MODERN POLICY. 297 



the Scripture as preposterously and imperti- 

 nently, as some pontificians, who, transported 

 with the vehemence of Hildebrandian zeal, 

 think the temporal monarchy of popes suffici- 

 ently Scriptural, from the saying of Christ to 

 Peter.* Far be it from us to entitle the Spirit 

 of God to exorbitant doctrine : it is easy to dis- 

 tinguish the vulture from the dove. The mis- 

 carriages of the clergy have a deeper stain from 

 the sacredness of their function ; as probably he, 

 that invenomed the Eucharist, has the more to 

 answer for his triple crown. 



It is manifest, that we are fallen into the 

 dregs of time ; we live in the rust of the iron 

 age, and must accordingly expect to feelf the 

 dotages of a decrepid world. What is become of 

 truth, sincerity, charity, humility, those antiqui 

 mores, whither are they gone ? Did they attend 

 Astraea into heaven, and have left such degene- 

 rate successors, as cruelty, pride, fraud, envy, 

 oppression, &c. ; such qualities as abundantly 

 justify the worst of heathens, and dishonour the 

 name of Christians ? I think it may safely be 

 affirmed, that if a new EuropcB speculum were 

 sincerely written, it might be contracted into 

 this short summary : 



I know the various humours of our times ; 

 He that is wicked, now inflames his crimes 



* Pasce oves. f Ulthna senescentis mundi deliria. 



