enemies, I felt a momentary glow of triumph for Christianity; it was but momentary: I felt where I was, and what was going on, and grieved at the difference between precept and practice.

Admit the principle of Persecution, and where will it stop? Allow it to Atheism even, and it will advance to Deism, allow it to Deism, and it will advance to heresy; and what is heresy ? There is no medium in principle between the liberty of all, and the tyranny of a particular sect. Christians, you kindle a flame in which yourselves may perish.

Look back to your own founders, your martyrs, your reformers; what you say of Deists was said of them; what you do to Deists, was done to them; they outraged the feelings of the society in which they lived; they were condemned for the defence of the ignorant; they were held blasphemers; they were dragged as criminals to the bar. Are such recollections favourable to your reacting these scenes? What would an Apostle say, risen from the dead, and led into your Courts? Where would he naturally look for his fellow-disciple, on the bench or at the bar? How would he lament that all the sufferings of Christians by persecution, have not taught its professors to sympathize with the persecuted, to abstain from persecution!

I am not addressing Legislators; but you have your share in public opinion; let what influence you have be exerted for the promotion of universal religious liberty. The same principle, as to legislative interference, applies to religion as to trade. A celebrated minister of France consulted some eminent merchants, to know how he could best protect and advance the commerce of the country; their reply is worthy of adoption. It was simply, "Let it

alone."

There is a more excellent way than prosecutions to convert Deists and counteract their efforts. Christians, make your religion more defensible; not in itself, that cannot be, but as exhibited in your opinions and practices. In your absurd creeds, in your rapacious claims, in your unholy alliance with the state, in your bigotry and persecution, in your tenacity of what is untenable, and in your want of practical conformity with the pure morality of Christianity, lies all the strength of Unbelief. That mighty change effected, which must come, when the reign of Antichrist is over, all hostility will be disarmed, and the genuine Gospel, rising from the ruins of corruption, like the fabled Phoenix in renewed youth from the funeral pile, shall spread its wings for a glorious flight, and

urge its resistless course around the globe. The sword then broken, whether drawn for Christianity or against it, more celestial weapons, mighty through God, shall achieve the victory of Truth, and" in the name of Jesus shall every knee bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

GEORGE SMALLFIELD, Printer, Hackney.