"wickedness of our populace will receive but "little check from being taught to read, nor "will vice and profanenefs meet with any ef"fectual restraint from a ftring of great names " in an advertisement, or a conviction before a "juftice of the peace."

If the above awful representations are just, and I am afraid they are indifputably so, are we not very near the period predicted by Dr. Waterland, when “We shall bid farewel to principles, and religion will be little elfe but

"DISGUISED ATHEISM."

The reader will very naturally fuppofe, after reading Mr. Haweis's defcription, that he is a warm friend to the reformation of our church establishment; that at least like the good Archbishop Secker, he would think it an unquestionable duty to join with his brethren, in representing to thofe in power our fad fituation, and entreating that they would take it into confideration. Nothing of this appears in his whole performance; on the contrary, he contents him felf with giving a little fuperficial advic then boldly declares that he is an enemy any alterations. "We can hardly defire a change "in the church whatever imperfections may be chargeable upon it. All human institutions "will be imperfect. Alterations are danger

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"ous*." All the corruptions of the fyftem are therefore, to be carefully preferved. Surely never was language fo contradictory: never was such an instance of high church prejudice, conquering and murdering the convictions of confcience!

But before this evangelical clergyman again profeffes himself an enemy to all alterations, in a system which he knows to be very corrupt, he is requested to attend to what the prelate I have juft quoted has faid on this fubject. "To be

abfolutely against all changes is either great "folly or great wickedness: things may have "been wrong constituted originally they may "have degenerated fince: they may be attend"ed now with different circumftances: and at"terations may not only be reasonable to cure prefent complaints, but necessary to prevent worfe diforders."

It is not, however, by palliating, that any good can be done. Would the clergy convince mankind that they believe Christianity themselvesDo not be offended, gentlemen, that I thus earnestly address you-Would you perfuade menThat religion is not a dream-That the Bible is not a fable-That falvation is not a jeft-That

Haweis's Effays, p. 182-192, 283.

death.

death, judgment, heaven, hell, eternity, are not trifles to be ridiculed-In the name of all these facred realities, we conjure you to endeavour feriously to obtain a reformation of the church, and the removal of, at least, some of the abominable innovations we have mentioned. Should you on the contrary, refolve to be indolent, and obftinate-" If you hate reformation, and depreciate and persecute those who would re"form you-If you misrepresent peaceable fubjects, taxing them with heresy, schism, and republicanism, and strive to render their loyalty to the crown, and their love to the con"stitution doubtful-If all your study is to "make a fair fhew in the flesh,-Know of a "truth, the time will come, when your civil

governors will fee it as neceffary to reform your reformation, as their ancestors did to reform the religion of your predeceffors. Till "then, although the religion of pious spectators "will not fuffer them to hurt a hair of

your head, yet the fame religion will oblige them "to fay of you-These evil men talk of light, "while their feet are stumbling on dark moun"tains. Your country, and the remains of your "own consciences, the liberalities of your prince, "the tears of your brethren; the afhes of Bur-nets, and Hoadlys, and Lardners; the just "judgments

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A a

judgments of heaven on degenerate priests, " and incorrigible nations; all call you to your

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duty, and warn you of the danger of falling " into the hands of an angry God. If you will "not hear, our fouls fhall weep in fecret places "for your ignorance and pride."

CHAP

CHAPTER THE FOURTH.

Thoughts on Toleration-Its Progress, Eftablishment, and Effects in France-State of Toleration in England-Hiftoric Sketch of the Temper and Conduct of the established Church towards Proteftant Diffenters-Remarks on the late unfuccessful Attempts to procure the Repeal of the Corporation and Teft Acts, and other Penal Laws-Exhortation to all Sects and Parties cordially to unite in their endeavours for a more complete Toleration.

HE word TOLERATION will admit of

THE

various fenfes. In its primary fense it is of general import, and fignifies, "To allow fo as not to hinder." Mr. Locke applies it to different religions or fects, and afferts that the civil magistrate ought not to interfere by giving the profeffors of one religion, or the followers of one fect, any preference or advantage over the other. He defines religious toleration, in its most complete and perfect fense, to be Abfolute liberty, just and true liberty, equal and imA a 2 partial