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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, An Account of the Growth of Deism in England,
+by William Stephens
+
+
+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: An Account of the Growth of Deism in England
+
+
+Author: William Stephens
+
+
+
+Release Date: September 3, 2011  [eBook #37302]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH OF DEISM
+IN ENGLAND***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper, and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+AN
+ACCOUNT
+OF THE
+GROWTH
+OF
+DEISM
+IN
+ENGLAND.
+
+
+_LONDON_:
+Printed for the Author, MDCXCVI.
+
+
+
+
+AN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH OF DEISM·
+
+
+_SIR_,
+
+'Tis now three Years since you and I had a serious Discourse concerning
+the rise and progress of _Deism_: which is an Opinion of late Years
+crept into _England_, tho not so widely spread here as in other parts of
+_Europe_. I well remember we were both agreed, that there was no shadow
+of Reason why any one should suspect the _Gospels_ of Forgery, since the
+matter contain'd in them hath not the least favour of any worldly
+Interest, or indirect Design, but all the Lines of them do only center
+in the highest Improvement Humane Nature is capable of. So that in
+conformity every Man may take great comfort in himself, and all Mankind
+live well with one another. Besides, the Preachers of this excellent
+Doctrine had at first all the Discouragements which an irreligious and
+idolatrous Age could give them, (as is confessed by their Enemies)
+insomuch that nothing but their own personal full Conviction of the
+Truths they professed could engage them to Preach 'em; and the
+intrinsick Goodness of the Law of _Christ_, was sufficient to gain mens
+hearts, after _Miracles_ had born down their Prejudices, and gain'd
+their serious Attention. In fine, you and I could see no reason to doubt
+of the Truth of any matter of Fact contain'd in the _Gospels_, which
+relate the miraculous Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of
+_Jesus Christ_; but what would oblige us to deny the truth of all
+History whatsoever. And from these Considerations laid together, we
+concluded that the Doctrine of our Lord _Jesus Christ_ was undoubtedly
+sent to us by God.
+
+This still made it appear more strange to us both, how _DEISM_ (which is
+a denial of all reveal'd Religion) should creep in upon us where the
+_Scriptures_ are made so publick, and where so many Learned Treaties are
+written, which so strongly assert their Authority to be Divine. I
+confess, I was as desirous to know upon what Grounds Men rejected the
+_Gospel_, as you your self were, and therefore I willingly undertook the
+Task you laid on me, _viz._ To collect and put together those Motives
+whereby some had been induced to lay aside all _Revelation_. For which
+Performance I was the fitter, because it doth not require any Learning
+and strength of Wit, but only Observation, and Inquiry, which I might
+easily make, because of the numerous Acquaintance I have contracted in
+Town, where (you know) I spend the Winter, and in the Country, where I
+bestow my Summer Visits. But all I shall do in this matter, is barely to
+give you a Relation of those Prejudices, and (as I think) false
+Reasonings, which have drawn some of my Acquaintance from _Revelation_
+to _DEISM_.
+
+1. Now, first I have observed, that some who pretend themselves
+_Deists_, are Men of loose and sensual Lives; and I make no wonder that
+they dislike the _Christian_ Doctrine of Self-denial, and the severe
+threatnings against wilful Sinners. You may be sure they will not
+alledge this Reason: But having read _Spinosa_ and _Hobbes_, and been
+taught to laugh at the story of _Baalam_'s Ass, and _Sampson_'s Locks;
+they proceed to ridicule the reality of all _Miracle_ and _Revelation_.
+I have conversed with several of this Temper, but could never get any of
+'em serious enough to debate the reality of _Revelation_: But a witty
+Jest and t'other Glass puts an end to all further Consideration. These
+are meer _Sceptics_, and practical _Atheists_, rather than real
+_Deists_.
+
+2. But there are others, who, although they have not a due regard to
+_Revelation_, are Men of Sobriety and Probity, who with great freedom
+have let me into their Thoughts, whereby I can very clearly and fully
+(as I think at least) discern the rise and progress of this their
+Opinion, which is this;
+
+1. In the time of King _Charles_ the First, (which confineth my longest
+acquaintance with Men) 'twas usual for Gentlemen to send their Sons
+abroad into _Italy_, _Spain_, _France_, _Germany_, _&c._ to accomplish
+themselves by Travel. But lest they should be prevail'd upon to change
+their _Religion_, care was taken that their Tutor or Governour, who
+travelled with 'em, should shew them the Idolatry and Superstition of
+the _Roman Religion_; and also let 'em in to see that _Popery_ in all
+its Branches was only a device of the _Priesthood_, to carry on a
+particular Interest of their own; to encrease their Wealth, Honours,
+and Power over the Lay-people; to exalt the Head of their Order above
+all the Crowned Heads in the World, and equal one whole Order of their
+Clergy, _viz._ the Cardinals, to the Princes of _Christendom_. Nay,
+since all People were obliged to make their Confessions to, and receive
+their Absolution from the _Priest_, the meanest of which Order could
+create a God for the People's Worship; 'tis plain, that their Religion
+was calculated for the Profit, Power and Honour of the whole Order of
+the _Priesthood_ in this World, whatsoever advantages they might find by
+it in the other. Now the Young Gentleman being throughly convinced of
+this Holy Cheat, returneth to Old _England_; where he meets with very
+zealous Contests about Religion (as was pretended) between the _Church_
+of _England_, headed by Arch-Bishop _Laud_ on the one part, and the
+_Presbyterian Kirk_ on the other; and having carefully read the Debate
+(as it appeared in the Prints) on both sides, with those very Eyes which
+he had so lately cleared up in _Italy_ or _France_, he could not forbear
+to see that both these _Protestant_ Parties, under the pretence of
+Religion, were only grasping at _Power_, and that the Controversy at
+bottom, was not who's Religion was best, but only what Sect of the
+_Clergy_ should make the best Market of the _meer Lay-men_. And as this
+Young Gentleman had before resolved with himself not to become a
+Property to the _Popish Priesthood_, no longer now will he be such to
+the _Protestant Clergy_ of any Denomination, since both pursue the same
+Ends. He perceiveth that our _Protestant High-Priests_ do all of them
+rival the Sovereign Power; the _Bishop_'s House like that of the _King_,
+must be called his _Palace_, he must still keep up his claim to the
+_Miter_ and _Crosier_, to vie with the _Crown_ and _Scepter_; and as
+the Stile of the King's Courts is _Anno Regni nostri_, i.e. In the Year
+of our Reign: So that of the Bishop's Court is _Anno Consecrationis
+nostrę_, i.e. In the Year of our Consecration; the Year of the King's
+Reign being unknown in the Bishop's Court: The King speaking to the
+People doth usually call 'em his Loving Subjects; the _Bishop_ doth not
+make himself so familiar, but stileth the People of his _Diocese_ barely
+his Subjects, _Jurisdictioni nostrę subditos_: The King is _Inthroned_,
+and the Arch-Bishop _Inthronized_; both derive their Power from a
+_Divine Right_; but the Bishop is the higher Power, because by the
+Principles of Episcopacy he can Excommunicate the King, _i.e._ forbid
+him the very Conversation of his Subjects, and thereby render them
+uncapable to make good their Oath of Allegiance, in yielding their Aid
+and Assistance.
+
+Nor do's he find that the _Presbytery_ claims any inferior Powers; each
+Party alledge _Scriptures_ and _Fathers_ on their side; and for ought I
+can see, (says this Gentleman) they are all in the right. Through an
+excess of Prejudice thus occasion'd, he makes a further step towards
+_Deism_, and Reasons after this manner: 'Tis not impossible (continues
+he) that the ancient _Clergy_ might be possess'd with the same Spirit of
+Pride, which has prevail'd over the modern. If those Writings, which
+they call _Holy Scriptures_ are of their side, as they all say they are,
+I make no doubt but they were of their own inventing; and if _Jesus
+Christ_ their Patron, laid the Foundation of those Powers, which both
+_Popish_ and _Protestant Clergy_ claim to themselves from under him, I
+think the old _Romans_ did him right in punishing him with the death of
+a Slave. After this manner I have heard it said of late, by another of
+the same Constitution, that as the Church of _Rome_ was a modelled
+Faction against all other Christians, so was the Church of _England_, by
+Law Established, against all other Protestants, who were by Law excluded
+from every Office of Profit and Trust; who were made subject to the
+Piques and Malice of every Church-man, and became a constant Revenue to
+Apparitors and Spiritual Catch-poles. And though at present there be a
+_Toleration_ by Law granted, yet 'tis full opposed by the Spirit of the
+Church, as appears by Sermons preached at Visitations, and the constant
+ordinary Discourses of the _Clergy_, in which the Church of _England_ is
+always represented, as at this time, in greater danger than ever it was;
+though I should think the danger had been as great in King _James_'s
+Time: And notwithstanding the Toleration (said he) no Man can enjoy a
+place of Profit or Trust, though he be ever so dutiful a Subject, and
+ever so able or honest a Man, unless he hath a Conscience by Law
+Established: By which Church-device Men are deprived of the Privileges
+of their Country to which they are born, and for the discharge whereof
+they never did in any respect incapacitate themselves; and hereby it
+comes to pass, that the Nation cannot act vigorously in its own defence,
+being debarr'd the Use of one Moiety of it self; and notwithstanding
+this, they have the Confidence to tell us Lay-men, that we ought to love
+our Neighbours as our selves. Now if this be the way of the
+_Christians_, (concluded he) let my Soul be with the _Philosophers_.
+
+2. And this brings to my Thoughts what another _Deist_ said jestingly to
+me, _viz._ That since I was a Christian, 'twas lucky for me that I was
+of the Bishop's Church; for though you were ever so Loyal (said he) to
+the King, yet if you did not pay as dutiful an Allegiance to the
+Bishops, you could not hold the Place you now enjoy; for as certain as
+the _Cross_ is above the _Crown_, so sure a thing is it, that the
+_Bishop_ will be above the _King_; which he undertook would appear to me
+if I looked back to King _Charles_'s Restoration, or King _William_'s
+Revolution. The _Presbyterians_, though they quarrelled with _Charles_
+the First, yet became the loving Subjects of _Charles_ the Second;
+joined with the _Episcopalians_ in assisting him to the Throne, and made
+no scruple of Swearing their Allegiance to him, and owning his
+Supremacy. But after all this, the King was not able to support these
+his Loving Subjects against the Power of the Bishops, who in two Years
+time outed 'em of their Livelihoods, and after that, drove 'em five
+Miles distance from all Market-Towns; and at last the Acts made against
+_Papists_ were extended to them. But since King _William_'s Revolution
+the Case is alter'd; for the _Jacobite Clergy_, though turn'd out of
+their Livings by Law, for refusing Allegiance to the King, yet from the
+Allegiance they bare to the Bishops, they find such Favour from their
+Lordships, that if the Livings they lose are in the Bishops gift, he
+shall present any Friend which the dispossessed _Jacobite_ shall
+recommend; now what can be more by them desired, than to enjoy the
+Profits of their Livings, and put in what Curate they please? And after
+all, that they may enjoy the full Profits of their Livings, and pay
+their Curates another way, these _Jacobites_ may hold their Conventicles
+where they please, nay, Preach publickly and seditiously in an open
+Church near _Cheap-side, London_, without the least offence to the
+Spiritual Power. And is it not plain (said this Gentleman) from all
+this, that on this side the Water as well as on the other, the Clergies
+Zeal for their Communion, Church and Religion, is only meant to support
+their own Party, Dominion and Empire?
+
+3. Now the oldest _Deists_ of my Acquaintance having conceiv'd so great
+a Prejudice against the Christian Faith, from the Behaviour of the
+Clergy, and having levened their Disciples therewith, it has fal'n out
+unhappily, that the late Revolution has by another way also confirmed
+them in this their Prejudice.
+
+For the late happy Revolution, (which came on too soon, and was cut off
+too short) though it was not so highly beneficial to us, as was by some
+expected, was yet of very great Importance. But as there is nothing in
+this World ever so good, but what hath some appending disadvantage; so
+by meer Accident this Revolution, which has saved not only the Church of
+_England_, but (as I hope) the whole Protestant Interest throughout the
+World, has wonderfully encreased Mens Prejudices against the _Clergy_,
+and so by false Consequence (such as Men through Resentment will make)
+against the Truth of Religion it self. The old _Deists_ tell those of
+their Pupils, who never travelled abroad, that there is now no need of
+going over the Water to discover that the name _Church_ signifieth only
+a _Self-interested Party_, and that the _Clergy_ have no Godliness but
+Gain. Have you not (say they) for many Years together heard them Preach
+up the _Divine Right_, and indefeizable Authority of Kings, together
+with _Passive Obedience_, as the chief distinguishing Doctrines whereby
+their Church approved it self _Apostolick_ beyond all other Churches?
+Nay, were not the Doctrines of _Loyalty to the King_, insisted upon
+more than _Faith in Christ_? and yet when their particular Interest
+required it, their Doctrine of _Non-Resistance_ was qualify'd by
+_Non-Assistance_, the whole Stream of Loyalty was turn'd from the King
+to the Church, the indefeizable Right was superseded by a miraculous
+Conquest without Blood, the Oath of Allegiance to the _Divinely Rightful
+King James_ has its force allay'd by another Oath of the same Importance
+made to the _de facto_ King _William_ and Queen _Mary_, and all this is
+Sanctify'd by the name of the Church, _i.e._ their own Party and
+Interest, for the sake whereof it is done. This is indeed keeping to the
+Text--_Rem rem quocunque modo rem_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+And the wretched Defence they make for this their Apostacy (say the
+_Deists_) maketh the matter worse. For notwithstanding King _James_ is,
+as they will have it, Conquer'd; and his Throne, which was declared
+vacant, is legally filled by one who by Act of Parliament is declared
+our Rightful King; yet after all this Dr. S---- will reserve a Right to
+King _James_, though through Success and Settlement he will allow a
+Right also to King _William_. And this Notion the Clergy generally
+adhere to, because thereby they kill two or three Birds with one stone.
+1_st._ They preserve to themselves their ancient Right of giving Titles
+to Sovereignty. For though both King and Parliament have disclaimed and
+damned the Conquest, yet the Clergy still insist upon it. 2_ly._ They
+make fair Weather with King _James_, by keeping his Title alive, and by
+still asserting his Right, open him a Door to recover his Possession
+again. For what honest Christian can oppose a Rightful King in regaining
+the Possession of his Throne, which is kept from him by a Successful
+Usurper? and 3_ly._ They think they have obliged King _William_
+sufficiently by the formality of an Oath, and owning him in his
+Possession. Put all this together and 'twill prove, that
+
+  _When all the Argument is out,
+    'Tis Interest still resolves the doubt._
+
+Thus (cry they) you plainly see, that your Church is nothing but a
+Party, to which whosoever joineth, himself shall find his Account
+thereby, notwithstanding any Error, Heresy, Immorality or Disloyalty to
+the present Government whatsoever; whilst any other who is conformable
+to the _Rubricks_ and _Canons_, whose Learning and Morals are an Honour
+to his Gown, and who is truly dutiful to his Majesty, shall be excluded
+from all those benefits his Profession would entitle him to. Thus the
+bold Asserters of King _James_'s Right enjoy some of the best
+Preferments, and particularly Dr. S---- sits D---- of St. P---- whilst
+honest Mr. _Johnson_ is starving upon Charity.
+
+The Church of _England_ is a meer Party, (say they again) and has a
+Watch-word whereby they know one another, which they can vary upon
+occasion. _Non-Resistance_ was the Word in King _Charles_'s days. For
+though at that time you did conform to every tittle and ceremony,
+injoin'd by Rubrick and Canon, yet if you failed in the Point of
+_Non-Resistance_, you were a _Phanatick_ and _Republican_, a _Rebel_,
+and what not? Now if this Doctrine be contain'd in the Book of Homilies,
+as the _Jacobites_ say, 'tis a Sacred Record of the Unjustice of some of
+those who concurred in the late Revolution. The _Shiboleth_ of the
+Church now is King _William's de facto Title_; And no Conformity to
+Homilies and Rubricks will make you owned by the present Church, if you
+should acknowledge the King to be otherwise said than a meer _de
+facto_. Now (say they) although we grant that Men will submit to the
+Government, upon their own particular Principles, and therefore 'tis
+reasonable that the King should admit the Obedience of his Subjects upon
+what Grounds they please, yet we know no Reason why the Church should
+set up the _de facto_, as the only Principle of Obedience: And when the
+King had better Titles to his Crown, as the Consent of the People in
+Parliament, and his Matrimonial Title with the Queen, yet he must be
+made to pay the greatest price for the weakest and worst of all Titles;
+and give Dr. _S----_ Sixteen Hundred Pounds a Year, for a _Defactoship_
+only.
+
+You see, Sir, that the _Deists_ want not Occasions for their Prejudices,
+how far soever they are from having Reason o' their side. And pray
+resolve me, why must this false Title be set up as 'twere by the King's
+Consent, to worm out the only true one? Why must none be preferr'd to
+Church-Dignities, but such who come in upon this Title only? And those
+who own the King's Right upon the Consent of the People, be still
+labouring under the Church's highest displeasure? and poor _Johnson_, a
+Man against whom no Immorality was ever objected, that is an Object even
+of the _Deists_ Compassion, be left to starve for the Cause? Nay, they
+have gone so far upon the Strength of Dr. _S----_ Convocation-Title, in
+Opposition to that of Parliament, that since the good Queen is dead, and
+the Consent of the People, according to them, null and void; they have
+left the King a bare Possession, without any Title at all.
+
+4. I am acquainted with a Gentleman, who for some Years has not gone to
+Church, having taken offence at those Practices I was now writing upon.
+This Man, you must know, had an extraordinary Veneration for the
+profound Learning (so he thinks much reading and common-placing to be)
+of a certain Eminent Divine, who had a fat Bishoprick bestow'd on him by
+King _William_ and Queen _Mary_. But he to requite their Kindness, when
+a Bill was brought before the Lords, declaring the King and Queen's
+rightful and lawful Title to the Crown, not only opposed and voted
+against it in the House; but when it had passed, he entred his
+Protestation against it in the Journal. Nay (said this Gentleman) if
+King _William_ be only King _de facto_, then the Bishop is _de facto_
+only. Truly Sir, you may believe me, that I was amaz'd at this Relation;
+for (as I then said) though most Men look no further, than only to get
+Mony _de facto_, and do not with much strictness inquire _quo jure_;
+yet 'twas strange that any Man should protest that he had no right to
+that Estate, which he openly continued in Possession of. But I was
+soon answer'd by this his former Admirer, that if that Bishop had
+strengthened his own Title to the Bishoprick from King _J._ I might
+cease my wonder.
+
+I am indeed sorry to hear Stories of this Nature, especially when they
+assure me of the Truth of 'em, and when I see the ill Consequences of
+them. For though nothing be more certain than that the Baseness and
+Falshood of Man can never disprove the Truth of God; yet when Men are
+highly Scandaliz'd, and greatly deceived by those for whom they had
+Esteem, and by whose Authority they in great measure governed
+themselves, they will stretch their Conclusion beyond their Premisses,
+and disown Religion in their Principle, because 'tis disregarded by some
+great Men in their Practice.
+
+But though to strict Reasons, such Arguments for _Deism_ appear
+ridiculous; yet from the Promotion of these _de facto_ Men, I am told,
+hath arisen great disadvantage to the King, and those Subjects, whose
+Principles and Practices have been always faithful to his Majesties
+Interest: Since hereby it is, that it hath always been in the power of
+the open and professed Enemies of the King to oppress his most dutiful
+Subjects. For these _de facto_-men, and the _Jacobites_, were but lately
+the same sort of People, both of the same Principle and Temper. And
+though the _Jacobites_ do now rail at them, for their base Complyances
+(as they term it) with the _P._ of _O_'s Revolution; yet the _de factos_
+are unwilling, for old Acquaintance sake, to pass by their Railing, and
+underhand to shew 'em any kindness: And this they submit to, as being
+Self-conscious, that the _Jacobites_ have a Right to reproach them; so
+that they are willing to appease the anger of their old Friends by their
+best Services. Now the _Jacobites_ having always an innate Hatred to the
+_Whigs_, (as they now stile all those who think themselves obliged to
+own the King for their rightful Sovereign) and being willing to keep up
+their old Master's Right to the Crown, (to which the _Whigs_ are
+irreconcileable Enemies) easily prevail upon these _de factos_ to
+oppress those other sort of Men, which is an Office they are as willing
+to undertake, as the _Jacobites_ can be to put it upon 'em. Thus it
+cometh to pass, that according as an open professed Enemy to the
+Government shall dictate, a Church-man shall strenuously exert that
+Power the King has given him, to discourage and oppress his Dutiful and
+Loyal Subjects. I will only (said a certain Person) make a Supposition,
+to shew you how this may be; suppose the King should bestow a Bishoprick
+upon a _de facto_ Doctor, and this Doctor should there find his old
+Acquaintance Dr. _H._ and being a Stranger in his Diocese, should be
+willing to instruct himself in the Characters of Men from the good D.,
+would it not fall out so, that the Clergy of that Diocese must be used
+well or ill, as the most open and notorious Enemy the Government hath,
+shall design? And was it not possible that the E. of _N._ might oblige
+his old Friends in the same manner? Thus, though King _James_ be at last
+excluded, his Subjects reign in his stead. And whether an _Oath_ of
+_Abjuration_ laid upon the _Jacobites_ Proxy-men, will put an end to
+this Corruption, Time must tell us.
+
+5. But to return to the Reasons, (or Prejudices I may rather call 'em)
+which occasion _Deism_; It hath been observed to me, that where the
+Notion of a Church hath been carried on with the highest Tide, there
+even natural Religion is at the lowest Ebb; as in _Italy_ of old, and
+lately in _France_, where gross Immoralities and Atheism are at the
+greatest height. And though in our Reformation we discarded some
+Idolatrous and Superstitious Doctrines and Practices, which were grown
+scandalous among the People, yet still _Christ_ was made to serve that
+turn, which his Holy Vicar can no longer do, _viz._ Support an Holy
+Order of Men in as haughty Insolences, in as proud, ambitious and
+malicious Designs, as those which King _Henry_ (though a Son of the
+Church) and his Times could not bear. Now in answer to this, I bid these
+_Deists_ only read the _Bible_, and see if the Spirit of that Book be
+not as good as their Thoughts can reach to; or let 'em read the
+Character of the Christian Religion, given by Sir _Matthew Hale_ in the
+first of his Three Letters concerning Religion, where he saith, _It
+teacheth and tutors the Soul to a high Reverence and Veneration of
+Almighty God, a sincere and upright Walking, as in the Presence of the
+invisible all-seeing God. It makes a Man truly love to Honour, to Obey
+him, and therefore careful to know what his Will is: It renders the
+Heart highly thankful to him, both as his Creator, Redeemer and
+Benefactor: It makes a Man entirely to depend upon, to seek to him for
+Guidance and Direction, and Protection, to submit to his Will with all
+Patience, and Resignation of Soul: It gives the Law not only to his
+Words and Actions, but to his very Thoughts and Purposes: It bringeth
+Man to such a Deportment both of External and Internal Sobriety, as may
+be decent in the Presence of God and his holy Angels: It crusheth and
+casts down all Pride and Haughtiness, both in a Man's Heart and
+Carriage, and gives him an humble frame of Soul and Life, both in the
+sight of God and Men: It regulates and governs the Passions of the Mind,
+and brings them into due moderation and frame: It gives a Man a right
+estimate of this present World; and sets the Heart and Hopes above it,
+so that he never loves it more than it deserves. It makes the Wealth and
+Glory of this World, high Places and great Preferments, but of a low and
+little value to him, so that he is neither covetous nor ambitious, nor
+over-sollicitous concerning the advantages of it: It brings a Man to
+that frame, that Righteousness, Justice, Honesty and Fidelity, is as
+'twere part of his Nature; he can sooner dye than commit or purpose that
+which is unjust, dishonest or unworthy a good Man: It makes him value
+the love of God and Peace of Conscience above all the Wealth and Honours
+in the World, and be very vigilant to keep it inviolably: Though he be
+under a due Apprehension of the Love of God, yet it keeps him humble and
+watchful, and free from all Presumption; so that he dares not under a
+vain Confidence of the Indulgence of God, commit or purpose the least
+injury to man: He performs all his Duties to God in Sincerity, Integrity
+and Constancy; and while he lives on Earth, his Conversation, his Hopes,
+his Treasure, and the Flower of his Expectation is in Heaven; and he
+entirely endeavours to walk suitably to such a Hope. In Sum, it restores
+the Image of God unto the Soul in Righteousness and true Holiness._
+
+I prevail'd upon one of my Friends, a _Deist_, to read those three
+Letters, because therein the Substance of the Christian Religion is
+distinguish'd from the Circumstantials and Appendages; for want of which
+distinction being well understood, _Deism_ has arose, as that great Man
+in the fore-cited Letter hath observed. _When Men_ (says he) _see so
+much Religion placed by Professors of Christianity in these things which
+every intelligent Man values but as Forms, or Inventions, or Modes, or
+Artifices, and yet as great weight laid upon them, as great fervour and
+animosity us'd for or against them, as almost for any Points of
+Christian Religion; They are apt presently to censure and throw off all
+Religion, and reckon all of the same make._ Thus that Upright Judge,
+whose three Letters my Friend having read, did well approve of 'em,
+acknowledging, that with great Exactness he had distinguished between
+Religion and Priest-craft: And he added, If you will shew me, Sir, any
+Christian Church where that distinction is observed, I will become a
+Member of it. I recommended the Church of _England_; he presently told
+me that he had read the 39 Articles, and observed that 3 of them were
+wholly design'd to uphold the Power of the Clergy over the People. And
+then he had me only compare the _Design_, which has been, and still is,
+carrying on under the Name of the Church of _England_, with the Design
+of the Christian Religion, as 'tis described by Sir _Matthew Hale_; and
+I should find the one in all its parts a Contradiction to the other.
+'Tis plain (_said he_) the Clergy do not allow of Sir _Matthew_'s
+Notions, nor will they suffer us to take any thing for Religion, that is
+distinguished from their particular Interest. To what end have so many
+Persecutions and Penal Laws been set a foot by the Clergy in
+Christendom? was it to bring Men to any one Point of that full
+Description of Christian Religion, which you cited from Sir _Matthew
+Hale_? or only to bring them to that short Article of their Clergy
+Religion, _i.e._ to submit to their Power? Did not the Honourable Sir
+_R. H._ lately write a Treatise, wherein with great Learning and
+accurate Judgment he distinguished betwixt Religion and Priest-craft?
+and was he not treated for it with a true Priestly Insolence and Malice
+in the Pulpit at _White-hall_, by _A._ one of their Majesties Chaplains,
+and represented as a Scorner and an Atheist, because he scorns to submit
+to any Religion but what is of Christ's Institution? Suppose a Man
+should govern himself by the Law of _Christ_, and go no further, is
+there any Christian Church which would own such an one for a Member? If
+you will be a Son of the Church of _England_ you must hold Kings and
+Bishops to be _jure divino_, the Apostolical Doctrine of _Passive
+Obedience_; you must not be indifferent to their Ceremonies, though
+declar'd but indifferent things; and the Reason is, because you must
+have a profound Respect for the Power of the Bishops, by which these
+Ceremonies were ordain'd: And besides this, you must shew a perfect
+Abhorrence of all who do not submit to the Spiritual Royalties of their
+Diocesan Bishops; for your Churchmanship will not appear by any Mark so
+well, as by the Hatred you bear to all Dissenters, in Conjunction with a
+deep aversion to all the ancient Rights and just Liberties of your
+Native Country. In fine, (_said he_) when your Clergy Preach the Law of
+_Christ_ without turning it to any By-end, or false Interest, you shall
+meet me at Church. You know the Clergy love Precedency of the Laity; Let
+them turn Christians first, and I can follow.
+
+6. I have known some, who have alledged as a Reason why they have
+forsaken the Christian Faith, the impossibility of Believing. Many
+Doctrines (_say these_) are made necessary to Salvation, which 'tis
+impossible to believe, because they are in their nature Absurdities. I
+replied, That these things were _Mysteries_, and so above our
+Understanding. But he asked me to what end could an unintelligible
+Doctrine be revealed? not to instruct, but to puzzle and amuse. What can
+be the effect of an unintelligible _Mystery_ upon our Minds, but only
+Amusement? That which is only above Reason must be above a rational
+Belief, and must I be Saved by an irrational Belief? If a Proposition be
+inconsistent with it self, I cannot but believe it to be false: 'Twas
+once to serve a Turn against the _Papists_ your Church held all
+Doctrines necessary to save Souls, were plainly revealed in Scripture;
+How could you say plainly revealed unless you understood the Revelation?
+Besides, I cannot think that the belief of any unprofitable Doctrines,
+_i.e._ such as admit of no Application to Moral Duties, can be a saving
+Faith so much as in part; nor can I imagine that Faith tends to save a
+Soul, because what we believe is only _True_, (for so the belief of
+_Euclids Elements_ might have a saving Effect upon Souls) but because
+our Belief is _Good_, it has a practical Effect, and tends to make us
+better Men. Besides, you all agree the Belief of your Trinity is
+absolutely necessary to Salvation, and yet widely differ in _what_ we
+must believe concerning it; whether three Minds or Modes, or Properties,
+or internal Relations, or Oeconomies, or Manifestations, or external
+Denominations; or else no more than a Holy Three, or Three Somewhats; or
+otherwise only one of these Three to be God in the highest Sense, and
+each of the other two to be a God without Self-subsistence and
+Independence. I am confident, if I should be perswaded that an
+Explanation of the _Trinity_ were necessary to save my Soul, and see the
+Learned so widely differing and hotly disputing what it is I must
+believe concerning it, I should certainly run mad through despair of
+finding out the Truth: But since these Doctors cannot agree which Party
+of 'em shall captivate my Belief in Obedience to his Faith, I will
+reserve it to be the Hand-maid of Truth; whenever she appears she shall
+command it.
+
+7. I remember one Gentleman objected to the Christian Faith, that it
+made Men insolent, quarrelsom and ill-natur'd. From whence I concluded,
+(as I told him) that he had never read over the _Gospels_; truly he
+could not say that he had read 'em carefully, but yet that in reading
+the History of what had passed in Christendom, he observed that most of
+the Quarrels in which this part of the World had been engaged, arose
+from Contentions among the Christian _Priesthood_. Church-History is
+chiefly a Relation of Church-mens Wrangles, and D. _Cave_ in a late Book
+of his had denominated every Century from some eminent Quarrel which
+arose among the Clergy. But besides this, what was the Holy War, what
+all the holy Massacres and Croisados which filled _Europe_ with Blood,
+but the Inventions of Holy Church? And what is holy Inquisition, but a
+perpetual Series of Murthers carry'd on in barbarous Forms of Law
+against the common Sense of Mankind? Does History account for any
+Barbarities so great as those committed by the Popes? Any Cruelties so
+savage as those of the Holy Inquisition? Any Murthers so solemn, and
+religiously brutal as the Acts of Faith? Any Pragmaticalness so
+insufferable as that of the Jesuits? is not their Humanity extinguished
+by their Christian Religion? such is their Malice that no Man can eat
+Bread where they have to do, unless he submit his Faith to their
+guidance, witness the present _French_ Persecution. Nor can any
+Sovereign Prince keep his Word or Oath, though he had only sworn to
+maintain those Laws by which he Reigns as King, any longer than this
+Spiritual Fatherhood will give him leave, as _Lewis_ XIV. of _France_,
+and _James_ II. of _England_ do witness. Let these Inhumanities be
+considered, as supported and carried on by the name of Catholick Church,
+and (if the Devils believe) you may as decently say Church of _Hell_ as
+Church of _Rome_.
+
+And as Devotion, continu'd our _Deist_, to holy Church is the center
+upon which all things turn on the other side the Water, so is it the
+same thing here. Do not our Priesthood of _England_ make as high
+Pretences to dispose of all Offices and Trusts in the Kingdom, to those
+of their own Faction, as those of _Rome_? Have they not long since got
+their Bill of Exclusion to be passed into a Law, whereby no Man can
+enjoy a Place of Profit or Trust in the State, but whom they qualify at
+their Altars? where Men were capacitated to be Bumbails, keep
+Gaming-houses and sell Ale. What was it but the Insolence of the
+Priesthood that brought about Father _Laud_'s and Father _Peter_'s
+Revolutions? Besides (said he) do you not observe what a keen Edge
+Christian Faith puts upon the ill-nature of Divines, when they are
+disputing about matters of Religion? 'Tis common for Philosophers,
+Lawyers, Physicians, _&c._ to differ about matters which concern their
+Professions, and write one against another: But you will find some
+Temper and Decorum observed in their Writings. But let the Controversy
+be about any Branch of Christian Faith; and then see the _Odium
+Theologorum_, the Malice of Divines in the late Writings of two of your
+Church Doctors against each other; at least this shews that Christian
+Faith doth not improve the Temper of such Men who are of mean Birth, and
+narrow Education. And I cannot but observe, that your _Protestant_
+Malice is under a worse Management than the _Popish_; they only thirst
+for the Blood of Protestants, but you are for sucking one anothers
+Blood; as when for the Service of King _Charles_ the II. (who was Head
+of your Church) and his Popish Brother, the Blood of the best
+Protestants in _England_, (and some of them of your own Church) was to
+be spilt, the Court Blood-suckers, _viz._ Attorney general, and Judges,
+besides Juries and Evidence, were all of 'em chosen Men out of your own
+Church; and the _Posse_ of the Clergy was raised to hold their Heads to
+the Block, by Preaching the Doctrine of _Passive Obedience_.
+
+But in requital, it must be confessed, that your Clergy require the King
+to do their Persecuting Journey-work with the same Insolence as the
+Popish Priesthood use; For must not the Sovereign Monarch of _England_,
+_Scotland_, _France_ and _Ireland_, by his Authority Royal, execute the
+Decrees and Anathema's of the Arch-deacons and Bishops Chancellors, by
+Imprisoning his loyal and useful Subjects, for not conforming to their
+Ceremonies? If a King will submit to this Drudgery, he shall have the
+_vox Cleri_ of his side, and be as great as Noise and fulsom Flattery
+can make him; but in the mean time is really King but of one Moiety of
+his People, whilst the danger which the other half apprehend from the
+Secular Arm directed by Spiritual Power of Necessity, weaneth their
+Hearts from the Government. Thus _Charles_ the II. who for two Years
+after his Return, reigned in the Hearts of all his People, was by the
+Act of Uniformity reduced to be King of the Church-party; and at last,
+whilst the _Popish_ and _Protestant_ Priesthood zealously contended
+whose Property he should be, (like the Truth among Controversial
+Divines) he was lost in the Scuffle.
+
+He instanced in likewise the late King _James_, who (said he) had it in
+his power to be universally beloved and obey'd, beyond any King of
+_England_ this Age has produced. His Right to the Crown was owned by
+all; his Wilfulness had passed upon the Church of _England_ Party for
+Magnanimous Resolution, which struck such an Awe upon them, that they
+were coming to a Temper, and would have consented to a Toleration of
+Protestant Dissenters, and _Roman_ Catholicks too, provided their
+Maintenance might be continued to them. Thus the Heart of all _England_
+had been set upon the King; but the Popish Priesthood would be content
+with nothing less than delivering the whole Nation to Satan, and their
+King must execute the dreadful Anathema, though 'twas manifest that he
+must thereby lessen himself to the size of one of the 7 Kings of _Kent_;
+for he could be Sovereign of no more than the Two hundredth part of the
+People. For King _Charles_ in numbering the People, had found that the
+Proportion between _Papist_ and _Protestant_ was as 1 to 200: whereas
+had his own Priesthood been so favourable to him, as to have excused him
+from executing that Satanical Power, which by a Right purely Divine was
+vested in Sacred Majesty, his Reign might have been happy, and his
+Memory precious. What an unhappy Effect had the Spirit of Father _Laud_
+upon King _Charles_ the First? And what hath brought _Lewis_ the XIV. to
+the present Diminution of his Glory, but that haughty Insolence and
+unnatural Cruelty in Persecuting his own Subjects, which Father _la
+Chaise_ has inspired him with? What Figure will this Grand Monarch make
+in Story? His Name will pollute the Annals of this Age, and his cowardly
+Conquests be the Scorn of Posterity. Now from all that he had said, he
+concluded, that for Luck-sake, as well as to preserve his good Nature,
+he would be cautious of being (at least) a zealous Christian.
+
+8. 'Twas not long since I met one of my old Acquaintance, who told me
+that he had lately cast off these Prejudices he had conceived against
+the Christian Faith, by the Assistance of a Book called, _The Five
+Letters of Inspiration._ By the last of those Letters he was convinced
+of the reality of reveal'd Religion, from the Intrinsick value and
+Excellency thereof; and he was fully confirmed in his Judgment by a late
+Book called, _The Reasonableness of Christianity, as delivered in the
+Scripture_. Upon this, he had read over the _Old-Testament_ once, and
+the _New_ several times, with great attention of Mind. Indeed he always
+thought the Moral part of the _Bible_ very good; but then he also
+thought, that by the strength of his own Reason, he could have written
+as good a Moral himself. But by the last of these Books he was
+convinced, that he was indebted to _Revelation_ more than he thought of,
+and considering how long the Ceremonial Law had obtain'd among the
+_Jews_, and what a profound respect they paid to the Scribes, Pharisees,
+and Spiritual Guides and Rulers; he plainly saw that there was need
+enough of Miracle to bear down their Prejudices, to make 'em leave their
+Ceremonies, and listen to that excellent Moral which Christ gave 'em;
+nay, he was convinced that no Miracles were strong enough to prevail
+over the Priest, or a Priest-ridden People, to become Proselytes to the
+Doctrine of universal Love and Charity; for (said he) if a Teacher
+should now be sent from Heaven with this Message, that all the
+Protestant Parties in _England_ should be reconciled and live well with
+one another, making nothing necessary to their religious Communion, but
+what Christ had appointed, and such Circumstances as Time and Place, and
+what in the nature of the thing was needful, and if this Teacher's
+Mission were confirm'd by Miracle, it would have (as he thought) no
+better effect upon our several Sects of Clergy, and those who are
+bigotted to their Parties, than it had upon the _Pharisees_ and their
+Disciples of old.
+
+Having heard him speak so sharply against the Clergy after his old way,
+I could not but tell him that I perceived he was but almost a
+Christian; for he who loveth the Institution of Christ, cannot but
+respect those who are the Ministers thereof; at least, I hoped that he
+would pay a respect to the Clergy of the Church of _England_, which was
+the best Reformed Church in the World; and therefore I expected that he
+was already a Member of our Church: He reply'd, that he should always be
+ready to pay his respect to every good Man of what Order or Degree
+soever; he should always be willing to hear a good Minister Preach the
+Gospel of Jesus Christ to him, and exhort him to the sincere Practice of
+it. That he was ready to contribute his share to the Maintenance of such
+Ministers, and to join with that Church-of-_England_ Congregation near
+to which he liv'd, in publick Worship; but yet he could not condemn the
+Worship of other Congregations, nor exclude himself from joyning with
+them as occasion should serve him. So that as to Church-membership he
+could be a Member of any Church, which would own him upon the terms of
+Faith and Practice, contained in the Book he mentioned, concerning the
+Reasonableness of the _Christian Religion_, &c. But still he conceiv'd,
+that Church-Communion in holy Offices was designed only to raise his
+Devotion towards God, not towards the Clergy, which made him admire the
+unparallell'd Impudence of the _Roman_ Priesthood, who measure the
+Religion of all Christians by their Devotion to the See of _Rome_, i.e.
+indeed to themselves; and he doubted whether any Church were
+sufficiently Reformed from Popery, which made any Doctrines of Faith
+necessary to Salvation that were not declared so in the Gospels, and
+where the Clergy would always distinguish between Church and State, and
+give the Precedency to themselves. But yet he would join with any Church
+as far as it promoted the Honour of God, and separate from it, wherein
+on pretence of Religion, he saw, that it aimed at a By-end of its own.
+
+Here I urged him again to joyn to our Church, which had no other design
+but God's Glory. To this he said, that he should be glad that the Church
+of _England_ would own him, though he could not be of their Party: He
+would willingly pass as a Church-man for his Credit-sake; for (said he)
+though a Man doth ever so firmly believe Jesus Christ to be the Messiah
+whom God had of old promised, and in due time sent to give us a perfect
+Rule of Life, in order to make us truly religious here, and ever happy
+hereafter; and though a Man should shew forth his Faith by an agreeable
+course of Life, in doing Justice, loving Mercy, and an humble walking
+with God; yet if he were not owned as a Member of some Church, he would
+by all Churches be accounted, if not an Atheist, yet a Sceptic, a Man of
+no settled Principle, but own who has his Religion to choose. For if you
+look over the State of Religion as it standeth in Christendom, there is
+no Church whatsoever which will accept you as a Member of its Communion,
+but upon some particular terms of Belief, or Practice, which Christ
+never appointed, and it may be such as an honest and a wise Christian
+cannot consent to. I am not more able to give up my Reason to the Church
+of _England_, than to give up my Senses to the Church of _Rome_; it
+looks like a Trick in all Churches to take away the use of Mens Reason,
+that they may render us Vassals and Slaves to all their Dictates and
+Commands. But what greater slavery than to force on Men a Belief of such
+things as necessary to Salvation, of which 'tis not possible to form any
+Idea? Though I am satisfied there is no such thing as a change of Bread
+into the Flesh of Christ, yet I can form an Idea, that such a thing may
+be, that the same Power which changed Earth into a Man, may change Bread
+into Flesh: But I can frame to my self no Idea of what your Church
+Teacheth in the Sacrament, that the Body and Blood of Christ are
+_verily and indeed taken and received of the faithful_: And when I ask
+how can this be understood by a Protestant, who believeth that there is
+no other Body but that of Bread? I am told that the Church meaneth it in
+a Spiritual Sense. Now I have try'd, and find it impossible for me to
+form to my self an Idea of a Body verily and indeed in a Spiritual
+Sense.
+
+And therefore I must say 'tis an unwise and a hard Thing for any Church
+to impose absurd or unintelligible Notions (especially such
+Speculations, which tend to make no body the better) as necessary to
+Salvation; for Wise Men, and such who will take Courage to examine what
+they Believe, will not submit to such an Usurpation; and weak Men are
+kept all their Life long in Fears and Doubts of their Eternal State, as
+being always uncertain whether they firmly believe such Doctrines, or
+no.
+
+Besides this (said he) your Church will require me to believe other
+Absurdities as bad as these, as that Kings and Bishops have a Divine
+Right to that Power, which they exercise over us, whereas with my own
+Eyes I saw our Great and Gracious King accept the Crown of _England_, as
+the Gift of the People. And I see as plainly, that Bishops are an Order
+of Men of their own (not of Christ's) making. I was told that our
+Bishops Order was founded in that of the 12 Apostles, and the Presbyters
+Order in the 70 Disciples: Upon this I resolved to see if the 12 and the
+70 were different Orders, or no, and read over the 10th Chap. of
+_Matthew_, the 3d and 6th of _Mark_, and the 9th of _Luke_, in which
+places the Power which Christ gave to the 12 is set forth, which
+amounteth to this, _viz._ a Charge to Preach the Gospel, a Power to work
+Miracles in casting out Devils, healing the Sick, _&c._ And I also read
+in the 10th Chapter of _Luke_, that the 70 were sent forth for the same
+Reason, and with the same express Power as were the 12, _viz._ To preach
+the Gospel, heal the Sick, and cast out Devils, _vers._ 2.9.17. And he
+telleth the 70 at the 16th Verse, _That he who heareth them, heareth
+him; and he who despiseth them, despiseth him_, as he had said to the
+12, in _Matthew_ 10.40. Indeed they were only added to the number of the
+12, _Because_ (as 'tis said there) _the Harvest was great, and the
+Labourers few_, i.e. because Multitudes followed Christ, and were
+disposed to become Christians, therefore he encreased the number of his
+Apostles, or Teaching Disciples. I can find no Footsteps of any
+Jurisdiction given to the 12 over the 70, or indeed over any body else;
+and in the 18th Chapter of _Matthew_, where Christ speaketh of binding
+and loosing, 'tis manifest from the first Verse, that his discourse was
+made to his Disciples. So in the 20th of _John_, the Holy-Ghost and
+Power of remitting and retaining Sins, was given to the Disciples which
+met together after Christ's death, _vers._ 19. in which meeting, there
+might be some of the 70 as well as some of the 12: 'Tis certain the 70
+received the Holy-Ghost, and if Baptism be a Key of Admission into the
+Church, they had it: If binding or loosing be declaring wherein we are
+bound in duty, and wherein we may use our liberty; if remitting and
+retaining Sins be declaring what Iniquity God will forgive, and what he
+will not; the 70 shared this Power with the 12. As for delivering up to
+Satan, and inflicting Diseases; since 'twas a miraculous Power, which we
+read not that Christ appropriated to the 12, we have no reason to think
+'twas detained from the 70. If then Christ appointed but one Order,
+_viz._ that of Teachers, the Order of Rulers dignified themselves above,
+and distinguished themselves from their Brethren, yet I am willing to
+submit to those Powers, which the Laws of _England_ have given to the
+Bishops, though what they claim by Divine Right, I esteem as an
+Usurpation.
+
+Moreover (says he) although I am become a Christian, I have not ceased
+to be an _English-man_, and for that reason cannot be in party with the
+Bishops, who by their false-prerogative Doctrines, and other shameful
+Assistances, so lately betray'd the Charters and Liberties, Rights and
+Privileges of their Country, were setting up an absolute irresistible
+Power in K. _Charles_ II. which being demised to K. _James_, endangered
+not only the Liberty and Property, but Body and Soul of the Nation. Nor
+can I so soon forget how their long debates, about admitting the _P._ of
+_Orange_, our Good and Great King, to the Sovereignty, was the occasion
+of spilling so much Protestant Blood in _Ireland_; nor the late
+Protestation of some of the chief of their Party against his Majesties
+Right to the Crown; nor how careful they have been since, that (as it
+now falls out) he should have no pretence to any rightful Title. If any
+Clergy-man was so honest as to Preach up his Right, as justly grounded
+on the Consent of the People, (as Mr. _Johnson_ for instance) he must
+lie under pain of the Church's highest displeasure, though otherwise
+ever so Orthodox and Conformable; so that since the beloved Title of
+Conquest is burnt by the Parliament, and the Matrimonial Title is (to
+the great grief of all good Men) dead and buried with the Queen; it
+remaineth according to Holy Church, that he hath no Title at all, but
+only bare Possession; and this they mean when they call him _de facto_.
+
+But I cannot find that they will allow him to be King of the Clergy so
+much as _de facto_. Alas! his Livings, whereby alone he is capable to
+oblige them to call to mind their now forgotten Loyalty, which of late
+years they preached up, as the summ of the Law and the Prophets; Alas!
+these good Things are taken out of his hands by the Conquering Bishops,
+that the Clergy may have a separate Interest from the State on this side
+the Water, and be led to pay an intire Allegiance to the holy Order.
+When _Hen._ VIII. came to know that his Bishops swore Allegiance to the
+_Pope_, he began to think of some ways and means how to make himself
+King of his Clergy, which he saw could not be done but by casting out
+the _Pope_'s Power; and hence sprung that King's Reformation of his
+Politicks, rather than Religion. And if our good King were sensible of
+the Reasons why an _English_ Papacy is settled in a Committee of Six,
+_viz._ to fix the Obedience of the Clergy on themselves exclusively,
+(for no Man can serve two Masters) I doubt not but he would think fit to
+demand what is so much wanted, _viz._ the Allegiance of the Clergy to
+their King; if he dissolves this Committee he may ask and have, for
+where their Treasure is, there their Hearts will be also. For
+these Reasons (said he) I shall be cautious how I enter into
+Church-membership, since I plainly see that every Party of Christians
+embodied, organized, clergy'd and modelled into a National Church,
+casteth an awe upon the Sovereign Power, and suffereth it not to provide
+equally for the Common Good of the Subject; but will appropriate the
+_salus publica_, and influence the Government to serve its own
+particular, its own private Ends.
+
+Thus, Sir, I have given you an account of those Prejudices, which have
+brought forth _Deism_. But yet these very Prejudices without a strong
+assistance of Passion, could never have wrought upon Men to cast off
+Revelation; for you see the same Prejudices remain in the _Deist_ turn'd
+Christian. Whosoever therefore, upon the fore-mentioned Reasons turneth
+_Deist_, cannot be excused, tho' I could heartily wish all these
+Pretences could be taken away from 'em. I am far from begrudging the
+Bishops and Clergy that small Maintenance, which by Law is settled upon
+them; and, I hope, they have no other aim in discharging their Offices,
+but to save our Souls, by imprinting on our Hearts the Reason, the
+Excellency and Advantages of the Law of Christ. I hope also, that they
+comport themselves to the Common Interest of their Native Country, and
+of the Protestant Religion throughout the World. Truly I could wish that
+Notional Divinity were laid aside for Practical; and that unintelligible
+Mysteries were not insisted on, as matters of necessary Belief. He, who
+lately wrote his Thoughts of the Causes and Occasions of Atheism, might
+have consider'd, that he, who cloggeth the Notion of God with
+Absurdities, mis-leadeth Men beyond _Deism_. I pray God give me his
+Grace, by which I may sincerely conform my self to the Law of Christ,
+and I will never concern my self with the Speculative Drs. in Divinity.
+And I heartily join with our Church in that Petition, _Give grace, O
+heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their
+Life and Doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and
+duly Administer thy holy Sacraments_. By this they would bring Souls to
+Heaven, gain the Love of all good People, secure their own Temporal
+Interests, stop the Mouths of their Adversaries, and compel the Deists
+to become Christians.
+
+                                        _I am, Sir,_
+                                              _Your Affectionate_, &c.
+
+_FINIS._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+If your Curiosity should lead you to be an Ear-witness of such
+Discourses I have here Written to you, when I come to Town, which
+will be as soon as the Parliament Sits, I will endeavour to give
+you that Satisfaction.
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