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.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH OF DEISM IN ENGLAND***

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