14 
and almost unavoidable, on that occa- 
sion: and the good effect of the pru- 
dence and caution manifested in that in- 
stance is, as it ought to be, most gratefully 
acknowledged even by those persons, 
whose ideas of duty oblige them to main- 
tain that every species of intolerance is 
@ criminal interference in the province of 
God; and that all laws whatever en- 
eroaching on that unalienable right, ought 
to be removed without delay from our 
statute-book; in which at present they 
stand the disgrace of our legislature, and 
in a more eminent degree the reproach of 
our superior churchmen. 
But will it be prudent to dissemble 
with ourselves, and to deny what appears 
evidently true, that more than by all the 
wisdom of Mr. Ponsonby, the genius of 
Mr. Grattan, the comprehensive reason- 
ing of Lord Grenville, and the singula- 
rily virtuous conduct and affecting address 
of Bishop Bathurst, fresh force was added 
to the usual pleas for toleration, by the 
fearful state of Ireland, and the general 
danger of the empire? IJnsuch a stateof 
Jreland and the empire, have we not 
reason to fear ultimate disappointment, 
unless the aid of other and more power- 
‘ful arguments than have yet been insisted 
on, shatl be called in, when we consider 
the great majority of the peers, and the 
still greater majority in the Commons 
House of Parliament, who could bring 
‘themselves to refuse any concession 
whatever to four millions of aggrieved 
fellow-subjects, whose just complaint at 
such acrisis was thus powerlully supported 
by the most signal exertions of eloquence 
and wisdo Would not a peace with 
France, on other accounts the most aux- 
lous wish of every good man, at once an- 
nibilateall hope of obtaining further con- 
cessions of religious freedom, or at least 
remove the hope of coinpletely destroy- 
ing intolerance to an immeasurable dis- 
tance? 
Considering therefore the cause of re- 
ligious liberty to have been much ad- 
vanced by the late debates, but seeing 
reason to fear final disappointment from 
the event ofa peace, and from other con- 
tingencies, which may be foreseen and 
are noteven improbable, ought not the 
friends of religious liberty to seize the fae - 
vourable opportunity now offered by the 
circumstances of the country to extend 
the field of discussion, and to re-inforce 
the arguments which seem calculated 
‘only to obtain, from the prudence or the 
humane feelings of the legislature some 
sinall and partial boon, by representing 
e 
oii, had, 
" 
the grand considegitions of religious duty; 
by which, when clearly stated, every at- 
tempt to bias men in the choice of their 
religion, whether by terror, or by sordid 
motives of emolument, must be con- 
demned?. And as it isthe acknowledged 
duty of all men diligently to examine the 
doctrines of religion, and openly to pro- 
fess what may appear to them to be the 
truth, it surely ought to be considered a 
hopeless and impracticable enterprise to 
which they are invited; neither could 
their conduct be justly construed es en- 
gaging in a mode of argument disrepect- 
ful to our parliament, should they pro- 
ceed still further to state with all becom- 
ing deference that from such premises 
the just consequence is, that it is thelduey 
of the legislature to repeal every law hy 
which the misguided zeal of former ages, 
has infringed that most sacred right to the 
free choice and free profession of reli- 
gion; thisis the ground on which, sooner 
or later, Christian liberty will be restored; 
and on any narrower principles it were 
unreasonable to expect it. And never 
inay the advocates of this imestimable 
right, in this country, hope to find a fitter 
occasion than the present, for entering 
into this most arduous, but necessary, 
controversy ! 
Already a small but truly respectable 
band of persons have declared their ap= 
probation of the proposed attempt, and — 
testified their adherence to the princi- 
ples on which it will be conducted. To 
more, the plan has been communicated; 
and by them it has been very generally 
approved, though they have not yet borne 
that testimony in its favour which has 
been given by others. They who have 
at this early period thus generously stood 
forward with the proposer of this attempt, 
are members of our established chureh ; 
and such is he also himself. Among 
them one exception alone is known; one 
dissenter* only from the church” has 
sizued the paper alluded to, whom for his 
own ereat character, and that of his ve- 
nerable father-in-law+, it was their ho- 
nour to admit among them, And ‘he, 
who now stands before the nation, to in-' 
vite the truly liberal Christians of every 
sect and denomimation to contribute 
their assistance, does it, he trusts, with 
all due deference and respect for the 
opinion of the public: but he does it 
fearlessly, and with perfect satisfaction of 
* The Rev. Dr. Disney. : ®;, 
+ The Rev. Archdeacon Blackburne. — 
# mind, 
. 
~ 
eee. ae ae 
Discussion in favour of Liberty of Conscienee. [Aug. ne ‘ 
