Dissenting orator; while the loyal Church of England party are under oppression and persecution from the Dissenters abroad, and are obliged to fly over hither to the seat of government, for a little present peace and protection. But the worst part of our story is yet to come; and a story it is which hath been taken up by Whigs and Dissenters as a ground for clamour, while but little hath been said by those who have most reason to complain: for that same government, which for so many years hath adopted the tender policy of obliging the Dissenters at the expence of its own friends in the Church of England, has made no scruple of extending its favour to popish episcopacy in the American colonies. In July 1766, a popish Bishop went over from London to Quebec by permission of this government; and popery is now licensed by the crown of England in that part of the world, where a protestant Bishop of the Church of England has never been tolerated! Hear, O Heavens, and give ear, O Earth! for neither the one nor the other was ever witness to such an instance of injustice and absurdity. Papists are licensed; Presbyterians are obliged; where the religion of the crown and government is not tolerated! Never let us wonder if strange effects arise from such unprecedented œconomy. It is therefore hoped by the best friends of both countries, that the charm which hath bound us will now at last be dissolved; that the grievance under which the Church hath so long groaned, and for which the State is now suffering in common with it, may be redressed at a proper, that is, at the first opportunity! and then we shall have reason to expect some quietness and loyalty in the British colonies. God is not mocked; what a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings, be learned ye that are judges of the Earth: oppress not

your friends out of favour to your enemies; for your friends may be lost by your neglect, but your enemies will never be gained by your indulgence. All wise men have been long acquainted with this maxim: and it is now written in letters of blood, for all true Englishmen to read and consider. We who are of the people can consider it only to lament it: they who are in power and authority may consider it to a better purpose: and may the author of all good give them grace and wisdom to do it effectually!

The above thoughts are written in the true spirit of Dr. South; if not in part in his very words; and every true Member of the Church of England will readily concur with them.

THOUGHTS

ON THE

RESOLUTIONS

OF THE

PROTESTANT DISSENTERS,

AT THEIR LATE MEETING

AT STOWMARKET, IN SUFFOLK.

THE Protestant Dissenters having entered into a confederacy, in opposition to the present municipal laws, or laws by which persons hold offices of trust in this kingdom; with such declarations as tend to abridge the freedom of voting in parliament, and disturb the public peace; we beg leave to offer a few observations on the principles they profess, and the measures they have adopted, as they have opened them to the public in their late Resolutions at Stowmarket.

In the beginning of this century, when parties ran high, under the reigns of Queen Anne and George the First, they were distinguished by the names of high Church and low Church; but the times are changed; and the Dissenters now come forward on the new ground of Scepticism and Infidelity; the former of which is

adverse to all authority in government, as the object of the latter is to destroy the Church. Clergymen will naturally consult for the security of our religion; but the laity are here equally concerned, for the safety of the State, and the freedom of the House of Commons. The first resolution of the Dissenters of Suffolk is as follows:

I. That Liberty, civil and religious, is the unalienable right of every good citizen.

REMARK.

Religious liberty consists in worshipping God according to our consciences. This liberty the Dissenters enjoy to the full, without any disturbance. Civil liberty is a liberty under the restraints of law, and can be no other, in any civil society. A liberty of being trusted, (which is here intended) is a liberty which does not exist, because by the constitution of every country, it must depend upon approved qualifications, which the Government is to fix for its own security, on the universal principle of self-defence.

II. That when perfect liberty is enjoyed all good citizens of every denomination of religion, are uncontrouled in their sentiments, writings, and modes of worship; and equally eligible in point of right to all offices of trust, honour, and emolument.

REMARK.

Citizens may be good men, without being good citizens; because in a civil sense no man is good but he who submits to the laws, and has legal qualifications. It is no reflection upon a Protestant Dissenter, to say he is not good in this sense, and so not equally eligible in point of right for there is no right in civil society where there is not the qualification required by law.

We think, moreover, that there is not the right of equity, in the present case; because Protestant Dissenters who left the religion established, and the offices of trust which go along with it, took liberty of conscience as an equivalent; and, therefore, cannot, consistently with justice, claim both; for then they would be better off than their fellow-subjects, yea even than the King himself, who cannot hold his Crown without conforming to the Religion established.

III. That the Protestant Dissenters of this realm hold no principles inimical to the peace and order of society, but are confessedly loyal and deserving subjects.

REMARK.

The word loyal is applicable only to those who are voluntarily subject to the laws, and well affected to the constitution. Now as the State and the Church are here united into one constitution, and the safety of both depends upon their union, it is not possible the Dissenters should be loyal, that is, well affected to the constitution. Their present attempt demonstrates the contrary; and we suppose it is not forgotten, how lately the King, and the two Houses of Parliament, and the property of the nation, were all brought into imminent danger, at the time of the riots in London, when many thousands of disorderly people were headed by a person of the Dissenting persuasion. Whether or not, any of the present popular writers among the Dissenters were secret abettors of that confusion, we do not take upon us to say: but that the revolt of America was promoted by their avowed writing is undeniable.

IV. That by the Corporation and Test Acts they have long been deprived of an important and unques