practices, no miracles could fupport its divine pretensions, at least it could never, proceed from a righteous and good being., You will hence rej &t with fcorn the great, argument urged by priests in fupport of their oppreffive doings, viz. that they have the laws on their fide; which will juftify Popery, the Inquifition, the Baftile, and every tyranny under heaven. You will be amazed, that in such an age as this, an age boafting of light and knowledge, there fhould be fo many abfurd doctrines and fuch iniquitous practices in the established religion: witness the Arbanafian creed, &c. and witnefs the confifcation of men's goods, and the imprisonment of their perfons for non-payment of tythe,, &c. And finally, you will hence plainly fee, that those men are the greatest friends to fociety, and worthy of all fupport and encouragement, who are for ftripping pricfts of all their power: that to vilify

and

and abufe fuch men, is monftrous folly

and a fort of high treafon to the commonwealth; fince the public can have no security for its liberty and happiness, whilft priests are rampant and mighty; and they and their trumpery will flourish eternally, if no man fhall dare to contradict and oppofe them.

Thefe, Sir, are reflections, which a man of your understanding will naturally make on a perufal of the following tracts; which being of great worth and value, on very interefting and important fubjects, are here collected and preferved: and I perfuade myself, that they will have a place in every library, among other defences of liberty and the rights of mankind, against all invaders and oppreffors thereof.

I only add, that it will give me a fingular pleasure to find that this dedication contributes to your firm establishment in

the

the principles of liberty, and that I am with the most hearty wifhes for your welfare and happiness,

SIR,

Your most obedient,

And bumble fervant,

Richard Baron.

Short view of the Conduct of the English

A Clergy. The author Sir Edmund Thomas,

Baronet.

I

Answer to the Country Parfon's Plea against the Quaker's Tythe Bill. By Lord Hervey. 107 Mr. Stephens's Sermon before the House of Commons, Jan. 30, 1699-1700. 227

The Mystery of King Charles's Martyrdom unriddled, by Dr. Mayhew.

259

The Manner of Confecration of the Bishops in Dublin 1660. By Bishop Taylor. 338

A

SHORT VIEW

OF THE

CONDUCT

OF THE

ENGLISH CLERGY,

So far as relates to

CIVIL AFFAIRS,

FROM THE

CONQUEST to the REVOLUTION.

By Sir EDMUND THOMAS, Baronet, and Member of Parliament.

But tract of time, and long profperity
(That nurfe of vice, this of infolency)
Lulled the fhepherds in fuch fecurity,
That, not content with loyal obeyfance,
Some 'gan to gape at greedy governance,
And match themselves with mighty potentates,
Lovers of lordships, and troublers of flates.

SPENCER.

First printed in the Year 1737.

VOL. II.

B