ROME AND HKR CHURCH. 141 



bonds asunder, marching out into open day — the open day of evangelic 

 light, — and all exulting in ' the glorious liberty of the Son of God.' 



" By the way, when we talk with such high approbation of those 

 excellent persons who first set on foot this wondrous work, we do not 

 pretend once to insinuate, that they were guilty of nothing weak, or of 

 nothing wi'ong in their manner of conducting it. Great failings, it hath 

 been observed, are nearly allied to great virtues. When the spirits of men 

 are sharpened by debate, and stimulated by opposition, it is certain that 

 even the wisest and best will betray uncommon keenness, and be hur- 

 ried into miscarriages, which, in a calmer hour and milder mood, they 

 would condemn exceedingly. The danger is exceedingly increased by a 

 particular kind of warm and daring enthusiasm, which fires and rouses 

 them, when engaged in any difficult or important struggle ; and which, 

 whilst it comes in aid of the cooler principles of piety, and the feebler 

 dictates of reason, is insufficient alone to carry them through, and is apt 

 withal at times to abuse them. And where is the man who can answer 

 for himself, that, in a similar conjuncture, he could be sure of escaping the 

 snare ? But to return : 



" I might even proceed to represent to you that distinguished deliverer 

 of immortal name, who, when the fiend of Popery, and his kindred 

 devil, tyranny, were fast regaining their sway in these islands, from 

 whence they had been happily expelled, came with the most distin- 

 guished and heroic zeal, and drove them back again to Rome, their 

 native abode, and chosen seat of empire. 



" And, lastly, I might remind you, how, after a new attempt to 

 recover their dominion, they were baffled by the accession of a family to 

 the British throne, whom Heaven long continue, that hath been always 

 noted for its inviolable attachment to the joint cause of reformation and 

 liberty, — for its invincible abhorrence of all usurpation over the con- 

 sciences and rights of mankind, and for a set of princes equally adorned 

 with bravery, integrity, and true humanity. 



" To whom, my beloved brethren and honoured fathers, — to whom 

 shall we ascribe all these marvellous events, and the unspeakable 

 felicity which, as men, as Christians, and as Britons, we enjoy in con- 

 sequence of them ? I ask, once more, to whom .' You reply with 

 rapture, the rapture of undisserabled gratitude, to the All-Wise, the 

 All-Mighty, and the All-AIerciful. True, indeed, ' if it had not been 

 the Lord who was on our side,' may we of Israel say, — ' if it had not 

 been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, they 

 had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us. 

 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey to their teeth ! Our 

 soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler ; the snare is 

 broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, 

 who made heaven and earth.' Let us indulge the transports which 

 these reflections and these acknowledgments are fitted to inspire ; but 

 yet there is something occurs to damp our joy, though not to diminish 

 our praise. Shall I mention it? — I am sorry to mention it. You 

 may guess, I mean our neglect was misimprovement of our mercies. 

 Such deliverances — such privileges! — Yet such insensibility — such 

 abuse ! I appeal to you, are we not really the most favoured people on 

 earth, and the most ungrateful ? As to the particulars of our ingrati- 



