crimes this reverend divine ftands accufed of. And fo far I agree with them, that I would not have any of their proceedings, which at all times favoured of violence and injuftice, propofed as a pattern in a reign fo famous for its gentleness and moderation: nor would I have the whigs prevailed on by any practice of the tories, or by any thoughts of retaliation or provocation, or any pretence whatever, to exceed the due bounds of impartial justice; but only to take fuch care as may prevent both church and state from falling under fuch deplorable circumstances, as they were in when high-church rid triumphant,

A

DISCOURSE

Ο Ν

GOVERNMENT

AND

RELIGION,

Calculated for the MERIDIAN of the

THIRTIETH OF JANUARY.

By an INDEPENDENT.

Ye know nothing at all, neither confider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. CAIAPHAS.

SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX ESTO.

The Author unknown.

THE

PREFACE.

TH

HO' this is the place of a preface, what I have to fay, more than the contents that follow, being not the fubject of the day in the title-page, but of the prefent times, I think it may not improperly be called, a Poffcript by way of Preface.

There is now much talk about altering the Common Prayer; no one doubts of the need of doing it, but pur-blind bigots; but how to alter it to please every one, is an unfurmountable difficulty. I own I have read none of the arguments publifhed on this fubject: however I will give my opinion, that if it be at all altered, it ought to be in fuch a manner, as will best please all confcientious and reasonable men, and that in my judgment will be, not to alter the book, but the use of it; not to abolish a syllable or ceremony of it, but let it remain just as it is. Let every parish priest either use the whole, or leave out what part

he

he pleases, or let it all alone, not allewing him to introduce any new ceremonies, for that would be a leading towards popery ; but leave out as many of the old ones as he thinks proper; that he who is to pray for others, may pray in what manner he judges beft, either by that form, or by any other of his own compofing, or by none. So the pricft enjoying liberty of confcience himfelf, will feel the fweetness of it, and be willing that others fhould enjoy the fame felicity. How can any one pray, or teach, according to the best of his judgment, in the fincerity of his confcience, that is denied the liberty of doing. it? Upon the rock of private judgment and liberty of confcience, ftands the reformation. That no ceremonies fhould be impofed on men in religious matters, nor doctrines, but fuch as agree with their reafon and the Bible, is the foundation of proteftancy; and if this was freely permitted, all bigotry in religion, which is the feandal of it, would be done away. Men will: not then perfecuter one another in words, or deeds, about things indifferent, nor esteem them effentials. All good and wife men both clergy and lajty will be pleased, and none difpleafed but superftitious, arbitrary, and unreafonable tempers. And fuch good confequence is as much as

can