Should what is called our profperous fituation, be ftill more profperous; Should France have yet new diftreffes to fuffer; these principles will remain the fame. They are, I am perfuaded, the principles of eternal truth and justice: "If these fail; "The pillar'd firmament is rottenness, There are, I know, perfons of a different opinion; and who imagine that the felicity of an individual, and of a nation, depend principally on riches, without enquiring by what means those riches are acquired, or in what manner they are improved. If any person who is rivetted to fuch an opinion, fhould take up this book, I think it but fair to tell him, he may almoft as well lay it down again; as there is little in it to afford him either fatisfaction or conviction. But, as the friend of that man, I cannot help earnestly perfuading him ferioufly to reflect; whether, while his mind is under the influence of fuch a fentiment, he deferves to be called either a BRITON, or a CHRISTIAN; or whether he is not the enemy of Liberty, of Truth, of Virtuc, of Goodness, of GOD HIMSELF! I am fearful that feveral of my fentiments, as well as the manner in which I have expreffed them, may not be agreeable to fome perfons I cordially efteem. I muft, therefore, requeft them not only to read, but to paufe, to reflect with impartiality, before they cenfure. I truft I poffefs a mind open to conviction, and that I fhall efteem the man who will endeavour endeavour, with candour, to convince me of my mistakes, MY FRIEND. Should any one honour me with public notice, I hope, however engaged in the common concerns of life, to be able, as I am fure I fhall be willing, to defend or to give up any thing that I have written. This is nothing more than my duty. When a man prefumes to addrefs the public, and at the fame time declares his determination not to reply to any thing that may be faid to him, fuch a declaration might be confidered as an unpardonable infult, were it not a fort of acknowledgment of the weaknefs of the writer, or of the weakness of his caufe; probably of both. I should be very unhappy, if what I have now faid, fhould be confidered as throwing down the gauntlet, or challenging any one to meet me in the unpleasant, though fometimes unavoidable field of controverfy. I therefore declare, that if any one thinks proper to attack me, it must be upon my own ground. I am not refponfible for the opinions of other writers, who may have taken up their pens in defence of the French Revolution. Should any perfon therefore charge me with being a republican, or an enemy to our EXCELLENT CONSTITUTION: Should he infinuate that my defign is to fap the foundations of religion, or government; or to introduce anarchy and confufion in this kingdom: Should he take up the laft defperate weapons of a defperate caufe, perfonal calumny and abufe; he may rest affured, that fuch conduct will only excite in me the filent emotions of contempt, or rather of pity. pity. My time is too valuable; my difpofition is too placid; and though I cannot boast, yet I hope I have within me too much of the natural dignity, the fterling nobility of human nature, ftill more ennobled by Chriftianity, to permit me to ftoop to take up those despicable weapons which are never reforted to but as the laft refource of vanquished argument; or to engage in the horrid fray of rail- As to the style of this work-But here I would be entirely filent, was I not confcious that every CONTENTS. Wisdom of the National Affembly in framing a new Conftitution -Remarks on the Declaration of Rights-The natural Equality of Mankind-End of focial Diftinétions, and politi- cal Affociations-Right of Sovereignty in the People-Dif- Account of the reprefentative Part of the French Conftitution Legislative Body-Electoral Affemblies-Active Citizens- General Remarks-Excellencies of the French Plan of Repre- fentation pointed out, and contrafted with the Defects of the British-Abfolute neceffity of a Parliamentary Reform in Great Britain urged and enforced from various Confiderations Remarks on the Nature and Defign of Chriftianity-On Civil Eftablishments of Religion-The Right of the National Af fembly to reform the Church of France confidered-The Re fumption of the Ecclefiaftical Poffeffions vindicated on the Principles of Political and Religious Justice-General Re- forms in the French Church-Monaftic Orders fuppreffed urged as necessary in the Church of England-Choice of mi nifters restored to the People-Mode by which the Clergy are provided for-Tithes abolished-Juft Diftribution of the Property appropriated for the Support of the Church-Laws to enforce the Refidence of the Clergy-Terms of Admission into the Church-Fatal Effects of Ecclefiaftical Subfcription in the Church of England enlarged upon-General Prevari- cation of the Clergy-Injuftice and Folly of the Act of Uni formity-Abfolute Neceffity of a reformation enforced from the melancholy State of our Religion and Morals as reprefent- Thoughts on Toleration-Its Progrefs, Establishment, and Ef- fects in France-State of Toleration in England-Hiftoric Sketch of the Temper and Conduct of the Established Church towards Proteftant Diffenters-Remarks on the late unfuc- cessful Attempts to procure the Repeal of the Corporation and Teft Acts, and other Penal Laws-Exhortation to all Sects and Parties cordially to unite in their endeavours for a more General Obfervations on the Proceedings of the National Affem- bly-Remarks on Mr. Burke's Writings-Addrefs to my INTRODUCTORY |