XV. at his entrance into the church, to be disqualified BOOK * In an admirable tract, published subsequently to this ap- astical regulations, as improvements in knowledge or change In the course of the debate which took place on this petition, it was repeatedly and unre1772. servedly declared by the most respectable of its opponents, that though they could not consent to alter the terms of admission into the established church, the case was very different with respect to the dissenting clergy, who were entitled to the benefits of the act of toleration, only on the hard and absurd condition of subscribing to the articles of the established church, those relative to ecclesiastical discipline only excepted. It is true, indeed, that, at the time the act of toleration passed, the dissenting clergy being, universally, Calvinists, made no difficulty of subscribing to the doctrinal articles of the church of England; but, in the long succession of years which had elapsed since that period, a great proportion of them had embraced sentiments in theology very different from the system of their forefathers. The act of to BOOK ing a stone of our church; as if, on being touched, though ever 1 XV. leration, therefore, was no act of toleration to BOOK them. Others also had adopted a novel refinement in religion, that it was unlawful to subscribe 1772. any human declaration or formulary of faith, however consonant to truth, at the requisition of the civil magistrate, as being a tacit admission of his authority to impose it. This notion, however false or fanciful, as effectually precluded them from the benefits of the toleration as if they had actually rejected every article of the national creed. It is no wonder, therefore, that the dissenting ministers eagerly embraced so favorable and inviting an opportunity of obtaining a redress of this great grievance. 1 On a motion subsequently made by sir Henry Motion for Houghton, and seconded by sir George Savile, enlargemember for the county of York, a man eminent toleration in every species of excellence by which human nature can be adorned or dignified, leave was given to bring in a bill for that purpose. The bill a further ment of the others they would be uninteresting." Since the first appearance of this very able and excellent pamphlet, the case is indeed fatally changed. By the miserable policy of this reign, the CHURCH has been once more converted into a firebrand, which has set the nation in a flame; and ecclesiastical as well as civil reform seems more distant than ever. It is the characteristic of the prevailing system of government, that it precludes not only present improvement, but future prospect. Under its malign and baneful influence, "peace bleeds, and hope expires." act. xv. BOOK itself was received by the house with great approbation, and even applause. Many of those who 1772. contended most strenuously against granting relief to the clergy, distinguished themselves by the ardor with which they supported a claim thus respectfully submitted to the legislature; and so evidently founded on the clearest principles of equity and justice, that it might have appeared previously difficult to conjecture by what sort of arguments it could possibly be opposed. But there is perhaps no cause, however wretched, no position, however absurd and pernicious, in vindication of which the wit of man is not able to devise something specious and plausible. In the present case it was affirmed by the zealous tories and high-churchmen in the house, that a total exemption from subscription would open the door for such an inundation of enthusiasm, absurdity, and extravagance into the Christian church, as would equally deface and deform it-that when this restraint was removed, Arians, Socinians, Deists, and profane scoffers of all denominations, would not hesitate from the pulpit to undermine, ridicule, and attack the principles of the Christian religion, and perhaps even to deny the divinity of its author. They said, that however respectable the dissenters might be represented by the advocates of this bill, the members of the establishment were certainly not less so; and being far XV. more numerous, their interests ought to be taken BOOK into consideration, as claiming the prior and superior regard of the legislature. This, they said, 1772. was an act not so much for the relief as the encouragement of the dissenters, and it had a direct tendency to weaken and destroy the church of England, by the countenance it gave to a republican religion, which had been at all times the sworn foe to monarchy. It was further said, that the act of toleration was intended only for the relief of those who agreed with the church in thirty-five articles and a half, which contained the essentials of her faith; and that those who now apply for relief are a new description of men, not in the contemplation of the framers of the act, and unknown to the law. They asserted, that though, by their refusal to comply with the terms prescribed by the act, they had become obnoxious to punishment, yet that the penal laws existed only in terrorem, and were rarely enforced; that the lenity of the executive power made the proposed relief wholly unnecessary; for it was well known that a great majority of the persons for whom this relief was intended, live in ease and security under this connivance. Why then trouble the legislature with their complaints; or expect the government not merely to excuse but to justify their neglects and omissions, and to autho |