GIFT OF FATHER JOHN Ee FOLEY, 133 4 A SECULAR ESSAY: CONTAINING A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF EVENTS, « CONNECTED WITH THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND, DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ; WITH REFLECTIONS ON THE * « » STATE OF PRACTICAL RELIGION % » IN THAT PERIOD. BY JOHN BREJrSTER, A.M, VICAR Of STOCKTON UPON TEES, AND OF GREATHAM, IN THf COUNTY OF DURHAM. LONDON: PRINTED FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, NO. 62, ST. PAUL’S CHURCH yard; AND W. CLARKE, NEW BOND-STREET! my BYE AND 'law, ST. john’s-square, clerkenwfll, r • 1802. I I if o '> r# - 7 309942 ' .r DEC 13'50 EDSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY iCaJESTNUT HILL, MASS. TO THE REVEREND HUGH MOISES, M. A* LATE MASTER OF f THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, " AND CHAPLAIN TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN LORD ELDON, LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OF GREAT BRITAIN WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN PROLONGED, FOR VALUABLE PURPOSES, THROUGH SO LARGE A PORTION OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTUp,Y : THE FOLLOWING ESSAY IS GRATEFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, ' BY HIS FORMER PUPIL, FRIEND, AND SERVANT, THE AUTHOR - k . ^ v , r 't V ... r.-Jii <*';■••■:■-» f, A aov 1 A' ‘ , ir "'f r - r* .\ > "‘ l'^;. , '.J- -^^/W '• «A- . . ■* •U U • *. / '7 ' •'‘'iaI t; ?04 '« < .V * » ,1 '1 t« . 1 ' f .4 •- 1 ** -- ay. - -.j f'iiV ■'t'- uvwi’OQ ■•» -SvnaT *-s r . *> /• 5 ;jrc^J ,3.* 'iL. .1 >' yjjy - n^aofl'J fc-srt 'K. *• i:'A>^'‘ •'t ■ * •*- ,5 t tj t • y'. 2_ ' '■ ' y..] .-> y. i. « ■ k---- -y -r ^ ' -«' V ^ ♦ lA ‘f ■ « tn .' ^ ^ A- .r' 'I t. >1 \ V n ✓ ^ ♦ ) ADVERTISEMENT. The reader will be aware, that in record¬ ing the events of any particular period of time, on any given subject, such will ne¬ cessarily be selected, as appear most impor¬ tant in the writer’s judgement. Men, dif¬ fering in their opinions of politics and reli¬ gion, will probably make different selections. The Author thinks it necessary to say; that he has not willingly omitted any leading event, in the period, and on the subject, he has chosen; but as such an omission may have taken place in a series yet nnarrangcd in the page of history, he hopes for the reader’s indulgence. A S I $ % v\' • ' r ' .{¥ 'VS£*i- ■. . . 0 . 1 k ' n. 1 '0 O d O VI ^ 'i H 4 A ■i'' « i W ' '■K'. • / “■?' r.. . • i * •; '■’*' ‘ i ,i T>iA 4 1 • i '■ *\ ‘ < <■• ■ ' . ' ■f * 1 • ' 1 - • , 7 -i» r r jT' ■?Vi < * i .”«4 " . ♦* r /. • -6 ‘. > C* • T ^ ''t,'{if:*c.iid. T -*^ ^ ^ *'' ^ ^'4 K'Hf ' 7*05 'iv 4ji‘j4 -nc:> i£'iuiVL ''JiinUisO. ^d- /.o..in’?rf4v-giqut' . j ‘in ' i i. 6 f'T^kfoat^ ^ . \ -r-^' lo s-4f.oiiae^ iD5Vw^'fqrnl- * ' y;' v'-: , U<.< : 39mKC io 3Dr.^{olV I, . . 0 dulUdJ ftglH. >*' . 'i : /'■ V ■ -* - ;bw-ri:>^ ':Ci ' ' bAiiioir fio 0 . , A> J i . ^ r .v‘j*bsoH L i.; 'rrridrjMA r^Ck ^liSs’■ '■ f . “ » ( ^ ' ., .* ' 'W1- .V.S ionoludO 3ilJ ioJ3iqt3n..a3ii-.T ;-A:'>;/ # >‘'. ■ ■' "W-- - : Jt- ^i; c / / \. 7'h '..t^ 1-. k <9 A. D. 1701. 1705. 1709. CHRONOLOGICAL CONTENTS, PART I. I V Reign of Queen Ann. A. D. 1701—1714. ^ • Page I Commencement of the Century. Moral conduct of different ages compared. Moral improvement in the Century. Mistaken philanthropy. State of Religion in the Church of England at the. opening of the Century. Immorality of the Stage. • » Improved language of Sermons. Violence of parties. High Church and Low Church. Debate “ Whether the Church was in danger?’* Trial of Dr. Sacheverel. Reflections on political Sermons. Drs. Atterbury and Hoadley. True principles of the Church of England. General profession of Religion at this period. A 4 / PART / Vlll CONTENTS. V I , . . PART II. ' y- ■ ' Reign OF George i. , A. D. 1714—1727. Page 40 A. D. 1714. Divisions in the Church. Houses of Convocation investigate the increase of infidelity and heresy. Whiston expelled the University. Proceedings of Convocation on Dr. S. darkens book on the Scripture Doctrine of the.Tri- • "“y- . .. ■ ' Reflections on toleration. 171o. First rebellion to restore the Pretender.- . * V 1717. Bangorian controversy. ' : Last sitting of convocation to do business. Non-jurors. Church establishment. ♦ Characters of Hoadley and Sherlock. Collins’s Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion. Sherlock’s Use and Intent of Prophecy. 1719. South Sea scheme and subsequent immoralities. 1721. Bill for suppressing blasphemy and profaneness. 1722. Quakers’ affirmation Bill. Money raised on the Roman Catholics. Bishop Atterbury’s Plot. f Archbishop Wake’s correspondence with the Drs. of the Sorbonne. ' . PART A CONTENTS. lx ' PART III. SECTION I. ' Reign of George ii. ' A. D. 17^7— Page 80 A. D. Prosperity and adversity of the church in different Tranquillity of the Church of England. 1730. Increase of licentiousness. - ' % ,, T Debate on the Act for altering the duties on Spi- i rituous Liquors. 1731. Five members of Parliament expelled for sordid acts of knaver}'. Richardson’s opinion of public morals. 1735. Play-house Bill. • , Writings on Infidelity multiply. Writings against Infidelity numerous. Controversy. Drs. Waterland, Middleton and Pearce. Sherlock’s “ Trial of the Witnesses.” Annet’s writings and punishment. West and Lyttelton. '' 1738. Warburton’s Divine Legation of Moses. —--- Controversy. Hume—Beattie—and Brown. 1754. Bolingbroke’s Posthumous Works published. ' Warburton’s Sermons at Lincoln’s Inn. Fatal effects of infidelity. PART CONTENTS. PART III. SECTION II. Reign of George ii. A. D. 1727— Page 156 A. C •• Origin and continuance of religious'Societies in London, 1729. Origin of the Methodists at Oxford. 1758, First regular Methodistical Society in London. 1740. Methodists and Moravians separate. Field preaching and Lay preachers admitted. 1741. Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield separate. ^ 1745/ General plan of the Society finally arranged. Objections.—Benefits., Report of die Clergy of a district in Lincolnshire respecting them. Three divisions of Methodists. ' Reflections on the whole. Duty of Ministers of the establishment. PART ni. SECTION III. Reign of George ii. A. D. 1727^1760. Page 185 Hernnhuters, or Moravian Brethren. Mystics—Hutchinsonians—Swedenborglans* 1745. Second rebellion to restore the Pretender. Bill CONTENTS* A, D. 1753. Bill for naturalizing the Jews. 1754. Marriage-Act—^Reflections on the State of Marriage. 1759. Morals of the common people improved. Brown’s “ Estimate of the manners and principles- of the times.” * PART IV. SECTION I. — /• ' ■ Reign of George hi. ' A. D. 1760—1780. Page 237 I t' 1760. Eulogy on the King—First proclamation—First h speech. 1766. State of parties—Roman Catholics—“ The Con-' fessional.” •M . 1772. Feather’s tavern association, and Petition. I Bill in Parliament propofed against the dormant claims of the Church. Bill propofed for the relief of Dissenting Ministers. 1773. Bill proposed for relief from subscription, &c, at Matriculation. . 1774. Bill proposed lor relief of all parties. 1 oleration of the Church of England defended. Arian and Socinian principles, the motives for the petitions. Unitarians—Reflections on the true faith. Bill for settling the civil and religious government of Quebec, t. Bill H % . Jill A. • D * 1778, 1779, 1780, 1780, 1781. 1784. 1786, 1787. 1788. 1789. CONThNTS. . -t % Bill for repealing certain,penalties against the Ro¬ man Catholics. Bill for the relief of Protestant Dissenting Ministers. “ The Protestant Association.” Riots in Edinburgh and London. TART IV. SECTION II. Reign of George hi. r ■ A. D. 1780—1790." "Page 286 $ Reflections on the variations of the century. Pernicious publications multiply.'' Address of Convocation on the times. Act against a profanation of the Sabbath in London. Sunday Schools began to be established. Episcopacy established in America—^American Pray¬ er Book. i •' Propagation of the Gospel in America. Attempt to repeal the'Test-Act. Re-publication of the King’s Proclamation for the Encouragement of Piety. Reflections on the immorality of the times. Negro slave trade discussed. Centenary of the revolution of 1688. The King’s Illness—1789. The King’s Recovery. Another attempt to repeal the Test Aa. Bill f • . ' CONTENTS, . xiii A.» JD • , . . ■ Blll-‘'pr'0|>dged for the removal or all religious re¬ straints. ,i. Declaratioii and protestation of the Roman Catholics. V " ' Cii ^ —- PART IV. SECTION III. Reign of George hi. A. D. 1790—1800. Page/556 1790. Awful aspect of the times—pernicious principles. Another attempt to repeal the Test Act, Political sentiments among some dissenters-^Umta- I rian Church. Burke’s “ Reflections bn the French Revolution.” —Paine’s “ Rights of Man, Part i.” 1791. Riots at Birmingham. 1792. Attempt to repeal Acts 9th and 10th of William HI. London Corresponding Society—Rights of Man, Part II.” King’s Proclamation against seditious meetings and writings. 1795. War with France—Effects of modern philosophical opinions. ' Roussead—Atheism in National Convention. French Ecclesiastics in England. Abolition of public religion in Frairce. Robespierre’s Fete to the Supreme Being. I Rise XIV CONTENTS. A. D. 1794. Rise and Progress of infidel Societies in London. Paine’s “ Age-of Reason, Part i.” Bishop of Dur¬ ham’s Answer. 1795. Paine’s Age of Reason, Part ii.'* Bishop ofLan- daff’s Answer. 1796. Temple of Reason opened in London. . 1797,8. Field preaching ■’Deists. 1799. A society of Atheists forming. ^ 1800. Address to Unbelievers. ' PART IV. SECTION IV, . Reign of George hi. » Conclusion. A. D. 1801. Page 392 1801. General View of the Century. State of practical Religion. Address on the happy Arrival of Peace; and the Effects which the Consideration of it \ should have on our Hearts. V < • A. ) i , s V • « t ■ ■' ■: <1. TO {pnsriS 9 1 •■ /• % . ^ *t r - >..'** 4 ■ . i ^ T ^ ’ ■• * ^ " Jiv ' < i'^ 0 ?i' rj io E R R A T A. ' ' ’:.• ' page 92, line 1, '^r add r^.7// and ' ;' ' 7> —except,- expect 148, 2, f.b. note for Themisonr^’ff^ Themis on l^y, 2^ yor sleights read slights / 289,. 16, •—no -do ‘ 212, 14, —Stewart-Stuart 228, 15, after end insert of the reign 355, 16, for Pries tlye Priestley ‘ 3921 ■ -> I > ■ . I Ji. i 1 -! >*. T’ t /A ^ ^ wi- . ♦r^-' . V * V •. ’•' -'.y, » . t. I * V . ^ <. . -rs ‘ .,t “ * 4 , ^ ■■ f ^ *i.t i ' ' -/ f . \ \ ,\ A SECULAR essay; PART I. . Containing RefleBions, 8^c. on the Reign of > ^leen Anne. A. D. 1701—1714. The commencement of a new century a. p. impresses upon the mind an awful sense of the revolution of time, and inclines^the se-’ rious and the contemplative to take a dis-, ' ‘ passionate review of those events which have scarce vanished from their si^ht; to ex- amine the effect which they liave liad on f their own conduct, and to note the impres¬ sion they have made on the morals and manners of the world. This is indeed the proper use of hi^ory, and with this inten¬ tion we look l^ck upon ages that are past, B It I o AXXE. It will be acknowledged, however, that an important truth is less powerful in propor- tion to its distance from us. 'Whilst every one will allow the strength of that ray which strikes his own eve, or is reflected from the y faithful narrative of his immediate proge¬ nitors. The lapse of years produces melancholy chasms in domestic friendships. The child weeps over the remains of his departed pa¬ rent ; and happy is the ' parent who is not called upon to drop a tear over a beloved and a lamented child. The lapse of cen- turies does more: it sweeps whole gene¬ rations before it. The great and the good, the learned and the unlearned alike fall sa¬ crifices to the ravages of time : it is this , general retrospect on mortality that pro¬ duces the most awful and interes'ting re¬ flections ; when we consider the immense sum-of human wisdom which lies buried thus before us. While we stand over the tomb of a Newton, a certain divine energy possesses our souls. While we contemplate A - " / the \ ANNE. 3 the iaft'remains of a Wilson, a Secker, a. d. or a Louth, we exclaim with exultation, WOl — 1714. O grave ! where is 720 zv thy victory r”- So certain is the declaration of St. John, ‘‘ The world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doth the will of God abide til for ever.” For the detail of events which have dis¬ tinguished the preceding century we must apply to the page of history. The impor¬ tant iera which has just passed over our heads will be long remembered and deeply t felt. Its influence will not be that of a day : —may the lesson it brings with it, operate with increasing advantages to our souls! It would require the pen of an acute po¬ litician to delineate the external changes Vhich have taken place during the last century : and even he perhaps v/ould find it difficult to investigate the motives which have produced them. A patient inquirer into truth, however, will penetrate a little . below the surface, and will discover several secret springs and connections by which ’ B 2 every 4 A N N E. D. every event is more or less linked to that 1701 'svhich preceded it. Carefully to examine 1714 . ' . . these springs and connections will fall to the lot of the future historian. It is suf¬ ficient for the Obserrer of the present day to mark their moral powers, to eradicate the errors, and to reanimate the virtues of ancient times. The baneful policy, which, even in spite , of good intention, will continue to prevail so long as human passions ebb and flow, will in every age shed a gloomy influence over the manners of mankind. It is me¬ lancholy to observe the confusion which false principles occasion in the best regu¬ lated states. In civil' governments, they are the seeds of sedition ; in religious esta¬ blishments, of heresy and schism. The fair face of order is changed into deformity; . * . and the beauty and symmetiy so universally admired, are disfigured and dcstroved. If experience can guard succeeding genera¬ tions from a catastrophe so fatal, let them turn their eyes on very recent times, and on I ANNE. on no veiy distant countries, and learn instruction. But let not the prevailing* topic of the day draw my attention from the peculiar object of this essay, which is to take a cur¬ sory view of Ecclesiastical events, and of the profession of practical religion during the last century. The pen of the Laureat has drawn an elegant picture of the passing scene*. The historic Muse ennobles her song by rehearsing the glorious deeds performed by Heroes worthy of any age. But while we admire the patriotism, we cannot but lament the necessity vrhich calls forth thou¬ sands to the held.—Peace is, and ought to be, the peculiar delight of the minister of , Christ’s religion ; and therefore I shall be excused if I leave to abler hands to record the illustrious actions of my countrymen, and confine, myself to such observations as my professional studies more particularly suggest. * See the Secular Ode by Mr. Pye. B 3 An 5 A. D. 1701 — 1714 . - 6 ANNE. 0 . An inquiry has often been made by Mo- 1701 — ralists, whether, or in what respects, one 1 71 -i . . . ^ age differs from another in the practice of . wickedness? There have been indeed some periods when the moral sense seemed almost extinguished; when natural reason was un¬ able to check the overflowings of ungod¬ liness. Such was the period judged most proper for the appearance of the Messiah. But the introduction of Christianity has produced the most beneficial influence on the minds of men. Bad as we are apt, from observation of particular instances of , depravity to pronounce the world, we shall not find such public cruelty and barbarity; so .many dying gladiators, so many human sacrifices under various denominations, such unfeeling prostitution, such delpges of wick¬ edness, as overflowed the face of the earth under the dark ages of Heathenism. And what is the result of modern discoveries on this subject? The obscure islander of the South Sea is far from being the child of virtue: it would be painful to delineate uncultivated s ■ • » ANXE.. / 7 \ uncultivated nature in her true colours : a. d. I but it is necessary to check the wild fancy 1701- of modern philosophy, and expose the false- ness of her principles by reducing them to^ that line of truth which is only to be found in the revelation of the gospel. It is in vain to flatter ourselves with deceitful pic¬ tures of the times. The •innocent savage exists only in the mind of the Visionary. Neither does civilized life afford a much more agreeable prospect. Sin and^wicked^ ness, alas 1 are too prevalent in every quar- > ter of the globe, and they have been so in every age. The religion of the gospel (and that alo?ie) .?iccom'iis satisfactorily for this appearance. “ The scripture hath con- ‘‘ eluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given “ to them that-believe It does not appear from fact, that the preceding century, taken under one point of view, has exceeded in wickedness the ; * Gal. iii. 22 , B 4 same 8 ANNE. p. same period in any age since the com- 1701—nienccment of the Christian asra. The pre- valence of infidelity and irreligion indeed which we have lately witnessed, and the fatal effects which they have produced, will render us cautious in adopting the observation in its fullest latitude. But, I trust, it will be manifest after the minutest investigation, that, in this nation at least, which is my principal object in this essay, true religion has found a refuge ; and how¬ ever she may be disturbed by the passing storm, her reign will be long and glorious, and her subjects permaneiit and happy. At all events’ it will be allowed -that, if ca¬ lamities have arisen, if great crimes have been committed, if private vices have mul- " tiplied in any particular instances, they may all be traced to a greater or less de¬ viation' from the revealed wdllof God. He is a daring character indeed Avho will vem ture to act in opposition to his religion on any great occasion, before he has denied its power. Delusion in some cases may , persuade anne; persuade him that he is acting right, when he is transgressing every law of humanity, but, to be consistent in his conduct, he / • must Jorsake the covenant of his God, like the idolatrous Israelites, before he throws down his altars and slays his prophets xvith the sword*. In gliding along the stream .of time, many errors and vices, many crimes and enormities sink in their passage and are lost at the bottom of the channel. Some only are brought down to us. This per¬ haps is the reason why we are apt to extol former ages at the expence of our own. We see and feel the inconveniencies which surround us, without considering that they have been seen and felt before. Let this « consideration produce in us a proper sub- V, mission to the times, however melancholy, and to our fortune, however severe. A new world cannot be created for us. The same trials remain for the inhabitants of every * I Kings xix. 13. age,^ 9 A. D. 1701 — 1714. 10 A. X). age; let us only remember that they are to be conquered by the same faith, Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these ? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this* ” If the aspect of public affairs were not at this moment obscured by an almost impe¬ netrable cloud; what pleasure would not arise in the human breast by a reflection on the wonderful improvements which have taken place in every art and science during the course of the last century ? To trace the progress of these, is as much beyond * « my purpose, as it is above my abilities. But there is an observation consistent with my plan, which raises the name of Briton to no inferior scale on the column of hu- « inanity. Perhaps no period - or country since the birth of Christ has produced so many noble,- so many beneficial instances of public- charity, as the present. To enu- * Ecclesiastes vii, lo. . \ merate ANNE. II \ merate those only which adorn the metro- a. d. polis would be to add a new wreath to that . . 1714. mistress of the world. But it is not the mere application of wealth which we have to commemorate. The appropriation of su¬ perfluous riches is not perfect charity; such bounty is little superior to the legacy of the avaricious; but when we find the mind worthily employed in planning, when we see the hand industrious in executing these great works and labours of love\ when we are assured of the pure motives from whence they spring, and, I may add, the reward to which they aspire, we may then say of them as the son of Syrach does of the remem¬ brance of the good Josiah, they are sweet as honey in all mouths, and as music at a banquet of wine J.” I ain the philanthropy of tht > agt has been a snare into which thousands have fallen. Certain philosophers of the iviser sort^ according to the wisdom of this world, J Ecclesiasticus xlix, i. / 12 ANNE. A. D. world, have .used this divine principle as an 1/01 "Engine to effect the most pernicious pur- poses. Under the pretence of erecting the temple of universal charityy they have re¬ moved the foundation-stones of every ve¬ nerable establishment Because our hea- i / I venly teacher has commanded us to love all mankind, they have with insidious ar¬ guments endeavoured to withdraw the amia- « / ble attachments .of men from their parti¬ cular communities. Patriotism, in the true sense of the word, and public virtue, fall dreadful sacrifices before this shrine. They resign that principle which is the life of so- I siety—and for what ? for the participation , of monstrous crimes, the fore-runners of universal confusion. Far be it from me to contract the Emits of true charity; it is an emanation of the divinity: the characteristic mark of pure Christianity. It infuses that vital breath which we draw from our benevolent Re- ^ deemer; it composes the last sigh which we heave for our fellow creatures. But let I us % ANNE. I US not encourage an imitation of it which may be fatal to'our peace. “ Satan himself f has been transformed into an an 2 :el of light.'’ Let us then touch him with Ithu- 9 riel’s spear, and restore him to his proper image. As charity is the leading doctrine of the gospel, charity has always been the praise and glory of the church of England. I am not so blind a friend as to see no errors in the ' breast of friendsliip. Human failings per¬ vade the most valuable associations; and if we have fewer in our excellent church-csta- blishment than in others of a like nature, W’e ought to be thankful for the blessing we / possess. At the same time let us carefully distinguish between the profession and the professors. The former is the result of united wisdom, sanctioned, I doubt not, by the good spirit of God: the latter arc men, excellent, I trust, in a thousand par¬ ticulars, but subject, like the rest of man¬ kind, to the influence of passions and the perversion of error. This distinction it will be ✓ A. D. 1701 — 1714. 1 ANNE. 'be necessary to remember as I pass through the leading church-events of this century^ On another account I ought not to forget it, as it may conciliate favour for me in discussing thofc public questions which, at different periods, have interested and agb tated the breasts of many. At the opening of the century the church of England was just recovering from the blow which had levelled with the ground the public profession of thofe doctrines and that discipline so happily established at the reformation. In some respects she had gained by the severe infliction ; she had been taught wisdom by experience. It is a known, and an acknowledged truth that, the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church : and it is equally true of public bodies as of individuals, that adversity is the season of improvement. Religion, excellent as it is, has ijpi .all ages been made subservient to the wily arts’ of political innovators. Every good man’s heart is interested in the profession of his religion. ANNE. 15 religlou. For this reason, he is more easily a. d. led away by the imposins: arouments j j ^ r OG 1714, tliose who seize upon this fortress as the foundation of their own pre-eminence. Here Cromwell stood when he overturned that system of government which had been ' the work of ages. Flere the second James would have stood when he endeavoured to re-establish the long abrogated supremacy of Rome. A good providence in both cases preserved our religious liberties and rights: V ' . and was pleased to confirm both in that temperate Revolution which was effected bv the united wisdom of these" kingdoms. ^ o I mention these circumstances to intro¬ duce an observation on the state of our established church at the beginning of the x century. 9 .We cannot read the historv of the Great Rebellion, without feeing, I had almost said, without feeling the force of fanaticism. The public profession of religion after the 1 suppression of our church-establishment, branched out into the moft fanciful appear— 2 ances: 16 ANNTE* ances: every man preached that which was right in his own eyes. So general was the influence of tJiese variegated modes of . worship, that people of all ranks were mem¬ bers of one or other of these religious asso¬ ciations. Numbers, J trust, were sincere in their profession, but it is always a me¬ lancholy prospect to see that made the dupe I of politicks which has no natural connec¬ tion with them. After the restoration there was a great revulsion of the wave. The friends of government thought that they could not remove themselves too far from I the friends of the dismembered common- wealth. With the precise dress and habit, they threw aside the principles, whether true or false, which distinguished the sim¬ plicity or formality of their behaviour. The monarch on the throne, and the people who obeyed him, were alike the children of licen¬ tiousness. The picture which is drawn of that age affords no‘pleasing likeness. Nor I should it have been recalled to our remem- 4 brance, if it had not been too descriptive J ' of' 4 ANXK of the public manners at the opening of the a. d. eighteenth century. 1701- O %/ With all the undiflembled vice which those times professed, so much of former habits, (in many instances I should hope of former virtues,) prevailed, as to fill the established .churches with votaries. Yet at the same time, so perverted were their prin¬ ciples, that if we read the comedies and po¬ pular publications of that age, we shall find that, under the pretence of religion, places of public worship were frequently used for the purposes of idle dissipation So une- qually yoked were members of the same communion : for “ what fellowship hath 4 righteousness with unrighteousness ? and ,what concord hath Christ with Belial / From theatrical representations we may fairly judge of the morals and taste of an age. More need not be added in judging of that of which I write, than that the chaste and pure sentiments of Shakespeare * Tatler, No. i66. c + 2 Cor. yI. 14. * i were 4 18 ANNE. A. D. were in a great measure rejected for the 1701 licentious verses of Dryden, and other wits 1714. ' . of no common celebrity: Dryden indeed frequently apologizes for the language he is obliged to use"*^.—What stronger reproof could he bestow on his admiring and ap¬ proving audience ? The censure of the stage at this period was the just censure of public manners.' A devout clergyman j*, in his professional cha¬ racter, made the first stand against this tor¬ rent of p'rofaneness : and it will be allowed that, the .man who dared to oppose and endeavoured to resist so formidable an host, deserved well of his country. It must be said,” Collier observes, “ of the writers for the stage, that they have made their attack with great courage, and gained no considerable advantage. But it seems, lewdness without atheism, is but half their bufiness. Conscience might possibly reco- * Malone’s Life of Dryden. t Collier’s Short View of the Immorality and Pro¬ faneness of the English Stage, 1698. ver, I ANNE. 29 ver, and revenge, be thought on; and there- a. d. . fore, like foot-pads, they, must not only roh but murther. To do them right, their mea- sures are politicly taken ; to make sure work on It there is nothing like destroying of prin* ciples ; practice must follow of course. For to ^ have no good principles, is to have no reason to be good, ” Success ultimately rewarded the attempt of this judicious censor of the stage. The flagrant abuse was corrected within a few years by reflection, and by the cluster of eminent authors which adorned the Augus¬ tan age of Queen Anne. ‘‘ Sir Richard Steele’s compositions,” says a contemporary in a sketch of his character, ‘‘ have done emi¬ nent service to mankind. To him we owe that swearing is unfashionable, and that a regard to religion is become a pait of good breed¬ ingThe immortal writings of Addison and of his associates recalled departed vir¬ tue ; and the mind dwells vv^ith complacency « * Dr. Rundlc, See Butler's Life of Ep. HiTdesky, p. 184. c 2 - and \ I 20 ANNE. I and delight on tliat a^ra which was distin* gished by so amiable an assemblage of wis¬ dom and of talents. . As the century advanced, the public eye was in general less disgusted by the trans¬ gression of public decency. If the wit of the age was not always as brilliant as that which preceded it, its morality, on the stage at least, was less reprehensible. ' ‘ I shall have occasion to recur to this sub¬ ject when the licentiousness of theatrical representations required the interference of the legislature of the country. But I can¬ not omit the present opportunity to remark, that at this moment, the, stage is too fre¬ quently made use of to stain the channels of public opinion. I say nothing of tas/e^ for that forms no part of a moral essay : but I may be allowed, to assert that, translations and imitations of the German Drama, as they are at present introduced to public no¬ tice, require more than the pen of the mo* ralist to check their couise. Let us look to ^ t such of our native bards for instruction * , a$ AXNE. £1 as shew a value for the morals of their coun¬ trymen, and let us despise the corrupting and corrupt publications of our neighbours. The beginning of the century was dis¬ tinguished by considerable improvements in the language of Sermons ; a species of com¬ position which has been rising gradually to¬ wards perfection since the tera of the re¬ formation. I do not pretend to say that the plain and honest language of a Latiinci: made a less impression on an attentive au¬ dience than the polished and energetic pe¬ riods of a Porte us, or the eloquent and excellent charges and discourses which have A. D. 1701 - 1714 . so eminently distinguished many others of tlic present prelates of our church. But every age demands a correspondent supply of all its wants ; and what wants are more pressing than thole which require food for a famished and an hungry soul.^ The mys¬ tical harangues of the preachers during the ^ usurpation, were succeeded in the pulpits, by those flashes of humour and play upon words, fo universally practised and admired c 3 in ) , ANNL. A. D. in the facetious reign of Charles the second ; 1701—21 mode of preaching which continued in use 1714 ^ ^ till the grave and classical reign of Queen Anne. At this period we find that a great change had taken place in these popular discourses. Tillotson had gained the public / attention, and the nervous apd pious lan¬ guage of Archbishop Sharp led the way to the more eloquent and refined periods of • i * Atterbury. That luminous cera was indeed f as resplendent in the church as in the state. "Men ,of letters were the ornament of go- '' vernment; and I rnay add, that in numerous instances, government did not neglect men « of letters.. It may be presumed from these causes, . that public morals were in fome measure redeemed from the universal pro¬ fligacy of the preceding age. The popular publications which were circulated under the name of moral and religious essays, through every 'rank and order of society, gave such a turn to public thought that the effects are visible to this hour. I V ANNE. It were well, if the opening of this cen- a. d. tiiry did not present to our view, a violence ^"7 ^ - ^. . 1714. of disputation among churchmen, (men in other refpects of the most amiable disposi- ' tions and respectable talents) which might be traced to those political parties which arose in the state during the period of an unsettled succession. It is unnecessary to enter into a detail of the discussions of that day, or recall to our view the animosities which they occasioned. Whigs and Tories . in the state. High Churchmen and Low Churchmen in the ecclesiastical establish- . ment, were terms of reproach as well as of commendation. If we would wish at any time to preserve ourselves in the bond of peace and charity, let us avoid the adop¬ tion of peculiar marks or names. The dis- V tinction even of a ribbon or an epithet, in various instances, teems With danger. But there is much greater reason foi\ apprehen¬ sion, when these visible signs of party are the distinguishing characteristics of perni¬ cious principles. It is true when conten- c 4 tions 5 24* ANXE. % A. D. tions do arise on any popular opinion, truth 1701 can but be found on one side. But never 1714. let it be*" forgotten, that truth be pursued with .candour. Of all mankind the pror fessors of Christianity should never losp sight of benevolence. When an ensnaring question^ was put to the Saviour of the world, he answered with dignity, ‘‘ we ought to obey God rather than man.” And when those who are peculiarly dedicated to the profession of religion, are so unfortu^ nate as to be involved in disputes, let them begin the contention, if so it must be, with •hesitation, let them continue it with pru- flence, and end it with charity. In perusing the'history of those times, \t is impossible not to be struck with the pe¬ culiar degree of heat, with which both par¬ ties were agitated. Hardly escaped froqi the re-establishment of popery on the one side, and assailed by a strong dissenting in¬ terest on the other, the members of thp church of England were doubtless in a cri- tical situation. Attached from principle tp • . the ^ .f •* \ . / / the pure doctrines of the reformation^ it is to be regretted that any of so venerable a ^ body should contend for a divine right of government distinct from that of their reli¬ gion. An4 looking to the other side of the question, do wc not \yonder that any society of Christians, enjoying under'a well-regu- lated administration, every advantage com¬ patible with the security of the state, tole¬ rated in their religious,' and confirmed in their civil rights—do we not wonder that they should adopt all the violence of a party spirit, and wish for changes in- that govern¬ ment, the consequences of which even they themselves must know to be uncertain ? The exaggerated recriminations of party should at all times, and 'in all ages, be sup¬ pressed. Why attribute'to any set of men ■the worst construction that can be put upon ^ their words ? Why are the advocates of a regal form of government to be thought the friends of absolute, unlimited monarchy.^ Why are those of opposite principles to be always considered wholly Republicans ? The extremes 26 ANN£, A. r>.- extremes of both opinions are dangerous, 1701 candour then direct in both cases to 1714. judge mildly of each other. So shall we fulfil the apostolic injunction, without which we cannot be good subjects under any de¬ scription of government, ‘‘ Be ye kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love: in honour preferring one another*/' These observations will not be thou 2 :ht irrelevant by any one who considers the serious debates in parliament in 1705, on the question, whether the church was in danger ?—a question which w-as negatived by a great majority. The Bishop of Lon¬ don too truly observed on that occasion, that the church was in danger from pro¬ faneness and irreligion and the licentious¬ ness of the press. Another Prelate very justly remarked the invidious distinction of High Church and Low Church, which tend¬ ed, as he observed, to set them at enmity : that ‘‘ by High Church, people w^ere made *■ Rom, ii,. 10, to AN^E. 27 to believe a man inclined to popery, or at a. d. least one that endeavoured to carry church 1701— power beyond our constitution, which, thought, was great injustice to the gentle^ men who bore that character, who meant nothing more than to keep up the just dignity and discipline of the church : neither did he believ^e that the other, called the Low Church, had any designs of lowering it or N levelling it with presbytery, as was, on the ' other hand, maliciously suggested*.”—In short, we see party in all ages has been the same; and it is the serious regret of mo¬ derate men, that ideas inimical to public peace should be transmitted to future times, altered and disguised as they frequently are, by new and unsuspected appellations. That party was in a great measure the origin of these terrors, and that these ter¬ rors were intended to incite insurrection / for political purposes, is evident from the description Bishop Burnet gives of the real » ♦ Tindal. temper I I / s ANNE. ♦ A. D. . 1701 - 1714. I temper of these times in his speech on the same occasion. A spirit of zeal and piety,” he said, “ appeared in our churches and at sacrament, beyond the example of former times. In one respect,” he added, ‘‘ it was acknowledged the church was in danger; there was an evil spirit and virulent temper spread among the clergy ; there were many indecent sermons preached on public oc¬ casions, &c.” It must be owned, that the Bishop was no unbiassed witness, as he was strongly attached to the principles of the revolution in their highest latitude. The charge, however, which he brings against those hot clergymen, as he calls them, w'ho created the danger which they reprobated, may not perhaps have been without some foundation when we consider the extraor¬ dinary degree of agitation which was* ex¬ cited in the nation not long after (1709) by the celebrated sermons of Dr. Sacheverel. It is with sorrow, I had almost said, with indignation, we look back upon the tumult of that day. Can wq suppose the spirit of party I AXNE. 29 party to be carried to a higher pitch ? A a. d, private clersrvman, a man of narrow ihtel- * , 1714 . lects and of an overheated imagination, as he has been described by one party, and not-altogether disproved by another, whose popularity was occasioned by the intern-' perance of his language in favour of divine ^ right and non-resistance, is arraigned at the bar of the upper house of' parliament in Westminster-halL ‘‘ The eyes of tiie Avhole kingdom-were turned upon this ex¬ traordinary trial. It lasted three weeks, during which all other business was sus- « pended', and the Queen herself was said to have been every day present; though in fjuality of a private person.” I will not dwell on this degrading scene. Perhaps at this distance of time we may not be proper judges of the subjectbut this in¬ struction we ought certainly to derive from O w m it, that ‘‘the Nvrath of man Avorketh not the righteousness of God Tp brin^ Sac.li«vef«I to a trial, and to distinguish Let ' / 30 AXNE. A. D. Let me here observe, that the true use of 17?i ^liscourses from the pulpit, is to expound the written law of God, to teach men what they must do to be saved. How greatly then do they deviate from the original in¬ tention of their institution, when they are made the vehicles of political discussions ? Whenever the circumstances of the times require the preacher’s voice, let it be de¬ livered with mildness and complacency, with peace and moderation. Instead of dwel¬ ling on those public topics which are apt / to produce rancour and animosity, let him ' select such observations as are best suited to the temper of his benevolent religion. I do not say that, on such occasions, he » ^ him with an impeachment, managed in the most solemn manner, for a miserable performance, which, without such notice, would have speedily sunk into oblivion, was an inexcusable degradation of the dignity of the house of commons, and affords a striking instance of the height of folly and infatuation to which the spirit of party will carry even the wisest men.*' , Cox’s Life of Sir Rob. Walpole, 8vo. p. 39. v. i. IS ANNE. 31 is totally to reject all allusions to matters of a. d. government, or even sometimes of foreign ^ ^ ^ . ^ 1714 , administration. But he should be .tempe¬ rate and cautious in the use of this liberty: he should consider it as his duty, from gt- • neral arguments, to deduce particukir in¬ struction: he.-should seize the prominent I feature of the times, and make a religious or moral application suitable to the capa¬ cities of his audience. In the controversies which arose in the . beginning of the century, many divines were engaged, whose names and whose writings have descended to us with a su¬ perior degree of reputation and applause. Their controversial works rest calmly toge¬ ther on the dusty shelf, whilst their pracn tical and pious discourses have continued to edify successive generations. Good men occupied the ground on both sides of the arena. We have only to lament that the V patience of the man, or the piety of the Christian, should, on any occasion, be sa¬ crificed to an unbecoming warmth, of.opi¬ nion. / 52 AKN-E. nioTi. I do not recommend an uninterest¬ ing tameness Mdicn subjects of importance are discussed. No. liht (\\\ty oicontendmg for the faith is an active'and an animating principle. ^ But he who^would be guided by the precept and example of his blessed mas¬ ter, must support his argument with calm¬ ness as well as fortitude, and temper his zeal with charity. t The names of Attkrbury and Hoadley with many other eminent, and, I may add, excellent controversialists, will long be held in veneration ; and if the celebrated Bishop of Winchester, in the preface to his Sermons published at the end of half a century, had occasion to remark that, near fifty years ^go, a torrent of angry zeal began to pour out itself upon him, and that/wry was let loose and distinguished him particularly 1 I we have to lament that merit and talents on either side, could not disperse the heavy ill-boding clouds of literary, of political, of religious contention. So strong and uncon- troulable indeed was the spirit of party tbat at Anne* ' 33 • \ t the same time that articles of impeach- a. u* mcnt were drawn up by the house of com- 1701- ^ ^ 1714. mons against Dr. Sacheverel, they resolved that “ the reverend Mr* Benjamin Hoadley>' Rector of St< Peter’s Poor, London, for having often justified the principles on / which her Majesty and the nation proceed¬ ed in the late happy revolution, had justly merited the favour and recommendation of # ♦ that . house: and that an humble address t,i . ' be presented to her Majesty, that she would be graciously pleased to bestow some dig¬ nity in the church on Mr. Hoadley for his eminent services both to the church and » r to the state.” A request with which her V Majesty never complied. To delineate the political, and polemicai discussions, of this period, would require a perspicuous mind, and an accurate pen. The subjects were undoubtedly of impor¬ tance, and involved civil as well as religious rights. Time and the direction of a good Providence have now changed their cur- ^ , rent The Head of our church on earth is D its I 54 ! ANxk A. D. its pious and zealous Defender; and If \ 1701 continue true to those principles which 1714'. . . ^ ^ have established and supported it, we have every reason to suppose that it is not only . 7iot in danger^ but that it will be trans¬ mitted down, secure and unsullied, to the latest generations. Indeed whoever considers the foundation on which the Church of England was built, whoever considers the primitive model from which she was formed, will have great rea¬ son to use David’s words, ‘‘This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes*.” That important period which was justly distinguished by the reformation of our religion, is not to be considered as the period when that profession of Christianity first made its appearance. Long, very long, •Iiad purity of doctrine and discipline slept beneath the over-loaded ornaments and cor- ' ruptions of the Church of Rome. But in principle and in practice it had existed from * Psalm cxviii, 2 ^, the } the times of the apostles. This is the am swer to those who have enquired, Where 1701- was your religion before Luther ? There was a time when tlie church of Rome might have boasted of her primitive excellence, and freedom from error with other churches j of Christ, as far as that expression is com¬ patible with human infirmities. The British' church which was early planted, long re¬ sisted- her innovations; but the Bishop of V Rome adding temporal to his spiritual pow¬ er,' unhappily subjugated the.minds as well as the bodies of every civilized country in Europe. The reformation of religion in some measure brought us back to the pri¬ mitive standard. Such doctrines only w^ere rejected as were not to be found in the revealed will of God; and such discipline as was not regularly derived from the au¬ thority of the apostles: I speak not of the turn which the reformation took in other countries ; it accommodated itself to exist- ing governments. In our own that Epis¬ copacy was established, and those orders D 2 ' ' in / ANNE. A. D. 1701 — 1714 . m the church continued which had been the earliest.institutions of Christianity. By revolutions in the state, and those changes .which are produced by time and external circumstances, the best regulations are sub¬ ject to decay. This had been remarkably the case in this nation during the seven¬ teenth century: and this was one of the true causes which occasioned so many vio¬ lent discussions in the church during the reign of Queen Anne. * The objects which those who were called High Churchmen had in view", are thus enumerated by At-' terbury, a man of great learning and virtue, but whose temper and principles perhaps w"ere not of the least violent nature.—We \ « doubt not,” he says, addressing himself to sir Jonathan Trelawmey, Bishop of Win¬ chester, but to see all proper steps taken tow^ards reviving decayed discipline; and rcstorino’ church censures to their due force O and credit; towards detecting and defeat- ing. clandestine simoniacal contracts; to¬ wards securing the rights and revenues of , , '' the ANNE, 37 the clergy from encroachments, rescuing a. d. their persons and sacred function from con- 1701-^ ^ 1 . . 1714. tempt, and freeing religion itself from the insults now made upon it by blaspherhous tongues and pens, with equal boldness and iniquity*.” Had these objects been proposed with mildness, or had not party lifted up her flaming torch in opposition, perhaps some salutary regulations in the church might have taken place at this period. But it hap¬ pened at this time, as it has happened upon many other occasions, the good which men would, they do not; whilst the evil which they would not, that th^y do j .” The contentions in the Houses of Convo¬ cation during this reign were, of the same tendency with those I have recited. A con¬ tinuance of these warm debates, and the influence which they had in all political discussions, prevented those beneficial ends which they were so well ihtended to produce.* * Preface to Atterbury’s Sermons, ■\ Rom. vii, 19, D 3 V I shall 38 ANNE. A. dT I shall resume this subject in the second Ipart of this essay: and conclude the pre- sent with no unpleasing picture of the public disposition towards the worship of the church in the words of a divine at the aera of which I am writing—‘‘ The church with its priest¬ hood was never more generally beloved, its worship never more frequented, its altars never more crouded, than at this da 3 ^ And no wonder; for to all the middle ranks of mankind it is the chief delight, and to the . poorer sort,' it is the only comfort they have in this world: the only refreshment they have after their weekly labours is to be- V hold the fair beauty of the Lord and to visit his temple.” He adds, and I beg to add with him, I believe and am perfuaded that the church of England is the best cliurch now in the whole world: that her worship is the nearest to the primitive form, in as great purity and beauty of holiness^ as she is well capable of in this state of imper¬ fection. I firmly believe that the govern¬ ment of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, esta¬ blished ANNE. 39 blished in her, in which other protestant a. d. churches are deficient, I believe that this^^^l government was appointed by Christ, and every where planted by his apostles. And, I trust, every true member, much mpre every true minister of this church, is ready m and willing to join with me also in this profession with regard to our established church : that by God’s assistance (for with¬ out that all our professions are but presump¬ tions) by God’s assistance, “ if I should die with her, I would not deny her in any wise*.” ' * Bisse*s Beauty of Holiness in the Common Prayer, P. 172. END OF PART THE FIRST. D 4 PART ( 40 PART 11. Containing Reflections, Sgc. on the Reign of George I. from 1714—1727. It is a distress to the human mind to remark, that all human institutions ^are sub¬ ject to infirmity. In our ordinary transac¬ tions we are sensible of this truth, Let our plans be laid with ever so much judgement, let our minds be strengthened with previous reflection, with fortitude, and even with re¬ ligion, still we shall find that ‘‘ it is not in man that walketh to direct his own ways But it may be imagined that the history of the Church will afford us a different pros- . pect. United, as it may be supposed, by one faith, a communion of holy men may be expected as the happy fruits. Alas! Jer, X. 230 I even GEORGE I. 4i even here human nature betrays its frailties. Temporal expectations, and temporal adv^an- tages are so mixed with spiritual, that the % most heavenly-minded are allured from their I kindred sky, and immersed in all the fecu¬ lence of a terrestrial habitation. The church on earth then is well deno¬ minated in our liturgy by a church militant. The true faith in Christ meets with so much opposition, even from those who profess to be the servants of Christ; so careless are ^ they in their master s service, so easy to be led astray by temptation, so indifferent even in the act of penitence itself, that the sin¬ cere believer cannot but feel all the sorrow and anxiety of the Psalmist when he said, ‘‘ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes be¬ cause men keep not thy law It is to the church triumphant we must look for comfort. There a union of saints must compensate for the many ages of division which have passed over our heads. There A . D. 1714 ^ 172 ^ * Psalm cxix, 136. 5 one f I GtORdE 1. one holy principle can only reign, and there the voice of vast innltitudes, as the voice of many waters, shall join in the same halle¬ luiahs before the throne of the Lamb. ■ Let not the good man then be discou¬ raged, when he sees that the efforts of the best established church are ineffectual to heal all the spjritual diseases of a nation. Let him reflect that, if the united abilities of the virtuous and the wise are not able to . produce harmony, and controul the exube¬ rance of fancy even on sacred and venerable subjects, what would be the case if every man were left to be the arbiter of liis own \ t opinions ? I would not here insinuate that force should ever supersede persuasion. God has given man reason; and where reason fails, as we cannot but feel it does upon a thousand occasions, he has offered him an explicit revelation. With these helps he cannot greatly err, if he seek for knowledge by the only proper means of acquiring it, the medium of prayer. If any man lack ^yisdom let him ask of God, who glveth to all I GEORGE I. 43 all men liberally : but let him -ask in faith, a. d. nothinj^ wavering*.” 1714 ’ ^ ® 1727. If the history of the church be often tur-^ biilent in consequence of the unrestrained passions of mankind, we have a pleasure in reflecting that the minds of many excellent men, who have been more or less concerned even in these contentions, were the resi¬ dences of harmony and peace. The pro¬ fession of religion being of greater impor¬ tance to a good man than ev^ery other consideration, it is no wonder that we often see him warmed with the subject,'’it is no wonder that he wishes others to partake of that happiness which he himsrelf enjoys. ' I fear that in some cases a natural violence of temper hath heightened this whh into all the severities of compulsion. In other cases, a bigotted system of religion has produced the same deplorable effects. But I leave the Bonners and the Gardiners of former day's to answer for their own offences. I speak James i, 5, only I 4 <>^ ' GEonftE r. A. B- at this time of that vehemence on eerie- that Avhich is at present the object of our consideration. Near the latter end of the reign of Queen ^ Anne the attention of the Houses of Convo- .cation was directed by a royal licence to in- I’estigate the excessive growth of infidelity and heresy, as well as of other abuses, that necessary measures miglit be taken for a re- forn:)ation. The prolocutor of the lower-house, Dn Atterbiiry, undertook to draw up the ac- ' count to be delivered to the Qiieen, which he did with severe reflections on the administra¬ tion. The Bishops ordered another represen¬ tation to be drawn In more general and mo¬ dest terms. But neither one nor the othei' met with the approbation of both parties, Had not the politics of the times interfered, some steps of a general nature might have been taken, serviceable, it is probable, to the great interests of religion. The revival of Arian tenets was attempted by Mr. Whiston, for g£oblg£ t. 43 for which he was expelled the University a. b.. of Cambrido-e. His vindication he dedi-^^^"^' cated to the convocation itself. A censure was passed, but remained unnoticed by the ’ Queen. It will not be expected that I should en» - ter into the several controversies which have distracted the profession of true Christianity. ]\fy object in this essay, is only to remark the effects which they liave produced on the morals and manners of the world, -With respect to general belief the}^ have confirmed thousands in points which they had not con- sidered. The objections that have been made, have called forth the acutest abilities^ and there is hardly one cavelling reflection on the subject of religion that has not met with an apposite and satisfactory answer. That ' new opponents arise will not be wondered at; but if we examine their writings., we shall find' them to consist of worn-out arguments, and long-answered , observations. TJiey renew the attack, • not in expectation of finding \ out some undefended turret of the fortress, but i A6 GEORGE I. A. D. ill hopes that their numbers will maki^r 1714 up foi’ the deficiency of their artillery. 1727 ^ • ■ About this period several sceptical writers began to insinuate their pernicious opinions. The licentiousness of Charles the second’s reign had both prepared the soil, and sown the seeds of infidelity. - But happily for the nation at large, the opinions of infidels were as yet confined to the closet, or 'circulated only in the society of wits. A Shaftesbury or ,a Bolingbroke might find their way to the studious, a Ptochester or a Buckingham might amuse and ensnare the votaries of unsuspicious dissipation. But the lower ranks of men, though more ignorant, were undoubtedly more virtuous. Some profes-^ sion of religion most of them maintained,' and however erroneous that profession might be, it is surely better to obey the dictates even of a misguided conscience, than to throw aside all allegiance to the Almighty Sovereign of the world, all obedience *to those who rule by his direction. The time ' was not then come, when the poison of infi¬ delity GEORGE I*. 47 ✓ 1 delity should be indiscrinnnately diffused, a. d. Some shame remained on'the brow of the sccptic; some indignant repulse he still met with from the public voice. . It was a serious misfortune at this time that, while infidelity was making dreadful encroachments among the learned or the dissipated, any deviation from the iong- estciblished and well-grounded doctrines of the Bible, should be found within the pale of the church itself. I refer to the proceed¬ ings in convocatitm concerning Dr: Samuel Clarkes book, entituled ‘‘ The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity.” From the unset¬ tled state of men’s minds, every thing be¬ came controversy, and that in its warmest manner. This mysterious, but appropriate and important doctrine of Christianity, by means of this introduction, afforded matter for public discussion. The revelation of the Gospel was deserted in its interpretation, for the wild fancies of the most ignorant: and that doctrine which could be known only from the word of God itself, and which h 4§ CifcORGE i. A. Di is indispensable in the awful circumstance ^ <^>f nian’s redemption, became so misrepre- sen ted as to be sometimes reviled, and often rejected, by those whose prejudices were stronger than their'belief What passed upon this occasion becomes the subject of the ecclesiastical historian. The last public notice of this controversy consists of seven ' articles of direction, delivered to the Arch- ■ ^ bishops and Bishops, ‘‘for the preserving unity in the church, and' the purity of the Christian faith concerning the Holy Trinity; and also for preserving the peace and quiet ’ of the state.” The bitterness of controversy, and the danger udiich it occasioned to the Christian cause, may easily be imagined from I the nature of these articles. 'The first re- \ stricts the preacher from delivering any other doctrine than what is contained in the holy scriptures, the three creeds, and the . thirty-nine articles. The second, that they should avoid all new tci'ins in its explication. ^ Dec, ii, 1714. I GEORGE !• \ The third requires them to observe the fifty- third canon, which forbids public opposi- ' I tion between preachers, because, as that canon expresses it, there groweth thereby much oftence and disquietness unto the people, and that above all things they abstain from bitter invectives and scurri¬ lous language against all persons whatso¬ ever. The fourth directs them in sermons and lectures not to intermeddle with affairs of state or government, save only on spe¬ cial feasts, and fasts, as are, or shall be, appointed by public authority. The fifth regards those who write any thing on those I subjects. The sixth enjoins the use of the canonical prayer before sermons. And the seventh applies to other persons besides the clergy, who should write, harangue, or dis¬ pute on the same subjects, and by these means give occasion of scandal, discord, and disturbance in the church and kingdom'^. It must be observed that these were di^ A. D. 1714— 1727. * TindaRs Continuation of Rapin’s History of England, - rcciions I 50 GEORGE I. rections and 7iot laxvs; only vso far ad an offence was contrary to the canonical in¬ stitutions. In discussing subjects of this nature, argument is our best weapon; and if we wield this with moderation and dis¬ cretion, with a due regard to peace and the establishment of truth, we shall be most likely to overcome our adversary. In these articles there is much good sense as well as policy; and the clergy of every age will be the better for observing them. In giving this opinion I would not be thought to infer that the agitators of controversial subjects should be silenced by authority. No. Let truth be investigated with fairness and freedom: depend upon it, it will not suffer by the trial. ' This observation does not attach itself, neither ought it, to publications professedly disseminated for the purpose of overturn¬ ing the pillars of the Christian faith, and introducing anarchy and confusion into so¬ ciety. Too many fatal instances of which liath this age beheld. Excellent and amia- 3 ble GEORGE r. 5\ ble as Toleration is, it would degenerate into a. d. weakness, into madness, calmly to see the 1714-^ 1727. poisoned cup offered to a peaceful and an un¬ suspicious people, without dashing it from the hand of the presenter. But a fair discussion' of doubtful or controverted points, requires a different treatment. No man would wish 4 to profess a faith which could not openly be defended. Let gloomy superstition erect her inquisitions, let hen prepare her dun¬ geons and her racks, but let true religion meet her adversary in the open field. In that important moment when our Lord was conversing wdth his disciples previously to his apprehension, he said to Peter, “ Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat 1 but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not : and^ when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren —Peter, though assailed by Satan, through the support of hi^ dying k master, rose superior to his own infirmity. ♦ Luke xxii. 31. E 2 If M I> 52 GEORGE I. t D. If we consider Peter as an emblem of the shall find with what weapons he is to be defended —I have pt'ayed that thy faith fail 7iot: and he who uses any other on such occasions than the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God errs against •that divine authority by which he pretends to be directed. At the accession of George I. there was a transfer, or change of power, but by no means a melioration of party-spirit. Those who \vere distinguished as High Church¬ men ’were displaced, and their opponents came into office. Plad these changes been confined to state-affairs, they had not claim¬ ed my present attention, but at that time religion was mingled with every political dispute. The watch-word of one party, the danger of the churchy was revived with , violence: the watch-word of the other par- * Eph. fi. 17. I GEORGE I, 53 ty, the danger of the protestant succession, a. d. was echoed back with no loss of fervour. 1714— If any real danger had attached itself to either side, it must equally have affected both. And in fact, there was great danger, lest true religion should suffer in the con¬ flict. . It often pleases God by the introduction of second causes to effect the wise purposes of his providence, to correct in mercy and to punish that he may save. A nation is chastised by war, a church by persecution. In the midst of these contentions a rebellion broke out, -'which for a time at least, united, or ought to have united, all parties. The Church of Enojland undoubtedlv was in > some danger, though assaulted by a feeble arm. If we look back upon the: history of the preceding century, and particularly on the reigns of Charles the second and James the second, we shall be able to judge, what reasonable, as well as unreasonable fears, were entertained of the return of po¬ pery. The education of these monarchs in E 3 foreiirn N 54 ' ' GEORGE I. A. D. 1714- 17f27. foreign countries, under the superintend dance of a mother professedly devoted to the Church of Rome, it was likely would make a powerful impression on their minds. Tfhe religion of the former indeed was of a doubtful nature, but the bigotry of the latter was unequivocal. Happily for .our national church she passed in safety through these troubles. Corrected, it may be, by a trial of affliction, she stood firm to her original engagements; and though, the members of her communion might in some instances overstep that moderation so diffi¬ cult to be maintained in times of public tumult, yet were they always sensible of the caution given to the church of Laodicea, « As many as I love,' I rebuke and chasten, be zealous, therefore, and repent*” The rebellion of the year 1715 may be looked upon in a religious light, as a check to the exclamation, “ the church is in dan¬ ger P '—so often politically repeated when * Rev, iii, 19, no GEORGE I. 55 tio real danger was near. There are times a. d. when the voice of heaven is heard, and that 1714— 1727 o voice cannot be disregarded. But let us not tempt the goodness of Providence by an irreverent use either of his encourage¬ ments or his terrors, liis mercies or -his judgments. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord"^.” To make use of the name of God, or to profane his holy name for the promotion of party interests, is a dero 2 :ation from that honour which we owe him, from that unpolluted worship which is his sole prerogative. No wonder that ‘‘ he answers us out of the whirlwind J,’* when we abuse his power, that .he speaks to us in judgements when we mock his counsel. As a church, we have often experienced his goodness when v/e feared his anger, and have tasted his blessings when we deserved his correction. I will cause you/’ he has said, ‘‘to pass under the, * Is. Iv.' 8. ■ J Job xxxriii. i. E 4 . ' . rod, GEORGE I. rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that trans¬ gress against me—and ye shall know that I am the Lord ^ Soon after the termination of this rebel¬ lion, a very violent literary contention broke out, which has been distinguished by the name of the Bangorian controversy, as it originated from a pamphlet and a sermon by Dr. Hoadley, lately advanced to the Bishopric of Bangor. The merits of the contest it is not necessary at present to dis¬ cuss : nor if it were, could I reasonably expect to be followed through a labyrinth of seventy tracts said to have been pub¬ lished on this occasion f. The principles endeavoured to be established, or opposed, were the same which had for many years divided the nation. The profession of re¬ ligion, we lament to say, was again made I a party in political disputes. The consc- / * Ezekiel xx. 37. + Tindal. 9 quence, / / GEORGE 67 queiice, I fear, has been no ways favourable ^ to the morals and manners of the common people. We must not, however, suffer our¬ selves to be so far led aside by neutrality of opinion as to imagine the subject of the controversy altogether unconnected with the profession of religion. St. Paul himself as¬ sures us, that it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing*.” When we are certain of our ground, and have en¬ deavoured by every possible means to be made well acquainted with the point in consideration; when we have sifted the grains of truth with all the calmness of reason, and have piously implored the di¬ rection of that hand which ‘‘ turns the minds of men as the rivers of water,” we ' may then attempt to support the argument with our best abilities. But still let it be with caution. Man may err; and there¬ fore on every such occasion, let him be clothed with humility.” 1714 1727. ♦ Cal. iv. 18, fit I 58 OEOROE r.' A. D, 1714— 1727. * It was surely of importance to the church of England, as it still is, to guard her in¬ terests with a steady, I had almost said, with a jealous eye. Revolutions had so fre¬ quently shaken her foundations, that some¬ thing must be allowed to those times when an abdicated Monarch might have returned with popery in his train, or an independent Cromwell have again broken down her bar¬ riers, and usurped her rights. Under the impression of these sentiments, moderate men w'ere perplexed, when High Church¬ men bent, as it might be thought, too strongly to one side, and Low Church-men drew too violently to the other. Sherlock and Hoadley are names that will be lonsf revered. Yet these were the leading con¬ troversialists in this great question. The Bishop of Bangor published a pamph¬ let entitled “ A preservative against the principles and practices of the Non-jurors;” and soon after preached a sermon before the King, which was printed under the title of ‘‘The I GEORGE I. S9 “ The nature of the kingdom of Christ a, d. Dr. Snape, Master of Eton-College, replied ! to the sermon, and the convocation ap- I pointed a committee to examine the Bi¬ shop’s two performances. The fcpresenta- tion of the committee conveyed a severe censure on the opinions of Dr. Hoadley, and, as before, the disputes in convocation - became very violent. Government soon stopped the proceedings by a prorogation, which, however, did not put an end to the controversy. Dr. Snape and Dr. Sherlock were removed from the office of King’s chaplains, and the convocation has not been permitted to sit and do business since that period f. It is always to be lamented when private animosities obstruct the discharge of public duties ; the flock cannot prosper while the ' shepherds are at variance. It is not for an individual to express his opinion on so. I delicate a subject as the revival of the / * * * Headley’s Serm. v. i. s, 14. h 1717* ‘ . ' powers 60 GEORGE I, A. D. powers of the convocation: but he niiist 1714 gygj, look lip with veneration to that as-?' 1727. seinbly, whose deliberations^ under God, rescued us from many dangerous errors, ‘ and settled on so sure a foundation the ec¬ clesiastical establishment of this country. Bishop Hoadley’s pamphlet, though I take no part in the controversy, leads me to make a few observations on a body of men, then numerous but not powerful, now totally extinct, or mingled with other con¬ scientious members of our church: I mean those who were distinguished by the name ' ^ of Non-jurors, or Non-jurants, and have often occasion to be mentioned in the His¬ tory of the early part of this century. It is well known, that the persons intended'by this description originally separated from the communion of the church of England In consequence of the oath of allegiance - required of them at the accession of King William. Whether some test might not have been offered them sufficient to have secured the established government against ' anv GEORGE E 61 any attempts of such as were disaflfected, a. d. and thus have prevented this breach in the IZlt . 1727. unity of the church, is not for me to de- termine. Many of them, there is no doubt, were able and conscientious ministers, and ' ' amongst them prelates of no inferior cha¬ racter. It must'be owned also that many of them were actuated by the violence of party spirit, ‘and to the last retained a chi- . merical attachment to the House of Stuart, which was not removed till the completion of a full century [1788] on the demise of the last pretender to sovereignty of that un¬ fortunate race Many of the non-juring clergy * The following circular letter to the episcopal clergy of the church of Scotland (which I believe to be authentic) establishes the observation which I have made above. Intimation to the Clergy and Laity of the Episcopal Church of Scotland. The protestant Bishops in Scotland having met at Aberdeen on the 24th of April, 1788, to take into their serious confideration the state of the church under their inspection, did upon mature deliberation, with their 62 GEORGE r* A. o. clergy of that clay were men of the hrst -ljl4 abilities'and most exemplary piety: and to j 727. i j I j their writings, ' as well as examples, we have, to look for the preservation, and increase, of much their clergy, unanimously agree to comply with and to submit to the present government of this kingdom, as vested in the person of his Majesty King George the Third. They also resolved to testify this compliance by uniformly praying for him by name in their public worship, in hopes of removing all suspicion of disaffec- ' tion, and of obtaining relief from those penal laws un¬ der v/hich this church has so long suffered. At the / Tsame time they think it their duty to declare, that this resolution proceeds from principles purely ecclesiastical; ' and that they are moved to it by the justest and most satisfying reasons, in discharge of that high trust de¬ volved upon them in their episcopal characters; and to promote as far as they can, the peace and prosperity of that portion of the Christian church committed to their charge. JTqj- obtaining of this desirable end, they therefore appoint their clergy to make public notification to their congregations upon the i8th day of May next, that, upon the following Lord’s day, nominal prayers for the King arc to be authoritatively introduced, and after¬ wards to continue in the religious assemblies of this •; . episcopal GEORGE I. 63 * » iiiuch religious knowledge. It has pleased, a. d. God that this ao-e has seen the extinction 1^^"^ ' of this schism ; and wOat is more extraor- dinaiy, our present excellent and benevolent monarch, is the munitlcent benefactor, I episcopal church : and they beg leave to recommend, as to their clergy whose obedience they expect, so likewise to all good Christian people under their epifcopal care, and do earnestly intreat and exhort them in the bowels of Jesus Christ, that they will all cordially receive this determination of their spiritual fathers. ^ If any of them wish for farther information on this subject, the Bishops hereby direct them to apply to their respective pastors; and conclude this address with their hearty prayers to, and stedfast dependence upon, their gracious Head and Master in heaven, that he -would be pleased to bless, sanctify, and prosper the pious resolutions and endeavours of his servants upon earth, to the advancement of his glory, the edification of his church, and the quiet and welfare of the state i,t> all godliness and honesty. Robert Kilgour,. Bishop and Primus, John Skinner, Bishop of Aberdeen. Andrew M^Farlane, Bilhop of Ross and Moray, William Abernethy Drummond, Bp. of Edinburgh, John Strachan, Bishop of Brechin.’"' Gent. Mag. 17S8. believe (>4 GEORGE I. . A. D. believe I may add, tlie sole supporter of the last male descendant of the family *. Ji # ^ If I were to notice Dr. Hoadley’s cele- ^ brated sermon, it would lead me into a dis¬ cussion foreign from the intention of this essay. The whole stream of ecclesiastical history, from the days of the apostles to the ' present hour, presents to opr view, a visible, as well as an invisible, church. An eminent divine [Dr. Rogers] considered the subject, during this contest, in this light; and in¬ deed if we take away this argument, we must remoye at the first onset, that yenera- / ble council which assembled at Jerusalem on the great question of circumcision, as well as that body of Christians to whom the de¬ cree was directed. The nature of Christ’s kingdom, no doubt, is spiritual, but as he has commanded a communion of saints, an union of men whose sole object is, or ought to be, the promotion *pf their own, and others salvation according to the doctrines ♦ • * The Cardinal of York, who, by the revolution at Rome, was deprived of his fortune and preferments, ' ' . of GEOllGE I. 65 of the gospel, we must-acknowledge that * loidej^ Him a directing power must reside somewhere. He has o:iv€n us no reason to suppose that pov/er infallible. Where then can we look for it, but in an assembly of good men, united under his authority, and administering, according to the measure of grace which he has given them, that church which he has planted upon earth? I speak not here of any particular church in contra¬ distinction to others, but of the catholic or. universal church of Christ, of ‘‘'the general assembly and ‘ church of the first-born,’ whose names are written in heaven*.” As a branch of this' universal church of Christ, which has subsisted in various cir¬ cumstances of prosperity and adversity since the times of the apostles, I trust it will be allowed me to consider the established church of this nation, as near the primitive model as may be-expected in our present state of * Hebrews xii. 23. - * F , imper- A. D. 1714- 1727. 1 66 PEORGE I. A. D. imperfection; for in all cases it is consistent 1^1^“^ with just argument to make a distinction between the doctrines, and the profession, of believers. This being allowed, it can be ' no infringement of that toleration which is the glorj", as well as praise, of the present age, to secure her doctrines and her disci¬ pline, against the intrusion of those, who would corrupt the one, and destroy the other. On this great point were many ,of the Bangorlan pamphlets written. In a popular government like ours, it will not be wondered at, that this subject should be frequently, and warmly, discussed. This advantage has attended the discussion, both in and out of parliament, that the majority , remains of the same opinion which pre¬ vailed when the test-act was originally passed. Though I subscribe unequivocally to this determination, I should be rejoiced to behold the breaches of church-unity hap- . • » pily healed. Benevolence is the leading Gbaracteristic of the religion of Christ Sirs I G£ORGE 67 Sirs ! yc are brethren. Why do ye wrong a. t>. one to another ? If 1714- 1727. As it has been seen that on ,many occa- sions controversy, even religious contro- ' ^ / versy, has been carried on with rancour and animosity, and indeed that this very con- ten tion is not exempt from this censure, I shall conclude my observations upon it with extracts from the lives and characters, of two of the principal disputants. This I do, not so niuch for their own sakes (for to 4 their own master they stand or fall) but to shew that a good man may interest himself in worldly matters without being defiled by them; that even a partaker of religious - controversy may freely support his opinion without polluting his mind with narrow views, or malicious insinuations.—Of Dr. Hoadley it is said^ “ This is allowed by all ^ to be his distinguishing characteristic—that in all the controversies which he held with ids % brethren (and no one surely held more) he * Acts vii. 26. F 9 . ever 68 GEORGE T. A. D. ever preservTd an equanimity of temper — 171*4 meek and candid Christian was never 1727. , ' lost in tlie disputcr of this world—cool, calm and composed, he forgets the man whilst he is animadverting on the writer; ' never betrayed into any asperity of expres¬ sion, any railing accusations, any personal reflections, . any misbecoming flights, or those sallies of passion, which, as they give no strength to a bad argument, never add - ’ grace or advantage to a good one Of that great and good prelate. Dr. Sherlock, it is said by Dr. Nicolis, Master of the Temple, and preacher of his funeral discourse— ‘‘ He too had his controversies, and those carried on with warmth and spirit; but , without any injury to his temper,-or any interruption to his thoughts and mind f.” Contentions, however, of any kind, can¬ not arise without some injury. The be¬ ginning of strife,” it has been well observed, is like as when one letteth out water.” * Dodsley's Ann. Register, 1762, p. 7. f Ibid. p. 9, The GEOllGE I. The opening of a sluice, in numerous in¬ stances, only precedes an inundation. Du¬ ring this reign more than one secluded philosopher were fostering in private the seeds of infidelity. They did not indeed always openly attack the venerable records of our faith; that was left for more modern antagonists: but the worm was placed at the root of the plant, and they secretly re¬ joiced at its unheeded progress, as they hoped, ' towards destruction. This period, and that which followed it in the beo'innino* o o of the next reign, it pleased God to render very fruitful of eminent divines, and learned laymen, whose labours averted the approach¬ ing mischief, and in many cases, doubtless, convinced the gainsayer. Amongst the lat¬ ter Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Lyttelton and Mr. West, demand the remembrance and applause of the good. About three'years after the controversy above mentioned came out Mr. Collins’s discourse of ‘‘ Grounds and Reasons of the Christian ReliQ'ion wherein he endeavours E 3 to TO GEORGE I. A. D. to'fix the evidence of it chiefly, if not ' in such a manner, as that they seem to have no better foundation than the divina¬ tions among the heathens, ‘‘ who learned,” says he, that art in schools, or under discipline, as the Jews did prophecy in schools and colleges of the prophets.” This was the origin of several tracts on the sub¬ ject of prophecy; and amongst the rest Bishop Sherlock took an opportunity of de-*- livering his sentiments, though he did not ^ directly enter into the controversy, in six Discourses delivered at the Temple church, and printed the following year [17^35] under this title, “ The Use and Intent of Prophecy in the several Ages of the World But this period of time did not confine itself to written controversy, or irreligious insinuations. It was distinguished, from a very particular cause, for the loosest man- 5 Life of Bishop Sherlock, nets, GEORGE I, 71 ncrs and most infamous immoralities. The a. d, very sudden and extraordinary influx of riches, real or imaginary, occasioned by the long celebrated and justly execrated South- Sea-Scheme [ 1719 ] produced the most dread¬ ful consequences amongst every rank and order of society. The history of this scheme belongs not to ^ this essay. But if we wish for an example of the ill effects of avarice, the devastations of wealth, the rapacity of those who grasp at gold, or the misery of those who possess it, we need not proceed further than the plain representation of this singular occurrence. The language of the historians affords too striking a picture of v» this melancholy scene. “ During the infa¬ tuation produced by this infamous scheme,” says one of them in the plain truth of his- \ tory, luxury, vice and profligacy in¬ creased to a shocking degree of extrava¬ gance. The adventurers, intoxicated by their imaginary wealth, pampered them¬ selves with the rarest dainties, and the most expensive wines that could be. imported : f 4 they 7^ GEORGE-'I. A. D. they purchased the most sumptuous equipage and apparel, though vrithoiit taste or discernment: they indulged their criminal passions to the most scandalous excess : their discourses was the language of pride, insolence, and the most ridiculous’ ostentation : they aifected to scoif at reli¬ gion and morality, and even to set heaven at defiance*.” JMerciful God !’ Avhat shall we think of a people, or a period, of which such things are said? Plow shall we look back but a few years, and "know that these men were Englishmen, ^ere Christians ? But while we blame them, let us be cautious lest we condemn ourselves, Are there no other periods of our history when a sudden influx of riches has made us proud, insqlent, lux¬ urious ? Have we never felt the danger of a prosperous trade and a flourishing com¬ merce ? Have we never forgot ourselves I when our Plag has been flying in the four quarters of the ^vorld, when the breezes of Snollct, the GEORGE T. 73 the two Indies have met within our ports?— a. d. Let this consideration be a warnino* to us ^ 1727. all, but particularly to the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traf¬ fickers are the honourable of the earth*.” To Its it may often be said, as it was once -to those of Tyre—with thy wisdom and thy understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures ; by thy great wisdom and by thy traffic thou hast increased thy riches, and —thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches f Too truly may the application of these passages be made to the particular epoch of our history, vdiich records the transaction to which I allude. ‘‘It was like an infec¬ tious distemper,” says another writer;}:, which spread itself in an astonishing manner. Every evening produced new pro¬ jects ~ which were justly called bubbles, and new companies appeared every day. Even * isauih xxiii. S. + Ezekiel xxviii.' 5, 6, I t { \ GKORGE T. . the iirst nobility were implicated in this charge, and, to use the language of the same author, the xvholc nation xvas become Stock Jobbers ” It is no pleasing task to investigate the immoralities of former days, or to call to our recollection what every good man would wish, for ever buried in oblivion. But as offences xvill come, and from the depravity of our nature we have reason to expect them in every age of the world, it becomes * How great the general infatuation or thirst of gain was, appears from the following instance : A pro¬ posal was offered, ^ For carrying on an undertaking of • _ great advantage, but nobody to know what it is.* The projector formed a scheme for half a million, by which every subscriber paying down tw'o guineas for .sub¬ scribing, was to have tool, a yeaif for every tool, so subscribed. But how this was to be done, did not ap¬ pear in the proposals ; where it was also said, that in a month the particulars of the project should be laid open, and the money subscribed was then to be paid in. As extravagant as this scheme was, the projector m a received looo subscriptions, with which, amount., jng to 2000 guineas, he went off in the afternoon.** ( \ tljc I 1 GEORGE I. 75 the duty of every sincere promoter of piety a. d. and holiness to lio*ht up that beacon^which 1714- ^ . 1727. points out the dangerous rock. This must be my apology for 'mentioning a club or society which was at this time held in Lon¬ don, under an appellation too shocking to be named Many men of distinction were members of this club, some of them celebrated for the brilliancy of their parts. This wanton outrage against public decency^ as well as against the more important duties of religion, could not pass without the ani¬ madversion of the supreme magistrate. And accordingly the King declared his dis¬ pleasure by a proclamation [a. d. 1721 ,] against any who lay under the suspicion of such destructive practices ; and gave orders to the officers of his houshold to make strict inquiry whether any of his servants were guilty of such horrid impieties. This was immediately followed by a com¬ plaint in the House of Lords of the growth * « The H—ll-f—re Cbb.^' of / I GEORGE I. of atheism, profaneiiess, and immoralify; and a bill was brought in for the suppression of blasphemy and profaneness. Unfortu¬ nately this bill was not solely confined to the objects which it was expected to have . principally in view, but was calculated to restrain the liberties granted .to non-con¬ formists by the laws of the last sessions. Thus politics insinuating 'themselves into what ought to have been a clear and dis¬ tinct question of religion,' the utility of this measure was lost. Some of the clauses of the bill being of a penal nature, I do not know how far they would Kav^e been efli- cacious in correcting the abuse. Two Lords 'of great profligacy of character used very extraordinary language on this occasion. One of them on whom the strongest sus¬ picion fell of being a member of the club, justified his character, declaring he was far from being a patron of blasphemy or an # enemy to religion, and to prove Jus assertion % drew out of his pocket an old family bible, and read several passages from St. Peter’s and GEORGE I. and St. Paul’s epistles. The other observed, though he was for a parliamentary King, yet he did not desire to have a parliamentary God, or a parliamentary religion : and if the House were for such a one, he would go to Rome and endeavour to be chosen a car¬ dinal ; for he had rather sit in a conclave, than witlrtheir Lordships on those terms.” One of the ‘Lords having said that, - he ‘‘ verily believed the present calamity occa¬ sioned by the South Sea project was a judge- » « inent of God on the blasphemy and pro¬ faneness of the nation —another replied, ‘‘ that noble peer then must be a great sin¬ ner, for he had lost considerably by the South-sea scheme.” I’lms with wit and profligacy was this great question discussed ; a shameful testi- inony of the levity and degeneracy of the times 1 The, next event which requires notice in this essay is the passing of a bill in parlia¬ ment, for taking out of the solemn affirma¬ tion of the Quakers the words ‘‘ In the ■« presence A. D. 1714- 1727- I t \ 7S GEORGE r. \ A. D. presence of Almighty God.”—Much indul* gence has at various times been given by the legislature to this peaeeful people, in return for those meek qualities which they appear to possess. Why they refuse to ac¬ knowledge themselves on legal oecasions^ as in the presence of Almighty God, it is. not easy to conjeeture. The believer in revelation can have no well-founded objec¬ tion to acknowledge the omnipresence of the Deity. What sublimity and conviction is displayed in this passage !—Can any '' hide himself in secret places that I cannot, / see him, saith the Lord? Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord ^ r” And may it not be proved from the language of , ^Scripture, as well as from the practice of lioly men, even of our blessed Saviour Him- ' , self when brought before the High Priest, that an oath for confirmation is an end ' 'of all strife t?” ‘‘ I adjure thee,” said Caiaphas-to Christ, by the living God, / » * jer* xxiii. 24* f Heb, vi, i 6 » \ that . I 1 ^ I GEORGE I. 79 that thou tell us, whether thou he the a. d, Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto " him, Thou hast said^.”—If language has any force, if example . or argument have any efficacy, when opposed to the strong prejudices of mankind, surely this passage of scripture ought to produce conviction. A petition was presented by the London Clergy against this bill, but without effect. In the spirit of charity let us judge of the weakness of our brethren ; nor pronounce, in the iiarsh language used upon this oc- - casion by Atterbuiy, that the Quakers w’ere hardly Christiansbut let us pray for those that we may imagine to be in error, that their eyes may be illuminated by the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world f.” In the same year [172^] the Roman Catholics, justly considered as favourable to the interests of a popish pretender, were selected as objects on which to raise a part I ^ Matt, xxyi, 63. , f John i, 9* % GEORGE r. of the public supplies. - This, as it might 9 be imagined, Avas considered as a species of persecution by the party in opposition, and condemned as inconsistent with the temper and principles of the protestant religion. Government, however, at this time had great reason for circumspection, though the liberal principles of the present day will / not approve of a partial, any more than of an oppressive, taxation. Whatever opi¬ nions may be formed of this measure,” says Mr. Coxe, in his Life of the Minister, ‘‘ ac¬ cording to the strict rules of theoretical justice, the policy was unquestionable. This I instance of rigour effectually discouraged the papists from continuing their attempts against the government, and operated as a constant check on the turbulent spirit of the Non-jurors.” I can only lament, on this occasion, that policy and justice should ever be at variance with each other. A plot had been discovered, in which Dr. I Atterbury, now. Bishop of Rochester, wlio had been long a strenuous^ and a warm 8 difender GEORGE I. 81 defender of High ‘ Church principles, was ■ supposed to be concerned, and to which he fell a sacrifice. As the crime alledg'ed against him did not appear to be clearly ' ascertained, a Bill of pains and penalties was l^rought into parliament, and passed, by ‘which he was deprived of liis office and benefice, and banished the'kingdom for ever. As long as elegant language, ac¬ companied with sound argument and piety, remains, so long will Atterbury be remem¬ bered. It is to be regretted that his bril¬ liant abilities should be at all sullied by the violence of his temper and principles ; and that he should consider his attachment to a church which he could not but love, consistent with the introduction of a go- vernour whom, for his religion, at least, he , could not but condemn. . The opinions of opposite parties, as usual, , ran high on this occasion. The punishment of the Bishop did not meet with universal approbation, particularly from tliose who attributed his removal to the constant opposition which G he A. D. 1714 - 1727 . f $ I \ GEORGE I. A. t 5 . he had given to the measures of the minister. 1714—Under pretence of his being afflicted with the gout, he was publicly prayed for during his confinement in the Tower, in almost t all the churches and chapels of London and Westminster Aspiring and ambitious, and attached from principle to the family of the Preten¬ der, one fact,” says Coxe, highly fa¬ vourable to Atterbury, ought not to be omitted ; he remained at. all times, during his exile, true to the protestant religion, and regular in the performance of its duties. He reprobated with warmth the conduct of those of his party who had sacrificed their religion with a view to obtain the Preten¬ der’s favour; and even quarrelled with the Duke of Berwick who proposed giving a- catholic preceptor to the young duke of Buckingham, and used his utmost influence over the Duchess to place none but pro- testants about the person of her son.” ? Coxe’s Life of Sir Robert Walpole. 3 During I GEORGE I. 83 During this reign, when religious dis- a. vl putes ran high, the learned and pious Dr. r o ^ r -J rynty William Wake presided in the See of Can¬ terbury. In this interval, and particularly in 1717, and in 1718, a correspondence of a private nature was carried on between him and some Doctors of the Sarbonne, relative to an union between the English and Galilean churches. The whole corres¬ pondence is before the public and will an¬ swer for itself, as well as reply to the Au¬ thor of the Confessional, who has aspersed the reverend prelate as betraying the in¬ terests of the Church of England. If, as Mosheim had represented, each of the two communities had been allowed to re¬ tain the greatest part of their respectim and peculiar doctrines,'' every true ' protestant would have revolted at the idea of such an union. But if the Archbishop entered into the correspondence, as Macleane, his translator and commentator observes, with ' * Mosheim, Vol. 5. Append. 5. G 2 a view - 84 GEORGE I. a view to improve one of the most favour¬ able opportunities that could be offered, of withdrawing the church of France, from the jurisdiction of the Pope, a circumstance which must have immediately weakened the power of the court of Rome, and, ia its consequences, offered a fair prospect of a farther reformation in doctrine and xcor- ship, as the case happened in the Church of England, when it happily threw off the papal yoke”—then, though many might be I inclined to think the scheme impracticable under any arrangement, yet the good pre¬ late’s intention would have been unim- neached. The Church of Rome and the A \ Church of England, under then, and pre¬ sent, circumstances, never could, or can, coalesce. But he who endeavours to ame¬ liorate opposite interests, without betraying that cause which is dearer to him than life itself, deserves well of his fcllow'-crcatures. Archbishop Wake has been censured for opposing the repeal of the schism-bill at one period, which he had represented at another GEORGE I. 15 another, as an hardship upon the dissenters. In answer to this, it is said, that the spirit of the times had changed. . During the mi¬ nistry of Bolingbroke, in the reign of Queen Anne, the dissenters were in a state of oppression, and were objects of com¬ passion. In the reign of George I. the contrary was the case; and the dissenters became violent to a great degree, which rendered them formidable to those who were jealous of the power, privileges, and autho¬ rity of the established church The names of-many eminent and excel¬ lent men grace the annals of these times; and in arts and sciences the kingdom was advancing rapidly towards celebrity. I wish I could add, that practical religion had been in an equal state of progressive improve¬ ment. A. D. 1714— 1727. * Macleane. END OF PART THE SECOND, G 3 PART i 86 PART III. SECTION I. Containing Reflections, S^c. on the former Part ofl the Reign of George II. from ' . ' ' A. D. 1727— rp D. I HE history of a church, as of a nation 1727—in prosperity, may be comprised within a very narrow compass. Few are the words. ' which tranquillity requires, as it is more an object of feeling than of description. However desirable such a situation may be supposed, either in private or in public life, \ experience too surely proves that it is at¬ tended with danger. In the hour of sickr ness or calamity, the mind rests not on its own powers ; it looks for help, and receives it from him ‘‘ who never leaves us nor for¬ sakes us. ” But when we are fanned by the gentle I GEORGE II. 87 gentle gales of prosperous fortune—what is a. our conduct then? Elated by present sue- 1727— cess, and careless of every future event, we glide before the wind, and never re¬ flect on the necessity of circumspection, till the sunken rock in calm water, or the sudden storm in the open ocean, brings us to a proper sense of our danger. Almost every period in the history of the Christian church presents us with an example of this truth. In the earliest ages of chris* tianity, before it received the protection of temporal power, how pure were its doc¬ trines, how exemplary was the conduct of its votaries ! Persecution in her most for¬ midable shape brought to them no real terrors. The martyr and the confessor, like St. Paul, ‘‘ approved themselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in af¬ flictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments”—nay, in death itself. During the early period of a suf¬ fering church, how often were such scenes beheld ? It might reasonably have been ex- Q 4 pected N S8 GEORGE It. A. D. pected that when an Emperor became its 1727 nursing father^ no more apprehensions could be entertained for its prosperity. The prospect indeed is pleasing which a con¬ temporary describes, ‘‘ The people of all ages and either sex concurred joyfully and religiously in the discharge of their duties, preserving an entire unity among them¬ selves in the bond of peace and love, and in righteousness of life: which prosperous and indeed triumphant state of the church militant was every day confirmed and im¬ proved by the many laws and rescripts that were published in our favour —But what says another Father of'our church of the same prosperous period? Thus favoured and fortified, the church might long hav^e enjoyed, not only peace and se¬ curity, but very profitable and magnificent privileges, had not her own bowels bred such a flame in her, that in comparison of it, the worst persecution had been a very * Eusebius. Parker’s Trans, p, 153. . • great GEORGE II* great blessing*.” The Arian heresy soon a. d. distracted the tranquillity of the church; ' and, as the same Author observes, ‘‘from ^ “ an ember was soon kindled a general con? V , flagration ” These observations apply themselves with some force to the period of the century at- which I am now arrived. The church of England might be said to enjoy a state of greater tranquillity at the opening of the reign of George the second than for many preceding years. • An attempt to re-establish popery had been repelled not long before, and government, under the happy auspices of the Brunswick-line, was too strong to excite any emotions. Many prelates of great piety and abilities presided in . the church. Ecclesiastical controversies lessen- ed in number and in virulence. The cha¬ racteristic^ terms of High Church and Low Church became imperceptiby changed into Court and Country-party: and though I \ * Socrates. P. 187. mig - GEORGE II. Whig and Tory were still considered as po¬ litical distinctions ; and parliamentary lead¬ ers were no less violent in support of what each imagined to be the good of the nation, it^loes not appear to me that the church of England had any formidable enemies, but such as were at the same time enemies of the state. Yet with all these advantages, we are sorry to confess, that the practice of true religion had undergone a melan«- choly change. The dangers, dr at least the storms to which the church had been exposed in the beginning of the centur}*, and for some time afterward, haal restrained the encroachments of vice in her professors, and been essential preservatives of her vir¬ tue. But now that watchings had ceased, and carefulness become less necessary, we find the great body of the people relaxing- in their moral and religious conduct, and the overflowings of ungodliness were become too familiar to make them afraid. T"or a proof of the observation I refer to ihe historians of the day. A contemporary remarkSj GEORGE ir. 91 remarks, though I hope with some colour¬ ing of imagination, that “ thieves and rob¬ bers were now [1730] become more des¬ perate and savage than ever they had ap¬ peared since mankind were civilized, ' In the exercise of their rapine they wounded, maimed, and even murdered the unhappy sufferers through a wantonness of barba¬ rity/' But we will not consider this as the t only proof of the observation. A few years after this [1742, 3] a celebrated debate took place in the House of Lords, in conse¬ quence of a motion for altering the duties on spirituous liquors, and permitting them again to be sold with less restraint; in which a retrospect is given by some of the \ noble speakers, of the gradual progress of the people towards greater degrees of dis¬ sipation. The instances adduced are spe¬ cific : and the time of this degeneracy par¬ ticularly marked. “ It is well known,” said Lord Bathurst, “ that the farmers have been hitherto distinguished, by the virtues qf frugality, temperance, and industry; that A, D. 1727— f I y V / 92! GEORGE II. D. that they laboured-hard, add spent little; 1727—and were therefore justly considered as au innocent and useful part of the community, whose employment and parsimony preserved them, in a great measure, from the general infection of vice which spread its influence among the traders and men of estates. But even this abstemious class of men have of late relaxed in their frugality, and sulfered themselves to be tempted by this infatu¬ ating liquor; nor is any thing now more cornmon than to find it in those houses in which ale, a few years ago, was the highest pitch of luxury to which they aspired; and to see those hours wasted in intoxicating entertainments, which were dedicated for¬ merly to the care of their farms, and the . - ' improvement of their fortunes The amazing * Johnson’s Debates. + The continuance of the century has not only not " removed from this description of men this fatal ' pro¬ pensity, but has added a new luxury, by the accidental, though pefhaps, not general, use of wine, I speak not of t GEORGE II. 93 amazing increase (said Lord Carteret) of a. d. the consumption of spirits for the last ten 1/^^ ' years, is a proof too evident of the pre¬ valence of this destructive species of drunk¬ enness. It is well known that these liquors have 7 iot been lo7ig in use among the common people,"" It was discovered that spirituous liquors could be distilled from grain and other products of our own soil; instead ^ therefore of importing them from abroad at an expence too great for the lower ranks of men, the discovery gave rise to the nexo trade of distilling. Thus a new temptation was introduced into this country, and tend¬ ed, among other causes, to the deterioration ■* of the lower order of farmers, for their prosperity has not kept pace with the times, but of those opulent oc¬ cupiers of large farms, or cultivators of their omi estates, formerly known by the name of Yeomen. In the early part of the century, home-brewed ale was the common beverage both of the Gentleman and the Husbandman, the latter never using wine, and the former only to cheer, the festivity of Christmas, of 94- GEORGE ir. A. D. of public morals*. These circumstances 1727 being' ascertained, the representation of the historian will appear more credible, that at this time the retailers of this pernicious liquor provided cellars and places strewed with straw, to which they conveyed those wretches who were overwhelmed with in¬ toxication f. ” In these dismal caverns they lay until they recovered some use of their faculties, and then they had recourse to the same mischievous potion; thus con¬ suming their health, and ruining their fa¬ milies in hideous receptacles of the most filthy vice, resounding with riot, execra¬ tion, and blasphemy.” About this time the venerable Dr. Ste¬ phen Hales, of Teddington, published the se- * In the year 1733 the number of gallons distilled was 3,900,000, which in 1735 was increased to 5,300,000. E7ery year added another million of gal¬ lons to the quantity distilled, till in the year 174Z they arose to 7,100,000, and in the following year 12,000,000 gallons were'consumed. f Smollet. \ cond CEOllGE ri. 9S concledition of a Tract, intitled ^‘Distilled a. d. spirituous liquors the bane of the nation,” 1727 Svo. A new edition some time afterwards i appeared with additions, and an appendix ; which was called ‘^Friendly Admonition to \ the Drinkers of Gin, Brandy, and other Spi¬ rituous Liquors, which are so destructive to the industry, morals, healtli, and lives of ' the people^” In a posthumous treatise b}^^ the same Author, speaking of distilled spi¬ rituous liquors, he says, ‘'Howmuch there¬ fore does it behove ail, who have any con- cern for the honour and dignity of their own kindred species, any indignation at its , ' being thus debased and degraded, any bowels of pity for the vast multitudes— . , not less perhaps than a million 1 that are % yearly destroyed all over the world,- by the- moral, as well as natural, and therefore the" xeorst of all evils that ever befel unhappy i * man; to use their utmost endeavours to deliver mankind from the Pest*!” Dreadful , • ,.» * The following paragraph from a public News¬ paper GEORGE rr. A. D. 1727— Dreadful as. these excesses were, disst-^ pation and want of principle were not con-* fined to the lower orders of the people. Du-» ring the Session of 1731, Jim members of parliament were expelled the house for the most sordid acts of knavery : a sure sign, I adds the same historian, of national deire- neracy and dishonour.—Notwithstanding the unhappy circumstances of recent times, paper [Nov. 1801.], founded, I have no doubt, on I fact, will confirm the above statement of the melan¬ choly deftruction of the human race by the intemperate use of spirituous liquors. “ The Lords Provosts, Ma¬ gistrates, and Councils, of Edinburgh and (jlasgow, have sent memorials to the Lords of the treasury, pray, ing, that the prohibition against distilling from corn and malt may be continued. The high price of spirits ' has almost weaned thousands of the labouring class, from the vile and pernicious habit of drinking them; and it is a fact that cannot be disputed, that, owing to this circumftance, the health of the people has been improved, in spite of the scanty supply of provisions with which they were obliged to be satisfied.’*-—Can the augmentation of the revenue by these ?r.eamj be any consideration when weighed in this balance ? with GEOrvGK IT. f 97 with virtuous exultation we look back upon these days o£ relaxationand though we do ilot commend ourselves, yet may we be allowed to assume praise to the public mo¬ rals of our nation, when delinquents of this distinguished rank- are almost, if not alto¬ gether, unknown. To the po'pular publications of the day must we look for the delineation of popular manners. The hasty pamphlet, or the Jugi- I five essay, will frequently afford imj)oitant materials for the historian. Indeed at the distance of only half a century, or a very little more, our father's or our own recollec¬ tion will amount in many cases to actual demonstration. These sources will confirm the observations I have extracted concern¬ ing the deterioration of public morals at this period. We have seen, that both the liiii'her and lower ranks were involved in the same charges. Two authoi’s of no common celebrity will acquaint us, that an increased luxury and a fatal dissipation were ecjually prevalent in tlie middle order of society. 11 Jho A. D. 17 ^ 27 — GEOHGE II. The author of the Rambler, (no unworthy successor of Addison and Steele, whose va¬ luable moral essays appeared about the mid¬ dle of the century,) among the few papers which he owed to his friends, introduces one written by ah author from whom,” he ^ays, “ the age has received greater favours, who has enlarged the knowledge of human nature, and taught the passions to move at the command of virtue.” This author w’as Richardson; who by his excellent per¬ formances of Clarissa, Sir Charles Gran- dison, &c. endeavoured to correct the vi¬ tiated taste, as well as the vitiated morals, I of the times. The observation of Richardson in this paper forms an important link in the chain w’hich connects the davs of Ad- dison w'ith our own. When the Spec¬ tator,” he says, “ was first publislied in single papers, it gave me so much pleasure, that it is one of the favourite amusements of iny age to recollect it; and when I re- * Rambler, No. 9.7. « ' , fleet GEORGE II. 99 t fleet on the foibles of those times, as d6- a. d.' scribed in that useful work, atid compare ' them with the vices now reigning among us^ ^ I cannot but wish that you would oftener » take cognizance of the manners of the bet¬ ter half of the human species, that if your precepts and observations be carried down to posterity, the Spectators may shew to the rising generation, what were the fashion¬ able follies of their grandmothers, the Rambler of their mothers, and that from both they may draw instruction and warn¬ ing.” The churches,” he adds, ‘‘ were almost the only places where single women were to be seen by strangers. Men went thither expecting to see them, and perhaps too much for that purpose only. But some good often resulted, however improper might be the motives. 'Both sexes were in tlie way of their duty. The man niust,be aban¬ doned indeed who loves not goodness in another.” These observatipiis we shall find corresponding with those in this essay which describe public manners at the opening of H 2 tlie GEORGE II the century. The change, no doubt, was striking to the moralist,, even more so than to us, whose eyes, I fear, witness no dimi¬ nished ardour for dissipation. The ladies are engrossed by places of -open resort and general entertainment, which fill ever quar¬ ter of the metropolis.” He describes the different places of amusement and dissipa¬ tion which the general dissoluteness of manners had contributed to make very fre¬ quent ; routs^ drums, concerts, balls, &c. for the evening, a??d even for all night. And in the summer there were assemblies in every country-town. ‘‘ By the natural in¬ fection of example,” he says, the lowest people have places of six-penny resort, and gaming-tables for pence. Thus servants are now induced, by fraud and dishonesty, to support extravagance and supply their losses.” About tills period the immorality of the drama had increased, and the most inde¬ cent, seditious, and blasphemous pieces were performed, and resorted to with incredible eagerness. - GEORGE IT. 101 eagerness. Among those .who principally supported this low ribaldry was the cele¬ brated Henry Fielding, who, in one of his pieces, called Pasquin, ridiculed in the gross¬ est terms, the three professions pf Divinity, Law, and Physic, and gave general offence to persons of morality*.” The legisltiture • * could not be indifferent spectators- of the abuse of so rational an entertainment, and therefore [1735] passed a bill to re-instate the Lord Chamberlain, in his authority of censor of the stage, and check the pro¬ faneness, blasphemy, and sedition which ‘ thus openly corrupted the public ear. The only speech upon record, in opposition, was delivered by the Earl of Chesterfield. ‘ ‘ The fatal evils,” says Coxe, ‘‘ which were pre¬ dicted as the ; certain consequences of this bill, perpetual slavery, and the introduction of absolute authority, have not followed; the good effects, which were expectedsfrom it, have been confirmed by never-failing A. D. 1727— ♦ Coxe*s Life of Walpole, vol. ii.. p. 441. II3 experience. \ / / 102 OEORGE II, A. D. experience. While it suppressed the licen^ 1727 tiousness, it has not destroyed the spirit, of the drama : wit has not appeared less lovely and attracting in promoting virtue and curbing vice with decency, than in recom-^ mending treason and obscenity; nor are the shafts of ridicule rendered useless, be¬ cause while they have the power to do good, they are divested of the power to do mischief I sincerely wish that this observation, though certainly just as to many dramatic pieces which appeared soon after the play^^ house bill began to take effect, were equally so at present. The spirit of the drama evaporated, and left behind it dregs of the most pernicious tendency. The objections of Collier, which reformed the stage at one period, the act of parliarnept, which check¬ ed its licentiousness at another, loudly de^r mand at this moment the assistance of our pivil and religious governors, to controid ♦ Pojfc’s Life qf Walpole, vqU ii, p. 441# the 103 GEORGE II. the growing immorality and infidelity of modern dramatic representations. If the ^ state judge it proper to permit, and, indeed, to countenance, such places of public amusement, it ought to watch over them with a jealous eye; it ought to regulate with severity the language and the morals, r which are presented with ev^ery fascinating charm, to the notice of ingenuous youth. I add no more on the licentiousness of the times, but sincerely lament that, in many respects, the observation of moral writers in , the middle of the century may be consi¬ dered as a prophecy of public manners at its end. iEtas parentum, pejor avis tiilit Nos nequiores,— Hor, t • When we have seriously considered this picture of general depravity, do we not feel ourselves impressed with an awful sense of divine indignation ? And do not these words of a retributive Providence make us tremble for an approaching punishment? “ Shall I H 4 not • / •-I > GEORGE If. not visit for these things, saith the Lord ? and shall not my soul be avenged of such a nation as this ?” Various are the ways .by which retribution is inflicted; unknown, and frequently unexpected, are the means used ; sudden and unperceived does iC make its approach. War, pestilence, and famine are not the sole indications of tiie displeasure of God. A thoughtless and a dissipated people arc in the condition of those to whom God se7ids a delusion that they should hellem a lye, Ho\v wonderfully was this the case at this period of our public history? A great defection in the cause of religion, and an uncommon impulse of every vicious propensity, prepared the way for a disbelief of those everlasting truths, which, though the sceptic* may despise, no effort of man or devils can disprove, Thus does infidelity become its own punishment, inasmuch as it removes the blessings of public virtue, by encouraging the introduction of those vile principles which corrode that heart, origi¬ nal created for the reception of happiness, Alas! GEORGE ir. 105 Alas ! my brethren*'why will you wrest from a . i>. us, why will you deprive yourselves of that blessed hope of everlasting life, which is the cordial drop of our existence ? Though you should possess so much of the character of philosophers, in the modern acceptation of the word, as to tiwcept annihilation without trembling, why will you cut away from the hand of the devout Christian, the apples of gold which, a greater than Solomon offers to your view ? If you feel your heart cold to- I wards this, as 3^0would call him, huaginary benefactor of mankind, do not interfere with your neighbour's faith, which can do you no injury, but if you take it from him, you make him poor indeed^ ^ It would be difficult to arrange the seve¬ ral publications which at this period made 'their appearance, on the subject of infide¬ lity. I would not wish myself, neither would I persuade others, to toil through the many crude discourses of such writers, which have long since descended to the l-cg’ions of oblivion. But as there are many shades I 106 GEORGE IT. A. D. shades of infidelity, some of which may 1727 be thought pleasing by a vitiated taste, I w^ould gladly recommend to the modern students of those dreadful doctrines, the * excellent answers which appeared, almost in the same instant, to counteract their baneful consequences. But^ alas 1 how may this_be expected ? Who is it that desires to overthrow the bulwarks of Christianity, but he who does not chuse to place himself un¬ der her direction ? In order to understand by what steps " these dangerous opinions had arisen to the height which they occupied at the begin¬ ning of this reign, an author of this period [1733] informs us of its progress, and, for the credit of the Englisli name, he tells us, that “ Infidelity is not properly the natural • product of our country, but an exotic weed, which, (however it may thrive beyond the had no fixed rooting in this cold cli- mate, till the heat of our civil distractions gave room for the Leviathan to bring it in, and, -in process of time, for the Oracles 2 . of Alps) I GEORGE II. lor of Reason to make it grow*.” ^This para¬ graph suggests ail argument of caution. Civil discord is the parent even of religious , strife. When violence of opinion agitates the breast, it wishes to separate itself as far as possible from the object of its enmity. Not content, (as was the case in the last century,) with overthrowing the legitimate government of a nation, it proceeds to a total alteration of the mode of worship,-— ‘‘ come out from among them,” it says, and be ye separate,”—and, if that be not sufficient, civil discord goes one step fur- ther; she sets up Leviathan or her Oracles of ReasoUy and tramples underfoot all the blessings of revelation. From these two fountains or repositories, the same author acquaints us, the writers which followed in this pernicious track, drew 4 heir arguments and materials. About the beginning of the century, a club, as it was supposed, or combination of ♦ Stackhoufe*5 Defence of Religion. Pref. men, ^1 > GEORGE rr. I OS . D. 27 — ( » men,' published a work under the title of The Rights of the Christian Church asserted,” under the pretence of opposing the encroachments of popery, which was then the popular topic, and of course found an easy passage to the prejudices of the un- >vary protestant, in which they laboured at ' once to set aside all Christian ordinances, and the very being of a Christian ministry, and a Christian church ‘‘ A Discourse of Free-thinking,” from the same quarter, pretending to correct abuses in the doc¬ trines of the church, and calumniating her ministers, not long after made its appear- L an'ce in the world. The usual arts of insi¬ nuation were employed on both these occa¬ sions. The one .was adapted to affect the serious, ' the other, the more light and thoughtless part of mankind. But these were no more than the first essays of infi¬ delity, and weak attacks upon what, in comparison, we may call the ouWorks of * See Bishop Gibson’s first Pastoral Letter. chri^ I GEORGE TI. * / Christianity. For, though its ministers were vilified, and its mysteries ridiculed, yet the grmt proofs of its divine trutli and autho¬ rity remained as yet untouched; till in the year 1724, there was published A Dis¬ course of the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion.” , As Collins had en¬ deavoured in this work, under colour of great zeal for the Jewish dispensation, and the literal meaning of the scripture, to destroy the evidence of prophecy: Woolston, in 1727, made, an attack upon our Saviours miracles, and by pretending to raise the actions and miracles of Jesus Christ, to a more exalted and spiritual mean¬ ing, has laboured to take away the reality of them, and thus deprive us of one of the principal evidences of Christianity. The external evidences of our faith being’thus removed, it remained only for infidels to remove also its internal evidence.' This Tindal attempted, iii a book entitled ‘‘ Chris* tianity as old as_ the* Creation; or, The Gospel a Republication of*the Religion of Nature 109 ✓ A. D. 1727— 110 GEORGE II. A. D. Naturein which he represents the power 1727 —of reason as 2 i perfect guide in matters of religion, and exalts natural religion in oppo¬ sition to revealed, with no other view, than to get rid of the restraints of the latter; and to make way for the unbounded indulgence of corrupt appetites, and vicious inclina¬ tions ' These were the writers who pretended to release men from their ancient prejudices,- as they called them: these were the doc¬ trines by which this great reformation was intended to have been produced. But what were the fatal consequences ? In removing the motives of religion, they took away the restraints of virtue. Vice became so pre¬ dominant, 'that the venerable Prelate who at that time presided over the metropolis of the kingdom, thought the checking and -suppressing of these pernicious principles should be considered as a national concern. In the first of his three admirable Pastoral ^ Gibson and Staokhouse. Letters GEORGE II. Ill Letters written in answer to the free-thinkers a. n. of those times, [published in 1729, 1750, 1727 and 1731] he bears witness to the general depravity of the nation. I quote his words as corroborating the sentiments I have be¬ fore advanced upon this subject. They ' who live in these great cities (says the good Bishop,) or have V had frequent recourse to them, and have any concern for religion, must have observed^ to their great grief, that ! prophaneness and impiety’ are grown bold and open ; that a new sort of vice of a very ' liorrible nature, and almost unknown before i in these parts of the world, was sprmging I up and gaining ground among us, if it had not been checked by the seasonable care of V the civil administration ; that in some late I writings, public stexvs have been openly vin¬ dicated, . and public vices recommended to i the protection of the government, as public I benefits*; and that great pains have been / I taken to make men easy in their vices, and I* ( * Mandeville^s Fi*ble of the Bees^ i i to I I 4 - 1 i i f I 112 GEORGE TI. r to deliver them from the restraints of con¬ science, by undermining all religion, and promoting atheism and infidelity/' It is not without an inexpressible anguisli of mind that we peruse such descriptions of the depravity of the times, that we see- I vices, so detestable in their nature, so dread¬ ful in their consequences, brought forward, ^ / as it were, on the waves of a tempestuous ocean, and placed before our eyes in all their native deformity. At the same time the religious contemplarist will console him¬ self with reflecting, that many a pious dis¬ ciple of his Saviour was secretly devoting himself to the service of religion, that he I was preparing himself in private to contend openly for the faith. This age, so abundant in pernicious fruits, was abundant also in beneficial antidotes. It is. impossible to enumerate the faithful band who now stood forward in the gap. Every rank and order of men united, in this sacred cause. It may I be expected, that those who serve at the Altar should, on an emergency, l^rhig forth their t GEORGE I r. 113 their strong reasons, (and they are faithless . stewards of the mysteries of God, if' tliey do not:) but the church, at thiSj as well as' other periods, hath supplied champions of another sort, who held no interest in tlie contest, but that common interest, which renders the revelation of the gospel the great and universal concern of all mankind . . For this reason, upon this occasion we meet with the names of sectarists of no com¬ mon celebrity, mixed with those of prelates and pious ministers of the church of Eng¬ land. May this always be the case 1 may we consider the general cause of religion as < superior to any particular profession of it It will always happen, that the various un¬ derstandings of men will produce various modes of thinking and acting, though surely not all of equal excellence, purity or autlio- rity. When all the serious, therefore, of every denomination of Christians concur in one great work, in rescuing the venerable I ' form of religion from the hands of unbe-^ I lievers, let us hless the end, liow^ver we may I differ A. D. 1727 f GEORGE IT. differ in the means. The names of Butler, of Chandler, of Sherlock, and of Gibson, were eminently distinguished: they were of themselves an host, and maintained with truth and dignity the controversies of the day. ]\Iany private clergymen of oiir church, not only from the seats of learn¬ ing, but from their rural retreats, stepped forth to combat the common enemy. Among the dissenting clergy, 'many of the same description appeared. Leland’s “ View of the Deistical Writers,” stands high in the estimation of the believing Christian ; and if Lardner’s faitiv in Christ had been as sound as his evidences of Christianity, we might iiave united the names of these two emi¬ nent Tion-conforming divines in equal praises with that of the truly amiable and pious Doddridge. Numerous answers, as it might be sup¬ posed, of different value and estimation, were made to the writings of the “deists. After Tindal’s book appeared, it met with many opponents, ‘‘ A Defence of the Re¬ ligion GEORGE II- 115 liffion of Nature and the Christian Re- a. d- ligion against the defective account of the ^ one, and the exceptions of the other, in a book entitled Christianity as old as the Creation, by Simon Browne,” was published in 1732, by Mr. Harris, who says in the preface, Mr. Forster first appeared upon this occasion, and has argued with great beauty and strength. Mr. Browne has taken a greater compass, and reduced'the whole book to the natural order of things, and made his work a proper system of the whole controversy with the deists*.” Among other writers, Tindafs book was replied to liy Dr. Danfel Waterland, who had been celebrated by his tracts and dis¬ courses on the Trinity, in a controversy with Dr. Samuel Clarke, during the late late reign. He now published a ‘‘ Vindi¬ cation of Scripture, &c.” but this not meet- * The reader of this controversy should be referred to Dr. Wall’s Caveat against Infidelity, 1729—Camp- N bell proving the Apostles no Enthusiasts—Broughton and Dr. T. Burnett against Tindal—Dr. Conybeare’s Defence of revealed Religion, &c. I 2 ing At. D. 1727— GEOUGE ir. ing with the approbation of Dr. Conyers Middleton, tlie orthodoxy of whose faith ✓ was justly suspected; he answered it in a letter, containing some remarks upon it, to¬ gether with a sketch of another aiiswer to Tindafs book. This brought into the field a defendei' of Waterland, Dr. Pearce, late Bishop of Rochester, who treated Middleton as an infidel, 'or enemy to Christianity in disguise, who under the pretext of defend¬ ing it in a better manner, meant all the while to subvert it*. In every department of life, what enemy is so dangerous as a pretended friend ? At this period the Tryal of the Wit¬ nesses of the, Resurrection of Jesus,” by Dr. Sherlock, was universally read and ad- nhrcdi. A cloud of answerers, like an army of locusts, immediately appeared to destroy the sweet herb, and lay waste the verdant pastures of the Christian faith. So well prepared were the minds of men at this time Life of Mi.idleron. Bio», Diet. for GEORGE II. 117 for such destructive principles, that three a. d. editions of a deistical answer, by Peter Annet, were soon disposed of, besides two other pamphlets written by him, viz. ‘‘ The Re¬ surrection re-considered,” and ‘‘ The Re¬ surrection Defenders stripped of all Pre¬ tences.” It may be proper to remark, that Peter Annet was one of the few infidels in this century who, as such, have felt the force of the secular arm. After a long life spent in the same pursuits, he was sentenced by the court of Kings Bench [Nov. 29, 1762] to imprisonment and the pillory ; and has been considered by his associates as a martyr to the cause which he espoused. That the principles, and not the n^n, were the chief ! object of punishment, we are told, that Archbishop Seeker, during Annet’s imprison¬ ment in Newgate, sent to make enquiry into his pecuniary affairs, and offered considera¬ ble assistance, which Annet, far advanced in years, did not live to enjoy So tolerant * Reid, on the Rise and Dissolution of the infidel Societies. I 3 was IIB GEORGE- II. ' A. D. was the church, and so amiable was the Primate of all England, that we are in¬ formed by the present Bishop of London, in his Review of the Life of Archbishop Seeker, that ‘‘ whenever any publications came to his knowledge that were manifestly calculated to corrupt good morals, or subvert the foun¬ dations of Christianity, he did his utmost to stop the circulation of them : yet the wretched authors themselves, he was so far from' wishing to treat with any undue ri¬ gour, that he has more than once extended bis bounty to them in distress.” It is with true comfort and consolation of heart; that I am enabled at this period to , introduce the names of two strenuous and sticcessful defenders of the faith of Christ, / whose arguments will be considered as the more powerful, in consequence of having wrotio’ht the fullest conviction in their own o breasts. West and Lyttelton, laymen, and one of them not more illustrious by his no¬ bility than by his talents and integrity, to use a modern phrase, deserved well of their D country. GEORGE II. 119 country. ‘‘ The Tryal of the Witnesses” a. d. had been attacked in a publication, entitled 1727— The Resurrection of Jesus considered in Answer to the Tryal of the Witnesses, by a moral Philosopher,” (the philojhpher, I pre- ' sume, mentioned a little above) which en¬ deavoured to overturn the testimony of the Evangelists, by attempting to shew, that they contradicted each other in the account they have given of this fact. The replies to this pamphlet not meeting with the entire approbation of Mr. West, in 1747 he pub¬ lished his ‘‘ Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ"^,” a work replete with conviction, and the more estimable as proceeding from the ,pen of one, to whom, in Dr. Johnson’s language, the grave might be without its terrors,” His apology for making * Suffer me to recommend as a companion to this ex- A cellent book, A Discourse on the Evangelical His- • tory, from the Interment to the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,’^ by the late Rev; Thomas Townson, D. D, .‘Oxford, 1793, I 4 his 1^0 A. D, 1727— \ GEORGE ir. his observations public, includes an argu- ment of weight, when addressed to unber lievers. How absolutely groundless,” he says, the opinions [of infidels] are, will easily appear to any one who will take the pains to examine fairly and impartially the proofs and doctrines of the Christian reli¬ gion ; proofs established upon facts, the surest foundations of evidence; and doc¬ trines derived by inspiration, from the great author of reason and Father o^all mankind, .Whoever hath either neglected, or doth rcr fuse to make this examination, can have no right to pass his judgment upon Christianity, and should methinks, for the same reason,- / be somewhat cautious of censuring those, who acknowledge it to be of divine institu- tion; especially as he will find in the list of Christians, the great and venerable names of Bacon, Milton, Boyle, Locke and Newton * ; nanies to whose authority every I » thing s » f ,0 V * To this list many illustrious laymen of our own age might be added-—Dr. Sam. Johnson, Jacob Bryant, GEORGE JI,. thing should submit but truth, to whom they themselves thought it not beneath their superior talents to submit, though she required them to believe in Christ,^'" Mr. West, as well as his friend lord Lyt¬ telton, as I have intimated, had “ listened to the blandishments of infidelity.” Hap¬ pily for both, they were soon made sen¬ sible of their error. It was from Wests studies -and conversation, that ^.yttelton received that conviction which produced / his.celebrated dissertation. Let this intance of success, add new melodies to the voice of friendship: let us consider ourselves as performing the highest offices of love, when we use the precious moments of domestic affection or amicable converse, in pouring into the faithful breast of a husband or a wife, a beloved child, or a dear friend, those truths which add new charms even to terrestrial enjoyments, by extending their f Efq. Wm, Wilberforce, Esq. Mr. Cowper the Poet, 121 Af D. 1727— i ♦ influence GEORGE II, influence far beyond the narrow span of human existence. Lord Lyttelton, says his excellent bio¬ grapher, had, in the pride of juvenile con¬ fidence, with the help of corrupt conver¬ sation, entertained doubts of the truth of Christianity: but he thought the time now come when it was no longer fit to doubt or believe by chance, and applied himself seriously to tlie great question. His studies being honest ended in conviction. He , found that religion was true, and what he had learned he endeavoured to teach [1747] • f by Observations upon the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul, in a Letter to Gil¬ bert West, esq. a treatise to which infi¬ delity has never been able to fabricate a specious answer. I cannot dismiss this amiable character, without relating from » the same eloquent Author, a part of his last interesting and affecting conversation with his physician. Doctor,” said he, / you shall be iny Confessor: when ! first “ set out in the world, I had friends who I endeavoured GEORGE II. 123 endeavoured to shake my belief in the a. d. Christian religion. I saw difficulties which staggered ; but I kept my mind open to conviction. The evidences and doctrines ‘‘ of Christianity, studied with attention, “ made me a most firm and persuaded be- liever of the Christian religion. I have’ made it the rule of my life, and it is the ground of my future hopes.’’ ^ - When we have seriously and attentively perused this narrative, we may say to the unbeliever, as Addison on his death-bed said to his son-in-law, the young Earl of Warwick—See ! how a Christian can die.” A few years before this period [1738] a celebrated work was published, the tenden- I cy of which was to support the authority of revelation in opposition to the prevail- ^ Ang system of unbelievers. The different volumes of this work appeared at intervals of several years, and, as they were deli- . vered to the public, occasioned warm and frequent discussions. This was Dr. Warbur- ton’s ‘‘ Divine Legation of Moses demon¬ strated ‘ 124 GIORGE II. A. D. strated on the Principles of a religious Deist, the Omission of the Doctrine of a fu¬ ture State of Rewards and Punishments in the Jewish Dispensation.” Antagonists rose' “ up in abundance, for there will always be a diversity of opinions even in the defence of sacred truths. The author, however, ‘‘ de¬ fended himself,” says his biographer, in a manner, which if it did not prove him to be possessed of much humility or diffi- V deuce, at least demonstrated that he knew how to wield the weapon of controversy with the hand of a master The his¬ tory of theology at this period of the cen¬ tury, and for several succeeding years, will often have recourse to the name of War- burton. His understanding was too strong to be without importance, and the natural ' exertion of liis' mind too powerful to he neglected. He was a man,” says Dr. Johnson, in his life of Pope, ‘^of vigorous faculties, a mind fervid and-vehement, sup- \ Biogiraph. Di( 5 lionarv. ' \ plied ' bEOllGK II. plied by incessant and unlimited enquiry, with wonderful extent and variety of know- ! ledge, which yet had not oppressed his iina- I gination, nor clouded his perspicacity. To every work he brought a memory full fraught, together with a fancy fertile of i combinations, and at once exerted the pow- i ers of the scholar, the reasoner, and the wit.” Ill 1748, Dr. Warburton’s pen was well I employed in making a reply to Dr. Middle- II ton’s ‘‘ Free Enquiry into the miraculous I Powers which are supposed to have subsisted I in the Christian Church from the earliest ( ■ ! . Ages, through several successive Centuries.” This work was the foundation of long discussions. It juftly alarmed every friend j of religious revelation, since the argument could not be maintained without injuring, ♦ ' if not destroying, the long established re- I putation of the early fathers of the church. I It is very inimical to the interests of truth, I that at the time when open enemies are di- j recting all their artillery against ancient I • I bulwarks, a pretended friend, a child, as 126 GEORGE II. A. D. we may say, should arise out of her own 1727 bosom, and set up a weak defence for the purpose of betraying the cause which it was his duty to support In opposition to these sentiments of Dr. Middleton, Dodwell and Church distinguished themselves with much ' zeal and ability. To the latter, upon this occasion, the Bishop of London informs us, the amiable and learned Archbishop Secker gave considerable assistance. These theoloo;ical controversies continued for some time to agitate the public mind. Many, I doubt not, received from the in¬ genious answers the information and con¬ viction which they sought: but it is always to be lamented that cause should be given for such disputations, or when it is given, that the important subject should not be discussed with calmness, and candour. Too ready are the disaffected either in church or state, to take improper advantages of po¬ litical or religious dissentions. It is true, in more sen.ses^.than one—delirant reges, plectuntur Acliivi.’^ How often might we observe GEORGE II. 127 observe with an ingenuous controversialist of the era wliich I am now considerins;—• I wrote,” says he, such and such works —these were favourably received by the public; yet when the heat of controversy was over, I could not look into them myself xvithout disgust and pain. . The spleen of Middleton, and the petulancy of Warburton,^ (as he chose to call it) who were then the writers in vogue, had too much infected me, as they had other young scribblers . But the danger to which cliristianity was exposed, was much heightened by the pub¬ lication of the works of Hume, a subtile and a penetrating philosopher, who was watching the moment to introduce with most effect, the pernicious poison of,his principles. We need go no farther than the narrative which he entitles My (nvn Lfe” fo behold the malicious satisfaction ‘ * Dr. Heathcote's Life written by himself, in Ni¬ chols’s Historv of Leicestershire. ^ ‘v Brit. Critic. Nov, 1800. * * * : which \ A. D. 1727— / \ 1 r 12$ GEORGE tX. A. D. which he takes in his supposed success. I 1727 would to God that I'could not add, that among philosophers of his own rank and character, not merely of the thoughtless, but of the thoughtful part of mankind, too many had not tasted of the insane root^ \ which produces in the moral as well as religious system, the bitterness even of death itself. ■ Ilis first publication which appeared t in 1738, viz. A Treatise of Human Na¬ ture,” he says, fell'dead-born from the. pressy without reaching such distinction as even to excite a murmur among the ' zealotsd' This circumstance he does not i « , ‘ relate out of modesty, but to contrast it with the rapid and large circulation of his subsequent publications, and' to shew the gradual impression which they made upon the w*orkI. In 174-2, the first part of bis Essays was more favourably received. Soon after he rc-cast his treatise, which now ap¬ peared as an ^‘Enquiry concerning Human Understanding,”* but with no better fortune than before; for, as he observes, he had the I GEORGB li¬ the 'mortification to find all England in a ferment on account of Dr. Middleton’s “ Free Enquiry,” while his performance was entirely overlooked and neglected: still, however, he persevered, and by new pro¬ vocations obtained the opposition* he de¬ sired, ‘‘Answers,” he says, “ by reverends and right reverends came out two. and three in a year, and I found, by Dr; Warbur- ton’s railing, that the books were begin¬ ning to be esteemed in good company.” It is not likely, that he, who would de¬ stroy the ^beautiful fabric of morals, found¬ ed upon the pure doctrines of religion, who would cast a shade, a deadly shade, over that prospect which presents to our eyes objects full of glory and full of comfort, by introducing an universal scepticism, should be suffered to enjoy his laurels with im¬ punity. Many writers appeared to contro¬ vert his positions, but none more happily I than Dr. Beattie in his “ Essay on.the Na¬ ture and Immutability of Truth, in Opposi¬ tion to Sophistry ^nd Scepticism.” In this K admirable 190 A. D. 1727 / 130 " GEORGE II. A. D. admirable work a laudable zeal for the best 1727 interests of man, is delivered in language which the purest simplicity of youth may understand. It became fashionable, about this period, to revive the philosophy of Shaftesbury, and his works, in polite circles, were uni¬ versally read and admired ; a woeful proof of the turn of mind which then generally prevailed. His principles, however, were discussed and well refuted in Dr. Brown’s elegant Essay on the Characteristic^” In 1754 the posthumous works of Bo- • lingbroke, another nobleman of equal cele¬ brity as an infidel and a sceptic, were pub¬ lished by Mallet. The wild and pernici- ous ravings, under the name of philosophy, which were thus ushered into the world, gave great offence to well-principled men and gave ' occasion to,. Dr. Johnson to re- » « mark, as his biographer observes, that, the i * author thus evinced both his want of pinn- ciple and his cowardice ; his want of prin¬ ciple, in charging a blunderbuss against re- liftion GEORGE it. 131 ligion and morality ; 'and cowardice, because a. d. he had not resolution to lire it olF himself, but left it to another to draw the trigger after his death *. The contents, however, , of this weapon were not so destructive as their author intended, or-the public ex¬ pected. ' . Bolingbroke possessed great animation of countenance, elegance of manners, and % dignity of deportment He was fascinating in conversation, of commanding eloquence, abounding in wit and fancy, master of po¬ lite learning, which he knew how to draw forth on all occasions. In his private, cha¬ racter he was without morals, and without principles, not^ only not concealing, but rather proud of his profligacy f. ” “ The known abilities and infidelity of this nobleman had created apprehensions in the minds of many persons, of the perni¬ cious effects of his doctrines; and nothing * BoswelPs Life of Johnson, Vol, i. p. 240^ f Coxe’s Life of Sir Robert Walpole. \ n S but *132 GEORGE II. % A. D. but the appearance of his whole 'force could 1727 have convinced his friends how little there was to be dreaded from arguments against religion so weakly supported This ob¬ servation may be applied without distinction to almost every writer on the side of infi- \ delity. Why then, it may be said, are we so ready to repel their attacks?—Because the careless and unthinking arc so liable to fall into their snares : they flatter the pas¬ sions; they present false colours to the imagination; they seduce, and finally de¬ stroy, theTirm faculties of the mind. These circumstances call forth the pens of the , learned, and the in treaties of the 'pious. Every man, according to his ability, puts on the armour which best suits his con¬ dition, and stands forward as the defender of his dearest rights. At this^ period were not wanting the champions of truth. Dr. Warburton’s course of sermons, preached at JJncolifs Inn the year before, intituled, t • i * Biog* Diet. .\rt.'Warburton. . , “The / I 13S : ' g'eorge 11 , The Principles of Natural and Revealed Re¬ ligion occasionally opened and explained/' were published to counteract the effect of Bolingbroke’s philosophy, which took away from the Supreme Being every moral at¬ tribute, and left only that which considers him as the great lirst cause, and original \ i maker of all things. Among many other i annotators on the works of Bolino;broke, ' Archbishop Seeker again lent his assistance I to Dr. Church *. I That I might not interrupt the narrative i of publications on the subject of infidelity i during this period, I have advanced ,be- ' yond several circumstances which must be i considered in the subsequent part of this, I essay. Indeed from the nature of things, i several events must of consequence be colla- 1 tcral, and require separate discussion. An ac¬ count of the religious societies which sprang up about this time, some of tliein evidently with an intention of opposing the perni- r * Bishop Porteus’s Life of Archbishop Seeker. k' 3 cions i • / /.. i- 1 • i D ' . . 1 A. D.'- 3 727 — ■ I 154 GEORGE II. A. D, 1 - 727 — cious tenets which then universally pre^ vailed, will follow with greater propriety the foreo'oin^ observations. However erroneous some of the methods adopted for this pur¬ pose may have been, or however inadequate in some instances to the great cause whicli they intended to support, certainly their pious endeavours are entitled to commen¬ dation. The effects of infidelity are but too visi¬ ble in the world. An unbeliever in the sacred truths of Christianity deservedly ex¬ poses himself to reproof," both in a moral and a religious light. He who depends only on the rectitude,of nature as a principle of action,' depends upon a broken resek This truth would become still more obvious, if we were to scrutinize the lives and conduct $ of the unbelieving fraternity. But it is not for erring man to judge his brother. To ]iis own master every man standeth or falleth. While we argue in favour of Chris¬ tianity, let us not forget that we are chrisr tians, By their fruits ye shall know them — is I GEORGE II. 135 is true of every Class of opinions, of every profession of religion. The church*of Eng- 1727- land is amongst the first in the benevolence of her prayers : let us adopt her words, and let the fount of true devotion enrich every faithful heart with the purity of her streams —• Have mercy upon all Jews,' Turks, Infi* dels, and Hereticks ; and take from them all ignorance,' hardness of heart,' and contempt of thy word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, - to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ, our Lord^.” ♦ Collect for Good Friday, end of part III, SECT, I, K 4 PART I 136' - PART III. SECTION II. Containing Reflections on Part of the Reign of George II. A. D. 1727, ^c. A. D. 1727- Of' all the.miseries to which mankind are subject, the greatest, and most fatal, un-. doubtedly. is, to be without a true sense of religion; the next, to be unsettled in the profession ' of it. The case of the former resembles that of him who is sinking in the' midst of many waters,' without one friendly hand to rescue him from destruction: the case of the latter, is like that of him who, in the same situation, has a plank indeed thrown to him for his assistance, but finds the security too slender, and the billows too high, to afford him any reasonable' prospect of GEORGE II. 137 of deliverance. It becomes a duty then, which cannot be too highly valued, early 1 and sincerely to search the scriptures^ that we may be professors of religion, not through custom or education, but with full ‘ confidence in its truth, and full hope of our calling. Prove all things : hold fast that which is good*.”—Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves f.” The apostle, we are sure, does not urge this examination’to make all men polemics, in the worldly acceptation of the word, but to induce them to try the spirits whether they be of God, to be satisfied of those truths, without which they cannot be saved. It is not an indifferent thing to any man, wdiether he take his religion upon the trust of others, or have no profession of religion at all. Truth will always be the same, whether he believe it or not. But if, through negligence or wilful ignorance, he despises that important truth, or does not • + 2 Cor, xiil, 5. use + I Thess, Y. 21» A / I3S' GEORGE II, use every endeavour to attain it, the loss will be his own, and great will that loss be. \ The progress of infidelity, described in the preceding part of this essay, justly alarmed the feelings 'of every sincere mem¬ ber of the Christian Church. The mine, which had been laid deep by the designing infidel, began to be visible in its effects. The whole head was sick, and the whole heart faint*.” Lukewarmness in principle succeeded zeal in devotion ; and, in such cases, it will not be expected, that lie who is remiss in the execution of his work, should ever bring it to perfection. The conse¬ quence was, that false opinions spread ^ra¬ pidly among all ranks of men. Vice was flattered by her courteous reception in the world, and had every reason to congratulate herself on her increasing proselytes. We have seen the stream of infidelity springing'from the sera of the Great Rebel- * Isaiah i. 5:. 4 lion. GEORGE n. 139 Hon, and diffusing its current tlirougli man}’’ succeeding years. It will be some con sola- ^ tion to behold another current, during the ■ same period, bursting forth upon the world, maintaining a steady undevnating course, and fertilizing the vallies through wdiich it flowed, with its purifying waters. Above a century ago, a society \vas established in London, which branched out into various parts of the country, for promoting the benefits of religion among its members, as well as for encouraging a general reforma¬ tion of manners. This society cqntinued to meet for many years, and, I believe, was not extinguished at the conclusion of the reign of George the second. It became their pious resolution, ^that they should meet together once a week, and apply themselves to good discourse, and things wherein they might edify one another. And for the better regulation of their meetings such rules and orders were prescribed, as seemed most proper to effect the end proposed. At every meeting, they turned their atten¬ tion > I 140 GEORGE II. I A. B. tion to the wants of the poor, wliich in process of time amounted to such consider¬ able sums, that thereby many poor families were relieved, some poor people put into a way' of trade suitable to their capacities, / * sundry prisoners set at liberty, some poor scholars farthered in their subsistence at the university, several orphans maintained, with many other good works But the great abject they had in view, as the source from whence these fruits of the Spirit were ex¬ pected to spring, was the attainment of reli¬ gious knowledge,' which they 'well knew* would be attended with suitable practice. I They did not, therefore, separate themselves , from the church which they found existing among them, as insufficient for the great purposes of reformation ; but strengthened het interests with renewed endeavours, to make themselves, and others, more worthy of so excellent, and evangelical an esta- biishinent. They promoted public prayers * Woodward’s Account of the Rise and Progress of the religious Societies* in GEORGE II. in several of the churches ; some of which, Dr. Woodward says, never wanted a full and affectionate congregation. , They insti¬ tuted Sermons and Lectures, which were greatly frequented, and by which many weie confirmed, both in the profession and practice of the true principles of primitive religion. The encouragement which, at the period of their first association, was given to Popery, animated their zeal, and pro¬ duced the most salutary effects. In process of time, vices of various forms, and errors of different descriptions, made their appear¬ ance, but we have reason to suppose that they were always vigorously opposed, and frequently vanquished by^ the membefs of these religious societies. It does not ap¬ pear that they ever mis-used the authority which their united efforts gave them. They adopted, indeed, the zeal of Phineas in re¬ proving vice, prophaneiiess, ^and immora¬ lity, but tiiey were indebted to Christian A principles, for their meekness and mode¬ ration. / To GEORGE ir. To these societies, during the reigns of King William, and of Queen Anne, may be attributed many excellent charitable in¬ stitutions, some of which were incorporated by royal charter, viz. ^ The Society for pro¬ pagating the G.ospel in foreign parts,’ and ‘ The Society for promoting Christian Know¬ ledge.’ Of the utility of these, all^the world are witnesses. The institution of charity- t schools, throughout the kingdom, origi¬ nated from the same quarter; and the con¬ tagion of benevolence, * in populous towns, rendered them almost universal. Such are the good effects of well-directed, and well- principled endeavours ! If it pleases God that this nation shall be saved in the pre¬ sent day of her trial, it must be by such efforts as these. The progress of divine knowledge must supersede that which is earthly^ and the warmth of christiam prin¬ ciples must extirpate the maxims of a cold I may be allowed to remark, that the pe¬ culiar advantage of these societies was, that tJicv GEORGE II. 143 \ tlicy pursued the great object of their atteii- a. b. tion, in conjunction with the profession of 17^7-- the established church : an advanta^G more ' O worthy of observation, as some societies of later institution, actuated, no doubt, by . pure and sincere motives, but not adhering I to those wholesome regulations adopted by I' those excellent hien, the first reformers, I have deviated, in many instances, into a dangerous enthusiasm. Many of them pro- j fess, indeed, a belief of the doctrines de- j tailed in the 39 Articles of Religion, and j some comply with the injunction of their j founders, by attending, occasionally at least, the services of the Church of England : but the peculiarity of a sect has by degrees taken place amongst them, and, injnany*^ I respects, both in doctrine and discipline, ji they are essentially d ifferent from that chu rch with which they are nominally united. In the century of vEich I write, not i many ?iezo denominations of Christians have I appeared in England. Happy would it have ! been for the world, in every age of chris- i ‘ turn it v, ' I % I- « 4 t 144 - GKORGE II. tiaility, had the followers of our blessed Saviour, in obedience to’ the apostolical ex¬ hortation, endeavoured to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace*.” But if, in this state of human existence, tliis should not happen to be the cas£: if dif¬ ference of opinions should unavoidably arise, happy still would it be for them, upon such occasions, to reflect on the present imper¬ fection of their nature. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye wliich are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of 7neehi€ss', considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted f.” About the commencement of the reign of George II. the society of Methodists be¬ gan to be established ii/this country. No society of more importance has, in this age, arisen among us, nor any, whose merits, in many respects, are more difficult to be ap¬ preciated. The prejudice which generally attends tlie appearance of a new sect, ren- Eph, Iv. 3, + Gal. vi. I. ders / GEORGE IT. 145 ders the world at large unable, and perhaps a. d. ' unwilling, to judge of its true character. * i But prejudice must be removed; the mind must be cleared of its obscurities ; and then many of the difficulties attending the dis¬ cussion will vanish. % In consequence of the effects^ which the writings of the Deists, mentioned in the last section, appear to have produced in the University of Oxford,' the Vice-chancellor and Heads of Colleges, in the year 1729, issued an edict*, to check the increasing ‘influ- ' « * Whereas there is too much reason to belieye, that some members of the University have of late iJeen in danger of being corrupted by ill-designing persons, who have not only entertained wicked and blasphemous notions, contrary to the truth of the Christian religion; but have endeavoured to indill the same ill principles into others : and the more' effectually to projiagate their infidelity, have applied their poison to the unguarded inexperience of less informed minds^ where they thought it might operate with better success ; carefully conceal¬ ing their impious tenets from those, whose riper ju ’ge- / *' . , ment, and more wary conduct, might discover their * ‘ L • false 146 GI^ORGE II. A. D. influence of their-pernicious principles ; an edict, which, there is every reason to sup¬ pose, was attended with beneficial conse¬ quences. In one respect, its consequences were false reasoning, and disappoint tlie intended progress of their infidelity. And whereas, therefore, it is more especially necessary at this time, to guard the youth of this place against these wicked advocates for pretended human reason against divine revelation, and to enable them the better to defend their religion, and to expose the pride and impiety of those who endeavour to under, mine it; Mr. Vice-chancellor, with the consent of the Heads of Houses, and Proctors, has thought fit to re¬ commend it, as a matter of the utmost consequence, to the several tutors of each college and hall in the Uni,. , versity, that they discharge their duty, by a double diligence, in informing their respective pupils in their Christian duty, as also in explaining to them the articles of religion, which they profess, and are. often called upon to subscribe, and in recommending to them the frequent and careful reading of the scriptures, and such other books, as may serve 'more effectually to promote Christianity, sound principles, and orthodox faith. And, further, Mr* Vice-chancellor, with the same consent, does hereby forbid the said youth the reading of such books as may tend to the weakening of their faith, the subverting GEORGE ir. 147 were probably of more * importance than could possibly have been foreseen; as it tended to associate together some pious per¬ sons, whose exertions laid the foundation of a society, which is now disseminated in va¬ rious climates, and over various countries. Mr. Charles Wesley, student of Christ¬ church, was the first person to w’hom the name of Methodist was attributed, in conse¬ quence of the exact methodwhidh he observed in spending his time, ^ regulating his con- » • e duct, and attending on the public duties of religion *. In a short time, John Wesley, an elder \ subverting of the authority of. the scripture, and the introducing deism,,profaneness, and irreligion in their stead." Whitehead’s Life^of Charles Wesley, vol. i. p. lOI. * This is Charles Wesley's account. But John t Wesley says, The regularity of their lives, as well as studies, occasioned a young gentleman of Christ¬ church to say, ‘ Here*is a new set of Methodists sprung up;’ alluding to some ancient physicians, who were so tailed, because they pretended to have found out a more L 2 easy A. D. 1727 — 148 6E0IIGE ir. elder brother of Charles, and fellow of Lin- coln-college, . and some other students of the university, met together for mutual edi- % ■fication. This religious association began to extend its influence, by visiting the pri¬ soners in the castle, and’sick persons in the city4 The society .was soon increased by Mr. Hervey, who never became an itinerant preacher, and Mr. George Whitefield, who was afterwards reckoned amongst the most eminent of them. Actuated by the zeal, which originally produced this connection, in 1735, the Wesleys undertook a voyage to America, for the express purpose of propa¬ gating the gospel: but no regular settle¬ ment of an established society was, at that time, formed. In 1737, the celebrated Count Zinzendorf arrived in Englaiid, to endeavour to procure an union between the church he had founded under the name of easy method of practising physic. The founder of the }5CCt was Thernison, who flourished thirty or forty years before the Christian aera,’’ Whitehead. Thr GEORGE II. < 149 The Moraxian Brethren, and the church of '1727__ England, in Georgia. A connection soon took place between him and the AVesleys 5' but that-which gave an important turn to Mr. John AVesley’s future proceeding, arose from an acquaintance formed the folloAving year with Peter Bohler, a young Moravian teacher. In consequence of this interview,' Mr. AV'esley says, that after ten years of painful labour, his experience convinced him that his notions were not evangelical; that he had considered as causes, things that were only placed as fruits of the faith \ in the gospel economy; and, therefore, that he neither possessed saving faith, nor had a right notion of it.” By the instructions of Bohler, his notions of faith were chano’cd : and he, as he says, was clearly convinced of unbelief, of the want of'that faith, whereby alone we are saved: it imniediately ' occurred to his mind, ‘‘ Leave off preach¬ ing; how can you preach to others, who have not faith yourself?” He consulted i>is friend Bohter; who said, By no 3 ' means: V 4 I 150 GEORGE II. I A. D. means: preach faith till you have it, and 1727 ihtn because you have it, you will preach faith Mr. Wesley’s first regular society was holden in Fetter-lane, London, in conjunc¬ tion with the Moravian Brethren. About two years after [1740] he separated from his associates by whom he had been in¬ structed in the Gospel-method of attaining present salvation, in consequence of some alterations he perceived in their creed. In 174], another division took place; and Mr. Whitefield, who had hitherto been em¬ ployed in the same cause, formed a sepa¬ rate society, froin a difference in their re¬ ligious opinions also. Mr. Wesley had adopted the Arminian doctrine of the free agency of man, and was attached to the established doctrines of the Church of Eng- ' land. Mr. Whitefield’s principles were strict- - ' ly. Galvinistic. The followers of each, to this day, hold the same distinction. Both ' * Whitehead. are GEORGE II, are denoiTiinated Methodists, but nothing is common to the two societies, except the ^ order of worship in their meeting-houses, which has been adopted from the Dissent¬ ing model. The leaders amongst the Methodists, having been refused the use of many pa¬ rish churches, began to preach in the fields and streets: and ministers of the establish¬ ment not being always found, lay preach¬ ers were received into their congregationSp But notwithstanding these innovations, the Wesleys, with the majority of the Societies under their direction, still continued to hold communion with the Church of Eng;^ lancV Indeed many ' warm altercations among the lay-preachers arose upon this subject, but the original leaders, t/f the last, decidedly opposed a separation *, u * 178^, Aug. 26. I went to Brentford, but had little comfort here. The society is almost dwindled to nothing. What have we gained by separating firom the Church here ? not this a good lesson'for others L4 i7»7t / GEORGE Ilf In 174-3 general rules were circulated for' the direction' of the united Societies, in which the nature and design of a Metho¬ dist meeting is stated to be ‘‘a Company of men, having the form, and seeking the power of Godliness ; united, in order to pray together, to receive the word of ex¬ hortation, and to watch over one another in love, and that they may help each other to work out their Salvation.” From these \ rules it appears that each society is divid¬ ed into smaller companies, called Classes^ *( —i 787> Jan. 2. I wept over to Deptford; but it seemed I was got into a den of lions. Most of the lead- ing men of the Society w’ere mad for separating freyn the Church. I endeavoured to reason with them, but in vain, they had neither sense, nor good manners left; at length, after-meeting the whole society, I told them, ‘If you are resolved, you may have your service in church hours, but remember, from that time you will see my face no more.’*— ^ 7 ^ 7 ) Nov. 4, London, The congregation was, as usual, large, and serious. But there is no increase in the society. So that we have profited nothing by having our service in church hours.” „ Wesley’s Laft Journal. Whitehead, ^ ' ‘ which 1 GEOUGEII. 153 1 i I 5 < i which consist of about 12 persons each, ■ one of whom is styled a leader, whose bu- ! siness it is to advise, reprove, comfort, and ; exhort,' his class as he finds occasion. . Be^ .! sides these, there are otliers, who being il jnstified by faith, and having peace with God, i are subdivided into bands, who receive at every quarterly visitation a ticket marked B, which will admit the holder into these select meetings. * They observe a love-feast once a month, and occasionally have a custom of praying together by night, which they call a watch-night. Annual confer- I cnees are held by the preachers in some central situation of the kingdom, when the affairs of the society are discussed, different { circuits allotted to different preachers, and I the principal business of the connection ar- I ranged. It will not be expected that I should I pursue every change which has occurred in I the history of Methodism. The death of I the founders, - though it has in some mea- ) ; 5ure altered the'government of the society, ! and A* 1727 — ' '■>. <■ I >-1 !> 154 GEORGE ir. / . r». and in some of its branches introduced innovations which they would not have in- , troduced ; has not tended to diminish the numbers; which, in England, at this time are supposed to amount to 100,000^. Soon after the death of Mr, John Wesley, the governors of the society in his connec- , tion, found themselves entangled in a quesr tion, -which, doubtless, they would gladly have avoided; as it tended in its conscr quences to separate those who adopted the practice, still further, if not altogether, trom the communion of the Church of England. The decision of the leaders i^ made known by an address to the members of the Methodist Societies throughout Eng- 'land, from the conference assembled at Leeds, August 6 , 1793 . —Our venerable * From the mioutes of the conferences, Dr« White* head ^ives the increasing numbers as follows— 1767—25,911 1785—52,433 1770—29,046 1790—71,568 ->775—38,150 1795—83>368 GEOROE tl. ' I55 father,” says the address, “who is gone to a. b. his great reward, lived and died a member and friend of the Church of England. His attachment to it was so strong and un¬ shaken, that nothing but irresistible neces¬ sity induced him to deviate from it in any degree. In many instances God himself obliged him to do this; he powerfully call- \ ed him forth into the streets and open fields, and afterwards raised to his assist¬ ance hundreds of men who never passed through the usual forms of ordination. To all these evident providences of God, Mr^ Wesley submitted, though at first with great reluctance. In consequence, he found j himself obliged to erect chapels which ^vere neither consecrated according to the usual . method of the Church of England, nor . subject to the direction of the national episcopacy.‘—A dilemma, or difficulty, of I a similar kind has been experienced by us ' since the death of Mr. Wesley. A few of |i our societies have repeatedly importuned I us to grant them the liberty of receiving I the i i 156 . GEORGE II. A, D. ' the Lord’s Supper from their own preachers. But,'desirous of adhering most strictly to the plan which Mr. Wesley laid down, we / again and again denied their request. The subject, however, is now come to its crisis. We find that we have tio alternative, but to comply with their requisition, or entirely to lose them !—We therefore weighed this ‘ delicate subject with great seriousness and deliberation, feeling the greatest pity for those of our brethren who thought them¬ selves aggrieved; and came finally to the following resolution :— - that the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper shall not be admi- I • nistered by the preachers in any part of our connection, except where the ivhole society is unanimous for it, and will not he 0 contented zeithont it; and even in those few exempt societies, it shall be administered . , as far as practicable, in the evening only, and according to the form of the Church ' of England.”— . •I make no reflection on this important resolution, which removes those fexv exempt societies 1 I GEORGE 'll. -157 societies to the greatest possible di^ance a. d. from the established clmrch-; which sleights the offices of a ministry appointed by apos¬ tolic authority, and occasions an innova¬ tion in the administration of one • of the most solemn ordinances of our religion. Notwithstanding the regular arrangement with which the Society of Methodists is constituted, it does not appear that there are any^ common principles, or written ar; ' tides of faith, to distinguish their profes- f sion. The doctrines more generally incul- j cated among those, not of the Calvinistic ^ H persuasion, are Scilmtion by faith only, • ‘ in- I stantaneous and perceptible conversiort, and assurance of reconciliation to God, which they term the new birth This Essay is not the'proper pla.ce to discuss opinions, any further than they : may ffie supposed to influence the public : mind. . * Gregory’s History of the Christian Church, Vol. ii. p. J36. • , When I 6t6litm ft. \V*hcti ifethodism was first established, free scope appears to have been given to En¬ thusiasm. It is yet within the memory of many what agitations of mind and body accompanied the first impression of their preaching among the common people un¬ der the name of convictions^ They felt, I will presume, as much as they expressed, but it was frequently a false impression of the mind; a mistake, in applying the feel¬ ings of the man, to an immediate and perceptible influence of the Spirit. Some / of the first preachers discouraged these agi¬ tations'; and time has shewn that they must have arisen sometimes from impos¬ ture, and sometimes from bodily affections, is the same cause does not now produce the same effect. A considerable degree of judgment is ne¬ cessary in ^ carrying even the best inten¬ tions into execution. This observation might well be applied to the first promo¬ ters of these religious societies, as ' they ap¬ peared to make no distinctions in the ca- 3 pacitics GEORGE 11 . pacitres or attainments of the persons among whom their doctrines were first propagated. ’ The minds of the poor and ignorant (a- I mong which number may be ranked even i many of the possessors of this world’s riches) \ i| howev’^er desirous they might be of receiv- ling the word .preached^ required some pre- [jvious instruction. For want of this, they fell frequently into dangerous errors. Even ithe evangelical doctrine of salvation by ifaith only, was often fatally understood'by ;thc untaught and unsanctified Christian *. I trust there' are not many well instructed imembers of the Church of England, who do not believe"" this article of our religion iin its true sense ; not, as if implying, that he who has faith needs not good works; but that he who relies on faith in Christ, rests on that foundation which alone* is lessential to his salvation. Not discrimi- I ^ I have seen a convict under sentence of transpor¬ tation for very serious crimes, reading with great ap- barent devotion, a Treatise on the Doctrine of Grace. r I * i ‘ * nating M > 160 ' C, GEORGE ir. . D, nating between good works, as the resuU ^'7~of a pure faith, and good works, considered as merif in man, too many, willing to get rid of the burthen of their sin as easily as they can, remember the faith to which the blessing is promised, but forget the good *worliSy the ‘ ^ holiness^ ^without which no man shall see the Lord The Church of England does not m this doctrine, ' properly explained, differ essen- # - T tially from the body ,of the Methodists; for I do not look upon the charges against the Antinomians as applicable to that so- ciety in general, who carry the doctrine of *. the imputed righteousness of Christ, and salvation by faith without works, to such lengths, as to injure, if not wholly destroy, the very - obligation to moral obedience. Salvation is not to be effected by our own works, or obedience, but this glorious pros¬ pect is opened to us by Christ’s death and resurrection, and by the gracious condi-' Hel^. xii. .14, tions aEORGE 161 tlons^of that covenant which is published a. d* in the Gospel; which conditions are Faith and Repentance, With respect to the assurance of recon¬ ciliation to God; a good man, no doubt, may be filled with hope, even a well-found¬ ed hope, which will comfort and refresh his soul. But wliat shall we say, when we are told that a . condemned criminal could rise from his knees, and eagerly exclaim, “ 1 am now ready to die. I know Christ has taken away my sins, and there is no niore I * condemnation for me*.” It is not for a Minister of Christ to deny the power of his salvation, neither can he be a judge of the degree of conviction which is impressed on the heart of man : but surely he should be* cautious of encouraging deceitful hopes, much less deceitful assurances of salvation. It is with caution that the Apostle himself admits the doctrine of assurance, aiid there-^ fore he styles it, “ the assurance of hoped' * Whitehead’s life of Wesley, vol. ii. p. 69. M , Noi 16^3 A. D. 1727— CEORGE ri« , I ' Nor is the meaning of the expression al¬ tered, when he proceeds, in the same epis¬ tle, to call it the assurance of faith, as he ✓ considers this assurance as arising from a true, pure, and assured profession of Chris¬ tianity ; which he emphatically denomi¬ nates a nexv and livmg way. ‘‘ Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water*.” We should be cautions in encouraging an indiscriminate assurance, independent of religious experience. My little children, let us not love in word, nei¬ ther in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. \ And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before' himf.” This indeed is the test of as¬ surance, and it is with fear and trembling, that' the best of Christians approaches it But as he is directed to-have ^‘boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Ix'eb. X. 7,2> + I John iii. i 8 , 19 . Jesus/' I GEORGE ir. 163 i Jesus/’ let him in all humility of.mind-as- a* d. cend into the hill of Sion, and laying aside all human righteousness, he shall then^ and then only, ‘‘have confidence towards God.” An impression favourable to the preju¬ dices of the common people, but by no means consistent with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, is frequently made by many leading members of these societies, by depreciating human reason as well as human learning* I am aware that our “ faith cannot stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God*:” I am assured, that he who exalteth reason above revelation, betrays his ignorance of hea¬ venly things, and will never discover the sacred spring of divine knowledge* But I know also that he who degrades tliat noble faculty, by which an all-wise Being has distinguished man from the beasts of the field, relinquishes that superiority which nature and religion have equally bestowed I * I Cor. ii. 5'. M C upon \ \ 164* GEORGE IE A, X). . Upon him. If he vilifies that distinction 1727 i^y mis-vising it, he' incurs a double penal¬ ty ; as it is as inconsistent with his duty to exalt it to an exaggerated height, as to depress it below the level of human na¬ ture. Though religion’ is not subject to the judgment of men, and ought not to be presumptuously arraigned at the bar of human reason, yet Reason, which may justly be called a bright ray of the Divi¬ nity, teaches us to enjoy all the comforts of religion. A blind, unproductive faith, is not the faith of the Gospel, that flows ,, from the purest source; it is, indeed, a Iwwg water springing up into everlasting life. The same argument may be employed with good effect, in defence of human \ learning. Many useless volumes, no doubt, have been delivered to the world. Many sleepless nights and weary days have at¬ tended those whose ininds have mitsed on many thuigs. But because some have - , abused the time or the talents which a good Providence GEORGE If. Providence has assigned them, are all to be involved in the censure? Or ^vill any one pretend to say, what branch of real knoxvledge does not magnify the divine attributes of our great Creator? The in- ' vestigation of hidden causes, the developer inent of ancient history, the study of iho^ dern manners, the state of man, in any remote, or present age, have all a reference to the great book . ’ The last observation I have to make, in i opposition to the indiscriminate iiitroduc- i ; tion of methodistical societies, is, that they disunite, in the strongest manner, the esta¬ blished minister and his parishioners. This observation must be qualified by an acknow- ledgment, that‘it is not every society, of ' Methodists which produces this effect. ' In I many places,' they work together for mutual I edification; they promote the great cause i hin which'they are equally engaged; they {take sweet counsel together, and walk in jthe house of God as friends.” But in I others, it is with grief of heart I repeat it, !l ithe signal of reproach is hoisted ; and the i language is, Stand by thyself; come not I near to me ; for, I am. holier than thou I Such a division of interests, as has been I occasioned by the introduction'and increase 1 1 ' li ♦ Isaiah Ixv. of 174 GEORGE rr. A. D, 1727 — of Methodism in this kingdom, is no indif¬ ferent subject of reflection to every member of the established church, but particularly to its ministers. ^ The object of its principal 1 influence,, is the common people. And here, in many cases, the enemies of its ge¬ neral principles ought candidly to acknow- ledge its merits. While we have seen the colliers of Kings wood or Newcastle; the miners of Cornwall or of Durham, reclaim¬ ed to a sense of their religious duties, me¬ liorated in their manners, and putting on, . in numerous instances, more than the form of godliness, let tlie most prejudiced of other denominations of Christians, condemn, if he can,, the benevolent exertion. The diffusion of religious principles, when con¬ sistent with the pure doctrines of the gospel, must alwa}^s^be beneficial to mankind. We but regret, when they degenerate into su¬ perstition, or lose their good effects, by en¬ couraging an excess of presumption and enthusiasm. Both extremes may naturally be expected in a large society ; but neither. \ in GEORGE-n. 175 I in candour, ought to be attributed to the a. d. ' whole. , ^ 1727 — I j.The situation of the Methodists, as mem- I ! bers of ’ a particular religious society, is here I delineated, as it continued invariably fi-oin ! its first establishment, to the conclusion of 'the century. In appreciating the merits of this society, a difficulty has always arisen in my mind, between the good, which is evidently intended to be done, and the manner by which it is attempted to be ac¬ complished. A good man wishes to see the - j kingdom of Christ enlarged, , even to its greatest extent; he rejoices therefore with every successful disciple of his Master. A good man desires to see the will of Christ fulfilled by the establishment of an universal church, on those principles, and on that ; i foundation which the gospel itself reveals; i he sighs, therefore, when he beholds the . introduction of such plans as are new in the doctrine and discipline of the Christian church, and do not always lead to the due accomplishment of so excellent an end. • As V GEORGE IT. As an illustration of the present state of Methodism, I shall conclude these reflec- I tions, by noticing three divisions by which the members of this society are distinguish-’ cd, in a Report of the Clergy in a District of the Diocese of Lincoln*'.” 1 Persons professing to be members of the church of. England, who regularly attend divine ser¬ vice' at church, and ^partake of the holy sacrament, but have places set apart for ad¬ ditional exercises of devotion, at such hours as do not interfere with the church service. These,” they remark, they do not con¬ sider as enemies to the ecclesiastical esta¬ blishment, much less as contributing to the neglect or perversion of religious worship, but, on the contrary, have found them use¬ ful and zealous auxiliaries, in reforming and reclaiming many habitual sinners, both by their admonition and example.” 2. Per- / * Report from the Clergy of a District in the Dio¬ cese of Lincoln, convened for the Purpose of consider¬ ing the State of Religion, &c. Printed for Rivingtons, iSoo. sons GEORGE ir. 177 j I sons who neglect tlie church service alto- a* d* i , gather, and have of late taken upon them- I selves' to administer and receive the holy I sacrament at their meetings. This division, j they observe, contains many persons of pure intentions, and pious dispositions, but who are not sufficiently aware of the un¬ lawfulness, and evil consequences of their proceedings* Among these,” they addj will be found an indiscreet and unquali¬ fied propagation of Antinomian and Predes- tinarian doctrines.” 5. The third class con¬ sists of those, who attend and encourage a wandering tribe of fanatical teachers, I mostly taken from the lowest and most 1 illiterate classes of society; among whom I are to be found raving enthusiasts, pretend- I I ing to divine impulses of various and extra- I ordinary kinds, practising exorcisms, and •p i many other sorts of impostures and delu**' i sions, and obtaining -thereby an unlimited I $ ’ ' I sway over the minds of the ignorant multi- j tude.” This class justly meets with the re- ! V N prehension j GEORGE IE prehension of the reporters, and, I doubt not, of the established Methodists also. Persons of this last description have bc- corhe very numerous indeed, particularly in London, and other populous places, where both hearers and preachers may be met wdth in abundance: they are generally found haranguing the passengers on a Sunday, during the summer season, in the Spa-fields, or in the avenues leading to Islington, Hackney, &c. most of them beardless boys, and ignorant mechanics, .or labourers by profession ; the doctrines they inculcate, are of the-Calvin is tic cast; and they are pa-^ tronized by a lady, the supposed successor to the Countess of Huntingdon, and hence commonly called Lady Ann [Erskine’sj preachers JMany of them are 72amed, in » a pamphlet quoted by the author of that from whence this ^extract is taken, and ap- * Rise and Dissolution of the Infidel Societies in this Metropolis, by William Hamilton Reid, London. Katcha-rd, 1800. ' ' appear GEORGE II. 179 I appear' to be' of the very lowest descrip¬ tions of life. Not less than 397 preaching ^ licences were taken out at the New Sessions- house, Clerkenwell, in the course of the years 179^ and 1797*': and a member of parliament mentioned in the House of Com¬ mons, that he had been applied to, arid obliged to grant a licence to a boy of seven¬ teen years of age, as a preacher of the gospel. In a little tract, lately published by a cler¬ gyman of the diocese of Salisbury, it is said,' that from* the city of Salisbury alone, there issues forth on the sabbath, no less a number than between ffty and sixty dissent¬ ing preachers f, of the same description with those above mentioned j:; * • ^ Ibid. • » \ ( + It is to be remarked, that the Methodists, as a society, are yet unknown to the Legislature; and, therefore, the licences granted to these preachers, as well as to their meeting-houses, are directed solely for the use of dissenting congregarions. ' f Daubeny’s Appendix to his Guide to the Church,' P- 500 * . ■ N 2 • It I I 180 GEORGE IT. A. D. It is hardly necessary to make one remark 1727 on this representation of facts. It is pain¬ ful to the reflecting mind to consider, that such an abuse of religion should exist in the midst of a country, blessed beyond all other countries, in its establishments both ‘ of church and state. A belief in the reli¬ gion of Christ, should be accompanied by a sober dignity of deportment, and a serenity of mind, the natural consequence of pos¬ sessing superior principles. The personal conduct of our Lord, is the fairest delinea¬ tion of his gospel. No undue elev^ation, either of language or action; no unseason¬ able intrusion, no rude, uncourtly decla¬ mation, distinguished his* public preaching, , but, as St. Paul observed of himself to Festus, ‘‘ he spake forth the words of truth . and soberness Far be it from me to re¬ commend a temporizing conduct to the mi¬ nisters^ of the gospel; the 7'ighteoUs man^ • . much more the 7'ighteous minister^ is as V * y * Acts xxvi. 25, - bold / GEORGE II. 181 bold as a Hous'd' \\\4l-tempered zcai should mix itself with steadiness of prin¬ ciple, and then he will neither shrink from liis proper duty, whether contending with beasts at Ephesus, or reproving the flagrant vices of a trembling Felix. As no message can be of greater importance than the mes¬ sage of salvation, so no commission can be more honourable than that which convevs such glad tidings to the world. Instead of trusting the delivery, therefore, to a motley multitude, unqualified in all respects for the task they are forward to undertake, let a double care be bestowed on the appointment of labourers for this vineyard. “ As the apostles ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the %vork whereanto I have called them. And when they hadfasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away ( Neither did the apostles ordain, nor were Barnabas and Saul or- Prov. xxviii, i. N 3 f Acts xiii. 26 d veined. 182 GEORGE IT- \ i\. D. clainecl, without the authority of the Holy 1727 Ghost. The fasting, praying, and laying on of hands,' by duly constituted authori¬ ties, is a solemn separation for the ministry, very dilferent from an application for a six¬ penny licejice, and a presumptuous assump¬ tion of a sacred office. Let me not be thought, in any degree, desirous of restoring the cruel days’ of per¬ secution, or of wishing, even the church of I England, to rule with an heavy hand. I am a friend, a warm friend, to toleration ; but I would wish to exclude pernicious doc¬ trines, as well as pernicious practices, from every profession of Christianity. With respect to ourselves, the best re¬ proof which the established church can give to such intruders into her mysteries, is to 'guard her own character by an increasing piety, an unadulterated faith, and an exten¬ sive charity. Let her clergy be uniformly exact in every part of their duty; firm in* their belief of those heavenly doctrines, which the Spirit of God only can dictate, , ^ and, V * I GEOUO£ II. ' 183: and, considemng the perilous times in which we live,' exemplary, and exm rigorous m their conduct. Let ambition and pride bear no part in tlieir reflections; but let them preach the , Gospel for the GospeVs sake. They are not nowj indeed, in die midst of civilized society, and in a land of Chris- tians, to go out as the first apostles did, and take nothing for their journey but a staff only * f ’ but, like them, they are to be richly laden with the gfts of the Spirit, . with primitive piety, and simplicity of heart. Surrounded by the tender objects of his domestic and evangelical cares, the sta¬ tionary Pastor makes a daily progress in his great work, and labour of love, the forming the ductile mind to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ f.’* In imitation of his beloved Saviour, he feeds his flock like a shepherd; he ga¬ thers the lambs with his arm, and carries * Mark vi. 8, • + Eph. iv. 13. N 4* ' them / 184 GEORGE II. ' A. D. them In his bosom, ' and gently leads those 1727 that are with young Thus, and thus only, can this Church regain her primitive and apostolic purity; thus only, can we perpetuate the blessings which we hav^'e enjoyed under her protec- • tion; thus only, can we expect to deliver them unsullied to posterity. »\ t Isaiah xL 11, END OF PART IH. SECT. IH PART / / PART IIL SECTION III. Rejlcctions, '8^c. during the Reign of ■George II. % : A. D. 1727—1760. The period which gave rise to the So- a. d. ciety of Methodists, produced some others, ^ ’ not less zealous though less numerous,. The Herrnhuters, or Moravian Brethren, distinguished also by the Latin name of Unit AS Fratrum, made their appearance in this country about the beginning of the ' reign of George the second. Their , esta¬ blishment in England has always been upon a small -scale, and their influence, as a tiody, very trifling. Though they pretend a derivation from the old Moravian, or ♦ .. Bohemian Brethren, who were celebrated as I 156 GEORGE II. A. D. as a sect, previous to the reformation, 3Tt 1727—they have never been able to‘trace the connection ; and their origin is more ge¬ nerally ascribed to Nicholas Lewis, Count Zinzendorf, who, in the year 1722, made a settlement of this description, in Germa¬ ny, to which he gave the name of Herrn- nuTH. In 1738, Mr. John Wesley visited this Societ}^, and afterwards adopted some parts of their discipline, as he did also of their doctrines. Authors differ in their ac-‘ counts of the tendency of the principles of this sect. The Moravian Brethren are re¬ presented'by some, as a sober, inoffensive people *: by others, as disfiguring the sa¬ cred truth of the Gospel, and sapping all I the foundations of morality f. It does noty , however, appear that this severity of. cen-^ sure is altogether just; though the wai-m impassioned language of their hymns, w/iic/i * Gregory’s History of the Christian Church, vol. ii. p. 532. •f Macleane’s note to Mo'sheim’s Ecclesiastical His¬ tory, vol, V. p, 85. are / GEORGE II, 1«7 arc addressed to Jesus Christ, cannot4)ut be a. d. offensive to-sober piety. They form them- selves into classes, according to sex and age, and are extremely devoted, in their places of worship, both to vocal, and instru¬ mental, music. There is a considerable settlement of them at a village near Leeds, and in a few other parts of the kingdom ; but public fame has never stigmatized their conduct .with any particular marks of repro¬ bation. Though it does not appear that a reli¬ gious body, distinguished by the name of Mystics, originated at this period, yet as several at this time studied a visionary divi¬ nity, which had long obtained this appdla- 'tion, they require to be noticed among • those sects, which claimed a peculiar degree of sanctity. It is with regret that we are ' obliged to rank ]\Ir. William Law in this number, many parts of whose writings have made deep impressions on the mind. ‘ ‘ When at Oxford,” said Dr. Johnson, I took up Law’s ‘ Serious Call to a Devout and Holy 9 Life, ’ 188 . GEORGE II. Life/ expecting to find it a dull book, and, perhaps, to laugh at it. But I found Law quite an over-match for me; and this was the first occasion of my thinking in earnest of religion, after I became capable of rational enquiry.” From this time for¬ ward, says his biographer, religion was the predominant object of his thoughts. At another time, he much commended Law’s Serious Call,” which, he said, was the finest piece of hortatory theology in our language That Law should have adopted the mystical philosophy of Jacob Behmen, is much to'be lamented, as it has thrown a cloud over his writings in divinity. Dr. Horne, the good president of Magdalen-col- lege, Oxford, and afterwards Bishop of Noi> wich, conformed himself, in many respects, to the strictness of Mr. Law’s rules of devo¬ tion, but being sensible how easy it was for¬ mally who took their piety frgm Mr. Law, to take his errors along ivith it, he drew up a very * Beswell’s Life of Johnson, vol. i. pp. 26 and 583. , useful GEORGE II/ 189. useful paper, published in his Life, for the a. d. direction of such persons as might not have judgement enough to distinguish properly, under the title of “ Cautions to the Readers of Mr. Law and in the same book will be found, as a companion, a Copy of a Letter to a Lady, on the Subject of Jacob Behmen’s writings The Mystics profess a pure and sublime devotion, with a disinterested love of , God, free from all selfish considerations. Passive s contemplation, is the state of perfection ta which they aspiref. Of this sect was the celebrated Madame Bourignon, and Fenelon, the amiable Archbishop of Cambray. We rfo not wonder, that the mind of a good man should wish to assimilate its feelings to the serenity of heaven. We do not won¬ der, tliat he should be desirous of rejecting all terrestrial imaginations, and be absorbed, * Jones’s Life of Horne, pp.'73 and 198. + Evans’s Sketch of the Denominations into which, i the Christian World are divided, p, i©7._ 190 GF:aRGE ir. 1727- 1760. A. D. as it were, in the contemplation of the divine perfections. But we wonder, indeed, when we find him forgetting the station allotted him in this world, and resolving all obedi¬ ence into abstract meditation. The absur¬ dities' that have arisen from this practice, should be a warning to those who encourage such flights of fancy. The reveries of _ \ Behmen, which he derived from Robert* Fludd, an Englishman, are too mysterious for any but one of the initiated. . The books of Fludd,” says honest Anthony a I Wood^', are many, and mystical, cloud- \ ing his high matter with dark language.” Flow such instructors can procure hearers, is truly a matter of admiration; unless they be of the same description with the auditors of Archdeacon Aylmer: of whom, Wood says fwhen they grew dull and unattentive, he would with some pretty and unexpected conceit, move them to atten¬ tion. Among the rest, was this : he read a * Atlienae Oxon. vol. i. p, 519. + Ibid, vol, i. p. 611. long GEORGE II. 291 long text in Hebrew, whereupon all seemed a. b. to listen what would come after such stransrc \ ^ 1700 ., words; then he shewed their folly, that when he spake English whereby they might be instructed, and edified, they neglected, and hearkened not to it; and now, to read Hebrew, which they understood no word of,, I they seemed careful and' attentive. ] Besides that mystical divinity, which has, j so wonderfully, been the delight both of the learned, and unlearned, another object of ! study, equally fanciful and mysterious, made t its appearance about this period; though, from its nature, confined' in a great degree I to the students of the Hebrew language. Mr. John Hutchinson, a native of York¬ shire, who died in the year 17^7, left his name to a party, that increased much after I his decease; which, in imitation of their • master, pursued a new and uncommon train i of thinking in philosophy, theology, and I heathen antiquities. In, opposition to Dn Woodward's Natural History of tlie Earth, 1 he published, in 17^24, the first part of his i • . i book, / ^ f I 192 GEORGE ir. book, called Moses's Principia : the second part was presented to tlie public in 1727. He opposes the ground-work of Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory, and considers the princi¬ ples of Scripture-philosophy to consist in a plenum, and the air. The Hebrew lan¬ guage, written without points, he imagined to be the language of God himself, and representing some obvious idea of action or condition, raised by the sensible object, which it impresses and farther, designed to signify spiritual or mental things. ' From hence, by etymology, he deduced the phi¬ losophy which he inculcated; . and so far did his followers carry this mode of intei*- «/ pretation, that, (to use the words of a re¬ spectable favourer of their system,) they adopted a mode of speaking, which had a nearer resemblance to cant and jargon, than to sound and sober learning*'}'. . y • Many Jones's Life of Bishop Horne, p. 59. + The following specimen of Hutchinson's mode of philosophising, is generiilly produced by writers on the 4 ^ fubject. geouge tu IS « Many valuable men of the university of a. p* Oxford were avowed students of Mr* Hut- cliinson’s philosophy ;' among these were enumerated the late Bishop Horne, and the Rev. William Jones, men, whose characters will be the best apology for their princi¬ ples. A particular account of the studies of the Hutchinsonians will be found in Jones’s Life of Bishop Horne, as well as in a curious and scarce pamphlet, written by the latter, entitled, “ An Apology for cer¬ tain Gentlemen in the University of Ox- j subject. '5 The air exists in three conditions, fire, i light; and spirit; the two latter, are the finer and , ■ grosser parts of the air in motion i from the earth to I the sun, the air is finer and finer, till it becomes pure , \ light near the confines of the sun, and fire in the orb of [! the sun or solar focus. From the earth towards the cir- I cumference of this system, in which he includes the ! fixed stars, the air becomes grosser and;' grosser, till it I becomes stagnant, in which condition it is at the verge of this' system ; from whence the expression of outer , darkneit^ and blacknesi of darkness^ used in the New Tes- 1 tament, seems to be tahen." See Eyans’s Sketch; i Encyclopedia, ^c, ! ! I o ford, r 194 ' A. D. I727-— 1760. GEORGE II. «* * ^ ford, aspersed in a late anonymous pan> phlet/^' See also Dr. Horne’s Abstract of Hutchinson’s Writings, ^ and Jones’s Lee-- tures on the figurative Language of Scrip¬ ture. ' ' • Though forming a strong party at this period, the followers of Hutchinson totally disclaimed any separation, or intention of separation, from • the established church. Indeed, there was no necessity for so vio¬ lent a measure; for the faith which they professed, was the ' true protestant faith, founded on our own principles. Many persons, however, of learning and science, soon revolted from their system, which, they thought, discarded all pure mathematics, and disowned all true philosophy. The violence of party made the charges serious which were brought against them; they were told, that their fanciful system of philosophical and theological 'opinions on the construction of roots and symbols, tended to the subversion of natural religion and morality, as well as the destruction of human 1 dEoK&E Hi 195 i hithiati learning. As these charges are aha- A; Di i sent age, the answers shall be selected from Dr. Horne’s pamphlet; not that I aim, in any way, to vindicate Hutchlnsotiianism^ but to defend those principles which were attacked through the sides of Hutchinson. With respect to the charge of, non-con-. forinity, he says, In the communion of the cliurcli of England, we intend to die, being fully persuaded of the necessity of being in the imifi/ of the church, to obtain 'salvation**” ‘‘ Instead of labouring to j discredit, which was another charge, all I other preachers of the gospel, they laboured only to discreditj” he says, all 'false doc-=‘ trines preached by many^dio should the gospek It is the complaint of hun- idreds of pious Christians, that there is at present, not only a lamentable relaxation of discipline/m the church, but as lamentable a I falling off ixom. t\\C'old way oi preachhigy i and * Horne’s Apology, pp. 3^ 6> 14, &e. » o 196 GEORGE IT. p, and expoundings the word of God, Let any 1757—one read the sermons of the primitive fathers, and our divines that lived in the times succeeding the reformation, who preached from the fathers, as the fathers did from the scriptures, and compare their discourses with those of this last' century, and they must pronounce one or other of them to be many removes from chris* tianity.” With respect to the religion of Nature, the pretended religion of the mo¬ dern philosopher, when he condescends to avow any profession which bears that name, it is a religion without the knowledge of Gods or the hope of salvation ; which' is deism ; and such as it is, it owes its birth, not to natures but a corrupted tradition ; that is, in one word, instead of natural re^ ligion, it is ti'aditional infidelity. As a m’e- lation was made to man, of the covenant of works, before the fall, and the covenant of grace it; and as we are certain that all mankind came from one common stock, it is a plain and evident matter of fact, that from CEORGE ir. 107 J from Adam to this day, there never was, or could be, a man left to himself, to make a religion of nature A —But morality, as well as natural religion, is an object of their de¬ preciation. “ Moral duties are what scrips ture calls works. If these are done in Christ, they are Christian virtues! and then .here is a distinction without a difference. If they are done out of Christ, upon any other than Christian motives, they are not Jung to any saving purpose^ And if they are done against Christ, 2 ls meritorious to salvation, they are much worse than nothing. Who¬ ever preaches moral duties mthputfustfica^ tion and sanctification preceding, may as well declaim on the advantages of walking, to a man that can stir neither hand nor foot. Such is the natural impotence of the soul, to do any good thing, till it is justified and sanctified. Let the declamation be ever so elegant, St. Peter’s plain address, I suppose, would be worth ten thousand of them, to a cripple— In the name of Jesus of Nazareth ntSE UF, AND WALK^ Such is theditfeience Q S between 198 GEORGE II, A. D. between an ethical divine and ' chrUtlan ^760 charge, .relates to the destruction of human learning'. The am swef in all ages is, That depends upon the nature and kind of the learnins:. Such ♦ 7 kind of learning, as the present age is given much to admire, has done no service to the - cause of truths but on the contrary, it has done infinite disservice to it, and almost re¬ duced us from the unity of the Christianfaith^ to the xvrangUng of 'philosophic scepticism^' These observations are so just, when applied to the philosophy and learning of the pre¬ sent day, -ihat they must form my apology for their introduction in this place, They prove, indeed, that the scheme of infidelity •was progressive, and that many were instru- • inents of its success, who, probably, were very far from wishing for, its prosperity. That this was really the case, we may learn from ;in author of that day, who was mueb involved in the Hutchinsonian controversy. Of Hutchinson,” says Mr, Jones, we ‘bear b^t httle; his nanie was the match , , which i GEORGE II. Vhich gave fire to the train : but the ques¬ tion seems really to have been this ; Whether Christianity, in the truth and spirit of it, ought to be preserved r or. Whether a spi¬ ritless thing, called by the name of Chris¬ tianity, would answer the purpose better? In other words, whether the religion of man’s philosophy, or the religion of God’s revelation should prevail There * If any one should Idc inclined to know the nature of the etymological part of this controversy, I add an extract from Dr, Sharp’s Reflections on Mr. Hutchin¬ son’s Exposition ofIthe word Cherubim. Hutchinson saye, it is derived from che rubim' the ghat ones^ the similitude of the great ones. Cherubim—an hiero¬ glyphic, a sacred image to describe, as far as figures could do, the Aleiw, and man taken into their essence, in answer. Dr, Sharp says, The- question now before iis is not concerning the truth of any of the great arti- jcles of religion, which are sufficiently explained, but .concerning the validity of a new proof of them, drawn from a word variously applied in the Old Testament, and a figure not coinpletely described therein.” Che^ rubim, he says, may mean midtitudo cognitionis, the like¬ ness or representafive of the multitude, viz. of the 04 heavenly 200 GEORGE IT. A. V* 1727— 1760. ‘ There is nothing too fanciful fhr the hu¬ man mind, when it leaves the calm and welhteinpered climate of reason, and the sure letter of revelation, and attempts to soar above the region of spiritual exist¬ ence. Unchecked, ev^en by the heaviness of matter, it throws off the garment of dis¬ cretion, and ventures boldly on an unknown sea. The observation will be found corre-* spondent with the subject, if we consider many of the tenets of those religious sects or parties,' which have just passed in review before us. But what shall we say to that which now follows in the train ?—Emanuel Baron Swedenborg, a Swedish nobleman, about the middle of the century, established %^iew churchy or rather religious party, (as N ** heavenly host, This, he 'adds, is only conjecture, and the hypothesis of ijeut Ttiukitudoy is only setting up an improbable conjecture against two others that seem less probable ; for all U conjecture fwhere nue ha^e no positme direction. — 0 r. Sharp’s intention seems to have been, to matter of ad¬ miration indeed! The Society of New Jerusalemites * I ■ WTre more numerous in Sweden, and in ' m _ .Germany, than in England^ But of late they have increased in London, and in some other populous towns, where * they have opened places of worship under the name of Temples It has been imagined, that * Gregory’s^HIstory of the Christian Church, vol. xi. p. 545. + The following ^advertisement appeared in one of the London papers last winter, ** New Jerusalem * I Temple GEORGE II. 203 tliat Ihe promoters of modern infidelity, a. d. _ have seized upon this post, among others, to accelerate their plans. What must ^ye think of a sect,” says a modern writer, “ who, under the appellation of Christians, explain away the doctrine of the atone¬ ment, the resurrection, and the day of judgment? who exclude from the New Testament the Epistles of the Apostles, which they class as pi'ivate Utters ? who assert, that the day of judgment is more a figure than ^i fact? that it commenced .about,17d8^ in the printing and publica¬ tion of the judgment of Emanuel Sweden- Temple, Cross-street, Hatton-garden, The members of the Society of the Lord’s New Church (and the readers of the highly favoured and enlightened, the .Hon. Baron, Emanuel Swedenborg’s writings) are in¬ formed that the Rev. —— will preach, &c. It is re- . rnarkable, that this worthy priest of the Lord’s New Church has given his labours of love (without salary, . fee, or reward) to this Society, every Sunday morning and evening (writing a new sermon every week) and Jittending the reading meetings once a week for 13 years withgut interruption,’* borg, 204 - GEORGE ir/ « A. D. . borg, to condemn, collectively, all the doc- 1727 trines of the Old, or Trinitarian, Church. 17dO ^ These, and several other opinions held by the disciples of the New Church, would certainly meet much of the approbation of Infidels, as some of the most eligible means of bringing Christianity Jn general into dis¬ repute*.” Happily, according to the same author, their allurements are not success¬ ful, though they have adopted a-pompous mode of worship, have fantastfcally dis¬ posed two officiating ministers in one char pel, and adopted, as a dress of the pastor in another, that of a Chef de Famille, among the French Theophilanthropists. It would be degrading to human reason to record the impositions which that noble faculty of man endures. Too true will this reflection be thought on this occasion, w’hen we are told, that the establishment of this sect in England arose from a prin¬ ter’s job, near the spot where the Baron * Keid on the Rise and Flail of Infidel Societies, p. formerly GEORGE II, 205 formerly resided when he was in London, to quicken the heavy sale of a new trans¬ lation of his works, and the dispersion of a magazine of Heaven and Hell; and a romance calculated to introduce his prin¬ ciples in a more captivating shape. It then appeared, partly in the modern and fashionable form of a debating society: but instead of preachers collecting the people, these people were so hard run to collect - • preachers, that for a considerable time the office was generally confined to the printer alluded to, and one of his relatives. Not^ withstanding the exertions which are made A. D, 1727 — 1760. to support this society, if appearances are to be trusted, Mr, Reid says, the most he¬ terodox opinions that ever bore the name of Christian will not trouble the orthodox much longer I have * This Society, or at least, one built upon this foun. dation, is noticed in the seconi Report of the Secret Coramitte of the House of Commons, i8oi. ‘‘A Society,’* says the Report, appears to have been ^ formed 2061 GiioiiOJ: ir. A. D. 1727 — 1760. ,Va^V^ I have thus concluded a short review of those sects or parties of Christians which made their first appearance in this coun¬ try, during the period now under consi¬ deration. formed in a part of Yorkshire, under the title of New Jerusalemites, whose leaders have inspired them with a belief in the pretended prophecies of Brothers, and who look, under his guidance, for the speedy commence- ment of the millenium. The views of these people seem totally unconnected with any political object, though their tenets leading to an independence on an earthly government, and in the expectation of the subversion of the existing order of things, would naturally make them indifferent spectators"at least, if not active instru¬ ments of any attempt to accomplish that end.'* Is this the same society, denominated in the public News-papers, Ezekielites, from the erroneous interpreta¬ tion of a pafTage in the prophecies of Ezekiel, chap, xxi. ver, 25, 26, 27 ?—Another rdigious society may with propriety be mentioned in this place. A tra¬ veller in Wales, in 1798, mentions a sect he met with, called Jumpers, He attended their meeting on a Sun¬ day evening. A man, to appearance, a day-labourer, was preaching to a very ignorant multitude. The chapel was not divided by pews or seats, and con¬ tained about one hundred persons. The preacher wa? extremely GEORGE "ir. deration. It will not be* difficult for the a. d. discerning reader, to appreciate their ferent merits. • Nothing human is without its alloy of error. Even the divine face of Religion herself is clouded by’defor¬ mities of human invention. But wilfully ■ • * • to seek 'error, when ti'uth may be founds' is a mistake of the most fatal nature. Here it is that reason, under the direction of divine grace, should be our constant guide. God hath not only given -us faculties to jiidge, but hath' promised his assistance in the acquisition of true wisdom, ' ‘ extremely extravagant In his manner, and uttered the most dismal hov/ls and groans imaginable, which, were answered by the congregation so loud, as occasionally 1 to drown his voice. At last, nearly exhausted by continual vocifeiation, he sunk down, in his seat. A I psalm followed; in the midst of which, a part of the assembly began to jimp in small parties of three or four together, lifting up their hands, beating their breastS;> j and making the most horrid gesticulations. This I strange sect, I am informed, is to be met with in some I parts of England, though I have not been able to learn I their peculiar tenets. We / GEORGE ir. A • D* 1727 — 1760 . . We have seen, in this account, in more than one instance, a superstructure'erected, whose parts are discordant, and no way suited to the original simplicity of Chris¬ tianity. But whatever opinion ,.we may form of the profession of individuals in re¬ ligious matters, it will be evident from the numerous students in divinity at this pe¬ riod, that religion was considered as no trivial study. Some, in every party, en¬ deavoured to promote her interests. As the enemy inci'eased, the artillery was at hand. Happy would it have been, if the weapons of this warfare, had all been se¬ lected with judgment, and applied with discretion. Some, undoubtedly, were, and with the very best effects. “ J rejoice,’' says an amiable dissenter to an equally amiable minister of the establishment, “ to be assisted and supported by gentlemen of your character arjd station, in my cordial, though feeble endeavours, to' spread the spirit of true, catholic, vital Christianity; and to root out, much as possible, that. f* t ' »our j • dEORGE ir. 209 sour leaven of bigotry and faftion, which a. d. isi under all denominations, too ready to . . ' . . 1760/ insinuate itself to the dishonour 9f our great Master, and the lamentable detri¬ ment of his family. But, blessed be God ! I hope it begins to be dispelled; and ma¬ ny excellent persons in the establishment, as well as of the separation, have shewn so amiable a disposition to unite in bonds of ^ . mutual respect and Friendship, while diver- sity of forms continues, that I look upon it as a happy proof of the prevalency of real religion in some considerable degree, and a blessed omen of its more abundant prosperity ^ ^ t . / Though religion may, and does, subsist, independent of politics, yet political events and circumstances will always, in a degree, influence the practice of religion in a state. This was very much the case* at' the era * Memoirs of Bishop Hildesley. Letter from Dr, Doddridge, 1749* f s 210 GEORGE ir. of the rebellion, in the year 174*5 which was. instigated by party, not less, to re¬ store the exiled family to the throne, than to replace popery on that eminence, from ■vyhich she had fallen. England has siif- * fered much from popery; and therefore it will not be thought surprising, to find eveiy vigorous exertion used at this eventful pe¬ riod, to avert the danger with which she was threatened. Spiritual, as well as tem¬ poral arms, were lifted up in her defence. Every popular publication was filled with w'arnings, and every pulpit with admoni¬ tions. The civil and religious effects of popery were once more laid before the peo- jple, and they did not appear insensible of « its dangerous tendency. It happened upon this occasion, however, as in all other vio¬ lent commotions, that the language of re¬ proach was often virulent and uncharitable. • But w^hat might not be expected from the injured ? What might they not apprehend from the restoration of exiled and exploded principles, from the influence of a man, / to GEORGE II to use the words of a patriotic Prelate’*', a. d. “ who brousfht his reli 2 :ion from Rome, . 1760. and the rules and maxims of his govern- meht from Paris and Madrid ?” “ Drive far from you (said Warburton, in his energetic language, and during the continuance, of that scene, which could not but make a strong impression on the minds of his au¬ dience, and give an uncommon ardour to Ris expression)—‘‘ Drive far from you the of Rome, now ready to be once more / cast upon your necks. A yoke, which your forefathers could not bear, even when use had made it habitual, and ignorance had shut them up from the sight of truth and liberty. But you who have a clear view, as well as a free choice, of good and evil, will, doubtless, prefer gospel light to the I anti-christian kingdom of darkness. . You will, doubtless, prefer liberty of conscience to blind obedience, or the dungeons or fires of an inquisition; you will prefer * Archbishop Herring's Speech at the Castle of York. , V R ^2 piety ^EOllGE it. piety to superstition, virtue to fanaticism^ your Bible to the Mass-book, and sense to nonsense*.”—Kappy nation!” he adds, ‘‘ the nurse of heroes, the school'of sages, the seminary ' of holy martyrs, the •distinguished favourite of heaven !• But how momentary are all these blessings, when freedom is once separated and divorced from virtue! for, according to the gene^ rous saying of that ancient freeman, that *ve7'y day which sees a man a slave, takes army half his virtue” This last attempt of the unhappy race of Stewart, to regain that throne which they had lost by the intemperate use of power, and bigotry, opened the eyes even of the disaifected ; and has left us in the happy enjoyment of all our religious and ' civil rights^ So wonderful are the changes of time, under the direction of a kind Providence, that this nation, possessing a j\Ionarch who reigns in the hearts of his * Warburton^s Sermon on Popery,. Nov. 1745. I people, f • • . I I 213 GEORGE IE ji people, and no longer dreading those prin- i; ciples which once gave it so much in- ; quietude, has become the asylum of many !‘ thousand distressed members of the popish I church. May we continue to retain our integrity, as well as to increase ouriclia i j rity; that while we exercise our benevo¬ lence with prudence and discretion, we may not endang:er, by our vices, our infi^ delity, nor our lukewarmness, the true, pure, and genuine principles of the pro-^ ! testant faith i . —In 1753, a bill for the naturalization ! of the Jews was brought into parliament, i which excited much discussion, as well as i . i great variety of opinion. In early periods i of the history, not of this country only, I but of most Christian nations, the annals i are disgraced by a narrative of the cruel I -punishments and oppressions of the Jews. : This people, indeed, afford a striking evi^^ i dence of the truth of the divine revelation. I. J They are a living, and perpetual miracl^; I continuing to subsist as a distinct, and pe- A. D, 1727 — 1760, ? 3 culiar 214 GEORGE rr. culiar race, even in the midst of other na¬ tions ; flowing forward in a full and con¬ tinued stream, like the waters of the Rhone, without mixing with the waves of the ex¬ pansive lake through which the passage lies to the ocean of eternity. I do not know that the Jews have ever formed a constituent part of any political bodyj since the days of their first dispersion.. Their request, tlierefore, to be naturalized by the British parliament was at least new in their history. The reason why the act was passed at all was rather political than re¬ ligious ; government thought to strengthen itself by the accession of so powerful a monied interest as this plan seemed to sug^ gest. Popular clamour, however, prevail¬ ed ; and the bill which had been enacted in one session was repealed in the next It does not appear that any injury could have arisen from the indulgence, either to the state or the people; whilst, it is probable, some, at least, of this unbeliev¬ ing race might have been reclaimed. The Bishops, \ GEORGE 11. £15 Bishops, no doubt, were of this opinion, a. d. as they, very liberally, acquiesced in the passing of the bill; and did not, in the following session, oppose its repeal, as that appeared to be the more general sense of the nation. The arguments in opposition were probably dictated by prejudice, for the bill -could not be interpreted as op¬ posing the voice of that prophecy which declares that the Jews shall be a scattered t people till the time of their return to their own land, as no human declaration, no act of any nation, however powerful, can frustrate the completion of the will of the Almighty. One advantage attending the increased liberality of public opinion is, that this oppressed people are no longer the objects of those debasing injuries, to which, in the dark ages, they were perpe¬ tually subject*. We leave them in the \ hand » * The change of public sentiment, with respect to the Jews, is evident in the public exhibition of their character on the stage. Shakespear’s Jew is represented 1 ^ 4 Ski. t 216 GEORGE ir. A. D. hand of Providence, whose ways are not 1^60 whose mysterious counsels will be revealed in the most proper time and place.— —Another Act ,of Parliament having an ecclesiastical foundation, but produced upon civil principles, at the same period, occupied much of the public attention, that / is, the celebrated act under which-mar¬ riages are now solemnized, entituled, An Act for pixvejiting clandesUne Marriages A This act has been the object of much cen¬ sure and applause, but in general, it has been considered as a just medium between the shameful irregularities which formerly prevailed in the celebration of this cere¬ mony, and the tyrannical practices of too close a restraint in so important an article of human happiness. It is not necessary as cruel and avaricious, and endowed' with all the strong prejudices of his nation—I hate him for he is a Christian.*’—Cumberland’s Jew is humane and bene¬ volent ; characteristic indeed in his manners, but honest, liberal,'and friendly to persons of all denominations. to l / GEORGE II. 217 I • to enter into a minute consideration of the a. d. arguments on either side of this question ; . . • . 17o0. for though experience has in many in- * stances shev/n its utility, some alterations might undoubtedly be made in it, with the very best effeci ; Marriage is considered by our laws as a ^civil contract, allowing at the same time a' proper force to the canon law, which protects it as a religious ceremony. Black- j stone says, It is held to be essential to ) a marriage, to be performed by a person in j orders; though the intervention of a priest 1 to solemnize this marriage is merely juris I positivi, and not juris naturalis aut diviniy II it being said, that Pope Innocent the third [who lived a. d. 1210.] was the first who j ordained the celebration of marriage in the i I church, before which it was totally a mil \ contract'^,'’ Allow me, with much diffi-» I dence, to reply to this very respectable au- i thority, in the words of Dr. .Comber. The ] j * Blackstone's Commentaries, book i. chap, ! Christians, ! i I . - • I ' ' 1 - . ' . i GEORGE II. Christians of old thought it did exceed¬ ingly tend to the solemn making, and strict keeping this holy bond of marriage, to have it sealed by an ecclesiastical per¬ son ; and therefore St Ignatius, a. c. 120, saith, It is Jit that the bridegroom and bride be joined by the Bishop's concurrence^ that the marriage may be according to the Lord, and not according to lust* Ignat. Ep. ad I Polycarp. Tertullian, who lived in the next age, declares, that Christian marriages were conjirmed at the sacrament^ and sealed by the Church's blessing. Tert. ad Uxor. L ii. It was decreed in the famous African Council, An. 39S. That parents and para-- nymphs should bring the man and his spouse to be blessed by the priest^ before they came together ; nor was it esteemed a lawful mar¬ riage without this blessing. Concil. 4 Car-,. thag. Can. 13. Upon which St. Augus¬ tine [a. d. 597.] grounded that constitu¬ tion of his, mentioned by Posidonius, Vit. Aug. cap. 27 . That zvhen the marriage zvas agixed upon^ the Priest was to be called^ that j QEORGE 11 . 219 that their compact might be confirmed^ and * their persons blessed"^','' To pass over other ! evidence both of earlier and later times, it I was one of the laws of our Saxon King ! Edmund [a. d. 940.] long before the era i of Innocent the' third, that a Priest should j be present at the making of espousals^ who ‘ by giving them the divine blessmg, might w j assist their sacred confederation in all ho- liness f. ] Marriage, being of the first importance I to the happiness of society, becomes an ■j ^ * Comber’s Companion to the Temple. Matrimony Service. * ' + Si quis virginem ducere aut foeminam voluerit, ipsa et amicis suis consentientibus, debitum est, cum rx jure divhio, turn ex Humana institutione, ut sponsus primo, non solum fidem prebeat de praelocutis perim- plendis, sed una etiam cautionem se earn ita cupere, ut secundum legem Dei earn habeat uxorem, et hoc etiam I vadient amici ejus. j 8 . Nuptiali hide dationi mlssalis aderit sacerdos: is, I dejtirc^ eorum conjunctionem Dei benedictione in omnem I felicitatis plenitudinem promovebit. Leges Edmundi regis. object / ^20 GEORGE IT. A. p. object of the tenderest care of every civi* 1727 ij^ed o^overnment. That it is so of ours, it 1 760. . is needless to observe; but I may be al¬ lowed to add, that in consequence of the numerous divorces, which are sanctioned ♦ by our legislature, the marriage-contract, by the dissipated of the present day, is considered as a cwil contract indeed / a con¬ tract which they adhere to, as long as they find it convenient for it to last; but when dissolved by a legal power, where that power is respected, as with us, or by a ' more easy method, as with our republican neighbours, marriage, in many cases, ha§ neither charms nor comfort: the innocent ' > . * offspring is sacrificed to the abandoned pros? titution of the parent, and every endear¬ ing link of private affection, or public union, is violently rent and torn asunder. In some instances, specified in this mar¬ riage-act, the marriage is declared void ab initio. Where it infringes on the pro¬ hibited degrees of kindred, or is celebrated in opposition to legal disabilities of a mo- ' ra} GEORGE II. ^21 tal nature, such as a prior marriage, &c. a. d. by which confusion might be introduced ^ into society, or the true ends of marriage not properly attained, there let the parties be subject to severe penalties of the law; let the marriage be void from the beginnmgy because they contracted it under illegal circumstances, of which they themselves could Judge: but when the offence is of a different nature, such as a violation of legal forms, with respect to time or place, &:c. or an infringement of any positive / law, wilfully committed, by which illegal marriages are contracted, let the severe penalty fall upon the person by whose means the marriage is contracted, because he ought to have complied in all respects with the injunctions of the legislature. But let the marriage *cmv be sacred, ‘‘Till death us do part,” are words of awful im¬ port* They should neither be lightly pro¬ nounced by the contracting party, nor has¬ tily annulled by any human jurisdiction. It is understood, that in some cases, 3 where GEORGE II. where no legal sentence is pronounced against a marriage illegally solemnized, it is considered as voidable, hut not void. This is often a dangerous snare to the parties. It is an incentive to do ill, upon a proba¬ bility that they may not be discovered, or that they may not be prosecuted to con¬ viction. But if a marriage, under spe¬ cified circumstances, were known , to be really void, it would never be contracted. * . . * The 1 * Case. Horner against Liddiard. Miss Liddiard, was the natural daughter of John Whitelock, Esq. I This gentleman died when Miss Liddiard was of the age of 11 years, and devised a considerable property to her by will. This he directed to be paid to her when she should attain the age of 2t, or be married with the consent and approbation of her mother, Sarah Liddiard, and George Ashley, or the survivor of them ; to whom he further gave “ the tuition and care of his daughter during her minority.’* Miss Liddiard being a minor between 18 ^nd 19 years old, w'as married, by special licence, to T'homas Strangeways Horner, Esq. who had then arrived at the years of legal discre- tion. The licence ^itated that the marriage was so¬ lemnized GEORGE tr. The ceremony of marriage was restored by our Saviour, the Christian’s Legislator, to the primitive purity of its original insti¬ tution. Many things had been allowed by the legislator of the Jews, in consequence of the hardness of their hearts, which had not existed in the earliest arrangenients of society. Amongst other things, polygamy prevailed, even amongst the patriarchs themselves. But the Christian dispensa- lemnized by and with the consent of Sarah Liddiard, j there styled, Sarah Whitelock, widow, her mother, i and guardian, and w'hich consent was in fact obtained.^' T j In Feb. 1799, three years after the consummation of the marriage, Mr. Horner institutes a suit and obtains a sentence of divorce.' ' The parties, from personal and private considerations, acquiesce in this sentence, though a further investigation, by appeal, was hinted to them j in the sentence itself.—Thus is the religious obliga- ! tion of marriage totally .overlooked in the legal deci- I sion: and thus may a designing man impose upon an 1 » innocent young woman; and children, thus born to a virtuous and wedded mother, may, by accident, or design, be rendered illegitimate. See British Critic, i I June. 1801. 8 tion I GEORGE iti 224 A. D. tion brings back the ancient establishment 1727 of the religion of Paradise : - let every man 1760. \ ^ j have rilS own wije rtjv eaura 'yvmixcc, and every \fife rov her proper hus* band*.” It hath been said, whosoever ’ .shall put away his wife, let him give her . a writing of • divorcement: But / say unto yoUy said Christ, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of for- , nication, causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that is di- ^ vorced, committeth adultery f.” However the last clause of this injunction may be interpreted, whether, under the divine au¬ thority, the person divorced for the sake of fornication, may, or may not, be per¬ mitted to marry again, the legislature of every country, surely, possesses a right of punishing, in whatever way appears to be most eligible, profligate manners and irre¬ ligious-delinquency. It cannot be consist¬ ent with the purity of Christian morals, to 1 Cor. vli. 2. -T- Matt, v. 31, 32, see GiiORGE iu . 'see the adulterer and adulteress deriding a. d. the marriage vow, contemning- those laws, ^7^7 ... . I76U human and divine, which are established for t the protection of innocence, and the pu¬ nishment of the wicked, and living in all the fatal security of sin. It cannot be for the benefit of society, to see such depraved examples among us. Let us put away the evil, and cleanse ourselves, at least, from this iniquity. Let the Legislature, while it protects the minor from seduction, not for¬ get the offences of the more mature and deli¬ berate offender. The ceremony of marriage, though regu¬ lated by acts of parliament, is still a solemn act of religion, and was always so reputed, except in the times of the great rebellion, when the celebration of it was taken out of the hands of the church, w ith the design of bringing the*clergy into contempt, and, as if it we're a mere political engagement, as¬ signed to those of the civil magistrate. Banns of marriage were publislied in the mai'ket-place, and the officiating minister was / GEORGE n. •A. D. ''U'as a justice of the peace. But if we won If! 1727 jiQt behold so many melancholy instances of 1760. * imliaj^py marriages, and broken vows, we should endeavour to* replace this important -ceremony on its true foundation. We should assure ourselves, that it is holy from its author, and venerable from its antiquity : that the greatest friend* of man, the Legis¬ lator of Christianity, restored it to its origi¬ nal purity, and some of his first apostles sanctioned it both by their precepts and ex¬ amples. No legal or spiritual restrictions are put upon it, butf such 'as are necessary for the general good of society ; and all •parties, in the language of St. Paul, are at liberty to be maiTied to whom they will ; only in fhe Lord ^': that is, upon those pure principles of religious engagement esta- -blished by the blessed revelation of the gospel 1. ' . . Th« * I Cor. vli. 39.- f In 17S1, this act was attempted to be repealed, but without success. At this time, a very sino-iilar circunrstance took place ; it was discovered, in conse- tjuence I GEORGE II. S27 The licentiousness of the common people, a. d. in consequence of the unrestraixed use , . . 17oO. SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, was remarked m a former part of this essay. In the year 1759, an additional duty was proposed to be laid on the distilleries. I mention this, to in¬ troduce an observation of the Lord Mayor and City of London, in a petition to the House of Commons on this occasion ; that ‘‘ they had with great pleasure observed the quence of a legal decision, [King’s Norton and North- field—Burn’s Justice, vol. iii. 600.] which had never been foreseen when the act was passed, that all mar¬ riages, which had been celebrated in churches or chapels, built since the passing of the act, were void j as that act declared, that all marriages, celebrated in places amidst the perplexities of a public station, amidst the boisterous waves of a contending world, maintains,'with firmness, his dependence on the King of kings; whilst the other,' uu-, fettered by any outward restraint, free to Serve his God, either in the walks of public life, or in the shade of a peaceful retire- - ment;. / GEORGE III. merit, throws himself into the lap of luxury, a. d. and his soul perishes with hunger in the 1^^^— midst of abundance. Almost the first act of this good King’s reign, [Oct. 31, 17d0] was to issue a royal proclamation for the encouragement of Piety and Virtue, and for preventing and punish¬ ing of Vice, Profaneness, and Immorality ; which is directed, and continues to be read, at the opening of the assizes, and general quarter sessions of the peace, as well as occa¬ sionally in parish churches. The personal considerations which dictated this proclamar tion, do credit to the heart which produced them.—We humbly acknowledging, that we cannot expect the blessing and goodness * of Almighty God (by whom kings reign, and on which we entirely rely,) to make our reign happy and prosperous to ourself, and to our people, without a religious observance of God’s holy laws : to the intent, therefore, that religion, piety^ and good manners may (according to our most hearty desire) flolirish and increase under our administration and * V . ' R govern- r 242 GEORGE III* D. governinent, We have thought fit, &c. to 60 — issue this our royal proclamation—And for 1780 . . ' ^^the encouragement of religion and morality, we will, upon all occasions, distinguish per¬ sons of piety and virtue, by marks of our royal favour. ’’ * His Majesty’s first speech' to his parlia¬ ment [Nov. 18, 1760] strengthens the im¬ pression of piety and true loyalty, occa¬ sioned by his first proclamation ; and ought to call forth, in every British bosom, senti¬ ments of the warmest, and most inviolable,, attachment.—Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton; and the' peculiar happiness of my life will ever consist in promoting the welfare of a people, wliose loyalty and warm affection to me, I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my throne; and, I doubt not, but their steadiness in those principles will equal the firmness of my invariable resolution to adhere to, and strengthen, this excellent constitution in church and state; and to maintain the to¬ leration GEORGE III. S43 leratioii inviolable. The crvil and religious rights of my loving subjects are equally dear to me with the most valuable preroga* tives of ray crown: and, as the surest foundation of the Avhole, and the best means to draw down the divine' favour on my reign, it is my fixed purpose to coun¬ tenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue.”—To forget such ex¬ pressions, is impossible: to omit repeating them, when occasion prompts, were an un¬ grateful silence. ... It was remarked, in the account of the early part of this century, that two eccle¬ siastical parties prevailed in this country, distinguished, according to their opinions of cliurch-government, by the.names of the High Church,' and the Low Church, parties. As in all controversies, extremes of sentiment were adopted on both sides; the authority of the church was, perhaps^ exalted as much too high by The one, as it was depressed too low by the other. Those R 2 who !> 244 6E0IIGE IIT. . D. who wished to avoid the pomp and despo- tism of the popish hierarchy, favoured the republican plainness of presbyterian go¬ vernment, and those who thought the pri¬ mitive arrangement of ecclesiastical power, essentially different from that now esta¬ blished in Scotland, and now, or lately, established in Holland, bent with too strong an inclination, to that mode of outward Worship, which had been long exhibited to the world, in the church of Rome. In the midst of warm discussions, a middle party might have been, and perhaps was formed, of men of moderate principles, who derived episcopal government from the earliest esta¬ blishment of Christianity by Christ and his apostles, and were glad to receive it, una¬ dulterated by the accretions of time, the appendages of superstition, or the dreams of enthusiasm. They needed not to have gone further for a pure example of church- government, than the times which succeeded the period of the reformation, and which, in tuany instances, has been imitated in the church / 245 GEORGE III. church of England during the preceding century. The two parties alluded to, may be traced through a succession of many years, vary¬ ing indeed with the times, but still holding a decided, if not a respectful, distance from each other. When the Bangorian contro-- versy ceased, the storm appeared to subside; but some streaks of the cloud still lingered A. D. 1 760— 1780. in tlie horizon, ready to be re-united, when similar times, or men of similar dispositions, might be inclined to call them into action. This was the case at this period of our his¬ tory ; and the calm, which had so long pre¬ vailed, was succeeded by new tempests. The fear of popery became again tlie zoatch- word of party, Not indeed, as I imagine, that popery was the real object of fear, (for where the principles of popery really pre¬ vail, fear can hardly be too much magni¬ fied,) but it will appear, on this occasion, that the word 7?e/?e;’j/,was used, to introduce principles of an opposite nature. • Ever since the tcbellion of the year 1745, loyal a 5 subjects I GEORGE Iir. 246 J A. J>. subjects of the king, and members’ of a 1 760 protcstant church, united their endea- 1780 . ^ % t . p vours to suppress every encroachment or the power of Rome. They did not indeed, as on former occasions, bring into parlia¬ ment new bills of pains and penalties against professors of the Roman Catholic religion. No. They acted upon more liberal prin¬ ciples; and though they carefully watch- ft ed their movements where danger might have been apprehended, they avoided every violent interruption of their mode of worship. This has been the happy policy of the pre¬ sent reign. Most of the severe acts against papists have been. repealed ; and they are checked only, Avhere they ought to be so, in such points of temporal and spiritual go¬ vernment, as are inconsistent with our own establishment in church and state. That the Roman Catholics, about this pe- xiod, [a. d. 176 , 5 ] might make some inef¬ fectual attempts to revive their power in this kingdom, will neither be affirmed nor denied. But this just observation of Mac- •' Icane, GEORGE III. 247 kane, will probably be universally admitted, a! d. as characteristic of the times when this con- troversy was maintained ; that, the public appearance of popery, which is justly com¬ plained of, is no certain proof of its'growth, but rather shews its indiscretion' than its strength, and the declining vigour of our zeal, than the growing influence of its maxiips ” Under this point of view. Archdeacon Blackburne’s ‘ Considerations on the present • State of the Controversy between the Protes- " tants and Papists of Great Britain and Ire- . land,’will appear to be a proper introduction ^ to his celebrated work ‘ The Confessional; or, a full and free Inquiry into the Right, Utility, Edification, and Success of esta¬ blishing S 3 ^stematical Confessions of Faith and Doctrine in Protestant Churches,’ which was delivered to tlie public in 1766, No publication, since the days of Hoadley, pro- ' duced a greater sensation in the Church of * Mpsheim’s Eccles. Hist. Appen, 2. vol. 5. R 4 ' England 248 GEORGE Iir. A. D. England than this; a sensation which did 1760 - 1 / 80 , not subside for many years, and roused the slumbering pretensions of her less orthodox members. Bold in assertion, and ingenious in argument, the author of ‘ The Confes¬ sional,’ became the Coryphaeus of a power¬ ful party; and it was not till the Legisla¬ ture, at the distance of several years, de¬ termined an important question resulting from it, that the controversy ceased. The free discussion of the right of pro- testant churches to require subscription to systematical confessions of faith and doc¬ trine, was attended with this beneficial ef¬ fect, that it laid open the motives which 9 occasioned it. While the^ controversy con¬ tinued, the parties on both sides were too much heated to discuss coolly the tendency of their dispute. But we, who can look back thirty years, may be expected to view dispassionately, though certainly not with¬ out interest, so important a discussion. It is evident, that if the object which then occupied the public attention had been at¬ tained, GEORGE III. I £ 49 , tallied, the faitli of every sincere member' a. d. ' ^ l'“6'0 of our excellent church had been endan- 1 / 80 . gered, and a door opened for the introduc¬ tion of discordant theological opinions. It is evident that a disbelief of many of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity dic¬ tated the opposition, and therefore, had it been successful, in all human probability they would not only have overturned the Church of England, but the Church of Christ. In consequence of the Vvarm representa¬ tions of the Confessional, and its numerous advocates, an association was formed at the Feathers-tavern in London [a. d. 177^J, by certain clergymen of the church of Eng¬ land, and certain members of the two pro¬ fessions of law and physic, and some others, who were desirous of being relieved from the subscription to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. A-petition to parliament for this ♦ Copy of the petition to the Honourable the Com¬ mons of Great Britain in parliament assembled. The 250 GEORGE III. A. D. 1760 — 1780. this purpose, ^yas framed by this society, signed by about 250 of the clergy, and pre¬ sented The humble Petition of certain of the Clergy of the Church of England, and of certain of the two professions of Civil Law and Physic, and others, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, SI-fEWETH, ' That your petitioner's apprehend themselves to have certain rights "and privileges which they hold of God only, and which are subject to his authority alone. That of this kind is the free exercise of their own reason and judgement, whereby they have been brought to, and confirmed in, the belief of the Christian religion, as it is contained in the holy scriptures. That they / esteem it a great blessing to live under a constitution, which, in its original principles, ensures to them the full and free profession of their faith, having asserted the authority and sufficiency of Holy Scriptures in— All things necessary to salvation ; so that whatsoever “ is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is “ not to be required of any man, that it should be be. lieved as an article of the faith, or be thought requi- site or necessary to salvation.** That your peti. tioners do conceive that they have a natural right, and are also warranted by those original principles of the reformation from popery, on which the church of Eng. land .GEORGE III. • sented to the House of Commons, on the I 6th day of February. After perusing the ^ . t ’ ' petition, A 17 17 / ■land is constituted, to judge in searching the scriptures, each man for himself, what may or may not be proved thereby. That they fiiKi themselves, however, in a great measure, precluded the enjoyment of this inva-^ luable privilege, by the laws relating to subscription; whereby your petitioners are required to acknowledge certain articles, and confessions of faith and doctrine, : drawn up by fallible men, to be all and every of them , agreeable to the said scriptures. Your petitioners, :' therefore, pray, that they may be relieved from such an » ' imposition upon their judgement, and be restored to their -undoubted right, as protestants, of interpreting i scripture for themselves, without being bound by any : human explications thereof, or required to acknowdedge, ■) I by subscription, or declaration, the truth of any for., I mulary of religious faith and doctrine whatsoever, be, I side Holy Scripture itself, j • That your petitioners*not only are themselves ag^ i grieved by subscription, as now required (which they ! cannot but consider as an encroachment on their rights j competent to them, both as men and as members of a i protestant establishment) but with much grief and -con¬ cern, apprehend it to be a great hihderance to the spread- i iag of Christ’s true religion; as it tends to preclude, at ! ■ least GEORGE III. Ok# A. D. -1 760 — 1780. petition, it will not be'difficult to guess at the arguments made use of to support it Religious least to discourage, farther enquiry Into the true sense of scripture, to divide communions, and cause mu, tual dislike between fellow protestants : as it gives a handle to unbelievers to reproach and vilify the clergy, by representing them (when they observe their diversity of opinion, touching those very articles which were agreed upon for the sake of avoiding the diversities of opi, n’on,} as guilty of prevarication, and of accommodating their faith to lucratiye views, or political considera, tions: as it affords to papists, and others di^afiected to our religious establishments, occasion to reflect upon it, as - inconsistently framed, admitting and authorizing doubtful and precarious doctrines, at the same time that Holy Scripture alone is acknowledged to be certain, and sufficient for salvation i-as it tends (and the evil daily increases) unhappily to divide the clergy of the esta¬ blishment themselves, subjecting one part thereof, who assert hut their protestant privilege to question every human doctrine and bring it to the test of scripture, to be reviled, as well from the pulpit as the press ; by another part, who seem to judge the articles they have subscribed, to be of equal authority with the Holy Scripture itself: and, lastly, as it occasions scruples and embarrassments of conscience to thoughtful and worthy GEORGE III. 253 ReliQ:ious toleration, they said in ’ the a, d. debates, could never be too extensive ^ and that i worthy persons in regard to entrance into the minis- i try, or chearful continuance in the exercise of it* That the clerical part of your petitioners, upon whom i it is peculiarly incumbent, and who are more imme- i diately appointed by the state, to maintain and de- j fend the truth as it is in Jesus, do' find themselves under a great restraint in their endeavours herein, by being obliged to join iflue with the adversaries of re- ; velation, in supposing the one true sense of scripture I to be expressed in the present established system of faith, or else to incur the reproach of having departed from their subscriptions, tlic suspicion of insincerity, and the repute of being ill-affected to the church ; whereby their comfort and usefulness among their re¬ spective flocks, as well as their success against the ad¬ versaries of our common Christianity, are greatly ob¬ structed. . , ' That such of your petitioners as have been educated with a view to the several professions of civil law and physic, cannot but think it a great hardship to be obliged (as are all in one of the Universities, even at their first admission, or matriculation, and at an age so immature for disquisitions and decisions of such moment) to subscribe their unfeigned assent to a va- \ netv 1 254 • GEORGE III- A. D. that nothing could he more absurd, or more 17^0 contrary to reason and reli 2 :ion than ’ to 1780, ^ IV oblige # riety of theological propositions, concerning, which their private opinions can be of no consequence to the public, in order to entitle them to academical degrees in those faculties ; more especially as the course of their studies, and attention to their practice respec¬ tively, afford them neither the means nor the leisure to examine whether, and how far, such propositions do agree with the word of God, That certain of your petitioners have reason to la¬ ment, not only their own, but the too probable mis¬ fortune of their sons, who, at an age before the habit of reflection can be formed, or their judgment matured, must, if the present mode of subscription remains, be irrecoverably bound down in • points of the* highest consequence, to the tenets of ages less informed than their own. That, whereas the first of the three articles, en¬ joined by the 36th Canon of the Church of England to be subscribed, contains a recognition of his Ma¬ jesty’s supremacy in all causes ecclesiasticaT and civil, your petitioners humbly presume, that every security, . proposed by subscription to the said article, is fully and effectually provided for by the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, prescribed to be taken by every Dea¬ con GEORGE III, 255 • ^ I,] oblige people to subscribe articles which a. d [ji they did not believe.” I shall not recite ! 1780 the arguments of the violent of either par-\,^^s/^ ty, but confine myself to the principles i i •on and Priest at their ordination, and by every Gra- I duate in both Universities. Your petitioners, never¬ theless, are ready, and willing, to give any farther I testimony which may be thought expedient, of their affection for his Majesty^s person and government, of their attachment and dutiful submission in church and state, of their abhorrence of the unchristian spirit of ' popery, and of all those maxims of the church of Rome, v/hich tend to enslave the consciences, or to undermine the civil or religious liberty of a free protestant people, * Your petitioners in consideration of the premises, ' do now humbly supplicate this Honourable House, in hope of being relieved from an obligation so i j incongruous with the right of private judgment I so pregnant with danger to true religion, and i so productive of distress to many pious and con- I scientious men, and-useful subjects of the state ; and in that hope look up for redress, and hum¬ bly submit their cause,’ under God, to the wis- ; dom and justice of a British Parliament, and the 1 i piety of a protestant King. I • ^ ^ , And your petitioners shall ever pray, &c# 1 upon y \ 256 , GEORGE illi A. D. upoil which a large majority [219 against 1780 7^3] deckled against the petition. ‘‘They insisted that all governments had a right I to constitute the several orders of their subjects as they pleased; that the priest¬ hood, in this instance, stood in the same predicament with the others ; that it was necessary that those who were to be appoint¬ ed the public teachers and instructors of the people, should be bound by some cer¬ tain principles from which they were not to deviate; that to prevent the disorder and confusion incident to so great a num¬ ber, it was also necessary, that some pub¬ lic symbol should be established, to which they should all assent, as a mark of their conformity and union; that a simple as¬ sent to the scriptures, would in this case be of no signification, as every day's ex- f • pcrience shewed, that no two would agree in their general construction of them, and that it was'too well known, that the great¬ est absurdities, and even blasphemies, had at difi'erent times been attempted to have I GEORGE liL 257 been supported or defended upon their an- a. d. ' thority. It was also said, that so far as sub- ] . : . 1780 . scription related to the clergy, who were those principally concerned, it could not ' be considered that they suffered any injus¬ tice, as they were under no necessity of accepting benefices'contrary to their con¬ science, and if their scruples arose after¬ wards, they had it always in their power to quit them; and that every man now, according to tl:ve prayer of the' petition, f was at liberty to interpret the scripture for his own private use; but that his being autliorized to do so for others, contrary to their inclination, was a matter of a very » different nature There is an argument, not mentioned in the petition, but alluded to in the debate, which casts an additional light on the mo¬ tives of the petitioning party. A happy opportunity,” they said, was now offered, of opening such a door for the dissenters, * Dodsley’s Annual Register, iT]2, pj s as c. £58 GEORGE Iir. \ % • 1780 . as it was probable that most of them would enter at, and thereby be received into the bosom of the established church.”—Happy indeed, would that opportunity be, which could accomplish so important a purpose. I pray sincerely and earnestly for the union of all Christian churches. May they spee¬ dily become one fold,' under one Shepherd! But I would not betray the true treasure of the gospel, for all that India or Ophir could produce. I would not see the in¬ valuable doctrines of revelation invaded by an heterogeneous multitude sheltered un¬ der anp denomination of Christians, who might impose upon the ignorant and un¬ wary, who might preach a faith, which is not the faith, and establish a.church, which is not the church, of Christ. I mean not, by this expression, to reject the offer of union with any believers in our cruchied Saviour. We have all, probably, preju¬ dices to be conquered. But the salvation of our souls, is, or ought to be, equally near to us all. Tlierefore, as we regard our GEORGE lit. S59 our everiastinu’ welfare, we should buy a. d. ® . tiy/io_ the truth, and sell it not *we should deal^J^^^ ' honestly with our own hearts ; we should not compromise the great truths of the gospel, but love them, cherish them, live with them, die with them. External ce¬ remonies indeed form no necessary part of the gospel of Christ Times and sea¬ sons will alter their appearance. But no time, no season, can alter that faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Hea¬ ven and Earth shall pass away, biit mi^ u^ords shall not pass away f.” Immediately after the discussion of the petition, a motion was made in the House of Commons with no friendly intention to the established church, for leave to bring in a bill to quiet the possession of the sub¬ ject against dormant claims of the churchy A bill of this nature had passed with re¬ spect to the claims of the Crown, but the argument stood upon a different founda- Frov, xxiii. 23. f Matt, xxiv, 35, s ^ tjon 260 GEORGE III. A. D. tion with respect to the church. The com- 1760 biuations of rich farmers, the quick suc¬ cession of incumbents, it was said, would render the - effects of this bill very * j %, injurious to the poorer clergy, who were unable to defend their rights; that the Nullum Tempus claimed by. the Crown, was an en 2 :ine in the-hands of the strong to pppjess the weak ;.but that the Nullum’ Tempus of the Church was a defence to the_weak against the strong.*.” The bill was rejected. | - In consequence of . the favourable sen¬ timents expressed in the late debates with respect to the dissenting ministers, it was t thought a seasonable opportunity for them -^to apply to parliament to^ be relieved from . subscription to certain articles of religion, I which was enjoined,^ them by the Act of ^Toleration. The" doctrines thus enjoined Ao be assented to, at the time the act . was made, were equally the belief of the * Debates. established GEORGE III. £61' established and dissenting churcli. At pre¬ sent, this was supposed not to be the case. The bill, though carried through the House of Commons by a large majority, was thrown out of the House of Lords by a majoi ity of 10£ to 29. The year following, the question of sub¬ scription was again brought forward, and discussed in the House of Commons, though with a different object, and on a narrower scale. A motion was made, Feb. 23, 1773, for the Speaker’s quitting the chair, that the house should take into consideration the .question of ‘‘ Subscription to the 39 Articles, or any other test which may be- required of persons at their matriculation at either of the Universities.^ This like¬ wise^ was rejected by a large majority, 159 against 67- In both the LTiiversities the same attempt was made, but without suc¬ cess. The last application to parliament on this ground ‘w^as on the'5th of May 17^74, upon a motion for the relief of all parties s 3 concerned I 262 GEORGE irr. A. D. concernecL This application was not more So decided , that the mover of the question did not divide the house. Here then,” says a relater of the suc¬ cessive attempts in this business, “ come we to that period, where, for the present, all proceedings stop. We will not enter into arguments. Let it suffice to remark, that Christianity, simple, and unadulte¬ rated, as exhibited in the scriptures, re¬ mains, even at this day, and in this coun¬ try, not only not established, but—not tolerated by legal authority *. ” Is it possible, that this language is ad-, A short View of the Controverfies occasioned hy the Confessional, and the Petition to Parliament for relief in the Matter of Subscription to the Liturgy, and 39 Articles of the Church of England.’* In this pamphlet, signed J. D. and dated April 17, 1775', are 'enumerated 43 publications on the controversy occa¬ sioned by the Confessional; and 102 on the Clerical Petition Controversy. 1760 successful than the preceding: 1780. . . , , 1 • indeed was the general opin dressed GEORGE III. 263 Grossed to the mild, the benevolent, the ^ \ truly TOLERANT Chui'cli of England ? Is it possible that any member of that church should have occasion to use this language ? Individuals, perhaps, in all states and churches, may be found indulging harsh measures, the consecjuence of -harsh tem¬ pers. But that in intolerance should be attributed to a government, and to a church protected by that government, whose principles are generally known, and . in which Christianity^ simple, and' unadul¬ terated,' as exhibited in the sci'ipture^,' is professedly taught, will hardly be believect That this church should watch with a care¬ ful, and even a jealous eye, over so va¬ luable a treasure as she possesses, no one ought to condemn : that she will suffer any, every man to partake with herdn this inestimable blessing, all dispassionate ob¬ servers will allow. But that she should wilfully adopt a conduct destructive of true religion, that she should oppress any description of conscientious persons, so as s 4 . to • 264 GEORGE III. to call forth violent invective, and intem¬ perate reproof, and induce them to say, in the language of the author of this pamphlet, sore with disappointment, that Christianity, in this country, is not only not established, but not toler^ated by legal au¬ thority, is neither consistent with her ge¬ neral professions, nor her general practice. What the true motives were which ac¬ tuated several of the petitioning clergy, soon became evident by the secession of a few, A chapel was opened in Essex- street by a very worthy, and, I doubt not, conscientious minister, who relinquished a distinguished situation in the church on account of his religious principles. This was also the case in a few other instances, which certainly deserve commendation: as it can be no mark either of piety or ho¬ nesty to retain the emoluments of a sta¬ tion, which both principle and inclination tend rather to destroy than to support. * The introduction of Arian and Socinian * tenets appears to have been, with many, the GEORGE III. 1 j j 1 I 1 1 » D I 2(35 f the chief motives of this important con- I troversy. Liberty of conscience, erecting jl its standard by the side of civil liberty (ac- I) ,1 cording to such definitions of liberty as 5 began then to prevail) took advantage of the times to prefer its plea. Many lu- ; minous pens were drawn upon the occasion on both sides; and the Church of Eng- I land, as usual, met with many advocates. This controversy, having had its day, has now sunk into oblivion ; but it has left a I I consequence behind it, which co-operating I with' the free opinions of more modern , ^ * ! times, has diffused no salutary influence ! through many a peaceful retreat. The true faith of the Gospel indeed has not been shaken as a public profession ; but in some I large cities and populous towns, places of worship have been opened, though many ! of them were not long supported, on the Arian and Socinian plan; some adopting i the use of 'the Book of Common Prayer as I originally published by Dr. Samuel Clark, j and others conforming to the Presbyterian model A. D. 1 760 — 1780. GEORGE in. f66 A. D. model of public devotion. So unfettered indeed are modern sectarists of this descrip- 1780 . . ^ tion, that the names both of Arius and Socinus have gone out of fashion, and that of Unitarian almost universally adopt¬ ed. Perhaps there is policy in adopting a name, which, in one sense, even the most \ orthodox believer needs not reject; as he, as well as they, acknowledges that tliera iy none other God but But the or¬ thodox believer will not reduce his faith to a level with that of Mahomet; he will not look for salvation in the Manual of Epictetus, or in the Offices of Cicero. Mo¬ rality, however excellent as a rule of life, ' will not become a living principle in the heart of man, if it be not mixed with faith in those who are instructed in it. The religion of the Unitarian therefore (in their sense of the word) may be called the re- \ ligion of the Deist, or of any other un¬ believer of the revelation of the gospel * I Cor, vUi. 4, Indeed, 267 GEORGE Ttl. Indeed, if we take away the nature of a. d. God, as displayed in the awful words scripture, we remove all distinctions be¬ tween Christians, and those Infidels, who are not Atheists. I believe in God, and Mahomet his prophet,” says the disciple ' of the celebrated Oriental impostor, ‘ ^ I believe in God, and Jesus Christ, a prophet and teacher,” is the creed of the -Unita¬ rian. But the member of the church esta¬ blished among us, finds a inVitv faith in scripture which is the anchor of his soul^ both sure and certain; a faith, which has God for its object in the most perfect state of unity, but in whose essence are Jesus Christy the son of his love ; without whose meritorious death and sufferings, sinners never could have been reconciled to the Almighty, and All-justand the Holy Spirit, without whose inspiration, the best of men could neither think a good thought, nor perform a goocj#action. The language of scripture is rendered consistent by thus coasidering the great object of religions - adoration, ✓ » 26s GEORGE IIT. adoration. The true state of mans con¬ dition is laid open, his utter incapability of redeeming himself from the penalty of sin, is rendered clear and perspicuous; his sole dependence on a Saviour is made ma¬ nifest, in whose person are united both the human and divine natures, that He might, at once, though sinless himself, represent that nature which had sinned, and at tlie same time afford an adequate propitiatory sacrifice; and his gratitude is inflamed by a revelation of that Holv, Divine Com- t forter, who descends into his heart with gifts and graces, the precious fruits of faith, and the blessed assurance of immortal hap- 1 piness. What have heathen morals, what have the corrupted doctrines of Christianity, to offer, equal to these great and invaluable blessings ? Man, who knows his own weak¬ ness, relies not on his oavii merits, but the merits of his Saviour; man, whose carnal heart sinks under worldly oppressions, and >vorldly temptations, t:is€S superior to them 2 all GEORGE III, ^69 all in the confidence of spiritual assistance. . 1760- If ye live after the flesh ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, ' do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. For ye have not re¬ ceived the spirit of bondage again to fear; t but ye have received the spirit of adop- I tion, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father*!'’ I r I It will be evident to those who have I made the History of the Church of Eng- ; land their study during the eighteenth cen- i tury, that she has, upon every occasion, supported the principles of religious tole- i i ration in the purest manner. ^ It will not, j indeed, be supposed, that, in adhering to I this charitable conduct, she has betrayed j her own interests, or connived at the intro- j duction of doctrines, inconsistent with the (1 purity of her faith. On the contrary, she j has guarded her own treasure by every ' ! means which prudence or propriety could i 1 / lj * Rom. viii, 13, 14, 15, 1 : !; dictate; 270 GEORGE llii dictate; ''ti the sai«e time that she has per¬ mitted others to use theh^ riches in any manner they chose, provided they did not i \ employ them to her detriment or destruc¬ tion. This has certainly been the general principle on which she has acted, notwith¬ standing any particular instance which her enemies might judge oppressive. Neither has she ever suffered by her charity: not will she ever suffer, by uniting mildness and moderation with well-tempered zeal, and the practice of true christianit)^ From long experience, that men are more easily led by the cords of love, than con¬ strained by compulsion, the legislature of ^ this country has been induced, at various times, to relax the necessary restraints, which it had occasionally thought proper to exercise on the profession of systems of ^ religion differing from our own. The Ro¬ man Catholic and Protestant-dissenting per¬ suasions are the most eminent of those, which have stood forth most in opposition to that of the Church of England. These, G as GEORGE III, £71 ;| as circumstances of danger 'were removed, a. d. have frequently experienced the clemency, and indeed, corresponding with the altera- tions of time, the justice of the state. The liberality of England to the Roman Catholics appeared at this time in the ar- I rangements which took place in settling the 1 civil and religious constitution of govern¬ ment in the province of Quebec, a. d. i774. The religion of Rome, it was said, by the I bill which was passed for this purpose, was not only protected, \)ut established. This , was considered-by many as contrary to the principles of the English constitution. A warm petition was presented to the throne from the corporation of London previous to his Majesty’s signing tlie bill, ‘‘ request- ing that he would not give his assent to It. “ The Roman Catholic religion,” they said, “which is known ' to ‘ be idolatrous and bloody, is established by this bill, and no legal provision is-made for the free ex- ' ercise of our reformed faith; ' nor the se-*- curity of our IprOtestatit fellow-subjects of the 1 272 GEORGE III. the Church of England in the true worship of Almighty God according to their con¬ sciences.”—These intemperate expressions did not produce the desired elfect. ' Mur¬ muring and discontent followed: which were succeeded at no very distant period, with daring and atrocious outrage *. Principles of toleration, happy indeed in their general i consequences when directed with judgment, continued to gain ground among the liberal part of the nation; so that when a patriotic member moved the house of commons [May 14, 1778] for leave to bring in a bill, for the repeal .of certain penalties and disabilities, provided in an act of the 10th and lith of William I ■ III. entituled “ An Act to prevent the further growth of Popery,” the motion was received with universal approbation, and a bill was brought in, and passed, without * In the year I79i> the mistakes of this- bill were rectified by another, in which a very ample allotment of land was made, in both the divisions of Canada, for the maintenance of a piotestatit clergy. a single / GEOKGE III. 2173 a single negative. This was certainly no a. d. proof of any well grounded fear popery. 17^)0 — It must also be remarked, that the remov- ing of penalties, and promoting principles of toleration, do not operate,^as an en- . couragement of obnoxious doctrines. The I law still remains in force against the pro¬ pagation of pernicious opinions ; whilst the i personal exercise of private modes of wor- i ship is allowed. The language of the Ro¬ man Catholics, in an address to the throne, at this period, when disaffection must have I been attended with danger, was modest and respectful. Our exclusion,’’ they I said, ‘‘ from many of the benefits of that constitution, has not diminished our reve¬ rence to it. We behold with satisfaction I the felicity Qf our fellow-subjects; and we I partake of the general prosperity which re- I suits from an institution so full of wisdom. We have patiently submitted, to such re- I strictions and discouragements as the le¬ gislature thought expedient We have thankfully received < such relaxation of the T ^ rigour 1 274 GEORGE III. rigour of the laws, the mildness of an enlightened 'age, and the benignity of your Majesty’s government, have gradually produced : and we submissively wait, with¬ out presuming to suggest either time or measure, for such other indulgence, as those happy causes cannot fail, in their Qwn season, to effect. ' AYe beg leave to assure your Majesty, that our dissent from the legal establishment, in matters of re-- ligion, is purely conscientious: that we hold no opinions adverse to your Majesty’s government, or repugnant to the duties of good citizens.”—^^In removing the re¬ strictions of -the Roman Catholics at this time, the legislature was not unmindful of the constitution of the kingdom, in church and state ; and therefore required a rea¬ sonable test, or oath, to be taken by the parties to be benefited by this indulgence, without 'which they could not receive any advantage from the act. The relief thus granted to the Roman Catholics soon formed a precedent for the dissenting GEORGE III. 275 dissenting interest to expect similar con- a. d. cessions. Accordingly an act was passed — ^ • 1780 in 1779 which removed many disabilities from protestant dissenting ministers and ’ school-masters, requiring them at the same time to take the usual oaths to govern¬ ment, and to sign a declaration in general - terms, that thev are “ Christians and Pro- testants, and that they believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, as commonly received among protestant. churches, do .contain the revealed will of God, and that they receive the same as the rule of their doctrine and practice*’’ It is said to have been the intention of government in the year 1780, to have ex¬ tended the same relief to the Roman Ga^- tholics of Scotland, which their brethren in England received in 1778: but-this li¬ berality was prevented by private associa¬ tions, nominally for the defence of the pro¬ testant relisrion; and public clamour was excited by every possible means. It will be necessary as a justification of our mild' T 2 and 9 r 2r6 GEORGE Iir. A. D. and iinpersecuting profession of religion, to 17d0 shew that the insurrection whicli shortly after followed in the metropolis, and in other places, and the injuries suffered Roman Catholics, as well as by those who had supported the humane act of parlia¬ ment lately passed in their favour, did not spring from any ecclesiastical or civil re¬ sentment, or from any general influence of public opinion, but that it arose, at Jirst, from an inconsiderable committee,' and afterwards froni' an enraged mob, whose object was plunder, and who knew nothing of popery or protestantism but the . names. The first Scotch committee was at Edinburgh, and in point of number amounted only to thirteen persons; the three first, or principal of these were a merchant, a goldsmith, and a teacher of the poor in an hospital > the remainder were men either exercising mean trades, or ■ else writing clerks, some serving in ’ counting houses, and others in public of¬ fices ; excepting only fhe thirteenth, who, 8 being I GEORGE III. 277 being* yet an apprentice, filled, notwitli- a. d. ' standing- the important office of secretary ^ 1 *^1780 to the committee*.” But, how great a fire, will not a little spark kindle!. By perse¬ vering in intemperate language and in¬ temperate publications, the wild-fire of in- vectiv^e ran speedily along, a spirit of out¬ rage began to display itself, and, not be¬ ing immediately checked by the civil ma¬ gistrate, it fell, with great severity as well as cruelty, on the persons and property of several Roman Catholics in Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and some other places in Scotland. About the same period, a small society , was formed in London, of- very obscure men, corresponding with the society in Edinburgh, who assumed to themselves the name of ‘‘The protestant Association;” holding themselves forth as representatives of the protestant interest, and having the same objects in view with the original asso- ^ Dodsley’s Annu^il Register, 1780, p. 27. T 3 ciators G78 GEORGE III, A. D. ciators in Scotland. The name soon in- — creased the numbers to an incredible de- gree. Undq* the pretence of presenting a petition to parliament for the repeal of the act lately passed, in favour of the Ro¬ man Catholics, an immense multitude, amounting, it is said, to upwards of 40,000, ' assembled in St. George’s Fields for that purpose, under the direction of Lord George Gordon, a lunatic and a fanatic, who had said, that he would not present the pet? tition, if he was attended with, less than twenty thovisand persons. The consequence was the same with that which had occurred in Scotland, but accompanied with more I extensive mischief. The history of the shocking and disr graceful transactions in London, which immediately followed this unprecedented step, is too well known to be here repeat¬ ed. It does not, however, appear from the numerous trials which took place o\\ this melancholy occasion, that there was any deliberate plan of persecution. The 6 Wii^^ GEOKGE III. S79 blind zeal, and perhaps, the interested vil- a.'d. lany of a few, afforded an infatuated mob an opportunity of committing various acts of plunder and depredation. “ No po¬ pery,” might be the universalcry: “No . ' « popery,” might be inscribed on doors and window-shutters, to deprecate the wrath of an infuriated multitude; but the fear of popery, at this time, certainly, never truly entered the heart. What connection could ' ♦ there be between the demolitiop of popery, and the destruction of the public prisons ? What wns the intention of the mob when they aimed to attack the national credit of the kingdom, the bank.of England.^ Was' that done on the ground of popery, or for the repeal of the bill ?—I do not know that even designs of a political nature, can be inferred from this temporary confusion of the metropolis. It was the rash attempt , of a deluded mob: it was the violence of waves set in motion by the'dasmon of the jstorm: it was an irregular system of plun¬ der and destruction, which might with T 4 * equal 280 GEORGE nr. A. D. 1760 — 1780. equal facility have fallen upon any descrip¬ tion of persons. To use the words of Lord Chief Justice Loughborough, - in his charge to the grand jury 'of the county of Surry,' , after opening a special commission for the trial of the rioters—‘‘ Religion, the sacred ^ name of religion, and of that purest and ' most peaceable system of Christianity, the I Protestant Church, was made the pro^ ■ fane pretext for assaulting the government, trampling upon the laws of the country, and violating the first great precept of their duty to God and to their neighbour,— the pretext only; for there is not, I am sure, in Europe, a man, so weak, so un-. candid, or so unjust to the character of the reformed church, as to believe, that any religious motive could by any perver¬ sion of human reason, induce men to at¬ tack the magistrates, release felons, destroy the source of public credit, and lay in ashes* the capital of the Protestant Faith !” ♦ The following picture of the shocking effects of unpremeditated tumult, 1 should suppose, would ex¬ tinguish arer? I OEORGE III. 281 1 ! Tvv'o years before, when the act was a. d, passed, it excited few fears, and no tu- mults ; it gave its sanction to no principles inconsistent with the'Security of our re¬ formed faith, but merely removed' several penalties which every liberal and humane man would have wished to see removed. Lord Mansfield said, in his charge to the « fingulsh the torch even of sedition itself.—As sooi^ as the day was drawing towards a close, one of the ipost dreadful spectacles this country ever beheld was exhibited. Let those who were not spectators of it, judge what the inhabitants felt, when they beheld at the same instant, the flames ascending and rolling in clouds from the King’s Bench and Fleet prisons, from New Bridewell, from the Toll-gates on Bl^ck-friars bridge, from houses in every quarter of the town, and particularly from the bottom and middle of Hol- born, where the conflagration was horrible beyond de¬ scription. -The houses that were first set on fire at this last mentioned place, bqth belonged to Mr. Lang- dale, an eminent distiller, and contained immense quan- tities'of spirituous liquors.— -Six and thirty Jires^ all blaz^ iztg at one time, and in different quarters of the city, were to be seen from one spot!—During the whole’ night. I 282 GEORGE III. A. D, jury at Lord George Gordon's trial, It 17d0 1780. is most injurious to say that this bill is ^ toleration of popery. I cannot deny that, .where the safety of the state is not con¬ cerned, my own opinion is, that men should not be punished for mere matter of conscience, and barely worshipping God in their own way: but where what is al- ledged as matter of conscience is dangerous or prejudicial to the state,” which is the case of popery, the safety of the state is the supreme law, and an erroneous reli¬ gion, so far as upon principles of sound policy that safety requires, ought to be restrained and prohibited; no good man night, men, women, and children, were running up and down with such goods and effects as they wished niost to preserve. The tremendous roar of the au¬ thors of these horrible scenes was heard at one instant*, and at the next, the dreadful reports of soldier’s mus- ^uets, firing in platoons, and from different quarters; ip short, every thing seemed to impress the mind with ideas of universal anarchy and approaching desolation.** Annual Register, 1780. has GEORGE 111 , '283 176*0 17 « 0 , has ever defended the many penal laws a. p, against papists upon another ground : but : this bill is not a toleration, it only takes away the penalties of one act out of many. —Be the merits of the bill what they may, it is totally a misrepresentation to infer from thence, that papists are tolerated: It is a cry to raise the blind spirit of fanatic cism, or enthusiasm, ’ in the minds of a deluded multitude, which, in the history of the world, has been the cause of much ruin and national destruction.” Soon after these tumults had been ap^ peased, the House of Commons entered into several resolutions" to remove the apr prehensions of many well-meaning, but ill- informed persons, by assuring them that the bill in question did not authorize the danger which they liad imagined, and that they would watch over the protestant rer ligion with unremitting attention. A bill likewise was brought in, and passed the House of Commons (but was lost in the House of Lords, being considered as un» necessary) 9 ^84 GEORGE Iir. A. D. iTCcessary) for affording security to the 17^0—protestant religion from any encroachments of popery, by nioi*e effectually restraining papists, or persons professing the popish religion, from teaching', or taking upon themselves the education, or government of, the children of protestants.” I In consequence of an order given at this' period, by the House of Lords, to make an exact enquiry into the number of papists in England and AYales, it appeared, from the returns, that the increase since the last / survey in 17b7, was very trifling; not » more tlian might be expected from the ge¬ neral increase of population. * In the midst of these tumults and riots^ whether arising from motives of religion I ‘ \ * Number of papist$ in 1767 - - 6 'jfgi 6 Ditto' - in 1780 - - 69,317 • , Increase in 13 years - - 1,460 If the number of inhabitants in Great Britain amount to eight millions, the papists, at this period, did not make one hundredth part of the whole.-Bishop of Chester’s [Porteus] Letter to the Clergy, 1781. or I • \ GEORGE Iir. \ or not, it is no small satisfaction to ob¬ serve, that the serious and earnest profes- ^ sors of our reforined faith, who took no ^ part in these excesses, still retained prin¬ ciples of charity to th'ose who cultivated systems of belief differing from their own. So may it always be! And though we cannot wish success to an erroneous reli- o*ion, neither look with indifference on the fallacious assurances of a corrupted church; vet should we consider every' member of a Christian community as allied to us by that universal chaiii which > binds all the servants of our Lord together; who will confirm the weak, and correct the mis¬ taken, who will give wisdom to the igno¬ rant, ' and pardon to the penitent; who will, finally, conduct every faithful follow¬ er, in his own good time, and manner, through all the changes and chances of this mortal life, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.” END OF SECTION 1. OF PART IV. PART A. D. 760 - 780 . PART IV. SECTION 11. R^ections, i§T. during the Reign of George III* . A, i). 1780—1790* D, T HE history of a century, like the history 1780—^of a day, .though proceeding forward in an 1790# • 4. 1 uninterrupted, progressive course, is yet distinguished in its several parts, by vary¬ ing, but appropriate scenery. Each change approaches, like the altering lustre in the dawning of the morning. ^ The golden beam first tinges the mountain, but is soon lost behind a bank of fog; gradually it removes this obstruction, and shines upon the world, yet a heavy cloud is waiting for its reception, and once more interrupts its genial influence; the evening of the day I • IS GEORGE III. 287 is marked, either by an illustrious effulgence of light, or is shut up amid the dreary shades of darkness and horror. The cen- tur.y thus changes its features, and its pros¬ pects. The sun-shine and the gloom of public morals, alternately offer themselv^es to the view. Customs and manners. of va¬ rious tendency, and endless succession, prevail and disappear. Happy those times, when the profession of true religion pro¬ duces a correspondent decency and decorum of manners! Melancholy the asra, when a disregard of the duties of the Christian, ge¬ nerates the immoralities and vices of the heatlien! i Some ages, unpolished perhaps in their manners, and uncultiv^ated in outward em¬ bellishments, present vice before us under an liarsh and disgusting appearance. Other ages, more refined- in tiieir acquisitions, from an easy familiarity of conduct, pre¬ serve the semblance of virtuous intercourse, whilst they indulge in every sensual gratifi¬ cation. Of this description, was the tinge of A. D. 1780 — 1790. I < I'- 288 OEOHGE It I of public morality at this period. A no- bleman, of sprightly wit and fascinating manners, had written a seriies of letters, on general subjects, to his son These, con¬ trary, Indeed, to the writer's intention, at least not with his concurrence, were pub¬ lished about the year 1774; and made an impression on the public mind of the most dangerous and pernicious influence. They were read, they were studied by persons of every denomination in life; and simulation became the favourite system, from the peer to the peasant. The graces were substituted for » the virtues ; convenience and decorum took place of truth and justice ; true friendship was lost in courtesy, true religion in an af¬ fected benevolence. The effects of such a flattering picture of vice, who cannot but deplore ? The ' publication of these letters forms an ^ra in the history of the fashiona¬ ble world ; and stamps upon the age, which received it with so much ardour and exulta- Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to his Son. tion, GEORGE III. t 2 on, tlie despicable character of moral hy¬ pocrisy. The minds, of the opulent were now as¬ sailed from the press, by every species of ' literary seduction. Rapid had been the im¬ provement, in this ciDuntry,- in every art and science. Learning was no longer con¬ fined to schools and colleges, and many began to think the metropolis the best uni¬ versity'. With freedom of action, freedom of thought naturally kept pace: and the want of seasonable restraint, occasioned the luxuriant mind to wanton in, and even to solicit, the lures of a vain, and sceptical philosophy. Authors of rank, as well as ability, fanned this flame.' The subtile history of Hume was succeeded by the insi¬ nuating infidelity of Gibbon, In short, hidden vice was interwoven with elegance of manners, and a concealed irreligion with the finest flowers of history. The times were ripening to a lamentable dereliction of principle, and new writers arose, at this season, to inculcate the mate- U • ruility GEORGE HI. 290 A. D. Tiallty of the human soul*. What! after 1780—enjoying a pure revelation for 1800 years, which informs us that life and immortality are c'/ear/y illustrated by the gospel; after being in possession so long of every evi¬ dence, both internal and external, that that revelation was made to man from a just and an eternal God; shall we, in these latter days, talk of the soul, as of a material substance ? Will reason itself confirm such a supposi¬ tion ? But as a comprehension of the works C^f nature, in innumerable instances, is far beyond the powers of reason^ why do thus treacherously appeal to reason ? Let us go to that fountain of truths the holy Scrip¬ tures alone, and there w^e shall learn, that in the world to come, both soul and body shall be the objects of punishment or re- ■ward—fear Him, that after death is able to destroy both soul and body in hellj*.’' When we are informed that these were the studies of the polite part of the nation, w^e t * Dkquisitions relating to-Matter and Spirit, 8 cc, - by Joseph Priestley, LLrD. &c. + . Matt, 3;, 28. shall GEORGE lir. 291 shall not be surprised at the frivolous habits, as well as profligate manners, of the age* The cause, as well as the consequence^ of this inundation of vice under the mask of elegant pleasures, is pointed out in An Address of the Archbishop, Bishops, and Clergy of the Province of Caiiterburyj in Convocation 'assembled,” presented to his Majesty on the 17th of November, 1780. “ Amidst all the protection and favour we derive from the goodness of your Majesty’s heart, we lament the necessity of confess-^ * ing, that the licentiousness of the times continues to counteract your paternal care for the state of national religion. Bad men and bad books are the produce of all times; but we observe with particular re¬ gret, that the wickedness of the age hath of late been directly pointed at the fences of piety and virtue, established by God Himself, and apparently secured by law. The open violation of the Lord’s day, and the invitations of men to desert the reli¬ gious duties of that day for amusements, u 2 frivolous A. D. 1780 — 1790. GEORGE III. frivolous at best, appears to call for the aid of the civil magistrate, to check the pro¬ gress of an evil so dangerous both to church and state, by suppressing, on the Loid’s day, places of resort for pleasure, where the interposition of the ministers of religion is impracticable.” Public debating societies, such as the Robin Hood society, See, had been long established in the metropolis, on different evenings in the week ; but it ,was not till about this period, that Sunday evenings were selected for that purpose. Under the pretext of-a free discussion, subjects, dan¬ gerous both to civil and religious order, were introduced ; sentiments were diffused, often pernicious in their tendency ; and the sacred day profaned, by disquisitions inimi¬ cal to the pure truths of Christianity; Places of public amusement too, being pro¬ hibited on that day, private subscription- rooms were opened, under the names of promenades, musical societies, &c. to kill that precious time, which was given us GEORGE III. 293 . for very different purposes. A ^ total cessar tion of business, an entire vacuity of a day, was too much for the never-ending votaries of dissipation to endure. O ye Lorenzo’s of our age ! who deem - One moment unamused, a misery “ Not made for feeble man— How will you .weather an eternal night , Where such expedients fail?”-— Meditation, prayer, the reading of the I scriptures, the conversing with, and in- structing of our family and dependents, form the best employments for the retired hours of the sabbath-day. The Sabbath, or day of rest, is an emblem of Heaven ; and if we do not use it, in this world, as a preparation' for what we expect hereafter, I fear, an opportunity never will be given to us, as to those who are emphatically called iho, people rf God, of entering into the true rest. In compliance with the wishes'of the Convocation, a law was made [a. d. 1781,] with heavy penalties, against those who within the cities of London and West- u 3 ininstej’. 294 GEORGE in. % • i • « *11 *1 11 11 ^public entertainment, amusement, or de¬ bate on religious or any other subjects.’’ The law had the desired effect with respect to public amusements, within the district to which it was limited. But why was its in-^ fluence not extended to populous places, though remote from the metropolis ? Yet, what law can reach the heart hardened against the law of God ? Private dissipation demands the severest reprehension ; as it is from private reservoirs of wickedness, that public places are supplied with licentious and abandoned attendants. There are, alas ! too many methods, not noticed by law, indeed, not cognizable by a human tribunal, by which the day of God is peculiarly profaned. Some acts of profanation might be restrained, which are . not. Amongst the rest, I cannot omit to mention, the display of military parade, but, above all, the use of military music on the sabbath. The public street is crowded % witll GEORGE III. 295 with idle spectators. The effects of music are well known, and the mind of the devout k hurt by a concatenation of ideas, which, at another time, Avould have given delight. Amongst other exertions about this pe¬ riod [1784], to counteract the profanation of the sabbath-rlay, and at the same time to lay an happy foundation for the instruc¬ tion of the poor, schools began to be esta¬ blished for the purposes of Sunday educa¬ tion. The original projector of tliese very beneficial establishments was Mr. Robert Raikes, of Gloucester, whose name ought to be delivered to posterity with every mark of veneration and respect. The plan was adopted with alacrity, in almost every part of the country. Its success, at first, was considerable; and, even now, when the ardour of novelty has a little subsided, it is A. D. 1780 — 1790. productive in many places of inestimable benefits. The good, naturally look to sucli institutions, for a reformation in the bulk of mankind; and, through the divine V 4 blessings I 6eor(5]s: irr. A. D. blessing, I trust, they will not be disap- 1^90 bring about his own pleasure, in his own manner. The year after the foundation of these schools [1785], the good Dean of Canterbury, _Dr. Horne, thus expressed himself. ‘‘ Dark as the prospect was, a ray of light has broken in upon it, and that from an unexpected quarter. An institution has been set on foot by a private individual, to the excel¬ lency of which, every man who loves his country must rejoice to bear his testimony. From small beginnings, it has increased and diffused itself in a wonderful manner.- The sagacity of the wisest, cannot foresee how much good may in the end be done by it, and how far it may go towards saving a great people from impending ruin. At the moment in which I am speaking, no less than one hundred thousand pupils are said to be in training under its care. There may soon be ten times that number; and, if it finally succeed with half these, five hundred I GEORGE lir. 297 hundred thousand honest men and virtuous a. d. women, duly mino’led in the mass of the 1780— . . ‘ . 179 0. community, will make a great alteration In the year 1780, the benefits of the church of England were extended to the episcopal church of North America. While the American provinces were under the ju¬ risdiction of Great Britain, it was found difficult to establish episcopacy in that country. But after the convulsions of a destructive war, and a declaration of inde¬ pendence in civil and religious rights, so inconsistent is human- nature, episcopacy was required. An act of the British par- I liament was passed, to empower the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Arch¬ bishop of York, for the time being, to consecrate to the office of Bishop, persons, being subjects or citizens of countries out of his Majesty’s dominions.” For want of an act of this nature, previous to this pe¬ riod, a North American Bishop had re¬ ceived consecration from the Non-juripg * Sermon at Canterbury. Bishops i 298 GtOUGE III. A. D. Bishops of Scotland. The English liturgy 1780 been revised, and proposed to.the use of the protcstant episcopal church, at a • convention of the said church, in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, held at Philadelphia from Sept. 27th to. Oct. 7th, 1785. This American church adopted the alterations of our Book of Common Prayer, which had beeir pro¬ posed in 1689, by several eminent and cxt - cellent divines*', acting under a commission V of government for that purpose; but the purpose of the commission at that time miscarried, and it has never since been re^ vived. The alterations, thus made and / adopted, affect no point of.faith, doctrine, or even discipline, but are confined to such - circumstances of language or arrangement,, as time appeared to render necessary. Whiiq arms and arts find their way .into remote re*> . gions of the earth, while trade.penetrates with * Bishops Patrick, Burnet, Stillingfleet, Tillptson, Kidder, and Tennison, * * ^ incon- GEORGE Iir. 299 inconceivable assiduity the secret recesses a. n. of inhospitable countries, and traces the n . . ,1790. savage footsteps of the ferocious animals of the forest, we are happy to remark an ex- tension also of religious benefits. The vast continent of America now increasing population, and receiving from this country many great and inestimable benefits, at a moment when the great link of social inteiv course seemed broken, offers to our view a sublime prospect of future greatness. I mean not such greatness as arises fronif its civil constitution; I leave that to political judges; but such greatness as the gospel bestows, such as springs from an union of many nations, lately savage and unculti¬ vated, now the followers of the Lamb, and the worshippers of the true God. ‘‘After this, I beheldj and lo! a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and^ kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, V 300 • GEORGE III. A. D. 1780 — 1790. saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon tlie throne, and unto the Lamb t The light of the gospel, we have seen, both in former ages and our own, removed from many countries deemed unworthy of its presence. God grant, that our increasing wickedness, may not bring this judgement heavy on ourselves! A passage from the Sermons of an eminent Prelate strikes my memory, which appears to be even more applicable to this subject, at this period, than it was at the time when it was written, in the reign of King William. The light of the gospel, and the blessed opportunities which thereby we enjoy, are of an uncer¬ tain continuance, and may be of a lesser or longer duration, as God pleaseth, and according . as we make use of them, and demean ourselves under them.” I remem¬ ber there is a very odd passage in Mr. Herbert’s poems, which, whether it be only the prudent conjecture and foresight of a * Rev. vii. 9, 10. 8 Wise GEORGE III. SOI wise man, or there be something more pro- a. d. Religion stands on tiptoes in our land. Ready to pass to the American strand, “ When Seine shall swallow Tiber, and the Thames By letting in them both, pollute her streams, “ Then shall Religion to America flee : ** They have their times of gospel, even as we. My God, thou dost prepare for them a way, ‘‘By carrying 6rst their gold from them away : “ For gold and grace did never yet agree : “ Religion always sides with poverty : “ We think we rob them, but we think amiss: “ We are more poor, and they more rich by this, “ Thou wilt revenge their quarrel, making grace To pay our debts, and leave our ancient place “ To go to them, while that which now their nation “ But lends to us, shall be our desolation, “ Yet as the Church shall thither westward flie, “ So Sin shall trace and dog her instantly : “ They have their period also and set times “ Both for their virtuous actions and their crimes.’* Mr. Herbert compares the course of the church to tlie course of the sun, both tra- - veiling westward ; the one followed by sin, the s 302 GEORGE lit. A. D. 1780 — 1790. the other by darkness, till they both come round again to the east. But as the sun still goes both west ind east; So also did the church by going west Still eastward go ; because it drew more near - To time and place where judgement shall appear * .*' The meaning of it is this, that when the vices of Italy shall pass into France, and the vices of both shall overspread-England,- then the gospel shall leave these parts of the world, and pass into America, to visit those dark regions, which have so long sat in darkness, and in the shadoxv of death. And this is not so improbable, if we consider what vast colonies, in this last age, have' been transplanted out of Europe into those ^arts, as it were on purpose, to prepare and make way for such a change More singular will this observ^atioii be, if we con¬ sider the present establishment of the States of America, in consequence of the events * Mr. G. Herbert’s Church Militant, h Tillotson’s Sermon, 248. Preached Feb*, i 1685.. wliich GEORGE III. 303 which terminated in the general peace of a. d the year 1783 ; as well as the extensive set- tlements which the British government still •possesses, both on that continent, and in the islands of the West Indies. The pro¬ pagation of the gospel, on its true princi¬ ples, is an awful and important subject; but while we are solicitous to promote its interests abroad, let us not forget to correct that conduct, which diminishes its influence at home. The gospel will, undoubtedly, flourish to the end of the world; but its rtiys may brighten other countries, while we are buried in a ten-fold darkness. ‘‘ As many as I love,” says the Spirit to the f churches, “ I rebuke and chasten, be zea¬ lous, therefore, and repent*.” The Bishops of New York and Phila¬ delphia, were consecrated hy the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, on the 4th day of February, 1787. In the month of March, tlie same year, * Rev, iii. 19. 1 ' an I 304 . GEORGE Til. A. D. 1780 — 1790. an attempt was made to repeal the Cor¬ poration and Test Acts, which, as usual, was unsuccessful. The extension of civil and religious liberty, and the interest of the Dissenters, have generally, by themselves, been considered as constituting, one and the same cause. At this period, when the flame, of what was called liberty^ broke out on the continent, it communicated itself W'ith inconceivable rapidity and vigour, to that party which thought itself aggrieved by’ political and religious restraints. This party was directed by several persons of brilliant talents, but turbulent dispositions. Discontented with the continued repulses, which their applications met with from the the legislature,' they looked, with ^varm ex¬ pectation, to the momentous events which were then beginning to develop themselves in France. They were too forward, how- / ever, for themselves, in avowing their prin¬ ciples ; and an incautious expression of one of their leaders did more injury to their cause, than the wdiole tenour of his con¬ duct I GEORGE Iir. 505 duct did it good. ‘‘ Tlie silent propaga¬ tion of truth,he said, “ would in the end prove more efficacious. They were wisely, placing, as it were, grain by grain, a train of gunpowder, to which a match would one day be laid, to blow up the fabric of error, which could never again be raised upon the same foundation*.”—If w’e apply this ex¬ pression to many of the scenes which we have lived to behold ; if Ave adapt it to that vio¬ lence whicli has so frequently, within a very few years, erected itself both against church and state ; if we consider the danger which both have experienced, from foreign foes, and from secret domestic enemies, ought we not to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, for so great, and un¬ merited, a deliverance ? The subject of the Test LaAvs has been often, and critically, / discussed. For much longer than a century, have they been con¬ sidered as, a security of the national esta- \ * 4 4 * Df. Priestley’s Letter to Mr. Pitt. $ X blishment A. D. 1780 — 1790 . I \ V 306 GEORGE III. bli'ihmeiit. Every change of government has confirmed the same opinion. Why, then, should they not acquiesce in a deter¬ mination, which so many wise legislators, or eminent men, have considered as essen¬ tial to the constitution of the kingdom ? Eeligious toleration they certainly enjoy, in its fullest sense. The religion of the dissenters, therefore, as such, has no com¬ plaint to make: and if it be determined that political necessity requires such a re: straint over individuals, they have no more right to remonstrate, than a possessor of less than forty shillings a year, freehold estate, has to complain, that he is restrained % from voting for a representative in parlia¬ ment ; or one of the. royal family (being a Roman catholic) that he could not inherit the crown of this United Kingdom.} . Our Sovereign, ever anxious for the pre¬ servation of religious order, followed up the a6l of parliament, occasioned by the ad¬ dress of the convocation, by a re-publica¬ tion of his proclamation,: [June 5tli, 1787,] GEORGE ttr. §07 for the encouragement of piety and vir- a. d. tue, and for the preventing and punishing of vice, profaneness, and immorality.” The , times required severer language than had been used at the King’s accession ; and, « tlierefore, it was altered and adapted to nw offences, which had sprung up in this age of dissipation. — ‘‘ We cannot but ob¬ serve, with inexpressible concern, the rapid progress of impiety and licentiousness, and that deluge of profaneness, immorality, and every kind of vice, which, to the scandal of our holy religion, and to the evil ex* I ample of our loving subjects, hath broken in upon us.”—In addition to the usual ob¬ jects of public censure, such as ‘‘ playing on the Lord’s day at dice, cards, or any other game, either in public' or private houses, excessive drinking, blasphemy, &c. public gaming-houses, and other loose and disorderly houses,” are added upon this oc¬ casion—‘‘ all unlicenced public shews, in¬ terludes, and places of entertainment, as well as loose and licentious prmts^ books, and ' , X 2 pub* GEORGE III. publications, dispersing poison to the minds of the young and iin\vary.”—Many of these offences are common to all ages, but some of them are peculiar to our own. Persons of honour, and those in places.of authority, are particularly exhorted to set a good example. This motive, though good in itself, is not the only motive which should influence the conduct of persons of honour and nobility. « The good example should flow from tlie good conduct, not the good conduct merely from the good example. Duties of all kinds are of a personal nature. A man is responsible, in his own person, for his own conduct. And though it be no bad argu- ment, to say to a person of rank and for¬ tune, you should go to church, you should act so as to set a good example,’^ j^t if he shelter himself under his great¬ ness, and perforin his public duty on no otlier motive, his example will be soon de¬ tected, and do more harm than good to so¬ ciety. Tlie rich and the poor meet together l>efore the same God, for the same purposesv The C:E0TIGE III. S09 The corruption of human nature appears a. d. equally in both. Both, therefore, implore tlie same forgiveness: both expect the same mercies from the same Redeemer. Let the rich man, then, do his duty, as to God, and for the sake of Him who has called him out of darkness into his marvellouic light, ” without any regard to outward show or appearance, and then the consequence will be happy ; happy for himself, happy for those who look up to.him foraii example. Perso7is, of what i^cink or quality soemr, « are enjoined, not to play at cards, &c. I on the Lord’s day, either in public ox private houses.” I am truly concerned, that any injunction of this nature should be thought necessary. Tii the higher ranks of life, and, perhaps, ' among the dissipated of all ranks, this offence may be committal. But happily for the morals of the mid¬ dle, and lower orders of men, it cer¬ tainly is not common. Where it is, it should be remembered, that a man’s house t is mt his casile, when he presumes to X 3 perform I N 310 (GEORGE III. , A. D. perform in it any unlawful action. If no other eye beholds him, the eye of God pe- netrates the very blackness of darkness it- ’« ■ self; and in a well-ordered community, like our own, the magistrate pursues him, evem to his most secret recesses. Gaming, on any, or every occasion, is the source of every personal and domestic misery. It is always a misuse of valuable time, and, when pursued on a gamester's, principles, it is a se¬ rious, and a complicated olfence. Inno¬ cence, peace, tranquillity, and reUglon, the source and consummation of all other vir¬ tues, fall melancholy sacrifices'before this inhuman shrine. The public exhibition of loose and licen-' tious prints, is a new offence, and calls for the interposition of those, who are legally constituted the censors of public morals. To render vice familiar to the young and unexperienced, is laying the ax of destruc¬ tion'at the root of the tree of virtue. Too soon- is ' the mind tinctured with evil and corrupt principles. Too early does vice ob¬ tain GEOllGE III. 311 • * * * tain an ascendant over the youthful heart, and lay prostrate with the dust the purest sentiments of religion and virtue. The ex¬ hibition of vicious scenery is no proof of a virtuous age. It would seem as if the Spartan fashion were revived, and immo¬ ralities were to be taught by pictures. How diiFerent from the days of the satyrist! . ... Forgive me if I say. No lessons now are taught the Spartan way: Though in his pictures lust be full displayed. Few are the converts Aretine has made*.’* I , r Could the proclamation have lookM a few years forward, it would have found another object of reprehension, differing little from the exhibition of loose and licentious ; I mean the exhibition of loose and licentious persons, in public ball-rooms, theatres, and ' assemblies. It may seem too trifling an object of censure to mention female dress ; but when the robe of decency is laid aside, the character is changed, and the spectator * Pope’s Translation of Donne’s Satyr. X 4 will A. D. 1780 — 1790. GEORGK III. A. D. 1 780 — 1790. will not expect to find the modesty of vir¬ tue -beneath the trappings of a wanton. Who is it that Solomon describes as distin¬ guished by her attire * ? And who is it that St. Peter cautions against excess, or im¬ propriety of apparel; and to whom he re¬ commends rather the ornament of a meek 1 and quiet spirit ? for after this manner,’’ he says, of old time, the holy wome7i, who trusted in Gody adorned themselves f. ” Books, and publications of ^ a licentious tendency, are, very justly, the next objects of censure. This age has beheld, even wbh astonishment and horror, the devastation of public morals which has been occasioned by an immoderate and improper use of a most noble and valuable art. At the time when this clause was added to the royal procla¬ mation, government could hardly be sensi¬ ble of the extent of evil shortly to be intro¬ duced by the press. ' The rapid diffusion of literature, renders this, the most obvious * Prov. vii, 10. -f i Peter iii. 5, and I GEOllGE III. ' 31 $ . _ ' and easy channel, to the minds of the mul- a. d. titucle. Soon was the pure stream of know- ledge corrupted, by tlic most despicable and pernicious effusions .of treason, wickedness, # and irreligion. Another :species of litera¬ ture too has disgraced this age, under the ' - name of novels, and given to it a character of levity, unknown to the .good sense of, our ancestors. Assuming the air of epic f liistory, they have debased an excellent spe¬ cies of composition, by which a few emi¬ nent authors had taught the heart to move at the command of virtue.” These # modern excrescences have not only usurped ' the sceptre in the ‘kingdom of taste, but have sent into a melancholy exile,' much more useful and substantial knowledge. It is true, many excellent and elegant publica- , tions have continued to appear. But those, who were watching for an opportunity to ov’-erturn long established governments, and uridenniue the law and the church, seized upon this strong-hold, and privately, and suddenly, diffused its baneful influence ' ' through 514 GEORGE III. A. D. through the literary world. Public con- 1780 versation, as well as public morals, has suf- v,^.^^^*'fered by this abundant circulation of trifling publications. An equality of mind prevails. The master, and his groom, the mistress and her maid, are edified by the same narratives. Whilst that best of books, which makes all men equal indeed, by offering an equal salvation to every son and daughter of Adam, is not only not opened, as the great foundation of domestic instruction, but be¬ comes the object of profane criticism, and ignorant railery, from men of every rank, of every description. May the arm of the avenging angel, which hath already smote more than ‘‘ an hundred and fourscore and five thousand in the camp of tlie Assyrians*,” soon be stay¬ ed ! May the voice of Omnipotence soon cry, It is enough.” And -may we, re¬ formed by the inflictions of a merciful Pro¬ vidence, hear the consoling accents of for¬ giveness ! * Isaiah xxxvli. 36. GEORGE III. 315 giveness!—Let the wicked forsake his a. d. 1 ^ so~ way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts : ^ and let him return unto tlie Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God for he will abundantly pardon*.” In 1788, a subject was brought ’into the House of Commons, which had undergone' much public discussion, and which seemed to have engaged the hearts, feelings, con¬ sciences, and best reasoning faculties, not of the bulk of this nation only, but of many neighbouring countries ; this was the total abolition of Negro Slavery. Were I O 4/ to suffer my pen to follow its natural direc¬ tion on this occasion, I might proceed to great length of argument; and if I thought' interesting a subject, I could retail the lan¬ guage of some of the most eloquent, and most humane men of the age, some of the best divines, as well as the wisest legisla¬ tors, which any a^ra has produced;- That * Isaiah Iv, 7. the t 1 \ GEOllGE 111. A. D. the Negro slave-trade has prevailed for 17S()—above two centuries, is no more an argu- went for its continuance, than' that there should be an edict to make vice perpetual, or that policy should always triumph over humanity. No sophistry can change the nature of moral principles, or alter an esta¬ blished precept of religion. Wo to them, who call evil good, and good evil Let God be true, and every man a liarf.” The eternal law of justice must always remain the same. That which is fundamentally wrong, no time, no practice, can rcndei' right. ' Fiat justitia, mat cesium.'' But it is said, upon the faith of govern¬ ment, much money has been embarked in this trade. True. But till it can be proved that the blood of innocence may legally be purchased with money, the observation is < I without eifect. Money can do much, but money can neither buy nor sell the gifts and graces of Almighty God. Thy money * Isaiah v, 20. t Rom, iii. 4. 4 perish I GEORGE III. 317 perish with thee,” said Peter to Simon the a. d. Sorcerer, “ because thou hast thought that tlie gift of God may be purchased, with money*.” Besides, it may be alleged in behalf of government, that she might have been mistaken in the nature of the trade, at its first establishment in this nation. The objects of suffering were far removed from I licr sight—she saw the treasure, but saw not the miseries, heard not the sighs and i groans with 'which it was procured. Ru- mour, perhaps, never told her of negroesL deceitfully trepanned from their friends and country—of ne»Toes chained together and thrown into the sea to lighten a ship in'the middle passage, or dying of putrid disorders between the decks,—of negroes*stripped in the West-Indiau markets, and sold, without any consideration of kindred and family af¬ fection, the wife torn from her husband,,the child from its despairing parent ;^Qf ne¬ groes smarting, mangled, murdered under 1790. * Acts viii. 20. the*' / 31,8 GEOueE irr. A. D. whip of a sev^erc task-master. • Goveni- 1780—ment surely n^ver knew, or never consi- fleretl, these dreadful instances of human cruelty. • ^ No question was ever discussed with more zeal, or greater ability than this. A society was formed in tlie year 1787, under the di- rection of a chairman, one of the most be¬ nevolent of men, whose object was to en¬ deavour to effect the abolition of the Slave- trade. The subject has been brought before parliament, by a member, Vhose religious and philanthropic principles do honour to humanity. Unsuccessful in his first at¬ tempt, he pledged himself to bring forward this important discussion in every succeed¬ ing session. In the debate'of 1792, a nia- % ' jority determined, that the trade should be . abolished, January ■ the first; 179b. Yet' new impediments have arisen with the times; and with the clearest evidence of the pernicious and barbarous nature of- the traffic, laid before the Privy-council, the ' .House of Loids, and the House of Com- mons, / GEORGE Iir. . 319 m nions, it is still suffered to prevail, a dis- a.' d. grace to all those who are called by the 1780— name of Christ—by the name of Him, who was sent to bind up the broken¬ hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound*.” It was our duty to have given religious, as well as* civil, liberty to the negroes; to have rescued them from the slavery of sin, to the glorious liberty of the sons of God, It was our duty to have carried the gospel to their shores—to have checked, according to our ability, the cruel policy of their native ' princes—to have cherished the spark of hu- inanity which is known to exist amongst them t, and to have given to them the knowledge of a Redeemer, who makes no distinctions in the colour of men, but saves all who come unto him. * Kaiah Ixi. l. + See Park's Travels in Africa, " / The r 320 cEORcn in. A. D. The fifili day of November, 1788, was 1780 celebrated with great vivacity and sincerity, in the metropolis of this country, and in 1 almost every quarter both of England and Scotland, as the centenary of the Revolu¬ tion of 1688. As a political event, it comes not within the plan of these-reflections; but as the religion of the nation, by this, transaction, fqund new securities, and was I r enabled, by the blessing of God, to avoid, in all probability, fresh trials of persecuting zeal, by avoiding the snares of James II, the a^ra ought to be remembered with grati¬ tude and thankfulness. This age naturally shrinks at the word. Revolution, So many dreadful circumstances are involved in a great political change, that to remove one t • stone from the well-compacted arch of go¬ vernment, .must always be attended with danger. At the same time, we have an in¬ stance before us, that when God guides the counsels, even important alterations may take place with security. Tlie least devia¬ tion from the true principles of religion, which, GEORGE III. S21 *. 1 wjlich, in scripture language, is called A* d. 17S0— 1790. from true loyalty which may be called tht ftar of the King, is accompanied by so many j3ublic and private calamities, that the crime, in some measure, becomes the pumshment. ‘‘ My Son! fear thoil the Lord, and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change: for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and wlio knoweth the ruin of them both* ?” While the nation was rejoicing for the blessings secured to it by the revolution, and on account * The reader will find a Catalogue of 31 Tracts^ &c. published on this occasion, Gent,' Mag. 1792, p, ,119. ^ 1 see *» o OOJ A. D. 1780 — 1790. / / 334 CKORGE Iir. see any body of men making one step 'to¬ wards a reformation of principles, and soft¬ ening the asperity of those opinions which have long held the world in terror. God forbid that any- truly benevolent person should deprive them of these indulgences 1 Some of them, inde-ed,- have not taken the advantage of this liberality of government. I. will not more closely investigate this ap¬ parent division of sentiments in the Roman Catholic Church of this country. But I cannot avoid giving this caution, that while we enlarge their privileges, Ave should give place, no, not for an hour, to their pecu¬ liar doctrines. Though they solemnly re¬ nounce eTcrij political opinion with which they have been charged, still, their reli' gious tenets remain the same. Let the pure protestant continue to make ,a distinction between the profeflion of a true religion,- and its corruptions. The Church of Eng¬ land, though she has been accused of verging towards popery, w'ill not be found guilty of the charge, if slic retains the doc¬ trines. I GEORGE III. 33o trines, arid' the discipline, which, by the a. d. blessing of God, she now possesses. The tire-brand and the sword, are not the wea¬ pons she must use to preserve them. Se¬ verity will make few converts: and in the great day of the Lord, those only will be received with the welcome appellation of^ “ Good and faithful servants!’' who have , walked in the Spirit of Christy have trusted to his merits, and followed his example. •f I ' ' • ■ - ■ XND OF SECTION II. PART IV. PART .35b T', I ^ o4i . PART IV. SECTION III. Refleetions, during tlie Reign of Geo?'ge III. A. D. 1790—1800 . • A. D. 1790— 1800 . are now approaching an era, the most iraportantj perhaps^ and awful, of any M^hich many centuries have produced^ We stand upon a point of time in which we view around us an unsettled world t kingdoms and nations, rising and falling in quick succession, like the agitated waves of the ocean—upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth The ac- * Luke xxi. 2 5:, com- i GEORGE III. 337 oomniodation of this passage to the state a. d. of Europe during the last ten years of the jgQQ~ century, will neither be thought a forced application of them by those who have been partakers of the miseries which have de¬ solated many countries, nor by those who, with feeling hearts, have beheld the sufr ferings of their neighbours. The cup of divine indignation was full, and many pow¬ erful nations'have been made to drink of it to the very.dregs. • * It will not be expected that I sliould at¬ tempt, in this Essay, to analyze the public ' history of the times, or to trace out ■ the causes from which so many calamities have flowed. We have ourselves been no unin¬ terested spectators : a'nd if we have hitherto *• \ escaped many personal inftictions in the contest, which we had too much reason to expect, to our Almighty Protector, not to ourselves, in any sense, be our deli¬ verance ascribed. We live near the times, when these great events have hap¬ pened, to look upon them with an un- Z prejudiced :338 GEORGE Ilf. A. T). ‘prejudiced eye; and therefore we should 1790 attempt, in all respects, to determine 1800 . ^ ^ that cause which the soundest human judg- inent cannot develope. We see, however, enough to be assured, that the progressive encroachment of pernicious principles has spread far and wide the blasting breath of desolation. It is not a partial vund from the wilderness, which sweeps away and buries in the sand an unfortunate horde of .Tartars, or a caravan of travelling mer¬ chants, but it is of the nature of that dreadful storm in the book of the Reve¬ lation of St. John, chap. viii. ver. 7, when the first angel sounded, aiid there fol¬ lowed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth ; and / the third part of trees was burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” Under such circumstances W’hat was the fate of the inhabitants ? Alas I the fate of the inhabitants, it was beyond a metaphor to describe. In many instances they were » made first the victims of delusion, and af¬ terwards GfeOKGE in. ^39 tcrwards the victims of destruction. In so a. d. general a calamity it will be imagined, ^^90— that the deserving and undeserving have been subjected to grievous and excru¬ ciating punishments, have been hurried into unexpected and untimely graves.—• The trumpet of war, an unextinguishable war, as it should seem, has been sounded for many years. The success of ’it has varied, and France, the centre of these mischiefs, has often changed her heads, yet still the sword reriiains unsheathed, and Great Britain, supported by loyalty and religion, fights the battles of the world. But oh 1 how sweet, how grateful to the ear, would sound the pipe of peace! May the Almighty Ruler of the universe soon stop the effusion of human blood ! soon may he say to the tumultuous waves of human passions, “ peace ; be still 1” But let not the impression of the aggra¬ vated miseries of man, hurry my peri be¬ yond its purpose. Truth and conviction are not to be found in general declaina- z o tion, 540 GEORGE in. A. r>. tion, but in a just deduction from spcclfio 1790 instances. Too many of which offer them- 1800 « ^ ^ ^ ^ selves to our notice, in the history of this unhappy period. It will not be surprising to those who have beheld the diffusion of sceptical opi¬ nions on the continent, during more than ‘ ' half a century, that some of those fatal and pernicious sentiments should find their way to this island, and fixing themselves on the minds of the turbulent and dis¬ affected, should attempt to accomplish the same scenes of confusion here, which they had produced at home. The first dawn of the French revolution brought exulta¬ tion to the hearts of many of our, falsely denominated, patriots, which were previ- oiisly prepared for its reception. French liberty, if I am not accused of a libel on the word by using it in this sense, was not the less welcomed for bringing scepticism A in her train. Thus united, like the dae¬ mons of the storm, they have carried wild- ness and frenzy into every class of societ3^ Some- GEORGE Iir. S41 Sojiietliiies, working in darkness, they have a. d. plotted the destruction both of church and 1 ' V 11 1 state; and sonietfines, they have made niore open incursions into the territories \ of loyalty and virtue. I ought not, however, to blend, . in one indiscriminate censure, those whose wild imaginations have thrown'otf all order and decorum, all piety and virtue, with those who, misled by imposing names and ap¬ pearances, have given a sanction to those principles which their more inatui^ j’^tlg- ment could not but condemn. Yet while candour and good*nature are 'willing to .look with less severity on their error, let 4 / ' 1 them not so . readily acquit themselves. False judgment, the hasty adoption, of false principles and acting upon them', with ra¬ sped to the publtc, differ not in their conse¬ quences, from the most dangerous conduct of the most dangerous men. Many, in this age of revolution, have found themselves in this predicament, and liave suffered for it. The history of the period at which I am / 2 3 . now now 342 GEoncE iir. « A. D. now arrived, commences with the renewed 1800 protestant dissenters to accoinplish a repeal of the corporation and test acts. Having lost the question the last time by a very small majority, they i were tempted to come forward again, which they did Avith every exertion that party could give them. Observing the change Avhich had taken place in the political sen^ timents of several of the Roman Catholics, Avho, like themselves, Avere noAv distin-r guished by the name of DiJJmters, and finding the public mind softened tOAvards them, they Avished to consolidate their cause with their own, and imagined that they should acquire additional strength by including them in the intended applica¬ tion to parliament. This Avas accordingly I the case, and their cause Avas entrusted to the most popular leader of opposition in the Jioiise of Commons, So formidable Avas this attempt imagined, that the friends of the established church, tbovight it necessary to oppose it Avith greater ( / OEORGE ill. ' ti'reater exertions than liacl been used on the tM’^o former occasions. The indefatigable industry of the dissenters was met by the vigorous appeals of the church: and the issue^ was expected with much agitation. Had the question remained upon its ancient foundation, there is no reason to suppose that the sentiments of the last majority would have been changed. The reasons continued the same. But this was \ not the case; the circumstances of the times were altered ; tlie question was en¬ larged, and had greater and ^ more insu¬ perable objections to contend with. The chimsera of uncontrouled liberty had taken % possession of the minds of several eminent leaders in the dissenting interest, who nei¬ ther concealed, nor wished to conceal their opinions. The consequence was, that the friends of the establishment were justly alarmed, and the House of Corhmons, by a large majority [March 2, 1790.] chose to give a decided opinion on a subject which might unsettle, but could not in- ' z 4< ■ vigorate, 34S A. D 1790- 1800 . I S44 CEOUGE III. A. D. 1790- 1 800 . vigorate, government, in times of peculiar difficulty and danger It was discovered that, the repeal of these obnoxious acts was hardly an object to those who appeared .most to desire it. The demolition of all establishm'ents was , avowed. The religious doctrines of the old Presbyterians were no longer respected by some of their own body; and the name of dissenter was used as a covering for a motley multitude of religious opinions, which, according to their own acknow¬ ledgments, ‘‘ disagreed with each other more than some of them differed from the doctrinal parts of the established creed.j".” * Numbers on different motions for a repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, at different periods in the House of Commons: ' 101736 Ter the repeal 123— Against tht xt^tdX 231 In 1739-^— 89—I---- 188 In 1787 «- - 100--- 178 In 1789 -^— 102^- 122 In 1790-- 105-- 294 + Address of the Protestant Dissenters of Yorkshire to the People of England, 1791* In I GEORGE in. 345 In the laft section I mentioned an nn- a. d. fortunate simile of o'unpowder, which oc-^^^^" . 1800 . casioned an explosion different from that which the author had intended. Hov/ well tlie same author improved the meta¬ phor, Mall be seen from the following* ex¬ tract, which I insert as the undisguised ’ sentiments of the party at this period. On this account I rejoice to see the warmth which the cause of orthodoxy (that . is, of long established opinions, hozvever > erro7ieous) and that of the hierarchy is now taken up by its friends. Because, if t * their system be not founded, they are only accelerating its destruction. In fact, they are assisting -me in the proper disposal of those grains of gunpowder, which have been ^sometime accumulating, and at which . they have taken fo great an alarm, and which will certainly blow it up at length;' - and perhaps as suddenly as unexpectedly, t • and as completely, as the overthrow of the late arbitrary government . in France.—If I be laying gunpowder they are providing the t , ' t 546 ' GEORGE III. 0 A. D. the match—If they proceed as they have 1790—be gun, I should be sorry to insure their system t\renty years longer. The greater their violence, the greater is our confidence and final successThis is plain language indeed. But upon a nearer investigation of this confidence off rial success, it will be found, that it did not so much originate in the violence of the clergy, or in any other cause immediately conpected with our ec^^ I clesiastical establishment, as from the usurps ing principles which were then victorious in" France, Every day brought some ac¬ count of new innovations ; every rank ' of men threw off its apeient trammels. Even the nobility and clergy, infected by the epidemic equality, disclaimed their honours and their orders; and melted themselves down to the common .mass of citizens. • ^ This was a flattering prospect for those whose minds were prepared for such vio- * Preface to Letters to the Rev, Ed. Burne, Bir. Tningham, by Dr. Pri(^stley. lent GEORGE Iir. 347 lent alterations. ‘‘Whatever may be .the a, p* errors, the defects, or the inexperience of ^ 7^90 ' some of their plans,” says the address the Yorkshire Dissenters, we think it suf¬ ficiently evident, that more than twenty millions of people, who have been long po¬ litical slaves, are now become freemen. In this auspicious change, M^e anticipate a glo¬ rious addition to the general happiness of mankind, We exult in the reflection that we live in an age, which has prpduced a body of legislators, who, by directly dis^ claiming all qff'ensive wars, haye presented a new example to an admiring world,” It is nnnegessary for me to add one oh- nervation , after these extracts. I do not, however, hastily condemn all who have made this declaration, or imagine them all to be “ partakers of other men’s sins.” An open liberal mind wilD sometimes be too sanguine in its expectations, and of course be frequently deceived by appearances. The particular violence, too, used by some of the Dissenters, in the instance of applica¬ tion V 348 GEORGE III. I ^ I ^ A. D. tion for the relief of parliament on this oe‘- 1790 casion, did not meet with the approbation of many of their brethren. Thus the ad¬ dressers mentioned above, say, ‘“i A few indiscreet expressions in the resolutions of a single society, in a neighbouring county, have indeed been pointed out, and con¬ demned with a willing asperity-; but the public may be assured that they were en¬ tirely disapproved by the general body of dis¬ senters,'' Credit may be given for this as¬ surance ; at the same time, we must hesitate t ' in confining indiscreet expressmis to the re¬ solutions of a single society. It is but justice to that church, which has produced a Watts, a Doddridge, ‘ and an Orton, to remark, that their principles of t ^ ' religion are still cherished by many with unabated warmth, but with others they are 1 very much altered, though they continue to be distinguished by the same denomination. • A material change of religious principle - began to take place in several dissenting congregations. The fundamental truths of Chris- » ' CEOHGE III. 34,9 Christraiiity were controverted : and a large a. d. secession was made, both from the esta- biished and non-conforining churches, un- dcr the name of Unitarian. Thus dis-belief and dis-loyalty, met together on terms of "friendship, for the purpose of demolishing a structure venerable for its age, beautiful for its architecture, admirable for its utility. Happily, however, the combined efforts of ^ the Unitarian church have not succeeded. The numbers soon diminished. Socinian principles have already lost a part of the at¬ traction which recommended them to the public; and are, for the most part, dispersed- % among that sect of modern philosophers, - >yho are too liberal to be restrained, too • ^ wise to be instructed. “ It is a mournful fact,” says one of their own society, that a large body of modern dissenters, under the sanction of reason and science, falsely so called, have apostatized from the doctrines of the reformation^ and some can vilify, in ^very opprobrious lan¬ guage, the truths which their ancestors con- § 350 GEORGE irL X. D. contended foi’, \vith meekness of wisdom, at 1790—the expence of their liberty, treasure, and blood.”—‘‘ This sad apostacy of modern noil-conformists is to be ascribed to, at least, a partial denial of the inspiration of the scriptures, particularly the epistles of St. Paul.”—‘‘ I do venture to affirm (though uncommissioned) in the name of many of ' my brethren in the ministry, men venerable' for their years—of sound learning and ex¬ emplary piety—useful men, and highly . esteemed in our churches—as well as in the name of a vast body of the laity—I affirm, that we greatly disapprove of the theologi¬ cal and political sentiments of those, who (by a. patent of their own creation) style themselves rational dissenters*.” The sentiments of some of these non¬ conformists, who were too much influenced by popular revolutionary opinions, occa¬ sioned the animadversion of many learned */ * I'he duty of Christians to Magistrates, a Sermon, with a prefixed address to the public. By John Clay ton.- J791. and 8 GEORGE III. 351 and judicious writers. Among x others, a a. d. political sermon on the anniversary of the Rev’olution of 1688, by the Rev. Dr. Price, a celebrated dissenting minister, called forth the luminous pen of Mr. Burke, who, in very animated language, took the oppor¬ tunity of discussing those false principles, which had produced in France an important change of government. This eminent work, though political in its discussions, made too great an impression on the public mind to be passed over totally in silence. Indeed, the profession of religion became too much'' connected with politics. Though the mo¬ dern politician professed himself indifferent to every spiritual service, the services of religion were not abandoned to those who had some sense of duty left, neither were the persons of the religious unmolested. Age—venerable age, piety, virtue, were . driven with violence from those altars, where the God of Christians was worshipped. Though they affected to despise religion, the professor of religion, if he were an ec¬ clesiastic. I I 3i2 GEORGE ITT. . I ^ A. r>. clesiastic, was treated, not only with ever}' 1790 indis'iiity, but with every cruelty: and the time was at no great distance, \vhen the language of the mob of Jerusalem was adopted by the mob of Paris, Away v^ith such a fellow from the earth ; it is not fit that he should live !” I low truly, and how soon, were the saga- cious Reflections” of Mr.'Burke realized ! ' They have been dignified by the name of pr'ophecy. An acute observer of the princi¬ ples of the times, could not but foresee so distressing a catastrophe. One of the most important consequences' of the publication of these Reflections was, ' tliat they excited the dangerous talents of a writer, whose name was not wholly un¬ known, though it had not yet attained the cele br ity of i n fa my. ‘ ‘ The High ts of Maiij ’ ’ Part I. by Thomas Paine, was published as an Answer, to ivhat he called IMr. Burke’s attack on the French Revolution, if any ' ' definition of this term is required, it may be read in the bloody scenes which soon ai> V companied V GEORGE III. 353 companied the declaration of such un¬ checked, such unqualified rights. The pam¬ phlet exhibited, in every sense, a false view of the rights of society, and was a libel upon all legitimate governments. It has been often answered by men of much talent and ability. Indeed it required neither one nor the other, to confute calumny, or deny \ the validity of his bold assertions. But it was necessary to counteract the careful and mis¬ chievous industry of a dangerous party, who had disseminated this deadly poison, into the minds of many virtuous,' and ob¬ scure individuals. The effect of the publi¬ cation of the Rights of Man, was that of electricity. A shock was felt, but it was hardly known from whence it originated, nor to what purpose it was given. A new and deceitful light seemed to break in upon the lower orders of society ; and if it had not been for the vigilance and prudence of a wise and vigorous legislature, under the di¬ rection of one who seeth not as man seeth,” the same scenes of horror and devas- A a tation A. D. 1790— 1800. 36 ^ A. D‘, 1790- 1800. ' GEORGE rrr. tatioii have been exhibited on the plains of Great Britain, which were deplored on those of France. In times of turbulence and convulsion, men are very apt to be driven into extremes of action. It is with pain that I again mention the name of dissenters connected with any disaftection to governmentbut I would be understood to do so, under tlie / distinctions which I have before mentioned^ Some leaders of this denoraiiiation, kept no terms in their publications on the subject of politics; of course they incurred the censure^ of the loyal members of the community. The celebration of the 14th of July, 1791, (the second anniversary of the demolition of the Bastile, as a festival dedicated to French liberty^) drew together, in various places, the friends of the event. At Bir- mingham a society assembled for the same purpose. Some injudicious friend', or enemy^ previously circulated a hand-bill of a most intlammatory nature: a mob soon v^as' / brought together, and a scene of conflagra-' tion I- / GEORGE III. 355 tiori and destruction followed, for several a, d. days, which was a diso'race to civil and reli- '' ^ 1800 gious order. Thewords C/?zi}'cha?idKing, were again prostituted to the purposes of plunder and insurrection. Sorry I am to state a circumstance, which every true mem¬ ber of the Church of England must deplore, but which arose from a combination of causes, not difficult to be explained. Though the vengeance of the mob fell upon the dissenters, they were dissenters of a certain description, Avho were obnoxious to the public, probably more for their poli¬ tical, than their religious opinions. None, suffered a more serious iiijury than Dr. Priestlye, an ingenious philosopher and a dissenting minister, who resided near Bir-* mingham, who lost, in philosophical appa¬ ratus, books, and furniture, to a considera¬ ble amount. Though no argument can justify insurrection, no words palliate such an atrocious attack on the persons and pro¬ perty of individuals, on account of any pe^ 'culiarity of sentimeiit; yet it mu^t be ,A a ^ owned. / GEOllGE III. S5S A. D. of Commons [May 11, 1792] for 'a repeal 1790 of certain penal statutes of the 9th and 10th William III, which had for their more immediate object, the suppression of Soci^ nian or Unitarian principles; or rather, the support of the orthodox faith. This, it will appear, was another blow aimed at tin* ecclesiastical establishment of the country. The intention of the attempt, indeed, went ' further, even to separate the Unitarian, fi'om the Presbyterian church, and to give to that system, espoused by Dr. Priestley and his associates, a local habitation, and a ' name.” The Church of Eno^land wishes penal statutes to continue forever dormant; but she does not wish to throw down fences which have been thought necessarv; she does not desire, even in appearance, to part with doctrines which she imagines essential to true christianitv. ‘ The Unitarian faith reduces the religion of Jesus to a s^^stem of morality. It denies the divinity of the Saviour: of course, it destroys the impor¬ tant doctrine of the atonement, and removes far I 559 / GEORGE UR far from us the blessedness of a redemption, a. d. Extin2;uish the Christian’s faith and hope, ^ * I'SOO and *what goodwill his life do him ?—But the House of 'Commons ,did not think with Dr. Priestley, and the motion descended into oblivion. The year 1792 was fraught with serious apprehensions. ‘‘ Without were fightings, within were fears,’’ The affairs of France were growing to a crisis, and the wild fan¬ cies of many Englishmen were too ready to adopt their dangerous theories. It is hot my business to examine the political situa¬ tion of this country, at this period; It has not passed without notice; and when the storm shall be' overblown, many 2rf3le men will be ready to record its effects. Its moral situation was indeed deplorable. Po¬ pular societies were formed upon the same principles, which had just overturned the throne of France. Far from confining their pernicious speculations to their own breasts, ■ I they organized assemblies, and were indefa¬ tigable in gaining proselytes, not merely A a 4 m 360 GEORGE Iir. A. D. in populous towns, but in remote and se- 1790 questered villao'es. 1800 ^ ^ The society which distinguished itself most in promoting these views, was the London Corresponding Soeietpy whose mem¬ bers w'ere persons in inferior stations, and whose influence therefore was expected’ to be more diffusive, and of consequence more mischievous. It is hardly possible to ima¬ gine the immense loads of pamphlets and publications which were industriously circu¬ lated to support these principles. - They were printed in the cheapest manner, and sold below their value, that they might find their way to garrets and shop-boards. second part of ‘‘ The Rights of Manf was as greedily received as the first. It had this adroantage to recommend it, that it surpassed its elder brother in the intem¬ perance of its language, and, which brought it unfler the clutches of the law, it proposed to ‘ ‘ combine practice with principle. ’’’ > The King’s proclamation for the prevent¬ ing of tumultuous meetings, and seditious ' writings, GEORGE IIL 361 . ^vritings, made its appearance May tlie 21st, and providentially was attended with the greatest possible benefit. It roused the at¬ tention of the nation ; assemblies were holden to curb sedition and licentiousness; the friends of order and good governinenl, the friends of piety and religion united themselves together, for the beneficial pur¬ poses of supporting the best interests of our king and country. Publications of a very different tendency were put into circula¬ tion; a court ^ of justice adjudged Thomas Paine’s last pamphlet fo be a libel; and the V public eye began to be less frequently dis¬ gusted with the open violation of order and • decency. . . . ' But, alas! the worm was still gnawing at the root. The mine was laid, but not sprung; and thousands, I ain sorry to say, were eagerly waiting for the explosion. All this was transacted when the country was at peace. We had^ not unnecessarily interfered with the important changes which had taken place on the cqntinent. But tlie I time A. 1790— 1800. I 362 GfiORGE tll. A. D. time was now come, A?lien we must either 1800 open hostilities against the ad versa* ries of all order, and enemies of all religion, or suffer ourselves to fall an' easy prey to disaffection at home, seconded by every vile principle of anarchy and confusion abroad. Dreadful alternative !—Yet we are sure that when the Lord says, “ Sword! go through r the land,when he sends war, one of his four sore judgements, upon any people, it is meant as a salutary correction^ for some' complicated iniquity. That'the Iribrals and r manners of this nation demanded ’a severe * punishment, the small recital I' have giveti will sufficiently explain. “ Yet ye say, the way of the, Lord is not equal. Hear ye now, O house of Israel, Is not my way equal ? Are not your ways unequal ? There¬ fore will I judge you, O house of Israel, evert/ one according to his xcays *. ” * The year 1793 opened upon the world 'with a peculiar degree of melancholy and * E-J&ek. xviii, ^o, 30. appre- «£ORG£ lit. 365 apprehension. Near its commencetnetit, [Jan. 21st] was “ a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains*.” It will soon be recollected s that I allude to the circumstance, when the French people murdered on a scaffold the last and best of their kings. I do not en¬ large on this subject of heavy regret, but request my reader to look upon it as one, of many instances of depravity, which have distinguished the inauguration of the new philosophy. To define the nature of this philosophy, should be now my business, if I could find any fixed moral principle on which it rested. Admired, as it has been, by the superficial adored by him who resolves all his morality into feeling; adopted by those, whose self- sufficiency is directed to pull down ancient landmarks, without the ability to establish new ones; imitated by the had ; abhorred A. u. 1790- 1800. Joel ii. 2. and I 364 GEORGE IIX. A. jx and abandoned by the good —-it will be 1790 found on close inspection to be a tissue of 1800 1 ill-regulated maxims, a compound of dan-r geroiis and inveterate evils. If, to sacri¬ fice every private domestic affection on the broad altar of public utility; if, to de¬ corate the vicious with new names of a|> probation; if, to reyerencc the arm which revenges public injuries by plunging a dag¬ ger in the breast of the pai’ent^ or the bro¬ ther; if crimes are rendered amiable and attractive by adding to ! the perform¬ ance of them; if sincerity be to supersede duty; and the law of nature, the divine law of revelation—then, Philosophy 1 great are thy triumphs, ^ and well do the » « ' • meinorics of many of thy votaries, and particularly the ^memory of Kousseau, de¬ serve thy commendation. . Well do I'remember the infatuated ad¬ miration of the writings of this master of the science of the new philosophy. The fascinating elegance of his pen, and the seductive looseners of his morality, made a ■ deep GEORGE ifr'. 365 deep impression, long before the French a. d, revolution was thouerht of. When that W90 . 11.1 11 - 1 . 1 ^ 60 . event had taken place, this was the great object of imitation in the first National Assembly. Everybody knows,” says Mr, Burke*, that there is a great dispute among their leaders, which of them is the best resemblance to Rousseau: in truth, they all resemble him. His blood they transfuse into their minds, and into their manners: him they study; him they me¬ ditate ; him they turn over in all the time they can spare from the laborious mischief of the day, and the debauches of the night, ^ f Rousseau is their canon of holy writ; in his life he is their canon of Polydetus ; he is their standard figure of perfection.”— And what is that perfection ? The same writer shall tell us.—Their great problem is to find a substitute for all the principles which hitherto have been employed to re¬ gulate the human will and action. They * Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, find f s “ ( . * 36rS OEORGE rri* A. D* find dispositions in the mind of such forc&f ISOO fit men, far better than the old morality, for the purposes of such a state as theirs, and may go much further in supporting their power, and de¬ stroying their enemies. They have there¬ fore chosen a selfish, flattering, seductive, ostentatious vice, in the place of plain duty. True humility, the basis of the / Christian system, is the low, but deep and firm foundation of all real virtue. But ' this, as very painful in the practice, and little imposing in the appearance, they have totally discarded. Their object is to ' _ merge all natural, and all social sentiment in inordinate vanity. It is that new in- «/ vented virtue which your masters canonize, that led their moral hero constantly to ex¬ haust the stores of his powerful rlietoric in the expression of universal benevolence, whilst his heart was incapable of harbour¬ ing one spark of common parental aliec- tion. Benevolence to the whole species, and want of feeling for every individual 5 with • I GEORGE III. with whom the professors come in contact, form the character of tlie new philosophy.'' The diffusion of these sentiments of false humanit}^, however, was but the dawn of a very melancholy day. A dreadful and gloomy infidelity succeeded. Emanating from the school of the jacobins, it spread abroad, with a' desolating rapidity, and communicated its contagion to distant re¬ gions. It was not long before this period that a member of the French national convention avowed himself an Atheist. What!” cried the infamous Du Pont, I ‘‘thrones overturned! sceptres broken! kings expire! and yet the altars of God remain ! Nature and Reason^ these ought to be the gods of men! these be my gods!” [here the Abb^'Audrien cried out, “ There is no bearing this;” and rushed out of the assembly—a great laugh /] Ad¬ mire nature, cultivate reason. The tvran- ny of kings was confined to make their people miserable in this life; but those other tyrants, the priests, extepd their do- ' minion I SG7 A. r>. 1790— 1800. ( I I 26s GEORGE lit. A. D. 1790- 1800. million into another, of which they have no other idea but of eternal punishments, a doctrine which some men have hitherto had the good nature to believe. But the moment of the catastrophe is come—all these prejudices must fall at the same time. —IVe must destroy them, or they will destroy us. For myself! I honestly avow to the convention —I am an Atheist T [Here some noise and tumult; but a great number of members cried out, ‘‘what is that to us? you are an honest man.”] After the speech was ended, there were numberless applauses almost throughout the whole assembly and galleries. I should not have polluted these pages with such an extract, if I did not look upon it as a powerful antidote to its own poison. It will not be thought surprising that the same assemblv should order an- 4 / - inscription to be placed on the churches, ' and places of public sepulture, enough to harrow up the soul of affection, and destroy the prime springs of human nature itself— “ Death GEOfiGK iir; 269 Death rs eternal sleep.” After a. x>. this, we shall not wonder that the ministers of religion should be made to feel, as a body, the severest stroke which had bfeen inflicted on the real or supposed enemies of the French republic. They were mur¬ dered without mercy, and without provo¬ cation. They were banishkl by cruel de¬ crees ; or forced, for self-preservation, to > * I seek an asylum in foreign countries: I rejoice \idth my country in the re¬ flection, that she has opened her bene¬ volent arms for the reception ©f the French emigrant clergy ; that she has kindly che¬ rished their misfortunes, regardless of re¬ ligious distinctions; and will return the survivors ^of them to their own aiation, as friends arid brothers, whenever that nation • shall be wise, or just enough to restore them to the comforts of domestic peace » As men and Christians, they hav-e acquitted themselves well; as ministers of the gospel they have borne their calamities with a patience and fortitude becoming their pro- B b tession. 370' GEORGE III. > A. D. fession. As a minister of the same gospel; 1790 reformed from those corruptions of chris- 1800 ^ tianity which we cannot but believe to be still inhi^enf in their church, I sincerely pray that their residence among us may have increased their ‘ liberality, and shewn them that true religion consists not in unauthenticated doctrines, or superstitious practices, but ‘‘ in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” But while much commendation is due to this ' nation, for its reception of the French clergy, as individuals, tve ought to be so- just to ourselves and our reli¬ gion, as to prevent their settlement among us as an united ecclesiastical body, eitlier in the stile of a monastic institution or in any other shape. Humanity and Christian charity, at the first moment, checked the most distant thought which might add to the embarrassments, and in some places allowed them to settle with the forms they brought with thein, and respected even the vows which accompanied them from the GEORGE Iir. 371 the cloyster. But as a predilection fpr popery has for many years been banished from this land, let us be careful of intro¬ ducing a principle among us which might involve us in long-forgotten difficulties / Far be it from me to deviate one moment from the duties of hospitality ; but let that hospitality be , shewn with due discretion. Make what personal sacrifice you please to the performance of humane and bene¬ volent actions, but neither let pity nor compulsion induce, you to make a sacri¬ fice of religion. , If it should be found ne¬ cessary that- any order of monks, or nuns, ■now domiciliated in England, should con¬ tinue here for any time to come, ,the watchful legislature will doubtless take pro¬ per care that such society should not in¬ crease by the admission of new members, Avdiether of our own nation or any other. In this case, we should neither violate the .rights of hospitality, nor injure the , religious establishment of our country. • \ jk . . .. i B b 2 ' Under A. D. 1790— 1800. i GEORGE III. A, D. Under the reign of Robespierre’s tyrail- 1790 consequence of a wild deputation ^^^„^^^from the section of the Sans cuUottes, at¬ tended by a Wanton decorated in the fan¬ ciful robes of liberty, religion was publicly ‘ abolished in the French nation [Nov. 10, 17 . 93 ] ‘‘The people,” said the delegates on this‘Occasion—‘“The people have but one Qxy—no more altars^ no more priests^ 'no other God but the God of Nature ! —We, ' their magistrates, we accompany them from •tlie temple of Truth to the temple of the Laws, to celebrate a new liberty, and to request that the cl-demnt church of Notre - Dame, be changed into a temple conse¬ crated to Reason and Truth.” ■ In any period since -the introduction of Christianity, however savage, however scep¬ tical, could we imagine such a dreadful scene to have been transacted ?—But in t what did it differ from the profanation of the '^saine tyrant, who made this decree in the assembly of the nation [May 7, 1794] —The French nation acknowledges the existence I GEORGE III. 37S ' .existence of a Supreme .Being, and the immortality of the soul.”—As if the exist-^790— ence of the Deity and a -world to come were a recent discovery of his own, and his adherents. Not contented with tlie unnecessary ac-* knowledgment of this awful truth within the walls of the convention, which appa¬ rently established Deism, but in reality was a confirmation of their atheistical opinions, an impious festival to the Supreme Being % was decreed to be h'olden under’ the car nopy of the heavens, on the 8th of June following. On that day, seated on a tribune, in the centre of a large amphh theatre raised in the gardens of the Thuil- leries, Robespierre, as president of the coii- * vention, appeared ; and having for a few hours disencumbered the square of the Re¬ volution of the guillotine, this high priest of Moloch, within view of,that very spot where his daily sacrifice of human victims was offered up, covered with their blood, • invoked the Parent of universal Nature, b S talked 374 GEORGE III. A. D. 1790— 1 800. If talked of the charms of .virtue, and breath¬ ed the hope of immortality. Having li- nished this profane mockery of Heaven, he descended from the tribune, and walked with great solemnity to a grotesque figure which had been erected in the front of the palace as a symbol of Atheism; and hav¬ ing set fire to this image of deformity, its cumbrous drapery soon vanished, and a fair and majestic form was discovered, em¬ blematical of wisdom and philosophy*.” It was remarked, that from the • day of the celebration of these impious rites, the au¬ thor of them appeared like one devoted to destruction ; and in a little more than a month he followed his own victims to an untimelv tomb. Who does not, in this instance of divine vengeance, see another Herod Agrippa? Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration; and the people gave a shout, * Letters from France, by H, M. Williams, saying, / GEORGE III. . S7S saying, It is the voice of a God, and not a, d. of a man. And immediately the anffel of ^ *' 1800 the Lord smote liim—and he was eaten worms, and gave up tlie ghost*,” I have not unnecessarily deviated from my purpose in considering these instances of French infidelity, as they will be found. to have too close a connection with ‘the religious history of this country at the same period. I must, in this place, still further observe, that the scenes whicli have been described, are the natural consequences of a long-meditated and deep conspiracy. To prove this, I have only to refer to the Abbe Bariiers History of Jacobinism; Ro- I bison s Proofs of a Conspiracy^ and some . other publications which are in every hand ; but, above ^11, as the undisguised and bolcf^ promulger of this execrable combination, < to the pofthumous works of the great Fre¬ deric the second. i. - * Acts xii. 21, B b 4 To GEOUGE III. K To repeat all that I have thought, or to recite the substance of those dark pages which have been generally read, on this subject, would be to detain the reader on a series of transactions, which every good man would wish, if it were possible, to erase for ever from his inemorv. Voltaire, D’ Alembert, Diderot, and the numerous list of German Illuminati, appear like the shifting scenes of a dreadful tragedy; a tragedy, whose fatal catastrophe even e:t- ceeds the high-wrought expectation of the most terrified spectator. Wherever the arms of the French Fe- / public -have been successful, they have, for the most part, been preceded by the dif¬ fusion of those desolating principles, which are at once the crime and punishment of those nations which receive them. A fire devQureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth: the- land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness.—A nation is come up upon my land, strong and without 4 * » ' ' numbet, ' I GEORGK III. S77 1800. number, whose teeth are the teeth of a a. d. lion^” 1790- What was attempted and executed, Avith respect to many other countries, was at¬ tempted also in our own. The Providence of God, though it has permitted us to • ' I be smitten for our iniquities, as Avell as others, will upon our t7'iie repentance, re¬ move far off from ns the depredating anny, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate and will say, ‘‘Fear not,'O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord I will do great things')',” •—The rise and progress of societies ex¬ pressly established for the purpose of dis-' seminating principles of infidelity, mark this part of our history with horror. That some speculative men in their studies have ^ reasoned themselves out of their faith; that^ others, immersed in vice and sen¬ suality, have affected to disbelieve, what .1- they durst not persuade themselves to be Joel ii. j, 6, + Joel ii, 21, 22. 1 true, 376 geouge III. To repeat all that I have thought, or to recite the substance of those dark pages which have been generally read, on this subject, would be to detain the reader on a series of transactions, which every good man would wish, if it were possible, to erase for ever from his memory. Voltaire, D’ Alembert, Diderot, and the numerous list of German Illuminati, appear like the shifting scenes of a dreadful tragedy; a tragedy, whose fatal catastrophe even ex¬ ceeds the high-wrought expectation of the most terrified spectator. Wherever the arms of the French Re- / public -have been successful, they have, for the most part, been preceded by the dif¬ fusion of those desolating principles, which are at once the crime and punishment of those nations which receive them. A fire devQureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth: the- land is as the \ » • garden of Eden before them, and behind them a 'desolate wilderness.—A nation is come up upon my land, strong and without number. i . t t t I GEORGE III. 877 1800. yiumber, whose teeth are the teeth of a a. d. 1790 - What was attempted and executed, with respect to many other countries, was at¬ tempted also in our own. The Providence of God, though it has permitted us to he smitten for our iniquities, as well as others, will upon our true repentance, re¬ move far off from us the depredating arrny, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate and will say, Fear not,'O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord I will do great things f,” ' ■—The rise and progress of societies ex¬ pressly established for the purpose of dis-' seminating principles of infidelity, mark this part of our history with horror. That some speculative men in their studies have reasoned themselves out of their faith; that, others, immersed in vice and sen¬ suality, have affected to disbelieve, what they durst not persuade themselves to be * Joel ii. 3^ i, 6, i Joel ii, 2i, 22. true. I 57S GEORGE III, A. 33. true, is equally certain ; but never till this 1790 —period was a reo’ular plan laid for the ex- ISOO. . . ... tirpation of Christianity by rendering books of the most pernicious tendency familiar to the very lowest classes of the commu- Tiity. The System was even carried fur¬ ther; for imagining, that though the age was enlightened, some might not be able to peruse, or understand the poisonous pages prepared for their instruction, read¬ ing-clubs were instituted, and speakers ap¬ pointed, who might retail, in language suited to their capacities, the sentiments of gloomy infidelity. The places where these clubs were holden ^ in London, and the use to which they were put, have been pointed out in a publi- I catioii, which has not been contradicted, and to which I refer as evidence for some of the following remarks The London Corresponding Socicti/, whose first object undoubtedfy was, the promul- * The Rise and Dissolution of Infidel Societies in the Metropolis. By Win. Hamilton Reid, 1800. gation GEORGE II£. 379 gation of political revolutionary principles, a. d. was among: the first to add deism to the ^^90- ® 1800 democracy of its converts.’’ A mad em- piric ill politics began to try the same ex¬ periment ill religion. In 1793, the far- famed Thomas Paine published in France the first part of The Age of Reason a pamphlet retailing in low language, the I often repeated cavils of a long race of scep¬ tics. The object of this work was the pro¬ pagation of deism, and he lays the founda¬ tion of his argument in this proposition, that “ the visible book of nature is the only book of revelation.” ‘‘ The creation,” says a venerable and pious Prelate in reply to this observation % ‘^is, indeed, .an ever- existing original, which all men can read; but it is often in a style, which is obscure to the wisest human 'intellect. What, but this difficulty in explaining the visible word of God,” could have produced the many discordant sy'stems of the universe * Bishop of Durham’s Charge, 1797. which V 380 GEORGE ril. A. D. 1790 — 1800 . which have prevailed, and revolutions of philosophy, which have taken place, from the days of Pythagoras to those of New-* ton ? What was the origin of idolatry, but the misconstruction of the visible unwrit¬ ten word? and, which is still more to our purpose, what has corrected those errois of idolatrous worship, but the propagation of Christianity by the light of the written word of God ?” A second part of The Age of Reason” appeared in 1795) in which the scriptures were attacked with re-doubled virulence. Though every post might have been de^ fended with the slightest weapon, yet as both the language and the objections were calculated to make an impression on the common people, a suitable answer was provided by a learned and excellent prelate, %vho twenty years before had given to the world a masterly “ Apology for Christiani¬ ty,” in reply to the sceptical insinuations of Gibbon. The Bishop of Landaif in his ‘‘ Apology for the Bible,” closely investi¬ gates X 381 GEOROE III. gates the bold assertions of this rash as- a. d. sailant of Christianity, exposes his Igno- ranee, and completely confutes his argu- meats. If the readers of the Age of Rea¬ son were as ready to be convinced of the truth, as they were forward in the re¬ ception of error, gladly would they accept the kind services of this eminent and use¬ ful author. When the merits of this publication were brought before a court of justice, a cele- ■ brated counsellor made a speech in oppo¬ sition to its justly detested tenets, which breathed the purest principles of Christi¬ anity, -and glowed with all the energy of eloquence and truth; which did equal ho¬ nour to the speaker, and to the profession of which he is so distinguished a member*. The London Corresponding Society was the prototype of most of the infidel societies in the metropolis. The introduction of ‘‘ The Age of Reason,” at first, indeed, * London Chronicle, July i, 1797, occa- 582 GEORGE IIT. A. D. occasioned a struggle which was soon ov’er- 1800 i ^ bookseller persuaded to un¬ dertake a cheap edition for its more ready dissemination through the divisions. It was blasphemously tei'med The New Holy IBihle^" and the bare circumstance of hav¬ ing' The Age of Ileafbri in a -house was deemed a collateral proof of the civism o^ the possessor"^'. In consequence of the adop¬ tion of these opinions, a schism took place among them, and a new society was form¬ ed under the denomination of the cmil and religious society] evidently pointing out that the latter epithet was no way appli¬ cable to a part at least of the original association. In choosing their delegates, _ ^ • * This obfervation of Mr. Reid is confirmed by the following extract from the Second Report of the Com¬ mittee of the House of Lords, on ^Seditious Societies, ' J M i April, i8oi.—The members to be admitted by a test, or declaration on oath, to be sworn on the Bible ^fwhe?! it can he produced \ but it is obferved, that since Paine's Age of Reason, it is looked upon as a mark of incKnsm to keep a Bible.”-- tliose GEORGE III. 5S3 those persons were preferred, who were a. d doubly recommended by their relis^ion and ^ ® j 800 their politics. In the recommendation oft any person to an office among them, it was common to distinguish him, as a good democrat and a deist;” or, to fix the character more strongly, to add, that ‘ ^ He is no Christian. ” The author, from whom I have selected this information, mentions several places where similar meetings were holden, which multiplied very much about the year 1795, Deism itself became too strong a faith for many of the unhappy members. The fren- zy of Atheism seized them ; and an imi- tation of the infamous Du Pont induced them to avow themselves disbelievers of a Deity.—‘‘ I am an Atheist!” exclaimed one^ of them ; and jumping upon a club- room table, “ Here,” said he, holding up an infant, “ here is a young Atheist* !” '* Reid’s Rise and Dissolution, 4'C. In 584 GEORGE ill; • » A* D. In the spring of 179^^ it was proposed 1800 ^ Temple of Reafon, in London, after the example, probably, of the Theo- philanthropic Temple at Paris, where tlie doctrines of Deism might be accessible to persons of every description. Great ex¬ pectations were formed of this institution; Christianity was attacked with the whole artillery of Voltaire^ David WilliamSj and others, who were distinguished by their vi¬ rulence against it But all would, not do* Deism - could not support itself* ^ This tem¬ ple fell, as most of the other societies had- done before.it; and many have done and continue to do since its demolition ; some¬ times assailed by the interference of the magistrates, and sometimes oppressed and shaken to pieces by their own weight* . The propagandists of infidelity, , about this time, seized another post of instruc¬ tion : the practice of arresting congrega¬ tions in market places and fields had been for several years' adopted by the metho-^ dists, though much more at the time of their I GEORGE irii 385 their first appearance than at present. Field- a* d. preaching Deists now followed their example, ' ^ Jl Vx# in hopes of drawing the attention of those who usually appeared on those occasions. “ During the summer of 1797, a very for¬ midable party were organized and assembled, every Sunday morning, at seven o’clock, near the City-road : here, in consequence of the / debates, forced upon the preachers or the liearers, several groupes of people would remain upon the ground till noon, giving an opportunity to the unwary passengers to become acquainted with the dogmas of Vol¬ taire, Paine, and other writers, of whom they might have remained in ignorance; « in fact,' the fields were resorted to, by the new’ reformers, upon the same principle as a sportsman goes in quest of game :—wc shall be sure to find some Christians in the fields, was the standing reason for these excur- . sions*.” “ At the conclusion of a field- sermon, in 1798, it was remarked,” says the * ut supta. - C c ' same 1 I I 386 GEORGE III. A» !?• 1790-- 1800. same author, ‘‘ that the Deists did not op¬ pose the Arian preachers with the same vi¬ rulence as the Trinitarians. The full force of the observation was admitted, while it / iv^as urged, as a reason for this forbearance, that the Infidels considered 'the Arians as doing a part of their business for them.” t The indefatigable members of these so- > O cieties, supported,* no doubt, by the pri¬ vate assistance, both in money and talents, of persons of superior rank and conse- quence, endeavoured to establish in various ^ parts of the country, associations of a si¬ milar'"nature. No sooner was the open¬ ing of the Temple of Reason known in the country, than a notice was giv^n in that assembly, that, if any person, qualified as a teacher, could make it convenient to leave town, a society at one of the western ports, could insure him from 1501. to 200\ per annum The amiable Bishop of London informs us; he knew that impious^ * Reid, ut supra. 4 and \ GEOHGE IIX. 387 and indecent publications had been distri- a, d. buted with infinite activity and industry, ^790- ^ 1800 not only in the metropolis and its neigh- bourhood, and in large manufacturing towns, but in little obscure villages iii the remotest parts of the kingdom; nay, they had even found their way into the very bowels of the earth, among the miners of Cornwall, and the colliers of Newcastle, some of whom are said to have sold their Bibles, in oixler to purchase the Age of Rea- fo 7 i From the very respectable authority of Lord Belgrave, the Bishop acquaints us, that “ there was then, [1799] forming in a Jarge town, in this kingdom, a society of At heist Sy who had agreed to meet at certain, times, and to produce each of them an atheistical tract, to be issued into the world, t with a view of corrupting the people of this country.” The report of the Committee of the House of Lords, will be thought also incontrovertible evidence of the fact, that * Bishop of !kondon’s Charge, 1799. ‘‘ cheap c c 2 GEORGE nr. 33S. A. D. cheap editions of such tracts have been 1 790 —-gratis, and in large quantities, and that their circulation among the la¬ bouring classes, has been a principal occu¬ pation of emissaries deputed to various parts of the” Gountrv, from tlic societies esta- A/ “ blished in the'metropolis.” Some of these societies may, perhaps, still be discovered among us. It is how- , ever comfortable to reflect, that they'are not formidable.' They-contain within them- ' selves principles of dissolution ; and though,, ’ after being dissolved in one place, they may • start up again in another, still they rise, like the short-lived myriads* of the insect- tribe, only to sliew themselves, and disap¬ pear. • * = But,‘O 3 "e Icculers in a dreadful cause! what recompence can ye make to the souls whom your blaspliemies shall have destroy"- rd? remove those motives, sanctions,' duties, and consolations, which have so often poured balm into the sharpest wounds • \ of human life, and alleviated the sorrows of * - the - I will not adopt the gloomy opinion of the Psalmist, and say, They are all gone out^ out of the way.” For however true the observation may be, of the original depra¬ vity of man’s nature, a fairer promise some- • times meets tlie eye, and leads us to hail, in the good man’s conduct, the influence of the spirit of the gospel of salvation. ^ Though the practice of religion has un* doubtedly, decreased, by > the propagation of a vain philosophy among those who culti¬ vate the wisdom of this world, as well as among the more ignorant and dissipated disciples of tliat sect, still this age is proud to acknowledge a glorious assemblage of piety and virtue, breaking forth like the refreshing water in a thirsty soil. Difficult times are productive of extremes in con¬ duct. The storm raised by a daemon, re- quires more than a diem on to allay it. The D d turbu- ^ 402 GEORGE III. A. D. turbulence of the last ten years produced IBOl. tnany desperate, and dangerous characters: the same period has offered to our view, not merely the judicious statesman, or the dntrepid warrior, but men of a very different description, defenders of a much insulted faith; and patient, suffering, Christians. In the higher ranks of life, nien of worth and value have appeared, men deeply im¬ pressed by the circumstances * of the times, guarding the-sacred deposit of religiohy and sedulously counteracting- the profligate* ex¬ amples of their brethren. Never have cha¬ ritable institutions been better supported than''^ at present; But I rest no argument oh these ; for superfluous wealth may be thrown Into the scale of ostentation; and Araunah said, I will notofferburnt-of- -ferings-unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing Biit those establishments exliibit the genuine fruits of the spirit, where personal assistance is given ^ 2 Sam, xxiv. 24. 4 to GEORGE rir. 403 to their support, where the practice of re¬ ligion is united to its faith, and where the heart is improved in improving the objects of its charity*. Amongst the labouring poor, too, much impression has been made : Many energies have been called forth, which would have continued dormant in prosperous times. The clergy have not been the last to exert themselves in beginning a necessary refor¬ mation : churches are .better frequented, and religious duties more punctually per¬ formed. Many laymen, of distinguished piety and abilities, have taken up the pen of the divine. Many females, amiable for their sex and their talents, have undertaken the instruction of the poor. The zeal of these attempts is only equalled by - their success; and w^e are encouraged to'pursue this heavenly track by the^w^ords of Christ Himself—Lift up your eyes, and look on A. D. 1801 . * Philanthropic Society-^SocIety for the Reforma¬ tion of Iprinciples, 8 cc, Scc» D d 2 the 404 GEORGE IIT. A. D. the fields ; for they are white already to 1801. harvest*.” AVhile the pliilosophers of the continent were erecting schools of infidelity']', and dilfusing every pernicious opinion into the youthful mind ; how were many of the opulent, and the good, employing them¬ selves in England ? They were instituting . schools of a different description. If we consider this circumstance, as connected with the particular history of this period, ' we shall look upon it as a singular act of Divine Providence that, a few years before the revolution took place in France, a revo¬ lution, doubtless, occasioned by a prepara¬ tion of ’ infidelity, Schools for Sunday Edu¬ cation began to be established in this king¬ dom. ♦ And I will venture to affirm, that they have saved many, many, from destruc¬ tion. Let it not be objected, that know¬ ledge is dangerous, for the poor. Thie knowledge of true religion is dangerous for T * John iv, 35, t Abbe Baruel’s History of Jacobinism. no GKORGE in. 405 no man. It is his food—it is his life. In- a. d. stil it once into his heart, and it will bear him through every conflict—he will say, Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art zoith vie —Thy rod, and thy staff comfort me*.” Education is a subject which has em¬ ployed the pens, and exercised the talents of the wdscst of mankind. I mean not to enter into the discussion: but it is neces¬ sary, in appreciating the moral conduct of . the present age, to remark, that though in the higher and middle classes of life more attention is paid to education than ever was before, yet that attention not being always directed to a right end, has in many cases proved very detrimental to society. The great increase of luxury, has brought the dif¬ ferent ranks of persons nearer to a level. The rich merchant feels himself not inferior A ' to the man of hereditary dignity. Wealth, * Psalm xxiii. 4. ' D d 5 he I 406 GEORGE III. A. D. he imagines, is an ec^uivalent for greatness ; and the heirs and heiresses of both parties, meet too-ether under the roofs of education. The system of instruction, in many respects improper for both, is fatal to the families of the merchant, or the tradesman. A refine¬ ment of manners takes place among them considerably above their situation. The head, and not the* heart, is cultivated. Real information is sacrificed to superficial ac¬ complishments, and the unhappy pupils are returned to their fathers’ houses furnished with few beneficial ideas, and certainly with less regard to religion, less command of their passions, less filial affection, than they carried with them to their schools. The observation is equally true, if we de¬ scend a few steps lower in society.. Num¬ bers are too prone to emulate the profusion and dissipated manners of the rank imme¬ diately above them. Even the simplicity and neatness of the farmer’s family; that modesty of deportment, that strict atten¬ tion to moral and religious duties which distill- GEORGE III. distinguished the hdushold of the old Eng¬ lish yeoman, have shrunk fi’om the con¬ tagion of too refined an education. 1 If I penetrate the venerable recesses of our universities themselves, though I find much to commend, something, I fear, will ])e still left to condemn. The manly and liberal system of education adopted in thess eminent nurseries of British youth, has I not altogether escaped the contagion of luxurious indulgences. Far from joining in an indiscriminate censure of the revered parent to whose fostering care I owe an indelible attachment, or of her equally ce¬ lebrated sister, I may be allowed to ex¬ press serious apprehensions, lest the general relaxation of morals, and hike-warm ness in religious exercises, should have encroached on the salutary discipline long established in these ancient seminaries. This inquiry is a matter of national importance. But it is not for me to suggest, what their own wise guardians are ready to execute. One observation, however, I must make D d 4 with 408 GEORGE in. A. D. with regard to expence. The universities, 1801. for several ages, have nurtured many a valuable race of theological students. The clergy of our church, sensible of the bene¬ fits they have themselves derived from these sources, have always been earnest in sending their sons to imbibe the rich streams \vhich they themselves have tasted. But if luxury invade the seats of learning and .of virtue, if expences increase where ^ fru¬ gality should reign, farewell to the acqui¬ sition of all their beneficial attainments ; farewell to the painful scholar who wastes - his midnight lamp in deep researches ; fare- ivell to the youthful servant of Heaven wdio is preparing his mind for pastoral avoca¬ tions. The sons of the inferior clergy must acquit themselves in other duties, must find other employments, and a most useful body of men will, in these respects, be lost to the state. The object of these remarks is to recall propriety of conduct, and to recommend the study of religious knowledge as an es¬ sential GEORGE IIK scntial branch of public instruction. Why that should be most neglected which is most material^ is an enquiry few can an¬ swer. Yet so it is. The effect i's but too. visible. Some have cast off their religion, if they ever had any, out of compliment to Voltaire and Rousseau ; others have suffer¬ ed it to slide both out of their'memories and practice, because they are unable to ‘‘giv^e a reason for the hope that is in them.’* Alas ! who can wonder that iniquity should abound, when we see so plainly that “ the love of many waxeth cold ”—very cold in¬ deed, towards the blessed author of their salvation. X Now, my friends and countrymen, is the hour arrived when we should call forth our ancient loyalty, our ancient religion. The waves of this troublesome world are once more^ subsiding to a calm. We feel an ardour at the prospect, proportionate to the dangers we have escaped. ’ But let not extravagant joy overpower the senti¬ ments best suited to our .situation. Our day 410 GKORGE III. A. D. day of trial is yiot over. Nay, startnot; 1801. perhaps it is only now beginning. I say not this, with a gloomy spirit, to cast a damp over the general exultation which every where prevails. In common with every Briton, I rejoice sincerely at the happy change. But I would not wish the voice of warning to be totally neglected. A state of outward ease is generally attend- ed with unguarded moments. . As no man falls suddenly into an extremity of wicked¬ ness, as it required many years to mature the pernicious principles of the French philosophers, so will it probably require as many more to assure the world of their entire reformation. The passage of the Straight of Dover is short: the communi¬ cation between the two countries, when once opened, is easy: principles are light, and messengers are ready. With these considerations, that soticitude will not ap¬ pear mis-placed, which adopts the words of the apostle, and applies them with their full emphasis tq the men of this country, and GEORGE Iir. 411 and of this generation—“ Beware lest any a. d. man spoil you through philosophy and vain 1801 . deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ Among the blessings which the opening of a new century has brought within our view, I ought .not to forget the return t of that abundance, of which we had been deprived ^by a failure of the produce' of two preceding seasons, in addition to many local circumstances, and particularly, an increased consumption of provisions occa¬ sioned by the waiv Thus is a kind pro¬ vidence inclined to try us' once more, in every respect, with prosperity. maketh peace in all our borders, and filleth' list with the finest of the wheat. He openeth his hand, and satisfieth' the desire of every living thing f. ” ' Peace, at all times ac¬ ceptable, IS'doubly so when accompanied with such'a companion: and if the times * Colos. ii. 8. + Pfalm cxlvii, cxlv. 17. of % 412 GEORGE Iir. of unparalleled difficulty have made a due impression on our hearts, every son of Britain will have an happy occasion to say —It is good for me that I have been in trouble. ” I have now,' by the blessing of God, brought these reflections to an end—the century has come to an end—and we, Avho have been actors in it, some of us busy actors, in a few years, or perhaps a few days, will come to an end likewise. Selecting from the succession of time, one portion of its history, how quickly is it gone.^ But far, very far is it from being erased from the memory; very far from gliding unheeded along, like the current to which it often is ^ compared. Strong and permanent will be the mark of the waters; for awful and instructive has been the fluctuating scene. Various are the lights in which we have viewed the face of religion during the pre¬ ceding century. The events, as they pass- ed by us, checked the presumption of hu¬ man GEORGE III. 413 man judgment. Often they arose through a. d. the turbulence of passion, and often settled into peace without the intervention of. tem¬ poral means. The hand of Providence which brought forth the storm for our pu¬ nishment, frequently cleared the horizon for our instruction ; that we might not for- ) get to say, This is thy hand, and Thou, V- Lord, hast done it.” “ ... ’ ’i " , As a nation, as a nation, we have had repeated causes for thankfulness ; but never greateV than at present, when the Ruler of the universe holds forth his golden sceptre, and says to a distracted V'Orld—“ Peace ! be Jiill /” Let us hail the omen, and profit by this most timely in¬ stance of God’s mercy. In the midst of many changes, this happy change truly deserves our gratitude. Let us make one change more—Let us change our hearts. Without this, Peace^ that comes to all, will never come to us; and Hope, that chears even the gloom of the dungeon, will never rest within our breasts. But let 414 GEORGE III. A. D. -let US not- imagine our own powers equal 1801 . to so'greata change. Nothing can effect it, except the influence of that Spirit, which •brought peace on earth, good-will to¬ wards men”—and nothing can continue it to us-except— - Him first. Him last, Him midst, and without end *.’* : 3 Jesus -Christ, the same yesterday, AND TO-DAY, AND FOR EVER.’ Amen, Milton. 4.1 ,'W ik. ■'t.'-A J' « 11 ^ i i Iv •. f THE. END. } -r- i ' ' V/ » . ' ^ I . * a > 1 Lately puhlishedy By the same Author* THE MEDITATIONS OF A RECLUSE: CKI£FI,Y OM RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. THE SECOND EDITION. In one Volume duodecimo, Price in boards, 4#, or, on large superfine Paper, Price ds. Bye and Law, Printers, St. John’s Square, CierkenwelL •V '\ ‘ - ’’ I* -f ' *' ^ /^tv' '■ *♦• ■ 'i '‘-y: ■ •>! i ■' ‘ % \ #■ #' ‘f ,y ‘^.^'•51 ■ :^H'i Yii > N- • V* •% , «• ' 4.1. i. V . * * •■ W-' - ‘ ^ X • 1 ■ A,? •• < I ^ I f .. A lU .1 ^.■' 5 V ^ V t vv *» Vh«« WAm ■W' V. Jfc '* «ite v.c : V %a '- ^ '' '. C'-. - ^T: " - . • - > > 0 ■ 'ip M » ■" r; j a t a j i :•: ■; 0 :X a .a a I > .Mi'iTiai av;oo:-ifi a:-ir ' ni i;?h^ .oyii tt^bocb i):r:;IvV «?■ ^ 4Z.% . «.C yjn'i ,T9(JB'1 3^..l-!o:::J■^ 0^:-:* ,1'^ •’f'Jf.J. • "t£ ^ ■'ift ) ■ W I \ '•^.y 4 ' (» Date Due '1 / •• i ■ ’ tt' 1 PRINTED m u. s. A. '4 3 9031 HH O 233673 O A O u- 9S4K OOcS NOT CIR CUiATE VS4(9 £8 _ 3 G ^ 4 i- Author Brewster, John. Title A secular essay. Boston College Library Chestnut Hill 67, Mass. Books may be kept for two weeks unless a shorter period is specified. If you cannot find what you want, inquire at the circulation desk for assistance.