433 nothing could be more demonftrable, than that an eafy method should be appointed for the recovery of small debts, but feemed to wifh it was a more general relief; and was much difpleased at the fuggeftion that our gentlemen in the commiffion of the peace were too partial to do juftice; or that the clergy had gained fo little efteem among them by their behaviour, as to have occafion to fear that they were préjudiced againft them. BUT, faid Sir Harry, how do our friends the Diffenters conduct themselves fince the affair of the test? Here's the craftsman, he indeed, had avoided declaring himfelf in their favour that are the fools and dupes of minifters, but that they have been fo ill ufed by them, that they muft now open their eyes, and join with him in oppofing their measures, fays he, right or wrong. The Gazeteer, of April 15. bullies them under the name of an expoftulation, and the courtly Mr. Walfingham in the next paper with that title, fooths them with an addrefs. I wonder how they bear this treatment, but particularly, the affertion of fuch notorious falfities, which so many confiderable perfons of their own body are able to contradict. I'LL tell you, Sir, faid I; you know the difTenters follicited this affair as a public benefit, not as a private intereft: if the public would have accepted their fervices in burthenfome offices, they were ready to have discharged Ff them; them; if they are excufed, the trouble and expence is faved. Beneficial offices they neither expected nor defired; as they thought they could ferve the intereft of liberty, they apply'd; as the legislature has rejected their application, they acquiefce; they rejoice much, that fo confiderable a part of it fhewed a friendly difpofition towards them; they approve of the perfons conduct who opposed from principle, they hope that was the cafe of all who did oppose them, and if it was not, they fincerely pity them; and I don't question, but they heartily laugh at, and defpife, the ingenious authors who have bestowed their labour fo idly, to exafperate or footh them, to falfify what they know to be true, and affert what they are able to contradict. I THINK with you, faid Sir Harry, the Diffenters have more reason to rejoice than be difpirited at their prefent fituation. Their views, however they might be mistaken, were certainly the promoting the interest and liberty of their country; and they will never want power to do fo, if they take this opportunity to cultivate union amongst themfelves; and laying by all heat and animofity, have regard rather to things than men: they cannot be fo weak as to believe, that it is a neceffary confequence, that John is an honeft man, becaufe Thomas is a rogue. I fuppofe the Craftsman. might get that way of arguing from two ingenious brothers, each of which would perfuade the town they had got a metal which actually resembled gold, because their brother's was not at all like it. FOR my part, faid I, as far as I have op portunity, I fhall recommend to them calmnefs and unanimity, as the only means of being useful to their country, and fuccessful in their undertakings; and I don't question, but a fit time, a proper time will come to apply to the legislature for whatever shall be juft and reasonable. But at the fame time I must put them in mind, that the warmest gratitude is due to those who defpifed all difcouragements which stood in the way of truth and virtue. "Tis men who fly from power, not those who seek it, whom we may fafely trust. WERE I to write on this occafion, faid Sir Harry, I would put the Diffenters in mind of the parable of the trees defiring a kingthey faid to the vine, Come thou and rule over us; but the vine faid, Shall I leave my wine that makes glad the hearts of gods and men, to come and rule over the trees? And they received the like answer from the olive; but the bramble most readily took on him the office; wherefore, fays the book, Fire fhall come out of the bramble, and confume the cedars which are in Lebanon. As I went home, I found it was much more easy to find the bramble than the vine or olive; but I thought, if such there were, I fhould find them libelled by the wits of the age, and therefore I refolved to Ff 2 look look over all the papers of that kind which I had collected; but to my great regret, I find I want the Daily Courant of the 16th of April, 1735; which, if you can help me to, you will oblige, SIR, Your's, W. Freeman. END of the First Volume. I N INDEX TO THE FIRST VOLUME. A. CTIONS, not Opinions, the Object of All-Fours, the Parfons Game, and how they Altar-piece at Clerkenwell, 233. Animals, a pleafant Inftance of their Curiofity, 263. Athenians, their Love of Liberty, 2. Authority, Human, in Matters of Religion, to be re- B. Bancroft, Archbishop, his Articles relating to Prohibi- Bigots, what their Religion is, 46, 47. Bodies Politick, the Danger of bequeathing Lands to Bucer's Opinion of the Church of Rome, 129. |