frequent opportunities to observe it. I have ever heard the scoffs of Unbelievers directed against the trappings of religion, against the meretricious ornaments, by which the collusion of priests, and the insanity of enthusiasts, have polluted the chastity and simplicity of our faith. Give us for our belief, Christianity as delivered in the Word of God: give us for our spiritual edification, an Established Church, in which there is nothing to affront the first suggestions of common sense. Expunge from the Ritual of our worship, the absurd pretensions of the Church of Rome, and thereby spare the blushes of every Minister in our own: let us not be more tenacious of the despondent doctrines of Calvin, than the Church of Geneva itself.

It is not, Sir, for your sake, it is not for my own, that I am thus importunate with the Bishops; thinking men will ever take the liberty of winnowing the chaff from the corn; but it is for the sake of thousands who cannot think; who cannot, through

through the veil of human ordinances, distinguish the beauty of holiness; who, taking some rotten excrescence for the natural fruit of Christianity, spurn with abhorrence the stock upon which it grew. But I mean not to encourage in others, or generate in myself, any suspicion that the Bishops are either unacquainted with this evil, or unwilling to remove it; much less would I be thought so presumptuous as to instruct their Lordships. They will pardon me that I am as anxious as themselves for the honour of the Church of England, of which I am a member; and as solicitous for the purity of that Gospel, on the Truth of which I found all my expectations of another life. Leaving them, however, to their own wisdom, to the opinion which the world justly entertains of their integrity and zeal for the religion of their Master; I conclude, with expressing my satisfaction at the manner in which the Petition was undoubtedly treated by the Honourable House. It's merits were deliberately considered, intelligently

E 2

telligently discussed, impartially determined. Nor could any one expect the contrary for it cannot be supposed, that the Commons of England, in their collective legislative capacity, would either be blind to truth, afraid of it's consequences, inattentive to the Religion of their country, or influenced by any worldly motives in the decision of a question essentially respecting the interest of Christianity. Considered as individuals, I have the honour to know many, have heard of more, hope there are hundreds in the House, who upon all occasions think for themselves, and are never languid in the cause of liberty. Religious liberty, indeed, was the thing contended for: But he is no Whig in principle, who does not wish to see it prevail universally. It should not be considered, what profession of men apply for relief; but, whether their request be reasonable, whether it can be granted with safety to the State.

I have the honour to be, &c.

A CHRISTIAN WHIG.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

EXPEDIENCY OF REVISING

THE LITURGY AND ARTICLES

OF THE

CHURCH OF ENGLAND:

IN WHICH,

Notice is taken of the Objections to that Measure, urged in Two late Pamphlets.

BY

A CONSISTENT PROTESTANT.

CIC.

Integra nobis est judicandi potestas, neque ut omnia, quæ præscripta et quasi imperata sunt defendamus, necessitate ullâ cogimur. With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment-He that judgeth me is the LORD. St. PAUL, Ep. Cor.

1790.

THIRD EDITION.

CONSIDERATIONS,

&c.

THE

HE subject on which I mean to hazard a few thoughts, has lately been brought before the publick by a Layman, it is said, of high rank, in a pamphlet, entitled, "Hints to the new Association." In opposition to the principle of this publication, two pamphlets have recently appeared, one entitled, "A Vindication of the Doctrines and Liturgy of the Church of England;" the other, "An Apology for the Liturgy and Clergy of the Church of England." I flatter myself I should feel no difficulty in making a minute and satisfactory answer to both these pamphlets; but there are some things in both of them,