T

P. S.

O avoid the Cenfure of each fnarling

Prieft-ridden Cynic, who talks much of the Church and Religion, yet frequent not the one, or practise the other; I am obliged, in Juftification of myself, and to fatisfy my Friends and Acquaintance, to declare, That I have not any Defign to ftrike at the Priesthood. For I am thoroughly convinced, that there ought to be a Regimen in the Church, and its Government by Bishops is neceffary and scriptural; but yet I will not presume to determine, whether they are fuch by a Divine or Human Inftitution.

Good Clergymen are (to me) like beautiful and strong Pillars in an antique and stately Edifice; but vicious Priefts are the Emblems of corrupted Rafters. As among the Apostles there was one falfe Brother, whom the Papifts acknowledge as the Foundation of the Church, viz. PETER; one Traitor, as Judas; ambitious Perfons, as James and John, who prevailed with Mother to follicit the most honourable Places from Chrift; This to fit on his

Right Hand, That on his Left: So likewife there were fome, who were wholly spiritual, and had no ambitious, no worldly Views before them. And tho' among the Tribe of LEVI, there are Proud, Perfecuting, Covetous, Rebellious» Perjured Priefts; yet there are fome [and oh ! that they were a thousand times more in Number, than what Abraham propofed to God for the Prefervation of Sodom and Gomorrah] who are of an humble and meek Spirit, Religious, Loyal, Charitable Men; Men of Conscience and Moderation.

· But after all, I greatly fear that the crying Evils of the Inferior Clergy will never cease, till a Stop be put to the Ordination of Beardlefs Boys and indigent Souls. Thefe are the Perfons who come before they are called, and creep in at the Window, when they fhould enter at the Door of the Temple. Thefe are they whom Neceffity obliges, or Prejudice perfuades to act contrary to the Laws of God and Man, to hu mour their Patróns, and fupport a Party. Thefe are they of whom the Pfalmift speaks, they are corrupt and become abominable. Happy would it be for this Nation, if the Tares which are now

growing, and those which are already run to Seed, were rooted out!

As I am refolved not to be deluded by Prieftcraft; fo I could wish that every Man would refume his REASON, and not regard any Clergyman, of what Title or Denomination foever, merely because he is a Clergyman; but be guided in this Particular by the Words. of St. Ambrofe, and give a more than ordinary Attention to them. Nihil eft in hoc fæculo excellentius Sacerdotibus, fublimius Epifcopis, Si Nomen congruat A&tioni, & Actio refpondeat Nomini; Si non, Nomen inane, Crimen immane. Ambrof. de Dignitat. Sacerdot.

RE

REMARKS

Upon two late

PRESENTMENTS

OF THE

GRAND-JURY

OF THE

County of MIDDLESEX:

Wherein are fhewn,

The FOLLY and INJUSTICE of Mens perfecuting one another for Difference of Opinion in Matters of RELIGION: And the ill Confequences wherewith that Practice muft affect any STATE in which it is encouraged.

First Printed in the YEAR 1729, under the feigned Name of JOHN WICKLIFFE, as the Author.

+