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bottomless pit, to disgrace the subscribing clergy, to render ridiculous the doctrines of the gospel, to impel the world into infidelity, and to damn the souls of those, who, for the sake of filthy lucre, set their hands to what they do not honestly believe. Though I believe the doctrine of the Trinity as revealed in the Scripture, yet I am not prepared, openly and explicitly, to send to the devil, under my solemn subscription, every one who cannot embrace the Athanasian illustration of it. In this thing the Lord pardon his servant for subscribing in time past. I will do so no more. Those that can do it are extremely welcome to the best bishoprics and livings in the kingdom. I should like to retain what I have already gotten, but not upon the conditions required. As an honest man, and a man under expectations of salvation,. I must renounce my present situation, and the little emoluments which arise from-it. There is no other alternative.(6)

"But you are acting a part extremely imprudent, on account of your family."

But I am obeying the dictates of conscience, and the commands of God. And it is written:By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations,

(6) I have for some years made myself tolerably easy under the damnatory clauses of the Athanasian creed, by omitting to read it at the times appointed. But, to an upright mind, this is not satisfactory because we solemnly declare and subscribe, that we will conform to the liturgy of the church of England as by law established. Now every time we omit to read the said creed, or any other parts of the service of the church, we are guilty of a breach of engagement. So that whether we read the creed in question, or neglect to read it, we are culpable, if we do not ex animo approve of it.

whose builder and maker is God. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward."(7)

"You are already in the church, and have got over the business of subscription. You may continue, therefore, in your present situation without being called upon to repeat the same paiaful ceremony.'

I have many years been determined never to subscribe agreeably to the requirements of the 36th Canon, whatever offers of preferment might be made me. But, when I reflect seriously and closely upon the subject, this does not satisfy me. I cannot help considering my holding a church, and complying with all its rites and ceremonies, as a silent acquiescence in, and a tacit approbation of, all the unevangelical traits of the church of England.-While such is my situation, I certainly constitute, a part of the grand system of the anti-christian apostacy, which, as I understand the prophetic Scriptures, is to undergo a total sub

version.

"You are quitting a situation of uncommon usefulness."

(7) I do not recollect reading or hearing any instance so like unto this of Moses as that of the Marquis of Vico, who died A. D. 1592, at the age of 74. When he was come to years, and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, he refused to be called the son and heir to a marquis, a cup-bearer to an emperor, nephew to a pope, and chose rather to suffer affliction, persecution, banishment, loss of lands, livings, wife, children, honours, and preferments, than to enjoy the sinful pleasures of Italy for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the honours of the most brilliant connections, and all the enjoyments of the most ample fortune; for he had respect unto the recompense of the

reward.

With my views, however, I cannot honourably and safely do otherwise. I believe, and fear, and tremble at the word of the Most High. Besides, God can

do as well without my labours as with them. And if he should think proper, by this step, to cast me quite aside, as a broken vessel no longer of use, I will endeavour to acquiesce in the Divine determination.

"God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best; his state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post over land and ocean without rest:
They also serve, who only stand and wait."

If the Church of England retains much of the spirit, and some of the superstitions of the Church of Rome,(8) what is a conscientious man to do, and how is he to act, under such a persuasion? Let any person weigh thoroughly the meaning of the following declarations, and then let him say in what manner I ought to act:-" And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."(9)

(8) The late lord Chatham, in a speech which he made in the house of lords in favour of the Dissenters, said. "We have a Popish liturgy, a Calvinistic creed, and an Arminian clergy."

(9) Doddridge observes on this paragraph of Scripture, "When I seriously reflect on this text, and how directly the force of it lies against those, who, contrary to the light of their consciences,

Are not these words enough to make the hair "stand on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine?" We all read them, and have read them many times for many years; and yet, from our general conduct, one would suppose no such passage might be found in the Sacred Writings. We protestants are almost universally of opinion, that they apply directly to the members of the church of Rome. The members of that church read them as well as we Protestants, and yet we hardly ever hear of a Catholic becoming a Protestant, any more than of a Jew becoming a Christian. They have eyes, and see not; cars, and hear not; hearts, and understand not. The Lord, in judgment, hath sent them strong delusion that they should believe a le. The words are extremely plain, and inexpressibly alarming: but the force of them are always evaded, by applying them to any thing, rather than to their own church. We Protestants too read them, and make ourselves easy under the awful denunciation, by applying them exclusively to the church of Rome: never dreaming that they are equally applicable, not only to the English but to every church establishment in Christendom, which retains any of the marks of the Beast. My judgment has not been biassed by interest, by connections, by inclination, or by any human considerations whatever. I have thought much upon the subject: read on both sides of the question whatever has fallen in my way; conversed with various persons for the sake of information; suf

continue in the communion of the church of Rome, for secular advantage, or to avoid the terror of persecution, it almost makes me tremble; and I heartily wish, that all others, who connive at those things in the discipline and worship of Protestant churches, which they in their consciences think to be sinful remains of Popish superstition and corruption, would seriously attend to this passage, which is one of the most dreadful in the whole book of God, and weigh its awful contents, that they may keep at the greatest possible distance from this horrible curse, which is sufficient to make the cars of every one that bears it to tingle."

fered the matter to rest upon my mind for some years undetermined; have never made my fears, suspicions, and dissatisfaction known to any man; and now, when I bring near to myself the thought of quitting one of the most commodious churches in the kingdom, erected on purpose for my own ministrations; leaving interred by it many a precious deposit, who will, I trust, be my joy and crown in the great day of the Lord Jesus, besides a mother, a wife, two children, and a sister; and giving up various kind friends, whom I love as my own soul, together with a large body of people, that," if it were possible, would have plucked out their own eyes, and have given them to me."What shall I say?-All that is affectionate within me recoils. I am torn with conflicting passions; and am ready to say with the apostle, " I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my friends and brethren, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ."

But various passages of Scripture urge me, on the most momentous considerations, to renounce a situation, which I cannot any longer retain with peace of mind. I bewail it exceedingly. I have received no affront; conceived no disgust; formed no plans; made no connections; consulted. no friends; experience no weariness of the ministerial office; the ways of religion are still pleasant; I have been glad when duty called me to the house of God; his word hath been delightful; the pulpit has been awfully pleasing; the table of the Lord hath been the joy of my heart; and now that Providence calleth me away, with some degree of reluctance it is that I say, Lord, here I am. Do with me what seemeth thee good.-Let me stay where I am. I gladly stay. Send me where thou wilt. I will endeavour to submit. Only go with me, and thy pleasure shall be mine.

I argue not

Against heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot

Of heart or hope; but still bear up, and steer
Right onward."

END OF THE PLEA.

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