Full text of "The works of the Rev. John Witherspoon, D.D., L.L.D., late president of the College at Princeton, New-Jersey : to which is prefixed an account of the author's life, in a sermon occasioned by his death, by the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of New-York"

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9 * ^

X- .

THE

WORKS

OF THE

REF. yOHJV FFITHERSPOOJV, d. d. l. l. d.

LATE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE AT PniNCETON,
NEW-JERSEY.

fO WHICH JS PREFIXKD

fLXi Account of the Author's Life, in a Sermon occafioned
by his Death,

BY THE Rev. Dr. JOHN RODGERS,

OF New-York.

In four volumes. Vol. IV.

SECOI^D EDIfJON, REVISED AND CORRECTED,

PHILADELPHIA :

Printed and Publifhed by William W. Woodward,
N°. 52, South Second Street.

1802.

[Copg Kigfit ©ecureD*]

WILLIAM W. WOODWARD,

. . 52, South' Second^ corner of Chesnut-Street^
Has an extensivje assortment of valuable

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AMONG WHldH ARE,

Dolls, Cts,

ITSIUS' Economy of the Covenant
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Hor^e Solitarffi-^2 vols. -

Brown's Di6lionary of the Bibie-=^2 vols.
Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History — 6 vols.
Edwards on Redemption

Do* on Affe6lions
Morsels Gazetteer—small
Life of Christ, small folio

Doi do* 06iavo — 2 vols*
Death of Christ

Burkitt's Commentary on the New Testa^
ment, folio

Do. dOi do* Quarto

Cook's Voyage-^4 vols* with plates

Do. do. 2 vols* do.
Whitefield^s Life and Sermons
Milot's Ancient History^^ 5vols.
Life of Watts and Doddridge
Discourses on the love of God and its in-
fluences on the Passions, by L Watts
Watt*s Logic - . ' -

Do. on the Mind
Boston's Fourfold 8tate
Booth's Reign of Grace
Rise and Progress of Religion
Davis's Sermons — 2 vols.
Dickinson on Five Points

Zimmerman on Solitude - - 1

Death of Abel and Cain - - 62^

Hervey's Meditations - - 1

ISI

874

624

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Revival of Religion — bound
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Village Dialogues, by the celebrated Ro-
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Gospel its on Witness

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Religious Repository— 2 vols.

New Pilgrim - - -

Spalding's Lectures on the Millenium

Beauties of the Spedlator

Addisonian Miscellany

Luther on the Gallatians

Blair's Sermons — 2 vols.

Walker's do. — 2 vols.
Do. do.

Life of Fletcher

Hawies' Commentary on the Bible, 2 vols,
fol. - . . .

Book of Martyrs— 2 vols, plates
Do. do. — 1 do.

Adams' Astronomy

Ferguson's Astronomy

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Art of Singing, by A. Law, half bound
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With a very extensive and valuable assortment of
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28
12

S^^#=«===^ ' I .fj^

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Introductory Lecture on Divinity, 9

Letters on Education, • . 125

Letters on Marriage, - . 161

Address to the inhabitants of Jamaica, and
other West- India Islands, in behalf of the
College of New- Jersey, - - 185

An Essay on Money, as a medium of com-
merce ; with remarks on the advantages
and disadvantages of paper admitted into
general circulation, - - 203

Speech in the Synod of Glasgow, when I was
accused of being the author of the Eccle-
siastical Characteristics, - - 245

An Humble Supplication to such of the No-
bility and Gentry of Scotland as are Elders
of the Church, and members of the Gene-
ral Assembly, ^ - . 267

281
289

CONTENTS*

Speech in the General Assembly, on the

Transportation of Dr. C ^ - S7$

Letter sent to Scotland for the Scots Maga-
zine, .--..*

Ignorance of the British with respect to Ame-
rica, - - - - -

* Reflections on the present State of Public
Affairs, and on the Duty and Interest of
America in this important crisis, - 293

Thoughts on American Liberty, • 297

On the Controversy about Independence, SOI

On condu6ling the American Controversy, 305

Aristides, - - -309

y Part of a Speech in Congress^ on the Con-
ference proposed by Lord Howe, - 317

Speech in Congress, on the Convention with

General Burgoyne, - - - 325

Speech in Congress, on a motion for paying

the Interest of Loan-Office Certificates, 333

Part of a Speech in Congress, on the Finances, 339

Part of a Speech in Congress, upon the Con-
federation, - - - 347

Speech in Congress, on the appointment of

Plenipotentiaries, • . - - 253

On the proposed Market in General Wash-

' ington's Camp, - - 359

Address to General Washington, - 363

CONTENTS.

Memorial and Manifesto of the United States

of North- America, - - • 365

On the Contest between Great-Britain and

America, - - - 375

On the Affairs of the United States, 379

^/Observations on the Improvement of Ameri-
ca, - ^ - 385

; Supplication of J. R * * * ^ * * * ^, 387

». Recantation of Benjamin Towne, - 397

A Description of the State of New-Jersey, 403

A few Refleftions on the Federal City, 413

On the Georgia Constitution, - 421

The Druid, originally published in numbers

periodically, - - « 425

[ 9 ]

^ ccKM loac eoao ooc« ccos coos moo oooo axo ooso oeoo ooao oooo oooo oooo CpOoc cooo cioz crco oooo oxo aoa»
I oooo ocoo ic«o coao cooo eooa oooo ooco ocoo oooc oooo ooo» woo ojoo tooj ooec «»oo cooo coco jooa eooo oooi '

I N T R O D U C T O R Y L E C T U R I

DIVINITY

IT is a very agreeable thing to fee a number of young
perfons determined to apply themfelves to the liudy of
divinity. We muft: charitably hope that they are atluated
by the noblefi: principles; that they are refolved to de-
vote their life and talents to the fervice of Chriil in the
gofpel. He is a good mafter; his fervice is liberty. They
have not any flattering profpe6l of an illuftrious or opu-
lent ftate ; but they may have in that office, the greateft
inward confolation, and very commonly more ferenity and
peace, and as much of the real and defirable enjoyment of
this life, as any clafs of men whatever.

It is altogether agreeable to the defign of this inflltution,
to have young men of piety and ability fitted for the pub-
lic fervices of the churches. This was the very point in
view with the worthy founders of this feminary, fome of
whom are yet alive; and as there was never, perhaps,
any feminary, the fupport of which was more the efFe<?.
of faith and dependance upon God, fo it is to be hoped
that he will honour many of the youih brought up in it,
with employment in his vineyard and fiiccrfs in his fer-
vice.

Vol. IV. B

lo Lectures on Dmnity.

If I may be allowed to fay any thing perfonal, T inc Ii>e
to add> thar it is peculiarly agreeable to me. Nothing
would give nie a higher pleafure, than being inftrumental
in furnifhing the minds and improving the talents of thofe
who may hereafter be the miniflers of the everlafting gof-
pel. The hope of it is, indeed, the chief comfort in my
prefent ilation. Notwithftanding the many encourag-
ing circumflatices that have happened fince my arrival
here, and the evident fmiles of Providence upon the col-
lege, yet I confefs I have often regretted the want of a paf-
toral charge. After having been for twenty three years
conflantly employed in preaching the ^ofpel to a nume-
rous, obedient, and affe£lionate people, to he employed in
a way of life {o confiderably diflferent, mud have created
fome uneafinefs. Jull figure to yourfelves, one that had
been fo long accuAomed to preach to a crouded audience
ol from twelve to fifteen bundr(^d fouls c^/ery day, and all
fubjecl to my private overfight and difcipline ; now to
have fuch a thin and negligent aflenjbly, and moflly cofu-
pofed of thofe who think themfelves under no obligation
to attend, but when they pleafe. In fuch a fituation the
iphere of ufefulnefs feems to be li^reatly narrowed ; but if
i am made inftrumental in fending out faithful labourers
into the harvefl, it will bean ample recOmpence; for as
one of great zeal and difcernment expreffed himfelf to me
in Britain : " You will be greatly mortified to fee the dif-
ference between a fmall country fociety in America, and
a large city congregation in Scotland; but if you be in-
llrumental in fending out mini Hers of the New Tefta-
irtent, it wilt he a ftill more important flation, for every
gownfman is a legion.'*

in this preliminary difcourfe, what 1 chie£ly mean Is
to repeat, and endeavour to bring you to enter into, the
great and leading view which you ought to have in your
iludies, and which I deHre to have flill before my eyes in
teaching. This may be exprefled in one fentence — to
unite together piety and literature — to fliew their relation
to, and their influence one upon another — and to guard
againil any thing that may tend to fep^rate them, and fet
iheui ill oppofition one to another. This is of more con-

Lectures on Dimiity. ix

fequence, and indeed, of more difficulty, than perhaps you
will, as yet, be able to apprehend; — txptrience however,
has taught me to view it in a moll important lig'it. Some
perfons truly, and perhaps eminently pious, trom an in-
ward convidion that religion is better than all the learning
in the world ; and perhaps obfcrvinjr that ill principled
perfons, the more learning they have are the more dan-
gerous to the truth; have come to dclpife learning itl'elf,
as if the natural talent was to blame for the moral depravi-
ty. Of thofe who profefs religion, fome alfo, from a for-
ward zeal, are impatient to begin the minillry before they
are fitted for the charge : fuch perfons are often quite in-
fenfible to the hurt they do to the interelt of religion, and
how much they injure the truths of God, by their manner
of handling them. On the other hand, there are fome,
who promifed very well in early life, but applying with
vigor and fuccefs to their ftudies, became too much en-
amoured with human wifdom, and thought themfelves
fuch great fcholars that they were too proud to be Chriliians.
Intelledlual pride is perhaps as dangerous a diftemper as
any we are liable to I have often thought that great na-
tural abilities, and great acquired knowledge, operate as
a temptation, in a way fimilar to great wealth or external
property — they are apt to intoxicate the mind — to pro-
duce felf fufficiency and contempt of others, and to take
away from that humility which is the greateil beauty, or
if the expreffion be proper, the real glory of a Chriftian. I
would therefore begin, by earneilly befeeching you to keep
clear views of the importance both of piety and literature,
and never fufFer them to be divided. Piety, without lite-
rature, is but little profitable ; and learning, without pie-
ty, is pernicious to others, and, ruinous to the poffeflbr.
Religion is the grand concern to us all, as we are men; —
whatever be our calling and profeffion, the falvation of
our fouls is the one thing needful. It is however, further
and effentially neceflary for a minifter. I do not mean
that it is neceffary to the being of a minifler in the vifi-
ble church, or to the efficacy of the ordinances of the gof*
pel to thofe who receive them. This is, properly fpeak*
ing, a popifli tenet, againlt which there is a qucftion ia

12 Lectures on Dhiniiy.

the Ihorter catechifm exprefsly levelled. " How do the
facrameats become efFedual to falvatlon ? The facraments
(and ii mufl be equally true of every other ordinance) be-
come effc6lual tofalvation, &c." Some weak enthuflafts
liave gone into this millake, and have faidit isas impof-
iible for an unconverted minifter to convert a foul, as for
a dead man to beget a living child. A fimilitude is no ar-
gument at all, properly fpeaking, but only an illullration,
if the thing itfelf be juil. In this cafe it is wholly mifap-
plied, for it is neither the converted nor the unconverted
miniller that converts the foul, but the power ofonmipo-
tent grace, by any means that the God of grace fees pro-
per to employ. But on the other hand, this takes nothing
away from the neceffity of religion in a minifter, when
properly underllood. It is certainly neceifary, in the mofl:
abfolute fenfe, to the faithful difcharge of a miniiler's truft ;
and for the fame reafon, it is of the greatefl: importance to
his fuccefs. True religion feems to give a man that know-
ledge which is proper for a minifter to dire6l and turn in-
to its proper channel, the knowledge he may otherwife ac-
quire. It feems neceflary to make a mini iter adiive and
diligent, upright and impartial, happy and fuccefsful.

On this fubje£t, I mull give you the following parti-
cular advices:

I. Do not content yourfelves barely w^ith found princi-
ples, much lefs turn religion into controverfy, but feek for
invvard vital comfort, to know in whom you have believed,
and endeavour after the greatell ilridlnefs and tendernefs
of practice. When I defire you to look for invvard vital
comfort, I do not mean that you fhould wholly fufpend
your preparations for the miniilry, or immediately lay afide
thoughts of it, becaufe you have not all that clearnefs and
fatisfadion concerning your own (late, that you fhould
both defire and endeavour to attain. There is hardly any
principle fo good, or any fo. clear, but it is v;ithin the
reach of temptations, and capable of being perverted.
Some being deeply convinced that it is a dreadful thing to
preach an unknown Saviour, and not feeing reafon to be
wholly fatisfied with themfelves, have been thrown into
doubts and embarraiTed with fcruples, and have given up

Lectures on Dhlnity, 13

wholly that facred office, to which they feemed both in-»
clined, and called; this feems to be taking a very unhap-
py, and a very blameable courfe. If fuch fears had ex-
cited them to give all diHgence to make their calling and
eledlion fure, they would have been properly improved.
But laying afide the thoughts of the minillry only on this
account, feems to carry in it a fuppofition, that they either
do not intend, or do not hope, ever to be better. It is cer-
tainly to the public a much greater calamity, that there
fliould be a bad minifter, than a bad man of fome other pro-
feffion, but to the perfon himfelf, if he die in an unrenew-
ed ilate, it will bring but little comfort, I would have you
upon this fubjeil to obferve, that real Chriflians have very
different degrees of comfort, and that if we examine the
facred oracles with care and accuracy, we fliall find that
what is termed affiu-ance, is juil the grace of hope in lively
exercife. It is called the affurance of hope, Heb. vi. 2. as
well as elfewhere, and as every real believer has fome de-
gree of hope, which makes him reft and rely on Chrift
alone for falvation as he is offered in the gofpel, fo perhaps
there are not very many who have fuch a degree of Rea-
dy and firm affurance, as to exclude all doubting. I know
there are fome that have taken it up as a principle, and
make affurance, even in this reflex fenfe, the effence of
faith ; but when it comes to experience, except the phra-
feology itfelf, I do not find they differ much from others.

I mentioned to you particularly, ftrictnefs and tender-
nefs of pradlice. This is of the utmoft moment,as the fruit
and evidence of real religion. All principles are valua-
ble, but as they produce practice. But to explain ftricl-
nefs and tendernefs of practice a little, obferve, that the
expreffion of tendernefs, is borrowed from that paffage of
fcripture, found in 2 Kings xxii. 19. 2 Chron. iii. 4. where
cf Jofiah it is laid, ''becaufe thine heart was tender," 8cc. it
figmfies a heart eafily fufceptible of convidlion, and obe-
dient to reproof. When this is applied to the carriaj.^e of
one devoted to the fervice of the miniftry, I think it im-
plies, I. the ilrideft watchfulnefs to difcover fin and duty,
and a difpofition to obey the didates of confcience with
reipeC^ to both. 2, A concern to avoid, not only what is

14 Lectures on Dmnhy,

in itfelf dire£lly and certainly finful, but whatever is but
doubtful according: to the apoflolic dodlrme, *'he that doubt-
eth," &c. 3. A v\ dlin^nels to abftain trom lawful things,
if liable to exception, or likely to be matter ot offence.

II. A lecond advice 1 would give you upon this fubjedl
is, that you fhould remember the iaiportance of the exer-
cifes of piety, and the duties ot the clofet. As there are
no forms of prayer with us, rhe hiibit ot clofet devotion is
neceffary to give a minilter fullneis, propriety, and ferven-
cy in prayer. This for his own itike, alio, he fliould at-
tend to, for it is neceflfary to the prefervation and Im-
provement of the fpiritual life. Pray without ceafing,
fays the apoftle, intitnaiing that the very fpirit and temj^er
of a believer, iliould be that of dependance upon God, and
deriving by fairh from him, every neceffary fupply. In
order to recommend it particularly to you, I would obferve,
that it is peculiarly neceffary to be begun in early life ;
perhaps there are few, if any inffances of perfons coming
to a greater degree of fervour in devotion, or attention to
the duty of it, in advanced years, than they had in youth.
There are many particulars, in which an aged, if a real
Chrillian, v/ill infenfibly improve : he will improve in
meeknefs and humility, in prudence and judgment, in at-
tention to Providence, in purity of principle, in fubmiffion
to the divine will ; but fervour in devotion muff be begun
early, while the paffions are llrong, and continued by the
power of reafon and habit. Perhaps you may think it of
fmall moment, yet fome very judicious and experienced
Chriftians have given it as a rule upon this fubjedl, to be
ftridlly pundlual and regular in point of time, and even
place.

III. Early fix, and ftudy under the influence of thofe
principles, which ihould animate all your future labours,
a concern for the glory of God, and love lor the fouls of
men. If thefe are the principles of itudy, they will keep
you from millaking the way, and havin^i taken early and
deep root, they will bring forth fruit more abundantly in
after life. Living by faith, is extremely proper for culti-
vating thefe principles. Keeping the whole fyflem of re-
vealed truth in view, will ihew its moment i and parties-

Lectures on Bmniiy, 15

iarly v/hat is revealed concerning the eternal condition of
men, cannot fail to fill us with a concern for their wel-
fare.

IV. Be diligent to acquire every neceflary qualified*
tion ; and yet Ihidy Iclf-denial in the ufe of them : this is
one of the mod important, and at the fame time, one of
the mod difficult attainments. It is comparativi^ly eafy
to avoid vain glory, if at the fame time we indulge in floth
and negligence. But to meditate upon thefe things, to
give ourfelves wholly to them, for the glory of God and
the good of fouls, without having it in view to ferve our-
felves, this is real excellence, and here lies the greatefi:
difficulty. Form yourfelves to a true talle and real know-
ledge ; let your capacity want no improvement that it
may be more ufeful, but beware of fludying only to fliine.

v. Laflly, guard againft the temptation that is mod in-
cident to your (late and fituation, particularly, making the
exercifes of piety and the ordinances of the gofpel mat-
ter of fcience and criticifm, rather than the means of edi-
fication. When ftudents begin to learn how things ought
to be done, they are apt at all times to be pv^ffing their
judgment of the manner, inllead of improving the matter
of public indru6lion ; not that it is poffihle to be w^holly
inattentive to this, but let it not carry you fo much away,
as to hinder your teaching others as humble Chridians, as
well as difcourdng to them as able minilters.

LECTURE IT.

LET us now confider learning an an important quali-
fication of a minider. On this fubjedl, after lay-
ing a few things on its moment, I (hall endeavour to
point out to you what branches of dudy it will be your in-
Tered to apply yourfelves to, with greated diligence. As to

l6 Lectures on Dkinity.

the importance of learning, there being no reafon for us
in this age to expert immediate or ibpernatural revela-
tion, the acquiring a proper meafure of knowledge by
Hudy and application, is abfolutely neceflary. No parts
or capacity are fufficient without this ; nay, fuch is the
wife order of Providence, that to improve a talent is to
pofiefs and fecure it — to negled it, is to lofe it. There
is fcarce any thing that a man could once do ever fo well,
but if he lay afide the practice, he will lofe the faculty. It
is lamentable to think what a poor and contemptible figure
fome perfons make in advanced life, who had good ta-
lents from nature, but fuffered them to rud in lloth, or to
be blunted by fenfuality and felf-indulgence. Learning
is necefTary to keep the facred truths we are obliged to

' handle, from contempt. Great weaknefs and infufficiency
expofe the minifiry to contempt, even amongft the mean-
eft of the people ; but it is efpecially a Humbling block
to thofe who are themfelves perfons of literature and tafte.
It is extremely difficult for them to receive and relifli
things delivered in a mean, flovenly manner. Suppofe,
for example, one who is not fo much as fenfible of the
grofleft improprieties of ftile, fpeaking in the hearing of
perfons of rank, or of real knowledge : and as even a
good man is not always wholly free from vanity and affec-
tation— rfuppofe too that the fpeaker fhould fwell his dif-
courfe with high and pompous phrafes, or hard, and out
of the way fcientific terms — only think how great would
be the temptation, to fuch perfons as I have mentioned,
•^ to negledl what is good, from its being mixed with

. what they fo juftly defpife. Learning is alfo neceflary
to repel the attacks of adverfaries. The goi'pel has ne-
ver been without enemies from without, and from with-
in ; and as it is ufually by means of human learning that
they make the attack, it is neceflary that fom.e Ihould be
ready to meet them, and able.to unravel the fubtilty with
which they lie in wait to receive. I have often thought
that there was fomething very admirable in the choice our
Saviour made of his firlt miniilerc, to aflTill us in adjufling
our views upon this fubjedl. for the more immediate

Lectures o?i Dhhniy, t*j

manlfeftation of divine power, when the wife and great in.
the world were united againft his truths, he chofe twelve
illiterate fillermen, which (liould teach us not to over-rate
the wildom of the wife ; and leil in after ages we fliould
be tempted to under- rate it, he chofe one apoftle, able
and learned, aiKi to him he gave the mod lignal fuccefs;
{q tiiat he laboured more abundantly than them all, and
was honoured to be the penman of a very confiderable
part of the code of the New Tcliament.

But let me now proceed to conliJer what branches of
^'cAy it will be your intereft to apply to with the greatefl
diligence ; and if I am able to do this with propriety, I
am perfuaded you v/ill find it of the mod fignai lervice.
A traveller lofes time upon his journey by going out of the
road, as well as by ftanding fliil ; and if his direction is
very wrong, the time is more than loil, for his dillance is
increafed, and his ftrength is exhauded. On this fubjedt
be pleafed to attend to the following remarks. There is
no branch of literature without its ufe. If it were poffible
for a minifter to be acquainted with every branch of fci-
ence, he would be more fit for public ufefulnefs. The un-
derdanding which God hath given us, and every objedl:
that he hath prefented to it, may be improved to his glc-
xy. A truly good man does grow both in holinefs and
ufefulnefs, by every new difcovery that is made to him ;
therefore learning in general is to be edeemed, acquired,
and improved ; and perhaps I may alfo fay, it were there-
fore good if a minider were a perfon of extenfive know-
ledge. But our time and capacity are both limited, and
we cannot do all thr.t we could v/ifli. On the fubje£l of
literature in general, obferve, that reading a few books
well chofe n, and digeding them thoroughly, together with,
the frequent exercife of refledtion, will make a knoudng
and intelligent man : but to make what the world calls a
learned man, or a great feholar, requires a very general
knowledge of authors, books and opinions of all kinds. A
perfon of great dSfcernment may perhaps obferve a dill
nicer didincllon, in the ufe ofepithetsin our own language.
The phrafe '' a man of learning," according to its prefcnt
acceptation in Europe, almod ahvavs fuppofes and in-
Vol. IV. C

1 1 Lectures on Dmiiity.

eludes, tade in the belles lettres. A great fcliolaf, or a
man of erudition, always carries in it the idea of much
reading: the firft always fuppofes genius, the other may
confill with very moderate talents. A pretty large circle
of the fciences is taught in our fchools and colleges; and
though many think it too extenfive, yet fomething of the
principles of the whole may be underftood by a perfon of
capacity and diligence : his knowledge may be true and
juit, though not minute. A man may not be a mathe-
matician or an aftronomer, and yet underftand fomething
of the true fyftem of the univerie. He may underfland
many fciences fo far as to comprehend the reafoning of
thofe more deeply fkilled, who fpeak and write of them,
and fo as to fpeak with politenefs and confiftency within
his own line, in every thing he fays of them. But to
excel in any particular branch of fcience, and to know
every thing upon that branch that may be known, is the
work of a life-time. Grammar, mathematics, aftronomy,
oratory, hiilory, law, phyfic, poetry, painting, ftatuary,
architedlure, mufic ; nay, the fubordinate divifions of
fome of thefe fciences, fuch as, anatomy, botany, chy-
miftry, are all of them fufficient to employ a life, to carry
them to perfection. It is therefore plainly in itfelf impro*
bable, that almofl any man can attain a high degree of
perfection in all, or indeed in many of thefe branches of
iludy. There is even fomething more to be obferved ;
the perfon v»/ho addiCls himfelf to any one of thofe fludies^
fo as to be an adept, or really a complete mailer in it,
cannot be a man of extenfive knowledge ; and it is but
feldom that he can be a man of a liberal or noble turn of
mind, becaufe his time is confumed by the peculiarities,
and his mind narrowed by attending to one particular
art. He is likewife apt to elleem his favourite fludy fo
much as to confine all excellence, and even all capacity,
.to it. A profound botanilt, fmitten with the love of flow-
ers and herbs, if he meets with a man that does not know
one from another, and does not value a ranunculus or
anemone more than a pile of common fpear-grafs,
has a fovereign contempt of fuch an underllanding.
Dean Swift takes notice of a curious expreffion this way^

Lectures on Dhinity, 19

of a dancing-mader, at whofe fchool the famous Harley,
Earl of Oxford, had been in his youth ; when he was
made fecretary of (late, he faid, he wondered what the
Queen could lee in that man^ for he was one of the great-
ell dunces he ever taught.

Hence you may obferve, that all who are devoted to the
particular ftudy of one fmall branch, are generally confi-
dered as pedants ; and indeetl commonly are fuch as are
underftood by that expreilion. Their thoughts have ta-
ken fuch a courfe, and their ideas themfelves taken fuch
a tindiure from their favourite ftudy, that they fee every
thing through that medium, and are apt to introduce the
expreffions belonging to it, upon every fubje<St and occa-
fion. Mr. Addifon in one of his Spectators obferves, that
every man whofe knowledge is confined to one particular
fubjedl is a pedant, as a mere foldier, a mere ador, a
mere merchant, &c. but that the learned pedant, though
generally mod laughed at, is of all others the moll tolera-
ble, becaufe he has generally fomething to communicate
that is worth hearing. But I obferve, that the moft rea-
fonable pedants, and the leaft to be blamed, are thofe
whofe whole hearts are fet upon what is their bufinefs for
life. Therefore, though a fchool mailer can fcarcely fpeak
without citing Virgil or Horace, he is to be indulged ;
and though he may not make the mod diflinguifhed figure
in public or polite life, yet he is ufeful in his generation,
and fit for the difcharge of his truft—r-Therefore, a miniller
that is a mere theologian, well acquainted with the fcrip-
tures, though with few other books, or books upon other
fubjedls, and is mailer of the controverfies that belong to
divinity, properly fo called, is certainly much more to be
pardoned, than one ever fo much fkilled in any other fci-
ence without this. But what fliall we fay of thofe, who
miilake their duty fo very much, as to be chiefly diftin-
guifhed for that which they have leaft to do with. I have
known a phyfician, who was a much greater connoifi^eur
in mufic than in medicine ; and a divine, much more fa-
mous for accounts and calculation, than for preaching.
It is therefore, in my opinion, not any honor to a minif-
ter tQ be very famgus in any branch that is wholly uncou^

20 Leclures 071 Dhinlty.

reeled will J tlieology ; not that knowledge of any thing,
properly fpeaking, is either a difadvantage or ground of
repro?.ch ; but for a man to Ihow a deep knowledge of
fome particular fubjcQ, plainly difcovers that he hath be-
llowed more time and pains upon it, than he had to fpare
from his neceilary duty. It is alfo ufual in all fuch cafes,
that the favourite purfuit infufes fuch a quantity of phra-
fes and alluiions into his laJiguage, as render it llifF and
improper, and fometimes ridiculous.

Agreeably to thefe remarks I obferve, that the affiRant
ftudies to theology, are chiefly the following : i. Lan-
guages. 2. Moral Philofophy. 3. Hiilory, iacred and
profane. 4. Eloquence, including the belles lettres fludy
in general.

I. Languages. Thefe indeed, ufed to he reckoned ef,
fentially neceffary to learning in general, immediately af-
ter the revival of learning in Europe : The Greek and
Latin languages were lludied univerfally, and viwh great
care. Ail authors who expelled their works fhould live
any time, wrote in Latin ; but fmce the cultivation of
the languages of Europe, this has been gradually difcon-
tinned, and except in fome few fcientific writings, have
now wholly ceafed. However, as the remains of the an-
cients are llill the ftandard of tafte, all literary perfons
Ihould make themfelves acquainted with the languages.
It is to be lamented that many fpend a great part of the
time of their education in learning Latin and Greek, and
yet few ever attain them to that perfection, which alone
can make the learning of a language of great moment, lb
that they can read the authors with pleafure and profit,
for the matter which they contain. This might be eafdy
attained by almoft any lludent after his grammar fchool
and other education ; and reading over the claflics v/ith
fome of the bed critics upon them, would be a very im-
proving (tudy. Books of hidory and entertainment alfo,
in Greek and Latin, would have a happy efFedl this way.
The Hebrew language alfo, is very proper and ufeful for
a divine, being the language in which a great part of the
fcriptures were originally written, and not difficult to ac-
quire, becaufe we have but few writings in that language

Lectures on Dmnity. 2t

at all, and the language itfelf is not copious : to thefe I
only add the ftudy of the French language; it is both ufe-
ful and ornamental. There is hardly any fuch thing as a
learned education in Britain, where the French language
is omitted. It was the firll polillied of all the modern
languages of Europe, having been at lead fifty years be-
fore the Englifli in this refpedl ; and though there are fome
branches of writing in which there are Englifh authors
not inferior to any of the French that I am acquainted
with ; yet in general, there is to be found a greater purity,
fnnplicity and precifion, in the FVench authors, than in the
Englifh. But what indeed chiefly difpofes me to recom-
mend the French language to divines is on account of the
found, calviniftic, reformation divinity : there are many
more able and elegant writers in that language, than in
Englilh; there are alfo fome admirable practical treatifes
written by the popiih divines in French, as well as by the
Janfenifts of the Roman catholic communion : Janfenifis
and Molinifts in the church of Rome, are juft the fame as
Caliils and Arminians among proteftants.

II. Moral Philofophy. The connexion of this with
divinity will be eafily feen. It is a very pleafant and
improving lludy in itfelf, or a good handmaid to the chrif-
tian morality ; and the controverfies upon that fubje6l,
which are all modern, (land in immediate connexion with
the deiftical. controverfies, which it is necelTary for a di-
vine to make himfelf mafler of. There are h\v of the an-
cient Vv'riters of much value upon that fubjedl, excepting
Plato among the Greeks, and Cicero among the Latins,
efpecially the latter. The remains of Socrates (to be col-
lecled from the writers of his country, but chiefly from
Xenophon,) the works of Epictetus, Marcus Antoninus,
and Seneca, contain many moral fentiments, but little or
nothing of the principles of morals. I think the moll beau-
tiful moral writer of the ancients, is the author of the
Tablature of Cebes. As to any thing contained in the an-
cients, relative to the truth of Theology, it will be found al-
molluniverfally collected inCudvvorth's inteiledualfyilem.

III. Flifiory, facred and profline. This is a ilndy, ea-
fy, pleafant and pro§;able, and by a peculiar happinefs of

zz Lectures on Dhinhy,

this age, fafhionable. As a clergyman fliould be a man
of liberal knowledge, and fit for the converfation and foci-
ety of men of rank and letters, it is necefTary that he be
well acquainted with hidory ; if he is not, he will be of-
ten ready to betray his ignorance before perfons who
fl:iou]d be much his inferiors in point of lludy : befides
5'ou fee a great part of the facred writings, both of the Old
Teflament and the New, confifls of hiftory ; and few things
are more neceffary to the juft and critical fludy of the
fcriptures than an acqi^aintance with hiftory, with the
original flate and gradual progrefs of human fociety ; it
adds greatly too, to a minifter's knowledge of the human
heart ; in that refpecl it may be faid to be the way to
that knowledge of the world which may be obtained at
leaf! ex pence and with perfed fafety.

IV. Laftly, Eloquence ; that is to fay, compofition and
criticifm, including the whole of what is commonly called
tlie belles lettres ftudy. Nothing is more plain than the
neceffity of this fcience : 'public fpeaking is to be the chief,
or one of the chief parts, of a minifter's bufmefs for life.
I (liall not enlarge on this, having occafion to fpeak on it
at great length in another department, which you have
had, or may have, an opportunity to hear. I fhould have
made more mention of books, but as I have written, at the
particular defire of fome of the laft year's fcholars, a lift of
the principal and moft valuable writers in every branch
of fcience, it will be more complete, for any that defire it,
to have copies of that lift.

LECTURE III,

THE fubjeft on which we are now to enter, is the truth
of the Ghriftian religion. 1 am fenfible that every
good man has a convidlion of the truth of the gofpel from
its power and efficacy upon his own heart, diftind from,
and fupsrior to, all fp^cuUtive re^foning. That deep and

Lectures on Dhinitf, SJ

heart-felt fenfe of the corruption and weaknefs of our na^
tare, and of the power of indwelling fin, which is infepa-
rable from the reality of religion, and the perception of
the admirable fitnefs of redemption by the crofs to abafe
the pride of man, and to exalt the grace of God ; to give
confolation to the fmner, while it changes the heart ; ia
highly fatisfying to a confiderate, if at the fame time, a
ferious perfon ; fo that for his own fake, he would pay
but litde regard to all the fooliili cavils of men of corrupt
minds.: nay, there is fomething more ; the whole fyftem
of the gofpel, as depending upon, and having conflant re-
ference to the crofs, is fo contrary to the tafte of a carnal
mind, and fo far from carrying in it any of the marks of
human wifdom that it is impofTible to fuppofe it a cun*
ningly devifed fable, and therefore we may cordially em-
brace and rely upon it, as the power of God into falva-
tion. One thing more I would fay, by way of introduc-
tion ; that the cullom of fome miniilers, of conftantly en-
tertaining their hearers with a refutation of infidel objec-
tions upon every fubjecSl, rs not much to be commended.
This feems to proceed upon a fuppofition, that a great
part of their audience is inclined to infidelity. There are
times and places when that is proper I admit; but there are
many others in which it is either quite unneceflary, or
even hurtful, as tending to bring people acquainted with
what would perhaps never otherwife have fallen in their
way. It is however certain, that fince in modern times
efpecially, this controverfy has been greatly agitated, and
indeed of late almoll all other controverfies have been drop-
ped on account of it, or lofi in it ; a iludent of divinity
Ihould be well informed upon it. I will therefore endea-
vour to Hate it to you with as much diftindlnefs as I am
able, and as much brevity as its nature will admit. The
fubjedl mull be taken up a little differendy, as we fuppofe
we have to do with different adverfaries — atheifts and the-
ids.

The controverfy with the firft, perhaps it is unneceirary*
to treat with much length, becaule it is not difficult, and
becaufe there are but few that plead the caufe of infidelity
upon this footing, yet fome of the latefl infidel v/riiers.

Z4t J^ec tares on Dhinity^

particularly David Hume, has raift'd fuch objeclions, as
ieem chiefly to point this way. The boundlels fcepticifra
be has endeavoured to introduce, would weaken the be-
lief we have in the Deity, as much as in the goipel ; and
indeed, as- he leldoni attacks particulars, (except in the
cafe of miracles) his enmity feems to be againfl religion
in general, and not againil the gofpel : the fame thing may
be faid of Voltaire, Helvetius, and other foreigners ;
though Voltaire deals very much in particular cavils, and
of the mod filly kind.

In the deidical controverfy, what commonly leads the
way, is the necefiity of revelation in general. This is to
be proved from the Hate of the heathen world, before the
coming of Chrifl:. The chief circumftances to be taken
notice of, are, I. Their grofs ignorance. 2 Their abfurd
notions of God, as of human iliape, with many padions,
and the word of vices. 3. Their impious and Ihocking
rites, particularly human lacrifices. 4. Their polytheifm,
and multiplicity of gods. 5. Their great immorality.
it is to be particularly obferved, that thefe things were
not confined to the barbarous nations, but if there was
any difference, it was rather more eminently the cafe v/ith
thofe who were thought the rnod improved and civilized,
the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The firil: infidel
writers in Europe, were chiefly employed in fliewing the
fufficiency of reafon as a guide to man in his conduct, of
whom Lord Herbert, of Cherburg, was one of the moll
early, and one of the moll eminent. Their way of argu-
ing is very fallacious ; for they avail themfelves of that ve-
ry improvement of reafon, which they owe to revelation,
in order to fliew revelation to be unnecelTary. The fub-
lime and noble conceptions of God, as the father of fpi-
rits, which after they are difcovered, can eafily be fhewn
to be rational, are boafled of as the produ6licns of unbi-
alTed reafon ; but the fair way of deciding the queflion is
to apply to thofe nations that wanted revelation, that is tq
fay; the Jewifli and Chriilian revelation, and there we
fliall fee what reafon, in the courfe of many ages, was able
to do in fa6t. There is likewife more here than is com-
monly attended to ; for there is the greateft probability

Lectures en Dhhiity,

that the fmali meafure of truth which was mixed with the
heathen f-vbles, was not the cHrcovery of reafon, but hand-
ed dawn by traditions. It is well known that the Egyptian
theology, and their literature, whatever it was, W2S kept a
fecret, and was handed down from one to another by their
prieiis, and it is as certain that the eariieft Grecian philo-
ibphers never expected that they could, nor pretended that
they had, difcovered any of their opinions by reafon, but
they travelled to Egypt, and the Eaflern countries, and
brought it home, as information which they had received
from the fa^^fes of thole countries. 'J'his was the cafe of
Thales in particular, and after him of Pythaf^oras. SsT'^e-
ral ingenious writers have endeavoured to fliew that the
heathen mythology contains, in many refpe^ls, a partial
and adulterated view of the fcripture hiftory ; fee on this
iubje6l. Abbe Banier's mythology of the ancients, with
regard to the Greeks and Pwomans, and Abbe Pluche's
hi/lory of the heavens, with resjardto the Egyptians.

But with regard to the neceffity of revelation in general,
what feems particularly decifive is, that by a fair examina-
tion of the matter, and the univerfal confent of all na-
tions, men in a (late of nature are chargeable with guilt.
Whatever may be faid either of original fin, or inherent
pollution, it cannot be denied that there is much moral
evil in the world. So true is this, that the hidory of the
world is little elfe than the hillory of human guilt. They
that would evade this, by faying men are only imperfedt,
do not obferve that they are guilty of fuch crimes as are
flrongly condemned by their own reafon and confcience^
Now, Vv'hether there is any forgivenefs of fin and place
for repentance ; and if at all, upon what terms, can ne-
ver be determined but by an exprefs revelation. This is
implied in the nature of guilt. Guilt is a liablenefs to jufl
punijhment : now, whether God will remit a punifli-
inent which he may inflidt with juitice, muft refl ulti-
mately with himfelf, and no reafoning can decide upon
it. Try it who will, every argument brought in favour of
the remiifion, will militate againft the jufiice of the punifli-
ment. This appears from the very language of perfons
difpofed to fuch fentimenis, for they cannot help faying.

Vol. IV. D

26 LectuYes on Dmnity.

and indeed they have notbinpf elfe to fay, but that it is
probable, for it would be hard to fuppofe that every tranf-
greffion iliould be puniflied with divine vengeance : but
pray let us confider this way of fpeaking ; where is the
hardfliip ? Is juftice hard ? On the contrary, it is glori-
ous and amiable. I confefs it is difficult for us finful crea-
tures to confefs, and ilill more difficult from the heart to
believe, that every fin deferves God's wrath and curfe,
both in this life and that which is to come ; it is however
the necelfary confequence, not of one, but of the whole
fyflem of fcripture truths. There you have in every page,
the higheft encomiums upon the mercy and compafFion oi
God. Thefe are all without meaning, and contrary to
truth, if it would have been the leaft impeachment of the
righteoufnefs of God to have fuffered the penalty to take
place. Pardon, if the word is under ftood, mult be free.
Benignity and goodnefs to the innocent, is a part of the
chara6\er of the Deity in natural religion : but mercy to
the guilty, belongs wholly to revelation. Accordingly,
it is upon this point, that all the heathen religions have
turned. Expiation feems to have been the great purpofe
of all religion, whether true or falfe. " Wherewith ihall
I come before the Lord ?" &c. The neceflity of revela-
tion was acknowledged by many of the heathens in their
writings. Of thefe, the laying of Socrates to Alcibiades
was a remarkable example, that it was reafonable to ex-
pert God would fend one into the world to deliver men
from ignorance and error, and bring them to the know-
ledge of himfelf.

Lectures on Dhiniiy, if

LECTURE IV.
On the Truth of the Christian Religion.

HAVING endeavoured to eftablifh the truth of reve-
lation in general, we come to the truth of the
Chriitian religion in particular. The proofs of this are
fo many, and laid down fo difi^rently, according as the
adverfaries of the truth have fliifted their ground, that it
is impoflible to enumerate them, and indeed not eafy to
clafs them. There is one introductory way of reafoning,
which may be called comparative — to refledt on the infi-
nite difference between the Ghriftian, and all other pre-
tended revelations. If the necelTity of revelation has been
properly and fully eftablifhed, then comparifons between
the feveral pretences to it feem to be juft, and even con-
clufive. Now I think it does not admit of hefitation, that
with refpe^Sl to purity, eonfiftency, fublimity, dignity, and
every excellence which a manifeftation of the true God
muft be fuppofed to have, the Ghriftian religion is fuperi-
or to every other. The heathen fuperftitions have not
now fo much as an advocate. Infidels do not now plead for
Jupiter, Juno, Mars, and Apollo, but for the fufficiency of
human reafon : and indeed, an age or two after the publi-
cation of the gofpel, that whole corrupt fyftem which had
been fupported fo long by ignorance and credulity, fell to
the ground.

PaiTing from this detached and preliminary conride-
ration, the proofs of the Ghriftian religion are very com-
monly divided into evidence internal and external. By
the fir ft of thefe we are to underftand the excellency of the
dodrine, as agreeable to the dilates of reafon and con-
fcience, and having a tendency to produce the happieft
effeds. Under this head alfo comes the charadter of the
founder of the Ghriftian faith, and every thing conneded
with this or the former particular. By the external evi.

^8 JLeciurcs on Dmnhy

dence, v/e are to underdand the miracles wrought in at-
tedation of the truth of the dodlrine ; the nature and fub-
jt6l of thefe miracles, the eredibllity of the witnefles, and
every thinnj uecefTary to fupport this tellimony. It is
difficult however, to colleft the evidence under thole heads,
without often intermixing the one with the other. I have
therefore thought the evidences of the trudi of the Ghrif-
tian religion, might be as well divided in a different way.
Firll, into two heads under the following titles ; i. Col-
lateral, and'2. Dire£] and pofitive proof. And again to
divide the collateral into two parts, and take the one of
them before, and the other aiter the dlrett evidencej under
the titles oi presiimpthe and consequential.

I. Let us confider the prefumptive evidences of the
truth of the Chriftian religion, orthofe circumftances that
recommend it to our efleem and love, and are of the na-
ture of ftrortg probabilities in its favour. Thefe We may,
for order fake, divide into fuch as relate, 1. To the doc-
trine taught. 2. The perfon who is the author and fubject
of it. 3. The circumRances attending its publication,
and other probabilities.

I. Tiie do6lrine taught. When this is confidered in
the way of an argument for its adlual truth, it reds upon
this principle, that every dodlrine that comes from Goci
mud be excellent ; that therefore, if the doclrine did not
appear of itfelf to be excellent, it would be rejetied with-
out further examination, becaufe not worthy of God ; and
on the contrary, that if it appears excellent, amiable, ufer
ful, it is fome prefumption that the claim of a divine ori-
ginal, isjuil. It is a jult refle6\ion on Chrid's dodlrine,
never man fpake like this man, as well as the following,
:po man can do the miracles that thou dod, except Gqd
be with him. Under this great head of excellence, or a
doQrine worthy of God, may be confidered feparately —
J, Its Sublimity. 2. Purity. 3. Eflicacy. 4 Plainnefs.
5. Conddency.

I. Sublimity. The dotftrines contained in fcripture
concerning God, his works, and creatures, and his rela-
tion to them, is what mud neceffarily have the approbation
0f unprejudiced reafon, and indeed is the. moll nobk thai;

Lectures on Dhinity, 29

can be conceived. His fpiritiial nature infinitely remov-
ed from inadlive matter, incapable of groffnefs, and of
fenfual indulgence. The unity of God, fo contrary to
the prevailing fentiments under heathenifh darknefs, yet
how manifefily rational. Strange, indeed, that the whole
world fliould have been in a mi (lake on this fubjedl, and
the Jews, a defpifed nation, in an obfcure corner of Pa-
leftine, fhould alone have difcovered and embraced ih
The immenfity of God filling heaven and earth with his
prefence. His omnipotence in creating all things by his
word. His holinefs, juflice, goodnefs and truth : tothefe
we may add the conRant influence of his providence, as
the Lord of nature, the witnefs and the judge of all. Ve-
ry beautifully the prophet fays, " can any of the vanities
of the Gentiles caufe rain ;" fo the apoftle Paul, *' never-
thelefs he left not himfelf without a witnefs," &.c. The
moral government of God, as taught in fcripture, is ex-
ceedingly rational and fatisfying, reprefenting his great
patience and long-fuffering, to be followed by a time of
ioly and righteous retribution. The mixture of good and
evil that is plainly to be obferved, is by this means clearly
explained, and fully accounted for. On the fublimity of
the fcripture dodlrines, fome are fond of dwelling upon the
majefty of God, and the fublimity of the fcriptures ia
fentiment and language, as well as matter. Upon this
part of the fubjedl, things have beenfaid, and the contro-
verfy taken up, on different footings. We have one ad*
verfary to religion. Lord Shaftfbury, who has been at
much pains to vilify the fcriptures on the fubje(Sl of llile
and cornpofition, and to pretend, that if it were the
work of in fpired writers, it would be evidently, in its
manner, fuperior to every human produdion. In an-
fwer to this pretence, there was a book written, Black,
wall's Sacred Claflics, comparing the fcriptures with the
ancient writers, and fliewlng that there is not any ble-
mifli in writing to be found in the fcriptures, but may be
iuftified by fimilar exprefiions in the mofi approved clall-
jcs, and that there is no beauty in the clallic authors, in
which they are not outdone by the facred penmen. This
bp€k I think i§ well worth reading by every fcholar or di-

30 Lectures on Dhinhy^

vine. Dr. Warburton has been pleafed to condemn this
way of juftifyin<T the fcriptures, and even to afErm, that
tade is a thing To local and variable, that it was a thing
impoHihle to have any book defi^ned for all mankind, to
anfwer fuch an idea as Lord ShaftPoury feems to have for-
med; nay, he feems to deny that there is any fuch thing
in nature as a permanent (landard of tafte and propriety in
writing ; but that there is one manner for the Oriental,
and another for the WeRern writers, and that fuch have
their excellencies, and no comparifon can take place be-
tween them. I would -not choofe to join wholly with ei-
ther of thefe. It is I think plain, that it was not the de-
lign of the fcriptures to be a ftandard for eloquence, nor
does it appear any way conneded with the end of reveal-
ing divine truth ; on the contrary, it feems to be the pur-
pofe of God, to bring us from glorying in human excel-
lence. On the other hand, as I am perfuaded there is
a permanent ftandard of propriety and tafte, fo I am fully
convinced there are many examples of fublimity and ma-
jdfty in the fcriptures, fuperior to any uninfpired writings
whatfoever.

2. The next thing to be obferved of the do(Sl:rine, is its
purity ; that is to fay, having an evident tendency to pro-
mote holinefs in all who believe and embrace it. That
this is the defign and tendency of the Chriflian dodlrine,
is very plain. It is its exprefs purpofe, to ^ti fm and im-
morality in the mod odious light, and not barely to re-
commend, but to file w the abfolute necelFity of holinefs,
in all manner of converdition. It is pretended by fome in-
fidel writers, that gravity and apparent fandlity, is the ef.
fence of impoflors, and that all impodors do deliver a ^y^-
tern of good morals. But there is not only one excellence
in the Chriflian morals, but a manifell fuperiority in
them, to thofe which are derived from any other fource,
and that in three refpeds : i. That they are free from
mixture, not only many things good, but nothing of a
contrary kind. 2. That there are precepts in the Chrif-
tian morality, pnd thofe of the mod excellent kind, very
little, if any thing refembling which, is to be found in un-
infpired moralids. The love of God — humility of mind
—the forgivenefs of injuries — and the love of our enemies.

^ Lectured on Dhhiiiy, ^t

The love of God may be inferred confequentially, from
many of the heathen writers ; but it is no where fkted
with that propriety and fullnefs as the firil obii.eation on
the creature, as it is in the facred fcriptures. Humility
of mind, as reprefented in the gofpel, is wholly peculiar to
it. It is obferved by fome, that there is no v/ord, neithe?
in the Greek nor Latin languages, to ri,i^nify it. Hnmili^
tas in Latin, from whence the Englifli is derived, has a
different meaning, and fis^nilies low and bafe. Mansuetu-
do animi in Latin, and Praotces in Greek, are the neare/1
to it, but are- far from being that ; even the forgivenefs
of injuries and the love of our enemies, are rather contra-
ry to the heathen virtue ; and modern infidels have ex-
prefsly pretended that the Chriflian religion, by its pre-
cepts of humility and meeknefs and pafTive fubmifRon to
injury, has banifhed that heroifm and magnanimity v/hich
gives fuch an air of dignity to the hiftories of Greece and
Rome. The third particular, in which the Chriftian mo-
rals exceed all others, is the excellence of the principle
from which they ought to flov/. The law of God is not
contra6led into governing the outward conduct, but reach-
es to the very heart, and requires further that our obedience
Ihould flow, not principally from a regard to our own hap-
pinefs, far lefs to our own honour, but from a principle of
fubjedlion in the creature to the Creator, and a fmgle eye
to the glory of God.

III. The excellence of the fcripture dodlrine appears
from its efficacy. By this I mean the power it hath over
the mind, and its adual influence in producing that ho-
linefs it recon) mends; there are feveral things that de-
fer ve confideration on the eflicacy of the fcripture doc-
trine. I. It contains the greatefl and moll powerful
motives to duty, and the fittell to work on our hopes and
fears. Thefe, I confefs, are much the fame in general that
always have been propofed as inducements to a moral
conduct, yet they are opened with a fullnefs and force in
the fcripture no where elfe to be found. Eternity there
makes a very awful appearance. Particularly v/ith rsfpedl
to the gofpel and the New Teihment difcoveries, we are
told that life and immortality are brought to light by them.

3 2 Lectures on Dhmlty.

2. It carries the greateft authority with it ; the principles
of duty are more clearly and fully enforced by the proper
authority, than any where elfe ; the right of God, from
creation, to the obedience and lubmiiTion of his creatures,
his additional title from continual beneficence, to which
ought to be added, by Chrid-ians, the right acquired by
redemption ; to all which is further to be added, the di-
vine nature itfelf, as our pattern. 3. The effedual aflift-
ance, provided in the fcripture do£lrine, to deliver us
from the bondage of corruption and bring us to the glori-
ous liberty of the children of God ; this is of more confe-
quencc than is commonly apprehended ; defpair of fuccefs
breaks the powers of the mind, and takes away at once the
will to attempt and the power to perform, whereas effec-
tual aid has juft the oppofite eiTect. The dodlrine of the
Holy Spirit, taking it fingly in this view, is moil happily
calculated to animate men to diligence, and infpire them
with courage and refolution, and feems generally tofliew
the efTicacy of the Chriflian dcdrine.

IV. Another excellence of the Chriflian do6lrine is
plainnefs; it is level to all capacities, well fitted for all
ranks, rich and poor, wife and unwife. It is given as one
of the marks of the Mefliab's coming, and is one of the
glories of the gofpel, that it is preached to the poor. Reli-
gion was plainly defigned for all mankind, their intereft in
it is the lame; therefore it mull be plain and fimple ;
whatever is otherwife, whatever fyflem is built upon ab-
f]ra6\ reafoning, and is evidently above the com prehen fieri
of the vulgar, is, for that very reafon, unfit for their fervice,
and carries a mark of falfehood upon itfelf. There is even
fomething more in the fimplicity of the gofpel, than bare-
ly the plainnefs of its truths and duties. It is from firft
to lad founded upon faSlsdill plainer. A great part of the
infpired writings is hiflory ; the Old Tt ftament is found-
ed upon the fail of man, and is filled up with the hillo-
ry of Providence, or God's conduct to his chofen people?
and the New Tellament contains the birth, life, and
death, the refurredlion and afcenfion of Chrifc. So mate-
rial a part of the do6'lrine do thtfe thin^;s comprife, that
the charadler of the apodles is jull that of being v/iineflts

Lectures on Dhinity. 33

of Chrifl's rerurre(Stion. 5. The lad excellence to be
taken notice of in the Chrillian doQrine, is itsconTftency.
This confiftency may be viewed to advantage in two dif-
ferent lights ; firlt, its confillency with itfeif. It is re-
markable that the Chriitian revelation is not a fingle {y{-
tem that was, or might be fuppofed to be, the occafional
prodoQion of one man. It extends from the creation,
downwards, to the prefent moment, or rather, taking in
the prophecies, to the lall day and confummation of all
things. It confills of feveral different revelations, and par-
ticularly, two grand different difpenfations of providence
and grace. The one of thefe is perfedlly confident with,
and fuited to the other. It is not eafy to fuppofe an im-
podor either willing to perform, or able to execute, any-
thing of that kind. Bat when we confider the creation,
and the fall of the Old Teflament difpenfation, and the
prophets of the different and diftant ages, confpiring to for-
v^ard one great defign, and the appearance of the long pro-
mifed Saviour, at the fullnefs of time, fo exactly corre-
fponding to it, it takes away the poifibility of a concert, and
therefore the fufpicions of an impodor. It is alfo con-
fident with the a6lual date of the world, in which we find
two things very remarkable, i. A great depravity, and
wickednefs. Men may fpeak and write what they pleafe,
upon the beauty, excellence, and dignity of human na-
ture, taking their ideas from the dictates of confcience, as
to what we ought to be. But it is beyond all controver-
fy, that if we take mankind from the faithful records of hif-
tory, and examine what they have been, we fhall have no
great reafon to admire the beauty of the pifture. What
is the fame of the greated heroes of antiquity ? Is it not
that either of conquerors or law-givers ? Conquerors
give clear tedimony to the wickednefs of man, by filling
the earth with blood, and lliewing us what havock has
been made in all ages, of man by man. And what is it
that law-givers have done, but didinguiflied themfelves by
the bed means of repelling violence and redraining the
ungoverned luds and appetites of men. Now the Chrid-
tian religion is the only one that gives a clear and confif-
tent account of human depravity, and traces it to its very
Vol. IV. E

24 Lectures on Dkinity*

original fource. This confiflency of the doQrines of re-
ligion with the adlual ftate of the world, and prefent con-
dition of the nature of man, is very convincing in the
way of collateral or prefumptive proof. The other par-
ticular remarkable in the (late of the world, is, the univer-
fal prevalence of the offering of facrifices, a thing found
among all nations, and which continued till the coming
of Ghrift. Thefe facrifices were a confefTion of guilt, for
they were always confidered as an expiation. But befides
this, it does not appear how they could have occurred,
even in that view, unlefs they had been at firft a matter
of revelation, and handed down to mankind by tradition,
and carried with them in their difperfiori over the whole
world. It does not appear how any body could have ima-
gined, that taking away the life of a beaft fhould be any
atonem.ent for the fin oF a man ; much lefs does it appear
how every body fhould have agreed in imagining that
fame thing. But if you take it in conjundion with the
truths of the gofpel, its agreement appears manifefl, and
its univerfal prevalence is eafily accounted for. Thefe fa-
crifices were inftituted and ordained of God, as typical of
the great propitiatory facrifice to be offered in the fullnefs
of time, by Chrilt upon the crofs.

LECTURE V.

WE proceed now to the fecond branch of this
head, to confider the prefumptive proof of
the truth of the Chridian religion, arifing from die perfon
who is the founder of it. He is indeed not only the founder
of it, but the fubjecl of it; for the whole may be faid to
relate to his perfon and undertaking. For order fake, let
us here confider fcparately, i. His charaQer. 2. His
fituation and hopes. 3. The fpirit of his religion. 4. The
meafures he took to promote it.

Lectures on Dmnity, 35

I. His character — This as painted in the ^ofpels, in
their fjmple, unaiTe^led, i:!id thererore probably genuine
narratives, is truly adiiiirable — the moil meek and gen-
tie, the moft tender-hearted, the mofl truly benevolent,
and adlive without oReiitation, and the whole crowned
and illuilrated by fortitude and patience, and the moft un-
conditional rubje<Slion to divine Providence. It is unne-
celTary to go through, at length the various excellencies
that adorned the man Chrift Jefus. Thofewhoare acquaint-
ed with the gofpel hiftory, will fee the beauty and proprie.
ty of the apotUe John's exprelTion, ift chapter of his gofpel,
and 14th verfe, '' And the Word was made flefli, and
*' dwelt among us." It is not improper to adduce here, the
cvangelifts' authorities becaufe they were his difciples and
may be fuppofed interefted parties. For they are the on-
ly witnefies from whom we can expedl a teftimony upoa
this fubjedt ; and confidering them as employed in giving
a full account of his character and life, however they might
be fuppofed to difguife or add, they could not wholly con-
ceal a character fundamentally wrong : and as there are
more of them than one, it would have been impofTible
for them to have avoided inconfiftencies and claihing, if
they had not kept to the truth in point of fa<5t, at leaft, if
not of character ; and indeed their whole hiftories are fadls
without any laboured encomiums, which carry the moft
internal marks of fmcerity of any hiftories extant among
men.

There feems not only no defign to embellifh their maf-
ter's character, but none to conceal the defeds of their
own. It is from the partizans of Mahomet only, and
what they have recited of his hiftory, including his own
writings, that we learn his avarice, pride, and luft. Add
to this, that indifferent writers among the heathens have
Jpoken to the praife of Jefus. I am fenfible however, and
think it beft to inform you, that feveral of die writings
taken notice of by feme of the ancient fathers, are pro-
bably fpurious, as the letters from Agbarus King of Edef-
fa to Chrift, and the letter in anfwer to it from Chrift ta
him. Eufebius tells the ftory of Agbarus having heard of
Chrift's fame, and fending to him to come and cure him*.

36 Lectures on Dmnlty,

Eufeblus in this cafe feems really to have given credit to
it, on the memorials preiented to him by the church of
Edefla — But the language given to Agbarus is too like that
of a ChrilVian, and the anfwer of Jefus Chrift is mifqno-
ting, as v/ell as mifmterpreting fcripture. See Dupin's Ec-
cleiiallical Hiftory. The letters faid to be from the Vir-
gin Mary, are evident forgeries of a late date. The let-
ter faid to be from Pilate to Tiberius, is not fo univerfal-
ly acknowledged to be falfe. Bifliop Pearfon has largely
and learnedly defended it, and it is very poffible there
might be fome account fent from Pilate to Rome at the
time of ChHft's crucifixion, even though the letter now to
be feen fliould not be genuine. There is alio a palTage
of Jofephus, and in all the manufcripts of that author, ve.
ry favorable to the charadler of Chrilh However without
going further into the fe, the very lilence of Jofephus, who
is known to have been an enemy to the Chrillian faith, is
an evidence that he had nothing to objefl againft the cha-
radler of Chrift, as he certainly would have done it wil-
lingly, and in the hiftory of the Jews had fo fair an oppor-
tunity.— The character then of Chrifl was not only blame-
lefs, but amiable. This is certainly a confiderable pre-
fumption in his favor. His credentials deferve to be con-
fidered with care, and his pretenfions to be weighed with
impartiality ; nor ought it to be forgotten here, that his
own fmcerity was proven in the moil unqueflionable man-
ner. He fealed his teflimony with his blood. That he
was tried, condemned, and crucified for his pretenfions,
is abfolutely certain. This is one of the moft important
fads in the hifiory of the gofpel, and it does not admit of
any doubt, for his enemies reproach him with it, and his
friends affirm and glory in it. We may depend upon it
therefore that he was fincere. He would never forfeit all
that could be dear on earth, and fufter an ignominious
death, for what he knew to be falfe.

II. Let us next confider his fituation and hopes. In any
great and hazardous undertaking, efpecially in an impof-
tor, there muil be fome poffible or probable way of ac-
counting for the motives of the deceiver. In this cafe
there is nothing that can lead us to fuppofe, or that can

Lectures 07i Dhinity, '37

well admit the fuppofition, of his contriving a cunninp^ly
devifed fable. He was of that rank in life which could
not readily infpire that refolution ; he was of that fort of
education that could not fit him for carrying it into prac-
tice, or give the leaft probable hopes of fuccefs, if he
fliould attempt it. When his enemies, as they all did at
iirll, called him the carpenter and the carpenter's fon, they
did not obferve the force of that, when impartially confi-
dered. One of no higher capacity and inftru£lion, could
neither be fuppofed fit to conceive or execute fo noble a
defign. Could he, fuppofing him a mere man, in that
fphere of life, have the lead expe6\ation of prevailing over
the power and wifdom of the world combined againil him ?
Whoever weighs this with impartiality, will find it very
fatisfying and convincing to the mind.

III. It receives, however, great additional force from the
next particular, viz. the fpirit of his religion, and that
fcheme of doctrine and fyftem of duty, which he promul-
gated and iupported. It was directly oppofed (in the firll
place) to the prejudices of the Jews, Could we even fup-
pofe, which is otherwife fo difficult, that all the preparatory
difpenfations, and the whole concordant fucceflion of Jev/-
ifli Prophets, and the general perfuafion of the Jews and
the Eaflern part of the world, (tefi:ified by the Heathen
Hifiorians) that a great prince was to come from that
country and lay the foundation of a lading dominion,
happened by chance. — Could we next fuppofe, that a
cunning impofior, finding things in this iituation, was
willing to take the advantage of it, and pafs himielf upon
the v^'orld for the expelled prince, he would no doubt have
formed his plan upon the views which the Jews had; and
muft have founded his hope of fuccefs entirely upon this
circumftance. They expelled a temporal pririce, and
he came an humble teacher, and fuf/ering Saviour. ^ Y.y
this means he had not only the dift^ofition of tlie corrupt,
but the prejudices of the befl: part of his countrymen, to
oppofe. What a llrange fciieme of human contrlvancj !
he had no reafon to think he could convince men, and
he taught that it was unlawful to force them ! This rea-
foning is fupported by experieace. In fudl, during tlie

35 Lectures on Dhhitty^

period from Chriil's death to the deftruftion of Jerufalem,
there were many impoUors who made their appearance,
and they every one took the mealures I have defcribed
above. The Jews expected a mighty Conqueror, and
they always appeared at the head of a band of lighting
men. Every impoUor would act the fame part in a fimi-
3arx:afe. — Again, as his plan was oppofed to the prejudices
of the Jews, fo indeed it was oppofed to the prejudices of
human nature. The crofs of Ghrifl was fooliftmefs to the
Greeks, as well as a flumbling-block to the Jews. The
humility and felf-denial of the gofpel and the precepts of
paffive lubmifTion, as well as the diltind account our Sa-
viour gives to his difciples of the oppofition and fuffering
they mult exped, had nothing in them alluring to the
world in general, and did not feem at all calculated to
draw away difciples after him. When 1 fay this, I am
very fenfible that moral precepts, in fome degree, muft
iandify even an impofture itfelf. If any man were to
pretend a divine miffion, and teach grofs immorality, he
would be defpifed and dilbelieved, even by immoral men.
But a contrived religion, that the contriver wilhes to
proceed, muft be accommodated to human tafte. — Where-
as, like the religion of Ghrift, true religion has been, is,
and ahvays w^ili be,xontrary to the fpirit of the world. — I
Ihall juft add that the founder of the Chriflian faith did
not contrive his religion, fuppofmg it ever fo fuccefsful,
in fuch a way as to bring honor or profit to himfelf, or
thofe who fhould be afterwards concerned in the admini-
~ ilration of it. Inllead of preaching up form and cere-
mony, [lately temples, and coftly facrifices, he preached
them down, and fhev/ed that they were vain, when
confidered in themfelves, and only valuable as types and
ihadows ; fo that they v/ere to ceafe after his appearance.
Inllead of exalting his prieits and m.inifters, he makes
them fervants of all : This reflexion upon pure religion
and undefiled, as delivered by our Saviour himfelf, v/ili
appear to have great force, if you confider, that it is from
this very quarter that all the corruptions of Chriftianity
in the following ages took their rife ; they proceeded from

Lectures on Dhinity* 39

that love of pomp And power, and the influence of that
worldly fpirit which he took fo much pains to reftrain.

IV. Let us confider what meafures he fell upon to
procure a favourable reception to his doctrine. He call-
ed and employed twelve poor illiterate fifhermen, no way
qualified for fuch an undertaking.

On this part of the fubjedt it has been often fhewn with
great force of reafon, that if the gofpel were a fable, the
apoflles who bore fo great a part in its firft publication,
muft have been impollorsor enthufiafls, deceivers, or de-
ceived ; both thefe points have been labored by feveral
eminent writers, and it has been iliewn that they could
not be either the one or the other. Not deceivers, becaufe
they had not the lead temptation to it. There was not
only nothing to gain by it, but they were obliged to fuf-
fer the lofs of all things for their adherence to the Saviour.
Poverty they muft and did fuffer, during his life-time ;
and though, during a great part of his perfonal miniftry,
they had the favour of the people, yet about the time, and
ever after his crucifixion, when the apollles came to ap-
pear upon the fcene, continual reproach and univerfal
(corn was their portion ; the truth is, they feem to have
been forced into the fervice, for a mixture of fear and un-
belief made them all forfake him and fly, when he came
to his laft confli6l. Neither could they be enthufialls,
and themfelves under the power of delufion, for many rea-
fons. Their mafter was well known to them, living with
them in a ftate of the moft intimate familiarity. It was
not to a fmgle fad that they bore teftimony, but to a whole
charadler and life. His miracles alfo were all plain and
public, and of fuch a nature as that the deceit mull
have been eafily perceived. But there is another circum-
ftance more powerful than any other, he profefled to en-
dow thefe his difciples with a power of working mira-
cles themfelves. Now certainly in this they could not
be deceived. A man may, by great flight and addrcfs,
make me believe he does a thing that he cannot do ; but
to make me believe that I myfelf, through my whole life,
and at a diftance from him, and even after his death,
can, and do perform many things, which yet I do not,

4a Lectures on Dhlnity,

is plainly more than improbable ; it is literally impoffi-
ble. So jud are thefe remarks, that in fa£t, even the
difciples of Chrifl themfelves, appear fo far from having
laid any fcheme of delufion, that they appear plainly, at
iirll, to have been under the fame prejudices with the reft
of the Jews. They leem evidently to have expe£led him
to appear as a temporal prince and conqueror; and pro-
bably their hopes of honor and offices in the kingdom
which he was to e.llablilh, contributed at firft, in part, to
their yielding to the evidence of his divine power. This
feems to have been the import of the requeft of the mo-
ther of James and John, " Lord grant that thefe my two
" fons may fit," &c. as alfo it feems to have been the
meaning of this quefiion, put to him by his difciples in
general, Adls. i. 6. Lord wilt thou at this time reftore
*' the kingdom to Ifrael ?" If this was the cafe, can any
perfon believe they were deceived ? would not the difap-
pointment of their carnal expedtations have provoked
them to forfake him, if they had not been brought under
the power of inward convidlion, from what they faw and
heard ?

It is proper to remark here upon the meafures he took
to procure reception to his dofilrine, that he framed his re-
ligion totally different in kind, and in principle, from all
the heathen religions.

They differed from one another in the obje6ls of their
worlhip, and in their feveral rites, but they were all fup-
pofed to be confiftent. There were, in different countries
and even cities, different gods and different ways of wor-
fliip; perhaps alfo different families had various houfe-
hold goods in one city ; but they were not fuppofed to be
deftru6Vive of each others divinity ; fo that it was eafy to
introduce the worfhip of a deity into any place in which
it had not been before. It was remarked of Athens by
an ancient writer, becaufe of its readinefs to adopt the
worihip of every divinity, that it was hofpitable to the gods.
But Chriil on the contrary, in his religion equally oppofed
them all, declaring that the gods made with hands which
the Gentiles worfhipped, were no gods. This was high-
ly confonant to reafon, becaufe no lie is of the truth ; yet

Lectures on Dhhuty, 41

It would have been highly impolitic in an impoflor, and
indeed would not readily have occurred to an impoftor.
It is remarkable that Lord Shaftfbury has attacked the
Chriftiaa religion on this very head : he commends the
heathen religion as of a fociable nature, whereas the Chrif-
tlan is abhorrent from all others. This fhevvs how much
the greateft men may be macle filly by prejudices; for no-
thing can be plainer, than that v/hatever is according to
truth, mult be oopofite to every falfehood. — When we
put all thefe things together, with the enlargements of
which they are capable, and which will probably occur to
mod: of you in hearing, they feem to take away all polTu
bility of fuppofmg the gofpel to be the produdt of an im-
poftor.

in. The third general head of prefumptive evidence,
contains the circumftances attending the publication of
the gofpel. Many of thefe are worthy of obfervation, and
we (hall find that, taking them fingly or coUei^ively, they
are in general fuch as, fuppofnlg the gofpel to be true,
greatly illuftrate the wifdom of God in the choice of them;
but on the other fuppofition, they were the moft unfavor-
able for procuring a reception, and caufmg fuccefs to an
impoflor. — The time 'of Chriil's appearance is called ia
furipture the fulnefs of time. This irKleed may be un-
derfiood as only meaning the appointed time — that which
had been fixed by the ancient prophecies. There are
however many other refpecls, in which it may be called
the fulnefs of time. The ignorance and wickednefs of
the world had come to a full height. The remains of
tradition for many ages continued to have fome effed,
but were by this time v/holly obliterated by the inven-
tions of men.

There had alfo been full time to try every other method
of reformation; {o that the intervention of divine provi-
dence, according to the tefiimony of feveral heathen wri-
ters, was become neceflary. Whoever will look into the
reafoning of Cicero, '' De natura Deorum," and his othec
moral, or theological difputations, will have a very clear
and full conviction, how much men of the fined genius
and greatefl penetration, v; ere bewildered upon the fubjedt

Vol. IV. F

42 Lectures on Dhinhy,

of religion. This very thing indeed has been recommend-
ed by feme judicious perfons for a man to fatisfy himfelf
of the necfcflity of revelation in general, and if this is fully
done, the acceptance of the Chriftian religion follows as a
fpeedy confequence.

We may alfo take notice, that the world in general at
the time of Chriil's appearance, was fitted in a manner
it never had been before, for fpreading the knowledge of
the truth with the greateR facility and fpeed. The Ro*
man Empire, which had rifen gradually, was then ex-
tended in a manner over the whole known world. Be-
fore that time, the immenfe number of fmall, indepen-
dent, and con)monly hoftile ftates, rendered mutual ac-
cefs and intercourfe far more difiicult. it is true, before
this, the AiTyrian and Pcrfian monarchies were of con-
fiderable extent, but neither comparable to this, nor of any
long duration. But now the nations being united under
one head, it was eafy to carry the tidinps of falvation to
the moll diOant corners. Add to this the favorable cir-
cumflance, that there was peace over all the world at the
time of Chrift's birth; a fit emblem oF his chara6ltr who
was the Prince olPeace. It was alfo ciefigned for ano-
ther purpofe, that there might be eafy accefs and oppor-
tunity to the Apofiles, to fulfil their commiffions, Mark
xvi. 15. " Go ye into all the world," &.c. The event
fully correfponded to this preparation for it in providence;
for it is incredible to think with what rapidity the apoftles
carried the name of Chrill through the world, and how
early the gofpel WdS preached to the mod difiant nations*
It is alio obfervable that when this purpofe had been ferved
hy it, the power and greatnefs ot the Romans cam.e to an
end. As foon as the church was planted in different
corners of the Roman Empire, that vail body, which had
long been growing to fuch an enormous bulk, v^as firll
rent into two parts, and then broken into innumerable
fmaller divifioiis. 7\ike it therefore as a great defign of
Providence — the time ^nd circumllances appear admira-
bly to il lull rate it. But on the other hand, what proba-
bility could ihcre be, that a handful of illiterate mechanics
Hiould be able to overthrow the whole iyflem of Heathen

Lectures on Divinity. 43

theology, that had continued To long and fpread fowide ;
— that they fhould think ot doing this, in oppofition to the
power of princes, the learning of philofophers, the inter-
efled policy of priells, and the rage, and enthufiafm of a
deluded people! Strange indeed, that thefe fuccelstul
agents, fhould come even from an obl'cure corner, and
from a nation that was of all others, not merely defpif-d,
but execrated and abhorred. That they fhould, notwith-
Handing, fucceed by preaching the divinity of a crucified
man, a fa6t that carried in it the higheil idea of bafe-
nels and ignominy. Finally, that they fhould do this
without the parade or form of worfliip to engage attenti-
on ; without fecrets or myfleries to excite veneration:
but by the fmiplicity of that truth, which the worldly man
delpiies, and the flridnefs of that law which the fmner
hates.

LECTURE VL

WE now come to the principal and dire£l evidences
for the truth of the chriftian religion. This is of.
fuch a nature, as to be in itfelf full and conclufive ; fo
that if the fafts alluded to be true, the confequence is
necefTary and unavoidable. Prefumptive evidence iS
fometimes of fuch a nature, and carried fo far by the con-
currence of circumflances, as to produce even a clear and
full convidlion ; yet it differs in its kind from the direfl
conclufive proof. — A few circumflances of probability do
but little, they gradually rife in ftrength by an addition.
to their number, but a diredl proof, though fingle, if juft,
fatisfies the mind. In this view, the proof of the truth of
the Chriftian religion is the v/orking of miracles. A fd-
pernatural power is the feal, or fandtion of a fupernatural
commiflion. Perhaps, however, as the Chriflian religion
is the completion of one great fyitera, which began to

44 Lectures on Dhinity",

take place from the very fall of man, was p:radual1y open,
ed in fiicceeding ages, and perfected by the incarnation
of the Son of God, we may divide even this fingle proof
into two parts, the one confiding of the fulfilling the pro-
phecies of the Old Teilament, and the other of the mira-
cles performed by our Lord in the days of his fiefli. —
Thefe ultimately reft upon the fame principle, for the
forefeeing, and the foretelling of events future and diftant,
is as real a miracle, and perhaps as fully fatisfying to the
mind, as any other whatever. But before entering upon
thefe two feparate branches, it will be bell to begin with
what is common to both, and confider, i. What is a
miracle. 2. What is its proper import in confirmation
of a doctrine, and the force of the proof.

I. Then let us confider the queftion, what is a miracle ?
Some fay it is a reverfing, altering, or fufpending the
courfe of nature, or its ordinary or general laws. Some
fay it is doing what is above the power of a creature or a
finite being— And fome, that it is doing what is demon-~
flrably above the power of the immediate agent.— As to
the firft of thefe I would obferve, that reverfing, altering,
or fufpending the courfe of nature, is certainly a miracle ;
but the definition is not fufficiently comprehenfive, be-
caufe every miracle is not of that kind. The predicting
the recovery of a perfon in ficknefs with fpecial circum-
ilances, as in the cafe of Hezekiah, or difcovering a know-
ledge of things diftant, as in the cafe of what our Saviour
faid to Nathaniel, are as clearly and evidently miracles,
as any dominion over nature ; befides it is not always in
our power to fay whether there is any ccntroul or altera-
tion of the laws of nature or not, as when our Saviour
fpoke to the winds and the fea, and immediately there was
a great calm ; a fudden calm might have happened in the
courfe of things, and yet its following at that infiant car-
ried fuch a convi<5tion with it, that the beholders immedi-
ately and juftly faid, " Behold what manner of man is
" this,'' &:c.

Againft miracles, under this view of comrouling the
pourfe of nature, Lord Shafift)ury, with his ufual vivacity,
5ind at the fame tinie with his ufual prejudice and partial-

Lectures on Dhinity\ 4j

ky, has objedled thus ; " flrange," fays he, " to make the
" altering the courfe of nature a mark of the Divinity,
*' when this is not fo convincing and fatisfying a proof of
" the being and perfedions of God, as the order and re-
^' gularity of the courfe of nature." But nothing can be
more equivocal, and indeed difingenuous, than this man-
ner of fpeaking; foras the firit conftitution, and condant
prefervation of the frame of nature, is a proof of the wif.
dom and power of its Maker, fo an exprefs vifible inter-
pofition in his own work, at his own time, and for his
own great purpofcs, is certainly a mofl convincing proof
of his power and prefence. I fiiew my power in my fami-
ly, by altering, as well as giving my commands ; and
my property in my ground, by cutting down a tree, when
I have ufe for it in other fervice, as well as by planting it,
or pruning it.

The fecond definition of a miracle is, that it is doing
what is above the power of any finite being, and therefore
Ihews itfelf to be the finger of God. This, though very
often adopted by writers, I think is liable to great excep-
tions. We certainly can hardly be thought capable of
defining v/hat is above the power of the finite creature,
'and what not. Creation is juftly reckoned an incommu-
nicable power, though this is only a confequence from re-
velation, and particularly from worfhip beingfounded upon
creation, and from this circumflance joined with it, that
God will not give his glory to another ; but what powers
God may communicate to creatures, other than this, we
cannot fay, fuch as knowing the thoughts — perceiving
things at a dillance — making a man to do fo by private
intimation or expreflion — controuling the elements, and
many others that might be mentioned ; — therefore I ap-
prehend it is the third that we mufl: reft upon as the true
and genuine definition of a miracle, &c. when it is evi-
dently abov^e the natural power of the vifible agent, the
perfon at whole command, at v/hofe defire, or in attefia-
tion of whofe claim, it is wrought. This is the point up-
on which we can mofl eafily fatisfy ourleives ; and it is as
Hire an evidence of divine authority, as if we could cer-
tainly tell whether the thing produced, could, or could not,

46 Ltctiires on Dhinlty,

be efFe6ted by a finite power. It was from this that the
Jews concluded that our Saviour had the prefcnce and af-
fiilance of God ; "' For no man can do the miracles that
*' tbou dod, except G )d be with him."

We are now to confider what is the import of a mira-
cle, and of its eftl ct in confirmation of a doctrine. Pro-
digies, and woiideriul things, properly prove nothing at
all» except when they are profcfiedly wrought in attcilati-
on of fome truth, or of fome claim of the perfon-who does
them. They reft upon this fuppofition, that fuch a pow-
er is an evidence of a divine cotnmiffion, and they are
naturally expeded as the credentials of thofe who pretend
a divine commiilion. Tiie Jews, you fee, made the de-
mand of our Saviour, John, vi. 30. " What fign (hew-
ell thou,'* &c. and though he Ibmetimes refufed to grati-
fy their malicious petulance or obllinate incredulity, yet
in general he appealed to his works, as the juft and proper
teftimonies of his divine commiilion, John x. 25. ''The
*' works that I do," &c. John xv. 24. "• If I had not
" done among them,'* &c. There are fome who tell us
that a miracle in attellationof the truth ofa dodrine, mufl
be conlidered as afanclion to it, only if this do6trine is in
itfelf credible, confonant to reafon, and worthy of belief.
Thofe who reafon in this manner, fay, that fome doc-
trines are focontrary or fo fhocking to reafon, that no evi-
dence can be more plain, even uhen a miracle is wrought,
than the evidence of fuch dodrines being contrary to the
nature and perfedlions of God. But I look upon this man-
ner of reafoning to be very unjull and inconclufive. It
tends in the refult to fet the reafonings of men, indepen-
dent of revelation, above the tellimony of God, and reve*
lation itfelf. — This feems to be the darling theme, not
only of infidels, but of pretended friends to revealed re-
ligion, who are worfe if poffible than infidels triemfelves.
It is eafy to fee that if this is the cafe, there can be no be*
nefit received by revelation. — Miracles are the only fanc-
tion that can be given to a revelation — Yet before thefe
will be admitted, or fufiered to be heard, thefe reafoners
tell us, that we muft confider the dodrine itfelf, whether
it is wortiiy of Gcd ; and if they fliall be pleafed to judge
that it is not, the miracles, and any other evidence that cart

Lectures on Dhmityl 4*1

be given, are fet at nought as of no value, and the matter
not even brought to a trial. — This I apprehendto be really
the cafe with many in the prefent age : but it feems to me
very plain, that fuch is our blindnefs and ignorance in the
things of God, that we know very little about them, till
they are made known by God himfelf ; and if we were to
make our own reaion the previous ftandard of what was
admiflible or not in quality of revelation, it would make
mad work indeed. I ihall care very little what men of
vain and carnal minds fay of my fentiments ; but I have
been many years of opinion, that as revelation was necef-
fary, and revelation is given us, we a6"l the moft wife and
truly rational part, if we take all our theological opinions
immediately, and without challenge, from the oracles of
truth. I confefs it is agreeable to me to fhew, that the
truths of the everlafting gofpel are agreeable to found
reafon, and founded upon the flate of human nature ; and
I have made it my bufmefs through my whole life to illuf-
trate this remark. Yet to begin by making the fuggeftion
of our own reafon the (landard of what is to be heard or
examined as a matter of revelation, I look upon to be
highly dangerous, manifeftly unjuft, and inconfiUent with
the foundation- {lone of all revealed religion, viz. that rea-
fon, without it, is infufficient to bring us to the knowledge
of God and our duty ; and therefpre as Socrates faid Co Al-
cibiades, '' It is reafonable to think that God will come
" down into the world, to teach us his w^ill." I am not
infenfible how far it would be jufl to carry the principle
on w^hich our adverfaries ground their fentiments. Any
new principles or dodtrines, feemingly ablurd in them-
felves, and unholy in their effefts, would not, with judici-
ous perfons, be raflily or fuddenly admitted ; and the
more fufpicious the principles are in themfelves, no doubt
we mull examine the pretenfions to miracles the more
carefully. — This is the part of prudence ; but to carry it
further, and fay, we will receive no evidence that God has
taught any thing different from what we ourfelves think
reafonable, is jufl. weakening the truth before admitted,
that revelation immediately from himfelf is evidently ne-
cefi'iiry.

48 Lectures on Dhktityl

It will be faid by fome, that fometimes pretenfions not
only to revelation, but to miracles, are contradictory and
deftrudive of each other. I admit there may be iuch a
fuppofition made, but I look upon it as a neceffary confe-
quence of the vvifdom of the divine government, that he
will not fufrer any of thefe things to be, without fufficient
marks whereby an impartial enquirer may difcover the
difference. This was the cafe of Moies and the magici-
ans in Egypt, they were fuffered to perform many things
fimilar to his miracles, but ftill the great fuperiority was to
be feen in his ; and perhaps by the comparifons made be-
tween them and the other, there was the more evident de-
monitration of the finger of God. On this whole fubjeiSt,
and particularly the import of miracles as the proof of a
dod^rine, fee Bifhop Fleetwood's works.— Thefe two pre-
liminary points being difcufled, what remains may be
ilated with the greater brevity, and to the greater advan-
tage. The miracles in behalf of the truth of the gofpel
may be divided, as hinted above, into two parts, the
fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Teflament, and the
miracles during Chrill's perfonal minillry. — As to the
f.rft of thefe, nothing is more plain than the faith of be-
lievers being pointed from the earliefl ages to a Saviour
to come. From the firft promife that the feed of the wo-
rnan ILouldbruife the ferpent's head, through all the after
difcoveries of the divine will, this was manifed, and in-
deed more and more manifeft, as it drew nearer to the
fulnefs of time. Their foreknowledge and foretelling of
future events is one of the rnoil fatisfying kind of mira-
cles, and lead liable to deceit. Chrid was therefore the
promifcd feed — The defire of all nations — The hope of
Ifrael — The prophet that fliould come into the world.
That he appeared at the time fixed in the ancient prophe-
cies— that he anfvvered all the charaders or defcriptions
of the ancient prophets, that he did this in a way 'io pe-
culiar that he plainly fulfilled them, although not in the
way the miftakes of the latter Jews made them expe(5l
from him, is clearly apparent ; and as I have dated, under
the head of prefumptive proof, their having departed from
the genuine fpirit of the promifes, and his appearing in a

Lectures on Dhlnlty, 49

way contrary to their expedlations, only feems to defloy
every fiifpicion of fraud and impollure. Impoilure could
not have been continued and handed down through '0 ir.a-
ny ages. Nothing like this is to be feen, or has ever L>^cn
heard of, in the hillory of mankind, and therefore Chi ill,
astheMelCas of the Jews, niull give the moft favoura,
ble reception toChriit as the Saviour of the world.* H:rQ
too we might particularly confider the miracles Ghri!] per-
formed in the days of his flefh. Them he appealed uj as
the evidences of his divine niilTion. But after the remark3
that have been made above, on the fubjedl abfolutely conr
fidered, it will not be neceffary to extend this part of it,
1 only remark that his miracles were upon the plained fubr
jecis — the winds — healing the fick — feeding the multitude
— raifmg the dead. The Pharifees fooliflily afked a \\g\\
from heaven. It had been much eafier to have dazzled
their eyes with the appearance of fome extraordinary mer
teor in the airy regions, than to have given them th^
proofs which he actually did. — I do not flay to illuftrat^
the tender and benevolent fubjecl of many of his miracleSr

LECTURE VII,

WE now proceed to the confequentlal proofs of the
truth of the Chriflian religion, that is to fay, the
circumllances that have arifen iince the coming of Chrift
in the flefh, and his crucifixion on Mount Calvary.
Thefe I fnall divide into the following branches, i. Itg
incredible progrefs by the moil unlikely means — great ex-

* See Rudder's demonftration of the Meflia^i

Vol. IV. G

50 Lectures cri Dhhuty,

tent-— and long continuance. 2. The great and valuable
efFeds produced by it. 3. The vifible fulfilment of fcrip-
ture prophecies.

I. Let us confider its incredible progrefs. Immediate-
ly after Chrill's afcenfion his difciples went into different
parts of the world, and fpread the truth with a fuccefs al-
together aflonifliing. It is agreed, I believe," that in lefs
than fifty years the gofpel was preached and embraced
throughout the vaft extent of the Roman Empire. — This
argument does not appear in its full force, unlefs we con-
fider by what means the efFedl was produced. The appa-
i'ent inilruments were only a few fifliermen of Galilee,
without either power or learning. One would think" it
quite incredible that any of them fliould ever think of form-
ing the defign, IHll more fo, that they fhould agree in it ;
for they were many and without a head; and that, though
agreed, they fhould carry it into execution. That Minos in
Crete, and Numa, at Rome, profefFed lawgivers and heads
of their petty inconfiderable tribes, fliould pretend inter-
courfe with the gods, and procure reverence for their de-
crees, or that they fhould fucceed in their little dominions
for a very fliort time, is not wonderful. But that fuch per-
fons as Matthew the Publican and his companions, fliould
form a defign of fubverting the whole of the old religion,
and introducing the new, and fucceed in it, is altogether a-
flonifliing. The v/onder increafes when we confider that
thefe men were not united under any fyftem of govern-
iTienl: among themfelves, further than their principles of
obedience to their Mafler, who had left the world. There
was not any of tliem who claimed, or pofl'efTed fuperiori-
ty over the reft. They were feparated from one another
without any profpeQ of ever meeting again on earth. —
Yet that they fliould agree in their dodtrine, and propa-
jrate one religion, and that their feparate writings fliould
be the harmonious and concordant fum and flandard of
that religion, is not to be accounted for Vv^ithout the pow-
er and influence of that Providence which is over all the
earth. It is not to be omitted here, that they obtained
this fuccefs by preaching the divinity of a man who had
been crucified, the moil odious and contemptible idea

Lectures on Dhinity. 51

that could be prefented to the human mind. One would
have thought that as loon as Chrifl: was crucified, it would
at once have put an end to all further refpedl and attenti-
on to him. This it is mod likely his enemies, the high^
priefts and Pharifees, thought themfelves quite certain of,
which made them fo intent upon his crucifixion. I can-
not help obferving, that fome judicious commentators
have imagined that the Devil, the great enemy of man-
kind, fuppofed the fame thing. He, though acquainted in
general with the end of the Saviour's mifhon, yet certain-
ly was not acquainted with every part of the defign of in-
finite wifdom, and thought, if he prevailed to have Chrifl
reje(Sted by the Jews, judged, condemned and crucified
by the Romans, he fhouid entirely defeat the defign. They
fuppofe this to be the meaning of his triumphing over
principalities and powers, making a fliew of them on his
crofs, and by death deflroying them that had the power
of death, that is the DjvII. I muft further obferve, that the
whole do6lrine of Ghri'd is mofl diredlly oppofed to human
pride ; {0 much fo indeed, that after it is embraced, and
there is a general profefTion of it in any place, a worldly
fpirit is never at eafe endeavoring to corrupt and alter it.
I fhall add but one circumdance more. The gofpel was
then fuccefsful, notwithflanding the greateft and mod vio-
lent oppofition made to it from every quarter. The hea-
then religions, as obferved formerly, were not fuppofed to
be mutually repugnant, and did not contend with one ano-
ther ; but they all contended with the gofpel, which was
indeed their common enemy. The mod violent perfe-
cutions were railed againd the Chridians throughout all
the Roman empire. The philofophers and learned men,
who had never contended with the popular religion, all
united their force againd the Chridlan religion. Yet the
divine wifdom defeated the counfel of the wife, and brought
to nought the underdanding of the prudent ; that no flefh
might glory in his prefence. I mud more particularly
obferve that Julian the apodate, who was not only the
mod inveterate, but alfo the mod wife and able enemy
that ever fet himfelf in oppofition to the Chridlan faith,
tried to alTault it in every way that could be thought of,

5^ Lectures on Dmnlty,

lie found that cruelty and violence would not dd ; then
he tried r pre a:h and public fhame. He encouraged the
philo'ophe! s by his kindnefs, and aflifted them by his wri-
tin;.s, ail 1 indeed he carried on hi^ oppofition with fo much
2:ea! that he even attempted the reformation of the pagan
rciigion, by infilling on the heathen priefts imitating the
Chriilians in their mortified carriage, and the charitable
care of tlie pooi-. But all would not do, and he himfelf
by the cifcumilances of his death, proved one of the great-
efl means of fpreading the triumphs of the gofpel. When
all thefe circumftances^ \vith the enlargements of which
they are capable, are taken together, the fuccefs of the
gofpel is a Very powerful evidence of its divine original, fo
that we may well fay, as the apoiUe did, " fo mightily grew
the word of God and prevailed."

II. The fecond thing to be confidefed is the great and
valuable efieds produced by the gofpel. There is the
greater fealbn to infill upon this part of the fubje^l that
enemies have fliewed a great inclination to deny or mif-
yeprefent them. I am however perfuaded that on a fair
and candid examination, the effeifts of the gofpel will ap-
pear to be truly great, and truly extenfive. The effedls
of the gofpel may be conlidered in two views, as producing
knowledge and pradice. Now did not the gofpel intro-
duce fome knowledge in religion ? whoever will compare
the fy flem of religious belief which prevailed before, with
that whichtook place after the publication of the gofpel, will
lee the great excellence and virtue of that difpenfatioil.
Such was the power of divine light that it actually in
a fliort time banifhed the abfurd polytheifm and idola-
try of the heathen nations. Socompleat was the vidlory
that it never has again dared to lift up its head. The
enemies of religion are not now to be dripped of Venus
and Bacchus and the whole catalogue of thofe iicVious
deities, the worfliip of whom, while it claimed to be re-
ligion, was nothing but a difcipline of ignorance, vice and
iiTipurity. The only knowledge of religion which was
of value among the ancients was the remains of tradition
from the patriarchial age, and whatever now deferves that

Lectures on Dhinity. 53

name is borrowed from the gofpel. It was an early re-
mark of the ChrlRian apologifts, that the gofpel had put
to filence the heathen oracles.

On this head it is particularly rertiarkable, that the
knowledge of religion which is the fruit of the gofpel, is
the acquifition of the multitude. There was fomething
of this mentioned formerly in another view. It deferves
however repeated notice, that the gofpel was preached to
the poor and brought light, not to particular men, but to
mankind in general. A mechanic or peafant, intruded
in the oracles of truth, has now more juft and confident
notions of God, his perfedions, his laws, his Providence,
than the moft renowned philofophers of ancient times.

It is obferved by fome when on this fubjedl, that the
gofpel has introduced the greateft improvements of human
as well as divine knowledge ; not but that thofe arts which
depend entirely upon the exertion of human talents and
powers, were carried to as great perfection before, as fince
the coming of Chrift, in the heathen as in the Chriftian
world, fuch as poetry, painting, flatuary, &c. But natural
knowledge, or the knowledge of the conflitution and
courfe of nature, began with, and increafed by religious
light ; all the theories of the ancients, as to the formation
and prefervation of the earth and heavens were childifh
and trifling. From revelation we learn the fimple account
of the creation of all things out of nothing, by the omnipo-
tence of God ; and perhaps there are few things more
delightful, than to obferve that the latefl; difcoveries in phi-
lofophy, have never fliewn us any thing but what is per-
fedtly confident with the fcripture doctrine and hi dory.
There is one modern clafs or fed of divines, who affirm
that all human fcience is to be found in the Bible — natural
philofophy, adronomy, chronology. — This I am afraid is
going too far ; but I think it had not been pofiible for any
writer or writers in the age of the Tacred penmen, to have
wrote fo much on the creation of the world, and its hif-
tory fince that, without being guilty of abfurdities and
contradictions ; unlefs they had been under the diredion
of an infallible guide.

54 Lectured on Dmnuyl

The next branch of this head is, to confider the effe«!ls
of the gofpel, as to practice. Here I think, the fir(l thing
is to confider the manifeft tendency and profefled aim of
the gofpel itfelf, and its efFeds on thofe who truly believe
it, and live according to it. The temper and charadler
of fuch will appear to be truly admirable, and the more
fo upon a very ftridl and critical examination, if we con-
fider the noblenefs of their principles, the ftridnefs, regu-
larity, and univerfality of their pra6lice, the ufefulnefs and
happy efFeds of their converfation. — A Chriftian's heart is
poflelfed by the love of God, and his will fubjedled to the
order of his providence. Moderation and felf-denial is his
rule with refpedl to himfelf, and unfeigned^ good-will,
proved by active beneficence, with regard to others. Nor
is this at all matter of mere theory — it is certainly matter
of experience ; nay, its influence hath been, as it ought
to be, powerful in gaining the aflent of others to the truth
of the dodrine. The vifible and eminent piety of the
iirfi: miniilers of the New Teflament, and the earlielt con-
verts, had the greateil effedl in procuring reception to the
principle that produced them. The general integrity of
their lives, and the eminent appearance in fome of them
of the illuftrious virtues, charity, fortitude and patience,
•was what fubdued all oppofition.

The heathens fometimes reproached one another by
the comparifon, faying, fee how thefe Chriflians love one
another ; how honorable was it, when one of the apologias
(LaQantius) was able to fay, give me a man who is wrath-
ful, malicious, revengeful, and with a few words of God
I will make him calm as a lamb : give me one that is a
covetous, niggardly mifer, and I will give you him again,
liberal, bountiful, and dealing out of his money by hands-
ful : give me one that is fearful of pain and of death,
and immediately, he (ball defpife racks, and crofles, and
the mod dreadful punifhments you can invent.

If we were to make a comparifon between particulars,
I apprehend the advantage would appear very juft ; but
it is ufual to ftate the comparifon, not with regard to thofe
that are truly religious, but to take it from the general con-
du6l of thofe who profefs the gofpel. I am not fure that

Lectures on Dhinity. ^^

any comparifon is juft but between real believers and
others. However, we may make it both ways, and fee
how it will turn out. Compare the piety, humility, cha-
rity, and active zeal of a real Chriftian, with the mofl
llriking characters of ancient times, and the great fupe-
riority of the firft will appear. Not only fottifh idolatry,
but lufl:, pride, ollentation, v^ill appear to tarnilh many
of the lall in a remarkable degree. But even with regard
to mere profeflion, there is reafon to fay, that the manners
of men are greatly improved, even where they are not
fandlified.

He who will confider with attention the manners of
ancient nations, will fee great reafon to abate of that ve-
neration which his reading their exploits, as recorded by
writers of eminence, may fometimes lead him into.
There are perfons to be found of fuch barbarity — in many
inllances prevailing through a nation — the cuilom of ex^
pofmg their children — and in the cafe of fome, there was
luch ferocity and cruelty, either plundering their ene-
mies, or felling them for flaves — in facking cities — as
would make a perfon of any humanity, fliudder in reading
thern. Rollings character of the ancient Spartans, and
Prefident Goguet's account of the manners in general of
the ancient ages, may give fome conception of this mat ^
ter.

LECTURE VIIL

^HE third branch of this head, is the fulfilling of
j^ fcripture prophecies. This is an argument very
fatisfying to the mind, and which might be illuftrated by
a great variety of examples. The Old Teflament pro-
phecies I have had occafion to confider in a former part
of the fubjedt, and fhall not now relume, further dian by
making this obfervation, that there are fome prophecies
^here, which not only had their completion in Chrift, birt
continue to be fulfilled in the prefent Hate of the world

^6 Lectures on Dhinlty*

Some entertaining peculiarities of this kind may be feen
in feveral writers upon the partition of the earth, and the
manner of its being peopled. In Delany's Revelation
examined with candor, there are fome things well wor.
thy of the attention of a judicious and critical reader.
Take one example, he mentions the prophecy of Iftimaek
'' His hand (liall be againlt every man, and every man's
** hand againfl him, and he ihall dwell in the prefence of
*' all his brethren.'* lie fays that this prophecy is fulfill-
ing at this time as well as formerly ; that the pollerity of
Ifhmael, who fettled in Arabia, are the wild Arabs, a
people that are in a ftate of oppofition to all the neigh-
boring nations ; that they never were fubdued by any
of the different princes that obtained dominion in differ-
ent ages in thofe countries, and continue unconnedted
and unfubdued to this day.

But one of the chiefeft indances we have to take notice
of, on the fubjedl of fcripture prophecies, is the hiflory
and prefent flate of the Jewifh Nation. The deflru6lioa
of the city and temple of Jerufalem, was prophefied of
by our Saviour, in a manner fo diHin(5t and io particular,
that it is not eafy to imagine any thing to exceed it. With
regard to the temple in particular, he faid that there
lliould not remain one flone upon another that fliould not
be thrown down. He defcribes the extreme mifery of
the people when Jerufalem fhould be compafTed about
with armies, and he fixes die time in the moft precife
manner, that that generation fliould not pafs away till all
was iulfilled; and finally, he warns his own difciples,
when certain figns appeared, to fly for fafety. The reali-
ty of thofe prophecies, from the time in which they hap-
])ened and the facls with which they were connedled, is
io well eflablifhed, as not. to be eafily capable of contra-
didion. And when we compare the event with them it
is truly aflonifhing ; as the guilt of that people was very
.great, fo the judgments on them were the mofl fignal, ter-
rible, and lading, that were ever infli6led on any nation.

Their own Hiilorian (Jofephus) gives fuch an account
of the miferies of the fiege, as is painful and fliocking to
read; at the fame time the contentions within the walls,

Lectures on Dhinhy, 57

and the unrelenting fury with which they were animated
one ag-unft another, makes it impoflible to confuler them
in any other light, than as a blinded and tleferted people.
Another circumQance alfo well worthy of attention is,
that as they had crucified the Saviour, and were particu-
larly defirous to have that punifhment, which was not a
Jewifli but a Roman one, infiided upon him ; h in the
courfe of that fiege they were crucified round their own
walls, in fuch vafl numbers that they wanted wood to
make crofles to hang them on ; all this too was done un-
der the command of Titus Vefpafian, one of the mildeft
men that ever commanded an army — {o that the fupreme
order of Providence feemed to be forcing into its own fer-
vice, every apparent inftrument. It is well known thut
Titus, far from intending the deftrudion of the temple,
had the utmoft folicitude to have preferved it, but all
was to no purpofe, for God had faid it fhould be deftroy-
ed. To add no more upon this head, the Chriftians in
general, by attending to their matter's predictions and
following his advice, were preferved from the calamity.

Befide the deftruClion of the polite city and temple of
Jerufalem, the Jews themfelves, as a nation, continue
a Handing proof of the Scripture prophecies. Their con-
tinuing a feparate people, notwithfianding their difperfion
through all the earth for above 1700 years, and not tnix-
ing with other nations, is an event quite fingular, that
tiever happened in any other cafe ; fo that it appears quite
fupernatural, as if they were prepared by the providence
of God to prove the truth of the Mefliah, and to wait till
their converfion fliall crown the work, and be, as the
fcripture fays, " life from the dead."

The other prophecies in the New Tefiament, in their
accomplifhment in the courfe of Providence, do alfo af-
ford much entertainment and inftru6lion to a ferious mind.
They are principally contained in the Revelations of St.
John the Divine. 1 fhall only now take notice of one, viz.
anti chrill, or the man of fin, defcribed in 2d Thef. 2, 3.
" Who oppofeth and exalteth himfclf againft all that is
*' called God," &c. The proteftant writers, very gene*

Vol. IV. H

5 8 Lectures on Dhinity*

rally fuppofe that the Pope and Roman Catholic fyflem
of fuperftition are the anti-chrift prophefied of, and indeed
they feem very much to quadrate with the defcriptlon. —
The fetting in the temple of God, and fhewing nimfelf
th.u he is God, correfponds furprifingly with the extrava-
gant pretenfions to infallibility in that church, and the ex-
ceffive fecular power and profit which it is intended to
bring to the prieft-hood. The account in the Revelation
of kings and princes, giving their power and honor to the
Bead, and no man being allowed to buy and fell, but thofe
who had the mark of the Bead, correfponds exadly to the
arrangements made by the Popifli flates for many ages, to
the ufurped dominion, and to that tyranny over con-
fcience, which was every where exercifed. The defcrip-
tion of myllical Babylon, in the 17th of the Revelations,
feems in all refpedts to quadrate with the city of Rome.
The feven heads are faid to be feven mountains on which
the woman fitteth, and in the clofe of the chapter, it is faid
*' and the woman whom thou faweft, is that great city,
*• that reigneth over the kings of the earth." To all this
you may add that part of the defcription, that Ihe was
drunken with the blood of the Saints, which was fo emi-
nently fulfilled in the dreadful perfecutions for confcience
fake, which were didlated by the anti-chriftian fpirit, and
carried on in the anli-chriftian dates. To finifh this pa-
rallel, the two witnefies who prophefied in fack-cloth, are
fuppofcd to be thofe, who never received the Romifh fu-
perilitions, the Waldenfes and the Albigenfes in the Pied-
montefe vallies ; by the hiflory of whom it appears, that
their faith and wcrfliip had been the fame that it was from
the beginniijj.;, and the fame that was received and em-
braced at the reformation. This remarkable period is fup-
pofed to be jrainted in the deadly wound given to the
bead, not wiih Handing which it did live, and in the ten
horns, which fliouid hate the whore and make her defolate,
and eat her fledi, and burn her with fire.

After this account, I mud obferve that there are fome
protedant writers, who have not fallen in with the fcheme of
making the Pope to be the anti-chrid defcribed in the New
Tedament; and as the apodle fays, there are many anti-

Lectures on Divinityl ^c/

cfirllls, fo thefe perfons fay there is an anti-chrlflian fpi-
rit in every church, or the corrupt part conflantly in
oppofition to the found — truth driving with error, and
pride with the meeknefs of the gofpel. If this is admitted,
the Roman Catholic church may ftill be confidered as
the fcene of anti-chriflian ufurpation, and it fliould put
all others upon their guard, led they in any degree par-
take of the fin, and fo expofe themfelves to the judgment
of the great whore. I fhall only add, that there is a

late opinion advanced by Mr. Glafs and S , which,

fo far as I know, was never thought of before thefe, viz.
that an ellablilhed church is anti-chrift, that whatever has
the approbation and authority of the civil government
in any (late interpofed in its behalf, not only may, but
nun be contrary to the gofpel. This is certainly carry-
ing matters to excefs, as is ufual with intereiled perfons,
incenfcd with what they fuppofe to be injurious treatment.
Mr. Glafs b ing call out of the eftablifhed church of Scot-
land, and perhaps by an unneceifary flretch of power,
fell into this refentful opinion ; fo that I do not fee how this
fentiment can be fupported, either from fcripture or rea-
foQ, as it would feem to make it impofTible for the king-
doms of this world to become the kingdoms of our Lord
and his Chrill : or for kings to become nurfmg fathers,
and queens nurfing mothers to the church ; but fo far I
fhall readily admit, that an intolerant eltablifhment, and
all tyranny over the confcience, partakes of an anti-chrif-
tian fpirit.

It will now be time to confider a little, the objections
againfl: the Chriflian religion. It is eafy to fee, that there
mud be in every infidel writer, particular cavils and ex-
ceptions, which are fo numerous, and fo various, that it
would be in vain to attempt to mention them ; but there
are fome general exceptions, which are to be found in all
their writings, and on which they infift moft that it will be
proper to take notice of. Two of thefe have indeed alrea-
dy been taken notice of, as they fell in the way, viz. That
reafon is a fufficient guide to truth and happinefs and there-
fore revelation is unneceflary ; and that miracles are im-

6o Lectures on Dhiniiy,

pofTiMe, a^d incredible. Thofe 1 pafs with what has been
faid on thrni above.

A 3d. Ohje6lion wliich ufed to be very much infifted
upon, 's the want of univerfality. If the ChriRian reve-
lation was neccffary, why was it not given in its full ex-
tent, trom the bejj[inning of the world, and fprcad through
ail narions ? why was the world in general, fo long left
in d .iKiiers ? and at this time, why are there fuch vaft
revjiojs, and fuch multitudes of people, that are with-
out the li^lit of the gofpel? Many different anfwers have
been given to this objedlion ; fome fhewing the extent
to v/aich the gofne! has been carried ; fome fliewing that
th- r.;ercy of God through Chrift will extend to all na-
t ons, in proportion to the improvement of the meafure of
li^jhi aflorded them : But I apprehend there is a much
more eaiy and fatisfying anfwer to be given to it, which
is tnis, that ^heobj- ction proceeds from a groundlefs pre-
fumpiion tli.it we are to judge of all the divine proceed-
ings, and nnd fault with them, becaufe they do not exad^ly
follow the rules which we (hould have prcfcribed. — It mili-
tate s equaily againrt natural and revealed religion. — It
may as well be aiked, why is not every reptile a man,
and every man an angel ? whv is not every creature as
happy as he pofTibly could have been made ? Nature and
Providence is full of inllru6Vive analogy upon this fubjed.
Why was not the earth peopled as early and as fully as
podihle ? Why were the vaft tradVs of fruitful land in
Anierica, fuffered for fo many ages to be a wild forefl, in-
habited by wolves and tigers, and a thw men almofl as
fierce as they t Nay, we may go much further, and alk, why
was 1 101 the world, which appears to be only near 6000
years old, created millions of years before that period ?
The true and proper anfwer to every fuch queflion is, to
reiqlve it into the fovereignty of God — he hath a right to
bellow his mercies, in the time, manner and meafure, that
feeni good unto himfelf. With regard to the difficulty
al'Oii»: creation, fome have attempted to affume a neceflity,
that every thing is neceflary to the good of the whole ; and
fo a v^ or'u in its place is as necefTary as an angel ; and one
writer has attempted to prove, that the world could not

Lectures on Divinity, 6x

have been created any fooner ; becaufe, thouj:;li it were
now a million of years old, inliead of 6000, the qucllicn
would ftill remain : but this is only vv.-.ding beyond our
depth, and ufing words to which if we affix any precife, it
niufl be allowed, we have not a complete or adequate idea.
With refped to the time of the publication, and the extent
of the projyrefs of gofpel light, or even the numbers that
are benefitted by it, I would fay, " even fo Father, for fo it
feemed good in thy fmht ;" and I would particularly ob-
ferve, that Hating this as an objection againft the truth of
the gofpel, is forgetting the great and fundamental doc-
trine of the gofpel, that all men are under fm, and liable
to the divine wrath ; and that fending Chrift into the
world, is an adl of free and fovereign grace. If there-
fore, it be really mercy to thofe that are faved, no objec-
tion can be brought againfl it from the number of circum-
llances of thofe that perifli.

4th. Another great objedlion againft Chridianity is, that
it introduced into the world perfecution for confcience
fake, which was before unknown. This is an argument
on which infidels delight to enlarjre. The fierce contelis
that have been upon the fubjedl of religion, and the many
who have died in the field, and been brought to a fcaffold
or flake, on religious accounts, have been fet forth in all
the force of language. There is no argument ufed by in-
fidels that I think may be more eafily refuted, or rather
indeed, be effectually turned ag.iinft themfelves than thi?.
In the firfl: place it is a plain accoinplifliment of our Sa-
viour'^ predidlion, ••' think not I am come to fend peare
" on the earth." Now if this never happened before upc n
a religious account, which the argument luppofes, by
what means fhould he forefee it, but by a preternatural
knowledge ? But alter we have gone thus far, we are
Hill to obferve, that theChriflian religion in no other way
introduced perlecution for confcience fake, th m by iul'-
fering, notinflidling it. It was perfecuted by Jews ard
Gentiles with unrelenting fury, for 300 years after tlut
coming of Ghrift in the flefli. Is there any body th?tt
opens the Bible, that does not fee that perfecution is n- c
taught there ' It will be faid that in after ages, Clh.r-

^% Lectures on Dhlnityl

tians perfecuted Chriflians, with as much rage as the
Heathen ever did. I anfwer if that matter be carefully
looked into, it will be found, that it was the fpirit of the
world that perfecuted the meek believers in Chrifl, in
every age. There is a remark of a certain writer that the
perfecution carried on againft the Proteftants in France,
was not by bigots and thofe under the power of fuperfli-
tion ; but by thofe who were low in their principles, and
had no religion of any kind. But this is not fo great a
rarity as he imagined, for it is but feldpm that perfons
who are much in earnefl: about rehgioif themfelves, are
concerned in oppofing others ; at any rate, it is manifeft
that none can ralhly judge, much lefs perfecute others,
if they attend to the dodrine of the gofpel.

LECTURE IX.

Of the Doctrine of the Trinity,

IT feems highly neceflary, that Students of Divinity,
fhould give particular attention to this fubjedl, as it
relates to the very nature of the true God who is the object
of our worfliipand truft. Indeed, as it is fo nearly con-
ne6led with the dodlrine of redemption, its importance is
apparent. We cannot form jufi: notions, and indeed hardly
any, of the fatisfadion of Chrill, without being explicit
upon this head. Let us firft endeavor to Hate, briefly and
clearly as pofTible, what the fcriptures teach us to believe
on the fubjedl-, as fummed up in the Proteftant confelTion,
diflinguiflVmg it from oppofite errors, and afterwards
£i;^e a fuccind view of the proofs. The dodlrine may be

Lectures on Dhinlty, 63J

briefly fummed in tv/o branches (i) firft the unity of the
divine nature (2) the trinity of perfon in the divine ef-
fence.

Firft, The unity of the divine nature. — That there is
but one God, infinite, eternal, unchangeable, indivifible.
The unity of the God-head is greatly infifted on in fcrip-
ture. It feems to have been the capital article of reveal-
ed truth under the Old Teftament Difpenfation, in op-
pofition to the vanities of the gentiles. The firfl: com-
mandment of the decalogue is, *' Thou Ihalt have no other
•'gods before me," and again Dent. vi. 4. "Hear O Ifrael
" the Lord our God, is one Lord." The glory of God
is particularly aflerted upon this fubje<Sl, that he will not
give his glory to another nor his praife to graven images.
The unity of God feems to be the grand article of natural
religion, clearly fupported by reafon from the impoiTibility
of fappofing infinite perfedion to refide in more than
one fubjeft, as v^^ell as from the harmony and unity of the
defign that appears in the univerfal fyftem. This part of
the fubjed fuffers no difficulty vi^hich arifes from the addi-
tion of the other particular from revelation, viz. (2) that in
this unity of the divine nature, and in a perfe6l confiftency
with it, there is a threefold diflin6lion. In other words,
there is the moft perfedl fimplicity and unity of nature,
and yet in the mode of exiftence a plurality. We call it
in EngliQi three perfons in the Godhead. The ancient
fathers ufed to call it in greek treis iipostaseis. It would
be wrong to contend that either of thefe gives a full and
adequate idea of it, becaufe indeed it is incomprehenfible.
For in the language of infpiration, it is faid to be the Fa-
ther, the Word or the Son, and the Holy Ghoft or Spirit.
As foon as men began to difpute upon the fubje(5l, and
exercife their reafon, imagination, or invention upon a
matter of mere revelation (as was foon done, by the mix-
ture of platonic philofophy with the fludy of the fcriptures)
they fell into various oppofite errors, which however were
all of them conftantly condemned and oppofed by the
confent of orthodox writers. Some faid there was no
dillindlion at all, in the divine being, only he was repre-
fented in difterent lights, and made known by different

64 Lectures on Dhinity,

names, as (landing in different relations to us. Sabel-
lius, I believe was the firll author of this dodrine, and they
were afterwards called from him Sabellians, and fome-
times Patropaffians, from the confeqiience of that doctrine,
that the Father as much as the Son, muft have fulFered
upon the crofs. Others went to the oppofite extreme,
and fuppofed there are three wholly diftinct and indepen-
dent, but concordant bein,Q:s : neither of thefe have ever
been the general fentimentsof Chriflian divines; nor do
I think any of them is at all agreeable to fcriptiire or reafon.
We find in fcripture nioft clear and pofitive affertions of
the unity of God on the one hand, and on the other, a
real plurality, in fome refpecls. There is a common,
peculiar and reciprocal, but diftindl agency. The Father
is faid to beget the Son — rto fend the Son — and the Son
to pray to the Father, to promife and to fend the Spirit,
which is faid to proceed from the Father — and the folemii
benedidlion, is in the name and the grace of our Lord
Jefus Chriil, and the communion of the Holy Ghoft.

Some time before the council of Nice, Arius, fet on
foot his notions of the inferiority of the Son and Spirit,
calling them, either properly or improperly, creatures. I
ufe the word improperly, becaufe there were fome, efpe-
cially in latter times, called refined Arians, who refpedled
the Son as dependant in the order of nature ; but at the
fame time, as an eternal effect, from an eternal caufe. —
In oppofition to Arius, the council of Nice aflerted the
Son to be truly and properly God, of one fubflance with
the Father, felf-exiilent and independent. La II of all
came the Pelagians, and the Socinians, who denied the
divine nature of Chriil altogether, and afTerted that he
was only a man. Thefe opinions, as doing the utmofl
violence to fcripiure, and over-throwing the whole doc-
trine of redemption, deferved to be treated with the ut-
mofl abhorrence. Nor indeed are Arians at bottom much
better, becaufe the difference between the mofl exalted
creature and the meanefl, vaniflies altogether, when
compared with the difference between the mightiell order
of created beings, and the true God.

Lectures on Dhlnity. ^^

The whole oeconomy of our falvation teaches us the
neceiTity of atteiiding to and believing this doctrine; but
I fee neith*er neceflity nor propriety in endeavoring to dip
into the mode of it, and attempting to explain it. If it be
a myilery and above our comprehenfion, every attempt
to explain it mull be, if not criminal, yet unfuccefsful.
And indeed this is the cafe with almoft every thing that
relates to God, or is connedled with the Divine perfedion.
The wifell way for us, with regard to all revealed truth, is
to receive it as revealed, not prefuming to be wife above
what is written*

I do not mean by this to condemn the Council of
Nice, for though there may not be a great deal in fome of
the expreflions ufed by them, their only meaning was to
expfefs their difapprobation of the opinion of Arius, which
was certainly fubverfive of the proper divinity of Chrifl.
But I apprehend we ought to condemn the making em-
blems of this truth, fuch as a triangle infcribed in a cir-
cle. This at lead is of no ufe, or more probably it is al-
ways pernicious ; and indeed I fliould think it a diredl
breach of the fecond commandment : nay, I think at-
tempting to explain it by the powers of created intelli-
gences is no way fafe or proper, although done by fome
very worthy men. For an example, when the trinity is
fuppofed tocorrefpond with power, intelledt and will, in
the human nature.

It is not the ufual way, on mod fubjeds, to introduce
or anfwer objedions, before propofing the proof; yet I
believe it will be the moil proper metlK)d, on the fubjedt
we are now treating. The difficulty here does not arife
from the weaknefs, uncertainty, or obfcurity of the proof;
but from the power of prejudice. In order therefore to
prevent or deftroy prejudice, it will be bed to confider
what objections lie in the way of the do6\rine. The ra-
ther indeed, that all objections to the dodrine itfelf .are,
reducible to one — that it is contrary to reafon, abfurd, in-
conceivable, or impoiRble. It is furprifmg to think with
what infolence and triumph fome have pretended to treat
this fentiment, frying it is a contradidion that God Ihould
Vol. iV. I

66 Lectures on Divinity,

be both one and three, at the fame time. But notwilh*
flanding the great confidence with which enemies to the
truth talk upon this fubjedl, I am fmcerely of opinion,
that their confidence never could be more mifplaced.
Let us examine the matter coolly and impartially. When*
men fpeak of a thing as againft reafon, and yet pretend
to believe in Revelation, the meaning muft be, that it is {o
manifefily abfurd and ielf-contradi6lory that no proof can
fupport a revelation which contains it. But in order to
this it mull be a thing altogether within the compais of
our reafon and judp:ment ; ifotherwile, the firft unexpe-
rienced didlate of reafon, is nothing at all ; neither for,
nor againft it. The (late of nature and experimental phi-
lofophy did fcarcely ever flievv things to be what men ima-
gined them before ; neither is it at all wonderful that re-
velation fhould inform us of what we could not have fuf-
pe6ted. The ufe of revelation indeed implies this. There-
fore the common diiUnftion of fyilematical divines, is far
from being either obfcure or improper, that things maybe
above reafon, and yet not contradidory to it.

By this expreflion above reafon, may be underfiood
two things — beyond the power of reafon to difcover, and
above the reach of reafon to comprehend. In the firll
fenfe, it would be abfurd to controvert it, and even in the
other, if it was carefully attended to, and prejudice laid
af.de, there would be little difficulty. The enemies of
the truth always put more in the idea than is intended,
or ought to be contained in it. The juft (latement of it
is precifely this, we believe a fa6t which is fully proved
and authenticated, although there are fome circumfian-
ces, as to its caufe and confequences, that we do not
isnderdand. There are many things in theological,
moral, and natural knowled^^e in which the cafe is the
very fame. I believe that God is a fpirit, and that there
are alfo created fpirits different from God, wholly un-
embodied, and yet I have very obfcure and indillindt
ideas, if any idea properly at all, of what a fpirit is,
and the manner of its operation. Cartefians believe that
it ipirit has no extention, and that a hundred thoufand of

Lectures on Divinity, 67

them maybe in the fime place ; which by the bye is an
exampie of the ablurdity with which men talk upon fub-
je61:s which they do not undtriland ; for according to
them, place is a relation incompetent to a fpirit, and
therefore it is as abfurd to fay that a fpirit is in a place, as
that three are in the fame place. The whole matter is
above our comprehenfion, and no man can make me un»
derdand eitner how diflindt fubllances can occupy the
fame place, or even the Newtonian opinion, that a fub-
ftance, fimple and indivifible, can be in every place.
From which it is demonftrable that there may be many
circumftances relating to things of great moment and cer*
tainty, that are to us totally incomprehenfible. In natu-
ral things I believe that the feed rotting in the ground, is
the mean of producing the blade of the future llalkr'1:)Ut
if you alk me how this is done, or how the moid earth cart
have any influence either on the mortification or the
growth, I know nothing at all about it.

Therefore though we fay that the trinity in unity is in-
comprehenfible, or above reafon, we fay nothing that is
abfurd or contrary to reafon ; fo far from it, I may fay
rather it is confonant to reafon and the analogy of nature
that there fliould be many things in the divine nature that
we cannot fully comprehend. There are many fuch
things in his providence, and furely much more in his ei\
fence.

But when our adverfaries are prefTed upon this fubje(5V,
they fay fometimes it is not an incomprehenfible myllery
we find fault with, but an apparent contradiction that
God Ihould be three and one. We know very well what
numbers are, and we know perfectly, whatever is three,
cannot be one, or one three. Bat this is owing to great
inattention, or great obflinacy. We do not fay there are
three Gods and yet one God ; three perfons and yet one
perfon ; or that the Divine Being is three in the fame
fenfe and r^fpe6l that he is one ; but only that there is a
dilVmdlion, confident with perfedt unity of nature. I
apprehend great referve and felf-denial is our duty on this
fubjed. It has fometimes been faid, why fhould we
doubt whether there can be three perfons in one nature,

68 l^ectures on Dhinhy,

wl:en we ourfelve? are an example of an incomprehenfible
union of this nature in our pcrfons. If this be ufecl mere-
ly c.s an iliullration, and tq fiiew that the thing is poiuble
and credible, I have no objeQion to it ; but if it be carri-
ed farther, it is improper and dangerous.

Upon the whole, we ought to conHder the objedion
againft this do£lrine as altogether ill founded, and be rea-
dy to receive with all humility the Revelation of God up-
qn this fubjeCt juil as he has been pleafed to comn)unicate

it*

The fecond thing to be attended to is the proof of the
dodrine, as contained in the Holy Scriptures. On this I
willjufl, very fhortly, confider the fcripture proof of the
Trinity in general, and then, at fome more length, point
out the proofs of the proper Deity of Chrift the Son ; upon
-.vhich lad, as is natural to fuppofe, the controverfy hath
always chiefly turned-

The proofs of the Trinity in general may be taken (i)
From the form of baptifm ; we are .commanded to bap-
tife in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghoft.

As baptifm is the initiating profeffion taken from all
converts, it feems evidently to point at the great obje6t
of worfhip and obedience. Neither do I fee at all how
it can be accounted for, that the Son and Holy Ghoft
fliould be clafTed and put upon the fame footing with the
Father — but upon the fuppofition of this truth. And in-
deed their very defignation leads us to an equality of rank,
it is not faid in the name of God, and the name of Jefus
of Nazareth, or his human name, but in the name of
the Father and the Son. Thofe who will confider this
matter attentively will find more in it than perhaps at
fird fight appeared. Baptifm is certainly the badge of
Chriftianity, the feal of God's covenant. With whom then
is a covenant made ? Doubtlcfs with thqfe in whole name
we were baptifed, and therefore our covenant God, is
mod fully defcribed by Father, Son, and Holy Ghod. To
this you may add, that the Apodle Paul feemtd plainly
in the fird Epidle to the Corinthians, to confider baptifm
as pointing at fomething very different from any rplatiou

Lectures on Divinity, > 69

that a mlmfter could fuflain. i Cor. i, 13, 14, 15, "Is

*' Chrill divided ? was Paul crucified for you ?" &c.

2d. The proof of the Trinity in general may be taken
from the form of folemn benedidion, the love of God the
Father, the grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the com^
munion of the Holy Ghofl, be with you all. As in the
former inftance, the three are taken in as the objedi of
worfhip and obedience, here they are plainly conjoined
asthefource of blefTednefs.

3d. The proof of the Trinity in general may be taken
from an exprefs pafTage of fcripture, i John, v, 7. ** therp
" are three that bear record in heaven," &c.

LECTURE X,

WE come now to prove the do£lrine of the Trinity
from the proofs of the proper Deity of the Son
and Spirit. On this the controverfy has chiefly turned, and
efpecially the firfl, the divinity of the Son ; becaufe if this
v/as admitted, it would be to very little purpofe to objedl
againft the other ; for this reafon we find that ever fince
the firft llarting of the controverfy it has been litigated
with great zeal and warmth on both fides ; this was to be
expeded, as it muft evidently appear an article of the ut^
moit moment to both. I muft obferve, however, that
the controverfy has been chiefly managed by Arians till
of late years. Now it feems to me there are but very
few proper Arians, the greater number of the oppofers of
the truth are Socinians.

You are not to expe£t that I fhould go through the
whole of this controverfy, which has been carried to ib
great a length ; the palTagcs of fcripture adduced on both
fides are more numerous than we would fuppofe ; and
the criticifms, objedions and anfwers, are exceedingly
voluminous. You v/ill hy then^ the controverfy muft

yo Lectures on Dmnity.

needs be difficult and obfcure.— The confequence Is not
juil, for whenever there is a flrong bias and inclination
one way, it is eafy for ingenious men to perplex and
lengthen out a difpute. The great matter is the objec-
tion I mentioned in the preceding difcourfe. If men be
once fully fatisfied that this thing is not impoffible or in-
credible, and be willing to affent to the account of the
nature of God without prejudice, as it ftands in his own
"Vvord, I do not think there is any uncertainty in it at all.
1 (hall (late to you the chief heads of any importance that
have been ufed.

I. The name of God, and his titles — the moft tranfcen-
dent and peculiar — are given to Chrift. Through the Old
Teftament, the name of Jehovah or Lord, but particularly
the firfl:, is given to one who is often called an angel, and
the angel of the covenant ; and by this manner of fpeak-
ing in feveral pafTagcs, muft be diftinguifhed from God
the Father, as in the iioth pfalm, the Lord faid unto my
Lord. — This therefore muft be underftood of Chrift. The
angel who appeared to Hagar, Gen. xvi, and that appear-
ed to Jacob at Bethel, Gen. xiii, are both called God.-^Ia
Exodus, chap, iii, an angel is faid to have appeared to
Mofes, at the bufli, and yet this angel fays, I am the God
of your father, the God of Ifrael, who delivered the law on
mount Sinai, and yet Stephen fays, A6ls vii. 38, that it
was an angel that fpoke unto Mofes, upon mount Sinai,
and was with the fathers : but what ferves to apply many
of thefe paflages in the moft precife manner, is comparing
Numb. xxi. 8. with i Cor. x. 9. in the firft it is faid, that
the Ifraelites tempted God, and fpake againft God, and that
therefore he fent among them fiery ferpents. — In the other
paftage the apoPde Paul afiirmeth, that this Vv^as Chrift,
*^ Let us not tempt Chrift, as fome of them alfo tempted,
and were deftroyed of ferpents." See farther, Pfalm ii. 12.
'' Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." Pfal.
xlv. 7. *' Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever," &c.
which palTage the apoiUe Paul applies to Chrift. i Heb. i,
8. " But unto the Son he faith, thy throne O God, is for
'^ ever and ever," &c. Another proof may be taken from
Prov, viii. 22. Thedefcriptionpf wifdom — again,in Ifa. vL

Lectures on Dmnitf. ff

from the beginning, " In the year that king Uzziah died/'
&c. This palTage is exprefsly appHed to Chrift, by the
apoltle John xii. 41, when, having cited the paiTagc, he
fays, *'" thefe things faid Ifaiah,** &.c. the truth is, there is
hardly any writing in the Old Teflament, but by com-
paring it with the New, we may draw a proof of the di-
vinity of Chrift.

2. The thing itfelf — the propofition that Jefus Chrifl is
God, is contained in the mod explicit terms, not in one,
but in many places of fcripture — not in iigure, but in
plain fimple language, John i. i. " In the beginning was
*' the word," &.c. Phil. ii. 6. " Who being in the form of
*' God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God,"&c.
John X. 30. " I and my Father are one." i John v. 20.
" this is the true God, and eternal life." It would be
endlefs to mention all fetches and imaginations of men
under the power of prejudice, to evade thefe texts : but I on-
ly call to your mind what was before mentioned — Cleave
to either fide of the queflion, and fay, Whether or not the
fcriptures have plainly affirmed Chrifl's divinity ? — It is
not only the affixations, but the reafoning upon fome of
them, that fixes the fenfe, as in the Philippians. And in
that affirmation, I and my Father are one, it is undeniable
that the Jews underlfood him in that fenfe, for it is added,
*' they immediately took up fiones to ftone him," &c. It
has been often faid by reafoners upon this fubjedl, fuppo-
fing it was the defign of the fcripture to affirm the divinity
of Chrift, it does not appear what plainer or flrbnger words
could have been ufed.

. 3d. The moft diftinguifhing and efiential attributes of the
true God are given to Chrift. I fhall mention only his eter-
nity, immutability, omnifcience, omniprefence and omni-
potence. It is not eafy to conceive any attribute incommu-
nicable if thefe are not. Eternity feems plainly to be afcri-
bedto him, Prov. viii. 22. Rev. i. 8. &c. and in the famous
paflage, Mic. v. 2. " Whofe goings forth have been of old
from (i) everlafting." Indeed I reckon the frequent appel-
lation of Jehovah is a fufficient proof of this ; the word is
derived from what fignifies exiftence — Exod. iii. 14,
John viii. 38. (2) Immutability, Heb. i. 10. Heb. xviii.

iji Lectures on DmnUy,

8. " Jefus Chrift the fame yeHerday, to day, and for ever.'^
(3) Omnifcience. John xvi. 30. " Now we are fure that
"thou knowefl all things;" and again, John xxi. 17.
" Lord thou knowefl all things," &:c. It is remarkable,
that the knowledge of the heart is alTerted in feveral para-
ges, to diflinguifh the true God, i Kings, viii. 39^
*' Therein thou only knovveit the hearts of the children of
«* men." — and John xvii. 10. " I the Lord, fearch the
'* hearts, and try the reins," &c. yet this very perfeaion
our Lord claims to himfelf. Rev. ii. 23. and the apofile
John teftifies that he knew all men, John ii. 24. — and
knew what was in man, John ii. 25.— this is further con-
firmed, iv. 12, 13. " The word of God," 5^c.

(4) Omniprefence. Matth. xviii. 20. <* Where two or
" three are gathered together in my name," &.c. Matth.
xxviii. 20. " Lo, I am with you always," &.c.

(5) Omnipotence* CoK i, 17. " By him all things con-
«' flit." Creation is afcribed to Chriil, John i* 3, " All
" things were made by him," &c. and in the fame chapter,
verfe 10, " and the world was made by him," Heb. i. 2,
♦' by whom alfo he made the world," Col, i, 15, 16, 17.
*' who is the image of the invifible God," Sec, The argu-
ment from creation, is very ftrong. — It is the firft and
great relation we (land under to God, nor can we conceive
any thing that more properly, or in a more diflinguifhing
manner it charafterizes the true God, who pleads it fo of-
ten, to diilinguiih himfelf from the vanities of the Gen-
tiles, Pfal, xix- i. " The heavens declare the glory of
*' God, and the firmament fheweth his handy word,"

5. The fifth and laft proof of the divinity of Chrift, may
be taken from divine worfhip being commanded to be
given to him, and being accepted by him without reproof,
when it is exprefsly rejedled by the inferior minillers of
Providence. It is commanded to be given to him, John
iii. 22, 23. " The Father himfelf judgeth no man." Phil,
ii. 5. " Wherefore, God, hath highly exalted him," &c.
It is adlually given him by the wife men, Matth, ii.
II, By the rulers of the Synagogue, Matth. v, 8. By
women of Canaan, Matth, xv, 25. By the difciples in
genera], Matth. xx. 5, And you fee that worfliip is re-
jedled by an angel, Rev, xxii. 8, 4.

Lectures on Dmnlty* 73

LECTURE XI.

1 PROCEED now ihortly to confider the proofs of the
divinity of the Holy Spirit. The firft thing neceflary
here, is to eftablifh the perfonality of the Spirit. — That he
is properly a perfon or fubftance, and not merely a power,
gift or qualification. The name of fpirit, in all languages
fignifies a wind or breath. — It is fuppofed this word is
chofen to repreient divine things, or the divine nature, be-
caufe it bears fome refemblance to what is unfecn, and
yet infinitely powerful. The wind is made ufe of to repre-
fent the Holy Ghoft, and to fignify angels and the fouls
of men, and alfo the gifts and graces of the Spirit. — That
when the Holy Ghpil is fpoken of, a perfon or fubflance
is meant, as diftinguiflied from any grace or qualification
he may poffefs or beflow, may be eafily made to appear
from many pafTages of fcripture, John xiv. 16. " And I
*' will pray the Father, and he fhall give you another Com.
** forter, that he may abide with you for ever ; even the
*' Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive." John
xvi. 13. " When he the Spirit of truth is come/* &:c.
I Cor. xii. 4. " There are diverfity of gifts, but the fame
** Spirit," 8^c. The form of baptifm alfo proves the fame
thing, as well asallthofe pafTages that fpeak of giving the
Spirit — refilling the Spirit, &c.

That the Holy Gholt is truly and properly God, I think
appears with great evidence from the form of baptifm,
now that we have fully proved the divinity of Chriff,
whofe perfonality we cannot doubt. The Holy Ghoft
being joined with the Father and the Son, carries the.
ftrongelt convi(5tion with it that he is of the fame nature
with both. The fame thing may be faid of the form of
foleinn benediction.

VojL. IV. K

y4 Lecturers on Di'omtyl

The divinity of the Holy Ghofl feemstobe eftabliflied
inA6ts, V. 3. where Peter fays to Ananias and Sapphi-
ra, " Why hath Satan filled thine heart," &c. We might
alfo from feveral pafTages ihew the divine attributes given to
the Spirit, as omnipotence, Pfalm 119, ** Whither ftiall
*' I go from thy Spirit," &c. Omnifcience, Cor. ii. 10,
" The Spirit fearcheth all things even the deep things of
*' God," nay, creation feems to be afcribed to him as well
as the Son, Gen. i. 2, It is faid " the Spirit of God mo-
" ved upon the face of the waters," and Job xxxiii. 4.
*' The fpirit of the Lord hath made me, and the breath
" of the Ahnip:hty hath given me Hfe."

There were in the ancient churches confiderable contro-
verfies about the exprefiion of the articles of faith upon
this lubjed. The very words of fcripture, John xv. 26. are,
that the Spirit proceedeth from the Father. He is alio call-
ed the Spirit of the Son, and theSpirit of Chrift, Rom. viii,
9. Gal. xiv. 6. Phil. i. 14, I Pet. i. ii. both the Fa-
ther and the Son are faid to fend the Spirit, John xv. 26.
John xvi. 7. Gal. iv. 6. Luke xxiv. 49.

Therefore the ufual way ot fpeaking, and that in all the
ancient fymbols and confeflions is, that the Son is begotten
of the Father, and the Holy Ghoft proceedeth from the
Father and the Son. If ?ny one Ihould prefume to en-
quire farther into the meaning, or aik the difference be-
tween being begotten and proceeding, I fhould willingly
and chearfuUy confefs my ignorance, and that I believe
all others are equally ignorant, and that every attempt to
fay more than is actually contained in fcripture is not
only impoflible but . hurtful. There was a very violent
difpute between the Latin and Greek churches whether
it was proper to fay the Holy Ghoil proceeded from the
Father and Son, or from the Father only. The whole
current of antiquity, and the whole Li^tin churches are
for the former, as well as the Protellants in general ; but
it is not a modern controverfy.

I proceed to confider fome of the objedlions againft the
reafoning above, and unlefs I enter into the criticifms or
particular texts, they may be all reduced to the reafon-
ing on the titles and attributes. They objeft t)iat feme

Lectures on Dhinityl ^^g^

of the hi^Iieft titles were not ^\ven to the Son, as — the
higheft or moil hi^h — the Ahnighty or Supreme over ail
•—one God and Father of all — one God of whom are all
things. But it is eafy to anfwer that none of thefe titles
are greater or «nore diftiaguilhin^ than, as has been (hewn,
do really belong to Chriil, and that Tome of thofe men-
tioned are alio afcribed to Chrifl ; fuch as the Almighty,
and God over all. So that tney are obliged to have re-
courfe to the meanell quibbles, to interpret away thefe
texts. As for the expreflion one God, and the title one
God, the Father, of whom are all things — thev are plainly
ufed in a dillribiition of perfonal acts or prerog^atives, one
God the Father, of whom are all things, and one Lord
Jefus Ghrift by whom are all things.

The other objeftion is, that fuch titles are afcribed to
him in a lower fenfe than to the Father. Nothing could
fuggeil fuch an objedlion as this except the power of pre«
judice. They mud firfl: take for granted their own fen-
timents, before they can perceive any fuch thing ; befides
many of them are fuch as do not admit of a proportion in
this way — fuch as creation — omnifcience — omnipotence.

LECTURE XII,

Of the Decrees of God.

WE have this ftrong affertion in fcripture, " can any
" by fearching find out the Almighty," &c.
If the nature of God has fomething in it altogether un-
fearchable to us, fo muft alfo his decrees. It is certainly
proper and necelTary for divines to know all that can be
known on this fubjedt, and therefore the lludy of a
whole life would be well bellowed on it, if it were
fure of fuccefs. Yet 1 apprehend a caution is not
unneceffary while we are entering upon it. Our

^6 Z^ctures on Dhinity.

great wifdom conufls in receiving, admitting, remem-
bering and applying, whatever is clearly revealed in fcrip-
ture, with regard both to the nature and government of
God ; at the fame time, we ought to retrain an impatient
curiofity, and guard againfl: unneceflary, inexplicable and
hurtful quellions, on thefe fubjeds. The fcriptures do not
'contain any thing that is unfit for us to know. If it feem-
ed neceflary to God to reveal the univerfality of his pro-
vidence and the certainty of his purpofe, we ought with-
out doubt to believe and improve it. On the other hand,
let us not prefume to go any farther than he hath pointed
out to us the way. Whatevei" he hath covered with a veil
it would be both raflinefs and impiety to attempt to pene-
trate. It is therefore my defign to Hate this matter to
you in as precife and fcriptural a manner as I am able, al-
though I mufl necelTarily ufe feveral of the theological
fy fiematical phrafes, becaufe without them the various
opinions could neither be fifted nor explained.

The expreflion itfelf '' the decrees of God" is in a great
meafure^ if not wholly, technical. In the Old Teftament,
indeed, there are feveral expreiQions particularly relating
to the frame and conflitution of nature, which are tranfla-
tedin the Englifh Bible decrees, as in the Prov. viii. 29.
'' V/hen he gave to the fea his decree," &lc. and in the fe-
cond Pfalm,fpeaking of the raifing MeiTiah to his throne—
** I will declare the decree." In all of thefe 1 believe (for
I have confulted moft of them) it is the fame word that is
frequently or ufually tranllated — statute^ and to be fure
has a meaning fomewhat fimilar to that of the word ufed
in theology, that is, it fignifies the order or purpofe of
God in nature and providence. In the New Teilament
there is no expreflion on this fubje6\ that has been iranf-
lated decree, though fome di\\\t phrases might have been
fo tranllated. The expreffions in the New Teilament are
council, purpose^ determinate council J'orehionjoledge ; and
when it relates to the Hate of man, choosing, orduimng^
predestinating. I enter upon the criticifm of the Greek
words, becaufe I think it is manifell they are not only
tranfiated well into Englifh, but that they are moftly, if
pot wholly, of the fame import that they <:^re yfually un-

Lectures on Dhinity. 77

derftood to pofTefs. I fhall now Ihew you a faraple of the
Socinian criticifm on A6ls xiii. 48. It is faid osoi csaii
tetagmenoi eis zoeen aiomon, which they tranilate, " as
many as were fet in order, or well prepared for eternal
life, believed." They obferve that tetagmenoi means,
fet in order like a difciplined army. But it is manifeit
that the word here means particularly appointed and or-
dained. By comparing together the feveral exprelLons
ufed, the meaning that we mull affign to the whole is,
that thie plan of Providence and grace, as well as the fyf-
lem of nature, mud be fuppofed to be fixed and deter-
mined, and not loofe and uncertain, till the event, or till
one thing be afcertained or determined by another. — That
things are not to God as they are to us, to whom things
future have no certainty or liability, but that as far back
as we can carry our ideas they were known, and therefore
certainly ordained. Or as fome exprefs it, that every
thing that comes to have a tranfient exiftence in time, had
as it were an original eternal pre-exiftence, in the divine
mind. Yet after all, you fee there is fomething in the
expreflion decrees or purposes^ which feems to take its rife
only from our own fituations and imperfedtions.

Men are obliged to meditate, concert and digefl their
plans of future condu(5l, before they begin to a£l, and then
it is called their purpofe, refolution, or defign, as dif-
tindt from the adlual execution. From this we feem by
analogy to borrow the divine decrees. Yet every thing
that implies, or arifes from ignorance, uncertainty, weak-
nefs, or im perfection, mud be as much as is in our pow-
er, feparated and abllratled, when we fpeak of the de-
crees of God.

This leads us to obferve, that it has often been remark-
ed by divines, that we are not to confider the divine de-
crees, in fo far as they are ads of the divine will, as being
any thing different or dillinCt from the divine nature.
There are fome who have ufed the expreffion immanent
decrees, a phrafe which I confefs I do not in the lead de-
cree underfland the meaning of, and therefore I can nei-

^5 Lectures on Dmnitf,

ther affirm nor contradia it ; without doubt we are to fepa*
rate every thin>^ beloivTing to created weaknefs. We are
not to fuppofe that God needs forethought to difcover, or
time tod'igeft his plans, or that by any ad of his will he
feeks information,' or feeks or receives gratification from
any thing without him— If by calling the decrees of God
immanent a61s, it is meant to deny thefe, it is fo far juft.
But when it is affirmed that the ads of the divine will, are
the hmc with the divine nature, as if this explained the
difference between divine and human volitions, this I
confefs is to me quite incomprehenfible.

In what fliall be further offered on this fubjed, I Ihali
follow this method : —

1. Speak a little of the objed of the divine decrees.

2. Of the order of the decrees.

3. Of the charaaer, quality, or attributes of the decrees
as given in fcripture.

4. Of their ufes.

I. Let us confider the objea of the decrees, and of this
but a little, becaufe it will occur again where it is of mo-
ment to examine it ; yet it will throw fome light upon
fome parts of the doctrine, to obferve,

(i.)Thattheobje6lsofthe divine decrees, are flri£lly and
propel ly univerfal ; fo much fo indeed, as not to admit of
any exception, or fhadow of exception — all creatures, and
all their a6lions,and all events. Let us vary it as we pleafe,
flill it relates to every adion, and every mode of the adlion,
and every quality that can be attributed to it — whatfoever
comes to pafs. The reafon of this is plain — whatever we
ihall think fit to fay upon the connexion or influence of
one creature or thing upon another, from which all the
difficulty and confufion arifes, yet every fuch thing, and
that connexion itfelf, as much as the things to which it
relates,is the objed to which the divine foreknov/ledge, and
the divine purpo'e extended. One would tliinkthat men
fhould be agreed on this point; and probably they are fo,
if they underilood one another ; all but thofe extravagant
perfons, as they may well be called, who finding them-
fclves hard prelfed by the arguments drawn from the di-

Lectures on Dhinity. 7f

vine prefcience, have thought it bed to deny the foreknow-
ledge of God altogether, or affirm that nothing that is fu-,
ture can poflibly be certainly, or any more than conjee-
turally known, till it happens. — But this fentinient is ^o
rcpuiinant to fcripture, and indeed to the common fenfe
and reafon of mankind, that few have flridlly and fincerely
defended it, though fome have occafionally and hypocri-
tically advanced it.

(a.) With refped to the objed of the divine decrees, it
mud be admitted, that there is fome difference between
the light in which fome events and actions are to be con-
fidered, and others — The great difficulty indeed, and that
which will fpeedily fet bounds to our enquiry on the fub-
je6l, is to fhew wherein the difference confiils ; yet it is
equally certain, from revelation and reafon, that natural
good and evil, and moral good and evil, are to be confi-
dered as not in the fame fenfe, the objedt of divine appoint-
ment. This leads us to the

lid. General head, which was to confider the order of
the decrees. Many things may be, and many things have
been faid upon this fubjecl — Divines who have publifhed
fyftems, have generally exercifed their ingenuity in giving
what they call an order of the decrees. The chief thing
fuch writers have in view, is to form a conception for
themfelves and others, with regard to, and to account for,
the divine purpofes, with regard to the final (fate of man.
The orders which have been laid down by different wri-
ters, are fo very numerous, that they all feem to me to la-
bor under, and equally to labor under, this prodigious
weaknefs, that they reprefent the Supreme Being as vary-
ing and marfhalling his views, and comparing as men do,
which yet is acknowledged to be wrong. — They alfo feem
to carry in them the fuppofition of fucceffive duration ;
yet fucceffive duration we have generally agreed not to
afcribe to God, although, of any other kind of exigence,
we have not the lead conception. It is impoffible for me to
go through all the different arrangements that have been
made by particular authors : I fhall therefore only give
you a fuccindt view of the chief differences of divines of
different clafles — Calvinills, Arminians, Socinians,

8d Lectures on Dmnii^l

Calvinifls are divided upon this fubjeft into two forf^j
commonly called Supralapfarians and Sublapfarians. The
reafon of the names are, from one being of opinion that
God in ordaining the ele6l and reprobate confidered man
as before the fall, and the other as fallen and in a Hate of
guilt.

The firft fay that in laying down a plan, what islaft in
the- execution is firft in the intention, that God purpofed
to glorify his mercy and juftice in the ev^rlafting felicity
of feme, called veffels of mercy ; and in the everlafling
perdition of others, called vefTels of Wrath. That to ac-
compliHi this purpofe he refolved to create the world, to
put man in a condition in which he would certainly fall ;
to fend the Redeemer in the fullnefs of time to carry oil
the wi-.ole plan of falvation, as we now find it in the ora-
cles of truth.

The Sublapfarians fay, that the order of purpofing
Should be the fame as the order of execution. That the de*
crees of God being eternal, there can no order of time be
applied to them, but that which takes place in the execu-*
tion. Therefore they fay that God propofed to make
man innocent and holy, with powers to preferve his inno-
cence, but liable to fall ; that he foreiliw the fall, and per-
mitted it, and from the corrupted mafs freely chofe fome
as the objeQs of mercy, and left others to perilh in the
ruins of their apoftacy, and that to accompli{}i this pur-
pofe he refolved to fend the Saviour, &c.

It is eafy to fay fomething very plaufible on each fide
of the queftion between the two : it feems very flrong
what Sublapfarians, fay that the idea of time and order be-
longs only to the execution : but why do they alfo fpeak
of order, when it is certain that as far as we can clearly
fpeak of defign or purpofe at all, the means feem to be de-
fit>ned for the end, and not the end for the means.
The Supralapfarians have alfo this evident advantage of all
the reft that they have the fovereignty of God directly^ for
what all the reft are obliged to come to at last. It muft be
obferved that the ftrongeft Supralapfarians do conOantly af-
fert the LoVmefs and juftice of the divine providence. If you
aflc them how they reconcile the divine juftice with the ab-

Lectures on Dhmity. Si

folate and certain event they confefs they cannot explain
it ; but thay afBrm that all that the others fay to this is
perfectly triding, and lefs reafonable than their confeflion
ef ignorance.

The Arniinians fay that God decreed to create man
innocent ; and that after he had fallen he refolved for fa-
tisfadlion to juftice, to appoint a Saviour ; that he decreed
to fAvc thofe that fhould believe and repent ; to give to
all fufficient grace for that purpofe ; and finally to fave and
reward thofe who iliould endure to the end. It is plain
that whatever reafon they may offer with great plaulible-
nefs for feveral things, when taken in a feparate and de-
tached view, nothing can be weaker than the Arminian
fcheme, confidered as a fyftem of the divine purpofe, be-
caufe they leave out or fufpend the purpofe at every ftage.

As to the Socinians they do generally deny the reality
of the decrees altogether, and (liy that the event is wholly
uncertain, and fufpended upon the will of the creature —
as many of them as maintain or admit the foreknowledge
of God, do it contrary to their other principles.

If I were to fay any thing upon this fubjedt (I mean the
order of the decrees) I would fay nearly as Pulit, in his
lyftem as contained in the notes upon Rulet, has faid,
which is in fubftance this, that God refolved from all
eternity to manifefl his own glory, and illuftrate his moral
excellence, wifdom, power, holinefs, juilice, goodnefs and
truth, in the produ61ionandgovernment of a created fyllem.
That for this purpofe the whole fyflem, and all the fadls of
which it confifts and their dependance one upon another,
and the order itfelf in w^hich they were to take place, were
ordained. If the whole, then certainly every particular part
as fully as the whole, is the objefl of one abfolute decree.
In this view they are all upon a footing ; at the fame time
we do not pretend to difpute that things are ordained
with confiderable difference ; but this difference it is hard
or impoffible for us to explain. There is certainly a dif-
ference between the ordination of things natural, and thofe
which are fmful or holy. The very finful difpofition, confi.
dered as becoming a part of the general plan, is certainly as

Vol. IV. L

82 Lectures on Blmilty,

holy an. ordination as any other, yet the fcrlpture teaches
us to confider this as a thing quite different from God'a
determining to fend his Son into the world to fave fmners.
It feemsto be a matter infilled on in the flrongell manner
in fcrlpture, that the evil or guilt of every creature is to be
afcribed to the creature, as to its proper and adequate
caufe : at the fame time it feems fully as plain that what-
ever connexion there may be between one evil and ano-
liier, the choice of the veffels of mercy is free and uncon-
ditional, and that the rejedion ot others is imputed to the
foverei^inty of God, Luke x, 21. John xii. 39. That
tHe choice of the. veflcls of mercy is free and fovereign, ap-
pears from the words of fcripture ; from their univerfal
Hate— dead in trefpaffes and fins ; from their vifible cha-
radler, apd from the means of their recovery^ — 1 mean
tbe omnipotence of divine grape.

LECTURE XIII.

I NOW proceed to the third thing upon this fubjeft,
which was to confider the charader, qualities and at^
tributes of the decrees of God, as they are given to them:
in fcripture in exprefs terms, or manifeftly founded up-
on fcripture truths, and particularly upon fuch truths as,
relate to the decrees. Of this the chief are what follow,
(i) Eternity. We have exprefs mention made, Eph.
lii. n. of God's eternal purpofe : and believers are faid to.
be chofen in Chrifl before the foundation of the world.
The laft expreffion is of the fame import with the lirll: ;
for whatever is before the beginning of time is to be con-
fidered as eternal. This indeed is effential to the divine
purpofe, infeparable from the very meaning of the word
decree ; and if J am not miflaken one of the chief things
we are to be taught by it is, that whatfoever comes to pafs.
in revolving years, is not loofe,but was fixed in the divine

Lectures on Dhltihy, &3

mind before time itfelf began. It is exceeding difEcuIt
however, at once to reflrain an improper curiofity, and
to ipeak with precilion on the fubjecl, and with lafety. — >.•
Some have railed a queflion, whether there is not a necef-
fity of fuppofing the exillence and the nature of God, as
previous to his decrees. To which it is coinmonly faid,
that there is a priority of order, though not of time ; a pri-
ority like that of the caufe to its infeparable effe<Sl ; as the
fun is the caufe of light, yet the creation of the fun would
not be before or antecedent to the light ; they are infeparable
and neceffarily exiftent. One would think there was no-
thing amifs in this way of fpeaking, or of faying in con-
fequence of it, that the decrees are to God's nature as ah
eternal effect to an eternal caufe ; and yet I am afraid
there is here what we find in many fubjeds of theology,
a mixture of repugnant ideas intricate and difficult, eter-
nity, and time — beginning, and no beginning. When
we fpeakof an effefl of a caufe, we cannot do otherwife
than think of fomething produced, fome alteration, qr
fomethingthat was not before. This is the cafe with all
the fimilitudes brought to illuftrate it, as the cremation of
the fun and the co exiflence of light, or another made ufe
of by fome of the refined Arians, who meant to fay the
Son is produced by the Father, as an eternal efFedt of ah
eternal caufe — as the print of a man's foot in the fand is
caufed by his fetting down his foot, but not poflerior in
point of time. But all this is truly abfurd when fpeaking
of God, becaufe it includes fome definite idea of what
might and did begin to take place. I fliould be apt to
think that one of the chief reafons why any thing is re-
vealed to us concerning the decrees of God, is to give us
an awful impreflion of his infinite majefiy, his fupreme
dominion, and the abfolute dependance of every creature
upon him ; fo that it is enough for us to fay, that his pur-
pofe is before all worlds, antecedent to all time or the idea
of fucceffion, being indeed entirely infeparable from the
idea of his exifience.

(2.) The next thing to be cahfidered is (tie liberty of
God in his decrees. They are according to the council
of his own will. Almolt all the fyftems id^y that God did

84 Lectures on Divinity.

mod -wifely, moR juftly, and mod freely, decree whatfo-
ever comes to pafs.

The chief objedtion to this arifes from what ufed to be
called many years ago the Beltidian fcheme, of which,
^vhatever chance traces may be feen in former authors,
Le bnitz is the proper author. OF this fcheme it is the
leading part, or rather the foundation of the whole, to fay
that God, infinitely wife and good, mud neceffarily choofc
the beft in every thing. That therefore of all poflible fyf-
temsthis which he has chofen, becaufe it has taken place,
niuft neceflarily be the beft, and he could not choofe any
other ; fo that from the unalterable re6litude of his nature,
he is as invariably determined by his necefiity as any of his
creatures. This boafted demonftration would be defenfible
perhaps, were it not that its very foundations are good for
nothing. Its ideas are not applicable to the divine Being;
better and bed are definite terms, and a6lual comparifons.
We fay a thing is better when it is preferable to fome
others, and beft when it is a thing abfolutely preferable to
all others. Now with what propriety can it be faid that
in the plans that were poflible to infinite wifdom and pow-
er there is one bed. Have we comprehenfion fudicient to
fee this, and therefore to fay it ? It feems to me that a de-
mondration might be given to the contrary. The whole
fydem of creation is either finite and temporal, or infinite
and eternal, If it be finite, it feems abfurd to fay that it
would not be made better by being made larger and fimilar;
and if it was not from eternity it might have been made
many thoufands of years fooner. If on the contrary it be
Infinite and eternal, the poflible combinations of an infi-
nite fydem are truly infinite, and there cannot be a beft.
The patrons of this fcheme w-hen preded with thefe diffi-
culties have recourfe to what they fhould have begun with,
the incomprehenfiblenefs of time and fpace, and fay that
we cannot apply any of the ideas of fooner or later to
eternity, or larger or lefTer to fpace. The impoflibility of
uniting infinite to definite qualities fhould have prevent-
ed them from faying that of all poflible fydems infinite
wifdom mud choofe the bed ; bat when we foeak of time

Lectures on Dmnity\ 85

and rpace, nothing is more clear, than that if at any time
a thing has exifted ten years, I can fuppofe that it exifted
twenty years ; and that if any thing be of finite extent, I
can fuppofe it enlarged as well as diminifhed. So great is
the obftinacy of people in adhering to their fyftems, that
Dr. Clark reduces an antagonift to the abfurdity of affirm-
ing, that though the unlverfe were moved ten millions uf
leagues in any direction, it would flili be in the fame
place ; and another writer of fome note, fays, either that
the thing is impoflible that the world could have been cre-
ated fooner than it was, or that if it had been created 5000
years fooner, yet it would have been created at the fame
time. Befides this fcheme feems to me to labor under two
great and obvious difficulties — that the infinite God Ihould
fet limits to himfelf, by the production of a created fyftem
— It brings creation a great deal too near the Creator to
fay it is the alternative of Omnipotence. The other diffi-
culty is, that it feems to make fomething which 1 do not
know how to exprefs otherwife, than by the ancient ftoical
fate, antecedent and fuperior even to God himfelf; I
would therefore think it bed to fay, with the current of
orthodox divines, that God was perfectly free in his pur-
pofe and providence, and that there is no reafon to ht
fought for the one or the other beyond himfelf.

Let us'confider the wifdom and fovereignty of his de-
crees ; I put thefe together, not that they are the fame, but
that they feem, though not oppofite, to limit each other in
their exercife, and the one of which is often to be refolved
into the other. Wifdom is afcribed to the decrees of God ;
or rather, wifdom indeed is particularly afcribed to God
himfelf, as one of his eifential perfedtions, and therefore
by neceflary confequence, it muft belong to his provi-
dence in time, and his purpofes from eternity. — The
meaning of this as far as we can conceive, when u fed by
us, is, that the bed and nobleft ends are defigned, and the
bell and molt fuitable means in accomplilhing thefe ends.
And indeed all the wifdom that appears in the works and
ways of God when carried into effect, mull be fuppofed
in the original purpofe. But how fhall we join the fove-
reignty with this ? Sovereignty feems to refolve the whole

.86 Lectures on Dhhuty..

into mere will, and therefore to ftand oppofed to the wif.
dom of the proceeding ; accordingly there are fome who
in fpeaking of the decrees, reil them entirely and totally on
the fovereignty of God, and fay that not only the reafons
are not made known and unfearchable to us, but that there
is no reafon at all of the preference of one thing to another,
but the divine will. There have been fome writers wh^
have founded the very nature of virtue and vice upon the
divine wilL Thofe who think otherwife, ufually fay, it is
making the decrees not abfolute only, but arbitrary-^not
only unfearchable, but unreafonable : and indeed the foun-
ding every thing upon mere will, feems to take away the
moral charader of the Deity, and to leave us no meaning
when we fay God is infinitely wife and holy, juft and good.
I am however mclined to think that thofe who have gone
the furtheft upon the fovereignty of God, only meant that
we could not, or ought not, to dive into tfee reafoii of the
Divine Providence, that his will ought to bound all out
enquiries, and be a full and fatisfattory anfwer \<> all our
difficulties ; and if it be taken iii this Way^ it will not be
€afy to overthrow it.

If we look into the fcripturd do€trifte i3J)<)n this fubje^,
we fliall, if I millake not, fee b©lh th^ wifdot^ and Sove-
reignty of God alTerted in the (Irongell terms, united to-
^jeiner and founded upon one another, Job ix. 4, '' he is
** wife in heart,"— he ii faid to be God only wife. Rev. xvi.
27. I Tim. i. 15. Jude25. Eph.iii. 10. and Rom. xi.
38. fpeaking ex pre fsly of the decrees, '' O the depth," &c.
at the fame time, the fovereignty of God is alTerted, and
events refolved into it, Luke x. 2i. " In that hour JcfuS
** rejoiced in fpirit," &c. I would here call your attention
to two pafiages, very remarkable ; one in the Old Telia-
tnent, the other in the New. The book of Job it is agreed
by interpreters, was compofed exprefsly upon the diffi-
culty of Providence, arifmg from the afflidlons of good
men, and the profperity or the wicked ; but in that book,
after the reafoning of Job and his friends, when God him-
felt' is brought in fpeaking out of the v/hirlwind, in the
38th and 39th chapters, he fays not one v;brd, either of
the wifdom or juiVice of his proceedings ; but in language

Lectures on Dhhiiiy. 87

infinitely majeftic, difplays and dwells upon the greatnefs
of his power. — -It is true indeed, the beautiful poetical dif-
play of the order of creation, may be faid to imply in it
wifdom as well as power ; but if [q^ all that is there ad-
Vxinced, is to illuftrate the power and wifdom of the Crea-
tor, and by that means to impofe filence on the rafh chal-
lenges of the creature.

The other example is from the New Teflament, where
the Apoftle, after introducing an objeftion againfl the di-
vine purpofe as to the flate of man, does not offer any
other reafon, but has recourfe to the fovereignty of God,
Rom. vii, 18, 19, 20. ** Therefore it is not of him that
" willeth," &c.

It will be perhaps hard or impoflible for you to enter
into this at once, as I confefs it was to me in early life ;
but I now fee more of the Receffity of fubjeding ourfelves
to the Divine Sovereignty, and making ufe of it to re-
llrain and reprefs our rafh and curious enquiries. It is
finely imagined in Milton, that he makes a part of the
damned in hell to torment themfelves with unfearch-
able queftions about fixed fate, foreknowledge abfolute.
It is certain that we cannot now fathom thofe fubjeds—
if we ever fhall to eternity. As I hinted formerly, it
is of confiderable ufe to obferve the analogy there is be-
tween the courfe of nature, providence and grace. There
are a vaft number of things in which we muft needs re-
fqlve the laft queilion, fo to fpeak, into the fovereignty of
God. Why did God fee it fit to people this world fo ve-
ry thinly : Why does the improvement of human arts
proceed fo very imperfedtly ? Why is the chief bleffing
that God ever bellowed yet unknown to a vafl number of
the human race ? The ftate of a favage tribe and of a cul-
tivated fociety, how do they differ in the fame climate ?
Why was fo great a part of this vafl continent for {o ma-
ny ages a howling wildernefs — a dwelling for wild beafis,
and a few human creatures little lefs favage than they ?— -
Why is pnq perfon born into the world a flave, and ano-
ther a monarch ? Even with regard to morals, which
are the.fource of the higheft dignity and the highefl hap-
pinefs — I could fuppofe one born in a great, but profligate

88 . Lectures on Dmnity'd

family, fupplled with all the means of indulgence, follcited
by the woril examples, and befet by interefted flatterers;
and I could fuppofe another born of pious parents, with
the moll amiable example, the moft careful inftrudion^
the moft regular government — why are there {o vaft ad-
vantages given to the one, and fo hard a trial impofed on
the other ? mud we not fay, '' even fo Father," &c. \n
temporal and fpiritual, natural and perfonal circumftan-
ces, there is every where to be feen much of the fovereign-
ty of God.

IV. The next character of God*s decrees is that they
are juft, and that they are holy. He is righteous in all
his ways, and holy in all his works ; and it is the union
of rightcoufnefs and holinefs with the mofl unfearchable
depth of wifdom that gives occafion to the adoration, Rev*
2:iii. 8. ** Great and marvellous," Sec. Nothing can be
more manifefl than that all the calamities which God in
his Providence infiids on earth, and the future judgments
which he will inflidl on the ungodly, are reprefented as
a6"ts of juftice. The only difficulty or objeilion that lies
in the way of this, arifes from the next particular, to which
we will therefore proceed, viz.

V. That the decrees of God are fixed, abfolute and un-
changeable ; that which he hath ordained fliall certainly
come to pafs, and nothing can -oppofe it, fubvert it, or take
us place. Here then the difficulty arifes full upon us, how
fnall we reconcile this with the free agency of the creature,
with the guilt of fin, or the righteoufnefs of the punifliment
of fin ? yet this is affirmed by all found divines, as in the
confeffion of faith, chap. iii. fed. i. " God from all eter-
nity did by the moll holy and wife counfel of his own
will freely and unchangeably ordain whatever comes to
pafs ; yet fo as thereby neither is God the author of fin,
nor is violence oft'cred to the will of the creature ; nor is
the liberty or contingency of fecond caufes taken away,
but rather efiablifhed." This fubje6l has exercifed the
reafon of men in all ages, fo far as it has been propofed to
them, but particularly that of divines. The lubjeQ is
dark and intricate as any body may eafily perceive.

Lectures on Dhlnityi ^9

It Is remarkable what weak things foinetimes men of
{itvi[xi will lay upon Rtch fubjedts, when it feems necefi
fary to them to fay fomething in favor of their own hypo-
thefis. One writer propofes to himfelf to reconcile this
difference, and fays, God forefees and predetermines ac-
tions in diiTereat ways, and each according to its own
nature ; that he forefees neceflfary anions as necelTary, free
adlons as U'tQ^ and contingent events as contin<rent.
This is juft faying nothing at all, and it had been better
to have faid nothing than to have faid it. Every body
knows that as tar as thefe different kinds of adions a;]d
events take place in the fyftem, they are fo ordained of
God ; But it behoved this author to Ihew how any action
could be free, or any event contingent, upon the fuppofi-
tion of the Divine Providence or decree.

Others have attempted to folve the difficulty by found-
ing the decrees upon foreknowledge, and this upon God's
diftindt and perfed view of every perfon's difpolition, and
how men will determine in every circumftance in which
they can be placed. But this is liable to two objedtions
(i) that foreknowledge makes no difference as to de-
trees, for whether God confidered the thing as a confe*
quence of another or not, if he forefaw the confequence,
he admitted and ordained that event as a part of the gene-
ral fyftem. The other objection is, that it takes for grant-
ed the fyllem of v/hat is called moral neceffity, which
brings back the fame difficulty with re-doubled force. It
is remarkable that the advocates for neceffity have adopted
a diflindion made ufe of for other purpofes, and forced
it into their fervice ; I mean moral and natural necelfi-
ty — they fay natural or phyllcal neceffity takes away liber-
ty, but moral neceffity does not- — at the fame time they
explain moral neceffity fo as to make it truly phyfical or na-
tural. That is phyfical neceffity which is the invincible ef*
fe£lofthe lav/ of nature, and it is neither lefs natural nor
iefs unfurmountable if it is from the lav/s of fpirit, than it
would be if it were from the laws of matter. To fee how
jTome people are loll upon thefe fubje<5l3, you may obferve
that the great argument that men are determined by the
flrongefl motives, is a mere equivocation, and what logici-
VoL. IV. M

90 Lectures on Dhinity.

ans cdWpetitio pnncipii. ItisimpofTible even toprodnce any
medium oi prooi that it is the ilrongell n»ouve, exttpt that
it has prevailed. It is not the greatcft in itfelf, nor does
it feein to be in all rel'pcds firongelt to the agent ; but you
fay it appears (Irongelt in the niean time — why ? Becaufe
you were determined by it : alas you promifed to prove
that I was determined by the strongest motive, and you
have only (hown that I had a mothe when J adled. But
what has determined you then ? can any efFciSt be without
a caufe ? I anfvver — .fuppoOn^ my feli-determining power
to exifl, it is as real a caufe of its proper and dillinguifli-
ing effcdl, as your moral neceffity ; fo that the matter
juil comes to a Hand, and is but one and the lame thing
on one fide and on the other.

But even fuppofe the fyftem of nect-ffity true, the dif-
ficulty of reconciling it with the guilt of fm, and the
righteoufnefs of God's jiidgnient, is as great as upon any
fuppofition whatever. Others have made ufe of a metaphi-
fical argument to reconcile foreknowledge with liberty.
They fay, when any thing is done in time, it only fhews
the futurity of the acllon, as the fchooi men fay. It was
a true propofition from all eternity that fuch a thing would
be done, and eve'f*y truth being the object of the divine
knowledge, God's foreleeing it was no more the caule of
it, than a man's feeing another do a thing at a diflance is
the caufe of its being doue. But even this does not fatiC-
fy the mind, as the difficulty arifes from the certainty of
the event itfelf, as being mconfdtent with the freedom of
the agent, not the way in which it comes to be known.

It deferves particular notice that feveral able writers
have fliewn, that with refpedl to the molt difficult part of
the decrees of God, all the feveral leds of Chriiiians at
bottom fay the fame thing, except that clais of Socinians
who deny the omniicience and fortknowledge of Goil alto-
gether, and they are fo diretlly oppofite to the letter of
fcripture that they deferve no regard. — I'he Arminians
fav, that God has decreed that all that he forelaw would
believe and repent, (liould be faved — for which purpofe
all have fuflicicnt grace given them. But could not om-
nipotence hstve given them eficdlual grace to overcome

Lectures on Dmnity, gt

their obflinacy ? Yes without doubt ; and are there not
fo^ne, tiia^ had as oblliiiate and protlio^ate natures as thofe
that perilh, overcome by Divine power ? — Yes it is not
eaf/to deny this — ihat he did not gjive the effcdbial grace
to Ibine, arid .rave it to others. So that they mud at laft
fay, *' even lb F.uher," &c.

«t is -nore eufy to fhew that the Supralapfarians and
Sublapfaricins are at bottom of the fame principle. All
then have this chfficultv before them — to account for the
divitie purpofe confidently with the ^uilt of fin.

Biit I would j^o a little fctrther and fay the difficulty Ig
the lane in natunlas it is in revealed religion, and the
fa;ne in the courl'e ol nature as in both. The certainty
of evems makes as much a'Taind CG(nmon diligence in
the . iffciirs of life, as againll dilii^ence in religion. The
faies wnich the (loics of old held, was called the ignava
ra iooi the ftoics.

For my own part I freely own, that I could never fee
anv thing fatisfddory in the attempts of divines or Meta-
phyficians to reconcile thefe two things; but it does not
appear diffii:ult to me to believe precifely in the form of
our conleffion of faith — to believe both the certainty of
God's purpofe and the free agency of the creature. Nor
does mv being unable to explain thefe doctrines form an
obje6\ioa againll one or the other.

LECTURE XIV,

OF the covenant of works and the fall of man-— This
feems to be the next thing in order. — That I may
treat of it as concifely as poiEble, 1 will make the follow-
ing obfervations.

I. It is judly and properly by divines, confidered as
a covenant. I'he word covenant is not indeed made ufe
of by Mofes in giving the hillory of the fall, for which ma»

pe Lectures on Dmnhy»

ny reafons may be afllgned. The fcripture does not lb
much limit the phrafe as fix the thing itfelf, which we now
exprefshv it. The word covenant is ufed with latitude
in fcripture. Thus, Jer. xxxiii. 20, 25. *' Thus faith the
^' Lord if \ou can break my covenant.'* Jkc, It may be
obfeixed that there mull: of neceflity be fome impropriety
in callinj^any tranfadlon between God and m^n a cove-
nant, becaufe it mult differ conliderably from an engage-
ment o perfons equal and free. But as far as there can
b- a covenant relation between God and man, it evident-
1) took place here. The giving a ipecial command, with
a threatening annexed, does evidently imply in it fuch a
covenant.

2. It feems juft and proper to fuppofe that merely ab-
Haining from the tree of knowledge of good and evil was
not the only duty prefcribed and demanded by God, but
that the demand extended to univerfal obedience.

The Jewifh Robbies fiiy, that God gave Adam fix pre-
cepts ; (i) to worfhip God ; (2) to do judice; (3) not
to filed human blood; (4) not to make ufe of idols or
images ; (5) not to commit rapine and fraud; (6) to a-
void inceft. But all this is without the leaft proof.

3. We may confider the choice of the command for
trial, not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and eviL
This may give occafion to many conjedures, and like-
wife to many folid remarks. It is conjectured by many
that the tree had in it a noifome quality that made the
body liable to corruption, as God often orders his com.
mands fo that obedience to them is of itfelf happinefs,
find difobedience is mifery. If we fuppofe the eating
tl.is tree had nothing in itfelf either good or evil, and it
is afked why God thought fit to fufpend the fate of the hur
man race on a pofitive precept ? — It may be anfwered,
iirfi as an adof fovereienty, to which we have no right to
objedl. (2) It might alfo be more proper for the trial of
obedience, as the mere authority of God would be the
fan6lion. (3) It was a jiifl: and natural acknowledgment
that the creature held all created comforts of God. (4}
There were then fo few relations that there could be UQ
trial upon the precepts of the fecond table.

Lectures on Dmnity, 93

4. It ap-pears that Adam, in the covenants of works,
was to be conlidered as the federal head and r^prefenta.
tive of the human race, as he was then the natural Iiead.
By the manner in which the human race was to defcend
from hirn, the punifliment inflicted upon him, mud of
courfe defcend to them. If we fuppofe that God mi^Jit
jullly create an order of beings like to what man is, to
defcend from one another, and to propagate the nature
which he had, the matter could not have fallen out other-
wife, in cafe of fin, than it did.

5. Let us confider the import of the threatening. In
" the day thou eatell thereof, thou flialt furely die :" That
temporal death was to be underfiood by it, and all the
fufFerings preparatory to death, mult necelTarily be ad-
mitted. That it fuppofes alfo fpiritual death, or the fe«
paration of the foul from God, is a neceflfiiry cirenm-
Hance in the whole of this matter. The exprelfion, Gtn.
iii. 22, '' Behold the man is become like one of us,'* &c.
is by no means to be taken as if God was afraid they would
eat of the tree of life, and thereby become immortal. The
greateft part of interpreters confider thefe words as fpo-
ken by way of derifion, and as it is alfo probable that this
tree had much in it of a health- giving quality, it was not
proper that men devoted to fo many lufferings fliould be
permitted the ufe of it. And as a facrament, it was to be
refufed to thofe who had broken the covenant, and were
therefore unworthy of the fign.

Of the Fall

Before we fpeak farther of the fall of man by the breach
of the Covenant of works, it may be expedted Uiat we
fhould confider a little the introdu6Vion of fm <.'r moral evil
in general. Why did<}od permit {\x\ and the train of
evils that follow it ? Tiiis has been a queJtion that. has
exercifed enquirers from the beginning, and efpecialiy
under the goipel. I have treated a little upon this in ib.e
difcoLirfe upon the decrees, and fli.ill Oiily further drop a
few hints. Some fay that it was a neceffary confeqaen(\-
pf creating free agentsj but thers are many obj.diOiis lu

^4 Lectures on Dhinhy,

this. Tt is neither certain that it was a neceflary confe-
quence, nor that there is any i'uch worth in the free agency
cf the creature as to deferve to be preferved, at the price
of this evil and its train. Some have laid that the evil, na-
tirai aiid moral, was necefTary to the perfection of the
whole, as the ihade of a pidure to the beauty of the whole
p'ece. This is the fubdance or' the Bcltillian fcheine, the
foundajon of which I mentioned before with the objeftions
aaaind it. I ihall now only add, that upon this fyftein it
is neceflary to fuppofe that all the good, natural and moral,
that the univerfe could poUibly admit, is to be found in it.
This is exceedingly difficult to believe from appearances>
and it is impoflible to fupport it without laying God him-
fclf under the chains of neceffity. It is certainly infinite-
ly preferable to take fcripture truths juil as they Hand, that
God is infinitely holy — has tellified his abhorrence to fin
— and therefore cannot be the author of it — that he has
notwirhilanding molt juflly permitted it — and that he will
illuflrate his own glory by it — but that the difpofition of
his providence and grace is to us unfearchable.

There is mention made in fcripture of the angels that
fmned ; from which it appears that fin was introduced
among them. The fcriptures have not informed us of
many circumflances on this fiibjedt, which as ufual, men
of fertile inventions have endeavored to fupply by con-
jectures, or to determine from very ilender evidence.
Some have even prefumed to determine the number of
the fallen anj^els, or at leall their proportion to thole that
Aood, from Kev. xii. 3, 4. '■'- And there appeared another
*' wonder ix} heaven, and behold a great red Dragon ha-
" ving feven heads and ten horns, and feven crowns upon
*^ his heads, and his tail drew the third part of the liars of
*' heaven, and did caft them to the earth." But this is
a mifappiication of the pafl'age in that prophecy, which be-
longs to the vifible church on earth. Some have faid
the fin of the angels was envy — fosiie impiety or luff;
but the greater number pride ; and this lad feems to
have the mod truth in it, not becaufe we know any thing
circumdances of their rebellion, but be-

Lectures on Dhlnity. 95

caufe pride or feU-fufFiclency feems to be the eflence or
ruling part of all our fin.

We do not know the time of their fall, nor indeed with
much certainty the time of their creation. We only know
that their fall was before that of man -^andthat God paf-
fed by the anizels that finned — and that they are referved
in chains under darknels to the judgment of the great
day.

Some have exercifed themfelves in conje6:uring how
long our firft parents continued in the ftate of innocence.
Some fuppofe they fell upon the firll day of their creatioa
— others that they continued in innocence fome years.
There is nothing faid in the book of Genefis that can
determine this point with certainty, nor is it of much mo-
ment, could it be determined.

Eve is faid to have been tempted be the ferpent, and by
many j)alHiges of fcripture it is put beyond a doubt, that it
was by the Devil or Prince of the fallen angels. It ought
not to be underflood allegorically. Probably he made ufe of
this creature as the fitted form in which he could appear^
Many have fuppofed it was one of the bright fiery ferpents
that are feen in Arabia (and fome parts of the eafl) and that
he appeared to Eve as an angel, which would the more ea-
fily account for the deception. If this opinion is embraced,
we mull however fuppofe that the ferpent was more glo-
rious before the fall than fince, in his appearance ; and in-
deed it is probable thut moil, or all the creatures, were
more excellent in their kind, before than after the -fall.

But what we are chiefly to attend to, is the confequence
of the fall upon Adam and his poflerity. As to them-
felves, they loft a great part of the image of God, in which
they were created. They became the objed:s of divine
difpleafure ; their eyes were opened, and thev felt fliame
for their nakednefs ; were ilruck with the alarm of an evil
confcience ; were driven from the terreftrial paradife ;
expofed to many fuffcrings which were to end in death ;
and obliged to labor on the accurfed ground. Some few
of ihe ancients have believed that our firft parents perifhed
eternally ; but that has been far from the general belief,

^6 Lectures on Dmnitf,

which huS been, that as the flrft promife was made i6
them they underdood and improved it, and received cdn-
folation by it.

As to the effect of Adam's fm upon his poflerity, it
feents very plain that the ilate of corruption and wicked-^
ncfs which men are now in, is Hated in fcripture as being
the eal'6l and puniOiment of Adam's lirft fin, upon which
it will be fufFicient to read the epiflle to the Romans^
chapter 5, frdm the 12th verfe and onward. Atid indeed
when we confider the univerfdlity of the elTcdls of the fall,
it is not to be accounted for any other Way, than front
Adam's being the federal head of the human race, and
they finning in him, and falling with him, in his firft
tranfgreflion.

The firlt and chief of thefe efFeiSls is the corruption of
our nature — that man now comes into the world in a ilate
of impurity or moral defilement* We will firft confider
the fcripture proof ol original fin, and then lay, as far as
we have warrant from fcripture, what it is and the man*
ner of its communication,

I lliall firll mention the following paflageS of fcripture^
Gen. V. 6, and 21. '' And God favv," &c. Pl'alm xxxvii. 54
'' Behold I was fiiapen in iniquity," &c, John iii. 6*
•' That which is born," &c. Rom. viii. 7, 8. Eph. ii. 3*
'' And were by nature the children of wrath, even as
" others."

After confidering the above paflages, let me ob-
ferve to you that in this, as in moll fubje6ts, the general
r.rain of the fcripture is fully as convincing as particular
pafTages. The univerfal command of making atone*
ment — Children receiving the badge of the covenant — ^
the tenor of the promifes, " I will take away the fiony
heart out of your fielli" — the force of the Pfalmiil David's
prayer, *' create within me a clean heart,"-^^and many
others of the fame import ; but above all this do^rine of
our Saviour' John iii. 3. " Verily, verily," £ic. To .all
this you may add experience. The univerfal and early
corruption of men in pradice is a Handing evidence of the
impurity of their original.

tvcturcs on Dhimty* 97

What is the hiftory of the world but the hiRory of hu-
man guilt ? and do not children from the iirft dawn of
reafon fhow that they are wife to do evil ; but to do good
they have no knowledge !

As to the nature of original iln and the tranfmiffion of
it, I think a few words may fuffice^ We certainly difco-
ver in mankind, not only a difpofition without reftraint
to commit errors ofagrofs nature, but in general an at-
tachment to, and love of the creature, more than the Gre«
ator. It may not be improper here to confider the quef-
tion, whether the whole nature is corrupt, fo that what-
ever we do is fm. It will be, I think very eafy to fettle
this point, if the meaning of the enquiry be clearly under-
flood. If the fuprerne defire of. the mind, and leading
principle be wrong, then every thing that is diretSled by it
mud have the nature of fin.

Thofe who reprefent it in this light, do by no means
aflert that every adt in every part of it is eyil. Such as
to fpeak truth— to do juftice— to fliew mercy, which cer-
tainly an linhoiy man may do. Nay I fuppofe even the
greatefl: finner that ever was, fpeaks twenty true words,
where he fpeaks one that is falfe. But v^hat is meant to
be aflerted is, that every adtion of an unregenerate man
is eflentially defe£live as a moral duty, becaufe flowing
from a wrong priticiplej arid tending to a wrong end,—
Let us fuppofe a man inflexibly fober and temperate from
a concern for his health, or a covetous defire of fparing his
money^ and one fhould fay there is no true virtue in thi^.
It would be ridiculous to fay that we affirmed that fobrie-
ty was not a virtue, or that the perfon concerned finned
in being fober. This will appear by expreffing the fen-
timent in another form. Every body would underftand
and approve it, if we fliould fay, there is tio virtue at all
in that mifer who fiarves his belly, or clothes himfelf with
rags, only to fill his purfe.

As to the tranfmiliion of original fin, the queflion is
to be fure difficulty and we ought to be referved upon the
fubjedt. St. Augulline faid it was of more conl'equence
to know how we are delivered from fin by Chrift, than

Vol. IV. N

98 Lectures on Dmnltyl

how we derive it f om Adam. Yet we fhall fay a few
words on this topic. It Teems to be af^reed by the ,c[reat-
efl part that the foul is not derived from onr parents by
natural generation, and yet it feems not reafonable to fup-
pofe that the foul is created impure. Therefore it fhould
follow that a general corruption is communicated by the
body, and that there is fo clofe a union between the foul
and body that the impreffions conveyed to us through the
bodily orjzans, do tend to attach the affeflions of the foul
to thini^^s earthly and fenfual. If it fliould be faid, that
the foul, on this fuppofition, mufl be united to the body as
an ad of punifliment or feverity ; I would anfwer, that
the foul is united to the body in confequence of an acl of
government, by which the Creator decreed, that men
Ihould be propagated bv way of natural generation. And
many have iuppoled that the fouls of all men that ever
Ihall be, were created at the beginning of the world, and
gradually came to the exercife of their powers, as the bo-
dies came into exillence, to which they belong.

LECTURE XV.

Of Sin in general and its demerit ; and of actual sin^
and its several divisions.

OF fin in general, and moral evil, we may obferve,
that the fcripture uniformly reprefents it to us in
the molt odious light. Of God it is faid, '»he is of purer
eyes than to behold iniquity." It is faid to be that which
his foul hates. To grieve him — to diflionor him — and to
provoke his wrath. And though we mud exclude from
our minds, every thing, in thefe frequent expreffions,
that belong to human paflions or weaknefs, the juft and

Lectures on Dmnity, 99

legitimate inference to be drawn from it is, the great and
unfpeakable evil of fm.

As the evil of fin appears from every pap;e of the facred
oracles ; fo it alfo appears in the cleareli manner from
its efiedls, and the mifery that follows it. All natural t
evils are the fruits of fm — all the fuffcrin^s in the valley
of terror flioot from it. And if we lay down the ric^hto
oufnefs of Providence as a principle. Dr. Butler has Ihc-wn
in his analogy, that the punifhment, and therelore the
guilt of fin is very great — that fometimes very great and
lading fuflferings are the confcquence of atls, one would
think not the mofl; atrocious Tiie contagion of fin—
The rage of violent pailion — And the terror of confcience
in fome inllanccs, all tend to prove the evil ol' fin.

One can fcarcely have a clearer idea of the evil of fin,
than by comparing the effects of piety and virtue, fo far
as our own experience has enaoled us to form an idea of
them, with the effects of univerfal corruption and depra-
vity in any fociety.

Here perhaps it may be proper juft to mention the

queRion, whether it is proper to fay there is an infinite

evil in fin ? 1 would anfwer it thus, there is not a fingle

argument againfl it, only this, that the actions done in

time by a finite creature cannot have in them an infinite

evil ; but this is not the thing denied : for all the fyllems

with one voice fay, that it is not infinite in all refpedts,

otherwife all lins would be equal, which indeed it is faid

that the iloics anciently have held. But as far as there

can be meaning to us in the exprefTion, it mud be proper

to fay the evil of fm is infinite : not only becaufe when

we confider the feveral particulars that iliuflrate the evil

of it, we fee no end to them, but becaufe fm is properly

an oppofition to the nature, and a tranfgrefLon of the law

of God. Now his nature being infinitely excellent, and

the obligation on us arifing from his infinite perlettions

in himfelf, his full property in, and abfolute dominion

over us being inconceivably great, I reckon that there

mufl be the very fame judice and propriety in faying

thac there is an infinite evil ia fin, as an infinite good-

nefs in God.

f o.Gf Lectures on Divinityl

Sin is explained in general in our Catechifm, to be
a want of comornuiy unio, or tranrgrtflion of the law of
Ood. In this definition of fin it is divided into fins of
pmiflion or b( conniiiffion. The law ot God is a perfect
rule, and every deviation from it is fin, whether in the
matter oi the duty, or principle from which it ought to
flow. An adion to be truly good, muft be compleat in
all rcfpetfs. Hence fome oblerve that actions truly good
are equally good, becaufe they are perfect, they compleat-
1\ fulfil the law, and are performed at the very time
when it was required. But fins are not equally evil,
fome a^e very much aggravated in comparifon of others
fiom many circumilances eafy to imagine — Let one juft
confider the dillindlion of fins, with a remark or two up-
|Dn each, (i.) Sins of omiffion and commiflion. We
arc not to fuppofe that fins of omiffion are conflantly,
a"d by their nature, lefs heinous than fins of commilfion.
There are fome duties fo important, and the obligation
to which are fo llrong and manifeft, that the omiffion of
tthem is an offence as much aggravated as any that can be
named, and much more fo than fome fins of commifTion.
A total and habitual negledl of God's worlliip, is certainly
nuch more criminal than fomerafh injurious expreflions,
which are fins of commifiTion. (2.) Sins voluntary and
invo'untary. Ail fins may be faid to be in fome fenfe vo-
luntary, as lying properly in the difpofition of the heart
and will. Some are of opinion that original fin itfelf i§
voluntary, the corrupt bias from the corrupted frame
not taking away the liberty necefiary to moral aftlon, and
the fin lying in the confent given to the felicitation. It is
however certain that all adlual fin lliould be confidered as
voluntary, being fo in its nature. But fome fins are faid
to be involuntary, when they are from inattention, and
fometimes when they are theeflfefl of long habit, fo that
they are done without deliberation and without reflection.
Thefe are not any way excufeable on that account; be-
caufe that want of attention is a very great fin, and the
power ot habit has been contra^ed by adts of wickednefs,
3. There are fome fins of ignorance, fome againfl
jght — light in general is an aggravation of fin. Igno-
jauce total and invincible, takes away all fin — But ig-

Lectures on Dhiniiyl tot

iiorance may often be eafily prevented ; and fometlmes
ignorance may be fo circumftanced as to aggravate fin,
as when it arUes from an averfion and hatred to the light.
This is nearly connected with the opinion of the inno-
cence of error. There are great numbers who will needs
have it, that error in judgment cannot be criminal, if the
perfon is fmcerely of that opinion which he profefles or
avows. This is called by biihop Warburton, the mafter
prejudice of this age. But it is plain that error mufl juft
be confidered as ignorance. To fay that a perfon mif-
takes his duty with perfe6l innocence, is to fuppofe God
has not given fufficient means of difcovering and diflin-
guifhing truth from falfehood.

There are feveral other divifions of fins that may be in-
troduced ; fuch as fins in thought, in word, and in deed.
Filthinefs of the flefh and of the fpirit ; occafional and
reigning fins : but as they have little difficulty in them,
fo the explanation of them is no way neceflary to the ex-
plaining of evangelical truth ; for which reafon I will not
difcufs them.

There are fome maxims in efiimating the morality of
actions, that, though generally admitted, carry fome diffi-
culty in them, when applied univerfally ; as for example
—that a fin is the more highly aggravated when it is con-.-
mitted with little temptation ; and that a virtuous adlion
is more laudable, when it overcomes the greateft tempta-
tions. If we extend this to inward, as well as outward
temptation, which is commonly done, it feen»s to take
much from the merit of true holinefs in eminent faiirs,
^nd to annihilate altogether the excellency of the Diviiie
holinefs. The maxim mud therefore, either be a millal- ,
or mifapplied. One of the contraries that liowsfrom 't, 'S
certainly true, viz. that an a6\ion is not praife-wo. /y. i i
proportion as the contrary is vicious. It is one i»i* t^ ^
higheft degrees of vice to be without natural afiVd^ion, ? j
• to negledt the common care of family and relations : o

to take care of them, has but very httle that 's pra'fe

thy in it. Whenever we find diffic.ilry iath'^ic tl-i
but reafoning them up to the qucfiioii o liber' >
ceffity, the dependance and activity of the creaiu: ••

to2 \Lectiires on Dhinlty^

we fhoulcl always flop lliort, as being above our compre-
he nil on.

There is one thing very remarkable, that in the fcrip-
tures, the fin of our nature is always adduced as an ag-
gravation of our guilt ; but loofe perfons in principle and
in practice, are apt to produce it as an extenuation of the
actual tranfgreflion which proceeds from it. Nor, I be-
lieve, is there any Way by which men can be taken off from
fuch views, but by a thorough work of conviction, and the
power of divine grace. Therefore a miniller of great piety
and judgment once faid to me, '* No man will cordially be-
lieve the doclrine of falvation by grace, contained in our
Catechifm and confeffion, unlefs he is born of God. I can
lliew by reafon that the fall of n an, and the corruption
of our nature is contained in the fcripture. I can iliew
that it is entirely correfpondent with the courfe of nature
and the fylfem of Providence. But we need hardly ex-
pe(5l that it will be received and approved till the pride
of the heart is brought down, and the iinner laid at the
foot-ftool of divine mercy."

Another remark Illiall make, and this alfo borrowed from
a friend, that every error or departure from the truth might
be traced back to a want of conviction, and not having a
due fenfe, of the evil of lin. Notwithflanding all the boaft
of concern for moral virtue, and the repeated objedVion
that the doctrine of falvation by grace leads to licentiouf-
nefs and favors immorality, it is an unhumbled fpirit that
makes fuch perfons oppofe the truth. Self-righleoufnefs
is eafily traced back to this — all the merit of works may be
reduced to it — had fuch perfons a proper fenfe of the ex-
tent and fpirituality of the law of God, they would never
think of truding in themfelves that Aey are righteous : and
did they feel the obligation upon every intelli^j^ent crea-
ture, fupremely to honor the living and true God, they
would fee the evil of rel\i fmg it ; but would never think
of pleading any merit from an imperfedl performance of
that which is fo perfe611y due.

In the lail place, as to the inability of man to recover
himfelf by his own power, though I would never attempt
to edabliih a metaphyrical fyilem of neceffity, of which

Lectures on Dhinity* lOJ

infidels avail themfelves in oppofition to all religion nor
preiunie to explain the influence of the Creator on the
creature ; yet nothing is more plain from fcripture or bet-
ter fupported by daily experience, than that man by na-
ture; is in fad incapable of recovery without the power of
God fpecialiy interpofed. I will not call it a necelfity ari-
fing from the irrefiflible laws of nature. I fee it is not a
nectffity of the fame kind as conllraint ; but I fee it an
impoflibility fuch as the fmner never does overcome, A
late author in Scotland thinks he has difcovered the great
wheel that conneds the human fyftem with the univerfal
kingdom of God : that this race of creatures v\7ere fufFered
or ordained to come into exigence, to be a (landing mo-
nument to all other intelligences through the iiniverfe, that
a rational creature once departing from his allegiance to
his Creator, never could again recover it, but by his own
Almighty power and fovereign grace.

LECTURE XVI.

Of the Covenant of Grace.

WE come now to fpeak of the Covenant of Grace.
This, taking it in a large fenfe, may be faid to
comprehend the whole plan of falvation through Jefus
Chrid. I am not to mention every thing tliat belongs to
this fubjedl ; but before entering diredlly into the eoniiitu-
tion of the covenant of grace, it will be proper to fpeak a
little of the do6lrine of fatisfaclion for the guilt of a crea-
ture.

As to the firfl: of thefe — Was fatisfa£lion or fome atone-
ment neceflary ? would it have been inconfiflent with di-
vine juftice to have pardoned fmners without it ? might
not the fovereignty and mercy of God have difpen fed witli
the punifliment of fm^ both in the fmner and in the fare-

ro4 Lectures on Divinityl

ty ? The agitation of this queftion, and the 2eal that i^
Ihewn by fome upon it, I cannot help faying, feenis to
arife from an inward averfion to the truth itfelf of the fa-
tisfadlion, and the confequences that follow from it. What
does it fignify, though any one fliould admit that God by
his fovereignty might have difpenfed with dernanding fa^-
tisfadion, if notwithftanding it appears in fa(ft that he has
demanded and exaded it ? " that without fliedding of
blood there is no remiffion," and *' that there is no other
name,'* &c. Whether it has been fo ordained, becaufe Xo
have done othervvife would have been inconfiflent with
the divine perfedions, or becaufe fo it feemed good unto
God, feems at leaft an unneceflary if not an indecent
queftion. We have an infinite concern in what God has
done, but none at all in what he might have done. On
what is really diiFicult upon this fubjedt, we may howe-
ver make the i^w following remarks.

(i) From its adlually taking place as the will of God,
we have good reafon to fay it was the wifeft and be ft j
the rather that we find many of the higheft encomiums on
the Divine perfections, as fliewing in this great difpenfa-
tion his power, wiidom, mercy andjuftice. His wifdom
in a particular manner is often celebrated, Eph. iii. lo.
Rom. xi. 33. At the fame time it is proper to obferve
the harmony of the divine attributes ; that the juftice of
God appears more awful in the fufFeringS of Chrift than if
the whole human race had been devoted to perdition ; and
his mercy more aftonifliing and more amiable in the gift
of his Son, than it could have been in the total remiflion cf
all fin without any fatisfaCtion, had it been poflible.

(2.) There is a particular proof of the necefTity of fatis-
fadion that arifes from the death of Chrift, confidered as
intimately united with the Divine nature, which it has
been already proved that he poflefTed, Can we fuppofe that
fuch a meafure would have been taken, if it had not been
neceflary ? Can we fuppofe that the eternal Son of God
would have humbled himfelf thus, and been expofed to
fuch a degree of temptation, and fuch amazing fufFeringSi
iiit had not been neceffary ?

Levtures on Dmriitf, loj^

3. All the accounts given us in fcripture of the nature
of God, his perf«i6lIons and governmenr, confirm this fup^
poficion. The infinite juflice and holinefs of his nature
are often mentioned in fcripture ; that he hates fm, and
cannot look upon it but with abhorrence, and particular-
ly that he will by no means ipare the guiitjTi It is fome-
times Dbjs6ted here, that juflice differs from other attri-
butes ; and that its claims may be remitted, being due only
to the perfon offended. But this which applies in part to
man, cannot at a!i be applied to God. I fay it applies
in part to man, becaufe a matter of private right, inde*
pendent of the public good, he may eafdy pafs by. But
it is not fo with magidrcices or public psrfons, nor even
with private perfons, when they take in the confideratioa
of the whole. Bt^ fides, when we confider the controverfy
about the juftice of God and what it implies, we fhall fee
the greateft reafon to fuppofe what is called his vindidive
juliice^ viz. a difpofition topunifhfm becaufe it truly me-
rits it even independently of any confequence of the pu-
nifliment, either for the reformation of the perfon, or as aa
example to others. The idea of judice and guilt carries
this in it, and if it did hot there would be an apparent ini*
quity in punilhing any perfon for a purpofe different from
his own good.

II. The fecortd quellion upon the fatisfadlion is, whe-
ther it was jull and proper to admit the fubftitution of an
innocent perfon in the room of the guilty. This is what
the Socinians combat with all their might* They fay it is
contrary to juflice to punifli an innocent perfon; that God
mufl always treat things as they really are, and therefore
Cau never reckon it any proper atonement for fin to pu*
ni(h one that never committed any fin. Before I ftat^ the
reafoning in fupport of this fundamental doctrine of the
gofpel, I will firfl briefly point out the qualifications ne-
ceffary in fuch a fubflitution. (i) The fecurity underta-
king muft be willing ; it would certainly be contrary to
juflice to lay a punifliment upon an innocent perfon with-
out his confent. (2) He mull be free and independent ha-
ving a right over his own life, fo that he is not accountable
to any other for the difpofal of it. (3) The perfon having

Vol. IV. O

to6 Lectures on Dhinityl

the demand mufl: be fatisfied and contented with the fub-
Hitution, indead of perfonal piinifhrnent. (4) That the
furety be truly able to make fatisfa<^ion in full. (5) That
it be in all rcfpedts as ufeful, and that the fufferer be not
loft to the public. (6) fome add that he be related to and
of the fame nature with the guilty. This is generally ad-
ded from the conftitution of Chrift's perfon, and in that
inftance furely has a great degree of fuitablenefs, but does
not feem to me to- be fo neceffary as the other particulars
for eftablifliing the general principle.

Now fuppofmg all thefe circumftances, vicarious fatis-
fa6l:on for fm feems to me eafily and perfectly juilifiable :
to make this appear, attend to the three following obferva-
tions. '

( i) There is nothing in it at all contrary to juflice. If
^ny innocent perfon were pnniflied againfl his will or
laid under a neceflity of fufFering for the cauie of another,
it would evidently be repugnant to the idea of juftice.
But when it is done, as by the fuppofition, willingly and
freely, injuftice is wholly excluded. If W'e could indeed
fuppofe ignorance and ralhnefsin the undertaking, fo that
he confented to what he did not underftand, there Would
be injuftice, but this alfo is wholly excluded in the" cafe
before us.

(2) There is nothing in it contrary to utility, becaufe
it has precifely the fame eftedl in demonftrating the evil
of fin in the one cafe as in the other. In any human go-
vernment it certainly ferves as much to ratify the law, and
in many cafes the exading the debt with rigor of a fure-
ty is a more awful fandion to the law, than even the
fatisfadlion of'the offending party. We have not in all
hiftory I think, an inftance of this kind fo ftriking as the
lawgiver of the Lorrians, who had made a law that a-
dultery Ihould be puni-flied with the lofs of both the eyes.
His own fon was ihortly after convicted of the crime ;
and to fulfil the law, he fufFered one of his 6wn eyes- to
be put out, and oneof his Son's. Every body muft per-
ceive that fuch an example was a greater terror to others,
than if the law had been literally infTided on the offen-
der After having mentioned thefe two particulars, I

Lectures on Dhinity, lof

obferve that the thin^ is in a mod precife and exafl man.
ner laid down in fcripture. It is iiDpoffible to invent
expreflions, that are either more flrong or more definite
than are there to be found. It is an obfervation of fosrie
of the Socinian writers that the word fatisfadion is not
to be ibund in fcripture, and in this they often triumph :
but nothing can be more ridiculous, for fatisfa6lion is a
modern term of art, and unknown in that fenfe to anti-
quity. But can there be any thing more plain, than that
it is intended to ex pre fs the very meaning fo fully and fo
varioufly exprefTed, both in the fcriptures and the heathen
writers ? The v/ord in the Old Teflament moft frequent-
ly ufed is, atoning, making atonement for fin, or for the
foul. What could be more plain than not only the great
day of atonement, but the daily facrificc in which certain
men were appointed to reprefent the people of Ifrael, and
lay their hands on the head of the devoted bead and con-
fefs the fins of the people, which had not any other intel-
ligible meaning than the transferring the guilt from the
finner to the vi6lim. The fprinkling the blood in the
Old Teflament upon the horns of the altar, whence by
allufion the blood of Ghrifl is called the blood of fprink-
ling, carries this truth in it, in the plained manner — and
the prophecies of Ifaiah, chap. liii. 5, " he was wounded
" for our tranfgrtflion," &c. " When he iliall give his foul
an offeringforfin,"&c. Butwere there the lead obfcurityin
the type, the truth as dated in the New Tedament, would
put the matter out of all doubt. The expreffions are fo
many that we cannot, and we need not enumerate them
all — " redeemed — bought with a price — redeemed not
with corruptible things, as filver or gold, but with the
precious blood of Chrid — This is my blood fhed for many,
for the remiflion of fins — he gave himfelf a ranfom for all
— unto him that loved us, and wadied us from our fins
in his own blood."

I would jud add here, that as by the conditution of our
nature, and our being made to defcend in a certain fuC-
ceflfion by natural generation, there is a communication
of guilt and impurity from Adam ; fo we have in human
fccietyj and indeed infeparable from it, the idea of conv

to8 Lectures on Dhinhy,

trjunication by natural relation of honor and fhame, hap-'
pinefs and mifery, as well as the cleareil notion of vokm*
tary fubftitution. We fee that the worth and eminent qua^
litles of any perfon, give luftre and dignity to his pofleri-
ty ; and wickednefs or bafenefs dots juft the contrary.
We fee that men may eafily, and do necelTiirily, receive
much pleafure from the happinefs of their relations, and
niifery in fympathy with their fufferings. And as to vo^
luntary fubftitution, it is as familiar to us as any tranfac^
lion in fociai life. It is true there are not many inftan-
ces of men's being bound in their life for one another ; for
which feveral good reafons may be afligned. There are
not many men of fuch exalted generofity as to be willing
to forfeit life for life ; it is rarely that this would be a pro.
per or adequate fatisfadlion to the law ; and it would no4
be the intereft of human fociety, commonly to receive it.
Yet the thing is far from being inhuman or unpradifed— -
There are fome inftances in ancient times, Jn which men
have procured liberty for their friends, by being confined
in their room. And both in ancient and modern times,
hoftages delivered by nations, or public focieties, are obli-
ged tp abide the punifhment due to their conflituents.

(3.) The third quellion on the fubje6l of fatisfadion is,
Whether it was neceffary that the redeemer or mediator
ihould be 5 divine perfon? It may beafked, whether an an-
gel of the highefl order, who was perfectly innocent, might
not have made fatisfadipn for the fins of men ? Perhaps
this is one oi the many queflions in theology, that are un-
neceffary or improper. It is fufficient to fay that it ap-
pears either to have been neceflary or bell, that one truly
divine fbould make fatisfadion for fin, fince it bas been
ordained of God, who does nothing unnecefl'ary.

But befides this, it feems to be confonant to other parts
of revealed religion, particularly the infinite evil of fm as
committed againfl God, for which no finite being feems fuf-
ficient to atone. To which we may add, that all finite, de-
pendant, created beings are under fuch obligations them-
felves, that it is nqt eafy to fee what they can do in obcr
dience to the will of God, which can have any merit in it,
pf whith they vVQuld not b^ obliged to do for the purpotq

Lectures on Dhinity. 169

of his glory at any time ; neither does any created being
feem fo much his own mailer, as to enter into any fuch
undertaking.

There is an objetlion made tothisdoclrine, fometimes
to the following purpofe. — How could the fecond perfon
of the ever blefled Trinity be faid to make fatisfa<^ion ?
Was he not equally offended with the other? Could he
make fatisfadion to himfelf ? But this objedlion is eafily
folved, for not to mention that we cannot transfer with
fafety every thing human to God, the thing in queftion is
by no means unknown in human affairs. Though for the
payment of a debt on which the creditor infiRs, it would
be ridiculous to fay he might pay himfelf; yet in the
charader of a magiftrate fitting to judge a criminal where
he reprefents the public, it is no way unfuitable for him
to put off the public perfon, and fatisfy the demands of
jultice, and preferve the honor of the Ihw.

Here I would conclude by jufl obferving, that there is
no neceffity of a furety's doing juft the fame thing in kind
that the guilty perfon was bound to do. The charadler
and dignity of the furcty may operate fo far as to produce
the legal effed, and make the fatisfadion proper for giving
its due honour to the law. Thus in the fufferings of Chrifl,
the infinite value of the fufferer's perfon, makes the fuf-
ferings to be confidered as a juil equivalent to the eternal
fufferings of a finite creature.

LECTURE XVII.

LET us proceed to the conHitution of the covenant ;
and you may obferve that there is fome difference
among orthodox divines as to the way of ftating the
parties and the terms of the covenant of grace. There
feems to be mention made in fcripture of a covenant or
ggreement between the Father and the Son, This the ge-

Xi<^. Lectures on Dhinhy^

nerallty of Calvlnift divines confider as a feparate or prc^
paratory contrail, and call it the covenant ol redemption.
Some however, efpecially thofe who have been termed
AntinotT^ians, confider this as properly the covenant of
grace, made with Chrift the fecond Adam as reprefenting
his rpiritual feed^ and the covenant faid to be made with
believers to be only the execution or adminiftration of
that covenant, and therefore called a teftament, being the
fruits of Chrid's death, or ratified by the death of the teC-;'
tator. According to the different ways of viewing this'
matter, they exprefs themfelves differently. The firll fay-
ing that the condition of the covenant of grace is faith in
Jefus Chrift ; and the other faying it is the rigbteoiifnefs
of Chrilh I do not apprehend there need be any differ-
ence between thofe now mentioned, and 1 obferve Mr.
Willifon in his catechifm takes it both ways. I fhall
firft very fhortly fhew you from fcripture that there is
plainly mention made of a covenant, or a tranfaclion be-
tv/een the Father and the Son, which, if di(lin6t from the
covenant of grace, may be properiy enough called the
covenant of redemption.

There are many promifes made direftly to the media-
tor refpe6ling this matter, Pf. ii. 6. *^ I declare the de-
*• cree," &c. Ifa. v. 3, 10. "When he fliall make hrs
'' ibul," &:c. Ifa, xlii. i, 6, 7. " Behold my fervant whom
" I uphold ; mine ehtl in whom my foul delighteth, I
''have put my fpirit upon him, he fliall bring forth judg-
'•'- ment to the Gentiles. I the Lord have called thee in
'' righteoufnefs and will hold thine hand, and will keep
'■^ thee and give thee for a covenant of the people, for alight
"•' of the Gentiles, Zech. vi. 13. "And the council of peace
*• fliall be between them both." I only further mention
PL xl. 6, 7, 8, " Sacrifice and offering thou didfl not
*' defire," &c. The truth is, that not only the Socinians
who are enemies to the fatisfaftion of Chrifi:, but even the
Arminians decline the admiffion of this truth, and attempt
to explain away the above texts; yet fomething equivalent
to it is neceffarily confequent upon Ghrill*s undertaking.
When he was conftituted mediator by the Divine decree,
lie mufl have affented to it, and freely undertaken the im*

Lectures on Divimty* If if

portatit charge. It is alfo evidently the fpirit of the New
Tellament difpenfation that the hope and ftrength of be-
lievers are in Chrift. He is faid to have afcended up on
high and received gifts for men, ;.^:,1 of his fuhiefs, we
are faid by the apoftle John, to receive grace for grace.

But the covenant of grace is faid to be more frequent.
ly made with men, with the houfe of Ifrael, with the cho-
fen of God, with his people. It is a compad or agree-
ment between God and e]e«5l finners to give freely and of
mere mercy Chrill to die for them, and with him a par-
don of fm and a right to everlafting life, together v/ith the
Spirit of fandtiiication to make them meet for it ; all which
the believer receives and accepts in the manner in which
it is offered and reds his eternal ftate upon it. This tranf-
action has many different titles given it in fcripture. It is
ealled the covenant of grace, which is properly the Theo-
logical phrafe — a covenant, becaufe it is often called fo in
the Old Teftament and in the New, and of grace becaufe
it is fo often repeated in both that falvation is of grace,
and particularly in order to ffate the oppofition between it
and the covenant of works. It is alfo called a covenant
of peace, and that with a double view ; to diftinguifli it
from the covenant of works, and from the covenant on
Sinai at the giving the law. It is called likewife an ever-
lafting covenant, to diftinguiih it from any temporary co-
venant— It is alfo called the promise^ and the promife
made of GOD unto our fathers.

In what I ihall further offer upon it, it is my defign
(i.) To confider the conftitution of the covenant in its pro-
miles and conditions. (2.) The various difpenfations of
it and their relations to one another. (3,) In v/hat man-
ner the gofpel is to be preached agreeably to it, and what
views of things are contrary to it.

• As to the conftitution of the covenant, you fee the firfl
and leading idea of it is, free and unmerited mercy — that
flnners had deferved to perilh — that divine juftice pro-
nounced their condemnation. This muft lie at the foun*
dation of the whole. — It was for this reafon that a medi-
ator was provided, and the Saviour is offered by God him-
ielf, as the fruit of his love, John iii, 16. " God fo loved

Hi ' Lectures on Dhinltyl

•' the world," &c. The freenefs of falvallorl in the got
pel is largely infifled on, and proved by the apoflle in his
cpiftle to the Romans, and particularly chap. iv. i6. fpeak-
ing of the covenant under the title of the law of faith, he
fays, " therefore it is of faith, that it might be of grace.*'
This covenant is eflablifiied by a mediator, for every
blelTmg comes to believers through Chrifi: and for his
fake, who is made unto us wifdom and righteoufnefs^
fandification and redemption. The promifes of the co-
venant of grace, may be taken in either view, more ge*
nerally or more particularly. — In general, it procures de-
liverance from the wrath of God, and from every part of
the curfe of a broken law. Some alfo dillinguim the pro*
rnifes generally, into grace and glory, — peace with God,
holinefs on earth, and the enjoyment of God at laiL But
that I may ftate them in the way mofl; proper for preaching
the gofpel and carrying the meflage of peace, I (hull enu-
merate them in the following order : — -

(i) The covenant promifes Chrift the mediator to make
fatisfadion to divine judice by his fufFerings and death.
He was the promife made of God unto the fathers, and un-
der the obfcurity of the ancient difpenfation he was the
hope of Ifrael, and the defire of all nations ; and when he
was come into the world, he was called the Lord's Chrift,
and the falvation of God. So Simeon exprefled himfelf^
*' Lord now letteft thou thy fervant depart in peace,*' &c.
And as the Redeemer appeared firil: as the obje£l of
faith to the ancient patriarchs, fo to convinced finners
under the gofpel, a faviour is the firft ground of confola-
tion.

(2) The covenant promifes the full and free pardon of
all fin through Chrill, John i. 16. Ifr;. Iv. i. The forgive-
nefs of fins is the do6lrine which Chrift commanded hi^
difciples to preach to all nations, beginning at Jerufalem,
I Tim. i. 15. " This is a faithful faying," &c. The uni-
verfality of the offer of mercy, is what particularly diflin-
guifhcsit, Matth. xi. 28. *' Come unto me — and him that
«' Cometh, I will in no wife call out." &c. This fee ms
to be indeed the preliminary mercy, that opens the way to
every other, and it was in this view that the gofpel was

Lectures on Dhlnitf* iii

preached to the humbled and needy, Luke iv. i8. " The
*' Jpirit of the Lord is upon me,'' &c.

(3.) The covenant promifes the fpirit of fan£lificati'on
to renew our nature, and form us for the fervice of God,
Jer. xxxi. 33, 34. Jer. xxxii. 40. *' And I will make aa
** everlalHng covenant with them," &:c. Ezek. xxxvi.
15, 26, 27. "- Then will I fprinkle clean waler upon you,'*
&c. It is with a view to this, that we are told, Ac^ls v. 31,
** That Chrift was exalted," &c. I need not multiply
paffages to this purpofe, for it is the conftant teftimony
of the Icriptures, that any gracious difpofition in believers
is the work of God's holy Spirit, and therefore are they
called the fruit of the Spirit. It is not only the bringing
fmners again to God by repentance that is confidered as
the work of God's Spirit, but the continuance and increafe
of fanftification is attributed to their being an habitation
of God through the Spirit ; *' I will live in them and walk
*' in them," &c.

(4.) The covenant promifes the favor of God, and all
its happy fruits, while in this life, 2 Cor. xvii. 18. "Where-
*' fore come out from among them, and be ye feparate,
" faith the Lord," &c. I need not here mention the parti-
culars that fall under this head — deliverance from temp-
tations— fupport under fufFerings — the fan6lified ufe of
fufFerings ; btrcaufe we are in one word affured that " all
things Ihall work together for good to them that love God,'*
and I Cor. iii. 22. " For all things are yours, whether Paul
or A polios," &.C.

(5.) In the laft place, the covenant promifes eternal
life. We cannot fay what would have been the fullnefs
of that life v/hich belonged to the firfl covenant ; but it
ieems to be generally agreed, that the promife of a glori-
ous hnmortality, contained in the gofpel, is much great-
er and more valuable, than that which was Icfl by the
fall. Life and immortality are faid to be brought to light
by the gofpel ; and our Saviour is faid to have entered into
the holieft of all, as the firll fruits of them that flept, and
to have gone to prepare a place for them, that where he is^
there they may be alfo.

Vol. IV. P

J 14 Lectures on t)mniij.

Let us now fpeak of the conditions of the covenant of

grace. As I hintt-d he'ore, thole who make the covenant
of grace an.d covenant ol redemption the fame thinp, lay,
the coiulition is Chriii's perledl mtrit and obedience. Nei-
ther indeed istlitre aw) thing elle that can be called the
meritorious condition. Thofe who fay that the covenant
of grace Was made u ith man, lay that the conditions is faith
in our Lord Jtius Chrift. And it is undoubtedly true, that
faith intereltb us m Ciirill, and brings us really within tiie
bond ol I e covenant. F»dth alone brings us to-it ; for any
thing elfe that might bt confidered as a condition, is only
a promife or what C rcd wiii do lor his people. But to ilate
th'S matter as clearly as 1 am able, whether there are con-
ditions or not, or what are the conditions of the covenant
ol grace, depends entirely on the ienfe in which we take
the word condition, avve take it asimpl}ing proper n-ie-
rit, or the plea or clainj in jullice for obiaininj.> the promi-
fes, nothing can be plainer, than that there is not, and can-
no: be ol this kind, any condition, but the voluntary, per-
fe61, meriroiious obedience ol the Lord jelus Crrill. .[ we
take it as fignifying any particular duty or performance,
as the term on which the promile is fulpended, as in the
iiril covenant abliaining irom the tree ot knowledge of
good and evil, it can ftarcely be faid with propriety, that
it has a condition ; lor the tenor of the covenant, in its
promifing part, is fuch. that every thing of this kind is pro-
miled as the v^ork ot God. Theretore many divines have
aflerted, that the golpel, ilri£\Iy fo called, has no coi dition,
but confilis wholly of free and veracious piomifts. (See this
matter wcli Hated in Witfius' Econonjy of the Covenants.)
It is for this reafon, that it is often called a teflament,
even where we have it tranflated covenant.

But if condition is taken to fignify a charaffer, qualifi-
cation, or what is neceffary to fit us tor everlaliing life,
th( n faith, repentance, new obedience, and final perfe-
Verance, are all conditions, but very improperly fo called.
I. Mctd in this fenle the covenant of grace has as many
conditions as the law has duties. Yet even in this view
we are carefully to obferve, that there is a difference in
the conftitution of the covenant of grace, betwten laith

Lectures on Dmnity, iij

in the blood of the atonement, and its fruits, the various
graces of the chrillian life. For dS the pronifes of the co-
venant contain not only the free j3ardon of fin forCliriU's
fake, but alfo the fpirit of fanclification, faith is tiie im-
mediate inftrument for receiving or laying hold of this
mercy. If there is to man (properly fpeakinji) a condi-
tion of the covenant, it mull be faith, bccaufe this, re-
nouncing all felfdependance, accepts and clofes with the
promife of recovery and falvation, juil in the manner in
which it is offered freely, without money and without
price. It is plainlv Jlated in this manner in the Epifile
to the Romans. " Therefore it is by faith, that it may be
by grace." *' To him that worketh is the reward not
** reckoned of grace, but of debt ; but to him that worketh
" not, bat believeth in him that judifieth the ungodly, his
** faith is counted to him for righteoufnefs." Faith in-
deed is highly proper for receiving the rijjfhteoufnefs of
Ghrift, becaufe it gives the glory only to God. To fup-
pofe faith has any merit in it is juil as abfurd as to fup.
pofe that a perfon, being wholly needy and helplefs, his
accepting the bounty of another, is an evidence of his ha-
ving abundance of his own.

As to the fruits of faith, or works of riehteoufnefs, no
perfon can cleny that they are the proper evidence of our
relation to God : — That they are the expreflians of our
love to hiin : — That they are necefTiry to forin us ior his
fervice an i fit us for iiis prefence : Bjt being the work of
his holy Spirit, and the accomplKhine'it of nis faithful pro-
mife, it is impoflible that they (hould be in any refpedt
conditions of the covenant of grace.

The promifes of the covenant of grace are ranged in a '
certain order — they introduce and lead to one another,
and they are to be received and applied precifely in the
fame order — -Ghrift the Saviour — the free pardon of fm—
a new nature as the work of his fpirit — increafe of grace
. — a fandlified Providence — viclory over death — and the
pofTefTion of everlafling life. — Tliefe muft take place jufl
in the order I have mentioned them. If the order is in-
verted, the fyftem is deftroyed.

j_i^ Lectures on Dhinity,

2. The fecond thing to be confidered is the various dlf-
penfations of the covenant, and their relation to one ano-
ther. The covenant of grace in evety difpenfetion differs
from the covenant of works. The covenant of works re-
quired perfect obedience, and one fin rendered it void.
In the covenant of grace there is provifion made, not on-
ly for reconciling the fmner, but for daily pardon to the
believer. In the covenant of works every thing depends
upon the perfonal condu6l of the interelled party ; in the
covenant of grace there is a Mediator who lays his hands
upon them both.

As to the difpenfations of the covenant of grace we may
confider them as appearing before the law, under the law,
and from the coming of Chrill.

( t.) Before giving the law we fee the promife is made
in the following terms—'* The feed of the woman fhall
^' bruife the ferpant's head," — And to Abraham—-'' In thy
« feed fhall all the nations of the earth be bleffed." I think
the promife, if not the covenant, was fubllantially made
the iame then as now. The apoftle to the Galatians, iii,
17, thought the fame thing, that the promife to Abraham
was the New Teftament promife, and that whatever the
law had peculiar to itfelf was pofterior to the promife, " and
" this I fay that the covenant which was confirmed before
** of God in Chrifl," &c. The promife at that time, as
now, was eternd life, as the Apoftle to the Hebrews
plainly proves, Heb, xi. 13. '* Thefe all died in faith,*'
gjj^c. — It is alfo plain I think, that as the promife to the
faith of the ancient patriarchs was in fubftance the fame
with ours, fo their faith itfelf was alfo the fame. It was;
a reliance on the mercy of God. It was that faith which
is the evidence of things not feen, and the fubftance of
things hoped for,

(2.) Under the law the covenant alfo was the fame in
fubllance, as appears by the. arguments juft now hinted
at. The only thing particular, is to confider what was
the import of the Sinai covenant, or the defign of giving
the law of Mofes. Some, feeing that the Levitical law
ponfifts chiefly of temporal promifes, are for fuppofing that

Lectures on Dhinity* 1 17

difpenfation quite diftindt from the covenant of grace.
They have even called the ten commandments given up-
on Mount Sinai, a republication of the law of nature, and
of the covenant of works. A late celebrated writer. Dr.
Warburton, attempted to Ihew that Mofes did not in the
law give them any reafonto exped eternal life, but con-
lined both the promifes and threatenin^s entirely to things
temporal. Even to this author probably many have im-
puted more than he intended to affirm. Yet he certainly
carries his arguments too far, in iuppofing that in none
of the infpired writers of the Old Teftament is eternal
life propoled as the objedl of faith. This may be eafily
refuted ; and indeed is in the book of Job fo ilrongly re-
futed, that the author is forced into the extraordinary fup-
pofition of that book being as late as the Babylonifli cap-
tivity, in order to rid himfelf of it. However, I think
that it mull be admitted that temporal promifes and threat-
nings make the mofl diftinguiflied appearance in the Le-
vitical law. This took place becaufe it was defigned as
a typical difpenfation, and to be a fliadow of good things to
come. It is plain however, that the law of Mofes did
not provide an atonement for every crime, and fuppofed
many fms which could not be expiated by the blood of
bulls or of goats, for which the only remedy was reliance
on the mere mercy of God, in the exercife of true repen-
tance, fee Ifa, i. 16. &c. the fame prophet, chap. Iv. i.
*' Ho ! every one that thirfteth," &c.

Tiie New Teftament exprefsly tells us, that the law
was a fchool-mafter to bring us to Chrift, and the innu-
merable perfons, and things, and ordinances, that were
typical in it, need not be mentioned. The land of Canaan
itfelf, and all the temporal promifes preparatory to it or
in confequence of the poffellion of it, had a reference to
the fpiritual promifes under the gofpel, and doub'defs the
acceptance and falvation of them under the law, are up-
on the footing of the everlafling covenant, which began to
be delivered before the law was given, and will continue
till the final confummation of all things.

The moral law publiflied upon Mount Sinai mull not
be confidered as a republication of the covenant oi works,

XiS Lectures on Divinity^

but a publication or fummary of that immutable law of
righteournefs, which is the duty of creaiur^s, and «nufl
accompany the adminiftration of every covenant which
God makes with man,

(3.) Since the coming of Chrift, the covenant of grace
is adminiftered in a manner more tull, clear and efficaci-
ous than in any of the former dates. It was formerly ad-
miniftered in the name of, and by a promifed Saviour ;
It is now adminiftered in the name of, and by a rifen Re.
deemer, who OFice fuffered and now reigns in ^lory. The
harmony of all the divine perfedions in the great falvation,
is more apparent now than formerly, and the preaching of
the glad tidinj2;s of peace to finners is more explicit and
more univerfdl. What falls chiefly to be confidered is,
how far the former difpenfations are fufpended or abroga-
ted by the coming of Chrift in the fltfh. The covenant
ratified by the death of Chrift is called a new covenant, in
oppofition to that which is old and vaniflied away. Cer-
tainly the covenant is called new, in oppofition to the co-
venant of works, which as the way of falvation was abro-
gated from the date of the firft promife, and both in the
Epiftles to the Romans, Galatians and Hebrews, efpecial-
ly the two former, the gofpel or law of grace, is oppofed to
the law of v/orks, meaning the firft covenant. And that I
may fatisfy you of this without entering into the endlefs
criiicifms upon particular palTages, obferve that thofe who
would by the law, underftand the law of Mofes, exclufive
of the covenantof works, may be eafily confuted, for the
Apoftle fays, '' that it is by faith, that it may be by grace."
— That if juftification was by works, Abraham migrht
have whereof to glory ; and that th^ defign of this conftir
tution was that no tlefti might glory in God's prefence.
The ceremonial law is undoubtedly abrogated both from
the exprefs declaration of fcripture, and from the nature
and reafon of things — Chrift is now the end of the law
for righteoufnefs to every one that believeth. And as the
whole fyftem of the Mofaic law was intended to r^-pify the
gofpel difpenfation when Chrift was adluall)^ come in the
lielh, it mull fail of itfelf as unneceffary or hurtfuU

Lectures on D'mnity'^ 115^

There has been much controverfy whether it was pro-
per to iay that the moral law was abrogated, or to ap[»1y
to that law what is faid of believers not being under the
law but under grace. This matter, one would think,
might be eafily reconciled, for doubtlefs the moral law as
a covenani of works, carrying a fentence of condemnati-
on againll every tranfgreffion, is abrogated. But the moral
law as the unalterable rule of duty to creatures is antece-
dent to all covenants, and cannot be afFed^ed by them*
The moral law as it requires obedience to rhe will, and
conformity to the nature of God, was binding on the
Angels before the creation of the world ; and will be the
duty ot holy angels and redeemed finners after the re fur-
rection. But there is alfo another view of this fubjctl—
thai the moral law is a part of the covenant of grace, in
the hand of the Mediator. It is the promife of the cove-
nant mat the law Ihall be written in our hearts, an un-
feigned faitti nnplies the acceptance of this as well as other
proinilcs, lo that the believer not only remains under his
onguial unchangeable obligation to keep the law, but
coiues under a new and peculiar obligation which is to be
dilenargcd in his Redeemer's ftrength : fo that to take tiiC
thnig properly, there is more obedience in the covenant
of grace, than in the covenant of works. The covenant
of grace requires unfeigned fubjedtion to every part of the
fame law, with this mortifying addition, that the believer
receives it wholly as a condition of his acceptance, and
afcribes it entirely to the riches of divine grace.

T.iere is Ibmetimes mention made of the political law
of Mofes, and it is demanded whether this is of pepetu-
al obligation ? The anfwer feems to be eafy. It con-
tains an excellent fyllem of laws fuited to the fettlement
of the Jews in Canaan, and many principles of equity,
that may be of great ufe to other legiflators ; but as the
civil laws in general have only in view temporal property
and convenience, they certainly are not unalterable, be-
caufe they mud be fuited to the ilate of fociety — and other
circumllances which may be very various. — Sundry of
the precepts alfo in the political law ieem to have an alle-
gorical meaning, and to have been made either with a

tio Lectures on Dhhi Uy,

view of fuggedlng or flrengthening moral principles, or
to be typical of gofpel times — as the precept, thou flialt
** not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn," " thou
" limit not feethe the kid in its mother's milk." — But we
may obferve that the principles laid down in the criminal
law are founded upon fo much wifdom, that it is a quef-
tion whether the departure from them in punifhing of
crimes has eVer been attended with advantage. As foi*
example, in regard to violence — the law of retaliation-—
an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth — in theft and
fraud — reftitution — and the punifliment of adultery v/ith
death.

What remains upon this fubje6l is only to point out in
what manner the golpel is to be preached agreeably to it,
and what views of things are contrary to it. To let this
matter before you with as much diflinQnefs and propriety
as I am able, obferve, that this gracious difpenfation mufl
be opened and prefled juft as it is fuited to the various
conditions of thofe to whom it is addrefied — thefe I ihall
divide into three great clafTes. (i.) Secure or felf- righte-
ous perfons. (2.) Convinced fmners. (3.) Profeffing be*
lievers.

I. Secure or felf-righteous perfons, who do not feem
to have ever laid their eternal concerns to heart, or are
building on fome falfe foundation, as a form of godlinefs^
or the merit of good works, or the comparative fiuallnefs
of the fins of which they are guilty. To thefe it is necef-
fary to preach the law in all its extent, and in all the force
of its obligation. It is neceffary to point out the evil of
fin, the loft Rate of man by nature ; and the abfolute ne*
ceflity of pardon through the blood of Chrill and renova-
tion by his fpirit. It may be very proper for them and
all others, to fhew them the guilt and folly of particular
lins, fuch as fwearing, drunkennefs, uncleannefs. But if
fomething more is not done, the evil i;s not fearched to
the bottom, for we ought to fliew them that thefe are but
the fruits of an unrenewed nature. — That retraining,
moderating, or even reforming a particular fm is not
enough, nor any evidence of a change from fin unto God.
It is particularly proper in fuch cafes to point out the
extent and fpirituality of the law, as reaching to tlie

Lectures on Dhihhy, 121

thdligkts of the heart, fo as if pofTible to fhew them that
they are guilty and helplefs, and that there is no falvati-
on in any but in Ghrill. This leads us to fay,

2. That with regard to convinced iinners, it is very
particularly neceffary to fet before them the all-fufticiency
ofChrift, the fulnefs and freenefs oF that falvation which
he purchafed upon the crofs, and offers in his word. To
fliew them that he has finiflied his work, and done every
thing neceffary to render it perfectly confident with the
juftice and holinefs of God to forgire even the chief of fin-
ners. But this will be beft illuflrated by pointing out
fome fentiments and views contrary to the freenefs of faU
vation, and the plan of the gofpel.

(i) It is contrary to the freenefs of falvation and to \\\t
covenant of grace to extenuate fin, to have hard thoughts
of God, of the flri6lnefs of his law, or the feverity ef its
fanclion. This arifes from imperfe6l conviftion of fin
which fometimes makes the finner ufe fome efforts to ob-
tain falvation 5 but dill he is apt to think he would have
very hard meafures if he was rejeded. Imperfect convic-
tions lead finners to feek their comfort from the extenua-
tion of fin, but true faith incites the finner to give full
force to the accufation, and to plead the benefit of the re-
iniffion.

(2) It is contrary to the freenefs of falvation and to the
tenor of the covenant of grace, to think that the greatnefs
or atrocioufnefs of fin fhould hinder our returning to God
for obtaining mercy. This is one of the firfl reflei^ions of a
finner under conviftion, that he has finned more than any
other, and that another can fooner expecl forgivenefs than
he. While this only fcrves to increafe humiliation, and
rafe to the foundation every degree of felf-confidence, its
operation is falutary. But fometimes this arifes from too
tooted an adherence to fome degree of human merit as ne-
ceffary to find favor with God, and then inftead of com-
pelling the finner to reft in the infinite compaffion of God,
it makes him fall upon fome fcheme of purchafing falva-
tion for himfelf ; or if he finds this impradicable, per-
haps he is plunged into the gulph of defpair. In oppofi-
tion to this, the new and well ordered covenant fends him

Vol. IV. (^

tit , Lectures on Dmnity,

to the infinite fulnefs of Chrift for a free and complete
pardon, and for deliverance from the power of his cor-
ruptions.

3. it is contrary to the freenefs of falvation and the
covenant of grace, to have any dependence on one's being
comparatively lefs wicked than anoiher. If the fmner's
hope Arifes nmch from his having been free from this or
thar fin, he is lellingon a legal foundation. This was a
rock of perdition to the Pharifees — See how the Saviour
lias oppofed this charader to the other, Luke xviii. 11.
*^ The Pnarifees Hood and prayed," &c. Not that God
Would reprefent it as a lefs fate Hate to attend to the exer-
cife ot religion than to be an adulterer. But when men
re'f their dependance on their comp .rative goodnefs in
themfelves, it only ferves to lead them away from an
elleem and acceptance of divine mercy. On this account
our Saviour fays to the Pharifees, Matth. xxi. 31. "Ve-
rily I lay unro you, the Publicans," Sec, The fight of
a great profligate deadens the fenfe of fin in the minds of
many worldly perfons, but in an humble penitent it only
excites him to reflect upon the great principles of all fin in
his own heart, and what he might have been,^ had not a re-
{training Providence and recovering grace been his prefer-
vation.

4. It is contrary to the freenefs of falvation and the co-
venant of grace, to fuppofe that we may not, or muft not,
lay hold of divine mercy till we have done fomething our-
fclves in the way ot duty and performance ; till our peni-
tential tears or purpofes of obedience, or begun reforma-
tion, entitle us to call it ours. No doubt felf-denial and
experience of the treachery of our own hearts fhould fill us
with humility and jealoufy of ourfelves ; but the true way
to reconcile the heart to duty, and to break the power of
fm is to rell our hope upon Divine Mercy for pardon, and
on the promile m the covenant of the Holy Spirit to fanc-
tily tis wholly. Many retard their reformation as well
as obllrudl their comfort by yielding to a fpirit of bondage
and flavilh fear. We Ihould rather pray in the words of
Zcchariah, Luke i. 74. " That we being delivered," &c.

Lectures on Dmnity, 123

5. It is contrary to the frecnefs of falvation and the co-
venant ot ^race to boa(l of our own rigliteoufnefs, or in
any degree to trull in our own llrength. The motto of a
Chriflian ibould be in the words of the Prophet Ifa. xlv.
24 ''Surely (licill one fay,*' &c. It is not merely the
pardon of fin, but the fani^ification of the nature and
llrength tor daily obedience that is promifcd in the cove-
nant ; and both mull be received from the Mediator's
hiuid and afcribed to him as their proper fource. It is an
ad inrable expreflion of the ApolUe Paul, who fays, '' I
*' obtained mercy to be faithful," accounting that a fub-
je6l of gratitude and a mercy received, which others would
have reckoned an occafionof boalling. Nothing is more
contrary to the fpirit of the gofpcl than felf dependance,
and indeed the whole fubllance of this difpenfation has
been defigned to abafe the pride of man, and to exalt the
grace of God.

To profcfling believers, the whole duties of the law of
God are to be preached, for believers are not without law
to God, but under the law to Chrifl. The laws of the
gofpel are to be inculcated as the fruits of faith, and the
evidence of a faving change. There is a great difTerence
between confidering duties as goin^ before, and as follow-
ing faith and reconciliation ; the firll is legal, the lad
evangelical. You need not be afraid but th.it duties may
be preac;ied as lindlly in the lad way as in the firil, and it
will certainly be done with much greater fafety.

C 125 ]

LETTERS

EDUCATION.

LETTER L

AFTER fo long a delay, I now fet myfelf to fulfil my
promife of writing jto you a few thoughts on the
education of children, — Though I cannot wholly purge
myfelf of the crimes of lazinefs and procrailination, yet I
do aflure you, what contributed not a little to its being hi-
therto not done, was, that I confidered it not as an ordi-
nary letter, but what deferved tobe carefully meditated on,
and thoroughly digefled. The concern you fhow on this
fubjedt, is highly commendable : for there is no part of
your duty, as a Chriflian, or a citizen, which will be of
greater fervice to the public, or a fource of greater com«
fort to yourfelf.

The confequence of my thinking fo long upon it, before
committing my thoughts to paper, will probably be the
taking the thing in a greater compafs than either of us at
firfl intended, and writing a feries of letters, inilead of one.
With this view J begin with a preliminary to the fucceff-
ful education of children, viz. that huiband and wife ought
Jo be entirely one upon this fubjedt, not only agreed as to

X26 ' Letters on Education.

the end, but as to the means to be ufed, and the plan to
be followed, in order to attain it. It ought to encourage
you to proceed in your defign, that I am perfuadtd you
will not only meet witfi no oppofition to a rational and
ferious education of your children, but great afliilance
from Mrs. S *********

Theerdfed hnrs contained a compliment, written with
great fincerity : but recoHeding that there are no rules
yet fettled for diflin2[uifhing true compliment from flaite-
ry, 1 have blotted them out: on which, perhaps, you will
fay to yourfclf, " he is fulfilling the charader which his
** entmies give him, who fay, it is the nature of the nma
** to deal much more in fuire, than in panegyric." How-
ever, I content niyfclfwith repeating, that certainly huf-
band and wife ought to confpire and co operate in every
thing relating to the education of their children ; and if
their opinions happen, in any particular, to be different,
they ought to exannne and fettle the matter privately by
thc^mfelves, that not the Icall oppofition may appear cither
to children or fervants. When this is the cafe, every
thing is enforced by a double authority, and ret omrnencU
ed by a double example : but wi-cn it is otherwife, the
pains taken are commonly more than loft, not being able
to do any good, and certainly producing very much evil.

Be pleafed to remeniber, that this is by no means in-
tenfled againft thofe unhappy couples, who, being eflen-
tially different in principles and character, live in a ftate
of continual war. It is of little advantage to fpeak either
to. or of fuch perfons. But even differences incompara-
bl} fmaller, are of very bad confequence : when one, for
example, thinks a child may be carried out, and the other
thinks it is wrong; when one thinks a way of fpeaking is
dangerous, and the other is pofitive there is nothing in it.
The lhin,i^s themfelves may indeed be of little moment;
but the want of concurrence in the parents, or the want of
mutual eileem and deference, eafily obferved even by very
young children, is of the greatell importance.

As you and 1 have chiefly in view the religious educa-
tion of children, I take it to be an excellent preliminary
that parental affeSlion fhould be purified by the principle*

Letters on Education. %%^

and controled or dirt-ded by the precepts of relip^ion. A
parent fhould rejoice in his children, as they are the ^nft
of a gracious God ; fhould put his truft in the care of an
induleent Providence for the prefervation of his offspring,
as well as himfelf ; (hould be fupremely dt firous that they
niay be, in due time, the heirs of eternal life ; and, as he
knows the abfolute dcpendance of every creature upon the
will of God, (hould be ready to refign them at what time
his Creator (hall fee proper to demand them. This hap.
py qualification of parental tendernefs, will have a pow-
erful influence in preventing miftakes in the condudl of
education. It will be the moll powerful of all incitements
to duty and at the lame time a reftraint upon that natural
fondnefs and indulgence, which, by a fort of fafcination
of fatality, makes parents often do or permit what their
judgment condemns, and then excufe themfelves by fay-
ing that no doubt it is wrong, but truly they cannot help it.

Another preliminary to the proper education of chil-
dren, is a firm perfuafion of the benefit of it, and the pro-
bable, at lead, if not certain fuccefs of it, when faithfully
and prudently condu6"\ed. This puts an edge upon the
fpirit, and enables the chriftian not only to make fome at-
tempts, but to perfevere with patience and diligence. I
know not a comnion faying either more falfe or pernicious,
than '^ that the children of good men are as bad as others-'*
This faying carries in it a fuppofition, that wheras the
force of education is confefied with refpedl to every other
human charader and accomplifliment, it is of no confe-
qence at all as to religion. This, I think, is contrary to
daily experience. Where do we expe6l to find young
perfons pioufly difpofed but in pious fan^iilies ? the excep-
tions, or rather appearances to the contrary, are eafily ac-
counted for, in more ways than one. Many perfons ap-
pear to be religious, while they are not fo in reality, but
are chiefly governed by the applaufe of men. Hence
their vifible condudl may be fpecious, or their public per-
formances applauded, and yet their families be negle^ed.

It mull alfo be acknowledged that fome truly well dif-
pofed perfons are extremely defedlive or imprudent in
this part of their duty, and therefore it is no wonder that
it Ih^uld not fuccecd. This was plainly the cafe with

Ixi Letters on Educatiofh

EH, whofe fons we are told, made themfelves vile, and hi
reftrained them not. However, 1 muft obferve, if we aU
low fuch to be truly good men, we mufl: at the fame time
confefs that this was a great drawback upon their charac-
ter ; and that they differed very much from the father of
the faithful, who had this honorable teftimony given him
by God, I know him, that he will command his children
and his houfliold after him, that they ferve me. To this
we may add, that the child of a good man, who is feen to
follow diffolute courfes, draws the attention of mankind
more upon him, and is much more talked of^ than any
other perfon of the fame character. Upon the whole, it
is certainly of moment, that one who defires to educate
his children in the fear of God, fliould do it in a humble
perfuafion, that if he was not defective in his own duty, he
will not be denied the blefling of fuccefs. I could tell you
fome remarkable inftances of parents who feemed to labor
in vain for a long time, and yet were fo happy as to fee a
change at laft ; and of fome children in whom even after
the death of the parents, the feed which was early fown^
and feemed to have been entirely fmothered, has at lall
produced fruit. And indeed no lefs feems to follow from
the promife, annexed to the command, train up a child in
the way he Ihould go, and when he is old he will not de-
part from it.

Having laid down thefe preliminaries, I fliall fay a
few things upon the prefervation of the health of chil-
dren. Perhaps you will think this belongs only to the
phyfician : but though a phyfician ought to be employed
to apply remedies in dangerous cafes, any man, with ^
little refle^lion, may be allowed to form fome judgment
as to the ordinary means of their prefervation ; nay, I
cannot help being of opinion, than any other man is fit-
tcr than a phyfician for this purpofe. His thoughts are
fo conffantly taken up with the rules jof his art, that it is
an hundred to one he will prefcribe more methods and
medicines than can be ufed with fafety.

The fundamental rules for preferving the health of
children, are cleanlinefs, liberty, and free air. By clean*
lincfs, I do not mean keeping the ouiiide of their clothes

Letters on Education* 129

in a proper condition to be feen before Company, nor
hindering them from fouling their hands and feet, when
they are capable of going abroad, but keeping them dry
in the night time, when youri^, and frequently wafhing
their bodies with cold water, and other things of the fame
nature and tendency. The fecond rule is liberty. All
perfons young and old, love liberty : and as far as it does
them no harm, it v/ill certainly do them good. Many aL
free born fubject is kept a flave for the fir (I ten years of
his life ; and is fo much handled and carried about by
women in his infancy, that the limbs and other parts of
his body, are frequently milhcipen, iand the whole very
much weakened ; befides, the fpirits, when under con-
iinement, are generally in a dull and languifhing (late.
The belt exercile in the world for children, is to let therrt
Tomp and jump about as foon as they are able, according
to their ovvn fancy. This in the country is bed done in
the fields ; in a city a well aired room is better than being
fent into the ftreets under the care of a fervant, very few
of whom are able fo far to curb their own inclinations, as
to let the children follow theirs, even where they may do
it with fafety. As to free air, there is nothing more ef-
fentially neceffary to the ftrength and growth of animak
an 1 plants. If a few plants of any kind are fown in a
clofe confined place, they commonly grow tip tall^ fmall,
and very weak. 1 have {ttn a bed of beans in a 'garden,
tinder the fhade of a hedge or tree, very long and (lender,
which brought to my mind a young family of quality,
trained up in a delicate manner, who if they grow at all,
grow to length, but never to thicknefs. So univerfal is
this, that I believe the body of a fturdy or well built make,
is reckoned among them a coarfe and vulgar thing.

There is one thing with regard to fervants, that I would
particularly recommend to your attention. All children
are liable to accidents ; thefe may happen unavoidably ;
but do generally arife from the ^rarelefTnefs of fervants, and
to this they are almoft always attributed by parents. This
difpofes all fervants, good or bad, to conceal them from
the parents, when they can polTibly do it. By this means

Vol. IV. R I

ijd Letters on Education.

children often receive hurts in falls or otherwife, which
if known in time, might be eafily remedied, but not being
known either prove fatal, or make them lame or deform-
ed. A near relation of mine has a high fhoulder and a dif-
torted vvaift, from this very caufe. To prevent fuch ac-
cidents, it is neceffary to take all pains poffible to acquire
the confidence of fervants, to convince them of the necef-
fity of concealing nothing. There are two difpofitions in
parents, which hinder the fervants from making difcove-
ries ; the firfl is when they are very paffionate, and apt
to ftorm and rage againft their fervants, for every real or
fuppofed negledt. Such perfons can never expedt a con-
feflion, which muft be followed by fuch terrible vengeance.
The other is, when they are tender-hearted or timorous
to excefs, which makes them fhow themfelves deeply af-
fedled or greatly terrified upon any little accident that
befals their children. In this cafe, the very beft fervants
are unwilling to tell them through fear of making them
miferable. In fuch cafes, therefore, 1 would advife parents,
whatever may be their real opinions, to difcover them as
little as poffible to their fervants. Let them flill incul-
cate this maxim, that there lliould be no fecrets concern-
ing children, kept from thofe moil nearly interelled in
them. And that there may be no temptation to fuch
conduct, let them always appear as cool and compofed as
poffible, when any difcovery is made, and be ready to
forgive a real fault, in return for a candid acknowledg-
ment.

LETTER II.

IF I miftake.not, my lall letter was concluded by fome
remarks on the means of trying fervants to be careful
of the fafety of children, and ready to difcover early and
honeftly any accidents that might happen to befal them.
I m«ufi:^ake fome farther remarks upon fervants. It is
% fubjed of great importance, and inseparably connedled
with what I have undertaken. You will find it extremely

Letters on Educatloni ijt

difficult to educate children properly, if the fervants of
the family do not confpire in it ; and impofTible, if they
are inclined to hinder it. In fuch a cafe, the orders iflued,
or the method laid down, will be negledled, where that is
poflible and fafe ; where negled is unfafe, they will be
unfuccefsfully or improperly executed, and many times,
in the hearing of the children, they will be either laughed
at, or complained of and difapproved. The certain con-
fequence of this is, that children will infenfibly come to
look upon the diredions and cautions of their parents, as
unneceffary or unreafonable reflraints. It is a known
and very common way for fervants, to infmuate them-
felves into the afFedlions of children, by granting them
fuch indulgences as would be refufed themiDy their pa-
rents, as well as concealing the faults which ought to be
punifhed by parents, and they are often very fuccefsful
in training them up to a mod dangerous fidelity in keep-
ing the fecret.

Such is the evil to be feared, which ought to have been
more largely defcribed : let us now come to the remedy.
The foundation, to be fure, is to be very nice and careful
in the choice of fervants. This is commonly thought to
be an extremely difficult matter, and we read frequently
in public papers the heavieft complaints of bad fervants.
I ams however, one of thofe who think the fault is at leaft
as often in the mailers. Good fervants may certainly be
had, and do generally incline of themfelves to be in good
families, and when they find that they are fo, do often con-
tinue very long in the fame, without defiring to remove.
You ought, therefore, to be exceedingly fcrupulous, and
not without an evident neceffity, to hire any fervant but
who feems to be fober and pious. Indeed, I flitter myfelf,
that a pious family is fuch, as none but one who is either
a faint or a hypocrite will be fuppofed to continue in. \i
any fymptoms of the laft character appears, you neen dot
be told what you ought to do.

The next thing, after the choice of fervants, is to mak^
confcience of doing your duty to them, by example, in-
ftrudlion, admonition and prayer. Your fidelity to them
will naturally produce in them fidelity to you and yours^

Xi^i Letters on Education,

and that upon the very beft principles. It wiH excite in
them a deep fenfe of gratitude, and at the fame time fill
them with fentiments of the higheft and moft unfeigned
cfteem. I could tell you of inflances (you will however
probably recolle6l fome yourfelf)of fervants who from their
living comfortably, and receiving benefits in pious fami-
lies, have preferved fuch a regard and attachment to their
mafters, as have been little fliort of idolatry. I fliall jud
mention one— a worthy woman in this place, formerly
fervant to one of my predeceffors, and marritd nuuiy
years fince to a thriving tradefman, continues to have iuch
an undiminifhed regard to her mailer's memory, thai ihe
cannot fpeak of him without delight ; keeps by her to this
hour the newfpaper which gives an account of his death
and character, and, I believe, v/ould not exchange it for
a bill or bond, for a very confiderable fum.

But the third and fini/Hing dircdion with regard to fer-
vants, is to convince them, in a cool and difpalTionate
manner, of the reafonablenefs of your method of pro-
ceeding, that as it is dictated by confciepce, it is con-
du6led with prudence. Thence it is eafy to reprefent to
them that it is their duty, inflead of hindering its fuccefs
by oppofition or negligence, to co-operate with it to the
utmoft of their power. It is not below -any man to reafon
in fome cafes with his fervants. There is a way of fpeak-
ing to them on fuch fubje£ls, by which you will lofe no-
thing of your dignity, but even corroborate your autho-
rity. While you manifeft your firm refolution, never to
depart from your right and title to command : you may,
notwithftanding, at proper feafons, and by way of con-
defcenfion, give fuch general reafons for your condu£l:, as
to (how that you are not ading by mere caprice or hu-
mor. Nay, even while you fometimes infill, that your
command of itfelf fhall be a law, and that you will not
fuffer it to be difputed, nor be obliged to givp a reafon for
it, you may eafily fhow them that this alfo is reafonable.
They may be told that you have the greatefl intereli in the
welfare of your children, the beft opportunity of being
apprifed as to the means of profecuting it, and that there

' Letters en Education, x^f

piay be many reafons for your orders, which it is unne^
jCefTary or improper for them to know.

Do not think that all this is excellive refinement, chi-
merical or impoflible. Servants are reafonable creatures, ' "'"'[
and are bed governed by admixture of authority and rea- '
fon. They are generally delighted to find themfelves
treated as reafonable, and will fometimes difcover a pride
in ihowlng that they undenland, as well as find a plea-
fure in entering into your views. When they find, as
they will every day by experience, the fucccfs and benefit
of a proper method of education, it will give them a high
opinion of, and confidence in your judgment ; they will
frequently confult you in their own affairs, as well as
implicity follow your directions in the management of
yours. After all, the very higheft inllance of tT*ue great-
nefs of mind, and the befi fuppoit of your authority, when
you fee necefiary to interpofe it, is not to be opiniona-
tive or cbilinate, but willing to acknowledge or remit a
real miftake, if it is difcreetly pointed out, even by thofe
in the lowed ftations. The application of thefe reflexions
will occur in feveral of the following branches of this fub-
je6t.

The next thing I (hall mention as neceflary, in order
to the education of children, is, to ellablifii as foon as
pofiTible, an entire and abfolute authority over them.
This is a part of the fubje6l which requires to be treated
with great judgment and delicacy. 1 wifh I may be able
to do fo. Opinions, like modes and falhions, change
continually upon every point ; neither is it eafy to keep
the jult middle, without verging to one or other of the ex-
tremes. On this, in pc.rticular, we have gone in this na-
tion in general, from one extreme to the very utmofl li-
mits of the other. In the former age, both public and pri-
vate, learned and religious education was carried on by
mere dint of authority. This, to be fure, was a favage
and barbarous method, and was in many inffances terri-
ble and difguIVmg to the youth. Now, on the other hand,
not only feverity, but authority, is often decried ; perfua-
fion, and every foft and gentle method, is recommended,
en fuch terms as plainly lead to a relaxation. I hope yot;

$34 Letters on Educatioff*

will be convinced that the middle way is beft, when you
iind it is recommended by the fpirit of God in his word,
Prov. xiii. 24. xix. 18. xxii. 15, You will alfo find a
caution againft excefs in this matter, Col. ii. 21.

I have faid above, that you fhould *'e(lablifh as foon
as poflible an entire and abfolute authority." I would
have it early, that it may be abfolute, and abfolute that it
may r\o\ be fevere. If parents are too long in beginning
to exert their authority, they will find the tallc very diffi-
cult. Children, habituated to indulgence for a few of their
£rfl years, are exceedingly impatient of redraint, and
if they happen to be of fliff or obftinate tempers, can
hardly be brought to an entire, at leaft to a quiet and pla-
cid fubmifllon ; whereas, if they are taken in time, there
is hardly any temper but what may be made to yield, and
by early habit the fubjedion becomes quite eafy to
themfelves.

The authority ought alfo to be absolute, that it may n(5t
be fevere. The more complete and uniform a parent's
authority is, the offences will be more rare, punifhment
will be lefs needed, and the more gentle kind of correc-
tion will be abundantly fufBcient, We fee every where
about us examples of this. A parent that has once ob-
tained, and knows how to preferve authority, will do more
by a look of difpleafure, than another by the mofl paf-
fionate words and even blows. It holds univerfally in
families and fchools, and even the greater bodies of men,
the army and navy, that thofe who keep the Ilridefl: difci-
pline, give the fewefl ftrokes. I have frequently remark-
ed that parents, even of the fofteft tempers, and who are
famed for the greateft indulgence to their children, diO^
notwithflanding, corred them more frequently, and even
more feverely, though to very little purpofe, than thofe
who keep up their authority. The reafon is plain. Chil-
dren, by foolifh indulgence, become often fo froward and
petulant in their tempers, that they provoke their eafy pa-
rents pad all endurance ; fo that they are obliged, if not
to flrike, at leaft to fcold them, in a manner as little to
their own credit, as their children's profit.

Letters on Education, \%^

T^here is not a more difgufling fight than the impotent
rage of a parent who has no authority. Among the lower
ranks of people, who are under no reftraint from decency,
you may fometimcs fee a father or mother running out in-
to the ftreet after a child who is fled from them, with looks
of fury and words of execration ; and they are often flu-
pid enough to imagine that neighbors or pafTengers will
approve them in this conduct, though in fa6l it fills every
beholder with horror. There is a degree of the fame fault
to be feen in perfons of better rank, though expreffing itfelf
fomewhat differently. Ill words and altercations will often
fall out between parents and children before company ; a
fure fign that there is defed of government at home or in
private. The parent flung with fhame at the mifbehavior
or indifcretion of the child, defires to perfuade the obfervers
that it is not his fault, and thereby effe^ually convinces
every perfon of refledlion that it is,

I would therefore recommend to every parent to begin
the eflablifhment of authority much more early than is
commonly fuppofed to be pofTible : that is to fay, from
about the age of eight or nine months. You will perhaps
fmile at this : but I do aflure you from experience, that
by fetting about it with prudence, deliberation, and atten-
tion, it may be in a manner completed by the age of
twelve or fourteen months. Do not imagine I mean to
bid you ufe the rod at that age ; on the contrary, I mean
to prevent the ufe of it in a great meafure, and to point
out a way by which children of fvveet and eafy tempers
may be brought to fuch a habit of compliance, as never to
need corredlion at all ; and whatever their temper may
be, fo much lefs of this is fufficient, than upon any other
fuppofition. This is one of my favourite fchemes ; let
me try to explain and recommend it.

Habits in general may be very early formed in chil-
dren. An aflbciation of ideas is, as it were, the parent
of habit. If then, you can accuflom your children to per-
ceive that your will mull always prevail over theirs, when
they are oppofed, the thing is done, and they will fubmit
to it without difficulty or regret. To bring this about, as
foon as they begin to fhow their inclination by defire or
avcrfion, let fingle inflances be chofen now and then (not

13^ Letters on Educathi^.

too frequently) to contradi£l them. For example, if i
child Ihovvs a defire to have any thing in his hand that he
fees, or has any thing in his hand with which he is delight*
^d, let the parent take it from him^ and when he does fo,
let no confideration whatever make him rellore it at that
time. Then at a confiderable interval, perhaps a whole
day is little enough, efpecially at firft, let the fame thing
be repeated. In the mean time, it muft be carefully ob-
ferved, that no attempt (hould be made to contradi6l the
child in the intervals. Not the lead appearance of oppofi-
tion, if poffible, fhould be found between the will of thei
parent and that of the child, except in thofe chofen cafes
when the parent mull always prevail.

I think it neceffary that thofe attempts fliould always be
made and repeated at proper intervals by the fame perfon.
It is alfo better it fliould be by the father than the mother
or any female attendant, becaufe they will be neceffarily
obliged in many cafes to do things difpleafmg to the child,
as in dreffmg, walhing, &c. which fpoil the operation ;
neither is it neceflary that they fhould interpofe, for when
once a full authority is ellablifhed in one perfon, it can
eafily be communicated to others, as far as is proper. Re-
men^ber, however, that mother or nurfe fliould never pre-
fume to condole with the child, or fliow any figns of difi
pleafure at his being crolTed ; but on the contrary, give
every mark of approbation, and of their own fubmiflioni
to the fame perfon.

This experiment frequently repeated will in a little
time fo perfectly habituate the child to yield to the parent
whenever he interpofes, that he will make no oppofition*
I can aifure you from experience, having literally pradli-
fed this method myfelf, that I never had a child of twelve
months old, but who would fuiFer me to take any thing
from him or her, without the leaft mark of anger or dif-
iatisfadlion ; while they would not fuffer any other to do
fo without the bitterefl; complaints. You will eafily per-
ceive how this is to be extended gradually and univerfally,
irom one thing to another, from contradicting to com-
manding them. But this, and feveral other remarks up.
on eRabliihing and preferving authorityj niufl be referred
to another letter.

i.e Iters on Education, i^i

LETTER IIL

Dear Sir.

THE theot-y laid down in my laft letter, for eftablifl^
iiig an early and abfoUite authority over children,
is of much greater moment than, perhaps, you will imme-
diately apprehend. There is a great diverfity in the tem-
per and difpofition of children; and no lefs in the pene-
tration, prudence and refolution of parents. From all
thefe circumftances, difficulties arife, which increafe ve-
ry fall as the work is delayed. Some children have natu-
rally very llilF and obftinate tempers, and fome have a cer-
tain pride, or if you pleafe, greatnefs of mindj which
makes them think it a mean thing to yield. This difpo-
fition is often greatly llrengthened in thofe of high birth^
by the ideas of their own dignity and importance, inllilled
into them from their mother's milk. I have known a boy
not fix years of age, who made it a point of honor not to
cry when he was beat, even by his parents. Other chil-
dren have fo (Irong paflions, or fo great fenfibility, that if
they receive corredion, they will cry immoderately, and
either be, or feem to be, affedled to fuch a degree, as to en-
danger their health or life. Neither is it uncommon for
the parents in fuch a cafe to give up the point, and if they
do not afk pardon, at leaft they give very genuine marks
of repentance and forrow for what they have done.

I have faid this is not uncommon, but I may rather alk
you whether you know any parents at all, who have fo
much prudence and firmnefs as not to be difcouragcd in
the one cafcj or to relent in the other ? At the fame time
it mud always be remembered, that the corredlion is whol*
ly loft which does not produce abfolute fubmiffion. Per-
haps [ may fay it is more than loft, becaufe it will irritate
inftead of reforming them, and will inftru(fl or perfe(^
them in the art of overcoming their parents, which they
will not fail to manifeft on a future opportunity. It is fur-

VOL. IV. S

1^8 Letters on Education.

prifing tc7 think how early children will dlfcover the weak
fide of their parents, and what ingenuity they will ihow in
obtaining their favor or avoiding their difpleafure. I think
I have obferved a child in treaty or expoftulation with a
parent, difcover more confummate policy at feven years
of age, than the parent him felf, even when attempting to
cajole him with artful evafions and fpecious promifes.
On all thefe accounts, it mull be a vaft advantage that a
habit of fubmiffion fhould be brought on fo early, that even
memory itfelf fliall not be able to reach back to its begin-
ning, tfnlefs this is done, there are many cafes in which,
after the beil management, the authority will be imper-
fect ; and fome in which any thing that deferves that name
will be impoffible. There are fome families, not contemp-
tible either in Ration or charadler, in which the parents
are literally and properly obedient to their children, are
forced to do things againil their will, and chidden if they
difcover the leaft backwardnefs to comply. If you know
none fuch, I am fure I do.

Let us nov/ proceed to the beft means of preferving au-
thority, and the way in which it ought to be daily exer-
cifed. I will trace this to its very fource. Whatever au-
thority you exercife over either children or fervants, or as
a- magillrate over other citizens, it ought to be di6tated by
confcience, and diredted by a fenfe of duty. Pafiion or
refentment ought to have as little place as poflible ; or ra-
ther, to fpeak properly, though few can boaft of having
arrived at full perfedlion, it ought to have no place at all.
Reproof or correction given in a rage, is always confider-
ed by him to v/hom it is adminiilered, as the efFe£t of
\veaknefs in you, and therefore the demerit of the offence
will be either wholly denied or foon forgotten. I have
heard fome parents often fay, that they cannot corre(5t
their children unlefs they are angry ; to whom I have
ufually anfvvered, then you ought not to correct them
at alL Every one would be fenfible, that for a magif-
trate to difcover an intemperate rage in pronouncing fen-
tence againll a criminal, would be highly indecent. Ought
not parents to punifli their children in the fame difpafli-
onate manner \ Ought they not to be at leaft equally con-

Letters on Educationl f};^

earned to dlfcharge their duty m the bed manner, one
cafe as in the other ?

He who would preferve his authority over his children, t
fhould be particularly watchful of his own condu<^. You
may as well pretend to force people to love what is not
amiable, as to reverence what is not refpedable. A de-
cency of condu6l, therefore, and dignity of deportment, is
highly ferviceable for the purpofe we have now in view.
Left this, however, lliould be millaken, I muft put in 4
caution, that I do not mean to recommend keeping chil-
dren at too great a diftance by a uniform flernnefs and
feverity of carriage. This, I think, is not necellliry, even
when they are young ; and it may, to children of fomc
tempers, be very hurtful when they are old. By and by
you fhall receive from me a quite contrary diredion. But
by dignity of carriage, I mean parents Ihowing themfelves
always cool and reafonable in their own conduct ; pru-
dent and cautious in their converfation with regard to the
reft of mankind ; not fretful or impatient, or paffionately
fond of their own peculiarities ; and though gentle and
afFedlionate to their children, yet avoiding levity in their
prefenee. This probably is the meaning of the precept
of the ancients, inaxima debetur pueris reiierentia. I
would have them chearful, yet ferene. In fhort, I would
have their familiarity to be evidently an a6l of condefcen-
fion. Believe it, my dear fir, that which begets efteem, -
will not fail to produce fubjecVion.

That this may not be carried too far, I would recom-
mend every expreffion of afFeclion and kindnefs to chil-
dren when it is fafe, that is to fay, when their behaviour
is fuch as to deferve it. There is no oppofition at all be- .
tween parental tendernefs and parental authority. They
are the bed fupports to each other. It is not only lawful,
but will be of fervice,that parents fliould difcover the great*
eft fondnefs for children in i4ifancy, and make them per.
ceive diftindly with how much pleafure they gratify all
their innocent inclinations. This, however, muft al-
ways be done when they are quiet, gentle, and fubmifTive
in their carriage. Some have found fault with giving
tliem, for doing well, little rewards of fweet-meat? ami

140 Z^tters on Education'.

play-things, as tending to make them mercenary,and lead-
ing them to look upon the indulgence of appetite as the
chief good. This I apprehend, is rather refining too much ;
the great point is, that they be rewarded for doing good,
and not for doing evil. When they are crofs and froward,
I would never buy peace, but force it. Nothing can be
more weak and foolifli, or more deftruclive of authority,
than when children are noify and in an ill humor, to give
them or prqmife them fomething to appeafe them. When
the Roman emperors began to give penfions and fubfidies
to the Northern nations to keep them quiet, a man might
have forefeen without the fpirit of prophecy, who would
be mafter in a httle time. The cafe is exadly the fame
with children. They will foon avail themfclves of this
eafmefs in their parents, command favors inflead of beg-
ging them, and be infolent when they Ihould be grateful.

The fame condu6l ought to be uniformly preferved as
children advance in years and underflanding. Let pa-
rents try to convince them how much they have their real
intereft at heart. Sometimes children will make a re-
queft, and receive a hafly or froward denial : yet upon
reflexion the thing appears not to be unreafonable, and
finally it is granted ; and whether it be right or wrong,
fometimes by the force of importunity, it is extorted. If
parents expedt either gratitude or fubmiffion for favors fo
ungracioully bedowed, they will find themfelves egregi-
oufly miftaken. It is their duty to profecute, and it ought
to be their comfort to fee, the happinefs of their children ;
and therefore they ought to lay it down as a rule, never to
give a fudden or hally refufal ; but when any thing is
propofed to them, confider deliberately and fully whether
it is proper — and after that, either grant it chearfully, or
deny it firmly.

It is a noble fupport of authority, when it is really and
vifibly direded to the moll important end. My meaning
in this, I hope, is not obfcure. The end 1 confider as
moll important is, the glory of God in the eternal happi-
nefs and iklvation of children. Whoever believes in a
future Rate, whoever has a juft fenfe of the importance
uf eternity to hinifelf, cannot fail to have a like concern

Letter^ on Ediicatlofu x^x

for his offspring. This fhould be his end both in infln.ic*
tion and government ; and when it vifibly appears that
he is under the conftraint of confcience, and that either
reproof or corre6lion are the fruit of fandified love, it will
give them irrefillible force. 1 will tell you here, with all
the fimplicity necefTary in fuch a fituation, what I have
often faid in my courfe of paftoral vifitation in families,
where there is in many cafes, through want of judgment,
^s well as want of principle, a great negleft of authority.

" Ufe your authority for God, and he will fupport it

Let it always be feen that you are more difpleafed at fia
than at folly. What a (hame is it, that if a child fhill,
through the inattention and levity of youth, break a difli
or a pane of the window, by which you may lofe the value
of a few pence, you fliould (form and rage at him with the
utmofl fury, or perhaps beat him with unmerciful fe verity ;
but if he tells a lie, or takes the name of God in vain, cr
quarrels with his neighbors, he fliall eafily obtain pardon :
or perhaps, if he is reproved by others, you will jufUfy
him, and take his part.'*

You cannot eafily believe the weight that it gives to fa-
mily authority, when it appears vifibly to proceed from a
fenfeofduty, and to be iifelf an act of obedience to God.
This will produce coolnefs and compofure in the manner,
it will direct and enable a parent to mix every expreffion
of heart felt tendernefs, with the mofl fevere and needful
reproofs. It will make it quite confilient to affirm, that
the rod itfelf is an evidence of love, and that it is true of
every pious parent on earth, what is faid of our Father in
heaven : " Whom the Lord loveth, he chafteneth, and
fcourgeth every fon whom he receiveth. If ye endure
challening, God dealeth with you as with fons : for what
fon is he whom the Father chalkneth not ? But if ye are
without chaftifement, whereof all are partakers, then ye
are baliards and not fons." With this maxim in your
eye, I would recommend, that folemnity take the place of,
and be fubflituted for feverity. When a child, for ex-
ample, difcoversa very depraved difpofitlon, in (lead of
multiplying llripes in proportion to the reiterated provo-
cations, every circumilance Ihould be introduced, whe-

J42 Letters on EducatioHl

ther in reproof or punifhment, that can either difcover the
ferioufnefs of yourmind, or make an impreffion of awe
and reverence' upon his. The time may be fixed before
hand— at fome diftance — The Lord's day — his own birth-
day with many other circumllauces that may be fo fpe-

cial that it is impoflible to enumerate them. I (hall juft
repeat what you have heard often from me in converfa-
tion, that feveral pious perfons made it an invariable cuf-
tom, as foon as their children could read, never to cor-
re£l them, but after they had read over all the paiTages of
fcripture which command it, and generally accompanied
it with prayer to God for his blefling. I know well with
what ridicule this would be treated by many, if publicly
nientioned ; but that does not fliake my judgment in the
leart, being fully convinced it is a moll excellent method,
and that it'is impolTible to blot from the minds of children,
while they live upon earth, the impreffions that are made
by thefe means, or to abate the veneration they will retain
for the parents who a6led fuch a part.

Suffer me here to obferve to you, that fuch a plan as
the above requires judgment, refle(?tlon, and great at-
tention in your whole condudt. Take hee^ that there
be nothing admitted in die intervals, that cbunteradl it.
Nothing is more dellrudive of authority, than frequent
difputes and chiding upon fmall matters. This is often
more irkfome to children than parents are aware of. It
weakens their influence infenfibly, and in time makes
their opinion and judgment of little weight, if not wholly
contemptible. As before I recommended dignity in your
general conduct, fo in a particular manner, let the utmoft
care be taken not to render authority cheap, by too often
interpofing it. There is really too great a rifk to be run
in every fuch inflance. If parents will be deciding di-
redly, and cenfuring every moment, it is to be fuppofed
they will be fometimes wrong, and when this- evidently
' appears, it will take away from the credit of their opinion,
and weaken their influence, even where it ought to pre-
vaiL

Upon the whole, to encourage you to choofe a wife plan,
and to adhere to it with firmnefs, I can venture to allure

Letters on Education, 14^

you, that there is no doubt of your fuccefs. To fubdue
a youth after he has been long accuRomed to indulp;encc,
I take to be in all cafes difficult, and in many irr^poflible ;
but Avhile the body is tender, to bring the mind to fub-
miffion, to train up a child in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord, I know is not impoffible : and he who hath
given the command, can fcarcely fail to follow it with hie
bl effing.

LETTER IV.

Dear Sir,

HAVING now finiflied what I propofed to fay on the
means of eitablilhing and preferving authority, I
fliall proceed to another very important branch of the fub-
]t^, and beg your very particular attention to it, viz. ex-
ample. Do not, however, fuppofe that I mean to enter on
that mofl beaten of all topics, the influence of example
in general, or to write a diflertation on the common fay-
ing, that " example teaches better than precept." An
able writer, doubtlefs might fet even this in fome new
lights, and make it a ftrong argument with every good
man to pay the ftri^left attention to his vifible condudl.'
What we fee every day has a conftant and powerful influ-
ence on our temper and carriage. Hence arife national
charadlers, and national manners, and every charaderilHc
dillindtion of age and place. But of this I have already
faid enough.

Neither is it my purpofe to put you in mind of the im-
portance of example to enforce inftruction, or of the fhame-
fullnefs of a man's pretending to teach others w^hat he de-
fpifes himfelf. This ought in the (trongell manner to be
laid before pallors and other public perfons, who often de-
feat habitually by their lives, what they attempt to do oc-
cafionally in the execution of their office. If there re-
mains the lead fufpicion of your being of that character,
thefe letters would have been quite in another flrain. I
believe there are iom^ perfons of very irregular lives.

144 Letters oh Education*

who have fo much natural light in their confciences, that
they vvoald be grieved or perhaps offended, if their chil-
dren fhould tread exa6tly in their own Heps: but even thefe,
and rnucli lefs others, who are more hardened, can never
be expected to undc:rtake or carry on the fyftem of edu*
cation, we are now endeavoring to illuftrate. Suffer me^
however, before 1 proceed, to make one remark: when
I have heard of parents who have been watched by their
own children, when drunk, and taken care of, kit they
llioald meet with injary or hurtful accidents— or whofe
intemperate rage and horrid blafphemies, have, without
fcruple, been expofed both to children and fervants — or
who, as has fo.iietimes been the cafe, were fcarcely at the
pains to conceal their criminal amours, even from their
own offspring — I have often refledled on the degree of im-
piety of principle, or fearednefs of confcience, or both
united, neceffary to fupport them in fuch circumftances^
Let us leave all fuch with a mixture of pity and difdain.

By mentioning example, therefore, as an important
and neceffary branch of the education of children, I have
chiefly in view a great number of particulars, which, fepa-
rately taken, are, or at lealt are fuppofed to be, of little
moment; yet by their union or frequent repetition, pro-
duce important and lading effeds. I have alfo in view-
to include all that clafs of a6lions, in which there is, or
may be, a coincidence betv/een the duties of piety and
politenefs, and by means of which, the one is incorpora-
ted with the other. Thefe are to be introduced under the
head of example, becaufe they will appear there to befl
advantage, and becaufe many of them can hardly bs
tau,eht or underflood in any other way.

This, I apprehend, you will readily approve of, be-
caufe, though you juilly confider religion as the moft ef*
fentially neceffary qualification, you mean at the fame
time that your children fhould be fitted for an appearance
becoming their Ration in the workl. It is alfo the more
neceffary, as many are apt to disjoin wholly the ideas of
piety and politenefs, and to fuppofe them not only dif-
tinct, but incompatible. This is a dangerous fnare to
many parents, who think there is no medium between

Letters on Education, 145

thej ^rofefl: ruflicity, and giving way to all the vanity and
extravagance of a diffipated life. Perfons truly pious have
often by their conducl given countenance to this rniftake.-
By a certain narrovvnefs of fentimtnt and behavior they
have become themfelves, and renclered their children un-
fit for a general intercourfe with mankind, or the public
duties of an adtive life.

You know, Sir, as much as any man, how contrary my
opinion and conduct have been upon this fubjedl. I can^
iiot help thinking that true religion is not only confiflent
w^ith, but necelfary to the perfection of true politenefs.
There is a noble fentiment to this purpofe illuflrated at
confiderable length in the Port-royal efTays, viz. '* That
" worldly politenefs is no more than an imitation or im-
" perfect copy of chrifllan charity, being the pretence or
'* outward appearance, of that deference to the judgment,
*' and attention to the intereft of others, v/hich a true
" chriflian has as the rule of his life, and the difpofitioa
" of his heart."* I have at prefent in my mind the idea
of certain perfons, whom you will eafily guefs at, of the
firfl: quality ; one or two of the male, and twice that num-
ber at leaft of the female fex, in whom piety and high fta-
tion are united. What a fweetnefs and complacency of
countenance, what a condefcenfion and gentlenefs of
manners, arifmg from the humility of the gofpel being
joined to the refined elegance infeparable from their cir-
cum fiances in life !

Be pleafed to follow me to the other extreme of human
fociety. Let us go to the remoteft cottage of the wildeil:
country, and vifitthe family that inhabits it. If they are
pious, there is a certain humanity and good will attend-
ing their fimplicity, which makes it highly agreeable.
There is alfo a decency in their fentiments, which, flow-

* The authorfi of thefe efTays, commonly called by writers
who make mention of them, the gentlemen of Port-Royal,
were a fociety of Janfenifts in France, who ufed to meet at
that place ; all of Miiom were eminent for literature, and ma-
ny of them of high rank, as will be evident by mentioning the
narrics of Pafcal, Arnaud, and the prince of Conti. The laft
- was the author of the effay from which the above remark is ta-
ken.

Vol. IV. T

24^ Letters on Education.

ing from the didlates of confciencc, is as pleafing in all
refpeds, as the reftraint impofed by the rules of good-
breeding, with which the perfons here in view have little
opportunity of being acquainted. On the contrary, un-
bred country people, when without principle, have gene-
rally a favagenefs and brutality in their carriage, as con-
trary to good manners as to piety itfelf. No one has a
better opportunity of making obfervations of this kind,
than I have from my office and fituation, and I can affure
you, that religion is the great polifher of the common peo-
ple. It even enlarges their underftanding as to other
things. Having been accuflomed to exercife their judg-
ment and refle(^ion on religious fubjeds, they are capa-
ble of talking more fenfibly on agriculture, politics, or a-
ny common topic of indifferent converfation.

Let me not forget to fpeak of the middle ranks of life.
Here, alfo, I fcruple not to affirm, that whatever fphere a
man has been bred in, or attained to, religion is not an in-
jury, but an addition to the politenefs of his carriage. They
feem indeed to confefs their relation to one another, by
their reciprocal influence. In promifcuous converfation,
as true religion contributes to make men decent or cour-
teous, fo true politenefs guards them effedlually from any
outrage againft piety or purity. If I were unhappily
thrown into mixed or dangerous company, I Ihould not
apprehend any thing improper for me to hear from the
moft wicked man, but from the greateil clown. I have
knov/n gentlemen who were infidels in principle, and
whofe lives, I had reafon to believe, were privately very
bad, yet in converfation they were guarded, decent and
improving ; whereas if there come into company a rough,
unpoliihed country gentleman, no man can promife that
he will nci break out into fome profane exclamation or
obfcene allufion, which it would be wrong to attribute to
impiety, fo much as to rudenefs and want of refledion,

1 have been already too long in the introdudion, and
in giving the reafons for what I propofe fhall make a part
of this branch of the fubjeQ, and yet I mud make another
preliminary remark : there is the greater neceffity for uni-
ting piety and politenefs in the fyllem of family example,

Letters on Education. 14*-

that as piety is by that means inculcated with the grealefl
advantagje, [o politenefs can fcarcely be attained in any
other way. It is very rare that perfons reach a higher de-
gree of politenefs, than what they have be?n formecl to
in the families of their parents and other near relations.
True politenefs does not confift indrefs, or a few motions
of the body, but in a habit of fentiment and converfat.ion:
the firft may be learned from a mafter, and in a little time;
the lail only by a long and condant intercourfe with thofe
who poflefs, and are therefore able to impart it. As the
difficulty is certainly greateft with the female fex, becaufe
they have fewer opportunities of being abroad in the world,
I lliall take an example from among them.

Suppofe a man of low birth, living in the country, by
induftry and parfimony has become v/ealthy, and has a
daughter to whom he defires to give a genteel education.
He fends her to your city to a' boarding fchool, for the
other which is nearer me, you are pleafed not to think
fufficient for that purpofe. She will fpeedily learn to buy
expenfive and falhionable clothes, and moil probably be
in the very height and extravagance of the fafliion, one of
the furefl. figns of a vulgar tafte. She may alfo, if her ca-
pacity is tolerable, get rid of her ruftic air and carriage ;
and if it be better than ordinary, learn to difcourfe upon
whatever topic is then in vogue, and comes in immedi-
ately after the weather, which is the beginning of all con-
verfation. Bat as her refidence is only for a time, fhe
returns home, where flie can fee or hear nothing but as
before. Mail fhe not relapfe fpeedily into the fame vul-
garity of fentiment, and perhaps the fame provincial dia-
Ie6l, to which Ihe had been accuftomed from her youth ?
Neither is it impoflible that fhe may jufl retain as much of
the city ceremonial, as by the incongruous mixture, will
render her ridiculous. There is but one ftngle way of
efcape, which we have feen fome young women of merit
and capacity take, which is to contra6t an intimacy with
perfons of liberal fentiments and higher breeding, and be
as little among their relations as pofTible. I have given
this defcription to convince you that it is in their father's
fcgufe, and by ths converfation and manners, to which

548 Letters on Education.

they are there accuftomed, that children mud be formed
to politenefs, as well as to virtue. I carry this matter fo
far, that I think it a diladvanta^e to be bred too high, as
well as too low. I do not defire, and have always decli-
ned any opportunities given me of having my children re-
fide long in families of high rank. I was afraid they would
contrad an air and manner unfuitable to what was to be
their condition for the remainder of their lives. I would
Willi to give my children as ju(l, as noble, and as elegant
fentiments as pofTible, to fit them for rational converfation,
but a drefs and carriage fuited to their Ilation, and not in-
confiilent with the meeknefs of the gofpel,

Though the length of this digrelhon, or explanatory in-
trodu6lion, has made it impoffible to fay much in this let-
ter on forming children's character and manners by ex^
ample, before I conclude I will give one direction which
is pretty comprehenfive. Give the utmofl attention to the
manner of receiving and entertaining flrangers in your
family, as well as to your fentiments and exprelTions with
reo;ard to them when they are gone. I am fully perfuaded
that ihe plaiiiefl and fliortefl road to real politenefs of car-
riage, and the mofl amiable fort of hofpitality, is to think
of others juft as a chrifiian ought, and to exprefs thefe
thoughts with modefty and candor. This will keep you
at an equal diffance from a furly and morofe carriage on
the one hand, and a fawning cringing obfequioufnefs, or
unneceiTary compliment and ceremony, on the other. As
thefe are circumllances to which children in early life are
very attentive, and which occur conflantly in their pre-
fence, it is of much moment what fentiments they imbibe
from the behavior of their parents. I do not mean only
their learning from them an eafe and dignity of carriage,
or the contrary ; but alfo, fome moral or immoral habits
©f the lafl confequence. If they perceive you happy and
lifted up with the vifit or countenance of perfons of high
rank, folicitous to entertain them properly, fubmilTjve and
flattering in your manner o^ fpeaking to them, vain and
apt to boafl of your connexion with them : and if, on the
pontrary, they perceive you hardly civil to perfons of in-
jf^fior ilation?, or narrow circumlUnces, impatient of

Letters on Education, 14^

their company, and immediately feizing the opportunity
of their departure todefpife or expofe them ; will not this
naturally lead the young mind to confjder riches and high
ilation as the great fources of earthly happinefs ? Will it
not give a flron^z bias to their whole defires and fiudies, as
well as vifibly afFe6l their behavior to others in fecial Lfe.
Do not think that this is too nice and refined : the firll im-
prellions upon young perfons, though inconfiderable in
themfelves, have often a great as well as lading efFcd.

I remember to have read many years ago, in the arch-
bifliop of Cambray's education of a daughter, an advice to
parents to let their children perceive that they efteem
others, not according to their ftation or outward fpLndor,
but their virtue and real worth. It mull be acknowledged
that there are fome marks of refpe6l due to men, accord-
ing to their place in civil life, which a good man would
not fail to give them, even for confcience fake. But it is
an eafy matter, in perfedl confiftency with this, by more
frequent voluntary intercourfe, as well as by our uj'ual
manner of fpeaking, to pay that homage which is due to
piety, to exprefs our contempt or indignation at vice, or
meannefs of every kind. I think it no inconfideraHe ad-
dition to this remark, that we fliould be as cautious of ef-
timating happiness as virtue, by outward lUtion ; and
keep at the fame didance from envying as from flaitering
the great.

But what I mull parlirularly recommend to you, is to
avoid that common but detellable culiom of receiving per-
fons with courtefy, and all the marks of re;d friendlhip in
your houfe ; and the moment they are gone, falling upon
their charadler and conduct with unmerciful feverity. I
am fenfible there are fome cafes, though they are not nu-
merous, in which it may be lawful to fayof others behind
their back, what it would be at lealt inii)rudent or unfafe
to fay in their own prefence. Neither would I exclude
parents from the advanta^'e of pointing out to their chil-
dren the millakes and vices of others, as a warning or lef-
fon of inllrudion to themfelves. Yet as detradlion in ge-
neral is to be avoided at all times ; fo of all others the
molt improper feafon to fpeak to any inm'^ prejudice, is,

%^(B Letters on Education^

after you have jufl received and treated him In an hofpi-
table manner, as a friend. There is fomething mean in
it, and fomething fo nearly allied to hypocrify and difin-
genuity, that I would not choofe to act fuch a part even
to thofe whom I would take another opportunity of point-
inp^ out to my children, as perfons whofe converfation they
fliould avoid, and whofe condu(5tthey fliould abhor.

In every ftation, and among all ranks, this rule is often
tranfgrefied ; but there is one point in which it is more fre-
quently and more univerfally tranfgrefled than in any
other, and that is by turning the abfent into ridicule, for
any thing odd or aukward in their behavior, I am forry
to fay that this is an indecorum that prevails in feveral
families of high rank. A man of inferior flation, for
fome particular reafon, is^admitted to their company. He
is perhaps not well acquainted with the rules of polite-
nefs, and the prefence of his fuperiors, to which he is un-
^ccuRomed, increafes his embarralTment. Immediately
on his departure, a petulant boy or giddy girl will fet about
mimicking his motions, and repeating his phrafes, to the
great entertainment of the company, who apparently de-
rive much felf-fatisfadlion from a circumftance in which
there is no merit at all. If any perfon renders himfelf
juRly ridiculous, by afTefting a charader which he is un-
able to fuilain, let him be treated with the contempt he
deferves. But there is fomething very ungenerous in
])eople treating their inferiors with difdain, merely becaufe
the fame Providence that made their anceftors great, left
the others in a low fphere.

It has often given me great indignation to fee a gentle-
man or his v/ife, of real worth, good underftanding, but
fmiple manners, defpifed and ridiculed for a defeat which
they could not remedy, and that often by perfons the mod
infignificant and frivolous, who never uttered a fentence
in their lives that deferved to be remembered or repeated.
But if this condudl is ungenerous in the great, how di-
verting is it to fee the fame difpofition carried down
through all the inferior ranks, and fhowing itfelf in a filly
triumph of every clafs over thofe who are fuppofed to be
J^elow them ? I have knjwn many perfons, whofe flatioa

Letters on Education, ^i^i

was not fuperior to mine, take great pleafure in exprefT.
ing their contempt of vulgar ideas ^livJl Iovj Ufe; and
even a tradeiman's wife in a city, glorying over the un-
polifhed manners of her country acquaintance.

Upon the whole, as there is no difpofitlon to which
young perfons are more prone than derifjon, or, as the
auther I cited above, Mr. Fenelon, exprefTes it, un esprit
inocqueur et malin — and few that parents are more apt to
cherifh — under the idea of its being a fign of fprightlinefs
and vivacity — there is none which a pious and prudent
parent iliould take greater care to reftrain by admonition,
and deftroy by a contrary example.

LETTER V.
Dear Sir,

LET us now proceed to confider more fully what it
is to form children to piety by example. This is
a fubjed of great extent, and perhaps, of difficulty. The
difficulty, however, does not confifl: either in the abRrufe-
nefs of the arguments, or uncertainty of the fadls upon
which they are founded, but in the minutenefs or trifling
nature of the circumftances, taken feparately, which makes
them often either wholly unnoticed or greatly underva-
lued. It is a fubjedt, which, if I millake not, is much
more eafily conceived than explained. If you have it
conflantly in your mind, that your whole vifible deport-
ment will powerfully, though infenfibly, influence the opi-
nions and future condudl of your children, it will give a
form or colour, if I may fpeak fo, to every thing you fay
or do. There are numberlefs and namelefs inflances ia
which this reflection v/ill make you fpeak, or refrain from
fpeaking, a£t,or abftain from fome circumftances of a6lion,
in what you are engaged in ; nor will this be accompani-
ed with any reluctance in the one cafe, or conftr:.:nt in
the other,

152 Letters oh EducatioA

But I 0111(1 not content myfelf with this. My profef^
fion ^ives me many opportunities of obferving, that the
iniprtflion made by general truths, however jullly flated
or fully proved, is feldom ftrong or lading. Let me,-
therefore defcend to pradlice^ and illuftrate what 1 have
faid by examples. Here again a difficulty occurs. If I
give a particular inftance, it v/ill perhaps operate no farther
than recommending a like condudt in circumftances the
fame, or perhaps perfectly fimilar. For example, I might
fay, in fpeaking to the difadvantage of abfent perfons, I
befeech you never fail to add the reafon why you take fuch
liberty, and indeed never take that liberty at all, but when
it can be jullified upon the principles of prudence, candor
and charity. A thing may be right in itfelf, but children
lliould be made to fee why it is right. This is one in-
llance of exemplary caution, but if I were to add a dozen
more to it, they would only be detached precepts ; where-
as I am anxious to take in the whole extent of edifying
example. In order to this, let me range or divide what
I have to fay, under diliindl heads. A parent who wifhes
that his example fliould be a fpeaking leflbn to his chil-
dren, fhould order it fo as to convince them, that he con-
fiders religion as neceflary, refpe6lable, amiable, profitable,
and delightful. 1 am fenfible that fome of thefe charac-
ters may feem fo nearly allied, as fcarcely to admit of a
diflinclion. Many parts of a virtuous condu6l fall under
inore than one of thefe denominations. Some alliens
perhaps deferve all the epithets here mentioned, without
exception and without prejudice one of another. But the
diliindions feem to me very ufeful, for there is certainly
a clafs of adlions which may be faid to belong peculiarly,
or at lead eminently, to each of thefe different heads. By
taking them feparately, therefore, it will ferve to point out
more fulfy the extent of your duty, and to fugged it when
it would not otherwife occur, as well as to fet the obliga-
tion to it in the dronger light.

I. You fliould, in your general deportment, make your
children perceive that you look upon religion as abfolute-
ly iiccedary. I place this fird, becaufe it appears to me
iird both in point of order and force. I am hv from being

JLvtlers on Education. jj3

^jtainfc takinpj all pains to fliow that religion is rational and
honorible in itfelf, and vice the contrary ; but I defpife
the fooUfh refinement of thofe, who, through fear of ma.
kint; children mercenary, are for being very fparing of the
niention of heaven or hell. Such conduct is apt to make
them conceive, that a negledl of their duty is only falling
fhort of a decree of honor and advantage, v/hich, for the
gratification of their pallions, they are very vvillinyj to re-
linquilh. Miny parents are much more ready to tell their
children fuch or fuch a thing is mean, and not like a gen-
tieman, than to warn them that they will thereby incur
the difpleafure of their Maken But when the pra6lices
are really and deeply criminal, as in fwearing and lying,
it is quite improper to red the matter there. I admit that
they are both mean, and that juffice ought to be done to
them in this refpedl, but I contend that it fhould only be
a fecondary confideration.

Let not human reafonings be put in the balance with
divine wifdom. The care of our fouls is reprefented in
fcnptureas the one thin^- needful. He makes a mifera-
ble bargain, who gains the whole world and lofes his own
foul. It is not the native beauty of virtue, or the out-
ward credit of it, or the inv/ard fatisfa6lion arifing from it^
or even all thefe combined together, that will be fufficient
to change our natures and govern our condu6l ; but a
deep convidlion, that unlefs \vt are reconciled to God, we
ihall without doubt perifh everlaftingly.

You will fay, this is very true and very fit for a pulpit
— but what is that clafs of actions that ftiould imprefs it
habitually on the minds of children ? perhaps you will
even fay, what one adlion will any good man be guilty
of — much more habitual condudl — that can tend to weak-
en their belief of it ! This is the very point which I mean
to explain. It is certainly poflTible that a man may at flated
times give out that he looks upon religion to be abfolutely
necelTary and yet his conduct in many particulars may-
have no tendency to imprefs this on the minds of his chil-
dren. If he fuffers particular religious duties to be eafily
difplaced, to be fhortened, poflponed or omitted, upon
the mod trifling accounts, depend upon it, this will make

Vol. IV. U

T54 Letters on Education]

religion in general feem lefs necelTary, to thofe who ob-
ferve it. If an unpleafant day will keep a man from
-public worfliip, when perhaps a hurricane will not keep
him from an ele£lion meeting — if he choofes to take phy-
fic, or give it to his children on the Lord's day, when it
could be done with equal eafe on the day before or after—
if he will more readily allow his fervants to pay a vifit to
their friends on that day than any other, though he has
reafon to believe they will fpend it in junketing and idle-
3iefs — it will not be eafy to avoid fufpe6ting that worldly
advantage is what determines his choice.

Take an example or two more on this head. Suppo-
fmg a man ufually to worfhip God in his family ; if he
fometimes omits it — if he allow every little bufmefs to in-
terfere with it — if company will make him difpenfe with
it, or fliift it from its proper feafon — believe me, the idea
of religion being every man's firft and great concern, it is
in a good meafure weakened, if not wholly loft. It is a
very nice thing in religion to know the real connexion
between, and the proper mixture of fpirit and form. The
form without the fpirit is good for nothing ; but on the
other hand, the fpirit without the form, never yet exifted,
I am of opinion, that punctual and even fcrupulous regu-
larity in all thofe duties that occur periodically, is the way
to make them eafy and pleafant to thofe who attend them.
;They alfo become, like all other habits, in fome degree
necelTary ; fo that thofe who have been long accuftomed
•to them, feel an uneafmefs in families where they are ge-
nerally or frequently negledled. I cannot help alfo men-
tioning to you, the great danger of paying and receiving
vifits on the Lord's day, unlefs when it is abfolutely ne-
jcefiary. It is a matter not merely difficult, but wholly
impradicable, in fuch cafes,, to guard effedlually againft
improper fubjedls of converfation. Nor is this all, for
-let the converfation be what it will, I contend that the
duties of the family and the clofet are fully fufficient to
employ the whole time ; which muft therefore be wafted
or mifapplied by the intercourfe of ftrangers.

I only further obferve, that I know no circumftance
iVom which your opinion of the neceffity of religion wiU

■ ^I^ttm on Education.. t'ssi

appear with the greater clearnefs, or carry it in greater
force, than your behaviour towards and treatment of your
children in time of dangerous ficknefs. Certainly there
is no time in their whole lives when the neceflity appears
more urgent, or the opportunity more favourable, for im-
prefllng their minds with a fenfe of the things that belong
to their peace. What fhall we fay then of thofe parents,
who, through fear of alarming their minds, and augment-
ing their diforder, will not fuffer any mention to be made
to them of the approach of death, or the importance of
eternity ? I will relate to you an example of this. A
young gentleman of eftate in my parifh, was taken ill of
a dangerous fever in a friend's houfe at a diftance. I
went to fee him in his illnefs, and his mother, a widow
lady, intreated me not to fay any thing alarming to him,
and not to pray with him, but to go to prayer in another
room, wherein fhe wifely obferved, it would have the fame
effedl. The young man himfelf foon found that I did not
act as he had expedled, and was fo impatient that it be-
came neceflary to give him the true reafon. On this he
infifted in the mod pofitive manner, that all reftridion
fhould be taken oiF, which was done. What was the con-
fequence ? He was exceedingly pleafed and compofed ;
and if this circumftance did not haften, it certainly nei-
ther hindered nor retarded his recovery.

Be pleafed to remark, that the young gentleman here
fpoken of, neither was at that time, nor is yet, fo far as I
am able to judge, truly religious; and therefore I have
formed a fixed opinion, that in this, as in many other in-
ilances, the wifdom of man difappoints itfelf. Pious ad-
vice and Gonfolation, if but tolerably adminiftered in fick-
nefs, are not only ufeful to the foul, but ferve particularly
to calm an agitated mincj, to bring the animal fpirits to an
eafy flow, and the whole frame into fuch a ftate as will beO:
favor the operation of medicine, or the efforts of the con-
ilitution, tp throw off or conquer the difeafe.

Suffer me to wander a little from my fubjed, by obferv-
ing to you, that as I do not think the great are to be much
envied for any thing, fo diey are truly and heartily to be
pitied for the deception that is ufually put upon th'^m by.

156 Letters on Educatiotu

flattery and falfe tendernefs. Many of them are brought
up with fo much delicacy, that they are never fufFered tp
fee any miferable or afflicting objedl, nor, {o far as can be
hindered, to hear any afFe£lin^ (lory of diflrefs. If they
themfelves are Tick, how many abfurd and palpable lies
are told them by their friends ? and as for phyficians I
may fafely fay, few of them are much confcience bound
in this matter. Now, let the fuccefs of thefe meafures be
what it will, the only fruit to be reaped from them is to
make a poor dying fmner midake his or her condition,
and vainly dream of earthly happinefs, while haftening to
the pit of perdition. But, as I faid before, men are often
taken in their own craftinefs. It oftentimes happens that
fuch perfons, by an ignorant fervant, or officious neigh-
bor, or fome unlucky accident, make a fudden difcovery
of their true fituation, and the Ihock frequently proves fa-
tal.— O ! how much more defirable is it-— how much
more like the reafon of men, as well as the faith of chrif-
tians— to confider and prepare for what muft inevitably
come to pafs ? I cannot eafily conceive any thing more
truly noble, than for a perfon in health and vigor, in ho-
nor and opulence, by voluntary ret^e(5tion to Sympathize
with others in diflrefs ; and by a well founded confidence
in divine mercy, to obtain the victory over the fear of
death.

2. You ought to live fo as to make religion appear re-
fpedlable. Religion is a venerable thing in itfelf, and it?
fpreads an air of dignity over a perfon's whole deportment,
I have feen a common tradefman, merely becaufe he wa3
a man of true piety and undeniable worth, treated by hii^
children, apprentices and fervants, with a much greater
degree of deference and fubmifiion, than is commonly
given to men of fuperior flation, without that character.
Many pf the flime meanneffes are ayoided, by a gentle-
man from a principle of honor, and by a good man from
a principle of confcience. The firft keeps out of the
company of common people, becaufe they are below him
•—the laft is cautious of mixing with them, bepaufe of
that levity and profanity that is to be expei^ted from them.
Ifj then, religion is really venerable when fmcere, a re-

Letters on Educathiu 157

fpeflable conduct ought to be maintained, as a proof of
your own integrity, as well as to recommend it to your
children. To this add, if you pleafe, that as reverence is
the peculiar duty of children to their parents, any thing
that tends to leflen it is more deeply felt by them than by
Others who obferve it. When I iiave feen a parent, in the
prefence of his child, meanly wrangling with his fervant,
telling extravagant ftories, or otherwife expofing his va-
nity, credulity or folly, I have felt jufl the fame propor-
tion of fympathy and tendernefs for the one, that I did of
contempt or indignation at the other.

What has been faid, will, in part, explain the errors
which a parent ought to fhun, and what circumflances he
ought to attend to, that reli^^ion may appear refpedable.
All meanneffes, whether of fentiment, converfation, drefs,
manners, or employment, are carefully to be avoided.
You will apply this properly to yourfelf. I may, how-
ever, juft mention, that there is a confiderable difference
in all thefe particulars, according to men's different fla-
tions. The fame actions are mean in one Ilation, that
are not fo in another. The thing itfelf, however, flill re-
inains ; as there is an order and cleanlinefs at the table of
tradefmen, that is different from the elegance of a gentle-
man's, or the fumptuoufnefs of a prince's or nobleman's.
But to make the matter flill plainer by particular exam-
ples. I look upon talkativenefs and vanity to be among
the greateft enemies to dignity. It is needlefs to fay how
much vanity is contrary to true religion ; and as to the
pther, which may feem rather an infirmity than a fin, v/e
are exprefsly cautioned againfl it, and commanded to be
fwift to hear, and flow to fpeak. Sudden anger, too, and
loud clamorous fcolding, are at once contrary to piety and
(dignity. Parents fhould, therefore, acquire as much as
pofTible, a compofure of fpirit, and meeknefs of language ;
nor are there many circumflances that will more recom-
mend religion to children, when they fee that this felf
command is the efTed of principle, and a fenfe of duty.

There is a weaknefs I have obferved in many parents,
to (how a partial fondnefs for fome of their children, to
the neglect, and in many cafes approachiiiLi; to a jealoufy

XSS Letters on Education^

or hatred of others. Sometimes we fee a mother difcovcr
an exceffive partiality to ahandfome daughter, incompa-
rifon of thofe that are more homely in their figure. This
is a barbarity, which would be truly incredible, did not
experience prove that it really exifis. One would think
they fhould rather be excited by natural afFe6lion, to give
all poffible encouragement to thofe who labor under a dif-
advantage, and bellow every attainable accomplifhment to
balance the defcds of outward form. At other times we
fee a partiality which cannot be accounted for at all, where
the mofl: ugly, peevifh, froward child of the whole family,,
15 the favorite of both parents. Reafon ought to counter-
act thefe errors ; but piety ought to extirpate them entire^
Jy. I do not ilay to mention the bad effeQs that flow from
them, my purpofe being oaly to fliow the excellence of
that charafter which is exempted from them.

The real dignity of religion will alfo appear in the con-
duct of a good man towards his fervants. It will point
out the true and proper diftindlion between condefcenfion
and meannefs. Humility is the very fpirit of the gofpel.
Therefore, hear your fervants with patience, examine
their conduct with candor, treat them with all the huma-
nity and gentlenefs that is confident with unremitted au-
thority : when they are fick, vifit them in perfon, provide
remedies for them, fympathize with them, and Ihow
them that you do fo ; take care of their interefls ; affift
them with your counfel and influence to obtain what is
their right. But, on the other hand, never make your-
felf their proper companion ; do not feem to tafte their fo-
ciety ; do not hear their jokes, or alk their news, or tell
them yours. Believe me, this will never make you either
beloved or efteemed by your fervants themfelves ; and it
will greatly derogate from the dignity of true religion in
tlie eyes of your children. Suffer me alfo to caution you
againd that mofl unjuft and illiberal prai^ice, of exercifi-ng
your wit in humorous flrokes upon your fervants, before
company, or while they wait at table. I do not know any
thing fo evidently mean, that is at the fame time fo com-
mon. It is I think, juft fuch a cowardly thing as to beat
a man who is bound i becaufe the fervatit, however happy

Letters on Education. 159

a repartee might occur to him, is not at liberty to anfwer,
but at the rifle of having his bones broken. In this as in
many other particulars, reafon, refinement, and liberal
manners, teach exadlly the fame thing with religion, and
I am happy in being able to add, that religion is general-
ly the moft powerful, as well as the mod uniform princi-
ple of decent conduct.

I fliall have done with this particular, when I have ob^
ferved, that thofe who are engaged in public, or what I
may call political life, have an excellent opportunity of
making religion appear truly refpedlable. What I mean
is, by Ihowing themfelves firm and incorruptible, in fup-
porting thofe meafures that appear befi calculated for pro-
moting the intereft of religion, and the good of mankind.
In all thefe cafes, I admire that man who has principles,
whofe principles are known, and whom every body def-
pairs of being able to feduce, or bring over to the oppo-
fite intered. I do not commend furious and intemperate
zeal. Steadinefs is a much better, and quite a different
thing. I V70uld contend with any man who fhould fpeak
mod calmly, but I would alfo contend with him who
fliould a6l moil firmly. As for your placebo's your pru-
dent, courtly, compliant gentlemen, whofe vote in affem-
bly will tell you where they dined the day before, I hold
them very cheap indeed, as you very well know. I do
not enter further into this argument, but conclude at this
time, by obferving, that public meafures are always em-
braced under pretence of principle ; and therefore an uni-
form uncorrupted public character is one of the bed evi-
dences of real principle. The free thinking gentry tell
us, upon this fubjedl, that " every man has his price.'*
It lies out of my way to attempt refuting them at prefent,
but it is to be hoped there are many whofe price is far
above their reach. If fome of my near relations, who
look fo much pains to attach me to the intered of evange-
lical truth, had been governed by court influence in their
political condu^, it had not been in my power to have
cdecmed their charad^er, or perhaps to have adhered to
their indrudtions. But as things now dand, I have done
both from the beginning, and I hope God will enable me
by his grace, to continue to do fo to the end gf life.

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LETTERS

0 N

Marriage,

LETTER L

IOFf ER, with fome hefitation, a few refie6lIons upon
the married flate. I exprefs myfelf thus, becaufe the
fubjedl: has been fo often and fo fully treated, and by wri-
ters of the firlt clafs, that it may be thought nothing now
remains to be faid that can merit attention. My only-
apology is, that what I offer is the fruit of real obfervation
and perfonal reflection. It is not a copy of any man's
writings, but of my own thoughts ; and therefore if the
fentiments fhould not be in themfelves wholly new, they
may poffibly appear in a light not altogether common. I
Ihall give you them in the v/ay of aphorifms or obferva-
tions ; and fubjoin to each a few thoughts by way of
proof or illuftration.

I. Nothing can be more contrary to reafon or public
utility, than the converfation and writings of thofe whp
turn matrimony into ridicule ; yet it is in many cafes, as
weakly defended, ar. it is unjuilly attacked.

Thofe who treat marriage with ridicule, ad in dlre<5t
and deliberate oppofition to the order of providence, and

Vol. IV. X

t62 Letters on Marrtagel

to the conftitution of the fociety of which they are mem-
bers. The true reafon why they are borne with fo pa-
tiently, is, that the Author of our nature has implanted in
tis inftindive propenfities, which are by much too llrong
for their feeble attacks. — But if we are to eftimate the ma-
lignity of a man's condudt or fentiments, not from their
effetl, but from their native tendency, and his inward dif-
pofition, it is not eaiy to imagine any thing more crimi-
nal, than an attempt to bring marriage into difefleem. It
is plainly an effort not only to deilroy the happinefs, but
to prevent the exiftence of human nature. A man who
continues through life in a fmgle ftate, ought, in juflice to
^deavor to fatisfy the public that his cafe is Angular, and
that he has fome infuperable obftacle to plead in his ex-
cufe. If, inflead of this, he reafons in defence of his own
condudl, and takes upon him to condemn that of others,
it is at once incredible and abfurd *• That is to fay, he can
fcarcely be believed to be fmcere. And whether he be
fmcere or not, he deferves to be detefled.

Infupport of the lafl part of my remark, let it be ob-
ferved, that thofe who write in defence of marriage, ufually
givefuch fublime and exalted defcriptions, as are not re-
alized in one cafe of a thoufand ; and therefore cannot be
a juft motive to a confiderate man. Inftead of infilling
on the abfolute neceflity of marriage for the fervice of the
ftate, and the folid advantages that arife from it, in ordi-
nary cafes ; they give us a certain refined idea of felicity,
which hardly exifts any where but in the writer's imagi-
nation. Even the Spectator, than whom there is hardly in
our language a more juft and rational writer, after faying
many excellent things in defence of marriage, fcarcely
ever fails to draw the charadcr of a lady in fuch terms,
that I may fafely fay not above one that anfwers the def-
cription is to be found in a parilh, or perhaps a country.
Now, is it not much better to leave the matter to the force
of nature, than to urge it by fuch arguments as thefe ? Is
the manner of thinking induced by fuch writings, likely
to haften or poftpone a man's entering into the marriage
'llatc?

Letters on Marriage. 't.^^

There is alfo a fault I think to be found In almofl every
writer who fpeaks in favor of the female fex, that they
over-rate the charms of the outward form. This is the
cafe in all romances — a clafs of writings to which the
world is very little indebted. — The fame thing may be
faid of plays, where the heroine for certain, and often all
the ladies that are introduced, are reprefented as inimita-
bly beautiful. Even Mr. Addifon himfelf in his admira-
ble defcription of Martia, which he puts in the mouth of
Juba, though it begins with,

^Tis not a set of features or complexion^ Sec.

yet could not help inferting

True she is fair ; oh, how divinely fair!

Now, I apprehend this is diredtly contrary tQ what fhould
{)e the defign of every moral writer. Men are naturally
^0 apt to be carried away with the admiration of a beau-
tiful face. Mud it not, therefore, confirm them in this
error, when beauty is made an efTerjtial part of every ami-
able chara(3:er I The preference fuch writers pretend to
give to the mental qualities, goes but a little way to reme-
dy the evil. If they are never feparated in the defcription,
wherever men find the one, they will prefume upon the
other. But is this according to truth, or agreeable to ex-
perience ? What vaft numbers of the mofl valuable wo-
men are to be found, who are by no means "divinely fair?"
Are thefe all to be negleded then ? Or is it not certain,
from experience, that there is not a fingle quality, on
which matrimonial happinefs depends fo little, as outward
form .'' Every other quality that is good, will go a certain
length to atone for what is bad ; as, for example, if a wo-
man is adlive and indufirious in her family, it will make
a hu?oand bear with more patience a little anxiety of coun-
tenance, or fretfulnefs of temper, though in themfelves
difagreeable. Rut (always fuppofing the honey-moon to
be over) I do not think that beauty atones in the lead de-
gree for any bad quality whatfoevev; it is, on the contrary,
a.n aggravation of them, being confidered as a breach of
(dith, or deception, by holding out a falfe fignal,

164 Letters on Marrla^l

2. In the married ftate in general, there is not fo much
happinefs as young lovers dream of; nor is there by far
fo much unhappipefs, as loofe authors uniyerfally fuppofe.

The firft part of this aphorifm \yill probably be eafjly
admitted. Before mentioning, hovveyer, the little I mean
to fay upon it, 1 beg leave to obferve, that it vvoyld be
quite wrong to blame the tendernefs and fervency of af-
fedlion, by v^hich the fexesare drawn to one another, and
that generous deyotednefs of hearts whiph is often to be
feen on one, and fometimes on both fides. This is nature
itfelf ; and when under the reflraint of reafon, and govern-
ment of prudence, may be greatly fubferyient to the future
happinefs of life. But there is certainly an extravagance
of feqtiment and language on this fubjedi, that is at once
ridiculous in itfelf, and the proper caufe, in due time, of
wretchednefs and difappointment.

"•'Let any man, who has outlived thefe fenfations hini-
felf, and has leifure to be amufed, dip a little into the love
fongs that have been compofed and publifhed from Ana-
creon to the pr^fent day, and what a fund of enter-
tainment will he find provided for him ! The heathen
gods and goddefles are the Handing and lawful means
of celebrating the praifqs of a miilrefs before whom,
no doubt, Venu^ for beauty, and Minerva for M^ifdom,
muft go for nothing. Every image in nature has been
called up to heighten our idea of female charms-— the
palenefs of the lily, the frefhnefs of the rofe, the bluih
of the violet, and the Vermillion of the peach. This is
even ftill nothing." One of the moR approved topics of a
iove-fick writer is, that allnature fades and mourns at the
abfence of his fair, and puts on a ne\y bloom at her ap-
proach. All this, we know well, has place only in his
imagination; for nature proceeds quietly in her courfe,
without minding him and his charmer in the leaft. But
we are not yet done. The glory of the heavenly orbs,
the ludre of the fun himfelf, and eveq the joys of heaven,
are frequently and familiarly introduced, to exprefs a lo-
ver's happinefs or hopes. Flames, cjarts, arrows, angi
lightning from a female eye, have been expreflions as old
at leaft as the art of writing, and are ftill in full vogue.

Letters on Marrtage[>( i6|

Some of tlicfe we can find no other fault with than that
they are a little outre as the French exprefs it ; but I conr
fefs I have fometimes been furprifed at the choice of light-
ping, becaufe it is capable of a double application, and
may put us in mind that fome wives have lightning in
their eyes fufficient to terrify a hufband, as well as the
maids have to confume a lover.

Does not all this plainly fliow, that young perfons are
apt to indulge themfelves with romantic expedations of a
delight, both extatic and permanent, fuch as never did and
never can exift ? And does it not at the fame time ex-
pofe m.atrimony to the feoffs of libertines, who, knowing
that ihefe raptures mufl foon come to an end, think it
fufBcient to difparage the ftate itfelf, that fome inconfide-
rate perfons have not met with in it, what it was never
intended to bellow ?

I proceed, therefore, to obferve that there is not by far-
fo much unhappinefs in the married flate in general, as
Joofe authors univerfally fuppofe. I choofe to flate the ar-
gument in this manner, becaufe it is much more fatisfy-
ing than drawing pi£lures of the extremes on either hand.
It fignifies very little, on the one hand, to defcribe the
flate of a few perfons diftingiiifhed for underftanding, fuc-
cefsful in life, refpe£led by the public, and dear to one
another ; or on the other, thofe hateful brawls which by
and by produce an advertifement in the news- papers,
f' Whereas Sarah the wife of the fubfcriber, has eloped
*' from hfs bed and board," &:.c. If we would treat of this
matter with propriety, we muft confider how it flands
among the bulk of mankind. The propofition, then, I
mean to eftablifli, is, that there is much lefs unhappinefs
in the matrimonial flate than is often apprehended, and
indeed as much real comfort a§ there is any ground to ex-
pedl.

To fupport this truth, I obferve, that taking mankind
throughout, we find much more fatisfadlion and chearful-
nefs in the married than in the fmgle. In proportion to
their numbers, I think of thofe that are grown up to ma-
turer years, or pad the meridian of life, there is a much
greater degree of peeviflinefs and difcontent^ whimfical-

^'66 Letters on Marriage]

hefs and peculiarity, in the lail: than in the firll. The
profpe(f-t of continuing fingle to the end of life, narrows
the mind and clofes the heart. I knew an inflance of a
'gentleman of good eftate, who lived fmgle till he was pall
forty, and he was eftecmed by all his neighbors not only
frugal, but mean in fome parts of his condu6l. This fame
perfon afterwards marrying and having children, every
body obferved that he became liberal and open-hearted on
the change, when one would have thought he had a flrong-
ger motive than before, to fave and hoard up. On this
a neighbor of his made a remark, as a philofopher, that
tvQxy ultimate pafiTion is ftronger than an intermediate
one ; that a fingle perfon loves wealth immediately, and
on its own account ; whereas a parent can fcarcely help
preferring his children before it, and valuing it only for
their fakes.

This leads me to obferve, that marriage muft be the
fource of happinefs, as being the immediate caufe of many
other relations, the moft interefling and delightful. I
cannot eafily figure to myfelf any man who does not look
upon it as the firft of earthly blefHngs, to have children,
to be the objecls of attachment and care when they are
young, and to inherit his name and fubftance, when he
himfeif muft, in the courfe of nature, go off the ftage.
Does not this very circumflance give unfpeakable dignity
to each parent in the other's eye, end ferve to increafe
and confirm that union, which youthful pafTion, and lefs
durable motives, firft occafioned to take place ? I rather
choofe to mention this argument, becaufe neither exalted
underllandings, nor elegance of manners, are neceifary
to give it force. It is felt by the peafant as well as by the
nrince ; and, if we believe fome obfervers on human life,
its influence is not lefs, but greater in the lower than in
the higher ranks.

Before I proceed to any further remarks, I mufl fay a,
few wcrds, to prevent or remove a deception, which very
probable leads many into error on this fubjedt. It is no
other than a man's fuppofing what would not give him
happinefs, cannot give it to another. Becaufe, perhaps,
^here are few married womep, whofe perfons, converfationj

Letters on Marrwgel iSj

manners, and condudl, are altogether to his tafle, he takes
upon him to conclude, that the hufbands, in thefe nume-
rous inftances, muft lead a nnferable life. Is it needful
to fay any thing to fhow the fallacy of this ? The taftes
and difpofitions of men are as various as their faces ; and
therefore what is difpleafmg to one, may be, not barely
tolerable, but agreeable to another. I have known a huf-
band delighted with his wife's fluency and poignancy of
fpeech in fcoldingher fervants, and another who was not
able to bear the leaft noife of the kind with patience.

Having obviated this miftake, it will be proper to ob-
ferve, that through all the lower and middle ranks of life,
there is generally a good meafure of matrimonial or do-
meliic comfort, when their circumftances are eafy, or their
eftate growing. This is eafily accounted for, not only
from their being free from one of the mofl ufual caufcs of
peevifhnefs and difcontent, but becaufe the affairs of a
family are very feldom in a thriving Hate, unlefs both
contribute their Ihare of diligence ; fo that they have not
only a common happinefs to fliare, but a joint merit in
procuring it. Men may talk in raptures of youth and
beauty, wit and fprightlinefs, and a hundred other Ihining
qualities ; but after feven years cohabitation, not one of
them is to be compared to good family management,
which is feen at every meal, and felt every hour in the
hulband's purfe. To this, however, I muft apply the cau-
tion given above. — Such a wife may not appear quite
killing to a flranger on a vifit. There are a few diftin-
guiflied examples of women of the firft rate underftand-
ings, who have all the elegance of court breeding in the
parlour, and all the frugality and a£livity of a farmer's
wife in the kitchen ; but I have not found this to be the
cafe in general. I learned from a certain author many
years ago, that " a great care of houlhold aiFaiis generally
fpoils the free, carelefs air of a fine hdy ;" and I have
feen no reafon to difbelieve it Once.

Once more, fo far as I have been able to form ^ judg-
ment, wherever there is a great and confefled fuperiority
of underftanding on one fide, with fome good nature on
the other, there is domeftic peace. It is of little conf«.

i6§ Letters on Marnagel

quence whether the fuperiority be on the fide of the irlati
or woman, provided the ground of it be manifefl. The
fierceil contentions are generally where the juft title to
command is not quite clear. I am fenfible I may bring
a little ridicule upon myfeff here. It will be alledged that
I have clearly eflablifhed the right of female authority
over that fpecies of hufbands, known by the name of hen-
peckr. But I beg that the nature of my pofition may be
attentively confidered. I have faid, " Wherever there is
a great and confefled fuperiority of underftanding. Should
not a man comply with reafon, when offered by his wife,
as well as any body elfe ? Or ought he to be againft reafon,
becaufe his wife is for it ? I therefore take the liberty of
refcuing from the number of hen-peckt, thofe who afk the
advice, and follow the diredlion of their wives in moft
cafes, becaufe they are really better than any they could
give themfelves — referving thofe only under the old de-
nomination, who, through fear, are fubjeft, not to rea-
fon, but to pafOon and ill-humor. I fhall conclude this
obfervation with faying, for the honour of the female fex^
that I have known a great number of inflances of juft and
amiable condudl, in cafe of a great inequality of judgment,
when the advantage was on the fide of the woman, than
when it was on the fide of the man. 1 have known many
women of judgment and prudence, who carried it with the
highefl: refpecl and decency, to weak and capricious huf-
bands : But not many men of diflinguiflied abilities, who
did not betray, if not contempt, at leall great indifference^
towards weak or trifling wives.

Some other things I had intended to offer upon this
fubje6l, but as the letter has been drawn out to a greater
length than I expe6:ed, and they will come in with at
leafl equal propriety under other maxims, I conclude at
prefent.

Letters on Marriage, 169

LETTER li.

3. TT Is by far the fafefl: and inoO: promifing way to
J_ marry with a perlbn nearly equal in rank, and per-
haps in age ; but if there is to be a difference, the rife is
much greater when a man marries below his rank, than
When a woman deicends from hers.

The fird part of this maxim has been in fubdance ad-
vanced by many writers, and therefore litde will need to
be faid upon it. I muH:, however, explain its meaning,
which is not always clearly comprehended. By equality
in rank, mud be underflood equality not in fortune, but
in education, tade and habits of life. I do not call it in-
ieq-uality, when a gentleman of edate marries a lady who
has been from the beginning brought up in the fame clafs
of fociety with himfelf, and is in every refpei5t as elegant
in her fentiments and manners, but by fome incidents,
that perhaps have lately happened, is unequal to him ia
point of fortune. 1 know that from the corrupt and felfifli
views which prevail fj generally in the world, a marriage
of this kind is often conddered as unequal, and an aft of
great condefcenfion^on the part of the man ; but the fen-
timentis illiberal and unjud. In the fame manner, when
i lady marries a gentleman of charafter and capacity, and
is in every refpeft fuitable to her, but that his edate is
not equal to what fhe might expedl, I do not call it une-
qual. It is true, parents too frequently prefer circum-
Jtances to charaivler, and the female friends of a lady at her
own difpofal, may fay in fucli a cafe, that fhe has made
a poor bargain. But taking it dill for granted that the
fortime only is unequal, I adirm there is nothing in this
circumdance that forebodes future diffenfion, but ratheu
the contrary. An adl of generodty never produced a fret-
ful difpodtion in the perfon who did it, nor is it reafonable
to fa ppofe it will oden have that effed on the one who
receives it.

The importance, therefore, of equality, arifes dngly
/rom this circumdance — that there is a great probability,
' Vol. IV. Y

I'jo Letters on Marriage,

that the turn, talle, employments, amufements, and gc^
neral carriage of the perfons fo intimately joined, and h
frequently together will be mutually agreeable.

The occafion or motive of iiril entering into the mar-
riage contra61:, is not of h much confequence to the fe-
licity of the parties, as what they find after they are fairly
engaged, and cannot return back. When I vifit a new
country, my judgment of it may be influenced a little,
but neither much nor long, by flattering hopes or hide-
ous apprehenfions, erA-ertained before adual trial. It has
often been faid that diiTe^fions between m.arried people,
generally take their rife fi'om very inconfiderable circum-
itances ; to v/hich I v\^ill add, that this is 01011 commonly
the cafe among perfons of fome nation, fenfe, and breed-
ing. This may feem odd, but the diiHeulty is eafily fol-
ved. Perfons of this charaQer have a delicacy on the fub-
ject of fo clofe an union, and expect a fweetnefs and com-
pliance in matters that would not be minded by the vul-
gar ; fo that the fmallnefs of the clrcumfiance appears in
their eye an aggravation of the olxence. I have known
a gentleman of rank and his lady part for life, by a dif-
ference arifmg from a thing faid at fupper, that v/as not
{o much as obferved to be an impropriety hy three fourths
of the company.

This, then, is what I apprehend occafions the impor-
tance of equality in rank. "Without this equality, they
do not underlland one another fufTiciently for continual
intercourfe.— Many caufes of difference will arife, not
only fudden and unexpecled, but impoffible to be fore-
^cQTi, and therefore not provided againfl. I mufl; alfo
obferve, that an explication .or expoftulation, in the cafes
here in view, is more tedious and difficult than any other
— perhaps more dangerous and uncertain in the iffue.
How fnaii the one attempt to convince tlie olher of an in-
congruity of behaviour, in what all their former ideas
have taught them to believe as innocent or decent, fome-
times even laudable ? The attempt is often confidercd as
an infult on their former Ration, and infieiid of producing
concord, lays the foundation of contiiiuril folicitude, or
j,n.cre?ifinfT rivcrfionr A man may be guilty of fpeaking

Letters on Marriage, i7t

very unadvifedly through intemperate mge, or may per-
haps come home fliidered with liquor, and his wife, if
prudent, may find a feafon for mentioning them, when
the admonition will be received with cahnnefs, and fol-
lowed by reformation ; but if flie difcovers her difplea-
fure at rufticity of carriage, or ineannefs offentiment, I
think there is little hope that it will have any effect that is
good. The habit cannot be mended ; yet he may have
fagacity enough to fee that the wife of his bofom has de-
fpifed him in her heart,

I am going to put a cafe. Suppofe that the late * — ,

who acquired fo vail an eflate, had married a lady of the
firft rank, education, and taile, and that fhe had learned
a few anecdotes of his public fpeeches — that he fpoke of
this here report of that there committee — or of a man's
being drowned on the coaft of the Island of Pennfylvania.
Now, I defire to know how flie could help pouting, and be-
ing a little out of humor, efpecially if he came home full of
inward fatisfadlion, and was honeilly of opinion that he
fpoke equally as well as any other in the houfe ? That
things may be fairly balanced, I will put another cafe.
Suppofe a gentleman of rank, literature, and tafte, has
married a tradefman's daughter for the fake of fortune, or
from defire, which he calls love, kindled by an acciden-
tal glance of a frefli-colored young woman : Suppofe her
never to have had the opportunity of being in what the
world calls good company, and in confequence to b*
v/holly ignorant of the modes that prevail there ; Suppofe,
at the fame time, that her underftanding has never been
enlarged by reading, or converfation. In fuch a cafe,
how foon mud paiTion be fated, and what innumerable
caufes of (liame and mortification muft every day pro-
duce ? I am not certain v/hether the difficulty will be
greater, if (he continues the manners of her former, or at-
tempts to put on thofe of her prefent flation. If any man
thinks that he can eafily preferve the efteem and atten-
tion due to a wife in fuch circumdances, he will proba-
bly be miftaken, and no lefs (o if he expedls to communi-
cate refinement by a few leffons, or prevent milbehavior
by fretfulnefs, or peevifli and fatirical remarksa

172 Letters on Marriage.

But let me come nqvv to the latter part of the maxirn^
which I do not remember to have ever met with in any
author — that there is a much greater riflv when a man
marries below his rank, tlian when a woman marries
below her's. As to the matter of fad, it depends entirely
pn the juftnefs and accuracy of my obfervations, of which
every reader mu(l be left to judge for himfelf. I mud,
however, take notice, that when I fpeak of a woman
marrying below her Nation, I have no view at ?.ll to in-
clude what there have been fome examples of — a gentle-
man's daughter running away with her father's footman,
or a lady of quality with a pla3^er, this is, in every in-
itance, an aft of pure lafcivioufnefs, and is, without any
exception that ever I heard of followed by immediate
fliame and future beggary.-— It hss not, however, any
more connexion with marriage, than the tranfadlions of
a brothel, or th^ memoirs of a kept millrefs. The truth
5s, elopements in general are things of an eccentric na-
ture : And when I hear of one, I feklom make any fur-
ther enquiry after the felicity of the parties. But when
marriages are cpntradled v/ith any degree of deliberation,
if there be a difference in point of rank, I think it is
much better the advantage fhould be on the woman's fide
than on the man's : that is to fay, marriages of the firfl
kind are ufually more happy than the other.

Suppofmg, therefore, the faftto be as now ftated, v/hat
remains for me is, to invefligate a little the caufes of it,
and pointed out thofe circurnftances in human tempers
and charaders, or in the flate of fociety, which give us
reafon to expedl that it will, in mofl: cafes turn out fo.
Whenever any elFed is general, in the moral as well
as natural world, there muft be fome permanent caufe,
or caufes, fufficient to account for it. Shall we afTign as
one reafon for it, diat there is, taking them complexly,
onore cf real virtue and commanding principle in the
female fex than in the male, which makes them, upon the
whole, a6l a better part in the married relation ? I will
not undertake to prove this opinion to be true, and fi.ir
lefs will I attempt to refute ii, or fliow it to be falfe.
Many authors of great penetration have afTirmed it ;

Letters on Marriage. i^^

and doubtlefs taking virtue to be the fame thing with found
faith and good morals, much may be faid in its fivor.
But there does not appear to me fo great a fuperiority in
this refpedl, as fully to account for the effcdl in quellion.
Befides, the advantages which men have in point of know-
ledge, from the ufual courfe of education, may perhaps
balance the fuperiority of women, in point of virtue ;
for none furely can deny, that matrimonial difcord may
not arife from ignorance and folly, as well as vice. Al-
lowing, therefore, as much influence to this caufe, as
every one from his experience and obfervation may think
its due, I beg leave to fuggell fome other things which
certainly do co-operate with it, and augment its force.

I. It is much eafier, in mod cafes, for a man to im-
prove or rife after marriage to a more elegant tafte in life
than a woman. I do not attribute this in the leall to
fuperior natural talents, but to the more frequent oppor-
tunities he has of feeing the world, and converfmg with
perfons of different ranks. There is no inllance in Vv'hich
the fphere of bufmefs and converfation is not more ex ten-
five to the hulband than the wife ; and therefore if a man
is married to one of tafle fuperior to his own, he may
draw gradually nearer to her, though fhe defcend very lit-
tle. I think I can recolle6t more indances than one of a
man in bufinefs mar.ied at iirfl: to his equal, and, on a
fecond marriage, to one of higher breeding, when not
only the houfe and family, but the man himfelf, was
fpedily in a very different flyle. I can alfo recollect in-
ftances in which married perfons rofe together to an opu-
lent eftate from almofl: nothing, and the man improved
confiderably in politenefs, or fitnefs for public life, but
the woman not at all. The old goffips and the old con-
verfation continued to the very laft. It is not even
without example, that a plain woman, raifed by the fuc-
cefs of her hufband, becomes impatient of the fociety
forced upon her, takes refuge in the kitchen, and fpeuds
mod of her a^^reeable hours with her fervants, from whom,
indeed, fhe differs nothing but in name. A certain perfon
iin a trading city in Great-Britaian, from being merely a

x74 Letters on Marriage,

mechanic, turned dealer, and in a courfe of years acqui-
red an immenie fortune. He had a flrong defire that his
family fliould make a figure, and fpared no expence in
purchafino: velvets, filks, laces, &c. but at lafl: he found
that it was loft labor, and faid very truly, that all the mo-
ney in Great-Britain would not make his wife and his
ddiughtcrs ladies. *^ >. <• -^ -^^

2. When a woman marries below her rank, I think it
is, generally fpeaking, upon better motives than when a
man marries below his, and therefore no wonder that it
fliould be attended with greater comfort. I find it afferted
in feveral papers of theSpedator, and I think it mud be
jidmitted by every impartial obferver, that women are not
half fo much governed, in their love attachments, by
beauty, or outward form, as men. A man of a very mean
figure, if he has any talents, joined to a tolerable power of
fpeech, will often make him acceptable to a very lovely
woman. It is alfo generally thought that a woman rates a
man pretty much according to the efieem he is held in by
his own fex : if this is the cafe, it is to be prefumed that
when a man fucceeds in his addrefi'es to a lady of higher
breeding than his own, he is not altogether void of merit,
and therefore will not in the iffue difgrace her choice. —
This will be confirmed by reflecting that many fuch mar-
riages mufi: be with perfons of the learned profeffions, it is
paft a doubt that literature refines as well as enlarges the
mind, and generally renders a man capable of appearing
with tolerable dignity, whatever have been the place or cir-
cumilances of his birth. It is eafy to fee that the reverie
of all this mud happen upon the other fuppofition : When
a man marries below his rank, the very befl; motive to
which it can be attributed, is an admiration of her beauty.
Good fenfe, and other more valuable qualities are not eali
ly feen under the diiguife of low breeding, and when they
are feen, have feldom jullice done them. Now as beauty
is much more fading than life, and fades fooner in a huf-
band's eye than any other, in a litde time nothing will
remain but what tends to create uneafinefs and difguft.

3. The poflelRon of the graces, or tafte and elegance of
manners, is a much more important part of a female tham

Letters on Mary 2 age. t*js

a male chara(5ler. Nature has given a much greater de-
gree of beauty and fweetnefs to the outward form of wo-
men than of men, and has by that means pointed out
wherein their feveral excellencies fhould confifl. From
this, in conjunftion with the former obfervaticn, it is ma*
nifefi, that the man who finds in his wife a remarkable
defedl in point of politenefs, or the art of pleafmg, will be
much more difappointed than the woman who finds a like
defe6l in her hufband. Many do not form any expedla-
tion of refinement in their hufoands, even before marri-
age : not a few, if I am not much millaken, are rather
pleafed than otherwife, to think that any who enters the
houfe, perceives the difference betv^^een the elegance of the
wife, and the plainnefs, not to fay the aukwardnefs of the
huiband. I have obferved this, even down to the loweit
rank. A tradefman or country farmer's wife will fome-
times abufe and fccld her huiband for want of order or
cleanlinefs, and there is no mark of inward malice or ill-
humor in that fcolding, becaufe ilie is fenfible it is her pro-
per province to be accurate in that matter. I think alfo,
that the hufband in fuch cafes is often gratified inflead of
being offended, becaufe it pleafes him to think that he has
a wife that does juft as flie ought to do. But take the
thing the other way, and there is no rank of life, from the
prince to the peafant, in which the hufoand can take plea-
sure in a. wife more aukward or more flovenly than him-
fclf-

To fum up the whole, if fome conformity or fimilarlty
of manners is of the utmoft confequence to matrimonial
comfort — if tafle and elegance are of more confequence
to the wife than the hufband, according to their flation :
— and, if it is more difficult for her to acquire it after mar-
riage^ if file does not pofTefs it before — I humbly conceive
I have fully fupportecl my propofition, that there is a much
greater rifle in a man's marrying below his flation, than
a woman's defcending from her's.

1^6 Letters on Maniagr.

LETTER III.

1HAVE not yet clone with the maxims on raatrimonia!
happinefs; therefore obferve,

4. That it is not by far of fo much confeqiience, what
are the talents, temper, turn of mind, character, or cir-
cumflances of both or either of the parties, as that there
be a certain fuitablenefs or correlpondence of thofe of the
one to thofe' of the other.

Thofe eflay writers, who have taken human nature and
life as their great general fubjei^, have many remarks on
the caufes of infelicity in the marriage union, as well as
many beautiful and ftriking pictures of what would be jull,
generous, prudent, and dutiful condudl, or their contraries,
in particular circumllances. Great pains have been taken
alfo to point out what ought to be the motives of choice
to both parties, if they exped happinefs. Without en-
tering into a full detail of what has been faid upon this
fubjed, I think the two chief competitors for preference,
have generally been — good nature and good fenfe. The
advocates for the firO: fay, that as the happinefs of married
people muft arife from a continual interchange of kind
offices, and from a number of fmall circumftances, that
occur every hour, a gentle and eafy difpofition — a temper
that is happy in itfelf — mud be the caufe of happinefs to
another. I'he advocates for good fenfe fay, that the fweet-
nefs of good nature is only for the honey-moon ; that it
will either change its nature, and become four by long-
flanding, or become wholly infipid ; fo that if it do not
generate hatred, it will at leail incur indifference or con-
tempt ; whereas good fenfe is a flerling quality, which
cannot fail to produce and preferve edeem- — the true foun-
dation of rational love.

If I may, as I believe mod people do, take the pre-
vailing fentiments within the compafs of my own read-
ing and converfation, for the general opinion, I think it
i§ in favour of good fenfe. And if w^e mud determine
between thefe two, and decide which of the^. h of th^

Letters on Marriages J7y*

mbfl importance when feparated from the other, I have
very little to fay againft the public judgment. But in
this, as in many other cafes, it is only imperfedl and ge-
neral, and often ill underflood and falfely applied. There
is hardly a more noted faying than that a man of fenfe
will never ufe a woman ill, which is true or falfe accord-
ing to the meaning that is put upon the phrafe, using a
*u?oman ilL If it be meant, that he v/ill not fo probably
beat his wife, as a fool ; that he will not fcold or curfe
her, or treat her with ill manners before company, or in-
deed that he will not fo probably keep a continual wrang-
ling, either in public or private, I admit that it is true.
Good fenfe is the belt fecurity againft indecorums of eVery
kind. But if it be meant, that a man will not make his
wife in any cafe truly miferable, I utterly deny it. On
the contrary, there are many inftances in which men
itiake ufe of their fenfe itfelf, their judgment, penetration,
and knowledge of human life, to make their wives more
cxquifitely unhappy. What (hall we fay of thofe, whd
can lling them with reflexions fo artfully guarded that it
is impoffible not to feel them, and yet ahnoll as impollible
with propriety to complain of them ?

1 mull alfo obferve, that a high degree of delicacy in
fentiment, although this is the prevailing ingredient when
men attempt to paint refined felicity in the married (late,
is one of the mod dangerous qualities that can be men-
tioned. It is like certain medicines that are powerful ih
their operation, but at the fame time require the utmoft
caution and prudence, as to the time and manner of theif
being applied.-— A man or woman of extreme delicacy is
a delightful companion for a vifit or a day. But there
are many characters which I would greatly prefer in a
partner, or a child, or other near relation, in whofe per-
manent happinefs I felt myfelf deeply concerned. I hope
no-body will think me fo clownifh as to exclude fentiment
altogether. I have declared my opinion upon this fub-
jedt, and alfo my defire that the woman ihould be the more
refined of the two. But I adhere to it, that carrying this
matter to an extreme is of the molt dangerous confe-
quence. Your high fentimentalilts form expectation^

Vol. IV. Z

lyB Letters on Marriage,

which it is impoffible to gratify. The gallantry of court-
Jliip, and the bie?iseance of general converfation in the
beau monde, feeni to promife what the downright reality
of nnatrimony cannot afford.

I will here relate a cafe that fell within my obfervation.
A perfon of noble birth had been fome years married to
a merchant's daughter of immenfe fortune, by which his
eftate had been faved from ruin. Her education had been
as good as money could make it, from her infancy : io
that (lie knew every mode of high life as well as he. They
were upon a vilit to a family of equal rank, intimately
connedied with the author of this letter. The manner
of the man was difiinguilhed and exemplary. His be-
havior to his lady was with the moll perfedl delicacy. He
fpoke to her as often as to any other, and treated iier not
only with the fame complacency, but with the fame de-
cency and referve, that he did other ladies. To this he
added the mofl tender folicitude about her not taking cold,
about her place in the chamber, and her covering when
going abroad, &c, &c. After their departure, the whole
family they had left excepting one, were two or three
days expatiating on the beauty of his behavior. One lady
in 'particular laid at lall, ''Oh! how happy a married
woman have 1 feen." The fuigle diflcnter, w^ho was an
elderly won^an, then faid, " Well ; you may be right ;
but I am of a different opinion, i do not like fo perfect
and iinifhed a ceremonial between perfons who have been
married five or fix years at leall. 1 obferved that he did
everything that he ought to have done,and likewife that fhe
received his civilities with much dignity and good man-
ners, but with great gravity. 1 would rather have {c^n
him lefs pun6lnal and her more cheerful. If, therelbre,
that lady is as happy in her heart, as you fuppofe I am
miftaken ; that is all. But if I were to make a bet upon
it, I would bet as much up the tradefman and his wife,
according to the common defcription, walking to church,
the one three or lour yards beiore the other, and never
looking back." What did time difcover ? That noble-
man and his lady parted within two years, and never re-
united.

Letters on Marriage, lyp

Let me now eflablifh my maxim, that it is not the fine
qualites of both or either party that will infure happinefs,
bat that the one be fuitable to the other. By their being
I'uitable, is not to be underftood their being both of the
fame turn ; but that the defL^dls of the one be fupplied or
fubmitted to by fome correfpondent quahty of the other.
I think I have feen many inflances, in which gravity, fe-
verity, and even morofenefs in a hufband, where there has
been virtue at bottom, has been fo tempered with meek-
nefs, gentlenefs and comphance in the wife, as has pro-
duced real and lalling comfort to boih. I have alfo leeu
fome inflances, in which fournefs, and want of female foft-
nefs in a woman, has been fo happily compenfated by ea-
fmefs and good humor in a hufband, that no appearance
of wrangling or hatred was to be feen in a Vv'hole life. I
have feen multitudes of inlhmces, in which vulgarity, and
even liberal freedom, not far from brutality in a hulband,
has been borne with perfedl patience and ferenity by a
wife, -who, by long cullom, had become, as it were, infen-
fjble of the impropriety, and yet never inattentive to her
own behavior.

As a farther iiluftration, I will relate two or three cafes
from real life, which have appeared to me the moll fingular
in my experience. I fpent fome time, many years ago,
in the neighborhood of, and frequent intercourfe with,
a hufband and his wife in the following fiate. She was
not handfome, and at the fame time was valetudinary,
fretful and peevifh — conflantly talking of her ailments,
dilFatisfied with every thing about her, and, what appeared
molt furprifmg, flie vented thefe complaints ifioff when her
hulband was prefent. He, on the other hand, v/as moil:
affedlionate and fympathifing, conflantly upon the watch
for any thing that could gratify her defires, or alleviate her
diilreffes. The appearance for a while furprized me, and
I thought he led the life of a Have. But at laft i dif-
covered that there are two v/ays of complaining, not fud-
denly diflinj^uifliable to common obfervers : The one is
an expreffion of confidence, and the other of difcontent.
When a woman opens all her complaints to her hufband,
ill full confidence that he will fympathize with her, and

iS^ Letters on Marriage,

feeking the relief which fuch fympathy affords, taking care
to keep to the proportion which experience hath taught her
will not be difagreeable to him, it frequently increafes in-
flead of extingulfliing affedion.

Take another cafe as follows : Syrifca was a young wo-
man the reverfe of beauty. She got her living in a tra-
ding city, by keeping a la^all ftiop, not of tlie millinary
kind^ which is nearly allied to elegance and high life, but
of common grocery goods, fo that the poor were her chief
cuflomers.

By the death of a brother in the Eaft-Indies, (lie came
fuddenly and unexpectedly to a fortune pf many thoufand
pounds. The moment thi^ was known, a knight's lady
in the neighborhood deflined Syrifca as a prize for HoratiOj
her own brother, of the miUtary profeffion, on half pay,
and rather pail the middle of life. For this pnrpofe flie
made her a vifit, carried her to her houfe, aOjiled, no doubt,
in bringing home ai|:id properly fecuring her fortune ; and
in as fhort a time as could well be expelled, completed her
purpofe- They lived together on an ^(late in the country,
often vifited by the great relations of the hufband. Syrif-
<:a was good natured and talkative, and therefore often
betrayed the meannefs of her birth and education, but was
not fenfible of it. Good v/ill fupplied the plape of good
breeding with her, and (he did not knpw the difference,
Horatio had generofity and good fenfe, treated her with
the greatefl tendernefs, and having a great fund of face-
tioufnefs and good humor, acquired a happy talent pf gi-
ving a lively or fprightly turn to every thing fs^id by his
wife, or diverting the attention of the company to other
fuhjedts. The reader will probably fay, he took the way
that was pointed put by reafon and was moft conducive to
his own comfort. I lay fo too ; but at the fame time af-
Jrm, that there are muhitudes who cou|d not, or would
pot have followed his example.

I give one piece of hiRory more, but with fome fear,
that nice readers will be offended, and call it a caricature.
However, let it go. Agrellis was a gentleman of an an-
pient family, but the cflate was almod gone ; little more
pf it reinained biit what he farmed hinifelfj j^ncl inideedi

Letters on Marriage^ l5|

Jiis habitation did not differ from that of a farmer, but by
having an old tower and battlements. He had either re-
ceived no education, or had been incapable of profiting
by it, for he was the mod illiterate perfon I ever knew,
who kept any company. His converfation did not rife
even to politics, for he found fuch infuperable difficulty in
pronouncing the names of generals, admirals, countries,
and cities, conftantly occurring in the newfiDapers, that he
was obliged to give them up altogether. Of ploughs, wag-
gons, cows, and horfes, he knew as much as mofl men :
What related to thefe, with the prices of grain, and the
news of births and marriages in the parifh and neighbor-
hood, completed the circle of his converfation.

About the age of forty he married Lenia, a young wo*
man of a family equal to him in rank, but fomewhat fupe-
rior in wealth. She knew a little more of the ftrain of
fafliionable converfation, and not a whit more of any thing
elfe. She was a flattern in her perfon, and of confequence
there was neither cleanlinefs nor order in the family.
They had many children ; Ihe bore him twins twice — a
circumftance of which he was very proud, and frequently
boalled of it in a manner not over delicate to thofe who
had not been fo fortunate in that particular. They were
both good natured and hofpitable ; if a ftranger came he
was made heartily welcome, though fometimes a little in-
commoded by an uproar among the children and the dogs,
when driving about the fire in a cold day ; the noife was,
however, little lefs diffonant than the clamors of Agreftis
himfelf, when rebuking the one, or chaftening the other,
out of complaifance to his gcefis. The couple lived many
years in the moft perfect amity by their being perfedly
fuitable the one to the other, and I am confident not a wo-
man envied the wife, nor a man the hulband, while the
union lafted^

It is very eafy to fee from thefc examples, the vafl im-
portance of the temper and manner of the one, being truly
fuitable to thofe of the other. If I had not given hillories
enough already, I could mention fome in which each
party I think could have made fome other man or woman
perfe;^ly happy, and yet t(iey never could arrive at hap.

^^2 Letters on Marriage*

pinefs, or Indeed be at peace with one another. Certain,
ly, therefore, this fliould be an objeft particularly attend-
ed to in courtfhips, or while marriage is on the tapis^ as
politicians fay.'

If I looi^ out for a wife, f ouc^ht to confider, not whether
a lady has fine qualities for which Ihe ought to bs efteemcd
or admired, or whether flie has fuch a deportment as I
will take particular delight in, and fuch a taile as gives rea-
fon to think flie \n\\ take delight in me ; I may pitch too
high, as well as too low, and the iflTue may be equally un-
fortunate. Perhaps I fliall be told there lies the great
difficulty. How lliall we make this difcovery ? In time
of youth and courtlhip, there is io much iludied atten-
tion to pleafe, from interefted views, and fo much rellraint
from falhion and the obfervation of others, that it is hard
to judge how they will turn out afterwards.

This I confefs to be a confiderable difficulty, and at the
fame time greatell upon the man's fide. The man being
generally the eldeft, his character, temper and habits may
be more certainly known. — Whereas there are fometimes
great difappolntments on the other fide, and that happily
both ways. I am able jufi now to recollect one or two
inflances of giddy and foolifti, nay, of idle, lazy, drowfy
girls, who, after marriage, felt themfelves interefted, and
became as fpirited and active heads of families, as any
whatever, and alfo fome of the mofi: elegant and exem-
plary, who, after marriage, fell into a languid flupidity,
and contracted habits of the moll odious and difgullful
kind. Thefe inllances, however are rare, and thofe who
will take the pains to examine, may in general obtain fa-
tisfadion. It is alfo proper to obferve, that if a man finds
it difficult to judge of the temper and character of a wo^
man, he has a great advantage on his fide, that the right
of feledion belongs to him. He may afk any woman he
pleafes, after the moll mature deliberation, and need aik
no other ; whereas a woman mull make the befi: choice
fhe can, of thofe only who do or probably will afi: her.
But with thefe refledions in our view, what fhall we fay
of the inconceivable folly of thofe, who, in time of court-
iliip, are every now and then taking things in high dud-
geon, and fometimes very great fubmiffions are necefiary

'Letters on Marriage. 18^

to make up the breaches ? If fuch perrons marry, and do
not agree, fhall we pity them ? I think not. After the
mod ferene courtfhip, there may poflibly be a rough
enough pallage through life ; but after a courtfhip of
ftorms, to expe6l a marriage of cahii weather, is certain-
ly more than common prefumption ; therefore they ought
to take the confequences.

On the whole, I think that the calamities of the married
ftate are generally to be imputed to the perfons them-
lelves in the following proportion : — Three-fourths to the
man, for want of care and judgment in the choice, and
one-fourth to the woman on the fame fcore. Suppofe a
man had bought a farm, and after a year or two, (liould,
•in converfation with his neighbor, make heavy complaints
how much he had been diCippointed, I imagine his friend
might fay to him, did you not fee this land before yoa
bought it ? O yes, 1 law it often. Do you not under-
Hand foils ? I think I do tolerably. Did you not examine
it with care ? Not fo much as I Ihould have done ; iliind-.
ing at a certain place, it looked admirably well ; the fences
too were new, and looked exceedingly neat ; the houfe
had been jud painted a (lone colour, with pannelling ;
the windows were large and elegant ; but I neglected en-
tirely to examine the fufriciency of the materials, or the
difpofition of the apartments. There were in the month
of April two beautiful fprings, but fmce I have lived here
they have been dry every year before the middle of June.
Did you not inquire of thofe who had lived on the place
of the permanency of the fprings? No, indeed, I omit-
ted it- Had you the full meafure you were promifec} ? Yes,
every acre. — Was the right complete and valid ? Yes,
yes, perfedly good : no man in America can take it from
me. Were you obliged to take it up in part of a bad debt ?
No, nothing like it. I took fuch a fancy for it all at once,
that 1 peilered the man from week to week to let m.e have
it. Why really then, fays his friend, I think you had
better keep your complaints to yourfelf. Curfmg and
fretfulnels will never turn Hones into earth, or fand into
loam ; but I can alTure you, that frugality, induftry, and
good culture, will make a bad farm very tolerable and an
indifferent one truly good.

[ 185 ]

ADDRESS

TQ THE

Inhabitants of Jamaica, and other J^FcstJtidia Islandf-^
in behalf of the College of Nevo. Jersey.

Gentlem:en,

IT is unneceiTary to' begin this addrefs by a labored en-
comium on learning in general, or the importance of
public ieminaries for the inilrudion of youth. Their iife
in every country ; their necefHty in a new or rifing coun-
try ; and, particularly the influence of Science, in giving
a proper dire<5lion and full force to indiiflry or enterprize,
arc indeed fo manifefl, that they are either admitted by all,
or the exceptions are fo tew as to be wholly unworthy of
regard.

In a more private viev/, the importance of education is
little lefs evident. It promotes virtue and happinefs, as
well as arts andinduftry. On this, as on the former, iC
is unnecefuiry to enlarge ; only fufier me to make a re-
mark, not cjuite fo common, that, if there is any jufl com^
parifon on this fubject, the children of perfons in the high-
ft ranks of life, and, efnecially, of thole who by their own
activity and diligence rife to opulence, have of all others
the greateft need of an early, prudent, and v/ell- conduced
education. The wealth to which they are born becomes
often a dangerous temptation, and the (lation in which
they enter upon iife requires luch duties, as thofe of th^

Vol. IV, A a

.fi6 uiilJrcsj hi behalf of

fined talents can fcarcely be fappofed capable of, unlefs
they have been improved and cultivated with the utmoft
care. Experience fliews the life of a liberal education in
both thefe views. It is generally a prefervative froo) vices
of a certain clafs, by giving ealy accel's to more refined
pleafures, and infpiring the mind with an abhorrence of
low riot, and contempt for brutal converfation. It is alfa
of acknowledged nectflity to thofe who do not wifli to live
fof themfelves alone, but would apply their talents to the
fervice of the public and the good of mankind. EdiK:atioa
IS therefore of ec|ual importance in order either to enjoy
life with dignity and elegance, or employ it to the benefit
of fociety in offices of power or trull.

But leaving thefe general topics, or rather, taking it for
granted that every thing of this kind is by intelligent per-
fons, efpecially parents, both believed and felt ; I proceed
to inform the public that it is intended to folicit benefac-
tions from the wealthy and generous, in behalf of a College
of confiderable (landing, founded at Nassau-Hall, in
Prlncetcjiy New Jersey. In order to this it is neceffary
for me — i. To fhew the great advantage it will be to the
inhabitants of the V/eft-Indies, to have it in their power
to fend their children to approved places of education on
the continent of America, infiead of being obliged to fend
them over, for the very elements of fcience, to South or
North Britain. 2. To point out the fituation and advan-
tages of the College of New-Jerfey in particular. And as
I was never a lover either of florid difcourfe, or ofienta-
tious promifes, I, (hall endeavor to handle thefe two points
with all poffible fnTipHcity, and Vv^ith that referve and de-
cency which are fo neceflary, where comparifon in fomc
refpecls cannot be avoided.

On the firil of thefe points, let it be obferved,
That places of education on the continent of America
are much nearer to the Weil-Indies than thole in Great-
Britain ; and yet llifiiciently diflant to remove the temp-
tation of running home and lurking in idlenefs. This is
a circum (lance, which, other things being fuppofed equal,
is by no means inconfiderable. Parents may hear much
oftener from and of their chilglren, and may even vifu

the College of New-Jersey, %tj

tliem, as is known to have been the cafe here, with no
great lofs o'i time for bufinefs, and to the advantacje
of their own health. They may alfo much more fpeedi-
\y and certainly be informed, whether they are profiting
^nd have juilice done them or not, and remove or conti-
nue them at pleafure. The diilance indeed is, if I mif.
take not, well proportioned in all refpscis. It is fuch as
to allow Q^ the advantages juil now mentioned, and yet fo
great as to favor the behaviour and inilruclion of the youth.
I have obferved in the courfe of four years experience, that
thofe who came from the greatefc diilance have, in gene-
ral, behaved with mofl: regularity. Being removed from,
their relations, it becomes neceffary for them to fupport
a character, as they find themfelves treated by their com-
panions, teachers, and indeed all other perfons, according
to their behavior. This is fo true, that if parents are
obliged to place their children out of their own families,
an hundred miles diftance is better than twenty, and fo
of every other proportion till we come to the hurtful exi.
treme.

Let it be further obferved, that the climate of the con*
tlnent of North-America is certainly much more healthy
in itfelf, and probably alfo more fuited to the conflitutions
of thofe who have been born in the Weft-Indies, than that
qf Great-Britain. Health is the foundation of every
earthly blefllng, and abfolutely neceffary both to the re-
ceiving inftrudlion in youth, and being able in riper years
to apply it to its proper ufe. Parental tendernefs will
make every one feel the importance of this to his owa
children. And whether the obfervation itfelf is juft: or
not, I leave to be decided by the judgment of all who
have been in both countries, and the information they
will readily give to thofe who have not.

Having touched on thefe circumftances, let us try to
make the comparifon as to the fubftance of the education
itfelf. Here, 1 am fenfible it behoves me to write with
the utmoft circumfpetiion to avoid giving ofience, and
that to fome this will appear, at firft fight, altogether im-
poiTible. I am however not without the greateft hopes,
that I fhall be ^ble fully to prove the propofitioq I hav§

1 8 8 Address hi behalf of

laid down, without giving any j'^ifi- ground of offence to
pcrfons of rtfltrdVion and candor. No man can have a
higher opifiion of, and not many have a more tho'ough
acquaintance with, the means of Education, at prefent, in
Great Briiain, than the author of this addrefs, who was
born in ihe neiglibouvhood of Edinburgh, educated in it,
and fpentthe greatcfl part of his after-life in conilant in-
tercourfe and <ireat intimacy with the members of the
Univerfity ol Glafu'ow. He therefore fays it, both with
pleafure and gratitude, thai any young gentleman, who is
flri6lly ibber in his behavior, and who applies with ftcadi-
nefs and diligence, has all poiTible advantages, particu-
larly in North Britain, with which he is'bell acquainted,
for improving himfelF in LJaffic literature, in every branch
of fcieiice, and efpecially in ihejuftly valued knowledge
of the force and propriety of tlie Engiidi language, and in
true tafle, including all that is ufually comprehended un-
der the general exprefTion of the Belles Leltres. Nay,
further, he adnTitsand affirms, that any gentleman of for-
tune, who would give the lail and higheft polifh to the edu-
cation of a young man of promifmg parts, would do v/ell
to fend him, after his principles are fixed, and his judg-
tnent. a little matured, for a year or two, to fome of the
Univerfities of Great Britain. But notwithilanding thefe
conceflions, if they may be fo called, it is hoped It will
-appear, that it would be nmch more to the advantage of
the geiulemen of the Well-Indies to give their children
their grammar fchool and college education, at leaft to their
firll decree in the arts, in an American fcniinary, if con-
du'iled by perfons of ability and iritegrity, than to fend
them to Great Britain ; and that for two important rea-
fons ; firlt, the better to Iccure their inflrudion, and fe-
coudlv, for the preiervation of their morals.

I. For the grtater fecuriiy of their inilru6lion. The
Colieijes in Britain have by no means that forcible motive
that we have, not only to teach thole who are willing to
learii, but to fee that every one be obliged to ftudy, and
a6\uully learn, in proportion to his capacity. Theie old
found.itioiis have flood (o many ages, have had their cha-
ra6tcr fo long elUbiilbed, and are indeed, fo well known

the CoUege of Neijo ■ Jersey, 1 g^

to be filled with men of the pjreated ability, that they do
not lb much as feel any injury, in point of reputation,
from one or more conuni::^ out ofcolle.ue a! moil as ignorant
as they went in. The truth is, I (\o not think they ou^ht
to lole any charatler by it. Every one knows, that it is
owing to the idlenefs or profiipacy of the hoy, and not
the infufSciency oi the mailer. When the numbers of one
clafs are from an hundred to an hundred ar.d thirty, or
perha[>s more, and when they do not live in College, how
is it poliible the mailer can keep them to their private ilu-
dies, or even with any ce-rt'iinty difcern whether they fiu-
dy dilii^ently or not. A good profeffor is eafiiy and fpee-
dily diltinguilhed by his own ptrlormances, by the eilcem,
attachment, and progrcfs of the diligent, but very little, if
at all, hurt by the ignorance ol the negligent. 1 write thefe
things to vail numbers who knov/ them as well as I do ;
and 1 could eafily produce gentlemen in America, who
have freely and generoufly confcffed themfelves to be un-
happy proofs of their truth. Let not any bcdy lay I refie£l
upon the teachers for not ufingdifcipline to oblige them to
apply. The numbers are fo great, that to try and judge
every neglect, would take more time than they have for
their whole work. To this may be added, that it may
very often happen that the perfons to whofe charge boys
in early life are lent from the Vvefl- Indies, either are not
themfelves judges, or, from their fituation and bufinefs,
have few opportunities of knov/ing whether they profit or
not.

On the other hand, the young feminaries in America
have iheir charadler conllanlly at ftake for their diligence,
as one or two untaught coming out from us, afPedls us in
the mod: fer^fible manner. As to the College of New-
Jerfey in particular, we have feen the importance of this
in {o lirong a light, that whereas before we had hall-yearly,
vve now have quarterly examinaliotis. carried on with the
utmoil llridlnefs, when all who are found deficient are de-
graded to the inferior clafs. So impartially have thefe
trials been condu61ed, that nothing is more ufual than for
thofe who fufpedl: themfelves, efpecially, if their relations
are near, to pretend ficknefs and avoid the examination^

%^0 Address in bcbalf of :

that they may afterwards fall back without the dlflionor of
a fenceiice. Farther, all the fcholars with us, as foon as
they put oa the gown, are obliged to lodge in college, and
inad of neceihty be in their chamber in ftudy-hours : nor is
it in the leail difficult to difcover whether they apply care-
fully or not. The teachers alfo live in college, (o that they
have every poilible advantage ; not only for affiding the
diligenr but ilimulacing the flothful.

2. Tne fecond reafon for preferring an American edu-
cation is, that their morals may be more effedually pre-
ferved. This, by all virtuous and judicious parents, will
be held a point of tiie lad confequence. The danger
they run of contra61ing vicious habits by being fent to Bri-
tain, has been often complained of, and therefore, I fup*
pole, is matter of experience* If fo, it will not be diffi^
cult to aaign the caufes of it, which may be fafely men-
tioned, becaufe they carry no imputation upon the fchools
or colleges to which they are fent. They generally are,
and are always fuppofed to be, of great wealth. The very
name of a Weil-Indian, has come to imply in it great opu-
lence. Now it is well known that, in all the great towns
in Britain, a fet of profligate boys, and fometimes artful
perfons farther advanced in life, attach themfelves to fuch
as are well fupplied with mondy, impofe upon their youth
and limplicity, gratify them in every irregular defire, and
lead them both into idlenefs and vice. There are alfo in
^yery confiderable place in Great Britain, but efpecially
the principal cities where the colleges are fixed, a condant
fucccdion and variety of intoxicating diverfions, fuch as
balls, concerts, plays, races, and others. Thefe, whatever
rnay be pleaded for fome of them in a certain meafure for
thofe further advanced, every body mud acknowledge, are
jbighly perfiicious to youth in the firll llages of their edu-
cation. The temptation becomes fo much the dronger,
and indeed almod irrefjllible, when an acquaintance with
thefe things is confidcred as fadiionable life, and neceflary
to the accomplidiment of a man of breeding. Is it to ba
fuppofed that young perfons of great fortune, when they
can be immediate partakers, will wait with patience for the
proper time when they may be permitted to view with

the College of Nc^o) -"Jersey, l()i

caution fuch fcenes of ditTipation ? On the contrary it
tnay be expe61:ec], that they will give into them with all
the impetuofity and raflinefs of youth ; and, when their
parents expe(^ them to return well llored with claffic lear-
ninpj and philofophy, they may find them only well ac-
quainted with the laws of the turf or gaming-table, and
ex|>ert in the ufe of the reigning phrafes of thofe honora;-
ble arts.

"What provifion is made for preferving and improving
the morals of the fcholars with us, I leave till I come to
fpeak of the conftitution and fKuation of the Coliep^e of
New- Jerfey. But before I difmils this part of the fubjedl
I muft juil repeat, that the two reafons I have given againft
a Britifh education do, and were intended only to con-
clude againfl fending boys in early life. At that time
they are incapable of reaping the advantages chiefly to be
valued in a Britifli education. Thefe are not only hear-
ing and being able to judge of the public performances of
men of letters, in the pulpit, at the bar, and in parliament j
but being introduced to the acquaintance and enjoying
the converfation of men of eminence. This is a favor
that would not be granted to boys, and if granted could be
of no fervice, but contributes in the higheft d^grct to the
delight and inllru6\ion of thofe of riper years. Experi-
ence feems greatly to confirm this, for, as many boys
have left fome of the bell fchools in Britain with little
claflTic knowledge, though fupported at great expence, fo
thofe who received their firll education in this country,
and went home to finifli it, have feldom returned without
great and real improvement.

In addition to thefe arguments in behalf of Americaa
colleges, drawn from the inflru6tion and morals of the
youth v/ho are fent to them, I cannot help mentioning
one other v/hich mufi: have great weight in a view fome-
what different. Thefe colleges muft necefiarily, in time,
produce a number of young men proper to undertake the
office of private tutors in gentlemen's families. There
are fome who prefer a private to a public education at any
rate, efpecially in the very firll flages, and fome find it
neceffary, as not being able to fuppcrt the expence cf

1^2 Address in behalf of

fending their cliildren [o early, and keepinor them fo long
from home. Now all who know the fiLuation oF things in
Britain, nuifi: be lenfiblc how difficult it is to <»et young
men of capacity or expedalion, to leave their native coun.
try in order to unclcrtuke the inllrudion oF g^entiemen's
children. In this office there is little profptft of increafe
of fortune, to balance the rifl-: of going to a new and dan-
gerous, or luppofcd dangerour,, climate. But thofe who
are born and educated in America will not only increale
the number of fucii teachers, but they will have no fuch
hideous apprehenHons ol going to any part of the conti-
nent or idands. Whatever is done, therefore, to raife
and fupport proper feminariesin America, will, in time,
be followed by this great and general benefit, which I
have been aflTLU^ed is vf^ry much needed in many or molt
of the Wcli-lndia iflands.

I will now proceed to fpeak a little of the ConPdtutioa
and Advantages of the College of New-Jerfey in parti-
cular.

About twenty. four years ago, feveral gen'^lemen and
n^inillers in this province, by the friendfliip and patronage
of Jonathan Belcher, Efq. then Governor, obtained a
very ample royal charter, incorporating them under the
-title of Trufiees of the College of New-Jt-rley ; and giving
them the hw^t privileges and [ovvcrs that are given to the
' two Englilh Univerfnies, or any other Univerfity or
' College in Great-Britain.' They, although only pof.
felled of a naked charter, without any public encourage-
ment, immediately began the inllrudtion ; and very fooii
after, by theirown aclivity and zeal, and the benevolence
of others wlio had the highelt opinion of their integrity,
railed a noble building, called Naifau-Hall, at princeton,
New-Jerfey. I'his they chofe to do, though it wafled
their capital, as their great intention was to make effec-
tual provilion, not only for the careful inllrudion, but
for the regular government of the youth. There all the
fcholars are lodged, and alfo boarded, except when they
have exprefs licenfe to board out, in the prefidcnt's houfe
orclfcwhere.

ths College of NeV)- Jersey. t93

The regular courfe of inflruaion is in four ckfTes, ex-
^aiy after the manner, and bearing ihe names of the clafT-
es in theEnglifh univerfities ; Frefliman, Sophomore, Ju-
nior and Senior. In the firll year, they read Latin and
Greek, with the Roman and Grecian antiquities, and rhe- /
toric. Jn the fecond continuing the (ludy of the languages,
they learn a complete fyllem of geography, with the ufc of
the globes, the firfl principles of philofophy, and die ele-
ments of mathematical knowledge. The third, though
the languages are not wholly omitted, is chiefly employed
in mathematics and natural Philofophy. And the fenior
year is employed in reading the higher claflics, proceeding
in the mathematics and natural philofophy, and going
through a courfe of moral philofophy. In addition to
thefe, the Prefident gives ledures to the juniors and feni-
ors, which confequently every (ludent hears twice over in
his courfe, firll upon chronology and hillory, and after-
wards upon compofition and criticifm. He has alfo ^
taught the French language lafl winter, and it will conti-
nue to be taught to thofe who defire to learn it.

During the whole courfe of their fludies, the three
younger claiTes, two every evening formerly, and now
three, becaufe of their increafed number, pronounce an
oration on a llage erected for that piu'pofe in the hall, im-
mediately after prayers ; that they may learn, by early
habit, prefence of mind and proper pronunciation and
gelbjre in public fpeaking. This excellent praQice,
which has been kept up almofl: from the firft foundation
of the College, has had the mod admirable eftedts. The
fenior fcholars, every five or fix weeks, pronounce orations
of their own compofition, to which all perfons of any note
in the neighborhood are invited or admitted.

The College is now furni filed with all the mod impor-
tant helps to infirudion. The library contains a very
large colledlion of valuable books. The leuons of aH-ro-
nomy are given upon the orrery, lately invented and con-
ilrudted by David Rittenhoufe, Efq. which is reckoned
by the bell judges the mofl excellent in its kind of any
ever yet produced; and when what is commilTioned and
now upon its way is added to what the College already
Vol. IV. B b.

ic?4 Address m behalf of

pofleffes, the apparatus for mathematics and natural phi-
Jofophy will be equal, if not fuperior, to any on the con-
tinent.

As we have never yet been obliged to omit or alter it
for want of fchoiars, there is a fixed annual Commence-
ment on the lait Wednefday of September, when, after a
variety of public exercifes, always attended by a vail con-
courfe of thepoliteft company from the different parts of
this province and the cities of New-York and Philadel-
phia, the fludents whofe fenior year is expiring, are ad-
mitted to the degree of Bachelors of Arts ; the Bachelors
of three years Handing, to the degrees of Mailers ; and
fuch other higher degrees granted as are either regularly
claimed, or the Trullees think fit to beftow upon thole who
have dillinguiflied themfelves by their literary produdlions,
or their appearances in public life.

On the day preceding the Commencement laft year,
there was (and it will be continued every year hereafter)
a public exhibition, and voluntary contention for prizes,
open for every member of College. Thefe were firft,
fecond, and third prizes, on each of the following fubjeds.
I. Reading the Englifli language with propriety and
grace, and being able to anfw.erall queftions on its orthogra-
phy and granmiar. 2. Reading the Latin and Greek
languages in the fame manner, with particular attention
to true quantity. 3. Speaking Latin. 4. Latin verfions.
5. Pronouncing EngUfli orations. The preference was
determined by ballot, and all prefent permitted to vote,
who were graduates of this or any other College.

As to the government of the college, no corredion by
ftripes is permitted. Such as cannot be governed by rea-
fon and the principles of honor and lliame, are reckoned
unfit for refidence in a college. The collegiate cenfures
are, i. Private admonition by the prefident, prol^fibr, or
tutor. 2. Before the faculty. 3. Before the whole clafs
to which the offender belongs. 4. And the lad and high-
efl, before all the members of college affembled in the
hall. And, to preferve the weight and dignity of thefe
cenfures, it has been an eftablifhed practice that the lail or
highell cenfure, vi%. public admonition, fliall never be

the College of Neiv-Jersey, X^^

repeated upon the fame perfon. If it has been thought
neceffary to infli6t it upon any one, and if this does not
preferve him from falling into fuch grofs irregularities a
lecond time, it is underflood that expulfion is immediate-
ly to follow.

Through the narrownefs of the funds, the government
and inftrudlion has hitherto been carried on by a prefident
and three tutors. At laft commencement, the trudees
chofe a profeffor of mathematics ; and intend, as their
funds are raifed, to have a greater number of profefTor-
Ihips, and carry their plan to as great perfedion as pofii-
ble.

The above relates wholly to what is properly the col-
lege ; but there is alfo at the fame place, eftablilhed under
the particular direction and patronage of the prefident, a
grammar fchool, where boys are inllru6led in the Latin
and Greek languages with the utmofl: care, and on the
plan of the moll approved teachers in Great-Britain. It
is now fo large as to have two mailers for the languages,
and one for writing and arithmetic ; and as fome are fent
with adefign only to learn the Latin, Greek, and French
languages, arithmetic, geography, and the praftical branch-
es of the mathematics, without going through a full col-
lege courfe, fuch fcholars are permitted to attend the in-
flrudlion of the clafles in whatever coincides with their
plan. It is alfo now refolved, at the requell of feveral
gentlemen, to have an Englifh mafler after next vacation,
for teaching the Englifli language regularly and gramma-
tically, and for perfecting by Englifli exercifes thofe
whofe previous inllrudtion may have been defe6live or
erroneous.

I have thus laid before the public a concife account of
the conflitution of the college of New-Jerfey, and muft
now earneflly recommgfnd it to the alTiltance and patron-
age of men of liberal and ingenuous minds. I am fenfi-
ble tha.t nothing is more difficult, than to write in behalf
of what the writer himfelf has fo great a part in conduct-
ing, fo as neither to fail in doing juflice to the fubje6t,
nor exceed in improper or arrogant profeflions. And yet
to employ others to write for us, who may have foaie pre-

%c)6t Address in behalf of

tence as Indifferent peiTons, to embellifh our characters,
is liable to (till greater fufpicion. The very bell feciirity;
one can give to the public for decency and truth, is to
write openly in his own perfon, that he may be under a
litct{^\[y to anfwer for it, if it is liable to chaJlenge.

This is the method I have determined to follow ; and
that i may neither offend the delicacy of my friends, nor
provoke the relentment of my enemies, I will endeavor
humbly to recommend this college to the attention and
elicem of men of penetration and candor, chiefly from
fuch circumllances as have little or no relation to the per*
fonal charadfers of thofe now en^ployed, but are effential to
its fituation and conllitution, and therefore mull be fup,
polfd to have not only the moil powerful, but the moll
lalling effect. The circumllances to which I would in-
treat the attention of in) partial perfons, are the follow^
ing.

1. The college of New-Jerfey is altogether indepen-
dent. It hath received no favor from government but the
charter, by the particular friendfhip oi a perfon now de-
ceafed. It owes nothing but to the beneladions of a pub-
lic fo diffulive that it cannot produce particular depen-*
dance, or operate by partial influence. From this circum-
iiance it mull be free from iivo great evils, and derive
the like number of folid advantages. There is no fear of
being obliged to chufe teachers upon miniflerial recom-*
mendation, or in compliance with the over- bearing weight
ol iamily interelt On the contrary, the trullees are na-
turally led, and in a manner forced to found their choice
upon the characters of the perfons, and the hope of public
approbation. At the fame tinse thofe concerned in the
iiilirutlion and government of the college, are as far re-
riiOved, as the fiate of human nature will admit, from
any temptation to a fawning, cringing fpirit, and mean
fervility m the hope of court lavor or proUiOtion.

In coniequence ol this, it n»ay naturalK be expe8ed,
and we find by experience that hitherto in fa6l the Ipirit
of liberty has breathed high and lirong in all the members,
I would not be underilood to fay that a feminary of learn-

the College of Nt^D'Jcrsey. 197

ing ought to enter deeply into political contention ; far
lefs would I meanly court favor by profcfliiig mylelf a
violent partifan in any prefent difputes. But furcly a
conllitution which naturally tends to produce a fpirit of
liberty and independence, even though this fliould fonie-
tinies need to be reined in by prudence and moderation,
is infinitely preferable to the dead and vapid ftate of one
whole very exiltence depends upon the nod of thofe in
power. Another great advantage ariling from this is the
obligation we are under to recommend ourfelves, by dili-
gence and fidelity, to the public. Having no particular
prop to lean to on one fide, we are obliged to Hand up-
right and firm by leaning equally on all. We are ^o far
from having our fund fo complete, as of itfelf to fupport
the neceffary expence, that the greater part of our annual
income arifes from the payments of the fcholars, which
we acknowledge with gratitude have been for thefe feve-
ral years continually increafing.

II. This leads me to obferve, that it ought to be no
inconfidcrable recommendation of this college to thofe at
a didance, that it has the elleem and approbation of thofe
who are neareit it and know it bell. The number of
under graduates, or proper members of college, is near
four times that of any college on the continent to the
fouthvvard of Nevv-England, and probably greater than
that of all the red put together. This we are at liberty to
affirm has in no degree anfcn from pompous defcriptions,
or repeated recommendations in the public papers. We
do not mean to blame the laudable attempts of others to
(do themfelves juflice. We have been often found fault
with, and perhaps are to blame for negled in this parti-
cular. It is only mentioned to give full force to the ar-
gument jull now ufed, and the fa6l is certainly true. I
do not remember that the name of the college of New-
Jerfey has been above once or twice mentioned in the
newfpapers for three years, except in a bare recital of the
ads of the annual commencements. The prefent addrefs
arifes from neceffity, not choice ; for had not a more pri-
vate application been found impradicable, the prefs had
probably never been employed.

t^S Address in behalf of

III. It may not be amifs to obferve on this fubje(!V, that
tbe great utility of this feminary has been felt over an ex-
tenfive country. Many of the clergy, epifcopal and pref-
byterian, in the different colonies, received their education
here, vvhofe exemplary behavior and other merit we fufFer
to fpeak for themfelves. We are alfo willing that the"
public fhould attend to the characters and appearance of
thofe gentlemen in the law and medical departments, who
were brought up at Naffau-Hall, and are now in the cities
of New- York and Philadelphia, and in different parts of
the continent or iflands. Two at lead of the profeflbrs of
the juffly celebrated Medical School lately founded in
Philadelphia, and perhaps the greateff: number of their
pupils, received their inftrufilion here. We are not
afraid, but even wifh that our claim fhould be decided by
the condu6t of thofe in general who have come out from
us, which is one of the moil conclufive arguments ; for
a tree is known by its fruits. It is at the fame time an
argument of the mod fair and generous kind ; for it is left
to be determined by mankind at their leifure ; and if the
appeal be not in our favor, it muft be unfpeakably inju-
rious.

IV. The place where the college is built, is moft hap-
pily chofen for the health, the fludies and the morals of
the fcholars. All thefe were particularly attended to
when the fpot was pitched upon. Princeton is on a rifing
ground, from whence there is an eafy gradual defcent for
many miles on all quarters, except the north and north-
weft, from whence at the diftance of one mile it is iliel-
tered by a range of hills covered with woods. It has a
mod: beautiful appearance, and in fact has been found one
of the healthieff places, as it is fituated in the middle of
one of the moft healthful countries, on the whole continent.
It is upon the great poft road, almoft equally diftant from
New- York and Philadelphia, fo as to be a centre of intel-
ligence, and have an eafy conveyance of every thing ne-
cefl*ary, and yet to be wholly free from the many tempta-
tions in every great city, both to the neglect of ftudy, and
the practice of vice. The truth is, it is to this happy cir-
cumflance, fo wifely attended to by the iirfl truftees, that

the College of Neuj- Jersey. X99

we owe our being enabled to keep up the difcipline of the
college with lb great regularity and lb little difficulty. We
do not wifh to take any honor in this refpedt toourfelves.
Doubtlefsthe mailers of every college will do their beft ia
this refped. But it is not in the power of thofe who are
in great cities to keep the difcipline with equal flridnefs,
where boys have fo many temptations to do evil, and caa
fo eafily and effedlually conceal it after it is done. With
us, they live all in college, under the infpe6lion of their
maflers ; and the village is ^0 fmall that any irregularity-
is immediately and certainly difcovered, and therefore
eafily correded.

It has Ibmetimes happened, through rivaldiip or ma-
lice, that our difcipline has been cenfured as too fevere
and rigorous. This reproach I always hear, not with pa-
tience only, but with pleafure. In the mouth of an ad-
verfary, it is a clear confeffion that the government is
ftrid: and regular. While we avail ourfelves of this, we
prove that the accufation of oppreffive rigor is wholly
without foundation, from the number offcholars, and the
infrequency of public cenfures, but above all from the
warm and almod enthufiaftic attachment of thofe who
have finilhed their courfe. Could their elleem and friend-
lliip be expedled in return for an auflere and rigorous
confinement, out of which they had efcaped as birds out
of the fnare of the fowler ? We admit that it is infup-
portable to the idle and profligate ; for either they will not
bear with us, or we will not bear with them ; but from
thofe who have applied to their lludies, and reached the
honors of college, we have, almoll without exception,
found the moll fincere, a6live and zealous friendlliip.

V. This college was founded, and hath been conduct-
ed upon the molt catholic principles. The charter re-
cites as one of its grounds, '' That every religious deno-
" mination may have free and equal liberty and advan-
" tage of education in the faid college, any different fen-
*' timents in religion notwithftanding.'* Accordingly
there are now, and have been from the beginning, fcho-
lars of various denominations from the moll dillant colo-
nies, as well as Welb India iflands ; and they mud ns^

2^06 Address in behalf of

celTarily confefs, that they never met with the leafl uneafu
nel's or dilVefpira on- this account. Our great advantage
on this lubjcd iS the harmony of the board of trullees, and
the perfed union in fenliment among all the teachers,
both with the trullees and with one anovher. On this ac-
count, there is neither inclination nor occafion to med-
dle with any controverfy whatever. The author of this
addrelsconlelfes that he was long accuilomed to the order
and dignity of an eOablifhcd church, but ^ church which
hath no contempt or deteltation of thole who are different-
ly orgaaiztd. And, as he hath ever been in that church
an oppoier of lordly domination and facerdotal tyranny,
fo he is a paffionate admirer of the equal and impartial
lupport of every religious denomination which prevails in
the northern colonies, and is perfed in Pennf3/lvania and
'the Jerle>s, to the unfpeakable advantage of thofe happy
and well conilituted governments.

With refped to the college of New- Jerfey, every quef-
tion about forms of church government is fo entirely ex-
eluded, that though 1 have feen one fet of fcholars^begin
and tinilh their courfe, if they know nodiing more of reli-
gious controverfy than what they learned here, they have
that icience wholly to begin. This is altogether owing to
the union of lentiment mentioned above : for, if you place
as teachers in a college, perfons o'i repugnant religious
principles, they mult have more wifdom and felf-denial
than ufuaily fail to the lot of humanity, if the whole foci-
ety is not divided into parties, and niarflialled under
na!nes, if the changes are not frequent, and, when they
take place they will be as well known as any event that
can happen in fuch a Ibciety. On the contrary, there is
io little occafion with us to canvafs this matter at all, that,
though no doubt accident mull difcover it as to the great-
ell number, yet fome have left the college, as to whom I
am wholly uncertain at this hour to what denomination
they belong. It has been and ihall be our care to ufe eve-
ry mean in our power to make theni good men and good
fcholars; and, if this is the cafe, 1 fliall hear of their fu-
ture charader and ufefulnefs with unteigned fatisfadlion,
under every name by which a real proteilant can be dif-
tinguiflied.

the College of New- Jersey, 2oi

liaving already experienced the generofity of the nc^-
lic in many parts of the continent of America, I cannot
but hope that the gentlemen of the iflands will not rcfuie
their afliftance, according to their abilities, in order to
carry this feminary to a far greater dt^gree of perfedion
than any to which it has yet arrived. The exprcls pur-
pofe to which the benefadlions now fequefled will he ho-
plied, is the eflablifhment of new profefForflTlps, which
will render the inftitution not only more complete in it-
felf, but lefs btirthenfome to thofe who have undertHken
the important truft. The whole branches of mathema-
tics and natural philofophy are now taught by one profef-
for ; and the prefident is obliged to teach divinity and
moral philofophy, as well as chronology, hiltory, and rne-
toric, befides the fuperintendance and government of the
whole. The fhort lives of the former prefidents have
been by many attributed to their exceiTive labors, which^
it is hoped, will be an argument with the huuiane and
generous to lend their help in promoting ib noble a defign*
I am, gentlemen^

Your mod obedient,
Humble fervant,
JOHN WITHERSPOON.
N'assati-HaU, at Princeton^

New- Jersey^ March 2 1, '^ll'^'*

Proper Forms of DoNAtio^s to the College by WilLf

Of Chattels personal.
iteiii^ I A. B. do hereby give and bequeath the fum
of unto the Trustees of the College of New -Jersey ^

commonly called Nassau- Hall^ the lante to be paid with-
in months next after my deceafe ; and to be ap-
plied to the uies and purpofes of the said College.

Of real Estates.

I A. B. do give anddevife unto the Tru^*ces of the
College of New-Jersey^ commonly called Nassau-HaU^
and to their successors forever^ all that certain mefluage
and trad of land, &c.

Vol. IV. . C c

C 203 ]

A N

E S S A Y

O N

MONEY

As a medium of commerce ; ivith remarks on the ad-
'Damages and disadvantages of paper admitted into
general circulation.

FROM every channel of public intelligence we learn,
that there is a difpofition in many of the legiflatures
of this country, to emit bills of credit by authority of
government, and to make them in fome meafure at lead,
or in fome cafes, a legal tender for debts already contrail-
ed. This is a matter of great delicacy and danger. It
has occafioned a controverfial difcuffion of the fubjedl in
pamphlets and periodical publications. A few plaufible
things, and but a few that deferve that charader, have
been publifhed in defence of the meafure. Many fhrewd
and fenfible things have been offered againfl: it : but even
thefe lafl have not been fo connected and fatisfying, as
they might and ought to have been. Some of the pieces
have been verbofe and declamatory, with many repeti.
lions; others have been full of antithefes, quaint fayings,
and witticifms, which have no great tendency to con-

304 Essay on Money.

vince or perfuade ; and fome have been mingled with
the locil and party politics of particular ftates. Per^
haps thefe dfft^rent ways of wriMng may be very proper
for feveral claffcs oi' readers, and have a good effcdl ; but
there are certainly others who v/ould require a different
tre:it>nent, bccaufe their miftakes are owing not to de-
ceitful intentions, but to erroneous judgment. This has
given me a ilrong defjre to iry what ran be done upon
the iubjedt b)' difpairionate reafoning. By this I mean,
endeavoring to carry the matter back to its firll princi-
ples, to explain them in fo fimple a manner, as that the
unlearned n)ay underiland ti.em ; and then to deduce
the pradical con'equenpes with the general thepry full in
view.

U is impofible to reach my purpofe, without faying
inany things which in a feparate and detached manner
have been iaid by others ; but this muft be forgiven me ;
becaufe f meari to lay the whole fyilem before the reader,
^\k\ every part in its proper order and connexion. Let
US then begin by cpnJidering what gave rife to money,
^nd what is its nature and ufe ? If there were but one
man upon the e^rth, he would be obliged to prepare a
hut for his habitation, to dig roots for his fuilenance, to
provide fkins or fig leaves for his covering, &c. in fliort,
%o do every thing for hindelf. If but one or two more
Werejoaied with him, it would foqn be found that one of
them would be niore fkilful in one fort of work, and
?innthef in a different ; fo that common interell would
dire(^ them, each to apply his induflry to what he could
do belt and foonefl J to communicate the furplus of what
he needed hindclf of that fort of work to the others, and
receive of their furplus in return. This diredlly points
out tQ us, that a barter of commodities, or communica-
tion of the fruits of induflry, is the firll principle, or ra-
ther indeed cqn/titutes the effence o^ commerce. As fpci-
Cty increafes, the partition of employments is greatly dir
Verfitied ; but Hill the fruits of well diredled induflry, or
the things neceffary and ufeful i^ life^ are V/hat only caq
^^ c^Ucd wealth.

^ssay on Money. io^

In eflabrifliing a mutual exchange of thefe, the firft
thing neceffai y is a ftandard of computation, or commoa
meafure, by which to ellimate the feveral commodities
that maybe offered to fale, or may be defired by purchafers.
Without this it is eafy to fee that the barter of commo-
dities is liable to very great difficulties, and very great er-
rors. This flandard or common meafure mull be fome*
thing that is well known to both parties, and of general
or common ufe. As the firil eflays in any thing are ge-
nerally rude and imperfedl ; fo 1 think it appears from
the monuments of remote antiquity, that in the early flages
of fociety, cattle were the iiril things made ufe of as a
ftandard*. But it would foon appear that this was a
moft inaccurate meafure ; becaufe one ox might be as
good as two, from fize, fatnefs, or other circumftances.
Therefore in place of this fucceeded meafures both of dry
and liquid, that is, corn, wine, and oil. The firll of thefe
was of all others the moft proper ftandard, becaufe uni-
Vcrfally neceflary, and liable to little variation. Men,
upon an average, would probably eat nearly the fame
quantity in the moft diftant ages and countries. It feems
to me, that this circumftance of a ftandard of computa-
tion bein^ neceflary in commerce, and the firft thing ne-
cefTary, has been in a great meafure overlooked by njoft:
writers on money, or rather it has been confounded with
the ftandard value of the ftgn, although eftentially different
from it ; and the equivocal ufe of the terms has occa-
fioned great confufion. I muft however obferve, not only
that this muft necefl*arily be taken in, but that if we con-
fine ourfelves to a ftandard of computation only, fomo
known commodity, as meafured grain, is better, and more
intelligible and unalterable than any money whatever,
that either has been or will be made. The great altera-
tion in the value of gold and filver is known to every per-

* Servius Titllius, one of the Roman kings, is faid to have
flamped fome pieces with the figure of cattle ; an ox, or a
fheep. This was as much as to fay, this piece is of the value
of an ox or a fheep. Hence it is faid the Roman word pecunia^
comes from /;ecMj, cattle. Others have thought it was from
the ufe of leather for money, quasi pecudum corio. But the
firft etymology feems to be the beft. See a fubfequent note.

2oS Essay on Money.

fon who has iait dipped into hidory ; and indeed is known
to many, even by memory, in this country, fmce its firll
fettlement*.

But after a flandard of computation had been agreed
upon, in commerce even of the moft moderate extent,
fomething farther would be abfolutely necelTary. The ac-
tual and immediate barter of commodities could in a few
inflances take place. A man might have the thing that I
wanted to purchafe, but he might not need or delire what
I was willing to give for it. Another might want what
I had to fpare, but not have what I wanted to purchafe
with it. Befides, bulky or perifliable commodities could
not be carried about at an uncertainty, or with fafety.
Therefore, it became very early nece(rary5that there fhould
be fome fign or figns agreed upon, which fhould reprefent
the abfent commodities, or rather fhould reprefent the
ftandardof computation, in all its divifions and multipli-
cations. Thefe figns mud be fuch as could eafily be car-
ried about, and therefore could be readily anplied to every
kind of tranfaftions, which were conneded with the
commutation of property.

Let us examine the nature and meaning of thefe figns
more particularly. They are of the nature of a tally,
that is to fay, they are intended to mark and afcertain a
fa6V. Now the fa6l is, that the perfon who can fhow thofe
iigns, having purchafed them by his goods or indulby, is
entitled to receive from fomebody, a certain value, or to

* There are two eflates near one of the colleges in Scotland,
■which were originally taxed an equal number of bolls of grain
(aboil is al)out 6 bufliels) to that inlUtution. In very remote
times, it pleafed the proprietor of one of thefe eftates, with
confent of the college, to convert the payment into money,
according to the then current value, which was a groat or four
pence ilerling for a boll. At this prefent time, the one of thefe
farms pays the fame number of bolls, that the other does of
groats ; which is about thirty-two for one. There is alfo faid
to be exifting, an old leafe of a burrow acre near a town in
Scotland, for which the tenant was to pay a boll of wheat, and
aboil of barley, or if he did not bring the grain between Chrift-
mafs and Candlemafs, the proprietor was not obliged to ac-
cept of it, but he mull pay a fum which is now 10-1 2ths of
a penny flerlinj;' for the boJl of wheat, and 8-12ths for the boli
©f barley.

Essay on Money. 207

a certain amount, which they fpecify, of the (landard of
computation. They have always a reference to the
ftandard of computation, and at laft, by that known re-
ference, the diRindion between them and the llandard of
computation is loft, and they become a fecondary llandard
of computation themfelves. Thus a piece is intended at
firft to be of the value of a meafure of grain ; but at lad
men come to make their bargain by the number of pieces
inftead of the number of meafures ; ufing the fign for the
thing fignified. Thus alfo, fometimes at leaft, an ideal
meafure, generated by the other two, comes to be the
ftandard of computation ; as in England, the pound fter-
ling is the money unit, though there be no coin precifely
correfponding to it. This is fufficient to explain the re-
lation of the fign to the flandard of computation, and at
laft, if I may fpeak fo, its confolidation with it.

I have faid above, that the perfon pofleffing the fign is
entitled to receive a certain value from somebody. The
reafon of this is, becaufe his debtor is not the fame in
every ftate of things. If we confider the fign as given
from one individual to another, it is of the nature of a
promilTory note, and is a confefTion of having received {o
much property. Probably there were often luch figns or
tokens given in the infancy of fociety ; and it would then
fignify, that if the feller were to come again, at a diftance
of time, and find the buyer in poficlllon of fuch goods as
he wanted, he would be entitled to receive the amount of
the fign or token that had been given him. But the con-
venience of ufing figns is fo great, that it would immedi-
ately occafion their being made \\k of by general con-
fent, exprefs or implied ; and, at laft, the matter would
be taken under the diredlion of the ruling part of the com-
munity. In both cafes, but efpecially in this laft, the fo-
ciety becomes bound to the perfon who receives the figns
for his goods or induftry, that they ftiall be to him of the
value that they fpecify. I will afterwards fuow, that this
was not the firft but the laft ftep taken in theufe of figns,
and give the reafons for it ; but it is proper to mention it
now, when we are confidering the nature and ufe of figns
in that fingle view.

%qS Essay on Money,

Let it be obferved here that as it was before faid, if U'g
aim at no more than a ftandard of computation^ fome
commodities are not only as good, but better than any
money, fo if we confine ourfelves to a fign only feparate
from a (landard, many things that might be named are
not only as good, but far better than either the llandard
itfelf, or what we call money, becaufe they are much
more eafily reckoned, tranfported and concealed* This
•appears particularly from the flate of figns in modern
times, after fo much experience and inprovement has ta-
ken place. For if we can guard fufFiciently againft the
dangers to which they are expofed^ figns inconceivably
facilitate commerce. We can put any value we pleafe in
an obligation written on a few inches of paper, and can
fend it over the world itfelf at very little expenfe, and
conceal it fo eafily that there fllall be no danger of its be*
ing taken from us.

But it mull have appeared, and did fpeedily appear^
that all mere figns labor binder an eflential defed:* They
depend ultimately on the faith or credit of the perfons
ufing or anfwerable for them. Now, whether thefe be in-
dividuals or the multitude by general cuilom and implied
confent, or even the ruling part of the fociety, there is
very great uncertainty. Therefore fomething farther is
necelFary to make a complete fymbol or medium of gene-^
ral commerce^ and that is, a pledge ox flandard of value
that may be a fecurity or equivalent for the thing given
for it, and at all times be fufficient to purchafe a like value
of any thing that- may be needed by him that holds it.
An abfent commodity Well known, or ev^en an idea well
underfiood, may he a llandard of computation and com*
mon meafure ; any thing almoll whatever may be a fign,
though, fince the art of writing has been known, paper
is the befi, but both are eflentially dele61:ive ; there is want-
ing a value in the fign, that dial 1 give not only a proniife
or obligation, but adual poflefiion of property for pro-
perty.

The mentioning of thefe three difiindl ends to be ferved
by the medium of commerce, and illullrating them fepa-
rately, was not to convey the idea that there were three
iteps of this kind taken at a diilance of time from each

Ussay on Money. 2©^

miicr, or that men firR continued long to deal in grofs
Ka-ter; a. id afier that invented fi.'^ns, and v/ere content
with thijin tor anorher pjriod ; and at lad, perfe6\ed the
plan, b\^ g^ttin^ (U'lS p^QcfT-d of real vaKie. Ovi the
contrary, it was to Ihovv that any thinp; ufed as a mcdiunn
of iinlvcrial or ^ener-d conirnerce, mull be able to ferve
all the thrtre fore rrientioiied purpofes ; and that if there is
any pro'luClion of nature, or fabrication of art, that can
unite the whole, at leait as iar as they are capable of being
united, this nuiil be the ^»eat derideratum. Now it has
bet^n found in experience, that the precious metals, t{[i2-
cially thofe now called by that name, gold and iilver, do
aniwer all tlie three ends in a great degree. It cannot be
denied that they have been ufed for this purpofe, in fa6V,
fro.n the earliell times, and through every nation in the
old world, and indeed alfo in the new, with fuch excep-
tion only as will confirm the principles of the theory. If
any mm thinks that this has happened by accident, or
through the whim or caprice of mankind, as one would
fufped from the languaj^je fometimes ufed in ipeech and
writing, lie is greatly miftaken. No eiTed of whim or
accident ever v/ns fo uniform or fo lafting. The truth is,
that thefc metals do poiTcfs in a great dt^rtQ luperlor to
every thing el!e, the qaalities necelHiry for the purpofes
mentioned above.

This will appear to any impartial perfon who v/iil con-
fider, with a view to the preceding principles, what quali-
ties a medium of general commerce ought to polFcfs^ It
ought then, to be (i ) valuable; (2.) rare; (3.) porrr.iils;
{4.) divifjble ; (5.) durable. Whoever will examine the
matter with attention, mull perceive that any one cf thefe
qualities being wholly or greatly wanting, the fyflera
would be either entirely ruined or remarkably injured.
Let us examine ihern (eparately.

1, It mud be 'valuable ; that is to fay, it mud have an
intrinfic worth in itfelf, in fubdance dilVinct from the form.
By value or intrinfic worth here, mud be underllcod pre*
Cifely the fame thing that gives to every other commodity
its commercial value. Do you aflc what that is ? I anfwer,
its being either necelLry or remarkably ufeful for the pur-s

Vol. IV. Cf d

iid Mssay on Money.

pofes of life in a focial ftate, or at leaft fuppofed to be fo :
and therefore the objedl of human defire. Without this
it could be no more than a bare fign ; nor indeed fo ufeful
in this view as many other figns. But we want fomething
that muft not be only a fiandard of computation, but a
ilandard of value ; and therefore capable of being a pledge
and fecurity to the holder, for the property that he has ex-
changed for it. It is likely fome will fay, What is the in-
trinfic value of gold and filver ? They are not wealth; they
are but the fign or reprefentative of commodities. Super-
ficial philofophers, and even fome men of good under-
flanding not attending to the nature of currency, have
leally faid fo. What is gold, fay fome, the value is all
in the fancy ; you can neither eat nor wear it ; it will
neither feed, clothe nor warm you. Gold, fay others, as
to intrinfic value, is not fo good as iron, which can be ap-
plied to many more ufeful purpofes. Thefe perfons have
not attended to the nature of commercial value, which is
in a compound ratio of its ufe and fcarcenefs. If iron
were as rare as gold, it would probably be as valuable, per-
haps more fo. How many inflances are there of things,
which, though a certain proportion of them is not only
valuable, but indifpenlibly necellary to life itfelf, yet which
from their abundance have no commercial value at all.
Take for examples air and water. People do not bring
thefe to market, becaufe they are in fuperabundant plenty.
But let any circumflances take place that render them
rare, and difficult to be obtained, and their value immedi-
ately rife s above all computation. "What would one of
thofe who were fiifled in the black hole at Calcutta, have
given to get but near a window for a little air ? And what
will the crew of a fliip at fea, whofe water is nearly ex-
pended, give for a frefli fupply ?

Gold and filver have intrinfic value as metals, becaufe
from their dudlility, durability, and other qualities, they
are exceedingly fit for domeflic utenfils, and many pur-
pofes in life. This circumflance was the foundation of
their ufe as a medium of commerce, and was infeparable
from it. No clearer proof of this can be adduced, than
that in the earlieft times, even when ufed in commerce.

Essay on Money, m

they were weighed before ihey were divided into fmaller
pieces, and pafled in tale. They mud furely then have
had intrinfic value ; for their value was in proportion to
their bulk or quantity. This circumftance as a fign made
them worfe, but as a valuable metal made them better.
The fame thing appears as clearly from the pradlicQ of
modern times. Even when they are taken into the ma-
nagement of the rulers of fociety, and damped under va-
rious denominations, there muft be an exad regard had
to their commercial value. The ftamp upon them is the
sigriy the intrinfic worth of the metal is the 'value. It is
now found, and admitted by every nation, that they muft
give to every piece that denomination and value in legal
currency, that it bears in bullion ; and if any do other-
wife, there is neither authority nor force fufficient to make
it pafs^.

The author referred to in the note has given us quota-
tions from three perfons of name in the literary world in
fupport of a contrary opinion. The firft is Dr. Franklin,
whom he makes to fay, " Gold and filver are not intrin-
fically of equal value with iron ; a metal of itfelf capable
of many more beneficial ufes to mankind. Their value
refts chiefly on the eftimation they happen to be in among
the generality of nations, and the credit given to the opi-
nion that ellimation will continue ; otherwife a pound of
gold would not be a real equivalent for a bufhel of wheat.'*
The fecond is Anderfon on National Induftry, who fays
*' Money confidered in itfelf, is of no value ; but in many
civilized nations, who have found how convenient it is

* An author on this fubje6l in a pamphlet lately publifhed,
fays, " The value of the precious metals is however enhanced
by their peculiar aptitude to perform the office of an univerfal
money beyond any real inherent value they polfefs. This ex-
trinfic value of gold and filver, which belongs to them under
the modification of coin or bullion, is totally diftiiidl from their
inherent value as a commodity." I do not very well com-
prehend what this gentleman means by the intrinfic value of
gold and filver. Perhaps it is the (lamp or noroinal value af-
fixed to them by the ftate ; but whatever it is, I will venture
to affure him, that their value as coin is fo far from being to-
tally diftincl from, that it mud be prccifely the fame witbj
their value as a commodity.

212

Essay on Monef.

for facilitatin;:: the barter or exchange of one commodity
for another, it has received an aitificial value ; lo that al-
though ufelefs in itfeif, it h s conte to he accepted among
sll civilized nations, as a token proving that the perfcn
who is poiicfled of it, had jT;iven fomerhinp ct real value in
exchange for it, and is on that account accepted oi by aiiO-
t'herin exchange for fon-.ethini; that is or real utiliiy and
intrinfiC worth.'* The third is Sir J.'nies Stuart, va ho lays,,
"By money, I underftand any ccniW!odlt\- v.hich puvely-
in itfeif is of no material ufe to man, but which acquires
fcch ail eftimation from his opinion of it, ^.s to become,
the univcrfal nae^tfure of what is calUxl valiie. and an ade-
quate equivalent for any thing alienabie." The narrie of
anym/an how great foe.ver, will not have nmcb weight
with me, when I perceive that in any inilance he lias mif-
taken his fubjcd. This I believe hr.sbeen the caie w iih,
^11 the gentlemen juU mentioned. There is a corfder-
-^ble confufipn in the ideas cn pre fled by the laft tv.o ; but-
the thing in which they all agree, and lor which tlit) are
adduced by this, author, is, that they feem to deny the in-
^biiC value of gold and filver, and to iinpnie the eliirca-
tion in which thpy are held, to accide^ntal opinion. Novf
1 muft. beg leave to obferve, as to the coniparifon of the
jntrinfic worth of gold and iron, if it were poilible lo de-
termine whether, on fuppolition of iron ai'.d gold being-
in eq^uai quantity, the one or ttie other would be the m.oll
valuable, it would not be worth a fmgle llraw in the pre-
sent queftion ; for if iron were the moii valuable, it would
in that cafe be the money, and the gold would be but in
the next degree. Accidental opinion lias nothing to do
with it. It arifes from the nature of things. As to a
pound of gold not being, as to intrinfic value, equivalent
to a buil^el of wheat, it n>ight with equal truth be ciffit nied,
that to a man perifning with hunger, a mountain oi gold
Would not be equivalerit to half a pound of bread. But
is this, any argument againd the inlrinlic commercial va-
lue of gold, as it has taken place fmce the beginning of
the world.

.. As to the other two authors, they feem to fay, that mo-
jRey is in iUflf of no value, und of no material ufe to man.

Essay on Money ^ "a 130

If by money they mean ^old and filver, the propofition is
directly falid ; becaufe they are both of materinl ule for
the purpoi'e of Ibcial hfe. But what has led them into
this error has been their abltracting the idea, and taking
money in the fingle light of a fign» without confidering
it as a ftandard. Then no doubt, -even gold, while it
continues in this form, is of no other life than as a fign
of property. But how little is this to the purpofe ? For
it is equally true of every other commodity. A nail,
while it continues a nail, is of no other ufe but joining
boards together, or fome fnnilar purpofe, and can neither
be lock nor key ; but a quantity of nails, or the iron
which they contain, can be eafily converted into either the
one or the other. So a guinea, v/hile it continues a gui-
nea, is of no life whatever, but as an inflrument of com-
Rierce ; but the gold of which a guinea confifls, can eafily
be converted into a ring, or any thing which its quantity
will reach.. Tiiis is what is called, with perfect propria
ety, its intrinsic i)alue,

2. That which is the medium of commerce muft be
rare. It will not be necefiary to f^^much upon this, be-
caufe it has already received fome -illuflration from what
has gone before. It may however be obferved, that the
medium of commerce mull not only be fo rare, as to bring
it within commercial value in ordinary cafes, but ^t mull
be much more rare, than moft other things, that its value
may be increafed, and a fmall quantity of it may reprefent
goods of confiderable variety and bulk. If gold and fil-
ver were only twenty times as [)lentiful as they are at
prefent, they would ilill have a proper value, could be
bought and fold, and applied to many ufeful purpofes,
bot^l^ey would be quite unf.t for general circulation.

.3. The circulating medium muft h^ portable. It muft
be capable of being carried to a diftance with little trouble
or expence, and of pafling from hand to hand with eafe
and expedition. This is one of the reafons why it mull
be rare ; but it deferves mention alfo by itfelf, becaufe
it is poiTible to conceive of things that may be both va-
luable and rare, and yet incapable of being carried about,
&nd palling from one to another. Some precious drugs,

igi4 Essay on Moneyl

and fome cunofitles, may be fo rare as to have a high
value, and yet may be quite improper for circulation.

4. The medium of commerce mud be divisible. It
ought to be capable of divifion into very fmall quantities.
This isneceiliiry in order to anfwer the divifion of many
commodities, and the conveniency of perfons of differ-
ent ranks. It is of fuch importance, that in the calcula-
tions of a complex and divcrfified commerce, we find di-
\nfions and fra61:ional parts even of the fmalleft coins or
denominations of money, that have ever yet been brought
into ufe.

5. Laftly. The medium of commerce ought to be du-
rable. It ought to have this quality on two accounts;
firft, that in perpetually paffmg from hand to hand, it may
not be broken or wafted ; and, fecondly, that if it is pre-
ferved or laid up, as may be fometimes neceffary, and
often agreeable or profitable, it may not be liable to be
fpeedily corrupted orconfumed.

All thefe particulars are not of equal moment and they
have an intimate relation one to another ; yet each of
them is fmgly and feparately of importance, perhaps more
than will be at firft view apprehended. I think it is alfo
plain that there is nothing yet known to mankind, in which
they are all fo fully united, as they are in gold and filver ;
which is the true reafon why thefe metals have been ap-
plied as the inftrument of commerce, fince the beginning
of the world, or as far back as hiftory enables us to pene-
trate*.

* It has been fuggefled to me by a friend, that gold and
filverpolTefs another quality different from all the above, which,
in an eminent degree, fits them for circulation as a medium,
viz, that they are equable. The meaning of this expreffion is,
that the metal of each of thefe fpecies, when pure, is of the fame
fmenefs and worth, and perfe6lly fimilar, from whatever differ-
ent mines, or from whatever diftant parts it may have been
procured ; which, it is faid, is not the cafe with any other me-
tal. It is affirmed, that the copper or lead that comes from
one mine will be preferable to that which comes from another,
even after this lail has been refined to as high a degree as is
poffible ; but that all gold and filver completely refined are
perfectly alike, whether they come from Afia, Africa, or AmC'

Essay on Money. 215

It will probably throw fome light upon the above tlieo-
ry, if we take a brief view of the matter, as it has takea
place in fa6t from the beginning of the world. This may
be done now to the greater advantage, that the effedts of
particular caufes, and the events that will take place in
fociety in particular circumftances, have been ^o fully
afcertained by the experience of ages, and the progrefs
of fcience, that we are able to make a better ufe of the
few remains of ancient hidory, than could have been
done by thofe who lived nearer to the events which are
recorded. It appears then, that the difcovery and ufe of
metals was one of the earlied attainments of mankind.
This might naturally be expelled if they were within
reach at all, becaufe of their very great utility in all
works of indullry, and indeed for all the purpofes of con-
venience and luxury. Therefore, I fuppofe this fa6t will
not be doubted : but it is a truth neither fo obvious nor
fo much known, that gold, filver, and brafs, or rather
copper, were the moft ancient metals, and all of them
antecedent to iron*. Thefe metals being applied to all
the purpofes of life, came of courfe to conflitute a great
part of the wealth of the people of ancient times. I have
mentioned brafs, becaufe it was one of the metals earliefl
known, and upon the very principles above laid down,
was in the beginning made ufe of for money by many
ancient nations. Its being now in a great meafure left
out is an illuftration and proof of what has been already

rica. I do not pretend to a certain knowledge of this; but if
it be true, it is well worthy of beinsj mentioned in this difqui-
fition.

* See upon this fubje6l Prefident Goguet's Rife and Pro-
g;refs of Laws, Arts and Sciences. He has not only luffici-
ently proved the fa6\, but alio afligned the moft probable rea-
fon for it, that thefe metals were found in many places of the
earth almoll pure, fo as to need very little art in refining;
whereas extracling iron from the ore is neither fo eafy nor fo
obvious. We learn from Homer, that in the wars of Troy,
the weapons of war, oftenfive and defenfive, were of copper;
and fome hiftorians tell us that they had a method of temper-
ing or hardening it fo as to make it tolerably fit for the pur-
poIVj though gertiikily not equal Lo iron or fteel.

ilx6 Essay on Money,

faid. It is left out for no other reafon than its having lo(t
one of the neceffary qualities, viz. rarity. That it wa^
rJiade life of for money amongll the Hebrews appears from
many circuinftances. We read of gold, filver and brafs,
brought as contributions to the tabernacle fervice in the
time ot Molec, and to the building of the temple in Da-
vid's. Tiiat brafs v/as made ufe of as money in the early
times of the Greeks and Romans, appears both from the
aiTertions of hillorians, and from the very languages of
both nations, for there it is niade ufe of to fignify money
in general.* That it ceafed to ferve that purpofe after-
wards cannot be accounted for in any other way than aS
above, efpecially as the neglect of it has been jull as uni-
verfal as ihe ufe of it. was formerly.

We are alfo fully fupported by hiflory in aiTirmln^,
that all thefe metals were -M firft eili mated and pdiled in
commerce by weight. We fee that Abraham gave to
Ephron for the cave of Machpelah, four hundred fliekels
ol filver. I The Greek money was of different weights
from the lower forts to the talent, which was the largelh
The old Roman word Pondo was, as it were, the llandard,
and the divifions of it confrirated their different denom.i-
natio:*s. From this we feem to have derived the Englifli
word pound. Very foon however they came to have ei-
ther coins, or at leail fmall pieces reckoned by number*
Abimelech gave to Abraham, as Sarah's brother, one

* In the Roman Ianp;iiao-e, its fignifies not on]y brafs, but
•money ih genera!, and from it many other words are derived 5
as, ararium, the treafury ; as aUcniun^ debt ; <sre mutare, to buy
or fell for money, kc. So in the Greek tongue, chalkos ngni-
fies brafs, achaikos and achalkein^ to be without money, or poor.
When the other metals came to be in ufe as money, the words
received the fame meaning in the languat\-e as, Argenii siiis~~-*
auri sclera fame.s^ the defire of nioncy. 1 hincys proceeded in a
way pei'fetlly ftmilar in the three y.ncient nations of whom we
have the diftiaClell accounts, the Hebrev/s, Greeks and Ro-
mans. Nalius keseph zahawy in Hebrew; chalkos arguros and
chrusos in Greek; and cvs argentum and aurum^ in Latin, are all
ufed for money in general.

t See Geneiis xxiii. 16. And Abraham weighed to Ephron,
the money that he had faid, in the prcfence of the fons of Heth,
*00 ftiekels of fiiver, current money with the merchant.

Essay on Monej. 117

(hbufand kefeph ; and Jofeph was fold fof tvventy kefeph,
and he gave to his brother Benjamin three hundred kefeph.
As the word kefeph fignifi^^s filver, they mad have been
reckoned by tale, and are probably very julUy tranilated
pieces. Agreeabjy to all this, the time when the Romans
began to coin brafs, and fome hundred years afterwards
filver and gold, is diftindtly mentioned by the hiftorians*.
It may be proper to olDlerve here, that feveral anti-
quaries have mentioned that fome barbarous nations made
ufeofbafer metals, fuch as lead, tin, iron, and even lea-
ther, fliells and bark of trees for money. This is no way
contrary Vo the above theory, for fome nations might in-
deed ufe lead, iron and tin, as things of value, upon the
fame principles as others ufed gold, filver and brafsi I
think it is faid, and indeed it is more than probable^ that
the nails given by our voyagers to the inhabitants of the
South-fea illands, pafled from hand td hand as inftru-
ments of commerce. As to leather, fliells, Sec. I fufpe6t
fome part of this is fabulous ; but if it did take place iri
nny meafure, it has been a rude eflay, ufmg the fign fepa-
rately from the flandard, and could not be of any great
extetlt or long duration. We know indeed of one nation,
after fociety had been far advanced, that made ufe of iron,
even when vefy plentiful, for money, viz. the Lacede-
monians. But this was not at all from rudenefs or igno-
rance 5 it Was one of Lycurgus's extraordinary inftitu-
tions, who intended by it (and did not conceal his inten-
tion) to banifli riches, or real and proper money from the
ftate. He indeed baniflied indullry at the fame time, for
none of his citizens were allowed even to be hufbandmen,
or to cultivate their lands. This was left to the flaves.
I do not find, therefore, that there is any thing in hiilory

* We have the exprefs tefumonv of Pliny upon tlii?fub]e6l,
lib. 33. cap. 3. ^' Servius rex primus fignavit ses. Antearudi ufoa
Romx Timaus tradit. Sigiiatura efl nota pecudum unde ct pe-
cunia appellanta. Servius firft coined brafs. Timaus Tays they
ufed it formerly rough or uncoined at Rome. It was marked
with the figure of cattle, ^vhence alfo it was called pecKtiia/'
The fame author telh us, that filver began to be coined at
Home in the 485th year of the city, and gold 73 years after.

Vol.. IV, E e

2i8 Essay on Money,

deferving credit, that militates againft the theory abovft
laid down.

Having thus laid down the theory of money, and fup-
ported it by hiftory and experience, I proceed to draw a
few inferences from it, and apply them to fome opinions
which have taken place, and fome meafures which have
been adopted or propofed with refped to currency and
commerce in this country. In the firll place, the above
theory will enable every intelligent perfon to fix in his
mind precifely what is or ought to be the meaning of a
circulating medium. This phrafe is in every body's mouth,
and we meet with it continually in the efiays publifhed in
the newfpapers, and the fpeeches of fenators in public
aflemblics. We may fay of this as controverfial divines
ufed to fay long ago, that a mifconception of this is the
proton pseudos^ the radical error. Not long fmce a writer
in one of the papers faid it was agreed on all hands that
there is at prefent a fcarcity of a circulating medium.
To this I anfwer, that it is not agreed upon on any hand,
but among thofe who are wholly ignorant of the meaning
of the exprefTion. The circulating medium is not yours
nor mine ; it is not the riches of Holland, nor the poverty
of Sweden. It is that indefinite quantity of the precious
metals that is made ufe of among the nations connedled
in commerce. Whether any particular perfon, city, or
nation, is rich or poor, has more or lefs comparatively of
it, is nothing to the purpofe. Every one will receive of
the circulating medium that quantity which he is entitled
to by his property or induftry. It has been iliown that
rarity is one of the qualities of a circulating medium. If
it were more rare than it is, a lefs quantity would be fuf-
ficient to reprefent a ftated meafure of property. If it
were more plentiful than it is, a greater quantity would be
neceffary ; but the comparative riches or poverty of na-
tions or perfons would be altogether the fame.

Is any body ignorant that half a century ago in this
country, a man might have bought a bulliel of wheat for
one quarter of a dollar, for which now he mufl pay a
whole dollar. Was not the quarter dollar then as good a
circulatit^g medium as the whole dollar is now ? And was

Essay on Money. 219

not the man jud as rich who had it in his pocket ? Un-
doubtedly. Nay, I mull further fay, it was a better cir.
culating medium, becaufe it was oF lefs fize and weight.
Has not the quantity of the precious metals increafed
greatly fince the difcovery of the mines of South Ame-
rica? Is not the quantity now neceffary for any confidera-
ble purchafe fo great as to be burden fome in the tranfpor-
taiion ? The price of a good horfe in fdver would at pre-
fent be a great incumbrance on a long journey. How
eafy were it to point out places and countries in which
there is a greater quantity of the circulating medium than
any where elfe, and yet at the fame time greater national
and perfonal poverty, and probably for this very reafon.
What would it fignify to a laborer in the mines of Peru, if
he fhould get half a Johannes, or even two, for a day^s
work, if at the fame time he could hardly purchafe with
both as much provifion as to keep body and foul together ?
Are not thefe things true ? Arc they not known to be {q I
What then mud we fay of the extreme ignorance and in-
attention, to fay no worfe, of thofe perfons who are con-
tinually telling us that there is a want of circulating me-
dium ? Are not gold and filver a circulating medium,
whofe currency is univerfal ? Are thefe then too fcarce for
that purpofe, when there is hardly a negro flave, male or
female, without fiiver buckles in their Ihoes, and many of
them with rings and other ornaments of gold, which five
hundred years ago would have denoted a prince or prin-
cefs ? Perhaps I have infixed longer on this than was ne-
eeflary, but I have been induced to it by the frequent com-
plaints upon this fubje(^, and the abfurd application of the
phrafe, a circulating medium. More reflexions will oc-
cur, connected with this fubjeQ, in the fubfequent parts
of my difcourfe. In the mean time I will clofe by
faying to my reader, you and I may be poor men, the
Hate in which we live may be a poor ftate, we may want
property, rents, refources and credit, but a circulating
medium we want not.

2. From the principles above laid down it will appear,
that money having as one of its effential qualities, an in*
ti"inf:c, th^t is to fay, a commercial value, it mufl be not

%10 Essay on Money.

only a fign and flandard or a medium of commerce, but
alfo itfelf a commodity, or a fubjeQ of commerce. There
are many tranfadlions refpe6ling money in a trading na-
tion, in which it is confidered fingly in this view, Thefe
it is unnecelTary for me to enumerate, but even where it is
applied diredlly or principally as a medium of alienation,
its value as a llandard doth and mull always follow and
accommodate itfelf to its value as a commodity. Hence
it follows necefiarily that money muft be fubjedl to every
rule that other commodities are fubjedl to in buying and
felling. One of the chief of thefe is, that it muft rife and
fall in price according to the quantity that is brought to
market, compared with the demand there is for it. This
is an unavoidable confequence, and as necefTary in the
cafe of money as in that of any commodity whatever.
If a greater quantity of money than before is brought into
any country, even though brought by the faireft and moft
honorable means, viz. increafing induftry and profitable
trade, it will have the effed of raifing the price of other
commodities in general, and of induftry, which is the
fource of all commodities. But we muft obferve, that
men are apt to view this in a wrong light. One com-
modity may rife or fall by its own plenty or fcarcenefs ;
but when there is a great and general rife of prices, of all
commodities, it would be at leaft as proper, or rather
much more fo, to fay that money had fallen, than that
goods had rifen.

We had fo large experience of this during the war, by
the exceflfive emiftions of paper money, that it needs hardi-
ly any illuftration. It is true, fome perfons did then
?ind do now fuppofe, that the depreciation of the money
was owing as much to the difaftedion of fome inhabi-
tants, and the counterfeiting, and other artful endeavors
of our enemies to deftroy it, as to the increafed quantity.
But in this they were quite miftaken. Jealoufy or fufpi-
qion of the money would have had very different effeds
from a gradual and continual rife of prices. If I meet
with a fufpicious piece oS. money, I do not raife the price
of my goods, but refufe to fell them. This v/as indeecj
tte c^fe With all thofe who doubted the money of Con-

Essay on Money ^

221

grefs in time of the war. Befides it is plain, that the
American caufe was molt doubtful, and its enemies mod
numerous in the years 1776 and 1777, and yet the cur-
rency of the money was then very general, and its de-
preciation flow; whereas in the three following years, when
in confequence of the French treaty and other European
alliances, the confidence of the public in the caufe was in-
creafed, the depreciation was accelerated in an amazin^r
degree. I mud alfo here make a remark upon another
opinion often exprelTed during the war, that the deprecia-
tion mud have been owing to other caufes than the quan-
tity, becaufe it was greater than what they called the na-
tural depreciation, in confequence of the quantity. By
this they meant, that it was not regular ; but when the
quantity had arifen, fuppofe to five for one, the deprecia-
tion was as fifteen or twenty for one, Thefe perfons did
notunderftand the depreciation of a commodity in confe-
quence of its quantity, for it is not regular and equable,
as in arithmetical progrelfion, but rapid and increafing, fo
as foon to get beyond all computation. If there is in any
country but one tenth part more of any commodity than
there is any demand for, the price will probably fall more
than one half; and if there is double or treble the quantity
needed, it will be what merchants call a drug, that cannot
be fold at all, but if it be a perifhable commodity, muft
fink in the hand of the pofTefTor.

I have faid above that the increafe of money, even though
in confequence of national profperity, that is to fay, in-
ternal indufiry and profitable trade, will yet neceflarily
have the efFe^l of raifing the price of induflry, and its
fruits. This, however, mufl evidently be in a far higher
degree, and attended with much more pernicious efleds,
when it is thrown into circulation without induflry ; as
when filver is found in capacious mines, or paper is iffued
by the authority of a date, without meafure and without
end. I verily believe that if as many millions of filver
dollars had fallen from heaven and been thrown into cir-
culation as there were paper ones ilTued by the United
States, the diforder would have been as great or greater
than it was. At lead it would have been fo at fird, th«

a22 Essay on Money ^

tlifFerence wojilcl have been, that filver being current over
all, it would have ibon gone abroad and found its level, fo
that the alteration would have been ultimately not in the
United States, but in the general circulating medium over
the whole earth. Thofe however among whom it was
iirft found, and who received it without indudry, would
have fuffered mofl: by it. Among them it would have
produced lazincfs and luxury. Other nations would have
drained it froui them only by fuperior induflry. The
ilate of the Spanifh monarchy at prefen: ought to be, and
indeed in a great meafure has been, a leiTon to the whole
world. At the time when they got pofleffion of South-
America they were the mod powerful and wealthy ilate
in Europe. Would any man at that time have been
reckoned found in his judgment who fhould have affirmed
that they would have grown poor, by the means of the
gold and filver mines ? Yet it has happened fo, and now
there is hardly any politician fo fliallow but he can affign
the reafon of it. They thought that gold and filver would
at once procure them every thing without working ; but
forgot that the more they had of it, they mud pay fo much
the more to thofe who were willing to work for them.

3. The above principles will clearly fliow, that what is
commonly called paper money, that is, bills bearing that
the perfon holding them is entitled to receive a certain
fum fpecifiedin them, is not, properly fpeaking, money
at all. It is barely a fign without being a pledge or fland-
ard of value, and therefore is effentially defective as a me-
dium of univerfal commerce, 1 will afterwards fpeak of
the different kmds of it, and point out their real and pro-
per ufes; but in the mean time I obferve, that to arm
fuch bills with the authority of the date, and make them a
legal tender in all payments, is an abfurdity fo great, that
is not eafy to fpeak with propriety upon it. Perhaps it
would give oflence if I fhould fay, it is an abfurdity re-
ferved for American legiflatures ; no fuch thing having
ever been attempted in the old countries. It has been
found, by the experience of ages, that money mud have a
iiandard of value, and if any prince or date debafe the
metal below the dandard, it is utterly impoffible to- mako

Essay on Money » 223

it fucceed. How then can it be pofllble to make that fuc-
ceed, which has no value at all I In all fuch inllances,
there may be great injuries done to particular perfons by
wiping oft' debts ; but to give llich money general cur-
rency is wholly impoffible. The meafure carries ablur-
dity in its very face. Why will you make a law to o-
blige men to take money when it is offered them ? Are
there any who rcfufe it when it is good ? If it is neceffa-
ry to force them, does not this denionflrate that it is not
good ? We have feen indeed this 1) Hem produce a moft
ludicrous inverfion of the nature of things. For two or
three years we conflantly faw and were informed of cre-
ditors running away from their debtors, and the debtors
purfuing them in triumph, and paying them without
mercy.

Let us examine this matter a little more fully. Money
is the medium of commercial tranfadions. Money is it-
felf a commodity. Therefore every tranfadlion in v/hich
money is concerned, by being given or promifcd, is ftricl-
ly and properly fpeaking, a bargain, or as it is \wt\\ called
in common language, an agreement. To give, therefore,
authority or nominal value by law to any money, is in-
terpofmgby law, in commerce, and is precifely the fame
thing with laws regulating the prices of commodities, of
which, in their full extent, we had fufficient experience
during the war. Now nothing can be more radically
unjuft, or more eminently abfurd, than laws of that nature.
Among all civilians, the tranfaflions of commerce are
ranged under the head of contrads. Without entering
into the nicer diftindions of writers upon this fubjed, it is
fufficient for me to fay, that commerce, or buying and fell-
ing, is found upon that fpecies of contrails that is moll
formal and complete. They are called in the technical
language, Onerous contracts^ where the proper and jull
value is fuppofed to be given or promifed, on both fides.
That is to fay, the perfon who offers any thing to fale,
does it becaufe he has it to fpare, and he thinks it would
be better for him to have the money, or fome other com-
modity, than what he parts with; and he who buys, in
like Planner, thinks it would be better for him to receive

224 Essay on Money,

the commodity, than to retain the money. There m^f
be miilakes or fraud in many tranfa6tions ; but thele da
not afFedl the argument in the leafl. A fair and juft va*
lue is always fuppofed or profefTed to be given on both
fides.

Well ! is it agreed that all commerce is founded on a
complete contrad ? Let then any perfon who will, open
as many books as he pleafes written upon the fubjecty
and tell me whether he does not always find there that
one of the efTential conditions of a lawful contradl,. and
indeed the firlt of them, is, that it be free and mutuaL
Without this it may be fomething elfe, and have fome
other binding force, but it is not a contrad. To make
laws therefore, regulating the prices of commodities, or
giving nominal value to that which had no value before the
law was made, is altering the nature of the tranfadlion
altogether. Perhaps a comparifon of this with other
tranfadtions of a different kind might fet this matter in
a clear light. Suppofe a man were to fay, to one of our
lawgivers upon this fubjed as follows : When you make
a law laying on a tax, and telling me I muft pay fo much
to the public and common expences of the flate, I iinder-
jland this very well. It falls under the head of authoriiy.
You may lay on an improper or injudicious tax that will
operate unequally, or not be productive of what you ex-
pedl; but Hill this is within your line, and if I have any
complaint, I can only wifli that at the next ele£lion we
may get wifer men. Again, a Juftice of Peace in time
of war may give a prefs-warrant, and take my horfes and
waggons to tranfport provifions or baggage for an army.
I underftand this alib ; writers and reafoners tell me that
it falls under the head of what they call the rights ofne^
cessity. The meaning of this is, that no civil conflitu-
tion can be fo perfedl but that fome cafes will occur, in
which the property of individuals mud give way to the
urgent call of common utility or general danger. Thus
we know, that in cities, in cafe of a fire, fometimes a
houfe, without the confent of its owner, will be deflroyed
to prevent the whole from being confumed. But if you
make a law that I Ihall be obliged to sell my grain, my

£ssay on Money, 225

cattle, or any commadity, at a certain price, you not
only do what is unjiift and impolitic, but with all refpedl
be it faid, you fpeak nonfenfe ; for I do not sell them at
all : you take them from me. You are both buyer and
feller, and I am the fufferer only.

I cannot help obferving that laws of this kind have an
inherent weaknefs in them; they are not only unjuft and
unwife, but for the mod part impradicable* They are an
attempt to apply authority to that which is not its proper
objedt^ and to extend it beyond its natural bounds ; in
both which we fhall be fure to fail. The produdion of
commodities mud be the effedl of indullry, inclination,
hope, and intereft. The fird of thefe is very imperfedtly
reached by authority, and the other three cannot be reach-
ed by it at all. Perhaps I ought rather to have faid, that
they cannot be directed by it, but they may be greatly
counteracted ; as people have naturally a (Irong difpofition
to refill force, and to efcape from conftraint. Accord*
ingly we found in this country, and every other fociety
who ever tried fuch meafures found, that they produced
an effect diredlly contrary to what was expected from
them. Inftead of producing moderation and plenty, they
uniformly produced dearnefs and fcarcity. It is worth
while to obferve, that fome of our legiflatures faw fo far
into thefe matters as to perceive that they could not regu»
late the price of commodities, without regulating the price
of the indullry that produced them. Therefore they re-
gulated the price of day-laborers. This however, though
but one fpecies of induftry, was found to be wholly out of
their power.

There were fome inflances mentioned at the time when
thefe meafures were in vogue, which fuperficial reafoners
fuppofed to be examples of regulating laws attended with
good effects. Thefe were the regulation of the prices of
chairs, hackney-coaches, and ticket porters in cities, pub-
lic ferries, and fome others. But this was quite mi flaking
the nature of the thing. Thefe inilances have not the
lead connexion with laws regulating prices in voluntary
commerce. In all thefe cafes the perfons who are employ,
ed folicit the privilege, obtain a licence, and come ynder

Vol. IV. F f

526 Essay on Money.

voluntary engagements to afii no higher prices ; fo that
there is as complete a free contrail as in buying and fell-
ing in open (liops. I am fo fully convinced of the truth
and juflice of the above principles, that I think, were it
proper at this time, 1 could Ihow, that even in the mod
enlightened nations of Europe there are ftill fome laws
fuhfifling which work in dire(Sl oppofition to the intention
of their makers. Of this kind in general are the laws a-
gainfl foreflalling and regrating. They are now indeed
mod: of them afleep, and what the lawyers call in defue-
tude ; but fo far as they are executed, they have the mofl:
powerful tendency to prevent, inftead of promoting, full
and reafonable markets. As an example of our own fkill
in that branch, a law was pad in Pennfylvania in time
of the war precifely upon that principle. It ordained that
in all imported articles there fliould be but one ftep be-
tween the importer and confumer, and therefore that none
but thofe who bought from the (hip fhould be allowed to
fell again. I cite this inflance by memory, but am cer-
tain that fuch was the fpiril of the law. The makers of
it confidered that every hand through which a commo-
dity palled mud have a profit upon it, which would there-
fore greatly augment the cod to the confumer at lad.
But could any thing in the world be more ablurd ? How
could a family at one hundred miles didance from the
feaport be fupplied with what they wanted ? In oppofition
to this principle it may be fafely affirmed, that the more
merchants the cheaper goods, and that no carriage is fo
cheap, nor any didribution fo equal or fo plentiful as thai
which is made by thofe who have an intered in it, and
expedl a profit frt)m it.

I have gone into this detail in order to diow that ten-
der laws, arming paper, or any thing not valuable in
itfelf with authority are diredlly contrary to the very fird
principles of commerce. This was certainly the more
neceffary, becaufe many of the advocates for fuch laws,
and many of thofe who are inftrumental in enading them,
do it from pure ignorance, without any bad intention. It
may probably have fome efle61: in opening their eyes to
obferve, that no paper whatever is a tender in apy nation

Essay en Money. ii*j

in Earope. "Even the notes of the bank of England,
which are as good as gold, and thofe of the bank of Hol-
land, which are confiderably better*, are not armed with
any fuch fandion, and are not a legal tender in the proper
ienfe of that word. That is to fay, though I fuppofe both
of them, or any other paper circulating in full credit may
be a tender in equity, fo far as that the perfon offering
them without fufpicion of their being refufed, could not be
condemned in any penalty or forfeiture ; yet if the perfon
who was to receive the money fliould fay, I am going
abroad, I want gold or filver ; it would lie upon the debt-
or and not the creditor to go and get them exchanged.
We may perhaps even fay more, viz. that the coinage of
gold and filver in any country is not fo much, if at all to
oblige perfons to receive it at a certain value, as to afcer-
tain them that it is of the value ilampt upon it. With-
out this ignorant perfons would be continually at a lofs
to know the finenefs and the weight of a piece offered
to them. This will appear from the two following re-
marks, (i) If by any accident in the coinage, or fraud
in the officers of the mint, fome of the pieces had not
the full quantity, or were not of fufficient finenefs, though
the flamp were ever fo genuine, if I could difcover the
defedl, I fhould be juftified in refufing it. (2) There is
ibmetimes a fludluation in the comparative value of gold
and filver, and in thefe cafes, though no doubt a debtor,
till the error that has crept in be re6lified by authority,
has a right to pay in any lawful money ; yet if I were
felling goods, and gold had fallen in its value, I might
fafely fay to the cuflomer, in what coin are you to pay

* Perhaps it may be proper to inform fome readers what
this exprelfion refers to. It refers to the agio of the bank of
Holland. A bill of that bank generally goes for a little more
in payment with any dealer than the fam it fpecifies, and this
advance or difference is callen the Agio of the Bank, and rifes
or falls like the rate of exchange. This probably arifes from
its perfe6l fecurity, and the very great advantage in point of
eafe and expedition, in transferring, reckoning, and concealing
of paper above gold and filver. It gives occalionto ihe vulgar
faying in that country, That money goes into the bank but
nevei" comes out.

%^i^ Essay on Monsyl

jne ? I will give you a yard of this filk for twenty-one ftef-:
ling filver fliillings, but if you give me a guinea I muft
have another fhilling before I will part with it. The
whole of this ferves to (how that nothing fliort of real mo-
ney, which is of (landard value, ought to be enforeed by
law in a well regulated fociety.

4. The principles above laid down will enable us io
perceive clearly what is the nature of paper circulating as
a medium of commerce, what is its real and proper ufe,
and what are its dangers and defeats. As to its nature, it
is a fign but not a llandard. It is properly an obligation^
or to ufe a modern commercial phrafe, it is a promifTory
note, it is not money, as has been fhown above, but it
is a promife of fome perfon or body of men to pay money
either on demand or at a particular time, or fome general
undefined future time. Obligations of this nature are of
more forts than one. Sometimes they are given by par-
ticular perfons, or trading companies, who are confidered
as perfons ; and frequently in America they have beea
given by the legiflature of the ftate. In the general de-
finition I have included all kinds of negotiable paper, but
it will not be neceffary to infill upon more than two of
them, viz. the notes of banking companies, and flate
emiflions. Bills of exchange are not fuppofed to pafs
through many hands, but to proceed as fpeedily as may
be to the place of their payment. Government fecurities
are only bought and fold like other property, and fo any
bonds or other private obligations, may be transferred as
often as people are willing to receive them ; but the notes
of banking companies, and the ftate emiflions of this coun-
try are intended to be, properly fpeaking, a circulating
medium. They are of various regular denominations,
and intended to anfwer all the purpofes of money in the
fmaller tranfa6tions of focicty as well as the larger, and
even go to market for purchafing the necefl^aries of life.

As to value, fuch obligations muft plainly depend upon
the credit of the fubfcriber or obligor, and the opinion or
expectation of the receiver. Thefe are mutually necef-
fary to their ufe in commerce. Let the refources or wealth
^f the fubfcriber be what they m>ay, it is the public opi-

Essay on Money. ii^

tibn that mud ultimately give them currency. This opU
nion, however, may be in fome inftances better, and in
fome worfe founded. That paper which may with moft
certainty and expedition be converted into gold and fiU
ver. Teems evidently to have the advantage on this ac-
count. Therefore the notes of banking companies, while
they maintain their credit, and continue to pay on de*
mand, appear to be the bed calculated for general ufe.
They feem alfo to have another advantage, that private
perfons and companies are upon a footing with the holder
of the bills. He can arreft them, and bring them to ac-
count and have juftice done upon them ; whereas he can-
not call the legiflature to account, but mult wholly de-
pend upon their fidelity-'as well as refources. Yet it mud
be owned there have not been wanting inilances formerly
in this country, in which paper emiflions by the Hates
have obtained full confidence, and met with no impedi-
ment in circulation.

Let us now confider what is the proper ufe of paper
currency, . or whether it be of any real ufe at all. Many
perfons in Europe have declared againft it altogether as
pernicious. I will endeavor to ftate this matter with all
the clearnefs I am capable of, and to give the reafons for
what I fliall advance. We have feen above that nothing
can be more abfurd than to fay that we now want a circu-
lating medium, and that paper is neceffary for that purpofe.
A circi)lating medium we have already, not in too fmall,
but in too great quantity ; fo that any perfon who under-
Hands the fubject may perceive that gold and filver, efpe-
cially the laft, is lofmg at lead one of the qualities necef-
fary for that purpofe, and becoming too bulky and heavy
for eafy and convenient tranfportation. Brafs, as has
been diown above, was once as jud and proper a medium
of commerce as gold and filver are now. It has all the
qualities neceffary for that purpofe dill, except rarity ;
fo that if it were not too plentiful and too cheap, it would
be money to this day. It is probable that this circum-
ftance of the abundance and weight of the precious me-
tals is what gives to many fuch an inclination for paper
jnonpy. This will appear ftrange to fome, yet I believe

;^3<^ Essay on Monty.

it is at bottom jufl. The cry with many' is, we mufl: have
paper for a circulating medium, as there is fuch a fcarcity
of gold and filver. Is this jufl ? No. They miilake their
own poverty, or the nation's poverty, for a fcarcity of gold
and filver ; whereas in fa6t, gold and filver ufed as a cir-
culating medium are fo cheap, and the quantity of a mo.
derate fum is fuch an incumbrance that we want paper,
which can be much more eafily carried, and much more
effedtually concealed. So that, contrary to the vulgar
idea, we are obliged to have recourfe to paper in feveral
cafes, not for want of gold and filver, but their too great
abundance.

This >vili appear to be a very uncouth idea to many
perfons. What, they will fay, too great abundance of
gold and ftlver ! when I go about from day to day, and
cannot colled what is due to me ; when my creditors' are
calling upon me and I cannot fatisfy them. There is a
fcarcity of money every where. What fhall be faid to
fatisfy thefe perfons ? I mud tell them plainly, It is their
poverty, or the nation's poverty, and not a want of gold
and filver, and if there were an hundred times as much
gold and filver in circulation as there is, their poverty and
difficulties would be juft the fame. If thefe perfons read
the fcriptures they may there learn, that in Solomon's
time the filver was as plentiful as stones in Jerusalem ;
probably they will think that all the people in Jerufalem
at that time mufi have lived like princes, but they muft
be told, that it was added as a necefl*ary confequence, that
it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon,

If paper is not then needed as a circulating medium-,
what benefits arifes from it ? I anfwer, the ufes of paper
fubftituted for money may be fummed up under the two
following heads :( I.) It is ufeful for facilitating com-
merce. (2.) It is ufeful for anticipating property or ex-
tending] credit. Firft, it is ufeful for facilitating com-
merce. Nothing can be more advantageous for that pur-
pofe than bills of exchange, which, without the adual
tranfportation of money or goods, can transfer property
even to the moll diftant places with the moll perfetl faci-
lity. There have been many perfons who have doubted

Jlssay on Money. 231

whether any other fort of paper currency is not upon the
whole hurtful, but the benefit of this is beyond all quelUon.
We fliall afterwards compare the advantages and difadvan-
tages of paper money ; but at prefent let us leave out the
confideration of the evil that it does, and it is manifefl
that there is lb great a facility and fafety in the tranfpor-
tation of paper above that of gold and filver, that it mud
greatly expedite all mercantile tranfa6tions, internal and
external. Suppofe one hundred thoufand pounds were
to be tranfported but three hundred miles, if it were to be
carried in filver, what an immenfe load would it be ? But
befides the weight, as it could not be concealed, there
would be a very great rifle of inviting robbers to fhare in
it. Let it be carefully obferved, that this good efFc6l of
paper is not from the additional quantity thrown into cir-
culation, but from its pofieffing fome advantages fuperior
to gold and filver, provided that the credit of it is fup-
ported. Nor muft it be forgotten, that it is in great and
extenfive negociations only, that this advantage is pof-
fefled by paper ; for in fmaller bargains and that inter,
courfe between man and man that is carried on every
hour, it pofiefles no advantage at all ; on the contrary, it
is liable to wear and wafte, and therefore the fmaller coins
are in all refpe^ls to be preferred.

2. Another ufe of paper in commerce is to extend
credit. Though in very large tranfadlions the advantage
of paper may be great, as it facilitates commerce ; yet
when we confider paper as generally circulating, and do-
ing the office of gold and filver, it is by the extenfion of
credit only, or chiefly, that it can be of any advantage.
It is unnecefTary for me, and perhaps not in my power,
to mention all the ways in which credit may be increafed
or faciliated by paper. Seme will probably be mention-
ev.1 afterwards ; at prefent my bufmefs is to (liow, that
giving credit is one of the advantages, and indeed in my
opinion it is the principle advantage, to be derived from
paper circulation of any kind. There are many people
whofe indudry is damped or limited by want of fiock or
credit, vv'ho if they were properly alTiIted in thefe refpe^s,
might do fignal fervice to therafelvss, and the community

232 Essay on Money.

of which they are members. It has been generally fatd,-
and I believe with truth, that the inflitution of the banks
in Scotland has improved the country in the courfe of
little more than half a century, to a degree that is hardly
credible. It is alfo probable, that the manufactures and
commerce of England have been greatly promoted by the
eafy and regular methods of obtaining credit from the
public and private banks. I am fenfible that fome very
intelligent perfons in Britain have condemned the paper
circulation even there, and afHrmed that it does more
harm than good. It is not neceffary for me to enter into
the arguments on either fide of that queftion. All that I
am concerned to prove is, that if it does good upon the
whole, or whatever good it does in any degree, arifes from
the credit which it is the occafion of extending ; and this
I think can hardly be denied.*

Let us next confider the evil that is done by paper.
This is what I would particularly requeit the reader to
attend to, as it was what thisdifcourfe was chiefly intend-
ed to evince, and what the public feems but little aware
of. The evil is this : All paper introduced into circula-
tion, and obtaining credit as gold and filver, adds to the
quantity of the medium, and thereby, as has been fhown
above, increafes the price of indullry and its fruits. | This

* That I may flate the matter with fairnefs and fulnefs, I
will juft obferve, that the enemies of paper fay, the improve-
ment was only coeval with the banks, but not caufed by thenx
in whole, nor in any great degree. The banks happened to be
nearly coeval with the revolution, and the union of England
and Scotland ; both which important events are fuppofed to
have been caufes of improvement to Scotland. However the
experience of the lad thirty or forty years appears to be confi-
derably in favor of banks and dealers in money and bills, which
I confider as elfentially the fame.

t This will perhaps be mifapprchended by fome readers.
They will fay, a high price for our induil;ry 1 This is juft what
we want, and what all defire. But the price I mean here is
not the price which you get for your induftry, but that which
you pay for it. A high price, by a great demand from foreign
nations, is your prolit ; but the coft which you pay for fer-
vants', tools, rent of land, kc. leffens that profit, audit is this
which is increafed by iucreafmg the circulating medium, and

Essay on Money. %%%

c^dnfeqiience is unavoidable, and follows as certainly from
good paper as bad, or rather more certainly^ for the me-
dium is increafed only by that which obtains credit. At
the fame time this confequence is local, becaufe the paper
does not pafs among other nations, and therefore it works
againlt the iniereil of the people who ufe it, and necelTa-
rily draws ofF their gold and litver, which mull be made
life of in all foreign payments. Men may think what they
pleafe, but there is no contending with the nature of
things. Experience has every where jullified the ren»ark,
that wherever paper is introduced in large quantities, the
gold and filver vanifhes univeriiiily. The joint Turn of
gold, filver, and paper current, will exactly reprefent your
whole commodities, and the prices will be accordingly. li
is therefore as if you were to fill a veflel brim full, making
half the quantity water and the other oil, the laft being
fpecifically lighteft, will be at the top, and if you add
more water, the oil only will run over, and continue run-
ning till there is none left. How abfurd and contempti-
ble then is the reafoning whicli we have of late feen fre-
quently in prints viz, the gold and filver i§ going away
from us, therefore we mull have papei*to fupply its place.
If the gold and filver is indeed going away from us, that
is to fay^ if the balance of trade is rhuch againft us, the
paper medium has a direct tendency to increafe the evil,
and fend it a Way by a quicker pace*

I have faid^ that this confequence follows fi-om all pa-
per, as fuch, good and bad, fo far as it enters into circula-
lion ; but every one muil perceive that there is a peculiar
and indeed a different evil to be feared from paper of 3
doubtful kind, and efpecially from that which being doubt-
ful, is obliged to be fuppdrted by coercive laws. This
mufi raife general fufpicion^ and confequently bring on a
ftagnation of commerce, from univerfal and mutual dif-
truil. For the fame reafon it mult annihiliate credit, and

jiot the other. Make as iwich money as you pleafe, this \\\\\
not make foreig-n nations call for aiiy more of your p;rain, liHi
lumber, tobacco, rice, Sec. hut it will juft as certainly mako
* them cofl: you more before you can brin;^ them to the mi^rket.
as adding two to three will make ftve.

\ou iV. G g

23 4 Essay on MoHef,

make every cautious perfon lock up his real money, that
is, gold and filver, as he cannot tell but he may be cheated
in tlie re-payment. This evil is very extenfive indeed, for
it makes people fufpicious, not only of what is, but what
may be. Though the injury fliould be but partial, or in-
confiderable at prelent, it may become wholly ruinous by
fome unknown future law.

Hence it may be feen, that the refolution of the quef-
tion, whether it is proper to have paper money at all or
not, depends entirely upon another, viz. whether the evil
that is done by augmenting the circulating medium, is or
is not over-balanced by the facility given to commerce, and
the credit given to particuhir perfons, by which their in-
dudry and exertions are added to the common flock. As
it is upon this that the queflion depends, we fhall find,
that as the circumltances of a nation may be different, it
may be for or againlt its intereit to ufe a paper medium.
If any nation were in fuch circumJlances as that credit
were either not necCxTdry or eafily obtained ; if the coun-
try were fully fettled and the inhabitants fully employed
in agriculture, manufadtures, and internal commerce,
with little foreign trade, any addition to the true m.oney,
would be unnecefTary or pernicious. This is probably
the flate of China at prefent, perhaps in fome degree alfo
of France. On the contrary, if a nation had an extenfive
and complicated commerce, and much land to fettle and
improve, the facilitating of commerce^ and extending of
credit, nnght be highly beneficial. I do not pretend to fo
exad a knowledge of tlie (late of this country, or the diffe-
rent parts of it, as to judge with abfolute certainty of v>^hat
is neceifary or would be ufeful to it, but am inclined to
think that there uiull be fomething in the fiate of things in
America that makes it either more neceflary or more ex-
pedient to have paper here than in the European Hates.
We are affured that in former times many of the flates,
then colonies, thought it a privilege to be allowed to flrike
paper money ; and we are told by perfons of good under-
llanding, that it contributed to their growth and improve-
ment. If this was the cafe, I am confident it was chiefly
becaufe it was emitted in the way of a loan-office, and by

Essay on Money, 235

giving credit to hufl^andmen, accelerated the fettlement
and improvement of the foih This quedion I do not
take upon me to decide, and therefore in what follows,
defire I may be confidered as fpeaking only hypothetical-
ly, the rather, that at prefcnt the inclination after paper of
fome kind or another feems to be fo flrong, that it would
be in vain to vvithfland it.

If therefore paper is to be employed in circulation, we
may fee from what has been faid above, what are the prin-
ciples on which it ought to be conducted, the ends that
ought to be aimed at, and the evils that ought to be avoid-
ed. The ends to be aimed at are, the facilitating of com-
mercial tranfadlions, and extending of credit to thofe who
are likely to make a proper ufe of it. The plan fliould
be fo conceived, as that the increafe of the circulating
medium (hould be as little as pofTible, confidently with
thcfe ends. It fliould be perfectly fecure, fo as to create
an abfolute confidence. And as it is of the nature of an
obligation, no force whatever fiiould be ufed, but the re-
ception of it left entirely to the inclination and intered of
the receiver. It may be fafely affirmed, that any devia-
tion from thefe principles, which are deduced from the
theory above laid down, will be an effential defe(ft in the
fydem. If we inquire what fort of paper will bed anfvver
this defcription, we find that there is no other fort ufed in
Europe than that of banking companies. The govern-
ment damping paper to pafs current for coin is unknown
there. Notwithdanding the immenfe fums which have
been borrowed by the Englifli government, they always
prefer paying intered for them, to ifiuing paper without
value for money. The only thing refembling it in the
Englifli hidory is, James the fecond coining bafe metal,
and affixing a price to it by proclamation ; a projedl con-
temptible in the contrivance, and abortive in the execu-
tion. This feems to be a confiderable prefumption, that
the meafure is upon the v/hole not eligible.*

* It feems to mc, that thofc who cry out for emitting paper
money by the legiQatiires, fhoukl take fome pains to ftate
clearly the difference between this and the European countries,
and poiftt out the reaxons wliy it >vould be ferviccablc here>

^3^ Essay on Money,

The paper of banking companies has many advantages.
It is confidered as perfe6tly fafe, becaufe it can be ex^
changed for gold and filver at any time upon demand*
Having this fecurity at bottom, it is perfedly convenient
fpr tranfportation, which indeed is common to it with all
paper. In addition to this, it is confidered as the princi-
pal bufmefs of all banks to give credit, which, though dt-
i^e£lly only in favor of commercial, is ultimately ufeful
to rnany different clafles of men. I may upon this ob-
serve, that it is the duty of banking companies fo to con-
tlu6l their operations as to extend their regular credit as
far as is fafe for themfelves. If inflead of this, as has been
fuppofed at leaft to have been done by fome banks in Bri-
tain, they circulate their notes by agents, making pur-
chafes in different anddiftant places, that the fum iffued
Inay very far exceed the fum necelfary to be kept for
probable demand^ ; they are in that cafe not ferving the
public at all, but ufmg the money of other people to their
own profit. It is alfo to be obferved, that the denomina-
tion of their notes fhould never be very fmall, it lliould
indeed be as high as is cqnfiflent with fuch a general ufe
as will bring in a fufficient profit. Very fmall denomi-
nations of paper do the greatefl injury by entering into
univerfal circulation, and chiefly affeding the induilrious
part pfthecomnmnity. It wa? a very great complaint
againll: fome banks in Scotland, what they brought down
the denominations of their notes as far as ten Ihillings,
and fome of them even five (hillings. If this was an evil,
"\vhat fhall we fay of paper, as has been feen in this coun-
try, as low as one (hilling, fix penqe, or even three pence
value ? It is a rule that will hardly admit of any excep-
tion, that the higher the denominations of paper bills, the
greater the benefit and the lefd the evil ; and on the con-
trary, the fmaller the denominations, the greater the evil
^nd the lefs th^ benefit. High fums in paper objigations
iTiay perhaps change hands once a week, but a ihilling or
fix-penny ticket n;ay be in, fifty hands in one day.

and-burtful there ; or elfe infill that it would be o wife mea-
iure every where, and recommend the ufe of it to the ftates of
England, France, Holland, £<c. who will be much indebted to,
^hem for the difcove ry.

Essay on Money. 237

I mud mention here what has been often objedled
againfl banks in America, which, if jull, would, from
the reafoning in the preceding part of this difcourfe, tend
to their condemnation. It is, that they have dellroyed
credit inftead of extending it, and have introduced or
gi^^en occafion to exceflive ufury. I am not fufEciently
informed to fay how far this is really the cafe, but cannot
help obferving, that treating the matter theoretically, as I
have all along done, and confiderins: the nature of the
thing, this does not appear to be a neceflary confequence.
One would rather think that the regular credit which is
or ought to be given by banks fhould prevent ufury, by
fupplying all thofe who deferve to be trufted. Agreeably
to this it was found in fadl, that the inftitution of banks
in Scotland lowered the intereft of money, which indeed
feems to be the natural efFedl of every fuch inftitution,
from the increafed circulation. But if any inftances more
than before have happened of this kind, it may be by per-
fons in extreme ncceflity applying to others who have
credit with the bank, and who have fo little confcientious
fcruple as to take advantage of their neighbor's poverty.
If this is the cafe, it is only a particular abufe, or occa-
fional bad confequence of a thing otherwife good and ufe-
ful. It is not a juft objeition againft any thing, that it
may be or has been in fome inftances abufed. Befides,
as it is the duty of every banking company to guard
againft this evil as much as poffible, even by perfonal re-
fentment, againft thofe who make this ufe of their confi-
dence, fo it is an evil not out of the reach of legal punifh-
ment or general infamy. Wife and well executed laws
againft ufury, would at leaft fo far reftrain it, as to make
it an evil of little confequence.

But in examining the nature and operation of different;
kinds of pape<T I muft confider an objection of much
greater importance, upon the principles of this difcourfe,
againft the paper of banks, or at leaft, a defe6l in their fyf-
tem, that feems to call for other meafures in addition to it.
This is, that banking companies give credit only fo as to
be ferviceable to merchants, and thofe immediately con-
jiefted with them, but do not extend it to hufbandmen, or

338 Essay on Money.

thofe whvO improve the foil, by taking mortgages for a con*
iiderable time ; yet according to the theory above laid
down, this is not only one of the advantages, but perhaps
the chiet advantage to be derived from a paper circulation
of any kind. Now, I admit, that the fettlement and cul-
tivation of the foil is the radical fource of the profperity
of this country. It is indeed the fource of the profperity
of eveiy country, but comparatively more fo of that of
this country than moft others. I alfo admit that credit,
properly extended, to indullrious perfons in this way
would lie exceedingly beneficial. For this reafon, and for
this alone, Dr. Franklin and others perhaps judged right
when they faid, the country received great benefit from
the loan oiHce paper of form.er times. lam alfo fenfible,
that it is not practicable nor proper for banking compa-
nies to give credit upon mortgages on diftant lands. They
being bound to prompt payment, muft expecl the fame ;
therefore they are not to be blamed for refufnig it in this
form*. For all thefe reafon s, I do not take upon me
wholly to condemn a meafure in America, which would
be unnecefFary or improper in Europe. We hear from
every quarter, that is to fay, from almofi: every flate, a
loud cry for paper money. Now when there is a great
and univerfal complaint, it is feldom. without fome foun-
dation ; and though I have taken much pains in the pre-
(ceding difcourfeto fhow that they miflake their own wants,
that they do not want a circulating medium, but ufe that
phrafe without underftanding its meaning; yet they cer-
tainly do want fomething. They v/ant particular cre^
d'lt ; and they look back with defire to the former times
when they had paper money, which, by its name itfelf,
pointed out its nature and ufe, the notes being then call-
ed bills of credit. I will therefore proceed, keeping a
fteady eye upon the principles above laid down, to flate

* I mvifl here obferve, that the banks of Scotland never gave
credit upon mortgages, but perfonal fecurity only, and yet they
vere univerfally fuppofed to put it in the power of landed
men to improve their eflates ; fo that the money tranfa6lions
muft have been,though not dirc6l])^,yet remotely in their favor.

£ssay en Money. 239

in what manner a loan-ofEce may be eftabllflied* with-
in mockrate bounds, that (liall render a fervice probably-
greater than the evils necelFarily confequent upon it.

1 would therefore propole, that any Hate that thinks it
neceflary, ihould emit a fum cf iuppofe one hundred thou-
land pounds, and that the following rules fhould be laid
down in the law, and invariably adhered to. (i.) That
not a fliilling of that money fhould ilFue from the loan-
office treafury, but upon mortgage of land to the amount
of double the fum in value. (2.) That it fhould not be a
legal tender for any debts contradled or to be contracted,
but receivable in all taxes within the (late, and payable
for the wages of Council and AfTembly, and the fees and
perquifites of all public officers, after it has been (b re-
ceived, (3.) That at the end of twelve calender months,
a fum precifely equal to the intereft that had accrued or
become due in that time, fliould be confumed by fire, ancj
public intimation given of its being done. The fame
thing fhould be done every fubfequent year. (4.) That
at no time any part of this money Ihould be made ufe of
in thepaymeni of the public debts, but that which had
been firfl levied in taxes. It would not be proper even
to borrow from the Hock for this purpofe by anticipationf.

If thefe rules were, obferved, credit would be given to

* I am not ignorant that there has been in one of our flates,
I mean Penniylvania, a violent controverfy for and againft the
bank, between tlie political fa6\ions which divide that flate.
On this account, I am forry I was obliged to mention «)anks at
all ; but it was impoffible for me to do jullicc to the fubje6l,
v.ithout coniiderini^' their general nature and efie6ls ; and I
will not fo much as name any of the arguments on cither iide
of this queilion, but what is neceffarily connec?Led with money
in ojeneral ar> a currency, and its effe6^t3 upon the national in-
icrdl.

t The payiniy of the public creditors is one of the moll com-
mon and popular arguments for paper emiflions, but to par
them with money not loaned, is not paying, hut continuim^
the debt upon the flatc, and only make it chanj^'e hands. All
inch bills fo paid muil be accounted for by the public. It ].•>
better, therefore, that by the loans men may be enabled caHly
tp pay their taxes ; and then let the public creditors be paid
by iiK)ney d;jmanded equally from the whole for that purpofe.

24© Mssay on Monefi

fome perforis, who needed and deferved it» to the amount
of the whole fum. The bills current would be dimU
nifhed in quantity every year fo as not to load the circu^
lation, which would have a fenfible cffedl upon the pub-
lic opinion, and indeed, from the nature of the things
would increafe their value, or rather confirm it from yeai^
to year*. At the end of fourteen or fifteen years they
would be wholly taken out of circulation^ and that not
by any tax laid on for the purpofe, but by the hire or ufe
of the money itfelf, an:l after all, the principal fum would
be ftill due to the llate in good money, which might bear
interell for even It would be an important addition to
this fcheme, if no bills lefs than tv/o dollars, or perhaps
three, or five, fliould be emitted, as this would lUll keep
jilver at leaft in circulation. On the above principles,
all the good that can be produced by paper would be ef*
feded, viz. facilitating commerce, and giving credit;
and as little of the evil as polFible, becaufe the quan*
tity would be fixed and moderate at firft, and continually
^creafing, fo as at iall to vanilh altogether; and then
another emiifion of the fcime kind might be made, if the
utility of the lirll fliould recommend it.

Perhaps it will be faid, that this money not being a
legal tender, would not anfwer the purpofe of borrowers
by paying their debts, nor get at all into circulation. To
this I anfwer, that it would not anfwer the purpofe of
thofe who want to pay their debts with half nothing, and
cheat their creditors; nor do I wifh to fee any thing
attempted that would produce that effciSl. But 1 affirm,
that it would get better into circulation than by a ten-
der law, which creates general and jult fufpicion. Ten-
der laws, as has been already proved, may be made ufe

* I cannot help obfervh-Jg here, that the titles of mod di
the atls tor emlttinij money, do unawai'G& cortfefs the jiiilice
of all that has been faid above ; they run thus, ^' Arl aa for
emitting — *-^ thou fan d pounds in bills of credit, and diretling;
the manner of sinking the same,'' Does not thi^ fliow what
fort of a circulating medium they are ? Does it not admits
that they will do evil if they continue to circulate ? Wheu yovi
cgln e-old ftnd filvep, do you provide for fmkingit ?

Essay on Money, 241

of by deceitful perfons to do particular a£ls of Injuf.
tice, but are not fufficient to procure general circulation,
tior to excite and reward induflry, without the opinion
and approbation of the public. Such money as I have de-
fcribed would excite no alarm, it might eafily be tried.
It would, in my opinion, certainly be tried, for all would
know that it would pay every tax to government, and
even borrovvers of large fums might make trial of it,
without any rifle at all, becaufe, if it would not anfwer
their end, they might, after a few months, repay it, and
take up their mortgage. But I cannot help thinking that
the principles of it are fo jufl, and the plan {o certain, that
all underllanding perfons would perceive and approve it.

I mult here take the occalion and the liberty of faying,
that it were greatly to be wilhed that thofe who have in
their hands the adminiltration of affairs in the fcveral
Hates of America, w^ould take no meafures, either on
this, or any other fubjeft, but what are founded upon juf-
tice, fupported by reafon, and warranted to be fafe by
the experience of former ages, and of other countries.
The operation of political caules is as uniform and certain
as that of natural caufes. And any meafure which ia
itfelf has a bad tendency, though its effedls may not be
inftantly difcernable, and their progrefs may be but flow,
yet it will be infallible ; and perhaps the danger will
then only appear when a remedy is inpoffihle. This is
the cafe. In fome degree, with all political meafures,
without exception, yet I am miilaken if it is not eminent-
ly fo with refpe£l to commercial deali'i^rs. Commerce is
excited, diredled, and carried on by interefl. But do
not miftake this, it is not carried on by general univerfal
interefl:, nor even by well informed national interefl, but
by immediate, apparent, and fenfible perfonal interefl.
I mufl alfo obferve^ that there is in mankind a fliarp-
llghtednefs upon this fubje£l that is quite afloni/hing.

All men are not philofophers, but they are generally
good judges of their own profit in what is immediately
before them, and will uniformly adhere to it. It is not
uncommon to fee a man v/ho appears to be almofl as

Vol. IV. Hh

242 Essay on Money,

flupid as a ftone, and yet he fliall be as adroit and dex-
trous in making a bargain, or even more fo, than a man
of the firft rate underdanding, who, probably, for that ve-
ry reafon, is lefs attentive to trifling circumftances, and
^th under the government of mean and felfifli views. As
to currency, which has been our general fubjedl, if coins
of any particular fpecies happen, as is fometimes the
cafe, to pafs at a rate, ever fo little higher, in one coun-
try, or corner of a country than another, thither they will
immediately dired their courfe ; and if the matter is not
attended to, nor the miftake reclihed, they will be all
there in a very fliort time, and the place which receives
them mull; bear the lofs.

I will now fum up, in fingle propofitions, the fubftance
of what has been afitrted, and I hope fufficiently proved,
in the preceding difcourfe.

(i.) It ought not to be imputed to accident or caprice,
that gold, filver, and copper, formerly were, and the
two firll continue to be, the medium of commerce ; but
to their inherent value, joined with other properties, that
fit them for circulation. Therefore, all the jpeculations,
formed upon a contrary fuppofition, are inconclufive and
abfurd.

(2.) Gold and filver are far from being in too fmall
quantity at prefent for the purpofe of a circulating me-'
dium, in the commercial nations. The laft of them,
viz. filver, feems rather to be in too great quantity, fo as
to become inconvenient for tranfportation.

(3.) the people of every nation will get the quantity of
thefe precious metals, that they are entitled to by their
induRry, and no more. If by any accident, as plunder
in war, or borrowing from other nations, or even finding
it in mines, they ^tt m.ore, they will not be able to keep
it. It will in a fliort time, find its level. Laws againll
exporting the coin will not prevent this. Laws of this
kind, though they are ilill in force in fome nations, fuppo-
fed to be wife, yet are in themfelves ridiculous. If you
import more than you export, you mud pay the balance,
or give up the trade.

Essay on Money, 243

(4.) The quantity of gold and filver at any time in a
nation, is no evidence of national wealth, unleis you take
into confideration the way in which it came there, and
the probability of its continuing.

(5.) No paper of any kind is, properly fpeaking, mo-
ney. It ought never to be made a legal tender. It ought
not to be forced upon any body, becaufe it cannot be for-
ced upon every body.

(6.) Gold and fdver, fairly acquired, and likely to con-
tinue, are real national, as well as perfonal wealth. If
twice as much paper circulates with them, though in full
credit, particular perfons may be rich by poffefiing it, but
the nation in general is not.

(7.) The cry of the fcarcity of money, is generally
putting the efFe6l for the caufe. No bufmefs can be done,
lay fome, becaufe money is fcarce. It may be faid with
more truth, money is fcarce, becaufe little bufmefs is done.
Yet their influence, like that of many other caufes, and
^efFetls, is reciprocal.

(8.) Tile quantity of current money, of whatever kind,
will have an efFedl in raifmg the price of induftry, and
bringing goods dearer to market, therefore the increafe of
the currency in any nation, by paper, which will not pafs
among other nations, makes the firil coft of every thing
they do greater, and of confequence, the profit lefs.

(9.) It is however poffible, that paper obligations may
fo far facilitate commerce, and extend credit, as by the
additional induftry, that they excite, to over- balance the
injury which they do in other refpedls. Yet even the
good itfelf may be over-done. Too much money may be
emitted even upon loan, but to emit money any other
way, than upon loan, is to do all evil and no good.

(10.) The excefllve quantity of paper emitted by the
different flates of America, will probably be a lofs to the
whole. They cannot however take advantage of one
another in that way. That ilate which emits moll will
lofe mod, and vice versa,

(11.) I can fee no way in which it can do good but
one, which is to deter other nations from trufting us, and
thereby leffen our importations ; and I fmccrely wiih, that

'5t44 Essay on Money,

in that way, it may prove in fome degree a remedy for itj
own evils.

(i2.) Thofe who refufe doubtful paper, and thereby
difgrace it, or prevent its circulation, are not enemies,
but friends to their country.

To draw to a conclufion, it is probable that tjhofe who
perceive, which it will be eafy to do, that the author of
this tradl is not a merchant or trader, by profeffion, will
be ready to fay, what has this gentleman to do with fuch a
fubjt<5t ? Why fhould he write upon what he has no prac-
tical knowledge of, money and commerce ? To thefe I
anfwer, that I have written, not as a merchant, but as a
fcholar. I profefs to derive my opinions from the bell
civilians of this and the lad age, and from the hiftory of
all ages, joined with a pretty confiderable experience and
attention to the effedls of political caufes, within the fphere
of my own obfervation. It is not even too much to fay,
that one of the mercantile profeffion, unlefs his views
were very enlarged indeed, is not fo proper to handle a
general fubject of this kind as fome others. His atten-
tion is ufually confined to the bufinefsj and to the branch
of that bufinefs in which he is employed. In that his
difcernment will be clear, and he will find out, if polTible,
where he can buy cheapell, and fell dearefl. But as to the
theory of commerce, or the great objects of national in-
tereft orconnexinn, he can have no advantage at all over
a perfon given to ftudy and reflexion, who has fome ac-
quaintance with public life. With thefe remarks, by
way of apology, and having no interellin the matter but
vi^hat is common to every citizen, I freely commit the
whole to the judgment of the impartial public.

C 245 ]

SPEECH

IN THE

Synod of Glasgow,

IVhcn I was accused of being the Author of the Ecclesu
astkal Characteristics,

Moderator,

IT cannot but give me feme pain to think upon my be-
ing obliged to Hand at your bar, in fbme fort as a
pannel or accufed perfon. At the fame time, this is
greatly alleviated, by the confideration that I am now call-
ed to a regular defence of my charader, which has been
long abufed in the mod virulent manner, when I had no
opportunity of fpeaking for myfelf. But Sir, before com-
ing to the particular obje6lion which has been pleaded be-
fore you, it is neceflary that I ihould endeavor to remove
the great odium that has been, by fome in the world, in-
duftrioufly thrown upon me. Thofe gentlemen at the
bar, by whom I am now conllrained to this apology, per-
haps know who it was that taught certain perfons who
knew nothing of me, to reprefent me as a firebrand, as
violent and contentious, unfit to be a member of any
quiet fociety. This is a charader. Sir, which I am mcft
unwilling to bear, and which, if 1 am not greatly nuiiaken>

34^ Defence in the

is nioR unjuftly imputed to me, from any paflpartof my
condudi. I call upon all thofe with whom i have lived
many years in Prefbytery, to fay if they will lay this to
my charge. The apofllc James tells us, that " if any
*' man OiFend not in word, the fame is a perfect man." —
Perfedlion I do not plead ; but any comparative guilt in
this refped, I do abfolutely refufe. I call particularly up-
on my neared neighbor, a minifter andco-prefbyter, who
ought furely to be an unfufpe6led witnefs, becaufe we have
hardly ever agreed in any principle of church govern-
ment ; yet there hath not been the leail jealoufy or dry-
riefs between us as men, nor even as Chrillians or minif-
ters ; and yet difference in opinion has often caufed fuch
things between very good men. I have alfo, Sir, been
many times a member of this Synod, fometimes when
debates were pretty high, and may fafely afErm, that I
have been as far from indifcretion and violence as any of
thofe who accufe me. I was none of thofe, in April
1753, v/ho, in the committee of overtures, fpun out the
time purpofely with long fpeeches till the f) nod's hour
was come, and then would not fufter the committee to
come to any decifion; but unlefs the fynod were imme-
diately conftituted, threatened, with apparent pallion and
fury, to withdraw^ and conftitute a feparate fynod altoge-
ther. Probably Mr. P , and Mr. M , may be able

to inform you who the perfons were ; and I alfure you
from my own knov^^ledge, that fuch condudt in clergymen
v/as very allonifliing and ofFenfive to fome of the laity, I
have been told that at the admiffionof the Rev. Mr. Baine,
in Paifley, the perfcn vi^ho admitted him, among other ad-
vices, told him to beware of a party fpirit ; and in this, ano-
ther member faid he fpoke the fenfe of the whole prefbyte-
ry. I am convinced there are fome perfons who by a par-
ty fpirit mean a perfon having different principles from
themfelves, and that no meeknefs of temper, no purity of
character, no humanity in his carriage, will in that cafe,
favean opponent from fuch an imputation. And if by a
party fpirit be underfiood a regard to the perfon as much as
the caufe, and profecuting their own purpofes in a violent
and illegal manner, without candor or charity to thofe who

Synod of Glasgow. 247

differ from them, I know none who have a jufter title to
the character than fbme members of that reverend body.
Several inflances might be given in their paft condiiO: to
juftify this oblervation ; fome oF which perhaps I ihall
afterwards mention ; the rell are well enough known,
and indeed, it feems to be generally agreed by the world
about them, that they are not over patient of mixture,.

This, Sir, very plainly appears iVoni the cafe now be-
fore you. This prelbytery have refufed leave to grant evea
a call to me, upon a prefentation and unanimous appli-
cation from all concerned ; and ailign this reafon for it,
that there is a report of my being author of a book which
they fay in their minutes is of a very bad tendency to
the interefts of religion, and injurious to the characters of
many minifters of this church, and therefore they appoint-
ed a committee, 6cc. The injury done to the town of Paif-
ley, it is the bufmefs of the congregation to complain of,
and they have done it, and wait for redrefs fvcm you.
The injury done to me, I beg leave, in a few v/ords, to
reprefcnt to this veneral^ls Synod. — And here, Sir, I do
not complahi of their taking into confideration any book
that they fnall be pleafed to think contrary to the interells
of Religion, and fliould have been well fatisfied to hear of
a motion for cenfuring irreligious books come from that
quarter. — I wifli if ever it come from any quarter they
may faithfully infpedt it. But fir, I complain that they
have joined my name to a certain book with which they
are not pleafed, and then have pafied a fentence condem-
ning it, when I was not and could not re;]jularly be before
them. This is a cafe that may have important confequen-
ces. AH I defire is equity and juftice, and that furely I
have a rip^ht to claim. The prefbytery of Paifley, Sir, had
a riorht to accufe me if they pleafed before the prefbytery
of which [ am a member. But they had no right at all to
condemn, or even to judge me, themfclves, and much
lefs when I was not heard. — Perhaps it will be laid they
have not found mc puilty, but propofed a peaceable man-
ner of trying whether I was fo or not ; but Sir, have they
not found by their fentence the relevancy of the crime, a-
gainll which, as well as the proof, any accufed perfon hau
a right to be heard.

348 Defence in the

The injury they have done me, and the tinjuft and iy^
rannical method of their proceedings, appear in the mofi
evident manner from the fituation in which I now Hand,
and the mannerofthecaufebeingpleaded before you — You
fee with what difficulty they were hindred, or rather that
they could not be hindered, from entering into the merits
of the c:iufe, and endeavoring to perfuade the Synod to
condemn this book to which they have joined my name,
before they have fo much as let me know the nature and
form of the procefs againfl me, and when 1 have had no
opportunity to fee and anfwer their charge.— This is a-
gainft all rule, for by the form of procefs it ought to have
be^un at the prelbytery of Irvine ; and whether it be ta-
ken up upon the footing of a fama clamosa^ or a libel
from a particular accufer, there mull ftill be virtually a
libel in the view of the court — But by bringing it in here,
in the manner they have done, and pleading upon it, they
are endeavoring to get a law made, as it were ex post
facto, upon which 1 may be condemned hereafter ; and
they have reduced me to the neceflity of pleading in de-
fence of a book with which I do not, nor ever did pretend
any connexion, unlefs I would give a fandion to a me-
thod of proceeding pregnant with tyranny and injuftice.
So that thourrh I come to the Synod for julHce it is really
hardly poflible for you fully to grant it, becaufe you can-
not wholly underhand the bad efiedls of the Prefbytery's
wrong procedure. I am fenfible Sir, that it would be giving
up the very point which I am chiefly to plead, if I fhould
enter into the merits of the caufe fo far as to confider the
particulars contained in this book ; whether they are juft
or unjud, true or falfe. But I muft beg leave to confider
a little in general whether the crime of which they think
proper to fufpedl me was fo certainly and felf-evidently re-
levant that they might take it for granted, and affert it in
their minutes, without fo much as having the book before
them, or mentioning the offenfive pafTages ; which I fhould
think were necefliiry even in the worll book that can be
conceived — and to all this join my name without fuffering
nie to be heard.

Synod of Glasgow. 249

And here, fir, I flionld think that modefty and com-
mon decency might have led them to determine otherwife,
had they not before themfelves the unanimous application
of a large and numerous people to call me to be their mi-
niller. Did not thefe people know of the rumour of my
being author of this book before they entered into this re-
folution, and are they all [o abandoned as to call an ene-
my to all rules to watch for their fouls ? Did not the pref-
bytery know that the perfon fo fufpeded had been a mem*
ber of a presbytery for fome years after the fufpicion be.
gan ? that he had been a member of this Synod with
themfelves, nay a member of the Supreme Court of this
church, and no notice taken of it all ? Nay, are they fo
ignorant as not to know that a very great majority of this
nation find no fault with the book at all ? and any perfoa
profeffing himfelf the author would not thereby in the leafl
degree forfeit their efteem. Pray fir, was it, is it, could
it be juft in this cafe, to conclude it criminal without de-
bate or examination ? I mean not by this to juftify the
book in every particular ; perhaps if it comes to be exa^
mined I may join in condemning it, at lead, fi^me parts ;
but I infill that this Ihows the precipitatenefs, the partialis
ty and injultice of the Prefbytery, in the fentence which
they pafled. It looks as if they themfelves were flruck at
in the performance and a£ted as interefled perfons ; and
indeed I would gladly aflc them whether they think them-
felves pointed at in the pamphlet ; and if they think fi^,
and at the fame time afcribe it to me, whether it is juft
and equitable that they fhould be my judges who are fup»
pofed to be aggrieved ?

There is another general confideration that fhews how
unjull and precipitate this fentence was, and that there is
really no belief of the thing being fo criminal as they
have taken for granted, among thofe who muft be mod un*
prejudiced and impartial judges. It is read in England,
and the prefbytery of Paifley do or may know, the fenti*
ments that are entertained of it there. I have been well
informed that the prefent Bifiiop of London, in converfa-^
tion with a Nobleman of our own country, gave it grea^
commendation ; and withal added, it feems only dir^fted

Vol.. IV. I i

i25o i)efence in the

at a certain party in the church of Scotland, but we want
not very many in the Church of England, to whom the
characters are very applicable. And Sir, I have feen a
letter from the Rev. Mr. Warburton to a minifler in Scot-
land, and it has been feen by feveral minillers here pre-
fent, in which he commends the performance, and par-
ticularly calls it a fine piece of raillery againft a party, to
which fays he, we are no (Irangers here — Is it to be fup-
pofed fir, that dilUnguifhed perfons for worth and penetra-
tion, would commend and approve a thing fo evidently
criminal as the prelbytery of Paifley are pleafed to think —
Are perfons of the character there reprefented to be found
in the Church of England ? Where then is the Church of
Scotland's charter of fecurity that none fliall ever arife in
her deferving fuch a reprimand ? Ihall fuch names as thefe
mentioned openly affirm that there are fuch in England ?
and muft the man be condemned without hearing and
without mercy who is but fufpeded of hinting that there
may be fuch in her filler church ? I have often indeed fince
the commencement of this bufinefs refledled on the differ-
ent fituation of affairs in Scotland and England. I have
feen, I know not how many books in England, printed
with the authors names, which plainly and without am-
biguity affirm that there are fome of the clergy proui
ambitious, time -fervers, and tools to thofe in power; fome
of them lazy and flothful, lovers of eafe and pleafure;
fome of them fcandalous and diffolute in their manners ;
fome ignorant and infufficient. And thefe things they af-
firm without the lead danger, or apprehenfion of it : but
I believe, were I to publifh a book that had the tenth part
of fuch feverity in it in Scotland, 1 ought at the fame time
to have a ihip hired to flee to another country. I Ihall not
pretend to account for this difference, but only affirm,
and I am m) felf a flanding evidence, that it doth really
fubfifl. And at the fame time it is attended by a very odd
circumftance, for reproaches are criminal when thrown
out by one fet againll the other, but not in the leall ^o,
when thrown out, or thrown back, by that other againfl
the firll — Many here prefent will remember what a fet of
overtures were brought into this Synod in April 1753, by

Synod of Clasgovf. a j r

fome of the very perfons who are now {landing at the bar ;
one of them fet forth the grievous crime of bringing our
public differences with one another into the pulpit : and
yet, ftrange to think, the only fermon that ever I heard
in my life in which this was 5one, was by one of my pre-
fent accufers, who. Sir, fell bloodily upon thofe minillers
who bawl out againfl: the law of the land as a grievance,
inflead of giving it that obedience which becomes good
fubjedts. It indeed was his ignorance to find fault with
that expreflion, which is ufed even by the facred infallible
General AITembly, in the annual inflr unions to their
commiffioners. Is it not alfo well known, that a pam-
phlet was publiflied, called " The Juft View of the Con-
ftitution," which common, uncontradicted fame, which

is not my cafe, attributes to Mr, H , and pub-

liflied many months before the one for which I am now
accufed. This pamphlet reprefents us all in general as
not acting upon confcience, but from a love of popularity,

or in the words of the ingenious Mr. T of Gowan,

*' not confcience, but a fpirit of fadion and a love of do-
minion." And befides this, it tells a (lory, which it calls
a fcene of iniquity, with the initial letters of the names of
the perfons concerned. Was ever this pamphlet charged
by thefe gentlemen, my opponents, as contrary to the in-
tereft of religion ? At the fame time, I fliould be glad to
know what it is that makes the difcovery of a fcene of ini-
quity, if committed by fome whom I mud not name,
contrary to the intereft of religion ; but the difcovery of a
fcene of iniquity, fuppofed to be committed by Mr. Web-
ftcr, or fome others of us, nothing contrar}' to it at all. I
am not able to difcover any reafon for this diflferencc of
judgment, but one that is not very honorable to them, viz,
Thefe fcenes of iniquity, fuppofed to be committed by
them, are more probable in themfelves, and adually ob-
tain more credit, than thofe which they throw out againfl
us. I do not affirm that that is the reafon, but I think,
fince they have been the agi^refTors, both in cenfuring u«
for fcrupling obedience to fome of their decifions and at-
tacking our characters in print, if fome namelefs author
has with great fucccfs retaliated the injury of the lailkind^

^5* jDefente in the

they ought to lie as quietly under it as poflible, both ffdTH
equity and prudence — from equity becatife they have gi*
Ven the provocation ; from prudence, becaufe it will bring
tnany to fay, that charge mull have been juft, or it would
have been treated with contempt. — Surely that flroke
mull have been well aimed — the wound mufl have been
Very deep, fmce the fear continues fo long, and is never
like to be either forgotten or forgiven.

But, Sir, I mufl confefs I am amazed at the boldnefs,
as well as the violence of thofe gentlemen, confideringthe
land in which. we live. Is it not, and do we not glory iri
its being a land of liberty ? Is it then aland of civil liber-
ty and yet of ecclefiaftical tyranny? Mufl not a man have
equity and jullice in the church, as well as the ftate ? Are
there not every day publifhed in this nation, aS fev^e,
nay much feverer cenfures of the greateil charadlerS in
the kingdom, and pofTefllng the highefl offices ? Are there
not attacks upon our fovereign himfelf, and his augull fa-
mily, many times made in print,and yet pafTed unheeded ?
And mufl the leafl attempt to (how that there are corrup-
tions among the clergy be an unpardonable crime ? I have
feen it infilled on in i:«'int, that as foon as the liberty of
the prefs is taken away, there is an end of every fhadow of
liberty. And as of late years it hath been very frequent
to borrow from what is cuflomary in the civil government,
tind apply it to the church, I fhall beg leave to borrow
this maxim, and to afBrm, that {o foon as it is not per-
mitted in general to lafh the charaf^^ers of churchmen,
there is eflablifhed a facerdotal tyranny, which always
was, and always will be, of the mofl cruel, relentlefs, and
illegal kind. But the worfl of all is dill behind, which I am
aiJhamed to mention in the prefence of fo many of the
laity, becaufe of the reproach which it brings upon our
church. There have been publifhed among us, writings
diredlly levelled againfl religion itfelf, taking away the
very fou-ndation of morality, bringing in doubt the being
of God, and treating our Redeemer's name with contempt
and derifion. Writings of this kind have been publicly
avowed, with the author's name prefixed. Where has
been the zeal of the Prcfbytcry of Paifley againfl fuch

Synod of GlasgO'U). 255

writings ? Have they moved fof the exercife of dircipline
againfl: the authors ? Have they fup^ported the motioa
Avhen made by others ? I am afraid, Sir, this profecution
will give many juft ground to fay, as was faid an age ago
by Moliere in France, and by fome there upon occafion
of his writings, that a man may write againfl God Almigh*
ty what he pleafes, in perfedt fecurity ; but if he write
againlt the charadlers of the clergy in power, he is ruined
for ever.

I am fenfible. Sir that they have fiiid, even at this bar,
as indeed they and their emmiflaries in converfation have
often alled<2:ed, that the quarrel they have at the pamphlet,
is its hurtful tendency to the intereO: of religion : nay,
they have often faid that one who could write in that
ftyle and manner againfl his brethren, cannot poflibly be
a good man ; and that has been commonly faid even upon
the fuppofition of the truth of the fadts and charadters con-
tained in the book. This, Sir, I would have had nothing
to do with, but would have fuffered the book to anfwer for
itfelf, fmce its author does not think proper to appear ia
its defence, if they had not been pleafed to load me with
the fufpicion of it. For removing this odium, by which
alone it is that they have made an impreffion on fome
good men, I obferve in general, that it is not conceivable
that a thing fhouldbe a certain mark of a bad man, which
is approved by, and conveys no fuch idea to, fo great a
number of unqueflionable charadlers. But befides, let
us confider a little the nature of the thing — i. It is writ-
ten ironically. 2, It is fuppofed to attack the charac-
ters and credit of a part of the clergy of the church of
Scotland. As to the lirlt of thefe, far be it from me to
aflert that ridicule is the teft of truth ; many here prefent
know how uniformly, and how itrenuoufly I have main-
tained the contrary ; it is however many times ufeful to
difgrace known falfehood, and fuch pradices as to be def-
pifed need only to be expofed ; that it is a lawful thing
to make fuch an ufe of it, is evident from the higheft au-
thority. There are many inflances of irony in the facred
writings. In Gen. iii. 22. we have an expreflion put
into the mouth of God himfelf, which many, perhaps moil

554 Defence in ihe

interpreters, fuppofe to be an irony ; and as It is of the
rnofl fevereand cutting kind, in a moft deplorable cafe, fo
I do not fee that another interpretation can be put upon the
words. — *' And the Lord God faid, behold the man is be-
'* come as one of us, to know good and evil." The con-
<3u6l of Elijah, and his treatment of the prophets of Baal,
I Kings xviii. 27. is another example of the fame kind^;
*' And it came to pafs at noon, that Elijah mocked them,
" and faid, Cry aloud : for he is a ^od, either he is talking/
*' or he is purfuing, or he is in a journey, or peradven-
*' ture he fleepeth, and muft be awaked." There are a
good many inftances of it in the prophets, Which I omit
to fave time, as the thing is undeniable, and only further
mention an exprefHon of our Saviour himfelf, who though
a man of forrows and in a Ihte of humiliation, yet in
fome places ufes a language plainly ironical, as in John
X. 31. " Many good works have I (hewed you from my
" Father, for which of thefe works do ye Hone me ?"

And as the inftances of fuch writing in the word of
God fufficiently warrants the ufe of it, fo it is founded
upon the plained reafgn. There are two diflind quali-
ties of truth and piety ; a divine beauty, which renders
them amiable, and a holy majelly, which renders them ve-
nerable : — and there are alfo two dilVmQ quuiities of er-
ror and impiety ; a criminal guilt, which renders them the
object of horror, and a delufion and folly, which renders
them filly and contemptible — and it is fir and proper that
the children of God (hould have both of thefe fentiments
of hatred and contempt with regard to them. And the lad
is often neceflary, as well as the firft, in combating cor-
ruptions. There is for ordinary, a pride and felf-fuffici-
ency in wicked men, which makes them deaf to advice,
and impregnable to fober and ferious reafoning, nor is
there any getting at them till there pride is levelled a
little with this difmaying weapon. Many of the ancient
fathers of the Chriflian church, both ufed this manner of
writing, and afTerted its neceflity. There is one paffage
of Tertullian, which I fliall tranfiate, becaufe it is very
much to the purpofe. " There are many things which
ought to bs treated with contempt and mockery, through

Syncdo/GIasgciv. 255

fear of giving them weight, and making them too impor-
tant, by ferioufly debating them. Nothing more is due
to vanity than derifion; and it bcloirgs to the truth to
fmile becaufe it is chean'uJ, and to defpife its enemies
becaufe it is aflured of victory. It is true that we ought
to be careful that the raillery be not low and unworthy of
the truth ; but if that is taken care of, and we can make
ufe of it with addrefs and delicacy, it is a duty to do fo.'*

To this I (hall add another pafTage from St. Augufline

*' Who will dare to fay that the truth ought to remain de-
fenceless againft the attacks of falfehood ? That the ene-
mies of religion fhall be permitted to terrify the faithful
with ftrong words, and to entice and feduce them by agree-
able terms of wit ; but that believers ought never to
write, but with fuch a coldnefs of Uyle as to lull the reader
afleep ?"

Enough furely has been faid in defence of the manner
of writing ; and as to the fubjedl of it, attacking the cha-
ratlers of clergymen, I am altogether at a lofs to know
what is that argument in reafon, or thatprecept in fcripture,
which makes it criminal to cenfure them, when they dc-
ferve it. That their ftation, like that of all other perfons
of influence or in public employment, Ihould make men
very tender and cautious how they take up an evil report
againil them, and never to do it, except upon good ground,
I allow; but when the church is really bad, I hold it as a
juft principle, that as it is in them doubly criminal, and
doubly pernicious, (o it ought to be expofed with double
feverity. And this is fo hr from being contrary to the
interells of religion, that nothing can be more honorable
to it, than to (hew that there are fome fo bold as to re-
prove, and i^o faithful as to withlland, the corruptions of
others. How far fecret wickednefs (liould be concealed,
and fcenes of iniquity not laid open, and fofin tu/ned in-^
to fcandal in minillers, is a matter that Vv'ould require a
very careful and accurate difcuflion, and admit of many
exceptions ; but if in any cafe erroneous do<f\rine, or de-
generacy of life, is plain and vifible, to render them com-
pletely odious, mufl be a duty ; and when it is not done,
it makes men conclude we arc all combined together, like

256 Defence In the

Demetrius and the craftfmen, and more concerned for our
own power and credit, than the intereft and benefit of
thofe committed to our charge. Thofe who think that no
good man can attack the Ghar?.6ler ofthe clergy, I would
juft remind of the attack made upon the Jefuits in France,
about one hundred years ago, by the gentlemen ofthe Port
royal, a fociety of Janfenifts, of great parts and eminent
piety ; particularly by Monfieur Pafcal, in his provincial
letters, which are written almofl entirely in the way of ri-
dicule. And the very objedtion was made againfl them by
the Jefuits at that time, that is now made againft this piece.
Will any man now conclude from them, that Pafcal was
a bad man, whom all hiflory teftifies to have been as pious
and unbiafled to the world as any of his time?

I hope, fir, what hath been fa id thus in general, on the
fpecies of writing, and the fubjecl of this book, will con-
vince every impartial member of this Synod, that the
Prefbytery of Paiiley have adted in a moll unjuft and iU
legal manner, in pafling the fentence they have done up-
on it in my abfence, and without any examination. It is
neceffary that I fhould now alfo fpeak a little to the me*
thod of enquiry which they refolved upon, by appointing
a committee of their number privately to interrogate me.
And indeed, fir, the method is fo full of abfurdity and ty*
ranny, that I know not well where to begin in fpeaking
upon it. They have no v^^here indeed told what were to
be the confequences, if their fufpicions were found to be
juft. Perhaps the Prefbytery of Paifley would have palT-
ed fentence of depofition againft me in my abfence, which
would have been but ending as they began, contrary to
law and juftice. But, whatever were their particular in-
tentions, by their violent and illegal ftretches of power
in falling upon it, they were plainly of the worft kind ;
and it always put me in mind of a Fryer of the Inquifition,
with an unhappy perfon before them, whom they want to
eonvi<5t, that they may burn him, ftroking him, and faying
to him in the fpirit of meeknefs, Confefs, my fon, confefs.

Sir, if thefe gentlemen fuppofed me endued with the
leaft degree of common underftanding, this method was
tJtceflively abfurd; and whether they did or not, it was

Synod of Giasgonvl 157

full of injuflice. This committee being appointed by
the court, and the appointment inferted on the records of
the Prefbytery, I ju(t afk, were they not to make a report
to the next meeting of the Prefbytery, of all their private
converfation with me ? Would not this alfo be ingrofied
in the minutes, and make a part of the procefs under
their cognizance ? Coukl I be prefent at their next
meeting, to be the leall check or controul upon their re-
port ? or woukl they regard any of my corredlions of their
committee's report, if I could ? In this fituation, no
man of common fenfe would have had any converfation
with them but by writing, fo that he might be fure no-
thing would be reported but his own words. For I would
not truft the moll impartial perfon in the world to report
any converfation with me, upon a matter in which he
feemed to be keenly interefted, or to have very different
fentiments from me. The power of prejudice would
give a tin6ture to the reprefentation ; nay, the lead for-
getfulnefs would create fome variance. And if they fup-
pofed me fimple enough to converfe with them, what
mufl: they have been, to take fuch advantage of my fim-
plicity ?

Further, fir, this method of enquiry was very abfurd,
becaufe felf-contradi6tory. They load a man with the
fufpicion of writing a book contrary to the interefl: of re-
ligion, and containing many fallhoods ; and then they
pretend to afk this man if he had done fo, faying that they
will be well fatisfied if he (hall deny it. Thefe fuppofi-
tions deftroy one another. If his veracity be fo entirely
to be depended on, either he mufl: not be the author of
the book, or it is impoilible it can contain the falfhoods
that are alleged : for if he will lie in print to defame his
brethren, he will furely never fcruple to lie in converfa-
tion to fave himfelf from ruin. Therefore, fir, I do af-
firm, that appointing a committee to confer with me,
was highly abfurd, or Jefuiiically cunning. For if my
word is fo much to be depended on as they give out, it is
a clear and compleat vindication of me from their charge,
and that out of their own mouths. But perhaps they
were more cunning Uian abfurd, and intended firit to make
Vol. IV. K k

i58 Defence in the

me deny the thing formally, and then adduce It as a proof,
and to aggravate the crime.

But, fir, they pretend that In this they are only in the
fpirit, and following the rules of the Gofpel ; particularly
that rule of our Saviour, "• If thy brother trefpafs againfl
thee," &c. It is furprifing to hear any fpeaking in the
name of fuch a body, make ufe of this argument. I would
not give my judgment for having a man to preach the
Gofpel, who is capable of giving fuch an interpretation
to that text. It evidently and undeniably relates only
to private offence or perfonal injury. " If thy brother
*' trefpafs againft thee, go and tell him his fault between
*' thee and him alone ; if he hear thee, thou haft gain-
" ed thy brother." Here, fir, nobody has any thing to
do with it but the perfon injured ; if by confeffion or
reparation, he is fatisfied, the matter is ended. But will
any man fay that this is to be applied to cafes public in
their nature, and againft which, if true, a procefs and
public cenfure is intended ? If any of the Preft)ytery of
Paifley, fuppofmg themfelves pointed at in that book,
had previoufiy come to me when the report rofe ; or fup-
pofe they had at any time, as private perfons, fpoke to
me on the fubjedt — they would have found no man more
ready to commune v/ith them, and give them all fatisfac-
tion due from one Chriftian to another. But, fir, after
proceeding as a court in the manner above reprefented ;
after illegally finding it criminal, and making It the ground
of flopping a fettlement ; then to appoint a committee
privately to interrogate me, as to the fa6l — it is, in my
humble opinion, a violation of juftice for them to attempt
it, a perverfion of the word of God to build it upon that
text ; and it would be yielding up the natural rights of
mankind if I ftiould be fo tame as to fubmit to it.

Again, fir, they pretend that their conduct is exadly
conformable to the form of procefs and the practice
founded upon it in the cafe of other fcandals, where the
very firft means of proof is dealing with the accufed per-
fon's confcience, to bring him to a confeffion. And here,
fir, I mufl fay, before this Synod, that 1 am not only
humbly willing to ftand or fall by this form of procefs.

X Synod of Qlasgowl 2jj

but that I am refolved to aflert and maintain my right to
be judged by it, and by it alone, and not by the arbitrary
proceedings of fome modern clergymen. A general obfer-
vation is neceflary here, that this form of procefs doth uni-
verfally proceed upon fcandals, the relevancy of which is
acknowledged and cannot be denied. Now, this is by no
means the cafe here, as is evident from my continuing
fo long in the minifterial charader, after the rife of the re-
port, as well as many other confiderations fuggefted above ;
and therefore, at any rate, the relevancy mufl: be iirft
proved, before there can be any propriety of afking for a
confeflion and dealing with the confcience. It is true,
they have in their minutes found the relevancy ; but whe-
ther this has been according to the rules in the form of
procefs, I could almoft allow even themfelves to be judg-
es ; for I dare fay they would hardly do it a fecond time.

But now, after we have left this in its full force, let us
fuppofe that the matter objected, were only of a fcanda-
lous nature, and let us go to the 7th chapter in the form
of procefs concerning miniflers, and fee whether the me-
thod there prefcribed has been obferved in this cafe.
But, fir, as the whole affair is full of irregularity, and in-
volved in darknefs and confufion by the precipitate or art-
ful condudl of the Prefbytery ; fo there is a particular diffi-
culty which arifes from the ftrange and ambiguous light
in which they appear. Thofe who read the ftile and direc-
tions of the form of procefs, will plainly fee that fuch a
cafe as that now before you, was never contemplated by
the compilers of it. It is difficult to fay whether they arc
to be confidered as private Chriflians offended and accu-
fmg, or the occafion of the accufation, or as a church court
taking the affair under their cognizance for judgment.
They feem to have confidered themfelves as both. This
I can never yield to ; but they fhall be at liberty to be ei.
ther of them they think proper. And fo I (hall confider
them firft in the one light, and then in the other.

I ft. If they be confidered as Chriflians offended, and
the accufers or occafion of the accufation, the rule is to
be found in the 4th part of the 7 th chapter of the form of
procefs, " All Chriftians,'' &c. Here then, fir^ I com-

26o Defence in the

plain of them, that they have not done as Chriflians, not
even what they refolved to do as a court, and very much
out of time. Have they been wary in accufmg me ? Have
they abflained from publifhin^ or fpreading the icandal ?
Have they thefe three years by- pail, converfed with me
on the fubje£l ? Have they not in the ccntroverfy every
where called it a heinous crime ; though they knew that
was far from being generally yielded, and would not pro-
bably be yielded by me ? Nay, now inftead of privately
converfing with me, during the feven weeks delay of the
affair, without affigning a reafon, have they not record-
ed it in their regider ? Have they not made it a part of a
procefs, difqualifying me for a call ? 1 leave any one to
judge whether this was following the rule laid down in the
form of procefs. Befides, they a£t not only as private
perfons, but judges ; or at leaft are making the enquiry
themfelves, that they may know whether they may defire
thje Prefbytery of Irvine to do it after them,

2d. Let us confider them as a church court, taking
the affiir under their cognizance for judgment. Here to
be fure, there is a monilrous impropriety. For, luppo-
fmg them to have taken ever fo ju!i fieps in other re-
fpeds, 1 was never before them, I cannot be before them,
1 am not fubjtct to them. Yet, fir, as it cannot be be-
fore^ the Synod in any other way than they have been
pleafed to take it up in ; let us fee bow agreeable it is to
the form of procefs, and whether they are ready to deal
■with me for a confelfion. The form of procefs mentions
three ways of taking up a fcandal againft a minifter. The
two firfl none pretends to hold in this cafe. The lafl is,
part 3, lafl claufe, " that thf^fama clamosa,''^ &:c. Now,
can any man fay that this condition holds in the prefent
cafe. Is this fo fcandalous in the eyes of the people, that
a Prefbytery would be reproached if they let it j)afs. If
there be ^any fuch fama^ it is very filent ; for I never
heard of atiy fault found with the Prefbytery of Irvine, to
whom itf naturally fell to do it. On the contrary, I do
afHrm^'^'becaure I am able to prove, that the Prefbytery of
Paifley's taking it up, v^^ith very many, brings reproach
Upon them. Again, do they follow the rule prefcribed

Synod of Glasgow. i6r-

even when that condition exills ? Have they enquired
into the rife, occafion, branches and grounds of xh\s fama
clamosa. This they were the more bound to do, that it
is far from being an uncontradidledy^/zz^ ; fo far from it,
that the very prevailing/^wa is not that I am the author,
but fome how concerned in it. They theivifelves exprefs
it fome fuch way in their minutes. This makes all the ar-
guments about their paffing over the relevancy, every way
flrong ; becaufe a man might have fome accclfion to the
publifliing of a book in which fome very bad things were ;
and without examination or fpecifying what this acceflioa
was, it would be very hard to judge him guilty of the word,
or of the whole. To fay the truth, fome oF their well-wifti-
ers have made it a very difhonorable fama for me ; fay-
ing that I helped to contrive the mifchief, to colled the ca-
lumnies, but had not flcill enough to give it its drefs and
form. Should not they have enquired then into the
grounds of this fama ? and have they ever done it ?

Further, in the 5th paragraph of that chapter of the
form of procefs, it is exprefsly appointed, that even after
a procefs is begun upon a fama clamosa^ the court mud
give a liberal and competent time to anfwer it. And the
accufed perfon is to be heard upon the relevancy. This
is, fir, upon the relevancy in the way the fads are laid,
even concerning a thing confefledly fcandalous ; and all
this, before the court are to endeavor to bring him to a
confeffion. From this, then, it is clear and evident, that
however lawful or prudent it might be for private perfons
to commune with a man himfelf, till this be done there is
no warrant from the form of procefs for a court to appoint
any examination and enquiry ; on the contrary, it is ma-
king, inllead of mending a i'candal. And il this is the
rule in cafes confefledly of a fcandalous nature, it holds
much more itrongly in what is now before you.

The truth is, this is not only the order of proceeding
exprefsly laid down with regard to miniilers, but it is
common equity, and in fubflance the fame with the cafe
Oi fcandal in all other cafes, and with refpecl to all other
perfons. For though when a particular accufer againll a
man appears, laying to his charge a grofs crime, fuch as

S,6z Defence in the

tincleannefs, it feems to be due to his own chara£ter, as
well as to the public, that he Ihould profefs innocence ;
yet it often happens that when the accufation appears
wanton and malicious, he puts the accufer upon the
proof, and refufes to give any other fatisfaftion. And
whenever any perfon does fo, though the court may think
it obftinacy and ftatelinefs, or that they cannot fully ap-
prove his conduct, yet they never condemn him on that ac-
count, but difmifs the procefs for want of fuiEcient light.
And I have feen feveral cafes of this fort, in which the court
abfolutely refufed to put a man to his oath, or even afk
him if he was willing to fwear, unlefs there were fome
more prefumption than the bare accufation. And indeed
this is required in the form of procefs. This, however, is
ftating the cafe too ftrongly. But if there be no particu-
lar accufer, but a vague and general fama, would it be
tolerable for a court to call any gentleman whom they Ihall
be pleafed to fufpeft, and put him upon an enquiry, whe-
ther he was ever guilty of the Cm of uncleannefs ? I dare
fay fuch a meafure would be detefled by every reafonable
man.

But you will fay, here is a corpus debiti. Then let
me fuppofe a cafe exadlly parallel — that a child were ex-
pofed in a gentleman's neighborhood, no mother appear-
ing or accufing, but an ible rumour arifes, that perhaps
it may be his, or it may have been fomebody about his
houfe, and he acceffary to the commiflion of the crime ;
would it in that cafe be reafonable and juft, would it be ac-
cording to the form of procefs, to call him, and interro-
gate him, whether he had ever, or for twelve months pre-
ceding, been guilty of the crime of uncleannefs — without
making any previous enquiry, as to the rife of the affair,
or probability of the imputation ? So, in this cafe, here
is a child of the brain, expofed to the world : the mo-
ther, that is to fay, the prefsor the publiflier, accufes no-
body; nay, pretends that it is lawfully begotten. A
vague rumor lays it to me. This hath never been en-
quired into, though the firfl: broacher of it might cafily be
tound J and yet 1 mud be interrogated by a court, to

Sjnod of Glasgclv. . 263

whom I atTi not fabje<5l, with whom as yet, as a court, I
have nothing to do. In Ihort, fir, what I would do if I
were fo irregularly attacked, and charged with a crime
highly and confeiTedly fcandalous, I do not know, and
hope I fhall never have occafion to deliberate upon it.
But in this vague and illegal accufation of a doubtful
crime, and a crime perhaps chiefly or only in the eyes
of thofe who accufe me and their adherents, I hope I will
be approved by every impartial perfon in ftanding up for
the rights of mankind, and refufing to anfwer super en^
quirendis,

I could here put the Synod in mind of a quedion of
this nature, which came before the church of Scotland,

in profefFor S 's procefs. He refufed to anfwer fome

queries put to him by the Prefbytery of Glafgow, Al-
though they arofe from, and were founded upon, fome
writings given in by himfelf. This was debated before
the Affembly, and rejeded by them, as they would give
no encouragement to inquifitorial proceedings.

But, fir, nothing can demonftrate more clearly the ini-
quity of fuch pradlices, than what happened not long
ago in this very Prefbytery, which is but little known, but
which I am able to bring to light. And after I have nar-
rated it, I leave it to the judgment of the Synod, whe-
ther they will countenance with their authority any fimi.

lar practice in another cafe. When Mr. C was pre-

fented to the abbey church of Paifley, there were fome
rumors raifed, 1 know not how, as if he had been guilty
of fome pradices tending to difaffedlion. Thefe, I
may fafely fay, were not difcouraged by the Prefbytery,
but mentioned again and again in their minutes ; and
though the candidate infilled much upon a regular judg-
ment upon the relevancy, and an enquiry, they ftill ihift-
ed both, and inftead thereof appointed a conference with
him. And what think you were the quedions they put
to him to remove the fcandal ? — Where did you learn
your Englifh ? And what minifter of the cftablifhed
church did you hear ? Where did you learn your Latin ?
and in whofe houfe did }'^u ilay ? Did you ever go near
the cpifcopal meeting-houfe all the time you were at the

3t64 Defence in the

profeflion of dlvinUy ? Did Mr. H or Mr. R-«-,

epifcopal minifters, recommend you to C 's family I

Did your father attend ordinances in the parifh church,
where he lived ? Have you any near relations that are re-
lated to the minifters of this church ? We afk this, fay the}^
that we may know the difpofitions of your friends. — What
could be the intention of thefe queilions ? v;hat could be
the efFedl of their being anfwered, one way or the other ?
Might not the mofi loyal man in Britain, be brought un-
der an odium in this manner. I flatter myfelf I am of
as untainted, unfufpe£led loyalty, as any man in the Pref-
bytery of Paifley ; and yet I could not affirm that I had
never lodged in a difafFedled perfon's houfe, nor had the
friendfhip of any fuch ; nor that I never came near the
.epifcopal meeting-houfe all the time I wns at the profef*
fion of divinity. And did not thefe gentlemen know that
fuch things were perfedlly frivolous and irrelevant ? Yes^
fir, they knew it well ; but ftill they ferved their purpofe
of difobliging that people, and infufing jealoufies. And fo
they myfteriouily exprefs themfelves in their anfwer to
the reafons of appeal, that there are fuch unhappy cir«
cumitances in the prefenter's charadl:er, as do not recom-
mend him to the choice of this people. I will not fay,
fir, that all I have above reprefented is now to be found
in their regifter; for they have a falutary art of expunging
from their minutes any thing that is difhonorable to them-
felves : but this I will fay, it actually happened, and a
great deal more. And 1 dare fay, if there be any epifco-
palian here prefent, he will inftantly add to his litany,
From fuch Spanifh prelbyterians, good Lord deliver us.

Thus, fir, I hope I have made it appear, that the Pref-
bytery of Paifley have been guilty of moft irregular pro-
cedure, and flagrant injnftice to me, in paffing a fentence
upon my charafter, where they had no title to judge me ;
in finding a relevancy without examination of the fubjedt,
and when I could not be heard in my defence ; and lafl:-
ly, in appointing an inquifition for difcovering the fadt,
diredtly in the face of law and equity.

I am forry I have detained the Synod fo long. Sir, but
could not polfibly fpeak to. this involved, perplexed accu-

Sy?iod of Glasgoiv, 26}

fution In fhorter time ; and I hope the importance of the
caufe to me, will plead for fome indulgence, and procure
your attention for a very few minutes longer, and then
I have done. Let me, Sir, fpeak plainly out ; whatever
may be pretended about the interefi: of religion being con-
cerned in the fate of this pamphlet, there is llrong rea-
fon to fufped: that it is the credit of a party that is really at
Hake. We all know that there are very great differences
of fentim,ent among us, as to the government of the
church ; and it feems to be my misfortune, to be of op-
pofite principles from feveral members of this prefbytery,
on that point. This is the caufe of my being charged
with ill-nature and unpeaceablenefs. Tliey themfelves.
Sir, will not pretend to give any other iniknce of this
temper; and I confefsthat as I reckon the Glory of God,
and the edification of his church to be deeply concerned
in the caufe, I am refolved in his ftrength, to maintain
and fupport it to the utmoft of my power, fo long as I draw
breath ; and if I have been a firebrand, as I have been
fometimes called, I wifh I could anfvver the title, and burn
their pernicious fchemes even to alhes. And, Sir, as in
no other cafe have I ever difcovered any keennefs of tem-
per, fo I truft, that even in this, I have neither difcovered
an overbearing pride, or perverfenefs of temper, but have
fupported what I cfteemed to be truth, with refolution,
but without violence. I cannot pretend to the polite and
courtly ftyle, in the fame degree with fome of my oppo-
fers ; yet have I endeavored to preferve the meeknefs of
a Chriftian, believing that the wrath of man worketh not
the righteoufnefs of God.— Now, Sir, I beg every wife and
honeft man of the other fide of the queflion in our public
diflPerences, to determine ferioufly, whether he will approve
of a prelbytery's making perfonal oppofition, and becaufe
a man is not in GVQty refpedt of their way of thinking,
barring his fettlement to the utmoft of their power ; and
whether it be decent, or truly moderate, not only to re-
buke, fufpend and deprive thofe who cannot go with them ;
but as the very laft effort of tyranny, to attempt to cafl
out any who are but fufpeded of debating the point in
writing.
Vol. IV. LI

266 Defence, ^c.

Farther, I beg every man in this houfe, to lay his hand
upon his heart, and lay this day, in his judgment, whether
he will, in order to reach a man of a different party from
hirnfelf, approve of going contrary to all form and law,
and eilabli filing a precedent of inquifition. However fe-
cure fome may think themfelves and their party at pre-
fent, there is fuch an infiability in all human things, that
the engines which they prepare againfl: others, may be di-
reded againO: themfelves. I know a fear of this kind for
the mod part operates but weakly upon men's minds ;
becaufe the cafes that may afterwards call up, cannot be
clearly difcerned, being hidden in the darknefs of futuri-
ty ; but, Sir, he is the wifell man, that ads with niofl
prudence, and does not expofe hirnfelf or his friends to
the law of retaliation. This I fpeak in perfect fecurity,
as to myfelf, for if the church ihall find that interrogation
is a proper way of enquiring into facls, it will but open
to me a larger field of information ; and though it come to
the real merits of this caufe, the trial of the relevancy of
this crime objected to me will take up at lead feven years
in proceffes of various kinds.

To conclude. Sir, though I will never approve of, or
give my confent for eftabliihing a pradlice which 1 think
unjuft and tyrannical ; yet as to my own cafe, I will even
fubmit to be interrogated by this very party upon this jufl,
this felf-evidently juft condition, that the minifters of that
Prefbytery do fubmit themfelves to be interrogated by me
in turn, on their doctrine — their diligence in pafioral duty
— their care and government of their families — and their
perfonal truth. If they will yield to this, I will anfwer
upon oath, either infiantly, or upon a month's preparation,
not only as to this point, but all that they fhall think fit to
aflc, as to my character, that can accufe me, from my birth
this day. And if this condition be refufed, the equity of
their conduct I leave to the judgment of this venerable
Synod.

[ i^7 ]

A N

HUMBLE SUPPLICATION

To such of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland as are
Elders of the Churchy and members of the General
Assembly^

MUCH HONORED,

YOU will furely be fenfible that it mud have been a
very urgent neceffity that has compelled a man of
my llation and profeffioif to become an author ; efpecially
when I addrefs myfelf to you, v/hofe circumftances fet you
at fo great a diftance from me, and may, without that
candor and condefcenfion on your part, provoke you to
contemn that advice which is offered voluntarily, and
from fuch a hand. And indeed there is nothing of which
I am more firmly perfuaded, than that the affairs of the
church of Scotland are drawing fall towards a crifis, and
that a little time will determine whether Ihe will fmk or
fwim. This view of things cannot fail to conRrain every
one who hath any regard to her profperity and welfare,
of which number I hope I fhall always be, fo long as I
draw breath, to exert himfelf to the utmoll for her fnp-
port ; and alfo to fpread the alarm, and call on others to
aflid, who have more ability and opportunity to be ufeful.
On this occafion, I am emboldened to addrefs myfelf to
you, not only as by your quality and ftation, you are able

268 7o the Elders of the

to contribute much to a change of the meafures that have
lately prevailed, but as your office of elders in the church,
may be prefumed to incline you to be ready and a(5live,
for her profperity and fupport. I intended once to have
Hyled you brethren, becaufe 1 alio am an elder, but was
afraid of giving offence by too forward and alTuming an
introduction ; however, 1 Hill hope for fome regard in
confequence of this relation, becaufe I have ever obferv-
ed that a likenefs of character, a participation of the fame
ofRce, or indeed a likenefs in almod any confiderable cir-
cumftance, creates a kind of connexion, and produces a
fympathy or fellow-feeling between the very higheft and
lowell that fall under the lame denomination. The in-
habitants of the fame city, though very different in their
ilations, reckon themfelves interefted in one another.
Thofe of the fame corporation are flill more clofely connec-
ted. And there is a certain fociety comprehending per-
fons of very diftant characters in other refpeds, who are
faid to have an extraordinary tendernefs for each other's
concerns. The fociety I mean is that of free-mafons ; for
I am told a free-mafon, though a king, will fliow a very
great afFettionfor a brother, aUhouj^h a be^^gar, or at lead
the next thing to it, if there be no real beggars in that
community.

It is not without a very important defign that I have
mentioned this ; for I have obferved fome of late have en-
deavored to Hate a dillin6lion, or perhaps I may call it, to
fovv fedition, between the great elders of our church and
the fmaller. Many who are not wanting in an humble,
if not fervile refpe6t to the elders that furround the com-
iniffioner's throne in the alTembly-houfe, make it their
bufmefs to throw all the blame of the confufion that at-
tends the fettlement of any parifli, upon the elders of low-
er rank, whom I may call (in allufion to the fimilitude of
free-mafons) the operative members of the fame fociety.
It is time, therefore, for us to fpeakfor ourfelves, and par-
ticularly to thofe from whom, becaufe of our relation to,
thenijof v;hich 1 again boa(l, we may confidently expe6t
a fair and impartial hearing.

One other ground of encouragement I haVe in my pre-
fent reprefentation, viz. that many or moll of our honorable

Church of Scotland. 269

elders are bred to the law. Now, I find in the hiflory of
the gofpel, that it was a lawyer that took care of the body
of our blelled Saviour, after it was crucified at the inftiga-
tioii of the priefts. This is a paffage recorded by all the
four evangelills ; and I hope one effed of its having a
place in the bible, will be the llirring up fuch of our law-
yers as have a ihire in the management of public affairs,
to refcue the church, which is Chrift's myfiical body, from
the tyrannical impofitions of churchmen in power.

I Have been confidering with myfelf, whether I ought
not to endeavor to raife my llyle a little, when fpeaking
to your honors, above what was either neceflary or proper
when fpeaking to thofe of a lower rank and weeker capa-
city. But upon mature deliberation, I am refolved to con-
tinue in my old plain way, becaufe it is probable I fhall
acquit myfelf better in that than in any other. I have of-
ten obferved, that when a countryman is called, upon bu-
fmefs, to fpeak to thofe of high rank, if he behaves in a
quiet way, makes as few motions as poflible, and fpeaks
with fimplicity, he paffes very well ; but if he begins to
fcrape with his right foot, and to imitate the manners of
his betters, he expofes himfelf to their derifion. Should
it happen that fuch a man, upon his going out, hears a
great loud laugh in the company he hath left, it is my
opinion he ougut to conclude they are making a jefl: of his
ridiculous behavior ; and if he were permitted to return
back, it is probable he would find one or two in the mid-
dle of the room mimicking his geflures for the entertain-
ment of the rell : for there is not a more refined pleafure
to thofe in high life (efpecially the ladies) than aping and
deriding the manners of their inferiors. Nay, the fame
difpofition is to be found in all ranks towards fuch as are
below them. Even we tradefmcn and merchants have
learned to fpeak with conteaipt of a law-lived fellow, by
which we mean one in lower life than our own. This
hath determined me (as I faid) to aim at nothing but plain-
nefs of fpeaking. And it is very poflible it may happen
ill this, as in my former treatife, that to fome I fliall be
found more plain than pleafant.

^7^ 51? the Elders of the

The firft point I am to apply to you upon, to which I
humbly intreat your ferious attention, is the manner of
making fettlements of miniflers in the feveral parifhes
throughout this church. It is not unknown to you, that
this thing hath caufed a great deal of confufion in feveral
corners of the country ; that a great part of the people have,
on that very account, feparated from the eftabliflied
church ; and many more have fallen into an indifference
about religion, and given over attendance upon public
inIlrii6lion altogether. Now there are fome things upon
this fubje£l that I mud needs take for granted ; becaufe I
cannot find any thing more evidently true than they are
in themfelves by which I might prove them ; fuch as that
the in(lru6tion of a nation in religion is a matter of very
great importance, and that you all believe it to be {o ; that
there is no ground to hope that people will receive benefit
by the inftrudions of thofe whom they hate and abhor,
and that it is impoffible they can receive benefit from
thofe inftrudions which they will not hear. There is
one thing more, which to me appears as evident as any
of them, that no compulfion ought to be ufed to conftrain
men's choice in matters of religion. From thefe I think
it plainly follows, that violent fettlements, that is to fay,
giving a man a ftipend, with a charge to inftrud and go-
vern the people within a certain diftridl, the whole of
which people do abfolutely refufe to fuhjedt themfelves to
his miniftry, are, to fay the lead, abfolutely unprofitable,
and the money that is bellowed upon the perfon fo fettled,
is wholly thrown away.

There are not a few in whofe hearing if I fhould ex-
prefs myfelf as above, they would immediately reply, All
this is very true, and we are forry for it ; but as the law
now Hands with regard to patronages, how can it be help-
ed ? Now, though I am far from being of thefe gentle-
men's opinions, that this matter might not be made much
better, even as the law nov/ (lands, if the church were {o
difpofed as I hope (hortly to fliow, yet I will fuppofe it
for a little, and make a {t\v refledions upon the condu6t
of many in that fuppofed fituation.

And firft, they mud forgive me if I fay that I can by
no means believe the hardlhipof the law of patronage lies
very heavy upon their fpirits,or at leaftif itdoesthey fupport

Cburch of Scotland. 271

themfelves under it with furprifing firmnefs, and difc over
not the lead outward fign of uneafinefs. Are they ever
heard to complain of it, unlefs in a conftrained manner,
when others mention it before them ? Do they not lliew
all willingnefs to appoint fuch fettlements — to enforce
them, to defend them ? Do they in the lead difcounte-
nance fuch probationers as accept of prefentures uncon-
ditionally, although it cannot be pretended that the law
obliges any man to this ? On the contrary, are not thefe
the men whom ihey love and delight in, whofe charadlers
they celebrate for knowledge and underftanding, and for
difmterefled virtue ?

I do confefs then I am apt to doubt the fmcerity of thofe
gentlemen, when they profefs their forrow for the hard-
fhips they are under by the patronage a6l ; becaufe fome
apparent tokens of their concern might have been expedt-
ed, and are no where to be feen. But alas ! why am I
exprefling my fufpicions what is our fjtuation ? things
are changing fofaft, that it is impoflible to write even fuch
a book as this with propriety, and fuited to the times ; for
even fince I wrote the above paragraph I have received
information from Edinburgh, which if it had come before
it was written, would have prevented the writing of it ;
and even, if not for mangling my own book, I would yet
expunge it. I am affured that laft May it was openly
profefled by fome in the aflembly, that prefentures were
of all others, the beft way of fettling preachers ; and
that it was xht proto pseudon of men of my principles to
imagine otherwife. This proto pseudon is a phrafe which
I do not underftand, and therefore mufi: let it alone. It
may be a phrafe of fome of the learned languages, and it
may be of no language at all. However I have recorded
it with great fidelity, as I am informed the gentleman
pronounced it. And whatever is its particular fignifica-
tion, I fuppofe its general meaning is, that patronages
are no grievance, but a blefling. As therefore, it is pro-
bablethat your lordfhips and honors have this many times
affirmed to you, it is necelTary that I fhould firft attempt
to prove what I thought had been felf-evident, that we
are in a bad fituation, before I crave your alTiHange for
our relief. «-. — -r- "-•

[ 273 ]

SPEECH

IN THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
On the 'transportation of Dr. C ' — ---.,

Moderator,

AS it IS ufual for people to differ atnioft tipon every
fubjed, I am not furprifed that there fhould be fome
in this Aflembly, who ate for appointing, that this tranf-
portation Ihall take place ; but I apprehend it is really-
ground c^ furprife, to fee the way in which they urge their
Opinion ; they do not fpeak as if they were weighing and
deliberating upon the caufe, that they might be able to give
a juft determination ; they do not fpeak as if clearly fatis*
fied themfelves ; or as if they defired to convince others,
and bring them o\^er to their own opinion ; but they
fpeak in an overbearing manner, and prefs the conclu-
fion with a vifible difpleafure at the time fpent upon it,
and impatience that any body fliould differ from, or con-
tradict them. But as pofitivenefs is feldom any flrong
prefumption of a good caufe, io I think it is very much
mifplaced here ; and as the quiet and comfort of a large
parilli immediately, and the whole country fide more re-
motely, depends upon our decifion, I hope the affembly
Vol. IV. Mm

274 On the Transportation

will not give it, till after mature deliberation and with real
impartiality,

The firft thing, no doubt, to be confidered, is, whether
the commiflion have exceeded their powers, that we may-
fee whether we have room at all for the other quellion,
about the expediency of this tranfportation ; and after readi
ing the words of the aflembly's remit, I cannot help be-
ing of opinion, with the great majority of the members of
Prefbytery, that the commiflion had no power to deter-
mine this caufe. Is it not plain that this is not the caufe
which was before the laft afiembly ? And is it not confefled
on all hands, that the commiflion had no title to take in
any caufes, but fuch as were remitted to them ? Is it not
plain, that the words in any after queflion relating to this
fettlement, are not to be found in it ? It is alfo proper to
obferve, from thealmoft conftant ufe of thefe words in the
remits of the alTembly, that they do not fuppofe that a
queflion relating to the fame fettlement with another,
makes it the fame caufe. The anfwer made to this is,
that it was a miflake or omiflion in the clerk of the afliem-
bly. Admitting, Sir, that this had been the cafe, it would
be extremely wrong and dangerous, to approve the com-
miflion in paying no regard to that legal defeat, but taking
in the caufe. For the afl*embly itfelf to make free with,
and defpife eftabliflied forms of procedure, is of the very
worfl confequence. I have heard fome honorable mem-
bers, eminently flailed in the law, aflirm, that for a court
to defpife even its own forms, is to make way for the ad-
miflion of many inflances of great and real injuflice. But
for the commiflTion, which is a delegated court, fo far to
come over form, as to take in a caufe not remitted to them,
is a bold tranfgreflfion with a witnefs : and if allowed, mull
be attended with coniequences, which it is impoflible to
forefee, but can fcarce be imagined worfe, than they really
will be an efle^l

But Sir, why fliould any fay this was either an omiflTion
in the clerks, or an overfight in the lafl aflembly. I am
fure for my part, I think they would have done wrong
had they done it in any other way. What is the rea-
fon of this claufe, (or any after queflion) when it is inferted.

ofDr, C : 275

It Is after the part of the caufe is decided, to prevent con-
tentious people to protradl a fettlement, by foolifh and fri.
volous appeals upon every little interloquitur orrefolution^
of a preib3^tery, in carrying it into execution. But in
this cafe, neither all the parties, nor the principal part of
the caufe itfelf, was before the afiembly at all ; and I dare
fay, we may all remember to have heard it given as the
opinion of the mod judicious members of this church, that
it is a very wrong meafure to refer any caufe of moment
to the commifTion, that hath not been in a good meafure
heard and underftood by the aflembly itfelf. Moderator,
I beg leave further to fay, that I hope this afTembly will not
authorife the commiffion in making a long arm, to take in
caufes without fufficient powers, becaufe the commiffion is
certainly the moil unhappily conflituted court of any in this
church. I fay this without intending, and I hope without
giving ofFence to any body ; for fuppofing human nature
in us to be juft what it is in other people, the members
of the commiffion being fo numerous, and fpread over all
Scotland, few of them attend voluntarily, and it is the ea-
fieft thing in the world for interefled perfons to bring up
a number of a particular way of thinking, and they may
carry any caufe whatever.

Thus, Sir, it appears that the fentence of the commif-
fion has plainly exceeded their powers in fome meafure,
even by the confeffion of the friends of this tranfportation.
Let us confider it a little in itfelf, and fee if it is like to be
fo great a benefit, or fo great an honor to this church, as
that we fhould either forgive the commiffion the encroach-
ment they have been guilty of, or fhould how do ourfelves,
what they have formerly done in a precipitate and irregu-
lar manner. Upon this branch of the fubjedl, I am
very much at a lofs, not what to fay, if every thing were
to be brought out that might be urged againft it, but to
bring the argument within fome compafs, and chiefly in-
deed to difcover fome hope of fuccefs by reafoning from
fome common principles, on which we fhall generally
agree.

Moderator, I take this opportunity of declaring before
this afTsraLbly, that I have always had the deepeft fenfe of

27^ On the Transportation

the dilhonor and lofs of authority which this church has
fufFered, and what indeed is infinitely more, the injur)r
which the fouls of men have fufFered, by many fettlements
in which we have ordained a paflor without a people ; at
the fame time, I am fenfible that many worthy men and
faithful minifters, look upon themfelves as under a ne-
ceflity in fome fuch cafes from the law of patronage ; and
I am afraid many from a habit of doing this where there
is neceflity, are unwilling to come out of the fame tra6t,
and continue to do it, when there is no neceflity at all.
Moderator, I defire it may be obferved that I do not be-
lieve, and I know nobody fo foolifli as t® believe, what is
commonly imputed to us, that any Chriftian as fuch, has
a right to call a mini'fter on an eilabiilhment ; we know
that nobody has any right to call a minifler on an eftablilh-
ment, excepting thofe to whom the law gives it ; neither
would I contend that every man ought to have a right,
though we had it in our power, to make laws upon that
fubjedl, fmce this feeming equality would be a vile inequa-
lity. But, Sir, I would choofe to form my judgment
upon a few principles, in which I fhould think, hardly
any in this affembly would difagree. Has not every man
a natural right, well fecured to him in this happy ifland^
to judge for himfelf in matters of religion, and in fadt to
adhere to any minifler he pleafes ? Is not the legal llipend
intended to provide a fufficient and ufeful paflor to the
people within the bounds of a certain parifli ? can he be
of much fervicetothem,ifhe be upon ill terms with them?
or can he do them any at all, if they will not hear him ?
Does any body defire to compel them by penal or eccle-
fiaflical laws to hear him : or would fuch forced religion
be of any worth ? Is not then the legal encouragement
unhappily loft and mifapplied by fomebody's fault, when
a minifler is fettled to whom nobody will adhere ? Now,
Sir, the inference that I would draw from thefe princi-
ples is no more than this, that decency and our indifpen-
fable duty as a church court, requires us to make no fuch
fettlements but with regret, and never without a real ne-
eeifity ; apd the caufe we have now before us, is one in

efBr. C ^. 277

which no fuch necefTity exids. It is a tranfportation, Sir,
the expediency of which we are to judge of and the per Ion
concerned is not only bound in duty, but can be eafily
compelled by law, to fubmit to our decifion. The great
argument that always has been ufed againft this or the
like reafoning, has been brought out in this caufe, that the
people were unreafonable and prejudiced, and have been
Sirred up by evil-minded perfons. This argument, Sir,
is fo old and dale, that I am furprifed people are not aflia-
med of it, and that the ingenuity of the lawyers has not
been able to invent another, that fliall have the advan-
tage of being new. How often have we heard from this
bar, this parifh would have been agreeably and peacea-
bly fettled, but very early a combination was formed —
This is all in all, the reft follows of courfe. I am perfuad-
ed. Sir, from the certain knowledge of many particular
inftances, in which this was alleged, that in nine cafes of
ten the allegation is falfe. One perfon in a parifh or
country fide may be adlive, and it may be faid with plaufi*
bility, that he is the main fpring of the oppofition. Sir, it
is very eafy to lead a people according to their own in-
clinations ; but it is not fo eafy as many feem to fuppofe,
to change their inclinations and diredl their choice. In
the mean time, it is always forgotten that the argument is
founded not upon the caufe or occafion, but upon the re-
ality of the averfion of the people to the miniller.

Moderator, an argument that is made ufe of to perfuade
us to order this tranfportation, is, that if it fliould be re-
fufed, it would encourage the people to refill in other cafes.
I am afraid. Sir, that the tame fubmillion which indeed is
fall approaching, and which many feem fo ardently to de-
fire, can never take place, till there is a total indillerence
about religion among all the members of the ellablilhed
church ; take our neighbor country of England, as an ex^
ample of that defirable peace. But if this argument be
laid as it ought to be, that people ihould not be headftrong
and unreafonable, it operates plainly the contrary way ;
for there is nothing whatever that would give us fo much
weight and influence with the people, as thatvvc fliow a
proper teiTdernefs to them, as we have opportunit}'. If

^yS On the Transport a UQH

we do not opprefs them, when we have it in our power to
relieve them, we may expeft to have fome influence over
them,twhen we are (Iraitened and diftreft ourfelves.

Befides, Sir, on this fubjedl of the prejudices of the peo-
ple, this pretence is carried a mod unreafonable and ex-
travagant length, and nothing but the prejudice in them-
felves, could make men fpeak in fuch a flile. Many will
»eeds have it to be prejudice and groundlels prejudice in
a people, if they do not fall in with a man to be their ml-
niiler, againfl whofe life and do6\rine they cannot bring
any legal objedion. Alas, Sir, all fuch things are matters
of eleftion and choice, and not of legal proof. In illuftra-
tion of the people's cafe, there is a very good example gi-
ven, that a man would have juft caufe of complaint if you
fhould force a phyfician upon him of whofe fkill he had no
opinion, though he could not prove him infufEcient beforis,.
the faculty.

But, Sir, as it would be wrong to attribute oppofition to
a minifter's fettlement in all cafes togroundlefs prejudice,
1 am forry to fay it, but I am obliged in juftice to fay it, we
have very little reafon to do fo in the prefent cafe. Even
in the cafe of a probationer, when he abfolutely adheres
to a prefentation, notwithflanding the greateft oppofition
from the people, it is but a forry mark of love to fouls,
and of that felf-denial which every Chridian (hould con-
tinually maintain. Many things however may be faid in
favor of a probationer ; yet. Sir, for a fettled minifter not
only to a(St this part, but to excel all that ever were before
him in a bold and infolent contempt of the people, as
plainly appears to be Dr. C 's cafe, is fuch a con-
duct, that I Ihall have a worfe opinion of this affembly
than I have at prefent, if they do not openly exprefs their
indignation at fuch indecency of behaviour. In the hif-
tory of the church we find no charaQer more odious, or
more unclerical, if I may fpeak fo, than ambition and open
folicitation of ecclefiallical preferment. Little changes iA
forms. Sir, do often produce at lead great changes in man-
ners and characters. In former times in our church, the
probationer or minifter himfelf, was never confidered as a
party, but was confidered as the fubjeCl concerning which

of Dr. C ^l 279

that procefs was carried on by the callers or referrees ;
but now they have been for fome time paft, confidered as
parties — they begin to allow the caufe to appear at the
bar — to urge their claim — to confider the people who are
to be their charge as their adverfaries, and to treat them
with contempt and difdain.

I confefs, Sir, I am not able to imagine what are the
views of a minifter who adls in this manner. It is not I
fear eafy to anfwer, that he refolves to change his fkuation
and take upon him that office, from fincere regard to the
glory of God and love to fouls, which he mull profefs at
his admiffion. But as we mull be tender and cautious in
judging of the inward motives of others, I fhall leave that
to him who judgeth the fecrets of all hearts ; but in the
meantime, every one in this houfe is now called to judge
whether it would be for the glory of God, and the good of
mankind, to fuffer him to execute his intention. Let it
be confidered with ferioufnefs. Moderator, it is not only
the people of the parifli, or thofe of lower rank, but many
of all nations whom we lliall offend, in the proper fenfe of
the word, if we order this fetdement. They are led by
fuch things to treat, and they often do treat with derifion,
a miniller's concern for his ufefulnefs, and affirm that it is
no more than a defire of a comfortable benefice and falary
for life. I fhall be forry to fee the day, when by refembling
them in their pradice, we Ihall learn from England toi
leave the people and the work altogether out of the a6t,
and focall our charges no moxQ parishes y but Ihings.

( 28i )

LETTER

SfeNT TO

g 'G O T L A N D,

FOR THE

SCOTS MAGAZINE.

1AM informed by my correfpondents in Scotland, that
ieveral letters have been publifhed in the newfpapers
there, containing the mod virulent reflections upon me^
on account of an advertifement by J—- P — — ., merchant
of Glafgovv, relating to the fettlement of a tradl of land
in Nova Scotia^ in which he mentions my being concern-
ed. One or two of thefe papers have been fent me^ and
contain fo many miftakes in point of fa6t, as well as be-
tray fuch ignorance of the fabje(5l they attempt to treaty
that it would be a difgrace for any man to enter into a for-
mal quarrel with fuch opponents. Were I in Scotland
at this time, I Ihould think it a very great departure fromi
prudence, to take the leaft public notice of thefe invec-
tives. Few perfons have been lefs concerned than 1 have
been, through life, to contradict falfe accufations, fromi
an opinion which I formed early, and which has been con-
firmed by experience, that there is fcarcely any thing
more harmlefs than political or party malice. It is bed
Vol. IV. Na

282 Letter sent to Scotland

to leave it to itfelf; oppofition and contradidlion are the
only means of giving it life and duration.

But as I am now at fo great a diftance, and the fubjeft
of th2 fcandal is what pafles in America, fo that impartial
perfons in general, may be lefs able to judge of the pro-
bability of fadls, and cannot have proper opportunities of
making a complete enquiry, J think it neceflary to Hate
this matter with all the perfpicuity and brevity of which
I am capable. The accufation, I think, may be redu-
ced to the following argument — Migrations from Britain
to America, are not only hurtful, but tend 10 the ruin of
that kingdom ; therefore, J. W. by inviting people to
leave Scotland, and fettle in America, is an enemy to his
country.

It will not be improper to mention in the entry, that
my having any concern in fUch an extenfive undertaking,
was wholly accidental and unexpeded. 1 was invited
and prelfed to it, from a motive that was not at all con-
cealed, that it would give the people who intended to come
out, greater confidence that they fliould meet with fair
treatment. This very reafori induced me to confent ; and
that I might the more effedually anfwer that purpofe, one
of the exprefs conditions of my joining with the compa-
ny was, that no land fhould be fold dearer to any coming
from Scotland,"^ than I fhould diredl. This was the more
neceflary, that either through miftake, and the power of
European ideas, or through mifguided avarice, fome ad-
vertifementshad been publifhed in the Scots new fpapers,
which would not appear furprifing to perfons born and
educated in Scotland, but which are infinitely ridiculous to
one acquainted with American affairs. In particular,
one I cut out of a Glafgow newfpaper, and fent home,
relating to Newfoundland, where perfons were invited to
go to make their fortunes, by renting each family thirty
acres of land, at the eafy rent of fix-pence llerling at firfl,
and gradually rifing till it came to two fhillings yearly for
ever. Now how abfurd is this, when in many places
you can buy the fee fimple of land for the fame or lefs mo-
ney than is here aflced for rent ? Befides, how fhall thirty
acres of land maintain any family, in a place where land
is fo cheap, and labor fo dear ?

for the Scots Magazine, 283

I have heard it given as a reafon for thefe enfnaring
propofals, that people in Britain will not believe that land
is good for any thing, if you offer it for a few {hillings per
acre in fee fimple. But the people in Britain (liould be
told, that the value of land docs not depend upon its qua-
lity, unlefs in a very fmall degree — It depends upon its
fituation, diftance from other fettlements, and many cir-
cumftances that need not be mentioned. It is a matter
now as fully afcertained, as univerfal uncontradi6ted tef-
timony can make it, that the back land in America, is ia
general better than that along the (hore, though very dif-
ferent in value ; becaufe the one is full of trees and wild
beads, and the other is full of houfes, fields and orchards.
One would think that this matter might be well enough
underllood by this time. When a new fettlement is ma-
king, efpecially if one family or one company have a very
large tradl, they will fell it very cheap ; and if they are ur-
gent to forward the fettlement, they will give it to one or
two families at firll for nothing at all ; and their profit does
not arife from the price paid by the firll purchafers, but
from the profped of fpeedily raifing the value of what re-
mains. Any man that can think, may underftand this

from J — P 's advertifement. He propofes to fell to

the firft families, at fix- pence fterling an acre. What pro-
fit could he make of that fmall price ? Suppofing he fhould
fell 20,000 acres, the whole produce would be but five
hundred pounds, to be divided among twelve or fourteen^
perfons. The plain fad is, that the fum is not at all
equivalent to the trouble and expence of ferving out the.
patent ; therefore the profit muft be future, and muft arife
wholly from the profperity of the fettlement. I believe it
is a rule without any exception, that a man's duty is his
intereft ; but there is no cafe whatever, in which the in-
tereft of both parties is more manifellly the fame, than in
felling and purchafing new lands to fettle upon ; for the.
proprietors can receive no benefit, but from the fuccefs
and thriving of the fettlers.

New land may be bought in America at all prices, from^
fix. pence ftei ling an acre, to forty fliillings ; and thofe,
who would judge of the qualify by the price, would' do

3O4 Letter sent to Scotland

juft like one who fliguld judge that an acre fold for a houfa
in the city, muft be twenty times better in foil, than the
fields at two miles diftance, becaiife it istwenty times the
price.' The priqe of land in America, is rifing very fall,
and fometimes rifes in particular places, far more rapidly
than could be forefeen. A gentleman who has a large
tra6l in New- York government, within thefe three years,
qff'ered to give away for nothing, feveral thoufand acres,
at the rate of two hundred acres to each family of aQual
fettlers, and yet ha^ given away none ; but fuice that time
has fold a great deal at foyr fhillings and fix-pence fler-
ling, and now will fcarce fell any at that pr^ce.

Having premifed the above, I would intreat the reader's
attention to the following remarks :

t. There is very little gound for being alarrned at the
migrations from Britain to America. The numbers who
come abroad, never have been, and probably never will
be, of any confequence to the population of the country.
Any one who will read Montefquieu, will foon be fatisfied
that when the fpirit and principles of a conftitution are
good, occafional migrations, and even war, famine and
peililence, are hardly felt after a little time. Tfhe place
of thofe who are removed is fpeedily filled. Two or three
hundred families going abroad, makes a great noife ; but
it is nothing at all to the people in Great-Britain, and will
but make way for the fettlement i^nd provifion of thofe who
ilay behind, and occafion them to marry and multiply the
fafler. It is probable, that the people in Britain imagine
that the new fettlemenis in America, are wholly filled
by thole who come from Europe — It is far otherwife.
They do not make the fortieth part in any new fettlement.
Such tra61^ are peopled from the adjacent fettlements at
iirll, with a few flranger emigrants; but their chief in-
creafe is from natural generation, li a fettlement is good,
a few families will fpeedily make a cblony ; but if other-
wife, you piay fend in fliips full of people every year, and
yet it will come to nothing. If a few paflengers coming
out from Britain, threaten deflrudlion to that populous
country, what inllant ruin nuill come upon the fettlecj
parts of New-EnglapdjNevv-YorkjNew-Jerfey, andPenri-

for the Scots Magazine. 285

fylvania, from whence many times the number remove
every year to the back countries, and yet it has not
any fenfible efied, either on the price of land or the num-
ber of the people, which continue to increafe notwithfland-
ing. America is certainly exhibiting at this time, a
fcene that is new in the hiflory of mankind. It increafes
in a proportion that no political calculations have yet been
able td under [land or lay down rules for. The reafon of
this I take to be, that when colonies were fent out in an-
cient times, the people and the foil were fomevvhat fimi-
lar, and improved by flow degrees ; but in America we
fee a wild, but a noble foil, taken pofleflion of by all the^
power, wealth, and learning of Europe, which pufhes on
its improvement, with a rapidity which is inconceivable.

Another thing ought not to be omitted ; there are great
numbers of people that go from America to Britain, fo that
the migration is not all one way. The people in New-
England (an old fettlement) fay that they have fent twice
.as many people to England, as ever came out of it to them.
But though upon the whole, while this country is but yet
fettling, the number coming out Ihould be greater ; yet
there is this difference, that they commonly come out
poor, and return rich. This is very much to the advan-
tage of Britain, if wealth and an increafed value of land
be an advantage. The truth is even as to numbers, though
J do not think fo many people go from America to Eu-
rope, as come from Europe to America ; yet I am apt to
think, that there is little difference in the number that goes
to, or comes from the ifland of Great Britain.

2. But fuppoHng, (what I do not believe) that inviting
people over from Scotland to America, did tend in fome
degree to depopulate that part of the world, I cannot
Jbe why a man who does fo fliould for that reafon, be call-
ed an enemy to his country. What is it for a man to be
a friend to his country ? Is it to willi well to the Hones and
the earth, or the people that inhabit it ? Can he be an ene-
my to them, by pointing out to fuch of them as are poor
or oppreffed, where they may have a happy and plentiful
provifion, and their pofterity be multiplied as the fand of
the fea ? If he is their enemy by deceiving them, the dif?

286 Litter se7it to Scotland

covery will foon be made, and the defign will be detefted ;
or rather indeed, the difcovery would have been made
long ago, as the intercourfe between Great Britain and
America has been of fo many years (landing. Is he then
the enemy of thofe who flay behind ? Not furely of the
multitude, or common people, for there will be but more
room made for them, and the more eafy accefs to a com-
fortable fubfillence. It remains then, that he mud be the
enemy of the landholders, who may run fome rifl<: of being
obliged to lower their rents. But is this a liberal way of
thinking, to fay a man is an enemy to his country, while
he promotes the happinefs of the great body of the people,
with a fmall diminution of the inrerefl of an handful ?
Allowing therefore this argument all the force that it can
pretend to, the accufation is bafe and fcandalous, arifing
from a littlenefs of mind, incapable of cherilhing a gene-
rous love of mankind. I cannot help thinking it is doing
a real fervice to my country, when I Ihew that thofe of
them who find it difEcult to fubfift on the foil in which
they were born, may eafily tranfport themfelves to a foil
and climate vaflly fuperior to that. Sobriety and induftry
cannot fail to be attended by independancc and abun-
dance ; neither is this a matter that can be doubted by
thofe who refledl a little on the nature of things. A coun-
try where land is cheap, provifions in plenty, and as a
natural confequence, labor is dear, mufl be favourable to
the indudrious huibandman. His chief concern ought to
be, to guard againft the temptations always attendant on
fuch a (late, viz, lazinefs and intemperance. I will take
this opportunity alfo to obferve, that fuch as have a fmall
independant fortune in Britain, if they have a tafte for ag-
riculture, might eafily in America, live upon their eftates
as well as thofe in Britain who have a yearly revenue
equal to their whole flock. But this is only in cafe a man
lives upon his lantl, and eats the fruit of it. If he expefls
that he may live idly and magnificently in a city, and rent
out his land at a high price, he will find himfelf miferably
mifiaken. It would be a (Irange country indeed, if land
might be bought cheap, and rented dear. This is impofli-
ble ; for by what arguments could you perfuade a man to

fir the Scots Magazine, 287

pay a high rent for land, when by going a liltle back, he
may have the property to hiniielf for a fmall matter.

But after all, I can never admit that the happinefs of
one clafs of men depends upon the mlfery of another ; or
that it can be any way contrary to the intered of the land-
holders in Scotland, that a few who find thtmfelves pinch-
ed in their cireumllances, or who have an a6\ire and en-
terprifing difpofition, (liould remove to America. There
are always ftrong motives to hinder a man's removal from
his own country, and it cannot be fuppofed that any con-
fiderable number will think of fuch a meafure, iinlefs they
are really in an opprefled flate. If this* is the cafe, frorai
the natural courfe of things, their removal will be no in-
jury to any body ; but like a fwarm of bees coming off
from a hive that is too full. If it is the cafe in particular
places, from the iron hand of tyranny, I fee no reafon to
offer any excufe for the meritorious att of affifling them to
make their efcape. Let not people confine themfelvesto
narrow, felfiQi views. No part of Europe has received,
or does now receive a greater acceffion of wealth, from
the American fettlements, than Great-Britain ; and per-
haps there is no part of Great-Britain where the rent of
land has rifen higher by the fame means, than Scotland. I
fuppofe every gentleman in that part of the kingdom, is
well pleafed to hear that feveral thoufand Palatines, or peo-
ple from the north of Ireland go to America every year —
or that from time to time, fome one or other, who went
abroad with a lancet in his pocket, is coming back with an
opulent eftate, to fettle in his neighbourhood — or that no
Wealthy American is fatisfied, till he has lent his Ion home,
as they call it, to fpend from two or three hundreds, to as
many thoufands, in order to complete his education by
lludy, or end his life by gambling. If io, why fliould he
grudge that fome of his poorer countrymen fhould acquire
a comfortable fettlement there, though with little profpedt
of returning, efpecially as it is impoffible for them to do
any thing for the improvement of America, that will not
in the end redound to the advantage of Great-Britain.

3. I have only further to fay, tiiat the outcry made upon
this fubje-5t, is as impolitic, as it is unjuft. if I v/anted

2S8' Letters sent to Scotland '

to people America from Scotland, I would not think of
employing a more effedual way, than exciting or hiring
one or two authors, who have nothing elfe to do, to write
againft it. This would neceflarily make people pay at-
tention to the fubjedl:, and feek after the information which
they would odierwife have neglected. At the fame tinie,
as human nature in general, is not very fond of reRraint,
they would perhaps be the more difpofedto remove when
they found their landlords anxious that they fliould flay. I
defu'e it may be particularly obferved, that I have not faid
in any part of the above difcourfe, or do I believe that
there is any hard-heartednefs or difpofition to opprefs in
the landlords of Scodand, more than in any other country,
nor more at this time than any former period. The rife
of lands has been the confequence of an increafe of trade
and wealth, and the difpofition to go abroad in the com-
mon people, at prefent, is owing to the fame caufe that
made clerks and fupercargoes go out, for thefe fifty years
pad, viz. the hope of bettering their circumllances. It is
both unjuft and impoflible to hinder them, if they be fo
minded ; and for the reafons given above, I am perfuaded
it will not be the leaft injury to thofe of any rank whom
they leave behind. For my own piirt, my interefl: in the
matter is not great ; but fmce Providence has fent me to
this part of the world, and fince fo much honor has been
done me, as to fuppofe that my chara6ler might be fome
fecurity againft fraud and impofition, I Ihall certainly look
upon it as my duty, to do every real fervice in my power,
to fuch of my countrymen as fliall fall in my way, and
Ihall either defire or feem to need my affiftance.

J. w.

C ^89 ]

IGNORANCE of the BRITISH

WITH RESPECT TO

AMERICA.

To the Editor of the Scots Magazine,

Philadelphia^ May 28, 1 7 7 1 .'
SIR,

I SAW in your magazine (Appendix 1770) a letter,
figned E. R. containing ibme remarks upon, and a
fevere condemnation of Dr. Lathrop's fermon at Bofton,
entitled, '' Innocent Blood crying for Vengeance." Thefe
remarks are introduced with obferving, that the fynod of
New-York and Philadelphia had written a letter, and
claimed relation to the church of Scotland ; and then
fays the author, 'on reading of which, I could not help
' thinking, if we may judge of the American church from

* the fample here given, that our church derives no great

• honor from her weftern progeny ; but I hope the flock
' is better than the fample.'

Now, fir, as to this author's obfcrvations on Dr. La»
throp's fe^mon, I fhall fay little ; becaufe perhaps it can-
not be wholly judiBed — yet, if all circumflances are duly
attended to, there is as little reafon to infult or glory over
the people of Bodon, as there was to excite the public
refentment againft captain P . But what I have

Vol. IV. O 0

tgo jgnorcfnce of the British

only in view, is fliortly to expofe the exceflive sbfurdrty
arid ignorance of bringing in the fynotl of New-York and
Philadelphia on this occafjon. Were the author of this
fermon even a member of the fynod, or any way con-
nected with it, the attempt would be impertinent ; becaufe
no church can be fuppofed anlwerable tor the prudence of
every particular perfon connc6ltd with her, efpecially
the wifdom or propriety of their publications. Does the
church of Scotland de fire to be judged by this rule ? I Ibp-
pofe not. Nor will I be guilty of lb much injuliice, as to
judge of her by this her friend and advocate. * I hope (as
' he fays) the ftock is better than the I'ample.' For,

How aftonifliing muft be the ignorance of that gentle-
man concerning the Britilh dominions in America, when
he fuppofes the miniliers oi Boflon to be a part of the fy-
nod of New-York and Philadelphia ! Did the fynod's
letter fay any fuch thing ? Did it not enumerate the pro-
vinces in which their members refide ? Did it not inform
the public, that it is but feventy years fi nee the firll prefby-
tery met in this country ? But give me leave to inform
your corrtfpondent, that it is about one hundred and for-
ty years fince the people of New-England eftablilhcd a
college at Cambridge near Boftoii ; that their churches
are upon the independent plan, and are in the four New-
England provinces above five hundred in number, where-
as the whole fynod of New- York and Philadelphia con-
tained, when their letter was written, but one hundred
and twenty-feven members, and does not now amount
to one hundred and fifty.

I do not mean by this to difclaim connexion with the
churches of New England. They are a moll refpedable
part of the church of Chrifl. Nor do I think that any part
of the Britifh empire is at this day, equal to them for real
religion and found morals. My fingle purpofe is to teach
your correlpondent, arid your readers in general, not to
vi/rite upon American affairs, unlefs they underftand
them. I tell you nothmg but truth when I fay, that being
a Briton, I have often bluflied in company, to hear flo-
ries narrated of the abfurd and ignorant manner in which
perfons of no inconfiderable llations in Britain, have talk-

wub Respect to America^ zgi

ed of things and places in America. We have heard of
a gentleman in the houfe of commons, frequently making
mention of the island of Pennfylvania ; and ot another
who in the }3rivy comifel infilled, after contradidlion, on
his being right in his defcription of the islajid of New-
Jerfey.

Bat what excels every thing is the following ftory, which
I have been afTured by perfons well acquainted with it,
was a fadl. Sonie years ago, a Irigate came from Eng-
land with difparches for many, or mod of the governors of
provinces in North America. The captain had orders to
go firll to Njvv-York, and from thence to proceed to
Geor^^ia, the Garolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennfylva-
nia, and the Jerfeys. When he arrived at New-York,
he delivered his difpatches there, and mentioned his or-
ders. Ttie governor told him, if you will give me the
lettcs for the governors of New- Jerfey and Pennlylvania,
I will undertake to have them delivered in forty-eight
hours; but if you take the rout prefcribed to you, per-
haps they will not receive them in tiiree months. To
which the captain replied, I do not care a farthing about
the matter ; 1 wdl ilick to my inllrufiions.

I am, fir, your mod obedient,
humble fervant,

X. Y.

C 293 ]

REFLECTIONS

On the present State of PUBLIC AFFAIRS, and on
the Duty and Interest of America in this Important
Crisis,

THAT the prefent is an important sera to Anrjcrica,
has been lb often repeated, that 1 fuppofe no maa
doubts it, and I hope few will forget it. Yet, however
au^ull the idea, it is capable of being greatly enlarged.
It will be an iaiportant gera in the hidory of mankind.
The extent of this country is fuch, that as it is novv% and
probably will foon be fettled, it makes no inconfiderable
part of the globe itfelf. The European in general, but
particularly the Britifli fettlements in America, have for
thefe hundred years pail, been exhibiting to the world a
fcene differing in many refpedls from what it ever be-
held. In all the ancient emigrations, or colonial fettle-
ments, the number was fmall, the territory very limited,
and which was ilill more, the people and the foil were al-
mo(l alike uncultivated ; and therefore both proceeded to
improvement by very (low degrees. But in Auterica
we fee a country almoll without bounds, new and un-
touched, taken poficffion of at once by the power, the
learning, and the wealth of Europe.

Hence it is that the cultivation and the population of
America have advanced with a rapidity next to miracu-
lous, and of which no political calculators have principles
or data fuflicient to make a certain judj;ment. I hold
every thing that has been faid on the numbers in Ameri-
ca to be good for nothing, except in certain places where
they have proceeded on adual numeration. When writers

29^ t ticfiectiQns m

Hate, that the inhabitants in America double themfelves
in twenty or twenty-five years, they fpeak by giicTs, and
they fay nothing. It may be under or over the truih in
certain places ; but there are others in which they be-
come twenty times the nnmber in I'even years. I do not
know, and therefore will not attecnpt to conjedlure, how
fad mankind may multiply in a country that is in the
ihoil favorable flate poffible, both in itfelf, and for receiv-
ing an acceffion from others lefs happily circumftanced.
What is more certain, as well as of more importance to
obferve, is, that the Britifn colonies in North America,
have in this refpecl exceeded every other country upon
the face of the earth.

What has caufed this difference ? Does the climate of
Britain naturally produce more wifdom, llrength and ac-
tivity, than that of France, Spain or Portugal ? Surely
not, or wo to America itfelf; for the bell of its colonies
are in the climate of thefe very countries. It is therefore
without doubt owing to the liberty which pervades the
Britidi coniiitution, and came with the colonills to this
part of the earth. Monteiqaieu has, with inimitable
beauty, fhewn that the natural caufes of population or
depopulation, are not half lb powerful as the moral caufes ;
by which lad he means the date of fcciety, the form of
government, and the manners of the people. War, fa-
mine and pedilence are Icarcely felt, where there is liber-
ty and equal laws. The wound made by thole fore judg-
ments is ipeedily clofed by the vigor of the conditution ;
v/hereas, in a more dckly frame, a trifling fcratch will
rankle and produce long difeafe, or perhaps terminate in
deatii. We need go no further than our own country to
have full proof of the force of liberty. The fouthern co-
lonies, blefled as they are with a fuperior foil and more
powerlul fun, are yet greatly inferior to Pennfylvania
and New-England, in nuuibers, drength, and value of
land in proportion to its quantity. The matter is eafily
folved. The conditutions of thefe latter colonies are
more favorable to univerfal indullry.

But with all the difJerences between one colony and
another, America in general, by its gradual improve-

Public Affairs, 295

ment, not long ago exhibited a fpe^tacle, the moft delight-
ful that can bii conceivtd, to a benevolent and contem-
pldtive mind. A country, throwing every year in beauty
and fertility, the people growing in numbers and wealth,
arts and fciences carefully cultivated and conllantly ad-
vancing and poirefling fecurity of property by liberty and
equal laws, which are the true and proj>er fource of all
the relL While things were in this fituation, Great-Bri-
tain reaped a great, unenvied, and ftill increafmg profit
from the trade of the colonies. I am neither fo weak as
to believe, nor fo foolifh as to affirm, as fome did in the
beginning of this contell:, that the colony trade was the
whole fupport of a majority of the people in Great-Britain.
How could any perfon of reflection fuppofe that the fo-
reign trade of three millions of people, could be the chief
fupport of eight millions, when the internal trade of ihefe
eight millions themfelves, is and mull be the fupport of
double the number that could be fupported by the trade of
America, befides their trade to every other part of the
world ? Bat our trade was (till of great importance and
value, and yielded to Great-Britain yearly, a profit vaftly
fuperior to any thing they could reafonably hope to draw
from taxes and impofitions, although they had been fub-
mitted to without complaint.

This however did not fatisfy the king, miniftry and
parliament of Great Britain. They formed golden, but
miflaken and delufive hopes of lightening their own bur-
dens by levying taxes from us. They formed various
plans, and attempted various meafures, not the moll pru-
dent I confefs, for carrying their purpofe into effed. The
ultimate purpofe itfelf was in fome degree covered at firll,
and they hoped to bring it about by flow and impercepti-
ble fteps. In fome inllances the impofition was in itfelf
of little confequence ; as appointing the colonies to fur-
nifii fait, pepper and vinegar to the troops. But the lau-
dable and jealous fpirit of liberty was alive and awake,
and hardly faffered any of them to pafs unobferved or un-
refilled. Public fpirited writers took care that it fliould
not fleep ; and in particular the celebrated Pennfylvania
Farmer's Letters were of fignal fervice, by furnifhing tho

296 Reflections^ ^c.

lovers of their country with fa6ls, and illuftrating the rights
and privileges which it was their duty to defend.

The lad attempt made by the miniftry in the way of
art and addreis, was repealing the a6l laying duties on
paper, glafs, and painter's colors, and leaving a Irnall
duty on tea, attended with fuch circumftances, that the
tea Jliould come to us no dearer, but perhaps cheaper, than
before. This was evidently with defign that we might
be induced to let it pafs, and fo the claim having once ta-
ken place, might be carried in other inilancesto the great-
ell height. This nianceuvre, however, did not elude the
vigilance of a public fpnited people. The whole colonies
declared their refolution never to receive it. — »

L 297 j

THOUGHTS

AMERICAN L I B E RT t.

THE Congrefs is, properly fpeaking, the reprefenta-
tive of the great body of the people of North Ame-
rica. Their eIe£lion is for a particular purpofe, and a
particular feafon only ; it is quite diilini^l from the af-
iemblies of the feveral provinces. What will be before
them, is quite different from what was or could be in the
view of the eledors, when the alTemblies are chofen.
Therefore thofe provinces are wrong, who committed it
to the alfembly as fuch, to fend dele,9ates, though in fome
provinces, fuch as BoHon and Virginia, and fome others,
the unanimity of fenliment is fuch, as to make it the
fAine thing in effect.

It is at leap, extreniely uncertain, v/hether it could be
proper or {eSo. for the Congrefs to fend either ambafladors,
petition or addrefs, direcliy to king or parliaitierit, or both.
They may treat them as a difor(ierl3s unconftiiutional
meeting—- they may hold their meeting itfelf to be crimi-
nal— they may find fo many objjdions in point of legal
form, that it is plainly in the power of thofe who wifli to be
able to ^o it, to deaden the zeal of the multitude in the
colonres, by ambiguous, dilatory, frivolous anlwers, per-
haps feverer meafures. It is certain that this Congrefs is
different from any regular exertion, in the accudomed
forms of a quiet, approved, fettled conllitution. It i§ an

Voj.. IV. P p

^e;8 TJjczigbts en

interruption or fufpenfion of the ufual forms, and an ap.
peal to the great law of reafon, the iirfl principlt-sof the
focial union, and the multitude colledtively, for whofe
benefit all the particular laws and cuflomsofa conftituted
frate, are fuppofed to have been originally eftablifhed.

There is not the lead reafon as yet, to think that either
the king, the parliament, or even the people of Great-
Britain, have been able to ent^r into the great principles
©f univerfdl liberty, or are willing to hear the difcuflion of
the point af right, without prejudice. They have not on*
ly taken no pains to convince us that fubmiffion to their
claim is confilleiit ^v-itti liberty among us, but it is doubt*
ful whether they txped or defire we ihould be convinced
of it. It feems rather that they mean to force us to be ab-
folute Haves, knowing ourfelves to be fuch by the hard law
of necellicy. If this is not their meaning, ;.and they wifh us
to believe that our properties and lives are quite fafe ia
the abfolute difpoi^l of the Britifh Parliament, the late
afts v^Mh refpeit to B<)llon, to ruin their capital, dellroy
their charter, and grant the foldiers a licence to murder
them, are certainly arguments of a very fingular nature.

Therefore it follows, that ihe great obji6of the approach,
ing Congrefs fiiould be to unite the colonies* and make
them as one body, in any meafure of felf- defence, to affure
the people of Great-Britain that we will not fubmit volun-
tarily, and convince them that it would be either impoffi-
ble or unprofitable for them to compel us by open violence.

For this purpofe, the following refolutions and recom-
mendations are fabmitted to their confideration : —

t. To profefs as all the provincial and county rulers
have done, our loyalty to the king, and our backwardnefs
to break our connexion with Great-Britain, if we are not
forced by their unjufl impofitions. Here it may not be
improper to compare our pall condud with that of Great-
Britain itfelf, and perhaps explicitly to profefs our detella-
tion of the virulent and infolent abufe of his majefly's
perfon and family^ which fo many have been guilty of in
that iflind.

2. To declare, not only that we efleem the claim of
the Briti^i parlidment to be illegal and unconilitutional,

'American Liberty* t^pj^

bat that we are firmly determined never to fabmit to It
and do deliberately prefer war with all its horrors, and
even extcnnination itfelf to llivery, rivettcd on us and
our pollerity.

3. To refolve that we will adhere to the intereR of the
whole body, and that no colony fhall nuike its fcparate
peace, or fro-n the hope ofpirtial dilliiidion, leave others as
the vidims of miniiterial ven-Teance, but that we will con-
tinue united, anJ purfue the fame meafures, till American
liberty is fettled on a folid bdfis, and in particular till the
now fufFerin^ colony of Maflachufetts Bay is rcftorcd to
all the rights of wtiich it has bren, on this occafion, unjull-
2y deprived.

4. That a non-importation agreement, which has been
too long delayed, fhould be entered into immediately, and
at the fame time, a general non-confamptive agreement,
as to all Britifh goods at leaft, fhould be circulated univer-
fally through the country, and take place immediately,
that thofe who have retarded the non-importation agree-
ment, may not make a profit to themfelves by this injury
to their country.

5. That fome of the mofl effectual meafures fhould bs
taken to promote, not only induflry in general, but ma-
nufadlures in particular ; fuch as granting premiums in
different colonies for manufactures which can be produced
in them ; appointing public markets for all the materials
of manufacture ; inviting over and encouraging able ma-
nufadurers in tvery branch ; and appointing focieties in
every great city, efpecially in principal fea- ports, to receive
fubfcriptions for diredling and encouraging emigrants who
fhall come over from Europe, whether manufactures or
laborers, and publifhing propofals for this purpofe, in the
Britifh newfpapers.

6. That it be recommended to the legiflature of every
colony, to put their militia upon the bell footing ; and to
all Americans to provide themfelves with arms, in cafe *
of a war with the Indians, French or Roman Catholics,
or in cafe they fliould be reduced to the hard neceflity of
defending themfelves from murder and affaflination.

3o«3 Thoughts^ £i?^.

7, That a committee fhould be appointed to draw up
an earned and afFedlionate addrefs to the army and navy,
putting them in mind of their charafter as Britons, the
reproach which they will bring upon themfclves, and the
danger to which they will be expofed, if they allow them-
fclves to be the inilruments of eiilldving their country.

8. Tnat a plan of union ihould be laid down for all
the colonics, fo that, as formerly, they may correfpond
and afcertdin iiow they (hall effedualiy co-operate in fucli
nieafures as fhall be necclTary to their common defence.

C 3ot ]

o:j the

CONTROVERSY

ABOUT

INDEPENDENCE,

SIR,

I BEG leave by your affidance, to publlfh a few thoughts
upon the manner of condutling, what I think is now
called the independent controverfy, in which this coun-
try in general is fo greatly interefled. Every one knows
that when the claims of the Bi itifli Parliament were open-
ly made, and violently enforced, the moll precife and de-
termined refolutions were entered into, and publiflied by
every colony, every county, and a) moll every townihip or
fmaller diflridl, that they would not fubmit to them. This
was clearly exprelTed in the greateil part of them, and
ought to be underllood as the implied fcnfe of them all,
not only that they would not soon or easily^ but that they
\vox\V\ ne^ver on any eij cut, fubmit to them. For my own
part, Icoiiiefs, 1 would never have figned thefe refolves at
iird, nor taken up arms in confequence of them after-
wards, if I had not been lully convinced, as I am (lill, that
acquiefcence in this ufurpcrd power, wouJd be followed by
the total and abfolute ruin of the colonies. They would
have been no better than tributary Hates to a kingdom at a
great diftance from them. They would have been there-*

302 On the Controversy

fore, as has been the cafe with all dates in a fimilar fitua-
tiod from the beginning of the world, the fervdiits of fer*
vants from generation to generation. For this reafon I
declare it to have been my meaning, and I know it was
the meaning of thoufands more, that though we earnellly
wifhed for reconciliation with fafety to our liberties, yet
wc did deliberately prefer, not only the horrors of a civil
war, not only the danger of anarchy, and the uncertainty
of a new fettlement, bat even extermination itfelf to fla-
very, rivetted on us and our poflerity.

The moll peaceable means were firfl ufed ; but no re-
Jaxation could be obtained : one arbitrarv and oppreffive
a6t followed after another; they deftroyedthe property of
a whole capital — fubvertedto its very foundation, the con-
Hitutlon and government of a whole colony, and granted
the foldiers a liberty oi murdering in all the colonies. I ex-
prefs it thus, becaufe they were not to be called to account
for it where it was committed, which every body mull al-
low was a temporary, and undoubtedly, in ninety-nine ca-
fes of an hundred, muft have ilTued in a total impunity.'
There is one circumflance however in my opinion, much
more curious than all the reft. The reader will fay. What
can this be ? It is the following, which 1 beg may be parti-
cularly attended to : — While all this was a doing, the King
in his fpeeches, the parliament in their adls, and the pec-
pie of Great Britain in their addrefles, never failed to ex-
tol their own lenity. I do not infer from this, that the King,
Parliament and people of Great Britain are all barbarians
aind fdvages-^the inference is unneceflary and unjufl : But
I infer the mifery of the people of America, if they muft
fubmit in ail cases %vba' soever, to the decifions of a body
of the fons of Adam, fo dillant from thent, and who have
an interefl in opprefiing them. It has been my opinion
from the beginning, that we did not carry our reafoning
fully home, when we complained of an arbitrary prince,
or of the infolence, cruelty andobllinacy of Lord North,
Lord Bute, c^ Lord Mansfield. What we have to fear,
and what we have now to grapple with, is the ignorance^
prejudice, partiality and injullice of human nature. Nei-
ther king nor miniilry, could have done, nor durft have

about Independence, 3 ©3

attempted what we have fcen, if they had not had the na-
tion oil their (ide. The friends of America in England
are few in number, and contemptible in influence ; nor
mud I omit, that even of thefe few, not one, till very late-
ly, ever reafoned the American caufe upon its proper
principles, or viewed it in its proper light.

Petitions on petitions have l^etn prefented tokinpfand
Parliament, and an addrefs fent to ihe people of Great-
Britain, which have been not merely fruitlel's, but treated
with the hi^nefl degree of difdain. The condii(^ of the
Britifh miniflry during the v/hole of this conteft, as has
been often obferved, has been fuch, as to irritate the
whole people of i^iis continLMit to the highefl degree, and
unite them together by tiie firm bond o( nectifity and com-
mon interelh In this refptrft they have ferved us in the
moft efiential manner. I am firmly pcrfuaded, that had
the wifell heads in America met together to contrive what
meafures the miniilry fhoufd follow to ilrengthen the
American oppofition and defeat their own dcfigns, they
coujd not have fallen upon a plan fo tfTedual, as that
which has been fleadily purfued. One indance I cannot
help mentioning, becaufe it was both of more importance,
and lefs to be expeded than any other. When a majo-
rity of the New- York AfTembly, to their eternal infamy,
attempted to break the union of the colonies, by refuUng
to approve the proceedings of the Congrefs, and applying
to Parliament by feparate petition — becaufelhey prefumed
to make mention of the principal grievance of taxation, it
was treated with ineffable contempt. I dtiire it may be ob-
ferved, that all thofe who are called the friends of America
in Parliament, pleaded ftrongly for receiving the New-
York petition ; which plainly lliewcd, that neither the
ene nor the other underiiood the (late of affairs in Ameri-
ca. Had the minillry been prudent, or the oppofitioa
fuccefsful, we had been ruined ; but with what tranfport
did every friend to American liberty hear, that thefe trai-
tors to the common caufe, had met with the reception
which they deferved.

Nothing is more manifefl, than that the people of Great-
Britain, and even the king and minillry, have been hither-

3^4 ^f^ ^^^ controversy^ £s?tr.

to exceedingly ignorant of the (late of things in Air.ericai
For this reafon, their meafures have been ridiculous in the
highed: degree, and the ifTue dirgraceful. There are fome
who will not believe that they are ignorant-— ihey tell us,
how can this be ? Have they not muitiiudes in this coun-
try, who gave them intelligence from the beginning ? Yes
they have ; but they would truil none but what they called
official intelligei)ce, that is to fay, from obfequious, inter-
eiled tools of government ; many of them knew little of
the true ilate of things themfelves, and when they did,
would not tell it, left it fliould be difagreeable. I have not
a very high opinion of the integrity and candor of Dr.

C , Dr, C— , and other mercenary writers in

New- York; yet 1 firmly believe, that they thought the
friends of American liberty much niore inconfiderable,
both for v/eight and numbers, than they were. They con*
verfed with itw^ but thofe of their own way of thinking,
and according to the common deception of little minds,
mlllook the fentiments prevailing within the circle of
their own acquaintance, for the judgment of the public^

( 305 )

O N

CONDUCTING

T H £

AMERICAN CONTRO FERSr.

SIR,

I TAKE the llbefty, by means of your free and unin-
fluenced prefs, of communicating to the public a few
remarks upon the manner of conducting the American
Controverfy in general, and on fome of the writers that
have appeared in your paper in particular. That you
may not pafs fentence upon me immediately as an enemy
to the royal authority, and a fon of fedition, I declare that
I efleem his majelty king George the third to have the
only rightful and lawful title to the Britifli crown, which
was fettled upon his family in confequence of the glorious
revolution. You will fay, this is nothing at all ; it is the
creed of the factious Bollonians. I will then go a little
further, and fay that I not only revere him as the firft
magillrate of the realm, but I love and honor him as a
man, and am perfaaded that he wifhes the profperity and
happinefs of his people in every part of his dominions.
Nay, I have flill more to fay, I do not think the Britifli
miniftry themfelves have deferved all the abufe and foul
names that have been bellowed on them by political wri»
YoulY. Q^q

3o6 On Conducting

ters. The fleps which they have taken with refpe^ to
American affairs, and which I efleem to be unjuft, impo-
litic, and barbarous to the higheft degree, have been
chiefly owing to the two following caufes. i. Ignorance
or millake, occafioned by the mifinformation of intereiled
and treacherous perfons employed in their fervice, 2. The
prejudices common to them, with perfons of all ranks in
the ifland of Great-Britain.

Of the firfl of thefe, I fliall fay nothing at prefent, be-
caufe perhaps it may occur with as great propriety after-
wards. But as to the fecond, there is to be found in the
newfpapers enough to convince every man of refledion,
that it was not the king and the miniflry only, but the
whole nation that was enraged againft America. The
tide is but juft beginning to turn ; and I am in fome doubt
whether it has fairly turned yet, upon any larger princi-
ples than a fegard to their own interell, which may be af-
fe(5led by our proceedings- It can hardly be expeded,
that the eyes of a whole nation fliould be at once opened
upon the generous principles of univerfal liberty. It is
natural for the multitude in Britain, who have been from
their infancy taught to look upon an adl of parliament as
fupreme and irrefiftible, and to confider the liberty of their
country itfelf as confiding in the dominion of the houfe
of commons, to be furprifed and allonifhed at any fociety
or body of men, calling in queflion the authority of par-
liament, and denying its power over them. It certain-
ly required time to make them fenfible that things are in
fuch a fituation in America, that for the houfe of com-
mons in Great Britain to alfume the uncontrouled power
of impofing taxes upon American property, would be as
inconiiilent with the fpirit of the Britifh conflitution, as
it appears at firfl fight agreeable to its form. It argues
great ignorance of human nature to fuppofe, that becaufe
we fee a thing clearly, which we contemplate every day,
and which it is our interell to believe and maintain, there-
fore they are deflitute of honor and truth who do not ac-
knowledge it immediately, though all their former ideas
and habits have led them to a contrary fuppofition. A man
will become an American by refiding in the country thrift

the American Controijersyl 307

montlis, with a profpe^l of continuing, rhore eafily and
certainly than by reading; or hearing of it for three years,
amidft the fophidry of daily difputation.

Forthefe reafons, I have often been grieved to fee that
the pleaders for American liberty, have mixed fo much of
abufe and invedlive againft the minidry in general, as
well as particular perfons, with their reafonings in fup-
port of their owa rnoft righteous claim. I have often faid
to friends of America, on that fubjedk, it is not the king
and miniflry, fo much as the prejudices of Britons, with
which you have to contend. Spare no pains to have them
fully informed. Add to the immoveable firmnefs with
which youjuftly fupport your own rights, a continual fo-
licitude to convince the people of Britain, that it is not
palfion but reafon that infpircs you. Tell them it cannot
be ambition, but neceffity, that makes you run an evident
rifk of the heavieft fufFerings, rather than forfeit for your-
felves and your poderity^ the greatefl: of all earthly blef-
fmgs.

Another circumftance gave me flill more uneafinefs, vi^,
that many American patriots feemed to countenance, and
to think themfelves interefted in the profperity of that
molt defpicable of all fadions that ever exifted in the Bri-
tifli empire, headed by the celebrated John Wilkes, efq.
That (hamelefs gang carried on their attacks with fuch
grofs, and indecent, and groundlefs abufe of the king and
his family, that they became odious to the nation, and
indeed fo contemptible, that the miniftry fcnt at one time
the lord mayor of London to the tower, without exciting
the lead refentment in the perfons of property in that
great city, fo as to be felt in the operations of the trea-
fury.

I am fenfible, and I mention it with pleafure, that no
American ever proceeded to fuch offenfive extravagance
on thefe fubjeds, as the people in Britain. Far greater
infults were offered to the l\>vereign, within the city of
London, and within the verge of the court, than ever were
thought of, or would have been permitted, by the mob in
any part of America. Even the writings containing illi-
beral abufe from England, were fcarcely fought after here,

368 On Conducting^ ts'tf*

and many of them never publirtied, although it could Tiavc
been done without the lead danger of a profecution. Yet,
thoupjh the people of America are as dutiful and refpedful
fubjedls to the king as any in his dominions, there were
fome things done, and fome things publiflied, that feem-
ed to intimate that we had one and the fame caufe with
the author of the North-Britain, No» 45. The evil confe-
quence of this was, that it had a tendency to lead the
kin^ and mtniftry to think that the American claim was
no b(^tter than the Wilkite clamor, and fo to oppofe it with
the fame firmnefs, and to treat it with the fame difdain.
Nothing could be more injudicious than this conduct in
the Americans ; and it arofe from the mofl abfolute ig-
norance of political hitlory. The llamp.a6l, that firft-born
of American oppreffions, was framed by the chief men of
that very fa6tion ; and it is plain from their language to
this hour, that they make no other ufe of American dif-
turbances, but as engines of oppofition, and to ferve the
mean purpofes of party or of family interell.

I do not mean by this to take any part with or againft
the prefent minillry. I have feen many changes of the
minillry, without any fenfible change of the ftate of pub-
lic affairs. Nothing is more common with them than to
raife a hideous outcry againft a meafure, when they are
out, and yet, without fliame or confciencc, do the very
iame thing as foon as they get in. I look upon the caufe
of America at prefent to be a matter of truly iuexpreflible
moment. The ftate of the human race through a great
part of the globe, for ages to come, depends upon it#
Any minifter or miniftry, who is in or out of court favor,
at a particular jund^ure, is fo little a matter, that it fliould
not be named with it. — — — •

r 309 3

A R I S T I D E S-

S I R,

IHA.VE a few thoughts to communrcate, firfl to your-
(elf, and after that, if you pleafe to the public, upon the
manner of condudling what is now called the indepen-
dent controverfy, in the newfpapers. There are to be
found in the tradls upon one fide of this queftion, almoft
without exception, complaints of fome rellraints, felt or
feared, upon the freedom of the prefs. I Ihall be glad to
be informed, becaufe I am yet ignorant, what foundation
there is for thefe complaints. A pamphlet was publifhed
fometimeago, calling itfelf Common Senfc, which nobody
was obliged to read, but thole who were willing to pay for
it, and that pretty dearly too. It was however read very
generally, which I fuppofe mull have arifen either from
the beauty and elegance of the compofition, or from the
truth and importance of the matter contained in it. That
it did not anfe from the firll of thefe caufes, 1 ihall take for
granted, until I meet with fo.nebody who is of a different
opinion ; and when this is added to the circumllance of
its being fold in the manner above mentioned, it is plain
that the fubje^t matter of Common Scnfe was propofed
to the world under every difadvantage, but that of its own
manifell importance and apparent truth or probability.

Tuings being in this fituation, after time fuiTicient to
have matured any pamphlet of an ordinary fize, out
#oines aa anfwer to Common Sense, under ths title of

310 Aristides,

Plain Truth, This in one refpefl, was perfe^lly fair, fof
it was pamphlet againfl: pamphlet ; and the faid Plain
Truth alfo was fold, as well as C4ommon Senfe, at a very
high price. For this lafl circumftance, there was no neid
of afligning a reafon, becaufe I apprehend it is the un-
doubted right of every author, to fet what price he pleafes
upon the produdions of his genius, and of every printer
upon the produdions of his prefs, leaving it always to the
public to determine whether they will purchafe thefe pro-
du6"lions at that price, or any other. A reafon however
was affigned, which was as fmgular as it was unneceflary.
We were told that only a fmall number of copies was
printed of ih^ first edition, I believe this is the only in-
stance that can be produced, of calling a book in its publi-
cation, the firil edition. The only reafon of making more
editions than one of any book, is the fpeedy fale of that
number of copies, which the modefty of the author, or
the prudence of the bookfeller, thought might be fufficient
for the public demand. In this cafe, there is what is Ha-
ted by the printers a call for another edition. But there
are multitudes of publications, as to which this call is
never heard, and therefore none of them can, with pro-
priety of fpeech be lliled the firlt edition. How would it
found if I (hould fay, that a man who came alone into my
houfe, was the firfl: of the company that entered ; or that
my wife, who is (till alive and well, is my firll wife, when
it is very pofTible that flie may live till I am unfit for any
other wife, or till flie is at liberty to take a fecond huf-
band ?

But further, fuppofmg that the author and bookfeller
had been right in that expectation, which the ufe of the
phrafe plainly fhews the vanity of the one and the mif-
take of the other had raifed in them, I defire to know how
that was a reafon for printing i^vj copies, and thus render-
ing them unconfcionably dear. You printers know beft,
but I take it for granted from the nature of the thing, that
you print kwt^ copies of a book, when you do not ex-
pe6l a general fale. If I were certain that this differtation
of mine would caufe an unufual demand for the paper that
contains it, I would modclUy fugged to you, to print three

Arhthtes. 3 II

or four hundred of that number more than common. In
like manner, if it was certain at the appearance of this
pamphlet, that it would be the firft of many editions, fol-
lowing one another in rapid fuccelFion, it feems the mofl
obvious thing in the world that the edition fliould have
been as large as pofiible. Upon the whole, this was an
unlucky ftumble at the threfhold in the author of Plain
Truth, as well as an unexpeded lapsus of the great, illuf-
trious, and exalted R. B. providore, as he calls himfelf,
to the fentimentalills, for which I find no way of account*
ing, but that they were inadvertently led by the fubject
they had in hand to a6t, as well as write, in dired oppo-
fition to Common 5'enfe,

Well, the book comes out, of which I had a prefent of
two copies, from different perfons, notwithftanding the
fmallnefs of the number printed. But what fhall I fay,
either of the ftyle or reafoning of the perjarmance. The
reading of three pages gave me the opinion of it, which
all who read it afterwards concurred in, and which all who
have not read it, eafily acquiefced in. In execution it was
fo contemptible, that it could not procure a reading on a
fubje£l, as to which, the curiofity of the public was raifed
to the greateft height ; it not only wanted good qualities
in point of tafte and propriety, but was eminently polTef.
fed of every bad one. Common Senfe fometimes failed
in grammar, but never in perfpicuity. Plain Truth was
fo ridiculoully ornamented with vapid, fenfelefs phrafes
and feeble epithets, that his meaning could hardly be com-
prehended. He often put me in mind of the painted
windows of fome old gothic buildings, which keep out
the light. If Common Senfe in fome places wanted po-
lilh, Plain Truth was covered over, from head to foot,
with a detcilable and (linking varnifh.

As to the argument itfelf, although nothing could be
more clearly flated than it v/as in Common Senfe, yet in
Plain Truih it was never touched upon in the lead degree.
The author of Common Senfe did not write his book to
ihew that we ought to refill the unconftitutional claims of
Great Britain, which we had all determined to do long
before ; he wrote it to ihew that we ought not to feek or

3ia Aristides.

wait for a reconciliation, which in his opinion, is now be.
come both impra6licable and unprofitable, but to eftablilh
a fixed regular government, and provide for ourfelves —
Plain Truth on the contrary, never attempts to fliew that
there is the leaft probability of obtaining reconciliation on
fuch terms as will preferve and fecure our liberties, but
has exerted all his little force, to prove, that fuch is the
llrength of Great Britain, that it will be in vain for us to
refift at all. I will refer it to the impartial judgment of
all who have read this treatife, whether the juft and pro-
per inference from his reafoning is not, that we ought
immediately to fend an embaffy with ropes about their
necks, to make a full and humble furrender of ourfelves
and all our property to the difpofal of the parent (late;
This they have formally and explicitly demanded of us,
and this we have with equal clearnefs determined we will
never do. The queftion then is ; Shall we make refifr
tance with the gr^atefl force, as rebel fubjedls of a govern-
ment which we acknowledge, or as independent dates
againfi an ufurped power which we detefl and abhor.

After this reprobated author was off the llage, a new
fet of antagonills appeared againft Common Senfe ? but
inftead of publifliing the firft edition of paniphlets, they
chofe to appear in the newfpapers. The propriety of this
I beg leave to examine. Much has been faid about the
liberty of the prefs ; fuflPer me to fay a few words for the
liberty of readers. When a pamphlet is publiihed and
fold, nobody is wronged. When the anfwer to it is pub-
lifhed and loki, the thing is quite fair. The writers and
their caufe will undergo an impartial trial ; but when the
anfwering one pamphlet by another, has fo Ihamefully
failed, to undertake the fame thing by various detached
pieces in the newfpapers. is cramming the fenfe or non^
fenfe of thefe authors down our throats, whether we will
or not. I pay for your newfpaper, and for two more,
and frequently read others beiides. Now, if I pay for
news, mult my paper be fluffed with diflertations, and
mud I read them four or five times over ? I do declare,
that I have paid, and am to pay, three times for the mod
part pf Cato's letters, and if they were to be publiihed in

An si ides, 313

ji pamphlet, t ivould not give a rufli for them all together.
But it will be faid, the cullom is old and univerfal, to write
diflertations in newfpapers. 1 anfwer, it is both old, uni-
verfal and ufcful, when under proper diredlion ; hut it
may be abufed. It is the rio^ht of every publiflier ofa
newfpaper, to infert in it upon his own judgment and
choice, when news are fcarcc, whatever he thinks will re-
commend his paper to his readers. In this view, an able
writer is a treafure to a pilblifher of any periodical paper,
and ought certainly to be paid liberally, either in money
or thanks, or both ; and therefore, Sir, if you have paid
for, or even folicited from the author, the papers you have
publifhed, you arc wholly acquitted of blame, further than
fometiines a miflaken choice ; but if on tne contrary, which
i Itrdngly fufpedt, you and others are paid for inferting
political pieces, 1 affirm, you take money to deceive your
readers.

As the fubjedl is of fome importance, efpecially at this
tinie, i rtiall take the liberty of Oating the objedions I
have againrt the pra6lice, as above defcribed, leaving you
to fhape your future courfe as you think proper, and de-
termining to ufe my prerogative of taking or giving up
your paper as it feems to deferve. In the firfl: place, if
you admit pieces into your paper for pay, I prefurrie frorri
the nature of all mankind, that thofe who pay belt, will
have the preference. Then fhall we have a new ftandard
of literary merit ; and a man who is able and willing to
refute pernicious principles, or to detedt the falfehood of
impudent alTertions, may yet be too poor to obtain a place^
where only it can be done to any good purpofes. The
moment it is in the power of perfoiis unknown, to cdndudl
or bias the public channels of intelligence, both the people
in general, and particular perfons, may be deceived and
abuied in the groffeft manner. It is fcarce worth while,
when things of fo much greater moment are to be added,
yet I will juft mention, that you force nonfenfe upon us
which could not make its appearance in any other mode
of publication. Pray Sir, how much copy money would
you have given for a pamphlet in which you had found
Ibat ridiculous pun upon Mount Seir, which is to be fcen

V0J..IV, Rr

314 Arts tides.

in one of Cato's letters, and the wretched parody upon
Hamlet's foliloquy ? Parody in general, is one of the loweft
kind of writing that has yet found a name ; and that poor
fpeech has been repeated, imitated and mangled fo often,
that it mud excite difguil in every perfon who has any ac-
quaintance with newfpapers and pamphlets to fee it again.
I could eafily mention twenty different ways, in which I
have feen that fpeech parodied. To fpeak, or not to fpeak,
that is the queflion — To fight, or not to fight, that is the
quefiion — To wed, or not to wed, that is the queflion — To
drink, or not to drink, that is the queflion, &c. &c. &c.
Is this then a time for filling the newfpapers with fuct
egregious trifling ?

But this is not all ; I could mention a cafe that happen-
ed a few years ago in New- York. A gentleman had pub-
lifhed a frnall piece by itfelf, and put his own name and
defcription on the tide page ; he was immediately attack-
ed in the mofl virulent and unmannerly flile, by anony-
mous writers in the newfpapers, and it was with the ut-
mofl difficulty, that even for pay itfelf, his friends could
get a few words inferted by way of reply. This praftice
indeed, is liable to the higheft degree of corruption. Whe-
ther are we to fuppofe it was pay or profanenefs, that in-
troduced into the paper printed by the infamous R ,

pieces containing the grofTefl: obfcenity, and which ought
to have peen punifhed by the magillrates of the place, as a
public nuifance ? It is alfo generally believed of that prin-
ter, that he encouraged or hired worthlefs perfons to pub-
lifh afperfions againil a gentleman in the neighbourhood,
of good eflate, but of no great judgment, that he might
fqueeze money out of him for the liberty of contradicling
them. I do not fay that things are come this length with
you ; but the practice leads to it, and therefore fliould be
early and vigoroufly oppofed.

For the above reafons, caution is to be ufed in admit-
ting effays into the newfpapers at any rate, or fuflPering a
controverfy in which people are greatly interefled, to be
agitated there at all. The writers are very apt to become
perfonal and abufive, and to forget the fubjefl by refuting
or expofing every thing that has been thrown out by their

Aristidcs„ 315

antagonids. Certainly however, they ought to confine
themfelves to the pieces that have been originally publiQi-
ed in the newfpapers, and are fuppofed tahave been read
by the fame perfons who read the anfwers. To anfwer a
whole book by a feries of letters in the nevvfpipers, is like
attacking a man behind his back, and (peaking to his pre-
judice before peiTons who never faw nor heard of him, nor
are ever likely fo to do. Common Senfe has been read
by many, yet the newfpapers are read by many more ;
and therefore I afSrni, that permitting his adverfaries to
attack him there, is giving them an undue advantage over
him, and laying the public at the mercy of thofe who
will not flick to affert any thing whatever, in fupport of a
bad caufe.

Let no body fay I am writing againft the freedom of
the prefs, I defire that it fhould be perfedlly free from
every bias ; but I would have all writings of confequence
upon fuch a caufe as this, publifhed by themfelves, that
they may {land or fall by their own merit, and the judg-
ment of the public. How do you think Sir, the letter of
the common man publiflied in your paper, fome time ago,
would do if lengthened out a little, and printed in a pam-
phlet ? Under a thin and filly pretence of impartiality, he
takes upon him to tell us what a number of things muft
be all previoufly fettled, before we proceed to fix upon a
regular plan of government ; fuch as what price we muft
expedl for our produce at this and the other nation and
port. Shall we call this reafoning ? Are our underftand-
ings to be infulted ? If all or any fuch things muft be pre-
vioufly fettled, any man of common invention may enu-
merate fifty thoufand perfcdlly fimilar, which will never
be fettled by previous computation to the end of the world,
but will fpeedily fettle themfelves by common interefl,
when a trade is open, and the common man fhall never
know any thing of the matter.

But what I chiefly complain of, is the tedious, trifling,
indecent altercation, occafionedby handling this fubjedl in
the newfpapers. It certainly requires a fpeedy decifion,
as well as mature deliberation ; yet mull we wait till Cato
and other writers have exhaufted their invention in the

JlS Aristidei,

newfpap^rs, from week to week, gueffed at one another's
perfons, and triumphantly exprefled their difdain at each
other's fentiments or ftile. If Gate's letters had been a
pamphlet, I could have read all that he has faid in an hour,
and all th€ reafoning part by itfelf, in the fourth part of
the time ; yet after eight letters, muft we wait fome weeks
xnore, for it would be indecent to proceed to a£lion before
he has done fpeaking. But after all, the worft of it is,
that in this way of letter and anfwer, we never come to
the argument at all. If I miftake not, the points to be
difcufled are very plain and not numerous, and yet wholly
tintouched, at leaft by Cato, though he has been repeated-
ly called upon by his adverfaries. For example — Is there
^ probable profpedl of reconciliation on conflitutional
principles ? What are thefe conflitutional principles I
Will any body fhew that Great-Britain can be fufficient*
ly fure of our dependance, and yet we fure of our liber-
ties ? A treatife upon this laft fubjedl would be highly
acceptable to me, and if well executed, ufeful to all. I
ihall add but one queflion more. Will the country be as
orderly and happy, and our efforts for refiflance as effec-
tual, by the prefent loofe and temporary proceedings, aS
when the whole are united by a firm confederacy, and
their exertions concentrated like the flrength of a fingle
flate ? I am greatly miftaken if thefe points ought not to
be the hinge of the controverfy, and yet if they have been
examined fully, or the greateft part of them even touched
upon by Cato or his coadjutors, I have read their works
with very little attention.

Now, Sir, this paper goes to you, that if you pleafe you
may infert it, but neither money nor promife of good deecj
to make way for it, fo that its fate is wholly uncertain.

I remain Sir,
Yours, &c.

ARISTIDj:S,

I 317 3

PART Oy A

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

OK THE

CONFERENCE
Proposed by LORD HOWE.

Mr. President,

THE fubjei^ we are now upon, is felt and confefTed
by us all to be of the utnioft confequence, and per-
haps I may alfo fay, of delicacy and difficulty. I have
not been accuftonied in fuch cafes to make folemn pro-
feffions of impartiality ; and (hall not do it now, becaufe
I will notfuppofe that there are any fufpicionsto the con-
trary in the minds of thofe who hear me. Befides, the
variety of opinions that have been formed and delivered
upon it, feem to prove that we are giving our own proper
judgment, without prejudice or influence ; which 1 hope
will lead to the difcovery of what is mod wife and expe-
dient upon the whole.

As the deliberation arifes from a mefiiige fent to us by
lord Howe, at leaft by his permiiTion, I think it is of im-
portance to attend with greater exadlnefs to all the circum-
flances of that meflage, than has been done by any gen--
ticman who has yet fpoken oa the fubjeft. It comes

3i3 Speech en the Confer end

from the commander in chief of the forces of the king of
Great-Britain, and one who is faid to carry a commiffion
to give peace to America.

From the conduclof the miniHry at home, from the ads
of parliament, and from lord Howe's proclamation in
conformity to both, it is plain, that ablblute unconditional
fubmiiTion is what they require us to agree to, or mean to
force us to. And from the molt authentic private intelli-
gence, the king has not laid afide his perfonal rancor ; it
is rather increaiing every day. In thefe circumftances,
lord Howe has evidently a great defire to engage us in a
treaty ; and yet he has conftantly avoided giving up the
leafl: pundilio on his fide. He could never be induced to
give general Wafliington his title. He plainly tells us he
cannot treat with Congrefs as fuch ; but he has allowed a
prifoner of war to come and tell us he would be glad to
fee us as private gentlemen.

It has been faid that tliis is no infult or difgjrace to the
Congrefs ; that the point of honor is hard to be got over,
in making the firll advances. This, fir, is miftaking the
matter wholly. He has got over this point of honor ; he
has made the firft overtures ; he has told general Wafh-
ington, by colonel Putnam, that he wilhed that melTage to
be confidered as making the firll ftep. His renewed at.
tempts by lord Drummcnd, and now by general Sullivan,
point out to all the world that he has made the firft ftep.
It will doubtlefs be related at home, and I am of opinion
it is already written and boafted of to the minillry at
home, that he has taken fuch a part. Therefore, any
evil or condefcenfion that can attend feeking jxjace firft,
has been fubmitted to by him. Yet has he uniformly
avoided any circumflance that can imply that we are any
thing elfe but fubjefts of the king of Great-Britain, in re-
bellion. Such a meflage as this, if in any degree intend-
ed as refpe6^ful to us, ought to have been fecret ; yet
has it been open as the day. In flioit, fuch a mefTage was
unneceffary ; for if he meant only to communicate his
mind to the Congrefs by private gentlemen, he might
have done that many ways, and it needed not to have been
known either to the public or the Congrefs, till thefe

proposed by Lord Howe. 319

private gentlemen came here on purpofe to reveal it

Thefe, then, are the circuniUances which attend this
meflage as it is now before us ; and the quedion is, fliall
we comply with it in any dej^ree, or not ? Let us afk
what benefit will be derived r'rom it ? There is none
yet ftiewn to be pofTible. It has been admitted by every
perfon without exception who has fpoken, that we are not
to admit a thought of giving up the independence we have
fo lately declared ; and by the greated part, it not the
whole, that there is not the leafl: reafon to expect that any
correfpondence we can have with him will tend to peace.
Yet I think, in the beginning of the debate, fuch reafon-
ings were ufed as feemed to me only to conclude that we
fhould grafp at it as a means of peace. We were told
that it was eafy for us to boafl or be valiant here ; but that
our armies were running away before their enemies. I
never loved boafting, neither here nor any where elfe.
I look upon it as almoft a certain forerunner of difgrace. I
found my hope offuccefs in this caufe, not in the valor of
Americans, or the cowardice of Britons, but upon the
juftice of the caufe, and ftill more upon the nature of
things. Britain has firft injured and inflamed America to
thehigheft degree; and now attempts, at the dillance of
three thoufaud miles, to carry on war with this whole
country, and force it to abfolute fubmifTion. If we take
the whole events of the war fince it commenced, we fhall
rather wonder at the uniformity of our fuccefs, than be
furprifed at fome crofs events. We have feen bravery
as well as cowardice in this country ; and there are no
confequences of either that are probable, that can be worth
mentioning, as afcertaining the event of the conteft.

Lord Howe fpeaks of a decifive blow not being yet
flruck ; as if this caufe depended upon one battle, which
could not be avoided. Sir, this is a prodigious miflake.
We may fight no battle at all for a long time, or we may
lofe fome battles, as was the cafe with the Britifh themfelves
in the Scotch rebellion of 1745, and the caufe notwithfland-
ing be the fame. I wifh it were conlidered, that neither lofs
nor difgrace worth mentioning, has befallen us in the late
engagement, nor comparable to what the Britifh troop

H"^.

320 speech on the Conference

have often fufFered. At the battle of Preflon, fir^ they
broke to pieces and ran away like fheep, before a few
highlanders. I myfelffaw them do the fame thing at Fal-
kirk, with very little difference, a fmall part only of the
army making a ftand, and in a few hours the whole retreat-
ing with precipitation before their enemies. Did that make
any difference in the caufe ? Not in the lead — fo long as
the body of the nation were determined, on principle, a-
gainll the rebels. Nor would it have made any other differ-
ence, but in time, though they had got pofleffion of Lon*.
don, which they might have eafily done if they had under-
fiood their bufmefs ; for the militia in England there ga*
thered together, behaved fifty times worfe than that of
America has done lately. They generally dilbanded and
ran off wholly, as foon as the rebels came within ten or
twenty miles of them. In lliort, fu% from any thing that
has happened, 1 fee not the lead reafon for our attending
to this delufive meff^ge. On the contrary, I think it is
the very worft time that could be chofen for ns ; as it will
be looked upon as the effedl of fear, and diffufe the fame
fplrit, in fome degree, through different ranks of men*

The improbability of any thing arifing from this con-
ference, leading to a jufl: and honorable peace, might be
fhewn by arguments too numerous to be even {q much as
named. But what I fliall only mention is, that we are
sbfolutely certain, from ^Mtxy circumftance, from all the
proceedings at home, and lord Howe's own explicit de-
claration in his letter to Dr. Franklin, that he never
will acknowledge the independence of the American
Slates.

I obferved that one or two members faid, in obje£tion
to the report of the board of war, that it was like a begging
©f the queftion, and making a preliminary of the whole fub-
je<Sl in debate. Alas, fir, this- is a prodigious miftake. It
was not only not the whole, but it was properly no fubje<5l
of debate at all, till within thefe three months. We were
contending for the refloration of certain privileges under
the government of Great- Britain, and we were praying
for re-union with her. But in the beginning of July,
with the uniyerfal approbation of all the ftates now united,

proposed by Lord tJoroe^ 32t

Ve renounced this connexion, and declared otlrfelves free
and independent. Shall we bring this into queitioa
again ? Is it not a preliminary ? has it not been declared
a preliminary by many gentlemen, who have yet given
their opinion for a conference, wiiile they have faid they
were determined on no account, and on no condition, to
give up our independence ? It is then a neceflfary preli-
minary— and it is quite a different thing from any punc-
tilios of ceremony. If France and England were at war^
and they were both defirous of peace, there might be fome
little difficulty as to who fliould make the firlt propofals;
but if one of them fhould claim the other, as they did long
ago, as a vaffal or dependant fubjed, and fhould fjgnify a
defire to converfe with the other, or fome deputed by him,
and propofe him many privileges, fo as to make him even
better than before, I defire to know how fuch a propofal
would be received ? If we had been for ages an indepen-
dent republic, we fhould feel this argument with all its
force. That we do not feel it, fhews that we have not yet
acquired the whole ideas and habits of independence ;
from which I only infer, that every ftep taken in a corre-
fpondence as now propofed, will be a virtual or partial re*
nunciation of that dignity fo lately acquired.

I beg you would obferve, fir, that lord Howe himfcif
was fully fenfible that the declaration of independence
precluded any treaty, in the character in which he appear-
ed : as he is faid to have lamented that he had not arrived
ten days fooner, before that declaration was made. Hence
it appears, that entering into any correfpondence with him
in the manner now propofed, is actually giving up, or at
leaft fubjeding to a new confideration, the independence
which we have declared. If I may be allowed to fay it
without offence, it feems to me that fome members have
unawares admitted this, though they are not fenfible of it ;
for when they fay that it is refufing to treat, unlefs the
whole be granted us, they mufl mean that fome part of that
whole mull be left to be difcuITed and obtained, or yield-
ed, by the treaty.

But, fir, many members of this houfe have either yield-
ed, or at leaft fuppofed, that no dcfirable peace, or no real

Yqu IV, S s

522 Speech on the Conference

good, could be finally expe£led from this correfpondence^
which is wifhed to be fet on foot ; but (hey have confider-
cd it as neceffary in the eye of the public, to fatisfy them
that we are always ready to hear any thing that will re-
llore peace to the country. In this view it is confidered
as a fort of trial of fkill between lord Howe and us, in the
political art. As I do truly believe, that many members
of this houfe are determined by this circumftance, I ihall
confider it with fome attention. With this view it will
be neceflary to diftinguifli the public in America into
three great clafles. (i.) The tories, our fecret enemies.
(2.) The whigs, the friends of independence, our fmcere
and hearty fupporters. (3.) The army, who mull fight
for us.

As to the firft of them, I readily admit that they are
earned for our treating. They are exulting in the prof-
pedl of it ; they are fpreading innumerable lies to for-
ward it. They are treating the whigs already with in-
fult and infolence upon it. It has brought them from
their lurking holes ; they have taken liberty to fay things
in confequence of it, which they duril not have faid be-
fore. In one word, if we fet this negociation on foot, it
will give new force and vigor to all their feditious machi-
nations. But, fir, (hall their devices have any influence
upon us at all ; if they have at all, it ftiould be to make
us fufpcd that fide of the queftion which they embrace.
In cafes where the expediency of a meafure is doubtful,
if I had an opportunity of knowing what my enemies
wifhed me to do, I would not be eafily induced to follow
th.eir advice.

As to the whigs and friends of independence, I am
well perfuaded that multitudes of them are already clear
in their minds, that the conference fhould be utterly re-
jected ; and to thofe who arq in doubt about its nature,
nothing more will be requifite, than a clear and full in-
formation of the Hate of the cafe, which I hope will be
granted them.

As to the army, I cannot help being of opinion, that
nothing will more effedtually deaden the operations of
war, thaii what is propofed. We do not ourfelves exr.

proposed by Lord Bbwci^ ^^23

pea any benefit from it, but they will. And they will
poffibly impute our condua to fear and jealoufy as to the
iffue of the caufe ; which will add to their prcfent little dif-
couragement, and produce a timorous and d^fpondent

C 325 3

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

ON THE

CO NFE NTION

WITH

GENERAL BURGOYNE.

Mr. President,

I AM fenfible, as every other gentleman in this houfe
feems to be, of the great importance of the prefent
queftion. It is of much moment, as to private perfons,
fo to every incorporated fociety, to preferve its faith and
honor in folemn contrails : and it is efpecially fo to us,
as reprefenting the United States of America, aflbciated
fo lately, and jufl beginning to appear upon the public
ftage. I hope, therefore, we lliall deteft the thoughts of
embracing any meafure which ihall but appear to be mean.
Captious, or infidious, whatever advantage may feem to
arife from it. On the other hand, as the intereft of this
continent is committed to our care, it is our duty, and it
will be expected of us, that we give the utmoft attention
that the public fufFer no injury by deception, or abufe and
infult, on the part of our enemies. ^

On the firftofthefe principles, it is clearly my opinion that
Ave ought, agreeably tothefpirit of the firfl refoliition report-
ed, to find, that the convention is not fo broken, on the part
of general Burgoync, as to entitle us to refufe compliance

326 On the Convention

With it on ours, and detain him and his army as prifoners^
of war. I admit that there is fomething very fuspicious
in the circumflance of the colours, when compared with
his letter in the London Gazette, which makes mention
of the Britiih colours being feen flying upon the fort. I
agree, at the fame time, that the pretence of the cartouch
boxes not being mentioned in the convention, is plainly
^n evafion. They ought, in fair conftrudlion, to be com-
prehended under more expreflions of that capitulation
than one — arms — ammunition — warlike ftores. They
were fo underftood at the capitulation of St. John's. In
this prefent inftance many of them were delivered up,
which certainly ought to have been the cafe with all or
none. And once more, I admit that the detention of the
bayonets in the inftances in which it was done, was un-
deniably unjult.

As to the firft of thefe particulars, I am unwilling to
diftruft the honour of a gentleman folemnly given ; and
therefore as general Burgoyne has given his honor to
general Gates, that the colours were leff in Canada, I fup-
pofe it is fubltantially true, whatever fmall exception there
might be to it. The colours feeti flying at Tyconderoga, were
perhaps old colours occafionally found there, or perhaps
taken from fome of the vefiels lying at the place, and left
there when the army proceeded further up the country.
This is the rather probable, that if the regiments in gene-
ral had had colours, they muft have been feen very fre-
quently by our army in the battles, or upon the march.

As to the other circumftances, they are fo mean and
little in their nature, that I fuppofe them to have arifen
from the indifcretion of individuals, quite unknown to
the commander in chief, or even to the officers in general.

We ought alfo to confider that it was fo unexpedled,
and mufl have been fo humiliating a thing, for a whole
Britifh army to furrender their arms, and deliver them-
felves up prifoners to thofe of whom they had been accuf-
tomed to fpeak with fuch contempt and difdain— that it
is not to be wondered at, if the common foldiers did fome
things out of fpite and ill hilmor, not to bejuilificd. To

^ ijjith General Burgoyne» 327

all thefe confiderations, I will only add, that though the
want of the colours deprives us of fonie enfigns of triumph
which it would have been very grateful to the different
Hates to have dillributed among them, and to have pre-
ferved as monuments of our vidory, the other things are
fo trifling and unelTential, that it would probably be con-
fidered as taking an undue advantage, if we fhould retain
the whole army here on that account. I would therefore,
fir, have it clearly afferted, that though we are not infenfi-
ble of thofe irregularities, and they may contribute to
mdce us attentive to what Ihall hereafter pafs before the
embarkation, we do not confider them as fuch breaches of
the convention, as will authorize us injufticeto declare
it void.

On the other hand, fir. It is our indifpenfable duty to
ufe the greateft vigilance, and to adl with the greateft firm-
nefs, in feeing that juflice be done to the Amerfcan States,
Not only caution, but what I may call jealoufy and fuf-
picion, is neither unreafonable nor indecent in fuch a cafe.
This will be juflified by the knowledge of mankind. Hif-
tory affords us many examples of evafive and artful con-
duct in fome of the greateft men and moil refpedlable na-
tions, when hard preffed by their neceffities, or when a
great advantage was in view. The behaviour of the Ro-
mans when their army was taken at the Caudine Forks
may be produced as one. The condudl of the Samnites
was not over-wife; but that of the Romans wasdifhonor-
able to the laft degree, though there are civilians who de-
fend it. Their conful, after his army had paffed through
the yoke, a fymbol at that time of the utmoft infamy,
made a peace with the Samnites. The fenate refufed to
ratify it ; but kept up a fliew of regard to the faith plighted,
by delivering up the conful to the Samnites, to be ufed
as they thought proper. That people anfwered, as was
eafily fuggefted by plain common fenfe, that it was no re-
paration at all to them to torment or put one man to death ;
but that if they difavov/ed the treaty, they ought to fend
back the army to the fame fpot of ground in which they
had been furrounded. No fuch thing, however, was done*
But. the Romans, notwithftanding, immediately broke the

328 On the Convention

league ; and with the fame army which had been let go,
or a great part of it, brought the unhappy Saninites to
deftrudlion. — Such inflances may be brought from modern
as well as ancient limes. It is even the opinion of many
perfons of the bell judgment, that the convention entered
into by the late duke of Cumberland, was by no means
ftri(Stly obferved by the court of London.

When I confider this, fir, I confefs I look upon the ex-
preffion in general Burgoyne's letter to general Gates, of
November 14, as of the moft alarming nature. For no
other or better reafon, even fo much as pretended, than
that his quarters were not fo commodious as he expelled,
hQ dtoXdxts the public faith is broke ^ and we are the im*
mediate sufferers, in this he exprefsly declares and fub^
fcribes his opinion, that the convention is broken on our
part ; and in the lall exprclfion, we are the immediate
fufferers, every perfon mult perceive a menacing inti-
mation of who fhall be the fufferers when he fhall have it
in his power.

Being fuiSciently fettled as to the principle on which I
lliall found my opinion, it is unnecelfary tor me to give
an account of the law of nature and nations, or to heap
up citations -from the numerous writers on that fubjedt.
But that what I fliall fay may have the greater force, I
beg it may be obferved, that the law ot nature and nations
is nothing elfe bat the law of general reaion, or thofe
obligations of duty from reafon and confcience, on one
individual to another antecedent to any particular law
derived from the fecial compact, or even adtual confent.
On this account, it is called t!ie law of nature ; and be-
caufe there are very rarely to be found any parties in fuch
a free Hate with regard to each other, except independ-
ent nations, therefore it is alfo called the law of nations.
One nation to another is juft: as man to man in a Hate of
nature. Keeping this in view, a perfon of integrity will
pals as found a judgment on fubjeds of this kind, by
confuhing his own heart, as by turning overbooks and
iyllems. The chief ufe of books and lyllems, is to apply
the principal to particular cafes and fuppofitions different-
ly clalfedj.and to point out the pradice of nations in

nvhh General Burgoyne^ 319

feveral minute and fpecial particulars, which unlefa af.
certained by pradlice, would be very uncertain and am-
biguous.

But, fir, I mud beg your attention, and that of the
houfe, to the nature of the cafe before us — at leaft as I
think it ought to be Hated. I am afraid that fome mem-
hers may be mifled, by confidering this declaration of
general Biirgoyne as an irregularity of the fame fpecies,
if I may fpeak fo, with the other indifcretions or even
frauds, if you plcafe to call them fo, of withholding the
cartouch boxes, or hiding or dealing the bayonets. The
quellion is not, whether this or the other thing done by the
army is a breach of the convention. I have for ray part
given up all thefe particulars, and declared my willing-
nefs to ratify the convention, after I have heard them and
believe them to be true. But we have here the declared
opinion of one of the parties, that the public faith is bro-
ken by the other. Now, the fimplell man in the world
knows, that a mutual onerous contraft is always condi-
tional ; and that if the condition fails on one fide, whether
from necefTity or fraud, the other is free. Therefore we
have reafon to conclude, that if Mr. Burgoyne is of opi-
nion that the convention is broken on our part, he will
not hold to it on his. He would adt the part of a fool if
he did. It is of no confequence to fay his opinion is ill-
founded or unjuft, as it manifeflly is in the prefent cafe ;
for whether it is jufl or unjuft, if it is really his opinion
(and we fhould wrong his fincerity to doubt it) the confe-
quences are the fame with refpe6l to us, Men do often,
perhaps generally, adhere with greater obftinacy to opi-
nions, that are ill, than thofe that are well founded, and
avenge imaginary or trifling injuries with greater violence
than thofe that are real and great. Nay, we may draw
an argument for our danger I'rom the very injufticeof his
complaint. If he has conceived the convention to be
broken on fo frivolous a pretence as that his lodging is
not quite commodious, after the juft caution inferted
by general Gates in the preliminary articles, what have
we to expect from him as foon as he (hall recover his li-
berty, and the power of doing mifchief ? It fhews a dif-
VoL. IV. T t

330 On the Con*oentlofi

pofition to find fault, and an impatience under his pre-
fect confinementj the future efie^s of which we have the
greateft reafon to dread.

. The more I confider this matter, fir, the more it flrikes
ipe with its force. General Gates fays upon the fubjeft
of accommodation, granted as far as circumstances tviil
admit. Was not this proper and neceffary ? It was very
natural to fuppofe that general Burgoyne, accuftomed to
the fplendor of the Britifh court, and pofTefTed with ideas
of his own importance, would be but ill pleafed with the
bell accommodations that could be obtained for him, and
his numerous followers, in one of the frugal Hates of New-
England. It was alfo in the neighbourhood of a place not
in the leaftexpe£ting the honor of fuch guefts, which had
been long the feat of war — which had been exhauRed by
our army, and plundered by their's. One would h^ve
thought that the recolledlion of the ruin of Charleftown,
the burning of which, if I miflake not, in a letter of his
from Bofton to England, he calls a glorious light, might
have prevented his complaints, even though he had lefs
elbow room than he wiflied for. But as circumttances
fland, by what conduct fhall we be able to Tatisfy him ?
When will pretences ever be wanting to one feeking to
prove the convention broken, when it is his inclination
or his intereft to do fo.

It has been faid, fir, that we ought not to take this de-
claration of his in fo ferious a manner ; that it was writ-
ten rafhly, and in the heat of paflion ; and that he did not
naean that we fhould dread fuch ctnfequences from it.
All this I believe to be ilridly true. It probably fell from
him in paflion — and very unadvil'edly. But is he the firft
perfon that has raflily betrayed his own mifchievous de-
signs ? Or is this a reafon for our not availing ourfelves
of the happy difcovery ? His folly in this inftance is our
.good fortune. He is a man, fn% whom I never faw, though
i have been more than once in England ; but if 1 fliould
fay 1 did no-t know him, after having read his lolty and
fonorous proclamation, and ibme other productions, I
fhould fay what was not true. He is evidently a man
fnowy, vain, impetuous and ralh. It is reported of gene-

^ith General Burgoyne. 33X

ral Gates, from whom I never heard that any other words
ofboafting or oftentation fell, that he faid he knew Bur-
goyne, and that he could build a wall for him to run his
head againft. I do not by any means approve of boait-
ing in general. I think a man fliould not boaft of what
he has done, much lefs of what he only means to do ; yet
I cannot help faying, that this was a moll accurate predic-
tion, which, with the event that followed it, plainly points
out to us the character of general Burgoyne. Do you
think that fuch a man would not take the advantage of
this pretended breach of the convention on our part ; and
endeavor to wipe off the reproach of his late ignominious
furrender by fome fignal or defperate undertaking I —

( S33 )

Vf\X'>^>"'^*

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

«H A

MOTION FOR PAYING

THE INTEREST O?

LO AN^O FFICE CERTIFICATES.

Mr. President,

I MUST entreat the attention of the houfe, while I
endeavor to flate this fubjedt with as much brevity and
perfpicuity as I am mafter of. It is not eafy to forbear
mentioning, yet I Ihall but barely mention, the dillreffed
and unhappy fituation of many of the perfons concerned
in the public loans. I fhall alfo pafir'by their charadters,
as whigs and friends to the American caufe. I ihall pafs
by the fervices which many of them have rendered, in
their perfons, by their friends, by their purfes, and by their
prayers. Thefe are affedling confiderations, which ought
not, and which I am confident v/ill not fail, to have their
weight with every member of this houfe. Let us then,
leave thefe topics altogether, and let us confine ourfelves
to the duty and interell of the United States in their pre-
fent fituation, when the care of their affairs is committed
to us who are here affembled.

Public credit is of the utmoil moment to a flate which
cxpedts to fupport itfelf, at any time ; but it is all in all in
a time of war. The want of it defeats the wifeft mea-

334 Speech on the Interest of

fures, and renders every department torpid and mottotiv
lefs. It cannot be denied, that by many unhappy, if not
unwife meafures, public credit among us has been redu-
ced to the lowed ebb, firft by a monftrous and unheard of
cmiliion of paper money ; next by an aft of bankruptcy,
reducing it to fix-pence in the pound ; then by a table of
depreciation. \ There remained bat one thing which pre-
ferved us fome degree of refpeft; .bility, that the promifes
made to lenders of money before a certain period, had
been kept for three years ; but now, as the lafl and iiniih-
ing ftroke, this alfo is broken to pieces, and given to the
winds.

Let not gentlemen cry out as before, why diriinguifh
thefe people from other public creditors ? I do not dif-
tinguifh them by afking payment for them alone; but I
diftinguifh them, beoaufe their circumflances and difap-
pointment give a new and difgraceful ftroke to the credit
of the United States. I dillinguifh tliem, becaufe I hop*
that their fufFerings and complaints may induce us to lake
fome Hep towards the payment of all. Strange it is to the
lafl: degree, that this comparifon (hould feem to fet gen-
tlemen's minds at eafe — becaufe great injury has been
done to one clafs, therefore the fame may and ought to be
done to another. In this way it would be very eafy to rid
ourfelves of both, and to fay, why all this noife about
loan-office certificates ? have not all the receivers of con-
tinental bills fufFered as much or more than they, and had
the immenfe fum of two hundred millions funk in their
hands ? — If this would be a good anfwer in one cafe, it
certainly would in the other. Now is it proper or fafe in
our prefent fituation, to refufe all kind of payment to the
public creditors in this country, fo numerous and fo va-
rioufly circumftanced ? Let us examine it a little.

We are now endeavoring to borrow, and have the hope
of borrowing money in Europe. Is this the way to fucceed ?
Is it not poffible, is it not highly probable, that our treat-
ment of our creditors here, will foon be known there ?
Nay, are not fome of our creditors interefted in this very
meafure, refiding there ? Mud not this repeated infolven-
cy, negleft and even contempt of public creditors, pre*

Loan-Office Certificates* 335

vent people from lending us in Europe ? I am ferry to
fay it, but in truth I do believe that it is their ignorance
of our fituation and paft condu£l, that alone will make
them trurt: us. I confefs, that if 1 were at Amfterdam juft
now, and had plenty of rr;oney, I would give what I
thought proper to the United States, but would lend them
none.

It is to be hoped, that in -time truth and juflice will ^o
far prevail, that our pofterity will fee the necelTity of doing
their duty ; but at prefent we feem but little difpofed to
it. — By making fome payment to the public creditors
immediately, and profecuting the meafures already begun
for. further fecurity, we iliould obtain a dignity and weight
abroad, that would procure money wherever it could be
found.

Let us next confider the effed upon our credit at home.
It has ever been my opinion, that if our fecurity were
good, and our credit entire, fo that obligations by the pub-
lic would be turned into money at any time, at par or at
little lefs, we Ibould find no inconfiderable number of
lenders. Every thing of this kind proceeds upon fuch
certain principles as never to fail in any inftance of ha-
ving their efFe6l. From the general difpofition that pre-
vails in this new country, real eftate is lefs eileemed,
and money at intereft more, that is to fay comparatively
fpeaking, than in the old. Now, whatever fuccefs we
may have in Europe, I am perfuaded we fhould ftill need,
or at lead be much the better of loans at home, which are
in their nature preferable to thofe abroad ; and therefore
whatever leads utterly to deftroy our credit at home, does
an efiential injury to the public caufe. Nay, though there
were not any proper loans to be expedled or attempted at
home, fome trufting to public credit would be neceffary, to
make thofe to whom we are already indebted patient, or at
leall filent for fome time. To this may be added that an-
nihilating public credit, or rather rendering it contempti-
ble, has an unhappy influence upon every particular inter-
nal temporary operation. People will not feek your fer-
vice, but fly from it. Hence it is well known, that fome-
times ilores and ammunition or other neceffaries for the

^36 speech on the Interest of

army, have (lood ftill upon the road till they were half loll:
for want of ready money, or people who would truft you,
to carry them forward.

We muft now go a little further, and fay that if this pro-
pofition is inforced, it will be a great hindrance to the
payment of taxes, and raifing the fupplies which muft be
called for from the ftates. I do not infift upon what has
been already mentioned, that the payment propofed would
enable many to pay their taxes ; becaufe, though that is
certainly true with refpedl to thofe who (liall receive it,
and though it is admitted they are pretty numerous, yet
in my opinion it is but a tritle to the other efte6ls of it,
both in the pofitive and negative way. It would give dig-
nity to the public fpirit, and animation to the people in
general. It would give the people better thoughts of their
rulers, and prevent murmuring at public perfons and
public meafures. I need not tell this houfe how much
depends in a free Hate, upon having the efteem and at-
tachment of the people. It is but a very general view
that people at a diltance can take of the management of
men in public truft ; but in general it is well known, they
are abundantly jealous, and as ready to believe evil as
good. I do not fpeak by guefs, but from fafts, when I
tell you that they fliy, we are now paying prodigious taxes,
but what becomes of all the money ? The army, fay they,
get none of it, being almoft two years in arrear. The
public creditors fay they get none of it, not even interefl
for their money. This was told me by the county col-
ledlor of Somerfet county, New-Jerfey, who was not a
contentious man, .but wiftied to know what he ought to
fay to the people. Now this fmall payment, as it would
be very general, would be much talked of; and I am per-
fuaded, for its general good influence, would be worth all,
and more than all the fum we fliall beftow* I have heard
it faid, in fome fimilar cafes, you muft fometimes throw a
little water into a pump, in order to bring a great deal
out of it.

Now, on the other hand, what will be the confequence
of a total refufal ? You have told the public creditors,
that you have no money in Europe to draw for. They

Loan-Office Certifcates, 33^

^'ill very fpeedlly hear of this loan in Holland. They ar^
fiifficiently exafperated already ; this will add to their in-
dignation. They reaHy are already fore ; their minds
will be rankled more than ever. They are looking with
^n evil eye upon fome new men coming into play, and
thinking themlclves unjudly and ungratefully uled. I
believe they are not fo much v/ithout principle, as to turn
their backs upon the public caufe ; but a fpirit of faction
and gerteral difcontent, upon fuch plaufible grounds, may
do it effential injury. They may combine to refufe their
taxes; and if any fuch unhappy afibciatiori fhould be
formed, it would fpread ; and many from a blind a:ttach-
Irient to their own intereft, would pretend to be Upon the
fame footing, though they have no concern in the matter :
and if this difpofition fhould become general, it would put
an entire (lop to all our proceedings. This difcoufaging
profpedt is not merely founded on conjedure. I have
been told that there have already been meetings for enter-
ing into concert for refufmg to pay taxes. Is it pofTible
We can, in our circumllanceS, more profitably employ
the fum mentioned in the motion, than in giving fatis fac-
tion td a deferving body of men, and in preventing evils
of fo alarming a nature.

It is poilible, ftr, that fome are comforting themfelves
with their own fmcerity and good intentions ; that they
ultimately refolve to pay all honorably ; that they have
taken, and are taking meafures to prepare for it. — A fuTii
of money is called for on purpofe to pay the intereli of the
public debts ; and the five per cent, import is appropria-
ted to the fame purpofe. But, fj.r, it will take aconfider*
able time before the moil fpeedy of thefe meafures can
bring money into the treafury ; and in the mean time the
late itep of refufing to draw bills, has given fuch a llroke
to loan-office certificates, that their value is fallen to a very
trifle — tHe fpirits of the people are broken — a gentleman
told me the other day, 1 fee the loan-office certificates are
gone, as well as all the reft of the money. The inevita-
ble confequcnce will be, that hard and irrefiftible necelfity,
or incredulity and ill humor, will make them part with
them for a mere nothing ; and then the greatell part gf
Vot.IV- Uu

338 speech^ ^c.

them by far will really be in the hands of fpeculators.
When this is notorioufly the cafe, I (hall not be at all fur-
prifed to find that fomebody will propofe a new fcale of
depreciation, and fay to the holders, you ihall have them
for what they were worth and generally fold at, at fuch a
time. Paft experience judifies this expedation, and no de-
claration we can make to the contrary, will be flronger
than that of Congrefs in the year 1779, that they would
redeem the money, and that it was a vile and flanderous
aflertion, that they would fufFer it to fmk in people's hands.
I know particular perfons alfo, who by believing this de-
claration, loft their all. Nov/, if this fhall be the cafe
again, public faith will be once more trodden under foot ;
and the few remaining original holders of certificates will
lofe tliem entirely, being taken in connexion with thofe
v/ho purchafed them at an under value.

C 339 ]

PART OF A

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

ON THE

FINANCES.

Mr. Pkesident,

I HAVE little to fay againft the refolutions, as they
{land reported by the fuperintendant of finance. Per-
haps they are unavoidable in the circumflances to which
we are reduced. Yet the ilep feenis to be fo very impor-
tant, and the confequences of it io much to be dreaded,
that I mud intreat the patience of the houfe, till I flate
the danger in a few words, and examine whether any
thing can poffibly be added to it, which may in fome de-
gree prevent the evils which we apprehend, or at lead ex-
culpate Congrefs, and convince the public that it is the ef-
fect of abfolute neceflity.

Sir, if we enter into thefe refolves as they (land, it will
be a deliberate deviation from an exprefs and abfolute (ii-
pulation, and therefore it will, as it was exprefled by an
honorable gentleman the other day, give the laft (fab to
public credit. It will be in vain, in future, to aflc the pub-
lic to believe any promife we (hall make, even when the
moll clear and explicit grounds of confidence are produced.
Perhaps it will be faid that public credit is already gone ;
and it hath been faid that there is no more in this, than

34,0- Speech In Congress

in negleS^ng to pay the intereft of the loan-oiEce certifi-
cates of later date ; but though thefe were no other differen-
ces between them, this being another and freiher indance
of the fame, will have an additional evil influence upon
public credit. But in fadl, there is fomething more in it
than in the other. The folemn ftipulation ofCongrefs, fpe-
cifying the manner in which the intereil was to be paid,
was confidered as an additional fecurity, and gave a value
to thefe certificates, which the others rieyer had. I beg that
no gentleman may think that I hold it a light matter to
withhold the intereil from the other lenders ; they will be
convinced I hope, of the contrary before I have done ;
but I have made the comparifon merely to Ihew what will
be the influence of this meafure upon" the public mind,
and therefore upon the credit and eftimation of Congrefs.
Now it is plain, that the particular promife of giving bills
upon JiLurope, as it had an effeft, and was intended to have
^t in procuring ,credit, it mull, when broken or withdrawn,
operate in the moft powerful manner to our prejudice. I
will give an example pf this, in opr melancholy paft ex-
perience. The old continerital money was difgraced and
funk, firfl by the ad of March i8th, 1780, (which the
Duke de Vergennes juftly called an a£t of bankruptcy,)
telling you would pay no more of your (debt than fix pence
in the pound. This was afterwards further improved by
new elHmates of depreciation, of feventy-five and one
hundred and fifty, for new (late paper, which itfelf was
funk to two or three for one ; and yet bad as thefe men's
cafes were, the difgrace arifing from them was more than
doubled, by people's referring to, and repeating a public
declaration of Congrefs, in which we complained of the
injurious flanders of thofe that faid we would fufler the
money to fink in the hands of the holders, and making
the moll folemn proteilations, that ultimately the money
ihould be redeemed dollar for dollar ; and to my know-
ledge, fome trufling to that very declaration, fold their ef-
tates at what they thought a high price, and brought
ithemfelves to utter ruin.

I cannot help requeiling Congrefs to attend to the Hate
of thofe perfons who held the Loan Office certificates

on the Finances. 34t

which drew intereft on France ; they are all, without ex-
ception, the firmed and fafeft friends to the caufe of Ame-
rica; they \yere in general the moil firm, and adtive, and
generous friends. Many of them advanced large fums of
hard money, to aflifl: you in carrying on the war in Ca-
nada. None of them at all put away even the loan-office
certificates on fpeculation, but either from a generous in-
tention of ferving the public, or from an entire confidence
in the public credit. There is one circumftance which
ought to be attended to, viz. the promife of intereft — bills
on Europe were not rnade till the loth of September, 1777.
It wasfaid a day or two ago, that thofe who fent in cafla
a little before March ill, 17 78, had by the depreciated
flate of the money, received almoR their principal ; but
this makes but a fmall part of the money, for there were
but fix months for the people to put in the money, after
the promife was made ; only the molt apparent juftice
obliged Congrefs to extend the privilege to thofe who had
put in their money before. Befides, nothing can be more
unequal and injurious than reckoning the money by the
depreciatign, either before or after the ift of March, 1778,
for a great part of the money in all the Loan offices was
fuch as had been paid up in its nominal value, in confe*
quence of the Tender laws.

This points you, Sir, to another clafs of people, from
whom money was taken, viz. widows and orphans, corpo-
rations and public bodies. How many guardians were ac-
tually led, or indeed were obliged, to put their deprecia-
ted and depreciating money into the funds — I fpeak from
good knov/ledge. The truftees of the college of New-Jer-
fey, in June, 1777, dire(^eda committee of their's to put
all the money that fnould be paid up to them, in the loan-
office, fo that they have now nearly inverted all. Some
put in before March, 1778, and a greater part fubfequent
to that date. Now it muft be known to every body, that
fince the payment of the intereft bills gave a value to thefe
early loans, many have continued their intereft in them,
and refted in a manner wholly on them for fupport. Had
they entertained the ilighteft fufpicion that they would be
cut off, they could have fold them for fonjething, and

342 Speech in Congress

applied themfelves to other means of fubfiftence ; but as
the cafe now (lands, you are reducing not an inconfidera-
ble number of your very bell friends to abfolute beggary.
During the whole period, and through the whole fyflem of
continental money, your friends have fufFered alone — the
difaffeded and lukewarm have always evaded the burden
•—have in many inflances turned the fufFerings of the
country to their own account — have triumphed over the
whigs — and if the whole fhall be crowned with this laft
Uroke, it feems but reafonable that they fhould treat us
with infult and derifion. And what faith do you expert
the public creditors fliould place in yowr promife of ever
paying them at all ? What reafon, after what is pad, have
they to dread that you will divert the fund which is now
XBentioned as a dillant fource of payment ? If a future
Congrefs Ihould do this, it would not be one whit worfe
than what has been already done.

i wifh, Sir, this houfe would weigh a little, the public
confequences that v/ill immediately follow this refolution.
The grief, difappointment and fufFerings of your be ft
friends, has been already mentioned — then prepare your-
ielves to hear from your enemies the moft infulting abufe.
You will be accufed of the moft oppreflive tyranny,
and the grofleft fraud. If it be poffible to poifon the
minds of the public, by making this body ridiculous
or contemptible, they will have the faireft opportuni-
ty of doing [o^ that ever was put in their hands. But
1 muft return to our plundered, long ruined friends ;
we cannot fay to what their rage and difappointment
may bring them ; we know that nothing on earth is
fo deeply refentful, as defpifed or rejedted love — whether
they may proceed to any violent or diforderly meafures,
it is impoflible to know. We have an old proverb, That
the eyes will break through ftone walls, and for my own
part, I lliould very much dread the furious and vio-
lent efforts of defpair. Would to God, that the indepen-
dence of America was once eftabliftied by a treaty of peace
in Europe ; for we know that in all great and fierce po-
litical contentions, the efte(5t of power and circumftances

fi^ the Finances. 343

15 very great ; and that if the tide has run long with great
violence one way, if it does not fully reach its purpofe^
and is by any means brought to a ftand, it is apt to take
a dire6iion, and return with the fame or greater violence
than it advanced. Muft this be rifked at a crifis when the
people begin to be fatigued with the war, to feel the heavy
expence of it, by paying taxes ; and when the enemy,
convinced of their folly in their former feverities, are doing
every thing they can to ingratiate themfelves with the
public at large. But though our friends fhould not be in-
duced to take violent and feditious meafures all at once, I
am almoft certain it will produce a particular hatred and
contempt of Congrefs, the reprefentative body of the union,
and flill a greater hatred of the individuals who compofe
the body at this time. One thing will undoubtedly hap-
pen ; that it will greatly abate the refpedt which is due from
the public to this body, and therefore weaken their autho*
rity in all other parts of their proceedings.

I beg leave to fay, Sir, that in all probability it will lay
the foundation for other greater and more fcandalous fteps
of the fame kind. You will fay what greater can there be I
Look back a little to your hiftory. The firft great and de-
liberate breach of public faith, was the a6l of March i8th,
1780, reducing the money to forty for one, which was de-
claring you would pay your debt at fix-pence in the pound
— But did it not turn ? No, by and by it was fet in this
ftate and others at feventy-five, and finally fet one hundred
and fifty for one, in new paper, in ftate paper, which in
fix months, rofe to four for one. Now, Sir, what will be
the cafe with thefe certificates ? Before this propofal was
known, their fixed price was about half a crown for a dol-
lar of the eftimated depreciated value ; when thisrefolu-
tion is fairly fixed, they will immediately fiill in value,
perhaps to a (hilling the dollar, probably lefs. Multi-
tudes of people in defpair, and ab folate neceifity, will fell
them for next to nothing, and when the holders come at
laft to apply for their money, I think it highly probable,
you will give them a fcale of depreciation, and tell them,
they cofl fo little that it would be an injury to the public
to pay the full value. And in truth, Sir, fuppofing y(3^x

344 Speech in CoHgrfss

finally to pay the full value of the certificates to the hdld-
ers, the original and mofl: meritorious proprietors will in
many, perhaps in moft cafes, lofe the whole.

It will be very proper to Confider what effect this will
have upon foreign nations ; certainly it will fet us in a
moil contemptible light. We are juft beginning to appear
among the powers of the earth, and it may be faid of na-
tional, as of private characters, th^y foon begin to form,
and when difadvantageous ideas are formed, they are not
eafily altered or deftroyed. In the very inftance before us,
many of thefe certificates are pofleiTed by the fubjedts of
foreign princes, and indeed are in foreign parts* We mull
not think that other fovereigns will fuffer their fubjedts to
be plundered in fo wanton and extravagant a manner.,
You have on your files, letters from the Count de Ver-
gennes, on the fubjei^ of your former depreciation ; in
which he tells you, that whatever liberty you take with
your own fubjedls, you mutt not think of treating the
fubje6ts of France in the fame way ; and it is not impoffi-
ble that you may hear upon this fubjedt, what you little
expeft, when the terms of peace are to be fettled. I do
not in the leaft doubt that it may be demanded that you
fliould pay to the full of its nominal value, all the money
as well as loan-office certificates, which fhall be found in
the hands of the fubjedts of France, Spain or Holland, and
it would be perfedtly juft. I have mentioned France, &c.
but it is not only not impoffible, but highly probable, that
by accident or danger, or both, many of thefe loan-office
certificates may be in the hands of Englilh fu bjedls. Do
you think they will not demand payment ? Do you think
they will make any difference betv/een their being before
or after March ill, 1778 ? And v/ill you prefent them
with a fcale of depreciation ? Remember the affair of the
Canada bills, in the lad peace between England and
France' — I wifli we could take example from our enemies.
How many fine differtations have we upon the merit of
national truth and honor in Great-Britain, Can we think
without blufliing, upon our contrary condu(5t in the mat*
ter of finance ? By their punduality in fulfilling their en-
gagements as to intereft, they have been able to fupport

on the Finances.

J45

a ^.oad of debt altogether enormous. Be pleafed ta obferve^
Sir, that they are not wholly without experience of depre-
ciation : navy debentures and Tailors' tickets have beeri
frequently fold at an half, and fometimes even at a third ot
their value ; by that means they feem to be held by that
clafs ©f men called by us fpeculators. Did that govern-
ment ever think of prefenting the holders of them, Vv^hea
they came to be paid, with a fcale of depreciation ? The
very idea of it would knock the whole fyftem of public
credit to pieces.

But the importance of this matter will be felt before
the end of the war. We are at this time earneftly foli-
citing foreign loans. With what face can weexpedlto
have credit in foreign parts, and in future loans, after wd
have fo notorioufly broken every engagement which we
have hitherto made ? Adifpofuion to pay, and vifible pro-
bable means of payment, are abfoUuely necefiary to cre-
dit ; and v/here that is once cflablifhed, it is not difficult
to borrow. If it may be a mean of turning the attentiort
of Congrefs to this fubjeiEl, I beg of them to obferve, that
if they could but lay down a foundation of credit, they
would get money enough to borrow in this country, where
we are. There is property enough here ; and, compara-
tively fpeaking, there is a greater number of perfons here
who v/ould prefer money at interell to purchafmg and
holding real eflates. The ideas of all old country people
are high in favor of real eflate. Though the interell of
money, even upon the very bed fecurity there, is from
four to four and a half, four and three quarters and five
per centum ; yet when any real eRate is to be fold, there
will be ten purchafers where one only can obtain it, and
it will colt fo much as not to bring more than two, two
and a half, and at mod three per centum.

It is quite otherwife in this country, and indeed it ought
to be otherwife. To purchafe an ellate in the cultivated
parts of the country, except what a man pofieifes himfelf,
will not be near fo profitable as the intereft of money ;
and in many cafes where it is rented out, it is fo vvaikd
and worn by the tenant, that it would be a greater profit
at the end of fevcn years, that the land had been left to it-

Vol. IV. X x

34^ Speech in Congress^ yc,

felf, to bear woods and buflies that iliould rot upon. the
ground, without any rent at all. Any body alfo may fee,
that it is almoO: univerfal in this country, when a man
dies leaving infant children, that the executors fell all his
property to turn it into money, and put it in fecurities for
cafy and equal divifion.

All thefe things, Mr. Prefident, proceed upon certain
tind indubitable principles, which never fail of their effeQ.
Therefore, you have only to make your payments as foon,
as regular, and as profitable as other borrowers, and you
will get all the money you want ; and by a fmall advan-
tage over others, it will be poured in upon you, fo that
you fhall not need to go to the lenders, for they will come
to you.

C 347 ]

PART OF A

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

UPON THE

CONFEDERATION.

THE abfolute neceffity of union to the vigor and fuc-
cefs of thofe meafures on which we are alread}^
entered, is felt and confefled by every one of us, without
exception ; fo far, indeed, that thofe who have exprefled
their fears or fufpicions of the exifting confederacy prov-
ing abortive, have yet agreed in faying that there muft
and (hall be a confederacy for the purpofes of, and till the
finifhing of this war. So far is well ; and fo far it is
pleafing to hear them exprefs their fentiments. But I
intreat gentlemen calmly to confider how far the giving
up all hopes of a laRing confederacy among thefe ftates,
for their future fecurity and improvement, will have an
effedl upon the (lability and e(Ecacy of even the tempora-
ry confederacy, which all acknowledge to be neceflTary ?
I am fully perfuaded, that when it ceafes to be generally
known, that the delegates of the provinces confider a lad-
ing union as impraQicable, it will greatly derange the
minds of the people, and weaken their hands in defence
of their country, which they have now undertaken with fo
much alacrity and fpirit, I confefs it would to me great-
ly dimini(h the glory and importance of the ilruggle,

3 48 Speech in Congress

V/liether confidered as for the rights of mankind in gene?
ral, or for the profperity and happinefs of this continent
in future times.

It would quite depreciate the obje6l of hope, as well as
place it at a greater diftance. For what would it fignify
to rifle our pofleffions and (hed our blood to fet ourfelves
free from the ^encroachments and oppreffion of Grestt-
Britain — with a certainty, as foon as peace was fettled
with them of a more lading war, a more unnatural, more
bloody, and much more hopelefs war, among the colonies
themfelves ?— Some of us confider ourfelves as a6ling for
pofterity at prefent, having little expectation of living to
}ee all things fully fettled, and the good confequences of
liberty taking effect. Biit how much more uncertain the
hope of feeing the internal contefts of the colonies fettled
upon a lading and equitable footing ?

One of the greateil dangers I have always confidered
the colonies as expofed to at prefent, is treachery among
themfelves, augmented by bribery and corruption frorn
our enemies. But what force would be added to the ar-
guments of feducers, if they could fay with truth, that it
ivas of no confequence whether we fucceeded againfl:
Great-Britain, or not ; for we mufl, in the end, be fubjedt-
ed, the greateil part of us, to the power of one or more of
the ftrongefl or largefl of the American dates ? And here I
would apply the argument which we have fo often ufed a-
^aind Great-Britain — that in all hidory we fee that the
ilaves of freemen, and the fubje61: dates of republics, have
been of all others the mod grievoufly opprefled. I do not
think the records of time can produce an indance of flaves
treated with fo much barbarity as the Helptes by the Lace-
demonians, who were the mod illudrious champions for
liberty in all Greece ; or of provinces more plundered and
fpoiled than the dates conquered by the Romans, for one
hundred years before C^far's di&atorlhip. The rcafon is
plain ^ there are many great men in free dates. There
were many confular gentlemen in that great republic, who
^11 confidered themfelves as greater than kings, and mud
"bave kingly fortunes, which they had no other way of

upon the Confederation* 349

acquiring but by governments of provinces, which lafted
generally but one year, and feldom more than two.

In what I have already laid, or may fay, or any cafes I
may ilate, I hope every gentleman will do me the juftice
to believe that I have not the mod dillant view to particular
perfons or focieties, and mean only to reafon from the ufual
courfe of things, and the prejudices infeparable from men
as fuch. And can we help faying, that there will be a much
greater degree, not only of the corruption of particular per-
ibnc, but the defed^ion of particular provinces from the pre-
fent confederacy, if they confider our fuccefs itfelf as only
a prelude to conteil: of a more dreadful nature, and indeed
much more properly a civil war than that which now often
obtains the name ? Mull not fmall colonies in particular
be in danger of faying, we mud fecure ourfelves ? If the
colonies are independent dates, feparate and difunited,
after this war, we may be fure of coming oft' by the worfe.
We are in no condition to contend with feveral of them.
Oar trade in general, and our trade with them, mud be
upon fuch terms as they diall be pleafed to prefcribe.—
What will be the confequence of this ? Will they not be
ready to prefer putting themfelves under the protection of
Great-Britain, France or Holland, rather than fubmit to
the tyranny of their neighbors, who were lately their
equals ? Nor would it be at ail impoflible, that they fliould
enter into fuch rafli engagements as would prove their own
dedruclion, from a mixture of apprehended necefiity and
real refentment.

Perhaps it may be thought that breaking off this confe-
deracy, and leaving it undniihed after we have entered
upon it, will be only poftponing the duty to fome future
period ? Alas, nothing can exceed the abfurdity of that
iuppofition. Does not all hidory cry out, that a common
danger is the great and only effedual means of fettling
diiTiculties, and compofing differences. Have we notexr
perienced its efficacy in producing fuch a degree of union
through thefe colonies, as nobody v/ould have prophefied,
and hardly any would have expelled ?

If therefore, at prefent, when the danger is yet immi-
nent, v/hen i: is io far from being over, that it is but

350 Speech in Congress

coming to its height, we fhall find it impoflible to agree
upon the terms of this confederacy, what madnefs is it to
iuppofe that there ever will be a time, or that circumllan-
ces will fo change, as to make it even probable, that it
will be done at an after feafon ? Will not the very fame
difficulties that are in our way, be in the way of thofe who
ihall come after us ? Is it poffible that they fhould be ig-
norant of them, or inattentive to them ? Will they not
have the fame jealoufies of each other, the fame attach-
ment to local prejudices, and particular intereft ? So cer-
tain is this, that I look upon it as on the repentance of a
fmner — Every day's delay, though it adds to the neceflity,
yet augments the difficulty, and takes from the inclina-
tion.

There is one thing that has been thrown out, by which
fome feem to perfuade themfelves of, and others to be
more indifferent about the fuccefs of a confederacy —
that from the nature of men, it is to be expeded that a
time muft come when it will be diflblved and broken in
pieces. 1 am none of thofe who either deny or conceal
the depravity of human nature, till it is purified by the
light of truth, and renewed by the Spirit of the living
God. Yet I apprehend there is no force in that reafon-
ing at all. Shall we ellablifh nothing good, becaufe we
know it cannot be eternal ? Shall we live without go-
vernment, becaufe every conftitution has its old age, and
its period ? Becaufe we know that we fhall die, fliall
we take no pains to preferve or lengthen out life ? Far
from it, fir : it only requires the more watchful attention,
to fettle government upon the beft principles, and in the
wifefi: manner, that it may lad as long as the nature of
things will adn^it.

But I beg leave to fay fomething more, though with
fome rifle that it will be thought vifionary and romantic.
I do expea, Mr. Prcfident, a progrefs, as in every other
human art, fo in the order and perfedicn of human fo-
ciety, greater than we have yet feen : and why lliould
we be wanting to ourfelves in urging it forward. It is
certain, I think, that human fcience and religion have
kept company together, and greatly affided each other's

upon the Confederation. 351

progrefs in the world. I do not fay that intelle^lual and
moral qualities are in the lame proportion in particular
perfons ; but they have a great and friendly influence
upon one another, in focictics and larger bodies.

There have been great improvements, not only in hu-
man knowledge, but in human nature ; the progrefs of
which can be eafily traced in hiflory. Every body is able
to look back to the tinr»e in Europe, when the liberal fen-
timents that now prevail upon the rights of confcience,
would have been looked upon as abfurd. It is but little a-
bove two hundred years fmce that enlarged fyftem called
the balance of power, took place : and I maintain, that it
is a greater (lep from the former difunited and hoflile
fituation of kingdoms and dates, to their prefent condi-
tion, than it would be from their prefent condition to a
flate of more perfect and lading union. It is not impofli-
ble, that in future times all the dates on one quarter of the
globe, may fee it proper by fome plan of union, to perpe-
tuate fecurity and peace : and fure I am, a well planned
confederacy among the dates of America, may hand down
the bleflings of peace and public order to many genera-
tions. The union of the feven provinces of the Low
Countries, has never yet been broken ; and they are of
very different degrees of drength and wealth. Neither
have the Cantons of Switzerland ever broken among
themfelves, though there are fome of them protedants,
and fome of them papids, by public edablifiiment. Not
only {0^ but thefe confederacies are feidom engaged in a
war with other nations. Wars are generally between mo-
narchs, or dngle dates that are large. A confederation of
itfelf keeps war at a didance from the bodies of which it is
compofed.

For all thefe reafons, fir, I humbly apprehend that eve-
ry argument from honor, inicred, fafety and necedtt}',
confpire in prelling us to a confederacy ; and if it be feri-
oufly attempted, I hope, by the blefling of God upon our
endeavors, it will be happily accomplidied. — —

C 353 ]

v->.

SPEECH IN CONGRESS,

CN THE AFFOINTMEKT OP

PLENIPOTENTIARIES.

Mr. PRESIDENT)

I AM forry to obferve, that after going through the in-
HruiSlions to be given to our plenipotentiary or pleni-
potentiaries, we iliould have To warm a debate, and in-
deed feem to be fo equally divided upon the queilion,
whether there fiiould be one or more, to whom we will
entrufl the negociation.

As to the practice of European nations, I believe it is
fo various as not to afFord any argument on one fide or
the other: we may appoint one or more— there will be
nothing fiagular or remarkable in it, h as to. make our
conduct look like ignorance in fuch matters. I am in-
clined to think, howciver, that negociations are generally
condu<f\ed near to their conclufion, by one confidential
perfon, though after the more important preliminaries are
fettled, more may be fometimes appointed, to give greater
folcmnity to the conclufion. We are therefore at liberty
to determine ourfelves wholly by the general reafon and
nature of the thing, and c jr own particular circumflances.

As to the firfl: of thefe, on the fide of one perfon, it may
be faid, there v/ill be more precifion, more expedition,
more uniformity, and more certainty of agreement with
others and confiilency with himfelf. And the perfon whom

Vol. IV.' Yy "

354 On the Appointment

we have employed, is a man of found and clear under-
landing, and has had the advantage of being a long time in
Europe, and no doubt has been turning his thoughts, and
making enquiries, upon the fubject ever fmce he went
there ; {o that we may fuppofe him pretty ripely advifed.

On the other fide, it may be faid, that, if alone, he
might be at a lofs ; and that it would be of advantage to
him to have the advice of others. It is even faid, that
there is a neceflity of others better acquainted with parts
of the country different from thofe with which he has been
chiefly conne6led. — As to council, that does not ftrike
me much — perhaps there is greater fafety in one than
three ; becaufe he is fully refponfible ; whereas if a com-
mon council is taken, the blame is divided, and every
one is lefs difficulted to jullify his conduft in the iffue,
Befides, is there no danger to the caufe itfelf, from an ob-
ftinate divifion of fentiments in thofe who are entrulled
with the condu6l of it ? This would expofe us, in the
opinion of thofe whoobferved it, and might perhaps give
lefs refpe^l to what each or all of them might fay or do.
• As to the neceffity of perfons from different parts of the
country, it is not eafy to conceive what circumffances,
in a negociation of this kind, can be peculiar to one part
of the country more than another. If it were to make
rules for the internal government, taxation, or commerce
of the ftates, there would be fome force in the remark ;
but when it is only to make peace for the liberty and pro-
tetSlion of all, there feems to be little weight in it.

But now let us confider our particular circumftances.
Mention has been made of the difference between Mr.
Adams and the count de Vergennes. 1 have given parti-
cular attention to all that was faid in his letter upon that
fubjedl, and all that has been faid by the minifler of
France here ; and there was not one hint given that could
lead us to think it was their defire or expedation that he
fhould be difmilfed or fuperfeded, or even bridled by the
addition of others in the comminion. We have fully
complied with their defire upon this fubje£l, in the in-
flrudions. There is the greateft reafon to think that they
are well fatisfied upon it. But if we Ihould Hill go further,

cff Plenipotentiaries, 355

and either difcharge him, or do what is in fubflance the
fame, or might be fuppdfed or conceived by him to be
the fame, this would be rather an adl: of too great obfe-
quioufnefs, and but an ill example for the future condudt
of our affairs. What we do now, will be often mention-
ed in after times; and if the like prai^ice prevail, it will
difcourage public fervants from fidelity, and lelTen their
dignity and firmnefs. There is alfo fome reafon to fear
that there may not be the moft perfed agreement among
them ; and if a jealoufy in point of alfedion between them
Ihould arife, it might be Hill more fatal than a difference
in opinion. You may obferve, that Dr. Franklin parti-
cularly mentions the impropriety of having more minif-
ters than one, at one court and in the fame place. We
have felt the bad confequences of that already in more in-
fiances than one. Congrefs were led into fuch fleps as
ended in our parting with Mr. Lee, chiefly by the argu-
ment of his being difagreeable to the French court ; and
though he was in my opinion one of the moft able, faith-
ful and adlive fervants we ever had, and certainly one of
the moft difmterefted — he was but barely able to go off,
with a cold ceremonial adieu, that had very little in it of
a grateful fenfe of his fervices, or cordial approbation. It
is not pleafant to refledi, Mr. Prefident, that fo early in the
hiftory of this new ftate, perfons in public employment
Ihould be fo prone to enter into ambitious contention,
and pufh one another into difgrace.

I cannot help putting you in mind, upon this fubjeft,
of what has juft now come to light. You are informed by
the French court, in the moft authentic manner, and in-
deed if I am not miftaken it is by implication at leaft in
the king's letter, that you had been ill ferved by the peo.
pie you employed there, and cheated both in point of qua-
lity and price ; and that on this account they intend to give
directions on that fubjedl themfelves. Now, fir, perhaps it
tnay be news to many members of this body, that thefe
were the very contrails made by Mr. Dean, without the
knowledge or confent of Mr. Lee, of which Mr. Lee
loudly complained. Thefe were the very fervants whofe
accounts Mr. Lee objedtcd to, and whofe conduct he cen-

356 On the Appointment

fured. But what did he get by it ? Mr. Dean was fuppert,.
ed by his venerable old friend, as he called him : Mr. Lea
was complained of, as jealous and troublefome, and difa-
greeable to the court of France ; and not only oppofed
-and flighted by many members of this houfe, but I may
fay attacked and perfecuted in fuch a manner, that if he
had not been fupported with a generous franknefs by
others, might have ended in public infamy,

I have juil further upon this fubjed to obferve, that you
very lately fent a new miniller to the French court, Mr.
Laurens— a meafure much difapproved by many ; and it
was then foretold, it would be a difgraceful thing to Dr.
Franklin- Probably he has conceived it in that light ;
and as he has no defire at all to return home, I am well
convinced that this is the true caufe of the defire exprefled
in his lafl letter to refign his commiiTion^

Some have mentioned the importance of the matter,
and that the chance is greater againft corruption, where
three are to be taken ofF, than one. It is very true, that
celeries paribus^ as is commonly faid, there is a greater
chance for one incorruptible perfon in three than in one ;
but there are fmgle perfons in whom I v-^ould confide as
snuch as in ten. And befides, the thing may be taken the
other way ; for there is a greater chance of finding one
corruptible perfon in three than in one ; and in a commif-
fion of that nature, one traitor is able to do much mif-
chief, though the others are perfedly upright. He, being
admitted into the fecret, may not only difclofe meafures,
but perplex them, let the abilities of his colleagues 'be
what they will. I have feen a man in Congrefs, who up-
on the fupi^ofition of his being a traitor, I am fure had ad-
drefs enough to draw many into his meafures — many not
contemptible in underllanding, and fincerely attached to
their country's caufe.

Before I conclude, I would fay a little upon our circum^
fiances in another refped. The firft appearances we
make upon the public t'lage, are of confequence. It is to
be wifiied therefore, that the credit of the United States
were confulted. .If we were fure that our commiflioner^
would be immediately admitted to public and co-o/dinate

of Plenipotentiaries, 357

fefTion with the other plenipotentiaries, perhaps a commif-
iion of three would be augufl and honorable ; but if, as I
lirongly fufpe6l will be the cafe, they are not at firfl pub-
licly admitted at all, but obliged to negociate through the
plenipotentiaries of France — if, as is not impofFible, even
in the fettlement of the treaty, we are not confidered as
the formal contracting parties at all, but our Interefl at-
tended to in articles as it were occafionally introduced —
if this is done, as a falvo to the honor of England, and to
purchafe for us advantages fubRiintial and durable, a
pompous commiflion to a number of delegates will rather
leffen our dignity, and detract from our wifdom and cau-
tion.

Upon the whole, fir, I am of opinion that it would be
much better to affign to one the commiiTion already given,
with the inftrudtions which have been cordially agreed
upon, and feem to be in every refpect agreeable to the
defires of the court of France, and the opinion oi the
king's minifter in this country.

L 359 1

ON THE

PROPOSED MARKET

GENERAL WASHINGTON'S CAMP.

To his Excellency General Washington, and the Officen
of the American Army.

SIR,

ABOUT ten days ago, I was informed that you were
confulting with the farmers in the neighbourhood,
and laying a plan for holding a market at the camp. This
was to me, the mod pleafmgnews I had heard from camp
for a long time. I fuppofed that you had now difcovered
the true and proper way of providing comforts and refrefh-
ments to your foldiers, which, pardon me, I think has hi-
therto, in God's mod holy will, been hid from your eyes.
Lad week's news-paper brought us the plan, in which I
have been fo much difappointed, that I have taken pen in
hand, to make a few remarks upon it, and fubmit them to
your view. Reft afTured that they come from a firm friend
to American liberty, who has felt the tyranny of general
Howe, and therefore holds him and his caufe in deCeftation.
You are not to expe^l from a plain country fiirmer, high
founding language, and well turned phrafes — It is poflible
I may be held in derifion for this, by fome of your learned
generals ; for I am told you have fome who can write full
as well as they can fight, perhaps better ; be that however
as it may, I mean to write only of what I think I under-
hand, and fhall make ufe of the plained words poflible,
that I may be underdood.

3 6o On the proposed Market

I mufl begin by faying, that if you are under any dif-
ficulty in fupplying your army, either with the neceflaries
or convenieiicies of life, it is wholly owing to miftaken
principles, or unfaithful condudt in the manner of pro-
curing them. You are in the midft of a plentiful country^
— You command it by your fvyord, except a fmall fpot in
which the enemy is confined ; and I moil heartily wifh
you would pen them in clofer than you do. — You have
aJfothe hearts of the country ; for let people talk as they
pleafe of the number of tories, they are altogether incon*
iiderable to the friends of liberty, in every {late in this con-
tinent. When the Englifh army leaves any place, we do
not need your army to conquer it for us. All that were
friends to them, fly with them, or Ikulk into corners,
trembling for their lives. Let us confider then how the
matter (lands — Your army confifis, I fliall fuppofe at pre-
fent, of 20,000 men ; for though it was confiderably lar-
ger lately, I reckon from the number gone home on re-
cruiting parties, and for other reafons, that may be about
or near the truth. Suppofe it however 25,000 ; if thefe
were diflributed one in every houfe, for the twenty-five
thoufand houfesthat are neareft to the camp, they would
not reach fo far eaft as the Delaware, nor fo far wefl as
Lancafler; and though no provifions were brought into
that fpace on their account, they could be well fed, and
the burden never felt. This Ihows that the whole diffi-
culty arifesfrom the neceiUvy of procuring and rranfport-
ing provifions tofuch a number of men colIe6led together
in one place, a difficulty which one would think might be
eafily furmcunted. It is not my intention at prefent, to
make remarks on the commiffary's department for fup-
plying the capital necelTaries, though I want not inclina-
tion. Suffice it to fay, that for refrefliments and fmaller
neceiTaries, you are nov/ making an attempt towards the
only efl'eduil way, viz. a market, or in other words, in-^
viting people to bring them to you of their own accord.

Now, Sir, I have read and confidered your plan, the
chief part of which is fettling the prices of a variety of ar-
ticles, which it is expedled will be expofed to fale. Fix-
ing the price of commodities, has been attempted by kw*

m General IFixshingtmi'^ Camp. 36I

la feveral dates among us, and it has Increafed the evil it
vvas meant to remedy, as the lame practice ever has done
fince the beginninj^ of the world. Such laws, when they
only fay men ihall be punKhed if they fell at any higher
prices than the le^ial, and that if any will not fell at thefe
prices, their goods fliall be taken by force, have fome
meaning in them, though little wifdom : but to publifli 21
lid of fixed prices, as an encouragement to a weekly mar-
ket, is a new Itrain of policy indeed. If people bring
their goods to market, and, are willing to fell them at thefe,
or lower prices, is not that enough ? and if they are not
willing to fell, how diall they be made willing to come ?
Probably you were told thefe were reafonable prices ; now
i ihall be glad to know what you call a reafonable price.
if it be that which is proportioned to the demand on the
one fide, and the plenty or fcarcity of goods on the other,
I agree to it ; but 1 affirm that this will fix of itfelf, by the
confent of the buyer and feller, better than it can be done
by any politician upon earth* If you mean any thing elfe,
it fignifies nothing at all^ whether itht reasonable ov not i
for if it is not agreeable^ as well as reafonable, you might
have one market day, but not a fecond. There are forne
things which are not the objedl of human laws, and fuch
are all thole that effentially depend for their fuccefs upon
inward inclination. Laws, force, or any kind of limita-
tion, are fo far from having any tendency of themfelves,
to perfuade or incline, that they diave generally the con-
trary effedt. It would be much to the advantage of many-
lawgivers and other perfons in authority, if they vvould
carefully diftinguifla between what is to be efFedled by force,
and what by perfuafion, and never prepofteroufly mix
thefe opponte principles, and defeat the operation of both.
Laws and authority compel; but it is reafon and intcreft
that mull perfuade.

The fixing of prices by authority, is not only impolitic^
as I have fliewn above, but it is in itfelf unreafonable and
gibfurd. There are fo many different circum.dances to bs
taken in to conflitute equality or ju dice in fuch matters,
that they cannot be all attended to, or even afcertained.
The plenty of pne kind of provifion^ and fcarcity of ano<

You IV. 2 z

362 071 the proposed Marhty ^c.

ther— The plenty in one corner of the country, and fcarf
city in another — the diflance of one place, and nearnefa
of another^ — The changes of circum fiances in the courfe
of a few weeks or days — Good or bad roads, or good or
bad weather — The comparative quality of the goods —
Thefe, and an hundred other circumftances which can ne-
ver be forefeen, aftaally govern the prices of goods at
market, and ought to govern them. If a price is juft to
one who brings his goods fifteen miles, it is certainly too
much for one who brings them only one. If ten pence
per pound is a juft price for veal at prefent, I am certain
it muft be too much a month hence, when veal will be
much more plentiful. If or^ ihilling and four pence per
pound is reafonable for a fat turkey, ought not I to have
more for a fatter, which is both better in its quality and
weight — being lighter to its bulk, becaufe fat is not fo hea-
vy as either lean flefh or bones. If it is reafonable to pay
me one Ihilling per pound for any meat in a good day, I
lliall expe6l more if I go out in a florm ; if not, I will
ftay at home on a bad day, and fo you muft ftarve one
week, and pamper the next.

All thefe circumftances you muft allow to reftrain and
limit one another. He who is neareft, and has goods in
plenty, will by felling cheap, moderate the demands of
him who comes far. If you pay very dear for any article
one day, the news of that fpreading abroad, brings in pro-
digious quantities, and the price falls, and fo it happens in
every other cafe. Thus it appears that it is out of your
power to tell what is a reafonable price, and by attempt-
ing to do it, you not only refufe to gratify the expecta-
tions of the peDple, but you treat them with unjuftice.

I have one more remark to make upon this fubje6l ;
that to fix the prices of goods, efpecially provifions in a
market, is as impradlicable as it is unreafonable. The
whole perfons concerned, buyers and fellers, will ufe eve-
ry art to defeat it, and will certainly fucceed. — — -

C 363 3

ADDRESS

GENERAL WASHINGTON,

THE Prefident and Faculty of the College of New •
Jerfey, beg leave to embrace this opportunity of
congratulating your Excellency on the prefent happy and
promifmg (late of public affairs ; and of fmcerely wilhing
you profperity and fuccefs in the enfuing campaign, and
in what may yet remain of the important conflid in which
the United States are engaged.

As this College, devoted to the interefts of religion and
learning, was among thefirft places of America, that fuf-
fered from the ravages of the enemy — fo, happily, this
place and neighbourhood was the fcene of one of the moft
important and feafonable checks which they received in
their progrefs. The furprife of the Heffians at Trenton,
and the fubfequent vi£lory at Princeton, redounded much
to the honor of the commander who planned, and the
handful of troops which executed the meafures ; yet
were they even of greater moment to the caufe of Ame-
rica, than they were brilliant as particular military ex-
ploits.

We contemplate and adore the wifdom and goodnefs of
divine Providence, as difplayed in favor of the United
States, in many inftances during the courfc of the war; but in
none more than in the unanimousappointmentof yourEx-
cellency to the command of the army. When vvc confider

the continuance of your life and health — the difcernment,
prudence, fortitude and patience of your condu£t, by
which you have not only facrificed, as others have done,
perfonal eafe and property, but frequently even reputation
itfelf, in the public caufe, chufing rather to rifque your
own name than expofe the nakednefs of your country-—
when we confider the great and growincy attachment o\ the
army, and the cordial efteem of all ranks of men, and of
every ftate in the Union, which you have {o long enjoyed
' — v/e cannot help being of opinion, that Gi)d himfeh has
raifed you up as a fit and proper inilrument for efiabiifh-
ing and fecuring the liberty and happinefs of thefe States.
We pray that the Almighty may continue to protect
and blefs you — that the late fignal Iqccefs of the Amerir
can arms, may pave the way to a fpeedy and lafting
peace ; and that, having furvived fo much fatigue, and fo
many dangers, you may enjoy many years of honorable
reppf^ in the bofom of your grateful country,

JOHN WITHERSPOON,

C 365 3

Memorial and Manifesto

or THE

UNITED STATES

0 r

N 0 R r H . A M E R I C A,

Yo the Mediating Powers in the Conferences for Peace,
to the other Powers in Europe^ and in general to ail
Vjho shall see the same.

THE United States of North-America, having beet
made acquainted, by their ilhiflrious ally the king
of France, that there is a propofal for holding a congres
under the mediation of the cmprefs of RufTia and the en-
peror of Germany, to treat of terms of accommodatbn
'vvith Great-Britain have thought proper to publilh, br
the information of all concerned, the following memorLiI,
which fhall contain a brief detail of the ileps by vvhch
they have been brought into their prefent interelling and
critical fituatlon.

The United States (formerly Britifli colonies) w^re
iirfl: planted and fettled by emigrants from that country.
Thefe fettlers came out at different times, and with differ-

366 Memorial and Manifesto

cnt views. Some were adluated by the fpirlt of curioflty
and enter prife, which was fo prevalent in Europe in the
fixteenth and leventeenth centuries ; feme were chiefly
induced by the hope of riches ; and fome were driven from
their native country by the iron rod of facerdotal tyranny.
They folicited their charters, and fettled their govern-
ments on different principles, fuch as befl: pleafed thofe
who were chiefly concerned in each undertaking. In one
thhig, however, they all agreed, that they confidered them-
felves as bringiag their liberty with them, and as entitled
to all the rights and privileges of freemen under the Bri-
tifh conllitution.

Purfuant tothefe fentiments, they looked upon it as the
foundation ftone of Britifli liberty, that the freeholders or
proprietors of the foil, Ihouid have the exclufive right of
granting money for public ufes, and therefore invariably
proceeded upon this plan. With refpedt, indeed, to the
whole of their internal government, they ccnfidered them-
felves as not diredlly ful^e6l to the Britiih parliament, but
as feparate independent dominions under the fame fove-
reign, and with fimilar co-ordinate jurifdidion. It appears
from feveral events, that happened in the courfe of their
.liflory, and from public a£ts of fome of their governments,
that this was their opinion many years before the late un-
lift claims and oppreffive a6ls, which gave birth to the
)loody conflidl not yet finiJhed.

From the lirft fettlement of the colonies, they willing,
y fubmitted to Britain's enjoying an exclufive right to
heir commerce ; though feveral of the a6ls of the Britiih
prliament upon this fubjedt, they always looked upon as
prtial and unjuft. Some of thefe appear, at firft view, to
be fuch badges of fervitude, that it is furprifing that a free
people fhould ever have been patient under them. The
truth is, they wpuld not probably have been fubmitted to,
but that the rigid execution of them at this diftance was
ir, its nature impoflible.

It was always the opinion of the inhabitants of tbefe
flues, that the benefits which arofe to Britain from the
eiclufive commerce of America, and the taxes which it
enabled her toraife on her own fubjedls, was more than.

of the United States. 367

their proportion of the common treafure necefTary to the
defence of the empire. At the fame time, great as it was,
the lofs to them, by being confined in their trade, was
greater than the benefit to her ; as it obliged them to pur-
chafe any thing they had occafion for from her, and at her
own price, which neceffarily retarded their growth and
improvement. All this notwithftanding, when any ex-
traordinary emergency feemed to render it neceflary, and
when application was regularly made to the aflemblies of
the colonies, they complied in every inftance with the re-
quifitions, and made advances of fums which, in one or
two indances, Britain herfelf confidered as above their
ability, and therefore made refiitution or compenfationfor
them.

The true reafon of this long and patient acquiefcence,
was the natural and warm attachment which the inhabi-
tants of America had to Great-Britain, as their parent
country. They gloried in their relation to her ; they
were zealous for her honor and intereft ; imbibed her prin-
ciples and prejudices with refped to other nations ; en-
tered into her quarrels, and were profufe of their blood for
the purpofe of fecuring or extending her dominion. Al-
moll every city and county in Great Britain had its coun-
ter part, which bore its name in the new world ; and thofe
whofe progenitors for three generations had been born in
America, when they fpoke of going to Britain, called it
going home.

Such was the ftate of things, when fome unwife coun-
fellors to the Britifh king, thought of raifing a revenue
without the confent of the American legiflatures, to be
carried diredtly to the Engl i(h treafury. The firfl: elVay
on this fubjedt was the famous fiamp aft, of which vv\-
ihall at prefent fay nothing, but that the univerfal fer-
ment raifcd on occafion of it was a clear proof of the jull-
nefs and truth of the preceding reprefentation. So odious
was it over the whole country, and {o dangerous to thofc
who attempted to carry it into execution, that in a fhort
time it was repealed by themfelves. Parliament, howe-
ver, by their declaratory a6t, which pafled in the fame lei-
fion lliewed that they intended to maintain the ri^hr.

36S Memorial and Manifast&

though they dcTifted ni this inftance from the exercife of it^
The Americans, overjoyed at the immediate deliverance,
returned to their affection and attaphmeQjt, hoping that the
claim would again become dormant and that no occauon
would be given for the future difcufiion.of itv

But it was not long before the Eng]iih-.mini{lry propa*
fed and carried an adl of parliament, impofmg duties on
tea, glafs, hx.. which by the fmallnefs of the^duties them*
felves, and feveral other circumftances, was plainly de-
figned to ileal upon us gradually, and if poiTible imper-
ceptibly, the exercife of their pretended right. It was
not, however, in their power to blind the colonies, who
rofe up againil the execution of this aCl, with a zeal pro-
portioned to the importance of the fubjedt, and with an
unanimity not to be expelled but where a great and com-
mon danger keeps every caufe of jealoufy and diiTentiori
out of view. Not only every colony, by its reprefenta-
tive body, but every county, and almoft every corpora-
tion or other fubordinate divifion, publicly declared that
they v.'ould defend their liberty at the rifle of their eftates
and fives. In the mean while the Englifh government
profeffed a determination equally firm to enforce the ex-
ecution of this ad by military power, and bring us to un-
conditional fubmiffion.

Thus did the rupture take place ; and as to the juflice
of our caufe, we muft fay, that if any impartial perfons
will read the declaratory a6l, that the lords and commons
of Great-Britain in parliament, have a right to make laws
binding upon the colonies in all cases %vhatsoever^ and
which was now producing its proper fruit, he muft be con-
vinced that had we fubmitted to it, we fliould have been
in no refpedt different from a fet of conquered, tributary
ilates, fubjed to a foreign country ; and the colonial af-
femblies would have become both ufelefs and contempti^
ble. The writings in England upon this fubje6l, proving
that we were reprefented in Middlesex^ and ufmg many
other equally forcible arguments, are and will remain a
difgrace to reafon, as well as an infult on American un-
der Handing.

of the Umicd States. 369

At this period of time not only the people of England
!n general, but the kiag of England in his fpecchcs, and
his parliament in their addrefies, affrcled toreprefent the
commotions in America as raifed by a {t:\M feditious per-
fons, and the confequence of a pre-concerted fcheme to
throw ofT the dominion of Great-Britain, and fet up an
independent empire. This unjufl and indeed abfurd ac-
Cufation may be refuted by a thoufand arguments. The
ftrong predilection of the people of America for the peo-
pie, the fafhions, and the government of Britain, proves
its falfhood. There was no perfon, nor any number of
perfons in any Hate of America, who had fuch influence
as to be able to effect this, or even view it as a probable
object of ambition. Bat what mull demonflrate the ab-
furdity of this fuppofition, is the (late in which America
was found when (he began to grapple with the power of
Britain. No (lep had been taken to open the way for ob-
taining foreign aid. No provifion had been made^of arms,
ammunition, or warlike (lores of any kind ; fo that the
country Teemed to be expofed, naked and helplefs, to the
dominion of her enemy.

Agreeably to tliis, addreffes and petitions v/ere tlie
means to Vv-hich we had recourfe. Reconciliation to Bri-
tain, with the fecurity and prefervation of our rights, was
the wifli of every fouh The niofl: explicit profelTions of
loyalty to the prince, and the mo(l exprefs alTurances of
e[fcc\ual fupport in his government, if we were called on
in a conftitutional v/ay, made the fubflance of our decla-
rations. Every fuccccding petition, however, was treat-
ed with new and greater infult, and was anfwered by
ac^^s of parliament, Vv'hich for their cruelty will be a llaiii
upon the annals of the kingdom, and bring the charader
of the nation itfelf into dilgrace.

Single a6ls of inhumanity may be accounted for from
the depravity of an individual; but what (hill we fay of
<n2Mt and numerous aflemblies, enaiftin^ fuch laws as the
EoUon port bill, which reduced at once fo many people to
beggary, and their property itfelf to nothing — the ac'^t
permitting thofe charged with murdering Americans, to
be fent to England to b'e tried, that is to fav, either not \Q

Vol. IV. 3 A

3 7 o Memorial and Manijesio

be tried at all, or certainly abfolved — the a8: appointing
Americans taken at fea, to be turned before the maft in
Englifh fliips, and obliged either to kill their own rela-
tions, or be killed by them — -and the aft appointing Ame-
rican prifoners to be fent to the Eall-Indies as flaves.
But what is of all moll aftonifhing is, that they never
failed to extol their own lenity, when paffing fuch adts as
filled this whole continent with refentment and horror.
To crown the whole, the lafl petition fent by congrefs to
the king, which befeeched him to appoint some 7node by
which our complaints might be remedied, and a way be
paved for reconciliation, was treated with abfolute con-
tempt, and no anfwer given to it of any kind. Thus was
all intercourfe broken up. We were declared rebels ; and
they themfelves niufl confefs, that no alternative was left
us, but either to go with ropes about our necks, and fub-
mit ourfelves, not to the king, but to the kingdom of En-
gland, to be trampled under foot, or rifle all the confe-
quences of open and vigorous refiflance.

The lall part of the alternative we chofe without hefita-
lion ; and as it was impolTible to preferve civil order any
longer under the name and form of a government which
we had taken arms to oppofe, we found it abfolutely ne-
celTary to declare ourfelves independent of that prince who
had thrown us out of his protedion. This great ftep was
taken with the full approbation, and indeed at the ardent
defire of the public at large. The extent and growth of
the colonies feemed, in the nature of things, to call for
iuch a feparation long before ; yet it would not probably
have happened for many years, if it had not been forced
upon us by the conduct of our unkind parent herfelf —
The thing irKl.eed feems to have been the purpofe of God
Almighty ; for every meafure of the court of Great-Bri-
tain had the mod direcl tendency to haften, and render it
unavoidable.

We mufl; take notice, that before the declaration of in-
dependence, there was fomething like an attempt to re-
concile us, commonly called lord North's conciliatory
but it was fo trifling in its nature, and infidious

of the United States. 371

in its form, that probably no fuccefs was expe£led from
it, even by thofe who contrived it. Who does not per-
ceive in it an artful attempt to divide us ? and that while
every thing elfe is left in the greateil uncertainty, the
main point for which we contended is clearly decided
againft us ?

After the declaration of independence, lord and general
Howe brought out a comniiffion ^ov gimng peace to Ame-
rica, But as they had not liberty {o much as to aclcnow-
ledge us by an open treaty, fo the fubftance of what they
offered was pardon upon fubmiflion ; that the parliamenc
would revife the ads they had pafled, and if any of them
were found improper, they would amend them : which, in
one word, amounted to this, that they would do for us
what they themsehes thought good. Thefe offers, howe-
ver, poor as they were, came too late. So important a
flep as the declaration of independence, could not be re-
called ; and the formidable armament fent out againfl us
in the year 1776, rendered it more neceffary than ever.
We are forry to be obliged to take notice of the manner
of condudling the war. It would be for the honor of hu-
manity, that it could be buried in oblivion. Many were
the inflances of perfons, after they had fubmitted and
begged mercy on their knees, being murdered in cold
blood. The treatment of prifoners was from the begin-
ning, and has continued through the war, with fome ex-
ceptions, favage and barbarous to the lail degree. Multi-
tudes, before any exchange took place, died by famine
and ftench. Many were, by threatening and ill ufage, con-
llrained to enlill in their enemy's fervice ; and many were
forced on board their (hips ot" war, or fent to Britain to
rot in prifon, at a diftance from their friends, without
hope of relief. It is not eafy to enumerate the houfes and
even towns which have been wantonly burnt, or to de-
fcribe the devaftation of the country, and robbery of the
inhabitants, wherever the army paffed. To this may be
added, hiring the favages to come upon the back fettle-
ments. There is the greater fliame in this expedient,
that they are not formidable either for their number or
their valor, but for thefiiockine manner in v/hich they

Memorial and Manifesto

torture their prifoners, and murder women and infants
who fall into their hands. Civilized nations will perhaps
find it hard to beheve this reprefentation ; but every part
of it can be fupported by the moft unqueitionable fads,
and it is rendered credible not only by the circumftance
that civil wars are carried on commonly with a rancour
and animonty greater than thole between independent na-
tions, but by the expreffions of hatred and contempt which
have been ufed with refped to the Americans, by almoft
every fpeaker and writer in England. What effect could
iu'ch language have on the minds of the foldiery, but to
Heel them againll all impreffions of pity and tendernefs,
as we find was really the cafe, till they were reftrained ia
fome degree, by the fear pf retaliation upon their people
in our hands.

At lad, after four years of real, and near two years of
profeiled and declared independence, it pleafed God to
incline the heart of the king of France to give relief to
the opprefTed, by entering into a treaty with the United
States, on the moft liberal and difinterefted principles.
No exclufive privileges are there ftipulated for the French
nation, but the fecure, open and equal intercourfe to
■which all other nations are invited. This acknowledg-
ment and fupport from one of the moft powerful mo-
narchs in Europe, it may eafily be fuppofed gave a new
turn to our affairs, and a new dignity to our caufe. The
terms of this trea^ty, {q favorable to us, as well as honora-
ble to our ally, cannot fail to add the bond of gratitude to
that of juftice, and make our adherence to it inviolable.

Not long after this treaty was figned, the court and
parliament of Great-Britain fent out commiffioners to
make an offer of terms, which we readily confefs were
not only as good, but better, than what three years before
would have been chearfully accepted. But the ground
was now wholly changed! We were offered freedom
from taxes, and even a fpecies of independence itfelf^
upoii the easy terrris of breaking our faith fo lately pledg-
ed, and uniting our force with that of Great-Britain ;
and both would doubtlels have been immediately em-
ployed in taking vengeance on France for the affiftance

of the United States. 373

fhe had lent to us in our diflrefs. Yet even here, the
whole was to be fubjedt to the revifion of parliament ; that
is to fay, any part of the agreement might be approved or
reje6ted as to the wifdom of that aflembly fhould fcem meet.

Thefe lail propofals from Great-Britain, deferve very
particular notice. They are a clear dereli«5llon of the firfl
eaufe of quarrel, and an ample confeflion that the de-
niands of America were jufl ; while the time and circum-
flances of their being made, fhevv that they could not be
accepted with any regard either to juftice, grr.titude, or
policy. Could Vv'c be guilty of a dire6t breach of faith,
v/hen the ink was hardly dry by which our ratification of
the treaty was marked ? Could we inflantly forget thofe
favors which had been fo earnellly folicited, as well as
generouily bellowed ? Could we, who had not entered
into a league ofifenfive and defenfive with France, except
for the prefent firuggle in our own behalf, becaufe we
did not wifh to be involved in the wars of Europe, throw
ourfelves into the arms of an hoftile nation, and promife
to make peace or war with her, againft our benefadlors I

Upon the whole, fmce the American colonies v/ere,
from their extent and fituation, ripe for a feparation from
Great-Britain, and the nature of things feemed to demand
it; fmce their growing power, added to that of Great-
Britain, would give her fuch a dominion of the feaj'as
mull be dangerous to the liberty and commerce of other
nations ; fmce, by her own adls of opprefTion, fhe has
alienated the minds of the Americans, and compelled
them to eltablilh independent governments, which have
now taken place ; and fmce thefe governments, Avhich
are diftindl though confederated, wholly fettled upon re-
publican principles and fit only for agriculture and com-
merce, cannot be an objedt of jealoufy to other powers,
but by free and open intercourfe with them a general be-
nefit to all ; it is to be hoped that the revolution which
they have effei^ted, will meet with univerfal approbation.

[ 375 J

ON THE

N T E

BETWEEN

G R£ A T-B R I T A I N and AMERICA.

Philadelphia^ September 3, 1778,
Dear Sir,

YOUR very acceptable letter of the 21(1: of March,
I received about the middle of June, and would
have anfwered it long ago, if there had been any encou-
raging profpe6t of conveying it fafely. As to writing you
a fliort letter that mud have gone open through the ene-
my's pofls, I did not think it worth while. 1 have how-
ever now come to a refolution of writing you pretty fully,
and trying to convey it by France or Holland ; and if it
flioald fall into their hands, and never get to your's, there
will be no other lofs than my time in writing ; for as to
any other confequences, either to the public or to myfelf,
I have not the lead apprehenfion.

Your letter came to mc fealed, and apparently never
opened, in a packet from the Britilh commillioners, which
arrived at York-town while the congrefs was fetting ; and
confequently it, as well as one from Mr. F , v/as de-
livered to me in prefence of the whole members. As

376 On the Contest beiwceH

the fame packet, befides the public melTage, contained
fome private letters addrefTecl to particular members, fome '
of them frotn governor Johnflone, one of the commiffion-
ers, a propofal was made by a member, who read public-
ly one received by himfelf, that every gentleman who had
received private letters from any perfon with the enemy,
fhould deliver them to congrefs, that they might be read.
This would have been attended with no difficulty as to me;
except fome family affairs in Mr. F 's letter very im-
proper to be publicly read, and fome expreffions in his let-
ter a little offenfive fpeaking of congrefs. However, it was '
not done at that time ; and afterwards, in a diet at many
days diflance, every member who had received any fuch
letters, was called upon to read from them what related to
public affairs, which was done.

I am and have been greatly concerned, as you feem to
be, for the conted between Great-Britain and America;
and certainly, from my own intereft,' have by far the
greateft reafon of the two; and as I fuppofe it will be
agreeable to you, fhall make a few obfervations, i. upon
the public caufe, and 2. on my own condu6l, which I
underfiand from many different quarters, to be highly
blamed in my native country.

As to the public caufe, I look upon the feparation of
America from Britain to be the vifible intention of Provi-
dence ; and believe that in the iffue it will be to the benefit
of this country, without any injury to the other — perhaps
to the advantage of both. It feems to me the intention
of Providence for many reafons, which I cannot now
enumerate, but in a particular manner for the following —
that I cannot recolleft any inflance in hidory, in which
a perfon or people have fo totally and uniformly miftaken
the means for attaining their own ends, as the king and
parliament of Britain have in this contefl. I do ferioufly
and pofitively afHrm to you, my dear fir, that it is my opini-
on,that congrefs itfelf, if they hadbi^en todireclthe meafures
of the Britifli miniflry, could not or woukl not have dl-
reded them to meafures fo effectual to forward and efta-
bliih the independence of America, as thofe which they chofe
of their own accord. They have had a miftakea opinion

Greai'Brhaln and A?7ierica, ^17

of the flate of things in America, from the beginning to
this hour, and have founded their whole condud upon
their miflakes. They fuppofed fometimes, that the peo-
ple of America in general were feditious and fadlious —
defirous of a feparation from Great-Britain, and that their
conduft on occafion of the (lampadl was th^ efFedl of this
difpofltion. Nothing could be more untrue. I am a wit-
nefs that the people of this country had an efleem of, and
attachment to the people of Great-Britain, exceedingly
flrong. They were proud of them, and of their own de-
fcent from them. Britifh fafhions, Britifli goods, and
even Britifh petfons, w^re in the highefl efteem. A p«?r-
fon educated in the old countries had a degree of rank and
credit from that circumltance, independent of every other.
I think they were even partial in this refpedl. I believe,
had I myfelf been born and educated in America, I fliould
have met with a degree of acceptance and fuccefs in my
ftation, far inferior to what adlually happened. When an
American fpoke of going to England, he always called it
going home ; and wherever you are in this country, you
meet with ajmofl nothing but counties, townfliips and
houfes, called by Englilh names. I live at Princeton in
Middlefex county ; and on the oppofite fide of the (Ireet
is Somerlet county, and indeed 1 believe all the counties
in New-Jerfcy, are called by Engli/h names.

From this I defire that you may infer, that the oppofi-
tion made to the claims of parliament, arofe from a deep
and univerfal convidlion in the people, that they were in-
confident with their own fecurity and peace. In this I am
fatisfied that they judged right ; for had the claim fet up
been acquiefced in, the provincial aflemblies Vvould have
become contemptible and ufelefs, and the whole colonies
no better than a parcel of tributary Hates, v/hich, placed
at fo great a diftance, vvould have been, from error, igno-
rance and felf-interfefl, loaded in the mod infupportable
manner.

Another midake, into which the miniHry and parlia-
ment of England fell, was that this was a deepflaid fcheme
of a hw artful and defigning men, who ftirred up the
niultitude for their own ends ; that the fentiments in fa

Vol. IV. 3 B

37^ '^ On the Contest^ ^c,

vor of America, were by no means general ; but that the
artful leaders impofed upon them. This I have feen af-
ferted from the beginning to the end of the quarrel ; and
to complete the abfurdity, the very commiffioners now-
here from Britain, continue to reafon in the fame man-
ner — impeach the congrefs with ambitious and defigning
views, and feem difpofed to appeal to the people, Alas I
they know nothing of the matter. The Qongrefs is a
changeable body : members are going from it, and com-
ing to it every month, nay every week. — —

C 379 ] '

ON THE

AFFAIRS

OF THE

UNITED STATES,

Tusculum^near Princeton, March 20, 1780.
Dear Sir,

I HAVE received a letter from you, dated June 11,
1778, a few days after I had written to you a long
letter of the date September 21, that year. The defign of
it was to defire me to enquire after, and endeavor to pro-
cure the enlargement of one Alexander Muirhead, fuppo-
fed to be carried into Bollon, I immediately wrote to
Bofton myfelf, and caufed one of the delegates of that ftate
alfo to write ; but we could hear nothing of him, fo that
probably he was not carried into that place.

Your favor of March 19, 1779, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of mine of the 2 id of September preceding, I re-
ceived in the month of Augufl lad year. I am to blame
in not anfwering it fooner ; but I had no inclination to
fend an open letter through the Englilli polls, and any
proper opportunity of fending it another way feldom oc-
curs. This goes by a gentleman who means to get to
Europe upon bufinefs, and has promifed to take particular

3 So On the Affairs of

care of it ; fo that I mean to embrace the opportunity of
writing to you and fome other of my friends. I am
obliged to you for your particular private home news about
Glafgow, and would be glad of the continuance of fuch
intelligence, and the more fo, if you would take in Paifley
alfo.

I have been, fmce I wrote you lafl, in general in good
health, and indeed am at prefent in better health than I
have been fmce I had the laft fit. Excepting thefe fits,
and the weaknefs that followed upon them, my health has
been good ever fmce I came to America ; and that weak-
nefs has been chiefly a fwimming in my head, and fear
and uncertainty when I went to make a long difcourfe in
public. It was the opinion of Dr. Rufti, that thefe fits
were fomething of the apopledlic kind. It is remarkable
that for thefe twelve months pad I have had almoft con-
ftantly a fucceffion of pimples, or rather fmall biles or
blotches, about the temples, within the hair, and fometimes
on the forehead; fince which time I have been fenfibly
better and freer from the other complaint.

I have now left congrefs, not being able to fupport the
expenfe of attending it, vi^ith the frequent journeys to
Princeton, ancj being determined to give particular atten-
tion to the revival of the college. Profeflor Houfton,
however, our profefTor of mathematics, is a delegate thia
year ; but he tells me he will certainly leave it next No-
vember. I tnention this circumftance to confirm what I
believe I wrote you formerly, that the members of con-
grefs in general, not only receive no profit from that of*
fice, but I believe five out of fix of them, if not more, are
great loofers in their private affairs. This cannot be other-
wife ; for as none of the delegates are allowed to have any
lucrative oflfice whatever, either in their own ftate or for the
United States, though their expenfes fhould be fully borne,
their time is taken up, and their own private eftates are
neglefted. At the end of the year 1778, I gave notice to
our legiflature that they muft either not chufe me at all, or
leave me at full liberty to attend only when I could con-
veniently. They chofe me however, and I made a good
d^al of ufe of that liberty in the year 1779 ; and this year

the United States. 381

all the delegates were changed but one, who had only
been in one year, and who has not a houfe to go home to,
his eftate being in the neighborhood of New- York.

My family are well fo far as I know. The truftees
of the college have lad September chofe my fon-in law,
Mr. Smith, profefTor of moral philolbphy. , He came to
Princeton with his family in December. To him 1 ;^ave
up my houfe at college, and devolved upon him the whole
bufinefs of boarding young gentlemen, and retired to my
houfe in the country, at the diftance of one mile, and ia
full fight of Princeton. This I have had in view for
fome years, and intend to fpend the remainder of my
life, if poffible, hi otio cum dignitate. You know 1 was
always fond of being a fcientiiic farmer. Thatdifpofitioa
has not loft but gathered ftrength, fince my being in Ame-
rica. In this refped I got a dreadful ftroke indeed from
the Englifh when they were here, they having feized and
moftly deftroyed my whole Hock, and commit:ed fuch
ravages that we are not yet fully recovered from it. My
(now) eldeft fon failed in October laft for France, with
Mr. Girard and Mr. Jay, late prefident of congrefs. He
is to purchafe a few medicints and inftruments in Eu-
rope, and return to profecute his bufinefs as a phyfician.
My other fon was fludyinor law ; but for the mean while,
is private fecretary to the prefent prefident of Congrefs,
and my youngeft daughter is at home*

As to public aflPairs, it feems to be yet uncertain whe-
ther we fhall have peace foon. Greatly do I and many
others in America defire it ; and yet, were our condition
ten times worfe than it is, nothing fliort of the clear inde-
pendence of this country would be accepted. I obferve,
by your letter of the 19th of March laft year, that you had
a high opinion of your fuccelles at St. Lucia, in Georgia,
and againft the French trade. I believe before the end of
the campaign, there was little reafon to boaft of your fuc-
cefs upon the whole. I mentioned to you in my laft how
obftinately the court of England continued in erroneous
opinions refpedling America ; and now I think that ob-
ftinacy has become incurable. It is plain that they ftili

383 On the Affairs of

harp upon the fame firing, that a few leading men in
congrefs (lir up the people, and pcrfuade them to conti-
nue the conteft. Allow me to affure you that this is one
of the mod abfurd and groundlefs opinions that ever was
formed. The congrefs is changing every day. There is
no inftance in the whole conteft, in which the public opi.
nion did not go before their refolutions. To go back to
the very beginning-— the declaration of independence was
forced upon the majority of the then congrefs, by the
people in general; and, in confequence of fubfequent
elections, every fix months that I have been in congrefs
has weakened the party that was fufpedted of coldnefs
upon that fubjedt ; and aow perhaps I may fay it is an-
nihilated.

I have read lately your parliamentary enquiry into the
caufes of your want of fuccefs in America. The exami-
nation of Galloway in particular is a curiofity. I know
that he, and fuch as he, are blinded and ftupified to an
almoft incredible degree, by their prejudices ; and yet it
is hard to fuppofe that he thought as he faid in all points.
For example, when he endeavors to make it believed that
the difficulty of fupplying general Wafliington's army
arofe from the difafFedtion of the country to his caufe. I
admit that he was in the winter 1777^ in a part of the
country where there are more people either cool or difaf-
fecled to the caufe of America, than in any other on the
continent ; and yet his v/ant of fupplies did not arife from
that in the lead degree. It arofe from the ftate of our mo-
ney. If he and his commifTaries had had as much, hard
money as general Howe, he would have had all the pro.
vilions in the country laid dov/n at his tent door.

I am not only fully fenfible, by a general knowledge of
the country in this and other dates, that the public mind
is entirely on the fide of liberty, and for the independence
of America — but I could mention a great many fa£ts and
circumllances as evidences of it, (Ironger than could well
be imagined, and indeed which have turned out ilronges;
than even my expectations. One circum (lance is alone
decifive upon this fubjed, which is well known to your»
felves, that the moment your army leaves any part of the

the United States. 3 S3

country, it Is not only loft to you, but returns fo ftrongly
to the intereft of congrefs, that all the perfons known to
have been attached to you are obliged to fly with terror
and confufion. But there is another ftrong circumilance.
the univerfal attachment of the people to the French alli-
ance. In vain have your partifans endeavored to alarm
the people with the fears of popery and arbitrary power.
It makes not the leall imprellion even upon the common
people.

Pieafe to attend to the cireum (lance I am going to
mention ; becaufe it furprifed myfelf when 1 obfervcd it.
There are always, you know, little feuds and contentions,
jealoufy and emulation, in every fociety and in every af-
fociation. Both in congrefs and in the country, I have
obferved that wlien one fet or fadlion wants lo make the
other odious, they charge them with being cold to the
French alliance, and ungrateful to them for their fervices.
This, to my knowledge, has been the fubjeiSt of mutual re-
proaches, when I do not believe there was any truth in it
on either fide. Would you think it — fome have ferioufly
attempted to perfuade me that the New-England dele*,
gates were cold to the French, and inclined to the En-
glifh ; to which I anfwered, that I well knew the contrary,
but that they were of an independant fpirit, and woulci
not eafily fubmit to unwarrantable influence, either from
the French or the Englifli, I mention all this fmgly with
this view, to (hew you the bent and inclination of the pub-
lie mind.

I have been lately reading over governor Johnfton's
fpeech after his return, in which to my amazement he po-
fitively and publicly denies his having fent any meflage
by a lady to Mr. Reed. The thing is now publicly known
and confelTed. He fays they would have named the lady
if there had been any fuch thing, Mr. Reed forbore
naming the lady out of tendernefs to her ; but it has now

come out. It was Mrs. F , daughter of the late

Dr, G , married to Mr. F , fon of R. F ,

of . What Ihould people think of perfons

of his character fo boldly and folcmnly to deny a certain
fa6t.

384 ^^ ^"be Affairs^ ^c.

I will mention another circumftance to you. The dif-
trefs of this country by the depreciation of the money,
has been very great. Many have fufFered great lofFes ;
not a few have been utterly ruined. Yet I never could
perceive that this altered the inclination of the people as
to the public caufe, in the lead. Nay, notwithllanding
the dreadful complaints made againll particular claffes of
men, fuch as foredallers and engroflers, commifTaries and
quartermafters, yet I am perfaaded that any body who
ftiould but propofe to return to fubmiffion to England for
relief from their depredations, would be torn in pieces.

[ 3^5 ]

OBSERVATIONS

ON TH£

IMP ROVEMENr OF AMERICA..

-^^TORTH AMERICA Is at prefent from the natural
^ ij courfe of things, in a growing fiate. It will there-
fore of itfelf, for :i feries of years, gradually improve. There
are however many things by which that improvement
may be facilitated or retarded ; and it is the laudable pur-
pcfe of this fociety, to attend to thefe circumflances v;ith
care, and ufe their utmcil endeavors to encourage the one
and to remjove the other. Having had the honor of bein^
admitted a member of this fociety, and not having it much
in my power any otherwife to promote American im-
provements, I could not refill the inclination I felt to di-
gell and put in writing, a few reflections upon the police
of countries in general, the great principles on which the
Philadelphia Society ought to proceed, and perhaps I may
propofe fome particular regulations.

I. The moral caufes of the profperity of a country, are
almofl infinitely more powerful than tliofe that are only
occafional. This obfcrvation is taken from Montefquieu,
by whom it is admirably illuftrated, and it ought never to
be out of view, with ihofe wlio wifl^ to promote the p^ene-
ral good. The moral caufes arile from the nature of the
government, including the adminiRrationof juflice, liber-
ty of confcience, the partition of property. The rife of a
particular town, the cultivation and beauty of a particular

Vol. IV. 7 G

^6 Observe atlons, "^c.

quarter of a country, may fometimes bejuflly afcribedto
the furprifing efFe£ls of a (in!>Ie perfon who fet the exam-
ple ; yet he was only the occafion, properly fpeaking, of
the vigorous eKertion. The confequences could never
be general or fafting, if there was not a difpofition to it in
the conftitution of the country. Therefore, a facred re-
gard fhould be had by every lover of mankind, to the prin-
ciples of equity and liberty, that they may never be vio-
lated by any public proceedings. Pennfylvania is fo hap-
py in this particular, that its coniiitution need not be im-
proved, but preferved and defended.

2. It is extremely difHcuIt, after you depart from ge-
neral principles, to difcover what particular regulations
will be for the intereft of a country. It requires a very
comprehenfive mind, and a thorough knowledge of the
courfe of trade and police in general, Befides, it is not
only difHciilt, but impoflible to forefee what circumftances
may afterwards occur. Many things are ufeful and ex-
pedient at one time, which in a few years become unne-
cefTary or hurtful. Nay, many felfifli laws have operated
from the beginning, in a manner diredlly contrary to what
was expelled. The incorporation of trades in the cities
in Britain, is an inftance of the firll : and almoil every
law made to the prejudice of Ireland, is an example of the

C 387 ]

*^«^.^,/\ry^

SUPPLICATION-

J.R*

O F

« ^ ^. ^ * :» ^

To Ms Excellency Henry Laurens^ Esquire^ President^
and other, tbt Members of the Honorable^ the Ameri"
can Congress^ ^c. ^c, ^c.

The humble representation and earnest supplication ofj^
R ^, printer and bookseller in Nev^-Vorky

Respectfully sheweth,

THAT a great part of the Britifh forces has already
left this, city, and from many fymptoms there is
reafon to fufpedl, that the remainder will fpeedily follow
them. Where they are gone or going, is perhaps known
to the mfelves, perhaps not; certainly however, it is un-
known to us, the loyal inhabitants of the place, and other
friends of government who have taken refuge in it, and
who are therefore filled, with diftrefs and terror on the ua-
happy occafion.

That as foon as the evacuation is completed, it is more
than probable, the city will be taken polTeflion of by the
forces of your high mightinefies, followed by vaft crouds
of other perfons — whigs by nature and profefTion — friends
to the liberties, and foes to the enemies of America.
Above all, it will undoubtedly be filled v^ith Ihoah of

3^3 Supplication of J. i?-

Yankies, that is to fay, the natives and inhabitants (or as
a great lady in this metropolis generally expreffes it^ the
wretchesj of New-England.

That from feveral circumllances, there is reafon to fear
that the behavior of the wretches aforefaid, may not be al-
together gentle to fuch of the friends of government as
iliall flay behind. What the governing powers of the Hate
of New- York may do alfo, it is iinpoiTible to foretel. Nay,
who knows but we may foon fee, in propria persona^ a$
•we have often heard of Horientius^ the governor of New-
Jerfey, a gentleman remarkable for feverely handling
thofe whom he calls traitors, and indeed who has exalted
fome of tiiem (quanqiiarn animus meminifie horret le6lu-
que refugit) to a high, though dependent ftation, and
brought America under their feet, in a fenfe very different
from v/hat Lord North meant when he firfl ufed that cele-
brated expreffion.

That your petitioner in particular, is at the greatefllofs
Jwhat to refolve upon, or how to fnape his courfe. He has
no defire at all, either to be roaftsd in Florida, or frozen
to death in Canada or Nova Scotia. Being a great lover
of frelh cod, he has had thoughts of trying a fettlement in
Newfoundland, but recollecting that the New-England
men have almofl all the fame appetite, he was obliged to
relinquilh that proje£l entirely. If he Ihould goto Great-
Britain, dangers no lefs formidable prefent themfelves.
Having been a bankrupt in London, it is not impoflible
that he might- be accommodated with a lodging in New-
gate, and that the ordinary there, might oblige him to fay
his prayers, a pradlice from which he hath had an infupe^
rable averiion all his life long.

In this dreadful dilemm.a, he hath at lead determined to
apply to your high mightinefles, and by this memorial to
lay himself at your Jeet^ which he affures you, is the true
modilh pitrafe for refpe^lful fubmlffion, according to the
prefent c-tiqtiette of the court. Being informed however,
that fome of you are Prcfbyterians and ReligioniflG, he
has been alfo at fome pains to find out a fcripture war-
rant or example for his prefent conduct, and has happily
found it, in the advice given by the fervants of Benhadad,

BuppUcatlon of J. R ", 38^

king of Syria, to their mader, i Kings xx. 31. And his
ser'-cants said unto him^ behold noiv we haiie heard that
the kings of Israel arc mercifid kings : Let us u^e pray
thecy put sackcloth upon our loins, and ropes upon our
heads, and go out to the king of Israel, per adventure he
may save thy life. So they girded sackcloth upon their
loins, and put ropes upon their heads, and came to the
king of Israel, and said. Thy servant Benhadad saith, I
pray thee let me live. In like manner, O molt mighty

and venerable Congrefs-men, your fervant J. R

faith, I pray you let me live.

Having thus preferred my petition, I muft now intreat
leave to lay before your high mightinefles, lundry reafons,
which I hope will incline you to lend a favorable ear to it,
in doing which, I fliall ufe all poffible plainnefs and candor.

I. In the firft place, there cannot polTibly be any danger
to the United States, in fuffering me to live. I know
many of you think and fay, that atory heart acquires fuch
a degree of fournefs and malevolence, in addition to its
jiative ftock, and fuch a habit of treachery, by breaking
through the moft endearing ties of nature, that no good
can be expetSled from it, nor any dependance placed upon
it, let pretences or appearances be what they will. I re-
member alio, about feven years ago a certain perfon hear-
ing accidently one or two paragraphs read from the wri-
tings of an eminent controverfial divine in this country,
faid, That fellow mud be a turn coat ; it is impoffible that
he could have been educated in the profeffioa which he
now defends. What is your reafon for that opinion ?
faid another gentleman who was prefent — Becaufe, fays
he, he difcovers a rancor of fpirit and rottennefs of heart,
unattainable by any other clafs of men. But I contend
that thefe remarks relate only to the natives of this coun-
try, who like parricides took up arms for her de(lru61:ion ;
and to apodates in religion; neither of which, 1 am certain,
can be applied to me. I was born, as is well known, in
old England ; and as for the accufation of apodacy, 1 fet
it at defiance, unlefs a man can be faid to fall oil from
what he was never on, or to depart from a place which he
never faw.

39<b Supplication of J, R-

But what I beg of you particularly to obferve is, that let
the difpofition to mifchief be as great as you pleafe, where
the ability is wanting, there can be no danger. I have
often feen the lions in the tower of London without fear,
becaufe there was an iron grate between me and them.
Now it is certain that the tories in general, would do any
thing fooner than fight. Many of them became tories for
no other reafon, than that they might avo'd fighting. The
poor chicken-hearted creatures cried out to the potent
King of England, to take them under his winp^s for pro-
tection, which he endeavored to do, but they were too (liort
to cover them. Even the late petition for arms in which
they promifed to go without the lines, and fweep you all
away with the befom of deftruclion, was but an idle rho-
domontade— It was fomething like a poor boy fhouting
and finging in the dark, to kee»phimfelf from being afraid.
At that very time, to my certain knowledge thsy would
have given the world for a place to fly to, out of the reach
of Wafliington and Gates. But I return to myfelf, <?§-<^
met sum prox'imus mihi. I can affure your high mighti*-
ueffes, that no dani^er can arife from me, for I am as
great a coward as King James the Vlth of Scotland, who
could never fee a naked iword without trembling ; having
been, as it is faid, frightened in his mother's belly, when
the fierce barrons of that country came in, and killed Da^
vid Rizzio in his prefence, I was once feverely caned
by a Scots officer now (if employed) in your fervice.
Though the gentlemen of that choleric nation have beea
very much our friends in the prefent controverfy, I find
it is dangerous to offend them. Buchanan their own hif-
torian fays, perfervidum eft Scotorum in genium. There-
fore by the by, or en palTant, for I fuppofe you are at
prefent beft pleafed with French phrafes, I would advife
every man who regards his own peace, however fmooth
and gentle a Scotchman may appear, not to take him
against the hair, as the faying is in their own country,
biit to remember the motto that furrounds the thiftle. Ne-
mo me impune lacessat, I Alfo very narrowly efcaped a
found beating from a New-England parfon, who was
ilrong enough, without either cane or cudgel, to have pound-

Stipplication of J, R ■ ■ % 39/^

ed me to a mummy. All this, and much more of the
fame kind, I bore with the mod exemplary patience and
fubmiflion. Perhaps it will be laid, that though no dan-
ger is to be apprehended from any deeds, yet I may do
harm enough by words and writing. To this I anfwer,
that I have expended and exhaufted my whole faculty of
that kind in the fervice of the Englifh. 1 have tried falfe-
hood and mifreprefentation in every lliape that could be
thought of, fo that it is like a coat thrice turned that will

not hold a fmgle ft itch. My friend^ Gen. Ro n,

told me foiTie time ago in my own (hop, that I had carried
things fo far that people could not believe one word I faid,
even though it were as true as the gofpel. From all this I
hope it plainly appears that there could be no danger from
me ; and therefore as you cannot furely think of being
cruel for cruelty's fake, that you will fuffer me to live.

II. Any further punifliment upon me, or any other of
the unhappy refugees who fhall remain in N. York, will
be altogether unnecelTary, for they do fuffer and will fuf-
fer from the nature of the thing, as much as a merciful
man could wilh to impofe upon his greateil enemy. By
this 1 mean the dreadful mortification (after our paft puiF-
ing and vaunting) of being under the dominion of the Gon-
grels, feeing and hearing the condud and difcourfe of the
friends of America, and perhaps being put in mind of our
own, in former times. You have probably feen many of
the Englifh newfpapers, and alfo fome of mine, and you
have among you the/iriu prifoners who by a miracle efca-
ped death in our hands. By all thcfe means you may learn
with what infinite contempt, with what provoking infult,
and with what unexampled barbarity, your people have,
from the beginning to the end, been treated by the Britifli
officers, excepting a very fmall number, but above all by
the tories and refugees, who not having the faculty of fight-
ing, were obliged to lay out their whole wrath and ma-
lice in the article of fpeaking. I remember, when one of
the prifoners taken after the gallant defence of Fort
Wafliington had received fcveral kicks for not being
in his rank, he faid, is this a way oF treating a gentleman ?
The anfwer was, gentlemen ? G— d n your blood

392 Supplication of J, R-

who made you a gentleman ? which was heard by us alt
prefeiit with urifpeakable fatisfa(5lion, and ratified by ge-
neral applaufe. I have alfo feen one of your officers, af-
ter long imprifonment, for want of clothes, food and lodg-
ing, as meagre as a Ikeleton and as dirty and fhabby as a
London beggar, when one of our friends would fay with
infinite humour, look you there is one of King Gongs^s rag-
ged rafcals. You mull remember the many fweet names
given you in print, in England and America, Rebels,
Rafcals, RaggamufFms, Tatterdemdiions, fcoundrels,
Blackguards, Cowards, and Poltroons. You cannot be-
ignorant how many and how complete vidlories we gain-
ed over you, and what a fine figure you made in our nar-
ratives. We never once made you to retreat^ feldom
even Kojly as a routed army, but to run cffinto the 'vooodSy
to scamper away through the Ji elds ^ and to take to your
heels as usuaL You will probably foon fee the gazette
account of the defeat of Mr. Wafhington at Monmouth^
There it will appear how you fcampered off, and how the
Englifh followed you and miOwed you down, till their of-
ficers, with that humanity which is the characteristic of
the ?iation, put a flop to this carnage, and tli^n by a maf-
terly firoke of generalfhip, floie a march in the night, left
you fliould have fcampe red back again and obliged them
to make a new flaughter in the morning.

Nov/, dear gentlemen, confider what a miferable affair
it muii: be for a man to be obliged to apply with humility
and felf-abafement to thole whom he hath fo treated, nay^.
even to beg life of them, v^/hile his own heart upraids him
with his pail conduft, and perhaps his meftiory is refreni-
cd with the repetition of fome of his rhetorical flowers. It
is generally faid that our friend Burgoyne was treated with
abundance of civility by general Gates, aud yet I think
it could not be very pleaiing to him to fee and hear the
boys when he entered Albany, going before and crying
Elbo%v Room for General Burgoyne there. Fear and
trembling have already taken hold of many of the Refu-
gees and friends of government in this place. It would

break your hearts to hear poor Sam. S -, of Phi-

jadclphia, weeping and wailing, and yet he was a peacea-
ble Quaker who did nothing in the world but hire guides

Supplication of J. R — — .— , ^93

to the Englifh parties who were going out to furprize and
butcher you. My brother of trade, G — is fo much A^^ttCi-
ed, that foine fay he has lo(l, or will foon lofe, his reafon.
For my own part I do not think I run any ri(k in that re-
fpedt. All the wifdom that I was ever poficffed of is in me
ftill, praifed be God, and likely to be fo. A man that has
run the gauntlet of creditors, duns, and bailiffs, forye^rs
in England, and has been cudgelled, kicked, and p — d
upon in America, is in no danger of lofmg his reafon by
any circumflance whatever, fo long as there is the lead
profpedt of faving his life. I have heard fome people fay
that di (honor was worfe than death, but with the great
Sancho Pancha, I was always of a different opinion. I
hope, therefore, your honors will confider my fuffcrings
as fufficient to atone for my offences, and allow me to
continue in peace and quiet, and according to the North-
Britifh proverb, sleep in a whole skin,

in, I beg leave to fuggell, that upon being received
into favor, I think it would be in my power to ferve the
United States in feveral important refpeds. I believe
many of your officers want politenefs. They are like old
Cincinnatus, taken from the plow ; and therefore muft
Hill have a litilc roughnefs in their manners and deport-
ment. Now^ I myfelf am the pinkof courtefy, a genteel,
portly, well-looking fellow, as you will fee in afuminer's
day. I underftcind and poffcfs the bienseance, the manner^
itiQgrace, fo largely infilled on by lord Ghellerfield ; and
may without vanity fay, I could teach it better than his
lordfhip, who in that article has remarkably failed. I
hear with pleafure, that your peopk are pretty good fcho-
lar3, and have made particularly very happy advances ia
the art of fwearing, [o effentially neceffary to a gentleman.
Yet I dare fay they will themfelves confefs, that they are
Hill in this refpccl far inferior to theEnglifli army. There
is, by all accounts, a coarfenefs and famenefa in their ex-
preffion ; whereas there is variety, fprightlinefs and figure,
in the oaths of gentlemen well educated. Dean Swift
fays very julUy, 'a footman may fwear, but he cannot
fwear like a lord.' Now we have many lords, in the Eng-
lifh army, all of whom, when here, were pleafed to honor

Vol, IV. 3D

394 Supplication of J. R-

ine with their friend(hip and intimacy ; fo that Ihopetiif
qualifications can hardly be difputed. 1 have imported
niany of the mod necefiary articles for appearance in
genteel life. I can give them Lav( rnitti's foap-balls, to
wafh their brown hands clean, perfumed gloves, paint,
powder, and pomatum. I can alfo furnilh the New-En-
gknd men with rings, feals, Avords, canes, fnuff-boxes,
tvveeser-cafes, and many other fuch notions^ to carry home
to their wives and millrelTes, who will be «^//^;/-glad to
fee them. <You are alfo to know that I import a great ma-
ny patent medicines, which may be of ufe to your army.
It is faid that forne of them are exceedingly liable to a dif.
Oi'der called b}' phyficians the rancomania, which is fre-
quently follov/ed by the two twin difeafes of plumbopho-
bia and fiderophdbia. If they will but fubmit to a flridt
regimen, and take the tindure drops and pills which I
prepare, I am confident the cure in molt cafes would be
infallible.

I have been informed, that a certain perfon, well known
to your auguft body, has clearly demonllrated that virtue
und feverity of manners are neceffary to thofe who would
pull an old government down, which fete is now happily
accomplilhed ; but that luxury, diflipation, and ataile for
pleafures, are equally necelTary to keep up a government
already fettled. As I fuppofe you are fully convinced of
this moil falutary truth, I take it for granted, now that you
have fettled governments in all the Hates, you are looking
out for proper perfons to foften the rigid virtue of the
Americans, and lay them afleep in the lap of felf-indul-
gence. Now, I am proud to fay, that there is not a man
on this continent more able to ferve you in this refpe^t,
than myi'elf. I have ferved many of the Britiili officers
in a moft honorable ftation and character, of which the
great Pandarus of Troy v/as the moft ancient example.
If I am happy enough to make my own converfation and
manners the fiandard of the mode, I believe you will fee
Very powerful elFe£ls of it in a (hort time. But if, after
recovering your friendfhip myfelf, I am able alfo to bring

back and reconcile to his country the Rev. Dr. A ,

I believe the fyllem will be perfect. T|iat gentleman, by

Supplication efj, R 3^5

Ills robuft form, is well fitted to be an ecclefiaftical bruifer,
if fuch an officer ihould be needed ; and, with all due
deference to the officers of the American army, I fhould
think that, a better way of terminating differences among
them in the laft refort than fword or pifloj, for many ob-
vious reafons. He has alfo dillinguifhed himfelf by the
publication of fome poems, on fubjedls extremely well
fuited to the charadter of a Chriftian clergyman, and very
proper for initiating the tender mind in the fofteft and
mod delicious of all arts, viz. the art of love.

Finally, I hope I may be of fervice to the United States,
as a writer, publifher, colledor, and maker of news. I
mention this with fome diffidence ; becaufe perhaps you
will think I have foreclofed myfelf from fuch a claim, by
confeffiiig (as above) that my credit as a newf-writer is bro-
ken by over-ftretching. But it is common enough for a
man in bufinefs, when his credit is wholly gone in one
place, by fhifting his ground, and taking a new depar-
ture, to flourifli away, and make as great or greater figure
than before. How long that fplendor will laft is another
matter, and belongs to an after confideration. I might
therefore, though my credit is gone in New- York, fetup
again in the place which is honored with your refidence.
Befides, I might write thofe things only or chiefly, which
you wilh to be difoelieved, and thus render you the mod
effential fervice. This would be aiming and arriving at
the fame point, by maiiceworing retrogade. Once more,
as I have been the ollenfible printer of other people's lies
in New- York, what is to hinder me from keeping incog,
and inventing or polifhing lies, to be iffued from the prefs
of another printer in Philadelphia ? In one, or more, or
all oF thefe ways, I hope to merrit your approbation. It
would be endlefs to mention all my devices ; and there-
fore I will only fay further, that I can take a truth, and
fo puff and fwell and adorn it, ftill keeping the proportion
of its parts, but enlarging their dimenficns, that you could
hardly difcover where the iaJfehood lay, in cafe of a ftri;^
Inveftigation.

396 Supplication of J. R-

That I may not weary you, I conclude with recom*
mending myfelf to your kind countenance and protection ;
and m the mean time, waiting for a favorable arrfwer,
your petitioner, as in duty bound, fhall ever pray, &Co

C 397 ]

RECANTATION

O F

Beiijamin Tozvne.

*the follomng ivas printed in Loudon^ s Neiv-Tork Pach
€t^ published at FishkHly October \st, 1778.

THE follow injy facls are well known, ifl. That I
Benjamin Tovvne ufed to print the Pennfylvania
Evening Poll, under the proteftion of Congrefs, and did
frequently, and earnellly folicit fundry members of the
faid Congrefs for diflertations and articles of intellij^encc,
profefling myfelf to be a very £rm and zealous friend to
American liberty. 2d. That on the Englifli taking pof-
fcffion of Philadelphia, I turned fairly round, and print-
ed my Evening Pofl under the protedion of General
Howe and his army, calling the Conprefs and all their
adherents, rebels, rafcals, and raggamuffins. and feveral
other unfavory names, with which the humane and po-
lite Englifh are pleafed to honor them. Neither did I
ever refufe to infert any difiertation however fcurrilous,
or any artiole of intelligence fent to me, althoufjh many
of them I well knew to be, as a certain pjentleman ele-
gantly exprelTcs it, facts that ncuer happened. 3d. That
I am now willing and defirous to turn once more, to

39^ ' Recantation of

unfay all thtit I have laft faid, and to print and publifh
for the United States of America, which are likely to be
uppermoft, againfl the Britiih tyrant ; nor will I be back-
ward in caUing him, after the example of the great and
eminent author of Common Senfe, The Royal Brute^ or
giving him any other appellation (lill more approbrious^
if fuch can be found.

The fa6ls being thus ftated, (I will prefume to fay al-
together fairly and fully) I proceed to obferve, that I am
not only profcribed by the Prefident and Supreme execu..
tive council of Pennfylvania, but that feveral other per^
fons are for reprobating my paper, and alledge that in-
ftead of being fuffered to print, I ought to be hanged as a
traitor to my country. On this account I have thought
proper to publifh the following humble confefSon, decla-
ration, recantation and apology, hoping that it will af-
fuage the wrath of my enemies, and in fome degree re-
ilore me to the favor and indulgence of the public. In
the firft place then, I dcfire it may be obferved, that I ne-
ver was, nor ever pretended to be a man of character,,
repute or dignity. I was originally an underflrapper to.
tli« Jamous Galloway m his infamous fquabble witb
Goddard, and did in that fervice contrail fuch a habit
of meannefs in thinking, and fcurrility in writing, that
nothing exalted, as brother Bell provedore to the fen-
timentalifts, would fay, could ever be expe£ted from me.
Now, changing fides is not any way furprifing in a per-
fon anfwering the above defcription. I remember to have
read in the Roman hiflory, that when Cato of Utica had
put himfelf to death, being unable to furvive the difFolu-
tlon of the republic, and the extinclion of liberty; ano-
ther fenator of inferior note, whofe name I cannot recoi-
led, did the fame thing. But what thanks did he re-
ceive for this ? The men of refledlion only laughed at
his abfurd imitation of fo great a perfonage, and faid — he
might have lived though the republic had come to its pe-
riod.. Had a Hancock or an Adams changed fides, I
grant you they would have deferved no quarter, and I
believe would have received . none ; but to pafs the fame
judgment on the conducl of an obfcure printer is mit

Benjamin Tawne. , 399

erable reafoning indeed. After all, why fo much noife
about a trifle ? What occafion is there for the public to
pour out ail its wrath upon poor Tovvne; are turn-coats
\o rare ? Do they not walk on every fide ? Have we not

feen Dr. S , J A , T C-: , and

many others who were firft champions for liberty ; then
friends to government, — and now difcover a laudable
inclination to fall into their ranks as quiet and orderly
fubjeds of the commonwealth of Pennfylvania. The
rational moralifts of the laft age ufed to tell us that there
was an efTential difference between virtue and vice, be-
caufe there was an efTential diflerence to be obferved in
the nature and reafon of things. Nov/, with all due de-
ference to thefe great men, I think I am as much of a
philofopher as to know that there are no circum (lances of
adtion, more important than thofe of time and place.
Therefore if a man pay no regard to the changes that
may happen in thefe circumflances, there will be very-
little virtue, and ftill Icfs prudence in his behaviour.
Perhaps I have got rather too deep for common readers,
and therefore fhall afli any plain quaker in this city what
he would fay to a man who fiiould wear the fame coat in
fummer as in winter in this climate ? He v/ould certain-
ly fay, '' Friend, thy wifdom is not great." Now whe-
ther I have not had as good reafon to change my condu(5t
as my coat, fincc laft January, I leave to every impar-
tial perfon to determine. 2. I do hereby declare and
confefs, that when I printed for Congrefs, and on the
fide of liberty it was not by any means from principle, or
a defire that the caufc of liberty fhould prevail, but
purely and fimply from the love of gain, 1 could have
made nothing but tar and feathers b'j printing againll
them as things then flood. I make this candid acknow-
ledgment not only as a penitent to obtain pardori, but
to ftiow that there was more confiftenc^* in my conduct
than my enemies are willing to allow. They are pleafed
to charge me with hypocrify in pretending to be a v/hig
when I was none. This charge is falfe ; I was neither
M'hig nor tory, but a printer. I deteil and abhor hypo-
crify. I had no more regard for General Howe or

406 Recantation of

General Clinton, or even Mrs. Lownng or any othef
of the chaste nymphs that attended the Fete Champetre^
alias Mifchianza when I printed in their behalf, than for
the Congrefs on the day of their retreat. It is pretended
that I certainly did in my heart incline to the Englifh,
becaufe I printed much bigger lies and in greater number
for them, than for the Congrefs. This is a mod falfe and
unjuft infmuation. It was entirely the fault of the Con-
grefs themfelves, who thought fit (being but a new po-
tentate in the earth) to be much more modeft, and keep
nearer the truth than their adverfaries. Had any of
them brought me in a lie as big as a mountain it fhould
have ilTued from my prefs. This gives me an opportu-
nity of ihowing the folly as well as malignity of thofe
who are aduated by party fpirit ; many of them have
affirmed that I printed monftrous and incredible lies for
General Howe. Now pray what harm could incredible
lies do ? The only hurt, I conceive, that any lie can do,
is by obtaining belief, as a truth ; but an incredible lie can
obtain no belief, and therefore at leaft muft be perfeQly
harmlefs. What will thofe cavillers think, if I fiiould
turn this argument againft them, and fay that the mod
effedtual way to difgrace any caufe is to publifh monilrous
and incredible lies in its favor. In this view, I have
not only innocence, but fome degree of merit to plead.
However, take it which way you will, there never was a
lie publifhed in Philadelphia that could bear the leafl

comparifon with thofe publilhed by J R— - — in

New-York. This in my opinion is to be imputed to the
fuperiority not of the printer, but of the prompter or

prompters. I reckon Mr, T to have excelled in

that branch ; and probably he had many coadjutors.
What do you think of 40,000 Ruffians, and 20,00©

Moors, which Moors too were faid by Mr. R to

be dreadful among the women ? As alfo of the boats build-
ing at the forks of Monongahela to carry the Congrefs
down the Ohio to New-Orleans ? Thefe were fwingers. —

As to myfelf and friend H , we contented our^

felves with publifhing affidavits to prove that the king of
France was determined to preferve the friendfhip that fub-

Benjafnln Tonone^ 401

filled between him and his good brother the king of En-
gland, of which he has given a new proof, by entering
into and communicating his treaty v/ith the United States
of America. Upon the whole I hope the public will at-
tribute my condutt, not to difafFedlion, but to attachment
to my own interefl and defire of gain in my profelTion ;
a principle, if I miftake not, pretty general and pretty
powerful in the prefent day.

3dly. I hope the public vAW confider that I have been a
timorous man, or, if you v/ill, a coward, from my
youth, fo that I cannot fight, — my belly is fo big that I
cannot run,—- and I am (o great a lover of eating and
drinking that I cannot ftarve. When thofe three things
are confidered I hope they will fully account for my paft
condud, and procure nie the liberty of going on in the
fame uniform tenor for the future. No juft judgment
can be formed of a man's character and conduct unlefs
every circumftance is taken in and fairly attended to ;
I therefore hope that this juflice will be done in my cafe*
I am alfo verily perfuaded that if all thofe who are cov/-
ards as well as myfelf, but who are better off in other
refpe6ts, and therefore can and do run whenever danger
is near them, would befriend me, I fliould have no incon-
fiderable body on my fide. Peace be with the Congrefs
and the army ; I mean no refledlions ; but the world is
a wide field, and I v/ifh every body would do as they
Vi^ould be done by. Finally, I do hereby recant, draw
back, eat in, and fwallow down, every word that I have
ever fpoken, written or printed to the prejudice of the
United States of America, hoping it will not only fatis-
fy the good people in general, but alfo all thofe fcatter-
brained fellows, who call one another out to flioot piilols
in the air, while they tremble fo much that they cannot
hit the mark. In the mean time I will return to labor
with afTiduity in my lawful calling, and effays and intel-
ligence as before fhall be gratefully accepted by the pub.
lie's molt obedient humble fervant,

BENJAMIN TOWNE/
Vol. IV. 3 E

C 403 ]

DESCRIPTION or THE STATE

N E W^J E RS E 2.

Answers in Part to Mr. Marbois's ^estioiis respecting
Nn\) -Jersey,

I. "TVTEW- JERSEY is bounded on the north by a line
\y\ drawn from the North or Hudfon's river to the
boundary of Pennfylvania, fixed about ten years ago by
commifTioners appointed from New- York and New-Jerfey,
and marked in all tliefe late maps. This line runs near-
ly weft, and pafles about thirty miles north of Morris-town
in New-Jerfey.

It is bounded on the eaft by Hudfon's river, from the
line juft now mentioned to the fea.

It is bounded on the fouth by the Atlantic Ocean, from
the mouth of Hudfon's river to Cape May, at the mouth
of Delaware Bay. And on the well by the Delaware, to
the place where the firft mentioned line ftrikes it, between
two and three hundred miles from the fca.

II. Smith's Hiftory of New-Jerfey is the only publica-
tion that can anfvver the defign of this query.

404 A Description df

\\\, New-Jerfey confills of thirteen counties, which^
beginning at Cape May on the Delawawe Bay, lie in th«
follovvino: order : Cape May, Salem, Cumberland, Glou-
cefter, Burlington, Hunterdon, Sufiex, Morris, Bergen,
ElVex, Somerfet, Middlefex, Monmouth. Thefe coun-
ties are iub-divided into townfhips or precincls.

There are no cities in New-Jerfey, but Burlington and
Perth An^boy, which were feverally the capitals of Eaft
and Well Jerfey, as will be feen by the patents and hiftory
of the fettlement.

The chief villages, or confiderahle places in New-Jer-
fey, are Haddonfield, Mountholly, Burdentown, Trenton,
Princeton, Brunfwick, Morriftown, Springfield, Wood-
bridge, Elizabeth-town, Newark, Hackenfack, Pittllown,
Cranberry, Shrewfbury, AUentown, Pennington, and
fome others of lefs note.

The only river of confiderahle extent in New-Jerfey,
is the Raritan ; the two branches of which paffing through
the north eaftern parts of the flate, unite near twenty
nnles above Brunfwick, and receiving the Milfione and
fome other fmaller ilreams, it becomes navigable about
two miles above Brunfwick, and from thence to Amboy
bay, about twenty miles by water, is navigated by Ihal-
lops and fmall veffels of one hundred or one hundred and
Jifty tons.

South river pafles through Cranberry, in Middlefex
county, and empties itfelf into the Raritan before it reach-
es Amboy.

Black river is a confiderahle ftream, paffing through
Morris county eailward, and empties itfelf into Hudfon's
river.

Pafiaic river pafles through Bergen county, and enters
into the bay oppofite to Newark. There are falls pretty
remarkable on tins river, at the head of the bay, which
many people go to fee as a curiofity.

There are m^ny other fmall rivulets, not confiderahle,
and many creeks and inlets upon the fea coaft, and par-
ticularly in the bay and river of Delaware, none of them
navigable far into the country.

As to mountains, there is a ridge not very high, but

tht State of New-^ersef» 4(^5

commonly called Rocky Hill, which crofTes the great road
from Philadelphia to New- York, about five miles eaftward
of Princeton and runs from die fouth eafl to the north-
weft, continuing about ten miles in length, pafling about
one mile and a half to the north of Princeton. Though
there are no hills properly fpeaking, there is a continued
and gradual afcent from the Delaware to Princeton, and
a gradual defcent from thence to the eallward. There is
a great ridge of mountains near and on the boundary be-
tween New-Jerfey and New-York, running chiefly from
eaft to weft.

The trees are very various. As to foreft trees, there are
oaks of various kinds, afli, maple, birch, chefnut, walnut,
pine, locuft. The middle and upper parts of the coun-
try run much into the feveral kinds of oak, and in the
lower parts are to be found great quantities of pine and
cedar. The mulberry tree thrives in moft parts of the
flate ; and it feems remarkably favorable to fruit trees,
particularly apples, pears, cherries and peaches, of all
which there is great abundance. The vine grows fpon-
taneoully in many parts, and bears a large blue grape,
not unpleafant to eat.

The produce of the improved farms, is wheat, rye,
barley, Indian corn, buckwheat, flax, and hemp. It is
ufual for farmers to have a fmall piece of land in tobacco ;
but it is only for their own ufe, or that of their fervants ;
it is not raifed in New-Jerfey for fale. All the garden
herbs raifed in France and England, thrive well in Nev/-
Jerfey ; fo probably would vines, if cultivated by perfons
who underftood the bufmefs.

Black cattle are raifed in New-Jerfey to great advan-
tage— alfo horfes. There is a particular turn in the in-
habitants for raifing fine horfes^ from the breed imported
from England. There is alfo a large breed of heavy
draught horfes, in thofe parts of the ilatc chiefly inhabited
by the low Dutch.

IV. The number of inhabitants in New-Jerfey a^
prefent, is certainly not lefs than two hundred thoufand.
There was an exaO: lift of them taken about ten years

^otf A Description of

ago, which v/lll be procured in a fhort time. There are
negroes, but they are certainly not above one feventh or
one tenth part of the whole. The negroes are exceed-
ingly well ufed, being fed and clothed as well as any free
pcrfons who live by daily labor.

^ V. There is no profeflion of religion which has an ex-
'^clufive legal eflablifhment. Some particuhir churches
have charters of incorporation ; and probably they would
not be refufed to a body of any denomination. All pro-
feiTions are tolerated, and all proteflants are capable of
eledting and being eledled, and indeed have every privi-
lege belonging to citizens. — There are in New-Jerfey,
Englifh prefoyterians, Low Dutch prefoyterians, epifco-
palians, baptifls, quakers. Thetwofirfl, except the differ-
ence of the national connexion of the one with the church
of Scodand, and the other with the church of Holland,
and the language, are of the fame principles as to doc-
trine. They have the fame worihip and government,
and they are by far the moft numerous. There is a great
majority of the prefent legiHature ofthefe two denomina-
tions. Formerly the quakers, though not the majority,
had confiderable influence ; but hnce the late contefl with
,s-ir Great-Britain, they are fewer in number, and altogether
'' ' without power. The epifcopalians are few. The baptifts
are preibyterians in all other refpects, only differing iu
the point of infant baptifm ; their pohtical weight goes the
fame v/ay as the pre{byterians ; their number is fmall.

VI. There is at Princeton a college, which had ori-
ginally a royal charter, begun In 1748. It is now con-
firmed in its privileges, wnth fome alterations and im-
provements, by a6l of affembly. The charter name of it
is, the College of Nev/-Jerfey ; the name of the building,
Naffau-Hall. It was in a flouridiing (late before the war,
having about one hundred and fiity under graduates and
other fcholars ; but was entirely deiblated, and the houfe
made a wreck, by the confufion of the times — firft by the
Englifli army, which entirely fcattered the fcholars, and
took pofTeifion of the houfe j and afzcrwards, by the A8iie<^

the State of New-Jersey, 407

rican army making it a barrack and hofpital. It now be-
gins to recover, having of under graduates and fcholars
about fixty. — A printed account of the college has been
given to Mr. Marbois before.

There is alfo in Nevv-Jerfey a college, whofc charter
name is Queen's College, fet up by the low Dutch, with
a particular view to preferve their language, and all the
peculiar cuiloms of the church of Holland. They have
no building as yet, but have carried on their inllruclion
ibmetimes at Brunfwick, fometimes elfev/here.

The College of New-Jerfey is the bed building in the
flate. Neither churches nor court- houfes are any where
fumptuous. There is no public hofpital in the llate.

There are few men of letters in the flate of New-Jerfey,
except thofe who belong to law, phyfic, or theology ; and
many of thefe profeflions are often taken up without a
liberal education. The ftate confifls almoft wholly of fub-
flantial farmers. There has been formerly known, efpe-
cially when the quakers had fome power, a prejudice
againfl learning — That prejudice begins to wear off.

There are no turnpike roads. There are flatutes for
the widenefs of the public roads; alfo for repairing, though
it is generally poorly done — yet from the climate and the
level pofition of the country, the roads are excellent in
fummer. The accommodations in taverns are in general
as good as in any ftate in America. The great road from
Philadelphia to New-York, lies through the Middle of
New-Jerfey, by Trenton, Princeton, Brunfwick, Wood-
bridge, Elizabeth-town, and Newark.

VII. I cannot at prefent recolledl any cuftoms pecu-
liar to the ftate, or that from their Angularity defer ve notice.
New-Jerfey was firft peopled by the Low Dutch, at lealt
the eaftern part of it. Their language is continued there
as yet, though wearing out. They are a remarkably
cleanly people, and frugal. They ufe their ftaves and
other fervants with great humanity, often not fcruphng
white and black to eat together. People from all the other
Hates are continually moving into and out of this ftate, fo
that there is little peculiarity of manners.

4^S A Description of

VIII. ^he presefit state of manufactures^ commerce ^^
and exterior trade.

Nevv-JeiTey being in general fettled by farmers, with a
great equality of rank and even poflelfions, no confidera-
ble manufadlures are ellablillied in it. There are, how-
ever, tradefmen dilperfed through it, of aimed every kind.
The farmers being frugal and plain in their manners, al-
ways made both linen and woolen cloth for their own fa-
milies and their fervants. They have given greater at-
tention to this matter within thefe five or fjx years that
the differences with Great«Britain have fubfilled. I be-
lieve it may be depended upon, that there is not one in ten
V of the members of the legiilature of New-Jerfey, who is
not clothed in the manufadture of his own family for the
greateft part, and many of them have no other clothing of
any kind. At this time a great quantity of very good
cloth is made in the families. Some tradefmen in differ-
ent places make for fale, but not much. There are fome
very confiderable dealers in leather, and fliii a greater
number in hats. All iron tools arc well made here, but
not for exportation out of the (late*

From the fituation of New-Jerfey, there is hardly any
foreign trade carried on diredly from it. The merchants
in Trenton, Brunfwick, Burdentown, and feveral other
places, have boats, fhallops, and other fmall veffels, with
which they trade to Philadelphia or New- York. In for-^
xner times fliips might be entered both at Burlington and
Amboy, for any part of the world ; but hw are fent
abroad — fuch of our merchants as are concerned in foreign
trade, being almod always joined in company with fome
of tiie large cities above mentioned,

IX. A notice of the best sea- ports in the state, and
how big are the vessels they can receive.

The bed fea>port in the date of New Jerfey is Amboy^j
which can receive vefTels of as great burden as New- Yorke«
Thcrfr has never been as yet any great foreign trade at
Amboy. The vicinity of New-York has probably been
a hindrance to it. There are harbors at little Egg harbof
and great Egg-harbor, on the coad of the Atlantic, which

the State of Neiv-Jcrse^, w!j6'9

privateers and traders have made a confiderable ufe of
fince the war. They cannot receive vefTels of great bur-
den ; but the greateft part of the trading vefTcls can go in
there. The fame is the cafe with the creeks on the Jer-
ity Ihore, in the river Delaware.

X. A 7iotice of the commercial production peculiar to
that state, and of those objects vjhlch the luhahitanis
are obliged to dravj from Europe and from other parts of
the IV or Id.

The prodadions of New-Jerfey, and the fources of its
wealth, are grain of every kind, as mentioned under quef-
tion third — horfes, cattle, falted beef and pork, and poul-
try. In times of peace, great quantities of all thefe are
are fent to the V/eft- Indies, and flax-feed to Europe,
(hipped however more commonly in Philadelphia or Nev/-
York than any port in New-Jerfey. The city of Phila-
delphia receives a great proportion of its provifions, in-
cluding vegetables of every kind, from New-Jerfey. The
foil of that part of New-Jerfey which is oppofite to Phila-
delphia, is exceedingly proper for gardening, and derives
much q[ its value from its proximity to that city.

The ilate of New-Jsrfey is obliged to draw from Eu-
rope and other parts, tea, fugar, wine, fpirits. Before the
war they purchafed confiderable quantities of Englifh
cloth, both linen and woolen, becaufe cheaper than they
could manufaflure it in many indances, and becaufe ma-
ny tradefmen and others had not the materials of manu-
failure. All articles of finery they mull purchafe if they
ufe them — lawns, gauzes, filks and velvet.

XI. The weights, measures, and the currency of hard
money — Sojne details ?'eiating to the exchange with Eu-
rope.

The weights and meafures now ufed in New-Jerfey,
are the fame as in England, of every kind — meafures of
length, folidity, fuperiicies, dry and liquid. The mod
common for grain is the buHicl, which contains eight
AVincheiler gallons, and each gallon two hundred and
feventy-tvvo and a quarter folid inches.

Vol. IV. 3 F

41 o J. Description of

The exchange between New-Jerfey and Europe, is
carried on ahTiofl wholly through Philadelphia and New-
York.

The ftatute currency of money in New-Jerfey is in the
fame proportion to flerling as that of Pennfylvania, that
is, as five to three. A Spanifh milled dollar is, of New-
Jerfey proclamation money, feven fliillings and fix pence.
There was twenty years ago, a currency or way of reckon-
ing in New-Jerfey, commonly called light money, accor-
ding to which a dollar was eight fhillings and eight pence,
but this feems now to be wholly difufed, or confined only
to the north-eaftern part of the flate. The other way of
reckoning is cdiihd proclamatw?i money y which prevails.

XII. The public income and expenses.
The public income of New-Jerfey confifts, fo far as
is known to me, of taxes annually laid by the aflem-
blies ; and is great or fmall, as they fliall think the exi-
gencies of the ftate require. There is in general a great
difpofition to fave the public money ; indeed fuch as in
many inllances to make inadequate provifion. The fala-
ry of the governor was by the acl of fupply, Odober 1775,
before the change from a colony to a free (late, twelve
hundred pounds, proclamation money ; the judges of the
lupreme court, three in number, had each of them one
hundred and fifty the fame year ; all other expenfes for
clerks, &:c. were fmall ; and the members of council and
allembly had each eight fliillings for every day's attend-
ance. The delegates in congrefs had at firll twenty fliil-
lings per day ; and during the depreciation of the money,
if they made any allowance at the beginning of the year
becaufe of its bad ftate then, they never made any amends
for the increafed depreciation before the year expired. —
As to this and all fuch matters, they may be feen more
fully from the printed laws, which I believe may be pur-
chafed of Ifaac Collins, printer to the Hate, in Trenton*

the State of Nevj- Jersey. 4H.

XIII. The measures taken vjith regard to the estates
and possessions of the rebels, commordy called tories.

They have been all Ibid oft' inperpetuum, and are now
in poflefllon of the new proprietors ; the debts upon them
to faithful fubjeds, having been iirit difcharged.

XIV. The marine and navigation.
There are no veffels whatever belonging to the ftate of
New-Jerfey. There are privateers who have commiirions,
which fail from the ports on the coafi:, or on the enemy's
lines. There is an admiralty court eftabliflied for the
condemnation of prizes. — As to merchant lliips, fee the
anfwer to queftion eighth.

XV. A 7iotice of the mines^ and other subterranean
riches.

Tiiere are fome very valuable iron mines in New-
Jerfey, in Morris and Suflex counties. Some companies
in England were concerned in working fome of thefe
mines before the war. It was fufpe^led fome years ago,
that there were copper mines in New-Jerfey ; but no trial
hitherto made has fully fucceeded — fome gentlemen loft
their fortunes in the attempt.

It is not known whether there are any coal mines or
not, as people every where burn wood.

XVI. Some samples of the mines, a?id of the extra-
ordinary stones ; in short, a notice of all that can increase
the progress of human knowledge.

Iron ore is fo very common, that it cannot be fuppofed
to be an objedt of curiofity. I have heard of and ktn
fome pieces of black matter, that was laid, when dlflblv-
ed in water, to be exceedingly good ink. If this or any
other curiofity can be obtained by enquiry, they Ihall be
forwarded. — There is very good marl in fome parts of
New-Jerfey, to the eaftward. — There is no limeftone in
the parts of New-Jerfey where I have been, but probably
there is fome in SuiTex, — There are in feveral places of
New-Jerfey, fugar-maple trees, whence the country peo-
ple draw fugar for their own ufe, as in the back parts of
New-Iiampfaire and Vermont.

412 J Description^ ^c.

XVII. A description of the Indians established in
the states^ before the European settlements, and of those
"voho are still remaining. An indication of the Indian
monuments discovered in that state.

The Indians and their manner of life, are defcribed in
feveral books, niuch better than I can do it, who was ne-
ver among them. And indeed by comparing together all
that I have ever heard or read, it appears that the charac-
teriftic features of the Indians of North-America, are the
--7 fame which have diftinguifhed lavages in all parts of the
world, and wherever difccvered — gravity and fullennefs
of deportm.ent, love of hunting and war — that is to fay^
depredation ; ferocity to their captives, lazinefs and aver-
fion to habitual labor, tyranny over the female fex, paf-
five courage, and, if it may be called fo, adlive cowardice,
and flrong pafTions both of lafting gratitude and unextin-
guifhable refentment.

The chief thing that a philofopher can learn from the
Indians in New-Jerfey is, that perhaps the moft complete
experiment has been made here how they would agree
with cultivated life. At the time when the Indians fold
^nd confirmed the lands to the fettlers, at their own re-
I quefl:, a .tra£t of land was purchafed for them to live in-
-f the heart of the colony, in Burlington county, of three
jhoufand acres and more, which was fecured to them by
law. They had a village built, and a houfe of worfiiip
and a miniller, and every poffible encouragement given
them to cultivate the land, and carry on trades ; yet, af-
ter* all, they were fo far from increafing in numbers or
improving in induflry, that at different times feveral of
them went back into the woods, and the remainder dwin-
dled away, fo that there are few of them now left. On
the whole it does not appear, that either by our people
going among them, or by their being brought among us,
that it is poffible to give them a relifh of civilized life.
There have been fome of them educated at this college,
fis well as in New-England ; but feldom or never did they
piove either good or ufeful, — — —

C 413 ]

A TEW

KEFLECTIONS

Humbly submitted 10 the Consideration of the Public in
general, and in particular to the Congress of the Uni^
ted States.

THOUGH the following refledlions come from an
individual citizen, no way connedled with public
bufinefs, I hope they will be read with ciindor and atten-
tion. All good conduct proceeds Irom certain radical
principles; and retired theoretical perfons certainly may
judge as wdl, perhaps they often judge better, of thofe,
than fuch as are engaged in the buflle and hurry of an ac-
tive life, or occupied in the management of particular af-
fairs. Another circumflance which encourages me in
this hope is, that I intend to offer nothing but what fhall
be even beyond the imputation of proceeding, either from
party attachment or mercenary views.

When the Federal conllitution was agreed on, it was
the fervent defire, and 1 may fay the earneft prayer of ma-
ny, that it might take place, and get into operation with
quietnefs, and under the acquiefcence and approbation of
the public. This [ thinlc we may fay, has happily bffen the
cafe fo far as we have yet proceeded. The peribns chofen
to fill the houfes of Gongrefs, have been generally ap-
proved. Perhaps fome Rates, in a {^w inftances, might
have made a better choice ; but upon the whole, there is

414 On the Federal-City]

little reafon to complain. I remember to have heard a
gentleman well acquainted with the fubjeO;, fay of the for-
mer Congrefs which conduced the war, that he had never
known a time in which it did not contain a great plurality
of men of integrity, and of thofe a very refpeOiable num-
ber of diftinguifhed abilities. I hope and believe that
this is the cafe at prefent ; and may it always continue to
be fo.

The meafures taken by Congrefs in their laft feffion,
have in general given fatisfa<5tion. I am not ignorant
that there have been fome fevere, and in my opinion pe-
tulant and infolent remarks made upon the falaries fixed
for public officers, and the compenfation allowed for the
attendance of members of Congrefs, efpecially the laft.
I am of opinion, however, that they are both reafonable,
and the lall at leaft as reafonable, if not more fo, than the
iirft. I hope few perfons vvill ever be in Congrefs, who,
devoting their time to the public fervice, may not well
deferve the compenfation fixed for them, from their cha-
ra(^er and talents. And if they have lucrative profef-
fions, or valuable private fortunes, thefe mufl be deferted
for a time, and probably a lofs incurred greater than the
whole wages. I Ihould alfo be forry to hear of any mem-
ber of Congrefs who became rich by the favings above his
expenfe. I know very well, that there have been Con-
grefs men and affembly men too, who have carried home
confiderable fums from lefs wages ; but they were fuch
generally as did more good to their families by their penu-
ry, than to their country by their political wifdom.

I come now to what I chiefly intended by this fhort
elTay. Much time of the lall feflion v^as fpent in debates
upon fixing a place for the permanent refidence of Con-
grefs, and building a federal city. That matter was un-
der the confideration of the former Congrefs, and was fix-
ed and unnxed I believe more than once. It always oc-
cafioned great altercation ; nor was it poffible to tell when
it was fettled ; for whenever Congrefs changed its mem-
bers, or the members dianged their opinions, every thing
that had been done was undone. In the laft meeting of
the feder^il Congrefs, it feems to have been finally decU

On the Federal City. 41 j

dec! ; but, either by accident or the addrefs of fome who
were oppofed to the decifion, it was thrown open again,
and is now left as unfettled as ever. I have not met with
any body who was forry, but with many who were happy
at this circumdance ; and I fincerely wifh that it may be
lufFered to deep in its prefent fiiuation at lead for a confi-
derable time, and till fome other bufmefs of greater and
more confefTed importance fhall be completely finifned.
I am now to give my reafons for this opinion.

1. A determination upon that fubjed is not necessary.
When I fay it is not neceflary, I mean that we are not
urged to it by any preffing inconv^niencies or injuries
which we have fuffered or are fuffering for want of it.
Every body muft own that it would be very expenfive ;
and indeed I am one myfelf, who, if it were to be done at
all, and there were buildings to be ereQed which ihould
not belong to any Hate, but to the union, would wifh that
they (hould be not barely elegant, but magnificent, that
they might not derogate from the dignity of the empire.
This is not even contrary to the general principle of eco-
nomy ; for it has been obferved that fome of the moft fru-
gal nations have been mod fumptuous in their public edi-
fices, of which the fladthoufe at Amllerdam is an example.
Therefore, iftheneceflity were great, if the public bufinefs
could not be carried on, nor the public authority main-
tained without it, I fhould be for fubmitting to every in-
convenience— I would not be deterred even by the expenfe
itfelf. But is this really the cafe ? Does it appear to he
necefK^ry from the nature of the thing ? No. The weight
and influence of any deliberative or legiflative body, de-
pend much more on the wifdom of their meafures, than
the fplendid apartments in which they are aiTembled.
Does it appear to be necefiary from experience or the ex-
ample of other nations ? I think not. I can hardly re-
collecl above one or tv/o of the kingdoms or dates of Eu-
rope, in which the capital is central ; and as to confede-
rated republics, fome of them have no comn>on capital
at all. The Swifs Cantons have no federal city. The
different dates of which this lad confids, have for ages,
when they had occafioa to meet for common confultation,

4 1 6 On the Federal City.

held their Diets in difierent places. But we need go tio
farther than our own experience. Did not the former
Congrefs carry on the war with Great-Britain, defend and
fecure the liberties of the United States, without a federal
city ? AVas the want of it greatly or deeply felt as an in-
convenience ? I do not recolledt a fingle complaint made
in fpeech or writing upon the fubjed.

2. It can be but little profitable. The truth is, when
I attempt to recolle6l and enumerate the advantages to be
derived from a federal city, in a central place, yet thinly
inhabited, I find them very few and very fmall. If the
American empire come to be one confolidated govern-
ment, I grant it would be of fome confequence that the
feat of that government and fource of authority fhould not
be too diftant from the extremities, for reafons v/hich I
need not here mention. But if the particular ilates are to
be preferved and fupported in their conflitutional govern-
ment, it feems of very little confequence where the Con-
grefs, confiding of reprefentatives from thefe Hates, fhall
hold their feffions. There is not only little profit in their
being fixed and central, but perhaps fome advantages
might arife from their being unfixed and ambulatory. This
1:1(1 feems to be more fuitable to the equality of rights of
the feveral flates. It is far from being an impoffible fup-
pofition, that the Hate on which Congrefs fhould be fixed,
would think itfelf entitled to a leading, if not a domineer-
ing influence over the other flates. As to eafinefsof accefs,
11: ch is the (late of this country, lying along the fea coall,
aid having fo many navigable rivers, that any city what-
ever on the coail or great rivers is eafily acceflible ; and the
difference of dillance, efpecially when the payment is to
be in proportion to the dillance, is not worth mentioning.
It is farther to be obferved, that though buildings may be
imuicd lately railed for the accommodation of Congrefs,
yet a great city, or a city of opulence and commerce,
could not be raifed for a long trad of time. It is even
uncertain whether the bare refidence of Congrefs during
tlieir annual fedions (which it is to be hoped in a few years
v/iiibe but fhort) independent of other circumllances,
will ever raife a great commercial city at all. The Hague^

On the Federal City* 417

though the refulence of the fladtholder, is hr from bein^
.the larged, moO: populous, or moil wealthy city in Hol-
. land. Now I humbly conceive, that if not refidence in,
yet nearnefs to fonie important commercial city or cities,
will be found to be abfolutely neceffary for tranfadlions re-
lating to money or finance : fo that, if the advantages and
difadvantages of a federal city on the propofed plan are
fairly weighed, the latter would preponderate.

3. There is reafon to fear that it may be very hurtful.
Nothing is of fo much confcquence to us at prefent as
union ; and nothing is fo much the defire of all unpreju-
diced, public-fpiritcd and virtuous men. The federal con-'
ilitution is but new. It is, we hope, taking place ; but
cannot yet be faid to have taken root. It will, from the
nature of things, take fome time before it can acquire the
refpecl and veneration neceilary in every government from
the body of the people, who are always guided by feeling
and habit, more than by a train of reafoning, however
conclufive. Now, is there no reafon to fear that the dif^
putes upon this fubjedl may produce warmth and violence,
and perhaps an alienation of mind in fome Hates againft
others, very prejudicial to public order ? The moll trifling
fubjeds of difpute have fometimes created divifions both
in larger and fmaller political bodies, which have ended
in common ruin. If 1 am rightly inforn^ed, the difj)utes
which have already taken place in Congrefs upon this fub-
je6l, have been carried on with greater virulence of tem-
per and acrimony of expreffion, than upon any other that
has been under their deliberation. This is not to be won-
dered at ; for it is indeed of fuch a nature, that il has a
Dearer relation to ftate attachments and local prejudices
than any other that can be named. Perhaps in fuch a
queflion it is lawful, decent, and even necefFary, to plead
the local intereft of particular Hates ; and therefore it is
to beexpedled that every delegate will contend with ear-
neflnefs for that of his own. At any rate, whatever often-
fible public reafons may be devifed by a fertile invention,
all unprejudiced hearers will believe that it is local at-
tachment that guides their judgment, and inflames their

Vol. IV. 3 G

•2|.iS On the Federal City.

zeal. The only ufe that it is neceflary for me to make
of fuch a remark, is to fhew that the contention and ani-
mofity raifed by this difpute will probably extend itl'elf to
every other, and that it will not be confined to the conten-
ding members in Congrefs, but will fpread itfelf through
all the dates, whofe caufe they plead, and whofe interefl:
Ihey feem to efpoufe. This is one of thofe queftions that
had much better be decided wrong by general confent,
than decided right by a fmall majority, without convinc-
ing or fatisfying the opponents.

4. In the laft place, it is certainly at leaft iinseasonU'
hie. Though it were pofiible jullly to anfwer all the ob-
jedlions I have ftated above, I muft Hill fay, there is a
time for every thing under the fun. A meafure may be
good in itfelf, and even neceflary in a qualified fenfe,
yet if there be another duty incumbent upon the fame
body, that is better and more neceflary, this furely ought
to have the precedence in point of time. Now, 1 think
it cannot be denied, and all intelligent perfons in the
United States feem to be of opinion, that bringing order
into our finances, refloring and efl:ablifliing public credit,
is the molt important bufinefs which the Congrefs has
to do. It is alfo the mofl: urgent in point of time ; be-
caufe in the interval, many public creditors are in a fitu-
ation truly deplorable, whereas I can think of nobody
that is fuffering much for want of a federal city. The
two defigns are alfo connedled together as caufe and eflfedt ;
and I need not tell any body which of thefe ought to go
foremoft. What a romantic project will it be to fix on
a fituation, and to form plans for building a number of
palaces, before we provide money to build them with,
or even before we pay thofe debts which we have already
contraded ? This is a matter in which not only all the
citizens of America, thofe who are, and thofe who are
not, public creditors, are deeply concerned, but on which
will depend our future fecurity, our interefl; and influ-
ence among foreign nations, and even the opinion that
lliall be formed of us by poilerity itfelf.

Thefe few reflections, not enlarged upon as they
might eafily have been, nor fwelled or exaggerated by

Oh the Federal City. 4151

pompous declamation, but fimply and nakedly propo-
led, — I leave to the judgment of the impartial public;
and remain,

Their mofl obedient,

Humble fervant,

X. Y.

C 421 3

ON THE

GEORGIA
eONSTITU.TIOK

SIR,

IN your paper of Saturday lafl, you have given us the
new Conilitution of Georgia, in which I find the fol-
lowing refolution, " No clergyman of any denomination
Ihall be a member of the General Aflembly.'* I would
be very well fatisfied that fome of the gentlemen who
have made that an eflential article of this conflitution, or
who have inferted and approve it in other conflitutions,
would be pleafed to explain a little the principles, as well
as to afcertain the meaning of it.

Perhaps we underfland pretty generally, what is meant
\}Y a clergyman, viz. a perfon regularly called and fet
apart to the miniflry of the gofpel, and authorifed to preach
and adminifter the facraments of the Chriflian religion.
Now fufFer me to alk this queflion ; Before any man
among us was ordained a minifter, was he not a citizen of
the United States, and if being in Georgia, a citizen of the
Hate of Georgia ? Had he not then a right to be elecfted a
inember of the aflembly, if qualified in point of proper-
ty ? How then has he loft, or why is he deprived of this
Tight ? Is it by offence or difqualification ? Is it a fin againft
the public to become a miniller ? Does it merit that the
nerfon who is guilty of it fliould be immediately deprived

422 On the Georgia Constitution^

of one of his mofl important rights as a citizen ? Is not
this inflicting a penalty which always fuppofes an offence ?
Is a minifler then difqualified for the office of a fenator or
reprefentative ? Does this calling and profeffion render
him ftupid or ignorant ? I am inclined to form a very high
opinion of the natural underflanding of the freemen and
freeholders of the (late of Georgia, as well as of their im-
provement and culture by education, and yet I am not
able to conceive, but that fome of thofe equally qualified,
may enter into the clerical order: and then it mufl not
be unfitnefs, but fome other reafon that produces the ex-
clufion. Perhaps it may be thought that they are excluded
from civil authority, that they may be more fully and con-
ftantly employed in their fpiritual functions. If this had
been the ground of it, how much more properly would it
have appeared, as an order of an ecclefiaftical body with
refpedl to their own members. In that cafe I fhould not
only have forgiven, but approved and juflified it ; but in
the way in v/hich it now (lands, it is evidently a punifii-
ment by lofs of privilege, infiidled on thofe who go into
the office of the miniftry ; for which, perhaps, the gentle-
men of Georgia may have good reafons, though I have not
been able to difcover them.

But befides the uncertainty of the principle on which
this refolution i§ founded, there feems to me much uncer-
tainty as to the meaning of it. How are we to determine
who is or is not a clergyman ? Is he only a clergyman
who has received ordination from thofe who have derived
the right by an uninterrupted fucceffion from the apoftles ?
Or is he alfoa clergyman, who is fet apart by the impo-
fition of hands of a body of other clergyman, by joint au-
thority ? Or is he alfo a clergyman who is fet apart by the
church members of his own fociety, without any impofi-
tion of hands at all ? Or is he alfo a clergyman who has
exhorted in a methodift fociety, or fpoken in a quaker
meeting, or any other religious afTembly met for public
worfhip ? There are dill greater difficulties behind : — II
the clerical chara6ler indelible ? There are fome who have
been ordained who occafionally perform fome clerical
functions J but have no paftoral charge at all. There are

On the Georgia ConstiniUoa. 423

fome who finding public fpeaking injurious to health, or
from other reafons eafily conceived, have refigncd their
palloral charge, and wholly dilcontinued all ads and exer-
cifes of that kind ; and there are fome, particularly in Nev,-.
England, who having exercifed the clerical cftice fome
time, and finding it lefs fuitable to their talents thaa
they apprehend, have voluntarily relinquifhed it, and
taken to fome other profefTion, as law, phyfic, or mer-
chandize— Do thefe all continue clergymen, or do they
ceafe to be clergymen, and by that cellation return to, or
recover the honorable privileges of laymen ?

I cannot help thinking that thefe difficulties are very
confiderable, and may occafion much litigation, if the ar-
ticle of. the conflitution hands in the loofe, ambiguous
form in which it now appears ; and therefore I would re-
commend the following alterations, which I think will
make every thing definite and unexceptionable.

" No clergyman, of any denomination, fliall be capable
of being, eledled a member of the Senate or lloufe of Re-
prefentatives, becaufe [here infert the grounds of oiTenfiv^
difqualification, which I have not been able to difcover]
Provided always, and it is the true intent and meaning of
this part of the conltiLUlion, that if at any time he Ihall
be completely deprived of the clerical characler by rhofe by
whom he was invefled with it, as by depofition fcrcurfing
and fwearing, drunkennrfs or uncleanncls, he fliall ii;cn be
fully rellored to all the privileges of a free citiiicn ; his
oflcnce Ihall no more be remembered againft him ; but
he may be chofen either to the Senate or Houfe of Repre-
fentatives, and ftiall be treated with all the refpcdl due to
his brethren^ the other members of AUcmb'.y.

[ 4^5 ]

^^j-y^j-^

THE

DRUID,

Originally Published in Numbers Periodically.
NUMBER T.

S IR,

IT is my intention, by your pernalffion and affiflance
to attempt the in[lrii6:iom and entertainment of the
public once a month, on mifcellaneous fubjedls. This
letter (IiaU ferve as the firfl paper, and fhall be an intro-
cludlion to thofe that are to follow, by pointing out the
fpirit and defign of the undertaking, and the plan upon
which it is to be ccndu6ltd.

The title which I have affumed, was not intended to
carry any wit in it, and indeed not much meaning:, fur-
ther than what is common to all names, the diftinflioa
of one thing or perfon from another. It proved a mat-
ter of no little difficulty to fix upon a title, after fo great
a variety as the world h:is feen, fmce the pra6\ice of pe-
riodical elTays v/as firlt introduced. After a good deal
of deliberation on a matter of very little moment, the
above was fuggelled, by the place which is now, and is
likely to be, my refidence, while I continue on earth.

Yoh. IV. 3 H

426 The Druid.

It is a fmall but neat houfe, in a pleafant, retired fituati-
on, furrounded with woods, in all the fimple majefty of
their uncultivated ftate. Neither was it unfuitable to my
time of life, the age of fifty, a cool and contemplative fea-
fon, when men of education or bufincfs have generally feen
as much of the world as fatisfies their curiofity, and ena-
bles them to underftand well enough what is pafling in it ;
fo that they have neither neceflity nor inclination to mix
again in its active fcenes,

I was born and educated in Great-Britain, and had all
the advantage I could receive from a long refidence in
one of the moft celebratad feats of learning in that happy
kingdom. The prime and vigor of life I fpent in the
midft of public bufinefs, and had a thorough knowledge
of the greateft part, and perfonal intimacy with not a
few, of the perfons moft diftinguifhed in rank, politics,
or literature, for the lad thirty years. From what cir-
cumllances, or with what views, I came into this coun-
try, it is of no confequence for the reader to know ; fuf-
Jice it therefore to fay, that I was not tranfported by Sir
John Fielding, but came of my own proper motion and
free choice ; and indeed have never met with any thing
in pafling through life, that could be fuppofed either to
four the temper, or break the vigor of the mind. There
are not a few who, towards the clofe of life, acquire a
fettled hatred or contempt of mankind, and feem difpo-
fed to avenge their own real or fuppofed calamities on
the world in general, by the acrimony of their converfa-
tion, and the virulent fatire of their writings. Produc-
tions dictated by fuch a fpirit, have often, it mud be
owned, fuch a poignant feverity, as deeply wounds the
objedl of their refentment, and yet, I think, feldom adds
to the relifh of thofe for whom the entertainment is pro-
vided.

It has been generally fuppofed, that fatire and invec-
tive is the way of writing, of all others, mofl agreeable to
the public ; and the reafon given for it is very little to the
credit of human nature, viz. The prevalence of envy
and malignity in the bulk of mankind. Had I been of
this opinion, I would have cautioufly avoided introducing

The Druid,

427

the fentiment, at lead fo foon, as it would have been but a
poor compliment to that very public, whofe attention I
mean to Iblicit, and whofe improvement I wifh to promote.
I confefs that a thorough knowledge oF the world, and ex-
tenfive reading in hiilory, have often produced mean
thoughts of human nature. We fee fometimes old hack-
neyed politicians difcover a jealoufy of the characters,
and an indifference to the fufFerings of others, which fur-
prifes and oflfends men of lefs experience, who are there-
fore often laughed at for their weaknefs. This, in fomc
indances is the miflake of the obferver, while the coolneis
and compofure of fpirit, the deliberate and felf-collefted
carriage, which is the efFedt of time, is falfely called a caU
lous or unfeeling difpofition. But where the remark is
jufl, and a real and general hatred of others has obtained
full dominion, it would not be fo decent to infer from it,
that mankind are univerfally worthlefs or incorrigible, as
to impute it to the felfilh meannefs of that heart in which
it had taken place.

It is very common for authors to go to an extreme
on the one hand or on the other, in fpeaking of human
nature. Thofe philofophers who fpeak of it in fuch
exalted terms as to contradict the truths of religion, have
prefent experience and the hiftory of pad ages direCtly
againfl: them. The mod illudrious perfons in the re-
cords of time, have derived the greated part of their
ludre itfelf, either from the Angularity of their character,
or. which is nearly the fame thing, from the depravity of
others, who needed their aflidance for indruCtion or cor-
rection. It was fmartly, at lead, if not judly laid, by an
author not many years ago, that the wifdom of legiflators,
and the admirable policy of dates, and even the purity
moral precepts, are jud fuch arguments for the dignity
of human nature as gibbets are. There is, doubtlefs, no
fmall degree of error, ignorance, predjudice and corrupti-
on to be found among men ; but thefe, when properly
viewed, ferve rather to demondrate the importance and ne-
cedlty of information and indruCtion. There are not
only particular indances in which the human mind has
difcovered the mod exalted virtue as well as amazing pow-

42 S ^hc Druid.

ers, but the human race in general, wkh all its defeats,
is certainly the noblefl: and mofl: valuable in this lower
world, and therefore the it)o(1 worthy of cultivation. To
this may be added, that there is no circumflancc in which
there is a more manifeft diftiniSlion between man and the
inferior creatures, than that the individual is more helplefs
as well as the kind more noble ; and therefore the inter-
courfe of fociety and mutual afTiftance is abfolutely necef-
fary to his improvement and perfection.

But this is perhaps treating the fubje6l in too abflraCi
And phiiofophical a manner, which I well know is not
much to the tafte of the prefent age. The importance
of knowledge, and the power of rntelledlual light, will
be readily confefled. The que (lions to be ferioudy de-
bated with himfelf by an author, at his firft fetting out,
are, What encouragement he has to devote himfelf to
the public fervice ? and, what reafonto think he hath
any thing to communicate that is worthy of the public
attention ? Now, as tothe^r^/ of thefe, it is my opinion,
that though error, prejudice, and partiality, are very uni-
verfal, that is to fay, they have place in fome degree ia
many perfons of every rank, age, and country ; yet their
influence in each has, properly fpeaking, but a narrow
fphere. Truth is much ilronger than them all. They
fhew themfelves chiefly in the fmaller interefts of particu-
lars ; but there is a candor and impartiality in a difliufive
public, which may be in a great mcafure depended upon,
and which will both hear truth and obey it. There is not
perhaps a man in that public, but has many prejudices and
prepofleffions; but thefe are confined within certain bounds,
like the fphere of attraction of particular bodies, round
himfelf: when you go beyond that fphere, they are not
felt, or they are felt very weakly. There is an cbferva-
tion I have fon^etimes made, which I do not remember
to have read in any author, but which, if juft, Ihould
teach every man to revere the public judgment. The
remark is, that I can fcarcely recolle6t any perfon well
and intimately known to me, vvhofe performances, either
in fpeaking or writing, had been exhibited to the world
for any time, of whofe talents and erudition the great plu-

The Druid.

429

yallty did not judge exa£lly in the fame manner that I
did myfelf. If they do jullice to every other perfon, why
Ihould I doubt their doing it to me ? Ignorance, preju-
dice, malice, or accident, nvay have fome influence at
firft; but their eftcdls are merely temporary, and are
fpeedily effaced. Time is a diligent enquirer, and a juft
judge. I could almofl fay the fame thing of a man's moral
charadler, under two exceptions : If you go beyond the
bounds of local politics, and abflracl entirely from religi-
ous differences, every man is fpoken of pretty nearly as
he deferves. I am fufficiently aware that there are par-
ticular exceptions to this general theory, but I have not
now time to enter upon them ; and therefore fliall leave
them till they fall in my way in the difcufhon of fuch fub-
jedts as jfhall be undertaken in my future papers.

As to the second p^nt, whether I have any thing to
communicate that is worthy of the public attention ? It is
plain from the appearance of this paper, that I have al-
ready judged of it fo far as to make the attempt ; it is
therefore too late for me, and too early for the reader,
to take that matter into confideration. I iliall, however,
mention briefly the plan which I mean to follow. The
general fubjcdt of thefe papers fliall be the philofophy of
human nature and of human li e ; I would wilhngly join
fcience and reflection to experience and obfervation. Li-
terature and morals, arts and induAry, Iliall be my chief
themes ; and under one or other of thefe, every thing
may be introduced, that can in the leall contribute to the
happinefs of focial or private life. I mufl beg the reader
to obferve, that in handling all thefe fubjeds, i fliall have
a particular view to the Hate and intertll of this rifmg
country. As in youth the human frame wears its lovelieil
form ; as the fpring is the moll charming feaion of the re-
volving year : fo, a country newly planted, and every day
advancing to a maturer Hate, affords the highell delight to
a contemplative philofopher, and is, at the fame time, the
ilrongeft invitation to a£livity and ufcfulnefs.

I am fenfible that fome will think the prefent an impro-
per feafon for beginning on fo extenfive a plan. They will
iay the time calls not forfpeculation but action. Ourin-

^o ^he Druid,

duftry IS now all turned into one channel, the vigorous
exertion of the fpirit of defence. When liberty, property
and life are at ftake, we muft not think of being fcholars,
but foldiers. When happy peace returns we fhall be able
to apply with proper attention and vigor to the improve-
ment of our minds, as well as to the cultivation of the
foil : till then we have other work upon our hands. I mud
inform the reader that thefe are miftaken refleflions.
There is fuch a connexion among all the arts that improve
or embellifh human nature, that they are beft promoted in
conjundtion, and generally go in a body. As I look with,
out folicitude, or rather with uniliaken confidence of fuc-
cefs, on the prefent glorious and important druggie for the
liberties of mankind ; fo I confider it as a proper feafon
for the mod ardent application to the improvement of this
country in all refpe6is. In times of public commotion
the human mind is roufed, and (hakes off the incum-
brances of fioth and felf-indulgence. Thofe who put on
the hamefs and go into the field, mud be encouraged, af-
fided, and even fupported, by the adivity and indudry of
thofe who remain at home. Befides, I am much mida-
ken if the time is not jud at hand, when there ftiall be
greater need than ever in America, I for the mod accurate
difcudion of the principles of fociety^; the rights of nations,
snd the policy of dates ; all which fhall have a place in
the fubfequent numbers of this paper. But above all, can
it ever be unfeafonable to lay before the public what
tends to improve the temper and morals of the reader,
which fliall be the ultimate objedl of all my difquifitions ?
He who makes a people virtuous^ makes them invincible.
The reader will now, in fome degree, underdand the
defign and, extent of this undertaking. As to wit and
humor, I choofe to make no promifes upon that head,
led I fhould break them. Mod people, perhaps, differ
from me ; but I confefs I would rather read a tedi-
ous argument than a dull joke. Yet the favors of the
ingenious, as the faying is (pod paid) may perhaps
enable me fometimes to gratify a reader of tade ; only I
raud take the liberty of being pleafed myfelf fird, other«^

The Druid. 43 f

wife they fliall fleep with me, or return to the authors.
Some, perhaps, will wonder that I have faid nothing of
the delightful themes of love and gallantry, efpeciallyas
it is fo eafy to eftablilh a connexion between the tender
paifion and military glory. The younger clafs of my
readers may reft fatisfied that they (hall not want good ad-
vice enough, which may be applied to that and to every
other fubjedl ; but I do not take myfelf to be qualified to
paint the ardors of a glowing flame. I have not feen any
killing eyes thefe fevcral years. It was but yefterday^
that I fmiled involuntarily on reading a poem in your lafl
magazine, fetting forth, that both Beauty and Wifdom
had taken up their refidence with a certain nymph, the
one in her cheek, the other in her tongue, and that they
were refolved never to depart ; which I thought was a
little unfortunate for all the reft of the fex. I vvifti eve-
ry Strephon and Daphne heartily well, and that the ex-
alted and rapturous phrafes of Arcadia may be foon brought
down to the compofed difcourfe of a quiet man and wife
in Philadelphia ; in which character, perhaps they may
fometimes hear from me, I hope, to their great benefit.
I am. Sir,

Your moft obedient fervant.

The DRUID.

NUMBER II.

SIR,

WHEN I firft came into this country, nothing
was farther from my expe(5la.tion than the con-
teft that has now taken place between Great-Britain and
the Colonies. The reader, I fuppofe, will alfo readily
believe me when I affirm, that what relates to this im-

432 ^he Druid.

portant ftruggle, made but a fmall part of the matter 1
had meditated and digefted for the fubjed of thefe difler-
tations. But, from fome letters which I have received,
and much converfation that I have heard, it appears
plain, that fomething of this kind is expelled from me,
and that if it is long withheld, it will be difficult to avoid
fufpicion from the warmer fons of liberty. It is not eafy
to determine what branches of this great argument it
would be beft to take up, as moft fuitable to a fpeculative
philofopher, and at the fame time molt necefTary or ufe-
ful to the bulk of my readers. The natural rights of
mankind, and the caufe of liberty in general, have been
explained and defended in innumerable treatifes, ancient
and modern. The application of thefe principles to the
American controverfy, has been made by many writers
among us, with the greatefl: clearnefs and precifion. The
nature of government, and method of biilanciag a civil
conilitution, I cannot fay has been handled either with h
much fulnefs or propriety as the other topics ; yet on this
alio many excellent obfervations have been made. If it
has not been much reafoned on, it feems neverthelefs to
be both felt and underllood, in almoft every corner of this
continent.

Leaving, therefore, thefe fubjeds for the prefent, as v/e
are yet engaged in a war fomewhat fmgalar in its nature,
important in its confequences, and uncertain in its dura-
tion, I fliall beg leave to make fome remarks as a fcho-
lar, and as a citizen of the world, on the manner of car-
vying on 'war. By this is not meant, to lay down a
plan of difcipline, or tadics for an army, or of llratagems
and manoeuvres for a general or inferior leader ; but to
confider by what means wars of different kinds may be
carried on, con fi flently with reafon, confcience, or com-
mon utility. Every body mud have obferved how fre-
.quently the newfpapers have been filled with complaints
o[ our enemies, as ading favagely and barbaroufly — as
being guilty of unnatural cruelty — as carrying on a felo-
nious and piratical war — as ading contrary to the laws
of war. I have, however, taken notice, that among all
thefe differtations little or nothing: has been faid to fliew

The Druid. 43^

tt;/S)> they have a(51ed barbaroufly, further than that they
have adled unjuRIy in being our enemies at all. No one
has told us what are the laws of war, or endeavored to
make us underdand when enemies may be laid to a6l a
fair and honourable, and when a daftardly and cruel part.

This fubjedl; I (hall now therefore enter upon ; and will
endeavor to handle it with as much fimplicity as pofTible,
that it may be ufeful to perfons of the loweil rank, and
moll: common underftanding. Let me trace it to its
fource. Wherever fociety exills founded upon clear efta-
blifhed lav/s, this obliges us to form an idea of a Hate
previous to the formation of fociety, or before fuch, or any
laws, were made and acknowledged to be in force. This
is called a Hate of nature. I do not enter into the innu-
merable queflions upon this fubje6l ; as, how long it
could continue, when men increafed in number ? Whe-
ther it is a ftate of war or peace ? Whether inclinatioa
prompted, or necefQty compelled, men to enter into fo-
ciety I It is fufficient for my purpofe, to obferve, that
jndependent nations are in a (late of natural liberty with
refpedl: to one another, or as man to man previous to the
focial compa6\. When they difagree, they have no com-
mon umpire or judge to refort to, but mufl decide their
quarrels by the fword* The queflions then to be refol-
ved are thi^e : i. Are there any laws at all by which they
iare bound ? or, are all kinds of force or violence equally
jufl ? 2. If not, what is the law ? what is it that makes
the diftindlion ? and, 3. what is the fandion of the law I
To whom fliall we complain when it is broken ?

If there is any luch law, it is certainly very jullly deno-
minated, by civilians, the law cf nature and nations^
Of nature^ becaufe its principles are to be derived from
the (late of natural or univerfal liberty, and perfonal in-
dependence ; and of nations, becaufe there is no perfon
in fuch a ftate at prefent^ excepting nations or large bodies,
who confider themfelves as independent of each other.
Now, that there is fuch a law, I think is evident, not
only from the univerfal acknowledgment of men, and
the practice of nations from the earlieft ages, but from

Vol, IV, 3 I

434. l^he Druid.

the nature of the thing. If there are any duties binding
upon men to each other, in a Hate of natural liberty, the
fame are due from nation to nation. Bodies politic do
not in this circumftance, differ from individuals. The
fame anfvver muft be made to the fecond quellion. It is
impoffible to mention any right that an individual may
jullly claim, either as to perfon or property, from his fel-
low men, but a fociety has the like claim upon any other
fociety. Their perfons mull not be aflaulted, nor their
property invaded. The fuigle purpofe of fociety, indeed,
is to protedl the individual, and to give him the firength
of the public arm, in defence of his juft and natural right.

But it will be afked, in the third place, What is the
fantlion of this law ? and who is to call the offender to
account ? To this I anfwer, That the fanf bion of the law
of nature is nothing elfe but a fenfe of duty, and account-
ablenefJi to the fupreme Judge ; to which may be added,
fuch a fenfe of general utility, as makes men fear, that if
they notorioufiy trample upon it, reproach and infamy
among all nations will be the effedl, and probably refent-
ment and indignation by common confent. Agreeably
to this, having recourfe to force is often called an appeal
to Heaven, and it is, at the fame time, generally accom-
panied with an attempt, by fome public declaration, to
convince other nations of the juftice of the caufe.

Omitting many things that are not connedled with
the point I have in view, particularly without enumera-
ting the legitimate caufes of war, but fuppofing nations
engaged in a war which they believe on both fides to be
julf, let us ailc. What are the means by which this war is
to be carried on ? The firfl and moll obvious anfwer is, By
all manner of force or open violence ; and the mod able
virarrior is prefumed to be the one that can invent weapons
the mod deadly and deflru6live. It is admitted alfo, on all
hands, that force may be ufed, not only againfl: the per-
fons and goods of rulers, but of every member of the hof-
tile ftate. This may feem hard, that innocent fubjeds of
a (lateiliould fuffer for the folly and indifcretion of the ru-
lers, or of other members of the fame Hate. But it is often
unavoidaye. The whole individuals that compofe a flate;,

The Druid, 435

are confidered but as one body. It would be impofTible
for an enemy to diflingiiifh the guilty from the innocent.
When men fubmit to a government, they rifk their own
perfons and pofTcfiions in the fame bottom with the whole,
in return for the benefits offociety.

Upon this principle, open violence maybe faid to have
no bounds, and every method that can be invented to fend
deflrudlion and mifery to any part of the hodile (late, may
be thought to be permitted. But upon the principles of
general equity, and the confent and pradlice of modern
times, adls of cruelty and inhumanity, are to be blamed,
and to be confidered as a violation of the law of nations.
Many of them might be eafily enumerated, fuch as re-
fufing quarter to thofe who fubmit, killing prifoners when
they might be kept without any danger, killing women and
children, inventing methods of torture, burning and de-
flroying every thing that might be of ufe in life. The ufe
of poifoned weapons alfo has been generally condemned,
as well as the poifoning of fprings and provifions.

The celebrated Dr. Robertfon of Edinburgh, in a fer-
mon before the fociety for propagating Chriltian know-
ledge, has made an obfervation to this purpofe, '* that to
" the honor of modern times, and (as he thinks) particu-
" larly to the honor of ChrilVianity itfelf, there is much
*' more genllenefs and humanity in the manner of car-
*' rying on war than formerly." If we look into ancient
hiftory we (hall fee fuch inftances of ferocity and cruelty
in many cafes, as are too fliocking to be related. There
is no hdi^ however, in the records of antiquity on this fub-
jedl, that ever (Iruck me lb much as the account given of
Sefoflris, becaufe it fiiews, not the barbarity of a particu-
lar monfter, but the fpirit of the times. He is extolled by
many ancient authors for his clemency, becaufe he did
not put to death the princes whom he unjullly attacked
and conquered. Yet he ordered them to wait upon him,
with a yearly tribute, and on thefe occafions ufcd to yoke
them in his charriot, and make them draw him, in place
of horfes, to the temple. How much worfe than death
would this appear at prefent to a captive prince I

43^ T^^ Druid.

But however juRly pr^ire may be due to modern times
for comparative humanity, what we have faid above is on-
ly general and undefined. Let us feek for the true prin-
ciple that ought to govern the condudl of refined and en-
lightened nations. Thi$, iflmiftake not, is. That all acts
of cruelty nvhich hwue no tendency to voeahcn the resisting
force^ are contrary to reason and religion^ and therefore
to the hni) of nature and nations. The end of war is to
obtain jullice, and reftore peace, therefore whatever tends
to lefTen or deflroy the force of the enemy, muft be per-
mitted. It is in this view alone that the capture of private
property is allowed and judified. But to take lives with-
out neceflity, and even to treat prifoners with oppreflion
or infult, above all to diftrefs or torture the weaker fex, or
the helplefs infant, ought to be deteftcd by every nation
profeffing the gofpel.

The principle which I have laid down, may be applied
Vniverfally, and will ferve to point out when any meafure
is to be juflified or condemned, between perfons profeffing
open hoftility againft each other. I will take the liberty
to apply it to fome things that have been done or at-
tempted in the prefent war, carried on by Great-Britain
againft America, It is now undeniable that endeavors
have been ufed to bring the Indian tribes upon the back
fettlements. This I call an adt of extreme and unjuftifi-
able barbarity, becaufe their manner of makinpj war is well
known. They are neither formidable for their number
nor their (Irength, but for making inroads Upon the dwell-
ings of their enemies, and putting to death women and chil-
dren, with circumftances of horrid cruelty. This is lo far
from weakening the force of the people againfl whom it
is pradlifed, that it tends to infpire them with a revenge
and fury not to be refifled. The wtll known hillory of the
late war, will both explain and fupport what T have faid.
The cruelty of the Indians produced fuch a fpirit in the
hack fettlers, which not only repelLd their attacks, but in
fome inftances retaliated thtir iiijurits, in a manner that I
will not take upon»me either to defend orexcufe. There-
fore, when we blame the Britilh miniftry for ftirring up
the Indians againft usj we do not blame them for afking

The Druid, 437

alTillance from other nations, which is common in all
wars, when any party apprehends itfelf weak, but for a
method of attack, the cruelty of which bears no propor-
tion to any advantage that can be derived from it.

The fame thing I fay of proclaiming liberty to flaves,
and ftirring them up to rebel againll their mafters. There
is, however, fome little differtnce in the application of
the principle to this and the preceding inllance. It is
probable that the people in Great-Britain reckoned upon
a degree of advantage from this meafure, vaftly fuperior
not only to what it produced in eflecl, but to what they
themfelves expe(fled from the incurfions of the Indians.
I gather this from an expreflion in a treatife publifhed in
England on the American controverfy, to this purpofe,
that * if England declare freedom to the flaves, they (the
Ameficans) have not fix weeks to be a people.' Thefe
apprehenfions may be thought to juflify them in the at-
tempt, as they muft have taken it to be fo fpeedy and ef-
fectual a means of producing abfolute fubmiiTion. But
I muft obferve, in addition to what I have laid above, that
there are fome things fo bafe and treacherous in their na-
ture, and fo pernicious in the example to human fociety
in general, that whatever effedlthey might be fuppofed to
have in a particular cafe, all men of liberal minds have
concurred in rejedling them. For example, though it is
generally agreed that aiming particularly at the lile of a
leader in battle, is not only lawful but prudent, as it is of
more confequence than fifty others, yet to fuborn his fer-
vants to aflalfinate him privately, though it might have the
fame effcdt upon the military operations, is univerfally
condemned. An inftance in hiftory occurs to me, in
which a meafure, though likely to have a great influence
in weakening the enemy, yet, for its extreme cruelty,
deferves to be fpoken of with horror. It was that of king
James ViPs general at the fiege of Londonderry, 1689,
who, when the garrifon was reduced to extremity for want
of provifions, drove all the proteftants within thirty miles,
chiefly old men, women and infants, under the walls of
the city, to be either taken in, or fuffered to perifli with
hunger under the eyes of their friends. Had this meafure

433 ^he Druid,

been fuccersful, it would have been, notwithdanding,
condemned as unjuft ; but I am happy in being able to
obferve, that a6ts of extreme cruelty do very feldom pro-
duce the effecls intended by them. When a certain point
is exceeded, fear itfelf is converted into rage, and pro-
duces the unexpe6led and incredible efforts of defpair.

The principle 1 have above laid down, will alfo enable
us to judge what opinion we fliould form of atls of vio-
lence and depredation. When an army can avail itfelf
of the goods and property of the members of a hoilile
Hate, or probably reduce them to the neceflity of making
peace, not only the feizure but the reduction of-both may
be jullified, upon the principles ofreafon. But when men
can only dellroy and not poflefs, and that deflrudion can
only fall upon an inconfiderable number of helplefs peo-
ple, it is at once inconfiftent with greatnefs of mind, and
for the mofl part againfl the intereft of the deflroyer. It
operates as an inflammatory principle, and calls up every
man, from the flrongeit to the feeblefl, to affill in repel-
ling or punifliing the favage invader. For this reafon I
give it as my opinion, tbat burning and dellroying houfes,
where there is no fortrefs, as has been in fome inftances
done, deferves all the epithets of barbarous, favage and
inhuman, that have been bellowed upon it, either by thofe
who have fufFered, or thofe who have felt in their behalf.

A few more refle£lions fliould have been added, upon
wars diiferently circumllanced, and particularly upon ci-
vil wars ; but they mull be referred to the next, or fome
future paper.

NUMBER III.

S I R,

MY lafl paper was employed in examining what is
the radical principle, according to the law of na-
ture and nations, for determining the just and /aivfid
?neans of carrying on war. Having left the fubjedl un-
finifhed, I will now add what fcems further neceliary up-
on it. The chief and moll remarkable diilindion of wars,
to be found in civilians, is into what they czW foreign and
civil W2iYS. By the firft are to be underRood, v.'ars be-
tween nations confcffed on both fides to be feparate and
independent. By the fecond, wars between different
parts of the fame Hate. The firft are fuppofed to arife
from fome occafional injury or partial encroachment, and
to have for their end the reparation of the wrong, and the
refloration of fecurity and peace. The fecond, in which
one part of the fubjedts of a (late rifes againd another, are
much more various, both in their caufes and ends, al-
though the rulers of every flate generally affedt to confi-
der them all as of the fame nature, and belonging to tb.e
fame clafs. Tlie light in which they vvifli them to be
viewed is, as an infurredion of diforderly citizens againft
law and order in general, and therefore as including the
greateft crime that can be conmiitted againfl fociety, and
deferving the fevereft punifliment. This is the true and
proper import of the laws againll treafon in any country,
and if the obje6l on which they take liokl is really fuch as
they defcribe, no fault can be found with their feverity.
He who breaks the public peace, and attempts to fubvert
the order -of the fociety of which he is a member, is guil-
ty of the greatefl crime againll every other member, by
robbing him of a bkiTing of the greatell value in itfelf, as
well as effentially necelTary to the poUlilio'n of every
other.

For this reafon it is that in civil wars one party takes
upon itfelf to be en the fide of order and good govern-
ment, and confiders every perfon of the oppofing band,

«j:4« The Druid,

not as a citizen contending for the fuppofed rights of his
own ftate, but aS a felon, and a criminal breaking the
law of God and man, and if fubdued and taken, deftined
to public, ignominious, kgal punifliment. But let us
confider a little the caufes and circumftances of civil
wars, as they have appeared in hiftory. Some have
doubilefs been -of the kind above defcribed, and which
the law in general prefumes ; but if they have been nu^
merous, they have hardly ever been formidable. Infur-
retVions of profligate or even millaken citizens have ge^
nerally been local, and occafioned by fome circumftances
that do not efFedl the whole body of an empire, and there-
fore have been eafily fupprefled. Many of the civil wars
which have torn and diftraded great empires, have arifen
from the ambition and turbulence of particular men, con-
tending for pov/er and influence in the adminiftration ot
government. Such were the wars of Sylla and Marius,
C^far and Pompey, in the Roman republic ; in which^
though the partifans on both fides were certainly crimi-
nal, yet at, the fame time, they were equally [o. We
may place in the fame rank, the civil wars in England
and France, which were fo long in the one country, and
fo bloody in both, about thie fuccefllon to the crown, In
thefe wars, the principle on which they were waged, was
fundamentally wrong, viz. that there was a claim of right
in one family or perfon, w^hich entitled them to authori-
ty di(lin6t from common confent, or the general good.
But this principle was the fame to both parties ; many
perfons of equal honor and truth embraced the oppofite
lides of the queftion ; and we can perceive no difference
at all between them, in point of merit or demerit towards
the fociety. If one contends for the uncle, and the other
for the nephew, to be king, or the pofterity of each many
generations dillant, and a bloody war muft decide the
quellion, little other reflexion can occur to a coafiderate
man, than to pity the weaknefs of human nature.

There remains another clafs of civil wars, in which a
part or the great body of a monarchy or repi^blic refifl;
the authority of their rulers, on pretence that they are
fuffering under oppreflion. They do this fometimes with

The Druid, 44t

a view to redrefs their grievances and fometimes to fub-
Vert their government altogether as infupportablc, and
re-fettle it upon a new foundation. It alfo frequently
happens that they begin with the firll of tliefc, and in the
courfe of the quarrel find or think it neceilary to end with
the laft. There are many wars of this kind upon record,
^Lomt of which have been fuccefsful, and others not. If
tliey have been fucccfsful, hiflory dignifies them with the
name of Revolution j and if otherwife, they mulf bear
ihat of rebellion. Their fuccefs, however, is no certain
criterion of their juftice. The civil war in England of
the laft century, which bears the name of the grand re-
bellion, and the late vigorous contell of the Corficuns
againll the republic of Genoa, though they were fold into
flavery, were as honorable in the principles, as the fuccefs-
ful refidance of the Seven United Provinces to the king;
of Spain, or the efforts of the Englifh nation at that period
which we have now agreed to call the glorious rez'oiution.

Let us apply thefe remarks to the fubjeilil of our prefenc
enquiry, the m.eans and manner of carrying on war.
in fadt, it has always been found that civil wars have
been carried on with a rage and animofity much greater
than thofe of independant nations. A6ts of cruelty have
been much more frequent while they lafled ; and after
peace has taken place, the alienation of mind and inward
refentment has been much greater and of longer continu-
ance. The barbarity of the Syllan and Marian factions
to each other in Rome, as well as the profcription of the
two fubfcqaent criumvirates of that ftate, were fo horrible
that it is difficult to conceive how human nature could be
brought to fuch an unfeeling and hardened temper, as
to give or execute the bloody orders. As foon as a war
between independent nations ceafes, the wound is per-
feaiy healed, and particular perfons of thefe nations do
not retain the iealt degree of refentment againll each
other. It is quite otherwife in civil wars. They often
give a name and chara*^er to the diflerent fafcions, which
is not obliterated for many generations. Whig and Tory
are names by Vv^hich perlbns and families are flill dillin-
guifhed in England, although they are both of great antl-

Vol. IV, 3 >"-

442 ^he Druid,

quity, and the firft of them more than a hundred years
old.

Whenever any efFe£l is general and conflant, there mud
be feme fuitable and permanent caufe or caufes for it. It
may not therefore be amifs, either in a philofophical or a
moral view, to examine the caufes of this phenomenon in
political life. One caufe may be affigned for it which is
very general, but which will perfedlly apply to this, as well
as to every other kind of ftrife. The greater the injury
that is done, and the ftronger the obligations to friendfhip
that are broken through, the deeper the refentment that is
felt by a fenfible mind. Now, it is certain that to diflurb
the internal peace of a (late by a civil war, is a much
more dreadful evil, and touches the people more univer-
fally, than war with a foreign kingdom. Befides, injuries
done, or fuppofed to be done, by thofe with whom we are
nearly connected, and from whom we expeded every act
of friendfhip, wound more deeply than thofe done by
Grangers or perfons unknown. This is fo generally true,
that differences between near relations, if they come to a
certain height, and are publicly known, are fcarcely ever
thoroughly reconciled. They may be apparently or im-
perfedtly taken away, the fore may be Ikinned over, but
it fliil rankles at bottom, and upon the flighteft touch is
ready to break out anew.

Another caufe which may be affigned for the barbarity
exercifed in civil wars, is the hateful or contemptible idea
which the one fide, at leall, often entertains of the other.
It is a fine obfervation of a moral writer of the lall age,
" If you want to be wholly free from the guilt of injury,
oppreffion or flander, you mufi: take care what you think
of others, for it is certain that your treatment of them will
be according to the opinion you have formed of their cha-
radler and merit." This remark is perfedly jufl : for if
once a man allow himfelf to hate another heartily, there is
no anfwering for what he will do to him, nor is the natu-
ral humanity of his difpofition the leaft fecurity againll his
going to exrefs. Perfons of the gentlen: nature and the
fofteil fex, when completely enraged, have been guilty of
the moll horrid cruelty. This is commonly accounted

The Druid. 44^

for by the mixture of fear and hatred. Bat if another in-
gredient is added to the compofition, it will be yet more
powerful; I mean contempt. Some may think that fear
and contempt are inconfident, but this is a miflake. You
cannot fear the llrength of an enemy and defpife it, at the
feme time ; but you may eafily fear his Rrength and ma-
lice, and defpife his charadler. If therefore you join all
thefe together, fear, hatred and contempt, towards an ene-
my, it will not be wonderful if the treatment he receives
is unmerciful or unjuft. This is often the cafe in civil
wars. Thofe who are on the fide of government are apt
to form the moll unjr.(l, as well as defpicable ideas, of their
opponents, and never to fpeak of them but in the moll op-
probrious terms. By this they are naturally led to be-
have towards them with inhumanity, and fometimes in
their correfpondence they will fcarce confider themfelves
as upon an equality, or be bound by the laws of fmcerity
and truth.

I could illullrate the influence of charadler, and the opi-
nion we entertain of others, on our condu6l toward them,
by many inltances in hiftory. It is the true and genuine
fource of the Roman Catholics not keeping faith with he-
retics. This their enemies charge them with as an avow-
ed principle ; which they deny. But that they have adled
agreeably to it is fadl. The example of John Hufs of Bohe-
mia, and feveral others, put it beyond all quellion. It is
alfo the true caufe of the cruelty of the inquifition, com-
monly called the bloody Tribunal. Nothing is more
common than to confider the minillers of this court as
monfters diveRed of every feeling of humanity, and fo to
lay three fourths of the blame upon the perfonal character,
whereas in truth, it ought to be wholly imputed to the
power of bigotry and falfe zeal. When once a perfon is
believed to be an enemy to God, and meriting his ulmod
vengeance, it is not wonderful that men fliould co-operate
with him, and inflict that little part of it that is in their
power. It is not fo properly luiTering in itfelf, as the inno-
cence of the fuflferer, or die difproportion of the lufll-ring
to the crime, that excites our compalTion. When crimes
are very atrociouSj we fometimes feel, and in fome degree

444 ^he Druid.

regret, the weaknefs of buma« vengeance, which cannot
poflibly give them their due. I can recolledl feveral in.
fiances of criminals, on whofe condemnation, not one but
many would fay, " hedeferves, if it were polTible, a thou-
fand deaths.

But now let me draw this diflertation to a conclufion,
or as divines would fay, to the application. It is eafy to
fee, from the above principles, what are the dilates of
truth and juftice a$ to the manner of carrying on civil wars.
There is but one clafs of them in which the behavior
ihould be different from the pradice that prevails in wars
with independent dates ; I mean when tumultuous and
diforderly citizen? attempt to fubvert law and order alto-
gether. But when the grounds qf the quarrel are plaufible
on both fides, and when it is demonftrable that perfons of
the ftriflefl: honor and integrity may be found adhering to
the oppofite parties, they are bound by every tie to can-
dor in judgment, and to humanity and mercy in their con-
duct towards each other. Happily we often fee the parties
in fuch wars compelled to humanity through felf-intereft,
and retrained by fear of one of the jufleft of all laws, that
of retaliation. I could willi, however, that a fenfe of du-
ty ftiould be ac^ded to this obligati'on ; for neither neceffity,
nor even inclination, is foflable and powerful a principle
pf aftion, as reafon and truth imprefled on the confcience.
Neceffity does not always feem equally ftrong, and the im-
pulfe of natural afte6lion is tranfient and changeable ; but
that which we confider as efiential to our duty, v/e fliall
adhere to without the afliftance of either, and ought to do
it even in oppofition to both,

I do truly think myfelf, in my prefent retirement (beg-
ging the reader's pardon) not ill qualified, in point of im-
partiality, for handling this fubject, and applying it to the
prefent conteft betv/een Great-Britain and America. T am
pall the age of bearing arms, and whatever I have done
before, fhall probably never again wield any other weapons,
than thofe improperly fo called, the tongue and the pen.
I do clearly fee the perfect julVice and great importance of
the claim on the one hand, and eafily conceive the power
of prejudice on the other. On the part of America, ther«

The Druid. 445

was not the moR dlRant thought of fubverting the govern-
ment, or hurting the intereft of the people of Great-Bri-
tain, but of defending their own privileges from unjuft
encroachment ; there was not the leall delire of with-
drawing their allegiance from the common fovercign, till
it became abfolutely neceflary, and indeed was his own
choice : On the other hand, I can eaiily conceive that
thofe who have been long accuflomed to fubjedlion, and
from whom it is really due, fhould not fuddenly enter into
the reafons of exempting a people, otherwife lituated, from
the fame burden. They are therefore of courfe eafjiy de-
ceived by falfe orimperfedt accounts of a diftant country,
and infenfibly biaiTed by the phrafeology conOanily ufed,
particularly the terms rebels and rebellion. Upon the
whole, as I am now to difmifs this fubjed^, and profccute
the plan laid down in my firfl number, I fhall conclude
with faying, That humanity is the nobleft attendant on
true valor ; and that he will probably fight moll bravely,
who never fights till it is necelTary, and ceafes to fight as
foon as the neceffity is over.

44^ The Druici

J^ U M B E R IV,

S I R,

ONE of the greatefl difficulties that occurs to writers
of rnifcellaneous effays, and which has been often
complained of, is the fixing upon proper fubjedls. We
are confined, as a certain writer obferves, to * human
nature and life,' and yet thefe have been fo completely
ranfacked, and almoft every charader and occurrence has
been placed in fuch a variety of lights, that it is hardly
poflible to find a corner that is wholly untouched. At
the fame time, as to the manner of writing, the reader
generally exped\s two things that feem to be incompati-
ble and mutually dedrudlive of each other. The one is,
that it be (Iriking and original ; and the other, that it be
fun pie, natural and obvious. If we fay what any body
ini^rht fay, then it is a trite, beaten, common-place, hack-
neyed topic ; and if we fay what would not readily occur
to others, then it is a forced, unnatural, out of the ivay
manner of thinking and writing, than w^hich there cannot
be a greater difparagement of either writer or fpeaker, nor
any that will more fpeedily or effedually prevent his fuc-
^efs. But notwithftanding this apparent hardfliip, there
is a real juftice in the expectation of tlie public in both re-
fpe£ls, when rightly underflood. A writer's fentiments
■ hould be properly his own, and yet they fhould not be
too much repugnant to other people's. And as one man's
face is eafily didinguifhed from that of every other, though
the general features are the fame in all, he may preferve
his genuine character without going far out of the %vay^ or
aiming at any thing odd or particular for this purpofe.
I know not how it is with others, but for my own part, I
would rather write on a fubje6l that has been often han-
dled, or a chara6ler that has been often defcribed, than
one of a contrary kind ; becaufe, in fuch cafes, I can form
my own fentiments with greater precifion, and exprefs
them with greater perfpicuity and force.

The Druid. 447

The reader may confider the above as an introduclion,
preface, or, if he pleafes, apoIoji;y for the following dilfer-
tation, which Ihall have for its lubje6l a certain human
charadier or quality, generally called plain common sense.
I muft, in the firfl place, fettle the meaning of the exprcf-
fion. There are in every language, certain fine or nice
diftinclions in the life both of phrafes and fingle terms,
which, though introduced and finally fettled by general
pradice, are not always attended to or fully undcrHood.
In the cafe before us, I think, the term is ufed very dif-
ferently in the negative, from what it is in the poHtive
form. When we fay of a man, that he ivants couimcn
sense^ we mean that he is a very great fool, and fome-
times that he is the next Uiing to a changeling or ideot.
But v/hen, in the pofitive form, we fay of a man, that he
is a man of plain common sense, we give him a good cha-
racter, and are underftood by it as afHrming that there
are not many fuperior or equal to him in that particular,
as alfo that he poficITcs a quality of no inconfiderable va-
lue. It is plain, that in thcfe two ways of fpeaking, the
term common fenfe Rands for different things. In the
firfl: of thera it fignifics, that fenfe that is really common
to all men, or at lead nearly univerfal : in the I'eccnd it
fignifies either fomething totally different, or at leall a de-
gree of that fenfe which is not pofiefied by the plur^ilit)^
but perhaps is called common, becaufe it may be found
in fome perfons of every rank.

Let me now er.quire a little into the characters of com-
mon fenfe. It is ihe gift of nature, and may he clearly
'didinguifiied from what is acquired by fludy or applica-
tion. In the Thoughts on various Subjedls, by Swift and
Pope, we have one to this purpofe, that * firws fenfe is no:
half fo ufeful as common fenfe, for he that has the one
without the other, is like one that carries nothing about
him but gold coin, who mult be often at a lofs for wane
of change.' In another of thefe thoughts we are informed,
' that to attempt to move the multitude with fine ftfnle, is
like attempting to hew a block with a razor.' With all
refped to thefe great men, I mud fay, that though there
h fomething fmart and lively in the above recited i^nti>

'44^ Tloe Druidk

ments, yet they are more brilliant than juft ; they feertt
to fuppofe, that refinement is a thing of the fame kind
with common fenfe, and only higher in degree, and yet
at the fame time that a man may poflefs genuine refine-
ment and be without common fenfe, neither of which, in
my opinion, is true, at leaft in fuch a fenfe as to make
their fimilitudes juft, or their reafoning conclufive. Re-
finement is as different from common fenfe as the culture
is from the foil, or the climate from either ; but as their
joint influence is neccflary to the production of the crop, {o
fine fenfe, without common fenfe as its ground-work and
foundation, very ill deferves the name* If 1 faw a nian
attempting to hew a block with a razor, or heard him
fpeaking in metaphyfical, abfiraft, unintelligible terms, to
a n^.ultitude of common people, I Ihould heartily agree
that he wanted common fenfe ; but that he pofTefled fine
fenfe, I fhould not be eafily brought to confefs.

The ufe of fcientific terms and fentiments, brought
from what is known only to fcholars and improperly in-
troduced, has been long treated with the contempt it de-*
ferves ; but it is confidered as belonging only to the learn-
ed profeflions. I was well acquainted with a divine many
years ago, who began a prayer in his congregation with
thefe words, ' O Lord, thou art the fimplefl. of all beings,'
which incenfed his hearers againfi him to fuch a degree,
that they accufed him of having fpoken blafphemy ; where-*
as the poor man only meant to fay, that God was philofo^
phically fimple and uncom pounded, altogether diflerent
from the groffnefs, divifibility, or, as it is fometimes more
learnedly called, the difcerptibility of matter. I was alfo
acquainted with a phyfician, who, fitting with a lady in
her own houfe, and being alked by her, ' Do6lor, are ar-
tichokes good for children ?' anfwered, ' Madam, they
are the leaft flatulent of all the efculent tribe,' indeed, doc»
tor, fays the lady, I do not underfiand a word of what you
have faid. Now, I think, i^t^ would have much admi-
red either the fine or common fenfe of thefe gentlemen^
though certainly the divine would have been confidered as
the greater fool of the two, for phyficians, as a body, havQ.
alTerted and maintained their right to the ul'e of hard

The Druid,

449

})!irares beyond any other clafs of fcholars. But there is
a certain Ipecies of this fault, which, I think, has not beea
much taken notice of ; and that is, when men, either of
high Ration or real fenfe and literature, are filled with
felf-fufficiency, and cannot think of delcending to the
level of thofe with whom they convcrfe, eitlier in fenti-
inents or phrafcology. I fufne6'\ there were a few grains
olthis failing in the illuftrious perfons not long ago men-
tioned ; and that their fentiments, above related, are
an evidence of it. In this inllance, their fine fenfe v/as
an over match for their common fenfe, and this was an
evident proof of the imperfection of both.

If then fine fenfe does not difTer eflentially from com-
nioa fenfe, and the firft is nothing more than a certain
brightnefs or polifli given to the lafi, it would feem as if
by common fenfe we ought to underfiand the rational
powers in general, and the cj/^jc/ry of improvement. But
here we meet with a difiiculty which feems to need a re-
folution. If common fenfe is nothing elfe but the llrength
of the intelleftual powers taken complexly, then niuft it
be in every perfon in proportion to thofe powers; and
faience, if it does not improve, certainly cannot diminifli
it. Yet there is no branch of fcience whatever but we
find fome perfons capable of learning it, and frequently
t.^ven of ftiining in it, who are notwithllanding very de-
fcdVive in common fenfe, and after their learned acquifi-
titjns, the defedt is either greater in itfelf, or at Icafl more
vifible than before. Vv'e find many who learn the dead
languages to great perfe(5\ion, who learn arithmetic, geo-
metry, natural philofophy, rhetoric, politics, who even
become eminent in fome of them, and tolerably flcilled in
all, whom yet we reckon greatly inferior to more igno-
rant perfons, in clear, found, common fenfe.

Perhaps it may be thought that thefe ignorant perfons
only wanted the opportunity of improvement, and would
have excelled the others alfo in literature had they applied
to it. This I do not find to be the cafe, from the inllan-
ces in which a trial has been made. Doubtlefs there
are fome examples of perfons eminently pollefied of judg-
ment or common fenfe, as well as capable of acquiring

Vol, IV. 3 L

45 o ^T/^^ Druid.

fkill In the fciences ; but thefe talents are by no means
the fame, or in direiSt proportion to one another. I have
known perfons who feemed capable of learning any thing,
and who did know a great deal upon many fubjeds, who
yet had fuch a comical caft in their general behavior,
that it was not eafy to avoid fmlling at their fpeech and
condudl. I have even known perfons, male and female,
with whom you could find no fault, but that their carriage
and conversation were too complete and perfect at all
times, and yet we fufpeded them of folly, merely becaufe
they w^re free from the follies and irregularities of others.
I remember an inflance, in early life, of my being in
company, for the firft time, with a certain young lady,
and after a few minutes, fhe aiked me a very judicious
queftion upon the charadler and hiftory of Augullus Cae-
far, which made me immediately fufpe(3: that ihe was not
quite found ; whereas, if fhe had only faid it was a fine
day after the rain, or uttered any other fuch wife and
pertinent refleiSlion, I fhould have concluded nothing to
her prejudice. Dn the other hand, there are many in-
(lances of perfons who have made trial of ftudy and fcience
with very little fuccefs, and who, giving them up, have
applied to a6live life, and have defervedly acquired the
character of clear-headed, fenfible, judicious men. The
truth is, the diflindtion between literature and common
fenfe, feemsto be well known and generally acknowledged.
There are fome who evidently give way to, or even affedl
an abfence of mind, from forgetfulnefs and inattention to
what they are about, and expert we fliould confider it as
an indication of profound ftudy and deep learning. This
is one of the mod ridiculous pieces of aflfedlation imagi-
nable. Such gentlemen, if they be logicians, fliould be
told ihditaparticulari ad universale non valet consequentia.
We know very well that fome great fcholars are fools,
but this will never prove that all fools are great fcholars.
Upon the whole, it feems that fcience, or a capacity for
it, is not common fenfe.

Since then common fenfe is a gift of nature, different
from a capacity for fcience in general, fhall we fay that it
is genius, including particularly thofe exalted and admired

The Druid. 45 1

talents which have been, by fome of the latefl writers,
called the powers of imagination. Here we are further
from the point than ever, for great wit and a lively ima-
gination are rather confidered as oppofed to judjrment and
prudence, and other happy fruits of common fenfe. So
much is this the cafe, that the poet has been often cited
with approbation, who fays,

" Great wit to madnefs fure is near allied,
And thin partitions do their bounds divide."

It is common to fay, that fuch a man has more fail than
ballad, meaning that his imagination, fire and fprightlinefs
are an overmatch for his prudence, and clearly carrying
the fuppofition, that this laft quality is as oppofite to the
others, as fail is to ballall, or even motion to red. To all
this may be added, that fome who really were, and many
who defired to be thought, men of great genius, have ac-
tually claimed it as their right, not to be confined to com-
mon forms, and indeed have generally aded accordingly.
We have feen then that refinement, fcience, genius, are
not common fenfe, fliall we now go any further? Is there
not a chara£ter in which there is knowledge of the mod
liberal kind, clearnefs of underdanding, penetration of
mind upon every fubje£l, and yet a weaknefs or want of
common fenfe, in condudl and behavior ? Arc there not
fome who feem to have, not only all other fenfes, but com-
mon fenfe too, for every body but themfelves ? They can
immediately and readily difcover the midakes of others,
they can give the bed and founded advice upon every
fubje£l, and yet never could adt a wife part themfelves on
any fubjcdt. Some who are even connoiffeurs in oecono-
my, never can keep their own affairs in tolerable order. I
have known a gentleman who reduced himfelf to beggary
by foolifli projects, yet, after having fold his paternal in-
heritance, he employed himfelf in thinking and writing
on that fubjea on which he had aded wrong, and pub-
lidiedeffays on agriculture, modedly pointing out to gen-
tlemen and farmers by how fmall a portion of land, weli
improved, they might fpeedily acquire a plentiful cdate%

45* 516^ Druid.

Upon comparing all thefe obfervations together, I beg
leave to lay down a few propofitions which appear to be,
neareft the truth in the way of theory or fyfleni, and on
them to jjround a few pradlcal advices. There feem to
be three fe pa rate qualities of the human mind very v'ell
expreffcd in the old philofophy, by the three known terms
of memory, imagination and judgment. Thefe are truly
diftin6t one from another ; for any one of them may not
only exifl, but be in hi^h perfection, in the abfence of both
the others. This will not, I think, be doubted as to the
two firil:, and even as to the laft, 1 have known Ibme per-
fons not only without iniagination as a talent, but with
very little taile for works of imagination, and whofe me-
mory was no ways remarkable, who have paflcd through
life with great dignity and credit, who, with or without
learning, have conduded their own affairs with prudence
and difcretion, and difcovered the higheft fenfe of pro-
priety and decorutn in all their intercourfe with others,
under the happy j^uidance of plain common fenfe.

In the next place, though thefe qualities are diftini^,
thev are by no tneans incompatible. There have been
inilances of perfons who pofTefTed all the three in high per-
fection ; and there mull be a coisfiderable proportion of
each to form a charadler truly illuUrious. Some, in whom^
imagination has been very ftrong, have alfo been remark-
able tor clearnefs of judgment in their woiks, good fenfe
and prudence in their whole deportment. The fame thing
I fay of memory. Some prodigies of memory have been
defedive in judgment, but many gre^t men have alfo ex-
celled in this reipedt, and no fmall meafure of it is necef-
fary both in works of genius and the functions of public
life. Again,

Of thefe three qualities, judgment is by far the moft
valuable and important. Of itfelf it is amiable and re-
fpedable, while the others, without it, are contemptible,
ufeiefs or hurtful. A man of memory without judgment,
is a fool; and a man of imagination, without judgment,
is mad , but when this great quality takes the government
ot both, they acquire lullre, and conmiand univcrfal ef-

The Druid, 453

teem. No human accomplifliment, imlefs it has this as
its foundation and ground- work, can reach perfcclion,tven
in its own kind. Memory will make a lin^uili, ima^^ina- '
tion will make a poet, penetration will make a pliilolb-
pher, public liie will make a politician, and court breed-
ing will make a man of fafliion ; yet all of them are ef.
fcntialiy defedive, if common fcrnfe is weak or wanting.
There is fomethin^ in the application and dircdlion of all
thefe accomplishments which judgment mud lupply, and
which neither inilrudtion, example, nor even experience
will bcftow.

It is probable that many would readily grant me (what
yet I do notafk, being hardly of the fame opinion) that of
all the charaders juii: now mentioned, that of a mpn of
fafliion or politenels is the moft fuperficial, and what may
be mofi eafily attained by imitation and habit. Yet even
here, nothing is more eafy than to fee the dominion of
judgment and good fenfe, or the prevalence of folly and
indifcretion. That want of prt-icnce ol mind or embar-
ralTment, which is often the efiedl of modefly or bafhlul-
nefs, nay, even the errors and blunders which vifibly pro-
ceed from ignorance and millake of the reigning mode,
are not half fo abfurd and ridiculous, as the aiTefted airs
and mifpldced ceremonies of a fop, of which the ladies are
always mod attentive obfervers, dnd to give them their
due, generally not incompetent judges.

Once more, judgment is an original and radical qua-
lity, that is of all others leaft capable of being counnuni-
cated by inllrudion, or even improved or augmented by
culture. Mem.ory and imagination are alfo gifts of na-
ture ; but they may be greatly increafcd, the one by ex-
ercife, and the other by iudulgence. You may teach a
man any thing in the world but prudence, which is the
genuine offspring of comuion fenl'e. It is generally laid
that experience teaches fools, but the meaning of the pro-
verb is often u illaken, for it docs not fignlfy that experi-
ence makes them wife : it fignifies that they never are
wife at all, but perfid in fpite of inlh-u6\ion, warning and
example, till they feel the effeds of their own folly. Il a
man is born v/ith a fund of good fcufe and natural difcern-

454 5^^^ Druid,

ment, it will, appear in the very firfl: flages of his educa-
tion. He who OLitflrips his fellows in a grammar fchool,
will not always be the greateft fcholar in advanced life ;
but he who does not difcover difcernment and fagacity
when a boy, will never be diftinguiihed for it fo long as
he lives. It is often faid, in a certain country, that a fool
of forty will never be wife ; which is fometimes under-
llood as if a man made as regular a progrefs to the fum-
mit of his wifdom, till the age offortyy as he does to that
of his (lature till twenty ; which is a very great mi (take.
I take it to be in this cafe, as in the other, that a man
of forty has fufFicIently proved to all the world that he is
not, and therefore that he never was, and never will be
wife.

Shall we fay then that this mofl valuable of all human
qualities receives no benefit at all from a well conducted
education, from ftudy, or from an acquaintance with the
world. I anfwer, that I do not think it is capable of any
change in its nature, or addition to its vigor, but it may
be joined to other talents of more or lefs value, and it may
be applied to purpofes more or lefs ufeful and important,
and thence acquire a ludre and polifh, of which it would
otherwife be deilitute. The fame good fenfe and pru-
dence, which alone would make a fenfible judicious far-
mer, would, if united to memory and imagination, and
enriched with fliill in the liberal arts, make an eminent
fcholar, and bring in large contributions to the ti*eafury of
human fcience. The fame foundnefs of judgment, which,
in a country life or contrafted neighborhood, would fet an
example of frugality, be an enemy to diforder, and point
out the pofTeffor as a proper umpire in unhappy diffen-
tions ; would, in a more enlarged fphere, make an accom-
plifhed fenator or a politician, to manage the affairs of a
large community, or fettle the differences of contending
nations.

1 come now to offer my readers fome advices, a prac-
tice to which I am by nature and habit exceedingly prone.
A difficulty^ it mu(lbe confelled, feems to occur in this
matter. If the abov(f theory be jud, there feems to be
little room left for advice, as the great talent, fo largely

The Dniid. 455

dsfcrlbed, is fappofed to be original and unalteraMe. This
difficulty, however, notvvithltanding, important infiruc-
tion may be grafted upon it, not only to parents and others
who have the charge of the education of youth, but to
every man, for the future diredion of his own condui^h

As to the firft of thefe, I would intreat parents to guard
againfl that fond partiality which inclines them to form
a wrong judgment of the capacity of their children ; par-
ticularly, it were to be wiflied, that they would not take
a few fallies of pgrtnefs and vivacity for an evidence of
diftinguifhed parts. It is well known, and has been fre-
quently obferved, how apt parents are to entertain their
vifitors with an account of the bright fayings or llirewd
fchemes of their children, as molt promifmg fymptoms of
their future talents ; and yet, {o far as my obfervation
reaches, the things related might for the mod part juftify
a contrary fuppofuion. I fhould run little rifk in affirm-
ing, that three fourths at leail of thofe anecdotes, which
parents relate with fo much triumph of their children, are
to be accounted for from memory, or petulance, or even
flupidity. A child will repeat, at an improper time, a
phrafe or remark that he has heard, and it will make fo
abfurd a contrail with what is going on, that it is impoffi-
ble to forbear laughing. I afk whether this is an evi-
dence of the greatnefs or the want of underllanding in
the child ? Another will give an infolent and faucy an-
fwer, and acquire great reputation for what deferved the
molt fevere and exemplary correction. To crown all,
I will tell a true (lory : An old gentleman, whom I
knew, would often fay, in commendation of his fon's wif-
dom, then a boy about ten or twelve year's of age. That
when other boys are breaking their legs by falls from
limbs of trees, or going a fifliing in rivers, at the riik cf
being drowned, his fon would fifh a whole afternoon with
a crooked pin, in a tub of foul water in the kitchen. I
fuppofe any reader will agree, that the fadl and the re-
mark taken together, conditute a full proof that the mo-
ther was honell, and the fon lawfully begotten.

It would be a great advantage, that parents fliould
make a moderate eflimation of the talents of their chiU

45^ 5"i^ Druid.

dren, in two refpedls. (i.) It would preferve the chil-
dren thenifelves from being puffed up with unmerited
praile, and thus miUdking their own chara6"ter and capa-
city. ' Thou>jh the native force and vigor of common
fenfe can neither be augmented nor deflroyed, yet it may
be, and 1 believe frequently is ne^leded and defpifed, or
overgrown by the rank weeds of ofientation and felf fuiS-
ciency. When 30ung perfons are vain of the talents
which they do not poiTcfs, or ambitious of a chara61er
which they cannot attain., they become ridiculous in their
condudl. and are generally unfuccefsfui in their purfuits.
(2.) It would incline and make their parents to conduct
their education in the mod proper manner, by giving par-
ticular attention to thofe branches of inflrudion, which,
though lefs fplendid, are more generally ufeful than fome
others. It would lead me too much into detail to give
many examples for the illullration of this remark, and
therefore I fhall only fay, that common (qx\^q^ which is a
modell unafTuming quality, and a diligent application to
the ufeful parts of fcience, will neither dilirefs nor weak-
en a fervent imagination, when it really refides in the
Hime fubjeCl; but giving loofe reins to a warm imagina-
tion, will often overfet a moderate degree of judgment, fo
that it will never more dare to fhow its head. I have
known fome youths of bright genius in their own efleem,
who have looked dov/n with great contempt upon quiet
and orderly boys as dull plodding fellows, and yet thefe
lad have, in the ilTae, become men of fpirit and capacity,
as well as literature, while the others have evaporated
into rakes and bullies, and indeed blockheads ; or taking
the road to Mount Helicon, have become poets, fools
and beggars.

I mult advife every reader, efpecially thofe in early
years, to form his opinion oi others, and his friendly at-
tachments, upon the principles above laid doun. No-
thing will more cffedlually miflead young perfons than
an exceffive admiration of (liowy talents in thofe with
whom they converfe, whether they be real or fuppofed.
I have known many inftances of perfons who apparently
owed their rain to their imbibing, early in life, a notion

The Druid. 457

that decency, order, and a prudent management of tl.eir
affairs, were marks of dulnel's ; and on the contrary, that
petulance, frowardnefs and irregularity, and even vicious
excefles, were the effects of fpirit and capacity. Many
follow the leading perfon in frolics, not from any inward
approbation of fuch practices, but merely to avoid the re-
proach which in fuch focieties is fo unjuilly bellowed. I
beg all fuch to believe me, as a perfon of fome experience
in places of public education, when I affure them, that in
nine inflances out of ten, your ramblers, night-walkers,
and mifchief workers, are blockheads and thick-fculls.
Does it require any genius, think you, to throw a log in
another's way in a dark pafTage, and after he has Rumbled
over it, to raife a triumphant laugh at him, who was fuch
a fool as not to fee without light.

I conclude with obferving, that whatever may be the
capacity of any perfon in itfelf, if it is negledled or mif-
improved, it will either be wholly loft or be of little con-
fequence in future life. Our very bodily frame prefents
us with aleflbn of inilrudlion upon this fubje(5t. Though
formed by nature complete and regular, if it is accullom-
ed to any improper torture or ungraceful motion, the ha-
bit will foon become unconquerable ; and any particular
limb or member that for a long lime is not ufed, will be-
come ufclefs. This holds yet more flrongly as to the
powers of the mind : they are loft by negligence ; but by
proper application they are preferved, improved, and ia
many cafes increafed. Let all, therefore, who wilh or
hope to be eminent, remember, that as the height to which
you can raife a tower, depends upon the fize and folidity
of its bafe, fo they ought to lay the foundation of their
future fame deep r.nd ftrong, in fobriety, prudence and
patient induftry, which are the genuine dilates oi plain
common sense.

Vol. IV. 3 M

4S^ T&e Druids

NUMBER V.
SIR,

A MAN is not, even at this time, called or confider-
ed as a fcholar, unlefs he is acquainted in fome de-
gree with the ancient languages, particularly the Greek
and Latin, About one hundred and fifty years ago, how-
ever, thofe languages were better underftood than they are
at prefent ; becaufe, at that time, authors of reputation
publifhed almoft all their works in Latin. Since the pe-
riod above nientioned, the modern, or as they are fome-
times called, the northern languages, have been gradual-
ly polifhed, and each nation has manifelled a zeal for, and
an attention to, the purity and perfection of its own tongue.
This has been the cafe, particularly, with refpedt to the
•French and Englilh. The French language is, as near-
ly as I can guefs, about fifty years before the Englifh, in
this refpeft ; that is to fay, it is fo much longer fuice their
men of letters applied themfelves to the afcertaining, cor-
recling and polifliing of it. The Englifh, however, has
received great improvements within thelafl hundred years,
and probably v;il] continue to do fo. He muft have little
judgment, or great obftinacy, who does not confefs that
fome late authors have written the Englifh language with
greater purity^ than thofe of the firif character in former
times. From this we may certainly infer, that the educa-
tion muft be very imperfect in any feminary where no
care is taken to form the fcholars to tafte, propriety and
accuracy, in that language which they muft fpeak and
write all their life afterwards.

To thefe refle6lions it maybe added, that our fituatioa
in America is now, and in all probability will continue to
be fuch, as to require peculiar attention upon this fubjeft.
The Englifli language is fpoken throu<;h all the United
States. We are at a great diftance from the ifland of
Great-Britain, in which the ftandard of the language is as
yet fuppofed to be found. Every ftate is equal to and in-

The Druid. 459

dependent of every other ; and, I believe, none of them
will agree, at leait immediately, to receive laws from
another, in difcourfe, any more; than in adlion. Time
and accident mufi: determine what turn afl'.tirs will take in
this refpedl in future, whether we fhall continue to confi-
der the language of Great-Britain as the pattern upon
which we are to form ours ; or whether, in this new em-
pire, fome centre of learning and politenefs will not be
found, which lliall obtain influence and prefcribs the
rules of fpeech and writing to every other part.

While this point is yet unfettled, it has occurred to
me to make fome obfervations upon the prefent fiate of
the Englifh language in America, and to attempt a col-
ledlion of fome of the chief improprieties which prevail,
and might be eafily corredled. I will premife one or
two general remaj'ks. The vulgar in America fpeak
much better than the vulgar in Great-Britain, for a very
obvious reafon, viz. that being much more unfettled, and
moving frequently from place to place, they are not {o
liable to local peculiarities, either in accent or phrafeology.
There is a greater difference in dialeft between one
county and another in Britain, than there is between
one Hate and another in America. I ihctll alfo admit,
though with fome hefitation, that gentlemen and fcholars
in Great- Britain fpeak as much vv^ith the vulgar in com-
mon chit chat, as perfons of the fame clafs do in America :
but there is a remarkable difference in their public and
folemn difcourfes. I have heard in this country, in the
fenate, at the bar, and from the pulpit, and fce daily in
diflertations from the pre fs, errors in grammar, impropri-
eties and vulgarifms, which hardly any perfon of the fame
clafs, in point of rank and literature, would have fallen into
in Great- Britain. Curiofity led me to make a colle6lion
of thefe, which, as foon as it became large, convinced
me that they were of very different liinds, and therefore
muft be reduced to a confiderable number of claffes, in
order to their being treated with critical juRicc. Thefs
I now prefent to the public under the following heads, to
each of which I will fubjoin a iliort explication, and a

4^Q The Druid^

number of examples, with remarks where they feem ne-
ceflary.

1. Amerlcanifms, or ways of fpeaklng peculiar to this
ppuntry.

2. Vulgarirpns in England and America.

3. Vulgarifms in America only.

4. Local phrafes or terms.

5. Common blunders arifmg from ignorance.

6. Cant phrafes.

7. Perfonal blunders.

8. Technical terms introduced into the language.

It will be proper to put the reader in mind, that he
ought not to expe£t that the enumeration under each of
thefe heads can be complete. This would have required
a very long courfe of obfervation ; and indeed is not ne-
cefTary to my purpofe, which is by fpecimens to enable
every attentive and judicious perfon to make obfervations
for himfelf.

X. The firft clafs I call Amerlcanifms, by which I un-
derlland an ufe of phrafes or terms, or a conflruclion of
fentences, even arnong perfons of rank and education,
different from the ufe of the fame terms or phrafes, or
the conflruftion of fimilar fentences, in Great-Britain.
It does not follow, from a man's ufmg thefe, that he is
ignorant, pr his djfcourfe upon the whole inelegant ; nay,
it does not follow in every cafe, that the terms or phrafes
nfed are wprfe in themfelves, but merely that they are of
American and not of Englifh growth. The word Ame-
ricanifm, which \ have coined for the purpofe, is exadly
fimilar in its formation and fignification to the word
Scotticifm. By the word Scotticifm is underdood any
term or phrafe, and indeed any thing either in conflruc-
lion, pronunciation, or accentuation, that is peculiar to
North-Britain. There are many inflances in which the
Scotch way is as good, and fome in which every perfon
who has the leafl tafte as to the propriety or purity of lan-
guage in general, muft confefs that it is better, than that of
England, yet fpeakers and writers muft conform to cuf-
torn.

7he Dnnd, 461

Scotland, or the northern part of Great-Britain, was
once a feparate independent kingdom, though, except in
the Highlands, the people fpot<e the fame language as in
England ; the inhabitants of the Lowlands, in both coun-
tries, having been originally the -fame. It is jufUy ob-
ferved by Dr. Robertfon, in his hiftory of Scotland, that
had they continued feparate kingdoms, fo that there fhould
have been a court and parliament at Edinburgh, to fcrve
as a ftandard, the fmall differences in dialed! and even in
pronunciation, would not have been confidered as defeats ;
and there would have been no more opprobrium attend-
ing the ufe of them in fpeech or writing, than there was
in the ufe of the different dialedls of the ancient Grecian
republics. But by the removal of the court to London,
and efpecially by the union of the two kingdoms, the
Scottilh manner of fpeaking came to be confidered as pro-
vincial barbarifm ; which, therefore, all fcholars arc now
at the utmofl pains to avoid. It is very probable that the
reverfe of this, or rather its counter part, will happen in
America. Being entirely feparated from Britain, we iliall
find fome centre or flandard of our own, and not be fub-
je(5l to the inhabitants of that ifland, either in receivin;^
new ways of fpeaking, or rejedling the okl.
The examples follow.

1. " The United States, or either of them." This is {o
far from being a mark of ignorance, that it is ufed by ma-
ny of the mofl able and accurate fpeakers and writers, yet
it is not Englifh. The United States are thirteen' in num.
ber, but in Englifli either does not fignify one of many,
but one or the other of two. I imagine cither has become
an adjedlive pronoun, by being a fort of abbreviation of a
fentence where it is ufed adverbially, either the one or the
other. It is exadly the fame with ehatcros in Greek, and
alterutur in Latin.

2. This is to notify the public ; or the pcopfe had not
been notified. By this is meant inform and informed. In
Engliih we do not notify the perfon of the thing, but no-
tify the thing to the perfon. In this inflance there is cer-
tainly an impropriety,/^r to notify is juft faying by a word
of Latin derivation, to make knovjn. Now if you cannot

462 The Druid.

fay this is to make the public known, neither ought you
to fay this is to notify the public.

3. Fellow countrymen. This is a word of very frequent
ufe in America. It has been heard in public orations from
men of the firft charader, and may be daily feen in news-
paper publications. It is an evident tautology, for the lafi:
word expreffes fully the meaning of both. If you open
any didionary, you will find the word countryman figni-
iies one born in the fame country. You mav fay fellow
citizens, fellow foldicrs, fellow fubje6ts, fellow chriflians,
but nol fellow countrymen.

4. Thefe thm^^s were ordered delivered to the army.
The words to be are omitted. I am not certain whether
this is a local expreifion or general in America.

5. I wifti we could contrive it to Philadelphia. The
words to carry h^ to have it carried^ or fome fuch, are
wanting. It is a defective conllrudion, of which there are
but too many that have already obtained in practice, in
Ipite of all the remonllrances of men of letters.

6. We may hope the afliflance of God. The word /or
or to receive is wanting. In this inflance hope, which is
a neuter verb, is turned into the a6live verb, and not very
properly as to the objedlive term afliftance. It mud be
admitted, however, that in fome old Englifli poets, hope
is fometimes ufed as an adlive verb, but it is contrary to
modern pra£tice.

7. I do not confider myfelf equal to this talk. The
word as is wanting. 1 am not certain whether this may
not be an Englifh vulgarifm, for it is frequently ufed by
the renowned author of Common Senfe, who is an En-
glilhman born ; but he has ^o happy a talent of adopting
the blunders of others, that nothing decifive can be infer-
red from his practice.' It is, however, undoubtedly an
Americanlfm, for it is ufed by authors greatly fuperior to
him in every refpedl.

8. Neither to day or to morrow. The proper conftruc-
tion is, either the one or the other, neither the one nor the
other.

9. A certain Thomas Benfon. The word certain, as
ufed in Englifli, is an indefinite, the name fixes it precife^

TJje DrtdcL 463

ly, fo that there is a kind of contradifllon in the cxprefHon.
In England they would fay, a certain perfon calltrd or lup.
poied to be Thomas Benfon.

10. Such bodies are i/icickru to thefe evils. The evil
is incident or ready to fall upon the perfon, the perfon li-
able or fubjedl to the evil.

11. He is a very c/cver man. She is quite a clever
woman. How often are thefc phrafcs to be heard in con-
verfation ? Their meaning, however, would certainly be
miftaken when heard for the fird time by one born in Bri-
tain. In thefc cafes, Americans generally mean by clrccr^
only goodnefs of difpofition, worthinefs, integrity, without
the leaft regard to capacity ; nay, if I am not miftaken,
it is frequently applied, where there is an acknowledged
fimplicity, or mediocrity of capacity. But in Britain, cle-
ver always means capacity, and may be joined either to a
good or bad difpofition. We fay of a man, he is a clever
man, a clever tradefman, a clever fellow, without any re-
flexion upon his moral character, yet at the fame time it
carries no approbation of it. It is exceeding good En-
glifti, and very common to fay. He is a clever fellow, but
I am {orry to fay it, he is alfo a great rogue. When clc-
vernefs is applied primarily to condu(5l, and not to the
perfon, it generally carries in it the idea of art or chicanery,
not very honorable ; for example — Such a plan I confefs
was very clever, i. e. fly, artful, well contrived, but not
very fair.

12. I was quite mad at him, he made me quite mad.
In this inftance mad is only a metaphor for angry. Thin
is perhaps an Englifh vulgarifm, but it is not found in
any accurate writer, nor ufed by any good fpeaker, unleis
when poets or orators life it as a llrong figure, and to
heighten the cKprelTion fay, he was mad with rafc.

fhefe fhall fuiiice for the firll clafs.

464 ^he Druid.

NUMBER VI.
S I R,

1 PROCEED now upon the plan laid down in my laft
paper, to the lecond general clafs of improprieties,
viz. vulgarifms in England and America. Ofthefe there
is great plenty to be found every where, in writing and in
converfation. They need very little explication, and in-
deed would fcarcely deferve to be mentioned in a difcourfc
of this nature, were it not for the circumllance hinted at
in the introdudlion, that fcholars and public perfons are
at lefs pains to avoid them here, than in Britain.

1. I will mention the vulgar abbreviations in generalj
as an't, can't, han't, don't, fhould'nt, would'nt, could'nt,
&c. Great pains were taken by the Spedlator to fhew the
barbarity and inelegance of that manner of fpeaking and
writing. The endeavors of that author, and others of
later date, have been fuccefsful in Britain, and have ba-
niflied all fuch harfh and mutilated phrafes from public
fpeaking, fo that they remain only in converfation, and
not even in that among perfons of judgment and tafle.
I need hardly fay how far this is from being the cafe in
America.

2. I knoiij'd\{\m perfedly well, for, I knenv him.

3. I see him yefterday, or I see him laft week, for I
saw him. In Scotland the vulgar fay, I seed him laft
week.

4. This here report of that there committee. Some
merchants, whom I could name, in the Engliih Parlia-
ment, whofe wealth and not merit raifed them to that dig-
nity, ufe this vulgarifm very freely, andexpofe themfelves
to abundance of ridicule by fo doing.

5. Pie was drownded \n the Delaware. This is fo com-
mon, that I have known a gentleman reading it in a book
to a company, though it was printed drowned, read
drownded.

6. She has got a new gownd. This and the former
are vulgarifms in converfation only ; but even their very

^hc bruld. 465

irhprcper and u^.becoming for perfons of education. In
London you are fometimes afked if you will take a glafs
of "OJ/W, for wine. Of the fame nature are an i m perti-
nent y^//jr, for/tV^u; ; waller, for wai/oiv ; ivhidtr, lur
iviridoiv.

7. Some on*em, one onVm, many on'em. This,
though frequent in the northern parts of England, and
fome parts of America, perhaps is rather local than gene-
ral. This indeed may be the cafe with feveral others
which have fallen under my obfervation.

8. It lays in Bucks county, for it lies, 8cc, This \z not
only a prevailing vulgarifm in converfation, but has ob-
tained in public fpeaking, and may be often feen in print*
I am even of opinion that it has fome chance of overcom-
ing all the oppolition made to it, and fully ellablifhing it-
felf by cuflom, which is the final arbiter in all fuch cafes.
Lowth, in his grammar, has been at much pains to cor-
real it ; yet, though that moil excellent treatife has been
in the hands of the public for many years, this word feems
to gain inRead of lofing ground. The error arifes from
confounding the neuter verb to ly with the adlive verb to
lay, which are very difTerent in the prefent, preterite and
participle. The firit of them is formed thus, ly, lay, lien
or Iain ; the fecond, lay, laid, laid.

9. I tbhiks it will not be long before he come. This is
a London vulgarifm, and yet one of the groffefk kind. To
this confufion or dlfagreement of the perl'on, may be add-
ed the difagreement of the nufnber, giving a verb fingu-
lar to a nominative plural, which is more frequent than
the other, as, after all the stories that has been told, all
the reasons that bas been given.

10. Equally as well, and equally as good. This is
frequent in conveifation and public fpeaking. It is alfo
to be found in foine publications, of which it is needlefs to
name the authors; but it isjufl as gocd Englifli to lay,
the ?7iost big/jest mountain in Auierica.

11. Oae of the moil common vulgarilms or blunders
in the Englifli language, is putting the preterite for the
participle. This is taken particular notice of by Lowth,
in his grammar, as after he had/t^// down, iot Jcllai ;

Vol. IV. 3 N

466 The Druid.

and in the fame manner, rose^ for risen ; spoke ^ {oxspohen;
V)rote^ for ^written ; broke^ for broken. Some of thefe ap-
pear, as he obferves, barbarous to fcholars ; others we are
fo accuftomed to, that they give little offence to the ear.
Had not a gentleman threvj out — the reafons of proteft
were drew up. Thefe are offenfive, but you may meet
with fimilar errors even in good authors, fuch as I had
wrote^ I had spoke^ the bone was broke. The bed way to
judge of this impropriety, is to try it upon a word that has
been feldom fo mifufed, as for example, If you go to the
battle perhaps you will be slew,

12. Jufl: as you rise the hill — little or no bread-corn is
grown in this country. Thefe are fimilar corruptions
arifing from turning neuter into adive or paflive verbs.
They are alfo, if I am not millaken, among the newefi:
corruptions of the language, and much more common in
England than America, The above two examples are
taken from Cook's firft voyage, by Hawkefworth, where
fbme others of the fame kind are to be found.

13. I sat out yefterday morning, for I fet out. The
verb fet has no change of termination ; the prefent, pre-
terite and participle being the fame. I fet out immedi-
ately ; I fet out three days fooner than he ; after I had fet
out. The error lies in taking the preterite of the verb sity
and making ufe of it for the pafi; time of the other — fit has
three terminations, fit, fat, fjtten.

14. He faid as hov) it was his opinion. This abfurd
pleonafm is more common in Britain than in America.

The third clafs confifts of vulgarifms in America only.
This muft be underfiood, fo far as I have been able to ob-
ferve, and perhaps feme of them are local. It will not be
neceffary either to make the examples on this head nume-
rous, or to fay much upon them, becaufe the introduction
of vulgarifms into writing or public difcourfes is the fame,
whether they are of one country or another.

I. I have not done it yet, but am juft going to. This
is an imperfect conflrudion ; it wants the words do it,
Imperfe<5t conftrudlions are the blemifh of the Englifli
language in general, and rather more frequent in this
country than in England.

The Druid, 467

2. It Is partly all goxiQ, it is mostly all gone. This is
an iibfurdiiy or barbarifm, as well as a vulgarifm.

3. This is the weapon with which he defends himfelf
when he is attactcd^ lor attacked ; or according to the ab-
breviation, attacked.

4. As I told Mr. , for as I told yon. I hope Mr.

is Well this niornins^. What is Mr. 's opinion

upo'i this I'ubjed: ? This way of fpeaking to one who is
pre.LiU in the third perfon, and as if he were abfent, is
ufed -n this country by way of refped. No fuch thing is
done in Britain, except that to perfons of very high rank,
they fay your majefty, your grace, your lordfhip ; yet even
there the continuance of the difcourfe in the third perfon
is not cuiioniary.

5. I have been to Philadelphia, for at or in Philadel-
phia ; I have been /<9 dinner, for I have dined.

6. Walk in the houfe, for into the houfe.

7. You haiie no right to pay it, where right is ufed for
what lo.iic'ans would call the correlative term obligation.

8. A spell of ficknefs, a long spell^ a bad spelL Per-
haps this word is borrowed Iron the fea dialect.

9. Eijery of thefe Hates ; every of them ; every of us ;
for every one, I believe the word every is ufed in this
manner in lome old Englifli writers, and alfo in fome
old laws, but not in modern pradice. The thing is alfo
improper, becaufe it fliould be every one to make it
ftridly a partitive, and fubjedl to the fame conilrudion,
as fome of them, part of them, many of them, &.c. yet
it mufl be acknowledged, that there is no greater impro-
priety, if fo great, in the vulgar conftrudion of ei^ery^
than in another expreflion very common in both coun-
tries, viz. all of them.

Having finilhed thefe two clafles, I fhall make a re-
mark or two upon vulgarifms in general. Probably
many will think and fay, that it would be a piece of (lifT-
nefs or aflfedation to avoid them wholly, in converfation
or common difcourfe. As to fome of thofe which have
been defcribed above, perhaps this may be admitted ; but
as to the greateil part, it is certainly bed (o avoid them
wholly, left we (hould fall into them inadvertently where

4^3 The Druid,

tliey would be highly improper. If a gentleman will not
imitate a peafant, male or female, in faying if so bCy and
forsooth^ and many other fuch phrafes, becaufe he knows
they are vulgarifms, why fhould he imitate them in fay-
ing equally as goody or I see him yesterday^ but becaufe
he does not know, or does not attend to the impropriety ?

The reader is alfo defired to obferve, that we are not
by far fo much in danger of the charge of afTeiSlation for
what we omit faying, as for what we do fay. When a
man is fond of introducing hard words, or lludies a nice
or pompous diction, he brings himfelf immediately into
contempt ; but he may eafily attain a cautious habit of
?ivoidinglow phrafes or vulgar terms, without being at all
liable to the imputation either of vanity or conflraint,

I conclude with obferving, that as bombaft and empty
fwe Iling is the danger to which thofe are expofed who aim
at fublimity, fo low fentiments and vulgar terms are what
thofe are moft in danger of who aim at fimplicity. Now,
as it is my intention, in the courfe of thefe papers, to fet
a mark of reprobation upon every afFed^ed and fantallic
mode ofexpreifion, and to recommend a pure, and, as it
may be called, claffic fimplicity, it is the more neceffary
to guard the reader againll that low and grovelling man-
ner which IS fometime§ iiiiftaken fgr it,^

ne Druid. 469

NUMBER VII.

S I R,

THE fourth clafs of Improprieties con fid of local
phrases or terms. By thefe I mean fach vulj2;arirms
as prevail in one part of a country and not in another.
There is a much greater variety of thefe in Britain than
in America. From the complete populations of the coun-
try, multitudes of common people never remove to any
diflance from where they were born and bred. Hence
there are many chara6leriftic diflintlions, not only in
phrafeology, but in accent, drefs, manners, he. not only
between one county and another, but between different
cities of the fame county. There is a county in the
North of England, very few of the natives of which can
pronounce the letter r, as it is generally pronounced in the
other parts of the kingdom.

But if there is a much greater number of local vulgar,
ifms in Britain than America, there is alfo for this very
reafon, much lefs danger of their being ufed by gentle-
men or fcholars. It is indeed implied in the very nature
of the thing, that a local phrafe will not be ufed by any
but the inhabitants or natives of that part of the country
where it prevails. However, I am of opinion, that even
local vulgarifms find admiflion into the difcourfe of peo-
ple of better rank more eafily l.ere than in Europe.

1. He improved the horfe for ten days. This is ufed
in fome parts of New-England for riding the horfe.

2. Raw salad is ufed in the South for salad. N. B.
There is no falad boiled.

3. C/junks, that is brands, half burnt wood. This is
cuilomary in the middle colonies.

4. He is considerable of a furveyor, considerable of it
may be found in that country. Tnis manner of fpeaking
prevails in the northern parts.

5. He will once in a "vjhiky i. e. sometimes get drunk.
The middle Hates,

470 l^he Druid,

6. Shall I have occasion^ i. e. opportunity to go over
the ferry. New- England.

7. Tbris ufed for carry ^ in fome of the fouthern dates.
The fifth clafs of improprieties may be called common

blunders through ignorance. In this they differ from the
former clafies, that the fimilarity of one word to another,
in pronunciation or derivation, makes ignorant people
confound them and ufe them promifcuoufly, or fometimes
even convert them and ufe them each in the other's
room. The following are examples.

1. Eminent for imminent. How often do we hear that
a man was in eminent danger,

2. Ingenious for ingenuous. How common is it to fay
he is an ingenious young man — he is a young man of a
very ingenious difpofition. they are both Englifli words.
Ingenious fignifies of good capacity ; ingenuous fignifies
fjmple, upright, fmcere ; ingenuity, however, the word
that feems to be derived from ingenuous, is ufed in both
fenfcjs, fometimes for fairnefs, opennefs, candor ; fome-
times for capacity or acutenefs of invention. I fliould
think this lall, though done by good authors, to be con-
trary to the analogy of the language, efpecially as we
have two words for thefe oppofite ideas regularly derived
from the correfpondent adjedtives, ingenioufnefs and in-
genuoufnefs,

3. Three or four times successfully^ for successi-oely^
This is a blunder through ignorance, very common among
the lower fort of people in England,

4. Intelligible for intelligent. It was a very intelligi-
ble perfon v/ho told me,

5. Conjisticate^ for confiscate^ The moll ignorant of
the vulgar only ufe this phrafe.

6. Fictions ^or fictitious. That is no more than ?ifictious
llory. This is ufed by people fomewhat fuperior to thofe
who would ufe the former.

7. Veracity for credibility. This is not a blunder in
converfation only, But in ipeaking and writing, I have
fome doubt of the veracity of this fa6l, fays a certain au-
thor. Veracity is the character of the perfon ; truth or
credibility, of the (lory told. The fame is the cafe with

The Druids 4^j

all, pr mofl of the words, of fimilar formation, capacity,
rapacity, tenacity. Thefe all are api)lied to the perfoa
or the difpofition, not to a particuhir adion of the one, or
effed of the other. We fay, a man of capacity — this
work is a proof of capacity, but not the capacky of this
performance ; and fo olthe relh

8. Susceptive, for susceptible. I mud acquaint the
reader, that alter I had marked this word as an example of
the miilakcs men fall into from ignorance, I found it in
fome Englifh writers, who cannot be called altogether con-
temptkble, and alfo in Johnfon's Dictionary. As to the
laft of thefe, I fliall have occafion to make a remark or
two upon that lexicographer under the next clafs, and
therefore fliall fay nothing of it now. As to the other
particular, I obferve, that though the word is ufed by
fome writers, it is not only contrary to general praclice,
but contrary to the analogy of the tongue. All the ad-
jedives ending in ive are of an ac\ive, and thofe ending
in able or ible of a palTive nature, as adive, decifive, com-
inunicative, fignificative, demonftrative, and on the con-
trary, able, capable, communicable, demonftrable, con-
temptible.

9. They are fo very dupHcit that I am afraid they will
rescind ^rom what they have done. Plere are two errors
in one fentence. Dup/icit is an adjcdive made by guefs
from duplicity, and rescijid is miftaken, by the llkencfs of
found, for recede.

10. Detect^ for dissect. A lady, in. a certain place at
dinner, alked a gentleman if he would be fo good as de-
reel that piece of meat for her. To thefe 1 might add a
long lifi: of errors, in which ignorance or oriiiography
makes a vitious pronunciation, and that pronunciation
continued by the fame ignorance, makes a vulgr.r v.-ord
in place of the true one, of which take one examplr — A
gentleman writes to his friend, that on fuch a duy tl;ey
had a fmart scrimitch, for skinnisb.

The fixth clafs confills of cant phrafes, introduced into
public fpeaking or compofition. The meaning of cant
phrafes, is pretty well known, having been fully explain-
ed as long ago as the days of Mr. Addifon. Tliey rife

47 i^ ^he Druid,

occafionally, fometlmes perhaps, from the happy Or flngii-i
lar application cf a metaphor or alltifion, which is there-
fore repeated and gets into general ufe, fometimes from the
whim or caprice of particular perfons in coining a term.
They are in their nature temporary and fometimes locaL
Thus, it is often faid, a man is taken in, he is bilked, he
is bit^ that was a hit indeed, that is not the thing, it was
quue the thing. Innumerable others will occur to every
reader. Sometimes the cant confids in the frequent and
iinneceiTary repetition,, or improper application of a word
that is otherwife unexceptionable. Thus, when "oast was
in repute, a thing was vaiUy good, and vallly bad, vallly
pretty and vailly ugly, vallly great and vaftly little.

It is worth while, in remarking on the ftate of the lan^
guage, to reflect a little on the attack made by Addifon^
Steel, Swift, Pope, and Arbuthnot, on many of thefe cant
phrafes in their day, fuch as bite, bamboozle, pof. rep.
mob, &.C. Some of them they fucceeded in banifhing
from) or rather prevented from being ever admitted into
public difcourfes and elegant writing, fuch as bite, bam-
boozle, &c» fome they baniftied from all polite converfa-
tion, fuch as pof. rep. plenipo. and fome have kept their
ground, have been adniitted into the language^ and are
freely and gravely ufed by authors of the firftrank, fuch as
mob. This was at hrd a cant abbreviation of mobile vul"
gus, and as fuch condemned by the great men above men-
tioned ; but time has now ftamped it with authority, the
memory of its derivation is loft, and when an hifloriari
fays an unruly mob was allembled in the ftreets, or he was
torn in pieces by the mob^ no idea of any thing low and
ludicrous is conveyed to the mind of the reader.

I promifed, under this head, to make a remark upon
Johnfon's Dictionary. It is a book of very great value
on feveral accounts, yet it may lead ignorant perfons in-
to m.any miilakes. He has collected every word, good or
bad, that was ever ufed by any Englilh writer ; and though
he has, in the larger Didtionary, given his authorities in
full, yet that is not fufficient to dlftinguilh them. There
are inllances in which this may be the very caufe of wrong
judgment. If an author of reputation has committed a

Vje Druid. 4yj

fingle error, his authority fhould not be made ufe of to
fanaify that error — fometimes, alfo, the author's defigu
is miflaken. In the abridgement of that Diaionary, at
the word bamboozle, you find added, a loiv ivord ; but
the authority is Arbuthnot : now would not any man ima-
gine, who was not othervvife informed, that Arbuthnot
was a low writer ; whereas, in fa6t, he ufed that word
only to difgracc and put it out of pradlice. The lexico-
grapher would have a6led more wifely not to have men-
tioned the word at all.

It would be very eafy to make a large colle£lion of cant
or low phrafes at prefcnt in ufe, fuch as helter fkelter,
topfy turvy, upfide down, the Devil to pay, at fixes and
fevens, put to his trumps, flung all in a heap. Every
cjtie of thefe has been feen in print, and many others of
the fame flamp, as well as heard in converfation.

"^t is not long fince I read, in a piece publifhed by a
fenfible writer in this city, ' low methods of shamming
Abraham^ Now, pray what is (hamming Abraham I
With fome difficulty I have underftood, that it is a cant
phrafe among feamen, for pretending ficknefs when they
are well, and other fetches of the fame kind. I fhould be
glad to know how a foreigner could tranflate this expref-
fion into his own language.

Under the head of cant phrafes, I would include all
prpverbial or common fayings introduced into the lan-
guage, as well as trite and beaten allufions. Of the firll
fort are thefe, I want to put the faddle upon che right
horfe, the laboring oar lies upon you; of the I'econd, the
following, that is only ^r<^//*^ dictum^ the Supreme Being
by his almighty ^^^ I will not pay any regard to his ipse
dixit. All thefe are taken from printed piecec, fome of
them by authors not contemptible; the lafl of them, his
ipse dixit, is of the mod frequent ufe, and yet is the mod
pedantic and puerile of the whole. I conclude with ob-
ferving, that a cant phrafe, if it do not die by the way,
has three flages in its progrcfs. It is, firil, a cant phrafe ;
fecondly, a vulgarifm ; thirdly, an idiom of the language.
Some expire in one or other of the two firft ftages ; but if
they outlive thefe, they are eftabliflied forever. 1 have

Vol. I. O

474 ^ke Druid.

given an example of this above, in the word moh ; and I
think topsy tur'vy and upside down have very nearly at-
tained the lame privilege.

The fevemh clafs confifts o{ personal blunders, that is
to fay, efFe6ls of ignorance, and want of precifion in an
author, which are properly his own, and not reducible
to any of the heads above mentioned. I iliall give an
example or two of this kind, becaufe it will make the
meaning of the former clafies more clear. The examples
follow.

1. * The members of a popular government fhould be
continually availed of the fituation and condition of every
part.' The author of this did not know that avail is nei-
ther an adlive nor paflive, but a reciprocal verb ; a man is
faid to avail himself of 'm^ thing, but not to avail others,
or be availed by them.

2. ' A degree of ditlentions and oppofitions under fon^e
circumllances, and a political lethargy under others, im-
pend certain ruin to a free flate." Here a neuter verb is
made an adlive one. I have before given fome examples
in which this is done commonly, but in the prefent cafe
it belongs to this author alone.

3. ' I fhould have let your performance fmk into silent
disdain,^ A performance may fall into contempt, or
fink into oblivion, or be treated with difdain, but to make
it fink into silent disdain^ is a very crude expreffion in-
deed.

4. He is a man of mod accomplished abilities. A
man may \/t faid to be of diflinguifhed abilities or great
accompU(hm?nts, but accomplished abilities is wholly
new.

5:. ' I have a total obje<n:ion againft this meafure.' I
fuppofe the gendeman meant, that he objedled to the
whole, and every part of it. It was only an irregular
marriage of the adjedive to the wrong fubftantive.

6. '' Kxi axiom ^.z well eftablifhed as any Euclid ever
demonftrated," Now, it happens that Euclid, notwith-
Handing his great love of demonftration, never demon-
llrjited axioms, but took them for granted.

The Druid, 4^^

1 hope the reader will forgive me for not referring to
the treatifes from which thefe examples are taken. They
were in general anonymous ; and as it is probable many
of the authors are alive, and may be of further ufe to their
countr)^, fo being wholly unknown to me, wiihcut ihc
lead degree of envy or malevolence, I mean not to injure
but improve them.

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den ton

A. Ilunn, do.

John Rutherford, do.

Daniel Marfli, EfTex

George Anderfon, Bur-

linj^ton

Ephraim Martin, Middle-

fex

John Cutwater, Bergen
John Lambert, Hunting-
ton

Abraham Kitchel, Mor-
riftown

William Parrett, Salem
Aflier Holmes, Monmouth
Henry Tophagen, Hafen-
fack

L.W. Stockton, Fleming-
ton

Peter Hwnt, Lamberton
Azarias Hunt, do.
George Henry, do.
Jolhua L. Howell, Wood-
bury

J. A. Pcarfon, Princeton
Ifrael S. Harris, Somcrfet
Frederick Frelinghuyfen,
do.

Peter Hanfon, Trenton
John M'Lean, Princeton
John N. Simpfon, do.
Connant Cone, do.

Thomas P. Johnfon, do. (2
copies)

John Thompfon
Nicholas Evt-rcl
Chiirlcs T. Mercer
Chriaopher H. Strykcr
John W. Smith
J. H. Hobcrt
John M'Mullin, Bcnfaleni
Robert Voorhus, Prince-
ton

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES..

Mr. John Harrifon

Richard Stockton

Frederick Beafley

Henry Kollock

W, Waftiington

Thomas C. Alexander

Francis Sinnickfon

John G. Gamble

Adam S. Dandridge

William Knox, jun.

\Vlilmot S. Gebbes

Thomas M. Bailey

Richard: D* Bay ley

Jofeph Granier

John Middleton

j^dward Watts

Edmund Penn

William B. Wilfon

Henry Watkins

Charles Lewis

James Caldwell

John Brown, jun.

John Johnfon

Noah Crane

Samuel Wimbifh

Afa K. Lewis

John W. Ramfay

Clement Early

George Emlen

John Hand

Ennion W. Skeltpn

Littleton Robins, jun..

R.ichard H. Ilenderfon

Edmund Bruyn, Princeton

Eiias Elmaker

James Bunyan

Chriltopher Longflreet

Van Pol an en
Gen. Jofeph Bloomfield, Bur-
lington
Mr. William Cox, jun.

Georp;e Painter
".Vlifs Lydia Riche
Kev. C, C. Wharton
>VIr. Peter Hill

Chriftian Heifs

^Villiam Griffith

Robert Hunt, Trenton
Capt. Abraham Gurlain, do.
Gen James Giles, Bridgetown
ilev. Jofeph Clark, Brunfwick
Hon. Andrew Kirkpatrick
lion William Patterfon

John Bayard Efq.
John Neilfon, Efq.
Dr. Mofes Scott
Mr. James Richmond, mer-
chant

William Lawfon, do.

Perez Rowley, do.

John Pool, do.

Ifaac W. Crane, Efq. attorn^ey

at law
William P. Deare, Efq. do*
Mr. John Plumb

John A. Myer
Dr. Adam Anderfon
Hon. James H. Imlay
John Imlay, Efq.
Robert Montgomery, Efq.
Col. Samuel Quay, merchant
Mr. Richard Horfefull

Henry Harper
Dr. Charles Smith
Mr. Jacob Klady

Simon Hyllier

Andrew Lyfle

Anthony W. White

Jacob Hendrickfon

John Quay
Capt. Job Stockton
Mr. Garret D. Wikoff
Rev.. George S. Woodhuli
Mr. Jacob Fifher
Rev.. David Barclay
Mr. Abraham Vaji ^efte
Rev. Ira Condi6l
Rev. Elias. Van Bunfcoptcn..
Rev. Benjamin Dubois
Rev. James S.Cannon
Rev. Flenry Pothemus
Rev. John M. Van Harlingen.
Rev. John S. Vredenburgh
Rev. Ifaac Van Dozen
Rev. Matthew La Rue
Rev. Benjamin Lindfay
Mr. James Schureman

Frederick Van Dyke

John Harrifon, Princeton

James Hamilton

Edmund Elmendorf (2 co-
pies)
Cliofophic Society at the Naf*

fau-Hall
Mils Grace Little

SUHSCRIBERS' .\rAMES,

Mifs Mary Cuthbert
JNIr Daniel Agnew
Jofias Fergulbn
Benjamin B. Hopkins,
. Trenton (2 copies)
Mifs Catharine Smith, do.
Rev. William Boyd
Rev. Ebcnezer Grant, New-

Brimlwick
Dr. Samuel Kennedy, Hard-

vvich
Gen. William Helm, Hackett's

Town
Jofepii Gafton, Efq. Hardwick
Abraham 8c Iluac Shaver, do.
Mr. George John Armftrong,
do.

iNeh^miah Dunham, do.
Rev. Jofeprh Rue, Hopewell
Rev David Comfort, Kin.^ilon
Kcv. Matthew L. Perrie, Mon-
mouth
Mr. David BiOiop, Amwcll
Rev. John Cornell, AlleKtown
Mr. Benjamin B. Hopkins,
Princeton

Henry G. Wifner, do.
Jonathan Elmer, M. D.
Elias Boudinot, Efq.
Mr. Ifaac Anderfon

Thomas Olden, jun.
Robert G. Johnfon
Rev. Holway Hunt

Pennsyhania,
His Excel. 'J homas M'Kean,

Governor
Hon. William Bingham
Hon. James Rofs
Hon. Roljert Brown
Hon. Thomas Hartley,
Hon. Jofeph Heiller
Hon. John A. Hanna
Hon. Peter Muhlenberg
Elon. John SmiHe
Hon. Robert Wain
Hon. H. Woods
James M'Henry, Efq. fccreta

ry of war, Phikidelphia
Timothy Pickerin^^, Efq.
Rev. Aflibel Green
Rev. William Marflial

Vol. I.

Rev. Jacob Janeway
Rev. William Wh'iic, bilhop
Rev. Wi Ilium Rogers
Rev. James Abercrombie
Hev. John B. Linn
Rev. Samuel Mat^aw
Rev. Samuel Bluir
Pvev. John Anderfon
Rev. John B. Paterfon, Dan-
ville
Rev. William I^atla, Great-

Valley
Rev. Samuel Ralfton, Wafh-

ington county
Rev. James Dunlap, Fayette

county
Ebfnezer Hazard, Efq. Phila-
delphia
Benjamin Riifh, M. D.
V.'illiam Shippen, M. D.
John C. Otto, M. D.
Mrs. Mary Moves
Mr. William Haflet
Cornelius W. Staftbrd
Mrs. M'Cullough
Samuel I'inlay
Jofeph K.Milnor
^VilIiam Smiiev
Richard Fohvefl
Mrs. Smith
Mr, James A. NTcalc
John Lock wood
WUliam Mill
Francis Thomkms
Charles W.Goldlborough
Joh»i O'Conncr
Jofeph Parrot
Robcr( Ramon
Hugh Jackfon
Robert Smith
E])enczer Fergufon, Efq.
Mr. John J^frawbridge
John W. Vancleavc,' Efq.
Mr. Francis Shallus
James FinKy
Jofeph Den nil!
Jauies Hobinfjti
Samuel M^Clrmon
George Mini in
John H. Hohart
David Jackfon, j
George Barclay ,j

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

Mr. En OS Bronfou

Jeffe Wain
Edward Pennington, Efq.
Mr. John Ormrod

Silas Engles, jun.
John Harris
John C. Kelfey
Mrs Bitha Earl
Ifaac Heylin, M. D.
Mr. Charles Evans
Philip Dick
John Han ley-
David Hall
William M'Culley
Thomas Jacquet
George Phillips
Thomas Wotherfpoon
Hugh Kelley
Francis Peoples
Samuel Hodgdon
W illiam Buckell
H. H. Brackenridge, Efq.
Mr. John Levis, Springfield
Rev. Charles Nelbit, prefident
of Dickinfon college, Car-
lifle
Mrs. Ifabella Oliver
Rev. John Linn
Mr. Armflrong Brandon

Charles M'Clure
William Lyon, Efq.
Mr. John P. Thomfon

Archibald Loudon
Rev. Thomas M'Pherrin,

Franklin county
Mr. George Crawford
John Wray
Thomas Cellar
John Work
William Duffield
James Wray
William Davis
John Scott
James Buchanan
Patrick Campbell
Henry Work
John King
Jofeph Vanlear
George Acre
John Johnfon
John and David Kennedy
Hon. Jam is Riddle

Hon. James Chambers
Mr. Robert Johnfon

James M'Vieffon

Benjamin Chambers
Mr. James Orbifon, Franklin
county

Nicholas Clopper

Edward Crawford

William M. Brown

George Clarke

William Allifon

William Magaw

Archibald Rankin

Robert M'Clanahan

James Poe
Rev John Black, York county
Walter Smith, Efq
William M'Pherfon, Efq
Mr. James Scott
Thomas Ewing, Efq
Mr. Matthew Longwell

Alexander Irwin

John Carrick

Marmaduke Wilfon
Rev Jofhua Williams
Rev Francis Laird
Mr. Hugh Watfon
Rev. William Paxton
James Adair, ftud. in div,
Mr. Richard Brown

Mofes M'Clean

John Fofter

David Wilfon

Robert Slemons

Hugh King
Alexander Cobean, Efq
Mr. David Edie
John Dickfon, Efq
Alexander Ruifel, Efq
Mr. Benjamin Reed

Samuel Knox
William Gillitands, Efq
Mr. William Scott

Samuel M'Callough
Patrick M'Koig
Abrahain Scott
William Hill
William M'Goughy
Samuel Witherow
John Robinfon
Jofeph M'Ginley-
Wi Ilium Bigham

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES,

Mr. James Burd
John Re id

Rev. David M'Conaugliy

Mr. Graham J. Bouchir, Phi-
ladelphia

Mr. Daniel Wiftar, Philadel-
phia

John Cooke
James Darrach
Patrick Kerr Rogers
George Gibbons
Matthew Smith
John P. Peckwortli

Capt Abraham Burling

Mr. John C. Keliey

Thomas W. Tallman
Blair M'Clenachan
John Davidfon
William H. Harrifon
Samuel Hyndman

Mrs. Mary M'Allifter

John Buyers, Efq. Sunbury

Daniel Stroud, Efq Stroudf-
bourg

Mr. William Trimble, Con-
cord

Rev. John Young, Green Caf-
tle

Mr. James Maccoun (6 copies
Thomas Shanklin
James Crawford
Charles M^Pheeters
Samuel Clarkfon
Frederick Smith, Efq
William Kirkpatrick

John M'Dowell, Efq

Jlev Phillip Milledcler

Mr. William Trimble

William Coats, Efq

Rev James Snodgrafs
Jofhua Williams
Kenry R. Wiliou
John Boyd
John Moody
Mr. Samuel Bell
Jofiah Graham
John Miller, M. C.
Samuel M^Cormick

Rev. James Graham

Jonathan Walker, Efq
Mr John M'Kiffick
Mr. Calvin Gould

Rev James Dimlap
Alexander Ruliel, Efq
John Downey, Eftj
Mr Erancis Meredith

Jofepli Morrilbn

John RuiVel
Henrv Williams, f.fq
Mr Vanlear, Elq

James Spur
Samuel Riddle, Efq
John M'Pherfon, Efci
George Lalhell, Efq
Rev John Smith
Peter Wallace
David Lawfon
Rev James M'L^in
Mr James AUifon

John iVl'Lavighlin, jun

John Wilfoii'

Cornelius Blue

Thomas Sanderfon

John Finley

James Caldwell

William Fullerton

Thomas Brown

Daniel Smith

Charles Ecklcs

James Eldor

Robert Barnes (6 copies)

John Gibfon

James Guihrie

Jofeph BarneL

John AUifon

William TurnbuU

Delaware.
Rev Jolm Ewing Latta
Mr. John Stites, lower town-
ft^ip, Cape May

John Waugh

Robert L. Smith

Richard Hanbly

William Haughcy

James M'Culloc li

Joiin Bird

John Wih'V

James Caldwell
William C. Fra/.cr, Efr^.
French Macmillau, Efq
Cien. Maxwell Bliicc
Capt David Nivan

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

George "Read, Efq
James Tilton, M. D.
Mr John Dickinfon
JelTe Harris
D. M'Calmont
j^ordecai M'Kinney
Rev Jollraa Reece
Mr. Jaccb Robinfon
Jacob Brown
M. Anderibu

Maryland,

Hon Gabriel Chri?lie

Hon William Craik

Hon Samuel Smith

Mr. James Covren

Rev John B. Slemons^ Somer-

fet ccunt}-
Mr. Samuel Ker

James Wilibn

James Laird

Thomas G. Fountain

George W. Jackfon

John C. Wilfon

William Handy

Den wood Wilibn

John Landreth

John Done

Peter Sharp, Eafion
Rev Patrick EUifbn, Baltimore
Mr. James H. M'Culloch, do.

Nathaniel Nefbit, Wafii-
ington county

John Martin, Baltimore
Luther Martin, Efq
Mr. John Martin, merchant
laylor, Baltimore

Jarnes Martin, do.
James Prieftiey, prefident of

Baltimore Academy
Ifaac Edmonfton, merchant
Barnabas Redman, printer
Ebenezer Finley, merchant
Mr. Joel Munlon

Robert R. llichardfon

Virginia,
His Excel. George Wafliing-
ton, late lieutenant-general
of the armies of the United
States

II is Excelo Thomas Jeffe'rfon,
now preiident of the United
States
Mr Samuel Annin, Elarper's.

ferry
Dr Samuel L. Campbell, Lex-.

ington
Mr Matthew Houflon, (6 co-
pies
Rev Robert Wilfon
Rev Dr. Mure, Alexandria
James Gilmore, Efq
Charles Campbell, Efq
Mr W'illiam Lyle
Rev George Baxter
Mr David Shields

James Gold (2 copies)
Rev. Daniel Blaine
Gen. Samuel BlackburnjRock-.

bridge
Ccl James M'Dowell
Col John M'Conky
i?ev. Archibald Alexander,

Prince Edward (2 copies)
Rev. Archibald M'Robert
Mr James Morton
Rev Mcltthew Lyle
Rev. Brury Lacy
Mr Jacob Woodfon
Col Philemon Holcomb.e
Mr Conrad Speece, jun

John H. Rice

James Aik§n

Richard Gordon
Rev Moles Hcge, Shepherd's

town
Mr. John Morrow

John Kearfiey

Robert Wilcox, Martinf-
burg
Mifs Fanny Campbell, Berke-
ley
Mr Jacob Vandaran

John Venofdal

John Melville, Berkeley

John Taylor

Jariies Sherney
R ev.Samuel Brown, Rockbridge
Mr Andrew Finley

Jofcph White

James M'Cheng

William M'Pheters

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES,

Kev Nafli Le Grand, FrccUM-ick

county
Mils Ann Vance
•Mr James D. Vance

S. Simral

Jam^s Chipley

.Toi'vii Gordon

\V4lfl am Vance

ilentry^ B catty

Beatl5\' Carfon

J of. (gamble
Bcv William M-Pheeters
Maj David Stephepfon
Jofeph Bell, Efq
William and James Bell
John Coalter, Efq
Alex Nelibn, Efq
Rev John Chavis
Dr Robert Patillo
Maj Vv illiam Marfnall
Mr Jacob Chavis

Alexander Crawford

John Gay
Hev John M'Cue

North- Carolina,
Hon Timothy Blood worth
Rev John Anderfon
Rev James Hall, Iredell county
Mr Thomas Hall

James King

Andrew Pickens
Richard King, Ef.]
Mr Hugh Hall
William Sharp, Efq
Mr James H. Hull

Jofeph Kilpatrick

John Cochran
Rev. J. D. Kilpatrick
Rev. Lewis T. Wilfon
Mr Alexander Ewing

Enos Sherrill
Thomas Morrifon, Efq
Mr John Wallis

Reuben Alexander

Abraham Hill
M. Matthews, Efq
Mr John M'Clellan
William Stevenfon, Efq
Rev David Caldwell, Guilford

county
Rev William Hodge

nev John Robinfon '

Rev Andrew Caldwell
Mr Jofeph Hodge

Ezekiel Currie

Duncan Pamc
Rev William Paillcy
Rev Robert Tate
Rev William Moore
?.lr Edward Phurr

William Denny, Guilford
county

James Denny

Hugh -Shaw

John Mctthews

Murdock McMillan

Malcolm M'Nair

Murdock Murphy

Michael Montgomery

Daniel Brown

Simon Landreth

PI ugh Shaw

John Campbell

David Pallet

Andrew Flinn

Samuel Stanford

J. S. Gillafpie

John Gillafpie

Angus M'Dermaid

Duncan Brown

John Munroe

Ncill Brown

Samuel Cumminp:s

Florence Cameron
Mrs Marv Cameron
Mr Archibald M'Neill

Robert Hanna, jiiu

Jofeph McDowell

David Price

James Smiley

John ('unningham

John W. Caldwell

Conftantine Ladd

Mofes Pedcn

Thomas Lloyd

John Laird

Adam Smith, fen

William Davis

Nathaniel Moody

Archibald Campbell

John Nicholfon

James Stewart

Ilham Veil

Jo. B.inn-r

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

Mr. Jofeph Ladd

William Greigg

A. Robinfon

Edmund Hatch

J. Harper

John M'Adow

Samuel M'Adow
Jonathan Parker, Efq
Mr Alexander Clarke
William Armfield, Efq
Mr. George Finiey

William Dick

Daniel Donne!

Hugh Wilfon

H. Hamilton

Z. D. B. Naflier

John Cummings

J. Moore

Samuel Lindfay

Thomas Barnett

John Rankin

Andrew Wilfon, fen

Andrew v/ilfon, jun

William Reeve

James Gibfon

Robert Hodge

W. Mebane

James Dick

John F. Thompfon

John S» Fall

Finley Stewart

David Caldwell, jun
Maj James W. Smith
Mr James Smith

John P. Smith

William Shepard, fen
Samuel Smith, Efq
Capt Alexander Murphy
Mr Robert Donnell
Rev Thomas J . Hall, (30 cop.

South -Carolina.
Thomas Legare,jun Efq John's

Illand
Dr Jofeph Hall Ramfay, Char-

lellon
James Legare, Efq John's

Ifland
William Briibane, Efq Slann's

Ifland
Mrs Sarah Yonge, Charlellon
Margaret Jenkins
Sufa.nna Wilkinfon, inn

Mr Charles Sno\Tden

David Adams, Wadmelaw
Ifland
Nathaniel Ruffel, Efq Charlef-

ton
Mifs Jane Huxham
Mifs Mary Legare, John's Ifl.
Thomas Jones, Efq Pref. bank

of S. C. Charleflon
Henry William De Sauffure,

Efq
Mrs Ann Toomer
Mr. Anthony Toomer

Thomas Bennett
Thomas Lehre, Efq
William S. Smith, Efq
George Parker, Efq
Mr Kinfey Burden

Micah Jenkins
Daniel Stevens, Efq
Mrs. Francis Legare

Margaret Stock
Mr Jacob Axfon

Jameb Badger
Rev James M'Elhcrnev, John's
Ifland

Mrs . Brownlee, Charlef-

ton
Timothy Ford, Efq
Rev Andrew Steele, Wilton
Dr James E. B. Finley, Beau-
fort
Paul Hamilton, Efq StBartho^

lomews
William Hayne, Efq Wilton
Mrs Jean Slann, Slann's Ifl.
Ifaac Hayne, Efq St Bartholo-
mews
Mr John S. Walter

William Ofwald

Alfred Walter

William M^Cants
Rev Thomas H. Price, James
Ifland

Francis Rivers, fen

Francis Piivers, jun

John Todd

Edward Freer

Jofiah Rivers

Narwood Witter

William Royall
Tames Hafkins, Efq
John Todd, Efq

SUBSCRIBERS^ NAMES.

Rev W. Hollingnicad, D. D.

Charlefton
Rev Ilaac S. Keith, D. D.
Dr William S. Stephens
Dv Edward D. Smith
Morton Waring, Efq
Mrs ]Marv Waring

Sufanna Poftell

Ann FaiiToux

Margaret Young

IMary Ann Shrcwlbury
Jofiah Smith, Efq, Cafliier of

National Braucii bank
Rev. Dr. M'Calla, ChriR's

church
Rev James Adams, Dorchefter
Dr Thomas IL M'Calla, Char-
lefton
Dr Richard Waring, Beach-
hill
Henry M. Evans, Efq
Mrs Saj-ah You, Charlefton

Mary Turpin

Sarah Parker
Ifaac Perry, Efq DorcheRer
Mrs Mary E. Droze
Mr Samuel Prior

John Rofe

John Carr

William Flack, St Pauls

William Patterfon

Charles Steed, Wadmelaw
Ifland

Thomas Fickling

Francis Fickling

Henry Hanna, Williamft).
Mrs E B Hatter, Charlefton
Mr William Paine

Hugh Simpfon

Alexander Robcrtfon

John M'Dowel, Charlefton
John Johnfon, Efq
Mr Jofeph Hoger, jun

William Leecli

Jeremiah Rofe

JeiTe Elmore

Edward B Morgan

Daniel Crukftianks
Dr John Noble
Mr Jofeph Mecomb

William Pufley

William Lane

Mr Samuel Dickfon

Kcv William Williamfjn,Fair

Foreft
Dr Thomas Welliamfon, Spor-

tcr county
Col Hugh Aleans, Fair Foreft
Mr Samuel Archibald

Henry Story

James Mayers, juii

Mofcs \Vhitc
Hugh Dickfon, A. B. Pendle-
ton county
Mr Samuel Otterfon, Union

county
Rev Robert Wilfon, Abbeville
Mrs Sufannah Ogier

Mary (Solomon) Lcgare

Eliza Cochran

John Parker, Efq
Mrs Hefter Hutfon

Mary Col cock
Capt Benjamin Siiles

Gracia Rivers, Efq
Mr William Rivers, fen

Jonah Ri\ers, fen
Mrs Sufannah Rivers

(Richard) Waring

Anne Barnewell

M'lntofh

Mary Lambell
William Roach, Efq
Mrs Ann Waring
Mv Paul Walers

Jacob Walter

Richard Singleton
Mrs Mary Barnewell
Dr J R Witherfpoon
Rev John M'Roberts
Mr William Champlin

William H Capers, Efq;

Paul I'ripp

John Jenkins, fen

John Jenkins, jun

John VVardlaw

Bejijamin Monigomcry

Jofeph Pope

Jofeph Edings

Benjamin Champlin
Rev Jofeph C^ook
Dr Archibald Campbell
Mr Stephen Lawrence

James Scanlin

SUBSCRIBERS' NAME.

Maj J H Cuthbert

Col Thrmas Thomas Talbird

l-^r James Stuart

Mr Thomas Fuller

John Screven

John Rhodes

Robert Witherfpoon
Rev John Hemphill
Charles Tevv', Eiq (4 copies)
Rev John Coufar
William G Rolborough
Ifaac Dunnom
Alex Carnes
Mrs Letitia Wigg

Sarah Givens
Mr William HuLton

John Gray

William Lefley, Efq
Robert M'Cann, Eiq
Mr Andrew Weed

Hugh Vv'ardlaw

Samuel Rofemond

James Watts

Samuel Strain

Michael M'Kee

John Dixon

John Bell
John Caklwell, Efq
Mr Samuel Young
William Ba&in, jun
Mr John Lovvry Elder

Ilug-h Mecklin Elder

John Rurkfdale

James S Bafkin
Rev A-lexander Porter
Rev Francis Cummins, A M

Kentucky.
Hon John Brown
Hon Humphrey Marflial
Rev James Blythe
Mr R. Putterfon

Alexander Telford
Robert Marihall
Alex. Parker Lexing-ton
■ Antiiony Logan

John M'Dowell
Andrew M'Calla
John Caldwell
James Welfh
James C raw ford
Jacob Fifliback, Clark co^
Sam. Rannels. Bourbon coi
Isaac 'I'ull
Barton W. Stone
Jofeph P. Howe, Montgo-
mery county

J. Hopkins, Bourbon cOo
Samuel Shannon, Wood-
ford county

Wm Robifon, Flarrifon
Malcolm Worley
J 'i'homfon, Bourbon co
Robert Steele, Fayette
JohnLyle, Clarke county
liaac Barr, Fayette county
William Wylie, Scott's c6
Sara Robertfon, Harrifon
James Moore, Lexington

Tennessee,
Hon William Cock
Mr Gideon Blackburn
Robert Henderfon

Georgia.
Rev Robert Cunningham
Thomas Newton
Benjamin Thompfon
\V iljiam Montgomery
Col Samuel Alexander
Maj Benjamin Baldwin
Dr William W Strain
William E Philips, Efq.
Mr Martin Martin
Edward Pharr
William Wallace

London,
Thonu\s Vviiiiams (2 5 copi

Date Due

J^g^^^—

, '«-

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Full text of "The works of the Rev. John Witherspoon, D.D., L.L.D., late president of the College at Princeton, New-Jersey : to which is prefixed an account of the author's life, in a sermon occasioned by his death, by the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of New-York"

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