to in fuch a Cafe the Government will perhaps connive, and hardly be fo fevere to Hang them for Defending it against the Letter of the Law which they readily anfwer, that they will not lye at our Mercy, but let us Fight our Battles our Selves. Some times we offer to get an Act, by which upon all Popish Infurrections at Home, or Popish Invafions from Abroad the Government fhall be empowered to grant Commiffions to all Protestants whatsoever, without that Perfe cuting Circumftance of obliging them to Say their Prayers when they receive the Sacrament; but they abhor all Thoughts of Occafional CommifLions, they will not do our Drudge ry, and we reap the Benefit; It is not worth their while to Fight pro Aris & focis, and they had rather lofe their Eftates, Liberties, Religion and Lives, than the pleasure of Governing. BUT to bring this Difcourfe towards a Conclufion; If the Diffenters will be fatisfied with fuch a Toleration by Law as hath been granted them in, England, I believe the Majo Majority of both Houfes will fall readily in with it; farther it will be hard to perfwade this Houfe of Commons, and perhaps much harder the next. For, to fay the Truth, we make a mighty difference here between fuffering Thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for Pofies. We are fully convinced in our Confciences, that We shall always Tolerate Them, but not quite fo fully that They will always Tolerate Us, when it comes to their Turn; And We are the Ma jority, and We are in Poffeffion. HE that Argues in Defence of a Law in Force, not Antiquated or Obfolete, but lately Enacted, is certainly on the fafer fide, and may be allowed to point out the Dangers he conceives to forefee in the Abrogation of it.. FOR if the Confequences of Repealing this Claufe, fhould at fome time or other enable the Presbyterians to work themfelves up into the National Church; instead of uniting Proteftants, it would Sow eternal Di visions vifions among them. First their own Sects which now lye Dormant, would be foon at Cuffs again with each other about Power and Preferment; And the Diffenting Epifcopals, perhaps difcontented to fuch a Degree, as upon fome fair unhappy Occafion, would be able to shake the firmeft Loyalty, which none can deny theirs to be. NEITHER is it very difficult to conjecture from fome late Proceedings, at what a rate this Faction is like to Drive wherever it gets the Whip and the Seat. They have already fet up Courts of Spiritual Judicature in open Contempt of the Laws: They fend Miffionaries every where, without being incited, in order to Convert the Church of England Folks to Christianity. They are as vigilant as I know who, to attend Perfons on their Death Beds, and for Purposes much alike. And what Practifes fuch Principles as thefe (with many others that might be invidious to mention) may Spaun, when they are laid out to the Sun, you may determine at Leisure. LAST LASTLY, whether we are fo entirely fure of their Loyalty upon the prefent Foot of Government as you may imagine, their Detractors make a Queftion, which however, does I think by no means affect the Body of Diffenters; But the Inftance produced, is of fome among their Leading Teachers in the North, who have refufed the Abjuration Oath, yet continue their Preaching, and have abundance of Followers. The Particulars are out of my Head, but the Fact is notorious enough, and I believe has been Publifhed, I think it a Pity it has not been Remedied. ས THUS I have fairly given you, Sir, my own Opinion, as well as that of a great Majority in both Houfes here, relating to this weighty Affair, upon which I am confident you may fecurely reckon. I will leave you to make what ufe of it you please. of two I am with great Refpect, Sirate Dublin December the 4th. 1708. A FINI S. Your, &c. VERSES Wrote in a LADY'S Fvory Table-Book P Anno. 1698. ER USE my Leaves thro' ev'ry Part And think thou feeft my owners Heart, Scrawl'd o'er with Trifles thus, and quite baA As hard, as fenflefs, and as light: Expos'd to every Coxcomb's Eyes, But hid with Caution from the Wife. Here you may read (Dear Charming Saint }\ Here |