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As a naturally necessary consequence, not vindictive or judicial—but as it was a consideration that ought to have deterred the parent from committing sin, so is it a severe, but wise and gracious designation of providence to make his offspring abhor it; so that tho' the father may have eaten sour grapes, yet (in one sense) the children's teeth need not be set on edge!

See Acts ii. 42. O what a picture of a Christian church! —had the church of Rome preserved this system uncorrupt— there had been no Reformation—had the church of England done it, there had been no dissention—and if the Methodists maintain it, there will be no division.

In the abby at Durham, the Dean and Chapter wear not the similar, but very identical garments that their predecessors (the Popish priests) wore there about 200 years ago— and I think such figures they must make, as are seldom to be met with—unless in those countries, where their profession, as well as practice, is really papistical—what would these gentlemen say, if any of the dissenters were deck'd up in this manner, and have they not a right? Nay, would not those who turn to the Church for hire or reward, put on these upon the very same motive?

The Dissenters.

Whoever would see to the utmost advantage, the controversy (not barely between the Dissenters—for there is no end of their squabbles, but really) between Scripture, common sense, and common decency on the one side—and the Church of England as by law established on the other—debated and decided in the most convincing and masterly manner, let him only read a book, entituled “The Dissenting “Gentlemen's Answer to the rev. Mr. White,” (not long since gone to answer himself for having drawn over his parish from their communion, instead of their sins—in which, it is to be feared, some of them still lived and died.) A book, wrote in so just and correct a spirit, that it deserves to be printed in letters of gold, and worn around the neck of all the clergy in England—nor less does the most ingenious author deserve the best preferment in the church, if either her gratitude would offer it, or his conscience permit him to accept it—but she knows better, and I hope he does too.—I was born, and am like to die in her tottering communion, but I despise her nonsense, and thank God I have once read a book, that no fool can answer, and no honest man will—to this I will readily add— “Neale's Hist. Purit.—Calamy's Hist of ejected Ministers— “Bennet on the Reformation.—An Essay on the Character “of Charles I.—The Life of that memorable man Oliver “Cromwell, written by a Gentlemen of Oxford,—and the “rev. Mr. John Wesley's three Appeals.”

As I know a certain dignified divine did, not long since, even when his own hands were as full as they could hold;— whereby a valuable, and useful man was deprived of his expectation, and in some measure of his right. Pray now, when a wretch acts in this manner, does not it shew the nature of a pig? and ought such a disposition to be indulged in a church established by law?

The capital or metropolis of the county of Kent, (in Latin, Cantium) which I have been told is (with the city, &c. of York) most remarkable for it's dirtiness, as the precincts of it's cathedral for their darkness.—What pity a severe act of parliament does not compel them both to do that, which neither common conveniency, humanity, reputation nor decorum ever did yet, or ever will without it!

An eminent sea-commander, who once saved the British fleet from the barbarous designs of a merciless and inveterate enemy — whom he set at defiance by the dextrous disposition of his sails and rigging — but for which signal piece of service, he was sometime under his discontented country's disgrace. See his own letter dated May 25, off Minorca.— Anno — quo scriptum est.

I almost query who is the greatest criminal, the rev. Mr. T. who threw poor John Little into prison, or those trusty friends of Quakers, who permit him to lie in, as he has done for some years? to the present honour of both parties, and I hope their future happiness and applause. I really think that next to a case in Canterbury, where a poor woman has lain in a common jail, for about sixteen years, (half the time, it seems, at a particular friend's request) for a debt contracted by the industry of the spiritual court — I hardly know one that wears such an aspect of equity and benevolence! but it must be death, I believe, (and not the law,) or private humanity, that must set either of them at liberty.

Nov. I. being All-Saints day, in the year 1755.

This is the phrase that is made use of, when with their lighted torches they singe the faces of such as are fasten'd to the Stake.

See the publick accounts, where thevery King himself bemoans his situation—as being without a house, without attendants, and without bread!

It is highly observable that this river rose to a very remarkable height a few hours before the earthquake; so that had it been but duly attended to, some might have escaped, and others, tho they had perish'd, might nevertheless not have perish'd in their Sin!

Which the Dutch are universally reported to do, by treading publickly on the cross at Japan, in token of their not being Christians but Dutchmen—(a truth as demonstrable as the light)—for which they are most cruelly censured—but I most cordially commend them—since having renounced the gospel of Christ, for the friendship of mammon—I cannot blame them for procuring as much of this world as they can.

For some—not all—time was indeed when Europe trembled at the name of an Englishman, and well it might—but now a single country of what our vast significancy calls Poltrons— begin to mortify and stagger our intrepedity—but a nation that has lost its virtue has in effect lost all.

I believe so conceited a nation as the English are hardly to be found on the face of the earth—but some late occurrences perhaps may contribute to make both the present and the future generation a little less sanguine and somewhat more vigilant and modest.

Tho' I am fully persuaded that the last day of public humiliation was really and effectually such among many in the nation—for whom (I trust) God may in some measure have been intreated for the land—yet I fear the greater part either afflicted not themselves at all, or have since prov'd it but a mockery of God and of their King, by the fresh if not redoubled return to their impieties. I am sure little better can be thought or hop'd of them who had the insolence and impiety both before nay at and after the royal proclamation to advertise in the public news-papers—their infamous assignments for balls, plays, &c. in half the little paultry cities and towns of this kingdom, or who attended them— If this be not to mock God, and despise his threatnings, I should be glad to know what is?—but is it not a doubt among us whether there be any God—or no—or at least any that troubles his head with the transactions of mankind —and who only sits an invisible and unconcern'd spectator of the wheel of that vast machine his necessitated omnipotence has set in motion.