THE STATE and BEHAVIOUR F ENGLISH CATHOLICS, FROM The Reformation to the Year 1780. WITH A VIEW of their PRESENT NUMBER, WEALTH, CHARACTER, 6cc. IN TWO PARTS. StC NOS IN LUCE TIMEMUS INTERDUM, NIHILO Q^J/E SUXT METUENDA MACIS, QU/E PL'ERI IN TENEBRIS PAVITANT, KINGL'NTQUE FUTURA. LuCRET. LONDON: Printed for R. FAULDER, New-Bond-Strcct. MDCCLXXX. REPACK. rORE the prefs be doled, I fee a propriety in prefixing a ie\v obier- vatiun:-. Yv hen in manufcript, the follow- in^ pares were fubmitted to the infpeiiion O i O i of friends ; they made objeflions, \\ hich I attended to; and I made ibme alterations at tiieir requeih I could not do all they deiiivd, becauie I could not tot.illv fucri- lice my o\vi. v, avs ct thinking. I owed * * O io;i:et!;ir,g to illicit, a^ \vell as to them. The printed llicets I-.n-e aliu bc'-n feen by ethers, whole moderation and impro\ed abilities I gre.uly value. It is proper, ;ittention mould be |v.;id to their remark:?. Thev hn-.c told me llvat, I lliould iiave quoted authoriiics for nimt, on n:any occaiior.-', J liave faid. My i;nl\ver is That my infonriiition li.i- been principally taken from \\c\\- kiiown iources ; Ironi Lord C'lareiulon, Kiihop Burnet, Mr. Ihime, and other writers on Iin^liili Iliitorv. J wiihcd not O ^ to cm\vd an hi^ible pae with the porn- IV PREFACE. pous difplay of great names. It was ne- cefTary to read much, but I could collect little. Catholics, for many years back, had made too inconfidenible a figure in the drama of human life, to attract the notice of the annalift or the hiftorian. In the moft crouded narratives of Englifh bulinefs, they feldom appear, unlefs where peevifh humour brings them forward, for an object of cenfure or of malignant fatyre. There is ,a Church Htjiory cf England, from the y~ar 1500 to the yea} 1688, pub- limed fome years ago by a Catholic Cler- gyman, which was of ule to me. It con- tains many things, regarding Catholics, during that period, extremely curious and well authenticated. The delineation of modern Catholics was generally drawn from my own oblcrvatlun and experience, They have told me, I ?.m too animated, too free, and occalioruliy too fuvere on all parties ; that Catholics may not be pleated,, and that Proteilants may be offended. My an Aver is if I nrn i'jO animated, it is not my fault. I write as 1 feel; and the rc:nilatini r of the il.ite of my nerves is O O J net at mv o\vn option. BciiJes, the view of PREFACE. v of many things I had to contemplate, was of a nature fufnciently ftimulant to roufe powers much lefs irritable than mine. After all, dull competition is but a forry entertainment. If I \vrite with /^^A/v/; let it be remembered, I am an Englifh- man ; and though oppreiled, my thoughts are not ihackled, nor am I tongue-tied. It is a well-known djfcription of a good hiftorian, given by Cicero, when Rome was no longer free, Ne quid /a//' due^e audctit, nt' quid r ceri noh aud<\it ; th.it ;,% Let him dare to f^ak all tr:i'b, let him not dare to tcli a lie. I do not think I have been too fevere on any p.u\y. i fi\v ^uilts on all fides, and thole faults I ceniured. If Catholics be not pleafed : '1 hey may know, that I did not write with views of pleating them. I aimed to inform, and if pofiible, to correct, Lords, Pnclls, and Commons, now have, and always have had, fomcthing in their characters and in their manners, which is reprehenlible. They would not wilh I the occ of Rome. Ciitbtiic i.s .in old family name, which we have never forfeited. The words Popery and Pdlnjl arc peculiarly infultive. I am no Papili, nor is my Re- ligion Popery. The one and the other O is have no proper exiilence, but in the mif- reprefentations of our advcrfarics ; tome- thin^ of them may perhaps be found in the kingdoms of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Such, I think, are the principal objec- tions, which have hitherto reached me: But there is a clals ot men amongfl us, whofe opinions I \viil\ to combat. They arc- enemies to ever} 1 Ipecies of writing on the bufmefs of Catholics. \\'e fliould not, they fay, raife the obfervation of the pub- lic ; our fccurity is in our obfcurity; if noticed, the law may be called in to lafli us PREFACE. vii us into filencc; what fignify charges, how- ever groh and defamatory; it is not pof- lible to remove the national odium ; we are now unmolefted, who knows how long \vc may continue io, if we dare to ihew our faceb ? Such, and much more, is the language of thele very prudent, very cautious, very provident, and very timid Gentlemen. VVhilil the tumvilts of la it iummcr were raging in the Metropolis, their voice was heard tremblingly giving counlel : " For God-iake, laid they, let us infcantly peti- tion parliament to repeal this obnoxious bill; it is better to cuntefs w.r arc guilty of all the crimes laid to cur charge, than to he bunu in our honies :" It was ivin- d'rous pitijul\ ar.d th.LV a.ired to c.irry about ? iorm oi a petition to that ei'icct, praying lor the iignature oi iiurncs ! late Conltituents ; and he teli.i them, ib >:.? fro n ieein:^ crimir...;ty in tliat conduit, he vloried in what lie had done; becaufe, in oppolition to fanaticifm and intolerant b zeal, xii P R E F ACE. zeal, he had fupported the rights of human nature, and aimed to emancipate a deferring body of fellow- citizens from the iron hand of opprefTion. Mr. Burke ! ive thank you! May you be foon reftored to thofe walls, which, in your abfence, feem (horn of their briphtell beams ! O Lucem redde tuac, Vir bone, patrke : Inftar veris enim vultus ubi tuus Affulfit populo, gratior it dies, Et foles melius nitent. HORAT* With every thinking man it mufl furely be a proof highly in our favour, that we have not a friend, in either houfe, whom honour and virtue do not call their friend. When I name the Chancellor, I name the fir ft man in this, or perhaps in any other kingdom : And were I to name all thufc, who wiih to give relief to Catholics, I think I ihould name whatever this nation has c;rcatcft to boall of, in liberality of fcntimcnt, extent of abilities, love of li- berty, and ardour to maintain the rights of mankind. Supported by thefe pillars, it is not poiTible we can fall ; fhould we fall, ruin thus circumftanced would be more enviable than triumph. I PREFACE. xiii I have only to beg the indulgence of my readers to the many faults which the following pages will exhibit. I was ftrait- ened for time, and my fources of informa- tion were fcanty. However, I have done my beft. Where my language is deficient, the man of candour will recoiled; that, when eleven years old I was fent to a fo- reign land for education, and did not re- turn till after ahnoil twenty years of mi- ferable exile. CARLTON, Dec. 3, 1780. THE L R R A T A. Page 8. Line 16. for ivcuk', read could. P. 31. 1. 6. ditto. P. 43. 1. 2C. for ;Y/?J-, read ;Y/?. P. ^6. 1. 25. after the words, TC'/;^ Lncw nothing cf the fir/}, put a full point. P. J28. 1. i. after natural^ read or. T H E STATE and BEHAVIOUR O F ENGLISH CATHOLICS FROM THE REFORMATION to the prcfcnt Year 1780, PART I. INTRODUCTION. THE riots which, iome months ago, threatened deftruclion to the Capi- tal of the Britiih Empire, and the debates conlequent thereupon in both houfes of parliament) have given rile to much fpeculation. It is obvious to enquire, from whence ftich commotions could bnve arifen. Under the popular cry, Nol J Gpi y t an Ajjoclation had been formed ; and the members of this afibciation were the nilen- fiblc acrcnts in the confufion and devafta- tion which fucceeded. Was then an an- j A prchcnfion Introduction prehcnfion of the increafe of Popery, front the indulgence Catholics had lately recei- ved, the real instrument which convened the AjjoclatorSj and which produced their tumultuous application to parliament ? I am ready to believe that much of the evil which was done, in the demolition of private and of national property, was merely accidental; that it was effected by the horrid activity of fuch mifcreants, as are ever ready, under the fcreen of popular commotion, to practife their bad deligns. Where no futiicient ground is given for fair fuppofition, it would be wrong to in- fer any preconcerted plan for general de- ftruclion. Some years hence, perhaps, we may be better able to form a judgment. ' I am alib ready to allow, that the Pro- tcjtant Ajjociatlon might be influenced by motives, to them of -\ cogent and weighty nature. They might feriouily apprehend, from a fuppofed increafe of Pct)-.r\- 9 that danger threatened the eftabliihcd Church, and the civil Conftitution of Great Britain. It became their duty therefore to take the alarm, and to petition for the repeal of an obnoxious act. In rcafoning on a dark fubjecl, I am willing to make all allow- ances that the circumflimccs of things, or the f 3 ] the operation of human paflions, can Introduction juftify. From a general view indeed of the cha- racters of thofe men, who formed the Pro^ tejlant Aflociation, it will be more rational, I believe, to conclude, th.\t they had no diftinct object before them : For they were not qualified to combine ideas, or to pro- ject fchcmes of operation. To all appear- ance there never was fo illiterate and rude a multitude : But their minds, open to every impreiVion, had bzcn ftruck by an artful defcription of imaginary evils; and they followed blindly every impulfe of their leaders. What were the views of thefe men, I pretend not to fay : Perhaps they alib were ferioufly apprehensive; or perhaps, (which I fhould rather fufpect to be the cafe) under the cover of fictitious dread, and of vain iuiicitude for the good of religion, the)' had formed their dcfigns, in which ambition or difappointed paiiion had a leading intereil. But I \v;ih not to hazard a decided opinion. It is a rejection not eaiily reconcileable with the prefent advanced Hate of the hu- man mind; however, I am mucn difpoicd A 2 to [ 4 J to believe that it was the dread alone of Popery which inftigatcd the Aflbciators. The records of bigotry and fanaticifm will ever occupy a large fpace in the annals of mankind. A peribn but little acquainted with the general fentiments of Englifh- men, in the bufmefs of religion, will be necefiitated to draw the fame conclufion. There ftill remains in the mind of almoffc every Proteicant, from the higheil to the lowed, from the heft-informed to the mofk ignorant, from the infidel to the zealot, and from the fanatic to the man of cool reafon, a rooted prejudice againft the name of Catholic, which no time, I fear, or the efforts, of philofophy, will ever erafe. No fooner is the infant mind fufceptible of the flighted impreilion, than it is the bu- finefs of the nurle to paint a hideous form, and that (he calls Popery. Every circum- fbnce of horror, and all the fcenery of glowing imagination, is called in to deck the curious phantom. Nor afterwards is it the aim of better judgment to remove this falfe impreilion ; rather all the arts of declamation are feduloufly employed to give it a more fixed and lading permanency. Few men, I believe, are ftrangers to the inveterate obdinacy of fuch early notions. At t S ] At the beginning of what is called the Intrcdu&lon Reformat ion i it was natural to expect that the old religion, againlt which fuch mighty deii^ns were formed, would he held out, by the new apoftles, in colours belt calcu- lated to rouie every idea of diftafte and de- tellation. To have engaged in fo arduous a work, without fuch adist-ince, would have been the extreme of folly. Fortu- nately for their deiigns, the general Cor- ruption which had long prevailed i or .ic face of Christianity, afforded too i: : vd.iiit matter for ceniure; and this circu:ntt;in._e the Reformers well knew how to f -;i to their own advantage. They wilJiillv con- founded abufes in practice with abuics in belief; aiTerting that the Chriftun j'.n-b had been corrupted, when they knew tho adjuncts, that is, the invention, of ,ne;i only were bad ; and thus forcibly blvnd- ing together objects ib really diihnct, they ungenerouily drew a representation full of horror, on which role the \vhoie f ibric of the reformed religion. Though I highly O O O J condemn the conduct of thefirit i-.efoi -urs, it is not my intention to cail c-.'niure on the Protellants or the prefent d.ty: F/.c cauie is entirely their o ' n : Nor is it u all jny v/ilh to enter into coniroveriud dilpute. The The Crmftian world has wrangled too- long. But if the declaration of hiftorical truth give offence, it is a proof that it has not been fufriciently urged. I wifh to contemplate the revolutions in Church and State, with the cool indif- ference ot philofophy. On every fide may be difcovered many traces of iimilar paf- fions ; and very few events there are irs cither, wherein rcafon and the amiable in- lluencc of virtue had any leading concern. That great revolution, by which Chrifli- unity was introduced, is always to be ex- ccpted. I allow, however, that much good was eventually derived to the Chriftian Church from the Reformation. The pro- fdlbrs of the old religion were roufed to more active virtue ; they faw the necemty of proper difcrimi nation betwixt human inventions and divine inftitutions and a fpirit of univcrfal enquiry was foon let on foot, the happy effects of which are now experienced. But the Reformers might have aimed at the correction of abuies, without touching, with profane hands, the vital fubllance ; or furely they might have proceeded in a fpirit of more mode- ration, and with lefs appearance of paffion and ( 7 ] and interefted zeal. Had they done ib, Inuoduflign their names had gone down with more re- verence to the grave ; and we ihould not now have to lament thofe feuds and deep animofities which have for ever divided the Chriftian world. More than two centuries are now elap- fed fince the fir ft days of Reformation. It was natural to expect that long ago all that rancour and heated recrimination would have fubiided, which firft animated the contending parties. When the Sec- *-J 1 t arles had firmly eiVablimcd thernielves ; that is, when their opinions had taken faft hold, had new-modelled the political constitutions of many kingdoms, and had made with them one connected and almoll indiflbluble malV', they had nothing, it Items, further to apprehend. The policy therefore of representing Popery, with a hundred heads and a hundred arms, ready to devour and to deftroy, fubiided no longer. Yet itill the lame arts of impoiition were ufed, and al \vays with the fame fuccefs. It cannot indeed be denied but [re ill in- centives were foon added to keep up tlu. acrimony of old imprcfiions, und ni.iny of tl:eie \verc of a complexion reallv -alar.'M- [ 8 ] Introduction ing. The barbarities praclifed by the Ca- tholics on many, whole Ible crime often was difference in belief, cannot be too much execrated ; and the blood of inno- cence, which was then ipilled, became the feed of fatal nnimoiities. In thofe wars, indeed, in which whole provinces, and even kingdoms were engaged, and wherein, under the veil of zeal for re- ligion, crimes of every defcription were perpetrated, equal blame, it feems, may be juilly caft on both fides. It was often the bad policy of Itates, or the intempe- rate p retentions of faction, which gave rife to thefe contentions : Religion at lead I^ould have no concern, though her facred name was for ever blalphemed. The un- prejudiced man, if fuch a one there be, in perufing the annals of thofc bad days, will find abundant matter for indifcrimi- nate reprehenflon ; and he will clofe the page equally (hocked and equally exafpe- rated at the conduct of all parties. On L 9 ] ON a review of the tran factions of Henry VIII. my own country, in matters of re- ligion, (for I wiih to confine myiclf within thefe limits) it is not dimcult, I think, to form a decided and juft opinion. The Reformation v/as here introduced by means the mo ft violent and oppreffive. The ty- rant Henry could ufe no other. Deprived of their property, perfecuted in their per- fons, and defamed in their reputation, could it he expected that Englijh Catho- lics would, in lilence, forfake the religion of their forefathers, however erroneous it had hcen, or, without reluctance, bow iheir heads to opprefiion ? He indeed mufl be peculiarly clear-lighted who, through this whole reign, can dilcover, in any cine inftance, the genuine fpirit of Chri- ilian Reformation. It was not, at leail, by tuch means that primitive ChrifcLmity was eftabiimed ; though I know it i:; fometimcs by pcftilente and by ftorms that llic benevolent detigns of Providence arc conducted. Uut I mean not to dwell longer on the event., of tin? reign, when, the caufc of Catholics was tlic common caufe of the natioii. Moderate men are little inclined to crive credit to the report o I io j Henry VIII. of numberlefs crimes and flagitious enor- mities, of which they were accufed ; be- caufe the views of his Majefty and the rapacity of Courtiers wanted iuch a plea in vindication of their conduct. Edward VI. DURING the fliort period of Edward's reign, the work of Reformation went on, gradually acquiring form and permanency. Lcfs feverity was fometimes uied, than the nation had before experienced -, but moderation, at thefe times, was an un- known virtue. I would rather leave my friend in error, than make him a profe- lyte to truth by fuch means. At the dcc.th of the late King, things were in great confuiion ; the old religion had been violently fliaken, but the tenets of the new one were neither eftablilhed nor even publicly known. Henry himfelf had been really no friend to the Re- formers ; impetuoiity of temper had alone driven b.im to fuch outrageous attacks on a religion he interiorly reverenced ; and by his la ft will he folemnly ordained, and charges all his fuccclibrs to take care, that Mf'Ji's be daily laid in the Chapel at \Vindfor, ^hllc the ii-orld JJ:all endure. - The r " ] The friends to the Reformation faw the Edward VI. necelTity of taking effectual meafures. Great part of the Nobility, many of the Gentry, and the Bifhops with the infe- rior Clergy, were frill much attached to the ancient form of worihip. The pro- tector Sowcrjet, and Craiiiw, that ductile and time-ferving Pried, almoft fingly en- gaged in the holy work, and they fuo ceeded. All oppofition was weak againft tlie exec. ill vc power of fuch crafty and formidable Mimfters. Some fruitlefs at- tempts were made -, but it now appeared, chat the eftabliihment of the new re- ligion, was the only means of fee tiring to the fir ft occupiers the pofTeiTion of the Church-wealth they had already laid their hands en -, it would alib open a door to new acquisitions from the lame quarter. This it was, and not love for religion, that fo well promoted the iviormmg fcheme and not only the revenues of the Church, but the libraries alib, underwent a dreadful fcrutiny. Thole of Weft mi n- fler and Oxford were ordered to be ran- facked, and purged of all Romifli Itiper- flition. Many of the molt valuable books, even of human literature, were plated with gold and lilver. " This, as far as 13 2 we [ 13 I VI. vvc can guefs, fays Collier, was tlic fu- perllition which de-droved them." Works of Geometry and Aftronomy were at once known to contain magic, this was rank Popery ; and they threw them into the flames. The universities, unahle to flop the fury of thefe worthy Reformers, filently looked on, and trembled for their own iecuritv. 'Mary. AS I condemn the boifterous violence of Henry, and the unpopular and gothic conduct: of Edward's Minifters, fo do ] condemn the proceedings of Mary, who, by wavs equally reprehenfiblc. aimed t( j j i.i rellore what her father and infant brothel had overthrown. They, and their Coun- fellors, were alike ftrangers to the dic- tates of reafon and to the genii i lie princi- ples of true religion. Yet it cannot fecrr itrange, if fuch Catholics as had remainee firmly attached to the old worfhip, eagerl) embraced the fir ft occafion of reinilatin^ thcmfelves. In fo doin1 v partial to his own cauie. It is worth notice, that Sir Thomas Y/yatt, \\lio headed a formidable mfur- rection ag;iinll Mary, was himfelf a Ca- tholic. A treaty ol marriage had been concluded betwixt the C^iieen ami Philip of Spain. No ftep, it was jud-ed, could be better calculated to i'.ipport the cauie of Catholicity ; but it was hv ionic feared that England had much reai^n to be jea- lous of iu dole a connexion with a crown, \vhofe crreat ambition now ai.ned at uni- O vcrial monarchy : Hurried oil ny an im- pulle of rafn patnotiim, \\ y-.if tlierefore role in arms, 'i lie love ^. co .ntry outweighed every other con r, aeration. o IN the year i^y^, Elizihcth nfccn^cd Klizabeti the tlirone of England. At this tune be- gins r H i Jtlizabeth. gins the real era of Englifh Reformation; and confequently from this time Catholics are to be confidcred as a fed:, diflenting from the national Church. To enter on a minute detail of the many events, in the line of religious politics, which rapidly fucceeded one another, during this long reign, would carry me too far; but I {hall not willingly omit any circumfrance which can fcrve to mark the real character of Catholics. The moil rigorous penal laws were now enacled againft them, and they were carried into execution under various pretences. They were accufed of iedition, ; t nd of engaging in the mod: unremitted attempts againft the perfon of their Sove- reign and the eflablifhed religion, with a view to introduce a Popifli fucceilbr, and, on the ruins of Proteftantifm,to re-eftablifh the Catholic faith. I will not fay that no Catholics were ever guilty of theic crimes. It could not poffibly be otherwiie: for they were men, and they had the paiTions of men. What man, when he either thinks himfclf ill-ufed, or really is ib, will not drive to gain redreis ? Un icr de tcrrc fc rcfent* quand on lui marc be, faid, at this time, a much -injured Princels, in a letter addref- fed to her cruel perfecutrix : But the body of r '5 ] of Catholics, which was then very con- Elizabeth, fiderable, never engaged in, and never en- couraged, any fchemes of fedition or trea- fon. Yet, furely, no condition was ever more humiliating than theirs ; and if they did not ardently look forward to any event that might give them relief, opprellion mud have deadened every feeling of na- ture ! Plots, whether real or fictitious, in the hands of an able politician, are thofe for- tunate engines, which he will know how to turn to every poffible ufe. The dark- nefs in which they are involved fuppliea the greatcfr. latitude of interpretation. If red/, as plots are ieldom attended with fuccefs, the arm of government will be ftrengthened by their detection, and notice \\ill be given for the application of fuch remedies as may icem ncceliary to the fupport of the flate. Its defects or weak parts are now laid open. The heads of feditious intrigue will either be taken off, cr will be fecured a^aiuil further attempts : Faclion will be broken. The ruling pow- ers have then acquired a more linn aiul ex ten live energy. Fictitious plots are at- tended with ilill greater advantages. B\ r their [ '6 ] Elizabcih. their means Tome devoted party may be marked out, and be coniigned to a fatal and national odium. At that moment the ftatt-iYnan's hand is armed with a po- tent wand, whereby he will be able to conjure up all the fpirits of the deep. He will gratify his creatures with the for- feited Ipoils of the unhappy luffcrers ; private animoiities will find room for the exertion oi relentment ; revenge and all the. paflions of intereil will know no bounds. In the mean-time the attention of the credulous and unfufpccling multitude is caught; an impreflion is made /and their minds are railed to the view of dreadful dangers and imaginary horrors. -The crafty minifter will probably feixc this critical hour fcr carrying into execution ibine favourite and unpopular deiign. Such phantom-plots are with us no new device. \Vc may fee them pradifcd in cvcrv rei'~n : 1/ut the Catholics of Knu;land, . o o fr . n t/.e ti;ae ot the Reformation, have fek tlieir t.itai t ffects in fulled meafurc. Tiie I'/ligior. they proiciied \vas directly contrary to tlie ilatutes oi the nation : Be- ing compelled to leek for education in foreign countries, they cafily fell under fufpicions [ '7 ] fufpicions of being in the intercft of thofe Elizabeth. Princes, who had given them protection : They admitted, as a part of their religious belief, a certain fupremacy of juriidiction in the Roman Pontiff, which, though in itfelf no real caufe of jcalouiy, was then, often mifconceived, and fometimcs very improperly exerciied ; in a word, they were oppreffed, and therefore not without realon fufpected of an habitual inclination, to (hake off the galling chain, whenever occafion fhould oiler. Thus circumftan- ced, the condition of Catholics became a common repertory, from whence it was eafy to draw fuch plot- materials, as the views of party or the fituation of things feemed moll to require. Their condition was not intolerably grievous till the year 1569, the i i th of Elizabeth, when the mifbehaviotir of a few men drew a perfecution on ilio \vhole body, and occaiioned thole penal ana i\ n- guinary laws, to which their propcri and lives have been ever lince expoicd. IV' n tliat time, by a itrange pervcr'.ion o! i ic common rules of reaiuning, a CV;//^.';, ,\r,Ci a R,l)L'l have been vie\ved as lynor,v.np"s objecl? 3 and infamy was flair.ncd -JP tin: C n^rne. I '8 ] Elizabeth, name. An infurrection, under the Earls of Northumberland and Weflmorland, two Catholic Peers, was raifed in the North. Difcontented from various caufes, but under pretence of redrafting the public grievances, and of fupporting the old re- ligion, they took up arms. They were joined by a coniiderable body of their de- pendents and northern friends : but the Catholics of the other parts of the king- dom, as our beft hiftorians agree, publicly declared againfl them, and loyally offered their lives and their purfes for the defence of her Majefty. The rebellion was loon crulhed; butgovernmenthad nowan handle given them, the Catholics were doomed to deflruclion, and the laws of the i 3th of Elizabeth were framed againfl them. By thcfe acls, religion and civil allegiance were fo artfully blended, that an impeach- ment in either lerved both ptirpofcs ; and a conftant fund was eftablilhcd for the manufacturing of plots, when the national politics called for a ilratagcm. An occa- iioii loon offered. A treaty of marriage had been for lome time carried on between the Queen and the French Duke of Anjou. Minillry dilliked the alliance, and the fubtlc [ 19 ] fubtle Walfingham was refolved to obftrucl Elizabeth, it. It might be prejudicial to the Refor- mation ; or at leall it might procure Tome toleration for Catholics. The determina- tion was to make the Duke odious to the Englilh nation. A rumour was fpread abroad of a deep defign. It was laid, that in the Colleges at Rheims and Rome, to which places the Catholics had been com- pelled to retire for education, a plot had been formed to fubvert the government, o and to dcftroy the Queen. To accomplish this grand purpofe, the Prieils had enga- ged themfelves by a folemn oath before O J the Bifiiup of Rome. Never was there a more groundlefs charge; for I do not find, that it polTeiTed one iingle atom of the moil ditlant truth. But the Minifter hdd provided himfelf with a mifcreant bund of witneiTes, who were ready for any work. Their names and characters are upon record. Hypocritical, indigent, and abandoned, they had not the imallell re- mains of reputation left amongil them. The nation was, however, well difpoied to give credit. Some Prieils were found guilty, condemned, and executed. This, lays Camden, was a politic flrokc ; the appreheniions of a great many were appea- C 2 fed; [ 2 ] Elizabeth, fed; and the ferment about the Duke of Anjou fublided. The alliance, they laid, had threatened ruin to the Proteftant Re- ligion. Few years patted afterwards with- out the execution of one or more Church- men of the Catholic perfuafion. They were held out to the people as traitors; and iiich indeed they were; for the laws had now declared the profeilion of their reii''ion to be Treafon aeainft the State. o o The next deilgns, of a feditious nature, with which Catholics were charged, were of being concerned in Babington's plot in the year 1586, and in the great Span i ill Armament two years after. A few Gentlemen, about iourteen in number, of moderate fortunes, and of fome intereit in their neighbourhood, fired at the ignorm- o o niotis treatment, which the amiable Mary had fo long experienced from the hands of Elizabeth, rcfolvcd to attempt the rcfcue of the Captive Queen. There was one pried in the confpiracy. Walfingham was well apprifed of their whole ftheme, and he had his fpies amongft them fedulouily employed to urge on the execution. When the plot was ripe for difcovery, it was not difficult to feize the delinquents : Their names, names, haunts, and places of abode were Elizabeth, all known to the Miniller. At ihe;r ex- amination they were charged with the de- fig n of attempting to releale the "cottiih Queen, encouraging an invailcn, and allaf- fmatinp their Sovereign. Thcv were con- O O * demned and executed. The Duke of Norfolk, a Proteftant, had fome years be- fore engaged in a fiirilar pro jeer, as far at leatt as it regarded the rclcafo of Mary, whom he loved. lie allb had fuffered. If we except the confpirators ihcmlcives, no other Catholics were en^u-cd in ihe O O plot, or at all acquainted wiih it; yet oc- tafion was taken to put the Luvs again !t them into ieverer execution. Mary hrrfclf was foon after brought to the block, und Elizabeth \vas freed from a hated rival. Her chief guilt was flagrant : She was in poiiefrion of fomc perional charms, which nature had denied to the l-'ngliili Queen. Mary had a liner ihape ; her countenance was more exprelllve ; and her llep in d;ia- cing, it is laid, was more graceful. Eli- zabeth could not brook this partial indul- gence of nature : the (centre of En Hand o *- 7 was hardly worth pollen ing, if fhe were: not alib thought the Queen of Ideality. Mary had no other crime j for iurely it could could be no crime, after twenty years fevere confinement, to have concerted with Ba- bington the beft meaiures for the recovery of her liberty ! If the Con fpira tors had really formed any delign oi feizing and of niTaiiinating their own Sovereign, which I do not think they ever did, it was un- doubtedly flagitious ; but fcarcely more fo, than was the defign of Elizabeth and her friends again (I the life of Mary of Scotland. At all events, how could Ca- tholics be charged with an attempt, in \vhich they had no concern ? As well might the Proteftants of England have been accufed of treaforiable practices, be- caufe a Duke of their religion, with fome affociates of the lame pcrfuafion, had em- barked in a fcheme, which had been con- ftrued into treafon. Norfolk wiihed to deliver, and then to prefent his hand to Mary ; the lefs interelled Babington had no views but to refcue her from captivity. And this was a crime for which the Ca- tholics of England were to be devoted to o deilruction ! In regard to the intended invafion from Spain, we were, if poffible, Hill ieis con- cerned than in the plot j nil mentioned. The [ 23 ] The Confpirators were Catholics : But Elizabeth, the Invincible Armada had no claim to their friendlhip ; unlcfr, becaufe Catho- lics profefled the religion of the invaders, they mu ft be fuppofcd to have abetted their delign'. The Spaniih Munifejlo de- clares the motives of this expedition : It was to chailife the Englim for the ailift- ance they had given to the rebels in the Netherlands ; to retaliate for the many depredations committed by them on the coalls of Spain and America ; and to re- venge the infult which had been offered to the dignity of all crowned heads by the barbarous murder of Mary Qu^een of Scots. Some views of a religious tendency might allb have intervened, but they conilituted no leading object. To the O .' Englilli Catholics no application had been made for their concurrence ; on the con- trary, the Spanifh Monarch refilled to employ thole few Catholic foldiers of for- tune who were then in his dominions; for though they eat their bread from his O J table, he curil not, he f.iid, truft them in any attempt again;! England. Yet did this formidable expedition prove more unfortunate to the Catholic party, than it did to the Eno-lilh nation. Providence w con 1 piling Elizabeth, confpiring with Britilh valour, the Af-* mada was funk and diilipated ; when Eli- zabeth, in imitation of thofe ancient na- tions, I fuppofe, who delighted in the practice, refolved to return thanks to the Deity in a facrifice of human victims. The Catholics were ordered over to a ge- neral profecution j great numbers were impriibncd, and above forty Priefls were publicly butchered in feveral parts of the kingdom ; win] it the pulpit and the prefs were employed in rep relent ing them as the authors and abettors of the intended invalion. I have before me a faithful narrative of the trials of thofe who fuf- fered ; and if any confidence can be placed in the folemn protellations of dying men, I venture to declare, there was not the fmalleit guilt amongft them. On all thefe public occafions, the Eng* lifli Catholics being clear from any im- putation cf real guilt, the attempts of particular perfons, either againA the Queen or her government, cannot, with the leaft iembiance of equity, be laid to their charge. Hard indeed would be the fate of mankind, if whole focieties were made anfwerable for the criminal conduit of a few t_*s 1 few of their members ! Yet fo, I think, Elisabeth, it fometimes was during the rei the civil eltahlillimcnt \vere not to be t rutted. Appearances, in the eve ot the nation, were now certainly ag.iimt them; but it is a truth, that no people could be more firmly attached to king and Government, than Catholics then were; but they were difhirbcd with diiliculties, whiLh at this time make no impreilion. To compete the buiinefs, the R( (as by the fubvcriion of the regal and cpif- ccpal order, the grand ohjeet ot pnrtl:it, was fjnilly fettled) the cry againil Popery feemed to fuhikle, anil the Catholics be- canie confotiniled in the common rnais ot th(;ie who \\ere thoug!it cnemi.-s to the v-.c\\' lorm ot f ; ;o\'eriimen< . \\ liat they no\v fuffere.i was more on account ot loyalty than Had lie done fo> and then fupported his meafures with all that firm- nefs of which he was matter, perhaps the Commonwealth of England might have flood to this day. Cromwell had a con- ference with ibme few of the Catholic pcrluafion; they were unauthorized, I find, by their brethren ; but, induced by the general afpect of affairs, they thought it good policy to make the bell: proviiion for themfelves. Sincerity was not one of the Protector's virtues; at all events, lie required from thofe Gentlemen fuch oaths and engagements, as they were not inclined to accent. In the general body of Catho- i , (i It is divulged, through the kingdom, that we are hi^hlv indulL-.jiit tu i ' O * O Pap ills, not only in exempting them rruir, the pcuduc 1 ; of the L;\v, but even to [ 48 ] Chaiks II. to iuch a degree of countenance find en- couragement as may endanger the Pro- teftant Religion. It is true that, as we ihall always, according to our juftice, re- tain, Ib we think it may become us, to avow to the world the due fenfe we have, of the great? ft part of our Catholic lubjecls of this kingdom, having deferved well of our royal father, of blcficd me- mory, and from us, and even from the Protcjlant l\.cligion itjclf y in adhering to us with their lives and fortunes, for the maintenance of our crown in the religion etlabliihed, again it thoie who, under the name of zealous Proteftants, employed both tire and iword to overthrow them both. Such are the capital laws in force againlt them, as that, though juftified in their rigour by the times wherein they were made, we profefs it would be grie- vous to us to con lent to the execution of them, by putting any of our iubjecls to death for their opinion in matters of religion only. But it, upon our ex- prcfiing (according to Chrillian charity) our dillike of bloodfhed for religion, and our ; intentions to our Roman o Cathoiij iuhjeds, Priells (hall take the boldnefs to appear, and avow themfclvts, to f 49 ] to the offence and fcandal of good Pro- Chailcs II, teitdnts, -and of the laws in force aeainfl o them ; they (hall quickly find, we know as well to be fevere, when wifdom re- quires it, as indulgent, when charity and fenie of merit challenge it from us." This declaration, the molt zealous Pro- teitant mull allow, is replete with ood fenfe, and breathes that fpirit of juAice land love of order, which fhould ever ani- mate the breall^ of Princes : It allb (hews in what li^ht the Kins; confidered the fer- O O vices he had received from his Catholic fubiccls. In his fpeech to parliament, the ycr.r following, he as;ain fay?, " The truth O ' O is, I am in my nature an enemy to all leverity fur religion and confcience, ho'.v miilaken ioever it be, when it extends to capitil and fanguinary punifhments, which I am told bpc for fiunc part of that indulgence, f ('. y.-ould t 50 ] lharles II. would willingly afford to others, who diflent from us. But let me explain my- felf, left fome mifbke me herein, as I hear they did in my declaration. I am far from meaning by this a toleration, or qualifying them thereby to hold any offices or places in the government. Nay farther, I defire fome laws may be made to hinder the growth and progrefs of their doctrines." In confequcnce of the laft claufc, a petition was prefented from both houfes that he would iflue a pro- clamation, commanding all Jefuits and Priefts to depart the kingdom by a day, under pain of having the penalties of the laws inflicted on them. To this the Kintr D con fen ted. The next year, 1664, a defigr. was formed, which came from the King him- felf, of bringing a bill into parliament, ferioufly meant to ierve the Catholics, by putting them on that footing of cafe and fecurity, which their conduct, as good fubjects, he thought merited. Meafures of aicertainino; their numbers had been O previouily taken, that the moft violent might know there was nothing to be ' feared from ib inconfiderable a body. He \vhhcJ [ 5' 1 \vimed alfo that a diftinction mould be made betwixt thofe, who, being of an- cient extraction, had continued of the fame religion from father to fon, and thofe who became Profelytes to the Ca- tholic Church. In the new bill it was intended to provide again ft fucli changes in religion. The King had likewife re- fuived to contract and lelTen the number of Priefts, and to reduce them into fuch order, that he might himfelf know all their names, and their feveral places of refidence in the kingdom. " This mea- fure, fays Clarendon, mult have produced fuch a fecurity to thole who flayed, and to thofe with whom they flayed, as would have let them free from any apprehenlion of any penalties impofed by preceding parliaments." But this delign, \\liich comprehended many other particulars, from the perverfe oppofition ot fome weak heads of the party, van i Hied as loon as it was dilcovcred. Moderate men, who de- fired nothing but the exercife of their re- o ligion in grc.it lecrecy, and a fufpenfion ot the laws, were cruelly difappointed, and in their conferences with the King often complained " of the folly and va- nity of fome of their friends, and more (i 2 particularly iarlcs II. particularly of the preiumption of the Jefuits." All further thoughts of the bill were now dropt, nor was there ever aj> ter mention of it, From this view it may be juftly inferred, that the Catholics at that time were their own created: enemies. The Kin the DiiTenters themfelves, tho' enemies to the name of Catholic, now dared nut fpeak out, whillt themfelves were waiting redrefs from the crown ; and the nation at large, lull breathing from the horrors of civil commotions, wilhcd not to be again ex- pofed to the view of difcord and conten- tion. In iuch circumflances, nothing, it feems, could obilruct their profpe and at the death of this a;Tcd Nobleman the Iterneft coun- tenances \vere iecn to drop tears. The new parliament of the fucceeding vcar did not depart from the fteps of their predeceliors ; r^nd as the popular phrenzv icemed to abate, frcih means were deviled for keeping up tlie alarm ; mobs, peti- tions, and Pope-burnings were every day practiied. The number of informing iniicreants flill encreaied ; the bufuici-, w.^ found to be not c-nlv lucrative, bin I h'^nourablr. [ 66 ] harlcs II. honourable. Plot was fet up againfl plot, all of them under-parts of the fame grand drama ; and the minds of the nation were fufpended in dreadful apprehenfion. This parliament alfo, to teftify their loyalty, or to convince the world that they would notfurrender the palm of infatuation, came to a refolution, " That if the King fliould come to any violent death, they will re- venge it to the utmoil on the Papifts." A Papift only, in their judgment, had power to take away the life of a King ! They did not probably recoiled: who had ftruck off the head of his late Majefty. The hand of every wretch was now armed with a dagger, by which he might at once deflroy his Prince and extirpate Popery. All this time ShaftelLury and his afib- ciates were labouring at their grand de- fign j this was, to exclude the Duke of York from the throne, and tv) bring in the baftard Mon mouth. The Duke was a Catholic : could it therefore be proved that the Papifts with him at their head (for both he and the Queen were boldly accufed of being accomplices in the plot) had confpired to kill the King, iubvert the the government, and bring In Popery, Charles II. what further argument could be required for his exclufion and the utter extinction, of his religion ? The hill of exclufjon was twice, with the mod determined violence, brought into parliament ; it palled the huuie of Commons, but the Lords threw it out by a great majority. The King now became fullen and thoughtful j oppofition had foured his tem- per, and he refolved to effecl by refolution what mildnefs could not accomplish. The parliament fpent their ftrength in vain efforts. During the receiV, he had recei- ved the mcft adulatory addreffes from his fubjedtsj they cenfured the flubborn op- polition of parliament, and offered to fup- port the juit rights of the crown. The popular commotions iublided, and the horrors of Popery feemed to wear away. The thinking part of the nation were leen to blufh at their late wild credulity and extravagance : But an impreflion was made which no time will hardly efface. To the word Popery, before fulriciently tre- mendous in its found, fo m,any new ideas of terror were annexed, and fo great ever fcnce has been the aim of fome men to I 2 maintain Charles II. maintain the delufion, that I am not fur- prifed the minds of many mould at this day feel its effects. Yet fcarcely one perfon of common reading can be found, who does not acknowledge that the plot, I have defcrihed, was either the work of malice, or of defign and faction. In 1684 Charles died, and becaulc, in his laft moments, he profeiTed himfelf a Catholic, it is probable that at all times, in his few ferious hours, he had been flrongly inclined to the prin- ciples of that religion, The reader will be furprifed, that I fliould have laid nothing of a ccnfpiracy, in which Protefbnts of the firft diftinclion were concerned. The views of theie men were various ; the redreis of grievances, the- deftruction of monarchy, or the gratifica- tion of revenge. Theie ends they aimed to obtain, by involving the kingdom in the horrors of a civil war; vvhilft under- actors were, at the fame time, engaged in a defperate fcheme of afiailinating the King and the Duke of York. 1 hole alfo were Proteftants. The fword of fedition, with the bowl and dagger, were now taken into new hands ; and had not Providence in- terfered, Charles, v/hofe life had often been [ 69 ] been cxpofed to Imaginary danger from the Charles II, machinations of Papifts, had really fallen by the authors of the Rye-Houfe Plot. A writer, ib difpofed, might, on this occa- fion, recriminate with weighty retaliation ; but my object is not to exculpate my own party, by a difplay of criminal exceiTes in their adveriaries. I wifli only to ff^eak of them as they r ^cre. But if the pen of a Proteftant can be excufed from vicious partiality, who loads the \vhole Catholic body with opprobrious charges, for the follies in which a few were engaged: o o furely the fame latitude may be allowed to others. It is a liberty, however, which the candid and honeil hiftorian will not be inclined to ufe. THE death of Charles affected his fub- James II. jecfts according to the different views of the parties, which then divided the nation. The Catholics were full of expectation from a Prince, who now openly pro felled their religion. The loyal Proteftants, with law and the confHtution on their fide, had nothing, they thought, to apprehend, even from a Popifli Monarch. The Whiggilh faclion alone had no favour to hope for ; and [ 70 ] James II. anc j tne ; r ] ate attempts had brought them into general difcredit with the nation. James the Second afcended the throne. Bigoted, headlining, and imprudent, he had long, it Teems, formed the defign of new-modelling the religion of his country. Had the exclufion-bill palled, and James never reigned, it would have been well for Catholics. Yet the eafy fuppreffion of Monmouth's rebellion, and the execution of the heads of that defperate faction, feemed at firft to promife fuccefs to his moft fanguine fchemes. The barbarities committed by his officers on the defence- Jefs rebels, were, with much ill-nature, imputed to the King : It was faid, his religion delighted in blood. This was a wayward charge. Very foon was exhibit- ed a fcene of imprudences, which folly alone or treacherous defign could have dictated. James had admitted Catholic officers into his army, whom he dilpenfed from the Teft : againfl this the parliament remonftrated i he returned them a peevifh anfwer, and diilblved them. His deter- mination then was to have a Catholic in- terefl in the Privy Council. Four Lords of that perfuafion were admitted ; and the crafty Sunderland, with much piety decla- ring [ 7> ] ring himfclf a Papift, was nominated Pre- James IL fident. In other parts of the kingdom, the old magiftrates were difplaced, and Catholics put in their room. Proteftants very juflly took the alarm, and the efta- bliflied Church, though ever loyal, mewed a face of determined oppoiition to fuch rafli meafures. A high Court of Ecclefia- ftical Commiflion was therefore appointed ; and though wholly compofed of Proteftant members, it gave univerfal offence. Its office was to infpect all Church affairs; to reward the pliant, and to punifh the re- fractory. It was a Court of Inquijltion. The next ftep was to grant liberty of confcience to all Sectaries. The King publimed his declaration, which contained much good fenfe, and great liberality of lentiment : But its drift was evident, and the nation loudly complained. Chapels were now opened, and the Catholic fcrvice publicly performed. Father Petre, a weak but deiigning Jefuit, appeared at Court, and was fometime after fworn a member of the Privy-Council. An Am- ballador extraordinary was lent to Rome, to lay at his Holinefs's feet the King's fubmillion, and to Iblicit a mitre and a Cardinal's hat fcr the brows of Petre. The [ 7' 1 James II. The Romans faw the folly of this precipi- tate conduct: " Your King, faid they* Should be excommunicated for thus at- tempting to overturn the fmall remains of Popery in England." A Nuncio was how^ ever fent, and he was received at Windfor \vithfolemn pageantry. He then attempt- ed to obtrude his Catholic minions on the Universities : This was oppofed with be- coming refolution. A fecond declaration o for liberty of confclence was iilued, with this particular injunction, that it mould be read in all the Churches. The Bifhops r emon ft rated j they were fummoned before the Council \ were fent to the Tower , were foon after tried and acquitted. The refentment of the people was no\v raifed to the utmoft : The King began to fee the folly of his proceedings; he wiflied to call a parliament; and to effect that by conflitutional means, which he had vainly attempted by every ftretch of his difpcnfing power. It was now too late : News was brought him that William Prince of Orange was preparing a ftrong force to in- vade his territories. Difmayed and terri- fied, he now faw there was no redrefs, for he had forfeited all claim to the love of his iubjects. The Prince landed ; and James [ 73 1 JAmes foribok a throne which he was un- James II. fit, and, I think, unworthy, to govern. When he fir it retired from London, the mob role, and deflroyed every Catholic Chapel in the city; nor was there a coun- ty in England, in which they did not leave fomc marks of their indignation. O Every attempt of James to fuhvert the eflablilhed religion, or rather to of liberty were ever foremoft, and who would never lote any opportunity of abridging the Royal Prerogative. The Catholics themlclves were not diir.itisfied with their condition ; it wi, bad indeed, but they had expected it would have been much vvurfe : And hid not a lalle notion of Hereditary and Divine Right warped their K 2 judg- William III. judgments, and taught them to believe Loyalty to the houfe of Stuarts was a vir- tue of fingular merit, they would probably have fat down, happy in the lowed con- dition of Britilh fubjecls. But this was a prepoilellion not peculiar to Catholics ; it had its votaries in every other religious perfuaiion. In the besnnnincr of his reicMi, to con- O O O ciliate the affections of the DilTenters, whom he ieared, the King palled the fa- mous Toleration Ad, by which they were freed from the penalties of the Act of Uni- formity > and to indulge the ill humour of others, though contrary to his line of po- litics, yet, becaule he did not iear them, he permitted fome fevcre iiatutes to be enacted againfl the Catholics. By thefe they are ordered to remove ten miles from Weft. - ininller; not to keep arms, or to be in polieiTion of any horfe above the value of five pounds ; the Univerfities were veiled with the advowfons belonging to them : and that the moil ditlant hope of intro- ducing Popery might be for ever pre- cluded, an act of parliament palled decla- ring that no Papilt, nor any one who mar- ries a Papift, fhall inherit the crown. When. t 77 ] When James was in Ireland attempting William IH, to recover the fceptre he had forfeited, and when again, t\vo years after, ailided by the French with a formidable licet, lie meditated a delcent in England, the Catholics kept themfelves quiet. 1 will not fay, they did not wiili him fuccefs, or that many would not have joined him, had lie landed. Such mcafures their fa- cobitifm dictated, as it did to the red of the party. Xor, in the two defperate plots, which were formed to rei! ore the fallen King, in the lad of which thr de- f gn \vas to adadlnate William, Lire there any Catholics to be found of the lead note or intered. Men of abandoned ch i- racter and of defperate tortune, as I h t .ve olten before oblerved, are always rca,;y to e:;gage in inch aUemi^ts. But \\\ both plots name^ were dncovered of many Protedant?, even at the \Vhiggiih fa (ft ion, which were capable cf giving fplendor to the darked delign^. 'i he Kin?- even wiilied not to know, f.'.ys Biirr.et, tlie number of thole \vh;) were in confpiracy againil liim, and declined all rirriJ en- quiry. It is rather l:ngular, that factious men had now abandoned the old trick, ot alarming the nation with the horrors of \V~illiamIII. of fomc Popifli plot, that their own fchemes might go on unobfervcd : The reafon probably was, they knew William to be a Prince too inquifitive to be im- pofed on by fiction ; and too determined to be intimidated by the recital of ima- ginary dangers. In 1699, the iith of William, an act pafled for further preventing the growth of Popery^ of peculiar feverity. A reward of a hundred pounds is offered for apprehend- ing any Pried or Jefuit : Papifls not ta- king the oaths in fix months, after eigh- teen years of age, are declared incapable to inherit lands, &c. and the next of kin, a Proteftant, to enjoy the lame - y alfo Pa- pills are made incapable to purchafe lands : Ambafladors not to protect Priefts that are fubjects of England : a hundred pounds forfeit for fending a child to be educated abroad in the Romiih Religion : Popifh parents obliged to allow a maintenance to their children, becoming Proteftants, at the Chancellor's determination. The lall claufe excepted, there is fomething fo iin- gularly cruel in this act, made at a time when it does not appear that Catholics had given any juft caufe of provocation, that [ 79 ] that to a perfon, unacquainted with the William III, circumftances in which it palled, it mud appear flrangely unaccountable. This is the aft, parts of which the humanity and Chriftian moderation of a Britifh Par- liament has lately thought proper to re- peal. 1 fhall give in Bifhop Burnet's own words, who was at the time himfclf in the houfe, a fhort hiftory of the palling of this fmgular aft. " Upon the peace of Ryfwick, fays lie, (two years before) a great fwarm of PriefU came over to England, not only thofc whom the Revolution had frightened away, but many more new men, who appeared in many places with great iniblence ; and it was laid, thut they boafled of the favour and protection of which they were allured. Some enemies of the government began to give it out, tint the favouring of that re- ligion, was a fee ret article of the peace; and fo abfurd is malice and calumny, that the Jacobites began tu f.iy, that the Kipo- was either of that religion, or at leal! a favourer of it : Complaints of the avowed practices and infblence of the Prielis were brought from feveral places, during the lail; dK->;i of Parliament, and thofc were maliciouilv [ 8 1 William III. malicioufly aggravated by Tome who Cafi the blame of all on the King. " Upon this, fome propofed a bill, that obliged all perfons educated in that religion, or fufpecled to be of it, who fhould fuccecd to any cflatc before they were of the age of eighteen, to take the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and the Tell, as loon as they came to that ajre : and till thcv did it, the eftate was O ' * to devolve to the next of kin, that was a Proteftant j bu t was to return back to them, upon their taking the oaths. All Popifh Priefls were alib banilhed by thcbill, and were adjudged to perpetual imprifon- mcnt, if they fhould again return to Eng- land ; and the reward of a hundred pounds xvas offered to every one who fhould dif- covcr a Popiili Prieit, fo as to convict him. Thofe who brought this into the Houle of Commons, hoped that the Court would haved oppolcd it; but the Court promo- ted the bill ; fo when the party faw their miftakc, they feemed willing to let the bill fall ; and when that could not be done, they clogged it with many fevere and iome unreafonable claufes, hoping that the Lords would not pals the act; and it i it was fud, that if the Lords fhould make William the lea ft alteration in it, they, in the houle of Commons, who had let it on, were re- folved to let it lie on their t.ihle, when it fhould be lent back to them. Many Lords, \vho Jecretly favoured I'apifts, on the faco- bite account, did, for this reafon, move lor feveral alterations; fome of thele im- porting- a greater ieverity ; but the ze.-.l again it i\>pcr\' was ill eh in that house, that the bill polled without any amendment, and it li:ul the Royal A lien t.' DURING the thirteen years of Queen Anne. Anne'i> reign, who, on the death uf XViliiam in 1^02, ilicceeded to tlie throne, Ca'ho- lic.s v.'cre ncrniitted ttj live tree irom mo- leilati'.'n, fubject (Mily to iueh reliraints as Jormer l.iws h.ad. impoled. They were by no means ditagreeable to Anne ; ihe ixcol- lee'ted the loyalty they had always ihewn to lier iamiiy ; nor did their preVnt at- tachmiiit to her imiurtunate brdtb.er ( LIJU :, f;;ve h^r dilplealure. Her throi.e \vas t.-o iirri.lv fixed to be ip.aken by a u.e.i !o l)ro'-.e:i. The proieliion ot the tame p(.h- ueal opinions with the Tories, contributed Mut a bale to procure tliem tbuie eiic'.Ti [ 82 ] Anne, from that powerful faction - y it removed part of the odium that had been annexed to the name of Papift. The Whigs con- tinued to deteit them, not now ib much from hatred of their religion, as becaufc their Tory principles threw fome weight into the fcale of their opponents. The nation at large, amufed with the found of victories, which on all fides attended our arms, and engaged in the animofity of po- litical altercations, loft fight of every other object: Enthuiiafm in politics had taken place of Enthuiiafm in religion. The leading men of the Catholic party, though removed from the concerns of itate, warm- ly efpoufed the Tory interdl; wliilft the body itielf, now repofing from the violence of former opprellion, feemed to enjoy their prefcnt frnall allotment of cafe, .\nd Ionic- times perhaps amufed themfelves witli the vain reflection, that at the death of Anne, their favourite James might be called to the throne of his anceftors. Jn their turn they hated the Whigs, whom they con- fidered as the inflruments ot the Revolu- tion ; and though this event had proved the real cauic of their prcicnt happinefs, it would have been criminal, they thought, to have indulged any favourable emotions towards towards them. Such was the character of Anne their loyalty; and at that time a Whig- Catholic would have been deemed a phe- nomenon, fit only to excite the deteftation of fome, and the amazement of others. At the end of the leffion in 1706, great complaints were made in both houfes of parliament of the growth of Popery, particularly in Lancafliire, and of great imprudencies committed both by the Laity and Priefts of that communion. I do not find what thefe imprudencies were. A bill was therefore brought into the Lower o Houie, with fuch cLu.es, as would have rendered more effeci.ua! the late act of King \\ illiam. The Catholics made pow- er f.il interce^ion. 1 he court feemed in- different in the in: .icr ; whilfl the ene- mies to the bill reprelented it as unrca- fon;u)iy fevere at a time, when we were in alliance with ib many Princes of that re- ligion, and when the Q^'cn was actually interceding for indulgence to the Pro- teflants in their u. Bunions. It was con- trary alfo, they laid, to thole maxims of liberty of confcience and toleration, which now began ib gener illy to prevail. It was anfwered, that the avowed dependence L 2 of [ 4 j Anne, of Paphls on a foreign jurifdiction, and at preicnt on a foreign Pretender to the crown, put them in a lituation widely diiterent from tli.it of other Diflenters ; that they were rather to be coniidered as enemies to the llate, than as Uritilh fub- jects. "1 he tint of thefe charges was a mnindleis acculation, the iecoml was t> equally applicable to the \\hole Jacobiti- cal Faction. 'I lie bill dropt ; and an ad- drcfs was made to the Queen that ihc would order a return, of all the Papifls in England, to be prepared, for the ncr-a fellion of parliament. The violent commotion-, which were railed in 1709, on account of the doctrine of Non-reliltance and other Tory-maxim;', advanced in a fermon by Sachevercl, thougli partly oi a religious complexion, contri- buted not a little to draw the attention of the public from all conliderations of Poperv. The elcablilhcd Church \v\irmly efpoufed his caufe, declaring their ab- horrence of all Whi^gifli doctrir.es ; and the pop.ular fury, which before had al- ways raged again ft Popery, rlamed out \vith unuiual violence againit the Diilent- ing Proteilants. The cry was, 'ihc Church and and Sacbewreh In their madnefs, they Anne. deftroyed lcver.il Mceting-Houfcs, plun- dered the dwellings of nnny eminent Piilenters, and even, it is laid, propoicd to attack the Bank itielf. Some people ot better htihion were luppoled to direct thefe proceedings ; they followed the mob in hackney coaches, and were ieen jhnd'ng in ell ages to them. At this time, a Catho- lic, with Sacheverei's fermon in his hivul, might ha\ e preached r.ll the doctrines of Rome at Charing Crois, and n-.ive received liic fhonts of the- inul'/iiii'.le : So 1'mall were the remain, or common rer.l::n and coi:iiitent lenie ! In the twelfth year of her M ijeUy, fome rother complaints being m.ide ; gainit C-i- tliolics tliough 1 cani^jt lind of v. hat natu.re they \\cre, a hill p;f;"ed a^aiiut them, tor rendering more efilcli! il the aci of Kin? \Villiain. J'v this th, v are O . ^ dilabled irom preienting to bcnci'icis ; and the benehces in their preientation are con- iirmed to the two I mvci .dries, \vh.o m^y prefer l^ills in Chancery to difcovcjr fraii- duient tniii<. PUR- [ 86 ] George I. PURSUANT to the Acl of Succeffion, on the death of Anne, George the Firft, the next Proteilant heir, came to the throne in 1714. The friends to James now faw all their fchemes for his reftoration at once blafled, and themfelves expofed to the frowns of their new King. The exulta- tion of the \V hJS was indeed unbounded. O * \vhen the road to honours and exclufive favour lay open before them, and their enemies were fallen at their feet. George o could not but view thofc men in a favour- able light, who had ib long profefled them- felves his friends, and to whole exertions he owed his crown. The Tories were his enemies, and they expected little favour. As to the Catholics, though it was well known they would have bled to impede his fucceiiion, yet the King was only dif- pofed to view them in the common lio;ht i e> of other opponents. In Germany he had learned a lellbn of religious moderation. Where Catholics and Proteftants blend promiicuouily together, and pray to God under the fame roof, all acirmony and marks of odious diftincftion mull necellarily difappear. He likcwife perceived, they were too infignificant to create any uneafy folicitude i nor did he wim to provoke \\ a worm by wanton feverities. The word George I. Popery to his ears conveyed no ideas of horror : 'Jacobltifm was a found more re- plete with danger and fufpicion. The Catholics themfelves, though ibrely dif- appointed, were little inclined to murmur, when they law before them a fair profpect of tranquillity, which nothing, it appeared, but their own folly could diflurb. They were therefore eafy under this new ar- rangement > thole only excepted, whofe dreams of loyalty, difturbing the obvious fuggeftions of prudence and common ienfe, rendered unfatisfied and refHeis. But as yet no occafion offered ior exertion. With others of the fame defcription, they therefore fat down, in fallen resignation, brooding over their airy profpedls oi gulden davs, framing plans of valt execution. * ' O I and cherifliing, in great felf- complacency, ail the comforts of th'jfe exalted virtues, which Jacobitifm only could infpire. The popular cry aeainil: the Diflcntcrs i i j <^j ilill prevailing, they were branded as the pr-.)rnoters of opinions, from \\hicli nc;t onlv heterodoxy, but vice ot every kind, were daily gaining frrength. The ril.ibliflrd C'1>firch, i.r v/ns (aid, flood i;, George I. imminent danger of fubveriion. The! Clergy were, loud in their complaints ; but they were now iilenced, and all difpu- tations on religious topics were prohibited. But theie methods proving inefficacious to it op tlie mouth of oppoiition, an ar- tifice of lingular power was deviled, j'a- colitij'ni and Popery were made Ivnony- rnous terms ; and all luch as tetliiied any difcontcnt againfi government were brand- ed with the double appellation. The To- ries were univerlally involved in this im- putation ; whiltl the real Catholics, be- lides the old iticmm of their religion, hail O O alib to bear the charge of political hetero- doxy. The V/higs triumphed in tliis fc^rtunate ftratagem : It lunk the popu- larity ot their opponents ; nor could the cftect be evaded, lir.ce it v>as well known that the charge in general was founded on truth. The Tones were, in princi- ple at leall, Jnends to Jncobitiiin, and ib were the Paniftsj they ihoiild not i J therefore, it icem^d, be great enemies tc.? each other. From tins time, and for many years to come, the words y, /<;*///. and Pjpyl r^.Muinevi infeparably united. tn t 89 ] In the rebellion of 1715, So rafhly con- George I. certed to reftore the Pretender, we find names of every defcription in religion and politics; Tories, Whigs, Church of Eng- land-Men, Diilenters, and Catholics. The discontented of all parties engaged. It can be no furprife, if many Catholics efpoufed the wild attempt : Their attach- ment to James, as I have laid, was of the moil Sincere and fanguine character; and the religious prejudices of many at that time \vcre warm enough to infpire them with enthuliafm in the caufe. The number of real inSurgents was, however, incontide- rable : The whole body wiShed him Suc- cefs, but the ardour of all was not Suf- ficiently flaming to lead them to the field of action. - The forfeiture of property, which Succeeded the execution of fome of the principal Catholic rebels, was a great blow to the intereit of the body; but for- tunately the blood then Spilt read a leSTon to the reft of the party, which has proved highly ufeful to their pofterity. From that day, their loyalty began to cool, and facobitifm was little more than an empty Sound. M [ 9 ] George I. When men aft from principles, however erroneous, they acquire a contiilency of character, which, by proper management, may be directed to much good. George weighed attentively the motives, which had drawn the Catholics into the late re- bellion ; he admired their iteady, though miilakcn loyalty ; he pitied their blind- ncfs ; and he wiihcd to reclaim them. A project t^ereiore, in the year 1719, was let on foot, and 1 believe with lerious de- ficrn, to give them eaie, and thereby to en iu re their tut ure allegiance. lYliniftry were engaged in the icherne, r-nd fcemed to wiih it iucceLs. But this allb ended juit as every other project had ended be- fore. M iie committee ot Catholics, ap- pointed to conduct the bu'.lneis, dii'-greed amoijgil themielves -, t'iie afiair iun.k, aiul \vas heard of no more. The princinal i i agent was Dr. otricklaiul, a!ur\\\:ras i'i- iliop C'i i\ imur, who was very intimate with ihe K.in::, a;ul \\hr!c vic\v>, had they been followed, mh;hr have brought certain r^liei: to his part)'. Kut t'iere was a naiTownel^ in the minds of ( atiK.iies, I.aity as well as Clergy, which little lel^ than miraculous po \vers C'/'aid 1; ive en- larged. Thanki to Heaven ! tlioil; rowers, L 9> ] from that tinv, bc^an to operate, and George I, the prefent generation dares to think and to act, on a more liberal and extcnilve plan. Some laws, even during this rei^n, were made againit Catholics. Their h :'d f.itc would have it, tint no era of Britifii Ilif- torv fhoi:id be kit without iome man: of their opprefiion ! Bv the hrit of Geor ^e, within iix tnonrhi; ait'.T they come to the age of tv/v ;ity-o;ie, tiu. , are obliged to rcr r i- iter their names a'ul eil.ites witi: the clerk of tlie peace: The no;i- compliance uith this form to be mi:nlhcd with forfeiture of i eilite, ecc. By tlie third of George, they are charged with an additional oavnce in c\'erv faniily-tranfiKtion. by beiiv- com- - * * j .1 pelled t-.j ir.roli all deeci-;, *N;c. t'liev r.re aiu lo.ided \\\\..\ the payment (jf a dou- ble lain aiJeiied up-en I'rotelVmts by tlie . j Lind-tax act j In:: thi-, I believe, was iirit ordered in the rerni ol \\ iliiatn. THE thirty- three years of George live George iecond's rerni, \\lueh be^:in in :T.~, ex- hibit no m.:ten;i] chan:;e in the comiition oi Catholic. 1 .;. Tliey conu'iuie.! in the lame \i 2 ilate [ 92 ] fUte of tranquillity, unengaged fpectators of thofe turbulent fcenes, in which the nations of Europe were fucceflively occu- pied. One event only happened, which I {hall prefently notice, in which they were concerned, and which probably, if human forefight may be allowed to judge, will be the laft. From the cafe they had now, for a long time, enjoyed, and which, compared with their former ftate of perpetual vexation, was very great, Catholics had become more fociable ; they began to tafte thofe fweets of life, which liberty and open in- tcrcourlc with the world can fupply. As the weight of opprelTion lightened, and the feverity of penal proiccution ceafed, the flcrn vigour of their minds relaxed, and they every day loft fomething of that cnthufiafm of foul, which the lufferers for real, or for fancied juflice, always experience. Such enthuliafm can. give charms to opprcffion or to death. The confequences ot this cliange were evident. Men of family grew daily Ids zealous in religion; their wonted loyalty abated; and they infenfibly reformed tirft their politics, and foon after often conformed to [ 93 ] to the eflabliflied Church. Already, du- George 11. ring the prefent century, this has been the cafe with many; and every year will now continue to witnefs the progrefs of the fame revolution. The fplendor of the party by fuch means vanifhed ; whilfl the remaining multitude were viewed as an object, capable of railing, nor love, nor hatred, nor envy, nor fufpicion : and had not the late rebellion of 1745 un- fortunately intervened, before this day, probably, the name of Popery would have been an unheeded found, and all execu- tion of the penal llatutes utterly fufpended. At the inflio-ation of French coun- o fels, who never meant to give him any real fupport, and hurried on by the bad advice of his misjudging friends, and his own vain ambition, the young Pretender, with an army of feven men, landed in Scotland. In this Northern foil, fo con- genial with its nature, hid long been planted the tree of rebellion, and under its deadly Ihade grew many noxious herbs, favourable to the nurture of bigotry, fana- ticilm, treafon, and all the felhih and unfociable pallions. The Scots often re- ported to this fatal fpot, and in. large draughts [ 94 ] George II. draughts drink down the contagion ; here they met the young adventurer. The nrll fu eels, and fubiequcnt events, of this rafh invafion are well known. Its chief, and aim oft only, funport was from Scotland, afTHK-d afterwards by a few Enirlif}'., and of thefe a very fmull part were Catholics. There appeared no real difpofition in the roil of the party to join him, th('U: v h their willies \vere very fer- vent for his fuccefs. A general alarm was now given to the nation, and the old cry of Popery was echoed from more to ihore. The rebellion, however, was foon terminated. tornc lives were forfeited, and the t u m u 1 1 s f u h ii d e d . B u t a f r e f h i in - preilion was a<_ra'm made, which called up the former animolity of the nation, and it was laid by many, that Papiils would never peaceably fubmit to a Proteflant go- vernment. This was an ill-natured charge. For very few Catholics, I h.we obierved, were engaged in the rebellion : and if the body mu it fufter fur the follies of thefe few, furely the fame Ihould be the fate I Proteitants j lor or tlieie, iome in Eng- land, and many in Scotland, joined the Rebel (landard. Tiicre is allo fomcthing to plead in favour of Catholics, which is not [ 95 ] not applicable to Proteftants. Thefe men George II, enjoyed all the privileges of Britiih fub- jects, whilil the former were eppreiied ; and this for the original iin imputed to their ancellors, in which they at kv.il had no concern. When a proipect of relief opens, may not the wretched lirive to en- ter ? But he that L; not eafy on a bed of roles, deferves to be laid on thorns. When the popular fury ird fubnded on the extinction of the rebellion, the Catholics gradually returned to their llate ot tranquillity; iind thu thev ii\'ed, peace- able and unoffending fuhjccts, complying with the respective duties oi civil hie, and worihipping God in the very retired and Secret manner, the lenity of government allowed, during tne remaining p.'.rt ot his Majcity's reign. In the iliort view, I liavc exhibited, the reader Iv.i^ teen the iueceilive revolutions and clianges to u'liicli the Catholics of England have been fub'^c'ced JVo:n tin; Reior'ii.ition, alinoil c'o\vn to the rivient day. It is unnccciiary to recapituiatj events, wncr.r ine iubjcct has b^en drawn to fo fmall a p^int. I L is e b.im therefor;; [ 96 ] George II. to his own reflections. One obiervation only I wifli to add ; that in no part of the hiftory of mankind do we meet with any fociety, who have made fewer attempts to regain their loft privileges, or who for thefe attempts have been fubjefted to fe- verer penalties. In their confbnt beha- viour to Catholics, I can no where dif- cover the Icall trace of that liberal, humane, and manly fpirit which, on every other occafion, is feen to animate the breafts of Englishmen. Yet we are the eld flock, from whence they fprung. George III. NO occurrence, of fufficient weight to call the hiftorian's attention, having happened in the concerns of Catholics, for the feventeen firft years of his Majcfty's reign, I haften to the tranfadtions of 1778) when a bill was obtained, bv which forne * * relief was granted them from the feverity of a former flatute. The uniform tenour of their conduct, in circumstances of real trial, had convinced their greateft enemies, that now at leaft they dek-rved the indul- gence of government. If they may not enjoy unlimited toleration, laid they, we mould [ 97 ] fhould not, however, opprefs unoffending Ccor-c citizens. A Philofopher, who flioul J have viewed the general features of the nation, at this time, would have been induced to believe, that a more favourable opportunity never could have offered, for an ovrorefled party 3 11 i > to fue for redrefs. The bii/otrv and nar- ^i j row fancies of former days iccmed mated down into extenfive philanthropy, and a mild indulgence even to the errors of our fellow-creatures. In Church, the great points of religions toleration had been ably invefligated -, and very few there were, en the bench of Bifliops, vvlio were not ilrongly difpofed to allow the fulleil li- berty to Diilenters of every deicripiion. State politicians c(.-nccrncd themfclvcs lit- tle in arrairs of confcience; they had oh- jccls of another nature to attend to, which demanded more than common exertion ; bciides, tliey \\ illied the concurreiu-e of all men to their iihemcs, whether of war or ot peace. The enemies to government were numerous and determined ; but they were men peculiarly liberal in fcntirr.ent, and whole notions of extenfive freedom could not furdy be reconciled with tb.j N imalleil [ 98 ] George III. fmalleft element of oppreiTion. Ths higher ranks in life affedled to think lightly of religion in general : To them every fpecies of pcrfecution was an abfurdity, odious and contemptible. Many of them had travelled, and had feen religion in all its modes ; they had dined with Cardinals, and perhaps converted with the Pope ; and had found him to be a good-tempered, inoffeniive old man, without either horns or cloven feet. The multitude, as is ever the cafe, copied their fuperiors : Much irreligion every where prevailed amongft them, particularly in the towns ; it was not therefore to be apprehended, they would be alarmed with anv indulgence: J O allowed to Catholics. The Difciples cf Y/cflcy only, and fome of the Dilicnting congregations, appeared to retain the illi- O O 11 beral itirrnefs of old times 5 the word Popery to their ears was lull a iu'ind of horror. But then the Di lie liters were themfelvcs petitioning lor relkt, and the Mcthodills, it was hoped, had not totally loft the mild character of the cliuMifhed Church, of which they i'lill affect to he members. At the head of all, (>cor::c t:ic Third was known to have inherited the religious moderation of his family ; and in t 99 1 In him tills amiable difpofition had been George III early improved by a philolbphic and liberal education. lie knew, the Catholics of England were good li.bjects ; he knew, the old popular cry again ft Popery, though for one time politically kept up to ferve his family, was at this day diiingenuous and fordid ; and he knew, that the at- tachment they had to the Stuarts, was now univerfally transfered to the houfe of Hanover. In that fteadincfs of miitaken loyalty io long preferved, he di (covered a fure pledge ot the unalterable permanency of their preient allegiance. In this irate of things the Catholics were advifed firfl to add re Is bib Majefty, and then to pe- tition parliament for relief. The fuccefs, which attended thefe meafures, convinced them, that they were not deceived in the favourable notions they h 'd formed of the times. It has been Liia tmit the Popilli bill was inlidwill}' brought into parliament .-/ J <^> I at the end of a lemon, when m.my of the members were out of town, and when the others willied to retire. It has alio been laid; thit had time been allowed for cool reflection, or had the fenie of the nation been maturely taken, the bill had iicvcr palled. The f\ici, with regard to N 2 the. lco George III. the firfl allegation, is true. But it fo happened by no intentional cr collulive delign. The Catholics themfclves, as I well know, never thought of petitioning for relief till towards the end of Lent of that year, and from that time there was not a day to lole. This, I believe, was rather a fortunate circumftancc. For though no bill could have nailed with O more concurrent app obation of both houfes, \vhicli were I- no means thin, as is fulfly aiiertcd ; yet had Icifurc been given for the ill humour of bigotry and of Scotch fanaticiim to ferment, moil pro- bably, to judge from late experience, an oppoiition might have been blown up, jar tco powerful for all the efforts of good lenfc and ChriiKan moderation. But the nation at large was net diipleafed with the bill. Their ienle is to be taken, vvhilft they are cool and temperate; and not \vhen fedition has railed discontents and murmurs, by the bad arts of milrepre- ienUtioa and calumny. This was moil notoiiouily practiied : For \vhen parlia- ment lately examined the grounds, from which rofe the popular clamour, it was found that no iingle charge, urged by the petitioning Proteitants, was true. The Catholics Catholics had taken no unfair advantage George III, of the indulgence granted them ; they had opened no ne\v Schools; had built no additional Chapels ; had inveigled no Pro- teftant children ; had laboured to make no new Profelytes ; in a word, they had lived in the fame retired, unoffending manner, as had been, for many years, their wonted practice. Their counte- nances had perhaps put on a more cheer- iul air, and did Englishmen envy them this portion of hanpinefs ! The indulgence they had obtained, tho* they were thankful for it, was after all but: a fmall favour. The new bill repealed only fome parts of the aft of the I2th of King William ; thole which related to the apprehending ot Popim Biihops and Prierts, and iubjectcd them, as alto Papiils keeping ichool, to perpetual imprifonment ; like- wiie that claule which difablecl Catholics from inheriting or purchafm not a vii'tuc of modern growth. V\ iih t lit. With pleafure I could draw a contrail betwixt the behaviour of Catholics and that of their enemies. Whilft thefe were meditating fchemes of oppreflion and cru- elty, they filently looked on ; nor could they be perfuaded to think that any appli- cation to parliament, for a repeal of their bill, was feriouily intended. Confcious of the rectitude of their own conduct, they wiflied not to impute fuch bad deligns to any men. Otherwife a timely application might probably have frustrated the pro- jected plan. Y\"hen tlie riots began, their behaviour was ilill more exemplary. With pain they viewed themfelves as the inno- cent cccaiion of fuch wild and calami ton? tumults; and they lamented to fee foldiers marching into London, thole dangerous protectors of the lives and property of Britifh citizens. They could have them- * felves repelled the mod determined attacks of that lawlefs rabble; and it was with dihiculty that a brave infultcd band of Iriin Catholics were retrained from dread- ful retaliation. At one time, the innate principle of felf-prefcrvation feemed to call for fuch a meafure. But fearful of adding to the fcene of conflernation, and deiirous of convincing their greatcft ene- mies, mies, that the love of order and of peace George III. was, in their minds, fuperior to all other coniiderations, the Catholics rather chofe to fee their property detlroyed, and them- felves fhamefully infulted, than to refill. Tlie principles of fueli men are not furelv of that dark complexion, which mifreprc- fentation has inftrudled the mind of igno- rance to helieve. Their only wiih had been, to pofieis their own property in legal fecurity, to educate their own children, and to wormip d'od in the manner their confciences directed. This privilege the laws of nature ieem. to allow to all men ; but when a Britiih Parliament had granted it to Catholics, a mob of Uritiili l ; rotc- ftants tumultuouily demanded its revo- cation. It is time to lofe light of this horrid Co.-.duuon. tranfacrion, and cok: C'jllcciive numbers amount to. Urillol would think it felt ladly depopula- ted, if reduced to lixty thoufand fouls. Yet the public is taught to believe that the r.ntilli conilitution is in clanger from the attempts or this inlimulicant multi- I O tude ! The army they could brintr into ' O the [ "3 ] the field, though preceded by the Pope's banner, and fortified with his holy bene- diction, would caufe little terror, t fancy, on the day of action, to the bircii'.al force of England. In reading the adventures of Don (Quixote, we laugh at the folly of a man, who at every turn could raife up to himfelf imaginary toes : The conduct of thole, who fpeal: gravely of the terrifying numbers ot Catholics, is not Icfa ridicu- lous. * P The * " While King William was engaged in his projrcl of reconciling the religious differences of Knglan J, he was at great pains to find out the proportions between Churchmen, ])ifil'nters, and Pspiits. In his Cabinet tht/re :; the rclhnv- ing cuiioui report in ccnfequcr.ee of an enquiry upon that head. T/.' r.uv:h'r :,;. i r [(;, Province of Canterbury 2,123,362 93>'5' 11,878 of York 3 ; ;3' 8 9- 1 S^ 2 ^ l '^7^ In both 2.477,254 i-S.6 6 Confonr.ifts Xon- con form ills 2,585,930 Papiils 13,856 In all England 2,599,786 " In the Province of Canterbury arc 23,740 Papius, half cf thefe are under the age of iixtecn ycar.s -./,. i i.r 1 -^ ; j icvcoth part of tbcfc rrc ajcd, ind above 3,391- T.\- The few Catholics, I have mentioned, arc alfo difperied in the different counties. Jn many, particularly in the Weft, in South-Wales, and in Ibme of the midland counties, there is fcarcely a Catholic to be found. Thus is eafily known from the re- fidcnce of Priells. After London, by far the created number is in Lancashire. In p Staffordshire arc a good many, as alio in the northern counties of York, Durham, and Northumberland. Some of the ma- nufacturing and trading towns, as Nor- wich, Manchester, Liverpool, Yvolvcr- h amp ton, kin out of the f.iiJ ntimber of Paries the tvv !..u fums, v, hich make in ;iil i^,:o) ; there remains then h, h ;;, of Vvh;. h the cr.e hair n:e \v ni?n : there remains thereto. t i;i the Province ct Caniabury, rit to b>. j ar arms, -j>2j9 ^ai'ii's. " TliJ Province of Y^.rk bears a f;.^:h part of" tl'.v tn.vcr, nncJ li.i^ in it a l-\;h pat: of the p.v.iplc as that of Canterbury has i';y. ^,r;ro, \\rierecf ''.alf arc undvr the age of i"iXt"Cn, viz* !',"" ; ' >-i ^ 1 ' civ. h pait ai x < \ (. ilx'y, i > . ; ,^. ;6r ; r.r.d c! ;: L- aforcfaicl :l\th part one h..!f 'n wi.niti;. Tiic t. t..l therefore cf ;h : ., I'rcvincf fit to bear arm- is 701 5 j'-'v !iii.^ v, iik!: to tin.- ;;.ta! oi" iholc in the Pi ('\iiicc cf Can- tcrbury 'it t.) b^ar arm:, makes the tot;.! cf the Parilts I have taken thi<. from the sppcm'ix to Sir John Dai- ry::ip!^'s Mcmo'us. i cannot think it h by r.r.y means ac- cur..tj : It Ictnia :o dimirilh the number of Catholics as much r.! later return? aiipmei.t it. Should it be true, \vc hr.vc greatly incrcafed fi';ce thnt t : mc ; v.hcrc;.s I certainly kuu\v we are much diminilheJ v.ithin this ccn:u:v. t "5 ] Hampton, and Newcaftle-upon-Tyne, have Chnpels, which arc rather crowded, but thele coniutute the grcateit part of the number I have juft given to their relpcc- tive counties, in a few towns, particu- larly at Coventry, their number, I find, is incrcafed ; but this by no means in pro- portion of the general increafe of popula- tion in tho lame places. Excepting in the to. ns, and i,ut of Lancailn're, the chief iitu.iti >n of Catholics is in the neigh- bourhood of the old iai/.iiies of that per- fuaik/n. They are the lervants, or the s childr.-n of fervant^, \vlu have married Iro i t;io.-. v tamilies, and \\'ho chufe to re- main roui.vi the old maniion, for the con- veni^ncv i prav-TS. and becaufe they'hope * i J * 1 to recent i vour and afhiLance from their fu-r.ncr ruaiLrs. Many laxvs have been exacted to prevent the ^ro.vthuj Popcrv ; and it no'.v is, and always has been, the popular cry, that Papills are q sily increaling. One might almoit fanc\, fr(.;ii the frequency ol theie reports, th. , tliey fprang i;p, like mulli- rooms, : y inilai.taneous vegct-ition. Mad thero b.en trr.tii in fueh reports, how very diiicrcnt, at this day, would be the lift ot P 2 Catholic Catholic names, from what it really is. More than one half, if not the whole Englifli nation, mud have been long ago fub jetted to the See of Rome. The truth is, within the prefent century we have moil rapidly decreafed. Many congrega- tions have intirely disappeared in different parts ; and in one didricl alone, with which I am acquainted, eight cut of thir- teen are come to nothing; nor have any new ones riicn to make up, in any propor- tion, their lofs. Thefe aie facts of certain notoriety. In the nature of things, it could not poilibly be otherwiie. Where one caufe can be difcovered tending to their increaie, their will be twenty found to work their diminution. Among thefe the principal are, the lofs of families by death, or by conforming to the cdablifhed Church; the marrying with Proteflants ; and that general indifference about reli- gion, which gains fo perceptibly on all ranks of Chriitians. When a family of didinction fails, as there fcldom continues any convcniency either for prayers or in- druction, the neighbouring Catholics foon fall away : And when a Pried is dill main- tained, the example of the Lord is wanting to encourage the lower clafs, particularly to to the practice of their religion. I recoi- led: the names of at leaft ten noble fami- lies that, within thele iixty years, hive either contormed, or are extinct j heiides many Commoners of diflinction and for- tune. The marry i ng with Proteftants, which is now very ufaal, will neceflarily produce the lame effect. All, or half the children are, in this cafe, generally educa- ted Proteftants ; and when this is not done, example or periuafion often proves equally efficacious I need not in lift on the operation of the third caule I men- tioned. When we add to thefe the whole preliiire of the penal laws, we have difco- vered an agent almoft furHciently powerful to (hake the faith of martyrs. And cer- tainly, were it not for the ileady Z'/al of their inftructors, joined to that firm op- polition of mind to which oppreiTion ever gives additional permanency, fuppoited alfo, as we coniide, by the arm of Provi- dence, the Catholics ot England muft long iince have difappeared from the face of the earth. Penalties, difcouragements, and difqualifications, with the afperfions of malevolence, and the ridicule of ignorance, make deep imprellions on the ftoutclt minds : They will often prove an over- match match even for uncommon resolution and conviction. To wit lift and the powerful influence of ;dl thclc caules, I find little elfc afTigned but a fuppofcd indefatigable ardour of a few Pricils. Ignorance alone can lay any iirefs on this puerile argument. If the Catholic Pricfthood ever poflciied that aftonifhing afccndency, which is afcribed to them, it is now at leait evident, that inch times are no more. Men, I believe, of every religious pcriuafion, have the common paffions of human nature; and I ; : .m too well-acquainted with the general 1 O characters of Pricfls and the circumllances of things, to admit a ridiculous fuppofi- tion. I {hall fpeak more appofitely tq this point liereafter. In the mean-time, I mult obft-rvc how replete with abfurdity that idea is, which can fancy, that the learning and attention of Protellant Mini- jters, aliiilcd Ly :ill the weight and inte- rcilcd inliuence of an cilablilhed Church, mull give way to the impofmg arts, as they are called, ol an inconiiderable num- ber ot Pricils ! Human nature, as I have obferved, in all her ways moil perfectly fimilar, here wv.r.tonly departs from or- der der and the fixed line of action, to gra- tify, it feems, the folly of ibmc, and the bad zeal of others. Nothing then furely is to be feared from the number of Catholic:;. Let us however fee, whether they may not make up by their wealth and landed intercft that deficiency which, it may now be owned, mult be the natural effect of nu- meral weaknefs. What Jupiter defpaired of doing by other means, he compafled in a ihower of okl. THE man, who is capable of thought, Th-ir and who, from thought, can form a judo;- Wealth, ment, will not be induced to believe that En-rlilh Catholics can be poficfled of riches. ^; I They have not, he will fay, di [covered the Philofophcr's Stone; nor docs it ap- pear, his Catholic Ma jelly has yet allowed them to enter the mines of Pot-jfi : Pre- cluded from the Army, the Church, the liar, and from every place oi trull or pro'ir, under government, they have no means ot acquiring, of improving, c;r of retriev- ing, a fortune. The Pope indeed ha-, ; - ichc" H'it. \<. i- not u!"".;;l \vitli tho Sec [ 120 ] of Rome to bellow her earthly commodi- .ties: She receives, but does not give. We hive, at this day, but eight Peers, nineteen Baronets, and about a hundred and fifty Gentlemen of landed property. Among the fir it, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Shrewfbury, and the Lords Arundel and Petre, are in pofleflion of confiderable eftates. But the Earl of Sur- rey, the eldefl and only fon to the Duke, having lately conformed, the large poi- lellions of that noble and ancient family will foonfull into Proteftant hands. The cldeft fon of Lord Teynham has alfo left the religion of his father. Among the Baronets are not more than three great eftates : Sir Thomas Gafcoigne has this year alfo taken the oaths. Of the remain- ing Commoners, \vith an exception of four or five, the greateft part have not, on an average, more than one thoufand pounds per annum, in landed property. Within this year alone, we have loft more by the defection of the two mentioned Gentlemen, than we have gained by Pro- felytes iince the Revolution. [ 12, ] In trade very few fortunes have been made ; and at this hour, there are not more than two Catholics of any note who nre even engaged in mercantile buiineis. The eldeil fans of our Gentry never think j of trade ; and the younger children have feldom a fufficient fortune, on which to ground any profpecl of fuccefs. They therefore generally chufe to remain nil-Ids and dependent Beings among their rela- tions and friends, or to eat a hardly-earned j and fcanty bread in the iervice of Ibme foreign Prince. England, like a cruel ik'p mother, refufcs to give them nounfh- ment. Should America win the great itake, me now fo unjuflly contends for, good policy will douhtlefs teach her to open her ports to all religions. Some few pain a decent livelihood by the pioieillon O > I of medicine, though, in llriclneis of pen.il jullice, they may not even be apotheca- ries ; and otbers in the loxv walk;, of the- law. Were they freely allowed to fell drugs, their drugs, it is well known, would be poifon ; and the open pr.xtic.v oi law would very icon transfer all IYu- teilant property into the hvinds of Cr.tlio- [ 122 ] The lower clafles in life, like other fubjeds, fupport themfelves and families, by the common arts of induftry and la- bour. They thank Heaven it never en- tered into the brcail of fome ftern Legi- flator to reltrain them even from that pri- vilege. He might have difcovered, that neither the corn which was Ibwn, nor the tree which was planted, by a Popiih hand, ever arrived to maturity in Proteftant foil. It is, however, certain, that were the laws againil Recufants ilricHy executed, all the fvveat of their -brows would not difcharge the penalties, to which the prac- tice of their religion expofes them. This being the ft.Ue o f Catholics, where are we to look for their riches. Even the cftatcs, they are now m '.Tiers of, are daily decreafing, from very obvious caufes. There is a vanity of drefs, equip.igc, and of general expence, which has leized all ranks of lire. The Catholics r.rj weak enough to give into the common folly. They live, and they fpend like their neigh- bours, not reflecting that v. hat they once diiiipate, can by no means he retrieved. The ncceflary confequence is, tiiat in a very few years, the grcatcit part of their [ "3 ] prefent poflerlions muft fall into other hands. A Catholic, whom the love of diflipation or of falhionable life calls up to London, mould be ihut up by his friends in ibme place of fecure confine- ment : Poflerity would be deeply thank*- ful for the kind fervice. Yet, as among Proteftants, fo are there among Catholics, Gentlemen of eafy fortune \vho live wholly in the country, not difiipating, but doing much good with the produce of their eilates ; and their doors are encompaiied with the bleiTinps of their neighbours. o o Still, however, there fubfiils an un- meaning cry; That Catholics have money always at hand to forward the growth of Popery, by opening and endowing Schools, bv encouraging Proiehtes, and by pur- chafmg cltates, whereby is to be acquired great parliamentary into reft. The want of O J religious zeal is, I Ixiieve, a ilrong bar to one attempt, and the want of money is a certain fecuntv a^ainil: the others. rf O There is another inftrument alfo, which takes aw.\y their property more effectually than the highwayman's piilol. This is the annual land-tax act, whereby each Catholic Catholic is loaded with the payment of a fum double to that affeifcd on Protcftants, Some attempts have been made to procure relief from this heavy weight ; but as yet there is not futlicient generofity in the breails of Englimmen, to grant ib fmall a favour, though the change could not poilibly he felt bv the Protellant public. Drained by this hard irnpofiticn, Catho- lics, in common witii other fubjedts, are yet loaded with thoie taxes, which even the mod wealthy Protcirants now affeet to lay, are become intolerable. Will ma- levolent and ignorant men Hill maintain that Catholics are rich ! IN point of manners and of moral cha- racter, they differ little from other men in the lame walks of life. Their foreign o education, it is fbmctimes thought, gives them at full a peculiar call ; but a free intercourfe with the world Toon rubs off thofc acute angle?, unlefs when inve- terate habits have been formed, or the mind lias been peculiarly narrowed. Some years back, when the penal laws were more llrictly executed, and when weak men feared, fomc noxious contagion from the [ "Si the breath of Catholics, they aflbciated very little with the world. A certain fternncfs of temper was the natural effect of this retirement ; and if, in their turn, they felt a ftrong dillike to Protefbnts, it was what the conduct of the latter deferred. Some good, however, and that of no trifling confideration, was from thence derived. The eftates of Catholics were in better condition ; they fupported with more becoming; liberality their indigent and O J O opprelled neighbours ; and in the duties of religion they were greatly more fmccre. The diminution of piety and of honed virtue which now prevails, is, in my opi- nion, but poorly compenfated by the tin- fel acquirements of a more polifhed life. Nor, alter all, has one effect been obtained, whL-h it was natural to expect. Many Protedants, though they daily converie with Catholics on the caiy footing of private friendship, ftill retain the lame general prejudices again It them, which the lowed ignorance ihould now bluili o at. They can think well enough of indi- viduals ; but nothing, they tell you, can be more ihocking and abfurd than the prin- riples of the body, and nothing more vi- ciuus and inimical to the duties of fociety than t .26] than their general conduit and habits of mind. It is vain to reafon with fuch de- termined prejudice. Why Catholics, on their fide, ihould entertain more liheral r.nd jull lentiments of Proteftants, is a pro- blem, I (hall not folvc, The fa ft itfelf is evidenced by hourly experience ; and I trufr, our principles as men, and our be- lief as ChriflianSj are at all times as good as theirs. The characters of the common people .ire hardly diflinguifhablc from thofe of their neighbours. If there be any diffe- rence, the balance (liould rather ponderate in favour of Catholics j becaufe, I know they are more carefully inftr acted in their youth, and are afterwards much attended to. They arc folcly to blame, if they ne- glect fuch means of moral improvement, as are conllantly laid before them. It is a ferious complaint in the Proteftant Church, that this mod important of all duties is greatly neglected. As a friend to fociety I mull always think well of that religion, thoucrh it were croudcd with o o many fpeculative abfurdities, whofe Mini- flers are attc-ntive to the inflruclion of youth. The t 127 ] The lives of Catholics, in general, are obferved to he regular : and without pane- gyrizing their virtues, to which 1 am not inclined, I only beg Proteftants them- felves to declare their fentiments. Do they know, in the whole extent of his Majefty's dominions, better men, better citizens, or better iubjecls ; people more amenable to the laws, or more obfervant of all the duties of civil life? Their cha- rities, as far as their powers of doing good extend, are great. Every object in diitrefs is a fellow-creature who calls fur relief; nor do I know, tint Catholics ever make any dillinction of perfons, unlefs (which has fometimes happened) when Proteftants have firll refuted afiifhnce to thole of the Pup i Hi pcrfuaiion. From Gentry thus diflipatcd, as the moil extravagant Proteftants, or elfe tem- perate and retired, as the moil moderate, and ironi a commonalty peaceable, vir- tuous, and honefr,, what has the moil guarded and fufoicious 'jovcriimcnt to ay- 3 4. O -* NOR Their NOR arc the natural acquired abilities of* A 1 ' I * Catholics at all calculated to intimidate, from any fufpicion that, mould an occa- fion offer, they might either form, or at- tempt to execute, Ibme grand defign for the fubverfion of this Proteflant govern- ment. In this regard, they are rather, I think, below, than above, the common level. As their education is inferior to that of Proteftants, and as afterwards in life, they have few inducements to im- prove their underflandings by fuch appli- cation, us can aloile give luperiority to mental talents, they generally reft fatisfied with that fmall pittance of knowledge, which fome foreign College originally Supplied. Where c i re um fiances allow it, they have perhaps travelled- and fo have their portmanteaus. Under the tutelage of lomc ignorant, and confequently felf- furlicient Pricfl, the youth has feen ob- jects of vail curiofity ; he has killed the Pope's flipper, and he has viiited our Lady lit Loretto. Thus qualified he returns, and it is well, if he brings not with him many of the follies, and fume of the vices, of the countries he has palled through. However, abitradting from the pious part of improvement, which they do not pre- tend tend to, Proteftiint Gentlemen have little more to fhew from their travels, than the Tons of Catholics. Though the want of education, I com- plain of, or rather a total inattention to improvement afterwards, be an infur- mountable bar to the acquilition of great accomplishments, yet fo very deficient is the prefent generation of Catholics, that few of them feem to poflefs thofe native talents, which often fall to the lot of un- improved mortality. From them the Pro- teilant constitution ot England i% I am lure, in no danger. But for the honour, and for the utility, of the Catholic Bodv, we have much realbn to repine at this un- toward ciicumflance. The petitions of a fullering people are often not attended to by thole who can "ive relief, becaufj < o they are not prefer. ted, or purfued, \vith that fpirit of manly firmnefs and com- manding eloquence, \vhich will find their wav c\ p en to the throne. \\ e are a difu- - * nited body, and ever have been fo.' Tlu-v v.ho ihould take the load, are cither un- able or unwilling to ac"t ; and tl'.c b;;dv iuflers by the indolence, tlie little views, or the timidity of their leaders. It lias R been been feen in the preceding pages, how often the heft- concerted fchemes have been to- tally fruftrated by fome fooliih or wayward opposition. 1 mean not the feverity of thefc reflections fhould be applied univer- fally to all : We have, amongft us, men of real merit and of ftrong endowments ; but it is generally the fate, as it is the \virn, of thefe, to be kept back from the eye of public obfervation. We have reafon, indeed, to lament the lofs of a young Nobleman, who very late- ly, as I mentioned, is gone over to the Proteftant fide. From nature he had re- ceived talents, adequate to the greateit deli^ns, and to thefe talents he had Lrivui o o fome cultivation. But there is in him a cart, a iingularity of mind, and a bi-znrre- ric of thought, which mull: ever 'jive a O C tinge to the faired endowments. With abilities equal to the management of great public buiinefs, his beft ambition will fpend itfelf in vain declamation againft men and meal u res. He was always fond of opposition. I knew him when a boy; and at that time, to thwart, if pofiible, by petty controveriy, the views of hi:; ma- ilers, to complain of undue influence, to magnify magnify grievances, and to head a little band of malecontents, were the objects truly congenial with his humour. With a lefs rettlefs, Icis incontinent, and Icfs dillipated mind (for dilfipation has now greatly added to his native character) he would have mounted with ardour to the firfl place, at the head of a body of men, to which his birth and his abilities called him. Here was a field wide enough for the difplay of the greateft talents. He might have given fplendor to the Catho- lic caufe ; would have poilelled their warmeft affections; and might have afked relief for himielf and for them in a ftyle, that would have commanded attention. If his foul was not large enough to grafp at this high pre-eminence, and if, from in- fenfibility to the imprelfions of religion, his conicience is fmcere, I blame him not, that he has deferted the caufe of his Anceftors ; but I pity an Earl of S y, who can fink down to the paltry fervice of a party-declaimer in the Lower Houfe of parliament. It is a lingular circumftance in the Ec- clefiaftical hiilory of this country, that in proportion as a man lofes all Icnie of re- R 2 ligion y ligion, and becomes immoral, he lees be-> fore him a better profpecl: of enjoying all the privileges of the eftablifhed Church. I never knew an inilance, in which con- viction of the errors of Popery has made one Profelyte. They become Proteilants, as loon as they ceaie ahnoll to be Chrifti- ans. It mull furely be a bail arrangement, which thus expo its to oppreflion the lin- cere and the virtuous, and which opens to the vicious and diilipated man the road of eaie, oi honour, and ot preferment. 7 A It may be expected, whiiil the pencil is flill in my hand, that I Ihould give a ilvfitch at lea ft ot ibme principal characters, which remain amonglb us. It mil ft not be itippoled, that the noble Lord, I have mentioned, has carried off with him all the mental worth of the party. When /iineas tore one golden branch from the my (lie tree, it was inilantly iupplicd by another, Primo avulfo non deficit alter Aureus; 6c fimili frondefcit virga metallo. V i R c . But I am not expert in the art of co- louring, and plain delineation might per- haps [ '33 haps offend. The moft faithful portraits are not always the molt pleafing. The public, which well knows how to appre- ciate merit, is in pollefiion of the origi- nals. If nature has been too thrifty in her gifts, or it circumllanccs have rather contributed to lull, than to roufe, the faculties of their minds, their condition ihould not be cenfared. The moil bril- liant talents often prove lels ferviceable than thole of a more fixed texture. Even in the works of art, lead and iron are fome- times preferred to more fplendid metals. Lead indeed lofes with difficulty its well- known character ; but iron may be harden- ed into iteel. Fnngiir iva' cot is. I wifli Kcould itimulate fomc of my acquaintance to a more active exertion of thole powers, which they have ; and which dilute in a Ihort time may perhaps torpify for ever. merits. IT has been feen with what firm attach- Their Pol! mcnt, Catholics adhered to the houfe of tical Semi- Stuarts. There was fomethinjr in that o loyalty, which even bordered on infatua- tion. They had received no favours from them ; and experience faid, they were not to expert any. Convidion of its rec- titude [ 134 J titude was therefore the only motive which gave ftability to their affedion. At the acceflion of his prefent Majefty, fome few Catholics were (till intoxicated with the fumes of Jacohitilm > nor did it then feem they could be eafily expelled. By one of thole iingular revolutions, however, for which no caufe can be ailigned, in the Imall fpace of a few years, the diitemper worked off; and when the oath of alle- giance was tendered in 1778, hardly, 1 be- lieve, one Catholic refufed to take it. It was a capricious event, but to fuch hu- man nature is often fubject. It may not be interred, that a change fo fudden fhould not be relied on: For, I am clearly fen- iiblc, that Catholics are now as fincere in their attachment to the Hanover family, as they ever were to the Stuarts. Of this they would give the moil convincing proofs, were they permitted to atteft their allegiance b\ r the common exertions of other fubjects. After all, I fee no very particular grounds for this new difpofi- tion. We have yet received but little re- lief; and we continue an oppreiTed and injured people. The boalled excellencies of the Britilh conflitution arc nothing to me, who am deprived of the common right [ '35 1 rights of humanity ; they only ferve to make my condition more irklbme, and to create a re ill els defire of changes and revo- lutions. My fituation cannot be worfe, and it may be mended. In the prefent ftate of contending par- ties, it is curious to fee how Catholics fhape their politics. It is the cry of Op- po/ithn, that they are friends to court meafuresj that they aim to join their in- terell: to that of the crown ; and that againft the rights of the people they will ever be ready to ftrengthen the arm of Prerogative. As this evidently is the language of party, it merits little notice. Catholics are as free to form opinions as other men ; and in their general dcciiions I fvx- the fame rule ot conduct invariably followed. In their politics is the fame difcorddnce and variation of fentiment, as is elfewhcre obiervable. Ignorance only can ailert the contrary belief. If, on the whole, they be rather inclined to govern- ment, which I think is th~ cafe, they have good reafons for their choice. It would be extreme folly to let their faces aguinf!; that power, from which ultimate) v all rc- drcM> mull be derived. Bdides, they fe;-l not not thofe incentives to oppofition, which are known to actuate the breath of many Protcllants. It is falfc, that they are friends to arbitrary power. They [mart too feverely under the rod of oppreflion, towiih to give it additional flrength in the hands of a tyrant. Why even, as is often allerted, Ihould they> from any previous principle, be more inclined to monarchy, than to any other form of government ? At this day, there are Catholic republics, and Catholic itates of every defcription. In the annals of this nation, never were there ftouter champions for liberty, than the ancient Barons. Magna Chart a is of Catholic growth. Nor do I know, that the boafting Proteftant Patriots, of the prelent hour, would have acted at Rum- mcdc with more manly rirmnefs, though * o their lips, I doubt not, might have dif- cillcd more copious ftreams of honeyed eloquence. Catholics are inftructed to Hibmit themfelves to the ruling powers, and not wantonly to engage in faction. The murmurs of diiappointed or of dif- afFected nien can feldom he reconciled with reaion and the plain dictates of re- ligion. We acknowledge ourielves much indebted to feme Gentlemen in Oppojition, and L '37 1 and we hope to experience the continu- ance of their favourable exertions ; hut in us it would be a conduct highlv cenfurahlc, were \\"e to adopt the br.gtuigc of p.irtv, with a view of making an adulatory tender at" lerviCsjs, in thcmielvcs too weak and inlulhcient to effecl: any real purpole. It is but lately that Catholics have at ill appeared to ent r aL:e in politic:; : thcv i l O O J ./ were too depreffcd for the exertions of men ; and even now they Ic.i'.xvlv take any decided part. In mv opinion, incii torpid mdiiterence is repreheniiblc. I would not be factious, but I would fhc\v that I had fome properly at ilake, and th ;t I wiilrjd to K:e it well ne fended. \v have liitiierto C;'-ineii little Ivv" a lon^ cc;;irjc of iir.ieiive iuhmilllon. An Kngiifh'^'in jhouUl at all tinges dare to ipea'c ills feiiri- ments. Th.eie a.t leail cannot It: ihackled; and a 'Li'iniuicr betueen two p.irtic^ ;/;cn-.- rally injets the conteini'l f>\ both. iiCS e C Ip-l! ': '' iiOlMg ;1I:\' !iijur\, io ihc Hale, \\liicii, iL u-. I.'.KI , l:,c:v are; fuivly they are ;du. caj/ablo c-l" ^'.v./r- it, in tl-o lame proportion. ii '-- i'-"-- di^y therefore ,.)!' Magillr.itcv. !}" n;-., "nd i v ~ I ; j . i . t hient meafures, to in lure their affections. Should they be incapable of refenting ill uiagc (and experience has furliciently declared inch to be their lowly con- dition) how unmanly is it, to opprefs the weak and defencelefs ! They are to a man loyal, fmcerc, and patriotic; they have given the mo ft iblcmn iecurity for theii allegiance, in this they have done all that men can do; and having done this, they are intitled to the privileges of fubjecls, and to the protection of the laws. Their Rcli- JT is therefore in religious matters only that Catholics hold opinions different from thofe of Proteftant Englishmen. Here they pretend not to think as they do; and this candid declaration (hould give evi- dence in favour of their general profellions. The infincere man would affect coinci- dence: in opinion, as well in religion as in politics, at Icaft when his intercft required it; ciivJ. it will hardly be (aid, tli^t we mould not be benefited by an artful difguife of our religious belief. We declare then our diiTent from many parts of the Proteftant creed; and we openly avow our faith in articles [ '39 ] articles, which the reformed Church ha^ utterly exploded, Liberty of thought is efiential to human nature. Take that away, and man, his organization alone excepted, will not bu fuperior to the als which browfes on the thiftle, or to the thifUe which vegetates from the earth : It is that only which he can ftric'tly call his own, becaufe no created power can deprive him of if. His property may be taken away by the hand of violence, and his perfon may be thrown into confinement ; but in the dungeons of the Baftile his thoughts arc (till free, and out of the reach of tyranny, There is no fubj'jcl on which our thoughts may not range, and on which they may nor judge. For what other end, wa.s iuch ex- tent given to the mental powers : When we ubufc theie faculties, by u:i improper difplay, we became refponfiblc to the 15e~ in. Is it your buiincl- to invade tb.c bed privilege I enjoy ? \Vith thi? S 2 L-ortviuUon conviclion of mind I examine, I judge, and I chute my own religion. It is the affair 01 iny own conicience ; it is a con- cern betwixt mylclf and Clod ; and it be- longs to no otlicr to arraign my conduct, or U; ccnf'.ire my determination. To mo- le -I me then in the practice of iuch duties a:; r; iv confciencc ivj.iin tells me 1 (hould *- ' pei'iorm, is an equal itrctch ot tyranny. On thcfc principles, to me of clcareil evi- dencc, is iounded tlie Chriflian doctrine of 'I'oitrjthn; a -.ioLtrinc, \\iiich only ignorance oi ti'.e. rights oi mankind, eccletiadical domination, c-r blind cnthutjalm, could ever controvert. Jr I diiicnt iruin other nu'ii ; do i.ut thcv allo dilient irom me ? Ai id if I clink; to liibmit my L v ith to the tij^iii'ons <.){ ili'j Catholic Church, I uie no other liberty than he- does, who chuies \o pejecl; them.- Catholics, I know, have (,rten dciii'.:d tiie external practice oi reli- gion U) Sectaries ; they now cor.tinne to U ) io in many t-onnvrics. It is not my inicnticn to jiiilify \vhat is ill-do::e. Bm to iie inlv>lerant is a leading maxim o] cvcrv cftabllihed C.liurch ; \\ - iiether it have- j its ie.it in l^ngl.Tid or in i Vance, in Ilin- (!O;L:I:I or in China. It is now time t^ corretl correct abufes, and not to feek excafe foit v)ur own, from the example of others. All are equally ceniurahle j and when ii/n^lifh Proteilants arraign io feverely the intolerance of Rome, they only mark out more pointedly the injustice of their own conduct. At all events, what has (late-policy to do with the concern of a man's confcience? If lie obey the laws of his country, and periorm the duties of: a 1 abject, the de- mands of the civil magistrate are complied with. Is he to lav, " You i'hall not \vear a I word for the defence of your perlon or property, becaufeyou chuic to pray for the repoi'e of the foul of your deceafed father; or, if vou will not thin!; as I do, I forbid you to approach within ten miles of the capital ?" -'['his lurclv is a fpccies of fottiili tyranny, which could only be exercifed at a time, when to be ablurd in the ex- treme \vas the fir (I endowment of a ftatef- man. When it is found that any feet of men profels principles in religion, which either tend to the deilruccion of facial happinefs, r>r a;e incompatible with the cftabliilied order order of government, it will not be de- nied, that the moft rigorous means mould be ufed for their fuppreiTion. The fword of juftice ihould be drawn, and the mif- creants be exterminated. It was thus, the Saxon Edgar freed this kingdom from the ravages of wolves, by which it was once infelted. Yet hitherto, I believe, no men have ever pro) felled inch deftruxltive tenets. The religion of every man teaches him to be good, and he would be io, were he to comply wuh its injunctions. The ene- mies to a feet may charge them falfly, and their mifreprefentations may impofe on the ignorant. Inftruc~tions ihould be ta- ken from the well-informed, and not from the cry of defamation. I will apply to a man's own heart for an account of his tenets. No people have i uttered fo much from flanderous defcription, as Catholics. They have repeatedly laid their belief be- fore the public ; which, with great hu- manity, always refufcs to give credit to their declarations. You {hall believe us, they lav but we will not believe you. I fufp'jcl there mu ft be ibmc fecret motive for this incredulity. For it is the difpo- iition of a virtuous mind not to doubt the allcrtions of honed men, The liar thinks no [ H3 1 no man can fpeak truth becaufe he never does it himfelf. Once more I will give my reader a con- cife, but accurate cxpjlition of Catholic belief. It is contained in few propofitions. Should it vary from any previous opinions of his own ; I only beg he will think, that I know better than he does, what is my own religion. The requeft is modeft. The following rule I mult infill he will O attend to, becaufe it is the grand criterion, by which each article of our faith may be distinctly afcertaincd. THIS rule \$All that and only that be- Rule of longs to Catholic bcli>t\ which is revealed * au , a c n ' hi the word of God, and which is propofed by the Catholic Church to all its members,, to be believed with divine faith, Guided by this certain criterion \vc pro- fefs to believe, i . That Chrift has eflablifhtd a Cmurh upon earth, and that this Church is that, which holds communion with the Sec of Jlome, being One, Holy, Catholic, and Apodolical. 2. That [ 144 ] 2. That we arc obliged to hear tlm o Church ; and therefore that flic is in- fallible, by the guidance of Almighty God, in her decilions regarding faith. O O }. That Saint Peter, by divine coin- million, was appointed the head of this Church, under Chrift its founder: And that the Pope, or Biihop of Rome, as fuccellor to baint Peter, has always been, and is at prefent, by divine right, head 01 this Church. 4. That the Canon of the Old and New Teltament, as propofed to us by tins Church, is the word of (Joel; as allo lucli triditions, belonging to faith and moral:-, which being originally delivered by Chrill to his Apoillcs, have been prefcrved, by constant fucceliion, in the Catholic Church. 5. That honour and veneration are due to the Angels of Cod and his Saints ; that they orrer up prayers to God for us ; that it is good and profitable to have recourse. to their inlcrccfiion ; and that the relics or earthly remain^ of God's particular fervants ^n: to be held in relpecl. 6. (). That no (ins ever were, or can be, re- mitted, unlefs by the mercy of God, thro' jefus Chrilt ; and therefore that man's iuilirication is the work ot divine grace. 7. That the good works which we do, Deceive their whole vain;; ironi the cTace o of (Jod ; and that by inch works, we not only comply with the precepts of the di- vine law, but that we thereby likewife imrit eternal lite. 8. That by work'-, done in the fpirit of Penance, we can mak-j fatisfaclion to God, for the temporal puniihmcnt, which often remains due, after our fins by the divine goodnefs, have been forgiven us. o. That Cliriir 1ia ( ; left to iiis Church a power of ^rantin^ indulgences, that K, a relaxation from inch temporal cluillill-- mer.t only as rem.un> due alter the divine pardon c! fin ; -an;! t;i;it the life of fuch indu) fences is proiitable to nnnerr.. re. r i hat there is a Purgatory or middle State ; and that the fouls of imperfect Chriitkins therein detained are helped by the prayer of the h-ithful. 'I' ji. That [ H6 ] 11. Thru there are feven Sacraments, all inftitutcd by Chrift ; Baptifm, Con- firmation, Eucharift, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Order, Matrimony. 12. That in the mod holy Sacrament of the Eucharift, there is truly, really,- and fubftantially, the body and blood, to- gether with the foul and the divinity ot our Lord Jefus ChriiL 13. That in this facrarnent there is, by the omnipotence of God, a converfion, or change, of the whole fubilance of the bread into the body of Chrift, and of the whole .fubilance of the wine into his blood 3 which change we call Tranfubftantiation. 14. That under cither kind Chrift ic received whole and entire. 15. That in the Mafs, or Sacrifice or the Altar, is offered to God a true, proper, and propitiatory facrificc for the living and the dead. 1 6. That in the Sacrament of Penance, the fins we fall into after baptifm are, by the divine mercy, forgiven iu>. Thefe [ '47 1 Thefe arc the great points of Catholic belief, hy which \ve are cliflinguiihed from other Chriftian Societies ; and theie only are the real and eilential tenets of our Re- ligion. We admit a lib the other grand articles of revealed anil natural religion, which the gofpel and the light of reafon have man i felled to us. To theie we fub- mit as Men and as Chriftians, and to the former as obedient children of the Catho- lic Church. Reader, have you weighed attentively the plain and obvious meaning of theie articles r And do you think there is one, which merits to be treated with iuch harfli, cenfure, as is generally cnven them : Do vou til ink there is or:e, the b,Jiel: of which iliould, in a Chrillian countrv, reilrain us from the common privileges of iubjecls and the bleiun^s of unbounded Toleration ? O I mean not to fay, that our doctrine is of' fuch evidence as to command conviction and initant belief. This is a very different quellion ; nor do 1 ipeak of the truth of our religion : Were it /.'///'-' in every article, mv realunin-j; would be the fame. Tenet > *- O which to Catholics, from the long acqui- red habits of education, may feem familiar T 2 and [ '48 j and highly rational, arc not therefore cal- culated to make the lame impreflioii on thole, to whom they are nc\v and unin- tcrciling. The friend to truth will ma- turely weigh the important object, and \\ ill decide, as reafbn and the bias of ge- nuine Chriftianity thall appear to prepon- derate. Oi this, however, J am convinced. that, were certain obllaclcs removed, Inch as the views oi inleicit, the animoiity oi pai ty, tiie blindnefs of prejudice, and thofe thick clouds which controverfy has railed, it would then appear, that tlie ProtcUant Church of England and Catholics are di- vided by very thin partitions. There are points ol difcipline allu, which regulate conduct, and to which We pay obedience; as jailing on particulai days, communion in one kind, celibacy of churchmen, me ot liic Latin laiiL'uage in public lervice, and oilier iimiiar practices ; but as tliele \ar\\ and may be cither al- tered or lupprcfied by due autjiority, they belong not to what is properly ilyled the Fait/j (.f Catiiolics. Opinions alto, w ; hethcr regarding belief or practice, of particular fcliouls or of par- ticular [ '49 1 ticular divines, conilittite a diilinct and ie p. .irate onjecl. Gieat latitude in tho formin:;- ofr inch opinions is -allowed ; and confequcntly it \vill be often abufcd. it has been in the power ol ionic men to L;ive an undue weight to fuch opinion^ whereby Catholics themlelvcs have been too often impoled on. They have ifzno- i-aiiLly confounded the inventions of fallible men \\iili tiie unerring declarations or' ile.'A'cn. C.U this circumllancc our ene- mies have mai:v tinies taku-n an uniHr ad- vaMtige, and the iaith oi Catholics lias ;iii!^:x\i irom the ialie repreietUation. - ^ o:nc oj-'inions may di.-fervc refpe^', b'U others ihonld be dei'piied a:id reprobated. An-1 it ihould he noticed, tl^it -noil of t:ie char res bro:v^tu ;:r::::i:i i'-. :ire f ; ;ii!u-ed on >. o th\< lalie lu;">noiit] >:i ; i'.^.ii ! \ . : '//i..\'>s c-f much i- pLit't j'j our ?\\:l i"/\'.\;, t >s '/.v iirttcL's I f[\rcj /:.'/. ti:jt. -d. \vhen all thi- extra- neons matter, whether or diieipline or of opinion ;.-- i^ou;;ht :o a proper felt, by the .;u.'/ :/ tt.titb I !'.) rr-iich iiiiilt o;i, it \v;U loc-'ii appe:.r in \NViat 'ii^ht it is to !>e con- lidercu. \verj I to re;eel: every (;; - i:u,' n , nitlierto tlilcoverevl, .ind loleiy ;;/i!iere to the articles of doctrine as ab-.>\e iiated, 1 1 150 ] fhould be a Catholic in the Uriel: and ac- curate acceptation of the word. Divines might cenfure me, Cafuifts might defame me, and the Pope might deny me the name tfPapiJl', hut my faith would flill be pure, unimpaired, and Catholic. Charges NOTWITHSTANDING this clear defcription of Catholic belief, many char- ges, of a very black and defamatory com- plexion, are perpetually urged again A them j nor has it been poffible to iilence the voice of calumny. It has been very recently averted, that though we have taken an oath of alle- o giance and fidelity, we lliould not be tole- rated in a Proteftant country, becaufe we have yet given no ficurity for our good behaviour. It is a fixed maxim, fay thefe men of refined difcernment, in the Church of Rome, to which they all univerfally fubfcribe, " That no faith is to be kept with heretics ; That the Pope can difpcnfe with all oaths ; and that every Priell has a difcretionary power to forgive fins or every defcription," Wo We have anfwered ; That we reject fuch doctrine as impious and unchriftian ; that it was never admitted by Catholics ; that if any private perfon believed it, he was a bad man -, and that no power, of what- ever denomination, could make it lawful to violate fuch engagements, though con- tracted with Heretics, Jews, Turks, or Inlidels. We have anfwered; That we do not hold, the Pope has power to difpenfe with oaths ; that the exercife ot fuch power would be a violation of the unalterable laws of juilicc and truth; that it would be impious and invalid ; and that no de- ciiions, even of General Councils, can an- nul the facred obligation of inch en^a^e- o merits. We have anfwered; That Priells have not a difcretionary power to forgive lins ; that to the linner, who comes to them \vith all the difpoiitions of fincere re- pentance, we do believe they can, by the appointment of Heaven, grant abfolu- tion ; but that it is G'jd alone, who inte- riorly abfolvcs the penitent, whilit his Miniikrs cxttr'iQrly exercile the function. Wher> \V hen \ve arc accufed of leaching tnai the Pope cnn depofe Kings, and free their fubiecls from their allegiance; our aniwer s ; That \ve abhor inch maxims ; that ii Popes have fometimes exercifed a depoiing power, we condemn their conduct; that, us we acknowledge in him powers of fpi- ritual iurifdietion onlv, we admit no in- terference troin his court in the temporal concerns of flute ; and tliat we won Id op- pofe any ieenlar -attempts from him, with tlie fame alacrity, as we would thole of 11 French invader. It is dill urged, that we allow in him Hn extent of jurifdielion, which is not confident with the cftabiifhed government of this realm. v'vYJ] regard to that particular arrange- nicnt, \\'liich aopoints the Kinf head of j i ^> ilie Cliurch, we avow, it i:, true, our ciiient Iroi'ii it. I'.r.t. as that relates or.lv 'o the eiu'l-liilied Chnrch, of which we i.re r.ot memhcrs, f/.ir conduce is the fame .is that CM'' otlier I)ifienter.>, over whom his vh.jelly aiiiMiC-s no ecclehadical jurifdic- l;on.~ 1'h.e ;]ii!i(^i') of R^me is our prin- cip;-: 1 ! fupcrior, a-, he is the fiijircmc head t .153 1 of the Catholic Church. But all his power, being wholly j pint Hal > has no relation to civil government ; it reaches to fuch matters as, we think, appertain not to the controul of Princes. The itate ot religion with us is ib very low and im- perfect, that it is not ea'y to difccvor, wherein the Pope has room lor the excr- ciie of any part or his prerogative. \\'c si i c > have no national Church, and we <;u:dc ourielves by the rule of ancient practice and discipline. In Catholic countries mull: be locked for the proper dilpLiy of the Papal power; and it will be re. 'ind that its fphere of action is extremely bounded. They acknowledge in him a *- O primacy of jurildiclion ; but it i:, a jirim^cy fubjccted to the contro:tl of C'unons and to the general order ot eitablilhed la\\s. o Ilis power is in no lenie abfolate. It is his duty to attend to the execution of clhiblifhed laws, and to t.ike c.ire that the Chritlian republic receive no in'urv. "J.'his is the of'ice of a iirit magillrate in every well-regulated itate. And to (hew ho\-/ o limited his authority really is ; we mam- tain that each Pallor in his parilh, each b'iihop in his diocefe, each Metropolitan in his province, and each Patriarch in his I' nation, [ '54] nation, Is pofTefTed of a proper and efTen- tial jurifdidion, wholly uncontroulable by, and independent of, the See of Rome. They refpecl his primacy, but they have their rights and liberties as ancient and as o facred as are his own. Such was the or- der divinely eflabliihed by Chriil. The canonical inftalment of Bifhops and other higher Miniflers is alone a branch of the Papal jurifdiction. 1 know that, in former times principally, the Popes have exerted a very undue ftretch of power. They had the paffions of men ; and the Chriflian world was too weak and too iff- o norant to oppofe them. The consequences were at lalt fatal. It is vain to fuppofe that any eilablifhrnents, committed to human dirc&ion, can be long free from nbufes : It is our duty, by prudent and the moft effectual means, to contribute to their reformation. Such, as I have de- fcribed, is the nature of the jurifdidlion of Rome, and being fuch, England, I am very confident, has no reafon to fear we fhall ever aim to introduce a power in- compatible with her privileges. When we have been called Idolaters ; we knew not what was meant by the charge : [ IJJ ] charge : For to God alone we pay our homage of adoration-, but we think that particular rcfpetl is due to the firft and beft of his creatures. We are ace u fed of great uncharitahlenefs in allowing Salvation to none but Catho- o lies. But this alfo is a millaken notion. We fay, I believe, no more, than do all other Chriftian bocieties. Religion cer- o tainly is an affair of very ferious coniidc- ration. \\ r hen therefore a man, either neglects to iniorm himfelf, or when in- formed, refutes to follow the conviction of his mind, fuch a one, we fay, is not in the way of Salvation. Afier mature enquiries, if I am convinced that the re- ligion of England is the only true one, am I not obliged to become a Proteftant ? In iimilar circumliances, mull not you likewile declare voir. feif a Catholic ? Our j meaning is, tlvt ,iO o.ie can be laved out of the true Church ; and as we coniider the evidence of the truth of oi:r religion to be great, that he who will not embrace truth, when he lees k, dcferves not to be happy. Cod liowever is the fearcher of hearts; he only can read thole internal U 2 difpolitions, [ -56 ] diipotitions, on which rectitude of con- duel alone depends. Such are the anfwcrs, we have always given to thefe, and to other iimilar charges. We know, we have had amongft us many had and weak men, who have often fpokcn and often acted wrong;: hut it is unfair to o * involve the innocent in the ways of the guilty. By this ordeal, the virtues and good qualities of every lociety upon earth would be utterly done away. As Chri- flians, therefore, we admit all the doctrines of divine Revelation; as Catholics, we lub- mit our faith to the authority of that Church, which we think Chrifthas found- ed ; as men, we profefs our obedience to the moral precepts of rcalon and nature ; and as iubjecls, the King has our allegi- ance, the laws our reverence, ' and the flatc may command our fcrvices. Their THE account I have given of the re- Friefts. Ijo-ion of Catholics naturally leads me to D j their Minifters. On this head I could wilh to fupply all potTiblc information. Popiih Prieils are generally conlidered as a fair o;ame, at which the fhafts of fa tire o and [ -57] and malevolence may be thrown with im- punity. Like other objefts, this allb has two fides : The equitable fpeftator will wifli to view both. By an arrangement, which took place in tiie reign of James the Second, England was divided into four dill rifts, and a Bi- fhop was appointed to prefide over each. They had then loool. per ann. fettled on each of them, out of the Exchequer : but this only continued till the Revolution, when they were reduced to the neccflity of fupporting them (elves by the bell means in their power. Since that time, the ianu regulation with regard to numbers has continued ; and as they have no particu- lar place of refidence allotted, each IJifhop generally chufes to live in the molt cen- trical and convenient fituation. Their oifice is, to attend to the fmall concerns of their refpeciive di drifts ; to adminiiler the Sacrament of Confirmation ; to pro- vide the different congregations with Prieils ; and to take care that thefe per- form their duties, and behave in a manner becoming; the character of Churchmen. o It has been laid by a peeviih writer, " That ifo BiJJjops go about, and exercife every part part of their function, without offence, and without obfervation." This is an un- fair reprefentation : For it is in the moll private manner that any part of their func- tion is exercifed ; and as they pofTefs none of the infignia of the Epifcopal order, their goings about do not difHnguilh them from other men. Could modern Chriftians be infpired witli the holy ambition of emu- lating the virtues of the apoftolic ages, our Catholic Bifhops have, furely, the no- bleil field before them. They are not oxpofed to the allurements of worldly temptations; and all their trcafurcs are in heaven. One hundred pounds per annum is more than equal to the revenue of their Epifccpal Sees. Will the author of the Confiffivnal) from whom the above remark is taken, be willing to exchange his Arch- deaconry of Cleveland for ths Mitre of thefc Popilh Biihops ? As far as I can rely on my information, \vhich 1 think is accurate, the number of Prieils, now employed, is about 360. Their distribution is as follows. In the northern diftricl, which takes in the coun- ties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Weftmoreland, Durham, York, Lancaiter, and [ '59 1 and Chefler, there are about 167. Of theic 48 are Ex-Jefuits. Three places are now vacant. This diftricl contains the grcateft number of Priefts, and alfo the greatcft number of Catholics ; but not in propor- tion to the number of Clergy ; many be- ing private Chaplains to Gentlemen, where there are no congregations. Since their diflblution, nine places have been given up by the Ex-Jefuits, two of v,hich are not likely ever to be revived. In the midland diftricr, are about 90 Priefts ; 28 of whom are Ex- Jeiuits. There are now fourteen places vacant. This di- Ariel: declines very fa ft, as appears from the great number of congregations now with- out Priefts. Aloft ot thele have been vacant for lome time, and no Clergymen unen- gaged have hitherto been found to fupply them -, though fome of them are Gentle- men's houfcs; by which means fome fa- milies are obliged to go from five to ten miles, on Sundays, to Chapel. It may be noticed that this diilricl, though compofed of the greateil number of counties, and thole moitly large, to ihe amount of ii>;- uen, contains only 8,460 Catholic*, which is [ i6o] is computed to be about two thirds of* what there were thirty or forty years ago. The weftern diflric~t contains about 44 Priefts; 23 are Ex-Jefuits. There is o.ie place vacant, and has been fo for fome time ; no per foil can be found to occupy it. This diftrict is the thinned of Catholics of any in England, though its extent be great. Jt contains eight Englifh counties, and the whole of North and South-Wales. The London diilricl, comprifing nine counties, has 50 Priefts; 1 1 arc Ex-Jefuits. There are five places vacant. This diftrict has alfo diminished, and is declining very fail. Thcfe Priefts, whole number and dhlri- bution I have given, either live as Chap- lains in the families of Gentlemen, and have the care oi the little congregations round them; or elie they reiidc in towns, or in fome country-places, where funds have been fettled for their ftipport. The Chapels are in their own houfes. From many places being now vacant, as I have noticed, where Priefts were formerly kept, it is evident that their number is greatly on [ ,6, ] t>n the decreafe. The Jefuits allo are daily dying away; nor is there any fuccef- fion to fupply their places. In the hipfe of a few years, we (hall lee a very great additional falling of?. Never, furelv, w:\s O j ' there a wilder fancy than the common cry of the growth of Popery, and of the great influx of Priefts, fince the palling of the late avft in favour of Catholics ! Voluntary poverty is generally efleemed a virtue of high evangelical merit ; bur when involuntary, it lofes its meritorious character, and may be ranked among the miferies of human life. If Catholic Pricils are difpofed to make a virtue of necefiltv, like their Biihops.. they will meet with no obftaele \\\ their progrefs to perfection. T \vcnty pounds per annum is thought a Very handfome Ihlary for a Gentleman's Chaplain ; and ii the rural curate have twenty more, to keep himlelf, his horfe, and liis iervant, it \\ill be laid, he is very \\cll provided. Some may have final I annui- ties from their own families ; but this is not common. From ir.cn thus broken by penury, trie irowns of an imperious patron, or by hard labour in the lervice oi their neighbour, government lias little realun, I X think, think, to apprehend machinations againft the ftate; nor fhould the eftablifhed Church envy their condition, or tremble for the fubverfion of her Hierarchy. Our Priefts, in their general characler, are upright and fincere: But narrowed by a bad education, they contrac~l early prejudices, which they very feldom afterwards de- pofite. The theological lumber of the fchools fupplies, in their minds, the place of more ufeful furniture. Moderately ^ ikilled in the Latin and Greek languages, they know nothing of their own ; nor do they become fenfible of their manifold de- ficiencies, till it be too late to attempt improvement. They are bred up in the perfualion that, on coming to England, they are to meet with racks and perfccu- tion : They land, therefore, as in an ene- my's country, cautious, diffident, and fu- fpedtful. A man truly orthodox ilies he- retical company; he fears to be contami- nated; and he would not receive initruc- tion from lo foul a fource. A Prieil is feldom fccn in the focicty of Protcflants. The Catholics, he is told to herd with, either are unable to improve him, or if able, they are feldom willing. Contra^led in his circumftanccs, he has not the m of drawing information from books; and o iinfafhioned in the forms of elegant life, his company is not afked for. Thus de- nied all occaiions of improvement, if his native difpoiitions \viil allow him, he loon fits down fullenly contented, and looks no further. If he ever had abilities, difufe will, in a fhort time, lay them afleep ; and at iixty he will he found the fame man he was at twenty-five. It is the complaint of our Gentrv, that Priefls arc rouo-h and j o imiociable : They \vould he lefs fo, per- il aps, if their patrons were lefs proud, lets ignorant, and lefs imperious. On both fides are faults, which ihould be corrected. That day is palled, when the counfel of thePrieilhood was ornciouily fought after; \vhen, from the cottage to the throne, it pervaded every department in iifc. The employment did not make them better men ; and their employers are defervedly llylcd ignorant and \veak-mindc\i bigots. A Churchman who, in the diicharge of his duty, is regular, exemplary, a^id n;anlv, mult be refpected ; it lie be ili-treated, it will only be by fuch, whole rrowns will do him more honour than their X 2 It [ ,6 4 ] It is often faid, that Popilli Priefls have an unbounded zeal for making Profelytes. Were it true, I fee no reproach in the charge. It proves that they are iincere in their religious belief; that they ellcem thcmfelves in the bed: way ; and that they wiih to impart to others the important truths of falvation. The man of zeal, and only this man, will, in every religion, itrive to make converts $ and when evi- dently he is not actuated by motives of intcretl or fome worldly purfuit, his only -aim can be the good of his neighbour. If Prieils ever puileffed the fpirit com-r plained of, it has, I am lure, either long lince evaporated, or is become very unfuc- ccfsfui ; for the number of thofe, who conform to the eflablimed Church, is far beyond thcfe who come over to us. Real zeal is not a Jailing impulfe, when there is not fome paffion to give it ftrength ; and in what are we benefited by an increafe of numbers ? To inilru6t thole who are born Catholics ; to make them good Chri- ftians and good Citizens, is a talk by itfelf fufficiently interefting; we are already too many to fuffer j and in us too many are already loll to the fcrvice of our country. It [ '65 ] It is a very fortunate circumdance, in the discipline of the Catholic Church, that Prieds are forbidden to marry. They who now can hardly maintain themielves, would not eaiily provide for a wife and children. Protedants often inveigh again ft this celibacy of our Churchmen 3 but it would be well, 1 believe, if many of theirs continued fmgle : Where fhall the unpro- vided offspring of a deceafed Clergyman find relief from penury and diilreis ? Luther indeed did well to condemn a practice, he was not willing to follow; and his marriage with a Nun was to his difciples a convincing proof, that celibacy was no virtue. The influence, which Prieds have it in their power dill to acquire from the ufe of confeflhn, it mull be allowed, is very great. Take but once fait bold of a man's conference, and you may le.id him where you pleafe. It is therefore, in our Church, a concern of the greater! moment, that o Pricds be well-indructed, and that they be i/ood men. \Vhen this is the caie, o they become a powerful engine, whereby religion may be greatly advanced, and much public utility deuved to the date. Confeiliou [ '66 ] Ccnfefiion is a great check to vice, and it promotes the pra6tice of virtue. It may be abufed, as the belt tilings too often are. Abftracting from all divine inftitution, were I to found a commonwealth, a law, obliging all my fubjecls to frequent con- fetTion of their fins, mould be a principal ordinance. But the choice of my Prieils fhould have my peculiar care. 1 would not, however, mvfelf be found often in ^ their company for the Priefl who holds in his hand the confcience of his Prince, too often meddles in the temporal con- cerns of ftate, which belong not to him. The Jcfuit?, from the day of their in- ftitution, railed, through the Chriflian world, a fufpicious jcaloufy, which they \vere never careful to fupprefs -, they alfo raifed an admiration of their zeal and of their unbounded activity. In our penal itatutes they arc marked out as a body of men wholly diflincl from other Priefts. It was thought, that they held principles inimical to the rights of mankind, and that their deiicrns a^amit Princes and their C) O States were of the molt deleterious com- plexion. There was no truth in this ima- gination. They had amongft them, in- deed, Divines of wild fancy j they had loofe and indulgent Caiiiiits; and they had men of dangerous activity. Where the weakneiles and common paffions to which our nature is fubjecl, are allowed to operate, things could not be otherwife} and the Jefuits were not more reprehen- fible, than are all other focieties of men. The influence, which their zeal, their fbft infinuation, and their abilities, ac- quired them, was, in every walk of life, amnzinclv ex ten five. It was often pro- o * r duclive of great good, and it was fome- times productive of great evil. They afpired, I think, too high ; and the rapi- dity of their fall could only be equalled by that of their afeent. To the Proteftant Church they were always particularly odi- ous : They were purpofely railed to oppofc the progress, and to combat the opinions, of the tint Reformers. Their attachment I ) the See of Rome was great ; and in them the Papal prerogative had -always ex- perienced the. hrmel't iupport. It V.MS, therefore, nvatter of alloniiliment \vheu the Roman Pur. tiff pn.'iuv.ir.reJ tl e'r dif- {ulution. He Wa^ either a baa no i; ;:;ai:, ;r he was L'omnelled to do it. In ub litie> tl.e Jeluil, \verc t!rj;i;;lit U; furpafs ;:Ii Otll'J ' other religious orders; but hecaufe they wanted prudence to rein their ambition, and to moderate their career of power, they fell, and were not pitied. The fcnglifli Jefuits were, I think, rather in- ferior to their brethren in other parts of Europe. Of this many realbns might be affigned. But there was a certain famc- nefs in manners, and a peculiar call of features, which generally marked every member of the Society. Among the Tea- fhrubs in China, in the millions of Chili, In the gardens of Verfailles, or in a cottage in Lancashire, a Jcfuit was a diftinguifti- able man. The few ftill remaining, daily dying off, in the courfe of fomc years, their generation will be extinct, and their name almoft fors;otten. We lhall then o perhaps Ice reafon to lament their fuppref- iion. At all event?, it is now time to drop thole idle fears, which the phantom of Jefuitical craft and machinations for- merly gave rife to. fhcir IT was a groundless rumour, which Schools in lately prevailed, that Catholics were open- ing fchools in all parts of the kingdom, whereby the rifmg generation of Prote- flants Hants were all to be perverted to the crroi's of Popery. The real fact is, that \ve have not opened one new fchool lince the year 1778. The whole number of thole which we have, arc, I think, but three, at leait thole of any note. There is one in Hert- ford Hi ire; one near Birmingham in \\ar- \vickihire; and a third near \Yolverhamp- ton in Staffer dfli ire. In London are Jomc day-fchools; and in ether parts may be, perhaps, little eftablifhments, where an old woman gives lectures on the Horn- O book and the Art of Spelling, As her leilons convey no documents (;f trealbn or fcdition, government need not watch her with any anxious attention. At the two jfirft mentioned fchools are generally about twenty or thirty bnys.> \vho leave them about the age of twelve or lourtcen. That in Stafford ih ire is far the mod numeroiib. Its defign is to CMVC ionie cuu.cation to children of a lower rials. They learn their religion, and fiich other things, as may qualify them for trade and the ufual bul'inci"? of life, \\hen it can be avoided, they never admit Proteilants, from an aji- prthcnfion that it might give oireiuv ; as iillb from a well-grounded fulpicion, tli;it At would tend graduallv to weaken the O ' Y I 7 religious principles of the Catholic boys, It is to me aftoni thing, that Proteflanta can be found, who, were it in their power, would deprive us even of this fmall privi- lege of educating our own children ! The ideas of fuch a man are a diftrrace to hu- o man nature. Ultimus Juorum inoilaturl It was the wiih of the ancients to their greatell enemies. Their SOON after the acceffion of Queen t ( , rci ? Elizabeth, when Catholics had loll all buieols. hopes of re-eftablimrnent ; and when by fevere fhtutcs the practice cf their religion was prohibited, and thcmfelvcs were not allowed to receive education at home; many of them retired abroad, and, by de- crees, aiiociatcd into regular communities. 4_> C" In 1568, Dr. Allan, afterwards made Car- dinal, founded a College fur the Eugliih at Douay, a town in Flanders, then fubjccl to the Spanifh King; and in procefs of time, other Colleges and places oi education were elhtblifhed in France, Sp^.in, and Portugal. The remains llkc\\ - iic c,>f the o religious orders, who hid been diipertcd at the fupprcilion of Monaiteries, collected them (elves, and formed into communities. The [ '7' 1 The iirft object of thcfc difFcrent efh- blhhments was, to provide Minifters for the fupport of their religion in England, and in a fecondary vie\v, to give education to tlie Catholic youth. Young men, therefore, loon repaired thither; ib-ne of them took orders, and thin returned to their own country. To iruilr..te this fchcme, which \vas tlic only me.ms nu\v kit of preserving from utter ruin the fmail remains of Catholicity in England, many J O J very icvere ilatutes were made by Eliza- beth and her tucceiTors. However, in fpite of this oppolition, and ol the va- rious attempts then made to prevail on the different i'rinces to expel t'le.n their territcjrie^, they Hood, and exiii to tlie prelent hour. It was furely a itrctch of cruel deipoiifm, tlius to fubject tlvofe, Avho iliould lend their children abroad, to hard penalties, and, at tlie lame time, not to allow them to be educated at home, unlefb they took oaths, \\hieh in their confcicnces thev thought unlawful! * o Tlie men wlicm, for many fucceeding years, thele Seminaries ient into England, > ^ \vere very iible and ir,U)rmed. A general ipirit oi enquiry, ctpecially in matters of V 2 religion, [ IT- J religion, had begun to call into life thofc mental powers, which, for whole centu- ries back, had flcpt in lazy indolence. Controverfy became the fashionable occu- pation of the learned; and true religion has many obligations to their laborious efforts. The Engliih Prieils eagerly en- gaged in thole difputes of religion with their Proteftant antagonists ; ar 4 d from the writings they left behind them, it appears, they were well-ildilcd in the arts of controverfy. There is indeed an acrimony and a harflinefs of reflection in their works, which, to judge from mo- dern habits, would rather irritate, than produce fentiments of moderation and mutual forbearance. But this was the ftcrn character of the age ; and it may, I believe, at all times be doubted, whether the object of polemic writers is not rather to foil their advcrfary and to triumph, than, from the love of truth, to combat error, and to convince, from the godlike motive of doing ?ood. o o The prefcnt ilate of thefe eftabli foments is as follows : The College at Douay founded, as I laid, in 1568, is the molt coniidcrable, and is governed by a Pre- 11 dent [ '73 ] fident and other Superiors, all of the Engliih nation. It belongs to the fecu- lar Clergy $ and the number of ftudenta is generally above a hundred. As its dc- fign is to form Churchmen, and to give an academical education to the lens of Gentlemen, its couric of ftudies has been confequently adapted to this double pur- p,-)ie. But the complaint is, that its plan is not proportioned to the preient im- proved llate of things ; that the Priefls, who come from thence, are ill- provided with that learning, which other Univer- fities can now lupply ; and that young men, alter eight years application, re- turn home, very fuperficially acquainted with the Latin and Greek authors, and totally destitute of all other fcience. Gc- 4 ncral ideas, and the habits of mankind, have certainly undergone a ?reat rcvolu- * O V.' tion j it is proper, therefore, that modes of education ihould vary, upiier Jkilful and prudent direction. Inllruciions fhould be taken from every quarter, and the work ol improvement begun, without further lols of time. The misfortune however is, that to reform a College would be a thirteenth labour for Hercules. The cleaniing the (table of King Augea,-, which [ '74 I which held three thoufand oxen, and had not been emptied for thirty years, was, compared with this, but ;i boyiih achievement. The revenue of this Col- lege is very moderate; and the peniion, which provides every thing, is but of twenty pounds per annum. The Priells from this houfe are the molt numerous, and from them I prin- cipally drew thole outlines of facerdotal character, which the reader already has fecn. They are open, diiintcrefled, re- ligious, and laborious j ftcady in the dif- cliarge of their duties, fond of their pro- felilon, and emulous of fupporting the character of primitive Churchmen : But they are auilere in their principles, con- fined in their ideas, ignorant of the world, and unpleafant in their manners. The Clergy have alib other feminaries, of inferior diftmclion, at Paris, at Valladolid in Old Caililc, -at Rome, -and at Liibon. The number of Undents in thcfe places is mconiiderablc. The diftance from England is great, and, abilrading from the expence of fo long a journey, parents are not inclined to fend their children fo far [ '75 ] far from home. The defign of all thele eurablifhments is folely to educate Church- men. At Paris are many opportunities of improvement, which that learned Uni- verfity fupplies. The mode of education in the other houfes is copied from that of Douay ; and their Prieits, barring the local peculiarities they contract:, are greatly in the fame model. It is furely time to give new life to this antiquated form : 13 ut we want an artill bold enough to at- O tempt it. When Prometheus had kneaded into rtiape his man of clay, lie Hole lire from Heaven to animate it. \Vhi3il the Jefuits flood, St. Omer was thtirgreat fchool forclaiiical improvement; and they lupplied Kngland with many able and active Churchmen. At the ex- pi:] lion of that body from France, their College was given to the Clergy of Douav: IP. whole hands ir now is; but it anfwer* little purpofe. Knglilh Catholics are not iuiticiently numerous to fupply fcholars for io many houfes. r |"he jefuits them-* f.lves fir (I retired to Bruges, in the An- ilr: in Neth.erlands, \ i ,],ere thev opened another College ; but, on their mini fup- !M'e]ii(^ii a ie\v vears uiter, tlrat houle alio [ i 7 6] \vas dilTolvcd, together with every other foundation they poflefled. They thert erected an Academy at Liege, (for their fpirit of enterprize was not to be broken) under the protection of the Bimop and Prince of that place. They are now no longer Jefuits ; but their Academy is in great eftimation, and the children of our Catholic gentry principally refort thither for education. However, as their object is not to form Churchmen, (for they think the Church has uied them ill) but to inftruct youth in the fafhionable arts of polifhed life, the order of Aaron will re- ceive little alliftance from their labours. The Monks of the order of Saint Bene- dict have allb houfes abroad, and their Priefls come to England. There are four Convents now belonging to them, three in France, and one in Germany, but their numbers are fmall. In that at Douay is a fchool for claffical education, where are generally about thirty fludcnts, From theie different places but few Pricils re- turn to England ; it being an efTential part of the Monkifh inititute to keep choir, for which bufmeis a confiderable number of flout lungs is requifite. The [ '77 1 The Friars of the order of Saint Francis have likewile a Convent at Douay, which fupplies ibme Prieils. Within thcfe few years, they have grentlv decreaied, owing to the wile regulations 1 rince has adopted for the reduction ot miLrious orders, as o allo becaute the true ipirit of Friariim is much abated. The lource likewile, from which formerly they drew a competent fubliilence, is aim oil dried up; I mean the liberal contributions of the public. It begins to be a prevailing notion, that the earthly fubfknce of families can be expended to better purpofe, than in main- taining men, who have no return to make to their benefactors, but a promife of a place in paradile, which, it is now dif- covcrcd, they cannot diipofe of; and whofe lives, though really more regular than re- pr:ic:H:ci, ieem not to merit fnch partial indulgence. There is alio a third order, which now be'.-;-ns rather to increase. The Dominicans,, j;. : the fuppreiiion ot the jeiults, have gr^\vn into nv^re vinb'o iorm : They have a fcho^l near Brut-cU, and a ihvill Con- vent at Lcm.v.in, in the Auflrian tcrrilo- ries. Some Prietts of this order are likc- wife in England. Such is the prefent iVate of Catholic eftablimments abroad, and from them come all the Churchmen at this day in England. It is rather a motley congrega- tion y and they are, and ever have been, much divided by local prejudices of edu- cation, views of intereir, low jealoufies, pretenfions to partial favour, and the jars of fuch feltim pafiions, as have long had prefcriptive pofiellion of the breads of Churchmen. It would be well, if with their caffocks, their cowls, and their capuches, they would allb leave behind them the weaknelles jufl mentioned, and honellly unite in one chriftian plan of ferviuv their neighbour, and of difcharc;- o c; o ing the feveral duties of religion. It was in thcfc feminaries that was chiefly kept -.ilivc that Jacobitical follv, which, like an /:- 'n:s fatiniSy led the Catholics of Eno-- ciers would, I know, offend their mcdetlv; (.tlier- \vife I would lay, that as wives, as molr.ers, as citizens, and as chnilians, U'.jv ii.and unrivalled. One \t, ibirietinv-.- tempted to i fufpect tlu-t, in niv-ld;:,:, t!;e l.slt teAtare ot thuir minds, nature, too kiiidh partial, threw in ionie elements, \\luch (.jiherv-. ne might Iiave hillen to the liure i;t tlietr huibands. r i.'lie inllructions c-t iiie cioiiler are not favourable to the ^ro\vth oi iheie virtues ; but it is uiual \vith us, not to expofe them to public notice, \vhich olten blarts the early flower, till maturer age has rincned them into more fee u re perfec- j i rion. To tliia circumftance I principally alcribe [ 182] afcribe an effed:, which otherwife cannot be accounted for. If my advice might be followed, I would propofe, if Nuns muft be, that, after fome years of holy retirement, they would return, with mifiionary powers, to this land of heretics : Their preaching would make more pro felytes than a legion of Friars ; and their example would be a fair path for us all to walk in. The Legifla- ture will at laft furely relax thofe Gothic laws, which fend into exile fo many of their amiable fellow-fubje&s. Could they receive proper education at home, their thoughts would never turn to cloifters j and if, in lieu, they make it high treafon againft the ftate to put on the monadic veil, at leaft before the age of fifty, it will be a favour done to the rifing generation of Englifh Catholics, Conclufion. IT is time to clofe this fhort view of Englifh Catholics. I have laid whatever feemed neceflary on the fubject -, and I have faid it freely. I pretend not to think myfclf void of all partiality, becaufe I pretend not to be diverted of human feelings - y [ '33 1 feelings; but of this I am confident, that partiality to my own perfuafion has not prevailed on me, to conceal any truth, to difguife any error, or to throw a veil over any weaknefs. I have blamed where I thought it realbnable ; and I have praifed where there was merit. Through- out it was my object to fupport the cha- racter of a candid plain-fpeaking man. If either Catholics or Proteftants take offence, it will not give me one uneafy thought. 1 fhall pity men, whole eyes are too weak to bear the impreinon of Truth, however ferene the medium may be, through which it paries. I could have entered into more minute details ; and I could have given a much wider fpan to my reflections -, but I thought an object, contracted to a fmaller point, was heft adapted to produce the ef- fect, I had in view. It was my defign to demonflrate, that neither Church nor State had any thing to fear from Englifh Catholics : and to this end, I brought forward every ipecies of materials, which my lources of informa- tion could fupply, and which had any tendency to illuftrate the point, I dcfcri- bed the Catholics as they really arc; ami from [ '84 ] from this description if it be not evident to the wcakeft fight, that all is fccxre, there mull be a timidity in Englishmen, that \viil (liuddcr at the moft feeble fug- geftions of fancy. It is related, I think, as an inllance of fmgular phrenzy in the heroic Ajax, that he took a flock of (beep for a hofr, of enemies : The imagination of the Poet is realized in the conduct of Great- Britain. For two whole centuries, we have been harmlefs and unoffending; and at the preknt hour, were an occaiion offered, there is not a hand amongft us which would be railed, but in defence of his country. Things being fo, there is but one infe- rence; and this is, That the cry, which was lately heard, and which i? induftriouily kept up, was the cry of malevolence or fanaticifm ; and that the laws which, like the naked iword over the head of Dernoclcs, arc held out again (1 us, are cruel, unjuic, and tyrannical. It has been ieen, that iio jir.i caufe \vas ever given to provoke the enaction of iuch laws: But now evui ili.it plea fub lifts no longer, by which the ni'.il- tit'.ide \vas deluded, and iiie bad deiirns of o party \vcre fcreened from detection, ft is not hot faid, that we are in actual confpiracy ngainft the {late, and that fchcmes of affaf- fination are formed ; but it is ftill laid, and it is flill believed, that our principles have a natural tendency to fuch dark works; and that it is not from want of will, but of power, that we do not attempt to place the crown of this realm on the head of a tyrant, or to add it to lite triple Tiara of the Roman Pontiff. Pudct hac epprobria vobis : I am reaily -liamed in the reflection, that men can >w be weak enough to indulge fuch ia^ics, or can allow thcinleives ihe liberty of fuch chil- dim language. If the view of thefe ab- furdities raifes my indignation, it is an honed indignation, which becomes me; and 1 would rather have four legs, and feed on grafs, than not freely cenfure, what I think is an opprellion of innocence, and a degradation of human reafon. The conduct of Catholics is irreproachable; they profefs the moll fmcere attachment to the civil conftitution of this realm; they reprobate the moil dilhuit belief of fuch doctrines as are laid to their charge : Still they are not believed ; ft ill the lame nccu- fations arc repeated ; flill, under the weak pretence of holding fuch tenet.-, they are A a op- oppreiTed ; and flill the fame infamous code of laws is permitted to remain in full force againft them ! It might be expected, that the eyes of this nation mould now open to the hu- mane and Chriilian doctrine of general To- leration, on the moil: exteniive plan. They mould let an example to the other kingdoms of the earth. If we really are that enlight- ened, that liberal, that humane, that phi- lofophic people, which we fo often affect to ftyle ourfelves, our own conduct at leafl fhould not give the firft lie to the language of our lips. My ideas are not perhaps adapted to the prefent ftate of received notions j I believe, they are only fitted to the meridian of Utopia; but had I the power, I would give the utmoft latitude of profeflion and practice to all religions^ which have votaries in any part of the ter- raqueous globe. Not only the followers of Mahomet, and the deluded children of Mofes, fhould not be molefted, but they fhould be encouraged to come amongft us j and the Sun of En eland mould mine with O equal rays on all the defcendants of Adam. It is only in luch circumftances that Truth can fairly exert her native powers. Allow t i8 7 ] all men to think freely, and to act con- fiftently with what they think ; and it cannot be, but truth muft prevail over error. There would then be no motive for the difguife of fentiments ; the mind would receive no undue bias ; views of intereft would not warp our conceptions ; but plain, genuine, unadorned truth would prefent herfelf in all her amiable and di- vine fimplicity of form : Religion, with its attendant virtues, would challenge our firft belief; and the religion of our choice would necej/arily be the Chriflian. Varia- tions in faith might ilill continue; but theie would gradually die away, or at lea ft ail diftinclions would ceafe to be odious. The Proteflant would fit down by the j Catholic ; they would diicufs, in the language of friendship, their mutual dif- ficulties ; and the Gcntoo, the Jew, and the Infidel, charmed with a religion, which taught all men to be friends, would earneilly apply to receive instruction in lo humane a belief. I well kno\v fuch a fchemc could not be introduced in the face of an cjlablijhcd Church; but for that very reafon, I would have no religion eftablimed by form of ' I