ON MATTERS OP BELIEF* *jg 



proof. Its falutary confequences are fo weighty and 

 difrufive, that a friend of humanity can fcarcely for- 

 bear to grow impatient for it, though the mole -hills 

 which ftand in the way of its realization fhould Hill 

 continue to be regarded as infu/mountable Alps. 



In fa&, I fee but one objection of any confequence, 

 than can be made againrr. the foreg-oins; means for ac- 

 celerating this defirable revolution — which is, ** that 

 <6 thereby the impofrs and tributes of various denomi- 

 " nations will be abolifhed, which the fucceffors of 

 <c Hildebrand (for St. Peter neither had nor coveted 

 4 < filver and gold) have hitherto levied from the blind 

 * e belief, the implicit obedience, and all the other iins 



of the Ultramontanes." But, as by the adoption of 

 this propofal, it is not intended to rob the princes of 

 the church of their legitimate and well-earned tempo- 

 ralities : fo the admini fixator of the ecclefiaftical Hate 

 will always have enough remaining, by a better regu- 

 lated ceconomy, even without any foreign refources,, 

 for fupporting with propriety his exalted dignity, and 

 for keeping the cathedral of St. Peter, with the other 

 iix bafilica at Rome, in thorough repair. 



Unlefs any private and public confpiracies, which, 

 under divers names, qualifications, and pretences, are 

 made againft found reafon, fhould unexpectedly throw 

 us back into the barbaiifm and darknefs of the hilde- 

 brandine times, — it is to be hoped, that the days are 

 approaching, whea the eyes of mankind, and, if it 

 pleafe God, like wife their hands and their feet, will be 

 conrlantly gaining new acceffions of force ; and thus 

 many matters be brought to effect., towards the con- 

 clufion of the xixth century ? which at the conciufion 



of 



