been taken for granted, that no blessings could come from the Bench, no reformation from the Prelacy, no good out of Galilee. I cannot be of this persuasion; and think there are at least as evident indications of prepossession against the higher orders of the church, in some of the Advocates for a reformation; as of secular attachment to system, and bigotry of profession, in those they most accuse. I have the strongest expectation, that if the Petition is referred to them, they will have no disposition to stifle it.

They are neither so indolent, nor ignorant, nor interested, as their enemies represent them; they will, without doubt, candidly and liberally unite their endeavours, to relieve their Brethren and themselves. Not, perhaps, in the precise manner, and to the full extent of the wishes of some individuals; but in such a manner, and to such an extent, as ought perhaps to content every man who is not possessed with the persecuting frenzy, of erecting his own opinion into an unerring standard of expediency and truth.

There

There are many good and sensible men among the Clergy of England, whose honest apprehensions for the safety of the church, the interests of religion, and the quiet of the state, will not suffer them to wish for a total abolition of all Articles of religion. Without being, Without being, I believe, less zealous in my regard for these blessings than themselves; but from seeing things in a different, I do not say a better, point of view; I am of a contrary opinion. Yet am not I so blindly partial to my own private judgment, as to think it infallible; nor in the least disposed to accuse those who dissent from me, of selfish dissimulation or unpardonable prejudice. Nay, if even a review of our Articles should, after a candid examination, be thought unnecessary or impracticable; I cannot but esteem it the duty of every private citizen, not to change his opinions; for opinions are not subject to change from authority, but reason;-but in all quietness and godly fear, without murmuring and without repining, to submit to the determination of those who have the dominion over

him.

him. For my own part, I shall think it sufficient for the present, to have borne this full conscientious testimony to what seems to me to be the truth. If you should be curious to know who it is, that has given you and himself this trouble—know him for a warm friend to the Church of England, but for a warmer friend to the Church of Christ; for one, who earnestly contends for the orthodox faith, but who acknowledges no criterion of orthodoxy, but Scripture; for onc, who cordially wishes to see a reformation in our Religious Establishment take place; but for one too, who cannot think it worth contending for, if the attempt be likely to produce any disorders in the civil constitution, if it will tend to the spilling one drop of Christian blood, to the extinguishing one spark of Christian charity amongst us.

These are his sentiments; and to whatever party he may become obnoxious thereby, conformable to his sentiments will be his practice. I do not, however, so far forget myself, as to wish to prescribe a rule of behaviour or opinion, to you or

any

any man; just permit me to express my hopes that the Petition, being a very serious thing, may be very seriously treated by your House. It has no respect to political parties; but simply prays for what none, but a very Cappadocian in disposition can reject, if offered--liberty of conscience, not licentiousness of conduct.

Ifit should appear to you, that the Petitioners have any further views, any latent expectation of undermining our constitution in church or state, of introducing presbytery for prelacy, anarchy for monarchy; you cannot be too much upon your guard against them. But I know not what they have done, which renders them justly liable to such a suspicion. Nothing so easy as to misrepresent the best designs, as to fasten upon innovators a popular odium, by attributing to them plans which they never formed, by foreseeing consequences which will never follow.

In the sad charge of hypocrisy constantly and virulently brought against those, who for bread are thought to subscribe what they do not believe, your withers,

VOL. II.

D

withers, Sir, probably are unwrung; your shoulders will never probably be galled by the yoke of subscription; but as a Christian, you must have compassion for those honest citizens, who feel themselves daily sweating under it's abhorred weight; as an Englishman, you must detest tyranny over the religious opinions, as much as ('tis to be hoped) you do over the civil actions of mankind; as a Statesman, you will remember, That lenient embrocations mitigate the throbbings of a green wound; which, irritated by neglect, festers quickly, and inflames the adjoining parts, infects the whole system with a fever, always producing paroxysms dangerous to the constitution, and often terminating in tremours, convulsions, and death.

I have the honour to be, &c.

A CHRISTIAN WHIG.