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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D. D.,
+Volume IV: Swift's Writings on Religion and the Church, Volume II,
+by Jonathan Swift
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D. D., Volume IV:
+       Swift's Writings on Religion and the Church, Volume II
+
+Author: Jonathan Swift
+
+Release Date: June 25, 2004 [EBook #12746]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS JONATHAN SWIFT ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Terry Gilliland and PG Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY
+
+
+THE PROSE WORKS
+
+OF
+
+JONATHAN SWIFT, D.D.
+
+EDITED BY
+
+TEMPLE SCOTT
+
+WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION BY
+
+THE RT. HON. W.E.H. LECKY, M.P.
+
+VOL. IV
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+LONDON
+
+GEORGE BELL AND SONS
+
+1898
+
+CHISWICK PRESS:--CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.
+
+TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.
+
+
+SWIFT'S
+
+WRITINGS ON RELIGION
+
+AND THE CHURCH
+
+VOL. II
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+TRACTS ON THE SACRAMENTAL TEST:
+
+A Letter Concerning the Sacramental Test
+
+The Presbyterian's Plea of Merit
+
+Narrative of Attempts for the Repeal of the Sacramental Test
+
+Queries relating to the Sacramental Test
+
+Advantages proposed by Repealing the Sacramental Test
+
+Reasons for Repealing the Sacramental Test in Favour of the Catholics
+
+Some Few Thoughts concerning the Repeal of the Test
+
+Ten Reasons for Repealing the Test Act
+
+
+SERMONS:
+
+On Mutual Subjection
+
+On the Testimony of Conscience
+
+On the Trinity
+
+On Brotherly Love
+
+On the Difficulty of Knowing One's Self
+
+On False Witness
+
+On the Wisdom of this World
+
+On Doing Good
+
+On the Martyrdom of King Charles I
+
+On the Poor Man's Contentment
+
+On the Wretched Condition of Ireland
+
+On Sleeping in Church
+
+
+APPENDICES:
+
+I. Remarks on Dr. Gibbs's Paraphrase of the Psalms
+
+II. Proposal for Preventing the further Growth of Popery
+
+III. Swift and Serjeant Bettesworth
+
+IV. A True and Faithful Narrative of what passed in London
+
+
+INDEX TO THE WRITINGS ON RELIGION AND THE CHURCH
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+The portrait which forms the frontispiece to this volume is taken, by
+permission, from the painting in the possession of the Earl of Howth,
+K.P.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+A LETTER
+
+FROM A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN IRELAND TO
+
+A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN ENGLAND
+
+CONCERNING THE
+
+SACRAMENTAL TEST.
+
+WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1708.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+In the "foreword" to the reprint of this tract in the "Miscellanies" of
+1711, Swift remarks: "I have been assured that the suspicion which the
+supposed author lay under for writing this letter absolutely ruined him
+with the late ministry." The "late ministry" was the Whig ministry of
+which Godolphin was the Premier. To this ministry the repeal of the Test
+Act was a matter of much concern. To test the effect of such a repeal it
+was determined to try it in Ireland first. There the Presbyterians had
+distinguished themselves by their loyalty to William and the Protestant
+succession. These, therefore, offered a good excuse for the introduction
+of such a measure, particularly when, in 1708, an invasion was rumoured,
+they were the first to send in loyal addresses to the Queen. Swift
+likened this method to "that of a discreet physician, who first gives a
+new medicine to a dog, before he prescribes it to a human creature."
+Further, the Speaker of the Irish House had come over to England to
+agitate for the repeal. On this matter Swift wrote to Archbishop King,
+under date April 15th (the letter was first published by Mr. John
+Forster in his "Life of Swift," p. 246), as follows: "Some days ago my
+Lord Somers entered with me into discourse about the Test clause, and
+desired my opinion upon it, which I gave him truly, though with all the
+gentleness I could; because, as I am inclined and obliged to value the
+friendship he professes for me, so he is a person whose favour I would
+engage in the affairs of the First Fruits.... If it became me to give
+ill names to ill things and persons, I should be at a loss to find bad
+enough for the villainy and baseness of a certain lawyer of Ireland
+[Speaker Brodrick, afterwards Lord Midleton], who is in a station the
+least of all others excusable for such proceedings, and yet has been
+going about most industriously to all his acquaintance of both houses
+towards the end of the session to show the necessity of taking off the
+Test clause in Ireland by an act here, wherein you may be sure he had
+his brother's assistance. If such a project should be resumed next
+session, and I in England, unless your grace send me your absolute
+commands to the contrary, which I should be sorry to receive, I could
+hardly forbear publishing some paper in opposition to it, or leaving one
+behind me, if there should be occasion." In August of the same year the
+agitation for the repeal was renewed, and in December Swift published
+his "Letter on the Sacramental Test," writing as if from Dublin and as a
+member of the Irish House of Commons. When he writes to King in the
+following month he makes a mild attempt to convince the Archbishop that
+the pamphlet was not of his authorship. "The author has gone out of his
+way to reflect on me as a person likely to write for repealing the test,
+which I am sure is very unfair treatment. This is all I am likely to get
+by the company I keep. I am used like a sober man with a drunken face,
+have the scandal of the vice without the satisfaction." But King was not
+deceived. In his reply to Swift he simply remarks: "You need not be
+concerned: I will engage you will lose nothing by that paper." Swift,
+however, lost more than the Archbishop thought; for "that paper" led to
+his severance from the Whigs, and, in after life, to much contumely cast
+on his character for being a political renegade. Because "he was not
+Whig enough;" because he would not forsake his Church for his party,
+critics and biographers have thought fit to make little of him, and to
+compare him to his discredit with contemporaries whose intellects he
+held in the palm of his hand, and to whom he might have stood as a moral
+exemplar.
+
+Swift refers to this tract in his "Memoirs relating to the change in the
+Queen's Ministry," as follows:--"It was everybody's opinion, that the
+Earl of Wharton would endeavour, when he went to Ireland, to take off
+the test, as a step to have it taken off here: upon which I drew up and
+printed a pamphlet, by way of a letter from a member of parliament here,
+shewing the danger to the Church by such an intent. Although I took all
+care to be private, yet the Lieutenant's chaplain, and some others
+guessed me to be the author, and told his Excellency their suspicions;
+whereupon I saw him no more until I went to Ireland."
+
+The tract is one of the most favourable specimens of Swift's
+controversial method and trenchant satire. The style is
+excellent--forcible and pithy; while the arguments are like most of
+Swift's arguments, aptly to the point with yet a potentiality of
+application which fits them for the most general statement of the
+principles under discussion. Scott considers the pamphlet "as having
+materially contributed to the loss of the bill for repeal of the Test Act
+during the Earl of Pembroke's vice-royalty." In the same year Swift
+wrote "A Letter to a Member of Parliament in Ireland on choosing a new
+Speaker there." This short tract bears also on the question of the Test;
+but it is not included in this volume, since it was intended as an
+electioneering pamphlet.
+
+I have been unable to obtain access to a copy of the first edition of
+the "Letter on the Sacramental Test." The text here given is that of the
+"Miscellanies" of 1711, collated with that given in the "Miscellanies,"
+1728, and with those printed by Faulkner, Hawkesworth, and Scott.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  A LETTER CONCERNING THE
+  SACRAMENTAL TEST.
+
+_ADVERTISEMENT._[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: This "Advertisement" is taken from "Miscellanies in Prose
+and Verse," printed for John Morphew, 1711. On page 314 of that volume
+it forms a "foreword" to "A Letter concerning the Sacramental Test." It
+is omitted from the reprint in the "Miscellanies" of 1728. The page
+which Swift says he has taken leave to omit cannot be identified.
+Probably this was another of Swift's manoeuvres for concealing the
+identity of the author. The "Advertisement" of George Faulkner to his
+edition of Swift's Works (vol. iv., 1735) is as follows:
+
+"In the second volume of Doctor Swift's and Mr. Pope's 'Miscellanies,' I
+found the following treatise, which had been printed in London, with
+some other of the Dean's works, many years before, but at first came out
+by itself in the year 1708, as the date shews: And it was at a juncture
+when the Dissenters were endeavouring to repeal the Sacramental Test, as
+by common fame, and some pamphlets published to the same purpose, they
+seem to be now again attempting, with great hope of success. I have,
+therefore, taken the liberty to make an extract out of that discourse,
+omitting only some passages which relate to certain persons, and are of
+no consequence to the argument. But the author's weight of reasoning
+seems at present to have more weight than it had in those times, when
+the discourse first appeared.
+
+"The author, in this letter, personates a Member of Parliament here
+[Dublin], to a Member of Parliament in England.
+
+"The Speaker mentioned in this letter was Allen Broderick, afterwards
+Chancellor and Lord Middleton; and the prelate was Dr. Lyndsay,
+afterwards Lord Primate," [T.S.]]
+
+
+_The following letter is supposed by some judicious persons to be of the
+same author, and, if their conjectures be right, it will be of no
+disadvantage to him to have it revived, considering the time when it was
+writ, the persons then at the helm, and the designs in agitation,
+against which this paper so boldly appeared. I have been assured that
+the suspicion which the supposed author lay under for writing this
+letter, absolutely ruined him with the late ministry. I have taken leave
+to omit about a page which was purely personal, and of no use to the
+subject._
+
+
+Dublin, Dec. 4, 1708.
+
+Sir,
+
+I received your letter, wherein you tell me of the strange
+representations made of us on your side of the water. The instance you
+are pleased to mention is that of the Presbyterian missionary, who,
+according to your phrase, hath been lately persecuted at Drogheda for
+his religion: But it is easy to observe, how mighty industrious some
+people have been for three or four years past, to hand about stories of
+the hardships, the merits, the number, and the power of the
+Presbyterians in Ireland, to raise formidable ideas of the dangers of
+Popery there, and to transmit all for England, improved by great
+additions, and with special care to have them inserted with comments in
+those infamous weekly papers that infest your coffee-houses. So, when
+the clause enacting a Sacramental Test was put in execution, it was
+given out in England, that half the justices of peace through this
+kingdom had laid down their commissions; whereas upon examination, the
+whole number was found to amount only to a dozen or thirteen, and those
+generally of the lowest rate in fortune and understanding, and some of
+them superannuated. So, when the Earl of Pembroke was in Ireland and the
+Parliament sitting, a formal story was very gravely carried to his
+Excellency by some zealous members, of a priest newly arrived from
+abroad to the north-west parts of Ireland, who had publicly preached to
+his people, to fall a-murdering the Protestants; which, though invented
+to serve an end they were then upon, and are still driving at, it was
+presently handed over, and printed with shrewd remarks by your worthy
+scribblers. In like manner, the account of that person who was lately
+expelled our university for reflecting on the memory of King William,
+what a dust it raised, and how foully it was related, is fresh enough in
+memory.[2] Neither would people be convinced till the university was at
+the pains of publishing a Latin paper to justify themselves. And, to
+mention no more, this story of the persecution at Drogheda, how it hath
+been spread and aggravated, what consequences have been drawn from it,
+and what reproaches fixed on those who have least deserved them, we are
+already informed. Now if the end of all this proceeding were a secret
+and mystery, I should not undertake to give it an interpretation, but
+sufficient care hath been taken to give it sufficient explanation.[3]
+First, by addresses artificially (if not illegally) procured, to shew
+the miserable state of the dissenters in Ireland by reason of the
+Sacramental Test, and to desire the Queen's intercession that it might
+be repealed. Then it is manifest that our Speaker, when he was last year
+in England, solicited, in person, several members of both Houses, to
+have it repealed by an act there, though it be a matter purely national,
+that cannot possibly interfere with the trade and interest of England,
+and though he himself appeared formerly the most zealous of all men
+against the injustice of binding a nation by laws to which they do not
+consent. And lastly, those weekly libellers, whenever they get a tale by
+the end relating to Ireland, without ever troubling their thoughts about
+the truth, always end it with an application against the Sacramental
+Test, and the absolute necessity there is of repealing it in both
+kingdoms. I know it may be reckoned a weakness to say anything of such
+trifles as are below a serious man's notice; much less would I disparage
+the understanding of any party to think they would choose the vilest and
+most ignorant among mankind, to employ them for assertors of a cause. I
+shall only say, that the scandalous liberty those wretches take would
+hardly be allowed, if it were not mingled with opinions that _some men_
+would be glad to advance. Besides, how insipid soever those papers are,
+they seem to be levelled to the understandings of a great number; they
+are grown a necessary part in coffee-house furniture, and some time or
+other may happen to be read by customers of all ranks, for curiosity and
+amusement; because they lie always in the way. One of these authors (the
+fellow that was pilloried I have forgot his name)[4] is indeed so grave,
+sententious, dogmatical a rogue, that there is no enduring him; the
+_Observator_[5] is much the brisker of the two, and I think farther gone
+of late in lies and impudence, than his Presbyterian brother. The reason
+why I mention him, is to have an occasion of letting you know, that you
+have not dealt so gallantly with us, as we did with you in a parallel
+case: Last year, a paper was brought here from England, called, "A
+Dialogue between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr. Higgins," which we
+ordered to be burnt by the common hangman, as it well deserved; though
+we have no more to do with his Grace of Canterbury[6] than you have with
+the Archbishop of Dublin[7]; nor can you love and reverence your prelate
+more than we do ours, whom you tamely suffer to be abused openly, and by
+name, by that paltry rascal of an _Observator_; and lately upon an
+affair wherein he had no concern; I mean the business of the missionary
+at Drogheda, wherein our excellent primate was engaged, and did nothing
+but according to law and discretion. But because the Lord Archbishop of
+Dublin hath been upon several occasions of late years, misrepresented in
+England, I would willingly set you right in his character. For his great
+sufferings and eminent services he was by the late King promoted to the
+see of Derry. About the same time, he wrote a book to justify the
+Revolution, wherein was an account of King James's proceedings in
+Ireland, and the late Archbishop Tillotson recommended it to the King as
+the most serviceable treatise that could have been published at such a
+juncture.[8] And as his Grace set out upon those principles, he has
+proceeded so ever since, as a loyal subject to the Queen, entirely for
+the succession in the Protestant line, and for ever excluding the
+Pretender; and though a firm friend to the Church, yet with indulgence
+toward dissenters, as appears from his conduct at Derry, where he was
+settled for many years among the most virulent of the sect; yet upon his
+removal to Dublin, they parted from him with tears in their eyes, and
+universal acknowledgments of his wisdom and goodness. For the rest, it
+must be owned, he does not busy himself by entering deep into any party,
+but rather spends his time in acts of hospitality and charity, in
+building of churches, repairing his palace, in introducing and
+preferring the worthiest persons he can find, without other regards; in
+short, in the practice of all virtues that can become a public or
+private life. This and more, if possible, is due to so excellent a
+person, who may be justly reckoned among the greatest and most learned
+prelates of his age, however his character may be defiled by such mean
+and dirty hands as those of the _Observator_ or such as employ him.[9]
+
+[Footnote 2:  The Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, had
+lately expelled Edward Forbes for the cause mentioned in the text. [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 3:  Faulkner prints: "But sufficient care hath been taken to
+explain it." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 4: Daniel Defoe (1663?-1731), the son of a Cripplegate
+butcher. Entered business as a hosier, but failed. In 1695 he was
+appointed one of the commissioners for duties on glass. Wrote "The True
+Born Englishman" (1701); "The Shortest Way with the Dissenters," for
+which he was pilloried, fined, and imprisoned; and numerous other works,
+including "Robinson Crusoe;" "Life of Captain Singleton;" "History of
+Duncan Campbell;" "Life of Moll Flanders;" "Roxana;" "Life of Colonel
+Jack;" "Journal of the Plague;" "History of the Devil;" and "Religious
+Courtship." He edited a paper called "The Review," to which Swift here
+refers, and against which Charles Leslie wrote his "Rehearsals." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 5: John Tutchin, a virulent writer of the reign of James II.
+For a political work in defence of Monmouth he was sentenced by Judge
+Jefferies to be whipped through several market towns. He wrote the
+"Observator" (begun April, 1702), and suffered at the hands of the
+Tories for his writings. He died in great poverty in 1708, at the age of
+forty-seven. He was also the author of a play entitled, "The Unfortunate
+Shepherd." Pope refers to these punishments meted out to Defoe and
+Tutchin, in the second book of the "Dunciad":
+
+  "Earless on high, stood unabashed De Foe,
+  And Tutchin flagrant from the scourge below." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 6: Dr. Thomas Tenison (1636-1715), born at Cottenham,
+Cambridgeshire. For his attacks on the Roman Catholics he was in 1691
+created Bishop of Lincoln. He was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1694.
+He wrote a "Discourse of Idolatry," an answer to Hobbes, and published
+several sermons. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 7: Dr. William King. See vol. iii., p. 241, note. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 8:  Dr. King was twice imprisoned in the castle of Dublin
+after the landing of King James in Ireland in 1699, and narrowly escaped
+assassination. The title of the work alluded to is: "The State of the
+Protestants in Ireland under the late King James's Government, in which
+their carriage towards him is justified, and the absolute necessity of
+their endeavouring to be freed from his Government, and of submitting to
+their present Majesties, is demonstrated." [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 9:  The portion of this paragraph beginning with "The reason
+why I mention him," to the end, "such as employ him," is omitted by
+Faulkner. [T.S.]]
+
+I now come to answer the other part of your letter, and shall give you
+my opinion freely about repealing the Sacramental Test; only whereas you
+desire my thoughts as a friend, and not as I am a member of parliament,
+I must assure you they are exactly the same in both capacities.
+
+I must begin by telling you, we are generally surprised at your
+wonderful kindness to us on this occasion, it being so very industrious
+to teach us to see our interest in a point where we are so unable to see
+it ourselves. This hath given us some suspicion; and though in my own
+particular, I am hugely bent to believe, that whenever you concern
+yourselves in our affairs, it is certainly for our good, yet I have the
+misfortune to be something singular in this belief, and therefore I
+never attempt to justify it, but content myself to possess my own
+opinion in private, for fear of encountering men of more wit or words
+than I have to spare.
+
+We at this distance, who see nothing of the spring of actions, are
+forced by mere conjecture to assign two reasons for your desiring us to
+repeal the Sacramental Test: One is, because you are said to imagine it
+will be one step towards the like good work in England: The other more
+immediate, that it will open a way for rewarding several persons who
+have well deserved upon a great occasion, but who are now unqualified
+through that impediment.
+
+I do not frequently quote poets, especially English, but I remember
+there is in some of Mr. Cowley's love verses, a strain that I thought
+extraordinary at fifteen, and have often since imagined it to be spoken
+by Ireland:
+
+  "Forbid it Heaven my life should be
+  Weigh'd with her least conveniency:"
+
+In short, whatever advantage you propose to yourselves by repealing the
+Sacramental Test, speak it out plainly, 'tis the best argument you can
+use, for we value your interest much more than our own: If your little
+finger be sore, and you think a poultice made of our vitals will give it
+any ease, speak the word and it shall be done; the interest of our whole
+kingdom is at any time ready to strike to that of your poorest fishing
+towns; it is hard you will not accept our services, unless we believe at
+the same time that you are only consulting our profit, and giving us
+marks of your love. If there be a fire at some distance, and I
+immediately blow up my house before there be occasion, because you are a
+man of quality, and apprehend some danger to a corner of your stable;
+yet why should you require me to attend next morning at your levee with
+my humble thanks for the favour you have done me?
+
+If we might be allowed to judge for ourselves, we had abundance of
+benefit by the Sacramental Test, and foresee a number of mischiefs would
+be the consequence of repealing it, and we conceive the objections made
+against it by the dissenters are of no manner of force: They tell us of
+their merits in the late war in Ireland, and how cheerfully they engaged
+for the safety of the nation; that had they thought they had been
+fighting only other people's quarrels, perhaps it might have cooled
+their zeal; and that for the future, they shall sit down quietly and let
+us do our work ourselves; nay, that it is necessary they should do so,
+since they cannot take up arms under the penalty of high treason.
+
+Now supposing them to have done their duty, as I believe they did, and
+not to trouble them about the _fly on the wheel_; I thought Liberty,
+Property and Religion had been the three subjects of the quarrel, and
+have not all those been amply secured to them? Had they not at that time
+a mental reservation for power and employments? And must these two
+articles be added henceforward in our national quarrels? It is grown a
+mighty conceit among some men to melt down the phrase of a _Church
+Established by law_ into that of the _Religion of the Magistrate_; of
+which appellation it is easier to find the reason than the sense: If by
+the magistrate they mean the prince, the expression includes a
+falsehood; for when King James was prince[10], the Established Church
+was the same it is now. If by the same word they mean the Legislature,
+we desire no more. Be that as it will, we of this kingdom believe the
+Church of Ireland to be the National Church, and the only one
+established by law, and are willing by the same law to give a toleration
+to dissenters: But if once we repeal our Sacramental Test, and grant a
+toleration, or suspend the execution of the penal laws, I do not see how
+we can be said to have any Established Church remaining; or rather why
+there will not be as many established churches, as there are sects of
+dissenters. No, say they, yours will still be the National Church,
+because your bishops and clergy are maintained by the public; but, that,
+I suppose, will be of no long duration, and it would be very unjust it
+should, because, to speak in Tindal's phrase,[11] it is not reasonable
+that revenues should be annexed to one opinion more than another, when
+all are equally lawful, and 'tis the same author's maxim, that no
+freeborn subject ought to pay for maintaining speculations he does not
+believe. _But why should any man, upon account of opinions he cannot
+help, be deprived of the opportunity of serving his Queen and country?_
+Their zeal is commendable, and when employments go a begging for want of
+hands, they shall be sure to have the refusal, only upon condition they
+will not pretend to them upon maxims which equally include atheists,
+Turks, Jews, infidels, and heretics, or which is still more dangerous,
+even Papists themselves; the former you allow, the other you deny,
+because these last own a foreign power, and therefore must be shut out.
+But there is no great weight in this; for their religion can suit with
+free states, with limited or absolute monarchies, as well as a better,
+and the Pope's power in France is but a shadow; so that upon this foot
+there need be no great danger to the constitution by admitting Papists
+to employments. I will help you to enough of them who shall be ready to
+allow the Pope as little power here as you please; and the bare opinion
+of his being vicar of Christ is but a speculative point, for which no
+man it seems ought to be deprived of the capacity of serving his
+country.
+
+[Footnote 10: The words from "the expression" to "was prince" are
+omitted by Faulkner in his edition. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 11: See vol. iii, p. 9, note. [T.S.]]
+
+But, if you please, I will tell you the great objection we have against
+repealing this same Sacramental Test. It is, that we are verily
+persuaded the consequence will be an entire alteration of religion among
+us in a no great compass of years. And, pray observe, how we reason here
+in Ireland upon this matter.
+
+We observe the Scots in our northern parts, to be a brave, industrious
+people, extremely devoted to their religion, and full of an undisturbed
+affection towards each other. Numbers of that noble nation, invited by
+the fertilities of the soil, are glad to exchange their barren hills of
+Loquabar, by a voyage of three hours, for our fruitful vales of Down and
+Antrim, so productive of that grain, which, at little trouble and less
+expense finds diet and lodging for themselves and their cattle.[12]
+These people by their extreme parsimony, wonderful dexterity in dealing,
+and firm adherence to one another, soon grow into wealth from the
+smallest beginnings, never are rooted out where they once fix, and
+increase daily by new supplies; besides when they are the superior
+number in any tract of ground, they are not over patient of mixture; but
+such, whom they cannot assimilate, soon find it their interest to
+remove. I have done all in my power on some land of my own to preserve
+two or three English fellows in their neighbourhood, but found it
+impossible, though one of them thought he had sufficiently made his
+court by turning Presbyterian. Add to all this, that they bring along
+with them from Scotland a most formidable notion of our Church, which
+they look upon at least three degrees worse than Popery; and it is
+natural it should be so, since they come over full fraught with that
+spirit which taught them to abolish Episcopacy at home.
+
+[Footnote 12: From this passage, perhaps, Johnson derived the famous
+definition of oats, in his Dictionary, as the food of horses in England,
+and of men in Scotland. [S.]]
+
+Then we proceed farther, and observe, that the gentlemen of employments
+here, make a very considerable number in the House of Commons, and have
+no other merit but that of doing their duty in their several stations;
+therefore when the Test is repealed, it will be highly reasonable they
+should give place to those who have much greater services to plead. The
+commissions of the revenue are soon disposed of, and the collectors and
+other officers throughout this kingdom, are generally appointed by the
+commissioners, which give them a mighty influence in every country. As
+much may be said of the great officers in the law; and when this door is
+open to let dissenters into the commissions of the peace, to make them
+High Sheriffs, Mayors of Corporations, and officers of the army and
+militia; I do not see how it can be otherwise, considering their
+industry and our supineness, but that they may in a very few years grow
+to a majority in the House of Commons, and consequently make themselves
+the national religion, and have a fair pretence to demand the revenues
+of the Church for their teachers. I know it will be objected, that if
+all this should happen as I describe, yet the Presbyterian religion
+could never be made the national by act of Parliament, because our
+bishops are so great a number in the House of Lords, and without a
+majority there, the Church could not be abolished. But I have two very
+good expedients for that, which I shall leave you to guess, and I dare
+swear our Speaker here has often thought on, especially having
+endeavoured at one of them so lately. That this design is not so foreign
+from some people's thoughts, I must let you know that an honest
+bellwether[13] of our house (you have him now in England, I wish you
+could keep him there) had the impudence some years ago, in Parliament
+time, to shake my Lord Bishop of Kilaloe[14] by his lawn sleeve, and
+tell him in a threatening manner, "that he hoped to live to see the day
+when there should not be one of his order in the kingdom."
+
+[Footnote 13: Supposed to be Mr. Broderick. [F.]]
+
+[Footnote 14: Dr. Lindsay, afterwards Lord Primate. [S.]]
+
+These last lines perhaps you think a digression; therefore to return: I
+have told you the consequences we fully reckon upon from repealing the
+Sacramental Test, which although the greatest number of such as are for
+doing it, are actually in no manner of pain about it, and many of them
+care not threepence whether there be any Church, or no; yet because they
+pretend to argue from conscience as well as policy and interest, I
+thought it proper to understand and answer them accordingly.
+
+Now, sir, in answer to your question, whether if an attempt should be
+made here for repealing the Sacramental Test, it would be likely to
+succeed? The number of professed dissenters in this Parliament was, as I
+remember, something under a dozen, and I cannot call to mind above
+thirty others who were expected to fall in with them. This is certain,
+that the Presbyterian party having with great industry mustered up their
+forces, did endeavour one day upon occasion of a hint in my Lord
+Pembroke's speech, to introduce a debate about repealing the Test
+clause, when there appeared at least four to one odds against them; and
+the ablest of those who were reckoned the most staunch and
+thorough-paced Whigs upon all other occasions, fell off with an
+abhorrence at the first mention of this.
+
+I must desire you to take notice, that the terms of Whig and Tory, do
+not properly express the different interests in our parliament. I
+remember when I was last in England, I told the King, that the highest
+Tories we had with us would make tolerable Whigs there; this was
+certainly right, and still in the general continues so, unless you have
+since admitted new characteristics, which did not come within our
+definition.[15] Whoever bears a true veneration for the glorious memory
+of King William, as our great deliverer from Popery and slavery; whoever
+is firmly loyal to our present Queen, with an utter abhorrence and
+detestation of the Pretender; whoever approves the succession to the
+Crown in the House of Hanover, and is for preserving the doctrine and
+discipline of the Church of England, with an indulgence for scrupulous
+consciences; such a man we think acts upon right principles, and may be
+justly allowed a Whig: And I believe there are not six members in our
+House of Commons, who may not fairly come under this description. So
+that the parties among us are made up, on one side, of moderate Whigs,
+and on the other, of Presbyterians and their abettors; by which last I
+mean, such who can equally go to a Church or Conventicle, or such who
+are indifferent to all religion in general, or lastly such who affect to
+bear a personal rancour toward the clergy: These last are a set of men
+not of our own growth, their principles at least have been imported of
+late years; yet this whole party put together will not, I am confident,
+amount to above fifty men in Parliament, which can hardly be worked up
+into a majority of three hundred.
+
+[Footnote 15: The passage beginning with "I remember when I was last in
+England," and ending with "within our definition," is omitted by
+Faulkner. [T.S.]]
+
+As to the House of Lords, the difficulty there is conceived at least as
+great as in ours. So many of our temporal peers live in England, that
+the bishops are generally pretty near a par of the House, and we reckon
+they will be all to a man against repealing the Test; and yet their
+lordships are generally thought as good Whigs upon our principles as any
+in the kingdom. There are indeed a few lay lords who appear to have no
+great devotion for Episcopacy; and perhaps one or two more with whom
+certain powerful motives might be used for removing any difficulty
+whatsoever; but these are in no sort of a number to carry any point
+against the conjunction of the rest and the whole bench of bishops.
+
+Besides, the whole body of our clergy is utterly against repealing the
+Test, though they are entirely devoted to her Majesty, and hardly one in
+a hundred who are not very good Whigs in our acceptation of the word.
+And I must let you know, that we of Ireland are not yet come up to other
+folk's refinements; for we generally love and esteem our clergy, and
+think they deserve it; nay, we are apt to lay some weight upon their
+opinion, and would not willingly disoblige them, at least unless it were
+upon some greater point of interest than this. And their judgment in the
+present affair is the more to be regarded, because they are the last
+persons who will be affected by it: This makes us think them impartial,
+and that their concern is only for religion and the interest of the
+kingdom. Because the act which repeals the Test, will only qualify a
+layman for an employment, but not a Presbyterian or Anabaptist preacher
+for a church-living. Now I must take leave to inform you, that several
+members of our House, and myself among the rest, knowing some time ago
+what was upon the anvil, went to all the clergy we knew of any
+distinction, and desired their judgment of the matter, wherein we found
+a most wonderful agreement; there being but one divine that we could
+hear of in the whole kingdom, who appeared of a contrary sentiment,
+wherein he afterwards stood alone in the convocation, very little to his
+credit, though, as he hoped, very much to his interest.
+
+I will now consider a little the arguments offered to shew the
+advantages, or rather the necessity, of repealing the Test in Ireland.
+We are told, the Popish interest is here so formidable, that all hands
+should be joined to keep it under; that the only names of distinction
+among us ought to be those of Protestant and Papist, and that this
+expedient is the only means to unite all Protestants upon one common
+bottom. All which is nothing but misrepresentation and mistake.
+
+If we were under any real fear of the Papists in this kingdom, it would
+be hard to think us so stupid, not to be equally apprehensive with
+others, since we are likely to be the greatest, and more immediate
+sufferers; but on the contrary, we look upon them to be altogether as
+inconsiderable as the women and children. Their lands are almost
+entirely taken from them, and they are rendered incapable of purchasing
+any more; and for the little that remains, provision is made by the late
+act against Popery, that it will daily crumble away: To prevent which,
+some of the most considerable among them are already turned Protestants,
+and so in all probability will many more. Then, the Popish priests are
+all registered, and without permission (which I hope will not be
+granted) they can have no successors; so that the Protestant Clergy will
+find it perhaps no difficult matter to bring great numbers over to the
+Church; and in the meantime, the common people without leaders, without
+discipline, or natural courage, being little better than "hewers of
+wood, and drawers of water," are out of all capacity of doing any
+mischief, if they were ever so well inclined. Neither are they at all
+likely to join in any considerable numbers with an invader, having found
+so ill success when they were much more numerous and powerful; when they
+had a prince of their own religion to head them, had been trained for
+some years under a Popish deputy, and received such mighty aids from the
+French king.
+
+As to that argument used for repealing the Test, that it will unite all
+Protestants against the common enemy, I wonder by what figure those
+gentlemen speak who are pleased to advance it: Suppose in order to
+increase the friendship between you and me, a law should pass that I
+must have half your estate; do you think that would much advance the
+union between us? Or, suppose I share my fortune equally between my own
+children, and a stranger whom I take into my protection; will that be a
+method to unite them? Tis an odd way of uniting parties, to deprive a
+majority of part of their ancient right, by conferring it on a faction
+who had never any right at all, and therefore cannot be said to suffer
+any loss or injury if it be refused them. Neither is it very clear, how
+far some people may stretch the term of common enemy. How many are there
+of those that call themselves Protestants, who look upon our worship to
+be idolatrous as well as that of the Papists, and with great charity put
+Prelacy and Popery together, as terms convertible?
+
+And, therefore, there is one small doubt, I would be willingly satisfied
+in before I agree to the repealing of the Test; that is, whether, these
+same Protestants, when they have by their dexterity made themselves the
+national religion, and disposed the Church revenues among their pastors
+or themselves, will be so kind to allow us dissenters, I do not say a
+share in employments, but a bare toleration by law? The reason of my
+doubt is, because I have been so very idle as to read above fifty
+pamphlets, written by as many Presbyterian divines, loudly disclaiming
+this idol Toleration, some of them calling it (I know not how properly)
+a rag of Popery, and all agreeing it was to establish iniquity by law.
+Now, I would be glad to know when and where their successors have
+renounced this doctrine, and before what witnesses. Because, methinks I
+should be loth to see my poor titular bishop _in partibus_, seized on by
+mistake in the dark for a Jesuit, or be forced myself to keep my
+chaplain disguised like my butler, and steal to prayers in a back room,
+as my grandfather[l6] used in those times when the Church of England was
+malignant.
+
+[Footnote 16: This is Thomas Swift, vicar of Goodrich, in Herefordshire,
+"much distinguished by his courage, as well as his loyalty to King
+Charles the First, and the sufferings he underwent for that prince, more
+than any person of his condition in England." See the "Fragment of
+Autobiography," printed by Scott and Forster in their Lives of Swift.
+[T.S.]]
+
+But this is ripping up old quarrels long forgot; Popery is now the
+common enemy, against which we must all unite; I have been tired in
+history with the perpetual folly of those states who call in foreigners
+to assist them against a common enemy: But the mischief was, those
+allies would never be brought to allow that the common enemy was quite
+subdued. And they had reason; for it proved at last, that one part of
+the common enemy was those who called them in, and so the allies became
+at length the masters.
+
+'Tis agreed among naturalists that a lion is a larger, a stronger, and
+more dangerous enemy than a cat; yet if a man were to have his choice,
+either a lion at his foot, bound fast with three or four chains, his
+teeth drawn out, and his claws pared to the quick, or an angry cat in
+full liberty at his throat; he would take no long time to determine.
+
+I have been sometimes admiring the wonderful significancy of that word
+persecution, and what various interpretations it hath acquired even
+within my memory. When I was a boy, I often heard the Presbyterians
+complain that they were not permitted to serve God in their own way;
+they said they did not repine at our employments, but thought that all
+men who live peaceably ought to have liberty of conscience, and leave to
+assemble. That impediment being removed at the Revolution, they soon
+learned to swallow the Sacramental Test and began to take very large
+steps, wherein all that offered to oppose them, were called men of a
+persecuting spirit. During the time the Bill against Occasional
+Conformity was on foot, persecution was every day rung in our ears, and
+now at last the Sacramental Test itself has the same name. Where then is
+this matter likely to end, when the obtaining of one request is only
+used as a step to demand another? A lover is ever complaining of cruelty
+while anything is denied him, and when the lady ceases to be cruel, she
+is from the next moment at his mercy: So persecution it seems, is
+everything that will not leave it in men's power to persecute others.
+
+There is one argument offered against a Sacramental Test, by a sort of
+men who are content to be styled of the Church of England, who perhaps
+attend its service in the morning, and go with their wives to a
+conventicle in the afternoon, confessing they hear very good doctrine in
+both. These men are much offended that so holy an institution as that of
+the Lord's Supper should be made subservient to such mercenary purposes
+as the getting of an employment. Now, it seems, the law, concluding all
+men to be members of that Church where they receive the Sacrament; and
+supposing all men to live like Christians (especially those who are to
+have employments) did imagine they received the Sacrament in course
+about four times a year, and therefore only desired it might appear by
+certificate to the public, that such who took an office were members of
+the Church established, by doing their ordinary duty. However, lest we
+should offend them, we have often desired they would deal candidly with
+us; for if the matter stuck only there, we would propose it in
+parliament, that every man who takes an employment should, instead of
+receiving the sacrament, be obliged to swear, that he is a member of the
+Church of Ireland by law established, with Episcopacy, and so forth; and
+as they do now in Scotland, _to be true to the Kirk_. But when we drive
+them thus far, they always retire to the main body of the argument, urge
+the hardship that men should be deprived the liberty of serving their
+Queen and country, on account of their conscience: And, in short, have
+recourse to the common style of their half brethren. Now whether this be
+a sincere way of arguing, I will appeal to any other judgment but
+theirs.
+
+There is another topic of clamour somewhat parallel to the foregoing: It
+seems, by the Test clause, the military officers are obliged to receive
+the Sacrament as well as the civil. And it is a matter of some patience
+to hear the dissenters declaiming upon this occasion: They cry they are
+disarmed, they are used like Papists; when an enemy appears at home, or
+from abroad, they must sit still, and see their throats cut, or be
+hanged for high treason if they offer to defend themselves. Miserable
+condition! Woful dilemma! It is happy for us all, that the Pretender was
+not apprized of this passive Presbyterian principle, else he would have
+infallibly landed in our northern parts, and found them all sat down in
+their formalities, as the Gauls did the Roman senators, ready to die
+with honour in their callings. Sometimes to appease their indignation,
+we venture to give them hopes that in such a case the government will
+perhaps connive, and hardly be so severe to hang them for defending it
+against the letter of the law; to which they readily answer, that they
+will not lie at our mercy, but let us fight our battles ourselves.
+Sometimes we offer to get an act, by which upon all Popish insurrections
+at home, or Popish invasion from abroad, the government shall be
+empowered to grant commissions to all Protestants whatsoever, without
+that persecuting circumstance of obliging them to say their prayers when
+they receive the Sacrament; but they abhor all thoughts of occasional
+commissions, they will not do our drudgery, and we reap the benefit: It
+is not worth their while to fight _pro aris et focis_, and they had
+rather lose their estates, liberties, religion and lives, than the
+pleasure of governing.
+
+But to bring this discourse toward a conclusion: If the dissenters will
+be satisfied with such a toleration by law as hath been granted them in
+England, I believe the majority of both Houses will fall readily in with
+it; farther it will be hard to persuade this House of Commons, and
+perhaps much harder the next. For, to say the truth, we make a mighty
+difference here between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing
+them for posies. We are fully convinced in our consciences, that _we_
+shall always tolerate them, but not quite so fully that _they_ will
+always tolerate us, when it comes to their turn; and _we_ are the
+majority, and _we_ are in possession.
+
+He who argues in defence of a law in force, not antiquated or obsolete,
+but lately enacted, is certainly on the safer side, and may be allowed
+to point out the dangers he conceives to foresee in the abrogation of
+it.
+
+For if the consequences of repealing this clause, should at some time or
+other enable the Presbyterians to work themselves up into the National
+Church; instead of uniting Protestants, it would sow eternal divisions
+among them. First, their own sects, which now lie dormant, would be soon
+at cuffs again with each other about power and preferment; and the
+dissenting Episcopals, perhaps discontented to such a degree, as upon
+some fair unhappy occasion, would be able to shake the firmest loyalty,
+which none can deny theirs to be.
+
+Neither is it very difficult to conjecture from some late proceedings,
+at what a rate this faction is likely to drive wherever it gets the whip
+and the seat. They have already set up courts of spiritual judicature in
+open contempt of the laws: They send missionaries everywhere, without
+being invited, in order to convert the Church of England folks to
+Christianity. They are as vigilant as _I know who_, to attend persons on
+their death-beds, and for purposes much alike. And what practices such
+principles as these (with many other that might be invidious to mention)
+may spawn when they are laid out to the sun, you may determine at
+leisure.
+
+Lastly, Whether we are so entirely sure of their loyalty upon the
+present foot of government as you may imagine, their detractors make a
+question, which however, does, I think, by no means affect the body of
+dissenters; but the instance produced is, of some among their leading
+teachers in the north, who having refused 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 published; I think it a pity, it has not been remedied.
+
+Thus, I have fairly given you, Sir, my own opinion, as well as that of a
+great majority in both Houses here, relating to this weighty affair,
+upon which I am confident you may securely reckon. I will leave you to
+make what use of it you please.
+
+I am, with great respect, Sir,
+
+Yours, &c.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+THE PRESBYTERIANS' PLEA OF MERIT.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+THE reference casually made by Swift, in his "Letter on the Sacramental
+Test," to his grandfather and the "malignant Church," probably points to
+one of the causes for his persistent dislike towards the Protestant
+dissenters. His attitude displays a profound disgust both for their
+teaching and their conduct; and he found, very early, occasion to
+ridicule them, as may be seen in his description of Jack, Martin, and
+Peter in "A Tale of a Tub" (see vol. i. of this edition). In
+spite, however, of this attitude, Swift seems to have remained silent on
+the question of the repeal of the Test Act for a period of more than
+twenty years. He had published his "Letter from a Member of the House of
+Commons in Ireland" in 1708; but it was not until 1731 that he again
+took up his pen against Dissent.
+
+In that year, and in the two subsequent ones, the Presbyterians fought
+very strenuously for a mitigation of the laws against them; and the
+literature which has been handed down to us of that fight is by no means
+insignificant. The tracts which we know to be of Swift's authorship are:
+"The Presbyterians' Plea of Merit" (1731); "A Narrative of the several
+Attempts which the Dissenters of Ireland have made for a repeal of the
+Sacramental Test" (1731); "The Advantages proposed by Repealing the
+Sacramental Test impartially considered" (1732); "Queries Relating to the
+Sacramental Test" (1732); "Reasons humbly offered to the Parliament of
+Ireland for Repealing the Test in favour of Roman Catholics" (1733);
+"Some Few Thoughts Concerning the Test;" and, according to Sir Walter
+Scott, "Ten Reasons for Repealing the Test Act."
+
+Monck Mason, in his elaborate note on this particular literature of the
+period (see "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," pp. 387, 388, notes),
+gives a list of sixteen pamphlets, many of which he considers to be so
+well written that they would have done no discredit to Swift himself.
+The list is here transcribed for the benefit of the student:
+
+(i.) "Nature and Consequences of the Sacramental Test considered; with
+Remarks humbly offered for the Repeal of it." 1732.
+
+(ii.) "Remarks on a Pamphlet, entitled, 'The Nature and Consequences of
+the Sacramental Test Considered.'" Dublin, 1732, 12mo.
+
+(iii.) "The History of the Test Act: in which the Mistakes in some
+Writings against it are Rectified, and the Importance of it to the
+Church explained." Printed at London and Dublin: and reprinted by George
+Faulkner. 1733, 12mo.
+
+(iv.) "Plain Reasons against the Repeal of the Test Act; humbly offered
+to publick Consideration." Dublin: printed by George Faulkner. 1733,
+12mo.
+
+(v.) "The Test Act Examined by the Test of Reason." Dublin, 1733, 12mo.
+
+(vi.) "The Case of the Episcopal Dissenters in Scotland, and that of the
+Dissenters in Ireland Compared; with Relation to Toleration, and a
+Capacity for Civil Offices. In a Letter to a Member of Parliament."
+Dublin, 1733, 8vo.
+
+¶ This tract refers to another entitled: "The Tables Turned against the
+Presbyterians; or, Reasons against the Sacramental Test, by a General
+Assembly of Scotland."
+
+(vii.) "The Case of the Test Considered, with respect to Ireland."
+Dublin, Faulkner, 1733.
+
+(viii) "The natural Impossibilities of better Uniting Protestants &c. by
+Repealing the Test." Dublin: Printed by George Faulkner, 1733.
+
+(ix.) "Ten Reasons for Repealing the Test Act."
+
+¶ Scott reprints this as Swift's from the broadside original.
+
+(x-xi.) "A Vindication of the Protestant Dissenters from the Aspersions
+Cast upon them in a late Pamphlet, entitled, 'The Presbyterians 'Plea of
+Merit &c.,' with some Remarks on a Paper called 'The Correspondent,'
+giving a pretended Narrative, &c."
+
+¶ Swift refers to this pamphlet in his "Roman Catholic Reasons for
+Repealing the Test." It is also noted by the printer of the undated
+second edition of the London reprint of "The Plea."
+
+(xii.) "The Dispute Adjusted, about the _proper time_ of applying for a
+Repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts: by shewing that _no time is
+proper_. By the Reverend Father in God, Edmund Lord Bishop of London."
+
+¶ Faulkner, in the second edition of "The Presbyterians' Plea,"
+advertises this tract to appear in 1733. The author of "The Case of the
+Episcopal Dissenters in Scotland" mentions that it has been "lately
+re-printed" in Ireland, but that it is "falsely ascribed to the Bishop
+of London."
+
+(xiii.) "The Test Act considered in a Political Light." 1733. Broadside.
+
+(xiv.) "Queries upon the Demand of the Presbyterians to have the
+Sacramental Test Repealed at this Session of Parliament." 1733.
+Broadside.
+
+¶ These Queries differ somewhat from those put by Swift in 1732.
+
+(xv.) "A Letter from a Freeman of a certain Burrough, in the North of
+Ireland, to his Friend and Representative in Parliament; shewing Reasons
+why the Test Act should not be Repealed." 1733. Broadside.
+
+(xvi.)
+  "The Grunter's Request
+       To take Off the Test."
+                     [A Poem.] 1733. 12mo.
+
+Scott suggests ("Life of Jonathan Swift," 1824, p.401) that "probably
+more occasional tracts" were written by the Dean on the subject of the
+Test "than have yet been recovered." The curious student may satisfy
+himself on this matter by reading the above pamphlets. Neither Monck
+Mason, Dr. Barrett, nor Scott himself, cared to take upon themselves to
+decide whether any of them were by Swift; nor have any of the Dean's
+modern biographers thrown any light on the subject. A point to note in
+this consideration is the fact that Faulkner, in his collected edition
+of Swift's works, did not include any of these; and, as he himself
+published many of them, he would certainly have known something of their
+authorship.
+
+Swift's agitation against the repeal of the Test was so successful that
+the Irish House of Commons found itself in a majority for the Test. In
+addition to the prose tracts Swift wrote a stinging poem "On the Words
+Brother Protestants and Fellow Christians," an expression familiarly
+used by the advocates for the Repeal of the Test Act. This poem brought
+him into personal conflict with one Serjeant Bettesworth, who "openly
+swore, before many hundreds of people, that upon the first opportunity,
+by the help of ruffians, he would murder or maim the Dean of St.
+Patrick's." The lines to which the Serjeant took exception were:
+
+  "Thus at the bar the booby Bettesworth,
+  Though half-a-crown o'erpays his sweat's worth;
+  Who knows in law, nor text, nor margent,
+  Calls Singleton his brother serjeant."
+
+The affair ended in the further ridicule of Bettesworth, who complained
+in the Irish House of Commons that the lampoon had cost him L1,200 a
+year. A full account of Swift's interview with Bettesworth is given by
+Swift in a letter to the Duke of Dorset, dated January, 1733-1734; and
+the "Grub Street Journal" for August 9th, 1734, tells how the
+inhabitants of the City of Dublin came to Swift's aid. Perhaps
+Bettesworth finally found consolation in the thought, satirically
+suggested by Dr. William Dunkin, that, after all, it might be worth the
+loss of money to be "transmitted to posterity in Dr. Swift's works."
+
+  "For had he not pointed me out, I had slept till
+  E'en Doomsday, a poor insignificant reptile;
+  Half lawyer, half actor, pert, dull, and inglorious,
+  Obscure, and unheard of--but now I'm notorious:
+  Fame has but two gates, a white and a black one;
+  The worst they can say is, I got in at the back one:
+  If the end be obtained 'tis equal what portal
+  I enter, since I'm to be render'd immortal:
+  So clysters applied to the anus, 'tis said,
+  By skilful physicians, give ease to the head--
+  Though my title be spurious, why should I be dastard,
+  A man is a man though he should be a bastard.
+  Why sure 'tis some comfort that heroes should slay us,
+  If I fall, I would fall by the hand of Aeneas;
+  And who by the Drapier would not rather damn'd be,
+  Than demigoddized by madrigal Namby."[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: Namby was the nickname for Ambrose Philips.]
+
+Scott, and all Swift's editors and biographers, state that "The
+Presbyterians' Plea of Merit" was first published in 1731. What
+authority they have for this statement, I have not been able to
+discover. My own research has, so far, failed to find a copy of it with
+the date, 1731, on the title-page. The edition upon which the present
+text is based, is that printed by Faulkner in 1733, of the title-page of
+which, a facsimile is here given. This, I believe to be the first
+edition. Scott, following Nichols, states that in the first edition of
+"The Plea," the "Ode to Humphry French, Esq.," appeared, and that in the
+second edition, this ode was omitted to make room for the "Narrative of
+the Several Attempts made for the Repeal of the Test Act." Now in the
+British Museum, there are two _undated_ editions of "The Plea," which
+bear out this statement; but these, as the title-pages inform us, are
+London reprints of Dublin editions. Since, however, no one has recorded
+dated Dublin editions corresponding exactly to these London reprints,
+the evidence of the reprints counts for very little. Monck Mason, a very
+accurate authority, usually, says distinctly, "The Plea" was printed in
+1731, and a second edition issued in 1733; but one gathers from his note
+that the only edition in his possession was that of 1733, and this has
+neither the "Ode" nor the "Narrative"; the last page consisting of an
+advertisement of the collected editions of Swift's works, which Faulkner
+was then preparing. The first of the London reprints bears no indication
+of any particular edition; the second has the words "second edition" on
+the title-page. In his note to this reprint of the "Narrative," and in
+his "Life of Swift," Scott refers to a Dublin periodical called "The
+Correspondent" (in which the "Narrative" was first published) as being
+printed in 1731. The only edition of this periodical, of which I have
+either seen or heard, is the copy in the British Museum, and that copy
+distinctly states: "Printed by James Hoey in Skinner-Row, 1733." If,
+therefore, this be the first edition of "The Correspondent," the
+"Narrative" must be ascribed to the year 1733, and the second edition of
+"The Plea" to the end of the same, or the beginning of the following
+year. I conclude, therefore, first, that the first edition of "The Plea"
+is that dated "Dublin, 1733;" second, that the undated London reprint
+with the "Ode" is of the same year; and, lastly, that the undated second
+London reprint with the "Narrative," is probably of the year, 1734.
+Examining Scott's text of this tract, one is forced to the conclusion
+that he could not have seen the Dublin edition of 1733; whereas, its
+almost exact similarity to the London reprint suggests that he used
+that. For purposes of the present text all three editions have been
+collated with one another, and with those given by Faulkner, Hawkesworth
+and Scott.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  THE
+  _Presbyterians_ PLEA
+  OF
+  MERIT;
+  In Order to take off the
+  TEST,
+  Impartially Examined.
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  _DUBLIN:_
+
+  Printed and fold by GEORGE FAULKNER, in
+  _Essex-Street_, opposite to the _Bridge_, 1733.
+
+
+We have been told in the common newspapers, that all attempts are to be
+made this session by the Presbyterians, and their abettors, for taking
+off the Test, as a kind of preparatory step, to make it go down smoother
+in England. For, if once their light would so shine, the Papists,
+delighted with the blaze, would all come in, and dance about it. This I
+take to be a prudent method; like that of a discreet physician, who
+first gives a new medicine to a dog, before he prescribes it to a human
+creature.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: See note prefixed to the "Letter on the Sacramental Test."
+[T.S.]]
+
+The Presbyterians have, ever since the Revolution directed their learned
+casuists to employ their pens on this subject; by shewing the merits and
+pretensions upon which they claim this justice; as founded upon the
+services they did toward the restoration of King Charles the Second; and
+at the Revolution under the Prince of Orange. Which pleas I take to be
+the most singular, in their kind, that ever were offered in the face of
+the sun, against the most glaring light of truth, and against a
+continuation of public facts, known to all Europe for twenty years
+together. I shall, therefore, impartially examine the merits and conduct
+of the Presbyterians, upon those two great events; and the pretensions
+to favour, which they challenge upon them.
+
+Soon after the Reformation of the Church in England, under Edward the
+Sixth, upon Queen Mary's succeeding to the crown, who restored Popery,
+many Protestants fled out of England, to escape the persecution raised
+against the Church, as her brother had left it established. Some of
+these exiles went to Geneva; which city had received the doctrine of
+Calvin, and rejected the government of bishops; with many other
+refinements. These English exiles readily embraced the Geneva system;
+and having added farther improvements of their own, upon Queen Mary's
+death returned to England; where they preached up their own opinions;
+inveighing bitterly against Episcopacy, and all rites and ceremonies,
+however innocent and ancient in the Church: building upon this
+foundation; to run as far as possible from Popery, even in the most
+minute and indifferent circumstances: this faction, under the name of
+Puritan, became very turbulent, during the whole reign of Queen
+Elizabeth; and were always discouraged by that wise queen, as well as by
+her two successors. However, their numbers, as well as their insolence
+and perverseness, so far increased, that soon after the death of King
+James the First, many instances of their petulancy and scurrility, are
+to be seen in their pamphlets, written for some years after; which was a
+trade they began in the days of Queen Elizabeth: particularly with great
+rancour against the bishops, the habits, and the ceremonies: Such were
+that scurrilous libel under the title of Martin Mar-prelate,[2] and
+several others. And, although the Earl of Clarendon[3] tells us, that,
+until the year 1640, (as I remember) the kingdom was in a state of
+perfect peace and happiness, without the least appearance of thought or
+design toward making any alterations in religion or government; yet I
+have found, by often rummaging for old books in Little Britain and
+Duck-Lane, a great number of pamphlets printed from the year 1530[4] to
+1640, full of as bold and impious railing expressions, against the
+lawful power of the Crown, and the order of bishops, as ever were
+uttered during the Rebellion, or the whole subsequent tyranny of that
+fanatic anarchy. However, I find it manifest, that Puritanism did not
+erect itself into a new, separate species of religion, till some time
+after the Rebellion began. For, in the latter times of King James the
+First, and the former part of his son, there were several Puritan
+bishops, and many Puritan private clergymen; while people went, as their
+inclinations led them, to hear preachers of each party in the parish
+churches. For the Puritan clergy had received Episcopal orders as well
+as the rest. But, soon after the Rebellion broke out, the term Puritan
+gradually dropped, and that of Presbyterian succeeded; which sect was,
+in two or three years, established in all its forms, by what they called
+an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, without consulting the King; who
+was then at war against his rebels. And, from this period the Church
+continued under persecution, till monarchy was restored in the year
+1660.
+
+[Footnote 2: According to Mr. Edward Arber the writers of these famous
+tracts were the Rev. John Penny and Job Throckmorton, Esq. He calls
+these two writers "the most eminent prose satirists of the Elizabethan
+age." For a full account of these tracts and the controversy, see Mr.
+Arber's "Introductory Sketch to the Martin Mar-prelate Controversy,
+1588-1590" (1879, English Scholar's Library). The aim of the Mar-prelate
+writers is thus stated by the able author of that sketch: "To ridicule
+and affront a proud hierarchy [the bishops] endowed with large legal
+means of doing mischief, and not wanting in will to exercise these
+powers to the full. The spell of the unnatural civil power which had
+been enjoyed by the Papal prelates in this country remained with their
+Protestant successors until this Controversy broke it: so that from this
+time onwards the bishops set about to forge a new spell, 'the Divine
+Right of their temporal position and power', which hallucination was
+dissolved by the Long Parliament: from which time a bishop has usually
+been considered no more than a man" (Preface, pp. 11-12). [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 3: Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon (1608-1674), the author of
+the "History of the Great Rebellion." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 4: The original edition has 1630. [T.S.]]
+
+In a year or two after; we began to hear of a new party risen, and
+growing in the Parliament, as well as the army; under the name of
+Independent: It spread, indeed somewhat more in the latter; but not
+equal with the Presbyterians, either in weight or number, till the very
+time[5] that the King was murdered.
+
+[Footnote 5: Faulkner prints: "until some time before the King was
+murdered."[T.S.]]
+
+When the King, who was then a prisoner in the Isle of Wight, had made
+his last concessions for a peace to the Commissioners of the Parliament,
+who attended him there; upon their return to London, they reported his
+Majesty's answer to the House. Whereupon, a number of moderate members,
+who, as Ludlow[6] says, had secured their own terms with his Majesty,
+managed with so much art, as to obtain a majority, in a thin house, for
+passing a vote, that _the King's concessions were a ground for future
+settlement_. But the great officers of the army, joining with the
+discontented members, came to a resolution, of excluding all those who
+had consented to that vote; which they executed in a military way.
+Ireton told Fairfax the General,[7] a rigid Presbyterian, of this
+resolution; who thereupon issued his orders for drawing out the army the
+next morning, and placing guards in Westminster-hall, the Court of
+Requests, and the lobby; who, in obedience to the General, in
+conjunction with those members who opposed the vote, would let no member
+enter the House, except those of their own party. Upon which, the
+question for bringing the King to justice, was immediately put and
+carried without opposition, that I can find. Then, an order was made for
+his trial; the time and place appointed; the judges named; of whom
+Fairfax himself was one; although by the advice or threats of his wife,
+he declined sitting among them. However, by fresh orders under his own
+hand, which I have seen in print, he appointed guards to attend the
+judges at the trial, and to keep the city in quiet; as he did likewise
+to prevent any opposition from the people, upon the day of execution.
+
+[Footnote 6: Edmund Ludlow (1620?-1693) lieutenant-general of the
+Parliamentary army. He was one of the judges of King Charles's trial,
+and who signed the death-warrant. He died at Vevay, in Switzerland,
+where he had fled on finding that Charles's judges were not included in
+the Act of Indemnity. His memoirs were printed at Vevay in 1698-1699.3
+vols. 8vo. It is to these Swift refers. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 7: Ireton and Fairfax were two famous generals of the
+Parliamentary army serving with Cromwell. [T.S.]]
+
+From what I have already deduced, it appears manifest, that the
+differences between those two sects, Presbyterian and Independent, did
+not then amount to half so much as what there is between a Whig and Tory
+at present among us. The design of utterly extirpating monarchy and
+episcopacy, was equally the same in both; evidently the consequence of
+the very same principles, upon which the Presbyterians alone began,
+continued, and would have ended in the same events; if towards the
+conclusion, they had not been bearded by that new party, with whom they
+could not agree about dividing the spoil. However, they held a good
+share of civil and military employments during the whole time of the
+usurpation; whose names, and actions, and preferments, are frequent in
+the accounts of those times. For I make no doubt, that all the prudent
+Presbyterians complied in proper seasons, falling in with the stream;
+and thereby got that share in employments, which many of them held to
+the Restoration; and perhaps too many of them after. In the same manner,
+we find our wisest Tories, in both kingdoms, upon the change of hands
+and measures at the Queen's death, have endeavoured for several years,
+by due compliances, to recover the time they had lost by a temporary
+obstinacy; wherein they have well succeeded, according to their degrees
+of merit. Of whose names I could here make honourable mention, if I did
+not fear it might offend their modesty.
+
+As to what is alleged, that some of the Presbyterians declared openly
+against the King's murder, I allow it to be true. But, from what
+motives? No other can possibly be assigned, than perfect spite, rage,
+and envy, to find themselves wormed out of all power by a new infant
+spawn of Independents, sprung from their own bowels. It is true; the
+differences in religious tenets between them are very few and trifling;
+the chief quarrel, as far as I remember, relating to congregational and
+national assemblies. But, wherever interest or power thinks fit to
+interfere, it little imports what principles the opposite parties think
+fit to charge upon each other: for, we see, at this day, that the Tories
+are more hated by the whole set of zealous Whigs, than the very Papists
+themselves; and, in effect, as much unqualified for the smallest office:
+although, both these parties assert themselves to be of the same
+religion, in all its branches of doctrine and discipline; and profess
+the same loyalty to the same Protestant King and his heirs.
+
+If the reader would know what became of this Independent party, upon
+whom all the mischief is charged by their Presbyterian brethren; he may
+please to observe, that during the whole usurpation, they contended by
+degrees with their parent sect, and, as I have already said, shared in
+employments; and gradually, after the Restoration, mingled with the mass
+of Presbyterians; lying ever since undistinguished in the herd of
+dissenters.
+
+The Presbyterian merit is of as little weight, when they allege
+themselves instrumental towards the King's restoration. The kingdom grew
+tired with those ridiculous models of government: First, by a House of
+Lords and Commons, without a king; then without bishops; afterwards by a
+Rump[8] and lords temporal: then by a Rump alone; next by a single
+person for life, in conjunction with a council: by agitators: by
+major-generals: by a new kind of representatives from the three
+kingdoms: by the keepers of the liberties of England; with other schemes
+that have slipped out of my memory. Cromwell was dead; his son Richard,
+a weak, ignorant wretch, who gave up his monarchy much in the same
+manner with the two usurping kings of Brentford.[9] The people harassed
+with taxes and other oppressions; the King's party, then called the
+Cavaliers began to recover their spirits. The few nobility scattered
+through the kingdom, who lived in a most retired manner, observing the
+confusion of things, could no longer endure to be ridden by bakers,
+cobblers, brewers, and the like, at the head of armies; and plundering
+everywhere like French dragoons: The Rump assembly grew despicable to
+those who had raised them: The city of London, exhausted by almost
+twenty years contributing to their own ruin, declared against them. The
+Rump, after many deaths and resurrections, was, in the most contemptuous
+manner, kicked out, and burned in effigy. The excluded members were let
+in: a free Parliament called in as legal a manner as the times would
+allow; and the King restored.
+
+[Footnote 8: This name was given to that part of the House of Commons
+which remained after the moderate men had been expelled by
+military-force. [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 9: In the "Rehearsal."]
+
+The second claim of Presbyterian merit is founded upon their services
+against the dangerous designs of King James the Second; while that
+prince was using all his endeavours to introduce Popery, which he openly
+professed upon his coming to the crown: To this they add, their eminent
+services at the Revolution, under the Prince of Orange.
+
+Now, the quantum of Presbyterian merit, during the four years' reign of
+that weak, bigoted, and ill-advised prince, as well as at the time of
+the Revolution, will easily be computed, by a recourse to a great number
+of histories, pamphlets, and public papers, printed in those times, and
+some afterwards; beside the verbal testimonies of many persons yet
+alive, who are old enough to have known and observed the Dissenters'
+conduct in that critical period.
+
+It is agreed, that upon King Charles the Second's death, soon after his
+successor had publicly owned himself a Roman Catholic; he began with his
+first caresses to the Church party; from whom having received very cold
+discouraging answers; he applied to the Presbyterian leaders and
+teachers, being advised by the priests and Popish courtiers, that the
+safest method toward introducing his own religion, would be by taking
+off the Sacramental Test, and giving a full liberty of conscience to all
+religions, (I suppose, that professed Christianity.) It seems, that the
+Presbyterians, in the latter years of King Charles the Second, upon
+account of certain plots, (allowed by Bishop Burnet to be genuine) had
+been, for a short time, forbid to hold their conventicles: Whereupon,
+these charitable Christians, out of perfect resentment against the
+Church, received the gracious offers of King James with the strongest
+professions of loyalty, and highest acknowledgments for his favour. I
+have seen several of their addresses, full of thanks and praises, with
+bitter insinuations of what they had suffered; putting themselves and
+the Papists upon the same foot; as fellow-sufferers for conscience; and
+with the style of, _Our brethren the Roman Catholics_. About this time
+began the project of closeting, (which has since been practised many
+times, with more art and success,) where the principal gentlemen of the
+kingdom were privately catechised by his Majesty, to know whether, if a
+new parliament were called, they would agree to pass an act for
+repealing the Sacramental Test, and establishing a general liberty of
+conscience. But he received so little encouragement, that, despairing of
+success, he had recourse to his dispensing power, which the judges had
+determined to be part of his prerogative. By colour of this
+determination, he preferred several Presbyterians, and many Papists, to
+civil and military employments. While the king was thus busied, it is
+well known, that Monsieur Fagel, the Dutch envoy in London, delivered
+the opinion of the Prince and Princess of Orange, concerning the repeal
+of the Test; whereof the king had sent an account to their Highnesses,
+to know how far they approved of it. The substance of their answer, as
+reported by Fagel, was this, "That their highnesses thought very well of
+a liberty of conscience; but by no means of giving employments to any
+other persons, than those who were of the National Church." This opinion
+was confirmed by several reasons: I cannot be more particular, not
+having the paper by me, although it hath been printed in many accounts
+of those times. And thus much every moderate churchman would perhaps
+submit to: But, to trust any part of the civil power in the hands of
+those whose interest, inclination, conscience, and former practices have
+been wholly turned to introduce a different system of religion and
+government, hath very few examples in any Christian state; nor any at
+all in Holland, the great patroness of universal toleration.
+
+Upon the first intelligence King James received of an intended invasion
+by the Prince of Orange; among great numbers of Papists, to increase his
+troops, he gave commissions to several Presbyterians; some of whom had
+been officers under the Rump; and particularly he placed one Richards, a
+noted Presbyterian, at the head of a regiment; who had been governor of
+Wexford in Cromwell's time, and is often mentioned by Ludlow in his
+Memoirs. This regiment was raised in England against the Prince of
+Orange: the colonel made his son a captain, whom I knew, and who was as
+zealous a Presbyterian as his father. However at the time of the
+prince's landing, the father easily foreseeing how things would go, went
+over, like many others to the prince, who continued him in his regiment;
+but coming over a year or two after to assist in raising the siege of
+Derry, he behaved himself so like either a coward or a traitor, that his
+regiment was taken from him.
+
+I will now consider the conduct of the Church party, during the whole
+reign of that unfortunate king. They were so unanimous against promising
+to pass an act for repealing the Test, and establishing a general
+liberty of conscience; that the king durst not trust a parliament; but
+encouraged by the professions of loyalty given him by his Presbyterian
+friends, went on with his dispensing power.
+
+The Church clergy, at that time are allowed to have written the best
+collection of tracts against Popery that ever appeared in England; which
+are to this day in the highest esteem. But, upon the strictest enquiry,
+I could never hear of above one or two papers published by the
+Presbyterians at that time upon the same subject. Seven great prelates
+(he of Canterbury among the rest) were sent to the Tower, for presenting
+a petition, wherein they desired to be excused in not obeying an illegal
+command from the King. The Bishop of London, Dr. Compton,[10] was
+summoned to answer before the Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Affairs,
+for not suspending Dr. Sharp[11] (afterwards Archbishop of York) by the
+King's command. If the Presbyterians expressed the same zeal upon any
+occasion, the instances of it are not as I can find, left upon record,
+or transmitted by tradition. The proceedings against Magdalen College in
+Oxford, for refusing to comply with the King's mandate for admitting a
+professed Papist upon their foundation, are a standing proof of the
+courage and firmness in religion shewn by that learned society, to the
+ruin of their fortunes. The Presbyterians know very well, that I could
+produce many more instances of the same kind. But these are enough in so
+short a paper as I intend at present.
+
+[Footnote 10: Henry Compton (1632-1713), educated at Oxford, was created
+Bishop of London in 1675. During the Revolution of 1688 he conveyed the
+Princess Anne from London to Nottingham. After, he crowned her Queen of
+England. He was the author of a few works of little importance, such as
+the "Treatise on the Holy Communion." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 11: John Sharp (1644-1714) was educated at Cambridge, and
+created Archbishop of York in 1691. He gave great offence to James II.
+by his preaching against Roman Catholicism. This is the same Archbishop
+Sharp who prevented Swift's appointment to a bishopric, by urging that
+the author of "A Tale of a Tub" was not a proper person to hold such an
+office. See note prefixed to "A Tale of a Tub," vol. i., p. xcvi, of this
+edition of Swift's Works. [T.S.]]
+
+It is indeed very true, that after King William was settled on the
+English throne, the Presbyterians began to appear, and offer their
+credentials, and demand favour; and the new King having been originally
+bred a Calvinist, was desirous enough to make them easy (if that would
+do it) by a legal toleration; although in his heart he never bore much
+affection to that sect; nor designed to favour them farther than it
+stood with the present scheme of politics: as I have long since been
+assured by the greatest men of Whig principles at that time in England.
+
+It is likewise true, nor will it be denied; that when the King was
+possessed of the English crown; and the remainder of the quarrel was
+left to be decided in this kingdom; the Presbyterians wisely chose to
+join with the Protestant army, rather than with that of King James their
+old friend, whose affairs were then in a manner desperate. They were
+wise enough to know, that this kingdom, divided against itself, could
+never prevail against the united power of England. They fought _pro aris
+et focis_; for their estates and religion; which latter will never
+suffer so much by the Church of England as by that of Rome, where they
+are counted heretics as well as we: and consequently they have no other
+game to play. But, what merit they can build upon having joined with a
+Protestant army, under a King they acknowledged, to defend their own
+liberties and properties against a Popish enemy under an abdicated King;
+is, I confess to me absolutely inconceivable; and I believe will equally
+be so for ever, to any reasonable man.
+
+When these sectaries were several years ago making the same attempt for
+abolishing the Test, many groundless reports were industriously and
+seasonably spread, of an invasion threatened by the Pretender on the
+north of Ireland. At which time the Presbyterians in their pamphlets,
+argued in a menacing manner, that if the Pretender should invade those
+parts of the kingdom, where the numbers and estates of dissenters
+chiefly lay; they would sit still, and let us fight our own battles;[12]
+since they were to reap no advantage, whichever side should be victors.
+If this were the course they intended to take in such a case; I should
+desire to know, how they could contrive safely to stand neuters,
+otherwise than by a compact with the Pretender and his army, to support
+their neutrality, and protect them against the forces of the Crown? This
+is a necessary supposition; because they must otherwise have inevitably
+been a prey to both. However, by this frank declaration, they
+sufficiently shewed their good-will; and confirmed the common charge
+laid at their door; that a Scottish or northern Presbyterian hates our
+Episcopal Established Church more than Popery itself. And, the reason
+for this hatred, is natural enough; because it is the Church alone, that
+stands in the way between them and power, which Popery doth not.
+
+[Footnote 12: See the poem, reprinted by Monck Mason ("History of St.
+Patrick's," p. 388 note), entitled:
+
+  "The Grunters' request
+  To take off the Test,"
+
+in which the poet advises his "lauds" to "faight y'er ain battel."
+[T.S.]]
+
+Upon this occasion I am in some doubt, whether the political spreaders
+of those chimerical invasions, made a judicious choice in fixing the
+northern parts of Ireland for that romantic enterprize. Nor, can I well
+understand the wisdom of the Presbyterians in countenancing and
+confirming those reports. Because it seems to cast a most infamous
+reflection upon the loyalty and religious principles of their whole
+body: For if there had been any truth in the matter, the consequence
+must have been allowed, that the Pretender counted upon more assistance
+from his father's friends the Presbyterians, by choosing to land in
+those very parts, where their number, wealth, and power most prevailed;
+rather than among those of his own religion. And therefore, in charity
+to this sect, I rather incline to believe, that those reports of an
+invasion were formed and spread by the race of small politicians, in
+order to do a seasonable job.
+
+As to Popery in general, which for a thousand years past hath been
+introducing and multiplying corruptions both in doctrine and discipline;
+I look upon it to be the most absurd system of Christianity professed by
+any nation. But I cannot apprehend this kingdom to be in much danger
+from it. The estates of Papists are very few; crumbling into small
+parcels, and daily diminishing. Their common people are sunk in poverty,
+ignorance, and cowardice, and of as little consequence as women and
+children. Their nobility and gentry are at least one-half ruined,
+banished, or converted: They all soundly feel the smart of what they
+suffered in the last Irish war. Some of them are already retired into
+foreign countries; others as I am told, intend to follow them; and the
+rest, I believe, to a man, who still possess any lands, are absolutely
+determined never to hazard them again for the sake of establishing their
+superstition. If it hath been thought fit, as some observe, to abate of
+the law's rigour against Popery in this kingdom, I am confident it was
+done for very wise reasons, considering the situation of affairs abroad
+at different times, and the interest of the Protestant religion in
+general. And as I do not find the least fault in this proceeding; so I
+do not conceive why a sunk discarded party, who neither expect nor
+desire anything more than a quiet life; should under the names of
+highflyers, Jacobites, and many other vile appellations, be charged so
+often in print, and at common tables, with endeavouring to introduce
+Popery and the Pretender; while the Papists abhor them above all other
+men, on account of severities against their priests in her late
+Majesty's reign; when the now disbanded reprobate party was in power.
+This I was convinced of some years ago by a long journey into the
+southern parts; where I had the curiosity to send for many priests of
+the parishes I passed through; and, to my great satisfaction found them
+everywhere abounding in professions of loyalty to the late King George;
+for which they gave me the reasons above-mentioned; at the same time
+complaining bitterly of the hardships they suffered under the Queen's
+last ministry.
+
+I return from this digression to the modest demands of the Presbyterians
+for a repeal of the Sacramental Test, as a reward for their merits at
+the Restoration and the Revolution; which merits I have fairly
+represented as well as my memory will allow me. If I have committed any
+mistakes they must be of little moment. The facts and principal
+circumstances are what I have obtained and digested, from reading the
+histories of those times, written by each party; and many thousands have
+done the same as well as I, who I am sure have in their minds drawn the
+same conclusions.
+
+This is the faction, and these the men, who are now resuming their
+applications, and giving in their bills of merit to both kingdoms upon
+two points, which of all others, they have the least pretensions to
+offer. I have collected the facts with all possible impartiality, from
+the current histories of those times; and have shewn, although very
+briefly, the gradual proceedings of those sectaries under the
+denomination of Puritans, Presbyterians, and Independents, for about the
+space of an hundred and eighty years, from the beginning of Queen
+Elizabeth to this present time. But, notwithstanding all that can be
+said, these very schismatics (for such they are in temporals as well as
+spirituals) are now again expecting, soliciting, and demanding, (not
+without insinuating threats, according to their custom) that the
+Parliament should fix them upon an equal foot with the Church
+established. I would fain know to what branch of the legislature they
+can have the forehead to apply. Not to my lords the bishops; who must
+have often read, how the predecessors of this very faction, acting upon
+the same principles, drove the whole bench out of the house; who were
+then, and hitherto continue one of the three estates. Not to the
+temporal peers, the second of the three estates; who must have heard,
+that, immediately after those rebellious fanatics had murdered their
+king, they voted a House of Lords to be useless and dangerous, and would
+let them sit no longer, otherwise than when elected as commoners: Not to
+the House of Commons; who must have heard, that in those fanatic times
+the Presbyterian and Independent commanders in the army, by military
+power, expelled all the moderate men out of the house, and left a Rump
+to govern the nation. Lastly, not to the Crown, which those very saints
+destined to rule the earth, trampled under their feet, and then in cold
+blood murdered the blessed wearer.
+
+But, the session now approaching, and a clan of dissenting teachers
+being come up to town from their northern headquarters, accompanied by
+many of their elders and agents, and supported by a general
+contribution, to solicit their establishment, with a capacity of holding
+all military as well as civil employments; I think it high time, that
+this paper should see the light. However, I cannot conclude without
+freely confessing, that if the Presbyterians should obtain their ends, I
+could not be sorry to find them mistaken in the point which they have
+most at heart by the repeal of the Test; I mean the benefit of
+employments. For, after all, what assurance can a Scottish northern
+dissenter, born on Irish ground, have, that he shall be treated with as
+much favour as a true Scot born beyond the Tweed?
+
+I am ready enough to believe that all I have said will avail but little.
+I have the common excuse of other men, when I think myself bound by all
+religious and civil ties, to discharge my conscience, and to warn my
+countrymen upon this important occasion. It is true, the advocates for
+this scheme promise a new world, after this blessed work shall be
+completed: that all animosities and faction must immediately drop; that
+the only distinction in this kingdom will then be of Papist and
+Protestant. For, as to Whig and Tory, High Church and Low Church,
+Jacobite and Hanoverian, Court and Country party, English and Irish
+interests, Dissenters and Conformists, New Light and Old Light,
+Anabaptist and Independent, Quaker and Muggletonian, they will all meet
+and jumble together into a perfect harmony, at the sessions and assizes,
+on the bench and in the revenues; and upon the whole, in all civil and
+military trust, not excepting the great councils of the nation. For it
+is wisely argued thus, that a kingdom being no more than a larger knot
+of friends met together, it is against the rules of good manners to shut
+any person out of the company, except the Papists; who profess
+themselves of another club.
+
+I am at a loss to know what arts the Presbyterian sect intends to use,
+in convincing the world of their loyalty to kingly government; which
+long before the prevalence, or even the birth of their independent
+rivals, as soon as the King's forces were overcome, declared their
+principles to be against monarchy, as well as Episcopacy and the House
+of Lords, even till the King was restored: At which event, although they
+were forced to submit to the present power, yet I have not heard that
+they did ever, to this day, renounce any one principle by which their
+predecessors then acted; yet this they have been challenged to do, or at
+least to shew that others have done it for them, by a certain
+doctor,[13] who, as I am told, has much employed his pen in the like
+disputes. I own, they will be ready enough to insinuate themselves into
+any government: But, if they mean to be honest and upright, they will
+and must endeavour by all means, which they shall think lawful, to
+introduce and establish their own scheme of religion, as nearest
+approaching to the word of God, by casting out all superstitious
+ceremonies, ecclesiastical titles, habits, distinctions, and
+superiorities, as rags of Popery; in order to a thorough reformation;
+and, as in charity bound, to promote the salvation of their countrymen:
+wishing with St. Paul, that the whole kingdom were as they are. But what
+assurance will they please to give, that when their sect shall become
+the national established worship, they will treat Us Dissenters as we
+have treated them? Was this their course of proceeding during the
+dominion of the saints? Were not all the remainders of the Episcopal
+Church in those days, especially the clergy, under a persecution for
+above a dozen years, equal to that of the primitive Christians under
+heathen emperors? That this proceeding was suitable to their principles,
+is known enough; for many of their preachers then writ books expressly
+against allowing any liberty of conscience, in a religion different from
+their own; producing many arguments to prove that opinion; and among the
+rest one frequently insisted on; that allowing such a liberty would be
+to establish iniquity by a law: Many of these writings are yet to be
+seen;[14] and I hear, have been quoted by the doctor above mentioned.
+
+[Footnote 13: Dr. Tisdal, in a tract entitled, "The Case of the
+Sacramental Test stated and argued." Tisdal died 4th June, 1736. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 14: See many hundred quotations to prove this, in the treatise
+called "Scotch Presbyterian Eloquence." [Note in Faulkner's
+edition, 1738.]]
+
+As to their great objection of prostituting that holy institution, the
+blessed Sacrament, by way of a test before admittance into any
+employment; I ask, whether they would not be content to receive it after
+their own manner, for the office of a judge, for that of a commissioner
+in the revenue, for a regiment of horse, or to be a lord justice? I
+believe they would scruple it as little, as a long grace before and
+after dinner; which they can say without bending a knee; for, as I have
+been told, their manner of taking bread and wine in their conventicles,
+is performed with little more solemnity than at their common meals. And,
+therefore, since they look upon our practice in receiving the elements,
+to be idolatrous; they neither can, nor ought, in conscience, to allow
+us that liberty, otherwise than by connivance, and a bare toleration,
+like what is permitted to the Papists. But, lest we should offend them,
+I am ready to change this test for another; although, I am afraid, that
+sanctified reason is, by no means, the point where the difficulty
+pinches; and only offered by pretended churchmen, as if they could be
+content with our believing, that the impiety and profanation of making
+the Sacrament a test, were the only objection. I therefore propose, that
+before the present law be repealed, another may be enacted; that no man
+shall receive any employment, before he swears himself to be a true
+member of the Church of Ireland, in doctrine and discipline, &c., and,
+that he will never frequent, or communicate with any other form of
+worship. It shall likewise be further enacted, that whoever offends,
+&c., shall be fined five hundred pounds, imprisoned for a year and a
+day, and rendered incapable of all public trust for ever. Otherwise, I
+do insist that those pious, indulgent, external professors of our
+national religion, shall either give up that fallacious hypocritical
+reason for taking off the Test; or freely confess, that they desire to
+have a gate wide open for every sect, without any test at all, except
+that of swearing loyalty to the King: Which, however, considering their
+principles, with regard to monarchy yet unrenounced, might, if they
+would please to look deep enough into their own hearts, prove a more
+bitter test than any other that the law hath yet invented.
+
+For, from the first time that these sectaries appeared in the world, it
+hath been always found, by their whole proceeding, that they professed
+an utter hatred to kingly government. I can recollect, at present, three
+civil establishments, where Calvinists, and some other reformers who
+rejected Episcopacy, possess the supreme power; and, these are all
+republics; I mean Holland, Geneva, and the reformed Swiss cantons. I do
+not say this in diminution, or disgrace to commonwealths; wherein, I
+confess, I have much altered many opinions under which I was educated,
+having been led by some observation, long experience, and a thorough
+detestation for the corruptions of mankind: Insomuch, that I am now
+justly liable to the censure of Hobbes, who complains, that the youth of
+England imbibe ill opinions, from reading the histories of Ancient
+Greece and Rome, those renowned scenes of liberty and every virtue.
+
+But, as to monarchs; who must be supposed well to study and understand
+their own interest; they will best consider, whether those people, who
+in all their actions, preachings, and writings, have openly declared
+themselves against regal power, are to be safely placed in an equal
+degree of favour and trust with those who have been always found the
+true and only friends to the English establishment. From which
+consideration, I could have added one more article to my new test, if I
+had thought it worth my time.
+
+I have been assured by some persons who were present, that several of
+these dissenting teachers, upon their first arrival hither to solicit
+the repeal of the Test, were pleased to express their gratitude, by
+publicly drinking the healths of certain eminent patrons, whom they
+pretend to have found among us; if this be true, and that the Test must
+be delivered up by the very commanders appointed to defend it, the
+affair is already, in effect, at an end. What secret reasons those
+patrons may have given for such a return of brotherly love, I shall not
+inquire: "For, O my soul come not thou into their secret, unto their
+assembly mine honour be not thou united. For in their anger they slew a
+man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their
+anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel; I will
+divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel."
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+A NARRATIVE
+
+OF THE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WHICH THE DISSENTERS OF
+
+IRELAND HAVE MADE, FOR A REPEAL OF THE
+
+SACRAMENTAL TEST.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+This tract occupies Nos. iii. and iv. of a periodical paper called "The
+Correspondent," originally printed at Dublin "by James Hoey in
+Skinner-Row, 1733." The text here given is that of the original
+"Correspondent"; that given by Scott and Nichols is evidently taken from
+the London reprint. It will be seen that the matter as it was originally
+printed contains much more than was afterwards reprinted. I have
+indicated in footnotes where Scott's omissions occur. The title of the
+periodical runs: "The Correspondent, No. iii. [No. iv.] Humbly inscribed
+to the Conforming Nobility and Gentry of Ireland." Nos. i. and ii. dealt
+with "Old and New Light Presbyterians"; but these are not by Swift. In
+Nichols's edition this pamphlet appears in the second volume of the
+"Supplement to Dr. Swift's Works," 1779, p. 307. See note to the
+previous pamphlet, where the question of the date of the first
+publication of this tract is discussed. It may be, as Monck Mason
+suggests ("History of St. Patrick's," p. 389, note h), that a separate
+and second edition of this "Narrative" was likewise printed, of the same
+size as "The Presbyterians' Plea," and bound up, occasionally with that
+pamphlet; but such an edition I have never seen. The only reprint of the
+time examined, is that by A. Dodd, of Temple Bar, affixed to the second
+London edition of "The Presbyterians' Plea of Merit," and the date of
+which may be put down to 1734.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  A NARRATIVE OF THE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS,
+  WHICH THE DISSENTERS
+  OF IRELAND HAVE MADE, FOR
+  A REPEAL OF THE SACRAMENTAL
+  TEST.
+
+
+My intention is in this and some following "Correspondents," to
+vindicate the Test Act, from the insolent aspersions which are thrown
+upon it, and to answer objections, which are raised against it,
+particularly by an anonymous author, in a paper entitled, "The Nature
+and Consequence of the Sacramental Test considered," &c., printed _anno_
+1731, upon the opening of the last session of parliament, and now
+republished.
+
+As a proper introduction to this, I must take leave to put the
+conformists in mind, of what (upon recollection) they may very well
+remember, and which in some measure they have been formerly apprised of,
+and that is in[1] a narrative of the several attempts, which the
+Dissenters of Ireland have made, for a repeal of the Sacramental Test.
+
+When the oath of supremacy was repealed which had been the Church's
+great security since the second of Queen Elizabeth, against both Papists
+and Presbyterians, who equally refused it, I presume it is no secret now
+to tell the reader, that the repeal of that oath opened a sluice and let
+in such a current of dissenters into some of our corporations, as bore
+down all before them.
+
+[Footnote 1: From the beginning of this paragraph to the word "in" is
+omitted in the editions issued by Scott and Nichols. The words "A
+Narrative... Sacramental Test" are used by Scott as part of the
+sub-title of the tract; but he adds the date, 1731. This is a mistake,
+since "The Correspondent" appeared in 1733; and if it did appear in the
+second edition of "The Plea," that edition was published either in the
+same or in the following year. [T.S.]]
+
+Although the Sacramental Test had been for a considerable time in force
+in England, yet that law did not reach Ireland, where the Church was
+more oppressed by dissenters; and where her most sanguine friends were
+glad to compound, to preserve what legal security she had left, rather
+than to attempt any new, or even to recover what she had lost: And in
+truth they had no reason to expect it, at a time when the dissenters had
+the interest to have a motion made and debated in parliament, that there
+might be a temporary repeal of all the penal laws against them, and when
+they were so flushed with the conquest they had made in some
+corporations, as to reject all overtures of a toleration; and to that
+end, had employed Mr. Boyse[2] to write against it with the utmost
+contempt, calling it "a stone instead of bread; a serpent instead of a
+fish."
+
+[Footnote 2: In his note Scott calls him "Samuel" Boyse, but he is
+distinctly mentioned further on in the tract as "Jo: Boyse." The Rev.
+Joseph Boyse was a native of Leeds, who had settled in Dublin in 1683 as
+joint-pastor with Dr. Daniel Williams. He died in poverty in 1728; and
+in the same year his works were published in two folio volumes. His son,
+Samuel Boyse, the poet, died in 1749. [T.S.]]
+
+When the Church was in this situation, the clause of the Sacramental
+Test was happily sent over from England, tacked to the Popery Bill,
+which alarmed the whole body of the dissenters to that degree, that
+their managers began to ply with the greatest artifice, and industry, to
+prevent its passing into a law. But (to the honour of that parliament be
+it spoken), the whole body of both Lords and Commons (some few excepted)
+passed the clause with great readiness, and defended it afterwards with
+as great resolution.
+
+The immediate consequence of this law was the recovery of several
+corporations, which the conformists had given to the dissenters, and the
+preservation of others, to which the "enterprising people" had made very
+bold and quick approaches.
+
+It was hoped that this signal defeat would have discouraged the
+dissenters from any further attempts against a law, which had so
+unanimously passed both houses: But the contrary soon appeared. For,
+upon meeting of the Parliament, held by the Earl of Pembroke,[3] they
+quickly reassumed their wonted courage and confidence, and made no
+doubt, but they should either procure an absolute repeal thereof, or get
+it so far relaxed, as that they might be admitted to offices of military
+trust: To this, they apprehended themselves encouraged by a paragraph in
+his Excellency's speech to both Houses (which they applied to
+themselves) which was, "That the Queen would be glad of any expedient,
+for strengthening the interests of her Protestant subjects of Ireland."
+
+[Footnote 3: It will be remembered that the earl's viceroyalty commenced
+April 7th, 1707. It was in his train that Swift came to England in that
+year.[T.S.]]
+
+The advocates for the dissenters immediately took hold of this handle,
+and in order to prepare the way for this expedient, insisted boldly upon
+their merit and loyalty, charged the Church with persecution, and
+extolled their signal behaviour in the late Revolution, to that degree,
+as if by their signal prowess, they had saved the nation.
+
+But all this, was only to prepare the way for the grand engine, which
+was forming to beat down this law; and that was their expedient
+addresses.
+
+The first of this kind was, from a provincial synod of the northern
+dissenters, beginning with high encomiums upon themselves, and as high
+demands from the public, "for their untainted loyalty in all turns of
+government," which they said, was "the natural consequence of their
+known principles"; expressions, which, had they been applied to them by
+their adversaries, must have been understood as spoken ironically, and
+indeed to have been the greatest sarcasm imaginable upon them;
+especially, when we consider the insolent treatment given to her Majesty
+in the very same address; for immediately after they pass this
+compliment upon themselves, they tell her Majesty, they deeply regret
+the Sacramental Test; and frankly declared, that neither the gentlemen,
+nor people of their persuasion, could (they must mean _would_) serve
+her, whatever exigencies might arise, unless that law was repealed.
+
+The managers for the kirk, following this precedent, endeavoured to
+obtain addresses to the same purpose from the corporations, and though
+they proved unsuccessful in most, they procured them from several of our
+most considerable conforming corporations; and that too at a critical
+juncture, when numbers of Scotch Presbyterians, who had deserved well in
+the affair of the Union, and could not be rewarded in England (where the
+Test Act was in force) stood ready to overrun our preferments as soon as
+the Test should be repealed in Ireland.
+
+But after all when it came to a decisive trial in the House of Commons,
+the dissenters were defeated.
+
+When the managers found the House of Commons could not be brought into
+that scheme of an expedient, to be offered by them; their refinement
+upon this, was, to move for an address, "That the House would accept of
+an expedient from her Majesty," but this also was rejected; for by this
+project, the managers would have led the Queen into this dilemma, either
+to disoblige the whole body of the dissenters, by refusing to name the
+expedient, or else to give up the conformists to the insults and
+encroachments of the dissenters, by the repeal of that law, which was
+declared by the House of Lords, to be the great security of the
+Established Church, and of the English interest of Ireland.
+
+The next attempt they made against the Test was during the government of
+Lord Wharton.[4]
+
+[Footnote 4: Wharton was appointed Lord Lieutenant on November 25th,
+1708. This Wharton is the Thomas, Lord Wharton, against whom Swift wrote
+one of his bitterest and most personal attacks. He was the eldest son of
+Philip, Lord Wharton, and was created a marquis by George I. He died
+April 12th, 1715. The ballad of "Lillibullero" is attributed to him.
+[T.S.]]
+
+The dissenters seemed more resolute now than ever, to have the Test
+repealed, especially when his Excellency had declared from the throne,
+"that they were neither to be persecuted nor molested." For they who had
+all along called the Test Act a persecution, might reasonably conclude
+that grievance would be removed; when they were told by the chief
+governor, that they were not to be even "molested." But to their great
+confusion, they were soon undeceived, when they found upon trial, that
+the House of Commons, would not bear the least motion towards it.
+
+Their movements to repeal the Test Act being stopped this way; the
+managers were obliged to take several other ways to come at it: And at
+the time, that some pretended to soothe, others seemed to threaten even
+the legislature, with a view, (as must be presumed) that those, whom
+they could not cajole, might be frightened into it.[5]
+
+[Footnote 5: Scott omits the words from "with a view" to the end of the
+paragraph. [T.S.]]
+
+There happened about the time, when the project of the expedient was on
+foot, an excellent occasion, to express their resentments against this
+law, and that was, when great numbers of them refused the oath of
+allegiance, and to oppose the Pretender; insisting upon a repeal of the
+Test Act, as the condition of their arming in defence of their Queen and
+country.
+
+The government was not reduced to such straits, as to submit to that
+condition; and the Test stood firm, in spite of both the dissenters and
+the Pretender, until the latter was driven from our coasts: And then,
+one would have thought the hopes of the former, would have vanished with
+him.
+
+But it proved quite contrary: For those sons of the earth, rebounding
+with fresh vigour from their falls, recovered new strength and spirit
+from every defeat, and the next attempt was bolder (considering the
+circumstances they were in) than any they had made before.
+
+The case was this: The House of Lords of Ireland had accused them to the
+Queen of several illegal practices, which highly concerned the safety of
+our constitution, both in church and state: The particulars of which
+charge, were summed up in a representation from the Lords to this
+effect:
+
+"That they (the dissenters) had opposed and persecuted the conformists,
+in those parts where their power prevailed, had invaded their
+congregations, propagated their schism in places where it had not the
+least footing formerly; that they were protected from a legal
+prosecution by a _noli prosequi_ in the case of Drogheda."
+
+"That they refused to take conforming apprentices, and confined trade
+among themselves, exclusive of the conformists."
+
+"That in their illegal assemblies they had prosecuted and censured their
+people for being married according to law."
+
+"That they have thrown public and scandalous reflections upon the
+Episcopal order, and upon our laws, particularly the Sacramental Test,
+and had misapplied the royal bounty of L1,200 _per annum_, in
+propagating their schism, and undermining the Church: And had exercised
+an illegal jurisdiction in their Presbyteries and Synods," &c.
+
+To this representation of the Lords, the dissenters remonstrate in an
+address to the Queen, or rather an appeal to their own people, in which,
+although it is evident, they were conscious of those crimes whereof they
+stood accused, as appears by the evasions they make to this high charge.
+Yet even under these circumstances (such was their modesty) they pressed
+for a repeal of the Test Act, by the modest appellation of a grievance
+and odious mark of infamy, &c. Of which more hereafter. There is one
+particular in another address which I cannot omit. The House of Lords in
+their representation, had accused one dissenting teacher in particular
+(well known to Mr. Boyse). The charge was in these words:
+
+"Nor has the legislature itself escaped the censure of a bold author of
+theirs, who has published in print, that the Sacramental Test is only an
+engine to advance a state faction, and to debase religion, to serve base
+and unworthy purposes."
+
+To this, Mr. Boyse answers, in an address to the Queen, in the year
+1712, subscribed only by himself, and five more dissenting teachers, in
+these words.
+
+"As to this part of their Lordships' complaint, we beg leave to lay
+before your Majesty the words of that author, which are these.
+
+"'Nor can we altogether excuse those, who turn the holy Eucharist into
+an engine, to advance a state faction, and endeavour to confine the
+communion table of our Lord, by their arbitrary enclosures to a party;
+religion is thereby debased to serve mean and unworthy purposes.' We
+humbly conceive that the author in that passage, makes no mention of the
+legislature at all, &c., and we cannot omit on this occasion, to regret
+it, as the great unhappiness of this kingdom, that dissenters should now
+be disabled from concurring in the defence of it, in any future exigency
+and danger, and should have the same infamy put upon them with the Irish
+Papists.
+
+"We therefore humbly hope, that your Majesty shall consider, how little
+real grounds there are for those complaints made by their Lordships."
+
+What a mixture of impudence and prevarication is this! That one
+dissenting teacher accused to his prince of having censured the
+legislature, should presume, backed only by five more of the same
+quality and profession, to transcribe the guilty paragraph, and (to
+secure his meaning from all possibility of being mistaken,) annex
+another to it; wherein, they rail at that very law, for which he in so
+audacious a manner censured the Queen and Parliament, and at the same
+time should expect to be acquitted by her Majesty, because he had not
+mentioned the word "legislature": 'Tis true the word legislature is not
+expressed in that paragraph; but let Mr. Boyse[6] say, what other power
+but the legislature, could in this sense, "turn the holy Eucharist into
+an engine to advance a state faction, or confine offices of trust, or
+the communion table of our Lord, by their arbitrary enclosures, to a
+party." It is plain he can from his principles intend no others, but the
+legislators of the Sacramental Test; though at the same time I freely
+own, that this is a vile description of them: For neither have they by
+this law, made the Sacramental Test an engine to advance, but rather to
+depress a state faction, nor have they made any arbitrary enclosures, of
+the communion table of our Lord, since as many as please, may receive
+the Sacrament with us in our churches; and those who will not, may
+freely, as before, receive it in their separate congregations: Nor in
+the last place, is religion hereby debased, to serve mean and unworthy
+purposes; nor is it any more than all lawgivers do, by enjoining an oath
+of allegiance, and making that a religious test. For an oath is an act
+of religious worship as well as the Eucharist.
+
+[Footnote 6: Scott remarks that "Mr. Boyse is here and in other places,
+spoken of as alive, which was the case, I presume, when the tract first
+appeared in 'The Correspondent.'" The tract, however, was printed in
+the periodical in 1733, and Boyse died in 1728. It may be that when Swift
+first wrote "The Narrative," Mr. Boyse was alive; in that case its date
+must be put down to an earlier year than either 1733 or even 1731. Or it
+may be that the style of so referring to Boyse was used for an
+argumentative effect, to appeal to any reader who was in sympathy with
+Boyse's opinions. [T.S.]]
+
+Upon the whole, is not this an instance of prodigious boldness in Mr.
+Boyse, backed with only five dissenting teachers, thus to recriminate
+upon the Irish House of Lords (as they were pleased to call them in the
+title of their printed address,) and almost to insist with her Majesty,
+upon the repeal of a law, which she had stamped with her royal
+authority, but a few years before?
+
+The[7] next instance, of the resolution of the dissenters, against this
+law, was the attempt made during the government of the Duke of
+Shrewsbury.[8]
+
+[Footnote 7: From this paragraph to the end is taken from "The
+Correspondent," No. iv. The text as given by Scott is considerably
+altered from that which appeared in the periodical. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 8: From September, 1713, until the Queen's death in 1714.
+[T.S.]]
+
+This attack was by the whole compacted body, of their teachers and
+elders, with a formidable engine, called a "representation of
+grievances," in which, after they had reviled the Test Act, with the
+same odious appellations, and insisted upon the same insolent arguments,
+for the repeal thereof, which they had formerly urged to the Queen: They
+expressed themselves to his Grace in these words:
+
+"We beg leave to say, that those persons must be inexcusable, and
+chargeable, with all the bad consequences that may follow, who in such a
+kingdom as this, disable, disgrace, and divide Protestants; a thing that
+ought not to be done at any time, or in any place, much less than in
+this," &c.
+
+Is it possible to conceive any thing more provoking than this humble
+supplication of these remonstrators? Does not this sound like a demand
+of the repeal of the Test, at the peril of those, who dare refuse it? Is
+it not an application with a hat in one hand, and a sword in the other,
+and that too, in the style of a King of Ulster, to a King of Connaught,
+--"Repeal the Test, or if you don't........."
+
+But to proceed in this narrative: Notwithstanding the defeat of the
+dissenters in England, in their late attempt against the Test, their
+brethren in Ireland, are so far from being discouraged, that they seem
+now to conceive greater hopes of having it repealed here, than ever.[9]
+What grounds they have for these hopes, was a secret to us, and I
+presume, to themselves; however private whispers begin now to grow into
+general rumours, and their managers proceed with great art and
+assiduity, from feeling of pulses, to telling of noses.
+
+[Footnote 9: From this word to the end of this paragraph is omitted by
+Scott.[T.S.]]
+
+In order to prepare necessaries, and furnish topics for this attempt,
+there was a paper printed upon the opening of last session, and now
+republished; entitled, "The Nature and Consequences of the Sacramental
+Test considered, with reasons humbly offered for the Repeal
+thereof."[10]
+
+[Footnote 10: This pamphlet was reprinted in London in 1732. See note
+prefixed to "The Presbyterians' Plea of Merit" [T.S.]]
+
+It is not my intention, to follow this author, through all the mazes and
+windings of his reasoning upon this subject, which (in truth) seem such
+incoherent shreds, that it is impossible to tie them together; and
+therefore, what I purpose is, to answer such objections to the Test, as
+are advanced either by this author, or any other which have any
+appearance of reason, or plausibility.
+
+I know it is not prudent to despise an adversary, nor fair to prepossess
+readers, before I show this bold and insolent writer, in his proper
+figure and dress; and therefore, however I may take him to be a feeble
+advocate for the repeal of the Test, in point of reasoning, yet I freely
+allow him to be a most resolute champion in point of courage, who has,
+with such intrepidity, attacked, not only the first enactors of this
+law, but all such, who shall continue it, by giving their negatives to a
+repeal. I will in this "Correspondent" only transcribe a few quotations
+from this author, to shew the gallantry of this aggressor.
+
+Page the 19th[11] he says: "the truth is the imposition of the Test, and
+continuing it in such a state of the kingdom, appears (at first sight,)
+so great an absurdity in politics, as can never be accounted for."
+
+[Footnote 11: Page 23 in edition London, 1732. [T.S.]]
+
+Who are these absurd politicians? Who first passed, and secondly
+continue the Sacramental Test, in all the preceding attempts of the
+Dissenters to repeal it? Are they not the majority of both Houses of
+Parliament?[12]
+
+[Footnote 12: Omitted by Scott in his edition, 1824. [T.S.]]
+
+But to strengthen his reflections, page 26,[13] he gives the whole
+legislature to understand, that continuing the Test, does not become the
+wisdom, and justice of the legislature, under the pretence of its being
+for the advantage of the state, when it is really prejudicial to it; and
+further tells us, it infringes on the indisputable rights of the
+dissenters.
+
+[Footnote 13: Pp. 32-33 in London reprint. Scott places passages here in
+quotation marks, the original in "The Correspondent" has no such marks,
+nor are the passages quoted verbatim from the pamphlet referred
+to.[T.S.]]
+
+Page, the 57th,[14] he says, "The gentlemen of the House of Commons, who
+framed the bill, to prevent the farther growth of Popery, instead of
+approving the Test clause which was inserted, publicly declared their
+dislike to it, and their resolution to take the first opportunity of
+repealing it, though at that time they unwillingly passed it, rather
+than lose a bill they were so fond of. This resolution has not been as
+yet fulfilled, for what reasons, our worthy patriots themselves know
+best."
+
+[Footnote 14: P. 71 in London reprint [T.S.]]
+
+I should be glad this author would inform us, who, and how many of those
+members joined in this resolution, to repeal the Test; or where that
+resolution is to be found, which he mentions twice in the same
+paragraph; surely not in the books of the House of Commons!
+
+If not, suppose some few gentlemen in the House of Commons, and to be
+sure very few they were, who publicly declared their dislike to it, or
+entered into any resolution; this, I think, he should have explained,
+and not insinuated so gross a reflection on a great majority of the
+House of Commons, who first passed this law, and have ever since opposed
+all attempts to repeal it; these are the gentleman whom, in sarcasm and
+irony, he is pleased to call the "worthy," that is, the unworthy
+patriots themselves.
+
+But to mention no more, he concludes his notable piece, with these
+remarkable words, pages 62-63.[15]
+
+[Footnote 15: P. 79 of London reprint. [T.S.]]
+
+"Thus it appears, with regard to the Protestant succession, which has
+now happily taken place, how reasonable it is to repeal the Sacramental
+Test, and that granting that favour to the Dissenters," which, by the
+way, cannot be granted but by parliament; "can be disagreeable to none,
+who have a just sense of the many blessings we enjoy, by the Protestant
+succession, in his Majesty's royal family."
+
+I will not trouble the reader with any more quotations, to the same
+purpose, out of this libel, for so I must now call it, but take leave to
+make some general observations on those paragraphs I have mentioned.
+
+[Footnote: This paragraph is omitted by Scott. [T.S.]]
+
+I conceive, it will be readily allowed, that in all applications, either
+from any body of men, or from any particular subject to the legislature,
+or any branch thereof, we are to take the highest encomiums as purely
+complimental; if there be the least insinuation of disrespect or
+reflection therein, in such cases I say, you are to take the compliments
+in the lowest sense, but all the reflections in the highest sense the
+expressions can bear; inasmuch as, the first may be presumed matter of
+form, the latter must be matter of resentment.
+
+[Footnote: This paragraph is much curtailed by Scott, who combines it
+with the next paragraph of the present text. [T.S.]]
+
+Now, if we apply this observation, to what this bold adventurer has
+said, with respect to the legislators, of the Sacramental Test; Does he
+not directly and plainly charge them with injustice, imprudence, gross
+absurdity and Jacobitism? Let the most prejudiced reader that is not
+pre-determined against conviction, say, whether this libeller of the
+parliament, has not drawn up a high charge against the makers and
+continuers of this law.
+
+It is readily allowed, that this has been the old style of these
+champions, who have attacked the Test, as in the instances before
+mentioned, with this difference, that he descends lower in his charge,
+and has been more particular than any of his brethren.
+
+[Footnote: This paragraph is omitted by Scott. [T.S.]]
+
+Notwithstanding my resentment, which to be sure, he does not value, I
+would be sorry he should bring upon himself the resentment of those he
+has been so free with, and I cannot help advising him, to take all
+possible care, and use all effectual means, to conjure the printer,
+corrector, and publisher of this libel to secrecy; that however the
+author may be suspected, he may not be discovered. Upon the whole, is
+not this author, justly to be reputed a defamer, till he produces
+instances wherein the conforming nobility and gentry of Ireland, have
+shown their disaffection to the succession of the illustrious House of
+Hanover?
+
+Did they ever refuse the oath of abjuration, or support any conforming
+nonjuring teachers in their congregations? Did ever any conforming
+gentlemen, or common people, refuse to be arrayed, when the militia was
+raised, upon the invasion of the Pretender? Did any of them ever shew
+the least reluctance, or make any exception against their officers,
+whether they were Dissenters or Churchmen?
+
+It may be said, that from these insinuations, I would have it
+understood, that the dissenters encouraged some of their teachers, who
+refused the oath of abjuration; and that even in the article of danger,
+when the Pretender made his attempt in Scotland, our northern
+Presbyterians shewed great reluctance in taking arms, upon the array of
+militia.
+
+I freely own it is my intention; and I must affirm both facts to be
+true, however they have the assurance to deny it.
+
+What can be more notorious, than the protection, countenance, and
+support, which was continued to Riddall, McBride, and McCrackan,[16] who
+absolutely refused the oath of abjuration; and yet were continued to
+teach in their congregations, after they returned from Scotland, when a
+prosecution was directed, and a council in criminal causes, was sent
+down to the county of Antrim to prosecute them.
+
+[Footnote 16: Riddall, McBride, and McCrackan were three Presbyterian
+clergymen who refused to take the oath of abjuring the Pretender. Of
+Riddall and McCrackan little is known; but John McBride (1651?-1718)
+(according to the writer in the "Dictionary of National Biography") was
+born in Ulster, and graduated at Glasgow. He was a strong advocate of
+the Hanoverian succession, but avoided the oath of abjuration, in 1703,
+by retiring to Glasgow. He returned to Belfast in 1713, and died there.
+His humorous excuse for non-abjuration is recorded by the writer of the
+article in the Dictionary, and is worth repeating: "Once upon a time
+there was a bearn, that cou'd not be persuaded to bann the de'el because
+he did not know but he might soon come into his clutches." [T.S.]]
+
+With respect to the parliament; did ever any House of Commons shew
+greater alacrity in raising money, and equipping ships, in defence of
+the King, than the last House did upon the expected invasion of the
+Pretender? And did ever any parliament give money with greater
+unanimity, for the support of the Crown, than the present has done,
+whatever the wants of their private families might be? And must a very
+great majority of those persons, be branded with the infamous aspersion
+of disaffection to the illustrious House of Hanover, should they refuse
+to give their voices for the repeal of the Test?
+
+I am fully persuaded that this author, and his fellow-labourers, do not
+believe one word of this heavy charge; but their present circumstances
+are such, that they must run all hazards.
+
+In many places their congregations are sub-divided, and have chosen an
+_Old_ and _New Light_ teacher, and consequently those stipends must
+support two, which were enjoyed by one before.[17]
+
+[Footnote 17: This paragraph is omitted by Scott. [T.S.]]
+
+A great number of the nonconforming gentlemen daily leave them, though
+they have not made any convert to their persuasion, among the conforming
+gentlemen of fortune; many who were nonconformists themselves, and many
+men whose parents were elders, or rigid nonconformists, are now constant
+communicants, and justices of peace in their several counties; insomuch,
+that it is highly probable, should the Test continue twenty years
+longer, there would not be a gentleman left to solicit a repeal.
+
+I shall hereafter take occasion to shew, how inconsiderable they are,
+for their numbers and fortunes, who can be served or obliged by this
+repeal, which number is daily lessening.
+
+The dissenting teachers are sufficiently aware, that the general
+conformity of the gentlemen, will be followed, by the conformity of
+numbers of the people; and should it not be so, that they will be but
+poorly supported by them; that by the continuance of the Test, "their
+craft will be in danger to be set at nought," and in all probability,
+will end in a general conformity of the Presbyterians to the Established
+Church.
+
+So that, they have the strongest reasons in the world, to press for the
+repeal of the Test; but those reasons, must have equal force for the
+continuance of it, with all that wish the peace of the Church and State,
+and would not have us torn in pieces, with endless and causeless
+divisions.
+
+There is one short passage more, I had like to have omitted, which our
+author leaves as a sting in the tail of his libel; his words are these,
+page 59th.[18]
+
+[Footnote 18: P. 74 in London reprint. [T.S.]]
+
+"The truth is, no one party of a religious denomination, in Britain or
+Ireland, were so united, as they, (the dissenters) indeed, no one, but
+they, in an inviolable attachment to the Protestant succession." To
+detect the folly of this assertion, I subjoin the following letter from
+a person of known integrity, and inviolably attached to the Protestant
+succession, as any dissenter in the kingdom, I mean Mr. Warreng of
+Warrengstown, then a member of parliament, and commissioner of array, in
+the county of Down, upon the expected invasion of the Pretender.
+
+This letter was writ in a short time after the array, of the militia,
+for the truth of which I refer to Mr. Warreng himself.
+
+"Sir,
+
+"That I may fulfil your desire, by giving you an account, how the
+dissenters in my neighbourhood behaved themselves, when we were
+threatened with an invasion of the Pretender. Be pleased to know, that
+upon an alarm given of his being landed near Derry, none were more
+zealous and ready in setting watch and keeping guard, than they, to
+prevent such disorders, as might happen at that time, by ill-designing
+persons, passing through, and disturbing the peace of the country.
+
+"But when the government thought fit, to have the kingdom arrayed, and
+sent commissioners into these parts, some time after it appeared, that
+the dissenters had, by that time, been otherwise instructed, for several
+who were so forward before, behaved themselves after a very different
+manner, some refusing, and others with reluctancy, appearing upon the
+array, to be enlisted, and serve in the militia.
+
+"This behaviour surprised me so much, that I took occasion to discourse
+several of them, over whom, I thought I had as much influence, as any
+other person, and found them upon the common argument, of having their
+hands tied up by a late act of parliament, &c. _Whereupon I took some
+pains to shew the act to them, and wherein they were mistaken._ I
+further pressed their concurrence with us, in procuring the common peace
+and security of our country, and though they seemed convinced by what I
+said, yet I was given to understand, their behaviour was according to
+the sentiments of some persons, whom they thought themselves obliged to
+observe, or be directed by, &c."
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+QUAERIES
+
+WROTE BY
+
+DR. J. SWIFT, IN THE YEAR 1732.
+
+[RELATING TO THE SACRAMENTAL TEST.]
+
+    Very proper to be read (at this Time) by every Member of the
+    Established Church.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+The text of this tract is based on that of the original broadside,
+collated with those given by Faulkner and Scott. In 1733 was also
+published a broadside with the title: "Queries upon the Demand of the
+Presbyterians to have the Sacramental Test repealed at this Session of
+Parliament." These queries seem to be based on those by Swift, though
+they are not quite the same.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  QUAERIES WROTE BY DR. J. SWIFT,
+  IN THE YEAR 1732.
+
+
+_QUERY_.
+
+Whether hatred and violence between parties in a state be not more
+inflamed by different views of interest, than by the greater or lesser
+differences between them, either in religion or government?
+
+Whether it be any part of the question, at this time, which of the two
+religions is worse, Popery, or Fanaticism; or not rather, which of the
+two, (having both the same good will) is in the hopefullest condition to
+ruin the Church?
+
+Whether the sectaries, whenever they come to prevail, will not ruin the
+Church as infallibly and effectually as the Papists?
+
+Whether the prevailing sectaries could allow liberty of conscience to
+Dissenters, without belying all their former practice, and almost all
+their former writings?
+
+Whether many hundred thousand Scotch Presbyterians, are not full as
+virulent against the Episcopal Church, as they are against the Papists;
+or, as they would have us think, the Papists are against them?
+
+Whether the Dutch, who are most distinguished for allowing liberty of
+conscience, do ever admit any persons, who profess a different scheme of
+worship from their own, into civil employments; although they _may_ be
+forced by the nature of their government, to receive mercenary troops of
+all religions?
+
+Whether the Dissenters ever pretended, until of late years, to desire
+more than a bare toleration?
+
+Whether, if it be true, what a sorry pamphleteer asserts, who lately
+writ for repealing the Test, that the Dissenters in this kingdom are
+equally numerous with the Churchmen: It would not be a necessary point
+of prudence, by all proper and lawful means to prevent their further
+increase?
+
+The great argument given by those whom they call _Low_ Church men, to
+justify the large tolerations allowed to Dissenters, hath been; that by
+such indulgencies, the rancour of those sectaries would gradually wear
+off, many of them would come over to us, and their parties, in a little
+time, crumble to nothing.
+
+
+_QUERY_.
+
+If what the above pamphleteer asserts, that the sectaries, are in equal
+numbers with conformists, it doth not clearly follow, that those
+repeated tolerations, have operated directly contrary to what those
+_Low_ Church politicians pretended to foresee and expect.
+
+Whether any clergyman, however dignified or distinguished, if he think
+his own profession most agreeable to Holy Scriptures, and the primitive
+Church, can really wish in his heart, that all sectaries should be upon
+an equal foot with the Churchmen, in the point of civil power and
+employments?
+
+Whether Episcopacy, which is held by the Church to be a divine and
+apostolic institution, be not a fundamental point of religion,
+particularly in that essential one of conferring holy orders?
+
+Whether, by necessary consequences, the several expedients among the
+sectaries to constitute their teachers, are not absolutely null and
+void?
+
+Whether the sectaries will ever agree to accept ordination only from
+bishops?
+
+Whether the bishops and clergy will be content to give up Episcopacy, as
+a point indifferent, without which the Church can well subsist?
+
+Whether that great tenderness towards sectaries, which now so much
+prevails, be chiefly owing to the fears of Popery, or to that spirit of
+atheism, deism, scepticism, and universal immorality, which all good men
+so much lament?
+
+Granting Popery to have many more errors in religion than any one branch
+of the sectaries; let us examine the actions of both, as they have each
+affected the peace of these kingdoms, with allowance for the short time
+which the sectaries had to act in, who are in a manner _but of
+yesterday_. The Papists in the time of King James II. used all
+endeavours to establish their superstition; wherein they failed, by the
+united power of English Church protestants, with the Prince of Orange's
+assistance. But it cannot be asserted, that these bigotted Papists had
+the least design to depose or murder their King, much less to abolish
+kingly government; nor was it their interest or inclination to attempt
+either.
+
+On the other side the Puritans, who had almost from the beginning of
+Queen Elizabeth's reign, been a perpetual thorn in the Church's side,
+joining with the Scotch enthusiasts, in the time of King Charles the
+First, were the principal cause of the Irish rebellion and massacre, by
+distressing that Prince, and making it impossible for him to send over
+timely succours. And, after that pious Prince had satisfied his
+Parliament in every single point to be complained of; the same sectaries
+by poisoning the minds and affections of the people, with the most false
+and wicked representations of their King, were able, in the compass of a
+few years, to embroil the three nations in a bloody rebellion, at the
+expense of many thousand lives; to turn the kingly power into anarchy;
+or murder their Prince in the face of the world, and (in their own
+style) to destroy the Church _root and branch_.
+
+The account therefore stands thus. The Papists aimed at one pernicious
+act, which was to destroy the Protestant religion; wherein, by God's
+mercy, and the assistance of our glorious King William, they absolutely
+failed. The sectaries attempted the three most infernal actions, that
+could possibly enter into the hearts of men, forsaken by God; which
+were, the murder of a most pious King, the destruction of our monarchy,
+and the extirpation of the Church; and succeeded in them all.
+
+Upon which, I put the following queries. Whether any of those sectaries
+have ever yet in a solemn public manner, renounced any one of those
+principles upon which their predecessors then acted?
+
+Whether, considering the cruel persecutions of the Episcopal Church,
+during the course of that horrid rebellion and the consequences of it,
+until the happy Restoration; is it not manifest, that the persecuting
+spirit lieth so equally divided between the Papists and the sectaries,
+that a feather would turn the balance on either side?
+
+And, therefore, lastly, Whether any person of common understanding, who
+professeth himself a member of the Church established, although,
+perhaps, with little inward regard to any religion (which is too often
+the case) if he loveth the peace and welfare of his country; can, after
+cool thinking, rejoice to see a power placed again in the hands of so
+restless, so ambitious, and so merciless a faction, to act over all the
+same parts a second time?
+
+Whether the candour of that expression, so frequent of late in sermons
+and pamphlets, of the "strength and number of the Papists in Ireland,"
+can be justified? For as to their number, however great, it is always
+magnified in proportion to the zeal, or politics, of the speaker and
+writer; but it is a gross imposition upon common reason, to terrify us
+with their strength. For Popery, under the circumstances it lieth in
+this kingdom; although it be offensive, and inconvenient enough, from
+the consequences it hath to increase the rapine, sloth and ignorance, as
+well as poverty of the natives; is not properly dangerous in that sense,
+as some would have us take it; because it is universally hated by every
+party of a different religious profession. It is the contempt of the
+wise: The best topic for clamours of designing men: But the real terror
+only of fools. The landed Popish interest in England, far exceedeth that
+among us, even in proportion to the wealth and extent of each kingdom.
+The little that remaineth here, is daily dropping into Protestant hands,
+by purchase or descent; and that affected complaint of counterfeit
+converts, will fall with the cause of it in half a generation; unless it
+be raised or kept alive, as a continual fund of merit and eloquence. The
+Papists are wholly disarmed. They have neither courage, leaders, money,
+or inclinations to rebel. They want every advantage which they formerly
+possessed, to follow that trade; and wherein, even with those
+advantages, they always miscarried. They appear very easy, and satisfied
+under that connivance which they enjoyed during the whole last reign;
+nor ever scrupled to reproach another party, under which they pretend to
+have suffered so much severity.
+
+Upon these considerations I must confess to have suspended much of my
+pity towards the great dreaders of Popery; many of whom appear to be
+hale, strong, active young men; who, as I am told, eat, drink, and sleep
+heartily; and are very cheerful (as they have exceeding good reason)
+upon all other subjects. However, I cannot too much commend the generous
+concern, which, our neighbours and others, who come from the same
+neighbourhood, are so kind to express for us upon this account; although
+the former be further removed from the dangers of Popery, by twenty
+leagues of salt water: But this, I fear, is a digression.
+
+When an artificial report was raised here many years ago, of an intended
+invasion by the Pretender, (which blew over after it had done its
+office) the Dissenters argued in their talk, and in their pamphlets,
+after this manner, applying themselves to those of the Church.
+"Gentlemen, if the Pretender had landed, as the law now standeth, we
+durst not assist you; and therefore, unless you take off the Test,
+whenever you shall happen to be invaded in earnest, if we are desired to
+take up arms in your defence, our answer shall be, Pray, gentlemen,
+fight your own battles,[1] we will lie by quietly; conquer your enemies
+by yourselves, if you can; we will not do your drudgery." This way of
+reasoning I have heard from several of their chiefs and abettors, in an
+hundred conversations; and have read it in twenty pamphlets: And, I am
+confident, it will be offered again, if the project should fail to take
+off the Test.
+
+[Footnote 1: See note, p. 40, referring to the poem:
+
+  "The Grunters' request
+  To take off the Test." [T.S.]]
+
+Upon which piece of oratory and reasoning I form the following query.
+Whether, in case of an invasion from the Pretender (which is not quite
+so probable as from the Grand Signior) the Dissenters can, with prudence
+and safety, offer the same plea; except they shall have made a previous
+stipulation with the invaders? And, Whether the full freedom of their
+religion and trade, their lives, properties, wives and children, are
+not, and have not always been reckoned sufficient motives for repelling
+invasions, especially in our sectaries, who call themselves the truest
+Protestants, by virtue of their pretended or real fierceness against
+Popery?
+
+Whether omitting or neglecting to celebrate the day of the martyrdom of
+the blessed King Charles the First, enjoined by Act of Parliament, can
+be justly reckoned a particular and distinguishing mark of good
+affection to the present government?
+
+Whether in those churches, where the said day is observed, it will fully
+answer the intent of the said Act; if the preacher shall commend,
+excuse, palliate, or extenuate the murder of that royal Martyr; and lay
+the guilt of that horrid rebellion, with all its consequences, the
+following usurpations, the entire destruction of the Church, the cruel
+and continual persecutions of those who could be discovered to profess
+its doctrines, with the ensuing Babel of fanaticism, to the account of
+that blessed King; who, by granting the Petition of Right, and passing
+every bill that could be asked for the security of the subject, had, by
+the confession even of those wicked men, before the war began, left them
+nothing more to demand?
+
+Whether such a preacher as I have named, (whereof there have been more
+than _one_ not many years past, even in the presence of viceroys) who
+takes that course as a means for promotion; may not be thought to step a
+little out of the common road, in a monarchy where the descendants of
+that most blessed Martyr have reigned to this day?
+
+I ground the reason of making these queries, on the title of the act; to
+which I refer the reader.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+THE ADVANTAGES
+
+PROPOSED BY REPEALING THE SACRAMENTAL
+
+TEST,
+
+IMPARTIALLY CONSIDERED.
+
+BY THE REV. DR. SWIFT, DEAN OF ST. PATRICK'S,
+
+Dublin, Printed; London, Re-printed for J. Roberts at the Oxford Arms in
+Warwick Lane. 1732. (Price Six-pence.)
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+The text here given is that of the London reprint of the original
+edition, which has been collated with that given by Faulkner (vol. iv.,
+1735). In 1790 the tract was reprinted by J. Walters, and it is
+evidently from this reprint that Scott obtained his text; for the two
+agree in almost every particular.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  THE ADVANTAGES PROPOSED BY REPEALING
+  THE SACRAMENTAL
+  TEST, IMPARTIALLY
+  CONSIDERED.
+
+Whoever writes impartially upon this subject, must do it not only as a
+mere secular man, but as one who is altogether indifferent to any
+particular system of Christianity. And, I think, in whatever country
+that religion predominates, there is one certain form of worship and
+ceremony, which is looked upon as the established, and consequently only
+the priests of that particular form, are maintained at the public
+charge, and all civil employments are bestowed among those who comply
+(at least outwardly) with the same establishment.
+
+This method is strictly observed, even by our neighbours the Dutch, who
+are confessed to allow the fullest liberty to conscience of any
+Christian state; and yet are never known to admit any persons into
+religious or civil offices, who do not conform to the legal worship. As
+to their military men, they are indeed not so scrupulous, being, by the
+nature of their government, under a necessity of hiring foreign troops
+of whatever religious denomination, upon every great emergency, and
+maintaining no small number in time of peace.
+
+This caution therefore of making one established faith, seems to be
+universal, and founded upon the strongest reasons; the mistaken, or
+affected zeal of obstinacy, and enthusiasm, having produced such a
+number of horrible, destructive events, throughout all Christendom. For,
+whoever begins to think the national worship is wrong, in any important
+article of practice or belief, will, if he be serious, naturally have a
+zeal to make as many proselytes as he can, and a nation may possibly
+have an hundred different sects with their leaders; every one of which
+hath an equal right to plead; they must "obey God rather than man," must
+"cry aloud and spare not," must "lift up their voice like a trumpet"
+
+This was the very case of England, during the fanatic times. And against
+all this, there seems to be no defence, but that of supporting one
+established form of doctrine and discipline; leaving the rest to a bare
+liberty of conscience, but without any maintenance or encouragement from
+the public.
+
+Wherever this national religion grows so corrupt, or is thought to do so
+by a very great majority of learned[1] people, joined to the governing
+party, whether prince or senate, or both, it ought to be changed,
+provided the work might be done without blood or tumults.[2] Yet,
+whenever such a change shall be made, some other establishment must
+succeed (although for the worse), allowing all deviations that would
+break the union to be only tolerated. In this sense, those who affirm,
+that every law, which is contrary to the law of God, is void in itself,
+seem to be mistaken. For, many laws in Popish kingdoms and states, many
+more among the Turks, and perhaps not a few in other countries, are
+directly against the divine laws; and yet, God knows, are very far from
+being void in the executive parts.
+
+[Footnote 1: Scott has "landed." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 2: Scott has "confusion." [T.S.]]
+
+Thus, for instance, if the three estates of Parliament in England
+(whereof the lords spiritual[3] are one) should agree, and obtain the
+royal assent to abolish Episcopacy, together with the liturgy, and the
+whole frame of the English church, as "burthensome, dangerous, and
+contrary to Holy Scripture"; and that Presbytery, Anabaptism, Quakerism,
+Independency,[4] or any other subdivided sect among us, should be
+established in its place; without question, all peaceable subjects ought
+passively to submit, and the predominant sect must become the religion
+established, the public maintaining no other teachers, nor admitting any
+persons of a different religious profession, into civil offices; at
+least, if their intention be to preserve the nation in peace.
+
+[Footnote 3: Scott inserts here the words: "who represent the Church."
+[T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 4: Scott inserts here "Muggletonianism, Brownism, Familism."
+[T.S.]]
+
+Supposing then, that the present system of religion were abolished; and
+Presbytery, which stands much the fairest, with its synods and classes,
+and all its forms and ceremonies, essential or circumstantial, were
+erected into the national worship: Their teachers, and no others, could
+have any legal claim to be supported at the public charge, whether by
+stipends or tithes; and only the rest of the same faith to be capable of
+civil employments.
+
+If there be any true reasoning in what I have laid down, it should seem,
+that the project now in agitation for repealing the Test Act, and yet
+leaving the name of an establishment to the present national church, is
+altogether inconsistent, and may admit of consequences, which those, who
+are the most indifferent to any religion at all, are possibly not aware
+of.
+
+I presume, whenever the Test shall be repealed, which obliges all men,
+who enter into office under the Crown, to receive the sacrament
+according to the rites of the Church of Ireland, the way to employments
+will immediately be left open to all dissenters, (except Papists) whose
+consciences can suffer them to take the common oaths in such cases
+prescribed, after which they are qualified to fill any lay station in
+this kingdom, from that of chief governor, to an exciseman.
+
+Thus of the three judges on each bench, the first may be a Presbyterian,
+the second a Free-will Baptist, and the third a Churchman; the Lord
+Chancellor may be an Independent; the revenues may be managed by seven
+commissioners of as many different sects; and the like of all other
+employments. Not to mention the strong probability, that the lawfulness
+of taking oaths may be _revealed_ to the Quakers, who then will stand
+upon as good a foot for preferment, as any other loyal subject. It is
+easy[5] to imagine, under such a motley administration of affairs, what
+a clashing there will be of interests and inclinations, what puttings
+and haulings backwards and forwards, what a zeal and bias in each
+religionist, to advance his own tribe, and depress the others. For, I
+suppose nothing will be readier granted, than that how indifferent
+soever most men are in faith and morals, yet whether out of artifice,
+natural complexion, or love of contradiction, none are more obstinate in
+maintaining their own opinions, and worrying all who differ from them,
+than those who publicly shew the least sense, either of religion or
+common honesty.
+
+[Footnote 5: Scott has "obvious." [T.S.]]
+
+As to the latter, Bishop Burnet tells us, that the Presbyterians, in the
+fanatic times, professed themselves to be above morality; which, as we
+find in some of their writings, was numbered among the "beggarly
+elements"; and accordingly at this day, no scruples of conscience with
+regard to conformity, are in any trade or calling, inconsistent with the
+greatest fraud, oppression, perjury, or any other vice.
+
+This brings to my memory a passage in Montaigne, of a common prostitute,
+who, in the storming of a town, when a soldier came up to her chamber,
+and offered violence to her chastity, rather chose to venture her neck,
+by leaping out of the window, than suffer a rape; yet still continued
+her trade of lewdness, whilst she had any customers left.[6]
+
+[Footnote 6: The passage referred to by Swift is to be found in the
+first chapter of the second book of Florio's translation of Montaigne's
+"Essays"--"Of the Inconstancie of our Actions." [T.S.]]
+
+I confess, that in my private judgment, an unlimited permission of all
+sects whatsoever (except Papists) to enjoy employments, would be less
+pernicious to the public, than a fair struggle between two contenders;
+because in the former case, such a jumble of principles, might possibly
+have the effect of contrary poisons mingled together, which a strong
+constitution might perhaps be able for some time to survive.
+
+But however, I shall take the other, and more probable supposition, that
+this battle for employments, is to be fought only between the
+Presbyterians, and those of the church _yet_ established. I shall not
+enter into the merits of either side, by examining which of the two is
+the better spiritual economy, or which is most suited to the civil
+constitution: But the question turns upon this point: When the
+Presbyterians shall have got their share of employments (which, must be
+one full half, or else they cannot look upon themselves as fairly dealt
+with) I ask, whether they ought not by their own principles, and by the
+strictest rules of conscience, to use the utmost of their skill, power,
+and influence, in order to reduce the whole kingdom to an uniformity in
+religion, both as to doctrine and discipline, most agreeable to the word
+of God. Wherein, if they can succeed without blood (as, under the
+present disposition of things, it is very possible they may) it is to be
+hoped they will at last be satisfied: Only I would warn them of a few
+difficulties. The first is for compromising that important controversy
+about the _Old Light_ and the _New_;[7] which otherwise may, after this
+establishment, split them as wide as Papist and Protestant, Whig and
+Tory, or Churchmen and Dissenters; and consequently the work will be to
+begin again. For in religious quarrels, it is of little moment how few
+or small the differences are, especially when the dispute is only about
+power. Thus the jealous Presbyterians of the north, are more alienated
+from the established clergy, than from the Romish priests; taxing the
+former with idolatrous worship, as disguised Papists, ceremony-mongers,
+and many other terms of arts, and this for a very powerful reason,
+because the clergy stand in their way, which the Popish priests do not.
+Thus I am assured, that the quarrel between _Old_ and _New Light men_,
+is managed with more rage and rancour, than any other dispute of the
+highest importance; and this because it serves to lessen or increase
+their several congregations, from whom they receive their contributions.
+
+[Footnote 7: See "The Correspondent," Nos. 1 and 2, 1733, and note
+prefixed to present reprint of "Narrative of Several Attempts for the
+Repeal of the Sacramental Test" [T.S.]]
+
+Another difficulty which may embarrass the Presbyterians after their
+establishment, will be how to adjust their claim of the kirk's
+independency on the civil power, with the constitution of this monarchy;
+a point so delicate, that it hath often filled the heads of great
+patriots with dangerous notions of the church-clergy, without the least
+ground of suspicion.
+
+As to the Presbyterians allowing liberty of conscience to those of
+Episcopal principles, when their own kirk is predominant, their writers
+are so universally agreed in the negative, as well as their practice
+during Oliver's reign, that I believe no reasonable Churchman, (who must
+then be a dissenter) will expect it.
+
+I shall here take notice, that in the division of employments among the
+Presbyterians, after this approaching repeal of the Test Act, supposing
+them, in proper time, to have an equal share, I compute the odds will be
+three or four to one on their side, in any further scheme they may have
+towards making their religion national. For I reckon, all those
+gentlemen sent over from England, whatever religion they profess, or
+have been educated in, to be of that party: Since it is no mark of
+prudence, for any persons to oppose the current of a nation, where they
+are in some sort only sojourners, unless they have it in direction.
+
+If there be any maxim in politics, not to be controlled, it must be the
+following: That those whose private interest is united with the interest
+of their country, supposing them to be of equal understanding with the
+rest of their neighbours, will heartily wish, that the nation should
+thrive. Out of these are indubitably excepted all persons who are sent
+from another kingdom, to be employed in places of profit or power;
+because they can possibly bear no affection to the place where they
+sojourn, even for life; their sole business being to advance themselves,
+by following the advice of their principals. I except, likewise, those
+persons who are taken into offices, although natives of the land,
+because they are greater gainers while they keep their offices, than
+they could possibly be by mending the miserable condition of their
+country.
+
+I except, Thirdly, all hopers, who, by balancing accounts with
+themselves, turn the scale on the same side; because the strong
+expectation of a good certain salary, will outweigh the loss by bad
+rents, received out of lands in moneyless times.
+
+If my lords, the bishops, who, I hear, are now employed in a scheme for
+regulating the conduct and maintenance of the inferior clergy, shall in
+their wisdom and piety, and love of the church, consent to this repeal
+of the Test, I have not the least doubt, that the whole reverend body
+will cheerfully submit to their spiritual fathers, of whose paternal
+tenderness for their welfare, they have already found so many amazing
+instances.
+
+I am not, therefore, under the least concern about the clergy on this
+account. They will (_for some time_) be no great sufferers by this
+repeal; because I cannot recollect among all our sects, any one that
+gives latitude enough to take the oaths required at an institution to a
+church-living; and, until that bar shall be removed, the present
+Episcopal clergy are safe for two years. Although it may be thought
+somewhat unequal, that in the northern parts, where there may be three
+Dissenters to one Churchman, the whole revenue should be engrossed by
+one who hath so small a part of the cure.
+
+It is true, indeed, that this disadvantage, which the Dissenters at
+present lie under, of a disability to receive church-preferments, will
+be easily remedied by the repeal of the Test. For the dissenting
+teachers are under no incapacity of accepting civil and military
+employments, wherein they agree perfectly with the Popish clergy, among
+whom great cardinals and prelates have been commanders of armies, chief
+ministers, knights of many orders, ambassadors, secretaries of state,
+and in most high offices under the Crown, although they assert the
+indelible character, which no sectaries among us did ever assume. But,
+that many, both Presbyterians and Independents, commanders, as well as
+private soldiers, were professed preachers in the time of their
+dominion, is allowed by all. Cromwell himself was a preacher, and hath
+left us one of his sermons in print[8]: So was Col. Howard, Sir George
+Downing,[9] and several others whose names are on record. I can,
+therefore, see no reason why a painful Presbyterian teacher, as soon as
+the Test shall be repealed, may not be privileged, to hold along with
+his spiritual office and stipend, a commission in the army, or the civil
+list _in commendam_: For, as I take it, the Church of England is the
+only body of Christians, which, in effect, disqualifies those who are
+employed to preach its doctrine, from sharing in the civil power,
+further than as senators; which, however, was an institution[10] begun
+in times of Popery, many hundred years before the Reformation, and woven
+with the very institution of this limited monarchy.
+
+[Footnote 8: Scott inserts here the words: "exactly in the same style
+and manner with those of our modern Presbyterian teachers." [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 9: Sir George Downing (1623?-1684) born in England, completed
+his education at Harvard, Mass., U.S.A. In 1650, we hear of him
+as scout-master general of Cromwell's army in Scotland. He wrote many of
+the letters in "Mercurius Politicus." Distinguished himself principally
+as Cromwell's ambassador in France and Holland. Through Thomas Howard,
+however, he obtained an opportunity while legate in Holland for the Rump
+Parliament, for ingratiating himself in Charles II.'s favour. This
+Howard was brother to the Earl of Suffolk. As a consequence of this
+favour, Downing was made a baronet at the Restoration; and although a
+man of undoubted ability, his character has come down to us by no means
+free from taint. Many of his despatches are quoted by Clarendon in that
+writer's great history. Downing also wrote: "A Reply to the Remarks of
+the Deputies of the States-General upon Sir G. Downing's Memorial,"
+1665,; and "Discourses vindicating his Royal Master from a Libel," 1672.
+[T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 10: Scott has, instead of "which, however, was an
+institution," the words, "yet this was a privilege." [T.S.]]
+
+There is indeed another method, by which the stipends of dissenting
+teachers may be raised, and the farmer much relieved; If it should be
+thought proper to reward a people so deserving, and so loyal by their
+principles. Every bishop, upon the vacancy of a church-living, can
+sequester the profits for the use of the next incumbent. Upon a lapse of
+half a year, the donation falls to the archbishop, and after a full year
+to the Crown, during pleasure; therefore it would be no hardship for any
+clergyman alive, if, in those parts of Ireland, where the number of
+sectaries much exceed that of the conformists, the profits, when
+sequestered, might be applied to the support of the dissenting teacher,
+who hath so many souls to take care of, whereby the poor tenants would
+be much relieved in these hard times, and in a better condition to pay
+their rents.
+
+But there is another difficulty in this matter, against which a remedy
+doth not so readily occur. For, supposing the Test Act repealed, and the
+Dissenters in consequence fully qualified for all secular employments,
+the question may still be put, whether those of Ireland will be often
+the persons on whom they shall be bestowed; because it is imagined,
+there may be another _seminary_[11] in view, _more numerous_ and _more
+needy_, as well as _more meriting_, and more easily contented with such
+low offices, as some nearer neighbours hardly think it worth stirring
+from their chimney-sides to obtain. And, I am told, it is the common
+practice of those who are skilled in the management of bees, that when
+they see a foreign swarm at some distance, approaching with an intention
+to plunder their hives, these artists have a trick to divert them into
+some neighbouring apiary, there to make what havoc they please. This I
+should not have hinted, if I had not known it already, to have gotten
+ground in many suspecting heads: For it is the peculiar talent of this
+nation, to see dangers afar off: To all which I can only say, that our
+native Presbyterians, must, by pains and industry, raise such a fund of
+_merit_, as will answer to a birth six degrees more to the north. If
+they cannot arrive at this perfection, as several of the established
+church have compassed by indefatigable pains, I do not well see how
+their affairs will much mend by repealing the Test; for, to be qualified
+by law for[12] an employment, and yet to be disqualified in fact, as it
+will much increase the mortification, so it will withdraw the pity of
+many among their well-wishers, and utterly deprive them of that merit,
+they have so long made of being a loyal, true Protestant people,
+persecuted only for religion.
+
+[Footnote 11: Scotland.]
+
+[Footnote 12: Scott has "to accept." [T.S.]]
+
+If this happen to be their case, they must wait maturity of time, till
+they can by prudent, gentle steps make their faith become the religion
+established in the nation, after which, I do not in the least doubt,
+their taking the most effectual methods to secure their power against
+those who must then be Dissenters in their turn, whereof, if we may form
+a future opinion from present times, and the disposition of Dissenters,
+who love to make a thorough reformation, the number and qualities will
+be very inconsiderable.
+
+Thus I have with the utmost sincerity, after long thinking, given my
+judgment upon this arduous affair; but with the utmost deference and
+submission to public wisdom and power.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+REASONS HUMBLY OFFERED TO THE
+
+PARLIAMENT OF IRELAND FOR
+
+REPEALING THE SACRAMENTAL
+
+TEST, &C.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+In the 4to edition of Swift's works (1755) is given the following note:
+
+"The author having before examined 'The Presbyterians' Plea of Merit'
+with respect to their own principles and practices, has in this tract
+put them in the balance against Papists."
+
+In a reprint of this tract in the second volume of "Political Tracts," 2
+vols. 8vo, 1738, London, is the following "Advertisement"--neither
+Scott, Faulkner, nor Hawkesworth give this. Probably it appeared in the
+first edition; but as I have not been able to come across this, I am not
+certain.
+
+"In the years 1732, and 1733, an attempt was made for repealing the Test
+Act in Ireland, introductory of a like attempt in England. The various
+arguments for it were answered in every shape; but no way more
+effectually than by examining what pretence the Presbyterians had to
+share in all the privileges of government, either from their own
+principles and behaviour, or compared with those of other sectaries.
+Under the former head they were fully silenced by our author in 'The
+Presbyterians' Plea of Merit Impartially Examined'. They are now put in
+the balance with Papists, whom though they have sometimes styled their
+brethren in adversity, yet when placed in competition, they will hate as
+brethren likewise. But let them here dispute the preference, and then put
+in their claim to be part of the establishment." "The arguments
+pretended to be urged by the Roman Catholics, in this tract," says Monck
+Mason, "consist partly of true statements and partly of ironical
+allusions, which are combined together into such a trellis work, as to
+render it almost unassailable."
+
+The text here given is that from the 4to edition (1755) of Swift's
+Works, collated with that in the second volume of "Political Tracts"
+above referred to.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+  REASONS
+  Humbly offered to the PARLIAMENT of IRELAND
+  _For Repealing the_
+  SACRAMENTAL TEST, &c.
+  IN FAVOUR OF
+  THE CATHOLICS,
+  OTHERWISE CALLED ROMAN CATHOLICS,
+  AND BY THEIR ILL-WISHERS PAPISTS.
+
+  Drawn partly from Arguments as they are
+  Catholics, and partly from Arguments
+  common to them with their Brethren the
+  Dissenters.
+
+  WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1733.
+
+
+It is well known, that the first conquerors of this kingdom were English
+Catholics, subjects to English Catholic kings, from whom, by their
+valour and success, they obtained large portions of land given them as a
+reward for their many victories over the Irish: To which merit our
+brethren the Dissenters of any denomination whatsoever, have not the
+least pretensions.
+
+It is confessed, that the posterity of those first victorious Catholics
+were often forced to rise in their own defence, against new colonies
+from England, who treated them like mere native Irish, with innumerable
+oppressions; depriving them of their lands, and driving them by force of
+arms into the most desolate parts of the kingdom. Till in the next
+generation, the children of these tyrants were used in the same manner
+by new English adventurers, which practice continued for many centuries.
+But it is agreed on all hands, that no insurrections were ever made,
+except after great oppressions by fresh invaders. Whereas all the
+rebellions of Puritans, Presbyterians, Independents, and other
+sectaries, constantly began before any provocations were given, except
+that they were not suffered to change the government in Church and
+State, and seize both into their own hands; which, however, at last they
+did, with the murder of their King and of many thousands of his best
+subjects.
+
+The Catholics were always defenders of monarchy, as constituted in these
+kingdoms. Whereas our brethren the Dissenters were always republicans,
+both in principle and practice. It is well known that all the Catholics
+of these kingdoms, both priests and laity, are true Whigs in the best
+and most proper sense of the word; bearing as well in their hearts, as
+in their outward profession, an entire loyalty to the royal house of
+Hanover in the person and posterity of George II. against the Pretender
+and all his adherents. To which they think themselves bound in gratitude
+as well as conscience, by the lenity wherewith they have been treated
+since the death of Queen Anne, so different from what they suffered in
+the four last years of that Princess, during the administration of that
+_wicked_ minister, the Earl of Oxford.
+
+The Catholics of this kingdom humbly hope, that they have at least as
+fair a title as any of their brother Dissenters, to the appelation of
+Protestants. They have always protested against the selling, dethroning,
+or murdering their Kings: Against the usurpations and avarice of the
+court of Rome: Against Deism, Atheism, Socinianism, Quakerism,
+Muggletonianism, Fanaticism, Brownism, as well as against all Jews,
+Turks, Infidels, and Heretics. Whereas the title of Protestants assumed
+by the whole herd of Dissenters (except ourselves) dependeth entirely
+upon their protesting against archbishops, bishops, deans, and chapters,
+with their revenues; and the whole hierarchy. Which are the very
+expressions used in The Solemn League and Covenant,[1] where the word
+Popery is only mentioned _ad invidiam_; because the Catholics agree with
+the Episcopal church in those fundamentals.
+
+[Footnote 1:   A solemn league and covenant entered into between the
+Scots and English fanatics, in the rebellion against King Charles I.,
+1643, by which they solemnly engaged, among other things, "To endeavour
+the extirpation of prelacy, that is, church government by archbishops,
+bishops, deans, archdeacons, and all other episcopal officers,
+depending on that hierarchy." [H.]]
+
+Although the Catholics cannot deny, that in the great rebellion against
+King Charles I. more soldiers of their religion were in the Parliament
+army than in His Majesty's troops; and that many Jesuits and friars went
+about in the disguise of Presbyterian and Independent ministers, to
+preach up rebellion; as the best historians of those times inform us;
+yet the bulk of Catholics in both kingdoms preserved their loyalty
+entire.
+
+The Catholics have some reason to think it a little hard, when their
+enemies will not please to distinguish between the rebellious riot
+committed by that brutal ruffian, Sir Phelim O'Neal[2] with his
+tumultuous crew of rabble; and the forces raised afterwards by the
+Catholic lords and gentlemen of the English pale, in defence of the King
+after the English rebellion began. It is well known, that His Majesty's
+affairs were in great distraction some time before, by an invasion of
+the covenanting, Scottish, kirk rebels, and by the base terms the King
+was forced to accept, that they might be kept in quiet, at a juncture
+when he was every hour threatened at home by that fanatic party, which
+soon after set all in a flame. And, if the Catholic army in Ireland
+fought for their King against the forces sent over by the Parliament,
+then in actual rebellion against him, what person of loyal principles
+can be so partial to deny, that they did their duty, by joining with the
+Marquis of Ormonde, and other commanders, who bore their commissions
+from the King? For which, great numbers of them lost their lives, and
+forfeited their estates; a great part of the latter being now possessed
+by many descendants from those very men who had drawn their swords in
+the service of that rebellious Parliament which cut off his head, and
+destroyed monarchy. And what is more amazing, although the same persons,
+when the Irish were entirely subdued, continued in power under the Rump;
+were chief confidants, and faithful subjects to Cromwell, yet being wise
+enough to foresee a restoration, they seized the forts and castles here,
+out of the hands of their old brethren in rebellion, for the service of
+the King; just saving the tide, and putting in a stock of merit,
+sufficient not only to preserve the lands which the Catholics lost by
+their loyalty; but likewise to preserve their civil and military
+employments, or be higher advanced.
+
+[Footnote 2: Sir Phelim O'Neill (1604?-1683) one of the most
+picturesque characters of Irish history. For his share in the rebellion
+of 1641 he was expelled from the Irish House of Commons. The rebellion
+was an attempt to assist Charles as against the Parliament, and O'Neill
+forged a commission, purporting to come from the King, authorizing the
+Irish to rise in his favour. The Scottish settlers in Ulster, on whom
+O'Neill relied for aid disappointed him, and he thereupon set to work to
+reduce all their towns. The famous siege of Drogheda was one of the many
+incidents of his campaign. He joined forces with his kinsman, Owen Roe
+O'Neill, but a jealous difference on his part urged Sir Phelim to
+support Ormonde, in 1640, in that general's endeavours for a peace. Sir
+Phelim, however, was not included in the benefit of the Articles of
+Kilkenny, and a price was placed on his head. He was betrayed by Philip
+Roe McHugh O'Neill, brought to Dublin, and executed as a traitor.
+[T.S.]]
+
+Those insurrections wherewith the Catholics are charged from the
+beginning of the seventeenth century to the great English rebellion,
+were occasioned by many oppressions they lay under. They had no
+intention to introduce a new religion, but to enjoy the liberty of
+preserving the old; the very same which their ancestors professed from
+the time that Christianity was first introduced into this island, which
+was by Catholics; but whether mingled with corruptions, as some pretend,
+doth not belong to the question. They had no design to change the
+government; they never attempted to fight against, to imprison, to
+betray, to sell, to bring to a trial, or to murder their King. The
+schismatics acted by a spirit directly contrary; they united in a Solemn
+League and Covenant, to alter the whole system of spiritual government,
+established in all Christian nations, and of apostolic institution;
+concluding the tragedy with the murder of the King in cold blood, and
+upon mature deliberation; at the same time changing the monarchy into a
+commonwealth.
+
+The Catholics of Ireland, in the great rebellion, lost their estates for
+fighting in defence of their King. The schismatics, who cut off the
+father's head, forced the son to fly for his life, and overturned the
+whole ancient frame of government, religious and civil; obtained grants
+of those very estates which the Catholics lost in defence of the ancient
+constitution, many of which estates are at this day possessed by the
+posterity of those schismatics: And thus, they gained by their rebellion
+what the Catholics lost by their loyalty.[3]
+
+[Footnote 3: This paragraph is omitted in edition of 1743, but it is
+printed in that of 1755. [T.S.]]
+
+We allow the Catholics to be brethren of the Dissenters; some people,
+indeed, (which we cannot allow) would have them to be our children,
+because _we_ both dissent from the Church established, and both agree in
+abolishing this persecuting Sacramental Test; by which negative
+discouragement we are both rendered incapable of civil and military
+employments. However, we cannot but wonder at the bold familiarity of
+these schismatics, in calling the members of the National Church their
+brethren and fellow Protestants. It is true, that all these sects
+(except the Catholics) are brethren to each other in faction, ignorance,
+iniquity, perverseness, pride, and (if we except the Quakers) in
+rebellion. But, how the churchmen can be styled their fellow
+Protestants, we cannot comprehend. Because, when the whole Babel of
+sectaries joined against the Church, the King, and the nobility for
+twenty years, in a match at football; where the proverb expressly tells
+us, that _all are fellows_; while the three kingdoms were tossed to and
+fro, the churches, and cities, and royal palaces shattered to pieces by
+their balls, their buffets, and their kicks; the victors would allow no
+more _fellows at football_: But murdered, sequestered, plundered,
+deprived, banished to the plantations, or enslaved all their opposers
+who had lost the game.
+
+It is said the world is governed by opinion; and politicians assure us,
+that all power is founded thereupon. Wherefore, as all human creatures
+are fond to distraction of their own opinions; and so much the more, as
+those opinions are absurd, ridiculous, or of little moment; it must
+follow, that they are equally fond of power. But no opinions are
+maintained with so much obstinacy as those in religion, especially by
+such zealots who never bore the least regard to religion, conscience,
+honour, justice, truth, mercy, or common morality, farther than in
+outward appearance; under the mask of hypocrisy, to promote their
+diabolical designs. And therefore Bishop Burnet, one of their oracles,
+tells us honestly, that the _saints_ of those fanatic times, pronounced
+themselves above morality; which they reckoned among "beggarly
+elements"; but the meaning of those two last words thus applied, we
+confess to be above our understanding.
+
+Among those kingdoms and states which first embraced the Reformation,
+England appears to have received it in the most regular way; where it
+was introduced in a peaceable manner, by the supreme power of a King,[4]
+and the three estates in Parliament; to which, as the highest
+legislative authority, all subjects are bound passively to submit.
+Neither was there much blood shed on so great a change of religion. But
+a considerable number of lords, and other persons of quality through the
+kingdom still continued in their old faith, and were, notwithstanding
+their difference in religion, employed in offices civil as well as
+military, more or less in every reign, until the Test Act in the time of
+King Charles II. However, from the time of the Reformation, the number
+of Catholics gradually and considerably lessened. So that in the reign
+of King Charles I. England became, in a great degree, a Protestant
+Kingdom, without taking the sectaries into the number; the legality
+whereof, with respect to human laws, the Catholics never disputed: But
+the Puritans, and other schismatics, without the least pretence to any
+such authority, by an open rebellion, destroyed that legal Reformation,
+as we observed before, murdered their King, and changed the monarchy
+into a republic. It is therefore not to be wondered at, if the
+Catholics, in such a Babel of religions, chose to adhere to their own
+faith left to them by their ancestors, rather than seek for a better
+among a rabble of hypocritical, rebellious, deluding knaves, or deluded
+enthusiasts.
+
+[Footnote 4: Henry VIII [H.]]
+
+We repeat once more, that if a national religion be changed by the
+supreme legislative power, we cannot dispute the human legality of such
+a change. But we humbly conceive, that if any considerable party of men
+which differs from an establishment, either old or new, can deserve
+liberty of conscience, it ought to consist of those who for want of
+conviction, or of a right understanding the merits of each cause,
+conceive themselves bound in conscience to adhere to the religion of
+their ancestors; because they are of all others least likely to be
+authors of innovations, either in Church or State.
+
+On t'other side; If the reformation of religion be founded upon
+rebellion against the King, without whose consent, by the nature of our
+constitution, no law can pass. If this reformation be introduced by only
+one of the three estates, I mean the Commons, and not by one half even
+of those Commons; and this by the assistance of a rebellious army:
+Again, if this reformation were carried on by the exclusion of nobles
+both lay and spiritual (who constitute the two other parts of the three
+estates) by the murder of their King, and by abolishing the whole system
+of government; the Catholics cannot see why the successors of those
+schismatics, who are universally accused by all parties except
+themselves, and a few infamous abettors, for still retaining the same
+principles in religion and government, under which their predecessors
+acted; should pretend to a better share of civil or military trust,
+profit and power than the Catholics, who during all that period of
+twenty years, were continually persecuted with utmost severity, merely
+on account of their loyalty and constant adherence to kingly power.
+
+We now come to those arguments for repealing the Sacramental Test, which
+equally affect the Catholics, and their brethren the Dissenters.
+
+_First_, We agree with our fellow Dissenters; that "persecution merely
+for conscience' sake, is against the genius of the Gospel."[5] And so
+likewise is "any law for depriving men of their natural and civil rights
+which they claim as men." We are also ready enough to allow that "the
+smallest negative discouragements for uniformity's sake are so many
+persecutions." Because, it cannot be denied, that the scratch of a pin
+is in some degree a real wound, as much as a stab through the heart. In
+like manner, an incapacity by law for any man to be made a judge, a
+colonel, or justice of the peace, "merely on a point of conscience, is a
+negative discouragement," and consequently a real persecution: For, in
+this case, the author of the pamphlet quoted in the margin[6] puts a
+very pertinent and powerful question: That, "If God be the sole lord of
+the conscience, why should the rights of conscience be subject to human
+jurisdiction?" Now to apply this to the Catholics: The belief of
+transubstantiation "is a matter purely of religion and conscience, which
+doth not affect the political interest of society as such. Therefore,
+Why should the rights of conscience, whereof God is the sole lord, be
+subject to human jurisdiction?" And why should God be deprived of this
+right over a Catholic's conscience any more than over that of any other
+Dissenter?
+
+[Footnote 5: _Vid_. Reasons for the Repeal of the Sacramental Test.
+[Note in edit. 1738.]]
+
+[Footnote 6: _Idem_.]
+
+And whereas another author among our brethren the Dissenters, hath very
+justly complained, that by this persecuting Test Act, great numbers of
+true Protestants have been forced to leave the kingdom, and fly to the
+plantations, rather than stay here branded with an incapacity for civil
+and military employments; we do affirm, that the Catholics can bring
+many more instances of the same kind; some thousands of their religion
+have been forced by the Sacramental Test, to retire into other
+countries, rather than live here under the incapacity of wearing swords,
+sitting in Parliament, and getting that share of power and profit which
+belongs to them as fellow Christians, whereof they are deprived "merely
+upon account of conscience, which would not allow them to take the
+sacrament after the manner prescribed in the liturgy." Hence it clearly
+follows in the words of the same author,[7] "That if we Catholics are
+uncapable of employments, we are punished for our dissent, that is, for
+our conscience, which wholly turns upon political considerations."
+
+[Footnote 7: See "Reasons against the Test." [Note in edit. 1738.]]
+
+The Catholics are willing to acknowledge the King's supremacy, whenever
+their brethren the Dissenters shall please to shew them the example.
+
+Further, The Catholics, whenever their religion shall come to be the
+national established faith, are willing to undergo the same test offered
+by the author already quoted. His words are these: "To end this debate,
+by putting it upon a foot which I hope will appear to every impartial
+person a fair and equitable one; We Catholics propose, with submission
+to the proper judges, that effectual security be taken against
+persecution, by obliging all who are admitted into places of power and
+trust, whatever their religious profession be, in the most solemn manner
+to disclaim persecuting principles." It is hoped the public will take
+notice of these words; "Whatever their religious profession be;" which
+plainly include the Catholics; and for which we return thanks to our
+dissenting brethren.
+
+And, whereas it is objected by those of the established Church, that if
+the schismatics and fanatics were once put into a capacity of possessing
+civil and military employments; they would never be at ease till they
+had raised their own way of worship into the national religion through
+all His Majesty's dominions, equal with the true orthodox Scottish kirk;
+which when they had once brought to pass, they would no more allow
+liberty of conscience to Episcopal Dissenters, than they did in the time
+of the great English rebellion, and in the succeeding fanatic anarchy
+till the King was restored. There is another very learned schismatical
+pamphleteer,[8] who in answer to a malignant libel, called, _The
+Presbyterians' Plea of Merit, &c_., clearly wipes off this aspersion; by
+assuring all Episcopal Protestants of the present Church, upon his own
+word, and to his own knowledge, that our brethren the Dissenters will
+never offer at such an attempt. In like manner, the Catholics when
+legally required, will openly declare upon their words and honours,
+that, as soon as their negative discouragements and their persecution
+shall be removed by repealing the Sacramental Test, they will leave it
+entirely to the merits of the cause, whether the kingdom shall think fit
+to make their faith the established religion or not.
+
+[Footnote 8: "Vindication of the Protestant Dissenters." This pamphlet
+has been mentioned in the note prefixed to "The Presbyterians' Plea of
+Merit." It was written as a reply to that tract, and to the
+"Narrative."[T.S.]]
+
+And again, Whereas our Presbyterian brethren in many of their pamphlets,
+take much offence, that the great rebellion in England, the murder of
+the King, with the entire change of religion and government, are
+perpetually objected against them both in and out of season, by our
+common enemy, the present conformists: We do declare in the defence of
+our said brethren, that the reproach aforesaid is _an old worn-out
+threadbare cant_, which they always disdained to answer: And I very well
+remember, that, having once told a certain conformist, how much I
+wondered to hear him and his tribe, dwelling perpetually on so beaten a
+subject; he was pleased to divert the discourse with a foolish story,
+which I cannot forbear telling to his disgrace. He said, there was a
+clergyman in Yorkshire, who for fifteen years together preached every
+Sunday against drunkenness: Whereat the parishioners being much
+offended, complained to the archbishop; who having sent for the
+clergyman, and severely reprimanded him, the minister had no better an
+answer, than by confessing the fact; adding, that all the parish were
+drunkards; that he desired to reclaim them from one vice before he would
+begin upon another; and, since they still continued to be as great
+drunkards as before, he resolved to go on, except his Grace would please
+to forbid him.
+
+We are very sensible how heavy an accusation lieth upon the Catholics of
+Ireland; that some years before King Charles II. was restored, when
+theirs and the King's forces were entirely reduced, and the kingdom
+declared by the Rump to be settled; after all His Majesty's generals
+were forced to fly to France, or other countries, the heads of the said
+Catholics who remained here in an enslaved condition, joined to send an
+invitation to the Duke of Lorrain; engaging, upon his appearing here
+with his forces, to deliver up the whole island to his power, and
+declare him their sovereign; which, after the Restoration, was proved
+against them by Dean Boyle, since primate, who produced the very
+original instrument at the board. The Catholics freely acknowledge the
+fact to be true; and, at the same time appeal to all the world, whether
+a wiser, a better, a more honourable, or a more justifiable project
+could have been thought of. They were then reduced to slavery and
+beggary by the English rebels, many thousands of them murdered, the rest
+deprived of their estates, and driven to live on a small pittance in the
+wilds of Connaught; at a time when either the Rump or Cromwell
+absolutely governed the three kingdoms. And the question will turn upon
+this, Whether the Catholics, deprived of all their possessions, governed
+with a rod of iron, and in utter despair of ever seeing the monarchy
+restored, for the preservation of which they had suffered so much, were
+to be blamed for calling in a foreign prince of their own religion, who
+had a considerable army to support them; rather than submit to so
+infamous an usurper as Cromwell, or such a bloody and ignominious
+conventicle as the Rump. And I have often heard, not only our friends
+the Dissenters, but even our common enemy the Conformists, who are
+conversant in the history of those times, freely confess, that
+considering the miserable situation the Irish were then in, they could
+not have thought of a braver or more virtuous attempt; by which they
+might have been instruments of restoring the lawful monarch, at least to
+the recovery of England and Scotland, from those betrayers, and sellers,
+and murderers of his royal father.
+
+To conclude, Whereas the last quoted author complains very heavily and
+frequently of a _brand_ that lies upon them, it is a great mistake: For
+the first original brand hath been long taken off. Only we confess, the
+scar will probably remain and be visible for ever to those who know the
+principles by which they acted, and until those principles shall be
+openly renounced; else it must continue to all generations, like the
+mark set upon Cain, which some authors say descended to all his
+posterity: Or like the Roman nose and Austrian lip, or like the long bag
+of flesh hanging down from the gills of the people in Piedmont. But as
+for any brands fixed on schismatics for several years past, they have
+been all made with cold iron; like thieves, who by the benefit of the
+clergy are condemned to be only burned in the hand; but escape the pain
+and the mark, by being in fee with the jailor. Which advantage the
+schismatical teachers will never want, who, as we are assured, and of
+which there is a very fresh instance, have the souls, and bodies, and
+purses of the people a hundred times more at their mercy, than the
+Catholic priests could ever pretend to.
+
+Therefore, upon the whole, the Catholics do humbly petition (without the
+least insinuation of threatening) that upon this favourable juncture
+their incapacity for civil and military employments may be wholly taken
+off, for the very same reasons (besides others more cogent) that are now
+offered by their brethren the Dissenters.
+
+_And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c_.[9]
+
+Dublin, Nov. 1733.
+
+[Footnote 9: In this controversy the author was again victorious, for
+the Test was not repealed. [H.]]
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+SOME FEW THOUGHTS
+
+CONCERNING THE REPEAL OF THE TEST.[1]
+
+
+[Footnote 1: The text is that of the quarto edition (1765) of Swift's
+Works. [T.S.]]
+
+Those of either side who have written upon this subject of the Test, in
+making or answering objections, seem to fail by not pressing
+sufficiently the chief point upon which the controversy turns. The
+arguments used by those who write for the Church are very good in their
+kind, but will have little force under the present corruptions of
+mankind, because the authors treat this subject _tanquam in republica,
+Platonis, et non in faece Romuli_.
+
+It must be confessed, that, considering how few employments of any
+consequence fall to the share of those English who are born in this
+kingdom, and those few very dearly purchased, at the expense of
+conscience, liberty, and all regard for the public good, they are not
+worth contending for: And, if nothing but profit were in the case, it
+would hardly cost me one sigh when I should see those few scraps thrown
+among every species of fanatics, to scuffle for among themselves.
+
+And this will infallibly be the case, after repealing the Test.
+
+For, every subdivision of sect will, with equal justice, pretend to have
+a share; and, as it is usual with sharers, will never think they have
+enough, while any pretender is left unprovided. I shall not except the
+Quakers; because, when the passage is once let open for all sects to
+partake in public emoluments, it is very probable the lawfulness of
+taking oaths, and wearing carnal weapons,[2] may be revealed to the
+brotherhood; which thought, I confess, was first put into my head by one
+of the shrewdest Quakers in this kingdom.[3]
+
+[Footnote 2:  The Quakers were more likely to admit this relaxation of
+their peculiar tenets, as, upon their first appearance as a sect, they
+did not by any means profess the principle of non-resistance, which they
+afterwards adopted. [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 3: The Quaker hinted at by Dr. Swift was Mr. George Rooke, a
+linen-draper. In a letter to Mr. Pope, Aug. 30, 1716, Dr. Swift says,
+"There is a young ingenious Quaker in this town, who writes verses to
+his mistress, not very correct, but in a strain purely what a poetical
+Quaker should do, commending her look and habit, &c. It gave me a hint,
+that a set of Quaker pastorals might succeed, if our friend Gay would
+fancy it; and I think it a fruitful subject: pray hear what he
+says."--Accordingly Gay wrote "The Espousal, a sober Eclogue, between
+two of the People called Quakers." [S.]]
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+TEN REASONS FOR REPEALING
+
+THE TEST ACT.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: "This Tract is from a rare broadside copy. It appears to be
+written by the Dean, and the arguments correspond with those he uses
+elsewhere"  So says Scott; but Monck Mason considers this tract no more
+the work of Swift than several others he mentions. See note prefixed to
+"The Presbyterians' Plea of Merit." [T.S.]]
+
+
+I.
+
+Because the Presbyterians are people of such great interest in this
+kingdom, that there are not above ten of their persuasion in the House
+of Commons, and but one in the House of Lords; though they are not
+obliged to take the sacrament in the Established Church to qualify them
+to be members of either House.
+
+2. Because those of the Established Church of this kingdom are so
+disaffected to the King, that not one of them worth mentioning, except
+the late Duke of Ormond,[2] has been concerned in the rebellion; and
+that our Parliament, though there be so few Presbyterians, has, upon all
+occasions, proved its loyalty to King George, and has readily agreed to
+and enacted what might support his government.
+
+[Footnote 2: James Butler, Duke of Ormond (1610-1688), was
+lieutenant-general of the army of Ireland during the rebellion of 1641.
+After his defeat of General Preston, in 1643, he was appointed
+Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; but retired to France on the fall of the
+Stuart dynasty. The execution of Charles caused Ormond to land again in
+Ireland for the purpose of rousing that country in favour of the royal
+cause; but he forsook it on the landing of Cromwell. At the Restoration
+he came over with Charles, and was raised, for his services, to the
+dukedom. He was, however, deprived of his lord-lieutenancy for his
+friendship for the exiled Clarendon. He had a narrow escape for his life
+from the plots of Colonel Blood, whom he forgave at the request of the
+King. In 1682 he was rewarded by being promoted to an English dukedom.
+[T.S.]]
+
+3. Because very few of the Presbyterians have lost an employment worth
+L20 per annum, for not qualifying themselves according to the Test Act;
+nor will they accept of a militia commission, though they do of one in
+the army.
+
+4. Because, if they are not in the militia and other places of trust,
+the Pretender and his adherents will destroy us; when he has no one to
+support him but the King of Spain; when King George is at a good
+understanding with Sweden, Prussia, and Denmark; and when he has made
+the best alliances in Christendom. When the Emperor, King of Great
+Britain, the French King, the King of Sardinia, are all in the quadruple
+alliance against the Spaniard, his upstart cardinal,[3] and the
+Pretender; when bloody plots against Great Britain and France are blown
+up; when the Spanish fleet is quite dispersed; when the French army is
+overrunning Spain; and when the rebels in Scotland are cut off.
+
+[Footnote 3: Cardinal Julius Alberoni (1664-1752), born at Parma,
+obtained the favour, when a humble parish priest, of the Duke of
+Vendome, by informing that general of the whereabouts of some corn, which
+the country folk had hidden. He followed the Duke to Spain, and
+was successful in bringing about the marriage between the Princess of
+Parma and Philip V. For this service he was made Prime Minister of
+Spain, a cardinal, and Archbishop of Valencia. He entered heartily into
+Philip's designs for recovering Spain's lost territory, and showed
+even more boldness than his royal master in their execution. His
+reduction of Sardinia precipitated the alliance between England, France,
+Holland, and afterwards, Austria. Spain, with Alberoni as its guiding
+spirit, supported the Jacobite cause to harass England, and conquered
+Sicily. But at Messina the Spanish fleet was destroyed by the English,
+and in the north of Spain the forces of Philip were repulsed by the
+French. In the end, Spain gave way, and Alberoni was dismissed to retire
+to Rome, and to be safely lodged in the Jesuits' College there. On his
+release he returned to his native town, but died at Rome. [T.S.]]
+
+5. The test clause should be repealed, because it is a defence against
+the reformation the Presbyterians long since promised the churches of
+England and Ireland, viz. "We, noblemen, barons, knights, gentlemen,
+citizens, burgesses, ministers of the Gospel, commons of all sorts in
+the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, &c.[4] each one of us
+for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear,
+first, That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the
+grace of God, endeavour, in our several places and callings, the
+preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in
+doctrine, worship, discipline, and government. Secondly, That we shall
+in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of
+Popery, Prelacy; that is, church-government by archbishops, their
+chancellors, and commissaries, deans, deacons, and chapters,
+archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical officers depending on that
+hierarchy."
+
+[Footnote 4: _Vide_ "Confession of Faith," pp. 304, 305.]
+
+6. Because the Presbyterian Church-Government may be independent of the
+state. The Lord Jesus is King and Head of his Church;[5] hath therein
+appointed a government in the hands of church-officers, distinct from
+the civil magistrate. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of
+ministers to consult and advise with about matters of religion; so, if
+magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ of
+themselves, by virtue of their office, or they with other fit persons,
+upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such
+assemblies.[6]
+
+[Footnote 5: "Confession of Faith," p. 87.]
+
+[Footnote 6: _Ibid_., pp. 88, 89.]
+
+7. Because they have not the free use of their religion, when they
+disdain a toleration.
+
+8. Because they have so much charity for Episcopacy, as to account it
+iniquitous. The address of the General Assembly to the Duke of
+Queensbury in the late reign says, that to tolerate the Episcopal clergy
+in Scotland would be to establish iniquity by a law.
+
+9. Because repealing the test clause will probably disoblige ten of his
+Majesty's good subjects, for one it can oblige.
+
+10. Because, if the test clause be repealed, the Presbyterians may with
+the better grace get into employments, and the easier worm out those of
+the Established Church.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+SERMONS.
+
+
+The following Form of Prayer, which Dr. Swift constantly used in the
+pulpit before his sermon, is copied from his own handwriting:
+
+"Almighty and most merciful God! forgive us all our sins. Give us grace
+heartily to repent them, and to lead new lives. Graft in our hearts a
+true love and veneration for thy holy name and word. Make thy pastors
+burning and shining lights, able to convince gainsayers, and to save
+others and themselves. Bless this congregation here met together in thy
+name; grant them to hear and receive thy holy word, to the salvation of
+their own souls. Lastly, we desire to return thee praise and
+thanksgiving for all thy mercies bestowed upon us; but chiefly for the
+Fountain of them all, Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name and words we
+further call upon thee, saying, 'Our Father,' &c."
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+These twelve sermons are what have been handed down to us of a bundle of
+thirty-five which Swift, some years before his death, gave to Dr.
+Sheridan. Swift had no great opinion of them himself, if we may judge
+from what he said to his friend when he offered him the bundle. "You may
+have them if you please; they may be of use to you, they never were of
+any to me." There is not much in any of them of that quality which
+characterizes the average sermon. For the artifices of rhetoric which
+are usually employed to move hearers Swift had no small contempt. He
+aimed to convince the mind by plain statements of common-sense views. He
+had no faith in a conviction brought about under the stress of emotional
+excitement. His sermons exactly answer to the advice he gave a young
+clergyman--"First tell the people what is their duty, and then convince
+them that it is so." In the note to his reprint of these sermons Sir
+Walter Scott has very admirably summed up their qualities.
+
+"The Sermons of Swift," says Scott, "have none of that thunder which
+appals, or that resistless and winning softness which melts, the hearts
+of an audience. He can never have enjoyed the triumph of uniting
+hundreds in one ardent sentiment of love, of terror, or of devotion. His
+reasoning, however powerful, and indeed unanswerable, convinces the
+understanding, but is never addressed to the heart; and, indeed, from his
+instructions to a young clergyman, he seems hardly to have considered
+pathos as a legitimate ingredient in an English sermon. Occasionally,
+too, Swift's misanthropic habits break out even from the pulpit; nor is
+he altogether able to suppress his disdain of those fellow mortals, on
+whose behalf was accomplished the great work of redemption. With such
+unamiable feelings towards his hearers, the preacher might indeed
+command their respect, but could never excite their sympathy. It may be
+feared that his Sermons were less popular from another cause, imputable
+more to the congregation than to the pastor. Swift spared not the vices
+of rich or poor; and, disdaining to amuse the imaginations of his
+audience with discussion of dark points of divinity, or warm them by a
+flow of sentimental devotion, he rushes at once to the point of moral
+depravity, and upbraids them with their favourite and predominant vices
+in a tone of stern reproof, bordering upon reproach. In short, he tears
+the bandages from their wounds, like the hasty surgeon of a crowded
+hospital, and applies the incision knife and caustic with salutary, but
+rough and untamed severity. But, alas! the mind must be already
+victorious over the worst of its evil propensities, that can profit by
+this harsh medicine. There is a principle of opposition in our nature,
+which mans itself with obstinacy even against avowed truth, when it
+approaches our feelings in a harsh and insulting manner. And Swift was
+probably sensible, that his discourses, owing to these various causes,
+did not produce the powerful effects most grateful to the feelings of
+the preacher, because they reflect back to him those of the audience.
+
+"But although the Sermons of Swift are deficient in eloquence, and were
+lightly esteemed by their author, they must not be undervalued by the
+modern reader. They exhibit, in an eminent degree, that powerful grasp
+of intellect which distinguished the author above all his
+contemporaries. In no religious discourses can be found more sound good
+sense, more happy and forcible views of the immediate subject. The
+reasoning is not only irresistible, but managed in a mode so simple
+and clear, that its force is obvious to the most ordinary capacity. Upon
+all subjects of morality, the preacher maintains the character of a rigid
+and inflexible monitor; neither admitting apology for that which is
+wrong, nor softening the difficulty of adhering to that which is right; a
+stern stoicism of doctrine, that may fail in finding many converts, but
+leads to excellence in the few manly minds who dare to embrace it. In
+treating the doctrinal points of belief, (as in his Sermon upon the
+Trinity,) Swift systematically refuses to quit the high and pre-eminent
+ground which the defender of Christianity is entitled to occupy, or to
+submit to the test of human reason, mysteries which are placed, by their
+very nature, far beyond our finite capacities. Swift considered, that, in
+religion, as in profane science, there must be certain ultimate laws
+which are to be received as fundamental truths, although we are
+incapable of defining or analysing their nature; and he censures those
+divines, who, in presumptuous confidence of their own logical
+powers, enter into controversy upon such mysteries of faith, without
+considering that they give thereby the most undue advantage to the
+infidel. Our author wisely and consistently declared reason an
+incompetent judge of doctrines, of which God had declared the fact,
+concealing from man the manner. He contended, that he who, upon the
+whole, receives the Christian religion as of divine inspiration, must be
+contented to depend upon God's truth, and his holy word, and receive
+with humble faith the mysteries which are too high for comprehension.
+Above all, Swift points out, with his usual forcible precision, the
+mischievous tendency of those investigations which, while they assail
+one fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion, shake and endanger
+the whole fabric, destroy the settled faith of thousands, pervert and
+mislead the genius of the learned and acute, destroy and confound the
+religious principles of the simple and ignorant."
+
+In 1744, Faulkner printed three sermons as a single volume; these were
+"On Mutual Subjection," "On Conscience," and "On the Trinity." The other
+sermons appeared in the various editions issued by Nichols and others.
+The text here given is that of the volume of 1744, of Hawkesworth and
+Scott.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+
+
+
+ON MUTUAL SUBJECTION.
+
+
+I PETER, V. 5.
+
+"--Yea, all of you be subject one to another."
+
+
+The Apostle having in many parts of this epistle given directions to
+Christians concerning the duty of subjection or obedience to superiors;
+in the several instances of the subject to his prince, the child to his
+parent, the servant to his master, the wife to her husband, and the
+younger to the elder; doth here, in the words of my text, sum up the
+whole, by advancing a point of doctrine, which at first may appear a
+little extraordinary: "Yea, all of you," saith he, "be subject one to
+another." For it should seem, that two persons cannot properly be said
+to be subject to each other, and that subjection is only due from
+inferiors to those above them: yet St Paul hath several passages to the
+same purpose. For he exhorts the Romans, "in honour to prefer one
+another:"[1] and the Philippians, "that in lowliness of mind they should
+each esteem other better than themselves;"[2] and the Ephesians, "that
+they should submit themselves one to another in the fear of the
+Lord."[3] Here we find these two great apostles recommending to all
+Christians this duty of mutual subjection. For we may observe by St
+Peter, that having mentioned the several relations which men bear to
+each other, as governor and subject, master and servant, and the rest
+which I have already repeated, he maketh no exception, but sums up the
+whole with commanding "all to be subject one to another." From whence we
+may conclude, that this subjection due from all men to all men, is
+something more than the compliment of course, when our betters are
+pleased to tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be
+their slaves.
+
+[Footnote 1: Rom. xii. 10.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Philip. ii. 3.]
+
+[Footnote 3: Ephes. v. 21.]
+
+I know very well, that some of those who explain this text, apply it to
+humility, to the duties of charity, to private exhortations, and to
+bearing with each other's infirmities: And it is probable, the apostle
+may have had a regard to all these: But however, many learned men agree,
+that there is something more understood, and so the words in their plain
+natural meaning must import; as you will observe yourselves, if you read
+them with the beginning of the verse, which is thus: "Likewise ye
+younger submit yourselves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one
+to another." So, that upon the whole, there must be some kind of
+subjection due from every man to every man, which cannot be made void by
+any power, pre-eminence, or authority whatsoever. Now, what sort of
+subjection this is, and how it ought to be paid, shall be the subject of
+my present discourse.
+
+As God hath contrived all the works of nature to be useful, and in some
+manner a support to each other, by which the whole frame of the world
+under his providence is preserved and kept up; so, among mankind, our
+particular stations are appointed to each of us by God Almighty, wherein
+we are obliged to act, as far as our power reacheth, toward the good of
+the whole community. And he who doth not perform that part assigned him,
+toward advancing the benefit of the whole, in proportion to his
+opportunities and abilities, is not only a useless, but a very
+mischievous member of the public: Because he taketh his share of the
+profit, and yet leaves his share of the burden to be borne by others,
+which is the true principal cause of most miseries and misfortunes in
+life. For, a wise man who doth not assist with his counsels, a great man
+with his protection, a rich man with his bounty and charity, and a poor
+man with his labour, are perfect nuisances in a commonwealth. Neither is
+any condition of life more honourable in the sight of God than another;
+otherwise he would be a respecter of persons, which he assureth us he is
+not: For he hath proposed the same salvation to all men, and hath only
+placed them in different ways or stations to work it out. Princes are
+born with no more advantages of strength or wisdom than other men; and,
+by an unhappy education, are usually more defective in both than
+thousands of their subjects. They depend for every necessary of life
+upon the meanest of their people: Besides, obedience and subjection were
+never enjoined by God to humour the passions, lusts, and vanities of
+those who demand them from us; but we are commanded to obey our
+governors, because disobedience would breed seditions in the state. Thus
+servants are directed to obey their masters, children their parents, and
+wives their husbands; not from any respect of persons in God, but
+because otherwise there would be nothing but confusion in private
+families. This matter will be clearly explained, by considering the
+comparison which St Paul maketh between the Church of Christ and the
+body of man: For the same resemblance will hold, not only to families
+and kingdoms, but to the whole corporation of mankind. "The eye," saith
+he,[4] "cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the
+head to the feet, I have no need of thee. Nay, much more, those members
+of the body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And whether one
+member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be
+honoured, all the members rejoice with it." The case is directly the
+same among mankind. The prince cannot say to the merchant, I have no
+need of thee; nor the merchant to the labourer, I have no need of thee.
+Nay, much more those members, &c. For the poor are generally more
+necessary members of the commonwealth than the rich: Which clearly
+shews, that God never intented such possessions for the sake and service
+of those to whom he lends them: but because he hath assigned every man
+his particular station to be useful in life; and this for the reason
+given by the apostle, "that there should be no schism in the body."[5]
+
+[Footnote 4: 1 Corin. xii. 21, 23, 26.]
+
+[Footnote 5: 1 Corin. xii. 25.]
+
+From hence may partly be gathered the nature of that subjection which we
+all owe to one another. God Almighty hath been pleased to put us into an
+imperfect state, where we have perpetual occasion of each other's
+assistance. There is none so low, as not to be in a capacity of
+assisting the highest; nor so high, as not to want the assistance of the
+lowest.
+
+It plainly appears from what hath been said, that no one human creature
+is more worthy than another in the sight of God; farther, than according
+to the goodness or holiness of their lives; and, that power, wealth, and
+the like outward advantages, are so far from being the marks of God's
+approving or preferring those on whom they are bestowed, that, on the
+contrary, he is pleased to suffer them to be almost engrossed by those
+who have least title to his favour. Now, according to this equality
+wherein God hath placed all mankind, with relation himself, you will
+observe, that in all the relations between man and man, there is a
+mutual dependence, whereby the one cannot subsist without the other.
+Thus, no man can be a prince without subjects, nor a master without
+servants, nor a father without children. And this both explains and
+confirms the doctrine of the text: For, where there is a mutual
+dependence, there must be a mutual duty, and consequently a mutual
+subjection. For instance, the subject must only obey his prince, because
+God commands it, human laws require it, and the safety of the public
+maketh it necessary: (For the same reasons we must obey all that are in
+authority, and submit ourselves, not only to the good and gentle, but
+also to the froward, whether they rule according to our liking or no.)
+On the other side, in those countries that pretend to freedom, princes
+are subject to those laws which their people have chosen; they are bound
+to protect their subjects in liberty, property, and religion; to receive
+their petitions, and redress their grievances: So, that the best prince
+is, in the opinion of wisemen, only the greatest servant of the nation;
+not only a servant to the public in general, but in some sort to every man
+in it. In the like manner, a servant owes obedience, and diligence and
+faithfulness to his master, from whom, at the same time, he hath a just
+demand for protection, and maintenance, and gentle treatment. Nay, even
+the poor beggar hath a just demand of an alms from the rich man, who is
+guilty of fraud, injustice, and oppression, if he doth not afford relief
+according to his abilities.
+
+But this subjection we all owe one another is nowhere more necessary
+than in the common conversations of life; for without it there could be
+no society among men. If the learned would not sometimes submit to the
+ignorant, the wise to the simple, the gentle to the froward, the old to
+the weaknesses of the young, there would be nothing but everlasting
+variance in the world. This our Saviour himself confirmed by his own
+example; for he appeared in the form of a servant, and washed his
+disciples' feet, adding those memorable words: "Ye call me Lord and
+Master, and ye say well, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master
+wash your feet, how much more ought ye to wash one another's feet?"
+Under which expression of washing the feet, is included all that
+subjection, assistance, love, and duty, which every good Christian ought
+to pay his brother, in whatever station God hath placed him. For the
+greatest prince and the meanest slave, are not, by infinite degrees so
+distant, as our Saviour and those disciples whose feet he vouchsafed to
+wash.
+
+And, although this doctrine of subjecting ourselves to one another may
+seem to grate upon the pride and vanity of mankind, and may therefore be
+hard to be digested by those who value themselves upon their greatness
+or their wealth; yet, it is really no more than what most men practise
+upon other occasions. For, if our neighbour who is our inferior comes to
+see us, we rise to receive him, we place him above us, and respect him
+as if he were better than ourselves; and this is thought both decent and
+necessary, and is usually called good manners. Now the duty required by
+the apostle, is only that we should enlarge our minds, and that what we
+thus practice in the common course of life, we should imitate in all our
+actions and proceedings whatsoever; since our Saviour tells us, that
+every man is our neighbour, and since we are so ready in the point of
+civility, to yield to others in our own houses, where only we have any
+title to govern.
+
+Having thus shewn you what sort of subjection it is which all men owe
+one to another, and in what manner it ought to be paid, I shall now draw
+some observations from what hath been said.
+
+And _first_: A thorough practice of this duty of subjecting ourselves to
+the wants and infirmities of each other, would utterly extinguish in us
+the vice of pride. For, if God hath pleased to entrust me with a talent,
+not for my own sake, but for the service of others, and at the same time
+hath left me full of wants and necessities which others must supply; I
+can then have no cause to set any extraordinary value upon myself, or to
+despise my brother, because he hath not the same talents which were lent
+to me. His being may probably be as useful to the public as mine; and,
+therefore, by the rules of right reason, I am in no sort preferable to
+him.
+
+_Secondly_: It is very manifest, from what hath been said, that no man
+ought to look upon the advantages of life, such as riches, honour,
+power, and the like, as his property, but merely as a trust, which God
+hath deposited with him, to be employed for the use of his brethren; and
+God will certainly punish the breach of that trust, although the laws of
+man will not, or rather indeed cannot; because the trust was conferred
+only by God, who hath not left it to any power on earth to decide
+infallibly whether a man maketh a good use of his talents or no, or to
+punish him where he fails. And therefore God seems to have more
+particularly taken this matter into his own hands, and will most
+certainly reward or punish us in proportion to our good or ill
+performance in it. Now, although the advantages which one man possesseth
+more than another, may in some sense be called his property with respect
+to other men, yet with respect to God they are, as I said, only a trust:
+which will plainly appear from hence. If a man doth not use those
+advantages to the good of the public, or the benefit of his neighbour,
+it is certain he doth not deserve them; and consequently, that God never
+intended them for a blessing to him; and on the other side, whoever doth
+employ his talents as he ought, will find by his own experience, that
+they were chiefly lent him for the service of others: for to the service
+of others he will certainly employ them.
+
+_Thirdly_: If we could all be brought to practise this duty of
+subjecting ourselves to each other, it would very much contribute to the
+general happiness of mankind: for this would root out envy and malice
+from the heart of man; because you cannot envy your neighbour's
+strength, if he maketh use of it to defend your life, or carry your
+burden; you cannot envy his wisdom, if he gives you good counsel; nor
+his riches, if he supplieth you in your wants; nor his greatness, if he
+employs it to your protection. The miseries of life are not properly
+owing to the unequal distribution of things; but God Almighty, the great
+King of Heaven, is treated like the kings of the earth; who, although
+perhaps intending well themselves, have often most abominable ministers
+and stewards; and those generally the vilest, to whom they entrust the
+most talents. But here is the difference, that the princes of this world
+see by other men's eyes, but God sees all things; and therefore whenever
+he permits his blessings to be dealt among those who are unworthy, we
+may certainly conclude that he intends them only as a punishment to an
+evil world, as well as to the owners. It were well, if those would
+consider this, whose riches serve them only as a spur to avarice, or as
+an instrument to their lusts; whose wisdom is only of this world, to put
+false colours upon things, to call good evil, and evil good, against the
+conviction of their own consciences; and lastly, who employ their power
+and favour in acts of oppression or injustice, in misrepresenting
+persons and things, or in countenancing the wicked to the ruin of the
+innocent.
+
+_Fourthly_: The practice of this duty of being subject to one another,
+would make us rest contented in the several stations of life wherein God
+hath thought fit to place us; because it would in the best and easiest
+manner bring us back as it were to that early state of the Gospel when
+Christians had all things in common. For, if the poor found the rich
+disposed to supply their wants; if the ignorant found the wise ready to
+instruct and direct them; or if the weak might always find protection
+from the mighty; they could none of them with the least pretence of
+justice lament their own condition.
+
+From all that hath been hitherto said, it appears, that great abilities
+of any sort, when they are employed as God directs, do but make the
+owners of them greater and more painful servants to their neighbour, and
+the public; however, we are by no means to conclude from hence, that
+they are not really blessings, when they are in the hands of good men.
+For first, what can be a greater honour than to be chosen one of the
+stewards and dispensers of God's bounty to mankind? What is there, that
+can give a generous spirit more pleasure and complacency of mind, than
+to consider that he is an instrument of doing much good? that great
+numbers owe to him, under God, their subsistence, their safety, their
+health, and the good conduct of their lives? The wickedest man upon
+earth taketh a pleasure in doing good to those he loveth; and therefore
+surely a good Christian, who obeys our Saviour's command of loving all
+men, cannot but take delight in doing good even to his enemies. God, who
+giveth all things to all men, can receive nothing from any; and those
+among men, who do the most good, and receive the fewest returns, do most
+resemble their Creator: for which reason, St Paul delivereth it as a
+saying of our Saviour, that "it is more blessed to give than to
+receive." By this rule, what must become of those things which the world
+valueth as the greatest blessings, riches, power, and the like, when our
+Saviour plainly determines, that the best way to make them blessings, is
+to part with them? Therefore, although the advantages which one man hath
+over another, may be called blessings, yet they are by no means so in
+the sense the world usually understands. Thus, for example, great riches
+are no blessing in themselves; because the poor man, with the common
+necessaries of life enjoys more health, and hath fewer cares without
+them: How then do they become blessings? No otherwise, than by being
+employed in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, rewarding worthy
+men, and in short, doing acts of charity and generosity. Thus likewise,
+power is no blessing in itself, because private men bear less envy, and
+trouble, and anguish without it. But when it is employed to protect the
+innocent, to relieve the oppressed, and to punish the oppressor, then it
+becomes a great blessing. And so lastly even great wisdom is in the
+opinion of Solomon not a blessing in itself: For "in much wisdom is much
+sorrow;" and men of common understandings, if they serve God and mind
+their callings, make fewer mistakes in the conduct of life than those
+who have better heads. And yet, wisdom is a mighty blessing, when it is
+applied to good purposes, to instruct the ignorant, to be a faithful
+counsellor either in public or private, to be a director to youth, and
+to many other ends needless here to mention.
+
+To conclude: God sent us into the world to obey his commands, by doing
+as much good as our abilities will reach, and as little evil as our many
+infirmities will permit. Some he hath only trusted with one talent, some
+with five, and some with ten. No man is without his talent; and he that
+is faithful or negligent in a little, shall be rewarded or punished, as
+well as he that hath been so in a great deal.
+
+Consider what hath been said; and the Lord give you a right
+understanding in all things. To whom with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be
+all honour and glory, now and for ever.
+
+
+
+
+ON THE TESTIMONY OF CONSCIENCE.
+
+
+2 CORINTHIANS, I. 12. PART OF IT.
+
+"----For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience."
+
+
+There is no word more frequently in the mouths of men, than that of
+conscience, and the meaning of it is in some measure generally
+understood: However, because it is likewise a word extremely abused by
+many people, who apply other meanings to it, which God Almighty never
+intended; I shall explain it to you in the clearest manner I am able.
+The word conscience properly signifies, that knowledge which a man hath
+within himself of his own thoughts and actions. And, because, if a man
+judgeth fairly of his own actions by comparing them with the law of God,
+his mind will either approve or condemn him according as he hath done
+good or evil; therefore this knowledge or conscience may properly be
+called both an accuser and a judge. So that whenever our conscience
+accuseth us, we are certainly guilty; but we are not always innocent
+when it doth not accuse us: For very often, through the hardness of our
+hearts, or the fondness and favour we bear to ourselves, or through
+ignorance or neglect, we do not suffer our conscience to take any
+cognizance of several sins we commit. There is another office likewise
+belonging to conscience, which is that of being our director and guide;
+and the wrong use of this hath been the occasion of more evils under the
+sun, than almost all other causes put together. For, as conscience is
+nothing else but the knowledge we have of what we are thinking and
+doing; so it can guide us no farther than that knowledge reacheth. And
+therefore God hath placed conscience in us to be our director only in
+those actions which Scripture and reason plainly tell us to be good or
+evil. But in cases too difficult or doubtful for us to comprehend or
+determine, there conscience is not concerned; because it cannot advise
+in what it doth not understand, nor decide where it is itself in doubt:
+but, by God's great mercy, those difficult points are never of absolute
+necessity to our salvation. There is likewise another evil, that men
+often say, a thing is against their conscience, when really it is not.
+For instance: Ask any of those who differ from the worship established,
+why they do not come to church? They will say, they dislike the
+ceremonies, the prayers, the habits, and the like, and therefore it goes
+against their conscience: But they are mistaken, their teacher hath put
+those words into their mouths; for a man's conscience can go no higher
+than his knowledge; and therefore until he has thoroughly examined by
+Scripture, and the practice of the ancient church, whether those points
+are blameable or no, his conscience cannot possibly direct him to
+condemn them. Hence have likewise arisen those mistakes about what is
+usually called "Liberty of Conscience"; which, properly speaking, is no
+more than a liberty of knowing our own thoughts; which liberty no one
+can take from us. But those words have obtained quite different
+meanings: Liberty of conscience is now-a-days not only understood to be
+the liberty of believing what men please, but also of endeavouring to
+propagate the belief as much as they can, and to overthrow the faith
+which the laws have already established, to be rewarded by the public
+for those wicked endeavours: And this is the liberty of conscience which
+the fanatics are now openly in the face of the world endeavouring at
+with their utmost application. At the same time it cannot but be
+observed, that those very persons, who under pretence of a public spirit
+and tenderness towards their Christian brethren, are so zealous for such
+a liberty of conscience as this, are of all others the least tender to
+those who differ from them in the smallest point relating to government;
+and I wish I could not say, that the Majesty of the living God may be
+offended with more security than the memory of a dead prince. But the
+wisdom of the world at present seems to agree with that of the heathen
+Emperor, who said, if the gods were offended, it was their own concern,
+and they were able to vindicate themselves.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: The saying of Tiberius as given by Tacitus ("Annals," bk.
+i., c. lxxiii.), _Deorum offensa diis curae_. [T.S.]]
+
+But although conscience hath been abused to those wicked purposes which
+I have already related, yet a due regard to the directions it plainly
+giveth us, as well as to its accusations, reproaches, and advices, would
+be of the greatest use to mankind, both for their present welfare and
+future happiness.
+
+Therefore, my discourse at this time shall be directed to prove to you,
+that there is no solid, firm foundation for virtue, but on a conscience
+which is guided by religion.
+
+In order to this, I shall first shew you the weakness and uncertainty of
+two false principles, which many people set up in the place of
+conscience, for a guide to their actions.
+
+The first of these principles is, what the world usually calls _Moral
+Honesty_. There are some people, who appear very indifferent as to
+religion, and yet have the repute of being just and fair in their
+dealings; and these are generally known by the character of good moral
+men. But now, if you look into the grounds and the motives of such a
+man's actions, you shall find them to be no other than his own ease and
+interest. For example: You trust a moral man with your money in the way
+of trade; you trust another with the defence of your cause at law, and
+perhaps they both deal justly with you. Why? Not from any regard they
+have for justice, but because their fortune depends upon their credit,
+and a stain of open public dishonesty must be to their disadvantage. But
+let it consist with such a man's interest and safety to wrong you, and
+then it will be impossible you can have any hold upon him; because there
+is nothing left to give him a check, or put in the balance against his
+profit. For, if he hath nothing to govern himself by, but the opinion of
+the world, as long as he can conceal his injustice from the world, he
+thinks he is safe.
+
+Besides, it is found by experience, that those men who set up for
+morality without regard to religion, are generally but virtuous in part;
+they will be just in their dealings between man and man; but if they
+find themselves disposed to pride, lust, intemperance, or avarice, they
+do not think their morality concerned to check them in any of these
+vices, because it is the great rule of such men, that they may lawfully
+follow the dictates of nature, wherever their safety, health, and
+fortune, are not injured. So, that upon the whole, there is hardly one
+vice which a mere moral man may not upon some occasions allow himself to
+practise.
+
+The other false principle, which some men set up in the place of
+conscience to be their director in life, is what those who pretend to
+it, call _Honour_.
+
+This word is often made the sanction of an oath; it is reckoned a great
+commendation to be a man of strict honour; and it is commonly
+understood, that a man of honour can never be guilty of a base action.
+This is usually the style of military men; of persons with titles; and
+of others who pretend to birth and quality. It is true, indeed, that in
+ancient times it was universally understood, that honour was the reward
+of virtue; but if such honour as is now-a-days going will not permit a
+man to do a base action, it must be allowed, there are very few such
+things as base actions in nature. No man of honour, as that word is
+usually understood, did ever pretend that his honour obliged him to be
+chaste or temperate; to pay his creditors; to be useful to his country;
+to do good to mankind; to endeavour to be wise, or learned; to regard
+his word, his promise, or his oath; or if he hath any of these virtues,
+they were never learned in the catechism of honour; which contains but
+two precepts, the punctual payment of debts contracted at play, and the
+right understanding the several degrees of an affront, in order to
+revenge it by the death of an adversary.
+
+But suppose, this principle of honour, which some men so much boast of,
+did really produce more virtues than it ever pretended to; yet since the
+very being of that honour dependeth upon the breath, the opinion, or the
+fancy of the people, the virtues derived from it could be of no long or
+certain duration. For example: Suppose a man from a principle of honour
+should resolve to be just, or chaste, or temperate; and yet the
+censuring world should take a humour of refusing him those characters;
+he would then think the obligation at an end. Or, on the other side, if
+he thought he could gain honour by the falsest and vilest action, (which
+is a case that very often happens,) he would then make no scruple to
+perform it. And God knows, it would be an unhappy state, to have the
+religion, the liberty, or the property of a people lodged in such hands,
+which however hath been too often the case.
+
+What I have said upon this principle of honour may perhaps be thought of
+small concernment to most of you who are my hearers: However, a caution
+was not altogether unnecessary; since there is nothing by which not only
+the vulgar, but the honest tradesman hath been so much deceived, as this
+infamous pretence to honour in too many of their betters.
+
+Having thus shewn you the weakness and uncertainty of those principles
+which some men set up in the place of conscience to direct them in their
+actions, I shall now endeavour to prove to you that there is no solid,
+firm foundation of virtue, but in a conscience directed by the
+principles of religion.
+
+There is no way of judging how far we may depend upon the actions of
+men, otherwise than by knowing the motives, and grounds, and causes of
+them; and, if the motives of our actions be not resolved and determined
+into the law of God, they will be precarious and uncertain, and liable
+to perpetual changes. I will shew you what I mean, by an example:
+Suppose a man thinks it his duty to obey his parents, because reason
+tells him so, because he is obliged by gratitude, and because the laws
+of his country command him to do so; but, if he stops here, his parents
+can have no lasting security; for an occasion may happen, wherein it may
+be extremely his interest to be disobedient, and where the laws of the
+land can lay no hold upon him: therefore, before such a man can safely
+be trusted, he must proceed farther, and consider, that his reason is
+the gift of God; that God commanded him to be obedient to the laws, and
+did moreover in a particular manner enjoin him to be dutiful to his
+parents; after which, if he lays due weight upon those considerations,
+he will probably continue in his duty to the end of his life: Because no
+earthly interest can ever come in competition to balance the danger of
+offending his Creator, or the happiness of pleasing him. And of all this
+his conscience will certainly inform him, if he hath any regard to
+religion.
+
+_Secondly:_ Fear and hope are the two greatest natural motives of all
+men's actions: But, neither of these passions will ever put us in the
+way of virtue, unless they be directed by conscience. For although
+virtuous men do sometimes accidentally make their way to preferment, yet
+the world is so corrupted, that no man can reasonably hope to be
+rewarded in it, merely upon account of his virtue. And consequently, the
+fear of punishment in this life will preserve men from very few vices,
+since some of the blackest and basest do often prove the surest steps to
+favour; such as ingratitude, hypocrisy, treachery, malice, subornation,
+atheism, and many more which human laws do little concern themselves
+about. But when conscience placeth before us the hopes of everlasting
+happiness, and the fears of everlasting misery, as the reward and
+punishment of our good or evil actions, our reason can find no way to
+avoid the force of such an argument, otherwise than by running into
+infidelity.
+
+_Lastly_: Conscience will direct us to love God, and to put our whole
+trust and confidence in him. Our love of God will inspire us with a
+detestation for sin, as what is of all things most contrary to his
+divine nature; and if we have an entire confidence in him, _that_ will
+enable us to subdue and despise all the allurements of the world.
+
+It may here be objected, if conscience be so sure a director to us
+Christians in the conduct of our lives, how comes it to pass, that the
+ancient heathens, who had no other lights but those of nature and
+reason, should so far exceed us in all manner of virtue, as plainly
+appears by many examples they have left on record?
+
+To which it may be answered; first, those heathens were extremely strict
+and exact in the education of their children; whereas among us this care
+is so much laid aside, that the more God hath blessed any man with
+estate or quality, just so much the less in proportion is the care he
+taketh in the education of his children, and particularly of that child
+which is to inherit his fortune: Of which the effects are visible enough
+among the great ones of the world. Again, those heathens did in a
+particular manner instil the principle into their children, of loving
+their country; which is so far otherwise now-a-days, that, of the
+several parties among us, there is none of them that seems to have so
+much as heard, whether there be such a virtue in the world; as plainly
+appears by their practices, and especially when they are placed in those
+stations where they can only have opportunity of shewing it. Lastly; the
+most considerable among the heathens did generally believe rewards and
+punishments in a life to come; which is the great principle for
+conscience to work upon; Whereas too many of those who would be thought
+the most considerable among us, do, both by their practices and their
+discourses, plainly affirm, that they believe nothing at all of the
+matter.
+
+Wherefore, since it hath manifestly appeared that a religious conscience
+is the only true solid foundation upon which virtue can be built, give
+me leave, before I conclude, to let you see how necessary such a
+conscience is, to conduct us in every station and condition of our
+lives.
+
+That a religious conscience is necessary in any station, is confessed
+even by those who tell us, that all religion was invented by cunning
+men, in order to keep the world in awe. For, if religion, by the
+confession of its adversaries, be necessary towards the well-governing
+of mankind; then every wise man in power will be sure not only to choose
+out for every station under him such persons as are most likely to be
+kept in awe by religion, but likewise to carry some appearance of it
+himself, or else he is a very weak politician. And accordingly in any
+country where great persons affect to be open despisers of religion,
+their counsels will be found at last to be fully as destructive to the
+state as to the church.
+
+It was the advice of Jethro to his son-in-law Moses, to "provide able
+men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness," and to place
+such over the people; and Moses, who was as wise a statesman, at least,
+as any in this age, thought fit to follow that advice. Great abilities,
+without the fear of God, are most dangerous instruments, when they are
+trusted with power. The laws of man have thought fit, that those who are
+called to any office of trust should be bound by an oath to the faithful
+discharge of it: But, an oath is an appeal to God, and therefore can
+have no influence except upon those who believe that he is, and that he
+is a rewarder of those that seek him, and a punisher of those who
+disobey him: And therefore, we see, the laws themselves are forced to
+have recourse to conscience in these cases, because their penalties
+cannot reach the arts of cunning men, who can find ways to be guilty of
+a thousand injustices without being discovered, or at least without
+being punished. And the reason why we find so many frauds, abuses, and
+corruptions, where any trust is conferred, can be no other, than that
+there is so little conscience and religion left in the world, or at
+least that men in their choice of instruments have private ends in view,
+which are very different from the service of the public. Besides, it is
+certain, that men who profess to have no religion, are full as zealous
+to bring over proselytes as any Papist or fanatic can be. And therefore,
+if those who are in station high enough to be of influence or example to
+others; if those (I say) openly profess a contempt or disbelief of
+religion, they will be sure to make all their dependents of their own
+principles; and what security can the public expect from such persons,
+whenever their interests, or their lusts, come into competition with
+their duty? It is very possible for a man who hath the appearance of
+religion, and is a great pretender to conscience, to be wicked and a
+hypocrite; but, it is impossible for a man who openly declares against
+religion, to give any reasonable security that he will not be false and
+cruel, and corrupt, whenever a temptation offers, which he values more
+than he does the power wherewith he was trusted. And, if such a man doth
+not betray his cause and his master, it is only because the temptation
+was not properly offered, or the profit was too small, or the danger was
+too great. And hence it is, that we find so little truth or justice
+among us, because there are so very few, who either in the service of
+the public, or in common dealings with each other, do ever look farther
+than their own advantage, and how to guard themselves against the laws
+of the country; which a man may do by favour, by secrecy, or by cunning,
+although he breaks almost every law of God.
+
+Therefore to conclude: It plainly appears, that unless men are guided by
+the advice and judgment of a conscience founded on religion, they can
+give no security that they will be either good subjects, faithful
+servants of the public, or honest in their mutual dealings; since there
+is no other tie through which the pride, or lust, or avarice, or
+ambition of mankind will not certainly break one time or other.
+
+Consider what has been said, &c.
+
+
+
+
+ON THE TRINITY.
+
+
+I. EPIST. GEN. OF JOHN, V. 7.
+
+"For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word,
+and the Holy Ghost; and these Three are One."
+
+
+This day being set apart to acknowledge our belief in the Eternal
+Trinity, I thought it might be proper to employ my present discourse
+entirely upon that subject; and, I hope, to handle it in such a manner,
+that the most ignorant among you may return home better informed of your
+duty in this great point, than probably you are at present.
+
+It must be confessed, that by the weakness and indiscretion of busy (or
+at best, of well-meaning) people, as well as by the malice of those who
+are enemies to all revealed religion, and are not content to possess
+their own infidelity in silence, without communicating it to the
+disturbance of mankind; I say, by these means, it must be confessed,
+that the doctrine of the Trinity hath suffered very much, and made
+Christianity suffer along with it. For these two things must be granted:
+First, that men of wicked lives would be very glad there were no truth
+in Christianity at all; and secondly, if they can pick out any one
+single article in the Christian religion which appears not agreeable to
+their own corrupted reason, or to the arguments of those bad people, who
+follow the trade of seducing others, they presently conclude, that the
+truth of the whole Gospel must sink along with that one article; which
+is just as wise, as if a man should say, because he dislikes one law of
+his country, he will therefore observe no law at all; and yet, that one
+law may be very reasonable in itself, although he does not allow it, or
+does not know the reason of the law-givers.
+
+Thus it hath happened with the great doctrine of the Trinity; which word
+is indeed not in the Scripture, but was a term of art invented in the
+earlier times to express the doctrine by a single word, for the sake of
+brevity and convenience. The doctrine then, as delivered in Holy
+Scripture, although not exactly in the same words, is very short, and
+amounts only to this, that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are
+each of them God, and yet there is but one God. For, as to the word
+Person, when we say there are three Persons; and as to those other
+explanations in the Athanasian Creed this day read to you (whether
+compiled by Athanasius or no) they were taken up three hundred years
+after Christ, to expound this doctrine; and I will tell you upon what
+occasion. About that time there sprang up a heresy of a people called
+Arians, from one Arius the leader of them. These denied our Saviour to
+be God, although they allowed all the rest of the Gospel (wherein they
+were more sincere than their followers among us). Thus the Christian
+world was divided into two parts, until at length, by the zeal and
+courage of St Athanasius, the Arians were condemned in a general
+council, and a creed formed upon the true faith, as St Athanasius hath
+settled it. This creed is now read at certain times in our churches,
+which, although it is useful for edification to those who understand it;
+yet, since it containeth some nice and philosophical points which few
+people can comprehend, the bulk of mankind is obliged to believe no more
+than the Scripture doctrine, as I have delivered it. Because that creed
+was intended only as an answer to the Arians in their own way, who were
+very subtle disputers.
+
+But this heresy having revived in the world about a hundred years ago,
+and continued ever since; not out of a zeal to truth, but to give a
+loose to wickedness, by throwing off all religion; several divines, in
+order to answer the cavils of those adversaries to truth and morality,
+began to find out farther explanations of this doctrine of the Trinity,
+by rules of philosophy; which have multiplied controversies to such a
+degree, as to beget scruples that have perplexed the minds of many sober
+Christians, who otherwise could never have entertained them.
+
+I must therefore be bold to affirm, that the method taken by many of
+those learned men to defend the doctrine of the Trinity, hath been
+founded upon a mistake.
+
+It must be allowed, that every man is bound to follow the rules and
+directions of that measure of reason which God hath given him; and
+indeed he cannot do otherwise, if he will be sincere, or act like a man.
+For instance: If I should be commanded by an angel from heaven to
+believe it is midnight at noon-day; yet I could not believe him. So, if
+I were directly told in Scripture that three are one, and one is three,
+I could not conceive or believe it in the natural common sense of that
+expression, but must suppose that something dark or mystical was meant,
+which it pleased God to conceal from me and from all the world. Thus, in
+the text, "There are Three that bear record," &c. Am I capable of
+knowing and defining what union and what distinction there may be in the
+divine nature, which possibly may be hid from the angels themselves?
+Again, I see it plainly declared in Scripture, that there is but one
+God; and yet I find our Saviour claiming the prerogative of God in
+knowing men's thoughts; in saying, "He and his Father are one;" and,
+"before Abraham was, I am." I read, that the disciples worshipped him;
+that Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God." And St John, chap, 1st,
+"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
+was God." I read likewise that the Holy Ghost bestowed the gift of
+tongues, and the power of working miracles; which, if rightly
+considered, is as great a miracle as any, that a number of illiterate
+men should of a sudden be qualified to speak all the languages then
+known in the world; such as could be done by the inspiration of God
+done. From these several texts it is plain, that God commands us to
+believe that there is an union and there is a distinction; but what that
+union, or what that distinction is, all mankind are equally ignorant,
+and must continue so, at least till the day of judgment, without some
+new revelation.
+
+But because I cannot conceive the nature of this union and distinction
+in the divine nature, am I therefore to reject them as absurd and
+impossible; as I would, if any one told me that three men are one, and
+one man is three? We are told, that a man and his wife are one flesh;
+this I can comprehend the meaning of; yet, literally taken, it is a
+thing impossible. But the apostle tell us, "We see but in part, and we
+know but in part;" and yet we would comprehend all the secret ways and
+workings of God.
+
+Therefore I shall again repeat the doctrine of the Trinity, as it is
+positively affirmed in Scripture: that God is there expressed in three
+different names, as Father, as Son, and as Holy Ghost: that each of
+these is God, and that there is but one God. But this union and
+distinction are a mystery utterly unknown to mankind.
+
+This is enough for any good Christian to believe on this great article,
+without ever inquiring any farther: And, this can be contrary to no
+man's reason, although the knowledge of it is hid from him.
+
+But there is another difficulty of great importance among those who
+quarrel with the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as with several other
+articles of Christianity; which is, that our religion abounds in
+mysteries, and these they are so bold as to revile as cant, imposture,
+and priestcraft. It is impossible for us to determine for what reasons
+God thought fit to communicate some things to us in part, and leave some
+part a mystery. But so it is in fact, and so the Holy Scripture tells us
+in several places. For instance: the resurrection and change of our
+bodies are called mysteries by St Paul: and our Saviour's incarnation is
+another: The Kingdom of God is called a mystery by our Saviour, to be
+only known to his disciples; so is faith, and the word of God by St
+Paul. I omit many others. So, that to declare against all mysteries
+without distinction or exception, is to declare against the whole tenor
+of the New Testament.
+
+There are two conditions that may bring a mystery under suspicion.
+First, when it is not taught and commanded in Holy Writ; or, secondly,
+when the mystery turns to the advantage of those who preach it to
+others. Now, as to the first, it can never be said, that we preach
+mysteries without warrant from Holy Scripture, although I confess this
+of the Trinity may have sometimes been explained by human invention,
+which might perhaps better have been spared. As to the second, it will
+not be possible to charge the Protestant priesthood with proposing any
+temporal advantage to themselves by broaching or multiplying, or
+preaching of mysteries. Does this mystery of the Trinity, for instance,
+and the descent of the Holy Ghost, bring the least profit or power to
+the preachers? No; it is as great a mystery to themselves as it is to
+the meanest of their hearers; and may be rather a cause of humiliation,
+by putting their understanding in that point upon a level with the most
+ignorant of their flock. It is true indeed, the Roman church hath very
+much enriched herself by trading in mysteries, for which they have not
+the least authority from Scripture, and were fitted only to advance
+their own temporal wealth and grandeur; such as transubstantiation, the
+worshipping of images, indulgences for sins, purgatory, and masses for
+the dead; with many more: But, it is the perpetual talent of those who
+have ill-will to our Church, or a contempt for all religion, taken up by
+the wickedness of their lives, to charge us with the errors and
+corruptions of Popery, which all Protestants have thrown off near two
+hundred years: whereas, those mysteries held by us have no prospect of
+power, pomp, or wealth, but have been ever maintained by the universal
+body of true believers from the days of the apostles, and will be so to
+the resurrection; neither will the gates of hell prevail against them.
+
+It may be thought perhaps a strange thing, that God should require us to
+believe mysteries, while the reason or manner of what we are to believe
+is above our comprehension, and wholly concealed from us: neither doth
+it appear at first sight, that the believing or not believing them doth
+concern either the glory of God, or contribute to the goodness or
+wickedness of our lives. But this is a great and dangerous mistake. We
+see what a mighty weight is laid upon faith, both in the Old and New
+Testament. In the former we read how the faith of Abraham is praised,
+who could believe that God would raise from him a great nation, at the
+very time that he was commanded to sacrifice his only son, and despaired
+of any other issue. And this was to him a great mystery. Our Saviour is
+perpetually preaching faith to his disciples, or reproaching them with
+the want of it: and St Paul produceth numerous examples of the wonders
+done by faith. And all this is highly reasonable: For faith is an entire
+dependence upon the truth, the power, the justice, and the mercy of God;
+which dependence will certainly incline us to obey him in all things.
+So, that the great excellency of faith, consists in the consequence it
+hath upon our actions: as, if we depend upon the truth and wisdom of a
+man, we shall certainly be more disposed to follow his advice.
+Therefore, let no man think that he can lead as good a moral life
+without faith as with it; for this reason, because he who hath no faith,
+cannot, by the strength of his own reason or endeavours, so easily
+resist temptations, as the other who depends upon God's assistance in
+the overcoming his frailties, and is sure to be rewarded for ever in
+heaven for his victory over them. "Faith," says the apostle, "is the
+evidence of things not seen": he means, that faith is a virtue by which
+anything commanded us by God to believe appears evident and certain to
+us, although we do not see, nor can conceive it; because, by faith we
+entirely depend upon the truth and power of God.
+
+It is an old and true distinction, that things may be above our reason,
+without being contrary to it. Of this kind are the power, the nature,
+and the universal presence of God, with innumerable other points. How
+little do those who quarrel with mysteries, know of the commonest
+actions of nature! The growth of an animal, of a plant, or of the
+smallest seed, is a mystery to the wisest among men. If an ignorant
+person were told that a loadstone would draw iron at a distance, he
+might say it was a thing contrary to his reason, and could not believe
+before he saw it with his eyes.
+
+The manner whereby the soul and body are united, and how they are
+distinguished, is wholly unaccountable to us. We see but one part, and
+yet we know we consist of two; and this is a mystery we cannot
+comprehend, any more than that of the Trinity.
+
+From what hath been said, it is manifest that God did never command us
+to believe, nor his ministers to preach, any doctrine which is contrary
+to the reason he hath pleased to endow us with; but for his own wise
+ends has thought fit to conceal from us the nature of the thing he
+commands; thereby to try our faith and obedience, and increase our
+dependence upon him.
+
+It is highly probable, that if God should please to reveal unto us this
+great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy
+religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would at
+the same time think fit to bestow on us some new powers or faculties of
+the mind, which we want at present, and are reserved till the day of
+resurrection to life eternal. "For now," as the apostle says, "we see
+through a glass darkly, but then face to face."
+
+Thus, we see, the matter is brought to this issue: We must either
+believe what God directly commands us in Holy Scripture, or we must
+wholly reject the Scripture, and the Christian religion which we pretend
+to profess. But this, I hope, is too desperate a step for any of us to
+make.
+
+I have already observed, that those who preach up the belief of the
+Trinity, or of any other mystery, cannot propose any temporal advantage
+to themselves by so doing. But this is not the case of those who oppose
+these doctrines. Do _they_ lead better moral lives than a good
+Christian? Are _they_ more just in their dealings? more chaste, or
+temperate, or charitable? Nothing at all of this; but on the contrary,
+their intent is to overthrow all religion, that they may gratify their
+vices without any reproach from the world, or their own conscience: and
+are zealous to bring over as many others as they can to their own
+opinions; because it is some kind of imaginary comfort to have a
+multitude on their side.
+
+There is no miracle mentioned in Holy Writ, which, if it were strictly
+examined, is not as much, contrary to common reason, and as much a
+mystery, as this doctrine of the Trinity; and therefore we may, with
+equal justice deny the truth of them all. For instance: It is against
+the laws of nature, that a human body should be able to walk upon the
+water, as St Peter is recorded to have done; or that a dead carcass
+should be raised from the grave after three days, when it began to be
+corrupted; which those who understand anatomy will pronounce to be
+impossible by the common rules of nature and reason. Yet these miracles,
+and many others, are positively affirmed in the Gospel; and these we
+must believe, or give up our holy religion to atheists and infidels.
+
+I shall now make a few inferences and observations upon what has been
+said.
+
+_First_: It would be well, if people would not lay so much weight on
+their own reason in matters of religion, as to think everything
+impossible and absurd which they cannot conceive. How often do we
+contradict the right rules of reason in the whole course of our lives!
+Reason itself is true and just, but the reason of every particular man
+is weak and wavering, perpetually swayed and turned by his interests,
+his passions, and his vices. Let any man but consider, when he hath a
+controversy with another, although his cause be ever so unjust, although
+the world be against him, how blinded he is by the love of himself, to
+believe that right is wrong, and wrong is right, when it maketh for his
+own advantage. Where is then the right use of his reason, which he so
+much boasts of, and which he would blasphemously set up to control the
+commands of the Almighty?
+
+_Secondly_: When men are tempted to deny the mysteries of religion, let
+them examine and search into their own hearts, whether they have not
+some favourite sin which is of their party in this dispute, and which is
+equally contrary to other commands of God in the Gospel. For, why do men
+love darkness rather than light? The Scripture tells us, "Because their
+deeds are evil;" and there can be no other reason assigned. Therefore
+when men are curious and inquisitive to discover some weak sides in
+Christianity, and inclined to favour everything that is offered to its
+disadvantage; it is plain they wish it were not true, and those wishes
+can proceed from nothing but an evil conscience; because, if there be
+truth in our religion, their condition must be miserable.
+
+And therefore, _Thirdly_: Men should consider, that raising difficulties
+concerning the mysteries in religion, cannot make them more wise,
+learned, or virtuous; better neighbours, or friends, or more serviceable
+to their country; but, whatever they pretend, will destroy their inward
+peace of mind, by perpetual doubts and fears arising in their breasts.
+And, God forbid we should ever see the times so bad, when dangerous
+opinions in religion will be a means to get favour and preferment;
+although, even in such a case, it would be an ill traffic, to gain the
+world, and lose our own souls. So, that upon the whole, it will be
+impossible to find any real use toward a virtuous or happy life, by
+denying the mysteries of the Gospel.
+
+_Fourthly_: Those strong unbelievers, who expect that all mysteries
+should be squared and fitted to their own reason, might have somewhat to
+say for themselves, if they could satisfy the general reason of mankind
+in their opinions: But herein they are miserably defective, absurd, and
+ridiculous; they strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel; they can believe
+that the world was made by chance; that God doth not concern himself
+with things below; will neither punish vice, nor reward virtue; that
+religion was invented by cunning men to keep the world in awe; with many
+other opinions equally false and detestable, against the common light of
+nature as well as reason; against the universal sentiments of all
+civilized nations, and offensive to the ears even of a sober heathen.
+
+_Lastly_: Since the world abounds with pestilent books particularly
+against this doctrine of the Trinity; it is fit to inform you, that the
+authors of them proceed wholly upon a mistake: They would shew how
+impossible it is that three can be one, and one can be three; whereas
+the Scripture saith no such thing, at least in that manner they would
+make it: but, only, that there is some kind of unity and distinction in
+the divine nature, which mankind cannot possibly comprehend: thus, the
+whole doctrine is short and plain, and in itself incapable of any
+controversy: since God himself hath pronounced the fact, but wholly
+concealed the manner. And therefore many divines, who thought fit to
+answer those wicked books, have been mistaken too, by answering fools in
+their folly; and endeavouring to explain a mystery, which God intended
+to keep secret from us. And, as I would exhort all men to avoid reading
+those wicked books written against this doctrine, as dangerous and
+pernicious; so I think they may omit the answers, as unnecessary. This I
+confess will probably affect but few or none among the generality of our
+congregations, who do not much trouble themselves with books, at least
+of this kind. However, many who do not read themselves, are seduced by
+others that do; and thus become unbelievers upon trust and at
+second-hand; and this is too frequent a case: for which reason I have
+endeavoured to put this doctrine upon a short and sure foot, levelled to
+the meanest understanding; by which we may, as the apostle directs, be
+ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of
+the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear.
+
+And, thus I have done with my subject, which probably I should not have
+chosen, if I had not been invited to it by the occasion of this season,
+appointed on purpose to celebrate the mysteries of the Trinity, and the
+descent of the Holy Ghost, wherein we pray to be kept stedfast in this
+faith; and what this faith is I have shewn you in the plainest manner I
+could. For, upon the whole, it is no more than this: God commandeth us,
+by our dependence upon His truth, and His Holy Word, to believe a fact
+that we do not understand. And, this is no more than what we do every
+day in the works of nature, upon the credit of men of learning. Without
+faith we can do no works acceptable to God; for, if they proceed from
+any other principle, they will not advance our salvation; and this
+faith, as I have explained it, we may acquire without giving up our
+senses, or contradicting our reason. May God of his infinite mercy
+inspire us with true faith in every article and mystery of our holy
+religion, so as to dispose us to do what is pleasing in his sight; and
+this we pray through Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy
+Ghost, the mysterious, incomprehensible ONE GOD, be all honour and glory
+now and for evermore! _Amen_.
+
+
+
+
+ON BROTHERLY LOVE.[1]
+
+[Footnote: 1 Notwithstanding the text and title of this sermon, and the
+many excellent observations which it contains in illustration of both,
+there are several passages in it which the dissenters of the time would
+hardly consider as propitiatory towards the continuance of brotherly
+love. There are also various allusions to the parties which raged at the
+time, and some which appear to have been written in defence of the
+preacher's character, then severely arraigned by the Irish Whigs, and
+held in abhorrence by the people of Dublin, by whom he was afterwards
+idolized. [S.]]
+
+
+HEB. XIII. I.
+
+"Let brotherly love continue."
+
+
+In the early times of the Gospel, the Christians were very much
+distinguished from all other bodies of men, by the great and constant
+love they bore to each other; which, although it was done in obedience
+to the frequent injunctions of our Saviour and his apostles, yet, I
+confess, there seemeth to have been likewise a natural reason, that very
+much promoted it. For the Christians then were few and scattered, living
+under persecution by the heathens round about them, in whose hands was
+all the civil and military power; and there is nothing so apt to unite
+the minds and hearts of men, or to beget love and tenderness, as a
+general distress. The first dissensions between Christians took their
+beginning from the errors and heresies that arose among them; many of
+those heresies, sometimes extinguished, and sometimes reviving, or
+succeeded by others, remain to this day; and having been made
+instruments to the pride, avarice, or ambition, of ill-designing men, by
+extinguishing brotherly love, have been the cause of infinite
+calamities, as well as corruptions of faith and manners, in the
+Christian world.
+
+The last legacy of Christ was peace and mutual love; but then he
+foretold, that he came to send a sword upon the earth: The primitive
+Christians accepted the legacy, and their successors down to the present
+age have been largely fulfilling his prophecy. But whatever the practice
+of mankind hath been, or still continues, there is no duty more
+incumbent upon those who profess the Gospel, than that of brotherly
+love; which, whoever could restore in any degree among men, would be an
+instrument of more good to human society, than ever was, or will be,
+done by all the statesmen and politicians in the world.
+
+It is upon this subject of brotherly love, that I intend to discourse at
+present, and the method I observe shall be as follows:--
+
+I. _First_, I will inquire into the causes of this great want of
+brotherly love among us.
+
+II. _Secondly_, I will lay open the sad effects and consequences, which
+our animosities and mutual hatred have produced.
+
+III. _Lastly_, I will use some motives and exhortations, that may
+persuade you to embrace brotherly love, and continue in it.
+
+
+I. _First_, I shall enquire into the causes of this great want of
+brotherly love among us.
+
+This nation of ours hath, for an hundred years past, been infested by
+two enemies, the Papists and fanatics, who, each in their turns, filled
+it with blood and slaughter, and, for a time, destroyed both the Church
+and government. The memory of these events hath put all true Protestants
+equally upon their guard against both these adversaries, who, by
+consequence, do equally hate us. The fanatics revile us, as too nearly
+approaching to Popery; and the Papists condemn us, as bordering too much
+on fanaticism. The Papists, God be praised, are, by the wisdom of our
+laws, put out of all visible possibility of hurting us; besides, their
+religion is so generally abhorred, that they have no advocates or
+abettors among Protestants to assist them. But the fanatics are to be
+considered in another light; they have had of late years the power, the
+luck, or the cunning, to divide us among ourselves; they have
+endeavoured to represent all those who have been so bold as to oppose
+their errors and designs, under the character of persons disaffected to
+the government; and they have so far succeeded, that, now-a-days, if a
+clergyman happens to preach with any zeal and vehemence against the sin
+and danger of schism, there will not want too many, in his congregation,
+ready enough to censure him as hot and high-flying, an inflamer of men's
+minds, an enemy to moderation, and disloyal to his prince. This hath
+produced a formed and settled division between those who profess the
+same doctrine and discipline; while they who call themselves moderate
+are forced to widen their bottom, by sacrificing their principles and
+their brethren to the encroachments and insolence of dissenters, who are
+therefore answerable, as a principal cause of all that hatred and
+animosity now reigning among us.
+
+Another cause of the great want of brotherly love is the weakness and
+folly of too many among you of the lower sort, who are made the tools
+and instruments of your betters to work their designs, wherein you have
+no concern. Your numbers make you of use, and cunning men take the
+advantage, by putting words into your mouths, which you do not
+understand; then they fix good or ill characters to those words, as it
+best serves their purposes: And thus you are taught to love or hate, you
+know not what or why; you often suspect your best friends, and nearest
+neighbours, even your teacher himself, without any reason, if your
+leaders once taught you to call him by a name, which they tell you
+signifieth some very bad thing.
+
+A third cause of our great want of brotherly love seemeth to be, that
+this duty is not so often insisted on from the pulpit, as it ought to be
+in such times as these; on the contrary, it is to be doubted, whether
+doctrines are not sometimes delivered by an ungoverned zeal, a desire to
+be distinguished, or a view of interest, which produce quite different
+effects; when, upon occasions set apart to return thanks to God for some
+public blessing, the time is employed in stirring up one part of the
+congregation against the other, by representations of things and
+persons, which God, in his mercy, forgive those who are guilty of.
+
+The last cause I shall mention of the want of brotherly love is, that
+unhappy disposition towards politics among the trading people, which has
+been industriously instilled into them. In former times, the middle and
+lower sorts of mankind seldom gained or lost by the factions of the
+kingdom, and therefore were little concerned in them, further than as
+matter of talk and amusement; but now the meanest dealer will expect to
+turn the penny by the merits of his party. He can represent his
+neighbour as a man of dangerous principles, can bring a railing
+accusation against him, perhaps a criminal one, and so rob him of his
+livelihood, and find his own account by that much more than if he had
+disparaged his neighbour's goods, or defamed him as a cheat. For so it
+happens, that, instead of enquiring into the skill or honesty of those
+kind of people, the manner is now to enquire into their party, and to
+reject or encourage them accordingly; which proceeding hath made our
+people, in general, such able politicians, that all the artifice,
+flattery, dissimulation, diligence, and dexterity, in undermining each
+other, which the satirical wit of men hath charged upon courts; together
+with all the rage and violence, cruelty and injustice, which have been
+ever imputed to public assemblies; are with us (so polite are we grown)
+to be seen among our meanest traders and artificers in the greatest
+perfection. All which, as it may be matter of some humiliation to the
+wise and mighty of this world, so the effects thereof may, perhaps, in
+time, prove very different from what, I hope in charity, were ever
+foreseen or intended.
+
+II. I will therefore now, in the second place, lay open some of the sad
+effects and consequences which our animosities and mutual hatred have
+produced.
+
+And the first ill consequence is, that our want of brotherly love hath
+almost driven out all sense of religion from among us, which cannot well
+be otherwise; for since our Saviour laid so much weight upon his
+disciples loving one another, that he gave it among his last
+instructions; and since the primitive Christians are allowed to have
+chiefly propagated the faith by their strict observance of that
+instruction, it must follow that, in proportion as brotherly love
+declineth, Christianity will do so too. The little religion there is in
+the world, hath been observed to reside chiefly among the middle and
+lower sorts of people, who are neither tempted to pride nor luxury by
+great riches, nor to desperate courses by extreme poverty: And truly I,
+upon that account, have thought it a happiness, that those who are under
+my immediate care are generally of that condition; but where party hath
+once made entrance, with all its consequences of hatred, envy,
+partiality, and virulence, religion cannot long keep its hold in any
+state or degree of life whatsoever. For, if the great men of the world
+have been censured in all ages for mingling too little religion with
+their politics, what a havoc of principles must they needs make in
+unlearned and irregular heads; of which indeed the effects are already
+too visible and melancholy all over the kingdom!
+
+Another ill consequence from our want of brotherly love is, that it
+increaseth the insolence of the fanatics; and this partly ariseth from a
+mistaken meaning of the word moderation; a word which hath been much
+abused, and bandied about for several years past. There are too many
+people indifferent enough to all religion; there are many others, who
+dislike the clergy, and would have them live in poverty and dependence;
+both these sorts are much commended by the fanatics for moderate men,
+ready to put an end to our divisions, and to make a general union among
+Protestants. Many ignorant well-meaning people are deceived by these
+appearances, strengthened with great pretences to loyalty: and these
+occasions the fanatics lay hold on, to revile the doctrine and
+discipline of the Church, and even insult and oppress the clergy
+wherever their numbers or favourers will bear them out; insomuch, that
+one wilful refractory fanatic hath been able to disturb a whole parish
+for many years together. But the most moderate and favoured divines dare
+not own, that the word moderation, with respect to the dissenters, can
+be at all applied to their religion, but is purely personal or
+prudential. No good man repineth at the liberty of conscience they
+enjoy; and, perhaps a very moderate divine may think better of their
+loyalty than others do; or, to speak after the manner of men, may think
+it necessary, that all Protestants should be united against the common
+enemy; or out of discretion, or other reasons best known to himself, be
+tender of mentioning them at all. But still the errors of the dissenters
+are all fixed and determined, and must, upon demand, be acknowledged by
+all the divines of our church, whether they be called, in party phrase,
+high or low, moderate or violent. And further, I believe it would be
+hard to find many moderate divines, who, if their opinion were asked
+whether dissenters should be trusted with power, could, according to
+their consciences, answer in the affirmative; from whence it is plain,
+that all the stir which the fanatics have made with this word
+moderation, was only meant to increase our divisions, and widen them so
+far as to make room for themselves to get in between. And this is the
+only scheme they ever had (except that of destroying root and branch)
+for the uniting of Protestants, they so much talk of.
+
+I shall mention but one ill consequence more, which attends our want of
+brotherly love; that it hath put an end to all hospitality and
+friendship, all good correspondence and commerce between mankind. There
+are indeed such things as leagues and confederacies among those of the
+same party; but surely God never intended that men should be so limited
+in the choice of their friends: However, so it is in town and country,
+in every parish and street; the pastor is divided from his flock, the
+father from his son, and the house often divided against itself. Men's
+very natures are soured, and their passions inflamed, when they meet in
+party clubs, and spend their time in nothing else but railing at the
+opposite side; thus every man alive among us is encompassed with a
+million of enemies of his own country, among which his oldest
+acquaintance and friends, and kindred themselves, are often of the
+number; neither can people of different parties mix together without
+constraint, suspicion, or jealousy, watching every word they speak, for
+fear of giving offence, or else falling into rudeness and reproaches,
+and so leaving themselves open to the malice and corruption of
+informers, who were never more numerous or expert in their trade. And as
+a further addition to this evil, those very few, who, by the goodness
+and generosity of their nature, do in their own hearts despise this
+narrow principle of confining their friendship and esteem, their charity
+and good offices, to those of their own party, yet dare not discover
+their good inclinations, for fear of losing their favour and interest.
+And others again, whom God had formed with mild and gentle dispositions,
+think it necessary to put a force upon their own tempers, by acting a
+noisy, violent, malicious part, as a means to be distinguished. Thus hath
+party got the better of the very genius and constitution of our people;
+so that whoever reads the character of the English in former ages, will
+hardly believe their present posterity to be of the same nation or
+climate.
+
+III. I shall now, in the last place, make use of some motives and
+exhortations, that may persuade you to embrace brotherly love, and
+continue in it. Let me apply myself to you of the lower sort, and desire
+you will consider, when any of you make use of fair and enticing words
+to draw in customers, whether you do it for their sakes or your own. And
+then, for whose sakes do you think it is, that your leaders are so
+industrious to put into your heads all that party rage and virulence? Is
+it not to make you the tools and instruments, by which they work out
+their own designs? Has this spirit of faction been useful to any of you
+in your worldly concerns, except to those who have traded in whispering,
+backbiting, or informing, and wanted skill or honesty to thrive by
+fairer methods? It is no business of yours to inquire, who is at the
+head of armies, or of councils, unless you had power and skill to
+choose, neither of which is ever likely to be your case; and therefore
+to fill your heads with fears, and hatred of persons and things, of
+which it is impossible you can ever make a right judgment, or to set you
+at variance with your neighbour, because his thoughts are not the same
+as yours, is not only in a very gross manner to cheat you of your time
+and quiet, but likewise to endanger your souls.
+
+_Secondly_: In order to restore brotherly love, let me earnestly exhort
+you to stand firm in your religion; I mean, the true religion hitherto
+established among us, without varying in the least either to Popery on
+the one side, or to fanaticism on the other; and in a particular manner
+beware of that word, moderation; and believe it, that your neighbour is
+not immediately a villain, a Papist, and a traitor, because the fanatics
+and their adherents will not allow him to be a moderate man.
+
+Nay, it is very probable, that your teacher himself may be a loyal,
+pious, and able divine, without the least grain of moderation, as the
+word is too frequently understood. Therefore, to set you right in this
+matter, I will lay before you the character of a truly moderate man, and
+then I will give you the description of such a one as falsely pretendeth
+to that title.
+
+A man truly moderate is steady in the doctrine and discipline of the
+Church, but with a due Christian charity to all who dissent from it out
+of a principle of conscience; the freedom of which, he thinketh, ought
+to be fully allowed, as long as it is not abused, but never trusted with
+power. He is ready to defend with his life and fortune the Protestant
+succession, and the Protestant established faith, against all invaders
+whatsoever. He is for giving the Crown its just prerogative, and the
+people their just liberties. He hateth no man for differing from him in
+political opinions; nor doth he think it a maxim infallible, that virtue
+should always attend upon favour, and vice upon disgrace. These are some
+few lineaments in the character of a truly moderate man; let us now
+compare it with the description of one who usually passeth under that
+title.
+
+A moderate man, in the new meaning of the word, is one to whom all
+religion is indifferent; who although he denominates himself of the
+Church, regardeth it no more than a conventicle. He perpetually raileth
+at the body of the clergy, with exceptions only to a very few, who, he
+hopeth, and probably upon false grounds, are as ready to betray their
+rights and properties as himself. He thinketh the power of the people
+can never be too great, nor that of the prince too little; and yet this
+very notion he publisheth, as his best argument, to prove him a most
+loyal subject. Every opinion in government, that differeth in the least
+from his, tendeth directly to Popery, slavery, and rebellion. Whoever
+lieth under the frown of power, can, in his judgment, neither have
+common sense, common honesty, nor religion. Lastly, his devotion
+consisteth in drinking gibbets, confusion, and damnation[1]; in
+profanely idolizing the memory of one dead prince,[2] and ungratefully
+trampling upon the ashes of another.[3]
+
+[Footnote 1: The subject of these political toasts was the theme of much
+discussion in Ireland. [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 2: King William.]
+
+[Footnote 3: Queen Anne.]
+
+By these marks you will easily distinguish a truly moderate man from
+those who are commonly, but very falsely, so called; and while persons
+thus qualified are so numerous and so noisy, so full of zeal and
+industry to gain proselytes, and spread their opinions among the people,
+it cannot be wondered at that there should be so little brotherly love
+left among us.
+
+_Lastly_: It would probably contribute to restore some degree of
+brotherly love, if we would but consider, that the matter of those
+disputes, which inflame us to this degree, doth not, in its own nature,
+at all concern the generality of mankind. Indeed as to those who have
+been great gainers or losers by the changes of the world, the case is
+different; and to preach moderation to the first, and patience to the
+last, would perhaps be to little purpose: But what is that to the bulk
+of the people, who are not properly concerned in the quarrel, although
+evil instruments have drawn them into it? For, if the reasonable men on
+both sides were to confer opinions, they would find neither religion,
+loyalty, nor interest, are at all affected in this dispute. Not
+religion, because the members of the Church, on both sides, profess to
+agree in every article: Not loyalty to our prince, which is pretended to
+by one party as much as the other, and therefore can be no subject for
+debate: Not interest, for trade and industry lie open to all; and, what
+is further, concerns only those who have expectations from the public:
+So that the body of the people, if they knew their own good, might yet
+live amicably together, and leave their betters to quarrel among
+themselves, who might also probably soon come to a better temper, if
+they were less seconded and supported by the poor deluded multitude.
+
+I have now done with my text, which I confess to have treated in a
+manner more suited to the present times, than to the nature of the
+subject in general. That I have not been more particular in explaining
+the several parts and properties of this great duty of brotherly love,
+the apostle to the Thessalonians will plead my excuse.--"Touching
+brotherly love" (saith he) "ye need not that I write unto you, for ye
+yourselves are taught of God to love one another[4]." So that nothing
+remains to add, but our prayers to God, that he would please to restore
+and continue this duty of brotherly love or charity among us, the very
+bond of peace and of all virtues.
+
+[Footnote 4: 1 Thess. iv. 9.]
+
+_Nov._ 29, 1717.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE DIFFICULTY OF KNOWING ONE'S-SELF.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: Prefixed to the issue in volume ten, "Miscellanies," 1745,
+is the following:
+
+"ADVERTISEMENT.
+
+"The manuscript title page of the following sermon being lost, and no
+memorandum writ upon it, as there were upon the others, when and where
+it was preached, made the editor doubtful whether he should print it as
+the Dean's, or not. But its being found amongst the same papers; and the
+hand, though writ somewhat better, bearing a great similitude to the
+Dean's, made him willing to lay it before the public, that they might
+judge whether the style and manner also does not render it still more
+probable to be his." [T.S.]]
+
+
+2 KINGS, VIII. PART OF THE 13TH VERSE.
+
+"And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this
+great thing?"
+
+
+We have a very singular instance of the deceitfulness of the heart,
+represented to us in the person of Hazael; who was sent to the prophet
+Elisha, to enquire of the Lord concerning his master the King of Syria's
+recovery. For the man of God, having told him that the king might
+recover from the disorder he was then labouring under, begun to set and
+fasten his countenance upon him of a sudden, and to break out into the
+most violent expressions of sorrow, and a deep concern for it;
+whereupon, when Hazael, full of shame and confusion, asked, "Why weepeth
+my lord?" he answered, "Because I know all the evil that thou wilt do
+unto the children of Israel; their strongholds wilt thou set on fire,
+and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their
+children, and rip up their women with child." Thus much did the man of
+God say and know of him, by a light darted into his mind from heaven.
+But Hazael not knowing himself so well as the other did, was startled
+and amazed at the relation, and would not believe it possible that a man
+of his temper could ever run out into such enormous instances of cruelty
+and inhumanity. "What!" says he, "is thy servant a dog, that he should
+do this great thing?"
+
+And yet, for all this, it is highly probable that he was then that man
+he could not imagine himself to be; for we find him, on the very next
+day after his return, in a very treacherous and disloyal manner
+murdering his own master, and usurping his kingdom; which was but a
+prologue to the sad tragedy which he afterwards acted upon the people of
+Israel.
+
+And now the case is but very little better with most men, than it was
+with Hazael; however it comes to pass, they are wonderfully unacquainted
+with their own temper and disposition, and know very little of what
+passes within them: For of so many proud, ambitious, revengeful,
+envying, and ill-natured persons, that are in the world, where is there
+one of them, who, although he has all the symptoms of the vice appearing
+upon every occasion, can look with such an impartial eye upon himself,
+as to believe that the imputation thrown upon him is not altogether
+groundless and unfair? Who, if he were told by men of a discerning
+spirit and a strong conjecture, of all the evil and absurd things which
+that false heart of his would at one time or other betray him into,
+would not believe as little, and wonder as much, as Hazael did before
+him? Thus, for instance; tell an angry person that he is weak and
+impotent, and of no consistency of mind; tell him, that such or such a
+little accident, which he may then despise and think much below a
+passion, shall hereafter make him say and do several absurd, indiscreet,
+and misbecoming things: He may perhaps own that he has a spirit of
+resentment within him, that will not let him be imposed on, but he
+fondly imagines that he can lay a becoming restraint upon it when he
+pleases, although 'tis ever running away with him into some indecency or
+other.
+
+Therefore, to bring the words of my text to our present occasion, I
+shall endeavour, in a further prosecution of them, to evince the great
+necessity of a nice and curious inspection into the several recesses of
+the heart, being the surest and the shortest method that a wicked man
+can take to reform himself: For let us but stop the fountain, and the
+streams will spend and waste themselves away in a very little time; but
+if we go about, like children, to raise a bank, and to stop the current,
+not taking notice all the while of the spring which continually feeds
+it, when the next flood of temptation rises, and breaks in upon it, then
+we shall find that we have begun at the wrong end of our duty, and that
+we are very little more the better for it, than if we had sat still, and
+made no advances at all.
+
+But, in order to a clearer explanation of the point, I shall speak to
+these following particulars:--
+
+_First_: By endeavouring to prove, from particular instances, that man
+is generally the most ignorant creature in the world of himself.
+
+_Secondly_: By inquiring into the grounds and reasons of his ignorance.
+
+_Thirdly_ and _Lastly_: By proposing several advantages that do most
+assuredly attend a due improvement in the knowledge of ourselves.
+
+
+_First_, then: To prove that man is generally the most ignorant creature
+in the world, of himself.
+
+To pursue the heart of man through all the instances of life, in all its
+several windings and turnings, and under that infinite variety of shapes
+and appearances which it puts on, would be a difficult and almost
+impossible undertaking; so that I shall confine myself to such as have a
+nearer reference to the present occasion, and do, upon a closer view,
+shew themselves through the whole business of repentance. For we all
+know what it is to repent, but whether he repents him truly of his sins
+or not, who can know it?
+
+Now the great duty of repentance is chiefly made up of these two parts,
+a hearty sorrow for the follies and miscarriages of the time past, and a
+full purpose and resolution of amendment for the time to come. And now,
+to shew the falseness of the heart in both these parts of repentance,
+And
+
+_First_: As to a hearty sorrow for the sins and miscarriages of the time
+past. Is there a more usual thing than for a man to impose upon himself,
+by putting on a grave and demure countenance, by casting a severe look
+into his past conduct, and making some few pious and devout reflections
+upon it, and then to believe that he has repented to an excellent
+purpose, without ever letting it step forth into practice, and shew
+itself in a holy conversation? Nay, some persons do carry the deceit a
+little higher; who if they can but bring themselves to weep for their
+sins, they are then full of an ill-grounded confidence and security;
+never considering that all this may prove to be no more than the very
+garb and outward dress of a contrite heart, which another heart, as hard
+as the nether millstone, may as well put on. For tears and sighs,
+however in some persons they may be decent and commendable expressions
+of a godly sorrow, are neither necessary, nor infallible signs of a true
+and unfeigned repentance. Not necessary, because sometimes, and in some
+persons, the inward grief and anguish of the mind may be too big to be
+expressed by so little a thing as a tear, and then it turneth its edge
+inward upon the mind; and like those wounds of the body which bleed
+inwardly, generally proves the most fatal and dangerous to the whole
+body of sin: Not infallible, because a very small portion of sorrow may
+make some tender dispositions melt, and break out into tears; or a man
+may perhaps weep at parting with his sins, as he would bid the last
+farewell to an old friend.
+
+But there is still a more pleasant cheat in this affair, that when we
+find a deadness, and a strange kind of unaptness and indisposition to
+all impressions of religion, and that we cannot be as truly sorry for
+our sins as we should be, we then pretend to be sorry that we are not
+more sorry for them; which is not more absurd and irrational, than that
+a man should pretend to be very angry at a thing, because he did not
+know how to be angry at all.
+
+But after all, what is wanting in this part of repentance, we expect to
+make up in the next; and to that purpose we put on a resolution of
+amendment, which we take to be as firm as a house built upon a rock; so
+that let the floods arise, and the winds blow, and the streams beat
+vehemently upon it, nothing shall shake it into ruin or disorder. We
+doubt not, upon the strength of this resolve, to stand fast and unmoved
+amid the storm of a temptation; and do firmly believe, at the time we
+make it, that nothing in the world will ever be able to make us commit
+those sins over again, which we have so firmly resolved against.
+
+Thus many a time have we come to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,
+with a full purpose of amendment, and with as full a persuasion of
+putting that same purpose into practice; and yet have we not all as
+often broke that good purpose, and falsified that same persuasion, by
+starting aside, like a broken bow, into those very sins, which we then
+so solemnly and so confidently declared against?
+
+Whereas had but any other person entered with us into a vow so solemn,
+that he had taken the Holy Sacrament upon it, I believe had he but once
+deceived us by breaking in upon the vow, we should hardly ever after be
+prevailed upon to trust that man again, though we still continue to
+trust our own fears, against reason and against experience.
+
+This indeed is a dangerous deceit enough, and will of course betray all
+those well-meaning persons into sin and folly, who are apt to take
+religion for a much easier thing than it is. But this is not the only
+mistake we are apt to run into; we do not only think sometimes that we
+can do more than we can do, but sometimes that we are incapable of doing
+less; an error of another kind indeed, but not less dangerous, arising
+from a diffidence and false humility. For how much a wicked man can do
+in the business of religion, if he would but do his best, is very often
+more than he can tell.
+
+Thus nothing is more common than to see a wicked man running headlong
+into sin and folly, against his reason, against his religion, and
+against his God. Tell him, that what he is going to do will be an
+infinite disparagement to his understanding, which, at another time, he
+sets no small value upon; tell him that it will blacken his reputation,
+which he had rather die for than lose; tell him that the pleasure of sin
+is short and transient, and leaves a vexatious kind of sting behind it,
+which will very hardly be drawn forth; tell him that this is one of
+those things for which God will most surely bring him to judgment, which
+he pretends to believe with a full assurance and persuasion: And yet for
+all this, he shuts his eyes against all conviction, and rusheth into the
+sin like a horse into battle; as if he had nothing left to do, but, like
+a silly child to wink hard, and to think to escape a certain and
+infinite mischief, only by endeavouring not to see it.
+
+And now to shew that the heart has given in a false report of the
+temptation, we may learn from this, that the same weak man would resist
+and master the same powerful temptation, upon considerations of
+infinitely less value than those which religion offers, nay such vile
+considerations, that the grace of God cannot without blasphemy be
+supposed to add any manner of force and efficacy to them. Thus for
+instance, it would be a hard matter to dress up a sin in such soft and
+tempting circumstances, that a truly covetous man would not resist for a
+considerable sum of money; when neither the hopes of heaven nor the
+fears of hell could make an impression upon him before. But can anything
+be a surer indication of the deceitfulness of the heart, than thus to
+shew more courage, resolution, and activity, in an ill cause, than it
+does in a good one? And to exert itself to better purpose, when it is to
+serve its own pride, or lust, or revenge, or any other passion, than
+when it is to serve God upon motives of the Gospel, and upon all the
+arguments that have ever been made use of to bring men over to religion
+and a good life? And thus having shewn that man is wonderfully apt to
+deceive and impose upon himself, in passing through the several stages
+of that great duty, repentance, I proceed now, in the
+
+_Second place_: To inquire into the grounds and reasons of this
+ignorance, _and to shew whence it comes to pass that man, the only
+creature in the world that can reflect and look into himself, should
+know so little of what passes within him, and be so very much
+unacquainted even with the standing dispositions and complexion of his
+own heart_. The prime reason of it is, because we so very seldom
+converse with ourselves, and take so little notice of what passes within
+us: For a man can no more know his own heart than he can know his own
+face, any other way than by reflection: He may as well tell over every
+feature of the smaller portions of his face without the help of a
+looking-glass, as he can tell all the inward bents and tendencies of his
+soul, those standing features and lineaments of the inward man, and know
+all the various changes that this is liable to from custom, from
+passion, and from opinion, without a very frequent use of looking within
+himself.
+
+For our passions and inclinations are not always upon the wing, and
+always moving toward their respective objects, but retire now and then
+into the more dark and hidden recesses of the heart, where they lie
+concealed for a while, until a fresh occasion calls them forth again: So
+that not every transient, oblique glance upon the mind can bring a man
+into a thorough knowledge of all its strength and weaknesses; for a man
+may sometimes turn the eye of the mind inward upon itself, as he may
+behold his natural face in a glass, and go away, "and straight forget
+what manner of man he was." But a man must rather sit down and unravel
+every action of the past day into all its circumstances and
+particularities, and observe how every little thing moved and affected
+him, and what manner of impression it made upon his heart; this done
+with that frequency and carefulness which the importance of the duty
+does require, would in a short time bring him into a nearer and more
+intimate acquaintance with himself.
+
+But when men instead of this do pass away months and years in a perfect
+slumber of the mind, without once awaking it, it is no wonder they
+should be so very ignorant of themselves, and know very little more of
+what passes within them than the very beasts which perish. But here it
+may not be amiss to inquire into the reasons why most men have so little
+conversation with themselves.
+
+And, _first:_  Because this reflection is a work and labour of the mind,
+and cannot be performed without some pain and difficulty: For, before a
+man can reflect upon himself, and look into his heart with a steady eye,
+he must contract his sight, and collect all his scattering and roving
+thoughts into some order and compass, that he may be able to take a
+clear and distinct view of them; he must retire from the world for a
+while, and be unattentive to all impressions of sense; and how hard and
+painful a thing must it needs be to a man of passion and infirmity, amid
+such a crowd of objects that are continually striking upon the sense,
+and soliciting the affections, not to be moved and interrupted by one or
+other of them. But,
+
+_Secondly:_ Another reason why we so seldom converse with ourselves, is,
+because the business of the world takes up all our time, and leaveth us
+no portion of it to spend upon this great work and labour of the mind.
+Thus twelve or fourteen years pass away before we can well discern good
+from evil; and of the rest so much goes away in sleep, so much in the
+proper business of our calling, that we have none to lay out upon the
+more serious and religious employments. Every man's life is an imperfect
+sort of a circle, which he repeats and runs over every day; he has a set
+of thoughts, desires, and inclinations, which return upon him in their
+proper time and order, and will very hardly be laid aside, to make room
+for anything new and uncommon: So that call upon him when you please, to
+set about the study of his own heart, and you are sure to find him
+pre-engaged; either he has some business to do, or some diversion to
+take, some acquaintance that he must visit, or some company that he must
+entertain, or some cross accident has put him out of humour, and
+unfitted him for such a grave employment. And thus it cometh to pass
+that a man can never find leisure to look into himself, because he does
+not set apart some portion of the day for that very purpose, but
+foolishly defers it from one day to another, till his glass is almost
+run out, and he is called to give a miserable account of himself in the
+other world. But,
+
+_Thirdly_, Another reason why a man does not more frequently converse
+with himself, is, because such conversation with his own heart may
+discover some vice or some infirmity lurking within him, which he is
+very unwilling to believe himself guilty of. For can there be a more
+ungrateful thing to a man, than to find that upon a nearer view he is
+not that person he took himself to be? That he had neither the courage,
+nor the honesty, nor the piety, nor the humility that he dreamed he had?
+That a very little pain, for instance, putteth him out of patience, and
+as little pleasure softens and disarms him into ease and wantonness?
+That he has been at more pains, and labour, and cost, to be revenged of
+an enemy, than to oblige the best friend he has in the world? That he
+cannot bring himself to say his prayers, without a great deal of
+reluctancy; and when he does say them, the spirit and fervour of
+devotion evaporate in a very short time, and he can scarcely hold out a
+prayer of ten lines, without a number of idle and impertinent, if not
+vain and wicked thoughts coming into his head? These are very unwelcome
+discoveries that a man may make of himself; so that 'tis no wonder that
+every one who is already flushed with a good opinion of himself, should
+rather study how to run away from it, than how to converse with his own
+heart.
+
+But further, if a man were both able and willing to retire into his own
+heart, and to set apart some portion of the day for that very purpose;
+yet he is still disabled from passing a fair and impartial judgment upon
+himself, by several difficulties, arising partly from prejudice and
+prepossession, partly from the lower appetites and inclinations. And,
+
+_First_: That the business of prepossession may lead and betray a man
+into a false judgment of his own heart. For we may observe, that the
+first opinion we take up of anything, or any person, does generally
+stick close to us; the nature of the mind being such, that it cannot but
+desire, and consequently endeavour to have some certain principles to go
+upon, something fixed and unmoveable, whereon it may rest and support
+itself. And hence it comes to pass, that some persons are with so much
+difficulty brought to think well of a man they have once entertained an
+ill opinion of: and perhaps that too for a very absurd and unwarrantable
+reason. But how much more difficult then must it be for a man, who takes
+up a fond opinion of his own heart long before he has either years or
+sense enough to understand it, either to be persuaded out of it by
+himself, whom he loveth so well, or by another, whose interest or
+diversion it may be to make him ashamed of himself! Then,
+
+_Secondly_: As to the difficulties arising from the inferior appetites
+and inclinations, let any man look into his own heart, and observe in
+how different a light, and under what different complexions, any two
+sins of equal turpitude and malignity do appear to him, if he has but a
+strong inclination to the one, and none at all to the other. That which
+he has an inclination to, is always drest up in all the false beauty
+that a fond and busy imagination can give it; the other appears naked
+and deformed, and in all the true circumstances of folly and dishonour.
+Thus stealing is a vice that few gentlemen are inclined to; and they
+justly think it below the dignity of a man to stoop to so base and low a
+sin; but no principle of honour, no workings of the mind and conscience,
+not the still voice of mercy, not the dreadful call of judgment, nor any
+considerations whatever, can put a stop to that violence and oppression,
+that pride and ambition, that revelling and wantonness, which we every
+day meet with in the world. Nay, it is easy to observe very different
+thoughts in a man, of the sin that he is most fond of, according to, the
+different ebbs and flows of his inclination to it For as soon as the
+appetite is alarmed, and seizeth upon the heart, a little cloud
+gathereth about the head, and spreads a kind of darkness over the face
+of the soul, whereby 'tis hindered from taking a clear and distinct view
+of things; but no sooner is the appetite tired and satiated, but the
+same cloud passes away like a shadow, and a new light springing up in
+the mind of a sudden, the man sees much more, both of the folly and of
+the danger of the sin, than he did before.
+
+And thus having done with the several reasons why man, the only creature
+in the world that can reflect and look into himself, is so very ignorant
+of what passes within him, and so much unacquainted with the standing
+dispositions and complexions of his own heart: I proceed now, in the
+
+_Third_ and _Last_ place, to lay down several advantages, that do _most
+assuredly_ attend a due improvement in the knowledge of ourselves. And,
+
+_First_: One great advantage is, that it tends very much to mortify and
+humble a man into a modest and low opinion of himself. For let a man
+take a nice and curious inspection into all the several regions of the
+heart, and observe every thing irregular and amiss within him: for
+instance, how narrow and short-sighted a thing is the understanding;
+upon how little reason do we take up an opinion, and upon how much
+less sometimes do we lay it down again, how weak and false ground do we
+often walk upon with the biggest confidence and assurance, and how
+tremulous and doubtful are we very often where no doubt is to be made.
+Again; how wild and impertinent, how busy and incoherent a thing is the
+imagination, even in the best and wisest men; insomuch that every man
+may be said to be mad, but every man does not shew it. Then as to the
+passions; how noisy, how turbulent, and how tumultuous are they, how
+easy they are stirred and set a-going, how eager and hot in the pursuit,
+and what strange disorder and confusion do they throw a man into; so
+that he can neither think, nor speak, nor act as he should do, while he
+is under the dominion of any one of them.
+
+Thus let every man look with a severe and impartial eye into all the
+distinct regions of the heart, and no doubt, several deformities and
+irregularities, that he never thought of, will open and disclose
+themselves upon so near a view; and rather make the man ashamed of
+himself, than proud.
+
+_Secondly:_ A due improvement in the knowledge of ourselves does
+certainly secure us from the sly and insinuating assaults of flattery.
+There is not in the world a baser and more hateful thing than flattery;
+it proceeds from so much falseness and insincerity in the man that gives
+it, and often discovers so much weakness and folly in the man that takes
+it, that it is hard to tell which of the two is most to be blamed. Every
+man of common sense can demonstrate in speculation, and may be fully
+convinced, that all the praises and commendations of the whole world can
+add no more to the real and intrinsic value of a man, than they can add
+to his stature. And yet, for all this, men of the best sense and piety,
+when they come down to the practice, cannot forbear thinking much better
+of themselves, when they have the good fortune to be spoken well of by
+other persons.
+
+But the meaning of this absurd proceeding seems to be no other than
+this; there are few men that have so intimate an acquaintance with their
+own heart, as to know their own real worth, and how to set a just rate
+upon themselves, and therefore they do not know but that he who praises
+them most, may be most in the right of it. For, no doubt, if a man were
+ignorant of the true value of a thing he loved as well as himself, he
+would measure the worth of it according to the esteem of him who bids
+most for it, rather than of him that bids less.
+
+Therefore, the most infallible way to disentangle a man from the snares
+of flattery, is, to consult and study his own heart; for whoever does
+that well, will hardly be so absurd, as to take another man's word,
+before his own sense and experience.
+
+_Thirdly:_ Another advantage from this kind of study, is this, that it
+teaches a man how to behave himself patiently, when he has the ill
+fortune to be censured and abused by other people. For a man who is
+thoroughly acquainted with his own heart, does already know more evil of
+himself, than anybody else can tell him; and when any one speaks ill of
+him, he rather thanks God that he can say no worse. For could his enemy
+but look into the dark and hidden recesses of the heart, he considers
+what a number of impure thoughts he might there see brooding and
+hovering, like a dark cloud, upon the face of the soul; that there he
+might take a prospect of the fancy, and view it acting over the several
+scenes of pride, of ambition, of envy, of lust, and revenge; that there
+he might tell how often a vicious inclination has been restrained, for
+no other reason but just to save the man's credit or interest in the
+world; and how many unbecoming ingredients have entered into the
+composition of his best actions. And now, what man in the whole world
+would be able to bear so severe a test, to have every thought and inward
+motion of the heart laid open and exposed to the views of his enemies?
+But,
+
+_Fourthly_, and _Lastly:_ Another advantage of this kind is, that it
+makes men less severe upon other people's faults, and less busy and
+industrious in spreading them. For a man, employed at home, inspecting
+into his own failings, has not leisure to take notice of every little
+spot and blemish that lies scattered upon others. Or if he cannot escape
+the sight of them, he always passes the most easy and favourable
+construction upon them. Thus, for instance; does the ill he knows of a
+man proceed from an unhappy temper and constitution of body? He then
+considers with himself, how hard a thing it is, not to be borne down
+with the current of the blood and spirits, and accordingly lays some
+part of the blame upon the weakness of human nature, for he has felt the
+force and rapidity of it within his own breast; though perhaps, in
+another instance, he remembers how it rages and swells by opposition;
+and though it may be restrained, or diverted for a while, yet it can
+hardly ever be totally subdued.
+
+Or has the man sinned out of custom? He then, from his own experience,
+traces a habit into the very first rise and imperfect beginnings of it;
+and can tell by how slow and insensible advances it creeps upon the
+heart; how it works itself by degrees into the very frame and texture of
+it, and so passes into a second nature; and consequently he has a just
+sense of the great difficulty for him to learn to do good, who has been
+long accustomed to do evil.
+
+Or, lastly, has a false opinion betrayed him into a sin? He then calls
+to mind what wrong apprehensions he has made of some things himself; how
+many opinions, that he once made no doubt of, he has, upon a stricter
+examination found to be doubtful and uncertain; how many more to be
+unreasonable and absurd. He knows further, that there are a great many
+more opinions that he has never yet examined into at all, and which,
+however, he still believes, for no other reason, but because he has
+believed them so long already without a reason. Thus, upon every
+occasion, a man intimately acquainted with himself, consults his own
+heart, and makes every man's case to be his own, (and so puts the most
+favourable interpretation upon it). Let every man therefore look into
+his own heart, before he beginneth to abuse the reputation of another,
+and then he will hardly be so absurd as to throw a dart that will so
+certainly rebound and wound himself. And thus, through the whole course
+of his conversation, let him keep an eye upon that one great
+comprehensive rule of Christian duty, on which hangs, not only the law
+and the prophets, but the very life and spirit of the Gospel too:
+"Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto
+them." Which rule, that we may all duly observe, by throwing aside all
+scandal and detraction, all spite and rancour, all rudeness and
+contempt, all rage and violence, and whatever tends to make conversation
+and commerce either uneasy, or troublesome, may the God of peace grant
+for Jesus Christ his sake, &c.
+
+Consider what has been said, &c.
+
+
+
+
+ON FALSE WITNESS.
+
+
+EXODUS, XX. 16.
+
+"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
+
+
+In those great changes that are made in a country by the prevailing of
+one party over another, it is very convenient that the prince, and those
+who are in authority under him, should use all just and proper methods
+for preventing any mischief to the public from seditious men. And
+governors do well, when they encourage any good subject to discover (as
+his duty obligeth him) whatever plots or conspiracies may be anyway
+dangerous to the state: Neither are they to be blamed, even when they
+receive informations from bad men, in order to find out the truth, when
+it concerns the public welfare. Every one indeed is naturally inclined
+to have an ill opinion of an informer; although it is not impossible but
+an honest man may be called by that name. For whoever knoweth anything,
+the telling of which would prevent some great evil to his prince, his
+country, or his neighbour, is bound in conscience to reveal it. But the
+mischief is, that, when parties are violently enflamed, which seemeth
+unfortunately to be our case at present, there is never wanting a set of
+evil instruments, who, either out of mad zeal, private hatred, or filthy
+lucre, are always ready to offer their service to the prevailing side,
+and become accusers of their brethren, without any regard to truth or
+charity. Holy David numbers this among the chief of his sufferings;
+"False witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out
+cruelty."[1] Our Saviour and his apostles did likewise undergo the same
+distress, as we read both in the Gospels and the Acts.
+
+[Footnote 1:  Psalm xxvii. 12.]
+
+Now, because the sign of false witnessing is so horrible and dangerous
+in itself, and so odious to God and man; and because the bitterness of
+too many among us is risen to such a height, that it is not easy to know
+where it will stop, or how far some weak and wicked minds may be carried
+by a mistaken zeal, a malicious temper, or hope of reward, to break this
+great commandment delivered in the text; therefore, in order to prevent
+this evil, and the consequences of it, at least among you who are my
+hearers, I shall,
+
+I. _First_: Shew you several ways by which a man may be called a false
+witness against his neighbour.
+
+II. _Secondly_: I shall give you some rules for your conduct and
+behaviour, in order to defend yourselves against the malice and cunning
+of false accusers.
+
+III. And _lastly_: I shall conclude with shewing you very briefly, how
+far it is your duty, as good subjects and good neighbours, to bear
+faithful witness, when you are lawfully called to it by those in
+authority, or by the sincere advice of your own consciences,
+
+I. As to the first, there are several ways by which a man may be justly
+called a false witness against his neighbour.
+
+_First_, According to the direct meaning of the word, when a man
+accuseth his neighbour without the least ground of truth. So we read,
+that Jezebel hired two sons of Belial to accuse Naboth for blaspheming
+God and the King, for which, although he was entirely innocent, he was
+stoned to death.[2] And in our age it is not easy, to tell how many men
+have lost their lives, been ruined in their fortunes, and put to
+ignominious punishment by the downright perjury of false witnesses! The
+law itself in such cases being not able to protect the innocent. But
+this is so horrible a crime, that it doth not need to be aggravated by
+words.
+
+[Footnote 2: i Kings, xxi. 8-13.]
+
+A second way by which a man becometh a false witness is, when he mixeth
+falsehood and truth together, or concealeth some circumstances, which,
+if they were told; would destroy the falsehoods he uttereth. So the two
+false witnesses who accused our Saviour before the chief priests, by a
+very little perverting his words, would have made him guilty of a
+capital crime: for so it was among the Jews to prophesy any evil against
+the Temple: "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God,
+and to build it in three days;"[3] whereas the words, as our Saviour
+spoke them, were to another end, and differently expressed: For when the
+Jews asked him to shew them a sign, he said, "Destroy this temple, and
+in three days I will raise it up." In such cases as these, an innocent
+man is half confounded, and looketh as if he were guilty, since he
+neither can deny his words, nor perhaps readily strip them from the
+malicious additions of a false witness.
+
+[Footnote 3: Mat. xxvi. 6]
+
+_Thirdly_: A man is a false witness, when, in accusing his neighbour, he
+endeavoureth to aggravate by his gestures and tone of his voice, or when
+he chargeth a man with words which were only repeated or quoted from
+somebody else. As if any one should tell me that he heard another speak
+certain dangerous and seditious speeches, and I should immediately
+accuse him for speaking them himself; and so drop the only circumstance
+that made him innocent. This was the case of St Stephen. The false
+witness said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against
+this holy place and the law."[4] Whereas St Stephen said no such words;
+but only repeated some prophecies of Jeremiah or Malachi, which
+threatened Jerusalem with destruction if it did not repent. However, by
+the fury of the people, this innocent holy person was stoned to death
+for words he never spoke.
+
+[Footnote 4: Acts, vi. 13.]
+
+_Fourthly_: The blackest kind of false witnesses are those who do the
+office of the devil, by tempting their brethren in order to betray them.
+I cannot call to mind any instances of this kind mentioned in Holy
+Scripture. But I am afraid, this vile practice hath been too much
+followed in the world. When a man's temper hath been so soured by
+misfortunes and hard usage, that perhaps he hath reason enough to
+complain; then one of these seducers, under the pretence of friendship,
+will seem to lament his case, urge the hardships he hath suffered, and
+endeavour to raise his passions, until he hath said something that a
+malicious informer can pervert or aggravate against him in a court of
+justice.
+
+_Fifthly_: Whoever beareth witness against his neighbour, out of a
+principle of malice and revenge, from any old grudge, or hatred to his
+person; such a man is a false witness in the sight of God, although what
+he says be true; because the motive or cause is evil, not to serve his
+prince or country, but to gratify his own resentments. And therefore,
+although a man thus accused may be very justly punished by the law, yet
+this doth by no means acquit the accuser, who, instead of regarding the
+public service, intended only to glut his private rage and spite.
+
+_Sixthly_: I number among false witnesses, all those who make a trade of
+being informers in hope of favour or reward; and to this end employ
+their time, either by listening in public places, to catch up an
+accidental word; or in corrupting men's servants to discover any unwary
+expression of their master; or thrusting themselves into company, and
+then using the most indecent scurrilous language; fastening a thousand
+falsehoods and scandals upon a whole party, on purpose to provoke such
+an answer as they may turn to an accusation. And truly this ungodly race
+is said to be grown so numerous, that men of different parties can
+hardly converse together with any security. Even the pulpit hath not
+been free from the misrepresentation of these informers; of whom the
+clergy have not wanted occasions to complain with holy David: "They
+daily mistake my words, all they imagine is to do me evil." Nor is it
+any wonder at all, that this trade of informing should be now in a
+flourishing condition, since our case is manifestly thus: We are divided
+into two parties, with very little charity or temper toward each other;
+the prevailing side may talk of past things as they please, with
+security; and generally do it in the most provoking words they can
+invent; while those who are down, are sometimes tempted to speak in
+favour of a lost cause, and therefore, without great caution, must needs
+be often caught tripping, and thereby furnish plenty of materials for
+witnesses and informers.
+
+_Lastly_: Those may be well reckoned among false witnesses against their
+neighbour, who bring him into trouble and punishment by such accusations
+as are of no consequence at all to the public, nor can be of any other
+use but to create vexation. Such witnesses are those who cannot hear an
+idle intemperate expression, but they must immediately run to the
+magistrate to inform; or perhaps wrangling in their cups over night,
+when they were not able to speak or apprehend three words of common
+sense, will pretend to remember everything the next morning, and think
+themselves very properly qualified to be accusers of their brethren. God
+be thanked, the throne of our King[5] is too firmly settled to be shaken
+by the folly and rashness of every sottish companion. And I do not in
+the least doubt, that when those in power begin to observe the
+falsehood, the prevarication, the aggravating manner, the treachery and
+seducing, the malice and revenge, the love of lucre, and lastly, the
+trifling accusations in too many wicked people, they will be as ready to
+discourage every sort of those whom I have numbered among false
+witnesses, as they will be to countenance honest men, who, out of a true
+zeal to their prince and country, do, in the innocence of their hearts,
+freely discover whatever they may apprehend to be dangerous to either. A
+good Christian will think it sufficient to reprove his brother for a
+rash unguarded word, where there is neither danger nor evil example to
+be apprehended; or, if he will not amend by reproof, avoid his
+conversation.
+
+[Footnote 5: George I.]
+
+II. And thus much may serve to shew the several ways whereby a man may
+be said to be a false witness against his neighbour. I might have added
+one kind more, and it is of those who inform against their neighbour out
+of fear of punishment to themselves, which, although it be more
+excusable, and hath less of malice than any of the rest, cannot,
+however, be justified. I go on, therefore, upon the second head, to give
+you some rules for your conduct and behaviour, in order to defend
+yourselves against the malice and cunning of false accusers.
+
+It is readily agreed, that innocence is the best protection in the
+world; yet that it is not always sufficient without some degree of
+prudence, our Saviour himself intimateth to us, by instructing his
+disciples "to be wise as serpents, as well as innocent as doves." But if
+ever innocence be too weak a defence, it is chiefly so in jealous and
+suspicious times, when factions are arrived to an high pitch of
+animosity, and the minds of men, instead of being warmed by a true zeal
+for religion, are inflamed only by party fury. Neither is virtue itself
+a sufficient security in such times, because it is not allowed to be
+virtue, otherwise than as it hath a mixture of party.
+
+However, although virtue and innocence are no infallible defence against
+perjury, malice, and subornation, yet they are great supports for
+enabling us to bear those evils with temper and resignation; and it is
+an unspeakable comfort to a good man under the malignity of evil
+mercenary tongues, that a few years will carry his appeal to an higher
+tribunal, where false witnesses, instead of daring to bring accusations
+before an all-seeing Judge, will call for mountains to cover them. As
+for earthly judges, they seldom have it in their power; and, God knows,
+whether they have it in their will, to mingle mercy with justice; they
+are so far from knowing the hearts of the accuser or the accused, that
+they cannot know their own; and their understanding is frequently
+biassed, although their intentions be just. They are often prejudiced to
+causes, parties, and persons, through the infirmity of human nature,
+without being sensible themselves that they are so: And therefore,
+although God may pardon their errors here, he certainly will not ratify
+their sentences hereafter.
+
+However, since as we have before observed, our Saviour prescribeth to us
+to be not only harmless as doves, but wise as serpents; give me leave to
+prescribe to you some rules, which the most ignorant person may follow
+for the conduct of his life, with safety in perilous times, against
+false accusers.
+
+1st, Let me advise you to have nothing at all to do with that which is
+commonly called politics, or the government of the world, in the nature
+of which it is certain you are utterly ignorant, and when your opinion
+is wrong, although it proceeds from ignorance, it shall be an accusation
+against you. Besides, opinions in government are right or wrong, just
+according to the humour and disposition of the times; and, unless you
+have judgment to distinguish, you may be punished at one time for what
+you would be rewarded in another.
+
+2dly, Be ready at all times, in your words and actions, to shew your
+loyalty to the king that reigns over you. This is the plain manifest
+doctrine of Holy Scripture: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man
+for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme," &c.[6] And
+another apostle telleth us, "The powers that be are ordained of God."
+Kings are the ordinances of man by the permission of God, and they are
+ordained of God by his instrument man. The powers that be, the present
+powers, which are ordained by God, and yet in some sense are the
+ordinances of man, are what you must obey, without presuming to examine
+into rights and titles; neither can it be reasonably expected, that the
+powers in being, or in possession, should suffer their title to be
+publicly disputed by subjects without severe punishment. And to say the
+truth, there is no duty in religion more easy to the generality of
+mankind, than obedience to government: I say to the generality of
+mankind; because while their law, and property, and religion are
+preserved, it is of no great consequence to them by whom they are
+governed, and therefore they are under no temptation to desire a change.
+
+[Footnote 6: I Peter, ii. 13.]
+
+3dly, In order to prevent any charge from the malice of false witnesses,
+be sure to avoid intemperance. If it be often so hard for men to govern
+their tongues when they are in their right senses, how can they hope to
+do it when they are heated with drink? In those cases most men regard
+not what they say, and too many not what they swear; neither will a
+man's memory, disordered with drunkenness, serve to defend himself, or
+satisfy him whether he were guilty or no.
+
+4thly, Avoid, as much as possible, the conversation of those people, who
+are given to talk of public persons and affairs, especially of those
+whose opinions in such matters are different from yours. I never once
+knew any disputes of this kind managed with tolerable temper; but on
+both sides they only agree as much as possible to provoke the passions
+of each other, indeed with this disadvantage, that he who argueth on the
+side of power may speak securely the utmost his malice can invent; while
+the other lieth every moment at the mercy of an informer; and the law,
+in these cases, will give no allowance at all for passion, inadvertency,
+or the highest provocation.
+
+I come now in the last place to shew you how far it is your duty as good
+subjects and good neighbours to bear faithful witness, when you are
+lawfully called to it by those in authority, or by the sincere advice of
+your own consciences.
+
+In what I have hitherto said, you easily find, that I do not talk of
+bearing witness in general, which is and may be lawful upon a thousand
+accounts in relation to property and other matters, and wherein there
+are many scandalous corruptions, almost peculiar to this country, which
+would require to be handled by themselves. But I have confined my
+discourse only to that branch of bearing false witness, whereby the
+public is injured in the safety or honour of the prince, or those in
+authority under him.
+
+In order therefore to be a faithful witness, it is first necessary that
+a man doth not undertake it from the least prospect of any private
+advantage to himself. The smallest mixture of that leaven will sour the
+whole lump. Interest will infallibly bias his judgment, although he be
+ever so firmly resolved to say nothing but truth. He cannot serve God
+and Mammon; but as interest is his chief end, he will use the most
+effectual means to advance it. He will aggravate circumstances to make
+his testimony valuable; he will be sorry if the person he accuseth
+should be able to clear himself; in short, he is labouring a point which
+he thinks necessary to his own good; and it would be a disappointment to
+him, that his neighbour should prove innocent.
+
+5thly, Every good subject is obliged to bear witness against his
+neighbour, for any action or words, the telling of which would be of
+advantage to the public, and the concealment dangerous, or of ill
+example. Of this nature are all plots and conspiracies against the peace
+of a nation, all disgraceful words against a prince, such as clearly
+discover a disloyal and rebellious heart: But where our prince and
+country can possibly receive no damage or disgrace; where no scandal or
+ill example is given; and our neighbour, it may be, provoked by us,
+happeneth privately to drop a rash or indiscreet word, which in
+strictness of law might bring him under trouble, perhaps to his utter
+undoing; there we are obliged, we ought, to proceed no further than
+warning and reproof.
+
+In describing to you the several kinds of false witnesses, I have made
+it less necessary to dwell much longer upon this head; because a
+faithful witness like everything else is known by his contrary:
+Therefore it would be only a repetition of what I have already said to
+tell you, that the strictest truth is required in a witness; that he
+should be wholly free from malice against the person he accuses; that he
+should not aggravate the smallest circumstance against the criminal, nor
+conceal the smallest in his favour; and to crown all, though I have
+hinted it before, that the only cause or motive of his undertaking an
+office, so subject to censure, and so difficult to perform, should be
+the safety and service of his prince and country.
+
+Under these conditions and limitations (but not otherwise,) there is no
+manner of doubt but a good man may lawfully and justly become a witness
+in behalf of the public, and may perform that office (in its own nature
+not very desirable) with honour and integrity. For the command in the
+text is positive as well as negative; that is to say, as we are directed
+not to bear false witness against our neighbour, so we are to bear true.
+Next to the word of God, and the advice of teachers, every man's
+conscience, strictly examined, will be his best director in this weighty
+point; and to that I shall leave him.
+
+It might perhaps be thought proper to have added something by way of
+advice to those who are unhappily engaged in this abominable trade and
+sin of bearing false witness; but I am far from believing or supposing
+any of that destructive tribe are now my hearers. I look upon them as a
+sort of people that seldom frequent these holy places, where they can
+hardly pick up any materials to serve their turn, unless they think it
+worth their while to misrepresent or pervert the words of the preacher:
+And whoever is that way disposed, I doubt, cannot be in a very good
+condition to edify and reform himself by what he heareth. God in his
+mercy preserve us from all the guilt of this grievous sin forbidden in
+my text, and from the snares of those who are guilty of it!
+
+I shall conclude with one or two precepts given by Moses, from God, to
+the children of Israel, in the xxiiid of Exod. 1, 2.
+
+"Thou shalt not raise a false report: Put not thine hand with the
+wicked, to be an unrighteous witness.
+
+"Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, neither shalt them speak
+in a cause to decline after many, to wrest judgment."
+
+Now to God the Father, &c.
+
+
+
+
+ON THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: The title of this sermon as given in Contents of Swift's
+"Works," vol. viii., pt. i. (4to, 1765) is, "A Sermon upon the
+Excellence of Christianity in Opposition to Heathen Philosophy." [T.S.]]
+
+
+I COR. III. 19.
+
+"The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."
+
+
+It is remarkable that, about the time of our Saviour's coming into the
+world, all kinds of learning flourished to a very great degree, insomuch
+that nothing is more frequent in the mouths of many men, even such who
+pretend to read and to know, than an extravagant praise and opinion of
+the wisdom and virtue of the Gentile sages of those days, and likewise
+of those ancient philosophers who went before them, whose doctrines are
+left upon record either by themselves or other writers. As far as this
+may be taken for granted, it may be said, that the providence of God
+brought this about for several very wise ends and purposes: For, it is
+certain that these philosophers had been a long time before searching
+out where to fix the true happiness of man; and, not being able to agree
+upon any certainty about it, they could not possibly but conclude, if
+they judged impartially, that all their enquiries were, in the end, but
+vain and fruitless; the consequence of which must be not only an
+acknowledgment of the weakness of all human wisdom, but likewise an open
+passage hereby made, for the letting in those beams of light, which the
+glorious sunshine of the Gospel then brought into the world, by
+revealing those hidden truths, which they had so long before been
+labouring to discover, and fixing the general happiness of mankind
+beyond all controversy and dispute. And therefore the providence of God
+wisely suffered men of deep genius and learning then to arise, who
+should search into the truth of the Gospel now made known, and canvass
+its doctrines with all the subtilty and knowledge they were masters of,
+and in the end freely acknowledge that to be the true wisdom only "which
+cometh from above." (James, iii. 15, 16, 17.)
+
+However, to make a further enquiry into the truth of this observation, I
+doubt not but there is reason to think that a great many of those
+encomiums given to ancient philosophers are taken upon trust, and by a
+sort of men who are not very likely to be at the pains of an enquiry
+that would employ so much time and thinking. For the usual ends why men
+affect this kind of discourse, appear generally to be either out of
+ostentation, that they may pass upon the world for persons of great
+knowledge and observation; or, what is worse, there are some who highly
+exalt the wisdom of those Gentile sages, thereby obliquely to glance at
+and traduce Divine Revelation, and more especially that of the Gospel;
+for the consequence they would have us draw is this: That, since those
+ancient philosophers rose to a greater pitch of wisdom and virtue than
+was ever known among Christians, and all this purely upon the strength
+of their own reason and liberty of thinking, therefore it must follow,
+that either all Revelation is false, or, what is worse, that it has
+depraved the nature of man, and left him worse than it found him.
+
+But this high opinion of heathen wisdom is not very ancient in the
+world, nor at all countenanced from primitive times: Our Saviour had but
+a low esteem of it, as appears by His treatment of the Pharisees and
+Sadducees, who followed the doctrines of Plato and Epicurus. St Paul
+likewise, who was well versed in all the Grecian literature, seems very
+much to despise their philosophy, as we find in his writings, cautioning
+the Colossians to "beware lest any man spoil them through philosophy and
+vain deceit." And, in another place, he advises Timothy to "avoid
+profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so
+called;" that is, not to introduce into the Christian doctrine the
+janglings of those vain philosophers, which they would pass upon the
+world for science. And the reasons he gives are, first, That those who
+professed them did err concerning the faith:
+
+Secondly, Because the knowledge of them did encrease ungodliness, vain
+babblings being otherways expounded vanities, or empty sounds; that is,
+tedious disputes about words, which the philosophers were always so full
+of, and which were the natural product of disputes and dissensions
+between several sects.
+
+Neither had the primitive fathers any great or good opinion of the
+heathen philosophy, as it is manifest from several passages in their
+writings: So that this vein of affecting to raise the reputation of
+those sages so high, is a mode and a vice but of yesterday, assumed
+chiefly, as I have said, to disparage revealed knowledge, and the
+consequences of it among us.
+
+Now, because this is a prejudice which may prevail with some persons, so
+far as to lessen the influence of the Gospel, and whereas therefore this
+is an opinion which men of education are like to be encountered with,
+when they have produced themselves into the world; I shall endeavour to
+shew that their preference of heathen wisdom and virtue, before that of
+the Christian, is every way unjust, and grounded upon ignorance or
+mistake: In order to which I shall consider four things.
+
+_First_, I shall produce certain points, wherein the wisdom and virtue
+of all unrevealed philosophy in general, fell short, and was very
+imperfect.
+
+_Secondly_, I shall shew, in several instances, where some of the most
+renowned philosophers have been grossly defective in their lessons of
+morality.
+
+_Thirdly_, I shall prove the perfection of Christian wisdom, from the
+proper characters and marks of it.
+
+_Lastly_, I shall shew that the great examples of wisdom and virtue
+among the heathen wise men, were produced by personal merit, and not
+influenced by the doctrine of any sect; whereas, in Christianity, it is
+quite the contrary.
+
+_First_, I shall produce certain points, wherein the wisdom and virtue
+of all unrevealed philosophy in general fell short, and was very
+imperfect.
+
+My design is to persuade men, that Christian philosophy is in all things
+preferable to heathen wisdom; from which, or its professors, I shall
+however have no occasion to detract. They were as wise and as good as it
+was possible for them under such disadvantages, and would have probably
+been infinitely more with such aids as we enjoy: But our lessons are
+certainly much better, however our practices may fail short.
+
+The first point I shall mention is that universal defect which was in
+all their schemes, that they could not agree about their chief good, or
+wherein to place the happiness of mankind, nor had any of them a
+tolerable answer upon this difficulty, to satisfy a reasonable person.
+For, to say, as the most plausible of them did, that happiness consisted
+in virtue, was but vain babbling, and a mere sound of words, to amuse
+others and themselves; because they were not agreed what this virtue
+was, or wherein it did consist; and likewise, because several among the
+best of them taught quite different things, placing happiness in health
+or good fortune, in riches or in honour, where all were agreed that
+virtue was not, as I shall have occasion to shew, when I speak of their
+particular tenets.
+
+The second great defect in the Gentile philosophy was, that it wanted
+some suitable reward proportioned to the better part of man, his mind,
+as an encouragement for his progress in virtue. The difficulties they
+met with upon the score of this default were great, and not to be
+accounted for: Bodily goods, being only suitable to bodily wants, are no
+rest at all for the mind; and, if they were, yet are they not the proper
+fruits of wisdom and virtue, being equally attainable by the ignorant
+and wicked. Now, human nature is so constituted, that we can never
+pursue anything heartily but upon hopes of a reward. If we run a race,
+it is in expectation of a prize, and the greater the prize the faster we
+run; for an incorruptible crown, if we understand it and believe it to
+be such, more than a corruptible one. But some of the philosophers gave
+all this quite another turn, and pretended to refine so far, as to call
+virtue its own reward, and worthy to be followed only for itself:
+Whereas, if there be anything in this more than the sound of the words,
+it is at least too abstracted to become a universal influencing
+principle in the world, and therefore could not be of general use.
+
+It was the want of assigning some happiness, proportioned to the soul of
+man, that caused many of them, either, on the one hand, to be sour and
+morose, supercilious and untreatable; or, on the other, to fall into the
+vulgar pursuits of common men, to hunt after greatness and riches, to
+make their court, and to serve occasions; as Plato did to the younger
+Dionysius, and Aristotle to Alexander the Great. So impossible is it for
+a man, who looks no further than the present world, to fix himself long
+in a contemplation where the present world has no part: He has no sure
+hold, no firm footing; he can never expect to remove the earth he rests
+upon, while he has no support beside for his feet, but wants, like
+Archimedes, some other place whereon to stand. To talk of bearing pain
+and grief, without any sort of present or future hope, cannot be purely
+greatness of spirit; there must be a mixture in it of affectation, and
+an alloy of pride, or perhaps is wholly counterfeit.
+
+It is true there has been all along in the world a notion of rewards and
+punishments in another life; but it seems to have rather served as an
+entertainment to poets, or as a terror of children, than a settled
+principle, by which men pretended to govern any of their actions. The
+last celebrated words of Socrates, a little before his death, do not
+seem to reckon or build much upon any such opinion; and Caesar made no
+scruple to disown it, and ridicule it in open senate.
+
+_Thirdly_, The greatest and wisest of all their philosophers were never
+able to give any satisfaction, to others and themselves, in their
+notions of a Deity. They were often extremely gross and absurd in their
+conceptions; and those who made the fairest conjectures are such as were
+generally allowed by the learned to have seen the system of Moses, if I
+may so call it, who was in great reputation at that time in the heathen
+world, as we find by Diodonis, Justin, Longinus, and other authors; for
+the rest, the wisest among them laid aside all notions after a Deity, as
+a disquisition vain and fruitless, which indeed it was, upon unrevealed
+principles; and those who ventured to engage too far fell into
+incoherence and confusion.
+
+_Fourthly_, Those among them who had the justest conceptions of a Divine
+Power, and did also admit a Providence, had no notion at all of entirely
+relying and depending upon either; they trusted in themselves for all
+things: But, as for a trust or dependence upon God, they would not have
+understood the phrase; it made no part of the profane style.
+
+Therefore it was, that, in all issues and events, which they could not
+reconcile to their own sentiments of reason and justice, they were quite
+disconcerted: They had no retreat; but, upon every blow of adverse
+fortune, either affected to be indifferent, or grew sullen and severe,
+or else yielded and sunk like other men.
+
+Having now produced certain points, wherein the wisdom and virtue of all
+unrevealed philosophy fell short, and was very imperfect; I go on, in
+the second place, to shew in several instances, where some of the most
+renowned philosophers have been grossly defective in their lessons of
+morality.
+
+Thales, the founder of the Ionic sect, so celebrated for morality, being
+asked how a man might bear ill-fortune with greatest ease, answered, "By
+seeing his enemies in a worse condition." An answer truly barbarous,
+unworthy of human nature, and which included such consequences as must
+destroy all society from the world.
+
+Solon, lamenting the death of a son, one told him, "You lament in vain:"
+"Therefore" (said he) "I lament, because it is in vain." This was a
+plain confession how imperfect all his philosophy was, and that
+something was still wanting. He owned that all his wisdom and morals
+were useless, and this upon one of the most frequent accidents in life.
+How much better could he have learned to support himself even from
+David, by his entire dependence upon God; and that before our Saviour
+had advanced the notions of religion to the height and perfection
+wherewith He hath instructed His disciples? Plato himself, with all his
+refinements, placed happiness in wisdom, health, good fortune, honour,
+and riches; and held that they who enjoyed all these were perfectly
+happy: Which opinion was indeed unworthy its owner, leaving the wise and
+the good man wholly at the mercy of uncertain chance, and to be
+miserable without resource.
+
+His scholar, Aristotle, fell more grossly into the same notion; and
+plainly affirmed, "That virtue, without the goods of fortune, was not
+sufficient for happiness, but that a wise man must be miserable in
+poverty and sickness." Nay, Diogenes himself, from whose pride and
+singularity one would have looked for other notions, delivered it as his
+opinion, "That a poor old man was the most miserable thing in life."
+
+Zeno also and his followers fell into many absurdities, among which
+nothing could be greater than that of maintaining all crimes to be
+equal, which, instead of making vice hateful, rendered it as a thing
+indifferent and familiar to all men.
+
+_Lastly_: Epicurus had no notion of justice but as it was profitable;
+and his placing happiness in pleasure, with all the advantages he could
+expound it by, was liable to very great exception: For, although he
+taught that pleasure did consist in virtue, yet he did not any way fix
+or ascertain the boundaries of virtue, as he ought to have done; by
+which means he misled his followers into the greatest vices, making
+their names to become odious and scandalous, even in the heathen world.
+
+I have produced these few instances from a great many others, to shew
+the imperfection of heathen philosophy, wherein I have confined myself
+wholly to their morality. And surely we may pronounce upon it in the
+words of St James, that "This wisdom descended not from above, but was
+earthly and sensual." What if I had produced their absurd notions about
+God and the soul? It would then have completed the character given it by
+that apostle, and appeared to have been devilish too. But it is easy to
+observe, from the nature of these few particulars, that their defects in
+morals were purely the flagging and fainting of the mind, for want of a
+support by revelation from God.
+
+I proceed therefore, in the third place, to shew the perfection of
+Christian wisdom from above, and I shall endeavour to make it appear
+from those proper characters and marks of it by the apostle before
+mentioned, in the third chapter, and 15th, 16th, and 17th verses.
+
+The words run thus:
+
+"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
+devilish.
+
+"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil
+work.
+
+"But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable,
+gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
+partiality, and without hypocrisy."
+
+"The wisdom from above is first pure." This purity of the mind and
+spirit is peculiar to the Gospel. Our Saviour says, "Blessed are the
+pure in heart, for they shall see God." A mind free from all pollution
+of lusts shall have a daily vision of God, whereof unrevealed religion
+can form no notion. This it is which keeps us unspotted from the world;
+and hereby many have been prevailed upon to live in the practice of all
+purity, holiness, and righteousness, far beyond the examples of the most
+celebrated philosophers.
+
+It is "peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated." The Christian
+doctrine teacheth us all those dispositions that make us affable and
+courteous, gentle and kind, without any morose leaven of pride or
+vanity, which entered into the composition of most heathen schemes: So
+we are taught to be meek and lowly. Our Saviour's last legacy was peace;
+and He commands us to forgive our offending brother unto seventy times
+seven. Christian wisdom is full of mercy and good works, teaching the
+height of all moral virtues, of which the heathens fall infinitely
+short. Plato indeed (and it is worth observing) has somewhere a
+dialogue, or part of one, about forgiving our enemies, which was perhaps
+the highest strain ever reached by man, without divine assistance; yet
+how little is that to what our Saviour commands us? "To love them that
+hate us; to bless them that curse us; and do good to them that
+despitefully use us."
+
+Christian wisdom is "without partiality;" it is not calculated for this
+or that nation of people, but the whole race of mankind: Not so the
+philosophical schemes, which were narrow and confined, adapted to their
+peculiar towns, governments, or sects; but, "in every nation, he that
+feareth God and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him."
+
+_Lastly_: It is "without hypocrisy:" It appears to be what it really is;
+it is all of a piece. By the doctrines of the Gospel we are so far from
+being allowed to publish to the world those virtues we have not, that we
+are commanded to hide, even from ourselves, those we really have, and
+not to let our right hand know what our left hand does; unlike several
+branches of the heathen wisdom, which pretended to teach insensibility
+and indifference, magnanimity and contempt of life, while, at the same
+time, in other parts it belied its own doctrines.
+
+I come now, in the last place, to shew that the great examples of wisdom
+and virtue, among the Grecian sages, were produced by personal merit,
+and not influenced by the doctrine of any particular sect; whereas, in
+Christianity, it is quite the contrary.
+
+The two virtues most celebrated by ancient moralists were Fortitude and
+Temperance, as relating to the government of man in his private
+capacity, to which their schemes were generally addressed and confined;
+and the two instances, wherein those virtues arrived at the greatest
+height, were Socrates and Cato. But neither those, nor any other virtues
+possessed by these two, were at all owing to any lessons or doctrines of
+a sect. For Socrates himself was of none at all; and although Cato was
+called a Stoic, it was more from a resemblance of manners in his worst
+qualities, than that he avowed himself one of their disciples. The same
+may be affirmed of many other great men of antiquity. From whence I
+infer, that those who were renowned for virtue among them, were more
+obliged to the good natural dispositions of their own minds, than to the
+doctrines of any sect they pretended to follow.
+
+On the other side, As the examples of fortitude and patience, among the
+primitive Christians, have been infinitely greater and more numerous, so
+they were altogether the product of their principles and doctrine; and
+were such as the same persons, without those aids, would never have
+arrived to. Of this truth most of the apostles, with many thousand
+martyrs, are a cloud of witnesses beyond exception. Having therefore
+spoken so largely upon the former heads, I shall dwell no longer upon
+this.
+
+And, if it should here be objected, Why does not Christianity still
+produce the same effects? it is easy to answer, First, That although the
+number of pretended Christians be great, yet that of true believers, in
+proportion to the other, was never so small; and it is a true lively
+faith alone, that by the assistance of God's grace, can influence our
+practice.
+
+_Secondly_, we may answer, That Christianity itself has very much
+suffered by being blended up with Gentile philosophy. The Platonic
+system, first taken into religion, was thought to have given matter for
+some early heresies in the Church. When disputes began to arise, the
+Peripatetic forms were introduced by Scotus, as best fitted for
+controversy. And, however this may now have become necessary, it was
+surely the author of a litigious vein, which has since occasioned very
+pernicious consequences, stopped the progress of Christianity, and been
+a great promoter of vice, verifying that sentence given by St James, and
+mentioned before, "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and
+every evil work." This was the fatal stop to the Grecians, in their
+progress both of arts and arms: Their wise men were divided under
+several sects, and their governments under several commonwealths, all in
+opposition to each other; which engaged them in eternal quarrels among
+themselves, while they should have been armed against the common enemy.
+And I wish we had no other examples from the like causes, less foreign
+or ancient than that. Diogenes said Socrates was a madman; the disciples
+of Zeno and Epicurus, nay of Plato and Aristotle, were engaged in fierce
+disputes about the most insignificant trifles. And, if this be the
+present language and practice among us Christians, no wonder that
+Christianity does not still produce the same effects which it did at
+first, when it was received and embraced in its utmost purity and
+perfection. For such a wisdom as this cannot "descend from above," but
+must be "earthly, sensual, devilish; full of confusion and every evil
+work": Whereas "the wisdom from above, is first pure, then peaceable,
+gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
+partiality, and without hypocrisy." This is the true heavenly wisdom,
+which Christianity only can boast of, and which the greatest of the
+heathen wise men could never arrive at.
+
+Now to God the Father, &c. &c.
+
+
+
+
+DOING GOOD:
+
+
+A SERMON, ON THE OCCASION OF WOOD'S PROJECT.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: "I did very lately, as I thought it my duty, preach to the
+people under my inspection, upon the subject of Mr. Wood's coin; and
+although I never heard that my sermon gave the least offence, as I am
+sure none was intended; yet, if it were now printed and published, I
+cannot say, I would insure it from the hands of the common hangman; or
+my own person from those of a messenger." See "The Drapier's Letters,"
+No. VI.
+
+"'I never' (said the Dean in a jocular conversation), 'preached but
+twice in my life; and then they were not sermons, but pamphlets.' Being
+asked on what subject, he replied, 'They were against Wood's
+halfpence.'"--Pilkington's _Memoirs_, vol. i. p. 56.
+
+"The pieces relating to Ireland are those of a public nature; in which
+the Dean appears, as usual, in the best light, because they do honour to
+his heart as well as to his head; furnishing some additional proofs,
+that, though he was very free in his abuse of the inhabitants of that
+country, as well natives as foreigners, he had their interest sincerely
+at heart, and perfectly understood it. His sermon upon Doing Good,
+though peculiarly adapted to Ireland and Wood's designs upon it,
+contains perhaps the best motives to patriotism that were ever delivered
+within so small a compass."--BURKE.]
+
+WRITTEN IN THE YEAR MDCCXXIV.
+
+
+GALATIANS, VI. 10.
+
+"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men."
+
+
+Nature directs every one of us, and God permits us, to consult our own
+private good before the private good of any other person whatsoever. We
+are, indeed, commanded to love our neighbour as ourselves, but not as
+well as ourselves. The love we have for ourselves is to be the pattern
+of that love we ought to have towards our neighbour: But, as the copy
+doth not equal the original, so my neighbour cannot think it hard, if I
+prefer myself, who am the original, before him, who is only the copy.
+Thus, if any matter equally concern the life, the reputation, the profit
+of my neighbour, and my own; the law of nature, which is the law of God,
+obligeth me to take care of myself first, and afterwards of him. And
+this I need not be at much pains in persuading you to; for the want of
+self-love, with regard to things of this world, is not among the faults
+of mankind. But then, on the other side, if, by a small hurt and loss to
+myself, I can procure a great good to my neighbour, in that case his
+interest is to be preferred. For example, if I can be sure of saving his
+life, without great danger to my own; if I can preserve him from being
+undone, without ruining myself, or recover his reputation without
+blasting mine; all this I am obliged to do: and, if I sincerely perform
+it, I do then obey the command of God, in loving my neighbour as myself.
+
+But, beside this love we owe to every man in his particular capacity
+under the title of our neighbour, there is yet a duty of a more large
+extensive nature incumbent on us; which is, our love to our neighbour in
+his public capacity, as he is a member of that great body the
+commonwealth, under the same government with ourselves; and this is
+usually called love of the public, and is a duty to which we are more
+strictly obliged than even that of loving ourselves; because therein
+ourselves are also contained, as well as all our neighbours, in one
+great body. This love of the public, or of the commonwealth, or love of
+our country, was in ancient times properly known by the name of virtue,
+because it was the greatest of all virtues, and was supposed to contain
+all virtues in it: And many great examples of this virtue are left us on
+record, scarcely to be believed, or even conceived, in such a base,
+corrupted, wicked age as this we live in. In those times it was common
+for men to sacrifice their lives for the good of their country, although
+they had neither hope or belief of future rewards; whereas, in our days,
+very few make the least scruple of sacrificing a whole nation, as well
+as their own souls, for a little present gain; which often hath been
+known to end in their own ruin in this world, as it certainly must in
+that to come.
+
+Have we not seen men, for the sake of some petty employment,  give up
+the very natural rights and liberties of their country, and of mankind,
+in the ruin of which themselves must at last be involved? Are not these
+corruptions gotten among the meanest of our people, who, for a piece of
+money, will give their votes at a venture, for the disposal of their own
+lives and fortunes, without considering whether it be to those who are
+most likely to betray or defend them? But, if I were to produce only one
+instance of a hundred wherein we fail in this duty of loving our
+country, it would be an endless labour; and therefore I shall not
+attempt it.
+
+But here I would not be misunderstood: By the love of our country I do
+not mean loyalty to our king, for that is a duty of another nature; and
+a man may be very loyal, in the common sense of the word, without one
+grain of public good at his heart. Witness this very kingdom we live in.
+I verily believe, that, since the beginning of the world, no nation upon
+earth ever shewed (all circumstances considered) such high constant
+marks of loyalty in all their actions and behaviour, as we have done:
+And, at the same time, no people ever appeared more utterly void of what
+is called a public spirit. When I say the people, I mean the bulk or
+mass of the people, for I have nothing to do with those in power.
+
+Therefore I shall think my time not ill spent, if I can persuade most or
+all of you who hear me, to shew the love you have for your country, by
+endeavouring, in your several stations, to do all the public good you
+are able. For I am certainly persuaded, that all our misfortunes arise
+from no other original cause than that general disregard among us to the
+public welfare.
+
+I therefore undertake to shew you three things.
+
+_First_: That there are few people so weak or mean, who have it not
+sometimes in their power to be useful to the public.
+
+_Secondly_: That it is often in the power of the meanest among mankind
+to do mischief to the public.
+
+And, _Lastly_: That all wilful injuries done to the public are very
+great and aggravated sins in the sight of God.
+
+_First_: There are few people so weak or mean, who have it not sometimes
+in their power to be useful to the public. Solomon tells us of a poor
+wise man who saved a city by his counsel. It hath often happened that a
+private soldier, by some unexpected brave attempt, hath been
+instrumental in obtaining a great victory. How many obscure men have
+been authors of very useful inventions, whereof the world now reaps the
+benefit? The very example of honesty and industry in a poor tradesman
+will sometimes spread through a neighbourhood, when others see how
+successful he is; and thus so many useful members are gained, for which
+the whole body of the public is the better. Whoever is blessed with a
+true public spirit, God will certainly put it into his way to make use
+of that blessing, for the ends it was given him, by some means or other:
+And therefore it hath been observed in most ages, that the greatest
+actions, for the benefit of the commonwealth, have been performed by the
+wisdom or courage, the contrivance or industry, of particular men, and
+not of numbers; and that the safety of a kingdom hath often been owing
+to those hands from whence it was least expected.
+
+But, _Secondly_: It is often in the power of the meanest among mankind
+to do mischief to the public: And hence arise most of those miseries
+with which the states and kingdoms of the earth are infested. How many
+great princes have been murdered by the meanest ruffians? The weakest
+hand can open a flood-gate to drown a country, which a thousand of the
+strongest cannot stop. Those who have thrown off all regard for public
+good, will often have it in their way to do public evil, and will not
+fail to exercise that power whenever they can. The greatest blow given
+of late to this kingdom, was by the dishonesty of a few manufacturers;
+who, by imposing bad ware at foreign markets, in almost the only traffic
+permitted to us, did half ruin that trade; by which this poor unhappy
+kingdom now suffers in the midst of sufferings. I speak not here of
+persons in high stations, who ought to be free from all reflection, and
+are supposed always to intend the welfare of the community: But we now
+find by experience, that the meanest instrument may, by the concurrence
+of accidents, have it in his power to bring a whole kingdom to the very
+brink of destruction, and is, at this present, endeavouring to finish
+his work; and hath agents among ourselves, who are contented to see
+their own country undone, to be small sharers in that iniquitous gain,
+which at last must end in their own ruin as well as ours. I confess, it
+was chiefly the consideration of that great danger we are in, which
+engaged me to discourse to you on this subject; to exhort you to a love
+of your country, and a public spirit, when all you have is at stake; to
+prefer the interest of your prince and your fellow-subjects before that
+of one destructive impostor, and a few of his adherents.
+
+Perhaps it may be thought by some, that this way of discoursing is not
+so proper from the pulpit. But surely, when an open attempt is made, and
+far carried on, to make a great kingdom one large poorhouse, to deprive
+us of all means to exercise hospitality or charity, to turn our cities
+and churches into ruins, to make the country a desert for wild beasts
+and robbers, to destroy all arts and sciences, all trades and
+manufactures, and the very tillage of the ground, only to enrich one
+obscure ill-designing projector, and his followers; it is time for the
+pastor to cry out that the wolf is getting into his flock, to warn them
+to stand together, and all to consult the common safety. And God be
+praised for His infinite goodness in raising such a spirit of union
+among us, at least in this point, in the midst of all our former
+divisions; which union, if it continue, will, in all probability, defeat
+the pernicious design of this pestilent enemy to the nation.
+
+But, from hence, it clearly follows how necessary the love of our
+country, or a public spirit, is in every particular man, since the
+wicked have so many opportunities of doing public mischief. Every man is
+upon his guard for his private advantage; but, where the public is
+concerned, he is apt to be negligent, considering himself only as one
+among two or three millions, among whom the loss is equally shared, and
+thus, he thinks, he can be no great sufferer. Meanwhile the trader, the
+farmer, and the shopkeeper, complain of the hardness and deadness of the
+times, and wonder whence it comes; while it is, in a great measure,
+owing to their own folly, for want of that love of their country, and
+public spirit and firm union among themselves, which are so necessary to
+the prosperity of every nation.
+
+Another method by which the meanest wicked man, may have it in his power
+to injure the public, is false accusation, whereof this kingdom hath
+afforded too many examples: Neither is it long since no man, whose
+opinions were thought to differ from those in fashion, could safely
+converse beyond his nearest friends, for fear of being sworn against, as
+a traitor, by those who made a traffic of perjury and subornation; by
+which the very peace of the nation was disturbed, and men fled from each
+other as they would from a lion or a bear got loose. And, it is very
+remarkable, that the pernicious project now in hand to reduce us to
+beggary, was forwarded by one of these false accusers, who had been
+convicted of endeavouring, by perjury and subornation, to take away the
+lives of several innocent persons here among us; and, indeed, there
+could not be a more proper instrument for such a work.
+
+Another method by which the meanest people may do injury to the public,
+is the spreading of lies and false rumours, thus raising a distrust
+among the people of a nation, causing them to mistake their true
+interest, and their enemies for their friends: And this hath been
+likewise too successful a practice among us, where we have known the
+whole kingdom misled by the grossest lies, raised upon occasion to serve
+some particular turn. As it hath also happened in the case I lately
+mentioned, where one obscure man, by representing our wants where they
+were least, and concealing them where they were greatest, had almost
+succeeded in a project of utterly ruining this whole kingdom; and may
+still succeed, if God doth not continue that public spirit, which He
+hath almost miraculously kindled in us upon this occasion.
+
+Thus we see the public is many times, as it were, at the mercy of the
+meanest instrument, who can be wicked enough to watch opportunities of
+doing it mischief, upon the principles of avarice or malice; which, I am
+afraid, are deeply rooted in too many breasts, and against which there
+can be no defence, but a firm resolution in all honest men, to be
+closely united and active in shewing their love to their country, by
+preferring the public interest to their present private advantage. If a
+passenger, in a great storm at sea, should hide his goods that they
+might not be thrown overboard to lighten the ship, what would be the
+consequence? The ship is cast away, and he loses his life and goods
+together.
+
+We have heard of men, who, through greediness of gain, have brought
+infected goods into a nation, which bred a plague, whereof the owners
+and their families perished first. Let those among us consider this and
+tremble, whose houses are privately stored with those materials of
+beggary and desolation, lately brought over to be scattered like a
+pestilence among their countrymen, which may probably first seize upon
+themselves and their families, until their houses shall be made a
+dunghill.
+
+I shall mention one practice more, by which the meanest instruments
+often succeed in doing public mischief; and this is by deceiving us with
+plausible arguments, to make us believe that the most ruinous project
+they can offer is intended for our good, as it happened in the case so
+often mentioned. For the poor ignorant people, allured by the appearing
+convenience in their small dealings, did not discover the serpent in the
+brass,[2] but were ready, like the Israelites, to offer incense to it;
+neither could the wisdom of the nation convince them, until some, of
+good intentions, made the cheat so plain to their sight, that those who
+run may read. And thus the design was to treat us, in every point, as
+the Philistines treated Samson, (I mean when he was betrayed by Delilah)
+first to put out our eyes, and then bind us with fetters of brass.
+
+[Footnote 2: "Brass" may be read "Wood's halfpence." [T.S.]]
+
+I proceed to the last thing I proposed, which was to shew you that all
+wilful injuries done to the public, are very great and aggravated sins
+in the sight of God.
+
+_First:_ It is apparent from Scripture, and most agreeable to reason,
+that the safety and welfare of nations are under the most peculiar care
+of God's providence. Thus He promised Abraham to save Sodom, if only ten
+righteous men could be found in it. Thus the reason which God gave to
+Jonas for not destroying Nineveh was, because there were six score
+thousand men in that city.
+
+All government is from God, Who is the God of order, and therefore
+whoever attempts to breed confusion or disturbance among a people, doth
+his utmost to take the government of the world out of God's hands, and
+to put it into the hands of the Devil, who is the author of confusion.
+By which it is plain, that no crime, how heinous soever, committed
+against particular persons, can equal the guilt of him who does injury
+to the public.
+
+_Secondly_: All offenders against their country lie under this grievous
+difficulty, that it is next to impossible to obtain a pardon, or make
+restitution. The bulk of mankind are very quick at resenting injuries,
+and very slow in forgiving them: And how shall one man be able to obtain
+the pardon of millions, or repair the injuries he hath done to millions?
+How shall those, who, by a most destructive fraud, got the whole wealth
+of our neighbouring kingdom into their hands, be ever able to make a
+recompence? How will the authors and promoters of that villainous
+project, for the ruin of this poor country, be able to account with us
+for the injuries they have already done, although they should no farther
+succeed? The deplorable case of such wretches, must entirely be left to
+the unfathomable mercies of God: For those who know the least in
+religion are not ignorant that, without our utmost endeavours to make
+restitution to the person injured, and to obtain his pardon, added to a
+sincere repentance, there is no hope of salvation given in the Gospel.
+
+_Lastly_: All offences against our own country have this aggravation,
+that they are ungrateful and unnatural. It is to our country we owe
+those laws which protect us in our lives, our liberties, our properties,
+and our religion. Our country produced us into the world, and continues
+to nourish us so, that it is usually called our mother; and there have
+been examples of great magistrates, who have put their own children to
+death for endeavouring to betray their country, as if they had attempted
+the life of their natural parent.
+
+Thus I have briefly shewn you how terrible a sin it is to be an enemy to
+our country, in order to incite you to the contrary virtue, which at
+this juncture is so highly necessary, when every man's endeavour will be
+of use. We have hitherto been just able to support ourselves under many
+hardships; but now the axe is laid to the root of the tree, and nothing
+but a firm union among us can prevent our utter undoing. This we are
+obliged to, in duty to our gracious King, as well as to ourselves. Let
+us therefore preserve that public spirit, which God hath raised in us
+for our own temporal interest For, if this wicked project should
+succeed, which it cannot do but by our own folly; if we sell ourselves
+for nought; the merchant, the shopkeeper, the artificer, must fly to the
+desert with their miserable families, there to starve or live upon
+rapine, or at least exchange their country for one more hospitable than
+that where they were born.
+
+Thus much I thought it my duty to say to you, who are under my care, to
+warn you against those temporal evils, which may draw the worst of
+spiritual evils after them; such as heart-burnings, murmurings,
+discontents, and all manner of wickedness which a desperate condition of
+life may tempt men to.
+
+I am sensible that what I have now said will not go very far, being
+confined to this assembly; but I hope it may stir up others of my
+brethren to exhort their several congregations, after a more effectual
+manner, to shew their love for their country on this important occasion.
+And this, I am sure, cannot be called meddling in affairs of state.
+
+I pray God protect his Most Gracious Majesty, and this kingdom, long
+under his government, and defend us from all ruinous projectors,
+deceivers, suborners, perjurers, false accusers, and oppressors; from
+the virulence of party and faction; and unite us in loyalty to our King,
+love to our country, and charity to each other.
+
+And this we beg for Jesus Christ His sake: To Whom, &c.
+
+
+
+
+ON THE MARTYRDOM OF KING CHARLES I.
+
+PREACHED AT ST PATRICK'S, DUBLIN, JAN. 30, 1725-26, BEING SUNDAY.
+
+
+GENESIS, XLIX. 5, 6, 7.
+
+"Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their
+habitations.
+
+"O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine
+honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in
+their self-will they digged down a wall.
+
+"Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was
+cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel."
+
+
+I know very well, that the Church hath been often censured for keeping
+holy this day of humiliation, in memory of that excellent king and
+blessed martyr, Charles I., who rather chose to die on a scaffold, than
+betray the religion and liberties of his people, wherewith God and the
+laws had entrusted him. But, at the same time, it is manifest that those
+who make such censures are either people without any religion at all, or
+who derive their principles, and perhaps their birth, from the abettors
+of those who contrived the murder of that prince, and have not yet shewn
+the world that their opinions are changed. It is alleged, that the
+observation of this day hath served to continue and increase the
+animosity and enmity among our countrymen, and to disunite Protestants;
+that a law was made, upon the restoration of the Martyr's son, for a
+general pardon and oblivion, forbidding all reproaches upon that
+occasion; and, since none are now alive who were actors or instruments
+in that tragedy, it is thought hard and uncharitable to keep up the
+memory of it for all generations.
+
+Now, because I conceive most of you to be ignorant in many particulars
+concerning that horrid murder, and the rebellion which preceded it; I
+will,
+
+_First_, relate to you so much of the story as may be sufficient for
+your information:
+
+_Secondly_, I will tell you the consequences which this bloody deed had
+upon these kingdoms:
+
+And, _Lastly_, I will shew you to what good uses this solemn day of
+humiliation may be applied.
+
+As to the first: In the reign of this prince, Charles the Martyr, the
+power and prerogative of the king were much greater than they are in our
+times, and so had been for at least seven hundred years before; And the
+best princes we ever had, carried their power much farther than the
+blessed Martyr offered to do in the most blameable part of his reign.
+But, the lands of the Crown having been prodigally bestowed to
+favourites, in the preceding reigns, the succeeding kings could not
+support themselves without taxes raised by Parliament; which put them
+under a necessity of frequently calling those assemblies: And, the crown
+lands being gotten into the hands of the nobility and gentry, beside the
+possessions of which the Church had been robbed by King Henry the
+Eighth, power, which always follows property, grew to lean to the side
+of the people, by whom even the just rights of the Crown were often
+disputed.
+
+But further: Upon the cruel persecution raised against the Protestants,
+under Queen Mary, among great numbers who fled the kingdom to seek for
+shelter, several went and resided at Geneva, which is a commonwealth,
+governed without a king, and where the religion, contrived by Calvin, is
+without the order of bishops. When the Protestant faith was restored by
+Queen Elizabeth, those who fled to Geneva returned among the rest home
+to England, and were grown so fond of the government and religion of the
+place they had left, that they used all possible endeavours to introduce
+both into their own country; at the same time continually preaching and
+railing against ceremonies and distinct habits of the clergy, taxing
+whatever they disliked, as a remnant of Popery, and continued extremely
+troublesome to the Church and state, under that great Queen, as well as
+her successor King James I. These people called themselves Puritans, as
+pretending to a purer faith than those of the Church established. And
+these were the founders of our Dissenters. They did not think it
+sufficient to leave all the errors of Popery, but threw off many
+laudable and edifying institutions of the primitive Church, and, at
+last, even the government of bishops; which, having been ordained by the
+apostles themselves, had continued without interruption, in all
+Christian churches, for above fifteen hundred years. And all this they
+did, not because those things were evil, but because they were kept by
+the Papists. From thence they proceeded, by degrees, to quarrel with the
+kingly government; because, as I have already said, the city of Geneva,
+to which their fathers had flown for refuge, was a commonwealth, or
+government of the people.
+
+These Puritans, about the middle of the Martyr's reign, were grown to a
+considerable faction in the kingdom, and in the Lower House of
+Parliament. They filled the public with the most false and bitter libels
+against the bishops and the clergy, accusing chiefly the very best among
+them of Popery; and, at the same time, the House of Commons grew so
+insolent and uneasy to the King, that they refused to furnish him with
+necessary supplies for the support of his family, unless upon such
+conditions as he could not submit to without forfeiting his conscience
+and honour, and even his coronation oath. And, in such an extremity, he
+was forced upon a practice, no way justifiable, of raising money; for
+which, however, he had the opinion of the judges on his side; for,
+wicked judges there were in those times as well as in ours. There were
+likewise many complaints, and sometimes justly, made against the
+proceedings of a certain court, called the Star-chamber, a judicature of
+great antiquity, but had suffered some corruptions, for which, however,
+the King was nowise answerable, I cannot recollect any more subjects of
+complaint with the least ground of reason, nor is it needful to
+recollect them, because this gracious King did, upon the first
+application, redress all grievances by an act of Parliament, and put it
+out of his power to do any hardships for the future. But that wicked
+faction in the House of Commons, not content with all those marks of his
+justice and condescension, urged still for more; and joining with a
+factious party from Scotland, who had the same fancies in religion,
+forced him to pass an act for cutting off the head of his best and chief
+minister; and, at the same time, compelled him, by tumults and
+threatenings of a packed rabble, poisoned with the same doctrines, to
+pass another law, by which it should not be in his power to dissolve
+that Parliament without their own consent. Thus, by the greatest
+weakness and infatuation that ever possessed any man's spirit, this
+Prince did in effect sign his own destruction. For the House of Commons,
+having the reins in their own hands, drove on furiously; sent him every
+day some unreasonable demand, and when he refused to grant it, made use
+of their own power, and declared that an ordinance of both Houses,
+without the King's consent, should be obeyed as a law, contrary to all
+reason and equity, as well as to the fundamental constitution of the
+kingdom.
+
+About this time the rebellion in Ireland broke out, wherein his
+Parliament refused to assist him; nor would accept his offer to come
+hither in person to subdue those rebels. These, and a thousand other
+barbarities, forced the King to summon his loyal subjects to his
+standard in his own defence. Meanwhile the English Parliament, instead
+of helping the poor Protestants here, seized on the very army that his
+Majesty was sending over for our relief, and turned them against their
+own Sovereign. The rebellion in England continued for four or five
+years: At last the King was forced to fly in disguise to the Scots, who
+sold him to the rebels. And these Puritans had the impudent cruelty to
+try his sacred person in a mock court of justice, and cut off his head;
+which he might have saved, if he would have yielded to betray the
+constitution in Church and state.
+
+In this whole proceeding, Simeon and Levi were brethren; the wicked
+insinuations of those fanatical preachers stirring up the cruelty of the
+soldiers, who, by force of arms, excluded from the house every member of
+Parliament, whom they apprehended to bear the least inclination towards
+an agreement with the King, suffering only those to enter who thirsted
+chiefly for his blood; and this is the very account given by their own
+writers: From whence it is clear that this Prince was, in all respects,
+a real martyr for the true religion and the liberty of the people. That
+odious Parliament had first turned the bishops out of the House of
+Lords; in a few years after, they murdered their King; then immediately
+abolished the whole House of Lords; and so, at last, obtained their
+wishes, of having a government of the people, and a new religion, both
+after the manner of Geneva, without a king, a bishop, or a nobleman; and
+this they blasphemously called "The kingdom of Christ and his saints."
+
+This is enough for your information on the first head: I shall therefore
+proceed to the second, wherein I will shew you the miserable
+consequences which that abominable rebellion and murder produced in
+these nations.
+
+_First:_ The Irish rebellion was wholly owing to that wicked English
+Parliament. For the leaders in the Irish Popish massacre would never
+have dared to stir a finger, if they had not been encouraged by that
+rebellious spirit in the English House of Commons, which they very well
+knew must disable the King from sending any supplies to his Protestant
+subjects here; and, therefore, we may truly say that the English
+Parliament held the King's hands, while the Irish Papists here were
+cutting our grandfathers' throats.
+
+_Secondly:_ That murderous Puritan Parliament, when they had all in
+their own power, could not agree upon any one method of settling a form
+either of religion or civil government; but changed every day from
+schism to schism, from heresy to heresy, and from one faction to
+another: From whence arose that wild confusion, still continuing in our
+several ways of serving God, and those absurd notions of civil power,
+which have so often torn us with factions more than any other nation in
+Europe.
+
+_Thirdly:_ To this rebellion and murder have been owing the rise and
+progress of atheism among us. For, men observing what numberless
+villainies of all kinds were committed during twenty years, under
+pretence of zeal and the reformation of God's Church, were easily
+tempted to doubt that all religion was a mere imposture: And the same
+spirit of infidelity, so far spread among us at this present, is nothing
+but the fruit of the seeds sown by those rebellious hypocritical saints.
+
+_Fourthly:_ The old virtue and loyalty, and generous spirit of the
+English nation, were wholly corrupted by the power, the doctrine, and
+the example of those wicked people. Many of the ancient nobility were
+killed, and their families extinct, in defence of their Prince and
+country, or murdered by the merciless courts of justice. Some of the
+worst among them favoured, or complied with the reigning iniquities, and
+not a few of the new set created, when the Martyr's son was restored,
+were such who had drunk too deep of the bad principles then prevailing.
+
+_Fifthly:_ The children of the murdered Prince were forced to fly, for
+the safety of their lives, to foreign countries; where one of them at
+least, I mean King James II., was seduced to Popery; which ended in the
+loss of his kingdoms, the misery and desolation of this country, and a
+long and expensive war abroad. Our deliverance was owing to the valour
+and conduct of the late King; and, therefore, we ought to remember him
+with gratitude, but not mingled with blasphemy or idolatry. It was happy
+that his interests and ours were the same: And God gave him greater
+success than our sins deserved. But, as a house thrown down by a storm,
+is seldom rebuilt without some change in the foundation; so it hath
+happened, that, since the late Revolution, men have sat much looser in
+the true fundamentals both of religion and government, and factions have
+been more violent, treacherous, and malicious than ever, men running
+naturally from one extreme into another; and, for private ends, taking
+up those very opinions professed by the leaders in that rebellion, which
+carried the blessed Martyr to the scaffold.
+
+_Sixthly:_ Another consequence of this horrid rebellion and murder was
+the destroying or defacing of such vast number of God's houses. "In
+their self-will they digged down a wall." If a stranger should now
+travel in England, and observe the churches in his way, he could not
+otherwise conclude, than that some vast army of Turks or heathens had
+been sent on purpose to ruin and blot out all marks of Christianity.
+They spared neither the statues of saints, nor ancient prelates, nor
+kings, nor benefactors; broke down the tombs and monuments of men famous
+in their generations, seized the vessels of silver set apart for the
+holiest use, tore down the most innocent ornaments both within and
+without, made the houses of prayer dens of thieves, or stables for
+cattle. These were the mildest effects of Puritan zeal, and devotion for
+Christ; and this was what themselves affected to call a thorough
+reformation. In this kingdom those ravages were not so easily seen; for
+the people here being too poor to raise such noble temples, the mean
+ones we had were not defaced, but totally destroyed.
+
+Upon the whole, it is certain, that although God might have found out
+many other ways to have punished a sinful people, without permitting
+this rebellion and murder, yet as the course of the world hath run ever
+since, we need seek for no other causes, of all the public evils we have
+hitherto suffered, or may suffer for the future, by the misconduct of
+princes, or wickedness of the people.
+
+I go on now upon the third head, to shew you to what good uses this
+solemn day of humiliation may be applied.
+
+_First_: It may be an instruction to princes themselves, to be careful
+in the choice of those who are their advisers in matters of law. All the
+judges of England, except one or two, advised the King, that he might
+legally raise money upon the subjects for building of ships without
+consent of Parliament; which, as it was the greatest oversight of his
+reign, so it proved the principal foundation of all his misfortunes.
+Princes may likewise learn from hence, not to sacrifice a faithful
+servant to the rage of a faction, nor to trust any body of men with a
+greater share of power than the laws of the land have appointed them,
+much less to deposit it in their hands until they shall please to
+restore it.
+
+_Secondly_: By bringing to mind the tragedy of this day, and the
+consequences that have arisen from it, we shall be convinced how
+necessary it is for those in power to curb, in season, all such unruly
+spirits as desire to introduce new doctrines and discipline in the
+Church, or new forms of government in the state. Those wicked Puritans
+began, in Queen Elizabeth's time, to quarrel only with surplices and
+other habits, with the ring in matrimony, the cross in baptism, and the
+like; thence they went on to further matters of higher importance, and,
+at last, they must needs have the whole government of the Church
+dissolved. This great work they compassed, first, by depriving the
+bishops of their seats in Parliament, then they abolished the whole
+order; and, at last, which was their original design, they seized on all
+the Church-lands, and divided the spoil among themselves; and, like
+Jeroboam, made priests of the very dregs of the people. This was their
+way of reforming the Church. As to the civil government, you have
+already heard how they modelled it upon the murder of their King, and
+discarding the nobility. Yet, clearly to shew what a Babel they had
+built, after twelve years' trial and twenty several sorts of government;
+the nation grown weary of their tyranny, was forced to call in the son
+of him whom those reformers had sacrificed. And thus were Simeon and
+Levi divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel.
+
+_Thirdly_: Although the successors of these Puritans, I mean our present
+Dissenters, do not think fit to observe this day of humiliation; yet,
+since it would be very proper in them, upon some occasions, to renounce
+in a public manner those principles upon which their predecessors acted;
+and it will be more prudent in them to do so, because those very
+Puritans, of whom ours are followers, found by experience, that after
+they had overturned the Church and state, murdered their King, and were
+projecting what they called a kingdom of the saints, they were cheated
+of the power and possessions they only panted after, by an upstart sect
+of religion that grew out of their own bowels, who subjected them to one
+tyrant, while they were endeavouring to set up a thousand.
+
+_Fourthly_: Those who profess to be followers of our Church established,
+and yet presume in discourse to justify or excuse that rebellion, and
+murder of the King, ought to consider, how utterly contrary all such
+opinions are to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, as well as to
+the articles of our Church, and to the preaching and practice of its
+true professors for above a hundred years. Of late times, indeed, and I
+speak it with grief of heart, we have heard even sermons of a strange
+nature; although reason would make one think it a very unaccountable way
+of procuring favour under a monarchy, by palliating and lessening the
+guilt of those who murdered the best of kings in cold blood, and, for a
+time, destroyed the very monarchy itself. Pray God, we may never more
+hear such doctrine from the pulpit, nor have it scattered about in
+print, to poison the people!
+
+_Fifthly:_ Some general knowledge of this horrid rebellion and murder,
+with the consequences they had upon these nations, may be a warning to
+our people not to believe a lie, and to mistrust those deluding spirits,
+who, under pretence of a purer and more reformed religion, would lead
+them from their duty to God and the laws. Politicians may say what they
+please, but it is no hard thing at all for the meanest person, who hath
+common understanding, to know whether he be well or ill governed. If he
+be freely allowed to follow his trade and calling; if he be secure in
+his property, and hath the benefit of the law to defend himself against
+injustice and oppression; if his religion be different from that of his
+country, and the government think fit to tolerate it, (which he may be
+very secure of, let it be what it will;) he ought to be fully satisfied,
+and give no offence, by writing or discourse, to the worship
+established, as the dissenting preachers are too apt to do. But, if he
+hath any new visions of his own, it is his duty to be quiet, and possess
+them in silence, without disturbing the community by a furious zeal for
+making proselytes. This was the folly and madness of those ancient
+puritan fanatics: They must needs overturn heaven and earth, violate all
+the laws of God and man, make their country a field of blood, to
+propagate whatever wild or wicked opinions came into their heads,
+declaring all their absurdities and blasphemies to proceed from the Holy
+Ghost.
+
+To conclude this head. In answer to that objection of keeping up
+animosity and hatred between Protestants, by the observation of this
+day; if there be any sect or sort of people among us, who profess the
+same principles in religion and government which those puritan rebels
+put in practice, I think it is the interest of all those who love the
+Church and King, to keep up as strong a party against them as possible,
+until they shall, in a body, renounce all those wicked opinions upon
+which their predecessors acted, to the disgrace of Christianity, and the
+perpetual infamy of the English nation.
+
+When we accuse the Papists of the horrid doctrine, "that no faith ought
+to be kept with heretics," they deny it to a man; and yet we justly
+think it dangerous to trust them, because we know their actions have
+been sometimes suitable to that opinion. But the followers of those who
+beheaded the Martyr have not yet renounced their principles; and, till
+they do, they may be justly suspected. Neither will the bare name of
+Protestants set them right. For surely Christ requires more from us than
+a profession of hating Popery, which a Turk or an atheist may do as well
+as a Protestant.
+
+If an enslaved people should recover their liberty from a tyrannical
+power of any sort, who could blame them for commemorating their
+deliverance by a day of joy and thanksgiving? And doth not the
+destruction of a Church, a King, and three kingdoms, by the artifices,
+hypocrisy, and cruelty of a wicked race of soldiers and preachers, and
+other sons of Belial, equally require a solemn time of humiliation?
+Especially since the consequences of that bloody scene still continue,
+as I have already shewn, in their effects upon us.
+
+
+Thus I have done with the three heads I proposed to discourse on. But
+before I conclude, I must give a caution to those who hear me, that they
+may not think I am pleading for absolute unlimited power in any one man.
+It is true, all power is from God, and, as the apostle says, "the powers
+that be are ordained of God;" but this is in the same sense that all we
+have is from God, our food and raiment, and whatever possessions we hold
+by lawful means. Nothing can be meant in those, or any other words of
+Scripture, to justify tyrannical power, or the savage cruelties of those
+heathen emperors who lived in the time of the apostles. And so St Paul
+concludes, "The powers that be are ordained of God:" For what? Why, "for
+the punishment of evil doers, and the praise, the reward, of them that
+do well." There is no more inward value in the greatest emperor, than in
+the meanest of his subjects: His body is composed of the same substance,
+the same parts, and with the same or greater, infirmities: His education
+is generally worse, by flattery, and idleness, and luxury, and those
+evil dispositions that early power is apt to give. It is therefore
+against common sense, that his private personal interest, or pleasure,
+should be put in the balance with the safety of millions, every one of
+which is his equal by nature, equal in the sight of God, equally capable
+of salvation; and it is for their sakes, not his own, that he is
+entrusted with the government over them. He hath as high trust as can
+safely be reposed in one man, and, if he discharge it as he ought, he
+deserves all the honour and duty that a mortal may be allowed to
+receive. His personal failings we have nothing to do with, and errors in
+government are to be imputed to his ministers in the state. To what
+height those errors may be suffered to proceed, is not the business of
+this day, or this place, or of my function, to determine. When
+oppressions grow too great and universal to be borne, nature or
+necessity may find a remedy. But, if a private person reasonably expects
+pardon, upon his amendment, for all faults that are not capital, it
+would be a hard condition indeed, not to give the same allowance to a
+prince, who must see with other men's eyes, and hear with other men's
+ears, which are often wilfully blind and deaf. Such was the condition of
+the Martyr, and is so, in some degree, of all other princes. Yet this we
+may justly say in defence of the common people, in all civilized
+nations, that it must be a very bad government indeed, where the body of
+the subjects will not rather choose to live in peace and obedience, than
+take up arms on pretence of faults in the administration, unless where
+the vulgar are deluded by false preachers to grow fond of new visions
+and fancies in religion; which, managed by dexterous men, for sinister
+ends of malice, envy, or ambition, have often made whole nations run
+mad. This was exactly the case in the whole progress of that great
+rebellion, and the murder of King Charles I. But the late Revolution
+under the Prince of Orange was occasioned by a proceeding directly
+contrary, the oppression and injustice there beginning from the throne:
+For that unhappy prince, King James II., did not only invade our laws
+and liberties, but would have forced a false religion upon his subjects,
+for which he was deservedly rejected, since there could be no other
+remedy found, or at least agreed on. But, under the blessed Martyr, the
+deluded people would have forced many false religions, not only on their
+fellow-subjects, but even upon their sovereign himself, and at the same
+time invaded all his undoubted rights; and, because he would not comply,
+raised a horrid rebellion, wherein, by the permission of God, they
+prevailed, and put their sovereign to death, like a common criminal, in
+the face of the world.
+
+Therefore, those who seem to think they cannot otherwise justify the
+late Revolution, and the change of the succession, than by lessening the
+guilt of the Puritans, do certainly put the greatest affront imaginable
+upon the present powers, by supposing any relation, or resemblance,
+between that rebellion and the late Revolution; and, consequently, that
+the present establishment is to be defended by the same arguments which
+those usurpers made use of, who, to obtain their tyranny, trampled under
+foot all the laws of both God and man.
+
+One great design of my discourse was to give you warning against running
+into either extreme of two bad opinions, with relation to obedience. As
+kings are called gods upon earth, so some would allow them an equal
+power with God, over all laws and ordinances; and that the liberty, and
+property, and life, and religion of the subject, depended wholly upon
+the breath of the prince; which, however, I hope was never meant by
+those who pleaded for passive obedience. And this opinion hath not been
+confined to that party which was first charged with it, but hath
+sometimes gone over to the other, to serve many an evil turn of interest
+or ambition, who have been as ready to enlarge prerogative, where they
+could find their own account, as the highest maintainers of it.
+
+On the other side, some look upon kings as answerable for every mistake
+or omission in government, and bound to comply with the most
+unreasonable demands of an unquiet faction; which was the case of those
+who persecuted the blessed Martyr of this day from his throne to the
+scaffold.
+
+Between these two extremes, it is easy, from what hath been said, to
+choose a middle; to be good and loyal subjects, yet, according to your
+power, faithful assertors of your religion and liberties; to avoid all
+broachers and preachers of newfangled doctrines in the Church; to be
+strict observers of the laws, which cannot be justly taken from you
+without your own consent: In short, "to obey God and the King, and
+meddle not with those who are given to change."
+
+Which that you may all do, &c.
+
+
+
+
+ON THE POOR MAN'S CONTENTMENT.
+
+
+PHILIPPIANS, CHAP. IV. PART OF THE 11TH VERSE.
+
+"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"
+
+
+The holy Scripture is full of expressions to set forth the miserable
+condition of man during the whole progress of his life; his weakness,
+pride, and vanity; his unmeasurable desires, and perpetual
+disappointments; the prevalency of his passions, and the corruptions of
+his reason; his deluding hopes, and his real, as well as imaginary,
+fears; his natural and artificial wants; his cares and anxieties; the
+diseases of his body, and the diseases of his mind; the shortness of his
+life; his dread of a future state, with his carelessness to prepare for
+it: And the wise men of all ages have made the same reflections.
+
+But all these are general calamities, from which none are excepted; and
+being without remedy, it is vain to bewail them. The great question,
+long debated in the world, is, whether the rich or the poor are the
+least miserable of the two? It is certain, that no rich man ever desired
+to be poor, and that most, if not all, poor men, desire to be rich;
+whence it may be argued, that, in all appearance, the advantage lieth on
+the side of wealth, because both parties agree in preferring it before
+poverty. But this reasoning will be found to be false: For, I lay it
+down as a certain truth, that God Almighty hath placed all men upon an
+equal foot, with respect to their happiness in this world, and the
+capacity of attaining their salvation in the next; or, at least, if
+there be any difference, it is not to the advantage of the rich and the
+mighty. Now, since a great part of those who usually make up our
+congregations, are not of considerable station, and many among them of
+the lower sort, and since the meaner people are generally and justly
+charged with the sin of repining and murmuring at their own condition,
+to which, however, their betters axe sufficiently subject (although,
+perhaps, for shame, not always so loud in their complaints) I thought it
+might be useful to reason upon this point in as plain a manner as I can.
+I shall therefore shew, first, that the poor enjoy many temporal
+blessings, which are not common to the rich and the great: And,
+likewise, that the rich and the great are subject to many temporal
+evils, which are not common to the poor.
+
+But here I would not be misunderstood; perhaps there is not a word more
+abused than that of the poor, or wherein the world is more generally
+mistaken. Among the number of those who beg in our streets, or are
+half-starved at home, or languish in prison for debt, there is hardly
+one in a hundred who doth not owe his misfortunes to his own laziness,
+or drunkenness, or worse vices.
+
+To these he owes those very diseases which often disable him from
+getting his bread. Such wretches are deservedly unhappy: They can only
+blame themselves; and when we are commanded to have pity on the poor,
+these are not understood to be of the number.
+
+It is true, indeed, that sometimes honest, endeavouring men are reduced
+to extreme want, even to the begging of alms, by losses, by accidents,
+by diseases, and old age, without any fault of their own: But these are
+very few in comparison of the other; nor would their support be any
+sensible burthen to the public, if the charity of well-disposed persons
+were not intercepted by those common strollers, who are most
+importunate, and who least deserve it. These, indeed, are properly and
+justly called the poor, whom it should be our study to find out and
+distinguish, by making them partake, of our superfluity and abundance.
+
+But neither have these anything to do with my present subject; For, by
+the poor, I only intend the honest, industrious artificer, the meaner
+sort of tradesmen, and the labouring man, who getteth his bread by the
+sweat of his brows, in town or country, and who make the bulk of mankind
+among us.
+
+_First_: I shall therefore shew, first, that the poor (in the sense I
+understand the word) do enjoy many temporal blessings, which are not
+common to the rich and great; and likewise, that the rich and great are
+subject to many temporal evils, which are not common to the poor.
+
+_Secondly_: From the arguments offered to prove the foregoing head, I
+shall draw some observations that may be useful for your practice.
+
+I. As to the first: Health, we know, is generally allowed to be the best
+of all earthly possessions, because it is that, without which we can
+have no satisfaction in any of the rest. For riches are of no use, if
+sickness taketh from us the ability of enjoying them, and power and
+greatness are then only a burthen. Now, if we would look for health, it
+must be in the humble habitation of the labouring man, or industrious
+artificer, who earn their bread by the sweat of their brows, and usually
+live to a good old age, with a great degree of strength and vigour.
+
+The refreshment of the body by sleep is another great happiness of the
+meaner sort. Their rest is not disturbed by the fear of thieves and
+robbers, nor is it interrupted by surfeits of intemperance. Labour and
+plain food supply the want of quieting draughts; and the wise man
+telleth us, that the sleep of the labouring man is sweet. As to
+children, which are certainly accounted of as a blessing, even to the
+poor, where industry is not wanting; they are an assistance to honest
+parents, instead of being a burthen; they are healthy and strong, and
+fit for labour; neither is the father in fear, lest his heir should be
+ruined by an unequal match: Nor is he solicitous about his rising in the
+world, farther than to be able to get his bread.
+
+The poorer sort are not the objects of general hatred or envy; they have
+no twinges of ambition, nor trouble themselves with party quarrels, or
+state divisions. The idle rabble, who follow their ambitious leaders in
+such cases, do not fall within my description of the poorer sort; for,
+it is plain, I mean only the honest industrious poor in town or
+country, who are safest in times of public disturbance, in perilous
+seasons, and public revolutions, if they will be quiet, and do their
+business; for artificers and husbandmen are necessary in all
+governments: But in such seasons, the rich are the public mark, because
+they are oftentimes of no use, but to be plundered; like some sort of
+birds, who are good for nothing, but their feathers; and so fall a prey
+to the strongest side.
+
+Let us proceed, on the other side to examine the disadvantages which the
+rich and the great lie under, with respect to the happiness of the
+present life.
+
+First, then; While health, as we have said, is the general portion of
+the lower sort, the gout, the dropsy, the stone, the cholic, and all
+other diseases, are continually haunting the palaces of the rich and the
+great, as the natural attendants upon laziness and luxury. Neither does
+the rich man eat his sumptuous fare with half the appetite and relish,
+that even the beggars do the crumbs which fall from his table: But, on
+the contrary, he is full of loathing and disgust, or at best of
+indifference, in the midst of plenty. Thus their intemperance shortens
+their lives, without pleasing their appetites.
+
+Business, fear, guilt, design, anguish, and vexation are continually
+buzzing about the curtains of the rich and the powerful, and will hardly
+suffer them to close their eyes, unless when they are dosed with the
+fumes of strong liquors.
+
+It is a great mistake to imagine that the rich want but few things;
+their wants are more numerous, more craving, and urgent, than those of
+poorer men: For these endeavour only at the necessaries of life, which
+make them happy, and they think no farther: But the desire of power and
+wealth is endless, and therefore impossible to be satisfied with any
+acquisitions.
+
+If riches were so great a blessing as they are commonly thought, they
+would at least have this advantage, to give their owners cheerful hearts
+and countenances; they would often stir them up to express their
+thankfulness to God, and discover their satisfaction to the world. But,
+in fact, the contrary to all this is true. For where are there more
+cloudy brows, more melancholy hearts, or more ingratitude to their great
+Benefactor, than among those who abound in wealth? And, indeed, it is
+natural that it should be so, because those men, who covet things that
+are hard to be got, must be hard to please; whereas a small thing maketh
+a poor man happy, and great losses cannot befall him.
+
+It is likewise worth considering, how few among the rich have procured
+their wealth by just measures; how many owe their fortunes to the sins
+of their parents, how many more to their own? If men's titles were to be
+tried before a true court of conscience, where false swearing, and a
+thousand vile artifices, (that are well known, and can hardly be avoided
+in human courts of justice) would avail nothing; how many would be
+ejected with infamy and disgrace? How many grow considerable by breach
+of trust, by bribery and corruption? How many have sold their religion,
+with the rights and liberties of themselves and others, for power and
+employments?
+
+And, it is a mistake to think, that the most hardened sinner, who oweth
+his possessions or titles to any such wicked arts of thieving, can have
+true peace of mind, under the reproaches of a guilty conscience, and
+amid the cries of ruined widows and orphans.
+
+I know not one real advantage that the rich have over the poor, except
+the power of doing good to others. But this is an advantage which God
+hath not given wicked men the grace to make use of. The wealth acquired
+by evil means was never employed to good ends; for that would be to
+divide the kingdom of Satan against itself. Whatever hath been gained by
+fraud, avarice, oppression, and the like, must be preserved and
+increased by the same methods.
+
+I shall add but one thing more upon this head, which I hope will
+convince you, that God (whose thoughts are not as our thoughts) never
+intended riches or power to be necessary for the happiness of mankind in
+this life; because it is certain, that there is not one single good
+quality of the mind absolutely necessary to obtain them, where men are
+resolved to be rich at any rate; neither honour, justice, temperance,
+wisdom, religion, truth, or learning; for a slight acquaintance of the
+world will inform us, that there have been many instances of men, in all
+ages, who have arrived at great possessions and great dignities, by
+cunning, fraud, or flattery, without any of these, or any other virtues
+that can be named. Now, if riches and greatness were such blessings,
+that good men without them could not have their share of happiness in
+this life; how cometh it to pass, that God should suffer them to be
+often dealt to the worst, and most profligate of mankind; that they
+should be generally procured by the most abominable means, and applied
+to the basest and most wicked uses? This ought not to be conceived of a
+just, a merciful, a wise, and Almighty Being. We must therefore
+conclude, that wealth and power are in their own nature, at best, but
+things indifferent, and that a good man may be equally happy without
+them, provided that he hath a sufficiency of the common blessings of
+human life to answer all the reasonable and virtuous demands of nature,
+which his industry will provide, and sobriety will prevent his wanting.
+Agur's prayer, with the reasons of his wish, are full to this purpose:
+"Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food convenient for
+me; lest I be full and deny thee, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or, lest I
+be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
+
+From what hath been said, I shall, in the second place, offer some
+considerations, that may be useful for your practice.
+
+And here I shall apply myself chiefly to those of the lower sort, for
+whose comfort and satisfaction this discourse is principally intended.
+For, having observed the great sin of those, who do not abound in
+wealth, to be that of murmuring and repining, that God hath dealt his
+blessings unequally to the sons of men, I thought it would be of great
+use to remove out of your minds so false and wicked an opinion, by
+shewing that your condition is really happier than most of you imagine.
+
+_First:_ Therefore, it hath been always agreed in the world, that the
+present happiness of mankind consisted in the ease of our body and the
+quiet of our mind; but, from what has been already said, it plainly
+appears, that neither wealth nor power do in any sort contribute to
+either of these two blessings. If, on the contrary, by multiplying our
+desires, they increase our discontents; if they destroy our health, gall
+us with painful diseases, and shorten our life; if they expose us to
+hatred, to envy, to censure, to a thousand temptations, it is not easy
+to see why a wise man should make them his choice, for their own sake,
+although it were in his power. Would any of you, who are in health and
+strength of body, with moderate food and raiment earned by your own
+labour, rather choose to be in the rich man's bed, under the torture of
+the gout, unable to take your natural rest, or natural nourishment, with
+the additional load of a guilty conscience, reproaching you for
+injustice, oppressions, covetousness, and fraud? No; but you would take
+the riches and power, and leave behind the inconveniences that attend
+them; and so would every man living. But that is more than our share,
+and God never intended this world for such a place of rest as we would
+make it; for the Scripture assureth us that it was only designed as a
+place of trial. Nothing is more frequent, than a man to wish himself in
+another's condition; yet he seldom doth it without some reserve: He
+would not be so old; he would not be so sickly; he would not be so
+cruel; he would not be so insolent; he would not be so vicious; he would
+not be so oppressive, so griping, and so on. From whence it is plain,
+that, in their own judgment, men are not so unequally dealt with, as
+they would at first sight imagine: For, if I would not change my
+condition with another man, without any exception or reservation at all,
+I am, in reality, more happy than he.
+
+_Secondly_: You of the meaner sort are subject to fewer temptations than
+the rich; and therefore your vices are more unpardonable. Labour
+subdueth your appetites to be satisfied with common things; the business
+of your several callings filleth up your whole time; so that idleness,
+which is the bane and destruction of virtue, doth not lead you into the
+neighbourhood of sin: Your passions are cooler, by not being inflamed
+with excess, and therefore the gate and the way that lead to life are
+not so straight and so narrow to you, as to those who live among all the
+allurements to wickedness. To serve God with the best of your care and
+understanding, and to be just and true in your dealings, is the short
+sum of your duty, and will be the more strictly required of you, because
+nothing lieth in the way to divert you from it.
+
+_Thirdly_: It is plain from what I have said, that you of the lower rank
+have no just reason to complain of your condition: Because, as you
+plainly see, it affordeth you so many advantages, and freeth you from so
+many vexations, so many distempers both of body and mind, which pursue
+and torment the rich and powerful.
+
+_Fourthly_: You are to remember and apply, that the poorest person is
+not excused from doing good to others, and even relieving the wants of
+his distressed neighbour, according to his abilities; and if you perform
+your duty in this point, you far outdo the greatest liberalities of the
+rich, and will accordingly be accepted of by God, and get your reward:
+For it is our Saviour's own doctrine, when the widow gave her two mites.
+The rich give out of their abundance; that is to say, what they give,
+they do not feel it in their way of living: But the poor man, who giveth
+out of his little stock, must spare it from the necessary food and
+raiment of himself and his family. And, therefore, our Saviour adds,
+"That the widow gave more than all who went before her; for she gave all
+she had, even all her living;" and so went home utterly unprovided to
+supply her necessities.
+
+_Lastly_: As it appeareth from what hath been said, that you in the
+lower rank have, in reality, a greater share of happiness, your work of
+salvation is easier, by your being liable to fewer temptations; and as
+your reward in Heaven is much more certain than it is to the rich, if
+you seriously perform your duty, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven; so
+your neglect of it will be less excusable, will meet with fewer
+allowances from God, and will be punished with double stripes: For the
+most unknowing among you cannot plead ignorance of what you have been so
+early taught, I hope, so often instructed in, and which is so easy to be
+understood, I mean the art of leading a life agreeable to the plain and
+positive laws of God. Perhaps you may think you lie under one
+disadvantage, which the great and rich have not; that idleness will
+certainly reduce you to beggary; whereas those who abound in wealth lie
+under no necessity either of labour or temperance to keep enough to live
+on. But this is indeed one part of your happiness, that the lowness of
+your condition, in a manner, forceth you to what is pleasing to God, and
+necessary for your daily support. Thus your duty and interest are always
+the same.
+
+To conclude: Since our blessed Lord, instead of a rich and honourable
+station in this world, was pleased to choose his lot among men of the
+lower condition; let not those, on whom the bounty of Providence hath
+bestowed wealth and honours, despise the men who are placed in a humble
+and inferior station; but rather, with their utmost power, by their
+countenance, by their protection, by just payment of their honest
+labour, encourage their daily endeavours for the support of themselves
+and their families. On the other hand, let the poor labour to provide
+things honest in the sight of all men; and so, with diligence in their
+several employments, live soberly, righteously, and godlily in this
+present world, that they may obtain that glorious reward promised in the
+Gospel to the poor, I mean the kingdom of Heaven.
+
+Now, to God the Father, &c,
+
+
+
+
+A SERMON ON THE CAUSES OF THE WRETCHED CONDITION OF IRELAND.[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: This is not very properly styled a sermon; but, considered
+as a political dissertation, it has great merit, and it is highly worthy
+of the subject, and the author. Most of the circumstances here founded
+upon, as the causes of national distress, are the subject of separate
+disquisitions in those political writings connected with Ireland. But
+they are here summed up, and brought into one view; and the opinions
+expressed form a sort of index to the Dean's tenets upon the state of
+that country. [S.]]
+
+
+PSALM CXLIV. PART OF THE 14TH AND 15TH VERSES.
+
+"That there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is the people that
+is in such a case."
+
+
+It is a very melancholy reflection, that such a country as ours, which
+is capable of producing all things necessary, and most things convenient
+for life, sufficient for the support of four times the number of its
+inhabitants, should yet lie under the heaviest load of misery and want,
+our streets crowded with beggars, so many of our lower sort of
+tradesmen, labourers, and artificers, not able to find clothes and food
+for their families.
+
+I think it may therefore be of some use to lay before you the chief
+causes of this wretched condition we are in, and then it will be easier
+to assign what remedies are in our power toward removing, at least, some
+part of these evils.
+
+For it is ever to be lamented, that we lie under many disadvantages, not
+by our own faults, which are peculiar to ourselves, and which no other
+nation under heaven hath any reason to complain of.
+
+I shall, therefore, first mention some causes of our miseries,--which I
+doubt are not to be remedied, until God shall put it in the hearts of
+those who are stronger to allow us the common rights and privileges of
+brethren, fellow-subjects, and even of mankind. The first cause of our
+misery is the intolerable hardships we lie under in every branch of our
+trade, by which we are become as hewers of wood, and drawers of water,
+to our rigorous neighbours.
+
+The second cause of our miserable state is the folly, the vanity, and
+ingratitude of those vast numbers, who think themselves too good to live
+in the country which gave them birth, and still gives them bread; and
+rather choose to pass their days, and consume their wealth, and draw out
+the very vitals of their mother kingdom, among those who heartily
+despise them.
+
+These I have but lightly touched on, because I fear they are not to be
+redressed, and, besides, I am very sensible how ready some people are to
+take offence at the honest truth; and, for that reason, I shall omit
+several other grievances, under which we are long likely to groan.
+
+I shall therefore go on to relate some other causes of this nation's
+poverty, by which, if they continue much longer, it must infallibly sink
+to utter ruin.
+
+The first is, that monstrous pride and vanity in both sexes, especially
+the weaker sex, who, in the midst of poverty, are suffered to run into
+all kind of expense and extravagance in dress, and particularly priding
+themselves to wear nothing but what cometh from abroad, disdaining the
+growth or manufacture of their own country, in those articles where they
+can be better served at home with half the expense; and this is grown to
+such a height, that they will carry the whole yearly rent of a good
+estate at once on their body. And, as there is in that sex a spirit of
+envy, by which they cannot endure to see others in a better habit than
+themselves, so those, whose fortunes can hardly support their families
+in the necessaries of life, will needs vie with the richest and greatest
+amongst us, to the ruin of themselves and their posterity.
+
+Neither are the men less guilty of this pernicious folly, who, in
+imitation of a gaudiness and foppery of dress, introduced of late years
+into our neighbouring kingdom, (as fools are apt to imitate only the
+defects of their betters,) cannot find materials in their own country
+worthy to adorn their bodies of clay, while their minds are naked of
+every valuable quality.
+
+Thus our tradesmen and shopkeepers, who deal in home goods, are left in
+a starving condition, and only those encouraged who ruin the kingdom by
+importing among us foreign vanities.
+
+Another cause of our low condition is our great luxury, the chief
+support of which is the materials of it brought to the nation in
+exchange for the few valuable things left us, whereby so many thousand
+families want the very necessaries of life.
+
+_Thirdly_, In most parts of this kingdom the natives are from their
+infancy so given up to idleness and sloth, that they often choose to beg
+or steal, rather than support themselves with their own labour; they
+marry without the least view or thought of being able to make any
+provision for their families; and whereas, in all industrious nations,
+children are looked on as a help to their parents; with us, for want of
+being early trained to work, they are an intolerable burthen at home,
+and a grievous charge upon the public, as appeareth from the vast number
+of ragged and naked children in town and country, led about by strolling
+women, trained up in ignorance and all manner of vice.
+
+_Lastly_, A great cause of this nation's misery, is that Egyptian
+bondage of cruel, oppressing, covetous landlords, expecting that all who
+live under them should make bricks without straw, who grieve and envy
+when they see a tenant of their own in a whole coat, or able to afford
+one comfortable meal in a month, by which the spirits of the people are
+broken, and made for slavery; the farmers and cottagers, almost through
+the whole kingdom, being to all intents and purposes as real beggars as
+any of those to whom we give our charity in the streets. And these cruel
+landlords are every day unpeopling their kingdom, by forbidding their
+miserable tenants to till the earth, against common reason and justice,
+and contrary to the practice and prudence of all other nations, by which
+numberless families have been forced either to leave the kingdom, or
+stroll about, and increase the number of our thieves and beggars.
+
+Such, and much worse, is our condition at present, if I had leisure or
+liberty to lay it before you; and, therefore, the next thing which might
+be considered is, whether there may be any probable remedy found, at the
+least against some part of these evils; for most of them are wholly
+desperate.
+
+But this being too large a subject to be now handled, and the intent of
+my discourse confining me to give some directions concerning the poor of
+this city, I shall keep myself within those limits. It is indeed in the
+power of the lawgivers to found a school in every parish of the kingdom,
+for teaching the meaner and poorer sort of children to speak and read
+the English tongue, and to provide a reasonable maintenance for the
+teachers. This would, in time, abolish that part of barbarity and
+ignorance, for which our natives are so despised by all foreigners: this
+would bring them to think and act according to the rules of reason, by
+which a spirit of industry, and thrift, and honesty would be introduced
+among them. And, indeed, considering how small a tax would suffice for
+such a work, it is a public scandal that such a thing should never have
+been endeavoured, or, perhaps, so much as thought on.
+
+To supply the want of such a law, several pious persons, in many parts
+of this kingdom, have been prevailed on, by the great endeavours and
+good example set them by the clergy, to erect charity-schools in several
+parishes, to which very often the richest parishioners contribute the
+least. In those schools, children are, or ought to be, trained up to
+read and write, and cast accounts; and these children should, if
+possible, be of honest parents, gone to decay through age, sickness, or
+other unavoidable calamity, by the hand of God; not the brood of wicked
+strollers; for it is by no means reasonable, that the charity of
+well-inclined people should be applied to encourage the lewdness of
+those profligate, abandoned women, who crowd our streets with their
+borrowed or spurious issue.
+
+In those hospitals which have good foundations and rents to support
+them, whereof, to the scandal of Christianity, there are very few in
+this kingdom; I say, in such hospitals, the children maintained ought to
+be only of decayed citizens, and freemen, and be bred up to good trades.
+But in these small-parish charity-schools which have no support, but the
+casual goodwill of charitable people, I do altogether disapprove the
+custom of putting the children 'prentice, except to the very meanest
+trades; otherwise the poor honest citizen, who is just able to bring up
+his child, and pay a small sum of money with him to a good master, is
+wholly defeated, and the bastard issue, perhaps, of some beggar
+preferred before him. And hence we come to be so overstocked with
+'prentices and journeymen, more than our discouraged country can employ;
+and, I fear, the greatest part of our thieves, pickpockets, and other
+vagabonds are of this number.
+
+Therefore, in order to make these parish charity-schools of great and
+universal use, I agree with the opinion of many wise persons, that a new
+turn should be given to this whole matter.
+
+I think there is no complaint more just than what we find in almost
+every family, of the folly and ignorance, the fraud and knavery, the
+idleness and viciousness, the wasteful squandering temper of servants,
+who are, indeed, become one of the many public grievances of the
+kingdom; whereof, I believe, there are few masters that now hear me who
+are not convinced by their own experience. And I am not very confident,
+that more families, of all degrees, have been ruined by the corruptions
+of servants, than by all other causes put together. Neither is this to
+be wondered at, when we consider from what nurseries so many of them are
+received into our houses. The first is the tribe of wicked boys,
+wherewith most corners of this town are pestered, who haunt public
+doors. These, having been born of beggars, and bred to pilfer as soon as
+they can go or speak, as years come on, are employed in the lowest
+offices to get themselves bread, are practised in all manner of
+villainy, and when they are grown up, if they are not entertained in a
+gang of thieves, are forced to seek for a service. The other nursery is
+the barbarous and desert part of the country, from whence such lads come
+up hither to seek their fortunes, who are bred up from the dunghill in
+idleness, ignorance, lying, and thieving. From these two nurseries, I
+say, a great number of our servants come to us, sufficient to corrupt
+all the rest. Thus, the whole race of servants in this kingdom have
+gotten so ill a reputation, that some persons from England, come over
+hither into great stations, are said to have absolutely refused
+admitting any servant born among us into their families. Neither can
+they be justly blamed; for although it is not impossible to find an
+honest native fit for a good service, yet the inquiry is too
+troublesome, and the hazard too great for a stranger to attempt.
+
+If we consider the many misfortunes that befall private families, it
+will be found that servants are the causes and instruments of them all:
+Are our goods embezzled, wasted and destroyed? Is our house burnt down
+to the ground? It is by the sloth, the drunkenness or the villainy of
+servants. Are we robbed and murdered in our beds? It is by confederacy
+with our servants. Are we engaged in quarrels and misunderstandings with
+our neighbours? These were all begun and inflamed by the false,
+malicious tongues of our servants. Are the secrets of our families
+betrayed, and evil repute spread of us? Our servants were the authors.
+Do false accusers rise up against us (an evil too frequent in this
+country)? They have been tampering with our servants. Do our children
+discover folly, malice, pride, cruelty, revenge, undutifulness in their
+words and actions? Are they seduced to lewdness or scandalous marriages?
+It is all by our servants. Nay, the very mistakes, follies, blunders,
+and absurdities of those in our service, are able to ruffle and
+discompose the mildest nature, and are often of such consequence, as to
+put whole families into confusion.
+
+Since therefore not only our domestic peace and quiet, and the welfare
+of our children, but even the very safety of our lives, reputations, and
+fortunes have so great a dependence upon the choice of our servants, I
+think it would well become the wisdom of the nation to make some
+provision in so important an affair. But in the meantime, and, perhaps,
+to better purpose, it were to be wished, that the children of both
+sexes, entertained in the parish charity-schools, were bred up in such a
+manner as would give them a teachable disposition, and qualify them to
+learn whatever is required in any sort of service. For instance, they
+should be taught to read and write, to know somewhat in casting
+accounts, to understand the principles of religion, to practise
+cleanliness, to get a spirit of honesty, industry, and thrift, and be
+severely punished for every neglect in any of these particulars. For, it
+is the misfortune of mankind, that if they are not used to be taught in
+their early childhood, whereby to acquire what I call a teachable
+disposition, they cannot, without great difficulty, learn the easiest
+thing in the course of their lives, but are always awkward and unhandy;
+their minds, as well as bodies, for want of early practice, growing
+stiff and unmanageable, as we observe in the sort of gentlemen, who,
+kept from school by the indulgence of their parents but a few years, are
+never able to recover the time they have lost, and grow up in ignorance
+and all manner of vice, whereof we have too many examples all over the
+nation. But to return to what I was saying: If these charity children
+were trained up in the manner I mentioned, and then bound apprentices in
+the families of gentlemen and citizens, (for which a late law giveth
+great encouragement) being accustomed from their first entrance to be
+always learning some useful thing, [they] would learn, in a month, more
+than another, without those advantages, can do in a year; and, in the
+meantime, be very useful in a family, as far as their age and strength
+would allow. And when such children come to years of discretion, they
+will probably be a useful example to their fellow-servants, at least
+they will prove a strong check upon the rest; for, I suppose, everybody
+will allow, that one good, honest, diligent servant in a house may
+prevent abundance of mischief in the family.
+
+These are the reasons for which I urge this matter so strongly, and I
+hope those who listen to me will consider them.
+
+I shall now say something about that great number of poor, who, under
+the name of common beggars, infest our streets, and fill our ears with
+their continual cries, and craving importunity. This I shall venture to
+call an unnecessary evil, brought upon us for the gross neglect, and
+want of proper management, in those whose duty it is to prevent it. But
+before I proceed farther, let me humbly presume to vindicate the justice
+and mercy of God and His dealings with mankind. Upon this particular He
+hath not dealt so hardly with His creatures as some would imagine, when
+they see so many miserable objects ready to perish for want: For it
+would infallibly be found, upon strict enquiry, that there is hardly one
+in twenty of those miserable objects who do not owe their present
+poverty to their own faults, to their present sloth and negligence, to
+their indiscreet marriage without the least prospect of supporting a
+family, to their foolish expensiveness, to their drunkenness, and other
+vices, by which they have squandered their gettings, and contracted
+diseases in their old age. And, to speak freely, is it any way
+reasonable or just, that those who have denied themselves many lawful
+satisfactions and conveniences of life, from a principle of conscience,
+as well as prudence, that they might not be a burthen to the public,
+should be charged with supporting others, who have brought themselves to
+less than a morsel of bread by their idleness, extravagance, and vice?
+Yet such, and no other, are far the greatest number not only in those
+who beg in our streets, but even of what we call poor decayed
+housekeepers, whom we are apt to pity as real objects of charity, and
+distinguish them from common beggars, although, in truth, they both owe
+their undoing to the same causes; only the former is either too nicely
+bred to endure walking half naked in the streets, or too proud to own
+their wants. For the artificer or other tradesman, who pleadeth he is
+grown too old to work or look after business, and therefore expecteth
+assistance as a decayed housekeeper; may we not ask him, why he did not
+take care, in his youth and strength of days, to make some provision
+against old age, when he saw so many examples before him of people
+undone by their idleness and vicious extravagance? And to go a little
+higher; whence cometh it that so many citizens and shopkeepers, of the
+most creditable trade, who once made a good figure, go to decay by their
+expensive pride and vanity, affecting to educate and dress their
+children above their abilities, or the state of life they ought to
+expect?
+
+However, since the best of us have too many infirmities to answer for,
+we ought not to be severe upon those of others; and therefore if our
+brother, through grief, or sickness, or other incapacity, is not in a
+condition to preserve his being, we ought to support him to the best of
+our power, without reflecting over seriously on the causes that brought
+him to his misery. But in order to this, and to turn our charity into
+its proper channel, we ought to consider who and where those objects
+are, whom it is chiefly incumbent upon us to support.
+
+By the ancient law of this realm, still in force, every parish is
+obliged to maintain its own poor, which although some may think to be
+not very equal, because many parishes are very rich, and have few poor
+among them, and others the contrary; yet, I think, may be justly
+defended: For as to remote country parishes in the desert part of the
+kingdom, the necessaries of life are there so cheap, that the infirm
+poor may be provided for with little burden to the inhabitants. But in
+what I am going to say, I shall confine myself only to this city, where
+we are overrun not only with our own poor, but with a far greater number
+from every part of the nation. Now, I say, this evil of being encumbered
+with so many foreign beggars, who have not the least title to our
+charity, and whom it is impossible for us to support, may be easily
+remedied, if the government of this city, in conjunction with the clergy
+and parish officers, would think it worth their care; and I am sure few
+things deserve it better. For, if every parish would take a list of
+those begging poor which properly belong to it, and compel each of them
+to wear a badge, marked and numbered, so as to be seen and known by all
+they meet, and confine them to beg within the limits of their own
+parish, severely punishing them when they offend, and driving out all
+interlopers from other parishes, we could then make a computation of
+their numbers; and the strollers from the country being driven away, the
+remainder would not be too many for the charity of those who pass by to
+maintain; neither would any beggar, although confined to his own parish,
+be hindered from receiving the charity of the whole town; because, in
+this case, those well-disposed persons who walk the streets will give
+their charity to such whom they think proper objects, wherever they meet
+them, provided they are found in their own parishes, and wearing their
+badges of distinction. And, as to those parishes which bordered upon the
+skirts and suburbs of the town, where country strollers are used to
+harbour themselves, they must be forced to go back to their homes, when
+they find nobody to relieve them, because they want that mark which only
+gives them licence to beg. Upon this point, it were to be wished, that
+inferior parish officers had better encouragement given them to perform
+their duty in driving away all beggars who do not belong to the parish,
+instead of conniving at them, as it is said they do for some small
+contribution: For the whole city would save much more by ridding
+themselves of many hundred beggars, than they would lose by giving
+parish officers a reasonable support.
+
+It should seem a strange, unaccountable thing, that those who have
+probably been reduced to want by riot, lewdness, and idleness, although
+they have assurance enough to beg alms publicly from all they meet,
+should yet be too proud to wear the parish badge, which would turn so
+much to their own advantage, by ridding them of such great numbers, who
+now intercept the greatest part of what belongeth to them: Yet it is
+certain, that there are very many who publicly declare they will never
+wear those badges, and many others who either hide or throw them away:
+But the remedy for this is very short, easy, and just, by trying them
+like vagabonds and sturdy beggars, and forcibly driving them out of the
+town.
+
+Therefore, as soon as this expedient of wearing badges shall be put in
+practice, I do earnestly exhort all those who hear me, never to give
+their alms to any public beggar who doth not fully comply with this
+order, by which our number of poor will be so reduced, that it will be
+much easier to provide for the rest. Our shop-doors will be no longer
+crowded with so many thieves and pickpockets, in beggars' habits, nor
+our streets so dangerous to those who are forced to walk in the night.
+
+Thus I have, with great freedom, delivered my thoughts upon this
+subject, which so nearly concerneth us. It is certainly a bad scheme, to
+any Christian country, which God hath blessed with fruitfulness, and
+where the people enjoy the just rights and privileges of mankind, that
+there should be any beggars at all. But, alas! among us, where the whole
+nation itself is almost reduced to beggary by the disadvantages we lie
+under, and the hardships we are forced to bear; the laziness, ignorance,
+thoughtlessness, squandering temper, slavish nature, and uncleanly
+manner of living in the poor Popish natives, together with the cruel
+oppressions of their landlords, who delight to see their vassals in the
+dust; I say, that, in such a nation, how can we otherwise expect than to
+be over-run with objects of misery and want? Therefore, there can be no
+other method to free this city from so intolerable a grievance, than by
+endeavouring, as far as in us lies, that the burthen may be more equally
+divided, by contributing to maintain our own poor, and forcing the
+strollers and vagabonds to return to their several homes in the country,
+there to smite the conscience of those oppressors, who first stripped
+them of all their substance.
+
+I might here, if the time would permit, offer many arguments to persuade
+to works of charity; but you hear them so often from the pulpit, that I
+am willing to hope you may not now want them. Besides, my present design
+was only to shew where your alms would be best bestowed, to the honour
+of God, your own ease and advantage, the service of your country, and
+the benefit of the poor. I desire you will all weigh and consider what I
+have spoken, and, according to your several stations and abilities,
+endeavour to put it in practice; and God give you good success. To Whom,
+with the Son and Holy Ghost, be all honour, &c.
+
+The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
+
+
+
+
+A SERMON UPON SLEEPING IN CHURCH.
+
+
+ACTS, CHAP. XX. VER. 9.
+
+"And there sat in a window a certain young man, named _Eutychus_, being
+fallen into a deep sleep; and as _Paul_ was long preaching, he sunk down
+with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead."
+
+
+I have chosen these words with design, if possible, to disturb some part
+in this audience of half an hour's sleep, for the convenience and
+exercise whereof this place, at this season of the day, is very much
+celebrated.
+
+There is indeed one mortal disadvantage to which all preaching is
+subject; that those who, by the wickedness of their lives, stand in
+greatest need, have usually the smallest share; for either they are
+absent upon the account of idleness, or spleen, or hatred to religion,
+or in order to doze away the intemperance of the week; or, if they do
+come, they are sure to employ their minds rather any other way, than
+regarding or attending to the business of the place.
+
+The accident which happened to this young man in the text, hath not been
+sufficient to discourage his successors: But because the preachers now
+in the world, however they may exceed St Paul in the art of setting men
+to sleep, do extremely fall short of him in the working of miracles;
+therefore men are become so cautious as to choose more safe and
+convenient stations and postures for taking their repose, without hazard
+of their persons; and, upon the whole matter, choose rather to trust
+their destruction to a miracle, than their safety. However, this being
+not the only way by which the lukewarm Christians and scorners of the
+age discover their neglect and contempt of preaching, I shall enter
+expressly into consideration of this matter, and order my discourse in
+the following method:
+
+_First:_ I shall produce several instances to shew the great neglect of
+preaching now amongst us.
+
+_Secondly:_ I shall reckon up some of the usual quarrels men have
+against preaching.
+
+_Thirdly:_ I shall set forth the great evil of this neglect and contempt
+of preaching, and discover the real causes from whence it proceedeth.
+
+_Lastly:_ I shall offer some remedies against this great and spreading
+evil.
+
+
+_First:_ I shall produce certain instances to shew the great neglect of
+preaching now among us.
+
+These may be reduced under two heads. First, men's absence from the
+service of the Church; and secondly, their misbehaviour when they are
+here.
+
+The first instance of men's neglect, is in their frequent absence from
+the church.
+
+There is no excuse so trivial, that will not pass upon some men's
+consciences to excuse their attendance at the public worship of God.
+Some are so unfortunate as to be always indisposed on the Lord's day,
+and think nothing so unwholesome as the air of a church. Others have
+their affairs so oddly contrived, as to be always unluckily prevented by
+business. With some it is a great mark of wit, and deep understanding,
+to stay at home on Sundays. Others again discover strange fits of
+laziness, that seize them, particularly on that day, and confine them to
+their beds. Others are absent out of mere contempt of religion. And,
+lastly, there are not a few who look upon it as a day of rest, and
+therefore claim the privilege of their cattle, to keep the Sabbath by
+eating, drinking, and sleeping, after the toil and labour of the week.
+Now in all this the worst circumstance is, that these persons are such
+whose companies are most required, and who stand most in need of a
+physician.
+
+_Secondly:_ Men's great neglect and contempt of preaching, appear by
+their misbehaviour when at church.
+
+If the audience were to be ranked under several heads according to their
+behaviour, when the word of God is delivered, how small a number would
+appear of those who receive it as they ought? How much of the seed then
+sown would be found to fall by the way-side, upon stony ground or among
+thorns? And how little good ground would there be to take it? A preacher
+cannot look round from the pulpit, without observing, that some are in a
+perpetual whisper, and, by their air and gesture, give occasion to
+suspect, that they are in those very minutes defaming their neighbour.
+Others have their eyes and imagination constantly engaged in such a
+circle of objects, perhaps to gratify the most unwarrantable desires,
+that they never once attend to the business of the place; the sound of
+the preacher's words doth not so much as once interrupt them. Some have
+their minds wandering among idle, worldly, or vicious thoughts. Some lie
+at catch to ridicule whatever they hear, and with much wit and humour
+provide a stock of laughter, by furnishing themselves from the pulpit.
+But, of all misbehaviour, none is comparable to that of those who come
+here to sleep; opium is not so stupefying to many persons as an
+afternoon sermon. Perpetual custom hath so brought it about, that the
+words, of whatever preacher, become only a sort of uniform sound at a
+distance, than which nothing is more effectual to lull the senses. For,
+that it is the very sound of the sermon which bindeth up their
+faculties, is manifest from hence, because they all awake so very
+regularly as soon as it ceaseth, and with much devotion receive the
+blessing, dozed and besotted with indecencies I am ashamed to repeat.
+
+I proceed, _Secondly_, to reckon up some of the usual quarrels men have
+against preaching, and to shew the unreasonableness of them.
+
+Such unwarrantable demeanour as I have described, among Christians, in
+the house of God, in a solemn assembly, while their faith and duty are
+explained and delivered, have put those who are guilty upon inventing
+some excuses to extenuate their fault: This they do by turning the blame
+either upon the particular preacher, or upon preaching in general.
+First, they object against the particular preacher; his manner, his
+delivery, his voice are disagreeable, his style and expression are flat
+and low; sometimes improper and absurd; the matter is heavy, trivial and
+insipid; sometimes despicable, and perfectly ridiculous; or else, on the
+other side, he runs up into unintelligible speculation, empty notions,
+and abstracted flights, all clad in words above usual understandings.
+
+Secondly, They object against preaching in general; it is a perfect road
+of talk; they know already whatever can be said; they have heard the
+same an hundred times over. They quarrel that preachers do not relieve
+an old beaten subject with wit and invention; and that now the art is
+lost of moving men's passions, so common among the ancient orators of
+Greece and Rome. These, and the like objections, are frequently in the
+mouths of men who despise the "foolishness of preaching." But let us
+examine the reasonableness of them.
+
+The doctrine delivered by all preachers is the same: "So we preach, and
+so ye believe:" But the manner of delivering is suited to the skill and
+abilities of each, which differ in preachers just as in the rest of
+mankind. However, in personal dislikes of a particular preacher, are
+these men sure they are always in the right? Do they consider how mixed
+a thing is every audience, whose taste and judgment differ, perhaps,
+every day, not only from each other, but themselves? And how to
+calculate a discourse, that shall exactly suit them all, is beyond the
+force and reach of human reason, knowledge, or invention. Wit and
+eloquence are shining qualities, that God hath imparted, in great
+degrees, to very few, nor any more to be expected, in the generality of
+any rank among men, than riches and honour. But further: If preaching in
+general be all old and beaten, and that they are already so well
+acquainted with it, more shame and guilt to them who so little edify by
+it. But these men, whose ears are so delicate as not to endure a plain
+discourse of religion, who expect a constant supply of wit and eloquence
+on a subject handled so many thousand times; what will they say when we
+turn the objection upon themselves, who, with all the rude and profane
+liberty of discourse they take, upon so many thousand subjects, are so
+dull as to furnish nothing but tedious repetitions, and little paltry,
+nauseous common-places, so vulgar, so worn, or so obvious, as, upon any
+other occasion, but that of advancing vice, would be hooted off the
+stage? Nor, lastly, are preachers justly blamed for neglecting human
+oratory to move the passions, which is not the business of a Christian
+orator, whose office it is only to work upon faith and reason. All other
+eloquence hath been a perfect cheat, to stir up men's passions against
+truth and justice, for the service of a faction, to put false colours
+upon things, and by an amusement of agreeable words, make the worse
+reason appear to be the better. This is certainly not to be allowed in
+Christian eloquence, and, therefore, St Paul took quite the other
+course; he "came not with excellency of words, or enticing speech of
+men's wisdom, but in plain evidence of the Spirit and power." And
+perhaps it was for that reason the young man Eutychus, used to the
+Grecian eloquence, grew tired and fell so fast asleep.
+
+I go on, _Thirdly_, to set forth the great evil of this neglect and
+scorn of preaching, and to discover the real causes from whence it
+proceedeth.
+
+I think it is obvious,[1] that this neglect of preaching hath very much
+occasioned the great decay of religion among us. To this may be imputed
+no small part of that contempt some men bestow on the clergy; for,
+whoever talketh without being regarded, is sure to be despised. To this
+we owe, in a great measure, the spreading of atheism and infidelity
+among us; for religion, like all other things, is soonest put out of
+countenance by being ridiculed. The scorn of preaching might perhaps
+have been at first introduced by men of nice ears and refined taste; but
+it is now become a spreading evil, through all degrees, and both sexes;
+for, since sleeping, talking, and laughing are qualities sufficient to
+furnish out a critic, the meanest and most ignorant have set up a title,
+and succeeded in it as well as their betters. Thus are the last efforts
+of reforming mankind rendered wholly useless: "How shall they hear,"
+saith the apostle, "without a preacher?" But, if they have a preacher,
+and make it a point of wit or breeding not to hear him, what remedy is
+left? To this neglect of preaching, we may also entirely impute that
+gross ignorance among us in the very principles of religion, which it is
+amazing to find in persons who very much value their own knowledge and
+understanding in other things; yet, it is a visible, inexcusable
+ignorance, even in the meanest among us, considering the many advantages
+they have of learning their duty. And it hath been the great
+encouragement to all manner of vice: For, in vain we preach down sin to
+a people, "whose hearts are waxed gross, whose ears are dull of hearing,
+and whose eyes are closed." Therefore Christ Himself, in His discourses,
+frequently rouseth up the attention of the multitude, and of His
+disciples themselves, with this expression, "He that hath ears to hear,
+let him hear." But, among all neglects of preaching, none is so fatal as
+that of sleeping in the house of God; a scorner may listen to truth and
+reason, and in time grow serious; an unbeliever may feel the pangs of a
+guilty conscience; one whose thoughts or eyes wander among other
+objects, may, by a lucky word, be called back to attention: But the
+sleeper shuts up all avenues to his soul: He is "like the deaf adder,
+that hearkeneth not to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so
+wisely." And, we may preach with as good success to the grave that is
+under his feet.
+
+[Footnote 1: Hawkesworth (Swift's "Works," vol. xiii., 1762) inserts
+here "to believe." [T.S.]]
+
+But the great evil of this neglect will further yet appear, from
+considering the real causes whence it proceedeth; whereof the first, I
+take to be, an evil conscience. Many men come to church to save or gain
+a reputation; or because they will not be singular, but comply with an
+established custom; yet, all the while, they are loaded with the guilt
+of old rooted sins. These men can expect to hear of nothing but terrors
+and threatenings, their sins laid open in true colours, and eternal
+misery the reward of them; therefore, no wonder they stop their ears,
+and divert their thoughts, and seek any amusement rather than stir the
+hell within them.
+
+Another cause of this neglect is, a heart set upon worldly things. Men
+whose minds are much enslaved to earthly affairs all the week, cannot
+disengage or break the chain of their thoughts so suddenly, as to apply
+to a discourse that is wholly foreign to what they have most at heart.
+Tell a usurer of charity, and mercy, and restitution, you talk to the
+deaf; his heart and soul, with all his senses, are got among his bags,
+or he is gravely asleep, and dreaming of a mortgage. Tell a man of
+business, that the cares of the world choke the good seed; that we must
+not encumber ourselves with much serving; that the salvation of his soul
+is the one thing necessary: You see, indeed, the shape of a man before
+you, but his faculties are all gone off among clients and papers,
+thinking how to defend a bad cause, or find flaws in a good one; or, he
+weareth out the time in drowsy nods.
+
+A third cause of the great neglect and scorn of preaching, ariseth from
+the practice of men who set up to decry and disparage religion; these,
+being zealous to promote infidelity and vice, learn a rote of buffoonery
+that serveth all occasions, and refutes the strongest arguments for
+piety and good manners. These have a set of ridicule calculated for all
+sermons, and all preachers, and can be extreme witty as often as they
+please upon the same fund.
+
+Let me now, in the last place, offer some remedies against this great
+evil.
+
+It will be one remedy against the contempt of preaching, rightly to
+consider the end for which it was designed. There are many who place
+abundance of merit in going to church, although it be with no other
+prospect but that of being well entertained, wherein if they happen to
+fail, they return wholly disappointed. Hence it is become an impertinent
+vein among people of all sorts to hunt after what they call a good
+sermon, as if it were a matter of pastime and diversion. Our business,
+alas! is quite another thing, either to learn, or, at least, be reminded
+of our duty, to apply the doctrines delivered, compare the rules we hear
+with our lives and actions, and find wherein we have transgressed. These
+are the dispositions men should bring into the house of God, and then
+they will be little concerned about the preacher's wit or eloquence, nor
+be curious to enquire out his faults and infirmities, but consider how
+to correct their own.
+
+Another remedy against the contempt of preaching, is, that men would
+consider, whether it be not reasonable to give more allowances for the
+different abilities of preachers than they usually do; refinements of
+style, and flights of wit, as they are not properly the business of any
+preacher, so they cannot possibly be the talents of all. In most other
+discourses, men are satisfied with sober sense and plain reason; and, as
+understandings usually go, even that is not over frequent. Then why they
+should be so over nice in expectation of eloquence,[2] where it is
+neither necessary nor convenient, is hard to imagine.
+
+[Footnote 2: Hawkesworth (1762 edit.) has "over nice and expecting for
+sense"; but both the 4to and the 8vo of 1764 agree with Scott as above.
+[T.S.]]
+
+_Lastly:_ The scorners of preaching would do well to consider, that this
+talent of ridicule, they value so much, is a perfection very easily
+acquired, and applied to all things whatsoever; neither is anything at
+all the worse, because it is capable of being perverted to burlesque:
+Perhaps it may be the more perfect upon that score; since we know, the
+most celebrated pieces have been thus treated with greatest success. It
+is in any man's power to suppose a fool's cap on the wisest head, and
+then laugh at his own supposition. I think there are not many things
+cheaper than supposing and laughing; and if the uniting these two
+talents can bring a thing into contempt, it is hard to know where it may
+end.
+
+_To conclude:_ These considerations may, perhaps, have some effect while
+men are awake; but what arguments shall we use to the sleeper? What
+methods shall we take to hold open his eyes? Will he be moved by
+considerations of common civility? We know it is reckoned a point of
+very bad manners to sleep in private company, when, perhaps, the tedious
+impertinence of many talkers would render it at least as excusable as at
+the dullest sermon. Do they think it a small thing to watch four hours
+at a play, where all virtue and religion are openly reviled; and can
+they not watch one half hour to hear them defended? Is this to deal like
+a judge, (I mean like a good judge) to listen on one side of the cause,
+and sleep on the other? I shall add but one word more: That this
+indecent sloth is very much owing to that luxury and excess men usually
+practise upon this day, by which half the service thereof is turned to
+sin; men dividing the time between God and their bellies, when after a
+gluttonous meal, their senses dozed and stupefied, they retire to God's
+house to sleep out the afternoon. Surely, brethren, these things ought
+not so to be.
+
+"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." And God give us all grace to
+hear and receive His holy word to the salvation of our own souls.
+
+*****       *****       *****       *****       *****
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+
+SWIFT'S REMARKS ON DR GIBBS'S PARAPHRASE OF THE PSALMS.
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+"THE following manuscript was literally copied from the printed original
+found in the library of Dr. J. Swift, Dean of St Patrick's, Dublin, in
+the year 1745. The marginal notes and parodies were written by the
+Dean's own hand, except such as are distinguished with this mark [O/]
+with which I am only chargeable. Witness my hand, this 25th day of
+February, 1745. WILLIAM DUNKIN.
+
+"N.B.--The original was by me presented to his excellency Philip Dormer
+Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, lord lieutenant general and general
+governor of Ireland. W.D."
+
+The manuscript to which Dr. Dunkin refers is in the library of Trinity
+College, Dublin. The present text is taken from a transcript which is at
+the South Kensington Museum, and which appears to be the identical
+transcript used by Nichols for his reprint in the quarto edition, vol.
+xiv. At the end of this MS. is the following note:
+
+"The above was written from the manuscript mentioned in the first page,
+now in the hands of Nicholas Coyne, Esq., being the only copy in the
+kingdom of Ireland; he having purchased the original, and
+afterwards generously given it to his friend Dr. Dunkin, finding the
+doctor extremely uneasy at the disappointment the Earl of Chesterfield
+was like to meet with, as he had promised the earl to attend the
+auction, and procure it for him at any price; and is now transcribed by
+Neale Molloy, of Dublin, Esq'r, by the favour of the said Nicholas
+Coyne, his brother-in-law; and sent by him to his kinsman, and dear
+friend, Charles Molloy, of London, Esq're.
+
+"_Dublin, 26th, of May_, 1748."
+
+The "Epistle Dedicatory" to Princess Anne, in Dr. Gibbs's volume, has
+also been annotated, chiefly by Dr. Dunkin; but as these are mostly too
+filthy to be published, I have omitted the few notes by Swift,
+which consist merely of marginalia corrections of words and a few
+satirical interpolations of no great consequence. I have corrected Dr.
+Gibbs's text by the original edition of his "Paraphrase" (1701). The
+corrections were necessary, since the transcript could not be absolutely
+relied on.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+APPENDIX I.
+DR SWIFT'S REMARKS
+
+
+On "The first Fifteen Psalms of David, translated into Lyric Verse:
+Proposed as an Essay, supplying the Perspicuity and Coherence according
+to the Modern Art of Poetry; not known to have been attempted before in
+any Language. With a Preface containing some Observations of the great
+and general Defectiveness of former Versions in Greek, Latin, and
+English. By Dr. [James] Gibbs. London: printed by J. Mathews, for John
+Hartley, over-against Gray's-Inn, in Holborn. MDCCI."
+
+
+THE FIRST FIFTEEN PSALMS, TRANSLATED INTO
+ENGLISH VERSE.
+
+
+DR GIBBS.                                      DR SWIFT.
+I. PSALM OF DAVID, (1)                         (1)I warn the reader that
+_Comparing the different state of the          this is a lie, both here
+righteous and the wicked, both in this         and all over the book;
+and the next world._                           for these are not Psalms
+                                               of David, but of Dr.
+                                               Gibbs.
+
+1  Thrice happy he! that does refuse.          (2) But I suppose with
+     With _impious_ (2) _sinners_ to combine;  _pious_ sinners a man may
+   Who ne'er their wicked way pursues,         combine safely enough
+     And does the scorner's _seat_(3)_decline_
+                                               (3)What part of speech
+                                               is it?
+
+2  But still to learn, and to obey             (4) All.
+     The Law of God is his delight;
+   In that employs himself all day,            (5) A man must have
+     And reads and thinks thereon at(4)        some time to sleep; so
+        night.(5)                              that I will change the
+                                               verse thus:
+                                                "And thinks and dreams
+                                                  thereon all night."
+
+
+
+3  For as a tree, whose spreading root         (6) Look ye; you must
+     By some prolific stream is fed,           thin the boughs at the
+   Produces (6) fair and timely fruit,         top, or your fruit will
+     And numerous boughs adorn its head:       be neither fair or
+   Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, timely.
+     In lively verdure still appear
+                                               (7) Why, what other part
+   Whose (7) very leaves, tho' storms descend, of a tree appears in lively.
+     In lively verdure still appear;           verdure, beside the
+   Such blessings always shall attend          leaves?
+     The man that does the Lord revere.           These very leaves on
+                                                    which you penn'd
+                                                  Your woeful stuff, may
+                                                       serve for squibs:
+                                                  Such blessings always
+                                                        shall attend
+                                                  The madrigals of Dr.
+                                                        Gibbs.
+
+
+4  Like chaff with every wind disperst:(1)     (1) "Disp_u_rst,"
+                  [rhyming with "curst"]       Pronounce this like a
+                                               blockhead.
+
+
+6  And these to punishment may go. (2)         (2) If they please.
+
+
+
+["The above may serve for a tolerable specimen of Swift's remarks. The
+whole should be given, if it were possible to make them intelligible,
+without copying the version which is ridiculed; a labour for which our
+readers would scarcely thank us. A few detached stanzas, however, with
+the Dean's notes on them, shall be transcribed." Thus writes Scott; but
+I have added a great many more, which deserve reprinting, if only for
+their humour. [T.S.]]
+
+
+
+    DR GIBBS.                                  DR SWIFT.
+
+    II. PSALM OF DAVID.                        (1) I do not believe
+                                               that ever kings entered
+1  Why do the heathen nations rise,            into plots and
+     And in mad tumults join!                  confederacies against
+                                               the reign of God
+                                               Almighty.
+2  Confederate kings vain plots (1) devise
+     Against the Almighty's reign:
+   His Royal Title they deny,                  (2) What word does
+     Whom God appointed Christ;                that plural number
+                                               belong to?
+3  Let us reject their (2) laws, they cry,
+     Their binding force resist.
+
+7  And thus to Him was pleased to say,         (3) An excellent drug-
+     As I His words declare; (3)               german.
+
+
+
+9  But those, that do thy laws refuse,         (4) After a man is
+      In pieces thou shalt break;              broken in pieces,
+    And with an iron sceptre bruise (4)        'tis no great matter
+      Their disobedient (5) _neck_.            to have his neck
+                                               bruised.
+
+                                               (5) Neak.
+
+10  Ye earthly kings, the caution _hear_;      (6) Rulers must _learn_
+      Ye rulers, _learn_ the same; (6)         it, but kings may only
+                                               _hear_ it.
+
+11  Serve God with reverence, and with _fear_(7)
+      His joyful praise proclaim;              (7) Very proper to make a
+                                               joyful proclamation with
+                                               fear.
+
+12  Confess the Son, and own His (8) reign,    (8) Of Blackmore's
+      Ere He to wrath inclines;                reign.
+    And, so resenting your disdain,
+      Confound your vain designs: (9)          (9) You with his lines
+
+    For should the madness of His foes (1)     (1) For should the foes
+      Th' avenging God incense,                of David's ape
+    Happy are they that can repose             Provoke his grey
+      In Him their confidence. (2)             goose quills,
+                                               Happy are they that
+                                               can escape
+                                               The vengeance of
+                                               his pills.
+
+                                               (2) Admirably reasoned
+                                               and connected!
+
+
+III. PSALM OF DAVID.
+
+_When he fled from his son Absalom._           To Dr. Gibbs, _ex aqua
+                                               in ignem_.
+
+4  When to the Lord for help I cry,            (3) Sec_o_ure.
+     He hears me from the Throne on high;
+                                               (4) By this I think it
+5  And thus I sleep and wake secure, (3)       is clear that he cries
+     Guarded by His almighty Power. (4)        in his sleep.
+
+6  No fears shall then my soul depress,*       *Depre_a_se, Lo_a_rd,
+     Though thus my enemies increase;          Scotice.
+
+7  And (5) therefore, now arise, O Lord,*      (5) He desires God's
+     And graciously thy help afford:           help, because
+                                               he is not afraid of
+                                               his enemies; others,
+                                               I think, usually
+                                               desire it when they
+                                               _are_ afraid.
+
+
+8  And _thus_ (6) to grant a sure defence,     (6) The doctor hath a
+     Belongs to God's (7) omnipotence;         mighty affection for the
+                                               particle _thus_: he uses
+                                               it four times in this
+                                               Psalm, and 100 times in
+                                               other places, and
+                                               always wrong.
+
+
+                                               (7) That is as much as
+                                               to say, he that can do
+                                               all things can defend a
+                                               man; which I take to be
+                                               an undoubted truth.
+
+
+IV. PSALM OF DAVID.
+
+_Reproving and admonishing his enemies_.       Not to burlesque
+                                               his Psalms.
+
+
+1  As Thou hast always taken care              A pretty phrase!
+     My sufferings to remove.
+
+2  But you, my frail (1) malicious foes,       (1) Are they malicious
+     Who do my power despise;                  out of frailty, or frail
+   Vainly how long will ye oppose,             out of malice?
+     And (2) falsely calumnize!
+                                               (2) That is, they say
+                                               _false_ things
+                                               _falsely_.
+
+
+                                               I will discover the
+                                               doctor's  secret of
+                                               making the coherence
+                                               and connection, in
+                                               the Psalms that he
+                                               brags of in his title
+                                               and preface: he lays
+                                               violent hands on certain
+                                               particles,(such as _and,
+                                               when, since, for, but,
+                                               thus, so_, &c.) and
+                                               presses them to his
+                                               service on all occasions
+                                               sore against their wills,
+                                               and without any regard
+                                               whether the sense will
+                                               admit them or no.
+
+
+3  Since those alone the Lord has blest,       (3) 'Tis plain the doctor
+     That do from sin refrain;                 never requested to be a
+   He therefore grants what I request, (3)     poet.
+     And hears when I (4) complain:
+
+                                               (4) If your requests be
+                                               granted, why do you
+                                               complain?
+
+ But of Thy face to us do Thou                 What is it, to
+   The favour still dispense;                  dispense the favour
+                                               of his face?
+
+
+
+7  Then shall my soul with more divine         (5) I have heard of a
+     And solid joys abound,                    crown or garland of corn,
+   Than they with stores of corn and wine,     but a crown of wine is
+     Those earthly riches, crown'd: (5)        new, and can hardly be
+                                               explained, unless we
+                                               suppose the wine to be
+                                               in icicles.
+
+8  And thus confiding, Lord, in thee           (6) And yet, to shew I
+     I take my calm repose; (6)                         tell no fibs,
+   For thou each night protectest me           Thou hast left me in
+     From all my (7) treacherous foes                   thrall
+                                                 To Hopkins, eke, and
+                                                         Doctor Gibbs
+                                               The vilest rogue of all.
+
+
+                                               (7) Aye, and _open_ foes
+                                               too; or his repose would
+                                               not be very calm.
+
+
+V. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+
+Trusting in God, he implores protection        Especially Doctor
+from his enemies._                             Gibbs.
+
+
+1  O Lord, receive my fervent prayer,          (1) I suppose he
+     Relieve my soul opprest with care,        thought it would be
+   And hear my loud (1) complaint;             heard the better for
+                                               being loud.
+                                                [Greek: Oion aento mega
+                                                kekraigenai kai ochlaeson
+                                                einai.]--LUC. TIM.,
+                                                   _Misanth_.
+
+2  On Thee alone I can rely,
+     Do Thou, my God, to whom I fly,
+   My sad (2) petition grant:                  (2) My poor petition.
+                                               Ay, a sad one indeed.
+
+
+5  They on thy favour can't rely,              (3) Such vile poetry.
+     That practice such iniquity, (3)          What is the meaning of
+   For Thou wilt punish those                  that word, _such_, in
+                                               this place?
+
+
+6  That do malicious lies (4) invent,          (4) Malicious lines.
+     And would to death the innocent
+   By treacherous means (5) expose.            (5) By doggrel rhimes.
+
+
+
+8  Lord, in Thy Laws (6) direct my ways,       (6) He perseveres--not
+     Since those my watchful foe surveys,      that he values the Laws,
+   And make me persevere:                      but because his foes
+                                               watch him. A good
+                                               principle!
+
+
+9  They flatter to destroy:
+
+
+10  But let, O Lord, the vengeance due         (7) Horrid rhimes.
+    Those in their horrid crimes (7) pursue,   (8) Def_o_y.
+      Who do Thy power defy: (8)
+
+
+VI. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+_Penitently complaining of his sufferings_.    By this translator.
+
+I  Thy heavy hand restrain, (9)                (9) Thy heavy hand
+     With mercy, Lord, correct;                             restrain;
+   Do not, (1) as if in high disdain,          Have mercy, Dr. Gibbs:
+     My helpless soul reject:                    Do not, I pray thee,
+                                                        paper stain
+2  For how shall I sustain                     With rhymes retail'd in
+  (2)Those ills, which now I bear!                         dribbs.
+  My vitals are consumed with pain,
+  (3)My soul oppress'd with care:              (1)That bit is a most
+                                               glorious botch.
+                                               (2)The squeaking of a
+                                               hogrel.
+
+                                               (3)To listen to
+                                               thy doggrel.
+
+
+5  For in the silent grave,                    } Very true all that.
+     When there I lie obscure,
+   No gracious favours I can have,
+     Nor magnify Thy power:
+
+6  Lord, I have pray'd in (1) vain             (1)The doctor must
+     So long, so much opprest;                 mean himself, for I hope
+   My very (2) cries increase my pain,         David never thought so.
+     And tears prevent my rest;
+                                               (2)Then he's a dunce
+7  These do my sight impair,                    for crying.
+     My flowing eyes decay,
+   While to my enemies I fear
+     Thus (3) to become a prey.                (3)That is, he is afraid
+                                               of becoming a prey to his
+                                               enemies while his eyes
+                                               are sore.
+
+
+
+
+8  But, ye vain forces! fly, (4)               (4)Fl_o_y.
+     For God, Whom I adore,                    Why then does he
+                                               tell us just before that
+                                               he has prayed in vain,
+                                               and is afraid of becoming
+                                               a prey to his enemies?
+
+
+9  My impious foes does still destroy,
+     When I His aid implore.
+
+
+10 O Lord, by Thy fierce hand repell'd,
+     With sudden shame retire (5)              A very proper word
+                                               for a man that is repell'd
+                                               by a fierce hand.
+
+
+
+
+
+VII, PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+_When unjustly persecuted,(6) and accused of   (6) By Doctor Gibbs.
+treachery against King Saul._
+
+
+
+
+I  O Lord my God, since I repose               (7) By chance.
+     My trust in Thee alone, (7)
+
+   Save and defend me from my foes,
+      That furiously come on: (8)              (8) Advance.
+
+
+2  Lest, like a ravenous lion, they            What sort of lions are
+     My captive soul devour,                       they that devour souls?
+
+
+
+
+4  If I've not spared him though he's grown(9) (9) Gro_u_n.
+     My causeless (1) enemy,
+                                               (1) If he be grown his
+                                               _causeless_ enemy I presume
+                                               he is no longer _guiltless_.
+
+
+
+
+5  Then let my life, and future (2) crown      (2) He gives a thing
+     Become to him a prey:                     before he has it, and
+                                               gives it to him that has
+                                               it already; for Saul is
+                                               the person meant.
+
+
+6  But, Lord, thy kind assistance (1) lend,    (1) But why _lend?_
+     Arise in my defence;                      Does he design to return
+   According to Thy laws, (2) contend          it back when he has done
+     For injured innocence:                    with it?
+
+                                               (2) Profane rascal! he
+                                               makes it a struggle and
+                                               contention between God
+                                               and the wicked.
+
+
+7  That all the nations, that oppose, (3)      (3) Opp_a_use.
+     May then confess Thy power:
+   Therefore assert my righteous cause,
+     That they may Thee adore: (4)             (4) Ado_u_re.
+
+
+
+8  For equal judgment, Lord, to Thee           (5) Yet in the very
+     The nations (5) all submit;               verse before he tells of
+   Be therefore (6) merciful to me.            nations that _oppose_.
+     And my just soul acquit: (7)
+                                               (6) Because all nations
+                                               submit to God, therefore
+                                               God must be merciful to
+                                               Dr. Gibbs.
+
+                                               (7) Of what?
+
+
+
+
+
+9  Destroy the wicked in their plots:          Poor David never could
+     The just with blessings crown:                            acquit
+   For all the ways and secret thoughts (8)    A criminal like thee,
+     Of both to Thee are known.                Against his Psalms who
+                                               couldst commit
+                                               Such wicked poetry.
+
+                                               (8) Thots.
+
+10 Thus by God's gracious providence (9)       (9) Observe the
+     I'm still preserved secure, (1)                      connection.
+   Who all the good and just defends           (1) Sec_ou_re.
+     With a resistless (2) power.
+                                               (2) That's right, doctor;
+                                               but then there will
+                                               be no _contending_, as
+                                               you desired a while ago.
+
+
+                                               'Tis wonderful that
+                                                            Providence
+                                               Should save thee from the
+                                                            halter,
+                                               Who hast in numbers
+                                                          without sense
+                                               Burlesqued the holy
+                                                                Psalter.
+
+
+
+11 All men He does with justice view,          (1) That's no great
+     And their iniquity                        mark of viewing them
+   With direful vengeance can pursue,          with justice. God has
+     Or patiently (1) pass by:                 wiser ends for passing by
+                                               His vengeance on the
+                                               wicked, you profane
+                                               dunce!
+
+
+13 For He the artillery directs,               What's that charge? it
+     The sudden charge ordains,                must allude to a charge
+                                               of gunpowder, or it is
+                                               nonsense.
+
+
+
+15 Lo! now th'inflictions (2) they design'd    (2) Ay, but what sort of
+     By others to be borne,                    things are these
+   Even all the mischiefs (3) in their mind              inflictions?
+     Do on themselves return: (4)
+                                               (3) If the mischiefs be
+                                               in their mind, what need
+                                               they return on
+                                               themselves? are they not
+                                               there already?
+
+
+                                               (4) Ret_o_rn.
+
+
+
+16 By their own treachery betray'd             (5) Pills
+     To the same ills, (5) that they
+   Invented, and with those essay'd            (6) Rich.
+     To make the poor (6) their prey:
+                                               Does this verse end
+                                               according to the more
+                                               modern art of poetry, as
+                                               the author speaks in his
+                                               preface?
+
+
+17 O Lord, how glorious are the ways           Do not these verses end
+     Of Thy good Providence!                   very sublimely?
+   Thou, Lord, Whose blessed Name I
+                              praise,
+     True justice dost dispense
+
+
+
+
+
+VIII. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+
+1  The mighty powers, that celebrate           That's a lie; for if
+     Thy endless praises, can't relate         they
+   The glory they in Heaven survey:            can survey it they can
+                                               easily relate it.
+
+
+2  _Young_ helpless _infants_ at the breast    Young younglings.
+     Their great Creator have confest,         [The italics are
+   And in their weakness spoke Thy pow'r,      Swift's.] This stanza
+                                               is just upon the purlieus
+                                               between sense and
+                                               nonsense.
+
+
+4 Lord, what is wretched (7) man, I cry,       (7) A very proper epithet
+Or all his sinful progeny,                     for those who are scarce
+  That thou to them dost prove so kind!        inferior to angels.
+
+
+
+
+5  To honour Thou dost them prefer,            A fine cadence that.
+     To angels scarce inferior,
+
+
+6  They over all Thy works command:
+
+
+
+7  The flocks and herds o'er every field       (1) That's a lie, for
+     To their just lords obedience yield,          sometimes they trespass
+   And all (1) in full subjection stand:       on other men's grounds.
+
+
+8  O'er all the birds, that mount the air,     (2) App_ai_r.
+     And fish, that in the floods appear,(2)
+   Man bears an arbitrary sway:                Those, I think, are
+                                               not very many: they are
+                                               caught, but till then we
+                                               have no great sway over
+                                               them.
+
+
+
+
+
+IX. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+
+3  Confounded at the sight of Thee             (3) The doctor's mistaken;
+     My foes are put to flight; (3)            for, when people are
+                                               confounded, they cannot
+                                               fly.
+
+
+
+
+4  Thus thou, great God of equity,             (4) Against Sternhold
+     Dost still assert my right. (4)           and Hopkins.
+
+
+
+
+6  Insulting foes, how long can ye             (5) b_o_st.
+     Of ruin'd cities boast! (5)               Blunderings, _Siccorrige
+   Your plunderings now as well as they        meo periculo_. That's a
+     Are in oblivion lost:                     lie, for Gibbs remembers
+                                               them.
+
+
+
+7  But God eternally remains (6)               (6) That's false and
+     Fixt in His throne on high,               profane; God is not fixed
+                                               anywhere.
+
+
+8  And to the world from thence ordains        (7) Did anybody ever
+     Impartial equity:(7)                      hear of _partial_ equity?
+
+
+
+
+9  And for their injured souls extend          That extending a refuge,
+     A refuge most secure.                     is pretty.
+
+
+
+
+12 He hears the injured poor, and then         _i.e._ is angry at their
+     Does all their cries resent.              cries.
+
+
+
+13 And thus consider still, O Lord,            (8) Nothing is restored
+     The justice of my cause;                  but what has been taken
+   Who often hast my life (8) restor'd         away; so that he has been
+     From death's devouring jaws:              often raised from the
+                                               dead, if this be true.
+
+
+15 The heathen nations are dismay'd (9)        (9) We heard a while
+     They're all to ruin brought,              ago their very names were
+   For in the treacherous nets, they laid,     dead,[1] now (it seems)
+     Ev'n they themselves are caught:          they're only dismay'd.
+
+[Footnote 1: Ver. 5. "They and their very names are dead."]
+
+
+
+
+16 Lo, thus the Lord to execute
+     True judgment still inclines;             This is profane, as if
+                                               it were only an
+                                               inclination in God to be
+                                               just.
+
+
+
+
+
+X. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+1  Lord, why in times of deep distress         If the woes require aid
+     Dost Thou from us retire,                 it is to increase them,
+   When dismal woes our souls oppress,         they cannot require it
+     And Thy kind aid require!                 against themselves.
+
+
+
+2  The wicked do with lawless pride (1)        (1) Proide. Pronounce
+     The helpless persecute;                   it like the Scotch.
+   But let them be themselves destroy'd,
+     And fall in their pursuit:                Ay, let them!
+
+
+
+3  For still they triumph, when success        I cannot crock this
+     Does their designs attend,                stave.
+   And then their ways, who thus oppress,
+     Profanely they commend:
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+5  And from the barbarous (2) paths they tread,(2) The author should
+     No acts of Providence                     first have premised what
+   Can e'er oblige them to recede,             sort of paths were
+     Or stop (3) their bold offence;           properly barbarous. I
+                                               suppose they must be
+                                               very deep and dirty, or
+                                               very rugged and stony;
+                                               both which I myself
+                                               have heard travellers
+                                               call barbarous roads.
+
+
+                                               (3) Which is the way to
+                                               stop an offence?
+                                               Would you have it
+                                               stopped like a bottle,
+                                               or a thief?
+                                               For what end? is it
+                                               to catch a louse, better
+                                               lay wait for the rich by
+                                               half.
+
+
+8  And for the poor in secret they
+     Do treacherously lay wait:
+                                               As a lion observes with
+9  As hungry lions do their prey               watchful eyes, just so a
+     Observe with watchful eyes,               wicked man surprises
+   So heedless innocents would they            with sudden force--a very
+     With sudden force surprise;               just simile.
+   And then, like lions merciless,             They surprise them like
+     Their trembling souls devour;             lions, but then they devour
+   And thus the helpless do oppress (4)        devour them [like] lions.
+     When captives to their power;
+
+                                               (4) This line is dry
+                                               nonsense or false grammar
+                                               and will bear no jest.
+
+
+
+
+13                         no more             No mo_u_r. Pronounce
+                [rhyming with pow'r.]          this like my lady's
+                                               woman.
+
+
+
+14                         deserts             Des_a_rts. Pronounce
+               [rhyming with hearts.]          this like my lady's
+                                               housemaid.
+
+
+
+
+XI. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+1                        come on,              Come _u_n. Pronounce
+                 [rhyming with shun.]          this like a
+                                               chambermaid.
+
+
+                                               The force of his argument
+                                               lies here: he does
+3  For if the Power, in which they trust,      not fear his enemies,
+     Should fail, how helpless are the just!   because if God's power
+                                               should fail he has no
+                                               help.
+
+
+6  And on their impious heads will pour        (1) A shower of snares
+     Of snares (1) and flames a dismal shower; on a man's head would
+   And this their bitter cup must be           do wonderful execution.
+     (2) To drink to all eternity:             However, I grant it is a
+                                               scurvy thing enough to
+                                               swallow them.
+
+                                               (2) To taste the doctor's
+                                               poetry.
+
+
+
+
+XII. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+1  O Lord, some help for me provide,           He can confide in but
+     For in but few I can confide,             few because all are.
+   All men are so perfidious grown;            perfidious. Smoke
+                                               that!
+
+
+
+
+
+2  True mutual kindness they pretend,          Did ever any man
+                                               pretend mutual
+                                               kindness to another?
+
+
+3  But God those flatterers will confound,     Qu: whether flatterers
+     That with abusive lies abound,            usually abound with
+   And proudly boast their vicious ways,       abusive lies?
+
+4  That say, with our deceitful tongues        If they say thus they
+                                               are silly flatterers.
+
+
+6  And since He thus was pleased to say,       That comparison is
+     Like gold refined from base alloy,        well applied.
+   His promise never can deceive; (3)
+                                               (3) Deceive. Pronounce
+                                               this like a beau.
+
+
+7  And therefore will their cause assert,      Examine well the grammar
+     Who thus are pure and true of heart,      and sense and the
+   And save them from the enemy;               elegance of this
+                                               stanza.
+
+
+8  For, when th' ungodly meet success,         Here the author separates
+     The wicked more and more increase,(1)     the wicked from
+   And proudly all their foes defy.            the ungodly.
+
+                                               (1) Incr_ess_.
+
+
+
+    XIII. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+1  How long wilt Thou neglect,                 A civil question that!
+     O Lord, to hear me pray!
+
+
+3  Attend, and hear my cries,                  Mind me, Sir!
+     Some comfort now disclose,
+   E'er grief has shut my weeping eyes         Which would be nonsense,
+     In death's obscure repose:                put in prose.
+
+
+4  Lest my proud enemy,
+     If now my trust should fail,
+   And those that persecute me cry;
+     See, thus we still prevail:               A pretty speech that!
+
+
+
+
+XIV. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+
+1  Hence virtue in the world declines,         Without question virtue
+     And all men vicious grow.                 declines with a vengeance
+                                               when all men
+                                               grow vicious.
+
+
+2  And see who would His being own,            What other way is
+     And Him, as God, adore:                   there of adoring?
+
+
+3  (2) But they were all perverted grown,      (2) But they were all
+     Polluted all with blood,                  perverted grown,
+   And other impious crimes; not one           In spite of Dr. Gibbs
+     Was either just (3) or good.                     his blood:
+                                               Of all his impious
+                                                     rhimes not one
+                                               Was either just or good.
+
+                                               (3) For a man (it seems)
+                                               may be good and not
+                                               just.
+
+
+4  Are they so stupid (4) then, said (5) God,  (4) The fault was not_
+     Who thus My (6) saints devour!            that they devoured__
+   These (7) crimes have they not understood,  saints,_ but that they
+     Nor thought upon My power!                were stupid.
+                                               Qu: Whether stupidity
+                                               makes men devour saints,
+                                               or devouring saints
+                                               makes a man stupid? I
+                                               believe the latter,
+                                               because they may be apt
+                                               to lie heavy in one's
+                                               stomach.
+
+                                               (5) Clod.
+
+                                               (6) Strains.
+
+                                               (7) Rhimes.
+
+
+
+7  (1) O, that His aid we now might have       (1) And O that every
+     From Sion's holy hill,                           parish clerk,
+   That God the captive just would save,       Who hums what Brady cribs
+     And glad all Israel.                      From Hopkins, would read
+                                                    this work,
+                                               And glad the
+                                                 heart with Gibbs.
+
+
+
+
+
+XV. PSALM OF DAVID:
+
+_Representing the character of a good man_.    And a bad poet.
+
+
+2 Sincere, and just, who never lie;_
+
+3 And so their neighbour ne'er deceive,        How _so_?
+
+
+5  All those that lead a life like this        (2) And so the doctor
+     Shall reign in everlasting bliss. (2)     now may kiss----!
+
+
+
+FINIS.
+
+
+Fiddling  Impudent  Nauseous     Illiterate  Scoundrel
+ oolish    dle       onsensical   gnorant     cot
+
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+
+A
+
+PROPOSAL
+
+HUMBLY OFFERED TO THE
+
+P T
+
+FOR THE MORE EFFECTUAL PREVENTING THE
+
+FURTHER GROWTH OF POPERY.
+
+WITH THE
+
+DESCRIPTION AND USE OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL THERMOMETER,
+
+VERY PROPER FOR ALL FAMILIES.
+
+  "Insani sanus nomen ferat, aequus iniqui,
+  Ultra quam satis est, virtutem si petat ipsam."
+
+  HOR. Epist. 1. vi. 16.
+
+
+
+This "Proposal," which has not been included in the editions of Swift's
+Works issued by Scott, Faulkner, or Hawkesworth, appeared originally,
+but in a shorter form, in the "Tatler" (No. 220, September 4th, 1710).
+In this form the whole of the first portion, from the beginning to the
+paragraph commencing "The Church thermometer," is omitted, as are also
+the last paragraphs of the essay, including the "Advertisement." The
+text of the present reprint I have taken from the "Miscellanies," vol.
+viii., 1745 (pp. 217-229). In all modern editions of the "Tatler" this
+paper is ascribed to Addison; but the style and the subject are so
+characteristic of Swift that, although I am not in a position to say
+definitely that it is by him, I think it deserves a place in the form of
+an Appendix. The date of its appearance in the "Tatler" is somewhat
+against Swift having written it, since he was at that time on his way to
+London; and of the few contributions he sent to the "Tatler" it is agreed
+by all editors that the first is the paper on the same subject as the
+letter to the Lord High Treasurer, which appeared in No. 230 (September
+28th, 1710).
+
+[T.S.]
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+  PROPOSAL FOR PREVENTING THE
+  FURTHER GROWTH OF POPERY.
+
+
+Having, with great sorrow of heart, observed the increase of Popery
+among us of late years, and how ineffectual the penal laws and statutes
+of this realm have been, for near forty years last past, towards
+reclaiming that blind and deluded people from their errors,
+notwithstanding the good intentions of the legislators, and the pious
+and unwearied labours of the many learned divines of the Established
+Church, who have preached to them without ceasing, although hitherto
+without success:
+
+Having also remarked, in his Grace's speech to both Houses of
+Parliament, most kind offers of his Grace's good offices towards
+obtaining such further laws as shall be thought necessary towards
+bringing home the said wandering sheep into the fold of the Church, as
+also a good disposition in the parliament to join in the laudable work,
+towards which every good Protestant ought to contribute at least his
+advice: I think it a proper time to lay before the public a scheme which
+was writ some years since, and laid by to be ready on a fit occasion.
+
+That, whereas the several penal laws and statutes now in being against
+Papists, have been found ineffectual, and rather tend to confirm, than
+reclaim men from their errors, as calling a man coward, is a ready way
+to make him fight; It is humbly proposed,
+
+I. That the said penal laws and statutes against Papists, except the law
+of Gavelkind, and that which disqualifies them for places, be repealed,
+abrogated, annulled, destroyed, and obliterated, to all intents and
+purposes.
+
+II. That, in the room of the said penal laws and statutes, all
+ecclesiastical jurisdiction be taken from out of the hands of the clergy
+of the established Church, and the same be vested in the several popish
+archbishops, bishops, deans and arch-deacons; nevertheless so as such
+jurisdiction be exercised over persons of the Popish religion only.
+
+III. That a Popish priest shall be settled by law in each and every
+parish in Ireland.
+
+IV. That the said Popish priest shall, on taking the oath of allegiance
+to his majesty, be entitled to a tenth part or tithe of all things
+tithable in Ireland, belonging to the papists, within their respective
+parishes, yet so as such grant of tithes to such Popish priests, shall
+not be construed, in law or equity, to hinder the Protestant clergyman
+of such parish from receiving and collecting his tithes in like manner
+as he does at present.
+
+V. That, in case of detention or subtraction of tithes by any Papist,
+the parish priest do have his remedy at law in any of his majesty's
+courts, in the same manner as now practised by the clergy of the
+Established Church; together with all other ecclesiastical dues. And,
+for their further discovery to vex their people at law, it might not be
+amiss to oblige the solicitor-general, or some other able king's
+counsel, to give his advice, or assistance to such priests gratis, for
+which he might receive a salary out of the Barrack Fund, Military
+Contingencies, or Concordatum; having observed the exceedings there
+better paid than of the army, or any other branch of the establishment;
+and I would have no delay in payment in a matter of this importance.
+
+VI. That the archbishops and bishops have power to visit the inferior
+clergy, and to extort proxies, exhibits, and all other perquisites usual
+in Popish and Protestant countries.
+
+VII. That the convocation having been found, by long experience, to be
+hurtful to true religion, be for ever hereafter abolished among
+Protestants.
+
+VIII. That, in the room thereof, the Popish archbishops, bishops,
+priests, deans, arch-deacons, and proctors, have liberty to assemble
+themselves in convocation, and be impowered to make such canons as they
+shall think proper for the government of the Papists in Ireland:
+
+IX. And that, the secular arm being necessary to enforce obedience to
+ecclesiastical censure, the sheriffs, constables, and other officers, be
+commanded to execute the decrees and sentences of the said popish
+convocation, with secrecy and dispatch, or, in lieu thereof, they may be
+at liberty to erect an inquisition, with proper officers of their own.
+
+X. That, as Papists declare themselves converts to the Established
+Church, all spiritual power over them shall cease.
+
+XI. That as soon as any whole parish shall renounce the Popish religion,
+the priest of such parish shall, for his good services, have a pension
+of L200 per ann. settled on him for life, and that he be from such time
+exempt from preaching and praying, and other duties of his function, in
+like manner as protestant divines, with equal incomes, are at present.
+
+XII. That each bishop, so soon as his diocese shall become protestants,
+be called, My Lord, and have a pension of two thousand pounds per annum
+during life.
+
+XIII. That when a whole province shall be reclaimed, the archbishop
+shall be called His Grace, and have a pension of three thousand pounds
+per ann. during life, and be admitted a member of his majesty's most
+honourable privy council.
+
+The good consequences of this scheme, (which will execute itself without
+murmurings against the government) are very visible: I shall mention a
+few of the most obvious.
+
+I. The giving the priest a right to the tithe would produce law-suits
+and wrangles; his reverence, being entituled to a certain income at all
+events, would consider himself as a legal incumbent, and behave
+accordingly, and apply himself more to fleecing than feeding his flock;
+his necessary attendance on the courts of justice would leave his people
+without a spiritual guide; by which means protestant curates, who have
+no suits about tithes, would be furnished with proper opportunities for
+making converts, which is very much wanted.
+
+II. The erecting a spiritual jurisdiction amongst them would, in all
+probability, drive as many out of that communion, as a due execution of
+such jurisdiction hath hitherto drove from amongst ourselves.
+
+III. An inquisition would still be a further improvement, and most
+certainly would expedite the conversion of Papists.
+
+I know it may be objected to this scheme, and with some shew of reason,
+that, should the Popish princes abroad pursue the same methods, with
+regard to their protestant subjects, the Protestant interest in Europe
+would thereby be considerably weakened: but as we have no reason to
+suspect Popish counsels will ever produce so much moderation, I think
+the objection ought to have but little weight.
+
+A due execution of this scheme will soon produce many converts from
+Popery; nevertheless, to the end may it be known, when they shall be of
+the true Church, I have ordered a large parcel of ecclesiastical or
+Church thermometers to be made, one of which is to be hung up in each
+parish church, the description and use of which take as follows, in the
+words of the ingenious Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq.
+
+The[1] Church thermometer, which I am now to treat of, is supposed have
+been invented in the reign of Henry the Eighth, about the time when that
+religious prince put some to death for owning the Pope's supremacy, and
+others for denying transubstantiation. I do not find, however, any great
+use made of this instrument till it fell into the hand of a learned and
+vigilant priest or minister, (for he frequently wrote himself both the
+one and the other) who was some time Vicar of Bray. This gentleman lived
+in his vicarage to a good old age; and after having seen several
+successions of his neighbouring clergy either burnt or banished,
+departed this life with the satisfaction of having never deserted his
+flock, and died Vicar of Bray. As this glass was first designed to
+calculate the different degrees of heat in religion, as it raged in
+Popery, or as it cooled, and grew temperate in the Reformation, it was
+marked at several distances, after the manner our ordinary thermometer
+is to this day, viz. extreme hot sultry hot, very hot, hot, warm,
+temperate, cold, just freezing, frost, hard frost, great frost, extreme
+cold.
+
+[Footnote 1: In the "Tatler" this paragraph is preceded by the
+following: "_From my own apartment, Sept. 4._--Having received many
+letters filled with compliments and acknowledgments for my late useful
+discovery of the political barometer, I shall here communicate to the
+publican account of my ecclesiastical thermometer, the latter giving as
+manifest prognostications of the changes and revolutions in Church, as
+the former does of those in State, and both of them being absolutely
+necessary for every prudent subject who is resolved to keep what he has,
+and get what he can." [T.S.]]
+
+It is well known, that Torricellius,[2] the inventor of the common
+weather-glass, made the experiment of a long tube which held thirty-two
+foot of water; and that a more modern virtuoso finding such a machine
+altogether unwieldly and useless, and considering that thirty-two inches
+of quicksilver weighed as much as so many foot of water in a tube of the
+same circumference, invented that sizeable instrument which is now in
+use. After this manner, that I might adapt the thermometer I am now
+speaking of to the present constitution of our Church, as divided into
+High and Low, I have made some necessary variations both in the tube and
+the fluid it contains. In the first place I ordered a tube to be cast in
+a planetary hour, and took care to seal it hermetically, when the sun
+was in conjunction with Saturn. I then took the proper precautions about
+the fluid, which is a compound of two different liquors; one of them a
+spirit drawn out of a strong heady wine; the other a particular sort of
+rock-water, colder than ice, and clearer than crystal. The spirit is of
+a red, fiery colour, and so very apt to ferment, that, unless it be
+mingled with a proportion of the water, or pent up very close, it will
+burst the vessel that holds it, and fly up in a fume and smoke. The
+water, on the contrary, is of such a subtile, piercing cold, that,
+unless it be mingled with a proportion of the spirits, it will sink
+almost through every thing it is put into, and seems to be of the same
+nature as the water mentioned by Quintus Curtius, which says the
+historian, could be contained in nothing but in the hoof, or (as the
+Oxford Manuscript has it) the skull of an ass. The thermometer is marked
+according to the following figure, which I set down at length, not only
+to give my reader a clear idea of it, but also to fill up my paper.
+
+[Footnote 2: Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) was assistant to
+Galileo, and is famous as the discoverer of the phenomena on which he
+made the barometer. In 1644 he published "Opera Geometrica." [T.S.]]
+
+
+  Ignorance.
+  Persecution.
+  Wrath.
+  Zeal.
+  CHURCH.
+  Moderation.
+  Lukewarmness.
+  Infidelity.
+  Ignorance.
+
+The reader will observe, that the Church is placed in the middle point
+of the glass between Zeal and Moderation, the situation in which she
+always flourishes, and in which every good Englishman wishes her, who is
+a friend to the constitution of his country. However, when it mounts to
+Zeal, it is not amiss; and, when it sinks to Moderation, it is still in
+admirable temper. The worst of it is, that when once it begins to rise,
+it has still an inclination to ascend, insomuch that it is apt to climb
+from Zeal to Wrath, and from Wrath to Persecution, which often ends in
+Ignorance, and very often proceeds from it. In the same manner it
+frequently takes its progress through the lower half of the glass; and,
+when it has a tendency to fall, will gradually descend from Moderation
+to Lukewarmness, and from Lukewarmness to Infidelity, which very often
+terminates in Ignorance, and always proceeds from it.
+
+It is a common observation, that the ordinary thermometer will be
+affected by the breathing of people who are in the room where it stands,
+and indeed it is almost incredible to conceive how the glass I am now
+describing, will fall by the breath of the multitude crying Popery; or,
+on the contrary, how it will rise when the same multitude (as it
+sometimes happens) cry out in the same breath, _The Church is in
+Danger_.
+
+As soon as I have finished this my glass, and adjusted it to the
+above-mentioned scale of religion, that I might make proper experiments
+with it, I carried it under my cloak to several coffee-houses, and other
+places of resort, about this great city. At Saint James's Coffee-house
+the liquor stood at Moderation; but at Will's, to my extreme surprise,
+it subsided to the very lowest mark of the glass. At the Grecian it
+mounted but just one point higher; at the Rainbow it still ascended two
+degrees; Child's fetched it up to Zeal, and other adjacent coffee-houses
+to Wrath.
+
+It fell in the lower half of the glass as I went further into the City,
+till at length it settled at Moderation, where it continued all the time
+I stayed about the Change, as also whilst I passed by the Bank. And here
+I cannot but take notice, that, through the whole course of my remarks,
+I never observed my glass to rise at the same time that the stocks did.
+
+To complete the experiment, I prevailed upon a friend of mine, who works
+under me in the occult sciences, to make a progress with my glass
+through the whole Island of Great Britain; and, after his return, to
+present me with a register of his observations. I guessed beforehand at
+the temper of several places he passed through, by the characters they
+have had time out of mind. Thus that facetious divine, Dr. Fuller,[3]
+speaking of the town of Banbury near a hundred years ago, tells us, it
+was a place famous for cakes and zeal, which I find by my glass is true
+to this day, as to the latter part of his description; though I must
+confess, it is not in the same reputation for cakes that it was in the
+time of that learned author; and thus of other places. In short, I have
+now by me, digested in an alphabetical order, all the counties,
+corporations, and boroughs in Great Britain, with their respective
+tempers, as they stand related to my thermometer. But this I shall keep
+to myself, because I would by no means do any thing that may seem to
+influence any ensuing election.
+
+[Footnote 3: Thomas Fuller, D.D. (1608-1661) was the author of "History
+of the Worthies of England," "History of the Holy War," and many other
+works distinguished for their humour and style. [T.S.]]
+
+The point of doctrine which I would propagate by this my invention, is
+the same which was long ago advanced by that able teacher Horace, out of
+whom I have taken my text for this discourse: We should be careful not
+to over-shoot ourselves in the pursuits even of virtue. Whether zeal or
+moderation be the point we aim at, let us keep fire out of the one, and
+frost out of the other. But, alas! the world is too wise to want such a
+precaution. The terms High-Church and Low-Church, as commonly used, do
+not so much denote a principle, as they distinguish a party. They are
+like words of battle, they have nothing to do with their original
+signification, but are only given out to keep a body of men together,
+and to let them know friends from enemies.
+
+I must confess I have considered, with some attention, the influence
+which the opinions of these great national sects have upon their
+practice; and do look upon it as one of the unaccountable things of our
+times, that multitudes of honest gentlemen, who entirely agree in their
+lives, should take it in their heads to differ in their religion.[4]
+
+[Footnote 4: Here the "Tatler" paper ends. [T.S.]]
+
+I shall conclude this paper with an account of a conference which
+happened between a very excellent divine (whose doctrine was easy, and
+formerly much respected) and a lawyer.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And behold a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master,
+what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
+
+He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?
+
+And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
+heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all
+thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
+
+And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt
+live.
+
+But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
+neighbour?
+
+And Jesus answering, said; A certain man went down from Jerusalem to
+Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and
+wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
+
+And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and, when he
+saw him, he passed by on the other side.
+
+And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him,
+and passed by on the other side.
+
+But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and, when
+he saw him, he had compassion on him.
+
+And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine; and
+set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of
+him.
+
+And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave
+them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him, and whatsoever
+thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
+
+Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that
+fell among the thieves?
+
+And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go,
+and do thou likewise. Luke x. 25 to 38.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Advertisement._
+
+There is now in the press a proposal for raising a fund towards paying
+the National Debt by the following means: The author would have
+commissioners appointed to search all the public and private libraries,
+booksellers shops and warehouses, in this kingdom, for such books as are
+of no use to the owner, or to the public, viz. all comments on the Holy
+Scriptures, whether called sermons, creeds, bodies of divinity, tomes of
+casuistry, vindications, confutations, essays, answers, replies,
+rejoinders, or sur-rejoinders, together with all other learned treatises
+and books of divinity, of what denomination or class soever; as also all
+comments on the laws of the land, such as reports, law-cases, decrees,
+guides for attorneys and young clerks, and, in fine, all the books now
+in being in this kingdom (whether of divinity, law, physic, metaphysics,
+logics or politics) except the pure text of the Holy Scriptures, the
+naked text of the laws, a few books of morality, poetry, music,
+architecture, agriculture, mathematics, merchandise and history; the
+author would have the aforesaid useless books carried to the several
+paper-mills, there to be wrought into white paper, which, to prevent
+damage or complaints, he would have performed by the commentators,
+critics, popular preachers, apothecaries, learned lawyers, attorneys,
+solicitors, logicians, physicians, almanac-makers, and others of the
+like wrong turn of mind; the said paper to be sold, and the produce
+applied to discharge the National Debt; what should remain of the said
+debt unsatisfied, might be paid by a tax on the salaries or estates of
+bankers, common cheats, usurers, treasurers, embezzelers of public
+money, general officers, sharpers, pensioners, pick-pockets, &c.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III.
+
+
+SWIFT AND SERJEANT BETTESWORTH.
+
+
+The _rencontre_ with Serjeant Bettesworth, to which reference has
+already been made in the note prefixed to "The Presbyterians' Plea of
+Merit," is further illustrated by the Resolution which the inhabitants
+of the Liberty of St. Patrick's passed, and which they presented to the
+Dean. Bettesworth, as a note in the thirteenth volume of Swift's works
+(1762) states, "engaged his footman and two ruffians to attend him, in
+order to secure the dean wherever they met him, until he had gratified
+his resentment either by maiming or stabbing him." Accordingly, he went
+directly to the deanery, and hearing the Dean was at a friend's house
+(Rev. Mr. John Worrall's in Big Ship Street), followed him thither,
+charged him with writing the said verses, but had not courage enough to
+put his bloody design in execution. However, as he had the assurance to
+relate this affair to several noblemen and gentlemen, the inhabitants of
+the Liberty of St. Patrick's waited upon the Dean, and presented the
+following paper, signed by above thirty of them, in the name of
+themselves, and the rest of their neighbourhood:
+
+"We the inhabitants of the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of St
+Patrick's Dublin, and the neighbourhood of the same, having been
+informed, by universal report, that a certain man of this city hath
+openly threatened, and sworn before many hundred people, as well persons
+of quality as others, that he resolves upon the first opportunity, by
+the help of several ruffians, to murder or maim the Reverend the Dean of
+St. Patrick, our neighbour, benefactor, and the head of the Liberty of
+St Patrick, upon a frivolous unproved suspicion of the said Dean's
+having written some lines in verse reflecting on the said man.
+
+"Therefore, we, the said inhabitants of the said Liberty, and in the
+neighbourhood thereof, from our great love and respect to the said Dean,
+to whom the whole kingdom hath so many obligations, as well as we of the
+Liberty, do unanimously declare, that we will endeavour to defend the
+life and limbs of the said Dean against the said man, and all his
+ruffians and murderers, as far as the law will allow, if he or any of
+them presume to come into the said Liberty with any wicked malicious
+intent against the house, or family, or person, or goods of the said
+Dean. To which we have cheerfully, sincerely, and heartily set our
+hands."
+
+Swift, at the time of receiving this Resolution lay very ill in bed, and
+was unable to receive the deputation in person. He, however, dictated
+the following reply:
+
+"GENTLEMEN,
+
+"I receive, with great thankfulness, these many kind expressions of your
+concern for my safety, as well as your declared resolution to defend me
+(as far as the laws of God and man will allow) against all murderers and
+ruffians, who shall attempt to enter into the liberty with any bloody or
+wicked designs upon my life, my limbs, my house, or my goods. Gentlemen,
+my life is in the hand of God, and whether it may be cut off by
+treachery or open violence, or by the common way of other men; as long
+as it continueth, I shall ever bear a grateful memory for this favour
+you have shewn, beyond my expectation, and almost exceeding my wishes.
+
+"The inhabitants of the liberty, as well as those of the neighbourhood,
+have lived with me in great amity for near twenty years; which I am
+confident will never diminish during my life. I am chiefly sorry, that
+by two cruel disorders of deafness and giddiness, which have pursued me
+for four months, I am not in condition either to hear, or to receive
+you, much less to return my most sincere acknowledgements, which in
+justice and gratitude I ought to do. May God bless you and your families
+in this world, and make you for ever happy in the next."
+
+The poem itself to which Bettesworth took exception is herewith
+reprinted, as well as three others occasioned by the Bettesworth action.
+
+ON THE WORDS
+
+BROTHER PROTESTANTS AND FELLOW CHRISTIANS,
+
+SO FAMILIARLY USED BY THE ADVOCATES FOR THE REPEAL OF THE TEST-ACT IN
+IRELAND. 1733.
+
+  "An inundation, says the fable,
+  Overflow'd a farmer's barn and stable;
+  Whole ricks of hay and sacks of corn
+  Were down the sudden current borne;
+  While things of heterogeneous kind
+  Together float with tide and wind.
+  The generous wheat forgot its pride,
+  And sail'd with litter side by side;
+  Uniting all, to shew their amity,
+  As in a general calamity.
+  A ball of new-dropp'd horse's dung,
+  Mingling with apples in the throng,
+  Said to the pippin plump and prim,
+  'See brother, how we apples swim.'
+    Thus Lamb, renown'd for cutting corns,
+  An offer'd fee from Radcliff scorns,
+  'Not for the world--we doctors, brother,
+  Must take no fees of one another.'
+  Thus to a dean some curate sloven
+  Subscribes, 'Dear sir, your brother loving.'
+  Thus all the footmen, shoeboys, porters,
+  About St James's cry, 'We courtiers.'
+  Thus Horace in the house will prate,
+  'Sir, we, the ministers of state.'
+  Thus at the bar the booby Bettesworth,
+  Though half a crown o'erpays his sweat's worth;
+  Who knows in law nor text nor margent,
+  Calls Singleton[1] his brother sergeant.[2]
+  And thus fanatic saints, though neither in
+  Doctrine nor discipline our brethren,
+  Are brother Protestants and Christians,
+  As much as Hebrews and Philistines:
+  But in no other sense, than nature
+  Has made a rat our fellow-creature.
+  Lice from your body suck their food;
+  But is a louse your flesh and blood?
+  Though born of human filth and sweat, it
+  As well may say man did beget it.
+  And maggots in your nose and chin
+  As well may claim you for their kin.
+    Yet critics may object, why not?
+  Since lice are brethren to a Scot:
+  Which made our swarm of sects determine
+  Employments for their brother vermin.
+  But be they English, Irish, Scottish,
+  What Protestant can be so sottish,
+  While o'er the church these clouds are gathering,
+  To call a swarm of lice his brethren?
+    "As Moses, by divine advice,
+  In Egypt turn'd the dust to lice;
+  And as our sects, by all descriptions,
+  Have hearts more harden'd than Egyptians;
+  As from the trodden dust they spring,
+  And, turn'd to lice, infest the king:
+  For pity's sake, it would be just,
+  A rod should turn them back to dust.
+    Let folks in high or holy stations
+  Be proud of owning such relations;
+  Let courtiers hug them in their bosom,
+  As if they were afraid to lose 'em:
+  While I, with humble Job, had rather
+  Say to corruption--'Thou 'rt my father.'
+  For he that has so little wit
+  To nourish vermin, may be bit."
+
+[Footnote 1: Henry Singleton, Esq., then prime sergeant, afterwards
+lord-chief-justice of the common pleas, which he resigned, and was some
+time after made master of the rolls. [F.]]
+
+[Footnote 2: These lines occasioned the personal attack upon the Dean.
+[T.S.]]
+
+
+
+
+AN EPIGRAM.[1]
+
+INSCRIBED TO THE HONOURABLE SERGEANT KITE.
+
+  "In your indignation what mercy appears.
+  While Jonathan's threaten'd with loss of his ears;
+  For who would not think it a much better choice,
+  By your knife to be mangled than rack'd with your voice.
+  If truly you [would] be revenged on the parson,
+  Command his attendance while you act your farce on;
+  Instead of your maiming, your shooting, or banging,
+  Bid _Povey_[2] secure him while you are haranguing.
+  Had this been your method to torture him, long since,
+  He had cut his own ears to be deaf to your nonsense."
+
+[Footnote 1: Now first published from a copy in the Dean's handwriting;
+in possession of J. Connill, Esq. [S.]]
+
+[Footnote 2: Povey was sergeant-at-arms to the House of Commons.]
+
+
+
+
+  "THE YAHOO'S OVERTHROW; OR, THE KEVAN
+  BAYL'S NEW BALLAD."[3]
+
+  UPON SERGEANT KITE'S INSULTING THE DEAN.
+
+  _To the Tune of "Derry Down."_
+
+
+    "Jolley boys of St Kevan's,[4] St Patrick's, Donore,
+  And Smithfield, I'll tell you, if not told before,
+  How Bettesworth, that booby, and scoundrel in grain,
+  Has insulted us all by insulting the Dean.
+        Knock him down, down, down, knock him down.
+
+
+[Footnote 3: "Grub Street Journal," No. 189, August 9th, 1734.--"In
+December last, Mr. Bettesworth of the city of Dublin, serjeant-at-law,
+and member of parliament, openly swore, before many hundreds of people,
+that, upon the first opportunity, by the help of ruffians, he would
+murder or maim the Dean of St. Patrick's, (Dr. Swift). Upon which
+thirty-one of the principal inhabitants of that liberty signed a paper
+to this effect: 'That, out of their great love and respect to the Dean,
+to whom the whole kingdom hath so many obligations, they would endeavour
+to defend the life and limbs of the said Dean against a certain man and
+all his ruffians and murderers.' With which paper they, in the name of
+themselves and all the inhabitants of the city, attended the Dean on
+January 8, who being extremely ill in bed of a giddiness and deafness,
+and not able to receive them, immediately dictated a very grateful
+answer. The occasion of a certain man's declaration of his villainous
+design against the Dean, was a frivolous unproved suspicion that he had
+written some lines in verse reflecting upon him."]
+
+[Footnote 4: Kevan Bayl was a cant expression for the mob of this
+district of Dublin.]
+
+    "The Dean and his merits we every one know,
+  But this skip of a lawyer, where the de'il did he grow?
+  How greater his merit at Four Courts or House,
+  Than the barking of Towzer, or leap of a louse!
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "That he came from the Temple, his morals do show;
+  But where his deep law is, few mortals yet know:
+  His rhetoric, bombast, silly jests, are by far
+  More like to lampooning, than pleading at bar.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "This pedlar, at speaking and making of laws,
+  Has met with returns of all sorts but applause;
+  Has, with noise and odd gestures, been prating some years,
+  What honester folk never durst for their ears.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "Of all sizes and sorts, the fanatical crew
+  Are his brother Protestants, good men and true;
+  Red hat, and blue bonnet, and turban's the same,
+  What the de'il is't to him whence the devil they came.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "Hobbes, Tindal, and Woolston, and Collins, and Nayler,
+  And Muggleton, Toland, and Bradley the tailor,
+  Are Christians alike; and it may be averr'd,
+  He's a Christian as good as the rest of the herd.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "He only the rights of the clergy debates;
+  Their rights! their importance! We'll set on new rates
+  On their tithes at half-nothing, their priesthood at less;
+  What's next to be voted with ease you may guess.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "At length his old master, (I need not him name,)
+  To this damnable speaker had long owed a shame;
+  When his speech came abroad, he paid him off clean,
+  By leaving him under the pen of the Dean.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "He kindled, as if the whole satire had been
+  The oppression of virtue, not wages of sin:
+  He began, as he bragg'd, with a rant and a roar;
+  He bragg'd how he bounced, and he swore how he swore.[5]
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+[Footnote 5: See the Dean's letter to the Duke of Dorset, in which he
+gives an account of his interview with Bettesworth, about which he
+alleges the serjeant had spread abroad five hundred falsehoods. [S.]]
+
+    "Though he cringed to his deanship in very low strains,
+  To others he boasted of knocking out brains,
+  And slitting of noses, and cropping of ears,
+  While his own ass's zags were more fit for the shears.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "On this worrier of deans whene'er we can hit,
+  We'll shew him the way how to crop and to slit;
+  We'll teach him some better address to afford
+  To the dean of all deans, though he wears not a sword.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "We'll colt him through Kevan, St Patrick's, Donore,
+  And Smithfield, as rap was ne'er colted before;
+  We'll oil him with kennel, and powder him with grains,
+  A modus right fit for insulters of deans.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "And, when this is over, we'll make him amends,
+  To the Dean he shall go; they shall kiss and be friends:
+  But how? Why, the Dean shall to him disclose
+  A face for to kiss, without eyes, ears, or nose.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "If you say this is hard on a man that is reckon'd
+  That sergeant-at-law whom we call Kite the Second,
+  You mistake; for a slave, who will coax his superiors,
+  May be proud to be licking a great man's posteriors.
+                                    Knock him down, &c.
+
+    "What care we how high runs his passion or pride?
+  Though his soul he despises, he values his hide;
+  Then fear not his tongue, or his sword, or his knife;
+  He'll take his revenge on his innocent wife.
+           Knock him down, down, down, keep him down."
+
+
+
+
+"ON THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL,[1] AND BETTESWORTH.
+
+
+  "Dear Dick, pr'ythee tell by what passion you move?
+  The world is in doubt whether hatred or love;
+  And, while at good Cashel you rail with such spite,
+  They shrewdly suspect it is all but a bite.
+  You certainly know, though so loudly you vapour,
+  His spite cannot wound who attempted the Drapier.
+  Then, pr'ythee, reflect, take a word of advice;
+  And, as your old wont is, change sides in a trice:
+  On his virtues hold forth; 'tis the very best way;
+  And say of the man what all honest men say.
+  But if, still obdurate, your anger remains,
+  If still your foul bosom more rancour contains,
+  Say then more than they, nay, lavishly flatter;
+  'Tis your gross panegyrics alone can bespatter;
+  For thine, my dear Dick, give me leave to speak plain,
+  Like very foul mops, dirty more than they clean."
+
+[Footnote 1: Dr. Theophilus Bolton. [T.S.]]
+
+
+
+The letter to the Earl of Dorset, containing Swift's version of the
+story is as follows:
+
+"January, 1734.
+
+"MY LORD,
+
+"It has been my great misfortune that since your grace's return to this
+kingdom I have not been able to attend you, as my duty and gratitude for
+your favours as well as the honour of having been so many years known to
+you obliged me to do. I have been pursued by two old disorders, a
+giddiness and deafness, which used to leave me in three or four weeks,
+but now have continued four months. Thus I am put under a necessity to
+write what I would rather have chosen to say in your grace's presence.
+
+"On Monday last week towards evening there came to the deanery one Mr.
+Bettesworth; who, being told by the servants that I was gone to a
+friend's house,[1] went thither to inquire for me, and was admitted into
+the street parlour. I left my company in the back room and went to him.
+He began with asking me 'whether I were the author of certain verses
+wherein he was reflected on.' The singularity of the man, in his
+countenance, manner, action, style, and tone of voice, made me call to
+mind that I had once seen him about two or three years ago at Mr.
+Ludlow's country-house. But I could not recollect his name; and of what
+calling he might be I had never heard. I therefore desired to know who
+and what he was; said 'I had heard of some such verses, but knew no
+more.' He then signified to me 'that he was a serjeant-at-law and a
+member of parliament.' After which he repeated the lines that concerned
+him with great emphasis; said 'I was mistaken in one thing, for he
+assured me he was no booby, but owned himself to be a coxcomb.' However,
+that being a point of controversy wherein I had no concern, I let it
+drop. As to the verses, he insisted, 'that by his taste and skill in
+poetry he was as sure I wrote them as if he had seen them fall from my
+pen.' But I found the chief weight of his argument lay upon two words
+that rhymed to his name, which he knew could come from none but me. He
+then told me 'that, since I would not own the verses, and that since he
+could not get satisfaction by any course of law, he would get it by his
+pen, and show the world what a man I was.' When he began to grow
+over-warm and eloquent I called in the gentleman of the house from the
+room adjoining; and the serjeant, going on with less turbulence, went
+away. He had a footman in the hall during all his talk, who was to have
+opened the door for one or more fellows, as he has since reported; and
+likewise that he had a sharp knife in his pocket, ready to stab or maim
+me. But the master and mistress of the house, who knew his character and
+could hear every word from the room they were in, had prepared a
+sufficient defence in such a case, as they afterward told me. He has
+since related to five hundred persons of all ranks about five hundred
+falsehoods of this conversation, of my fears and his own brutalities,
+against all probability as well as fact; and some of them, as I have
+been assured, even in the presence of your grace. His meanings and his
+movements were indeed peevish enough, but his words were not. He
+threatened me with nothing but his pen, yet owned he had no pretence to
+wit. And indeed I am heartily glad for his own sake that he proceeded no
+farther, for the least uproar would have called his nearest neighbours
+first to my assistance, and next to the manifest danger of his life; and
+I would not willingly have even a dog killed upon my account. Ever since
+he has amused himself with declaring in all companies, especially before
+bishops and lords and members of parliament, his resolutions for
+vengeance and the several manners by which he will put it in execution.
+
+[Footnote 1: The Rev. Mr. Worrall's. [T.S.]]
+
+"It is only to the advice of some judicious friends that your grace owes
+the trouble of this letter; for though I may be dispirited enough by
+sickness and years, yet I have little reason to apprehend any danger
+from that man; and those who seem to have most regard for my safety are
+no more apprehensive than myself, especially such as best know his
+character; for his very enemies and even his ridiculers, who are of the
+two by far the greater number, allow him to be a peaceable man in all
+things except his words, his rhetorical actions, his looks, and his
+hatred to the clergy; which however are all known by abundance of
+experience to be perfectly harmless, and particularly as to the clergy.
+I do not doubt but, if he will be so good to continue steadfast in his
+principles and practices, he may at proper junctures contribute very
+much to the honour and interests of that reverend body, as well as
+employ and improve the wit of many young gentlemen in the city, the
+university, and the rest of the kingdom.
+
+"What I have said to your grace is only meant as a poor endeavour to
+preserve myself in your good opinion and in the continuance of your
+favour. I am, with the highest respect, etc."
+
+"JONATHAN SWIFT."
+
+
+
+
+  APPENDIX IV.
+
+  A TRUE AND FAITHFUL NARRATIVE OF WHAT
+  PASSED IN LONDON, DURING THE GENERAL
+  CONSTERNATION OF ALL RANKS AND
+  DEGREES OF MANKIND;
+
+  ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND
+  FRIDAY LAST.
+
+
+
+
+NOTE.
+
+WILLIAM WHISTON (1667-1752), born at Norton, Leicestershire, was
+educated at Tamworth School and Clare College, Cambridge. He resigned
+the living at Lowestoft, presented to him by his patron and friend,
+Bishop Moore, of Norwich, on accepting the Professorship of Mathematics,
+vacated by Sir Isaac Newton. He was a profound scholar and
+mathematician, but obtained a somewhat harassing fame by his propagation
+of Arianism. Indeed, his public lectures and sermons, as well as his
+publications vindicating his attitude, forced the authorities to deprive
+him of his lectureship, and expel him from the university. In 1717
+Whiston founded a Society for Promoting Primitive Christianity, and its
+meetings were held at his house in Cross Street, Hatton Garden. But the
+society lived only for two years. In that curious medley, "Memoirs of
+the Life of Mr. William Whiston, by himself," we are told that he had a
+model made of the original Tabernacle of Moses from his own plans, and
+toured the country giving lectures on the coming of the Messiah, the
+restoration of the Jews to their own country, and the rebuilding of the
+Temple according to the model. The Millennium he foretold would commence
+in 1766.
+
+He wrote a prodigious number of tracts, pamphlets, commentaries, and
+biblical expositions in support of his particular view of Christianity;
+but the works for which he is now remembered are his astronomical and
+mechanical papers and his well-known translation of Josephus's "History
+of the Jews."
+
+The pamphlet which follows is written in ridicule of Whiston's prophetic
+pronouncements. Scott ascribes its authorship to Swift; but the
+"Miscellanies" of 1747 and Hawkesworth in the edition of 1766 of Swift's
+Works place it in the list of "Contents," with other pieces, under the
+heading, "By Mr. Pope and Mr. Gay."
+
+The present text is practically that given by Scott, which is based on
+that in the third edition of the "Miscellanies" of 1732.
+
+[T.S.]
+
+
+  A TRUE AND FAITHFUL
+  NARRATIVE
+
+  OF
+
+  _What passed in_ London, _during the General Consternation
+  of all Ranks and Degrees of Mankind_;
+
+  ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, _and_
+  FRIDAY _last_.
+
+
+On Tuesday the 13th of October, Mr. Whiston held his lecture, near the
+Royal Exchange, to an audience of fourteen worthy citizens, his
+subscribers and constant hearers. Besides these, there were five chance
+auditors for that night only, who had paid their shillings a-piece. I
+think myself obliged to be very particular in this relation, lest my
+veracity should be suspected; which makes me appeal to the men who were
+present; of which number I myself was one. Their names are,
+
+  Henry Watson, _Haberdasher_.
+  George Hancock, _Druggist_.
+  John Lewis, _Dry-Salter._
+  William Jones, _Corn-Chandler._
+  Henry Theobald, _Watchmaker_.
+  James Peters, _Draper_.
+  Thomas Floyer, _Silver-Smith._
+  John Wells, _Brewer_.
+  Samuel Greg, _Soap-Boiler_.
+  William Cooley, _Fish-monger_.
+  James Harper, _Hosier_.
+  Robert Tucker, _Stationer_.
+  George Ford, _Iron-monger_.
+  Daniel Lynch, _Apothecary_.
+
+  William Bennet,    }
+  David Somers,      }
+  Charles Lock,      } _Apprentices_.
+  Leonard Daval,     }
+  Henry Croft,       }
+
+Mr. Whiston began by acquainting us, that (contrary to his advertisement)
+he thought himself in duty and conscience obliged to change the subject
+matter of his intended discourse. Here he paused, and seemed, for a
+short space, as it were, lost in devotion and mental prayer; after
+which, with great earnestness and vehemence, he spake as follows:
+
+"Friends and fellow-citizens, all speculative science is at an end: the
+period of all things is at hand; on Friday next this world shall be no
+more. Put not your confidence in me, brethren; for to-morrow morning,
+five minutes after five, the truth will be evident; in that instant the
+comet shall appear, of which I have heretofore warned you. As ye have
+heard, believe. Go hence, and prepare your wives, your families, and
+friends, for the universal change."
+
+At this solemn and dreadful prediction, the whole society appeared in
+the utmost astonishment: but it would be unjust not to remember, that Mr.
+Whiston himself was in so calm a temper, as to return a shilling a-piece
+to the youths, who had been disappointed of their lecture, which I
+thought, from a man of his integrity, a convincing proof of his own
+faith in the prediction.
+
+As we thought it a duty in charity to warn all men, in two or three
+hours the news had spread through the city. At first, indeed, our report
+met with but little credit; it being, by our greatest dealers in stocks,
+thought only a court artifice to sink them, that some choice favourites
+might purchase at a lower rate; for the South Sea, that very evening,
+fell five _per cent._, the India, eleven, and all the other funds in
+proportion. But, at the Court end of the town, our attestations were
+entirely disbelieved, or turned into ridicule; yet nevertheless the news
+spread everywhere, and was the subject matter of all conversation.
+
+That very night, (as I was credibly informed) Mr. Whiston was sent for to
+a great lady, who is very curious in the learned sciences, and addicted
+to all the speculative doubts of the most able philosophers; but he was
+not now to be found; and since, at other times, he has been known not to
+decline that honour, I make no doubt he concealed himself to attend the
+great business of his soul: but whether it was the lady's faith, or
+inquisitiveness, that occasioned her to send, is a point I shall not
+presume to determine. As for his being sent for to the secretary's
+office by a messenger, it is now known to be a matter notoriously false,
+and indeed at first it had little credit with me, that so zealous and
+honest a man should be ordered into custody, as a seditious preacher,
+who is known to be so well-affected to the present happy establishment.
+
+'Twas now I reflected, with exceeding trouble and sorrow, that I had
+disused family prayers for above five years, and (though it has been a
+custom of late entirely neglected by men of any business or station) I
+determined within myself no longer to omit so reasonable and religious a
+duty. I acquainted my wife with my intentions: But two or three
+neighbours having been engaged to sup with us that night, and many hours
+being unwarily spent at cards, I was prevailed upon by her to put it off
+till the next day; she reasoning, that it would be time enough to take
+off the servants from their business (which this practice must
+infallibly occasion for an hour or two every day) after the comet had
+made its appearance.
+
+Zachery Bowen, a Quaker, and my next neighbour, had no sooner heard of
+the prophecy, but he made me a visit. I informed him of everything I had
+heard, but found him quite obstinate in his unbelief; for, said he, be
+comforted, friend, thy tidings are impossibilities; for, were these
+things to happen, they must have been foreseen by some of our brethren.
+This indeed (as in all other spiritual cases with this set of people)
+was his only reason against believing me; and, as he was fully persuaded
+that the prediction was erroneous, he in a very neighbourly manner
+admonished me against selling my stock at the present low price, which,
+he said, beyond dispute, must have a rise before Monday, when this
+unreasonable consternation should be over.
+
+But on Wednesday morning (I believe to the exact calculation of Mr.
+Whiston) the comet appeared; for, at three minutes after five by my own
+watch, I saw it. He indeed foretold, that it would be seen at five
+minutes after five; but, as the best watches may be a minute or two too
+slow, I am apt to think his calculation just to a minute.
+
+In less than a quarter of an hour, all Cheapside was crowded with a vast
+concourse of people, and notwithstanding it was so early, it is thought
+that, through all that part of the town, there was not man, woman, or
+child, except the sick or infirm, left in their beds. From my own
+balcony, I am confident, I saw several thousands in the street, and
+counted at least seventeen, who were upon their knees, and seemed in
+actual devotion. Eleven of them, indeed, appeared to be old women of
+about fourscore; the six others were men in advanced life, but (as I
+could guess) two of them might be under seventy.
+
+It is highly probable, that an event of this nature may be passed over
+by the greater historians of our times, as conducing very little or
+nothing to the unravelling and laying open the deep schemes of
+politicians, and mysteries of state; for which reason, I thought it
+might not be unacceptable to record the facts, which, in the space of
+three days, came to my knowledge, either as an eye-witness, or from
+unquestionable authorities; nor can I think this narrative will be
+entirely without its use, as it may enable us to form a more just idea
+of our countrymen in general, particularly in regard to their faith,
+religion, morals, and politics.
+
+Before Wednesday noon, the belief was universal, that the day of
+judgment was at hand, insomuch, that a waterman of my acquaintance told
+me, he counted no less than one hundred and twenty-three clergymen, who
+had been ferried over to Lambeth before twelve o'clock: these, it is
+said, went thither to petition, that a short prayer might be penned, and
+ordered, there being none in the service upon that occasion. But, as in
+things of this nature, it is necessary that the council be consulted,
+their request was not immediately complied with; and this I affirm to be
+the true and only reason, that the churches were not that morning so
+well attended, and is in noways to be imputed to the fears and
+consternation of the clergy, with which the freethinkers have since very
+unjustly reproached them.
+
+My wife and I went to church, (where we had not been for many years on a
+week-day,) and, with a very large congregation, were disappointed of the
+service. But (what will be scarce credible) by the carelessness of a
+'prentice, in our absence, we had a piece of fine cambric carried off by
+a shop-lifter: so little impression was yet made on the minds of those
+wicked women!
+
+I cannot omit the care of a particular director of the Bank; I hope the
+worthy and wealthy knight will forgive me, that I endeavour to do him
+justice; for it was unquestionably owing to Sir Gilbert Heathcote's[1]
+sagacity, that all the fire-offices were required to have a particular
+eye upon the Bank of England. Let it be recorded to his praise, that in
+the general hurry, this struck him as his nearest and tenderest concern;
+but the next day in the evening, after having taken due care of all his
+books, bills, and bonds, I was informed, his mind was wholly turned upon
+spiritual matters; yet, ever and anon, he could not help expressing his
+resentment against the Tories and Jacobites, to whom he imputed that
+sudden run upon the Bank, which happened on this occasion.
+
+[Footnote 1: Sir Gilbert Heathcote had before signalized his care for
+the Bank when in equal danger, by petitioning against the Lord-Treasurer
+Godolphin's being removed, as a measure that would destroy the public
+credit. [H.]]
+
+A great man (whom at this time it may not be prudent to name) employed
+all the Wednesday morning to make up such an account, as might appear
+fair, in case he should be called upon to produce it on the Friday; but
+was forced to desist, after having for several hours together attempted
+it, not being able to bring himself to a resolution to trust the many
+hundred articles of his secret transactions upon paper.
+
+Another seemed to be very melancholy, which his flatterers imputed to
+his dread of losing his power in a day or two; but I rather take it,
+that his chief concern was the terror of being tried in a court, that
+could not be influenced, and where a majority of voices could avail him
+nothing. It was observed, too, that he had but few visitors that day.
+
+This added so much to his mortification, that he read through the first
+chapter of the book of Job, and wept over it bitterly; in short, he
+seemed a true penitent in everything but in charity to his neighbour. No
+business was that day done in his counting-house. It is said too, that
+he was advised to restitution, but I never heard that he complied with
+it, any farther than in giving half-a-crown a-piece to several crazed
+and starving creditors, who attended in the outward room.
+
+Three of the maids of honour sent to countermand their birth-day
+clothes; two of them burnt all their collections of novels and romances,
+and sent to a bookseller's in Pall-Mall to buy each of them a Bible, and
+Taylor's "Holy Living and Dying." But I must do all of them the justice
+to acknowledge, that they shewed a very decent behaviour in the
+drawing-room, and restrained themselves from those innocent freedoms,
+and little levities, so commonly incident to young ladies of their
+profession. So many birth-day suits were countermanded the next day,
+that most of the tailors and mantua makers discharged all their
+journeymen and women. A grave elderly lady of great erudition and
+modesty, who visits these young ladies, seemed to be extremely shocked
+by the apprehensions, that she was to appear naked before the whole
+world; and no less so, that all mankind was to appear naked before her;
+which might so much divert her thoughts, as to incapacitate her to give
+ready and apt answers to the interrogatories that might be made her. The
+maids of honour, who had both modesty and curiosity, could not imagine
+the sight so disagreeable as was represented; nay, one of them went so
+far as to say, she perfectly longed to see it; for it could not be so
+indecent, when everybody was to be alike; and they had a day or two to
+prepare themselves to be seen in that condition. Upon this reflection,
+each of them ordered a bathing-tub to be got ready that evening, and a
+looking-glass to be set by it. So much are these young ladies, both by
+nature and custom, addicted to cleanly appearance.
+
+A west-country gentleman told me, he got a church-lease filled up that
+morning for the same sum which had been refused for three years
+successively. I must impute this merely to accident: for I cannot
+imagine that any divine could take the advantage of his tenant in so
+unhandsome a manner, or that the shortness of the life was in the least
+his consideration; though I have heard the same worthy prelate aspersed
+and maligned since, upon this very account.
+
+The term being so near, the alarm among the lawyers was inexpressible,
+though some of them, I was told, were so vain as to promise themselves
+some advantage in making their defence, by being versed in the practice
+of our earthly courts. It is said, too, that some of the chief pleaders
+were heard to express great satisfaction, that there had been but few
+state trials of late years. Several attorneys demanded the return of
+fees that had been given the lawyers; but it was answered, the fee was
+undoubtedly charged to their client, and that they could not connive at
+such injustice, as to suffer it to be sunk in the attorneys' pockets.
+Our sage and learned judges had great consolation, insomuch as they had
+not pleaded at the bar for several years; the barristers rejoiced in
+that they were not attorneys, and the attorneys felt no less
+satisfaction, that they were not pettifoggers, scriveners, and other
+meaner officers of the law.
+
+As to the army, far be it from me to conceal the truth. Every soldier's
+behaviour was as undismayed, and undaunted, as if nothing was to happen;
+I impute not this to their want of faith, but to their martial
+disposition; though I cannot help thinking they commonly accompany their
+commands with more oaths than are requisite, of which there was no
+remarkable diminution this morning on the parade in St James's Park. But
+possibly it was by choice, and on consideration, that they continued
+this way of expression, not to intimidate the common soldiers, or give
+occasion to suspect, that even the fear of damnation could make any
+impression upon their superior officers. A duel was fought the same
+morning between two colonels, not occasioned (as was reported) because
+the one was put over the other's head; that being a point, which might,
+at such a juncture, have been accommodated by the mediation of friends;
+but as this was upon the account of a lady, it was judged it could not
+be put off at this time, above all others, but demanded immediate
+satisfaction. I am apt to believe, that a young officer, who desired his
+surgeon to defer putting him into a salivation till Saturday, might make
+this request out of some opinion he had of the truth of the prophecy;
+for the apprehensions of any danger in the operation could not be his
+motive, the surgeon himself having assured me, that he had before
+undergone three severe operations of the like nature with great
+resignation and fortitude.
+
+There was an order issued, that the chaplains of the several regiments
+should attend their duty; but as they were dispersed about in several
+parts of England, it was believed, that most of them could not be found,
+or so much as heard of, till the great day was over.
+
+Most of the considerable physicians, by their outward demeanour, seemed
+to be unbelievers; but at the same time, they everywhere insinuated,
+that there might be a pestilential malignancy in the air, occasioned by
+the comet, which might be armed against by proper and timely medicines.
+This caution had but little effect; for as the time approached, the
+Christian resignation of the people increased, and most of them (which
+was never before known) had their souls more at heart than their bodies.
+
+If the reverend clergy shewed more concern than others, I charitably
+impute it to their great charge of souls; and what confirmed me in this
+opinion was, that the degrees of apprehension and terror could be
+distinguished to be greater or less, according to their ranks and
+degrees in the church.
+
+The like might be observed in all sorts of ministers, though not of the
+Church of England; the higher their rank, the more was their fear.
+
+I speak not of the Court for fear of offence; and I forbear inserting
+the names of particular persons, to avoid the imputation of slander; so
+that the reader will allow the narrative must be deficient, and is
+therefore desired to accept hereof rather as a sketch, than a regular
+circumstantial history.
+
+I was not informed of any persons, who shewed the least joy; except
+three malefactors, who were to be executed on the Monday following, and
+one old man, a constant church-goer, who being at the point of death,
+expressed some satisfaction at the news.
+
+On Thursday morning there was little or nothing transacted in
+'Change-alley; there were a multitude of sellers, but so few buyers,
+that one cannot affirm the stocks bore any certain price except among
+the Jews; who this day reaped great profit by their infidelity. There
+were many who called themselves Christians, who offered to buy for time;
+but as these were people of great distinction, I choose not to mention
+them, because in effect it would seem to accuse them both of avarice and
+infidelity.
+
+The run upon the Bank is too well known to need a particular relation:
+for it never can be forgotten, that no one person whatever (except the
+directors themselves, and some of their particular friends and
+associates) could convert a bill all that day into specie; all hands
+being employed to serve them.
+
+In the several churches of the city and suburbs, there were seven
+thousand two hundred and forty-five, who publicly and solemnly declared
+before the congregation, that they took to wife their several
+kept-mistresses, which was allowed as valid marriage, the priest not
+having time to pronounce the ceremony in form.
+
+At St Bride's church in Fleet-street, Mr. Woolston,[2] (who writ against
+the miracles of our Saviour,) in the utmost terrors of conscience, made
+a public recantation. Dr. Mandeville[3] (who had been groundlessly
+reported formerly to have done the same,) did it now in good earnest at
+St James's gate; as did also at the Temple Church several gentlemen, who
+frequent coffeehouses near the bar. So great was the faith and fear of
+two of them, that they dropped dead on the spot; but I will not record
+their names, lest I should be thought invidiously to lay an odium on
+their families and posterity.
+
+[Footnote 2: Thomas Woolston (1669-1733), a deistical writer, born at
+Northampton; became a Fellow of Sidney College, Cambridge. For his work,
+"Six Discourses on the Miracles of Christ," he was sentenced to
+imprisonment for one year and fined one hundred pounds. [T.S.]]
+
+[Footnote 3:  Bernard de Mandeville, M.D., author of the "Fable of the
+Bees," a deistical work, the scope of which was to prove, that private
+vices are public benefits. The work was attacked by Bishop Berkeley in
+his "Alciphron." De Mandeville was born in Holland about 1670, but came
+over to England and settled there about the middle of the eighteenth
+century. He also wrote "The Virgin Unmasked," "The Grumbling Hive," and
+"Free Thoughts on Religion." He died in 1733. [T.S.]]
+
+Most of the players, who had very little faith before, were now desirous
+of having as much as they could, and therefore embraced the Roman
+Catholic religion: the same thing was observed of some bawds, and ladies
+of pleasure.
+
+An Irish gentleman out of pure friendship came to make me a visit, and
+advised me to hire a boat for the ensuing day, and told me, that unless
+I gave earnest for one immediately, he feared it might be too late; for
+his countrymen had secured almost every boat upon the river, as judging,
+that, in the general conflagration, to be upon the water would be the
+safest place.
+
+There were two lords, and three commoners, who, out of scruple of
+conscience, very hastily threw up their pensions, as imagining a pension
+was only an annual retaining bribe. All the other great pensioners, I
+was told, had their scruples quieted by a clergyman or two of
+distinction, whom they happily consulted.
+
+It was remarkable, that several of our very richest tradesmen of the
+city, in common charity, gave away shillings and sixpences to the
+beggars who plied about the church doors; and at a particular church in
+the city, a wealthy church-warden with his own hands distributed fifty
+twelve-penny loaves to the poor, by way of restitution for the many
+great and costly feasts, which he had eaten of at their expense.
+
+Three great ladies, a valet-de-chambre, two lords, a
+customhouse-officer, five half-pay captains, and a baronet, (all noted
+gamesters,) came publicly into a church at Westminster, and deposited a
+very considerable sum of money in the minister's hands; the parties,
+whom they had defrauded, being either out of town, or not to be found.
+But so great is the hardness of heart of this fraternity, that among
+either the noble or vulgar gamesters, (though the profession is so
+general,) I did not hear of any other restitution of this sort. At the
+same time I must observe, that (in comparison of these) through all
+parts of the town, the justice and penitence of the highwaymen,
+housebreakers, and common pickpockets, was very remarkable.
+
+The directors of our public companies were in such dreadful
+apprehensions, that one would have thought a parliamentary inquiry was
+at hand; yet so great was their presence of mind, that all the Thursday
+morning was taken up in private transfers, which by malicious people was
+thought to be done with design to conceal their effects.
+
+I forbear mentioning the private confessions of particular ladies to
+their husbands; for as their children were born in wedlock, and of
+consequence are legitimate, it would be an invidious task to record them
+as bastards; and particularly after their several husbands have so
+charitably forgiven them.
+
+The evening and night through the whole town were spent in devotions
+both public and private; the churches for this one day were so crowded
+by the nobility and gentry, that thousands of common people were seen
+praying in the public streets. In short, one would have thought the
+whole town had been really and seriously religious. But what was very
+remarkable, all the different persuasions kept by themselves, for as
+each thought the other would be damned, not one would join in prayer
+with the other.
+
+At length Friday came, and the people covered all the streets;
+expecting, watching, and praying. But as the day wore away, their fears
+first began to abate, then lessened every hour, at night they were
+almost extinct, till the total darkness, that hitherto used to terrify,
+now comforted every freethinker and atheist. Great numbers went together
+to the taverns, bespoke suppers, and broke up whole hogsheads for joy.
+The subject of all wit and conversation was to ridicule the prophecy,
+and rally each other. All the quality and gentry were perfectly ashamed,
+nay, some utterly disowned that they had manifested any signs of
+religion.
+
+But the next day even the common people, as well as their betters,
+appeared in their usual state of indifference. They drank, they whored,
+they swore, they lied, they cheated, they quarrelled, they murdered. In
+short, the world went on in the old channel.
+
+I need not give any instances of what will so easily be credited; but I
+cannot omit relating, that Mr. Woolston advertised in that very
+Saturday's Evening Post, a new Treatise against the Miracles of our
+Saviour; and that the few who had given up their pensions the day
+before, solicited to have them continued: which as they had not been
+thrown up upon any ministerial point, I am informed was readily granted.
+
+
+
+
+
+  INDEX.
+
+
+  Abjuration oath.
+  Accusation, false, a means for injuring a community.
+  Action, motives for, often interested.
+  Administration and Legislature.
+  Agriculture, encouraged by the clergy.
+  Alberoni, Cardinal.
+  Ale-houses, should be closed at midnight.
+  Alsatia.
+  Ammianus Marcellinus.
+  Anabaptists.
+  Anne, Queen, her good qualities,
+    "Bounty" of.
+  Arber, Mr. Edward.
+  Arians.
+  Arius.
+  Army, English, its bad discipline.
+  Aristotle, his dictum about happiness and wisdom.
+  Asgill, John, biographical sketch of.
+  Athanasian creed.
+  Atheism, not worse than superstition or enthusiasm,
+    rise of, due to the Rebellion and murder of King Charles I.
+  Atheist, a perfect, is a perfectly moral man.
+  Atheology.
+  Atterbury, Bishop.
+  Austin.
+
+  Bacon, Lord.
+  Basilovitz, John.
+  Baumgarten's "Travels".
+  Beggars, often intercept charity intended for the poor,
+    distinct from the poor,
+    in Ireland,
+    methods for dealing with them,
+    should wear badges.
+  Belief, want of, a defect.
+  Benefices, value of dividing them.
+  Berkeley, Earl of,
+    his letter to Swift.
+  Berkeley, Lady,
+    Swift's character of.
+  Bettesworth, Sergeant, his rencontre with Swift,
+    Dr. Dunkin on,
+    and Dr. Theophilus Bolton.
+  Bible, the, difficult to understand.
+  Biblical terminology.
+  Bill for a Modus,
+    its hardships on the clergy.
+  Bill of Division,
+    its injustice.
+  Bill of Residence,
+    its injustice.
+  Bindon, F., portrait of Swift.
+  Bishoprics, value of,
+    manner of filling Irish,
+    necessity for increasing their revenues.
+  Bishops, their tyranny,
+    their power derived from the people
+    comparison between English and French,
+    Swift's description of the Irish,
+    arguments against their power to let leases,
+    their action at the Reformation,
+    reduction of their revenues,
+    evil of giving them power to let leases for lives,
+    their power over church lands,
+    two kinds lately promoted.
+  Blasphemy, "breaking" for.
+  Bolingbroke, Lord.
+  Bolton, Dr. Theophilus, Archbishop of Cashel,
+    and Bettesworth.
+  Bouffiers, Mons.
+  "Bounty," Queen Anne's,
+    Charles the Second's.
+  Bowen, Zachery.
+  Boyce, S.
+  Boyle, Dean.
+  Boyse, J.
+  Brodrick, Allen.
+  Brown, Rev. Mr.
+  Budgell, Eustace, his appropriation of Tindal's effects.
+  Bull, Dr. George.
+  Burke, Edmund, on Swift's sermon on "Doing Good."
+  Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury,
+    on occasional conformity,
+    Swift's satire on,
+    Dartmouth on,
+    biographical sketch of,
+    "History of the Reformation,"
+    "Vindication of the Church and State of Scotland,"
+    his criticisms on the Tories,
+      Swift's rejoinder,
+    his argument against Popery,
+      Swift's rejoinder,
+    his opinion of the clergy,
+    reference to the Tory clergy,
+    Swift's criticism on his methods,
+    Swift's criticism on his style,
+    on Presbyterians,
+    the oracle of the hypocritical zealots.
+  Business, corruptions in.
+
+  Campegi, Cardinal.
+  Carr, Charles, Bishop of Killaloe.
+  Catholic Church, the necessity for a head.
+  Catholics, Roman, their persecutions of Protestants,
+    their favour with King James II.,
+    reasons for repeals of Test Act in their favour,
+    first conquerors of Ireland,
+    their rebellions were purely defensive measures,
+    always defenders of the monarch,
+    are true Whigs,
+    their loyalty to the Hanoverian House,
+    have as fair a title to be called Protestants as Dissenters,
+    the bulk of them loyal to King Charles I.,
+    lost their estates in Ireland for fighting for the king,
+    merits of, and Dissenters, contrasted,
+    arguments for repeal of Test Act affecting the equally with
+  Dissenters,  the heavy accusation they lie under,
+  Catholicism and Protestantism, differences between.
+  Catholicism, Roman, its condition in England.
+  Cato, the wisest Roman,
+    a stoic by manners not by conviction.
+  Censor, the office of, suggestion for its establishment in England.
+  Charity, the outcome of self-knowledge.
+  Charles I., Act of, concerning the bishops and the church lands,
+    his trial,
+    sermon on the martyrdom of,
+    his ill-treatment by the Puritans
+    ingratitude to him by the House of Commons
+    history of the events which led to his death
+  Charles the Second's Bounty
+  Cheerfulness, a blessing of the poor
+  Chesterfield, Earl of
+  Children, a blessing and assistance to the poor
+  Chinuchii, Cardinal de
+  Chocolate Houses
+  Christianity, Real or Primitive,
+    inconveniences attending its abolition
+    advantages proposed by its abolition
+    has no share in the opposition to sectaries
+    abolition of, would mean loss of occupation to freethinkers
+    no necessity for extirpating it
+    evils attending its abolition
+    its organization
+    its truth denied by freethinking
+    usefulness of preaching on its mysteries
+    early
+    its want of truth a source of joy to the wicked
+    suffered by being blended with Gentile philosophy
+  Church and Dissent, their mutual attitudes
+  Church, sleeping in, sermon on
+  Church, the, not answerable for the depravity of human nature
+    its total exclusion of Dissent from its emoluments
+    the necessity for it being a corporation
+    duty to, of the members of
+    condition of, in Ireland
+  Church of Christianity, its inconsistencies
+  Church of England Man, his religious attitude
+    his attitude to the various forms and ceremonies
+    his toleration for worship
+    his passion for the Church
+    his abhorrence of flinging scandals upon the clergy
+    his opinion that publications against religion should not be
+  unlimited  his sentiments with respect to government
+    his idea of the freedom of a nation
+    he is not bound to opinions of either party
+    independent of the civil power
+  Churches, necessity for their increase
+    their destruction due to the Rebellion
+  Church lands,
+    reasons for the rise in the value of
+    bad effects if sold to the laity
+  Church of Ireland, the National Church
+  Church revenues, expedients for increasing
+  Church thermometer
+  Cicero
+  Clarendon, Edward Hyde, Earl of,
+    "History of the Great Rebellion"
+  Clendon, John
+  Clergy, the, their ignorance and servility
+    mistaken in not mixing more with the laity
+    care to be taken by them because of the distinct habit they wear
+    better if they appeared dressed like ordinary men
+    unreasonableness of the charge of their persecuting spirit
+    their antagonism to Dissent springs from a worthy motive
+    have they any power independent of the civil
+    their relation to Divine Right
+    their love of power not a peculiar characteristic
+    their claim to judicial power
+    the allegation that it is their interest to corrupt religion,
+    combated  excellent as a body
+    what they pretend to
+    their power in choosing bishops
+    Burnet's opinion of the
+    the Tory, Burnet's reference to
+    presumption on their part to teach matters of speculation
+    the bill for their residence
+    English _versus_ Irish
+    English, their poverty
+    concerning the hatred against
+    not popular in Christian countries
+    their writings against popery
+    consequences to them of the repeal of the Test Act
+    their attitude to the Test Act
+  Clergy, Irish, James I.'s dealings with
+    condition of
+    their maintenance precarious
+    their resort to flattery for preferment
+    plan for a parliamentary taxation of
+    their impoverished state
+    want in them of concerted action
+    attitude of landlords to
+    their right to self-taxation,
+    their interests allied with the interests of the country
+  Clergyman, Swift's position as a
+    Young, letter to
+  Clergymen, handicapped by small means
+   the fates of
+  Climate, its influence on Government
+  Cokayne, Sir Thomas
+  Collins, Anthony
+    biographical sketch of
+    Swift's attitude to
+    his "Discourse of Freethinking" put into plain English by Swift
+  Collins, J. Churton, his opinion of Swift's motive in writing the
+  "Project"  his opinion on Steele and "The Guardian"
+    on Swift's criticism of Burnet
+  Commissioners, Itinerary, for inspection of official conduct
+  Common-place books, use of
+  Commons, Irish House of, its alacrity in supporting the king against
+        the Pretender
+  Commonwealth, our duty to
+    corruptions in
+  Community, influence of private people on
+    injured by false accusations
+    injured by false rumours
+  Commutation, its purpose
+  Compton, Dr. Henry, Bishop of London
+  Concordate of the Gallican church
+  Connill, J.
+  Conscience, liberty of
+    defined,
+    testimony of, sermon on
+    its definition
+    our director and guide
+    its limitations
+    no higher than knowledge
+    liberty of
+    a due regard to its dictates conducive to general happiness
+    well founded, if guided by religion
+    moral honesty in place of
+    a good guide to motives
+    fear and hope the offsprings of
+    directs us to the love of God
+    the laws appeal to
+  Constantine the Great
+  Constitution, English, a growth
+  Contentment, the poor man's, sermon on
+  Conversation
+  Convocation, Lower House of
+  Convocation, should be abolished among Protestants
+  "Correspondent, The"
+  Corruption, in all departments of trading
+  Cotton, Sir John
+  Court Party
+  Coward, William, biographical sketch of
+  Coyne, Nicholas
+  Craik, Sir Henry, his opinion on Swift's tract on Collins
+  Cranmer, Archbishop
+  Creation, scripture system of
+  Creech, Thomas
+  Cromwell, Oliver, his notion of liberty of conscience
+  Cromwell, Richard
+  Cromwell, Thomas
+
+  Dartmouth, Lord, his opinion of Burnet
+  Deanery, income necessary for a
+  Death, its evil an impossibility
+  Debt, National, proposal for a fund for
+  Deceit, its practice detrimental to the well-being of a community
+  De Foe, D.
+  Demosthenes
+  Deposition, can a king of England be deposed?
+  Devil, the, his power
+  Diogenes, his saying, "that a poor old man was the most miserable
+         thing in life"
+     his opinion of Socrates
+  Discretion
+  Disobedience, breeds sedition in a state
+  Dissenters, their natural union with Whigs
+    their attitude to the Bills of Residence and Division
+    their enjoyment of toleration
+    Swift's attitude to
+    his description of them in "A Tale of a Tub"
+    tracts written by Swift against them
+    their expedient addresses of loyalty
+    representation of the House of Lords against
+    address of, against their representation
+    their encouragement to refuse the oath of abjuration
+    the disadvantages they lie under will be remedied by the repeal of
+              the Test Act
+    allied to the Puritans
+  Divine Right, the clergy's relation to
+  Dolben, Bishop of Rochester
+  Dorset, Earl of, Swift's letter to
+  Doubts, not answerable for
+  Downing, Sir George
+  Drogheda, persecution at
+    siege of
+  Dudley and Empson
+  Dunkin, Dr. William, on Serjeant Bettesworth
+    his copy of Dr. Gibbs's "Paraphrase of the Psalms"
+  Dunkirk
+  Duns Scotus
+  Dunton, John
+  Dutch, the, their recognition of liberty of conscience in religious
+              matters
+    their Commonwealth
+    though they have liberty of conscience they yet enforce tests for
+                 office
+  Duties, of each to the other in a state
+
+  Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, should be vested in the hands of catholic
+                 archbishops and bishops
+  Education, value of, to a young clergyman
+    university
+  Election,
+  Elisha and Hazael
+  Employments, battle for
+  Empson and Dudley
+  English language, value of its study
+  "Englishman, The"
+  Epicurus
+  Epiphonema
+  Episcopacy
+  Erasmus
+  Establishment, enquiry into its nature
+  Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli
+  Evans, Dr., Bishop of Meath
+  Executive Power, the care it should take
+
+  Faction, detrimental to brotherly love
+  Fagel, Mons
+  Fairfax, General
+  Faith, its great power
+  Falkiner, Sir F.
+  Falkland, Viscount, biographical sketch of
+        his method in writing
+  False witness, sermon on,
+  Fanatics, their insolence
+  Filmer, Sir Robert, biographical sketch of
+  First fruits and tenths
+  First fruits
+  Flattery, self-knowledge secures us against
+         its snares
+  Flax, bill for the encouragement of its growth
+  Forbes, Edward
+  Forster, Dr., Bishop of Raphoe
+  Forster, John, his "Life of Swift"
+    his suggested date for the writing of "The Project" and "The
+    Sentiments"
+  Fountaine, Sir A.
+  Freedom, of a nation, in what it consists
+  Freethinker, indispensable duty of
+  Freethinkers, their natural connection with Whigs
+    the most virtuous people in all ages
+    ignorance and vice their principal characteristics
+  Freethinking, its mischief
+    denies Christianity
+    and missionaries
+    enjoined by Christ
+    means free-speaking and free-writing
+    some thoughts on
+  Friendship, depends on brotherly love
+  Fuller, Dr. Thomas
+
+  Gallican Church, concordate of
+  Gaming, addiction to
+    how to stop it
+  Gardiner's "History of England"
+  Gay, John, "The Espousal"
+  Genevan system
+  Gibbs, Dr., Swift's Remarks on his Paraphrase of the Psalms
+  Gildon, Charles
+  Giving, more blessed than receiving
+  Godolphin
+  Good, doing, sermon on
+  Gospel, the, too difficult for freethinkers
+    want of faith in
+    value of its truth
+  Government, Hobbes's principles of, combated
+    if every species of, be equally lawful, they are not equally
+  expedient  English, its advantage over all other forms
+    its nature least understood by lawyers
+    in the body of the people
+    how invested in England
+    what it cannot do
+    its relation to a state religion
+    from God
+  Grabe, Dr.
+  Grant, Col. F.
+  Greed, often results in ill to a state
+  "Grub Street Journal," on the Swift-Bettesworth Controversy
+  "Guardian, The"
+
+  Hanover Club
+  Happiness, does not depend on wealth
+  Harley, Earl of Oxford
+  Hazael and Elisha
+  Health, the best of all earthly possessions
+  Heathcote, Sir Gilbert
+  Heathens, the groundwork of their virtues
+  Henry VII., value of land and money in the reign of
+  Henry VIII.,
+    his seizures of Church revenues
+    his attitude to Catholicism
+    his favouritism
+    his attitude to the clergy
+  Heptarchy, the, its power
+  Heresy, the beginning of dissent among the early Christians
+  Heylin, Dr. Peter
+    "Observations on the History of Presbyterians"
+  Hickeringil, Edmund, biographical sketch of
+  Hickes, Dr. George,
+    biographical sketch of
+    his replies to Tindal
+  High Church, how considered by the press
+  Hilary, St.
+  Hill, Samuel
+  Hobbes, Thomas,
+    biographical sketch of
+    Swift's arguments against his theory of the sovereign power
+    his opinion that the youth of England corrupted their political
+      principles by reading the classical writers
+    his opinion of the bad influence of classical histories
+  Holiness, of life, most worthy to God
+  Holland,
+    the worst governed country on account of its having no state
+  religion Honour,
+    largely a false principle
+    private, different from public
+  Hospitality, depends on brotherly love
+  House of Commons, Irish, the clergy's complaint against
+  Howard, Robert, Bishop of Elphin
+  Howard, Col. Thomas
+  Huguenots, the
+  Humility,
+    a virtue fitting every station in life
+    the outcome  of self knowledge
+  Hypocrisy, better than vice
+
+  Ignorance, the mother of superstition, but not of devotion
+  Immorality,
+    legislation against, ineffective
+    an incentive to good conduct
+  _Imperium in imperio_, doctrine of
+  Independents
+    differences between, and Presbyterians
+    their end
+  Infidelity, its infamy
+  Infidels,
+    their advice interested
+    cannot satisfy the general reason of mankind
+    the fallacy of their arguments against the Trinity
+  Informers, their interest
+  Inns of Court, "the worst instituted seminaries in any Christian
+                country"
+  Intemperance, dangerous to upright men
+  Interest, self, the spring of most actions
+  Interests, private and national
+  Ireland,
+    present condition of the Church in
+    wretched condition of plantations in
+    condition of the clergy of
+    first conquerors of, English Catholics
+    Rebellion in
+    its misery and want
+    the causes of this misery
+    its intolerable hardships
+    the folly and vanity of its landowners
+    pride and vanity of its people
+    discouragement of its manufactures
+    idleness and sloth in
+    cruelty by which it is governed
+    bondage of its laws
+    counteracting influence against the government
+    foundations and charities in
+    fraud of the servants in
+    necessity for proper training of the children of the poor in
+    the beggars in
+    its poor laws
+    methods for dealing with beggars
+    badges for beggars in
+    sermon on wretched condition of
+  Ireton, General
+
+  James the First's Bounty
+  James I., his dealings with the Irish clergy
+  James II.,
+    his abdication
+    attempted illegal and unjustifiable exercise of power
+    his conduct contrasted with that of Charles I.
+    his relations with the Church
+  Jerome, St.
+  Jethro, his advice to Moses
+  Jews, disbelief in their teachings
+  Jezebel
+  John, King
+  Johnson, Esther, three prayers for
+  Johnson, Rev. Samuel
+  Josephus
+
+  Kevan Bayl's new ballad
+  King, Dr. W.,
+    Archbishop of Dublin
+    biographical sketch of
+    the Dublin clergy's representation to
+    his way of encouraging the clergy to residence
+    Swift's letter to, on the Repeal for the Test Act
+  Kit-Cat Club
+  Kite, Serjeant
+
+  Lancaster, Henry Duke of
+  Land, history of the rise in the value of
+  Landlords, Irish, their attitude to their clergy
+  Laud, Archbishop
+  Lauderdale, Lord
+  Laws, human and divine
+  Lawyers,
+    of all people least understand the nature of government
+    ignorant of the early history of England
+  Learning, its prevalence during early Christian times
+  Leases, bishops'
+    evils of letting, for lives
+  "Legion Club, The"
+  Legislature and administration
+  Legislature, the supreme power in a state
+  Leslie, Charles
+  Libertines, their principles
+  Liberty,
+    Roman idea of
+    enjoyment of, better than contentions
+  Life, its love, an essential impulse of our nature
+    a trust from God
+    its advantages for general use
+  Limiting Act
+  Lindsay, Dr.
+  Linen, encouragement of its manufacture
+  Loch, Lord
+  Locke, John,
+    his idea of government
+    "Human Understanding"
+  London,
+    its influence on the kingdom
+    the power it may have for good
+    a law for closing its ale-houses at twelve
+  Londonderry, siege of
+  Lords, House of,
+    character of
+    their representation against Dissenters
+  Lorrain, Duke of
+  Love, brotherly,
+    among the early Christians
+    the causes of the want of, among us
+    Papists and fanatics one cause for the want of
+    weakness and folly a cause for the want of
+    its non-insistence a cause of the want of
+    politics a cause of the want of
+    the evil consequences of the want of
+    the want of, puts an end to hospitality and friendship
+    motives for embracing
+    injured by faction
+    helped by religion
+    of country, defined
+  Love, the last legacy of Christ
+    of self, not a fault
+  Loyalty, a means to obtaining good character
+  Lucretius
+  Ludlow, Edmund
+
+  Machiavelli
+  Magdalen College, its justification of William of Orange's declaration
+  Magistrates,
+    their abuses
+    care taken in their appointment
+    supreme, doctrine of resistance to
+  Mandeville, Bernard de
+  Manilius, Marcus
+  Manners,
+    degeneracy of, a preceding to the ruin of a state
+    its corruption ruin to a state
+    depravation of
+  Manufacture, influence of, on a community
+  Margarita. _See_ Margherita, Francesca de l'Epine
+  Margherita, Francesca de l'Epine
+  Marprelate tracts
+  Marsh, Dr. Narcissus
+  Marten, John
+  Martyrdom of Charles I.,
+    its lessons
+    the duty of all protestants to keep holy the day of the
+  Mason, Monck,
+    his "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral"
+    his list of tracts on the Test Act controversy
+    on the date of the "Narrative of the attempts against the Test Act"
+    on "Roman Catholic reasons for the Repeal of the Test"
+  McBride, John
+  M'Carthy, Charles
+  McCrackan
+  Midleton, Lord
+  Milton, John, his work on Divorce
+  Minutius Felix, Marcus
+  Miracle,
+    as much a mystery as the Trinity
+    positively affirmed by the Gospels
+  Missionaries and freethinking
+  Moderation,
+    a clerical cry
+    in politics, true and false
+  Modus, a
+    petition against
+  Molesworth, Robert, Viscount
+  Molloy, Neale
+  Monarchy,
+    absolute, doctrine of
+    hereditary, to be preferred to elective
+    the hereditary right to be sacred, if not dangerous to the
+            constitution
+    King _de facto_, and King _de jutre_
+    succession discussed
+  Monasteries, their scandals
+  Money, history of its values
+  Montaigne, citation from
+  Moore, Bishop, of Norwich
+  Moral honesty, in place of conscience
+  Morality,
+    classical _versus_ scriptural
+    without religion is a half virtue
+  Morals, schemes for the improvement of
+  More, Dr. Henry
+  More, Sir Thomas
+  Mortmain, statute of
+  Motives, the best ground for judgments
+  Mystery,
+    to declare against, is to declare against scripture
+    conditions when it may be suspicious
+    faith, necessary for a belief in
+    nature full of
+    not contrary to reason
+
+  "Narrative of what passed in London"
+  National debt, proposal for a fund for
+  Nayler
+  Neighbour, our duty to
+  Nelson, Mr.
+  Nichols's "Speculum Sarisburianum"
+  Non-residence
+  Non-resistance
+
+  Oath of abjuration
+  Oath of supremacy.
+  Obedience,
+    St. Peter's directions for
+    St. Paul's directions for
+    avoid running into extremes on the question of
+  "Observator, The"
+  Occasional conformity
+  Office, qualifications for, as they are generally accepted
+  "Old and New Lights"
+  Oldisworth, Mr.
+  O'Neill, Owen Roe
+  O'Neill, Philip Roe McHugh
+  O'Neill, Sir Phelim
+  Opinion,
+    difference in, not a matter for quarrel
+    compared with fashions
+    its power
+    difficulty of changing in
+  Orange, William of
+  Oratory
+  Origen
+  Ormonde, Marquis of
+  Oxford, Earl of
+  Oxford University, its revenues
+
+  Papists
+    in Ireland, their reduced condition
+    loyalty to King George
+    no cause for fear from the
+  Parishes, their union under one incumbent
+  Parliaments, annual
+  Parties, our attitude to
+  Party Government,
+    tends to enslave senates
+    tends to misunderstanding of personal character
+    establishes an incorrect standard for character
+  Passive obedience
+  Peace, the last legacy of Christ
+  Pedantry, the fear of
+  Pembroke, Lord
+  Penn, William
+  Penny, Rev. John
+  Peter the Cruel
+  Philip II. of Spain
+  Philips, Ambrose
+  Philosophy, classical
+    unrevealed, imperfect
+    fails to explain the Deity
+    its failure to inculcate the doctrine of Providence
+    defective in its moral teachings
+    contrasted by personal examples with Christian
+    disputes amongst the teachers of
+    Christian, its perfection
+    teaches reliance on God
+    teaches courtesy and kindness
+    is "without partiality"
+    is without hypocrisy
+    contrasted by personal examples with unrevealed
+  Pilkington, M., reference to sermon on "Doing Good"
+  Plato, his maxim on worship
+    his divine precept
+    his doctrine of happiness
+  Platonic philosophy, its relation to the early church
+  Plays, their bad influence on morals
+  Pluralities
+  Plutarch
+  Politics, dangerous to upright men
+  Poor, the, are not the object of envy
+    less subject to temptations than the rich
+    the blessings they enjoy
+    their power for doing good to others
+    have a greater share of happiness than the rich
+  Poor Laws, Irish
+  Pope, the supremacy of
+    his power in France
+  Popery, Burnet's arguments against,
+    its dangers
+    national leaning to
+    the most absurd system of Christianity
+    its merits
+    Protestants must not be charged with its errors and corruptions
+    its increase
+    penal laws against should be abrogated
+    its priests should be settled by law in Ireland
+    its priests should be entitled to tithe
+    the results of this
+    proposal for effectually preventing its growth
+  Popes, their seizure of power
+  Potter, Dr. John, biographical sketch of
+  Power, absolute, belief in, dangerous to any state
+    legislate
+    not pleaded for by Swift
+  Prasini
+  Pratt, Dr., Dean of Down
+  Prayer, an evening
+  Preaching, value of practice in
+    simplicity in, a prime requisite
+    the popular manner the best
+    styles to be avoided in
+    the moving manner
+    jesting in
+    plain reasoning in
+    pathetic _versus_ rational
+    two principal branches of
+    quotations in
+    uselessness of taking the mysteries of Christian religion for
+    subjects for
+    not to perplex with doubts in
+    one of the disadvantages it labours under
+    its great neglect
+    its neglect attended by the misbehaviour of worshippers
+    objections against, and the unreasonableness of these
+    causes for the neglect and scorn of
+    neglect of, due to ignorance of religious principles
+    neglect of, due to an evil conscience
+    neglect of, due to the heart being set upon worldly things,
+    neglect of, due to the habit of decrying religion,
+    neglect of, remedies against,
+    good preaching, not so essential as right dispositions,
+  Predestination,
+  Preferment, qualifications necessary for,
+    given for zeal and not capacity,
+  Presbyterianism, possibility of its becoming the National Church,
+    consequences from its establishment as the national religion,
+  Presbyterians,
+    in Ireland, persecuted for their religion,
+    their complaint against persecution,
+    their "Plea of Merit,"
+    "Plea of Merit," discussion as to date of its first edition,
+    differences between, and Independents,
+    against the execution of King Charles I,
+    and King James II.,
+    and the Pretender,
+    their loyalty and religious principles,
+    their plea of merit absurd,
+    their great position in Ireland,
+    their loyalty to King George,
+    will join the army but not the militia,
+    their case to defend the country against the Pretender,
+    must not be reformed,
+    their church government independent of the state,
+    their opinion of Episcopacy,
+  Presbytery,
+  Press, legislation for its limitation,
+    its restraint a badge of popery,
+  Pretender, the, his cause,
+    not supported by the Irish dissenters,
+  Priests, cannot be relied on for anything relating to religion,
+    hired to lead men into mischief,
+  Princes, influence of their bad example,
+    their duties for good,
+    their influence on a nation,
+    should be careful in choosing advisers,
+  Prophets, the, were freethinkers,
+  Proselytism, consequences of,
+    dangerous in a state,
+  Prostitution, condemned by the priests,
+  Protestantism and Catholicism, differences between,
+  Publicans, suggestion for their prosecution if they serve drink to
+              drunken persons,
+  Public spirit, a blessing,
+  Punishment, eternal, doctrine of,
+  Puppet-shows,
+  Puritanism,
+  Puritans, the,
+    destroyers of the Reformation,
+    their attitude to the state in the time of Charles I,
+    their murderous parliament,
+    they corrupted the old virtues of the English nation,
+    how they injured the country,
+
+  Quakers, the,
+  Quarrels, religious,
+  Queen, the, her power for good,
+    her power over the stage,
+  Quotations, value of their sparing use,
+
+  Reason, particular, fallible,
+  Rebellion of 1648,
+    objections against,
+    of 1642,
+    the of 1688
+    contrary to the teaching of Christ
+  "Reconciler, The"
+  Reeves, Rev. Mr., Swift's letters to Dr. King
+  Reformation, its establishment
+    censure of the clergy on its methods
+  "Rehearsal, The"
+  Religion, schemes for the improvement of
+    its negligence by the people
+    suggestion for it being necessary to any preferment
+    should be made fashionable
+    necessity for union in
+    impossible to remove opinions in its fundamentals
+    thoughts on
+    further thoughts on
+    national, legal to change
+    necessary for the well-governing of mankind
+    its denial often the spring of sin
+    to raise difficulties against, not conducive to virtuous living
+    conducive to brotherly love
+  Republics
+  Resolutions, easily broken
+  Restitution, impossible to make, when the injury is to a state
+  Resurrection, doctrine of
+  Revolution, considerations for,
+  Reward, an incentive to good conduct
+  Rich, the, more subject to diseases
+    often have little appetites
+    subjected to worry
+    their wants are more numerous than those of the poor
+    are more prone to melancholy
+    often grow so, by unjust means
+    their only advantage that of the power they possess to be good to
+                others
+  Richards, Col.
+  Richard III.
+  Riches, may be blessings
+    attainment of, does not necessitate the possession of noble
+  qualities  not conducive either to ease of body or quiet of mind
+  Riddell
+  "Rights of the Christian Church," Tindal's book examined
+    its notoriety due to its critics
+  Rome, decline in the spirit of liberty there
+  Rooke, Mr. George, linen-draper and Quaker
+  Rumours, false, the spreading of, a means for injuring a community
+  Rump parliament
+
+  Sacheverell, Dr. Henry
+  Sacrament, the
+    Its mercenary use
+    Presbyterian objection to prostituting the service of
+    our falsification of the
+  Sacrilege
+  Sancroft, Archbishop
+  Satan, his depths
+  St. Patrick's, liberty of, petition of to Swift
+  St. Paul, on obedience
+    on mutual service
+    his opinion of philosophy
+  St. Peter, on obedience
+  Schism, its danger and spiritual evil
+  Schoolmen, the
+  Scotch, the
+    characteristics of
+  Scott, Sir W., his opinion on Swift's tract on Collins
+    his criticism on Swift for writing his tracts against the bishops
+    his criticism on Swift's tracts against the bishops
+    his suggestion on Swift's Test tracts
+  Scriptures, various,
+    Christian
+    various readings in
+    Christian, different opinions about, among Christians themselves
+    the, abounding in expressions setting forth the depravity of man
+  Sects, the reason for their toleration in a state
+    their position in a state
+    the power they should have
+    various
+  Sedition, caution for its prevention
+  Self-knowledge, the want of, common
+    man himself most ignorant in
+    reasons for the ignorance of
+    self-communion conducive to
+    business interferes with the time for
+    fear of discovering vices interferes with
+    inclination often a hindrance to
+    advantages of
+    humility the outcome of
+    a security from flattery
+    its value in time of adversity
+    its charity
+  Self-love not a fault
+  Senates, their disregard of outside proposals
+  Seneca
+  Sermons, the reading of
+  Sermons, Swift's, on Mutual Subjection
+    on the Testimony of Conscience
+    on the Trinity
+    on Brotherly Love
+    on the Difficulty of Knowing One's Self
+    on False Witness
+    on the Wisdom of this World
+    on Doing Good
+    on the Martyrdom of King Charles I
+    on the Poor Man's Contentment
+    on the Wretched Condition of Ireland
+    on Sleeping in Church
+  Servants, Irish, fraud of
+  Service, mutual
+  Sharp, Dr. John, Archbishop of York
+  Shaster, the
+  Sheridan, Dr. T.
+  Shrewsbury, Duke of
+  Sin, original, doctrine of
+  Slang
+  Sleep, often a poor man's privilege
+  Sleeping in church, sermon on
+  Smallridge, Dr.
+  Smoking, habit bad among the youth
+  Society for propagating Free-thinking
+  Socinus, Leelius
+    his teachings on worship
+    the greatest of the heathen philosophers
+    Diogenes' opinion of
+  Solemn league and covenant
+  Solomon,
+    on wisdom
+  Solon, his confession of weakness, against death
+  Somers, Lord
+  South, Dr. Robert
+  Spinke, J.
+  Spinoza, Baruch
+  Stage, the, the necessity for its reformation
+  Stanhope, Dormer, Earl of Chesterfield
+  State, the, ruined by corruption of manners
+  States-General, the
+  Stearne, Dr. John, Bishop of Clogher
+  Steele, Sir R. his opinions of the "Project," in the "Tatler"
+    his opinion of Swift in the "Apology"
+    the "Guardian"
+    "Englishman"
+  Stephen, Leslie, "History of English Thought in Eighteenth Century"
+  Stillingfleet, Edward, Bishop of Worcester
+  Stratford, Earl of
+  Style, faults to be avoided in
+  Suarez, Francis
+  Subjection, mutual, sermon on
+    its practice extinguishes pride
+    its practice contributes to the general happiness
+    brings about contentment
+  Succession, can the people of England alter the
+    instances in Greek and Roman history where it was altered
+  Sunday, the difference between, and weekdays
+  Swan, Captain
+  Sweet singers
+  Swift, his attitude towards the Church of England,
+    his position as a religious thinker
+    his High Church leanings made evident
+    his relation to the Whigs considered
+    as a party man
+    his letter to Pope
+    his championship of the Church of England
+    his sentiments with regard to it
+    no bigot either in religion or politics
+    his friendship with men of both parties
+    "the Importance of the 'Guardian' considered"
+    his letter to Stella on Collins's tract
+    his belief in the dignity of the Church.
+    his disinterested use of the Deanery lands
+    his disinterestedness in his remarks on the bishops
+    his opinion on his office of a clergyman
+    loss of favour with the Whigs for writing his "Letter on the
+  Sacramental    Test"
+    his rencontre with Serjeant Bettesworth
+    his sermons
+    criticisms on
+    reference to his sermon on "Doing Good"
+    controversy with Serjeant Bettesworth
+    his letter to the Earl of Dorset
+    his reply to the address of the inhabitants of the Liberty of St.
+      Patrick's
+    his poem on "Brother Protestants and Fellow Christians"
+    his epigram to Serjeant Kite
+  Swift, Thomas
+  Synesius of Gyrene
+
+  Tackers
+  Talapoins
+  "Tale of a Tub"
+  Taxation, unequal
+  Taylor, Dr., Jeremy
+  Technical language, bad for style
+  Temple, Sir W.
+  Tenison, Dr. Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury
+  Test Act
+    letter on
+    reasons for repealing it combated
+    alteration in religion, if it be repealed
+    the consequences of its repeal on the offices of the Crown
+    likelihood of the success of the agitation for repeal of
+    attitude of the clergy to
+    arguments for its repeal combated
+    Churchman's argument against, combated
+    Swift's tracts against
+    Swift's successful agitation for
+    to be repealed in Ireland first
+    Presbyterians' attitude towards the
+    vindication of
+    attempts made by Dissenters for the repeal of
+    Dissenters. efforts for its repeal
+    address of Dissenters against
+    criticism on the pamphlet on "The Nature and Consequences of the
+         Sacramental Test"
+    queries relating to
+    criticism on the advantages proposed by its repeal
+    to write impartially on, one must be indifferent to particular
+         systems
+    of Christianity
+    consequences of its repeal to the clergy
+    its repeal will remedy the disadvantages the Dissenters lie under
+    reasons offered for its repeal in favour of Catholics
+    King Charles Second's
+    arguments for its repeal affecting Dissenters and Roman Catholics
+    equally ostensible commendation of a criticism on "The Presbyterians
+    Plea of Merit"
+    some few thoughts on
+    ten reasons for repealing it
+  Thales, his dictum for bearing ill-fortune
+  Thermometer, the church
+  Throckmorton, Job
+  Tiberius, his saying about the offences against the gods
+  Tidcomb, Colonel
+  Tillotson, Archbishop
+  Tindal, Dr. Matthew, biographical sketch of
+    considerations as to his fitness for writing on Christianity
+    Swift's criticism on the style of his book
+    his disregard for truth and justice
+    his motives for writing his book
+    his vanity
+    published his book in hopes of being bribed to silence
+    nature and tendency of his work
+    his ridicule of Christianity
+    his work "a twig for sinking libertines to catch at"
+  Tisdal, Dr., his tract on "The Sacramental Test"
+  Tithes
+    their application to the maintenance of monasteries, a scandal
+  Tofts, Mrs. Catherine
+  Toland, John
+  Tom's coffee-house
+  Toricellius Evangelista
+  Tories, their aims
+    their aversion for sects which once destroyed the constitution
+    their veneration for monarchical government
+    and Whigs, their common agreements
+    their differences
+    contrasted
+  Tradesmen, power they have for public weal or woe
+  Trimmers, the
+  Trinity, doctrine of
+    sermon on
+    defence of, by the learned, a mistake
+    our ignorance or incapacity no test of its fallacy
+    its affirmation, opinion, and distinction, a mystery
+    to declare against mystery is to declare against Scripture
+    faith necessary for a belief in
+    probably we could not understand it, if it were explained
+    fallacy of the infidel's arguments against
+  Tutchin, John
+
+  Universities, the want of discipline there
+
+  Valentini
+  Varro, Marcus Terentius
+  Veniti
+  Vicar, condition of a
+  Vicar general
+  Victorious, Fabius Marius
+
+  Wallis, Dr. John
+  Walls, Archdeacon
+  Warreng, Mr., letter from
+  Washington's "Observations on the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the
+         Kings of England
+  Waterford, Swift and the vacancy of its see
+  Wharton, Henry, biographical sketch of,
+    Emmet's character of
+  Whig and Tory contrasted
+    attitude to each other
+    their common agreements
+    their differences
+  Whigs, their want of zeal against Popery
+    definition of
+    their encouragement of intemperate language
+    their Jacobitism
+    their scandalous reflections on the universities
+  Whiston, Dr. W.
+    biographical sketch of
+    his prophecy
+  Whitefriars
+  White's coffee-house
+  Williams, Dr. Daniel
+  Wisdom, sorrow in much
+    heathen, high opinion of
+    bad opinion of
+  Witness, faithful, duty to bear
+    false, how a man may be justly so-called
+    how to defend against
+  Women of the day, their low standard of morality
+  Wood's project, sermon on
+  Woollen manufacture
+  Woolston, Thomas
+  World, the wisdom of the, sermon on
+  Worrall, Rev. John
+  Worship, Plato's maxim on
+    Socrates on
+    the established, any separation from, dangerous to the public peace
+  Wotton, Dr. W.
+
+  "Yahoo's Overthrow, The"
+  York, Duke of, Popish plot against
+
+  Zeal, in politics, dangerous in a state
+    violent, a synonym for pride
+  Zendavesta, the
+  Zeno, makes vice indifferent
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Prose Works of
+Jonathan Swift, D. D., Volume IV: Swift's Writings on Religion and the Church,
+Volume II, by Jonathan Swift
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS JONATHAN SWIFT ***
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