On that folid foundation I fhall therefore leave the fub- je6l:, as far as relates to mere external authority, but I Ihall j)rocced to confiderthe pretenfions of the Romilh Church to fpiritual authority ; in a religious point of view ; which I am the more induced to do, as INIr. Burke upon this head has brought forth all his ftrength, and indeed it is the moll: prominent feature in his whole pulplication. The fpiritual power, which he denies to the King, he has transferred to the Poj)e, as the fucccfibr of 6V. Peter., and with a ilqjerlative omnipotence >k ( *1 ) It all politi- 1, and pre- by denying utkority, or ous method H: to princes I them, that :h they may in the oath d upon the civil or Iv (( that " no y f])i ritual in," it is a an aflertiou wflf, and the re the Kins: cad oj tJie lie religion . On that ve the ful)- 1 authority, ^tenfions of lority ; in a n the more ti this head and indeed his whole niies to the )pe, as the ili])erlative nnipotcnce omnipotence which no civil government cer- tainly ever laid claim to, for he gives him. all the authority which Chi-ill: exercifcd upon earth. The hich he ha< k\\ manner ^ced this topic is no lefs curious than the mode of bringing in the lalL For as he there proved I that the King had every temporal authority by totally denying his fpiritual power, fo now he has demonlbated that the Romilh Church can jioflefs no temporal power, becaulc thev hold the highe/l fpiritual authority that can be con- ceived. How much every man of all religious per- fualions, is interefled in this enquiry, tlic fol- lowing confideratioas will ihew. Tojudge bv names only, and the great number of dillind congregations, it might feem that an innniie variety of different religions were comjjrchenfl- ed under the general denomination of Clirii- tianity. But the leailattennon to their tenets will make it obvious, that there are only tico really didincl claffes of Chriftians, who differ from each other hi effential points ; thefe are, the Proteftants, and the Papifts. I^he d^Qn- tial difference between them is this, that all Proteftants acknov/ledge no other rule of faith and do6lrine than the Holy Scriptures ; where- as the Roman Catholics ' hold the i^ope, and under him the Popilh Clergy, to be the re])re- lentatives of God, anJ of Jefus Chrift ; and confequently that their authority is equally a rule of faith and do6trine with the Holy Scrip- tures, and equally binr men. Nav, that the Scriptures themfelvcs arc to he undcrftood only in that fcnfe which the Romifh Cliurch thinks proper to give them : From this material diHerencc as to the very ioiirces from whence religion is to be de- duced naturally flows an immcnie number of other variations, which it is not neceilarv now to enumerate. On the contrary, between the numerous leds of IVotcftants, there is no dif- ference whatever as to what is the general rule of faith and dot:lrine. The'diilindions arife merely upon the conilruclion of the fame law, which produces a difference of ojnnion, cither upon the mere external forms of religion, or UjK)n mere (peculativc jxiints of little im- portance to the fubflance of Chriftianitv. That this is a true reprclentation, is manifefl: from one confidcration ; tliat there is no deno- mination of Protcilants who do not candidly admit that filvation may be obtained in any of the other Pn .teflant lecfs. The fame criterion will fhew tiiat there is an impallable gulph between ihe Catholics and all the Proteflants, iince it is one of the pophli dodrines that fal- vation cannot be obtained out of the pale of the Komi(h Church. in chufmg tliercfore between the different I^GLcAant [)erruahon3, a man may confult his own fancy and caprice, his habits, or hii pre- judices, without fear of going very far ailray from the truth, and certainly without much danger of totally miiiing his way. Tho* in an equal balance of opinions not eflcntial,, whc re ( *? ) s themfelvcs Tcnfe which )pcr to give ;ncc as to the I is to be (le- b number of sccilary now between the- re is no dif- gcneral rule nC-Vions arile le fame law, linion, cither rehgion, or )f little im- ianity. I, is manifefl : is no deno- not candidly led ill any of me criterion Table gnlph l^rotcftaiits, nes that fal- c pale of the the different y conihlt his , or hii pre- ry far ail ray ly without wav. Tho* lot cflcntial,, where > where no material point of fiith, or dodrine flajids in his way, by every rule of fociety, and every j)rinciplc of Chriftian prudence, the Ejlabli/hcd Ckurcli is entitled to his preference, becaufe in matters of indifference every mem- ber of a community ought to fubmit to the regulations eftabliftied by lawful authority ; and every good man mufl wiih by fuch con- formity, to j)romote the general harmony of the Chriftian body, rather than to give occa- fioii to difcord, hatred, and uncharitablenefs, which are too often the confequences of fepa- rations and divifions. But between the Romifti Church, and Pro- teftantifm generally, the choice is infinitely important. For if the Romifh be the true Church then mufl: we afTent to its affertion that fafety is not elfewhere to be obtained ; or, on the other hand, if its |jiCtenfions are un- founded, it is not difficult to pjove that its er- rors are of a very eflential nature. " Unity of faith," fays Mr. Burke, " is a " diflinguifhing chara6teri{lic of Catholics." — To fay nothing of many other dili)utes and dilTcntions, which (hvide and diftrad the mem- bers of that Church, upon a variety of points, both of dodrine and dircij)line, they are far from being agreed upon that moft ellential queftion, the extent and limits of the power and jurifdi61ion of the Roman Pontiff, and it is to this day iinfettlcd, wlicther the Pope alone, or the Pope and a Council, or a Council without the i'opc, are polTcflcd of inlkliibiiity. 'I hat D '6 infallibility !l 'I H II ( 44. ) infallibility is lodged fomew here in theCliur»lir of Rome, they are all unanimous, and, froni his publication, l i)refume Mr. Burke ia of that moft numerous, moft vehement, and moft orthodox party of the united faith, which be- flows it upon the Pope. Let us fee what is the nature of the dignity which is attributed to the Pope, or Bifliop of Rome. The cflence of it indeed is compre- hended in Mr. Burke's definition, all the au- thority which Chrift exercifed' on- earth *. But it will more plainly appear if it isa httlfc morcdifplaycd as it is dcfciibed in the authen- tic creeds and canons of the Church. He is regularly friled the SucceiTor of Saint Pcter^ the Princeofthe Apoilles, the Vicegerent, of rcprefentative of God, at>tl of Jefus Chriil, and pofieiiing the keys of Heaven f. Confequent* ly infallible,, enjoying fuU power over all na- tions, and kingdoms, above all councils, judo-ina all, himfclf in this world being iiibjecl to nohc +. To him all Catholics are bound to promilc and fwear true obedience ; and under his authority the RomKh Church- is the onlv Catholic and Aj^oiiolic Church, tlxe mother and. millrefs of all Churches §. No man can bs required to 1)clicve tlic exis- tence of^fuch a very exn-aordinarv authority \\ith(Xit the compieteil c'emondiation of itV-. realitv. '■'. Mr. Biuke's papcs jO, 21. ■'■ Port Pii.!,'s CrceH. ^ .1,1... w,.!. 1 . I. i.in. \. «... o, V I. f. i.>,Si::. i^.iD. A, i ;.. V- Ct). 4'. . Crt tti, All. It the ChuraJh , and, from Hiirkc is of It, and moft , which be- the dignity r Bifliop of is compre- all the au- :>nr earth-*, it isa littlfe 'he authcn- ch. He is aint Pclc)\ cgerent, oi' Chrift, anci 'onfequent* tvcr all na- :il3, judging llibject to e bound ta and under is the only mother and vethe exiA- authority tion of it^: T!.. C. CI), 'k. y ( 45 )' •Tt is proper to premiie here a reniarlc which is applicable to every part of thele ob- fervations ; that 1 have not the moft diftanl idea of entering into any controverly with Mr. Burke reipedling any of the dodtiines of the Roman Catholic Church generally, or confi- dered with regard to the members of that communion. Nothing that he could have publiflied within the limits of his own church, would have drawn any anfwer from me. But he has not confined himlelf within thefe limits ; he has fallied forth and has attacked all other religions. leaking for his ground' It work that the Church of Rome is the only true Church, he denies the validity of all other ordinations, he treat"^. all other minifters as f>erfons who affume to themlelvos an office into which they have impudently intruded themfelves without anv rie;ht whatever, and as miflcadins their con2:re2:atioir^ into danr/crous errors. To defend mylelf and all other [)rote • fi:ant minifters acrainft tlicfe inlinuations which are levelled not only at the Church of Eng- land Gut- at every dclcription of Proteiiants ; and to Ihew that if Proteil-ants do not fubinit to the claims ma- pofed to be vefted in the Pope, in Councils, 01 the Church at large, would be equally mi- raculous. ^ ^ Buthovv is lucha power to be proved? In- fallibility differs from almort all other mira- c es, with which we are acquainted, in that r/^cy prove t/i^,„ /elves. When the Red Sea di- vided, and the Walls of Jencho fell down at the finind of a trumpet; when the blind re- ceived their fight, the lame walked, and tlie dead aroie from their tombs, thefe external vi. libie hgns, obvious to all capacities, manifeft- ed the agency of the divinity. But infallibility IS not an objea of the fenfes ; it produces no outward eileas contrary to the ufual courfe of nature; It cannot command convidion by ' performing any ac^s of fupernatural power. It can beeftabliOied therefore only by exter- nal ])roof. -^ ^ .1 ^n*" .^P^^^i^^ofp^oof brought forward by the I apirts, in lupportof this authority, Imufit objea to totally ; that llich has been the tradi- tion oj the Church. i\ll traditions muft be of an ill iavour among Chriftians, becaule a great part of Chrift's lifo was Ipent in combat- mg them, and in fhewing that the Tews had made God's word of none effed by their traditions. But what does tradition upon this pomt amount to ? Neither more nor 1-A I th; ui ( ) the compo- iven number an infallibi- Iicr it is fui>. in Councils, equally mi- proved? In- other mira- ted, in that Red Sea di- bit down at le blind re- -d, and tjie external vi- 5, manifeft- infaUibility •roduces no al courfe of vidion by ral power, ' hy exter- ^rward by •ity, Imuft . the tradi- IS muft be becaule a n combat- the Jews ^ by their :ion upon s nor lefs than than this, that the Ronnfli Clergy require us to believe that they pofiefs a moft extraordinary degree of power, becaufe they have been in the habit of laying lo for many centuries, and ^of anathematizing all who prefumed to con- tradi6lthcm. The teftimony of men in their own caule, and to their own advantage, was never admitted to be good evidence in any caufe. But there are likewife particular reafons for diflrufting Catholic teftimony to fuch fads. It is now well alcertained that many writings have h^tMj'orged\.o enrich and aggrandize the Romifh Church. Agreements, decrees of Councils, and other records were aduallv fa- bricated, by which it might apjjear that in the firft ages of the Church, the Roman Pontiffs were cloathed with the fame nuijefty which they alTumed in more modern days. Such , forge ries were efteemed meritorious on account of <-hcir fuppofed tendency to promote the glory of God, and to advance the prolj)crity of the Church. Befides many learned proteflants who have latisfadorily demonflrated the f])u- rioufneis of many of thele ingenious perfor- mances, the fi6Hon is acknowledged by the Roman Catholics ; at leaft by fuch of them as are j^ofleHed of any tolerable degree of im- partiality*. This authority being derived from -God himfcif can be proved only by a plain, and ex- * For ir.y authority I refer to the EcclefiP.ltiral Hiftorian, Mofhi im, ^vllo Mioles tlie Ccinuiia; Magtlcbiufrpnfcs. lilondcl wl-.o lias ^vrittc n a t!-c;'.ti! i!p;:!i u-.mc o!' tiirfc t'o-Terits. Cardinal Floury, liuddcus, au.lPt-tr. Conilantius, Baronius, aiu! £tcph. Baluziut. prcfs A i If u II ( 50 ) preis declaration from him, manifefted to man- kind by mcthotls perfedly incontrovertible ; either by the holy Icriptures, or by outward miracles. The j>ower of working miracles was certainly aflerted by the Romifh Church in the days of the darkefl: ignorance, bur that Ibrt of argument J fuppne will not l)e o])enJy infifled upon at prefent. Prop. II. The Scriptures then are tl-e only guide upon this head ; and if liich authority is there explicitly and in dire(51: \\ords declared we mufl: fubmit to it without hefitation. But no fuch paflage is to be found. All the texts produ- ced for that purpofe are ambiguous, uncer- tain, and figurative, and their meaning can only be difcovered by conjedure, and the ufual modes of interpretation. Prop. II L This j)ropofition is too evident to require j^roof, 1 therefore merely repeat it, — That, in interpreting fcripture that fcnfe of an am- biguous and figurative pafliige is to be prefer- red which is moll natural, and conformable to^ the refl of fcripture, and that fenle is to be rejecled which leads to inconfillency, and is contrary to the relief Scripture. J^ROP. IV. In examining the texts which arc quoted to fup])ort t!ii3 authority, the nature of the autho- rity itfclf is a material confideration, Infalli- bility I have before fhewn to be a miracle. >xOv. Cod ni-VvT works a mir:;cle without fome ■fled to man- Irovertible ; by outward ig miracles nifh Church ce, hur that t l)e openJy only guide )rity is there red we muft 5ut no luch :exts produ- XI s, uncer- leaning can [id the uilial to require it, — That, of an am- ) be prefer- onformable nie is to be icy, and is : quoted to the autho- 1, Infulh- a miracle, e without fome ( 51 ) fome necefHty ; for to fay that infinite wifdom ever deviates from the eflabhihed order of things unneceflarily is the height of abfurdity. Of all the undoubted miracles with which we arc ■" acquainted the reafons are a])parent. Under the old teftament, the eftablithment, and pre- fervation of the knowledge ofGod, andhis laws ; under the new teilament the proof of the divine miflion of his fon, afford adequate obje6ts for the extraordinary interference of divine Power. If it can be fhewn therefore that an infallible authority is unneceffary, as fa?' as 7)ien' reafoiihig goes, it is a conclufivc argument againft it. And though mere rea- Ibning cannot overturn a decidedly clear de- ckration of the Almighty in Scripture, yet it may ferve not a little to help us in difcover- ing the true meaning of fuch paffages as arc doubfful and capable of different interpreta- tions. Now the necefiity of an infallible authority in the Church depends upon one fole queftion — Whether it is necelTary to human lalvation ? For to no other purpofe, for no other end, is it f lippoied to be given even by thofe who make l^retenfions to it. And tliis queflion is to be rcfolved by another, — Whether the holv lcri]5- tures are lufficient for that pur])ofe ? For if the holy fcriptures are fufiicicnt for human lalvation, then is an infallible autiK)ritv in the Church unnecelTaiv. - '1 o alTert that when Chrifl came into the workltofaveiuiners, he did not teach them all !i:| thi nss IH- , i f; i| ; If ii ( 52 ) things ncceflary to that end, or that when the Evangehfts were infpired to commit thole doftnnes to writing the infpiration was imper- fca, is to deny the ^oodnefs, the wifdom, or the power of God himfelf. Befides the im- piety of luch an oj^inion it is contrary to the Icriptiires themfelves, which declare in many jjlaccs their own fufficiency. Saint Paul faith to Timolh^. * From a Child thou haft known the holy fcri])tnres which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which IS in Chrift Jcllis. All Icripture is gi- veil by inii)iration of God, and is j)roritable for do6^rine, for reproof, for correaion, for inftruciion in rightcoufncfs ; i:\yi^. the man of (.od may be perfect, thoroughly furnifhed unto all good xvorks, i:\\c fufficiency of fcripture is confirmed by the internal evidence ariiing from the nature of Chiiftianity itfelf. It is extremely fimple. Chi-ilt came to aboliHi a ceremonial law, and to iubftitute in its ])lace a religion of the heart which mufl be comprehended in a ycvf few precepts. Every fiippofed .MciX. muft relate either to points of taith, of pradicc, or of mere axonomy. But every article of taith is dif~ tincily taught, the exiftence and attributes of Ood, the 1 nnity, the Chura61ej- of Chrift, the myfterics ol Rcdemj)tion, the forgiveneis of ins, and whatever ellb has been the fubiea of belief to Chrift ians of all defcriptions. This IS admitted by the Church of Rome, fine- it * '2 Tim. Hi. 1j. v. hap ( 53 ) It when the tnmit thofe was imper- wifdom, or les the im- rary to the e in many Paul faith thou haft are able to rough faith •ture is gi- j)roritable s61ion, for the man of iljhed u7ito 1 firmed by he nature ;ly fimple. I law, and the heart, vcr^ few luft relate )r of mere ith is dif' ributes of 'hrift, the venefs of fubjea of IS. This ;, fince it hap has not prefumed to alter, or to make additions to them, l^pon thefe points it agrees with the reformed Churches. The fame Creeds in general are common to both. No omiffions can be charged upon the fcriptures in matter i*- ofpradlice. — Our iaviour has reduced the whole to two precepts. — The love of God, and the love of men. The reft of the gofpcl is only a commentary upon thefe duties, fticwing theii- application to particular cafes. Still lefs oc- caiion is there for infallibility for the pvuj:olc of regulating thofe outward forms, and cere- monies, which however convenient or decent, are not neceffary to falvation. For inftance public prayer is a general duty, I)ut it certainly could not require an extraordinary power of infallibility to determine who were the proper perlbns to perform the office. Where human prudence, wifdom, nnd difcretion are abundant- ly equal to t^ lafk, it is prefumptuous to fup- pole that God would work a miracle. But it is iiud, that there are many things in the fcripture obfcure and hard to be under- ftood, and therefore it is neceflary there ftiould be an infallible authority to explain them. Difficulties, and obfcurities it is true there are, but they are confined to mere fpeculative points and fubjeds not neceffary to be uiulcrftood for our falvation. All elTential dodrincs are moft clearly revealed. When Saint Peter fays that in St. Ptnd'n Epiftles are fbme things hard to be utiderflood, which the unlearned and unftable wreft to K 2 their fi m th ( ^^ ) ejr owiitjelhuaion, he adds, as t! as they do ahb the other Icnptures, The plaineft and clear- f parts of the GoM may he, and have been, dreadfully per^ ej ted and millmdcrlbod, by weak, or enthufiaftic brethren. By fuch perrons the do^rines even of an iinerrino- Church might be mifunderilood as cafily as t •^f irf •?''"i'^"''^' ""'^'^ therefore the Ciiurch's infaJhbihty would not afford an cifedual re- medy m fuch cafes. Many things were no doubt dcf^gn^dly left obfcure, many others ap- pear to be io from the imperfeaion of the hu- man faculties, and becaufe in this ftate we only iee things as through a glafs darkly : many dif^ Acuities the moft learner] men of the Roimih Church are inca])able of explaining. If thefe obfcunties were fuch as to prove anvimpedi- ment to falvation the prophets and' apoftlcs would notipeakof the Scriptures as fufficient ^or that purpofe ; nor in tholl- tcrm^ which jmj)]y their clcarnefs. If our (^ofpel be hid '^^y,. Sauit Paul, it is hid to them that are loi\ • In whom the God of this world hath blinded* he mnid. ct them which believe not, left the ^^// ' .':^ ! p. 29, 20- 5 p. Ci!, ![ p. :50. of <( an believe efiiah, can that it was Kat David r prince for rod of iron. himfelf is the Iheep- hief and a )f teaching ;t of men. olc hands thority.f * r the chief and from the Pope, ■ was ap- fus Chrift felf exer- 'Till the n Peter's I am at id infalH- lint Peter rds. Ir. Burh form. A 'hat both Old and that the uas;e fis^- wovenaat . :J, if p. ;30. of ( 57 ) of the law, made with the Jews, and the New Covenant of Grace which was entered into with Chriftians. We know likewife that St. Paul has compared the Gofpel to a Tefta-* ment, in the other fenfe, meaning a will, be- •^ caufe it received its efficacy from the death of Chrift, as a will becomes valid by the death of the teftator *. But that Chrift really made *' a teftament in the common acceptation of " the word, an authentic inftrument by which *' a dying perlbn conveys rights and powers " which are at his difpofal," f and did thereby intail this infalhble fupremity upon St. Peter^ or the ^poftles, and the Pope, is to me per- f new. I can find nothing of it in the "■ . L-. If Mr. Burkehad not denounced fuch dreadful punifhments, as the earth's opening and fw alio wing up all who fhould prefume to ^ ufurp any part of this miniftry, under any other title, 1 fhould really think that he meant to be jocofe. Now for the Firft Commiffion. " Chrift afiembled his twelve Apoftles and " gave them power over unclean Ipirits to caft *' them out." Men in thofe days were fome- times pofieired by real devils, who produced an effe<51: in the minds and bodies of thole un- happy perlbns ibmething refembling madnefs. The A])ofl:les expelled them from this corpo- real polFefiion as we fee in the account of the herd of Iwiii^ and other inftaiiccs ; this is a plain matter of fad, but Mr. Burke ha^ tranl- ♦ Hcb. IX. \b, U. f Mr Burke, p, q:\ ferrcd ( 58 ) l! 1,1 ill I II j{ if l; ii a a ferred it into an allegory, and makes it to mean a " power purely Ipiritual and neceflary- in " the Church till the confummation of the •' world to deliver fouls from the flavery of "^ fin." This paflage relates clearly to the caf- ting out of devils, merely, and was only perfon- al to the apoftles, not a word does it fay of the Church or of the end of the world. — " Next is added by the Evangelifts, that he gave them power over difeafes and infirmity.'* As there are now no perceptible devils to cafi: out, and Mr. Burh renounces the power of working miracles, I do not fee what benefit the Romilh Church can derive from this firji Conunission. The third ground upon which he refts the authority of the Romilh Church is in what he calls the " lajl and mojiimportant Commission.'' It is this, Chrift fays to his Apoftles*, Go ye into all the world and preach the gofpel to every creature. Saint John adds " That Jefus flood in the mid ft of them, and faid peace be to you, and fhortly after he faid again, peace be to you, us the Father fent me I fend ijoii. That is as Mr. Burke explains it, as the' Father lent me with an exclufive poicer of fending others, io 1 fend you with the fame power of feudino- others. The Evatigelift continues.— Whole fins ye forgive are forgiven and whole iins ye retain are retained.— This power Chrift vefted in the eleven Apoftles, and enabled them to communicate U to -others. — Or as he before * ^I.irk XVI. \i. •O ftated ( 59 ) it to mean eceflary in on of the flavery of to the caf- ily perfon- lay of the -" Next is gave them »» !vils to call: power of lat henefit n this^;y/ le refts the n what he mmission.^'* 2s*, Go ye gofpel to That Jefus i\ peace he 1, peace be oil. That ^ather fent ing others, of feiuHiig ;.— Whole ole lias ye irift veftect •d them to he before fluted ■o A ftated it, the fpiritual authority was vefied by Chrift immediately in his Apoftles, and by their miniftry was tranfmitted to their fuccelTors. When Chrift fays, "as the Father fent me V " fend you," he muft be imderftood to mean •^nly that as the father had fent him to preach the gofpel, fo had he fent them to i)reach it likewife, and to authorize others to preach it. But it by no means follows from hence that he gave them the fame authority and power which he himfelf poffefled, much lefs that he enabled them to commwiicate to others, and in fuccefiion to the Pope and the Romilh Clergy that authority which he himfelf exer- cifed whilll: he was vifible to his flock. Chrift fays nothing of tranfmitting any fuch power. That all that power has not been tranfmitted is clear. Mr. Burke admits that in Jefus Chrift were fome powers that were incommu. * nicable. The power of working miracles has not been handed down to the Pop^ and his Clergy, fuch as fpeaking with tongues, and healing ficknefs. This extraordinary power, Mr. Burke fays, was given becaufe it was neccflauy to atteft the truth of their million ; from whence it may be inferred that if it had not been neceflliry it would not have been ^i- ven; as in the prefent ftate of Chriftianify. Inf dlibility is a flanding miracle becaufe man is naturally a very fallible being. A power of forgiving lins is equally a miracle, for no man can have it but by the immediate gift of God. Nov/ apply the fame mode of reafoniiig to thefe miraclea e given to f the Apol- the end of npa(ft body ywers in his le chief go*- irill: com- s care"* — y Chrift to Saint Pe- dilcufs mi- ;•, the chief lofe powers llenge, and Hon, which ibk miniite' ition which irti Church, noved from p. 50. The •s I ( 61 ) The principal paflages of fcripture, which are repeated by Mr. Burkcy to found his afler- tion " that Saint Peter and his fuccefTors the " Popes were appointed to condu6l the flock of *-" Chrift with that authority, which he him- *' felf exercifed," and which is the bafis of the Romifh rehgion, are thefe. The firft is a paf- fage in Saint Matthew. — where Jefus fays to Saint Peter, I fay unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock or ftone I will build my Church ; and the gates of Hell Ihall not pre- vail againft it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven ; and whatfoever thou flialt bind on earth (hall be bound in hea- ven ; and whatfoever thou flialt loofe on earth fliall be loofed in heaven*. The fecond is in Saint /(?//72, in which Chrift after his refurredion charges Peter " to feed " his flieepf." It is evident that the power and authority claimed for St. Peter is not here expressly men- tioned, there is not a word of pre-eminence over the other apoftles ; No infallibility ; No Biihop- ric or Popedom ; No fucceflbrs, in direcl terms. The Vv'hole is metaphorical, for Peter was certainly not literally a Stone, or a Rock ; nor was a real edifice of a Church to be built upon him ; it \\ill not be fuppofcd that there are material gates to Hell, or adual locks to Heaven, ant), that Chrift delivered to Peter the corporeal keys of them ; or that the bind- ing lj)oken of was to be pcrfoniiLd by ropes * Muth. XVl. C IS, 19 v'6, f St John XXi. 15-lS. or m till I \tl ( 62 ) or chains. — So re{pe6ling his feeding the lambs and fheep, it was not the animals of thrt name which are to be underftooc. — Since then thefe words cannot be taken literally, we are left to dilcover their Jigiirative meaning hy confider- ing the fubje6t matter, by inference, by con- fulting our own common I'enfe, and moft par- ticularly by c jmparing them with other paffa- ges of fcripture which are more plain and di- re<5l. What is the general fignification of thefe words I fhall not attempt to inquire. They are undoubtedly fomewhat obfcure. All me- taphors, and allegories muft neceffarily be fo ; becaufe they are comparifons which fubftitute the thing, in which a likenefs is perceived, in place of the principal fubje6l to which it is compared. In thefe figurative modes ofljieech from one thing exprelfed we are left to difco- ver the exad nature of fomething elfe which is underftood, merely from a limilitude of which we cannot afcertain precifely the extent, or in what exclikive circumftances it may confift ; fincc no two things are perfedly alike in all refpeds. It ieems however rather ex- traordinary that a point of luch vafl: importance fhould have been left to be diicovered by alle- gories and metaphors and not diftindly and di- re(511y declared. J5ut it is unnecellary to de- termine their general fignijlcation, for all the meaning with which we have to do at prefent is merely to confider whether Chrift intended by them to bedow a pre-eminence upon Peter, above ( ^3 ) I the lambs ' thrt name then thefc ! are left to 1/ confider- ;e, by con- moft pai- ther pafTa- ain and di- of thefe re. They All me- irily be fo ; I fubftitute rceived, in hich it is s of ij^eech t to difco- elle which nilitude of the extent, is it may fedlv alike rather ex- mportance ;d by alle- ^ly and di- ary to de- fer all the at prefent 1 intended pon Peter, above A ^bove all the other apoflles, and to give him an exclufive authority over his Church which was to defcend to his fucceflbrs ; — and 1 think it is very clear that he did not. To judge from the language and condu6l of '*^our Saviour upon other occafions, it feems ra- ther contrary to his dodrines, and the fpirit which he was defirousof inlHlliug, toveft fuch a pre-eminence any tchcre. When the Twelve difputed among themfelves which was o-reateft r he reproved them, and faid, — If any man defn-e to be firft the fame Ihall be laftof all, and fervantofall *. Again,— Be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your mafter even Chrift, and all yc are brethren f . And it muft be obferved, that both thefe declarations of equality amongft the Apoftles, were made by Chrift, at different times J'ubfequait /q his ^ iifing thefe words to Saint Peter refpeding liis being the rock, which are iup[)ofed to confer fuch an extraordinary pre-eminence upcnhln-. That thefe words conveyed no pccuHar i)ri- vile(>-e upon him is evident, becaule nearh the fame expressions are applied in other parts ot 'Scrij)ture to all the Jpojilcs. The fame alle- gories occur in feveral other places. Saint l^'aul tells the Ephcjians, that they are built uj)on the foundation of ike ApoJiUs and Pro- phets, Jefus Chrifl himfclf l-eing the chief cor- ner ftone ; In whom all the building litly framed together grcm-eth unto an hoii/ temple in the Lord. In whom ve alio are buikled to- * M;irk IX. >\, 3.-). f Math XXni. S. f^elber ( ^^ ) 11, gether for an habitation of God throuo-h the ipii it *. Saint Paul fays of himfelf, Accord- ing to the grace of God which is given unto me; as a wife mafter builder, I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon. BuJ let every man take heed how he buildeth there- on. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jefus Chriji, In the Revelations, Saint John, defcribing the hea- venly Jerufalcm, fays, the w all of the city had itvelve foundations, and in them the names of the ttcelve apoftles of the Lambf . In this fenfe thefe paflages are very intelligible, for fince it was the aj)oftles who taught the world the Chriftian religion, Chriftianity might be faid to be built upon them as upon a rock or foun- dation. So as to binding, and remittino- fms ; Chrift afTured all the apoftles, whatfoever ye (hall bind on earth (hall be bound in heaven ;- and whatfoever ye (hall loofe on earth fhall be loofed in heaven :j:. Whofe foever fins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whole foever fins ye retain, they are retained §. The keys of heaven are evidently another allegorical \M- cri])tion of the fame power which is exj)relled by binding or loofmg in heaven and which is more clearly [)ointed out in other ]}]aces as the ])owei' of forgiving fms. Of feeding Chrift's flock Saint IPcte?- fays himfelf. The elders which are among you I exhort, feed the flock ot God which is among you, taking the over- *E)Mi(.s, 1I.'2(), :J1, 'IZ. f Ri-v. XXI. 14. ^ Juh.iXX. '23. Miitli. XVIU, 13- fght •^ through the elf, Accord- given unto ave laid thc=; lereon. Buj lildeth there- no mail lay riji. In the \\^ the hea. ' the city had he names of In this {^\x{q :, for fince it e world the light be faid )ck or foun- nitting fins ; latfoever ye I in heaven ;. uth ihall he ins ye remit, tv^hol'e foever The keys of gorical clef- is exprefled nd which is i^laccs as the ling ChrilVs The elders :d the flock ng the over- Math, xvni. IS- f)ght ( 65 ) : i iight thereof. Neither as being Lords over God's heritage, but being enlamples to the flock.— And when the chief fhepherd fhall appear, ye fhall receive a crown of glory *. i\t Ephefus, Saint Paul called together the Eldersof the Church, and exhorted them, To take heed unto thcmfelves, and to all the tiock, ovej- which the Holy Ghofl had made them overfeers to feed the church of God f-. — What- ever is to be underftood by " the gates of hell " not prevailing," thofe words could convey no particular authority to Saint Pmcr, for they are fpoken not of him, but of ihc Church. — The gates of hell Ihall not prevail againil it — not againil him. Nor do they prove the in- fallibility of the Romi(h Church. The word Church in the fcriptures is not confined to any particular defcription of pcrfons. It fignilies iM the moft general fenfe, any alTembly. At ylthens it was the name of the public alfembly of the people. So it occurs ni the fame (tw^c in the A6fs, audit is applied to a company of ]:)eople affembled in a Heathen Theatre: J for the word there which istranflated alfembly in the original language is the fame which is ufually interpreted the Church. The Jews aflembled at Mount Sinai, are called by Saint Stephen the Church §. Under the fame general idea it is applied moll ufually, to the whole body of Chriflians or perfons poUeliing Chrifli- anity in any particular place. Thus in the A6ts, it is faid that a great perfecution was rai- ♦ l.Pet.V J— 4, tAa«XX.28. + Afls.XIX. 32. 40. §Aia».Vn.38. F 'Z > fed h ( ^6 ) fed ngainO: the Church*.— That ciders were U|)|)oiiitcd ill every Church f. S;iiiit Pai/I liivs, he had the carcc^f'ull the Churches | ; and alks the Corinthians in wliat they were inferior to <^ther Churches §. St. Jo/in utters pro})hecics ill the Revelation concerning the levcn Chur- ches of yi//V/. Nay St. P<(u/ even calls the Chriftians in one jiarticular private houlc, the Church in the houle of PriJ'cilla and Aquila\\, In one place he i'alutes Xvmpliaa^ and the Church which is in hi-, lioulef; and in ano- ther he addrcffes himlclf to the Church in Philemon's houfe**. Since then it is evident from fcripture, that the word Church is a general term a()plied to the whole body of Chriftians, there is no ground in tiic world, either from the reafon of the thing, from the ]\'iflage itfelf, or from other parts of Icripture,. to fuppofe that in this paflage, it is confuied to-, one fet of men, to the exclufion of all other Chriftians. In this natural and ulr.al icnle of the word, the exjjrel^ion, that tiic gates of hell Ihall never prevail againil the Church, niufl: he nnderftood to refer to the perpetuity of Chriilianity, or that Satan would never be able to extirpate the ChrifHan Religion from the world ; that religion of which Paler, and the other apoftles, under Chrirt were to be the founders. When there is on one hand, an explanation (o 4iatural, lo unforced, To confor- mable to other parts of fcripture, what nn- ♦ AasVrn.l. fCh.XIV.W. : C.Cor.Xt. ':>?. §2Cor.Xir. i.:. ji Kom : XVI. 5. * Coiofs. IV. ij. ^* Pii'ilwiii. ■;. prejudiced tej ( 01 ) : cklers were nt Pai/l iiiys, ;| ; and a Iks re inferior to s prophecies levcn Chiir- eii calls the te houfc, the lul Aquila (j. h(i.^^ and the and in ano- ; Ciiurch ir\ it is evident Church is a olc body of the world, g, from the of Icripture,. s confined to. of all othei- fual Icnle of he gates of lie Church, e ])crpetuity .lid never he ■ligion from 1 Pelcr, and were to he ne hand, an !, fo confor- , what 11 n- §2Cor.xn. 1.;. Piiiioiii. ■";. prejudiced prejudiced man of common feiifc docs not fee that it ouglit to be preferred to another, unna- tural, forced interpretation, contrary to rcafon and to fcripturc, and which leads to the belief ^ of luch an inconfiftency as an ufclefs unne- ceflary miracle. If Chrift had adually appointed Saint Filer to be the Prince of tke Apojiles fo early in his miniftry, this autho'-ic} .rvuft have appeared in other partsof ChvilVs dac^urfes and condutl; but there are noot! id paffa; cs in fcripturc from which it can be infei rf] •: lie treats Saint Peter with no other peculiai marks of attention, em- ploys him in no authoritative office, and requires no obedience or fubmiffion from the reft. It does not feem therefore that Chrift I himfclf underftood his own words as convey- ing fuch authority. Prop. VU. There are extant a great many fpeeches of Saint Peter, in the Ads of the Apoftlcs, and there are likevviie two Epiftles written by him, the latter Ihortly l)cfore his death. His great zeal, and adlvity in preaching the ?ofpel, are twe^ry where conipicuous, but in none of thefe com{X)fitions, whether addreftcd, to Jews, to Gentiles, or to Chriltians ; in private conver- fations, or in councils, and public AlTemblies of the Church, does he ajTume to lihnfelf any fuch pre-eminence. In his Kjjiftles he ftiles himfelf iimply, a lervant and an aj)oli:le of jefus Chrift, an elder and a \\ itncf? of the fuf- fcrings of Jefus Chrift, and alio a j)ar taker of :i'"' F3 th w C ^8 ) the glory which ihall be revealed. If he had been he mfalhble Prince of the Apoftles, itis fcarcely conceivable that he fhoulcl have omit- ted to ftate his high authority, fmce it would J^ave given great additional weight and effea to his precepts, his exhortations, and his reproofs, and a peculiar propriety to his warnings a^ainflr falfe teachers and herefies. ^ "" Prop. VI 1 1. It does not appear in any parts of the fcrip- tiires that the other Ai)omes confidered Saint Peter as having any fort of Ibperiority over riiem. It is remarkable that Saint Matthew T. theonly t vangelifl who has mentioned the n'ords ot Chrift refpe6iing Peter's being the rock. Saint MarAand Saint Luh, relat? the Tn^ ^'"\ ''^ ^'^'''' confeffiiig Jefus to- be the iVlefiiah, i)ut totally omit the paffag^ in quef- tion.— Saint Jokn only relates th^ words of Chriil to Peter, feed my flock.-ff tholb words ' had conveyed luch an authority to Saint Peter over all the Church, a dodnne upon which the whole Conflitution of vifible Chnflianity de])ended, which fo inhnitelv interefted the Apoftles themlelves, and which it was fo alj. Jotutely nece/ilny for all Chridians to be in- toinied of, muft have l>cen known to all the iLvangehfts, anrl, if known, could not have i'een oafled over in lllcnce by the greater part o[ them. I he omifiion ])rove3 that the Evan- gdilts conlidcred them as of no ";rcat imoor- tance. ^ ^ The difputes amongfl the Apoflles for fij- periority If he had poftles, it is have omit- ^e it would t and effect bis reproofs, ings againft f the fcrip~ lered Saint iority over t Matthew itioned the being the relate the s to be the ^•e in. qiief- • wonis of lale words aint Peter, )on which •hriftianity refted the vas fo ah- to be in- vn to all -1 not have ■eater p-art ^he Evan- at impor- es fi-sr fii- pcriority - ( <^9 ) periority, generally, and the requeft of the Mother of Zebedcc's Children, after this fiip- pofed inveftment of Saint Peter, fhew that they did not underftand that he had any fu- periority. If the Chriftian Church ever flood in need of a fpiritual and infallible ruler ; it was in the diftrelling times immediately after the death of Chrift, and we might have expeded to have {tti\ Peter, fupplying the place of his deceafed mafter, and direfting his ardent fpi- rit to the exercife of his deputed authority. Nothing like it appears. That eminent Saint is indeed confpicuous at that critical time, he is (qqw adive, and fervent in zeal, forward in every good work, in healing the fick, and in fufferings, eameft in prayer, and frequent in harangues ; but of any power or authority claimed, or exerted by him, or fubmitted to bv the other Apoftles not a fingle trace is to be found. He ai)points to no oitices, he de- cides no did'erences, he prefcribes no doctrines, he gives no diredions. As Chrill chofc the twelve Apoftles, if Pcler was appointed to condu6l his flock with that authority ^\'hich he himfelf exc rcifed, it would follow that it was his office to have filed up llic vacancy occa- lioned '>y the fall of JiuLis — but Matthias was clecred to that ftatioa by tUc difciplcs, and by lot*. It was all the Apoftles jointly who j)roporLd the inftitution of Deacons, and they were ele61ed by the *' idiok midtitudc'^^ ISo * Mu I. i;i-:o. \ Ch. VI. fuv i ( 70 ) Tur from PcUr's direaing the other mujui to mftrua the new converts Th* c ilc:ples who were converts from Judaifm in- nd of fubmitting to a known authori vTeon- emled w.th hmif, nor did Peter m a & them refer to any power as Vicar of Chrift but endeavours to iatisfy them by a ftatemen? of reafons. When the/e were difltn"ons an difputations among the brethren refpSo c cumofion the queftion was not referred ^ i^^fcr for h,s decfton as mufi have beln the cafe ,f he was the infallible reprelentative of ^„ [RiJ""' " T''''lifc^"i'=d->mongthe Awftles and Eldei-sand by them decided" jt aTth^ ^okmn judgment upon the fubjea^whth wa^ h Eldts a„tl '? "l^"^m-of t'^e Apoftle' m.^r' f c ^ ^'-"hren, no mention beinc made of Sauit Peter Sa;„f d, , 1 S fL.f . ^ 1- ^.^ ■»■:"/. aamt Paul declares that he himfelf was nothin P^'"- ■' .w,.":^ "^ uiicircumcil on was com "Zp:t:i'''''''^-'^'^'^^''^^^^^^ fords decisive evidin« u ?on'l'l^!j^^^^^^^ iv.«;tv';he^Ri-^'^n;r"-f"^""'''- v-iiuicii. i o ,j)rcvcnt ■'■ JCl. XV. ( 2 Cor. XII. U. Pdcr by ti'ie Roi * Acts (.1; \7li. i-j nun C".. !Gal, H. «• anv i^ er Apoftles, him to Sa^ ^erts. The ^udaifm, in- hority, con- 1 anfwerto • of Chrift, L ftatement -ntions and )e6iing cir- referred to e been the mtative of e A])oftles and their vhich was ApoftJes, ion being ■ declares the vQry 3 likewile :h Peter ; *^as com- ^umcifion le fecond tians^ af- ea.— St. ^tally in- ^n of St. •I^rcvent jr. XII. 11, anv t > C 71 ) any poffibility of mifconception, 1 fliall {late the affair in the ApoiUe's own words. « "When Peter was come to Antioch, I « with/hod him," fays Saint Ptfw/, '• to the " face, bccaufe he was to be blamed. For be- « fore that certain came with James he did « eat with the Gentiles; but when they were " come, he withdrew and feparated himielf, " fearing them which ere of the circumci- « fion. °And the other Jews dijembled hke-- " wiic tc'ith him\ infomuch th^t Barnabas TiMo " was carried away with their diswnulation. " But vv'hcn I faw that thcjj ivalkcd vot up- " rigidly, aceording to the trutli of the Go/pel, « I {-lid unto Peter ])efore them all, — If thou, " being a jew, livelT: after th.c manner of the " Gentiles^ and not as do the Jews, why com- « pellefl: thou the Gentiles to live as do the « Jews r" He then proceeds to fliew that men are not to be juftined by the works of the law but bv faith of Jefus Chrifl:. Here tlicn we fee,,/?/y?, that Saint Peter was in an error refpetiing one of the mod important points of the Chriftian Religion, inafmuch as that he taught the Gentiles to obferve the ce- remonies of the Mofaic Luw, which Chrift had aboliOied. The opinion that thofe rites were neceffary to iliivation, has been combat- ed bv Saint Paul with all the force of his elo- quence, particularly in the Epiftle to the Ro- mans. It was neverthelefs cntertamed by a number of perfons, who, in fubfequent times, entirelv feparated ihemlolves from the ordi- nary :i 1 1 ( 72 ) iiary afTemblies of Chriftians, and were, at lejigth, . ftigmatized as Heretics under the- names of Naxarenes or Ehionites. We ihe,Jeco?idi7/, that Saint Pete?- was in- correa in his conduct likewife. Havino- afTo- ciated with the Heathens, through fear of the Jewifh converts, he withdrew himfelf from cheir fociety, and endeavoured to conceal that c.rcumftaace by diffimulation ; deceiving o- thers and inducing them to follow his example. Thirdly, Saint Paul publickly rebuked him m the congregation of Chriftians, for thefe er- roneous do(51iines and improper behaviour; becaufe, the Apoftle fays, he was to be blamed and b'xaufe he walked not uprightly accordino- to the truth of the Gofpel. ® This pafTage is pregnant with information. It totally deftroys all idea of Saint Pete7''s Infalhbility, for if there is any truth in Saint * aiilf his do(5lrines were at that time erro- neous, and his condud incorred. Nor can that fa6t be explained away, by his havino- held the true doc^trine in the Afts, and in his Epiftxcs, for his infallibility is gone, if after Chrift's c : 'h he held errors at anv time, ft completely overturns the affertion that Saint Pete?' was the Prince of the Apoftles, not only from thoie errors, and mifcondua, but like- Wife becaufe Saint Paulfo far from being fub- jea to h's authority withjiood him to his face, and publickly cenfured him. Did Peter th^a exercife the fame authority which Chrift", ♦"^^ uj-jitui iit*iv, ana vniulv ucrc oil earth [^ were, at under the 67' was in- lying aflb- fear of the ilelf from nceal that reiving o- ! example, (uked him r thefe er- ehaviour ; )e blamed according brmatron. nt Pete7''s I in Saint ime erro- Nor can lis havinof md in his 'i if after time, ft hat Saint , not only but like- eing fub* /lis face J eter then : Chrifl-, ■ ucfc oil earth ( 73 ) earth cxercifed ? * Would Saint Paul have withftood Chrifl to his face, would he have charged him with being to blame, a diflem- bier, and one that walked not uprightly ? This event happened no lefs than nineteen years after the crucifixion, and, confequently, if Peter had been appointed by Chrift in his life time to fuch pre-eminence, it mufl have been then fully eftablifhed and admitted. Such decifive authority is fufficient to overturn every conclufion which may be formed from the luppofed interpretation of a declaration, couched in very ambiguous, obfcure, and me- taphorical expreflions, like thofe of our Saviour to Saint Peter, Prop. IX. But whatever might be Peters powers, and authority, there is another long ftep to take to prove that the Popes or Biihops of Rome are his fucceffors, and even, if they were his fuc- celTors, that the fame ])ower3 have been given to them. There is not one paiTage in the Scriptiires, by which it is either exprefsly de- clared, or from which it can be inferred,' that Saint Peter was Bifhoj) of Rome, or even that he had ever Jet hh foot in that city. Mis tnm- fadions occuj)y a confideral^le portion of the Acts of the Apojllesy but it does not aj^pcar there that the Capital of the Heathen World was benefited by his labours, or honored h\ bis vifits. No traces of any connexion vith the place, or any mention of it whatever, are to I *Mr. B, p. 31. b ( 7* ) ? ! H be rljfcovered in his own Epiftles, His firft is dated from Babi^lon, and iS arUirefTed to dife Grangers fcattered throughout: ^'antus^Galuttu^ Cappadocia, Afia, ant] Bith^'nia '*. flis ic- cond Epiftle was written 11,'ortly before bis ^ death to the fame ijerlbiis ; it is not dated from Rt'me, and there is nothing in the con- tents of it from wb.enci; it cr.n be infetrect that it was compofed the; 5 4. In Saiixt Paul's E])iftle to the Romany iliere are no hints of Saint Peter's being Bilhop there, of any pre- eminei^ce in that Church, or in the Bifhop of it And though he concludes with fending his greetings to a gi"C'it many perfons, Saint Peter s name is not included in the num- ber. Nor indeed does the Bifhopric of Home feem very appropriate to the particular calling of Saint Peter which was that of Apoftle of the circumciiion, as Saint Paul was of the un- circumcifion. For diough doubtlefs there were many Jews at Rome, yet their chief refi- dence was in Jiidea, and the neighbouring ci- ties, whereas Ru?iie was the principal place of the Gentiles. If Peter was ever Bilhop of that place, he muft have deferted his original vocation. I'here is not then the fmallefl: authority in Scripture for laying that Saint Peter was ever Biiliop of Ronie, and conie(|uently that the Popes are Im fucccilbrs. And here we might rell latiL^fied, for if the autho. ity of Saint PtYtr and his cojniexion nn ith tl '(omifh Church, ■ .i.'ip. m. 1. cannot n il Sc * I. Ch.ip, 1 V. ( /D ) , His firft efled to tJifc (usy GaliUsu^ ■- His i\> before his not dated ill the coii- afetreci that =iiut PauVs no hints of of any pre- e Bilhop of ith fending y perfons, m the iium- ric of Rome :ular callino; Apoflie of > of the un- tlefs there r chief reli- ibouring ci- pal place of Bilhop of his original luthority in r was ever y that the s we might ' Saint Pclcr ifh Church, I. cannot i cannot be proved by Scripture, it has not that evidence which lb important a dodrine re- (juires, before it can command the reafonablc aflent of mankind. ,^ U'he circumftances of Saint Peter s ever ha- ving been at Rome, and moft undoubtedly of his having been bifhop of it, are very far from l)e- ing eftablifhed even by Authentic History. They are not llipj)orted by any contemporary authority, but depend folely upon the aifertions of writers, who lived manv vcars after the time, and whofe general charader for credu- lity, and i)articular errors in many other j^oints, are admitted even bv the Romaniib thcmfeh es. Bilhop Ihdl^ one of the ableft and moll: learn- ed men who have written upon ecclcliaftical affairs, after examining and weighing all the evidence upon which it refts, concludes in thele » remarkable words. " It is doubtful whether " Saint Peter ever was at Rome, but that " he fixed his chair there is a very idle and *' ":roundlels ima2;iaation." JfChrifthad invelted the Poj)es, through Saint Peter^ with fuch high authority it could Icarcely have been fo long concealed. Reveal- ed io early, the knowledge of it niuil ha\'c prevailed univerlally. It muft have been in- «;rafted into the Chrillian Relio;ion itlelf, and been co-extenlive with its propagation. But if we conllilt the genuine hiiiory of the Church, we find that it remained titallr unknown, at leafl: was not brought forv/ard in its full extent, for many centuries after ChrilK The caliern C Chuichc;s ( 76 ) I i Churchesof Co?i/lanlinople, Antloch, Jerufakm, and Ajia Minor^ which were planted by the Apoftles, and fome of them even by Saint Pe- ter himlelf, never heard of fuch an authority, and when it was claimed by the Church of Rome, they treated it as a pretenfion totally unfounded, and weiw lubmitted to it. It was declared by the Council of Nice," that the " Patriarchs of Alexandria, and Antioch., had " the fame authority over the Countries round " them, that he of Rome had over thofe that " lay about that City." A mere precedence in point of rank they allowed him, the firft place among equals, but not a Ihadow of power, authority, or real pre-eminence over them. Saint Cyprian^ Bilhop of Carthage, whofe writings are received among the works of the holy Fathers by the Roman Church*, refiited ■ thele encroachments of the Pope, and infifted with the the utmoft warmth uj)on the equality in point of dignity and authority that fubfifted among all members of the epifcopal order ; he rejeded with contempt the Pope's interference, and aiferted that liilhops were anlwerable to GodonlvK Cyprian is acknowledged as a Saint in the Ro- mi(h Church, and })rayed to as Ibch ; ytt from his ^^•(Mks one of the moll: learned men of this age has declared, that," if Cyprians authority * Dccict. Diltinc. XV. Cap. ■3. f Gyp. inn's own wonls , lit'. Ilahct in ocdcfix adminiftrationc vo- nt.ms u,,e .itl 'irium lioLrmii iinus iniif'tjuc. praej ofuus, lationcm adas >rMjio rcil.iiiurus. Ejnlt. ",1. p. Vl:K u be C ^7 7i, Jemfakm, Einted by the by Saint Pe- an authority, be Church of ;nfioii totally o it. It was e, " that the Antioch., had antries round er thofe that ? precedence lim, the firft Ihadow of linence over Jiagc, whofe v^orks of the ^h*. relilted ■ and infifted the equaUty hat fubfifled i\ order ; he interference, ilWerable to It in the Ro- il ; yet from men of this IS authority daiiniHrationc vo- s, K'.uuiicm aiitus V (4 be " be any thing, the Pope's authority is no- " thing. He has cut it uj) by the root by etta- " blilhing the Parity of Biihops." Even in the Weft, Irmfvus Bilhop of Lyons, and other prelates early exprefled their refentment, and H:enfHre againft thefe encroachments, and many of the European Provinces, when the arro- gance of the Pontitf was at its height, prefer- ved fome remains of their ancient libert\', and independence. England and France never totally fubmitted to the papal pretenfions, though a variety of circumftances artfully im- proved, and the great ignorance of the times enabled the Popes to advance, to extend, and finally to eftablifh their authority, over almolt all the Churches of the weft. Prop. X. Hiftory affords many other proofs of the falfehood of thefe pretenfions. The character, and conduct of many of the fupreme Pontiffs^ is conclufive acrainft their divine authontv and infallibility. To fay nothing of many bad men in other periods, almoft all the Po])es du- rine the ninth, and tenth centuries were a difsrace to huftian nature itlelf. " this time," fays an eminent writer, " was a fucceifion of not lefs than fifty Bifhops " of llamc, fo remarkable for their wicked- ♦* nefs, that Annas and Caiaphas were Saints *' in comparifon to them." it is impoffible to fuppofe that God would confer a miraculous gift upon pcrfons who refifted even his ordi- nary £T.'^e* G 2 111 " During " there Ii ( 78 ) fn the A j^oftolic age, a bifhopric was only a painful pre-eminence in toil, in poverty, and in ihii'^cr. When the Ho]v See grew rich and powerful, it became an objea: for worldly ambition. Intrigue and fadion jirevailed. The ftamlefs coat of the Church was rent by Icandalous f'^ 1 " Sometimes two, nav even three Pope?, at the lame time, were" iet^n roaming about the world, excommunicating and anathematizing each other, and all pre- tending to infallibility. Jt was upon an occa^ lion of this fort that the Council of Conftance was afTembled, to relWe the tranquility of the Church which had been thrown into dreadful confulion hy the eleaion of three ditterent per- lons to the pa')acy, by the names of Oregon/ the Twehth, Bawdict the ThI. oenth," and John the Twenty-third. Mr. BurhWxy^, " Chrift has not plarrrl the *' difpofal ()f his authority in the hands ot the '• people *. Spiritual authority is not commu- *^' nicated lo the people at large,' nor by the mi- 'I "i^^H' of the people, llie people at large " jKjfrefs no i'l ritual power or authority, to pre- ^'1 tend to veil in others what thev don't j)ofrefs *' themfelves, is, to qualify it 'in very mild ** terms, an unwarrantal'e alTertion."— When Mr. Burke makes thelb broad declarations, is he informed, th-', for a thoufand years from the death o^ ChriO, the Popes were cholcn bv the Genei- \i"" mbly of Rome ? And that all the clergy, ae .. bility, the biugelTes, and ///tf Mr. B, jv '25. . '> People ( -9 ) was only a veity, and grew rich for \vorlcliy j)revaile(l. '^as i-ent by ' ), nav even were" leen nunicatinff (I all pre- n an occa- Conftance litv of the o dreadful "crent per- t Gregori/ enth, and plarrrl the ids or the )t commu- jy the mi- e at larsre ity, to pre- n't jfofTeis very mild "—When rations, is ears from cholen by id that ail s, and the People i ■> People had a vote in the clctStion? That it was Poj)e Nicholas the Second, about the year 10()0, who tirll endeavtjurcd to rci\nt\ the ge- neral right of eie^ioHj l\v giving the Cardinals the power of deliberating firft, though he adils himlelf, that " the conlent of the other clergy, " and of the People Ihall be required tocontirm " their choice ?'* And that it was not 'till the next century th^t/Uc.i under the Third had the addrefs, to transfer and confine the ri^ht of elefting entirely to the College of Cardinals ? 1 have already Ihitcd the pious frauds of the PontitTs to lli[)port their afliimed power. Be- fore the end of the eight Century they had forged a deed of gift from the Em])eror Cou- ftaatine, by which he was made to rcfign to them the fovereignty of Rof)ie, Italjj, and all the Provinces of the Wcfl. It was pul)li{hed to the World and declared to be authentic by Pope Adrian the Firft, and is enrolled among th decrees of the canon law. y\tthe relforatiou arning the fiction was dctec^kd ; its falfe- hood is now admitted even by- Cardinal IJaro- ?iius, and other advocates of the Romilli Church, and the very Pope himfclf lairghs at it, as a[)])ears by un anecdote related bv Car- dinal du Perron, Cardinal (jtj'anifs ■j,..,^no\\'- ledges candidly tluit he found manifell proof of the forgery, jnd falleh(xxl upon the face of the writin_, itfelf '■■•'. This fiction v.as a])plied not only to con- (; * C.u.linal Cufanin's own wnnjs ar'- : - manll'cit: ..:2um*.''iw .'jniicli'in ^ et laU it^^t; G 3 :pcri i:i ijiiA iViij^turi vey w ( 80 ) rcy a temporal power, Jate, if ibong]' ifinui '^ut it ferved pretty , to inlinuate, it not direetly to that the Pope was the Deity himil-lf For Poi)e Nic/wlaus fays « It is fhewii evi- dently enough, that the Pontiff can neither be bound, or loofed, by the lecular power, ' iince It IS plain that he is called God by the «}T? ^'^I'^f^'on/ianfhie; and it is mani- AVL-i^^ '^^ *^^""°^ ^'^ j^^'g^f* '>V man *. VVhiJft luch were the heads of the Church It would not argue any great want of charity tolui)pore that the inferior minifters were not ot the moa unfpotted purity. Yet Mr. Burh ta.ys, that " the abandoned i)rofligacy of the .. rl'¥^^'' a calumny as often refuted as pub- lished. What credit is due to his char-es of "calumny" is I think already pretty evident to the reader. lu'ery page of hiftorv, every ecclefiaftical writer, fwarms with theVenerai acciifation, and with particular examj.les of the fraud, the arrogance, tlie extortion, the un- bridled licentioufnefs, and the enormous crimes ot the Clergy, and Monks of all denomina- tions hefore the reformation ; jjroved too by ir.ofUuthentic documents. Nor do the more judicious, and bcfl informed among the Ro- mamfts pretend to deny a fa6>, which is efla- i^hlhed beyond all j^offibilitv of contradidion. ,,,, . Prop. Xf. i he mlenwl Evidence, derived from the r •■ f -•... ..'.t rr-t Uc.Ku a!. h.Mn;,uiH,sjuJi Tved jjretty ly to aflert. If. fliewn evi- can neither iilar power, ' Sod by the t is mani- man *. le Church, of charity "s were not Mr. Burh jacy of the ted as pub- lis charges tty evident lory, every he general samples of 3n, the un- cus crimes ienomina- ed too by • the more I the Ro- :h is efta- radidtion. fi'om the . :'i fxciil.ir! po- • n cniiltat a |)io 0. Dc'l!IT5 ,in- lum ell. nature c> ( 8> ) nature of the jjopifh religion itfelf, aflbrds ano- ther ftrong argument againft the Church's iri- falliblHty. Now though it may be laid, that, if, as is aficrted, the Church is infallible, its decifions muft be right, however ablurd, or wicked they may feem to be ; yet, as this in- fallibility is not directly proved to our fatisfac- tion, but is left to be colleded from circum- ftances and inferences, it is not unfair to bring its do(?lrine to the teft of the holy fcriptures which we adually know to be infallible. — What is certain affords the beft criterion where- by to judge of what is doubtful. If then the Church of Rome impofes do6lrines contrary to or inconfiftent with Scripture, as has been fully proved at large by many learned writers, it affords good realon to believe, that its autho- rity is not derived from the fame fource, from the eternal God, " with whom is no variable- " Jiefs neither fhadow of turnins:." It IS not my prelent purpole to enter into a difcuffion of the Doctrines of Popery in the detail. But lince Mr. liur/ie * 1 ias brought forward one of them, and p.ainted it in very delufive colours, it may be proper to notice it. I mean the behef, that the Saints and Angels are to be honored and prayed to, and that they do pray to God for us. — 'Tis matter of fur- j)riie, he fiys, that any man can i)revail on himfelf to rcfuic the Saints and Angels in heaven a jjower whi^h jUo/cs exerciled with efficicy, " And Jlofcs i)rayed unto the Lordj r>^t 10. *' and i ( 82 ) '^ and the Lord was appeafed ;" a j)ower w'hicli Sinners exercife praying one for the other." — 1 his Do6lrine is open to the follow- hig obl'erYations. 1 . The Scriptures no where teach us to j^ray to Saints and Angels. 2. Neither the old or new Teftament can furnilh a iingle example of it. Mofcs praying to God for the Ifracliles whilfl: he was alive, and which it was his oiFice to do, is no more to the purpofe, than a Church of England Clerg}'- man's praying for the King and People every Sunday at Church. Could a hngle inflance have been ])roduced in which the Ifracliles had prayed to Mofcs after his death it would have been a flronger cafe in point. 3. We are com- manded to ferve God only, and to {)ray to him. Thou fhalt worfhip the Lord thy God, and him only Ihalt thou ferve*. 4. The Scripture tells us that there is one Mediator between God and man, the man Chrifl: jefusf . If anv man iin we have an advocate with the Father, jefus Chrifl::|:. To apply to the Saints to per- form thefe oifices, is to deny the efficacy of Chrift's mediation, or todoubt his goodnefs. — 5. St. Peter and St. Paul refilled to be vvor- ihipped upon earth. — 6". When Saint Jolm. was going to vvorlljip an angel he refu'ed. — " See thou do it not for 1 am thy fellow fer- vant.*' — 7. Is there any fufficient affurancc that thev are in a fituation to hear our i)ravers ? fe. It good men go to heaven nnmediatcly upon their deaths, is there any certainty that all who iO. + i Tun. n. ,"> .[ 1 Jol.;; II. i. * yVAh AV , ave a power lie for the he follow - ; no where ngels. 2. an furnilh ng to God alive, and Lore to the id Clergjv- ■ople every le inflance ''ifclifc's had ^'oukl have £ are com- ray to him. God, and " Scripture ween God f any man le Father, iits to per- efficacy of aodnefs. — c) be vvor- iaint Jo//n refu'bd. — "ellow ler- iiffu ranee r prayers ? atcly upon lat all who .;; 11.1. have ■ ■ ( 83 ) have been canonized have adually found their way thither ? God only knows the human heart, by which alone men are judged. — Contemplate a Beckct, am! an An/elm, made Saints by the Pope for intuiting their Ibvereigns, and oppo- fing their authority. Mr. Bur/iC fays, " the only power Saints and " Angels pofTefs are to pray for us. That they " can grant us neither Grace nor Glory." — llie liturgies publiihed under the authority of the Church prove that the Saints are prayed to for every blefling in iieaven above, and in the earth beneath. Mr. ]hu/:e fays," they (that is the Protef- '' tants) do not confidcr that if there be any thing- " new in the dodrine which they pretend to " teach, it muft be of their own invention." I might anfwer by afking, What has time to do with truth ? The novelty of an opinion may be indeed a reafon for bringing it to the teft of a candid examination, but it is no proof what- ever of its faliehood. Mankind were not created omnifcient, knowledge is not intuitive ; the progrefs of all fcience has been flow and gradual ; even religion itfelf was not revealed all at once, and there was a time when Chrif- tianity itfclf was unheard of. "J^he mathema- tical Theorem, that the fquare of the h^■po- thenule is equal to the fquares of the other two lidesof a right angled triangle is a truth which fublilled from all eternity, yet it was unknown until it was demonftrated by Pythagoras, How many of the laws of n ( .5 ) began to beam upon them, after ages of fpiritual darknefs, they were fully fatisfied that they were the inventions and additions of men. Proteftantifm is the Chriftian Religion pu- rified from the corruptions by which its real nature wasalmofl hid and extinguifhcd. It is the fincere doctrine taught by Chriil: and his Apoftles, and profelled by Chriftians in the earlieft ages. The infallible fupremacy which we juftly refufe to the Popifli Church, we do not claim for ourfelves. Proteftants admit no human fpiritual authority as binding upon their con- iciences. They look for their religious duties no where but in their Bibles. Their mini- rters impofe upon them no other dodlnnes as necelTary to falvatioii, exaft no other pradtices, than what are there clearly to be found. They do not require their congregations tofubmit im- plicitly to their authority, " but they requell: *' them to judge what they fay, to prove all things, and to hold faft that only which is good*." To take God's word for their law and that .'eafon, which God has given f)r their guidance^ as their beft interpreter. Yet thele are the unalluniing men, whom IVIr. Burke -f accufes of " an intolerable excel: *' of pride, little inferior to that of the Demon *' the King over ail the Sons of pride. To ** whom he app'!< 3 the words of Scripture they *' prophecy fa^lclv, 'tis a b ing vifion, and di- *' vination the fraud and leduftion of their , * Cor, X. I J. 1 Tliffs. V. 'Jl, f r^(;i; 41, 'vc. he. kc. " hearts."- 'I p { ^0 ) « hearts."— of whom he fays that " they are *' deluded men, wild enthufiafts, canting hypo- '* crites, felf taught and conftituted teachers, and *' judges of the world. Who obtrude with ama- " zino- confidence, or rather unparalleled effroii- , tery', the ravings of their wild imaginations, on a well meaning and pioufly inclined but unniformed people ; thieves and robbers ; de- ferving the dreadful punifhmcnt which God infliaedupon Corah, Dathan, and Al'ramfor prefuming to ufurp a miniftry which he had placed in other hands ; tliofe of the Church of Roinc ! men in a ftate of Perdition, in the gallofbitternefs, and the bond of iniquity; de- ceived by the fpiritof illufion,miibknig Pha- rifaical malevolence for pure Chriftian zeal. " Agents and emifiaries of that foul fiend, whom the Scripture emphatically calls a liar, and the father of lies, of the party of the dc- " vil, and imitating his envv." Theie are the flowers of eloquence which Mr. Burke has fcattered with lb liberal a hand over the whole bodv of Proteilant Miniftcrs. The Church of England, the Prelbyterians, the Anabaptifl^, the Methodilb, and all other Non-conformiib, of every denomination, arc all equally comprehended in them; for the Church of Home holds them all etiually here- tical. " Though their faces are different," iavs the Pope, " their tails arc all tied toge- "ther, btcaufe they agree in vanity."^ 1 have felected thefe choice paflTages as a curious Ipc cimenof the jano;uai;<" in «( (( a u C( (( ti a li li ({ C( iC C( \\ hich a p ^rion 11 i- hntr at "they are ;antiag hypo- teachers, and ide with ama- alleled effroii- ^ imaginations, ^ incUned but :1 robbers ; de- it which God adAI'rajH for whicli he had the Church of dition, in the if iniquity; de- liilaking Pha- :^hriftian zeal, at foul fiend, illy calls a bar, irty of the de- quence which liberal a hand ant Minillcrs. Preibyterians, , and all other amination, are hem; for the L e(]ually hcre- are different," all tied toge- nity." 1 have a curious fpc- 1 a perfun i\l- hnv^ t e ling himfelf a Chriftiaii Clergyman, can in- dulge himfelf without provocation, againft all other Chriftian Clergymen, who happen to differ from him in opinion. It may ferve likewife as a fair fample of the tolerance of the RomiJfh Church, and may teach an ufeful lefTon to all defcriptions of Piotef^ants, of what might be expefted if its power was equal to its goodwill. — If they fay tbefe things in the green wood, what would they not do in the dry? To every good man who feels an intereft In the tranquility of the world, the reftlefs and afluming fpirit manifefted in Mr. By r he's Let- ter prefents a lamentable piclure. No fooner are the Roman Catholics permitted to enjoy the free exercife of their religion, than their paftor flies in the face of the Government by which they are protejcd could exprefs, but after that, ex- cei)t a part at the end where unlawful oaths are condemned, almoft all the book is occu- pied with thofe fubjeds, and principles, which it is the defign of thefe obfervations to point out : jjrinciples totally incoiifijlenf. with the jM-ofefTcd obje6l of the 'Letter. If Mr, Bnrkc really thought infurreClion fo great an evil as lie Hates it to be, would he have been fo earnefl in propagating the Jacobinical rights of the pco])le ? If helo much rcfpeded Government, and honouicd " our mofl gracious iovereio-n," Mould he have endeavoured by fuch aj ts to lower the falutary prejudice which ouoht to be entertained refpeding all WoyixX per- f)ns, and would he have jobbed Mis Ma- jclK of one of the brieiitell: iewcl-; in his crown #1 ( 89 ) crown, his ecclefiaftical fupremacy ? Would he have totally counteraaecl his injiindioiis to fubmit to the powers that are, by rendering all civil powers infecnre, and dependant upon the I)leal'ure of the peo})le ? Eftablifh but once in the minds of men this divine, indefeafible ?«/- nijlri/ of the people, and the reft of his book is totally ufekfs. Imprels them once with a firm conv'.'ion that all lawful power is derived from them, and ftop them from exerting their fovereign authority if you can, by the kuti- ments of prudence, and duty, at the beginning of the pamphlet. It is like fetting a houfc oa tire at all ends, and throwing a bucket of water upon it. It all comes to this fhort point, if Mr. Burke was fnicere in his wilhes to i^ro- mote fubordination, he could 7io/ have intro- duced any dodrines of a dire^ly opp(^fite na- ture ; but if his defigns were to promote J'leo- binifm, he could not have found a more judi- cious, and effedual mode of doing it tlian by ufmo- a cloak of a diiFerent colour. Jacobinifiu is irreconcileable with loyalty, but loyal pre- tences are not inconfiftent with Jacobinifm. Loyalty could require no mixture of Jacobin- ifm to make it palatable, but perhaps a drauo-ht of pure Jacobinifm would never have been^eadily fwallowed, unlefs the edge of the cup had been a little flavoured \\ ith more wholelbme principles. But it is not merely a queftion of intention ; fuch dodrines he has actually/ taught, and thev are too flattering to human pride not to H2 makt ►■?»*♦ '!) ( «0 ) make a deep impreiiion. The divine mini- (iry of the j)eople will be remembered, when the maxims of fubordination are forgotten. Suppofe then that thele principles fhould pro- duce here the fame effed which they have done in other countries, eve?i contrary to Mr. Biirkcs intentions, is he aware that he would be an- fwerable before God and man for the dreadful confequences which might enfue. Whatever may be the def]gn, and however well imagined the means, there is indeed rea- fon to ho])e that they will not piove lliccefsful. The air of this country feems as little adapted to nourilh the contagion of democracy, as it does that other, but not greater fcourge of mankind the yellow fever. It has been found- ed, peopled, cherifhed, and grown to its pre- fent profperity under loyalty ; and it is difficult to conceive what advantages it could gam from an oppofite condud. Many of its pre- Iciit inhal)itdnts, and their forefathers, ha\e l)cen too gicat iutTerers in their property, and their perlbns, by the ])rincij)les which Mr. Jhirke is now introducing and inculcating, very readily to adopt them. An immenle majority of the inhabitants of the Province are Proteflants, and as loyal fubje6ts as any in his Majefty's dominions. The Roman Catholics have been always hitherto equally confpicuous for their attachment to their King and Coun- try, for their liberality of fentiment. and for the propriety of their condu6l. This well de- ferved character all men of fenfe among them will ( ai ) /iiic mini- red, when forgotten, bouki pro- have done /;•. Burke's lid be an- ic dreadful I however ideed rea- fuccefsful. le adapted racy, as it [courge of en found- to its pre- is difficult ouki gam Df its pre- lers, ha\e 3erty, and hich Mr. iculcating, inimenie ovince are any in his Catholics infpicuous tid Couii- :. and for i) well de- oiiff them wiU I will no doubt be ^.ealous to preferve, and td manifeft upon c\ v occafion, fince both their duty, and their intereft muft point it out to them ; but it is difficult to fay what changes may have been wrought in the minds of weak, ignorant, and unprincipled perfons, fuch as are unhappily to be found in every commu- nion, from the do6trines which are now firft publicly taught by their principal jjaftor. This open avowal of fuch principles however will have one good effedt— that of putting Govern- ment, and all good fubjeds uj)oii their guard, againft the poffible confequences of them. At any rate, all worthy men of every per- fuafion will have to lament JNlr. Burke's indil- cretion ; bcoaufe he will have contributed to difturb the general harmony which prevailed among the different claffes of Chriftians ; and that at a period which moft loudly calls for unanimity. Xhe members of his own congre- Q-ation will have little caufe to thank him. It is rumoured that an aj){)lication has been made to the Britiffi Government for a licence for a Ro- man Catholic School. Hut "^Ar, Burke's publica- tion is a complete anlwcr to fuch a j^etition. No man in his leiifes can fuppbfe tliat any io- vereign could ])ermit I'eminaries to be cihi- bJilhed, under the direclion of perfons who leach tiu" divine minijiry of the people. It i.>t(j he feared likewife that his Letter of Iiiilruc- tion will throw a great deal of dilcrecHt and ibf{)icion upon the worthy part ot the Roman Pntholirc \vbo ^''^^ vrrv iin lp1« !•^ ifl'T nf if- H F TOrA I ( 92 ) From the great influence svhich the Clergy of that Church are fuppofed to poflefs over their mcmhcrs, it will be concluded that the Jacobin- ical do(ftrines here dilplaycd have pervaded the whole body ; in which ccnlure many ex- cellent men, and good fubjeds will naturally, liowever unjuftly, be comprehended ; unlefs they cfFedually remove llich unfounded pre- judices againft them, by the mort decided and iinambioruous condu6l. Ik in the courfc of thcfc obfcrvations I have been obliged to f))eak j)retty plainly refpeding Mr. /?w;-/(V,9 publication ; let it be remember- ed that I have l)cen merely upon the defen- fivc. My only objeil was to vindicate the le- giilaturc of Great Britain and of this coun- try from a charge of calumny, proteflantifm from an imputation of impofture, and its mi- nifters from a malignant accufation of being hireliniis in the fold of Chrift ; that I have been refifting the j^rinciplcs of confufion, and !ij)hol(ling the lawful prerogatives of my fo- vcrcign. Between Mr. Bi'r-\r'.<: political and his re- lisrious opinions a material diftinclion is to he made. The do61rinc3 of Jacobinifm arc not confic<^>cd with any particular religion, and it IS the dutv of every good member of focicty to dctc6t, exjiofe, and refill them, wherever thcv appear, fmcc they are equally injurious to pcrfons of all religions. But 4>> f I I I he Clergy of i(s over their : the jacobiii- vc pervaded re many ex- ill naturally, nded ; unlefs bunded pre- decided and r ►-« \tions I have dy rcfpeding ■c rcmember- ;i the defen- dicatc the le- )f this coun- proteftantifm :, and its mi- ion of beiiisx that I have onfulion, and 3S of mv fo- il and his re- ft ion is to he lil'ra arc not ;HfHon, and it er of lociety ra, wherever V injurious to But ^ ( Oi ) But his religious opinions would not have induced me to troubh the public with thcle obfervations if he had retrained himfelf to his own Church, and kept within the bounds of decency, and the refpeft due even to the in- voluntary errors of others : if he had not de- clared open war, againft every other perfua- lion, and treated all proteftant min'0:ers with the moft fcurrilous language. ollowing his arguments I have been under the neceflity of difcufiing the exclufive claim of the Church of Rome to fpiritual authority. Beyond this, I have carefully declined entering upon any of the Roman Catholic Tenets, further than Mr. Burke has voluntarily brought them for- ward to the notice of the public. I have not willingly or unneceffarily attacked any man's principles, or his j:)rejudices ; it was not my purpofe to prove that they are in the ^^Tong, but that we have good grounds to believe our- felves to l)e in the right ; not to cenfure the Romiih Church, but" to Ihcw that Proteftant Miniilers arc not deicrving of the very op])ro- brious cj^ithets which have been lavished upon them. — Of mifrcprefcnting the tenets of the Roman Catholics I cannot furcly be accufed fince I iiave uniformly ftated them in their own words, and from the moft authentic iources ; and 1 ha .c allcdgcd few fa6ts \^'ithout quoting my authorities. How^ever great the })rovocation, 1 Iiave en- deavoured to preferve the temper of a Chril- tian and a Gentlemen, Againft ISfr, Burke hirnlelf IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) sr Aii V.x I 1.0 I.I 1.25 2.2 •^ lis ii|^ 14 IIIIII.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEQSTER.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 L1>' V V> ^9) \ 6^ ''i m • it. i ( »* ) himfelf I entertain neither refentment or ill will. I only piay that God may forgive and amend in him the unfriendly fpirit which he has fhewn in his publication. As to the Ro- man Catholics in general, however I mav la- ment what I conceive to be errors, not from prejudice, but from ferious inquiry, I condemn them not ; to their own mafter they ftand or falL As I have no reafon to the contrary fo I feel no fentiments towards them but thole of a lincere brotherly love. As I have hitherto lived with them in habits of mutual civility and kindnefs, fo I hope always to continue in the fame reciprocal exchange of good offi- ces. I know, and I wdfh them to recoiled, that we are all the fervants of the fame God, having all the fame hope in his fon jefjs Chrift. Upon other points we may diffei, upon one fubje6t there can be no variation of opinion, that unwerfal Charity is the charaderiftic vir- tue cf all Chriftians. " Though we have the " gift of prophecy, and underftand all myl- (i teries, and all knowledge; and though we *' have faith, fo that we could remove moun- " tains, and have not charity, v/e arc nothing*." In the jjurfuit and exerciic of t/u'sviitucemu- lation between all ic6h of CiiriO-ians would be noble. Inftead of hurlins; defiance and anathemas at each otlier, which can never convince tlie lln(:crfl:andi^L^ thoudi they mav inflame tlic paiiionf.how much niorc cdifvin^i- a Ipedacle woukl it be to fee us flraing in a * 1 Cm. xni. blefTcd fentment or ill lay forgive and pirit which he As to the Ro- v^ever I may la- ;rrors, not from liry, I condemn -r they ftand or the contrary io them but thole I have hitherto mutual civility lys to continue gc of good offi- :o recoiled, that me God, having 1 jefjs Chrift. liffei, upon one tion of opinion, laraderiflic vir- h we have the •ftand all myl- aiul though we remove monn- i arenothincr*." f/iisvi} t lie cmu- 'hrift-ians would 5 defiance and :nch can never ou2;h thcv mav :i more edifvin^T us ltn\ ins; in a llefTcd ■4H^ ( 95 ) M blefled contefl which fliould moft excel in that amiable difpofition of mind " which fufFereth " long and is kind ; which envieth not, vaun- " teth not itfelf, is not puffed up ; doth not be- " have itfelf unfeemly, feeketh not her own, is ' " not ealdy provoked ; thinketh no evil ; re- " joiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the " truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, *' hopeth all things, endureth all things." I now conclude my remarks, which have extended to a much greater length than I pro- pofed. At the fame time I take my farewell of this fubjeft ; controverfy is my averfion, and nothing but what I conceived to be the loud calls of duty could have fo long interrup- ted occupations more agreeable to myfelf, if not more ufeful to others. I leave the quef- tions here confidered as they now ftand ; for every man to form his private oj)inion upon them, according to the meafure of his own knowledge and underftanding. No frefh at- tacks fliall induce me to break this refolution. My purpofe will be anfwered if I fhall have contributed to confirm the faith of any one proteftant ; if I fliall have been the means of unithig Chriftians in the bonds of love, and of animating all good fubjeds to rally round their King, and the Britifh Conftitution both in Church and State, under which they enjoy li- berty, univerfal toleration, and happinefs. ROBERT STANSER. Halifax. March 1th, 1804. <. 'TTf •i'flfc*Vk-', iy I \ Omitted in page 12, a/i'er line 12. Now, by another Ca^en of pope LV/^tfw II, it is declared not to be murder to kill perfons who have been excommunicated. " We do not jSohfider thofe as murderers, " who burning with the zeal of their catholic 4'f mother againft perfons excommunicated, "(hall kill any of them."* ,,.,^f Taking the* two canons , together, it is clear, therefore, not oiily that heretical Sovereigns, but that all heretics whateVeif by the catholic, tenets, might have been lawfully deftroyed or murdered. ,T ^ * fJecrct. Caufa XXUI, Qn«ft. r Ijitranriur, quus adverfus excOTrnrHUi'- alifjuoj coram tnicidaffc c6t>tigfci!u ,■1 ■ ;: .r ; > •.;,.-.,.: ^ . , 47 . Non COS homicidal Ar- .«lo catUuiicae matris ardc(>tes. J ni^f'x^j'^ I i *' »■ .:>• -.3^' er line 12. \:r' pope Urban II, to kill perfons :d. ; as murderers, )f their catholic [Communicated, ,/'.? ther, it is clear, cal Sovereigns, by the catholic. \y deftroyed or ■fon cos homicidal Ar- tUulic* matt'is ardciitcs» \