bishop, as their brethren in Old England do. However, we are unwilling to disquiet any of them, by importing and settling amongst them a creature, which it seems they some of them account to be so noxious. Only we hope, that his occasionally travelling through the country cannot infect it very dangerously. Moravian bishops are authorized by law to live, and act as such, where they will in our plantations. Popish bishops reside here, and go about to exercise every part of their function, without offence and without observation. Dissenting ministers reside here, and hold their meetings for ordinations, and whatever purposes they think fit; and these assemblies give us no umbrage. What we desire with respect to New England, is much less that a bishop may not reside there, but resort thither from time to time, to officiate amongst those of our own communion. His constant abode will be in whatever province is willing to receive him, with his majesty's approbation: who will certainly, for reasons of every kind, send such persons in this character, as are least likely to cause uneasiness. Surely the Doctor and his friends cannot thwart a scheme of this nature, and call themselves patrons of religious liberty.

It is possible, though it is strange, that when he wrote his "Observations," he might misunderstand the Society's intention, both in sending missionaries to New England and desiring American bishops. I hope it is now sufficiently cleared up; and if he is still dissatisfied, I intreat him to consider, for all men ought, "what manner of spirit he is of*." He hath very good abilities, and a zeal that would be highly commendable, if it were duly tempered with

Luke ix. 55.

charity. But he seems to have naturally a most vehement spirit, and to have imbibed, perhaps in his early days, equally vehement prepossessions against the very name of bishops, and every thing connected with them. I am sensible that these things plead in his excuse for they have often hurried men, who on the whole meant well, not only into great unfairness of arguing, but far worse faults. And though I have made use of some freedom in setting forth his mistakes and partialities, yet if such treatment, as he hath given Mr. Apthorp, was designed for "the benevolent end of shewing him to himself *,” surely my treatment of him will not be imputed to any unkinder motive. If he amends upon admonition, he will deserve much respect; if not, much pity.

But however he may take what I have written, I hope others, particularly the dissenters, both English and American, as many as happen to see it, will consider it calmly: and neither indulge fears without foundation, nor affect fears which they have not, in order to hinder their episcopal brethren from enjoying what they have a right to. Our inclination is, to live in friendship with all the Protestant Churches. We assist and protect those on the continent of Europe as well as we are able. We shew our regard to that of Scotland as often as we have an opportunity, and believe the members of it are sensible that we do. To those who differ from us in this part of the kingdom, we neither attempt nor wish any injury. And we shall gladly give proofs to every denomination of Christians in our colonies, that we are friends to a toleration even of the most intolerant, as far as it is safe; and willing that all Page 145.

*

488

AN ANSWER TO DR. MAYHEW.

mankind should possess all the advantages, religious and civil, which they can demand either in law or reason. But with those, who approach nearer to us in purity of faith, and brotherly love, we are desirous to cultivate a freer communication, passing over all former disgusts, as we beg that they would. If we give them any seeming cause of complaint, we hope they will signify it in the most amicable manner. If they publish it, we hope they will preserve fairness and temper. If they fail in either, we must bear it with patience, but be excused from replying. If any writers on our side have been less cool, or less civil, than they ought and designed to have been, we are sorry for it, and exhort them to change their style, if they write again. For it is the duty of all men, how much soever they differ in opinion, to agree in mutual good will and kind behaviour.

A

LETTER

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

HORATIO WALPOLE, ESQ.

WRITTEN JAN. 9, 1750-1.

CONCERNING

BISHOPS IN AMERICA.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE following Letter was found among the Papers of the late Archbishop Secker. It was written in consequence of a Letter, dated May 9, 1750, from the late Lord Walpole, to the late Dr. Sherlock, Bishop of London; which was communicated by the latter to Bishop Secker, Jan. 2, 1750-1.

It is now printed in obedience to an order left with it under his Grace's own hand, (dated May 25, 1759), in these words: "Let the Letter, written by me to Mr. Walpole, concerning Bishops in America, be printed after

my

death.

"THO. CANT."