Ex Libris K. OGDEN - Notanda EkEla Britannica. SELECT OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO MATTERS d an ADAPTED TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES or THE PRESENT TIMES. Bristol : PRINTED BY LANCASTER AND EDWARDS. T O THE PARLIAMENT OF Britain, WEIGHTY CONSIDERATIONS, AND FREE OBSERVATIONS, ON GREAT AND IMPORTANT SUBJECTS, ARE HUMBLY INSCRIBED, 2OCC3SO d Slather- I n Lord Archbifhop of Canterbury* MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE, O regard with a Temper of Chriftian Conde- fcenuon, an Endeavor to promote the Eftablifh- ment of Peace and Truth in the Earth. And, may God grant that the miferable Confe- quenees which muft inevitably refult from the C ontinuation of thofe Meafures which the Powers of Europe have been led to take refpe&ing the deplorably infatuated People of France^ may be timely prevented, by your Grace being moved from the Consideration of what this Treatife con- tains, to recommend it to the Attention of the Members of the Britifh Legiflature. Blefled ( via ) BlefTed be God, the Seafon for adopting th^ proffered Plans of effecting a General Peace and Reformation, is not yet paft. May your Grace be ftirred up to exert your Influence, as the Firft Officer of our National Church, in fecliiing to her the Glorious Diftinclion of being the Firft in Chrift ndom to reform her Polity freely, and reduce it to the Standard ot Chnflian Purity, So (hall we avert the heavy Judgments of God that hang over us ; and Your Grace will be emi- nently inftrumentai in refloring to the Church of Chrift, the Energy of her primitive ^Times ; the Bleffed Effects of which will be, the Difcomfiturs of Falsehood, and the General Establishment of Truth . and Peace throughout the Earth. TO TO THE PUBLIC. X HE following Work, which is only an Epitome of the Author's original Defign, was finished in the Month of June, 1793. Though the Author has endeavored, with the moft anxious Solicitude, to prefent it as fpeedily a? poflibleto public Notice 3 yet from various Incidents the Publication has not taken Place till now. Since TIME has abundantly verified the Truth of his Remarks, and the Soundnefs of his Argumen- tation hitherto, he prefumes there is a juft Claim on the ferious Attention of Mankind, refpe&ing thofe weighty Matters recommended in the enfuing Difcourfe to public Confideration. As to the general Notions and public Opinions fo exceedingly rife in the prefent Times, they will be found to teem with much Error, more Falfehood, very little Truth. The Word of God is defigned to be a Lamp to enlighten the World : it needs but to be fet on a confpicuous Eminence, and it will diflipate the Mifts of Error, confound Falfe- hood, and illuminate the Earth with the glorious Beams of Truth. Lamentable indeed are the Effects of that blind Ignorance which fo generally and fo difmally ope- * rates ( * ) rates in the Minds of the Sons of Men. It is this prevents them from difcerning the Caufe of God's notable Judgments in the Earth : this keeps them unacquainted with the Nature of that grievous Malady, that epidemical Mania, which now de- prives the World of Peace. But, bleffrd be God ! There is not only a Way here pointed out, whereby the Nature of this men- tal Ailment may be evidently difcovered, and the Caufe traced out, but a fure and certain Re- medy is alfo here made known. The late Royal Declaration concerning the cala- mitous War in which we are now engaged, not- withftanding it breaths a Spirit of Mildnefs expref- iive of an earneH Defire to accelerate the Return of Peace, yet is it inefficient, and fo will it moft cer- tainly be found to be, as to the Point it aims at : inafmuch as it feeks to juftify on the Score of Equity, Meafures which could never have been deemed expedient, except on the Confideration of their naturally arifing in the Iffue of a weak Policy, founded on the groffeft Ignorance and Pride. We ought not, either dire&ly or indirectly, to have countenanced the Emperor and the King of Pruflia, in commencing War with France. The Plea that the French had invaded the Rights of the German Princes, was infufficient to do away the the Impolicy of a War. The peculiar Cafe of the French Nation ought to have been well confi- dered. The outftretched Hand of God in caufing that fignal Convulfion within her, ought to have been fo feen, as to have fuggefted to the great Nations around her, the mofl prudential Meafures to be mutually adopted in a Situation fo peculiarly awakening and unprecedented. Such Meafures were po'nted out to the Notice and recommended to the Acceptance of my Country in particular, in that Publication I fet forth about the Midsummer of 1791. May the reiterated andearnefl Recommendation of them in the following Effay awaken the Atten- tion of Mankind, and induce the Public Mind rightly to confider the Great Work that God is effecting among the Sons of Men ! Being duly admonifhed by the public Diftra&ions and Per- plexities of the prc-fent Times, may we be led to fee the Rod, and HIM -who hath appointed it : that bei.ig no longer blinded by our Ignorance, nor hardened by the Pride of our Hearts, we may joy- fully co-operate with the Defi^n of Providence in bringing about the Eftablimment of fuch a Syllem of UNIVERSAL REFORMATION, as may be eminently to the Glory of God in the Higheft, and produce the greateft Increafe of Peace and Good Will among the Children of Men. Published in AuduSr, 1791. A MIRROR for the TIMES ! O R, A Complete Dete&ion and Refutation OF THE Pseudo- Philosophy O F LEVELLING SOPHISTERS. As PA INK'S nefarious Publication had been, and was then gene- rally read; the Author of the above Work imagined the Public would be more readily inclined to perufe it, if offered under the following Title, being that which it at prefent pub- licly bears. A REJOINDER TO Mr. PAINE's PAMPHLET, ENTITLED RIGHTS OF MAN, An ANSWER to Mr. BURKE'S ATTACK ON THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. BY AN ENGLISHMAN. scriptorif sc$ scriptis Jlotanfca Clefta JJrttanwca, F 1 I JULY, 1792. T is now above a Twelvemonth fmce I firft un- dertook to expofe the fallacious Dodlrine of modern Reformers, and to fet myfelf in Oppofition to the Pfeudo-Philofophy of thofe Firebrands of Society, the levelling Sophifters of the prefent Day. Before I draw forth thofe important Obfervations which a Senfe of Duty, and an earneft Defire to be inflrumental in promoting the Caufe of Truth, have prompted me to offer to public Confideration, it may not be unadvifable to defcend to fome perfonal Particulars ; that the Motive which induces me to prefent my private Thoughts to the Public, being feen, may attract a deeper Attention to the mo- mentous Matter intended to be handled in the enfuing Pages. Were I to give an hiflorical Detail of the many very remarkable Incidents that have befallen me in the Courfe of my Life, though my Years have paffed in Mill, retired Scenes, yet I believe the Lives of very few Individuals would be found to abound with more obfervable Occurrences, Suffice it to fayj the Experience of my Life evinces to my Mind the clearefl Demonflration of the Veracity of that Doctrine I have been moved to elucidate. Bulily and inceffantly engaged in an Avocation that from my earlieft Years has wholly engroffed my Time, I have not been able heretofore to find Leifure or Convenience to methodize my Thoughts; yet from a very early Period of my Life I have had a continual Prefcience that one Time or other I mould be called to employ my Pea in Behalf of the Truth. Though this Prefcience has for a Number of Years been more and more deeply impreffed on my Mind, and though my Gift of Difcernment is fm- gular, as in many remarkable Inflances I might prove ; yet have I not vaunted myfelf hereupon ; but have in all Refpe&s (confidering it my higheft Wifdom fo to do) patiently and dutifully refigned myfelf to the Direction and Difpenfation of Provi- dence, as the whole Courfe and Tenor of my Life will abundantly prove ; ftudying to be quiet, and to do my own Bufinefs, and to work with my own Hands. Notwithflanding an earnefl Defire to be fubfer- vient in promoting the Caufe of Truth, has uni- formly pervaded my Conduct through Life ; and though for many Years paft I have had a flrong Ferfuafion that I mould be called to write in its Defence, yet till the Pamphlet on the Rights of Man accidentally fell into my Hands, no Data had been given me whereon J might ground my Re- marks. But But when I read that Book, though by a peculiar Vifitation of Providence I was fo circumflanced, that it might have been deemed Madnefs, flraight- ened as I then was, and hemmed in on all Sides, to entertain the leafl Idea of writing and publifh- ing my Thoughts thereupon, efpecially considering I had to encounter the greateft Difficulties and Inconveniences in every Refpeft, not having ari Hour I might call my own ; and moreover feeing I mould have to oppofe and refute a Do6lrine at that Time almoft univerfally efpoufed and main- tained ; yet was I in a manner, impelled to turn my Thoughts to the SubjecT; : and though my outward Difcouragements did exceedingly difmay, yet were they found quite infufficient to deter me from liftening to what I have conftantly confidered, A powerful and immediate Call from above. Reading that Book, I heard a Voice diflinftly fpeaking in mine Ear, Refute the false Dottrine of this sly Deceiver. And though outwardly every Thing confpired to diflracl: and turn off my Thoughts, yet was I inwardly more and more vehemently excited to the Profecution of that Work, which will undoubtedly acquire Weight and Confiderati- on from the rifmg Gircumftances of the Times. Touching my Purpofe in addrefling the Public in the prefent Inftance, I am fpecially moved and incited thereto from the Confideration that the Fullness of Time is nearly at Hand, when Mankind being wearied with the Ways and Works of Vanity, groaning under the heavy Preffure and bitter Thral- dom of mental Tyranny, and awakened to a juft B 2 Senfe Senfe of their Wants, and a right Apprehenfion of their own total Inability to fupply them ; by the gracious Intervention of the adorable Goodnefs of God, will be happily delivered from their long and hard Bondage, and wonderfully reftored to intel* leftual Enlargement and -Deliverance. Perfe&ly convinced that this Glorious Advent will in the Courfe of the Exercife of the Wifdom of God in the Ways of His Providence rnofl certainly ap- pear ; and enabled by the Grace of God to prove even to the Clearnefs of a Mathematical Demonflra- tion that it is now near at hand ; moreover, aided by the gracious Influence of the Divine Spirit whom I fervently invoke, I humbly fubmit the fubfequent Sentiments, Remarks, and Propofals, to the Notice and Attention of my Country and Mankind. THE late Royal Proclamation for the Sup- preflion of feditious and inflammatory Writings, however well intended for the Maintenance of Order in the State, and the Prefervation of the Public Peace, by difcouraging the Spirit of Faction on the one Hand, and recommending Due Submission and Sub- ordination on the other, will yet be found to fall far fhort of the End propofed. For till Magistrates do indeed fet about in good Earned, to advance the Glory of God, by promoting the Knowledge of His Truth in ;he World, and discharging the Duties of their high Functions, confcientioufly and exemplari- ly; neither Proclamations on the one Side, nor public ( 13 ) public Punimments on the other will ever be found fufficient to filence popular Cl imour, or prevent the Miichiefs of >-estive Sedition. The dreadful Example of public Confusion and national Misery brought upon our neighbouring Kingdom, is held out to us, arid to the Ma^iflrates and People of all Nations, as a solemn Warning and Admonition ; calling loudly for a careful Examina- tion into the Caufes, why Providence has fufFered fuch fevere Judgments to befall both Prince and Pe< p!e : that hereby being duly inftrufted, and recoiie6tm,2 and reforming the Evil of our Ways, we may efc^-pc tae R d of Divi e Vengeance, and be fri^-ed from the Stroke of God's Wrath. The Concurrence of great and fingular Events, peculiar to the prefent Age of the World, and fol- lowing clofe one upon anoth T. is intended as an. awakening Call to excite the General Attention of Man- kind. The Great Revolution in the Government of France, is a Topic that has been univerfally handled. Numbers have employed their Pens, and exercifed their Thoughts on this momentous Subject. The Great, the Witty, the Learned, the Seditious, the Lawyers, and the Priefts, have each in their Turn, exercifed their Genius hereon. But who is there of all thefe, to whom the Truth hath been revealed, and the Ground of the Matter made known ? Which of them has afcribed due Honor and Glory to God, for this fo fignal Retribution of His Justice, and fo evident Manifeftation of His righteous Judg- ment. {mmerfed ( 14 ) Immerfed in the Depth of the Darknefs of Igno- rance, the Generality of Mankind in the prefent Day, are totally unacquainted with the Methods of God's Dealings with the Children of Men. Nay> to fuch a Pitch of Error and Infatuation is the World at prefent rifen, that had not God in the Depth of His Wifdom provided an ample Witness between himfelf and His Creatures, the Footfteps of Truth would be utterly undifcernible. Need we refer to the Hiflory of France, to prove the juft Judgment of God, in her prefent Vifitation. If Pride and Arrogance, notorious Imniety, and fyftematical Oppreflion, Perfidy, and Fraud, are in themfelves, grievous Offences j and fuch, ^s in the conftant Experience of Ages, have been found to draw down the dreadful Vengeance of Heaven, both upon Nations and Individuals ; a Survey of the General Manners and Conduct of the French People, muft neceffarily bring Convi&ion to the Mind, that the prefent State and Condition of that Nation, is rfie Effect of a moil exacl and righteous Difpenfation of Divine Justice, for their manifold, long-continued, heinous, and crying Enormities. She, who for a long Se .fon, has been the Gene- ral Diflurber of the Peace of Mankind, the Miflrefs of Intrigue, the Fomenter of Difcord ; by whofe baneful Influe ce and infidious Arts, Animofities and Strifes have been conflantly excited ; in a Mo- ment is her Power diffolved, and all her deep Schemes at orce broken off and defeated. The Policy of the ruling Power in this Country in keeping entirely aloof under the prefent Circum* fiances ( '5 ) fiances of Things, is very juftly to be recommended, confidenrig that the Diftreffes and Perplexities with which the Almighty is at pr feut Tinting the Nations, may be deemed i n equitable Meafure of their former Ways. But ill fhall we deferve the highly favorable Diftin&ion which Providence confers upon us. if we let ilip the prefent preciao Opportunity of demonilrating our Zeal in advanc- ing the Glory of God. Let us not pride ourfelves in vain Conceit, that we are a Whit better titan orher People ; fince both Individuals and Nations are eftimated in the Judg- ment of God, according to the Meafure of their Improvement of the Opportunities laid in their Ways. The Hour is at length arrived, the Moment is now come, when the legitimate Rulers of this World, will find even their temporal Intend! aroufing and exciting them to adopt laudable and rational Improvements, and to advance A gauriL Reformation ; and fuch is the advanced Age of the World, and the prefent State of Mankind, that Nothing Ihort of a real and fubftantial Reformation will now be found to ferve. But fome will fay, while di Sonant Opinions violently agitate the public Mind. Plans of Refor- mation are altogether ill-timed and unfeafonable. To fuch I reply, The Temper of Mankind is na- turally inclined to Indolence. Inglorious Sloth has ever been more generally prevalent than honorable Adivity. Owing to this natural Propenfit. Indolence and Eafe, Tyrannies of all Sorts, Super- fttaon. ftition, and the darkeft Ignorance, have not only obtained Place in the World, but have been tamely fubmitted to with paffive Content. Now when the Almighty ih the Courfe of His Providence purpo- fes to bring about fome notable Change in the State of Things, He permits the Evil Spirits (the Harbin- gers of his merciful Manifeilations) by ftirring up in the Minds of Men, a Conflict of diftorted Ideas, todifcompofe this inert, fixed State : that fo, Man- kind being roufed from their natural Torpidity, and awakened to Attention ; tired and exhaufted in this Conflicl; of erroneous Subtilties, and panting for Quiet, they become the readier fufceptible of rational Impreffions, and better difpofed to embrace the Conviftions of Truth. Contemplating then the peculiar Circumflances of the prefent Time, the prefent may be confidered a fpecial Seafon for profperoufly adopting falutary Reforms. Mankind, at different Periods, have been much agitated and difturbed by the Fanaticifm of intem- perate Zealots, infligated by infernal Agency : but this, inftead of anfwering the End of diaboli- cal Malice, has ever proved the Means of ertablifh- ing the Purpofe of God. The levelling Theorifts in the Audacity of their Prefumption, have taken upon them to cut out for all Nations, a fpecific Form of Government; namely, the Republican ; and to this one Form they attribute every Excellence and every Perfection : notwith- ftandingitis evident in the Nature of Things, from the different Circumflances of different People : fuch ( '7 ) fuchas Natural Temperor Genius, Population, Ex- tent of Territory, Situation, and the like ; that the Formation of the Organs of the collective Powers of Nations, muft depend on National Contingences : moreover we are taught to believe, both from Rea- fon and Revelation, that thefe National Contingences are Nothing lefs than the Refult of Divine Determi- nation. But thefe Sophifls exa&ly refembling their fottifh PredecefTors, the vifionary Builders of The Tower of Babel, in the Fullnefs of their Pride and felfiQi Conceit, have difavowed the Propriety of being led by religious Influence. Revelation, therefore to them, is as Verba incogniti et vituperata. Seeing they have thus difdainfully rejected, re- proached, and villified, the Sacred Oracles of Truth, it is meet they mould fall under the Error of their vain Imaginations. But there is no Reafon why thofe who are influ- enced by a real, honeft, and temperate Zeal for the Honor of God and the Happinefs of Mankind, mould be deterred from its adual Exercife, becaufe thefe Men, proudly rejecting the Authority of Scripture, and trufling to the blind Guidance of mere natural Reafon, have fet themfelves up for public Reformers ; and have by the fubtil Deception of their pernicious Tenets, brought innumerable Diforders on thofe who have been beguiled by their Sophiftry. Nay, there is all the Reafon in the World for the Honest enlightened now to beflir them- felves ; for the Seafon is approaching of an unex- ampled Triumph to the Caufe of Truth. July, 1 792. Nov. 1792. Since writing the above, owing to the unavoidable Calls of my neceflary Bufinefs, C my ( '8 ) my Mind has been diverted for the Space of four Months, from the further Profecution of my Pur- pofe ; neither at prefent do I fee any Opening whereby Leifure may be obtained for delivering my Thoughts in the Latitude at firft defigned. But though cramped in the greateft Degree, with Refpeft to Time, yet as the miferable Effefts of Fanaticifm and popular Error are hourly fpreading more and more their baneful Influence, I cannot lon- ger refrain from prefenting to the Public, a few flight Sketches of a Syftem, which under the Aufpices of Divine Favor, may happily cou'nteracl: the mifchie- vous Tendency of thofe diabolkal Principles fo exceedingly rife in the prefent Day. Clearly forefeeing that the defolating Principle of modern Licentioufnefs, artfully difguifed under the fpecious and high-founding Name of Liberty, would continue to inlinuate and fpread its pefli- lential Contagion, unlefs Magistrates, the Conservators of public Peace and Order, would fet themfelves with an Honeft Zeal, not merely to refute the flimfy Sophiflry of thefe mallow, newfangled Notions, but chiefly to point out clearly to the People, wherein real Liberty, Glory, and Hap>inefs, do eonfift ; to the End therefore that the Rulers of my Country might be awakened to a Senfe of their Duty, and excited to employ the Means put into their Hands in promoting the Glory of God, and advancing the general Interefl and Happinefs of Mankind ; being confcious of the Gift wherewith I am intrufled, and fludious to render it, as much as may be, beneficial ; I took upon me, at the Time when my former Work was firft published, to ad- drefs <3refs it to the executive Power ; being perfuaded the fureft and beft Method may be found therein, whereby an Antidote might be prepared againft the abominable Licentioufnefs and Iniquity of the Times. Now this my firft Application to the executive Power not being noticed, I was induced about this Time Twelvemonth to make another. It muft be imagined, the Motive which could induce me, a Man obfcure and of low Degree, to addrefs myfelf to fo exalted a Character as Mr. Pitt, was a ftrong One : and the Nature of the Matter being well confidered, a very cogent Motive it undoubtedly will be found to be, A deplorable Degree of Ignorance in the Ways and Methods of Providence, has for a long Seatbit. pervaded all Ranks, Patrician as well as Plebeian ; and notwithflanding there has fallen out a Conflu- ence of moft fignally flriking Events, which ought to have awakened the Rulers of Nations, particu- larly the Powers of Government in this Country, and to have determined them freely to adopt wholefome Regulations and rational Reforms ; yet do they remain rigidly attached to their old Policy and mew themfelves indifferent in advancing the Work of God. To ftir up then the Minds of thofe to whom is in- truded the Adminiftration of public Affairs, and to awaken their Attention to that particular Point o^ Duty, which eminently becomes fuch, from the Exigency of the Times, I was led once and again to make my earned Application. C 2 But But the Mind being clouded by Paflion and en- veloped in Error, is difqualified to perceive the clear Demonftrations of Truth, or to liflen to the ftill Voice of Reafon. To reftore therefore to the Intellect a right Tone of Perception, it is neceffary the Paflions be disturbed, and the whole mental Frame fuftain a violent Shock of ftrong Perturbation. The Affairs of France are eminently intended to produce this Effect, fo highly defirable and moft devoutly to be wiftiedfor ; namely, to reftore to the Underftanding, a juft Perception, by clearing from the Mind the Mifts of Error and intellectual Preju- dice. The French Revolution was a fudden Irruption of all Sorts of heterogeneous Qualities : and was a na- tural Confequence of the prior Manners, Mode of Government, Extent of Territory, and Difpofitiou of that People. The Sons of pertinacious' Error ever tenacious of their own perverted and evil Ideas, proudly fetting lip their own wild Whim and Caprice as the Stan- dard of right Judgment, have beftowed upon this outrageous Confpiracy againft natural Juftice, the moft extravagant Encomiums : reprefenting it as the Grand Criterion whereby to prove the natural Excellence and Dignity of Man : neverthelefs fuc- ceeding Times will view both it and its wretched Enormities as the moft unequivocal Demonftration and cleareft Evidence of human Depravity. And becaufe the Providence of God, for wife and good Reafons, fometimes permits Ufurpations and jhe mptt barfaced Injuftice feemingly to profper for for a While, thefe modern Philofophers, the arro- gant Pretenders to Illumination, prefumptuoufly afcribe Equity to their moil iniquitous Proceedings ; colouring the moft outrageous Ads of Violence, and the moft fhocking and execrable Barbarities, under the fpecious Pretext of the Exercife of Au- thority derived from what they term Rights of Man, In this deplorable Time of general Ignorance, it is Nothing to be wondered at that thefe bewitch- ing Principles ihould enfnare and captivate the Hearts of the untaught Vulgar : feeing in them is contained the moll exquifite Subtilty of fatanic Policy. But let not the honeft Heart be difmayed, or think it ftrange that the Almighty Ruler of the World ihould in this advanced Period of Time permit fo dreadful a Deception to prey upon the human Mind : for feeing God is about to enter into a ftrong Controverfy with the Nations, He has chofen this as the fpecial Means of aroufmgthem out of their fatal Security, and awakening them to a Senfe of their beft Intereft : that fo, Falshood being vanquifhed through its own Machination, the glorious Truth may triumphantly mine forth with unexampled Brightnefs and Refplendency. Great is the Degree of general Infatuation ! Though all the Princes and Potentates of the Earth mould clofely combine together, and unitedly wage War againft the Partizans of this new-fprung Doc- trine, yet would they be found to be utterly un- conquerable by Arms : fuch an Oppofition, inftead of quelling, would ferve but to invigorate their Strength, and bring frefh Acceflions to their Numbers. But? f'ome may afk, What then ? Are we quietly to iuffer thefe new Teachers, the Pretenders to Illumination, to propagate their abominable Doc- trine ; and by fly Arts and cunningly devifed Stra- tagems to draw afide the unwary ? I anfwer, No, by no Means : they mutt not be let alone. It is incumbent upon us, out of an ho- neft Zeal, vehemently to fight againfl thefe fubtil and infidious Workers of Evil. But let us take heed we ufe no improper Weapon in this Warfare. The Sword of Proof by which we may conquer thefe atheiftical ^ubverters of the Peace and Happinefsof Society, will be found to be, The Word of God. Had the legitimate Rulers of Chriftendom, when firft the formidable Power of that tyrannically med- dling and enterprizing People was broken, had the Powers of Chriftendom, I fay, embraced the Op- portunity, when firft the Strength of France was deftroyed, of mutually guaranteeing their refpeftive Rights ; and being hereby delivered from the further Apprehenfion of foreign War, (a Blefling not to IDC prized, and which yet awaits the Acceptance of the well-difpofed,) being, I fay, hereby delivered from that grievous Scourge, that fore Plague of long Continuance ! Hadthey proceeded inthetrue Spirit of Chriflian Liberality, to inftitutein their refpec- tive Jurifdi&ions, a free and rational Enquiry into the Means of meliorating Society, and enlarging the Happinefs of Mankind; and let them be well allured the longer they delay to fulfil with Earneftnefs this particular particular Duty of their high Fun&ions, which the Ripenefs and peculiar Fitnefs of the prefent Times ought to flimulate them immediately to turn in their Minds ; the longer they delay, the more grie- voufly will they tempt the affronted Majefty of Hea- ven to inflict upon them the terrible Effects of His dreadful Difpleafure ; had they, to repel theinfi- dious Attacks of their Adverfaries, inftead of having Recourfeto Arms, openly manifefled a truly liberal Spirit, in readily fettingon Foot a rational andfree Enquiry into the Means whereby they might bell prevent the threatening Evils of Sedition, Anarchy, and public Mifery ; how moreover with Honor and Security to themfelves, they might beft affert and maintain thofe particular individual Rights which both God and Nature fanftion and allow ; and by what Means they might mofl effectually, that is, mott happily and honorably exercife thofe Rights, in promoting the End for which they were defigned, namely, the Maintenance of Juftice and Order, and the Support of the public Weal ; had the lawful Rulers and Governors of Chriftendom, with a be- coming Spirit, timely united in a well directed Op- pofitionto the antichriitian Tenets ofthefe wicked Men, they might have prevented in a great Degree, the doleful Mifchiefs of their accurfed Devices. But they have fliewn themfelves more eager in. avenging their own peribnal Quarrel, than in maintaining the Caufe of God, Can it appear ftrange then that God in Anger mould confound rfceir Counfels, and difappoint their Views ? But But let the Princes and Potentates whom the Al- mighty in the Courfe of His Providence has legally- appointed to execute Righteoufnefs and Judgment in the Earth, let them by a zealous Attention to their firfl Duty prove themfelves worthy of the high Sta- tion to which they are called ; then will God arifc in their Behalf, andmanifefl the adorable Goodnefo and Riches of his Grace. But if it be a Duty incumbent on the Powers of Chriftendom in General to oppofe to thefe irreligi- ous Seducers, the fare and fteadfaft Doctrine of God's Word, how ought the Government of this Country, which enjoys fo highly favored a Diftinc- tion among the Nations, to be foremoft in the Ma* nifeftation of a truly Chriftian Zeal ! However the Rulers of Chriftendom may in Time paft have imagined their Security has lien in keep- ing the People in a blind Ignorance, they will now rnofl afluredly find both their Safety and their Glo- ry in zealoufly fupporting and foftering the fpeedy Propagation of the Knowledge of the Truth. Happy would it be for my Country, unfpeakably happy, would (he but fet herfelf with Alacrity and a becoming Chriftian Spirit, to fulfil the high De- fignation of Heaven, and nobly take the Lead among the Nations, in exhibiting to the World a glorious Exemplar of Chriftian Purity and Perfection : and let her well remember fhe owes her prefent Eleva- tion to the Spirit of her Conftitution ; and for that Conftitution ftie is indebted (under Providence) to her prior Attainments in the fuperior Knowledge and Practice of Chriftianity : for true Chriftianity and ( 5s ) and true Liberty are perfectly congenial, and arc ever clofely allied together ; as is Antichriftianity to its natural Concomitants, Tyranny and Slavery. While her verfatile and perfidious Neighbour, ever noted for 1 exercifing her great Power and nati- onal Faculty, in mean, difgraceful, and wretched Purfuits; and now wretchedly occupied in the abo- minable Work of loofening the Bands of Society, and fetting all Ranks of Mankind at Variance, one with the other ; whilfl fhe is thus di {honorably employed in diffeminating the Seeds of Animofity throughout the Earth ; how truly happy and glori- ous would it be for my Country to be diftinguifhed as the real Enlightener of Nations, and the Difpen- fer (under God) of thechoiceftBleffings to the Chil- dren of Men ! Could the French Nation in General, have been led to believe, at the Time they iuffered thofe fiery, hot-brained, and reftlefs Characters among them, thofe high-toned Declaimers againft Defpotifm, (many of whom were doubtlefs actuated by good Motives) when they fuffered thofe bufy Spirits, by availing themfelvesof the Circumftances of the Mo- ment, to engrofs to themfelves a Power abfolutely unwarrantable, and which they were not legally conftituted to exercife ; and totally regardlefs whe- ther they obtained or obtained not the full and free Confent of the feveral Parties materially concerned ; eagerly, (but unjuftifiably) conflruing a tacit Com- pliance into a legal Acknowledgement and free Choice ; changing the Name of their legitimate Conftitution, that of the States General, into that of D the the National Assembly ; (under which fpecious Ap- pellation, the Confpiracv and Ufurpation of a law- lefs Combination is artfully concealed) could the French Nation, I fay, have been perfuaded in the firfl Inftance, that from their Supinenefs in thus letting their legally appointed Reprefentatives feize the Opportunity to impofe on their Credulity, and fubverting the Rule of their own Ordination, felf- cleft themfelves into a fpurious Body, the natural Tone of whofe Meafures would inevitably bring them to the dreadful Alternative, either of fanc- tioning the molt illegal Inftitutions, thereby fub- je6ling themfelves to the bafeft and crueleft of all Tyrannies, that which grants no Toleration to a diffenting Opinion, but with brutal Force requires all indifcriminately to obey its arbitrary and impe- rious Mandates ; or elfe to expofe themfelves to the mofl tragical Difafters, a Life of Infamy or a cruel Death in their own Country, or a wretched Exile and miferable Exiflence in foreign Climes ; could the French People have been led clearly to fee the horrid Confequences which would mofl: furely refult from the Exercife of that Power which the Body of Men calling itfelf the National Assembly would take upon them to arrogate to themfelves ; they would, without Doubt, have prevented to the utmoft, its illegal Affumption. ~-But France was not permitted to fee this. Na- tional Sins muft be expiated by national Punifh- ments. Grievous indeed the crying Sins of France muft be, great the Provocations which could oc- cafion ( 27 ) cafion fo terrible a Vifitationand fuch fore Judg- ments as have befallen her. But France has not yet filled up the Meafure of her Crimes. She muft yet be a dreadful Scourge, both to herfelf and to the Reft of the unrighteous Nations : to the which fhe is moft exactly fitted and eminently prepared ; feeing in Addition to trie notable Curfe of Vengeance, Infatuation, Pro- vidence has fuffered her to obtain a fignal Enlarge- ment of Power. France, as a Nation publicly profefling Chriftia- nity, has for a Series of Years, in the Temper of her public Conduct, flagrantly fcandalized her Profeflion in the open Face of all the World : the more fo, from the Rank and Confequence fhe has vauntingly taken to herfelf among the Chriftiart States. But the Almighty ever inflicts the moft exat and righteous Punifhments on perfidious Delin- quents. France, notwithftanding her outward Profeflion, has uniformly and fyftematically acled by Fraud and Injuftice. Inftead of adhering to the excel- lent Precepts of her Profeflion, Not to render Evil Jor Evil, but rather to overcome Evil with Good, fhe has conftantly adopted that profane Maxim, Let us do Evil that Good may come. To charge national Calamities altogether to the Score of the Government, is extremely erroneous. Public Governments are only in the leaft Degree ac- count ble for public Misfortunes. Evil Govern- ments in general proceed from evil Difpofitions n the People who are governed. D 2 - The The French, in the Heat of their political Intoxi- cation,- are loudly proclaiming to the World their own Futility and Littlenefs of Character : for while they fp extravagantly inveigh againft the Government under v. hich they fo long Time lived, they are openly manifefling tfye ridiculous Folly and Vanity of their boafted Pretenuons to Mag- nanimity. A People pofleffing but fmall Power and Confe- quence in the Scale of Nations, notwithftanding the Caft of their national Genius be truly brave and liberal, yet from local Circumflances, may be ne- ceflitated to fubmit to a Frame of Government in the greateft Degree cbje&ionable : but for a Nation pofleffing fuch fuperlatively great Advantages as the French confefTedly has, for fuch a Nation to fufFer a Government fo exceedingly objectionable, as theirs,, they fo paffionately complain has been ; this affords but poor Proof of national Dignity and Ele- vation of Mind. Had Louis the Fourteenth, been placed at the Head of a magnanimous, brave, and generous Peor pie, would they have fuffered him to difgrace the Page of Hiftory by fo fhameful an Abufe of the great Power with which he was inverted ? Could they fo generally have fallen into a Spirit of fuch bafe Vaflalage, and mean fycophantic Adulation ? But the Spirit and Manners of that Prince were perfectly characleriftic of the Difpofition of his People. The The Defpotifm they make fuch a bluftering Stir about, and which gained fo great an Afccndancy in that Rei^n, arofe, it is evident, more from the mean-fpirited Pufillanimity of the People thanfrom any remarkably grtat Exertions on the Part of the Government. How vilely criminal will Pofterity view the pre- fent Conduct of the French Nation, when it comes to be confidered, (as moft affuredly it will be) that the political Evils they are now with fo much acri- monious Rage and unparallelled brutifh Cruelty charging to the Blame of their rightful Governors, were principally occafioned by themfelves. Infatuation is the fure and dreadful Curfe of wilful Injuftice : and it is the mi^rable Curfe of Infatua- tion to be driven impetujmfly into all Extremes. France, over and abcjge her otfr> r manifold Ex- orbitances, her bufy. Meddling, and encroaching Spirit, her Reflleflnels and Promptitude of Temper in diflurbing the R- <:' Mankind, her Luft of Domination in Gener&J, and her infatiable Third after Self-Aggrandifemfcnt, viewing the growing Greatnefs of this Country with a jealous and an en- vious Eye, has, ; s it were, collected the f veral noxious Qualities of her- evil Difpofi Lion into a Fo- cus, the more powerfully to operate in caufing the Diflurbance, and if po|j|ble, the Overthrow of her hated Rival. What fubtil Arts, wh^t far-fetched and cunning Devices, what Plots *nd Stratagems, what avowed Hoftilities, what craftyf perfidious, and fecret In- trigues, trigues, has flie not made ufe of, to conrpafs the Ruin of a quiet and inoffenfive, yet brave and re- folute People ! In vain does fhe go about to fet up plaufible Ex- cufes, endeavouring to palliate a Conduct fhe knows is fhameful to avow. FruRrated in her Purpofes, and fo often foiled in her Attempts, obferving that the Genius of this Country rifes fuperior to every Attack, flie feels herfelf forced to pay an unwilling Ho -T age to the Virtue fhe has fo contemptuoufly defpifed. But this fhe does with an ill-becoming Grace. Retaining flill her old Leaven of rancorous Hatred and bitter Jealoufy, fhe pretends to Friendfhip and Good-Will, whilfl at the fame Time fhe is medita- ting further and deeper Schemes of Mifchief ; under the colourable Difguife of a refpectful Attachment to Englifh Liberty. Though the Bulk of the People in the prefent Day, with Refpect to jufl Notions, and a right Judgment of Things, are wofully defective ; yefe many there are who are able exactly to difcriminate and nicely to diftinguifh. Silly Birds, 'tis true, may be caught with Chaff. The French muft imagine us to be contemptibly weak indeed, if they fuppofe they can eafily whee- dle us out of our Reafon by their dexte- ous Ma- noeuvres. Do they think we fhall lightly be taken in their Toils ? Or, that they can with Facility in- duce us to exchange the inefti : able Blefling of Sterling Liberty for the fearful Curfe of Vengeance, Gallic Licentioufnefs ? They ( 3' J They pretend to make their Court to Englifh Liberty ; but this is merely an invidious Compli- ment : they would perfuade us our Liberty is only nominal : and that they themfelves are the only People who pofTefs true Liberty in Perfection, to- gether with its levelling Appendage, Equality. That under the kind Influence of Genuine Liber- ty flowing from, a free and noble Conftitution this Country has profpered in a matchlefs Degree, Hif- tory bears undeniable Evidence : but this Liberty and this Conftitution, through which under Provi- dence, this Country has experienced fuch unequalled Bleffings, thefe modern Politicians treat with fove- reign Contempt. They pretend that the Liberty we poffefs is but juft fufficient to enflave ourfelves ; and as to our Conftitution, they with a brazen Effrontery deny we have any at all. So then this Liberty and this Conftitution, OUT Boaft and our Glory, under which we have profper- ed beyond all Compare, thefe Men with unparal- lelled Affurance, decry as incomplete. What then is the complete Liberty they would fain recommend ? Such a Liberty as is totally incompatible with the Principles of natural Juftice. The Liberty they mean to recommend, is an unreftrained Freedom to do whatever an Individual or a Society mall think fit, be it right or wrong ; letting up their own diftinct and private Will as the Standard of Jultice to themfelves. So that whatfo- ever they may happen to deem objectionable, though it be an Object in which the Happinefs of Millions is materially interefted, yet it matters not at ( 3* ) at all for that; if it meets with their Difapprobation that is fufficient for them; and enough to determine them to go to the fall Extent of their Purpofe. For Inftance. They objeft to regal Govern- ment. Whether this be a Form in itfelf good, bad, or indifferent, we will not at prefent take upon us to confider : but that it is the Kind of Government which has moft generally obtained in the World in all Ages and among all Nations, the moft polifhed and civilized, as well as the moft barbarous, we have clear and ample Teftimony. Now thefe Circumftances alone, namely, the venerable Antiquity and almoft univerfal Preva- lency of this Sort of Government, would moft affuredly induce a truly enlightened and righteous People (who perhaps irritated by grievous Abufes, and thofe of long Continuance, under their regal Governors, may have been brought to contemplate the Expediency of making a Change in the Form of their Government) thefe Circumftances, I fay, would influence a wife and juft Nation to proceed in fuch a Matter with the utmoft Precaution. No- thing ram or precipitate in fo weighty and exceed- ingly momentous an Affair, as that of changing the long continued Form of national Government, would debafe their Meafures. They would confider Men as Men, under every Circumftance of Things : and making every rea- fonable Allowance not only for human Errors and Infirmities, but alfo for that confined Sphere of Aftion which degenerated Conftitutions muft ne- celfarily occafion, they would be extremely tender and cautious in charging to the Man the Blame of the ( 33 ) the evil Inftitution under which he als : above all, being to improve and renovate, or totally to change a hitherto fixed Syftem and fettled Condi- tion of Things, they would have fpecial Regard to the Principles of natural Juftice ; confidering that no Individual can poffibly in the Nature of Things be individually held culpable except for his own perfonal Demerit : and that for the Inconveniences refulting from evil Inftitutions, the whole Commu- nity is in its collective Capacity to be collectively accountable. On this equitable Principle, which is the only Ground of juft Decifion, they would confider an Individual who is legally appointed to an Office, as long as he fulfils the Duties of his Function, to be as juftly entitled to his political Right, namely, the legal Condition and Terms on which he holds his Office, as he is in his natural Capacity to his natu- ral Right, namely, the Protection of Life and Property. And if in the Courfe of Experience, it mould be deemed expedient for promoting the public Benefit, to abolifh fuch Office, a wife and juft People would confider an Individual who legally holds it, and who fulfils the Duties of it, to be entitled for his Acquiefcence in fuch Abolition, to a full Indem- nification. As to perfonal Punifhments for official Offences, thofe are altogether abhorrent to the Spirit and Principle of natural Juftice. For official Offences, Juftice requires official and not perfonal Punifti- ments. Now the official Puniftiment for the Abufe E of ( 34 ) of Office, is merely Deprivation of fuch Office from the delinquent Party ; unlefs, previous to his Ac- ceptance of the Office, the legal Condition under which he was to hold it, fpecified other Pains and Penalties befides Deprivation. Had the English when James the Second by his ill-advifed Conduct incurred the Forfeiture of his Crown : had the English, I fay, proceeded to take a Meafure they were not legally warranted to exer- cife ; and under the Colour of Juftice, after the Example of the vile Treatment of the Father, had they inflicted an extrajudicial Punifhment on the Son ; they would not have experienced in this Cafe, the Favor of Heaven, any more than they did in the former in Support of fuch their unrigh- teous Proceeding. But they had now attained to national Wifdom, which they had acquired in the School of dearly purchafed Experience. The Troubles which broke out in the Reign of Charles the First t and which were a long Time pre- vious to his Reign engendering ; had their Be.gin- ning principally in the exceffive Pride aud Self-Suf- fiency both of Prince and People ; and in their extreme Forgetfulnefs of fmgular public Mercies, and very eminent national BlefTmgs. Now thefe Troubles being the Effect of Divine ~ Juftice on the Nation in General for national Tranf- greflions ; it was meet that Juflice mould be alike infli&ed on both Sides : as well on the Prince as on. the People. Charlts ( 35 ) Charles the First, a confcientious but very bigot- ted Man, was extremely well-fitted to perfect that Stroke of Judgment on a linful Nation. In the Courfe of that national Conflict, Oppor- tunities prefented, which had they been wifely im proved, might have healed the grievous Breaches on both Sides ; and reconciling the different politi- cal Intcrefts, have fixed them on fo permanent a Balis, and in fojuft an Equilibrium, that a Syftem of Governnent might have been prefented to the World, exhibiting a Paragon of peertefs Excellence; falutary to the Intereft of this Country in particu- lar, as well as to the general Intereft and Improve- ment of Mankind. But Power acquired by unhallowed Pretenfions, can never be exercifed to the Party's Advantage. Yet this is precifely the Sort of Power thefe mo- dern Impofers on the Credulity of Mankind fo eagerly grafp at, and fo impaflionately recommend. Did England ever profper under Ufurpation ? Let her Hiftory be confulted. Do thefe Men by the falfe Glofles they put upon Things, and their artful Diftintions, hope- to delude and draw her into their Snares ? Her good Senfe, which neceffa- rily emanates from her liberal Conftitution, will fave her from the Wiles of their crafty Devices. But how acquired me that excellent Conftitution, which proves her Bulwark of Defence againft the Machinations of both her foreign and dome ftic Foes ? By a ftrici Adherence to the Rules of Equity. Surprized as me once was, when unhappily en- gaged io a political Struggle, to which in the firft E 2 Inftance ( 36 ) Inftance fhe had been juftly provoked ; furprized, I fay, as fhe once w,as, by a canting Tribe of prag- matical Hypocrites, into Meafures totally incongru- ous to the general Jone of her national Temper, Ihe learnt by bitter Experience the fad EfFeU of a Departure from Juftice : infomuch that when recovered from her fatal Delufion, fo deep was the Impreflion of her Fears, lead haply me might be drawn out of her Bias, and driven again to a mif- chievous Extreme ; that from very Excefs of Pre- caution fhe threw too great a Weight into the regal Scale. But Extremes of either Side are dangerous. Frefh Experience ferved to reftify her Error, and perfeft her Judgment. It was referved for the noble Affertors of real Li- berty at the memorable Period of the Glorious Revo- lution, to fix the Poife of a flable andgenerpus Free- dom. Do the democratical Enthufiafts enquire, Why did ftie not at this Time, when fo favorable an Oppor- tunity offered, why did fhe not proceed further; and to prevent the Poflibility of further Encroach- ments and regal Ufurpations, why did fhe not, as the French Nation has done, totally abplifh the regal Office ? Had the Nation been faulty at this Time, flic undoubtedly would have taken fuch a Step : and her Rafhnefs would inevitably have involved her wretched and condign Punifhment. But reveren- cing herfelf, fhe had learnt to refpeft the Rights Of Individuals ; above all flip had learnt to refpecl the Ordinances ( 37 ) Ordinances of God. Her Religion inftructed her that the Powers in Being exifted by the Appoint- ment of God ; and her Reafon taught her that her Right extended not to the Subverfion but to the Improvement of thofe Powers. But let us luppofe a .Cafe, wherein a juft Nation might with Propriety, and confequently with Safety and Advantage, totally change and alter the Nature and Form of her Government : for Example. Sup- pofe the Englifti Nation previous to the Time of the celebrated Revolution in her Government, had from a Senfe of Experience been brought to the Conviction, that her Conftitutiqn was not only de- fective in the regal Part, but that the whole Syflem was altogether bad, and injurious to the general Welfare of the People; and that the republican Form was to be preferred as containing in it far fuperior Advantages, contributory to the general Interefl of the Community ; fuppofe this Conviction to have operated flrongly on the public Mind previous to the Revolution : in fuch a Cafe, the Nation finding herfelf at the Time of the King's Abdication, to be luckily relieved from the Burden of the regal Branch, would of her own Accord, and without any Solici- tation on the Part of the Convention, have autho- rized them to model a Frame of Government after the moft perfeft of the democratic Kind : and the Convention actuated by the like public-fpirited and juft Principle with the People at large, preferring the public Weal to their own private Convenience, would have earneftly fet theinfelvcs to the Work, comporting their Conduct therein agreeable to the moft perfect Rules of Equity. The ( 38 } The Convention being thus impowered by the Nation to frame a Syftem of Government, and being in the Interim inverted with full and ample Power to execute the Fun&ion of Government themfelves; having maturely digefted and modelled their Plan, would next from the Dictates of Juflice and Policy fubmit it to the Scrutiny andRevifion of the People at large in their feveral corporate and colleciive Bodies : thisbeingdone and the Plan after Revifion, generally approved of and aflented to, the Conven- tion fuftaining its Character of a juft, difinterefted, and public-fpirited Body, would next proceed to make Provifion for indemnifying all fuch who might fuflain Detriment from this new Arrange- ment of Things ; taking the utmoft Care that the Provifion of this Indemnification be ample and vvell-fecured ; before they refigned their Function and diffolved themfelves, by ena&ing this momen- tous, fupreme, and fundamental Law. Thus would the mod confummate Juflice and Liberality have pervaded the Conduct both of the Nation and its Reprefenrative. Now let us turn our Eye to France. Never had a People a more advantageous Op- portunity of improving and eftabliming the Con- ftitution of their Government upon the beft Prin- ciple of pure Liberty and public Utility than the French Nation has had. Not driven to the Neceffity of making Ufe of the conftrained Abdication of their Sovereign as an Expedient for effecting a political Reform ; a Meafure, which though the Englifh Nation found it ( 39 ) it absolutely necefTary to take ; and which, had (he not taken, by her inconfiderately flighting the only right Means which offered for the Confervation of her Rights and Liberties, fhe would have forfeited her Claim to the Character of juft and brave ; a Meafure, which though warranted by the ftrongeft Neceflity, yet operating on the Capricioufnefs and blind Prejudices of the People, it was forefeen would occafion public Animolities, Strifes and Divifions ; neverthelefs as it was a Meafure not originating in perfonal Refentment, Whim, or wild Caprice, but adopted from the preffing De- mand, and on the pure Principle of immutable Juftice, it has obtained the Sanction of Divine Favor in the moft remarkable Degree ; the continued Profperity and rifmg Greatnefs of the Nation fince that aufpicious Jra. being altogether matchlefs and unexampled in the Annals of the World; not driven, I fay, to the Neceflity of ufing any fucii Sort of harm, coercive Meafures ; there was given to the French Nation fuch a noble Opening for profperoufly forwarding political Improvements, as is not to be equalled in the Hiftory ol Mankind. That Sovereign whom they have compelled to drink fo copioufly to the very Dregs of Bitternefs, and to fuftain fo heavy a Burthen of the moil pun- g^rit Woe, fo far from going about to leflen the Immunities and to infringe on the Rights of his Subjects, was One, in Nothing more remarkable than in the Heartinefs of his Zeal for the Enlarge- ment of their Rights, and the Jncreafe of their Happinefs. Convened ( 40 ) Convened then, as the STATES GENERAL war 1 , by fo patriotic, fo benevolent a Prince, what a glorious Opportunity prefented, for the Nation to adopt falutary Meafures for the Public Good. Their fignal Perverfioti of fo incomparable ft Bleffing affords an inftru&ive Lelfan of the ut- moft Importance to Mankind. It behoves us duly to weigh, and maturely to confider, why the Thing which mould have been for their Health has thus proved a'n Occafion of their Falling. Could thofe defperate Sinners be led clearly to perceive that while they are thus bufily endeavoring to fubvert and deflroy the Rights of Juftice, they are the very Inflruments which Providence is mak- ing Ufe of, to bring about themoft perfect and uni- verfal Eftablifhment of thofe Rights ; from a mere Spirit of Pervicacity they would of themfelvesdif- continue their iniquitous Proceedings. But they are impelled by the evil Principle to whofe Guidance they have madly devoted them- felves. While thus judicially blinded as they are, and intoxicated with the Greatnefs of Power they have been fuffered through their cunning Artifices to acquire ; while they are thus furioufly driving on in the Career of Fraud and diabolical Deceit ; *fis Time the Friends and the Followers of Truth, approve their Worthinefs of that Diftinftion, by their firm Adherence to its Dictates, and their Opennefs to its Conviction, ( 41 ) The long continued abject State of Vaffalage in which the People of France appeared to the Reft of the Nations of Europe, ferved greatly among other Caufes to palliate the Conduct of that People, at the Time they fir ft flrained the free Grant of their King into an Act of grofs Usurpation. The dreadful Confequences which have enfued from the furrounding Nations quietly fufFering this unjuftifiable Act to (land ; and the threatening Mifchiefs and imminent Dangers refulting there- from ; ought to aroufe the Nations from their Tor- pidity ; and induce them to make it a common Caufe, vigoroufly to endeavor to bring about a speedy Restoration of Justice in the Earth. Are the Nations in Dread of the over-running Scourge of French Seduction ? Let them look well to themfelves. Let them be well pcrfuaded the Purpofe of God is fpecial in all this : that their Fears are excited, and their Apprehenfions are raifed, intentionally to quicken them to right No- tices of Things. The Great Usurpation or Rebellion in England oc- 'Cafions a dark Chafm in the Engliih Hiftory. The pTogreflive Improvement in the neceffary Arts and Embellimments of Life, appears to be fuddenly (lopped ; the Channels of fair Science choked up ; and Learning being abruptly turned out of her re- gular Courfe, forcibly driven into an indirect, muddy, and polluted Stream. Many of the firft Leaders and Agitators of that- general and grievous national Infurre&ion, were Men actuated, as far as it concerned their own Principles, by juft Motives. Such Sort of Men F ars (. 4* ) 4 are never wanting in a State. When the Sins of a Nation become ripe for Judgment, thefe are the fitteft Inftruments to bring it on : but fhefer are only fecondary Inftruments. The Malig- nants, who are ever plotting and planning their Schemes of Mifchief, find thefe the ready Tools to work with. A fagacious People will readily and rightly penetrate and difcern the Principles, Purpo- fe$, and Defigns of both thefe Sorts of Perfons ; arid will cautioufly guard againfl the malicious Wickednefs of the One, and the enthufiaftic Fren- zy of the other. Now that which makes a People fallacious, is their fleady Adherence to Juflice. When a People ceafes to adhere to the Precepts of juflice, their wonted Sagacity having forfaken them, that which in their better Temperament ofDifcern- inent they would have confidered as the Effufions of mental Madnefs, they now litlen to and imbibe as the found Docirine of enlightened Reafon. And now do the Malignants with a high Hand play their Game ; working on this Spirit of popular De- lufion till the public Mind becomes more and more infatuated, they triumph for a While in theSuccefs v'f their infernal Stratagems. In that difmal Seafon cf public Wretchednefs arid national Delirium, what Extravagancies in- Opinion and what monftrous Tenets were held ! '- Then firll in thefe later Times, that devilifh Doc- trine of aproudand felfilh Independence was irnpi- oufly broached, openly avowed, and eagerly efpou- fed. Nor did that fignal Repulfe which thofe Propagators of Falfhood and Fomenters of Mifchief experienced in the 'Restoration, abate their Malice or defhoy { 43 ) tleflroy their Fraud. And we may be well allured, fo long as the Ignorance of Mankind expofes them to be beguiled by the delufive Artifices of fuch fubtil Deceivers, fo long will they be permitted by tl*e high Sufferance of Heaven to propagate with Succcfs their deteftable Lies. And herein the Wifdom of Providence i? adini- rably ieen ; in that we are to be thus purged from, our Errors and cured of our Ignorances : it being xvell obferved that thofe very Means which evil Minds employ for the Accomplifhment of their private, particular, and wicked Ends, Divine Pro- vidence delighteth much in ufing and fan&ifying to wholefome and falutary Purpofes : thereby efta- blifhing tint Good which is diametrically oppolke to the evil Worker's Intent. With what grateful Senfations ought we of the Englifh Nation and Government to contemplate the Goodnefs of God, in fo often and fo eminently baffling and defeating the wicked Devices and En- terprizes of both our foreign and domeflic Foer. The recent Evidence, that the Nation is happily- awakened to thefe grateful Senfations, muft afford the moft exquifite Comfort and Joy to every honed Mind ; fince from hence we may prefage that the Favor of Heaven will be manifciled to us in the further Enlargement of our Hearts, and the Open- ing our Underflanding to know and conlider the wonderful Ways and Works of God. To this End let us ferioufly reflccT:, and cafl in our Minds, what great and momentous Events the Providence of God has brought to pa& iu our. Days. F 2 Did ( 44 ) Did the Almighty for the Sins of our Nation, permit the dreadful Scourge of inteftine War to rage through our Land ? And were we for a long Seafon involved in all the Miferies of civil Difcord, party Fury, and factious Rage ? And yet after al\ this, did kind Providence compaffionate our Suffer, ings, and relieve us from our Diftrefs. ? And did God in his Wifdom, after the ctiftomary Method of His Providence, fanclify that fevere Difpenfatiotr, and render it fignally inftrumental in conferring upon us the ineftimable public Benefit of a juft and righteous Syftem of Government far beyond Com- pare ? Then may we hope, nay, in the Fullnefs of Aflurance confidently expect, that as to us in particular, fo to Mankind in General, will the Almighty turn thofe terrible Vifitationsof His Ven- geance with which we are daily alarmed, into the mod merciful Manifeftations of his Goodnefs; and render them the blefTed Means of healing the bro- ken Spirits of his Creatures with the precious Balm of Grace and Reconciliation. January lit, 1703. I lament much that my ex- treme Straitnefs of Time, will not permit me to enter into the Proofs and clear Elucidations of what I am about to advance : yet I truft the Almighty will fo blefs my Endeavorsfor the Enlargement cf His Truth among Men, that fome will be ftirred up to*-profecute the Scope of thefe Remarks : andcon- fider them as the proper Data whereon to ground a juft and happy Syftem, equally calculated to maintain the Honor and Glory of God, and to pro- ,ote the general Welfare and Happinefs of Mankind. NOTWITHSTANDING ( 45 ) NOTWITHSTANDING there are innumerable irrefiftible Arguments to prove the Reality of Divine Government in* the Regulation of the Affairs .of the World, and though from a rational Survey of the Works and Operations of Nature, we muft ine- vitably be led to conclude that the very befl Means are conftantly made Ufe of for the Accomplifhment of the feveral Ends defigned ; yet weak Minds are apt on every light Occafion, efpecially in the Mat* ter of the moral Government of Mankind, to ar- raign the Wifdom and Goodnefs of God : prefump- tuoufly taking upon them to fcan by the Meafure of their finite and mallow Comprehennons, the Ways and Works of infinite Energy and iricom- prehenfible Perfection. But however the Heathens of Old, or thofe who liad the Aid and Affiftance of Divine Revelation, to enlighten and flrengthen the reafoning Faculty of their Minds, may in this Refpec~l be held, if not altogether blamelefs, yet in fome Degree, excufa- ble ; the Cafe of thofe who living under the Influ- ence and Light of this Revelation, do yet in the Arrogancy and Pride of their felfifh Conceit, go to far greater Lengths than ever the Heathens did, is widely diflinci. While the Repellers and Enemies of true Reafori, by their fottifh Madnefs, and malicious Oppofition to the fpreading of Real Light in the World, do clearly demonftrate their Antipathy and fettled Averlion to the genuine Illumination and Happinefs f Mankind, it becomes greatly incumbent on the s of Truth to oppofe to the fpecious Data of falff ( 46 ) falfe Reafoning, the fure and fteadfaft Doftrine of infallible Revelation. And Revelation is juftly deemed infallible, and entitled to the Epithet, Divine, if on the moft fcru- pulous Inveftigation of its Contents, not the moft minute Part of the various and numerous Matters it contains will be found to clafti ; but on the con- trary, the Whole, and every Particular, may be proved to harmonize in the moft perfel Unifon : moreover, the Data of falfe Reafoning, muft necef- farily be acknowledged to be merely fpecious, if any Incongruity be proved in the Points on which it is grounded. As a Spirit of laudable Zeal is now feen to be excited among us, and as Affociations are formed for the exprefs Purpofe of withftanding the wicked Intriguers and confuting the vile Do6lrines of the prefent Times ; permit me earneftly to recommend tothofe who truly value the Honor of their Christian Profession, who would really prove themfelves to be Lovers of their Country, and Friends to Virtue ; who wifh with Sincerity to fee an End put to the dreadful Devaftaticns of levelling Fanaticiim ; and who reflecting that Truth is alhamed of Nothing but to be hid ; and that though the Truth- is not to be difclofcd at all Times, nor Pearls to be caft be- fore Swine; yet confidering the prefent State of Mankind, and obferving the frightful Strides of Deism and Infidelity, are anxious for the Honor of God's Word to Man : let me earneftly recommend to Such, as the beft and only Means of combating, refuting, and filencing the .wicked and antichriftian Tenets ( 47 ) Tenets of thefe Times, to confider the Expediency of immediately adopting that Propofition I former- ly made ; namely. That a Number of learned Men of all Denominations, Chriftians and Infidels, fliould under the Sanction and Authority of Go- vernment be formed into a Society, for the exprefs Purpofe of making a liberal and univerfal Enquiry into the Authenticity of the Scriptures : not to be influenced by popular Prejudices ; but on the Suppofition of their being an Impofition on the Credulity of Mankind, toprofecute a free and man- ly Difquifition. To this, I may further add another Propofition ; namely, that befides the Society for an Examination (hiflorical, philofophical, and theo- logical) into the Truth and Evidence of Revelation; a Society be likewife formed under the Aufpicesand public Patronage of Government, for the Colleftion of genuine Materials for the Formation and Com- ofitio n of an universal History of Mankind, from the remotefl Antiquity ; that it be a centenary Hiftory, or Hiflory of Ages ; giving a comparative View from Age to Age, of public Manners and Tranfa6lions : that the Rife and Progrefs of Society be particularly noticed : the Origin of remarkable Cufloms traced out : and in fhort, a clear, diftinft, and rational Hiflory of the World be compofed. The Refult of the Labors of two fuch Societies would be coadjutory to each other : and would caufe fuch an Influx of real Light in the World, as would necefTarily difpel the Cloud's of Ignorance, and weaken the Effects of devilifh Deception. We mufl not expect fuper natural A fli fiance : or look C 48 ) look for God to work a Miracle in this advanced Period of Time, in defence of that Revelation which only requires theExercife of our rational Faculties, to convince us it has a juft Claim to our Belief in its Divine Inspiration. Nor fhall we by our Slacknefs in the Exercife of thofe Means which Piovidence lays before us, approve ourfelves deferving that favored Distinction we bear in the World : but rriay through our Un-^ profitablenefs in the Service of God's Truth, pro- voke the Almighty to exftinguifli that Light we at prefent enjoy. As that dark Cloud which for fo long a Seafori overfhadowed the Chriflian World during the ge- neral Prevalency of popifli Ignorance, was occafi- oned principally by the Suppreflion of the Study of the Scriptures ; but was greatly diffipatcd on the Revival of Scripture Knowledge ; yet fo, that the Light hitherto derived from hence, is comparative- ly but a faint Gleam or Dawn, in Refpecl to that bright Effulgence which will hereafter mine forth and irradiate the Chriftian Church : fo mofl afTur- edly would fuch a general, publicly-fanclioned, and fcrupulous Enquiry into the Evidence of fcrip- tural Divine Authority, n^t only diffipate thofe Clouds of Ignorance with which we are at prefent encompaffed ; but totally mattering the falfe, yet fubtil Arguments of Infidelity , caufe the Light of the Glorious Truth of God to mine forth and gladden the Face of Nature ! and turning the Hearts of the Children of Men to cultivate the Ways of Virtue, wpuld accelerate the Approach of that happy Pe- riod ( 49 ) riod THE BLESSED MILLENNIUM, THE REIGN OE JUSTICE. Let us confider, We are loudly called to turn our Attention to the Works of God. Thofe who are conversant in the Methods and ; of Providence, muft clearly fee that the prefent I 4 imc is the Eve of great and fignal Changes in the State and Condition of Things on the Earth. While the evil Spirits who work in the Children of Di (obedience, by their ruthlefs Maxims are terrifying thofe, who, ignorant of the Deligns of Providence, have a long Time refted on their Lees, and lulled themfelves in an evil Security, TheTt.ught of God do greatly confole themfelves, in lull Expectation that the Day of Deliverance is nearly at Hand : and that God will fpeedily arifc and execute Judgment and Juflice in the Earth. Is it fo that a great Nation in the Midfl of Chriftendom, heretofore deemed a chief Pillar in the Chriflian Church, is fuddenly and totally fatten off from her Profeffion : and having given up herfelf to an utter Dereliction of her former religious Profeffion, is at this Moment openly avowing, and by every fubtil Device bufily pro- pagating the moft abominable antichriftian Doc- trine, far and near; it behoves us wifely to con- fider the Caufe of this : and we fliall find that as an Individual, who endued with great natural Eaculties, yet finding the. Ways of Truth are quite contrary to his own perverfe and evil Ways ; iu the Pride and Stubbornnefs of his Heart, ftifling the Emotion* of his Conference, and willfully C rebelling ( 50 ) rebelling againfl the Light of his Mind, after long Provocation, is judicially given up to a reprobate Courfe ; juft fo 3 is the righteous Judgment of God inflicted on a fmful Nation. Now whenever an Individual or a Nation is in that fearful and difmal State of Reprobation, we may rightly interpret their Language, and underftand the Import and Meaning of their Words. The Language of thefe evil Men in the prefent Day, thefe wicked Scoffers, whofe deteftable Doc- trines, Providence has fuffered by Way of an admonitory Vifitation, to be fo widely diffufed in the World, is plain and obvious. It may be clearly- perceived to be the Dottrinc of Devils ; and the ex- treme Eagernefs its deluded Devotees demonflratein their Endeavours for its Propagation, may be inter- preted to be a providential Call for a General Refor- mation. Do thefe pretended Reformers, blafphe- moufly afcribe to the Nation, the Power of God ? The Nation, fay they, is effentially the Source of all Sovereignty. The fmcere Followers of God then are called upon to exprefs their Abhor^ rence of this abominable Impiety. Do they perle- cute Kings, the Miniflers of God, and with oppro- brious Scorn and bitter Acrimony decry the regal Office ? Then are the Kings and Rulers of the Karth loudly excited as by the Voice of God, v to confider well their Ways, and by well-doing in tke confcientious Difcharge of their honourable Fun6lions, to put to Silence the Ignorance of thefe foolifh Men, Dp they revile the Nobility ? Are the ( 5* ) the Clergy defpifed? In fhort, is every Order and. Inftitution originally formed for the Good of Soci- ety, traduced and ignominioufly profcribed ? Let them attend then to the Warning and profit by Advice. Remedy Abufes, and reftify Errors. But in fo doing, be fure to exercife a right Judg- ment. The leaft Departure from Juflice, efpeci- ally in the Matter of Public Reforms, is a Circum- flance more deeply to be dreaded than all the exifting Evils ariling in eftablimsd Inftitutions from the natural Ruft and Decay of Time. Are the Friends of true Reformation, by viewing the prefent dreadful Diforders and accumulated Miferies of France, are they deterred from the Pro- fecution of their generous Defigns ? Let them, refolve to be rigidly juft, and the God of Justice. will enable them profperoufly to accomplifli their End. Remember, France, by her grievous Injustice, has brought upon herfelf her prefent Calamities ; nei- ther will me be reftored to national Happinefs, till {he becomes fenfible of her Enormities, and fmcerelv j repents of her Sins. I congratulate my Country, tbat the happy Period is arrived, in which me is feen triumphantly to rife in all the Glory of her fterling Majefty. and. to adopt a Language anfwerable to her real Dig- nity : that Dignity which is neceflfarily attached to her matchlefs Conftitution; that Conflitution which Providence has fecured to her as the Reward of her national Juflice. G 2 While V ' While the Partizans of Injustice and the vile Prp- pagators of Fraud, are flily endeavouring under- hand to thwart her upright Views, it behoves her to act with Warinefs and great Circumfpeftion. Beware of being duped by the fine-fpuii Arguments of Pscudo- Reformers : and on the other Hand, beware of a Wretchlefsnefs of Temper and Lack of Attention to laudable Improvement. Great are the Calls for Universal Reformation. But no Change of Circumflances is entitled to the Name of Reformation, which does not exalt the Glory of God, and meliorate the State and Con- dition of Man : and that, not of Man, merely in a collective Point of View, but of Man individually. For to talk of a Reformation, wherein fome muft be Sufferers for the fuppofed Benefit of others, is at beft, but an idle Fancy : witnefs the recent Example of France. If the objectionable Inflitu- tions of Society cannot be mended without the Prejudice of fome particular Individuals, then, it is clear, thofe Inftitutions, though naturally imper- fect;, are yet in the prefent Condition of Things, the beft that can be; and it is belt they fhouid fo remain, tillevery Individual be brought freely tocoh- cur in fome well digefled Plan of real Reformation. As the beft Means of profpcroufly effecting inter- nal Reforms, let us wifely confider the AfpecT: and Condition of the Times. For, if Christ f eve rely rebuked the Men of that Day, becaufe they knew not the Signs of thofe Times ; how much more deferring of Ccnfure are we. if we ftupidly anci unprofirably let the Si^ns of our Times pafs by through Neglcft. Thar ( 53 } That a Time in the IfTues of God's Providence v.'ill come, when Nation will no longer fight againft Nation, neither will they learn War any more, is a Matter clearly foretold, If we rightly conlider ihe Events of our Day, it mud appear evident that Circumftances are now ripening to that End. Since the World began, it never has occurred till now, that a Number of great and mighty Nations of the Earth, from coincident Events have been brought to fuch a Pafs, as to be forced to con- fidcr it their prime Objecl; and befl Intereft mutu- ally to fupport each other in their refpeclive natu- ral and juft Rights. The Circumftance of two or more Nations in the old Heathen or in the Chriflian World, joining together in a clofe Alliance upon iome particular Occafion, bears no Comparifonto the prefent Cafe. Here, all the States and Nations of Chriftendom, have one common C^ufe, againit a common Ene- my ; the Reproacher, and open Abufer of that holy Name by which they all are called. Nor is it merely an outward Foe with whom they have to contefl. Till Christianity becomes perfect- ly underflood, till its Divine Precepts are adhered to, and its Injunctions obeyed, the moil formid- a',)lc Foe will be found lurking within. The Outrages and abominable Kxccfles of the French Faction have confpired to open the Eyes of the Generality of Mankind : they clearly perceive their temporal Intereft to be deeply concerned : and they are enforced from the Motive of Self-I^e- fervation ; to devife proper Means for the Quelling and ( 54 ) and Crufhing the natural EfFe&s of this threaten- ing and wide-fpreading Contagion. This truly is a great Revolution. Herein the Hand of Providence may be clearly feen. And that the Benefits of this bleffed Change may be happily extended throughout the Earth, even to the Conviftion and Conversion of thofe who by their judicial Blindnefs have been inftrumental in bringing it about, let the Rulers and Governors of Christendom be periuaded to heed this Advice. 'Tis Time that Wars between Nations agreeing together in the general Principles of the fame Re- ligion fliould ceafe. No confiderable Meliorations in the State of Society will be effected, till Nations adopt a General Plan for the amicable Settlement of controverfial Points ; and the fair Arrangement on equitable Principles, of Affairs between State and State. To this End, Let the Rulers of the lawful Go- vernments of Christendom, (and thofe Governments alone ought to be efteemed lawful, which having been generally acquiefced in and fubmitted to by their refpe&ive Subjects, are warranted by the Word of God) let the refpeclive lawful Rulers of Christendom, I fay, wifely improving the Circum- ftances of the prcfent Times, heeding the Calls of -Providence, and defirous to contribute their Aid, happily to fettle the Differences of Nations, and to remove the Ground of War; let them agree upon the Eftablifhment of A GENERAL COURT OF REPRESENTATIVES ; the Obj e a of 'vhofe Inititution fhould be, To revife the Laws of Na- tions, ( 55 ) tions, and to cftablifh Regulations by common Confent, conducive to the General Peace and Welfare of Mankind. And let it be eflablifhed in the firft Inftance, as a neceffary Preliminary, and fundamental Regula- tion, That Nothing be concluded on, or received as the t A6t of the Body Reprefentative, but what has obtained the clear, full, and free Confent of every individual Reprefentative. This ought to be the Maxim or fundamental Rule of every Convention or Affembly inftituted for the^ Purpofe and Work of Reformation- Would the Governors of Christendom be perfua- ded to this, would they with a becoming Chriilian Spirit embrace the happy Opportunity of uniting together for the bleffed Purpofe of extinguifhing Animofities, and removing the Caufe of Wars, the God of Peace would blefs their Councils, and ena- ble them profperoufly to accomplifh their Views. Let the Nations be warned. A War of Fanati- cifm is above all Things to be deprecated. A Ge- .neral Court of Reprefentatives of the feveral legiti- mate Powers, empowered with Authority freely to difcufsand fettle the Points of Controverfy between, Nation and Nation, would prove the falutary Means of preventing fo dreadful a Mifchief. From the fplendid Influence of fo bright an Ex- ample, and encouraged by the Profpeft of a Gene- ral and Permanent Peace, the Nations would be led to profecute with Energy, internal Reforms. Can we without reverent and grateful Senfations, behold the wonderful Workings of the Providence of .( 56 ) of God ? Are we deaf to the Voice of Heaven ? And do we remain indifferent to co-operate in its Defigns ? Do the infernal Spirits who work in th Children of Ditbbedience, openly upbraid us with our Continuance of Wars ? We may be afliired they are the unwilling Heralds of Heaven, proclaim- ing to us its high Behefts. Have the Revolters from Reafon denounced Vengeance againft All thofe who will not efpoufe their mad Dottrine of perverted Ideas ? Have they profcribed the privileged Or- ders of Society, and taking Advantage of the Schifms and Divifions among Chriftians, (which yet the Scriptures have exprelsly foretold) have they openly, proudly, and blafphemoufly decried the Doctrine, and defpifedthe Word of the living God ? Then are we called to prove our Attachment to Reafon, and our excellent Proficiency therein, by oppofing to thefe fenfeleis Fanatics, the fober Convictions of rational Revelation. At prefent we are lamentably deficient in Scrip- ture Knowledge. The Profeflbrs of the Gofpel, in general are wofully ignorant therein. Both Priefl and People are unacquainted with the true Know- ledge and Practice of their Profeflion. Hence they are eafily beguiled through the Sleight of Men, and turned afide with every Wind of Doctrine. Yet this is fo far from being an Argument againft the 'Truth of Christianity, that it (lands a fure Proof and Evidence of its Divine Reality. A rational Scrutiny, fuch as might be expected from a liberal Society, authorized by the public Sanction, into the Grounds of the Doclrine of Christianity ( 57 ) Christianity, as it is contained in the Writings of the facred Scriptures, is an Object which the Times loudly call for. Such an Enquiry would render an Appeal To the Law and the Testimony, effica- cious for the Conviction of the Scoffers and Gain- fayers. It would be the happy Means of magnifying the Law, and making it honorable. The Birth of Time and its limited Duration ; the Origin and Hiftory of Nature ; the Creation, Fall, and Redemption of Man ; the revealed Notice of the Deity and His Attributes ; His various Difpen- fations to the Children of Men ; the Hiftory of Prophecy- and the Accomplishment of its Predicti- ons ; the Types of the Messiah ; the Incarnation, human Life, Crucifixion, Refurrection, and Afcen- fion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Saviour of Mankind ; the Hiftory of the Jews, and of the ancient Great Monarchies of the World; the Ac- count of Idolatry; and of the Rife, Propagation, and Eftablifhment of Christianity; the Foretelling of Gross Corruptions that would be permitted to obtain, both in its Doctrine and Difcipline ; the Account of Antichrist, his Rife, Progrefs, and expected Fall ; the Sabbatical Rest decreed to the Church of Chrifl during the bleflfed Period of the Millennium ; the fig- nal Marks and Notices by which we may be affured of its near Approach ; the Completion of the Mystery of God in the glorious Consummation of all Things ; all thefe, and more, are Subjects, the right Undtrftanding of which, is of infinite Impor- tance as to the Welfare and Happinefs of Mankind. Is any one fo unlkilful in the Knowledge of the Signs of the Times, the Notices of Nature, and. H the < 58 ) the Intelligences of Providence, as not to perceive that the Reign of Justice advances near ? What though the Ungodly are outrageofis, What though they florm and menace, though they overrun the Earth with their Wickednefs ; thus faith the Pfal- mifl in the Spirit of Prophecy, When the Ungodly are green as the Grass, they shall be suddenly cut ctf. They are even now ripe for Deftru&ion, and their enormous Iniquities will haften their Fall. French Liberty and Equality, the Bubble that has fet the World all a-gaze, like their other fantaflic and unprofitable Invention of the Air Balloon, will be found to die away like Smoke, and to evaporate in Fume : yet flill it may be confidered the Har- binger of that perfect Freedom and that Oneness in Chrift, which will be happily enjoyed in fucceed- ing Times. Moreover, the World has been recently fet a, wondering at the Prodigies of Animil Magnetism. How much has it been talked of, how little under- ftood T The Pretenders to Knowledge in this new Science, as it is called, exaclly refemble the falfe Gnostics in the primitive Chriftian Times. Like them, thefe alfo have ftolen Fire from off the Altar, as Nadab and Abiku did. As the Sons of Sceva the Jew, who without Licenfe from the Holy Spirit, took upon them in a furreptitious Way, to adjure the Demoniac by the Name of Jesus, after the Manner of the Apoftle Paul, as thefe Men, I fay, though put to Confu- fion for their fraudulent Temerity, were yet inftru- in procuring Credence to the Truth : fo ( 59 ) will thefe modern Workers of Signs and Wonders prepare the Minds of Mankind rightly to appre- hend the Ground of that ineflimable Privilege promifed to the Children of God : They shall lay Hands on the Sick, and they shall recover. This was verified partially, in the primitive Times of the Chriftian Church ; but in the Days of the glorious Millennium, when the Divine SHECHINAH mail <Iefcend to tabernacle with the Sons of Men, it will then be completely enjoyed by the privileged Saints of God. But how little is the Nature of the Millennium underflood ! Though exprefsly foretold, and clearly revealed, though all the Workings of Na- ture have a Tendency thereto ; yet Mankind appear totally dark with Refpeft to the right Apprehen- fion of this; and fo they muft neceflarily remain, till the Key to the allegorical Phrafe of Scripture becomes generally known. It is the Glory of God to conceal a Thing ; but the Honour of Kings h to search out a Matter. Honour- able indeed would it be to this enlightened Nation and her Government, to be occupied in fearching, with reverential Awe, into the deep Myfteries of God. As the noble Berems were highly commended for their Docility and Attention, and withal for the Scrupulofity of their Enquiries, whether the Things propounded by the Apostles were true ; fa mould we, as a People, be entitled to great Com- mendation, would we but fet Ourfelves, from a ,pure Zeal for the Truth, to inflitute the Means of reafonable Examination. H 2 The ( 60 ) The general Expectancy of conftderable Chan- ges and Revolutions in the World, is a Sign that the Millennium, though fo 'little underflood, is yet near at Hand. When the Fullness of Time for the Incarnation of the Median was come, it is well known there was a great Expectation, even among the Heathen Nations, of the Advent of fome conliderable Perr fonage : the true Character of the Median had been all alongmifunderflood by thejfews ; nay, during the Time of his Pilgrimage orl Earth, erroneous Con- ceptions were formed of him, even by the Apostles themfelves : juft fo, the true Character of the Mil- lennium has been hitherto by Christians, mifunder- flood : and the mofl erroneous Ideas concerning it, are prevalent in the prefent Day. The Follow- ers of Emmanuel Swedcnburgh with Refpefct to the Millennium, bear a ftriking Comparifon to thofe falfe Chrifls who made their Appearance about $he Period of the true Median's Incarnation. The Knowledge of true Religion, at this Time, is at a very low Ebb in the World. Many are the Pretenders to Gofpel-Sincerity : Lo ! Here is Chrift, fays One, and Lo ! fays Another, He i$ there. Was there but an Abolition of War, the State of Things would quickly change. Nations finding themfelves delivered from this grievous Scourge, would be generally incited to devife Means for the Enlargement of ufeful Knowledge ; the Confequence of which would be highly favour- able to the Caufe of Christianity. The Bickerings that have hitherto fubfifled among the different Denominations ( 61 ) Denominanions of Christians, would quickly fub- fide. It would be known and acknowledged, that however objectionable to the (hallow Comprehen- fion of Man, the State of Things from the Com- mencement of Time has been, it had been all along regulated by the Direction of a wife Pro- vidence. To blame our Anceftors, and to arraign their Wifdom and Judgment, for the apparent Inconve- niences refulting from their civil Eftablifhments, argues in us the grofleft Ignorance and Pride. If they a&ed up to the Meafure of their Difcern- ment, and according to the Means they poffefled, we ought to revere and to imitate the Example they have fet. Both they, and ourfelvcs. are only blamable, as far as it concerns the NeglecT; of Im- provement of our refpe6live Means. The Charafteriftic of the Men of this Generation, is a Contempt of Antiquity, and a Difregard for the Welfare of Poflenty. A narrow Selfiflinefs is a Difpolition defpicable in an Individual ; how deferving of Reproach then, is fuch a Temper in a People. Let us beware, our Anceftors rife not up in Judgment againft us, for our wanton Derifions, our wilful Negligence, Stubbornnefs, and Pride. There never was fince the Beginning of the World, a more favourable Opportunity than that which the prefent Time affords, of adopting a Plan for the total Extinction of War. We mufl be weak indeed, to apprehend that any Plan will fo operate, as to have the immediate Effe6l of univerfally putting a Stop to War. Such an JExpe&ation is abfurd ; and betrays great Ignorance in the Nature and Courfe *of Things. BuC without a Beginning there can be no End. If the Chriflian Rulers of the World would honorably combine together, with a becoming Zeal, for the general Promotion and lading Eftablifhment of Peace ; from fuch a promifmg Beginning, the Almighty would undoubtedly give them Caufe to rejoice in the End. Shall England by ramly precipitating herfelf into a State of intemperate Hoftility, mall En- gland, I fay, fully her Glory and tarnifh her Renown, by unadvifedly engaging in War with a Set of mad Defperadoes ? Ought fhe not rather to prefer the Policy of feeking the Means of obtaining a speedy and general Pacification ? Her Tone of indignant Difapprobation of thofe vile Proceedings of the abominable Faction of France, is truly be- fxwning. But let her take heed her Zeal betrays her into no Meafure of hafly Imprudence. What is fhe to gain by War ? 'Tis vrife to be timely prepared for the worft Events ; and to negociate for Peace with Arms in our Hands. But let us confider, the State of Affairs are changed. The Faction of France, has tended to cure that Nation of her egregious Vanity. France is deeply hum- bled. Her own Sons have done more to bring her to a right Recollection., than all the World could have done befides. Let England embrace the hap- py Opportunity, and be foremofl in adminiftering Comfort to the ftricken with Grief. How glori- 9ufly has the Spirit of h,er religions Profefuon flione forth forth in her adminiftering Relief to her very Ene- mies in Diftrefs ! Could the French Emigrants expecl; to receive fuch friendly Relief in their grievous Neceflity, from a People who had expe- rienced from their Nation, fuch rancorous Enmity, and flagrant Injuflice ? But herein we demonftrated our Attachment to the blefTcd Precepts of the glo- rious Gofpel. Let us proceed in the happy Tem- per of this truly Chriflian Spirit, and afpire to the amiable and worthy Diflin6lion of being the Pacifi- cators of Mankind. To this End, I humbly propofe, that it be fo- lemnly moved on the Part of England, and publicly proclaimed ; that, Whereas it appears from the ge- neral Experience of Age?, that the greateft Ob- ftacle to the Promotion of the Civilization and Happinefs of Mankind, is WAR ; and whereas it appears that the partial Treaties which Nations have entered into with each other, from Time to Time, are altogether inadequate to the Prevention, of this grievous, long-continued, and much to be lamented Evil, in Order as much as maybe, to put a Stop to the further Ravages of this dreadful Plague, this bitter Enemy to the Improvement o Mankind, it is earneflly recommended to the Go- vernments of thofe Nations who are friendly to Peace ; and who reckon their Glory in providing the beft Means for the Eflablifhment of the Happi- nefs and Security of their Subjects ; to enter into mutual Agreement for the exprefs Purpofe of dc- vifing Means for the Eflablifhment of a Plan of Gtneral ActQiR$i9daliw f whereby all the poffihJe Cafe* ( 64 ) Cafes of Controversy between Nation and Nation may be fairly, amicably, and honorably adjuiled without having Recourfe to the favage Expedient of Hoftilities. Honourable and happy would it be for England to take the Lead in fo glorious an Undertaking : and to render it fuccefsful, the Grounds and Motives for attempting to form fuch an Engage- ment of Union at this particular Period of Time, ought to be clearly and explicitly made known. It mould be openly declared, That Whereas it was notorious the People of France had for a long Time been fubjefted to an arbitrary and defpotic Form of Government; the furrounding Nations wifhing well to the Caufe of real Liberty, and pof- fefled of the Idea that it would become triumphant in France, from the Conviclion that her King was a warm Advocate and zealous Friend thereto ; interefting themfelves in her Happinefs and Prof- perity, they had ftudioufly avoided interfering in her private Concerns ; hoping the French People would avail themfelves of the peaceable Difpofition of their Neighbours, and happily adopt equitable Meafures for the Enlargement of their internal Liberty, Security, and Peace/ ' But obferving with infinite Regret, that a faMion of lawlefs, evilminded, and defperate De- ceivers, had gotten the upper Hand ; and by wicked Arts had weaned the People from a right Senfe of their Duty, and infligated them to perpetrate the dreadfullefl Crimes; pitying the Miferies of France, and called upon by a Senfe of Equity, to infill on a juft a jull Retribution in Cafes wherein this deluded People by their atrocious Leaders had been drawn to violate the known and eftablifhed Rules of Juf- tice ; difclaiming the Right of dictating to them as a Nation, in the Matter of their internal Politics ; openly acknowledging it to be the indefeafible Right of every People, to alter, amend, and regu- late, the feveral Inflitutions of their political Efta- blifhment, provided a facred Regard be paid to immutable Juflice ; fome of them had taken up Arms in Behalf of thofe unhappy Sufferers, the Victims of lawlefs and implacable Vengeance.' ' But the Leaders of that befotted People, aware that their fmifter Practices would never be able to ftand the Teft of Truth ; cafting off all Senfe of Honor, Shame, and Remorfe ; totally abandon- ing themfelves to a defperate Courfe of Sinning; having devifed a diabolical Scheme, tending to take the mofl illiberal Advantage of the Weaknefs, Ignorance, and Simplicity of Mankind; deluding People from their Duty, both to God and the Laws of their Country ; perverting their Ideas, darkening their Minds, and rendering them unfit for the Performance of either their public and general, or focial and private Duties ; moved at the alarming and deflruclive Tendency of their Artful, wicked, and nefarious Attempts ; moreover called upon and excited by every Senfe and Tie of Duty, to make Head againft and withftand the wicked Enterprizes of thefe feditious Diflurbers and fworn Enemies to the Peace of Mankind ; the feve- ral Nations friendly to Juttice t confidering they ' \ art ( 66 ) are peculiarly called upon at the prefent Time, to exprefs their Abhorrence of the foul Proceedings of the -French Faftion j and to adopt the moft effectual Meafures for preventing their refpe&ive People being deluded by their Artifices ; have entered into a solemn Engagement to fupport each other in their refpeftive juft Rights and Immunities: at the fame Time, openly declaring, that the Ground of their General Confederation is in no Refpeft hoftile to the People of France, or to the Reft of the Nations of Mankind : that with Refpeft to the French Nation having long beheld her internal Feuds and miferable Diftra6Hons, commiferating her doleful Calamities, <hey {hall greatly rejoice in finding a Regard for Justice fpring up and predominate within her : but conceiving they have no Right, they will not med- dle with her internal Concerns : but merely infift on a Reftitution of fuch Places to their lawful Governments which the JFaSz'07i have fraudulently- and forcibly wrefted from the rightful Poffeffors," What a Bleffing might be expected from fuch a. .public Declaration, feconded by a General Associa^ Zivn of Potentates, for the glorious Purpofe of effeding the Eftablifhment of Justice in the Earth I *Xhis would be a fure and certain Ground- Work for real Reformation. Let us believe we are loudly called to this. A ' General Accommodation of Chriftian Potentates would t>e the happy Forerunner of a General Accommoda- tion of Chriftian Believers of all Denominations, The Providence of God for wife and good Rea- fons has fuffm4 pig$BU9 n - Juttoto to fpring wp .and to grow in the Chriftian Church ; that the Chriflian Religion, like Gold, purified feven Times in the Furnace, may at length produce its fuperla- tive Excellence. It would not be difficult to m.ew the natural Caufes that have occalioned Differences and Divi- fions to prevail among Chriftians : nor yet to point out the Rife, Growth, and Continuance of thofe various Corruptions, both in its Doctrine and Dif- cipline, that have tended to fplit them into divers PartieSj^Se&s, and Denominations. Many devout and good People, contemplating the prefent difmal Faco of Things, may be apt to cry out in the Manner of Gideon of old, who view- ing the fad Circumflances of his Time, exclaimed, Jfthe Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us ? And where It all His Miracles which our fathers told w of ? Though the Contemplation of the prefent Afpect of the Chriftian Church, does doubtlefs occafion many a forrowful Pang to the devout Mind ; yet we muft be very little verfed in the Methods of Providence, to expect that God mould work Mira- cles in thefe later Times, to vindicate and fupporfc that Religion which requires Nothing further than merely natural Means, to. bring about its mofl complete and univerfal Eftablifhment. Christianity, rightly underftood, is the univerfal Religion of enlightened Nature. But ere it be rightly and generally underftood, that which with- holdeth, muft firft be removed and taken out of the Way. 1 a particularly 68 ) ' ;-,! : > d:>r : Particularly to point out and elucidate what that is which withholdeth or retardeth the right Under- ftanding of Christianity, and has operated from Age to Age to keep up that Degree of Ignorance in the World which impedes the Progrefs of mental En- largement and Illumination, we muft have Recourfe to th ^ Sacred Writings', but thefe Writings having been through Error, Perverfenefs, and malicious Wickednefs, decried and vilified, and their Divine Authority queftioned and denied : it becomes incum-f bent on the Friends of 'Justice and Truth to feek *J the Means of obtaining the cleareft Certitude in this moft momentous Point. Such a Certitude and irrefiftible Evidence, will be beft obtained (nay, I had almoftfaid, is only obtainable) from the united Efforts of two fuch Societies as have been already recommended. We are come to a Cififis; and muft no longer Bait between two Opinions. Infidelity, with a bare- faced Effrontery, avows itfelf. Our Language too muft be open; and our Conduct refolute. We muft diveft Ourfelves of narrow Prejudices, and throw off entirely, felfifh Referves. England is called, not only to fpeak the Lan* guage of Juftice and Difcretion ; but alfo to open and fhew forth to the World, a Conduct anfwer- able thereto. > It was right, according to the Ordination and Fore-appointment of Providence, that in the Courfe of Things, natural Evils and Inconveni- ences mould fubfift; and we may rightly gather the Limits of their deftined Duration, from a due Confideration of admonitory Circumftances. The Din of obflreperous Noife with which the World ( 69 ) World has been deafened about Revolutions, may truly be interpreted to be the Voice of God calling loudly for universal Reformation. If England rightly heeding this powerful Call, would fet herfelf wifely to profit from the Admo- nition ; fhe would foon be enabled effectually to filence the Clamours of faction ; and to eftablifh the Interefl of Righteousness in the Earth. Let England confider, the Caufe of thofe Mife- ries which have defolated France, is Irreligion. trance, againfl her Convidion, out of pure Enmity to England, her Rival, had adhered to the Errors of the Romish Church. This narrowed her Temper, and cramped her Genius. Naturally endowed with the Faculty of Seeing, fhe wilfully- blinded and obfcured her Sight. Owing to this her fhameful Predilection of Error, the Progrefs of Reformation was immaturely obflrucled : and fhe is debafed to that Degree, that fhe affumes to herfelf as a diftinguifhing Merit, and glories in the infa- mous Character of being the openly avowed Rewlter againfl the Truth. But the Truth is intrepid, and fearlefs 'of Attacks. It will at Length burft forth from Obfcurity, and. completely vanquifh with the Brightncfs of its Rifing the collected Force of all its Opponents. The Almighty, indeed, to avenge the Caufe of his flighted Truth, on the Men of this evil Genera- tion, may permit the Sons of Darknefs feemingly to prevail, and to profper for a While : but he will in due Seafon arife, and this modern Dagon of In- fidelity, fhall tremble and fall before the glorious Truth of God. (Thus Jar prior to the Murder of the french King.) ( 7 ) Let England be appnzed that the prefent is an aufpicious Seafon for perfecting a pure Reformation in the Christian Church: and let her be perfuaded, flie is fpecially called by the Will of Providence, to be glorioufly inftrumental in accompli fhing thi defirable Work. O that I had Leifure, for the Edification of the DevO'Ut, and the Conviction of the Gainsay ers, to "bring forth the flrong Evidences that may be ad- duced, in Confirmation, that the Subfiflence of the Church of Christ, from the Promulgation of Christianity, to the prefent Period of Time, has teen all along perfectly anfwerable to the Divine Designation, as it has been clearly revealed to the "Sons of Men : but the united falutary Labors of two fuch Societies, as huve been before earnellly recommended, would abundantly eflablifti the iDcmonftration of this. The natural Means of radically reforming the public Profeffion of Chriflianity, and reducing it to the Standard of Gofpel-Purky, will be found to be in the adopting fuch Regulations as may ultimately produce, A SIMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE OF THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF CHRISTIANS OF ALL DENOMINA- TIONS. To this End let England be moved to fct forth to the World, the following Exampleof real Liberality* Fat cst doceri ab hoste : quomodo potius ab amico ? The Ecclesiastical Convocation has been, formally and regularly convened, by Royal Mandate, at the fummoning of Parliament, from Time to Time : ( 7' ) but for a confiderable Time pail, the Generaf AiFembly of the Clergy, as to the main Intent of their priftirte Convention has in Effect been merely nominal. If the Power which Churchmen have been found, by furreptitious Arts, to aifume an<t arrogate to themfelves, has been grie\-oufl'y irrita- ting to the Temper and Underftanding of Mankind; the odious Ufe they have generally put it to, has been much more exceedingly fo. Though to condemn whole Bodies of Men in- difcriminately, for the Vices and Exceffes of par- ticular Individuals, is altogether inequitable ; and unbecoming in any, except fuch as the execrable JACOBINS of FRANCE; yet the different Conftitu- tions and Governments of the Christian Church hitherto, have been fuch, as to occafion the facer- dotal Function, inflead of attaching Veneration and Refpeft to its Character, to become the grand Object of Delegation and Derifion. To charge this to the Malignity of human Na- ture, would be a mofl egregious Miftake. The Minifter of the Gofpel, of u-hatfoever dignified Rank or Degree, who by Reafon of the corrupt Conftitution of the Government of the Church, may be in Capacity of lording it over God's Heri- tage, will be in Effed the Minifter of Satan : and lie who acting under a vitiated Polity, becomes thus a Reproach to his Profeflion, might be ena- fcled under a juft and righteous Syftem, to attraft the moft honorable Regard, from his zealous At- tention to the Duties of fo facred and important 4 Charge. ( 72 ) It remains then to confider, what Regulation* may tend to reform the Polity of the Ckriftian Church ; and to reftore to its Miniiters a competent Capacity for the due Exercife of their profeffional Duty. Suppofe the Parliament was to addrefs the Body of the Clergy in Convocation to this Effect. * Seeing it appears that the Exercile of juridical and coercive Power in Clergymen is derogatory to the Nature of their facred Character ; and has tended not only to leflen and invalidate their Miniftry in the Sight of Men, but alfo to counter- act the Conviction of Evangelical Truth in the human Mind : and whereas it appears that Regu- lations are wanting for the Remedy of Abufes ; and to rectify fuch Errors as have arifen and are naturally incident in the State and Condition of human Things: the PARLIAMENT of GREAT BRITAIN, defirous to teftify their Zeal for the Honor of God, and for the Maintenance of true Religion and Virtue ; ftrongly attached to the Caufe of Justice, and confidering it to be incompa- tible with the Rule of natural Equity to evil intreat Individuals of any Clafs or Description, for the unavoidable Inconveniences naturally refulting from the defective Confi itutions of human Affairs ; do recommend to the Clergy in Convocation, to deli- berate and confult among themfelves, what may be the likely Means of accelerating the Work of Reformation, by promoting the Canfe of true Rili- fion, and reftoring to the facerdotal Chiracter that Degree of Veneration which is requ&te to give Efficacy ( 73 ) Efficacy to the Work of the facred Miniftry i amiring them their Reprefentations refpecling thefe Matters will be received with every poflible Mark of Regard and Attention. This would be the right Beginning of a more, effectual Reformation in the Christian Church, than, the World hath heretofore witnefifed. Hitherto -the Work of Reformation has ufually begun in Invective, and ended in Blood : but the Legislature of a Country, being thus influenced by an honeft Zeal for the Advancement of the Truth ; and^foliciting the Clergy for their Counfel towards the; Promotion of fo glorious a Work; would afford a promifmg Profpect of the mofl lignal and unex- ampled Succefs. Should the Parliament be moved to this, and the .Clergy (being convinced that . the prefent Times require a thorough and complete, and not a partial Reformation) be excited to deliberate with a becom- ing Temper, on the Meafures fitteft to be adopted and, propofed to the Legislature in Anfwer to the parlia- mentary Requifition ; from a Spirit of Unanimity under the prefent Circumflances of the Times, we might happily prcfage, an effectual and glorious Reform. Weak Minds have imagined, that to purify the Profeffion of Christianity, and to bring about a perfect Reformation, we muft needs return to the precife Manners of the primitive Times ; juft a* thofe wild Theorifts have fuppofed, that the Per- fection of Liberty confifts in reducing Mankind to the original ]\ T akednefs of Nature, Opinion*' 1C ( 74 ) fo prepoflerous as thefe, we fhould hardly thmSr. the Reafon of Man would permit him for a Mo- ment to entertain ; nor vould it, was not Satan permitted, for the Punifhrnent of Sin, fo to darken and involve in Perplexity the mental Perception, as to render it a notable Work indeed to diffipate the Mifts of Error, and prepare the Way for the more clear Manifeflation and Enlargement of the Truth. Without undertaking at prefent to point out and explain the Caufes which have operated to rencfer the public Profeffion of Christianity what it appears to be in the prefent Day ; it muft now iuffice to fpecify the likely Means of remedying exifting Abufes : that by removing the Caufes of Offence, a profperous Opening may prefent, for the Eftablilhment of Chriftian Purity, Felicity, and Peace. Willingly to give up and part with Power, by whatfoever Means fuch Power may have been acquired, it mufl be confefled, is a great Exercife oi Self-Denial. That enormous Affumption of temporal Power which Clergymen have in Time* paft, challenged to themfelves, has for a confider- able Time been more and more leffening by De- grees : and the firft great Step towards reducing the Minifter of the Gofpel to his proper Standard, -in-ill be in his willingly and totally diverting himfelf of this ill-acquired, and confequently mifchievou* Power. If the Clergy, (being imprefled with the Confi- ieration, that their being relieved from every Kind of T 7S } t>i" Tecular Bufmefs, would be the Means of doling them the moft falutary Service, by enabling them ciTedually to perform the Duties of their facred Function) were to apply to Parliament to annul the Ecclefiaflical Courts ; and to grant them an Exemption from all fuch Offices and Charges, as are found to clafti with the Performance of their miniflerial Duty; this would indeed be a great Step towards retrieving that Degree of Refpecl; and Veneration which ought always to be attached to the facerdotal Character. Thus far then* with Refpecl; to what are called the Spiritual Courts, (being the Relicks of antichrif- tian Inventions;) as alfo, thofe fecular Avocations which Clergymen have for a long -Time been habitu- ated to, to the great Reproach and Scandal of their Profemon. As to the Hierarchy of the Church, or the Gon- ftitution of Orders and Degrees, this has for a lon^ Seafon been a Matter of great Controverfy, Debate, and Contention. " That there have been, and are flill, many great and worthy Characters, among the different Dc- fcriptions of Diffenters, would be unjuft and un- -charitable to deny. The firft Leaders among them, for the moft Part, were Men, noted for a Zeal, accord- ing to the Meafure of their Knowledge, for the Truth. Neverthelefs it would be equally unjuft to conceal that among thofe who under the Pretext of Scru- ples of Confcience, refpeding fome Particulars, have diffented fromgthe public Eftablifhment of the Church, Monflers of Men have been and are ftill K 2 t* to be found, who make it their Bufmefs, by every fly Device and crafty Stratagem, to fan the Flame of Contention, and add Fuel to the Fire of ranco-* rous Animofity that fo furioufly burns in the Chris- tian Church. Thefe Men, as to the Church, are actuated pre- cifely by the fjme Views and Defigns, as the Levellers are with RefpeQ; to the State. They both are inftigated by a Spirit of luciferan Pride. Sickening at the Idea that there are Degrees both in the Church and in the State, far beyond their Reach they revile Royalty, reproach the Nobility, defpife the Hierarchy of the Church, and fpeak Evil of rightly conftituted Dignities. But what exafperates them beyond all, is the Union of Church and State. This, they know full well, is the grand Remora that continually baulks and impedes their Enterprizes. Could they but once effect their Purpofe, to detach the Church from the State, the Reft of their curious Scheme would follow of Courfe. We have a fufficient Sample of this in France. Thofe political Empirics, with abominable Duplicity, began their Career by profefling the greateft Veneration for the Supreme Being : folemnly invoking the God of Justice to fofter and fan&ion fome of the vileft and moft ine- quitable Proceedings that ever blackened the Cha- racter of Mankind. Orders and Degrees, both in the Church and in the State, are agreeable to a rational Conftitution of Things. Their flagrant Abufes have given a 'colourable Pretext to evil-rrinded Men to clamor nioft ( 77 ) fnoft violently for their utter Extin&ion : and they have found it no difficult Work to bring over Multitudes of weak Reafoners to fide with them in fupporting their vain Arguments. But the Abufe of any Thing that is good, by no Means diminifhes the Value of its right Uie and Appli- cation : nay, by how much the Abufe of a Thing is greatly prejudicial, by fo much would its right Ufe be abundantly advantageous and eflimable. May that prudent Spirit of ^Moderation for which our Anceflors are juflly renowned, fhine forth con- fpicuous in u.s their Poflerity. Though the Circum (lances of Nations do in the Courfe of Things fo widely differ the One from the Other, as to render it a Thing impracticable to reduce their refpective Governments to one and the fame Standard, as to Forms, Offices, and ex- ternal Diftin6lions ; yet fuch is the Weight that England bears in the Scale of Nations, that was fhe to profecute with a firm and moderate Temper, the neceflary Work of Reformation; the Nations would be attracted by her bright Example : and while they execrate the abominable Practices of the falfe Reformers, would be led to imitate the lauda- ble Pattern of the true. Previous to the Period when our Anceflors reformed our Church, and purged it from the Errors of Romish Superftition, and for above a Century afterwards, our civil Conllitution not hav- ing attained its Growth of Maturity, was but very imperfe&ly underflood, It It is a Point o effential Confequence, to afcer- tain with the utmoft Precifion, the moft exa6b Definitions of Things. What a World of Mifchief bas enfued, from thofe vague and indefinite Con- ftru&ions, which Men, either through Ignofrancc or Craft have put upon Things ! Bad, as the World is now become, and ready to jun with Greedinefs into every Extreme of defpc. rate Wickednefs, yet fuch is the Strength of Evi- dence in Support of the Truth of Christianity ^ which has naturally accrued from the Experience of Ages, that its Enemies are conflrained for the Fur- therance of their evil Defigns, to attempt the maf- tering of the Minds of the Weak and Ignorant, by perverting the reafonable Conftruclion of Things ; well knowing their barefaced and dire ft: Oppofition would be vigoroufly repelled, as an Infult to the Common Senfe of Mankind. It might be reafonably expected, that the fad, the dreadful, and unparallelled Calamities, which thofe abroad have unhappily brought upon them- felves, by liftening too implicitly to the deceitful Do&rine of their falfe and treacherous Guides, would operate as a powerful Warning to us : and be a flrong Incentive to incline us more than ever to direl our Conduct by the pure Principles of that Truth which they have forfaken. But alas ! "While we accufe them, we ourfelves are liable to Condemnation ! How long will it be, ere we open our Eyes rightly to difcern the great Things which God has done for us ? Or, difcerning, mall we abufe our Advantages by having Recourfe to that favage ( 79 ) favage Mode of Difputation, hoftile AnimoCty, when fo fair an Opening prefents, for rationally confuting the vain Sophiftry of falfe Reafoning ; and exhibiting to the World the glorious Excel- lence of Christian Truth ? The French People, 'tis true, have rendered themfelves fufficiently odious in the Sight of all Nations. But we ought to recoiled that we our- felves have heretofore been in a Situation in fome Degree fimilar. It is wrong Policy, and great Jnjuflice, to eharg* that to the Nation which is merely the Work of an upftart Faction. Let us confider our former Ettate-. When the genuine Spirit of our Nation was curbed and kept jdown by a devilifli Faftion, who had affumed a Confcquence in the Progrefs of our poli- tical Difpute ; their villainous Enormities they per- petrated as national A6ls. We ought in Charity to fuppofe, that the infamous Ah of the French Demagogues are as much execrated by the Nation, in General, as the abominable Proceedings of the Cromwtllian Junto were by us. And if fo, with what Face can we pretend to b& Vindicators of the Divine Truth, when the Trait of our prefent public Conduct is fo diametrically oppofite to its Dictates ? Do we exult over a fal- len and degraded Enemy ? And are we eager to take Advantage of thofe fore and difmal Calami* ties which have befallen her as a Vifitation of Ven- geance from the Almighty ? Do we a6l up to the Spirit of our Conilitution, which is founded on the Bafis of trw Religion: or {hall we. while we boaft ( 80 J boaft of its Excellence, deftroy its Effect ? Shall we publicly avow our Purpofe of waging offenfive War, becaufe we apprehend we may fafely do is againft an exhaufted Foe ? Suppofe we could exter- minate the French People'; are we fure we mould by that Means deftroy the Spirit whereby they are influenced ? Let us rather in the true Spirit of our Conftitution, feek the Means of bringing them to a right Recollection-; by making a jult Difcrimi- nation between the Faction and the Nation. In our public Declarations refpecling -them, we have hitherto failed in this. But let us be mindful of our Duty ; and do by them as under the like Circumftances, we mould be willing they would do by us. As Matters at prefent ftancf, it is expedient to> al vigoroufly on the defenfive. But we are not warranted, under any Circumftances, to engage in offenfive War. Our liberal Conftitutiorr breathes a Spirit perfectly pacific. Unlefs we determine . with the moft fcrupulous Exa6lnefs to regulate our Con due! thereby, in the prefent Condition of Things we mail greatly differve the Ca-ufe we pro- fefs to efpoufe. But fay we, the French are a Race of Monflers, For their mocking Enormities the Nations mould unite as in a Common Caufe againfl them, and blot out their hated Name from under Heaven. True, we have feen the difmal Spectacle of a People cafting off their Dependance on God ; and being confequently given up to the Darknefs of their evil Minds, We have feen, the miferablt t 8 ) Mffe&s of open Profanenefs and wanton We have feen the folemn Mockery of a Nation, invoking the God of Justice to profper the moft outrageous and abominable Ads of Public Iniquity J and we have witnefled the terrible Difplay of Divine Vengeance which thofe defperate Sinners have juftly incurred and brought down upon, themfelves. But if we prefume from hence that we are warranted to proceed farther againft them than merely to defend ourfelves, againft their Fury, we have made no further Proficiency in the Practice of Christianity than the Gentile Nations. Let us embrace the earlieft Opportunity to make a public Avowal of our fettled Determination of adhering to that true Conftftutional Principle o entirely abftaining from offenfive War. Let us openly declare to all the World, that we are no farther a Party in the prefent War, than to oblige the French to render Satisfaction for their public Aggreffions, and to confine themfelves within the Limits of their proper Bounds. But let us noC flop here. Let us in the true Spirit of Chriftian, Benevolence, reprefent to the trench Nation what deplorable Miferies tkey muft neceffarily entail upon themfelves and their wretched Pofterity, unlefs they revert among themfelves to the Princi- ple of natural Justice ; by replacing their feveral legitimate public Functionaries, recalling the Exiles, granting Pardon and general Amnefty for |>aft Diforders, and as much as may be alleviating the PiitreiTes of every Clafs of Sufferers. ( ' i J So mail we manifeft to the World, that Juftice and Beneficence equally flow forth, and emanate from our match lefs Conftitution. Let us moreover, as a Nation zealous in promo- ting the Intereft of Righteoufnefs in the Earth, embrace the earliefl Opportunity of making public Declaration refpefting thofe great fundamental Truths, co' cerr.ing which, in the prefent State of difb mpered Thoughts and Opinions, Mankind Heed the clearcft and mofi explicit Information. To affirm, ' The Nation is essentially the Source of all Sovereignty,' is altogether atheiftical. Had the French, when they agreed to accept this, as the Bafis, whereon to ground their new Order of Things ; had the French, I fay,, but flightly reflected that by their Acceptance of this as a fun- damental Pofition, they would virtually renounce every Idea of any Deity, except the combined Pow- er of the People ; bad, as they then were, and inclined to run to the utmoft Length in extreme Wickednefs, yet on Reflection, their Minds muft jiave revolted againft the fhocking andprepollerous Idea of renouncing the God of their Forefathers* and fetting up the Idol of Power without Right, by Deifying the collected Force of the Multitude. But they were unwilling to let the Truth pene- trate their Minds. Willingly giving themfelves up to the Guidance of Error, they have terribly wit- neffcd its Fallacy and Deception ! Accuftomed as both they and many among our- felves have been, to hear and to repeat thofe un- * "fhe Majesty of ths People,' < *3 J '"The Sovereignty of the People ; ' being ftrongly- inclined to a fa&ious Refi ftance againfl lawful Au~ thority, they fufFered themfelves, as alfo thole inclined to Faftion with us have done, to be eafily deceived into the Belief and Opinion that Omnipo- tence was the Property of the People's Will. * Whatever a whole Nation chooses to do, it ha$ & Right to do,' was one of the palpable Falfhoods advanced by that Archifophifta, Paine ; and even Some of the Members of the British Parliament have not been aihamed to adopt his impious-JDoc- trine. But pray confider for a Moment, who are the Pcrfons of whom a whole Nation is compofed ? I| there an Individual on the Face of the Earth, of all the Sons and Daughters of Adam, who is exempted from the common Depravity of Nature ; and who is not from the Moment of his Exiftence, prone to Obliquity and fubjecl to Sin ? Before we afcribe Majesty, Sovereignty, and Omnipctence to the People, we muft clearly mak it evident, that perftcl Equity is alfo the inherent and immutable Property cf the People's Will. The juft and true God, Jehovah, is indeed perfect- ly righteous in all His Ways, and holy in all His Works ; and therefore He neceflfarily muft be, 'and He truly is, omnipotent : but the extreme Folly an4 Madnefs of afcribiug to a Nation the Attribute of the Deity, is ilrongly depicted in the recent Tranfaclions of the People of France. If we confider their blaf- phemous Taunts, and call to Remembrance the proud Boaflings of the Arrogant, we fliall be. led JU 3 juftljr ? 4 \ Juftly to exclaim, The Ungodly are entrapped HI the Work of their own Hands ! How are their Purpofes fuddenly broken off, and their Counfels defeated ! If indeed they have counfelled the Coun- fel of the Nation, and promulgated the National Decrees, and if the Nation be in Truth , omnipo- tent, how comes it to pafs that an Obftacle hath thwarted the national Defigns ? The Lord Jehovah, the righteous God whom they have defpifed, hath looked down from Heaven, and beheld their Works. The Lord hath obferved their impious Deeds ; and hath juftly caufed them to become a Hiding and Reproach among all the Nations that are round about them; To affirm then, that the Nation is eflentially the Scource of all Sovereignty, is to deny the true and living God, and to put the Nation in the Place of Cod : moreover, to fay, that whatever a whole 'Nation choofes to do, it has a Right to do, is im- pious and jibfurd ; becaufe it is afcribing to a Na- tion the peculiar Property of the Deity. Of the Irue God alone it is rightly faid, ' Whatfoever the Lord pleafeth, that doeth He, in Heaven above, fend in the Earth beneath, and among the Children t)f Men. But fo far from a Nation having a Right to do whatever it choofes to do, that Right belongs ot even to the whole Affemblage of all created Beings throughout the wide Extent of the Univerfe. The Leaders of that deluded People have caufed them to err, and Multitudes of thofe who hav :%een led by them are already deftroyed. very conuderafcle Matters greatly needed Reformation, t-5 ) Reformation in f ranee. But her pretended Refor- mers fettin^ out with the determined Purpofe to j make the Work of Reformation a gainful "JTrade to themfelves ; in the Profecution of fuch their Defign, found th mfelves conftramed (in order to fcr.ee n their felfifh Purpofe from public Detection) to adopt a. Syftem (if it may be called a Sy(tem) of illuiivc Terms. Thus, for Example ; The Term Revolution, hath been heretofore given to political Reforma- tion ; wherein fome remarkable Change refpeling the Functionaries of the Government hath been brought about : as th it political Reformation in the Engliih Government in the Year 1688 is called the English Revolution ; and which having been effected on jufl Grounds, and in an equitable Man- ner, has proved fo profperous a Revolution, that it has attached no fmall Degree of Eftimation to the very Term itfelf ; thefe Men therefore availing themfelves of the favorable Acceptation of that Term, (though aware that their Meafures proceed- ed from aquiteoppofite Principle) had the knavifh Subtilty to denominate, a total Subverfion, and 3. partial Change, by one and the fame Appellation. Had the Multitude of their Followers but duly confidered, that whenever A TOTAL OVERTUR- NING in either the civil, or the natural World, is brought about; an immediate and general Punifh- tnent to the utmofl Extent of fuch Subverfion, is not only intended, but is ever found to take the fulleft Effect : they might eafily have feen through the plaufible Device of adopting a SameneCs oi' ( 86 ) The modern French Acceptation then of the Term Devolution, is, A total Subversion, that is, a. turn- ing of Things entirely topfy-turvy : .which is a Thing as much to be dreaded as the Devaflations of a terrible Hurricane, or a devouring Earthquake. But if the French Demagogues have had the Ad- drefs to make their deluded Followers fuppofe that the Work they have effected of overturning the an- cient Government of France, is of a fimilar Nature, and withal equally as juftifiable and meritorious, as that Revolution which in England is fojuflly cele- brated and extolled ; they have no lefs fucceeded in the Meaning they have given to the Term, Despot. A Despot, properly fignifies, a Ruler, who go- verns, not by eftablifhed Laws made by Others, and independant of his Will ; but who makes his own particular Will the fole Meafure and Rule of his Authority. According to this Definition, it would be hard to find a Defpot in Christendom. 'Tis true, the lat- ter Kings of France have aflumed a Sort ofdefpotic Sway over their Subje&s. But if an eminent Ex- ample be wanting, to Ihew the World what real Defpotifm is, the prefent Defpots in France will afford an Example far beyond all Parallel. With the moft flaamelefs Impudence, they have -represented the feveral exifting Governments, which have been long fan&ioned and eftablilhed by the General Confent of their refpeclive People, as fo many Seats of Defpotifrn : and have taught their inferable Devotees to ccnfider it a Work of tran- fcendant ( 87 ) fcendant Merit, even to force the Nations (if they- ihould be found tobe diiinclined) to throw off what they term, ' their old tyrannical Yokes, ' and to embrace the Proffer of French Confraternity ; by adopting a Conftitution on the curious Plan of Gallic Liberty and Equality. But who can refrain from the moft pointed Indig- nation at fuch heretofore unheard of tyrannical Proceedings ? And yet our Indignation can fcarce keep Pace with the ftiong Ridicule which their pu- erile Conduft excites. Happy for us ! We have under Providence a ftrong Bulwark of Defence, againft every Species of hoftile Attack. When we reflect on the defective regal Govern- ment of France, and confider how much her late pa- triotic King needed fuchfalutary Checks as cur ex- cellent Conftitution affords, to fupport him in his wellmeant Endeavors for his People's Good ; we cannot but be fenfibly affedted ; and exprefs our thankful Acknowledgments to the Great Author and Giver of every good and ptrfeft Gift : for, under Heaven, we eminently owe to our admirable Conftitution, that we are not overwhelmed and ruined through the Fanaticifm of the Times. To perpetuate this great Bleffing to ourfelves and our Pofterity, we mu ft be careful to have aright Apprehenfionof thofe Truths on which it bottoms : and moreover, we muft be diligent judicioufly to apply thofe Truths to the Exigences of the prefent Time ; ttothey ma y become ferviceable in fixing the ( 88 ) the Wavering Opinions ofMankind ; and dire&irtg the public Exertions to their proper End. Refpecling the EngliOi Government, from the 1 Period of its Commencement, the whole Time antecedent to the Revolution in 1688 ought to be confidered the Seafon of its Minority. The Bill of Rights obtained at this Time, in Behalf of the People, was not extorted by Fa6lion ; but was dutifully requefted by the Subjecl, and as liberally granted by the Sovereign. The great Benefit gained by this Bill, was the obtaining a public and regal Inftrument, declara- tory of thofe Rights, to which the Subject had a natural Claim. The Want of fuch a public Inftrmnent had been feverely felt both by Prince and People : regal a xv ell as popular Incroachments, occafioning great and difmal Calamities, having begun in the fir ft Inftance, lefs from an ill Intention in either of the Parties, than from the Lack of a Standard-Rule or Directory, in fuch Cafes wherein an explicit Der- mer-Refort appeared to be abfolutely requifite. The fuperior State of Liberty in this Country hath fpeciaHy arifen from the vigorous and deter- mined Efforts of our Anceflors, to fettle fuch an Zftablifhment of the Christian Religion as fhould nearcft approximate to the Scripture-Rule. Hence, the fcriptural Documents refpeling the Nature of civil Government, have been more paticularly received among us : and not only taken as our reli* gious Creed, but made the eftabliflied Law of the Land. Our Our Chief Magiftrate, is legally entitled, Our Sovereign Lord the King; he is the Minifter of God; and we efteem and honour him as fuch. The Majefty we afcribe to him, is in Reference to the Divine Majefty which he reprefents ; and not in any Refpect to the prefumed Majefty of the People over whom he is fet. That fenfelefs Expreflion, The Majesty of the People, was in the firft Inftance, the mere Effufion of political Enthufiafm : but being nicely fuitable to the Purpofes of Fattion, the Reftive and Factious have adopted it as their diftinguifhing Motto. But happy for us ! our Conftitution has provided a Barrier as well againft liable Encroachments on the Part of the Prince, as factious Rilings and headftrong Oppofitions of the People. Though true Christianity and true Liberty are per- fectly congenial, and cannot poflibly fubfift the One without the Other ; the true Definition of Liberty being, a perfect Freedom to do whatever is ser- viceable to one's Self and others, and an utter Disability to do any Thing disservlceable to one's Self or Others ; yet the mere Knowledge of this Truth, however advantageous that may be to an Individual, will ever be found to be quite infufficient to procure it public and general Acceptation. A Syftem naturally inimical to thofe corrupt and inordinate Affections we carry about us, re- quires Something independent of ourfelves, and quite diftinct from our natural Inclinations, to bring to pafs its public and general Eftablifhment. M A* ( 90 > As Sin occafioned the Lofs of the terreflrial Paradife, and caufed this World to become a how- ling Wildernefs ; fo will Christianity renew the Face of Nature ; and ultimately change thofe Deformi- ties occafioned by Sin into exquifite Beauties. Hitherto Christianity has had but a very partial Eftablifliment in the World: confequently, but a comparatively fmall EfFecT: of its beneficent Influ- ence hath as yet been feen. From the Hiftory of Nations we may learn the State of the public Eftablimment of Christianity : and by fearching the Scriptures may obferve how little of Gofpel-Purity it has hitherto attained. If the ancient Government of thofe Nations th^t are now become Chriftian, has been modified anfwerable to the Acceptation in which the refpec- tive Nations profefs to embrace and avow their Chriftian Faith ; the Englilh Government hath been efpecially fo. When Christianity became the eftablifhed Reli- gion of the Roman Empire, if the Minds of Men had before been inclined to a republican or demo- cratical Form of Government, they now found on embracing Christianity, that a Monarchy or Govern- ment inverted in the Hands of one Perfon, from whom, as from the Fountain-head, Power, Juftice, -and Honor, were to flow, was the moft anfwer- able to the Chriftian Ideas of the celeftial Hierar- chy : confequently, foregoing their former Incli- nation for a republican Government, they readily as from the Dictates of Duty, gave into the war- ra^table Acceptation of a monarchial Rule : fo that ( 9' } that we find no Endeavors were made in the early Ages after the general Eftabliftiment of Chris- tianity, to introduce again the democratical Kind of Government. The Papal Ufurpation of an ecclefiaftical Hierar- chy, claiming Sovereignty over all, which gained Afcendency from the Weaknefs and Wickednefs of the temporal Rulers of thofe Times, was the readier fubmitted to by the People in General, from the like predominant Ideas of the celeftial Hierar- chy. In the latter Ages, it is obfervable, where Nations have been evidently rightly directed, and by Expe- rience have been proved to have obtained the Sanc- tion of Heaven, in their Oppofition to and Renun- ciation of the Romifh Errors, they have not enter- tained the leafl Idea of changing their monarchical Government : neither yet have they thought of abolifhing the Hierarchy of the Church : well knowing that Orders and Degrees are perfectly confonant to the right Acceptation of pure Chris- tianity : but where ever it appears that DifTentions have arifen, and a factious Refiflance has been made to the temporal Management of Government, the Oppofers have uniformly decried the Hierarchy of the Church as well as the Utility of kingly Government. From the above Confiderations it may be clearly adduced, that though the growing Errors of Go- vernment, civil and ecclefiaftical, do call for and ought to undergo neceffary Reformation ; the over- turning kingly Government itfdf, or abolifhing U 3 the ( 9* ) the Hierarchy of the Church, proceeds from a Principle hoftile to Christianity. Reformation then, it appears on all Hands, is wanting and muft be had. If Providence permits Revolutions, according to the French Acceptation of the Term, that is, Convulsions, to take Place j Punifhme ,t for the Ne-lecl; and Delay of necef* fary Reformation, is moft affuredly ever meant. 'Tis true, we are not anfwerable, as Men, for the Non-Performance of Duties of which we have naturally no Knowledge; and concerning which, we have not had the neceffary Means of Informa-* tion : but if, when we may or do k^ow, we wiU lingly neglect; the Sin will moft certainly lie at our Door, When the Devil rebukes Sin, 'tis Time the Sinner bethinks himfelf, and forfakes it. The Devil is bulily occupied in that Work in the pre- fent Day. He has been for a long Seafon, the Seducer, he is at prefent eminently the Accufer of Mankind. Abroad, he is vehemently accufing Mankind of thofe grofs, fuperflitious Errors, which by Reafon of his Wiles, they have been for many Ages deceived into : at home, the Non-compliance with his devilifh Schemes of falfe Refinement becomes the Matter of bold Accufation; and by Means of his Agents in all Parts, he is bufily fomenting Mifchiefs, and fpreading Difcord and Confufion throughout the Earth. It hath been reproachfully urged, that our Con- JUtution affords juft Liberty enough to enflave Ourfelyes ( 93 ) Ourfelves more effectually than the mod abfolutely defpotic Government could do. But this is the flanderous Reproach of a Knave, who fought to effect the Purpofe of his Slynefs, by .bringingusto undervalue and difeileem the mofl ineftin.able Bleffing enjoyed by any People on the Face of the Earth. We are to obferve that in Order to invalidate this contumelious Aflertion, to prove undeniably the matchlefs Excellence of our Constitution, and perfectly to realize its defirable EfFefts, it will be abfolutely requiiite to complete the ecclefiaflical Part of our Polity : and to eflablifh our religious Liberty, and th; Discipline of the Church, upon as folid and publicly ratified a Balis, as that which fupports and fecures our civil Rights and Immuni- ties. I am not going in this Place to defcant on the comparative Excellence of the prefent reformed CHURCH OF ENGLAND, nor to treat of the Means whereby our Church Reformation was firft begun ; neither am I going to cavil with the feve- ral Sefts who have thought proper to diffent from the prefent national Eftablifhment ; but fmce the Multiplicity of religious DifTentions and Contro- verfies do prove that Unity hath not as yet obtained in the public Church of Christ , I will now pro- ceed to point out the Means whereby that blessed Unity, fo devoutly to be wifhed for, may be happily obtained ; and Christianity, being well underftood, may become the Healing of the Nations, and the Joy of the whole Earth. Notwithflanding ( 94 ) fiJotwithftanding that Spirit of Moderation whiclf i'o eminently characterized the Englifh Reformers in their Oppofition to the flagrant Errors of the Church of Rome, might have been expected to have had fuch Influence on the Minds of Protestants, as to have led them in the Spirit of Meeknefs, calmly to have compofed their particular Differences, and fpecially to have agreed One with the Other in promoting Christian Peace ; and though the English reformed Chwch which breathes a genuine Spirit of Toleration, and whofe Do6lrine will bear the Teft of fcriptural Enquiry, has flourifhed (bating fome few cafual Checks) for fo many Years ; yet the religious Differences andDiflentions among Chris- tians, have not at all decreafed : but Strifes and Animofities, to the Scandal of Christian Professors, are found exceedingly to prevail throughout the Chriftian World. Under the prefent defective Eflablifhment of the Christian Church, it inuft and ever will be fo. Christianity will continue to be little underftood, and lefs praftifed : and the Christian Ministers will continue to find themfelves disqualified to procure that fuitable Refpe6l which ought ever to fee paid to them and to their Miniftry* If the Clergy, Mill moved with a rightly directed and lively Zeal to advance the falutary Work of a -- rational Reformation, were to make a voluntary Proffer to refign to the Difpofal of Parliament, the whole Patrimony of the Church ; conditionally however, that no Part of the ecclefiaftical Revenues^ pf which the Clergy, asReprefentativesoftheCAwrc^, ( 95 ) fhould thus for the Sake of obtaining a thorough Church- Reform, voluntarily diifeize themfelves of, be appropriated to any merely fecularUfe : and if, being mindful how imperfect the Constitution of the Church^ as to the Appointment of public Officers had been left at the Time of the General Separation from Popery ; that many Relicks of papal Superfli- tion, which have occafioned great Schifms and Divifions among Protestants, ftill remained ; yet defirous to abide by the reafonable Rule of main- taining Orders and Degrees in the Church, which is not only warrantable from Scripture, but per- fectly congenial to the Nature of our civil Constitu- tion ; they were to recommend to Parliament, to abolifh entirely all Archbifhoprics, Bifhoprics,, Deaneries with their Chapters, Archdeaconries. Prebendaries, Vicarages, Reftories, and other clerical Incumbences ; and that the ecclefiaftical Officers in Time to come, do confift of a Metropo- litan or Chief Bimop, to bear the Title of Primate of the Church of England, and under him, twelve Bifhops, and as many Priefts as there are Parifhes throughout the Realm ; and the Parliament fecond- ing the Views of the Convocation, and determining to fet an Example to the World of national Justice and Liberality, would proceed maturely to weigEi and confider the Premifes, and of themfelves en- gage to indemnify to the full all Perfons who in the Profecution of this moft glorious Undertaking, may become pecuniary Sufferers ; the Blefling of the Almighty would certainly attend fuch their meant and waited Endeavorst tire The Parliament would well remember that trie? civil Constitution not having been fettled on a firm Bails, when the CHURCH OF ENGLAND for- fook the Errors of Popery, many Parts of the Church Establishment, at that Time, and fince, mufl neceffarily have been left in an unfettlcd State. The King, in his own Perfon, at the Time of the Reformation, exercifed the Power derived from the Title of Supreme Head of the Church ; and ap* pointed his Vicegerent. But the right Direction and Exercife of fuch -Power, being now better underftood, the former Inconveniences would of Courfe be remedied. Our Constitution, as it now (lands, acknowledges no Aft of the King, as valid, which is not war- ranted by parliamentary Sanction. The ROYAL PREROGATIVE mull ever be underftood to be the Exercife of fuch Power as is inverted in the King, by Authority of Parliament ; for our King is none Other than a parliamentary or conftitutional King : hence the villainous Artifice of the French Conven- tionifts in pretending to make War with the King of England, as diftinft from the Nation, is evi- dently feen. We then, as Christians, acknowledging that the State or Government of everr Communi'y, being truly the Appointment of God, is entitled to the Supreme Direction of the Affairs of the Church ; and that the Parliament, to wit, the King, Lords, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, being the legiti- mate and acknowledged Estate of the Government of thefe Realms, is Confequently the Supreme Moderator and ( 97 ) and Director of the Affairs of the Church of England; will readily acquiefce in the parliamentary Re- iolves. The Patrimony of the Church being thus refigned to the Difpofal of Parliament ; and the Parliament rightly confidering the Expediency of purchafing into their own Hands all Advowfons and Impro- priations, as well as fettling the perpetual Modus of Tythes, and afcertaining the abfolute Revenue of the Church ; and further advifing with the Clergy touching the new Arrangement and Ordination of their Body ; and the Clergy ating up to the Dig- nity of their Profeffion, and approving their Wor- thinefs by the exalted Integrity of their Proceed- ings; dutifully reprefenting to Parliament, how much the Succefs of their Meafures will depend on judicioufly offering to the Underftanding of the People right Notices of the Nature of their Christian Profession and Duty ; and the Parliament exhorting the Convocation courageoufly to proceed ; and fur- ther alluring them of the Earneftnefs and Sincerity of their Purpofe, duly to heed fuch Advice as may appear to have an evident Tendency to promote the Honor of God by fupporting the Caufe of true Reli- gion, and advancing the Welfare and Happinefs of Mankind : the Clergy, I fay, thus animated ; and in- voking the Aidance of fupernal Grace, proceeding to fet forth the great Propriety of withdrawing that implicit Confidence which has for Ages, been re- pofed in Inventions, merely human ; and having by a liberal and public Enquiry into the Grounds of receiving the facrect Writings us the Revelation of N Qotf God, eftablifhed "beyond all Contradi&ion, their Divine Authority ; pointing oijt how absolutely neceflary it is for the Furtherance of the Knowledge of true Christianity, to make the Scriptures, the fole Rule or Directory of public, as well as private Worfhip : and that though the State or Government has for Ages affumed the Power of regulating the Modes and Forms of public Worfhip, and public Ceremonies, and has enjoined public religious Ordinances ; and though till the Fulness of Time for the clear Apprehenfion and general Acceptation of pure Christianity, the Providence of God has permitted it fo to be ; yet in the Reafon of Things, carnal Ordinances are alto-ether inadequate to regulate fpiritual Concerns : the Clergy thus pro- ceeding to reprefent to Parliament, that to do away the contentious Difputations among Christians, Couching theological Points, and to remove every Thing that may obftrucl: the free, pure, and united Adoration of all Denominations of Christians t it will be meet for the State or national Government freely to go back to its proper and natural Ordination ; viz. That of the civil Protestor of the acknowledged Rights of the Community, as well collectively as individually: that a Freedom of Thought is the Chief of thofe Rights : and that it is fpecially incumbent on the State or Government to adopt fuch Meafures as may beft fecure this intellectual Freedom, whole and entire ; and withal, prevent to the Utmoft, the Members of the Community from the Commifliori f Afts detrimental to the General Weal, The ( 99 ) The Parliament being happily led into thef* Views ; and rightly confidering that the only certain Means of quieting for ever the Differences, quel- ling the Animofities, and entirely removing th Schifms in the Christian Church, will be in afcer- taining by free and public Enquiry, The sure Truth of Revelation ; and having fo done, proceeding to regulate the Mode of public Worfhip by the pre- cife Rule of Christ himfelf ; will be ready to give their full Confent, and exprefs their perfect Ac- quiefcence herein. If the Parliament, being by the Clergy advifed thereto, for the Purpofe of preventing Schifms and Divifions among Christians, were to adopt fuch Meafures as thefe, for the Regulation and better Performance of public religious Duties : namely, To grant a legal Exoneration as to the public Ob- fervance of all Feftivals and Solemnities hitherto appointed to be celebrated in the Church of Eng- land,, with this fingle Exception, that the firil Day of the Week commonly called Sunday, buC more properly the Lord's Day, be alone fet apart for public Worfhip ; and that the Form of public Adoration on this Day, be not only anfwerable to the exaft Prefcript of Christ himfelf, bu that it be confined to the precife Words of our Saviour, from which no Christian can poffibly dif- fent : that feeing Christianity is now become the cftablifhed Religion of divers Countries, and ha taken deep Root in the World, public Preaching* under the prefent Circumftances of the Church^ cannot be of fo much Avail and Importance a$ e Teaching $ nay, on mature Confideration; N a if it muft: appear evident, that private Teaching, either by Writing or otherwife, is the -only proper Me- thod in the prefent State of the Church, of difci- plining the Unlearned ; that all public Preaching be therefore henceforth entirely abolifhed j and that the Clergy, being enjoined, do fet forth in Writing the great Importance of a rational and ftricl; Ob- fervation of Family Duties ; pointing out the beft Means of effecting their due Observance by enact- ing Laws for the Promotion and Encouragement of family Unity ; the Chriflian World would then afiume a quite different Afpecl to that which it hath hitherto prefented to public View. That neither public Preaching nor private Teaching hath hitherto had the falutary EffecT: of bringing Mankind in General to fuch a right Apprehenfion of Christianity, as to influence them freely to prac- tife its Injunctions, will appear lefs to be wondered at, when we confider the Circumflances of paft Times. To bring the World to a right Senfe and general Practice of Christian Duties, the MAGISTRACY must become the TEACHER. But it is not enough that mere Reafons of State mould ilimulate Government to meddle in religious Concerns ; the pure Convi&ion.i of Truth which operate in the Mind of the Indivi- dual, muft alfo direct and influence the Magiftrate. If. we recollect what Means the Providence of God made choice of in bringing about the Reformation from Popery in our Church, as well as the State of Church Affairs among us ever fince, we can be at no Lofs to account for our comparatively mean Attainments in Christian Virtues, > But laying to Heart, and rightly confidering fhe fignally awakening Occurrences of our Time, let the Government of this Country be inftant in fetting forth a bright Example to Christendom and to the World, of genuine Liberality of Spirit : let them fpeedily and in good E rneft, feek the Means of promoting a General Pacification : to which End, it will be Expedient that the confederated Nations combine in a ftill clofer Union and Compact : that they determine to keep the French within the Limits of their proper Bounds : that having compafled this, they leave them, as they ought to.be, entirely y to themfelves. That the confederated Nations do Justice totheCaufe of the INJURED POLES; by granting them Reflitution of their national Rights and Immunities : and having by fuch a frank and liberal Spirit demonftrated a high Regard for the individual Rights of Nations ; and a flrong Defire to promote the general Intereft and Welfare of Mankind ; proving themfelves hereby worthy to become the Pacificators of the World ; let them pro- ceed to eftablifh a General Guarantee of their refpec- tive juft Rights : afcertaining what thofe Rights are, by confulting the Laws of Nations ; and revi- fing and eftablifhing them on the Rule of immutable T , ' Justice. The General Affairs of Nations refpeding each other, being thus happily brought into a fair Train .of amicable Adjuftment, there will be a free Scope for the General Establishment of ^civil and rtligiout Liberty* C 102 ) ngland, on whom the Eye of Christendom is fixed ; England, I fay, efpecially at this Time, manifefling a firm, determined, and withal a truly prudent Spirit^ may become eminently inftrumen- tal in bringing about this Glorious Change in the general Face of Things ; by the judicious MeafurcJ of her internal Arrangements and Regulations. Let it be England's early and zealous Care to vindicate the Truth of God's Word, by inftituting at liberal public Enquiry into the Grounds of receiving the Bible as a Divine Revelation. This will flimulate other Nations to profecute a like free and rational Enquiry ; and it will be glorious for this Country to take tht Lead in fo momentous and highly honourable an Undertaking : an Undertaking at this Time abfolutely neceflary : and which Nothing lefs than the public Sanftion arid Autho- rization of the Legislature, can render competent to its defirable End. How by fuch a rational Difquifition would the Mouth of all Iniquity be flopped ! How would the Glorious Truth of God be made manifefl ! And. Falsehood hide its deteftable Head ! The pure Organization of the Members in the Miniflry of the Christian Church, would follow as a Matter of Courfe. Herein likewife it efpecially behoves us, by an exemplary Propriety of Choice, to fet before the Face of Christendom, fuch a Syftem of ecclefiaftical Polity, as may challenge Acceptation throughout the Chriftian World, A Metropolitan A Metropolitan or Primate, appointed by the Sovereignty of a Country, to prefide over the Affairs of the Church; and under him, twelve Bifhops or Paflors, all of equal Degree in the Church, having the Care of a like Number of Diocefes into which the whole Territory f a State might be divided; and as many Priefts as there are Parifhes through- out the Realm ; may be prefumed to be a Consti* tution more warrantable from the Scriptures, and the Nature and Spirit of the Christian Religion, than any that hath hitherto been eftablifhed on the Earth. The Primate or Archbishop, as the firft Dignitary in the Church, and the firil Officer in the Stats after the Sovereign, ought undoubtedly to have am Eftablifhment anfwerable to the Eminence of the National Church over which he prefides ; as well to reprefent the National Dignity and Conse- quence, as to have wherewithal to be exemplary in Chriftian Munificence and Hofpitality. The Ei~? shops to have a fuitable and equal Revenue paid them by the State ; and fo likewife the Priests : for the Clergy in this advanced Age of the Church, ought ever to look to the State, and not to private Individuals, for their neceflary Maintenance and Support. The whole Revenue of the Church, being inverted in the Hands of the State, and Parliament having apportioned the twelve Diocefes or Bifhoprics ; the new Ordination of Church Officers might, in the firft Inftance, be determined by Lot: that is to fay, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to draw Lots ( 104 r Lots who (hall be Metropolitan or Primate of the National Church of England', the Archbishop not chofen, to be elected Chief of the twelve Bifhops ; the other eleven to be likewife chofen by Lot from among the prefent Bifhops : the Reft being ex- cluded by Lot, (till to retain their prefent Reve- nues as Penfions from the State ; fo likewife the Reft of the Clergy, who being fupernumerary in the new Eftablifhment, will ne.cefiarily be out of Office in the Church. But to- fettle the future Mode of electing the Ministry of the Church, we muft defcend to fur- ther Confiderations. It will be neceflary exactly to flate the peculiar Functions of the Metropolitan, the Bishops, and -the Priests : as likewife the Regu- lations for public Worihip, and other Particulars. It has been before obferved, that carnal Ordi- nances, that is, fuch as proceed merely from Man's Will, are altogether inadequate to regulate fpiri- tual Concerns ; and it is nothing to be wondered at, that Diflentions have heretofore prevailed in the public Christian Church, when we confider that ' Quot Homines ? Tot Sententice.' But if, having afcertained beyond the Power of Contradiction^ the Divine Authority of the Scriptures, we make them, as we ought, our fole Rule or Directory ; and ftudioufly avoiding all Manner of religious Con- tention, which the Apoftle calls, vain Janglings and Difputations; we annul the exiting Ordinan- ces of the Church, abrogate all public Obfervations of Holidays, and totally do away all compulfory Acts refpe&ing Religion which are found to b$ Jioilil* lioflile to intelle&ual Liberty ; we (hall then be enabled to simplify the Mode of public Worship, fol-r lowing the Dire&ion and ufmg the precife Words of our Saviour ; and appointing the Lord's Day to be the only Day that Christians aflTemble and join together in social Worship : and with Refpeft to private or family religious Duties, public Preaching being wholly laid afide, Means be adopted, to eftablifh fuch a scriptural Ministry of Teaching, as may through the Divine Affiftance, be found effectual in advancing the Knowledge and Practice of real Christianity. The Constitution of the Clergy being admitted to be fettled on the Plan propofed ; and it being in Contemplation to go through a thorough Church Reform ; the Clergy having freely diverted them- felves of all fecular Power and Authority, confi- ning themfelves folely to the Difcharge of their minifterial Function ; and the Bishops, as they are merely spiritual Counsellors, and ought not to con- flitute Part of the Legiflature ; having freely relin- quifhed their parliamentary Attendance ; we will fuppofe them to.be now by Parliament convened in Convocation-. Their Bufinefs in Convocation ought to be, To confider what Regulations from Time to Time may appear to-be neceffary refpefting religious Matters, and to addrefsthePtfr/jflwo^ thereupon. The parochial Clergy, by Letter, regularly informing their Dio- cesan of the State of their refpeftive Parifties ; and the Bishop, when Circumflances fo require, ft 4ing the Matters which within his particular Dillridt O appear appear to be cognizable by the Convocation. Hence it may be feen, that the Convocation is formed of the Metropolitan; as the Head, and the Bishops, exclufive of the Reft of the Clergy. When Matters are opened in Convocation, there mould be a perfect Unanimity of Sentiment as to what Regulations may be deemed neceflfary to be propofed to the Legislature, before the Metropolitan be authorised to addrefs the Parliament thereon. The Clergy being thus reftored to their proper and natural Character, that of the spiritual Counsel- lors of the State ; it remains with Parliament freely to debate upon whatever Matters may be thus brought before them ; and to exercife their Wif- dom either in their Adoption or Rejection ; or in enacting Laws thereupon. Suppofe the Convocation thus formed, viewing the prefent Appearance of the Christian Profession hi the World, imploring the Aidance of Divine Grace, and confulting the Scriptures, do fet about with a Chriftian Zeal to remedy the prefent fad State of Things : the jarring Contentions concern- ing the Modes and Forms of public religious Ceremonies, and public Adoration, will doubtlefs flrike their Notice, and awaken their Concern. They may be led from hence to 'recommend to Parliament, utterly to abolifh all public religious Ceremonies : many of which, though perfectly innocent in themfelves, yet have given Occafion to the Craft of the [Devil, acting on the weak Minds ot Chriftian s, to produce the moil mifchie- vous Effects : and to minifter Food for Cavilings d endlefs Deputations, - They They may moreover be- led, to recommend, that Parish Churches only, be by Law allowed for the mixt Body of Chriftians to aflemble in for the Celebration of public Worfhip ; and that the Lord's Day be the only Day fet apart for this great Solemnity. That the Meeting of Chriftians once together on this Day, at a convenient Hour to be fixed, be fufficient for the Purpofe of addreffing Almighty God in united Prayer; and that the Prayer to be thus publicly and unitedly offered up, be the LORD'S PRAYER ONLY. That all Dif- tinclions of Pews or Seats in Churches do ceafe. That feeing Chriftians when aifembled for focial Worfhip, do meet as Fellow-Creatures adoring their Common Creator, civil Diftinftions ought then and there to be laid afide. The Priest alone to be dif- tinguifhed from the People ; and he only, as the Speaker in the Name of all. That feeing the Ad of Adoration demands the deepeft Reverence of Mind, a limited Time, to be determined on, be fet apart after Chriftians are thus met in the more immediate Prefence of their GREAT GOD, during which, the moft profound Silence be obferyed, for the Purpofe of exercifmg fuch mental Recollection, as fuits the Occafion : when this limited Space of Time be elapfed, the Priest {landing up or kneeling, as his Mind will direft him, the People alfo reve- rently kneeling or Handing, ufmg indifferently which Pofition foever the Individual may judge right in his own Mind ; the Priest having in fuch like Words as thefe, addreffed the People, Let us pray to Almighty God in the Name and Words of Jesus O Christ Christ, his Blessed Son our Saviour, with the deepeft Reverence prays to God in the Words of the Lord's Prayer, all the People anfwerirsg, Amen : then con- cluding with fuch a fcriptural Blefling as this, The Grace of the Lord Jems Christ, and the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, the Congregation reverently depart. As to the Celebration of the Sacrafaent, the Bap" tism of Chriftians, whether Infants, or Adults, &c. it will be expedient for Chriftians privately met together ; that is to fay, for Friends and Relatives, having been duly inftru&ed in the Knowledge of Chriftianity, to perform thefe great religious Duties at Home, as the Senfeof Duty fhali prompt them : thereby cutting off all Oceafions of Diffention in- the Chriftian World : there being no conftraining JLaw that may be fuppofed to force the Confcien- ees of the People. But to awaken Mankind to a due Senfe of their Duty, it will be necefiary to eflabliih fuch a Chrif- tian Teaching Miniftry, as may by the Divine Bleffing, quicken in the Minds of the People, a right Apprehenfion of True Religion : and thereby difpelling thofe di final Clouds of Ignorance which now overfpread and darken the World ; and open- ing the bright Manifeftations and piercing Convic- tions of Truth ; may uiher in the Glorious Triumph ef_ Christ and his Saints on the Earth. Let the Convocation recommend the Eftablifhmenfc of public Parochial Schools, wherein the Rudiments of the Chriftian Religion may be taught : thefe to ,fee initiatory to all other public Seminaries, That the ( 109 ) the Mode of Teaching, and Matter of Inflruftion, in fuch initiatory Schools be determined on in the Convocation, and fan&ioncd by Parliament : and that no Public Teacher be permitted to teach other- wife than in the Manner authorised by the State. That the Office of a Teacher in thefe Parochial Schools be held highly honorable : and that the fupernumerary Clergy be at firft nominated to fuch Office. That great Diligence be recommended in teachir * the People the Knowledge of their Chrif- tian Cuty: That the Convocation proceed to lay before rirliamtnt fuch and fuch Regulations, as may app ar neceffary to advance the Work of Reformation ; particularly to lay down Rules and Directions in their future Choice of Chriflian Minifters, and to point out the peculiar Duties of their Charge. The Office of a Chriflian Teacher in the Public Parochial Schools, ought to beconfidered as a very honorable Dignity ; yet the Emolument mould be much inferior to that of a Prieft. The Prieft ought to have an Income fully adequate to his Situation : for as the Clergy are taken entirely from the Concerns of fecular Bufinefs, and called to attend wholly to the Work of the Miniflry; fo fliould the Provifion for their Support be fuch a may raife them above all fervile Dependance. All public Preaching being discontinued, the pe- culiar Office of a Pried will be, To pray on the Lord's Day in Behalf of the People in the Congre- gation, and to blefs the People in the Name of the Lord; to overtee the Worjk of Chriftian Inftruc- tio ( "0 ) tioft in the Public Parochial School : to be rteady to vifit fuch Families as (hall fo require, for the Purpofe of fpiritual Advice, baptizing Children, adminiftering the Sacrament, &c. &c. The Convocation conlidcring how much the po- litical Welfare of the State depends on the flrift Attention of the People to their focial and family Duties ; will be very earnefl in promoting the befl Meaiis for their greatefl Improvement in thefe highly eifential Points. The Duty of Man to his Maker, of Wives to their Hufb;:nds, of Chil- dren to their Parents, Servants to their Mailers, and Subjects to the State, ought to be laid down in the plained and mod inllruclive Point of View. That the Convocation recommend to Parliament to annul the Marriage- Act. And for the better fecu- ring the Natural Tie of Relationfhip, and the Unity and Interclt of Families, which is an. Object of the utmofl Importance as to the General Welfare of the Community, it be en :6led that Marriage, being a private Family Concern, ought to be fokmnized not in the public Church, but privately among the Friends of the united Families : and that it be at the Option of the Heads of fuch united Fami- lies, what Religious Rites to make Ufe of, at fuch Solemnization : and that to give Validity to fuch "Marriage, the State mould enact, that certain obli- gatory Conditions, which mould afterwards be held legally binding, be llipulated by the Heads of the refpeclive Families on Behalf of the betrothed Par- ties, which ftiould be mutually agreed upon before the the Solemnization. That early Marriage be great- ly recommended ; and that public Rewards ancl Honors be conferred on Families deferviny; the O general Efteem of the Community ; for their hono- rable Regard to, and excellent Dif charge of their refp^&ive Chriftian Duties. Though the Obfervation of th^ Great Chriftian Feftivals,, and other Solemnities appointed to be celebrated in the Church of Enlgand, as it is at this Day, be, with Refpecl to their further public Celebration, recommended to be thus laid afide ; yet fuch Families as choofe privately to obferve them, ought to ufe the mofl perfect Freedom herein. And doubtlefs, when all Apprehenlions of legal Rellraint fhall be forgotten, Poflerity will do ample Juflice to the fuperior Excellence of the prefent Church of England ; by voluntarily retaining molt Parts of her Ritual in th,e Offices of private Family Devotion. While Mankind then are thus initiating them-, felves into the Knowledge of Chriftianity, the Public Prieft will be neceffarily wanting in private Families, to direct the Performance of religious Duties : but when Chriftian Knowledge becomes greatly enlarged, the Head of a Family will then, with Propriety aflume that Rank which Providence defigns ; and become a Teacher and a Prieft to his Houfehold. So that the Public Prieft will then have but to infpecl: into the religious State of his Barifh, to pr iy publicly in the Midft of the Con- gregation, arid to tranfmit to his Bifhop, from Time to Time, the neceffary Information. The The Minifters of the Church ought to have every public Mark of Deference paid to them in Refpecl: to their facred Mini dry. But it behoves the State. warily to obferve them; and to fee that every A6t of their Miniftry be clearly warranted by the Scriptun; and that it be fuch as is evidently con- ducive to the fpiritual Good of the People. When a Prieft dies, the State, if need be, ought to fee that due Provifion be made for his Family ; and that due Honor be paid to his Mem ry. The Bifhop of the Diocefe, on the Dtmife of a Prieft, to vifit the Parifh, and to ordain the Public P..ro- chial Teacher to the Priefthood in the Room of the Deceafed: moreover to appoint a fit Perfon, namely, the Head of a Family in the Parifh, fuch an One as would choofe to accept the Office, and whom the Parifhioners approve of, as One exem- plary in the Chriflian Difcipline and Order of his Family, to be the Public Parochial Teacher's Succeflbr. The Public Parochial Teacher's Emolument being but fmall, his Office being rather of Honor than of Profit, and not being reckoned as one of the Clergy, though his Office be preparatory to the Minifterial Function, and though called to the Place of a Public Teacher in the Parifh ; yet he may lawfully profecute his fecular Bufinefs as before : but when ordained to the Priefthood, he then muft wholly feparate from temporal Bufinefs, and give himfelf up altogether to the Work of the. facred Miniftry/ When ( "3 ) But when a Bifhop dies, the Metropolitan deter- mines by Lot among the Priefts in the Diocefe of the Deceafed, who ihall be his Succeffor. The Metropolitan ordains him to the Epifcopal Dignity ; and the Priefthood is to be filled up in the like Manner as though the Prieft had been defunft. But the Metropolitan, as being the firlt Officer in the State, after the Sovereign, ought to be nomina- ted by the Sovereign himfelf, and ordained by the Bilhops in Convocation. The peculiar Duty of the Bilhops, is to vifit the Parifhes in their refpec- tive Diocefes at the Deceafe of a Prieft: to ordain a Succeffor in his Room ; and to appoint a public parochial Teacher in the Room of him that is re- moved to the Priefthood : to fit in Convocation : to receive from Time to Time, Accounts from the Priefts of the feveral Parifhes in his Diocefe, the State of their refpe&ive Parifhes : to lay fuch Mat- ters as may appear to be neceffary, before the Con- vocation, and to debate with his Brethren thereupon- The Metropolitan, as before obfsrved, prefides in the Convocation ; and lays fuch Matters refpe&ing Religion before the Parliament, as fhall be unani- moufly agreed upon in Convocation. Thus have I at length, by Divine Afliftance, been enabled to effecl: the Purpofe, which I believe God has put into my Mind. May the Almighty give a Blefling to thefe my Endeavors for the Promotion of the Knowledge of His Truii: zimong Men ; and may the Hearts of the Difobe- dient be turned to the Wifdom of the Juft ; that P a!: ( U4 ) all the Ends of the Earth may acknowledge tHe- Glory of God. Great would be the falutary Gonfequence which - would mod furely refult from the Adoption of thefe Plans. Wars would in a little Time ceafe from one End of the World to the other. The Na- tions would beat their Swords into Plough-Shares, and their Spears into Prunkg-Hooks. Mankind would freely cultivate the Arts of Peace. At Home, we mould be rightly inftru&ed in the Art of fweet- ening and embelliftiing our Lives. The Know- ledge of ourfelveS) and of our Duty, would be opened clearly to the Apprehenfion of every One of us. We mould no longer fay, the One to the Other, ' Know the Lord,' for all would know Him, and would adore and reverence Him for His un- fpeakable Goodnefs and Bleffings to the Children of Men. The whining Gant of Hypocrify would no longer impofe its baneful Deception. The Sheep would be taught to hear the Voice of the true Shepherd, and would abide altogether within his Fold. We mould no longer fear the Stroke of Vengeance : for the Enemy within being van- quiihed, we fliould be freed from all Apprehenfion of Evil from without. Nay, the Seafons would adminifter to our Comfort, and we fhould be bleffed with the kind Influences of the Heavens. We mould no longer be molelled with jarring Contentions ; but mould be capacitated to enjoy the delightful Sweets of Peace and Unity. No Murmuring in our Cities, no Complaining in our Streets ! Happy, Happy, the People in fuch a Cafe I Yea, Bleffed are the People who have the Lord for their God ! Praife God, from whom all Bleffings flow,. Praife Him, all Creatures here below : Praife Him above, Ye angelic Hoft ! Praife Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft ! JUNE, 1793. FI N IS. ERRATA. Page 27, laft Line,/or n read in. Page 45, Line 17, for had the Aid, &c. read never had the Aid, &c- v A 000106611 7 m