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