The Churchs Quarrel Espoused, Query 5
5. Query.
We muſt needs then enquire, From whence the Propoſals derive their force? Who gives them Letters of Attorney or Commisſion to ſue theſe Churches (by a Quo Warranto) out of Poſſesſion of their Government? To me (I muſt needs confeſs) the Attempt is very Daring; and I ſee no way of Reconcilation, unleſs the Scheme drawn in the Propoſals can be fairly ſheltered under ſome more authentick and ſpecious Umbrage, than the bold Dictates, though of the Wiſeſt of men, when they are pleaſed to ſet themſelves up Oracles for their Country. So I come,
2. To the more Critical Examination of the Propoſals themſelves, which I ſhall Attend,
1. More Generally.
2. More particularly, by taking a ſurvey of them in their diſtinct Sections.
1. More Generally, by Inquiring into their Original, and nature.
1. By making a more Exact Inqueſt and ſearch after their Original, and in this debate they forfeit their Eſſence, unleſs they can derive their Eſſence, unleſs they can derive their Pedigree, either
1. From Gods Immediate Inſpiration. Or,
2. From Antient Revelation. Or,
3. From Right Reaſon, which is a Ray of Divine Wiſdom inſtampt upon Humane nature. Or,
4. From the Platform of the Churches, which is a ſyſtim of Government, collected by our Anceſtors out of ſeveral Fountains, and Principally from the Scriptures. Now in purſuing this Diſtribution, I ſhall diligently enquire, whether we can hear of their Original under any of theſe heads.
1. As to Immediate Inſpiration, I muſt needs preſume, theſe Gentlemen will not dare to Aſſert, that they are ſent Immediately from God with this Meſſage to the Churches; they are too good and wiſe to pretend (with Enthuſiaſts) to Immediate Viſion, or a ſpirit of Prophecy; both the matter and manner of their writing ſufficiently convinces, that theſe Propoſals are their own Sentiments; they durſt not put, a Thus ſaith the LORD upon them; ſuch on Inſcription is too Heavenly and Royal for ſuch Coyn: for both they and we know, according to Dut. 30.12. it is not in Heaven, that thou ſhouldeſt ſay, who ſhall go up for us to Heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may know and do it? there is no need to ſend Meſsengers to that Court, to learn by Immediate and Extraordinary Information, either the Laws of our Duty or Intereſt; for that God hath made all things ſufficiently plain, by this Time of day, either by Scripture or Reaſon, for the Conduct and Government of his Churches, yea, of the ſubjects of his Univerſal Intellectual MONARCHY in this World.
2. As to the Antient Revelation; Holy Scripture, that beſt, tho' not the bigeſt of Books, is the ſaints Library, and the Clergy-mans Pandects, whence he takes the Rules for the Mannagment of his Truſt; ſo that it is very Amuſing that the Bible ſhould be forgotten in Drawing up ſuch Schemes as theſe; as tho' the uſage of the Popes Conclave, which turns the Bible out of doors for a Wrangler, and gives the chief Seal to Tradition, &c. were here in faſhion. Indeed, I cannot but eſteem them very unfortunate Propoſals to be turned ſo naked into the World, as not to have the leaſt tincture of Scripture to Gaurd them from Contempt; no, not ſo much as a Citation, that might admit of ſo much as a ſtrained Conſequence in their Defence. And ſo, tho' leſs Prophane, yet they are alſo leſs Politick then the moſt deſperate of Hereticks, who alwayes bring their Errors on the ſtage guarded with Scriptures, and craftily Indeavour to make their Citations look with ſuch an aſpect, as tho' they were encampt on their ſide. But here we have nothing for our Faith to lean on, but ſo many auſterer Ipſe Dixits, as bitter Pills of Death for the Churches to Swallow, without any of the Confection of Heaven or the Sweet Manna Sprinkled upon them; or elſe only ſo many naked Humane Perſumptions, as Arrows or Bolts, too Raſhly ſhot out againſt the ſides of our Churches, and no word of Scripture to Tip or feather them. Nay, it is very Memorable, and I account fatal, and to be obſerved, that GOD, that ſecret Title of the Almighty, with which the Holy Scripture does ſo abound, is not once named (as I can find) in the whole Treatiſe; as tho' the moſt ſacred Titles, as well as Sections of that heavenly Book, would move Fears and irritate Jealouſies, rather then pouer down Solace and Comfort upon this Undertaking. Therefore, in a word, the whole Bible is thrown by as a Sealed Parchment, or as one that never Prophecies good to ſuch Adventurers. Therefore theſe Propoſals being apprehended as Sea Rovers, and Indicted upon the ſtatute of Pyracy, and upon Examination being found without the Prince of Princes Colours and yet doing great miſchief, in Aſſaulting and Wounding his Churches and Lawful Subjects, on their honeſt occaſion, being bound on a Voyage to their own Country, they can no ways in Juſtice eſcape, but muſt Paſs under the Sentence, and endure the Pains of Death, for they were taken Fighting without Commiſſion.
3. As to REASONS.
Recta Ratio, Right Reaſon, that great Oracle in Humane Affairs is the Soul of Man, ſo formed or endowed by Creation with a certain Sagacity or Acumen (in many perticular Examples ſharpned by the conſtitution of nature, by Grace and ſtudy) whereby mans Intellect is inabled to take up (pro Medulo or in a degree) the true Idea or Perception of things, agreeable with and according to their Natures. So that if we bring theſe Propoſals under Examination by the Laws of Reaſon, we muſt enquire whether they are agreeable with the nature and Conſtitution of the Churches, if they fully harmonize with their Principles of Eſſence, then they may be enroled for Canons; but if they Jar and are plainly Repugnant, we may then Lawfully cenſure them, and pronounce them Irrational. Whether theſe Churches are conſtituted by Scripture or Reaſon, yea or no, that is not our Queſtion, but being of ſuch a Frame or Conſtitution, as they now are, and always have been, all who pretend to Support and preſerve them, and yet take ſuch meaſures, as will utterly overthrow and diſſolve them, ſuch Repairers have apparently deſerted the Dictates and Government of Right Reaſon.
And here we may Collect an Induction of ſome few hints of certain particulars for Evidence; the Platform Aſſerts a Claſſes to be no Goſpel form of Church Order; The Propoſals ſay it is, or they abuſe our Credulity. The Propoſals Order the Aſſociation to have the firſt Cognizance of Church Caſes; our Government ſays, No, it belongs to the Juriſdiction of particular Churches. The Propoſals give Power to the Aſſociation to limit Elections, and to Direct them; but our Government ſays, No, it will not Conſent; the Election of Officers is the Prerogative of the Churches, and they wont, as yet, part with it, &c. So that when we can by the Rules of Grammer Reſolve yea or no, yea or nay, to be the ſame voice and word, then you may Reconcile the Propoſals and the Plat-form; that Certainly whatever there be of Religion, the Method is apperantly Diſagreeable with Common Reaſon.
4. As to the PLAT-FORM.
I ſhall repreſent it by a kind of a ſhort Proſopop…, thus, viz. enquiring whether the Propoſals are deduced from this fountain, the Plat-form with all its Chapters, and with one joynt Conſent, as plain as the Tongue in their heads can utter it, ſay, that never ſince it Poſseſt the Government, ſo much as Dream'd of them. It may ſay with deſtruction (Job 28.22.) we have heard of the Fame of theſe things, with our Ears, but never Imagined ſo much as a ſeminal vertue in our own being, for their Procreation, but rather ſtarts with the News of their approach, out of fear of its own Diſsolution from their Repugnant and formidable nature. Therefore as in a grievous fright, from Surprize, Crys out with Athaliah, Treaſon, Treaſon! And Begs that Zeal and Conſcience, thoſe two Solicitors for the Crown, will at this Grand Court of Oyer and Terminer Implead and Proſecute them as Traytors to the Prince of Peace, and Fellons to theſe Churches, Chriſts Loyal Subjects. So I come,
2. To enquire into the nature of theſe Propoſals, by Surveying their Compoſition and Properties.
1ſt. Their Compoſition.
They ſeem a Conjunction of almoſt all the Church Governments in the World, and the leaſt part is Congregational. Indeed at the firſt Caſt of the Eye, the Scheme ſeems to be the Spectre Ghoſt of Preſbiterianiſm, or the Government or of the Church by Claſſes; Yet, if I don't miſtake, in Intention there is ſomething Conſiderable of Prelacy in it, only the diſtinct Courts of Biſhop with the Steeples of the Churches, Tythes, Surplice and other Ornaments, do not ſhew themſelves ſo viſible, as to be diſcerned at the firſt look; yet with a Microſcope you may eaſily diſcern them really to be there in Embrio, Et in Rera nature; for this is a known Maxim, Quod neceſſario Subintelligitar non Deeſt, What is neceſſarily underſtood, or lies hid in the Intention of a Deſign, is Really here, by juſt Interpretation; Therefore theſe Propoſals which dare Revolt ſo far at a ſtep, as theſe have done, muſt needs underſtand no leſs in their aim, than of an Enobling Government for Clergy-men, which our Princes and Parliaments have adorned the Churches with. This ſeems Rational, that thoſe which never ſtick at Robbing the Churches of ſuch an Immence Treaſure, as the Propoſals carry off, will never ſtand, Shall we! Shall we! at the offer of a Biſhoprick, which is a Barrony with all its Rights and Royal Appurtenancies.
There is alſo ſomething in it which Smells very ſtrong of the Infallible Chair, To Aſsume the Power of making Rules, to Ingroſs all Principles of Proceſs, The Right of Election, the laſt Appeal, The Negative Vote, and all Super-Intending Power in Matters Eccleſiaſtick, as the Prerogatives of Clergy-men, Diſtinct from all other Eſtates and Miniſters in Government; or thus for the Clergy to Monopolize both the Legiſlative and Executive part of Cannon Law, is but a few ſteps from tht Chair of univerſal Peſtilence, and by the Ladders here ſet up, Clergy-men may, if they pleaſe, Clamber thus high, for when they are inveſted with what is in theſe Propoſals provided and intended for them, who then can controul them but the Almighty himſelf? as was ſaid of thoſe daring men, Gen. 11.6. And now nothing will be Reſtrained from them which they have Imagined to do; for who can now with-hold from them Infallibility, or ſtop the Direful and Definitive Sentence? Who can limit their Power or ſhorten their Arm in their Executions? Their Bulls can now, upon any any affront, Bellow and Thunder out a Thouſand terrible Curſes, and the poor affrighted and Invaſsal'd Layity, both Princes and Subjects (being here as in the grave put under one and the ſame Topick) muſt forfeit their Salvation, if they don't tamely ſubmit, and obediently become their Executioners; for that it is now evident that all Power is, if not Really given, yet formally ſtollen, and in Intent Bequeathed to them.
2dly. Their Properties.
1ſt Property, is Diſorder Order is both the Beauty and ſafety of Univerſe, take aſide the … whereby the whole hangs to gether, the great Frame of nature is unpin'd and drops piece from piece; and out of a Beautiful ſtructure we have a Chaos. Theſe Propoſals are therefore very miſchievous, if not in matter, yet in the manner of Production; they are full of Diſorder, being things born out of due time, their Conception is without Countinance, from the Rule of Order. Indeed there is no Statute to be found that will juſtify the firſt Coitus of Parents, neither will any allow their Social Life; that the Birth muſt bear the Attender, of being both begotten and Born, out of Lawful Wedlock, and ſo in Point of Honour fall under the Cenſure of the Levitical Law, and muſt be kept back from Promotion, for Deut. 32. A Baſtard ſhall not enter into the Congregation.
That to paſs all other Remarks, if we are under miſtake in the aſſertions, I then demand and enquire, Where is that Lawful Authority which Publiſhed Legal Banes, with the Conſent of all the Intereſted Perſons, and the regular Conſumation of the Match? If any Rule can be found to ſhelter and Honour the Conception and Birth, let it be produced, and it eſcaping other Felonies with Life, this Scandal ſhall be taken off, but otherwiſe it muſt remain as a Bar to the tenth Generation.
The 2d Properity Is Ʋſurpation. The Propoſals Apparently Uſurp the Churches Prerogatives. It has been aſſerted, and it is true, Theſe Churches have been Settled upon the Plat-form of their own Government for upwards of Sixty Years; they have often Reviſed and Re-inforc'd the Eſtabliſhment, both as the Principles of their Conſociation and Union in General, and the Form of Government for every Church in particular. Then, for theſe Propoſals without Licence to aſsume a Legislation, and form a Government, ſo repugnant to their own, can be no leſs then Uſurping a Dominion over them, contrary to the Rule, 1 Pet. 5.3. neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage. Leſſer Acts againſt Empire hath coſt many a bold man his head; What! for a particular kno… or Juncto of Gentlemen to make ſo bold with a ſettled Government, as to pick out all the Enobling Royalties, Liberties and Enfranchizements in it, and Sacrifice them to their own Ambition! It is enough to put mankind into an Uproar.
It is freſh in Memory, that when ſome of our Engliſh Princes (and one would think, if any men may, they may be allowed to aſpire, yet when they) have Preſumed on leſs things than theſe Propoſals reach after, in gratifying their Aim at an Abſolute Monarchy, when as they have not dared to lay out with ſuch freedom, a new Form of Government, with a wide mouth, gaping to devour the Engliſh Liberties, (as theſe Propoſals do the Churches, but only with much ſecrecy, covin and Pollicy, they have by ſome more Clandeſtine meaſures been Intruding upon the antient Liberties of the Engliſh Nation) Every one knows what direful Convultions this has bred in the Bowels of the Kingdom. And may it not ſerve to enliven this Plea? To invite all ſuch who are with Plato, Owners of a great Genius at Inventing new or Modeling old Governments, to try their Skill in altering the Engliſh Monarchy, and ſee how it will be Probated. That is, ſuppoſe you ſhould venture to Interdict the Royal Aſſent, or Convert the preſent Monarch into a Duke of Venice, or diſſolve the Lords in Parliament or (rather in Harmony with this Scheme) Turn the Burgeſſes and Knights of the Shires (as a ſort of men not fit for Politicks in Parliament) out of doors? And whether our Soveraign, the Peerage, or Subjects of Engliſh Liberties would take it well? And whether Chriſtian men may make Bolder with the Eſtabliſhed Government of Chriſts Churches, then with that which belongs to Civil Affairs? In Honour to the New-England Churches, and with veneration for the Engliſh Monarchy, I dare aſſert, that there is in the Conſtitution of our Church Government more of the Engliſh Civil Government in it, and it has a better Complexion to ſuit the true Engliſh Spirit, than is in the Engliſh Church, or any other, both as to the Legislative and Executive part of Government. Indeed, conſidering how things are at home in Church and State, I have been ſometimes ready to Query, Why the Nation ſhould be ſo Enamored with their Civil, and yet ſo Careleſs and Regardleſs of their Goſpel Liberties, ſo as to Truſt their Conſciences with their Clergy, more immediately, and yet won't venture their Eſtates with their Learned Judges, without the Priviledge and Mediation of Juries; as tho' they were more careful and wiſe in ſecuring their Eſtates than their Souls, and valued one far more then the other. But I ſhall go on with the Compariſon.
1. As to the Legiſlation; Our New-England Convocation admits, and the Government does profeſs the fraternity as neceſſary to the being of all Synodical Aſſemblies, that as far as Legiſlation, ſpiritual, is left to men, and as they have a great Treaſure, viz. Their Salvation Imbarqued, ſo they have a great Intereſt in the Management of it; and herein they agree with the Engliſh Caution and Wiſdom, in the Modes of Civil Government of the Empire; for the Commons are one great ſtate in the Civil Legislation; and as they have a great Power in the mannagement of that Great Truſt.
2. As to Adminiſtration or the Executive part of Government, Our New-England Government grants a Juriſdical Power to the Fraternity … makes them proper Judges in all Eccleſiaſtical Caſes and Adminiſtrations, on Perſons Cognizable, or that muſt paſs a Tryal Juridice; which is agreeable with the Conſtitution, Nature and Practice of the Civil Government of the Empire; for under the Proſecutions of Law, no Engliſh Subject, in Life, Limb or Eſtate, muſt be paſt upon, but by the Judgment of his PEERS; Yea, in all Pleas of the Crown, ſuch Confidence has the Government put in the Loyalty and Diſcretion of the Commons, that our Engliſh Juries are ſtated Arbitarors and Umpires between our Prince and his Subjects. Yea, ſuch a dependance has the whole Nation in Keeping theſe Liberties in their own hands, that they Reckon the Commons in Parliament and Juries in the Common Wealth, to be the great Pillars of Engliſh Honour and Liberties, and they eſteem them as Ramparts built by the Wiſdom of our Anceſters, to Defend us from Tyranny and Slavery.
That conſidering the affinity in theſe two Conſtitutions, one would be ready to Query, Whether the Heroick true Engliſh Spirit is not Parent to both? Or whether they are not equal Debtors to the Goſpel, for their Original? The Improvement of this compariſon is briefly this; Suppoſe ſome of the great Miniſters of State ſhould venture to ſweep away all thoſe Civil Enfranchizements which are Engliſh-mens Birth-Right, and ſet up an Arbitrary Power, with a pretence of doing Juſtice and Judgment in the Kingdom, by more conciſe and expedient Meaſures, whether they might not be ſeized? And whether the Statutes would not be Chain ſtrong enough to hold them, as Traytors to a well formed Government, and then laid faſt by a Mittimus for great Uſurpers? And whether the Plea will not hold in Juſt Proportions, on the other ſide of the Compariſon?
3d. Property Riotous. The nature of a Riot may (in part) be thus deſcribed, it is an Ʋnlawful Aſſembly of more than three met in one place to do an Ʋnlawful Ast, as violently breaking down of Walls, and pulling up of Hedges, and wrongfully entering into mens Rights and Poſſeſſion, and that in a fray and Terror of the People. In managing this Plea, I ſhall only deſire that the Illegality of the Aſſembly which formed theſe Propoſals, with the Objects and things they intend, and the ancient Boundaries which they plainly Invade, together with the fearful apprehenſions that many good and ſober People in the Vicinage have concerning the Enterprize, may be Critically examined, and I doubt not but when we obtain the ſuffrage of this Honourable Court, it will Determine, The Impleaded Criminals are of a Riotous nature, and ſo the INDICTMENT will ſtand more valed againſt them.
4th. Property, Sacriligious, &c.
5th. Property, Rebellious.
It grieves me to utter the Epethites agreeable with the Nature of theſe propoſals; yet they muſt Blame their own Nature, but not my Juſtice, if I give them but their due; for I find them in the breach of a Royal Statute, yea, I think of a Penal Law. This is plain, They take away the Liberties, Priviledges, Diſcipline and Government of theſe Churches, all which are Eſtabliſhed to them by the Law; and that not only by their own Cannons, but by the Laws of this Province, as by a Royal Magna Charta, viz. in an Act for the Settlement and Support of the Miniſters, pag. 3. in theſe words, The Reſpective Churches in the ſeveral Towns within this Province ſhall at all times hereafter uſe, exerciſe and enjoy all their Priviledges and Freedoms Reſpecting Divine Worſhip, Church Order, and Diſcipline, and ſhall be encouraged in the Peaceable and Regular Profeſſion and Practice thereof.
This Act (as one ſays on the great Charter of Engliſh Liberties) Deſerves to be written in letters of Gold, and hung up in all our Houſes of Gods Publick Worſhip, to ſignalize the Zeal (in the Preſence of God, Angels, and Men) of the Authority of the Throne and Empire, for the Eſtabliſhing of theſe Churches, and Chriſts Intereſt in them. Now, Conſidering that the Power, Pollicy, and Grace of the Engliſh Crown, ſhould Thus lock up the Churches Treaſure for them, and ſet ſuch a Centinal, with the flaming Sword of Juſtice in its hand, to Dread and Awe Intrudeeis, it muſt needs be a very bold Action, (if it ben't Plump Rebellion) to Attempt or deſign ſuch a Sequeſtration or Imbezellment as the propoſals DO.
6th. Property, Ʋnfaithfullneſs, &c.
7th. Property, Ingratitude.
For the Stewards of great Families, when Advanced to Honour and a Profitable Truſt, by the free Election and Grace of Noble-Men, when their Lords are laid down to reſt, and ſleep too ſecurely, or are gone out of Town, with this preſumption, that their Eſtate is ſecure, it being put under the care of Loyal Truſtees and Thankful Servants; Now for ſuch Truſtees and Stewards, upon ſuch opportunities to Pocket up or load away the Riches of the Family, and ſet up for themſelves, and leave the Proprietors Beggers, whom they found in Wealth and Plenty, is both Infidelity & Ingratitude. Now let the Churches be pluck't and deplum'd, as the Propoſals intend, and they are after the poſſeſſing a fair Eſtate, become Banckrupts; And let thoſe ſtewards that are guilty Anſwer for the Robbery, for my part I will have no ſhare in it.
8th. Property, Impolicy.
And I am ſure there is great ſtore of this in theſe Propoſals; I ſhall Inſtance but in two Particulars.
1. In Timing the Challenge that is here made, to Brave a Rich and Powerful Enemy at ſo great a diſtance, and invite them by ſound of Trumpet to a Pitch't Battle, when Surprize and Ambuſhments might be laid, and do the work with the Expence but of a tenth part of the Blood which this may coſt. This is not agreeable with the Art of War; Achitophel would have put a Deriſion upon ſuch Meaſures. Jacob's Sons when taking a Bloody deſign in hand, firſt contrived to Stupify and blunt the Courage of their Enemies, and then came upon them by Surprize, e're they could Arm in their own Defence (Tho' it does not juſtifie their Cruelty, yet it magnifies their Subtilty) for thereby they brought their deſign about, when as if they had gone a more Blunt and daring way to work Simon and Levi, had not been half a breakfaſt for the Hivites, Gen. 34.25.
So here, had the Churches been Convened, and no noiſe made of this Deſign, they Poſſibly (tho' their Treaſures are fortified by Right, and ſo in ſafety, and their Troops more ten to one then their Enemies) yet by ambuſhments or Surprize they might have chanced to have been Coakered or Conquered out of all, by being flattered, overawed, or over Argued, into a Surrender or Submiſſion; But we may now Rationally hope the Alarm will Rouſe the Whole Camp, and each Squadron will Rebound it to the next with a hinc Proixmus Ʋrit Ʋcalogon; And ſo the Plot may upon a Defeat, blame its own bad conduct, more than its Fortune.
2dly. the Deſign it ſelf (Quo ad finem Executionis) let it come to Birth, as is Deſigned, or Deſired, and the very Heavens would either frown upon or Laugh at it for its folly; If we Examine the Climate of the Country, the Degrees of Latitude, and the Severe Stars that chiefly govern, There is no good Policy in the Deſign; ſo that, me thinks, the Univerſal frame of nature Cryes it Down for a Non-Compos mentis; for there are no ſuch great Creatures as are here Conceived, can fare in hard cold Countries as the Camelion does in warm, there muſt be a very great hoard to ſupport them; and Nature does honeſtly Confeſs, ſhe cannot anſwer the Bills of Fare, which belong to their Table, and do her Duty to the Royal Exchequer; and this muſt be Maintained, or all breaks to pieces.
Again, let it be conſidered, whether it ben't great Intellectual Weakneſs, or want of Policy, for one Generation to contrive needleſs Loads for the next, eſpecially when they may get as well to Heaven without carrying ſuch Packs along the Road? It has been univerſally the humour of mankind, according to the Laws of Nations and Nature, when Rouſed by the Regular Dictates of Self-Love, to endeavour that every following Generation might be more lightſome, free, noble and happy than that which did immediately preceed.
They ſay, the Chinees dig Clay and uſe it not, but leave it heapt, or in Pits, mellowing for the next Age. Every Prudent man builds his Houſe for Duration. The Prince enlarges and betters his Dominions. The Peaſant ſweats to advance his Eſtate, and then each leaves all in Greater Triumph to their Heirs.
The Kentiſh Yeomantry are had in honour to this day, for not ſtooping to the Conqueror, till they had Conditioned, and thereby ſecured their fair Eſtates of Lands in Fee and Free-holds forever from all Forfeiture by Felony, according to their Country proverb,
The Father to the Bough,
The Son to the Plough.
Such is the Mercyful fore-ſight of Mankind, and his charitable Care and fore caſt for ſuch as ſhall follow, tho' they may never be ſeen or Known by their wiſe Progenitors.
But here is plainly a Conſpiracy very Heterogenious to ſuch Judicious Acts of Humane Providence; A Deſign plainly, if not perfectly to Enſlave, yet to bring Poſterity into a needleſs Vaſſalage and Thraledom.
This is an acknowledged verity amongſt wiſe Statiſts, That that Monarch who has the Command of the Seas, can at his Pleaſure Command any Maritime Country. And ſo, thoſe men who have the Command and Empire of the Conſcience of Mankind, can Command their Eſtates, and indeed whatſoever elſe is grateful to them.
Then, where abouts are we in our Politicks, when we have delivered up the Royalties that are Challenged? and in what a weak Capacity ſhall we leave Poſterity in? Nay, theſe Vertuoſo's themſelves, ſeem to be hardened with the Oſtrich againſt their Own Natural Iſſue, unleſs the thing would chance to ſpring up as quick as Jonas Goard, and hang as full of Pearls and Diamonds as the Sea and Rocks of India, and they themſelves ſhall have the firſt ſhake, and fill all their Coffers, with this Harveſt, or at leaſt, that they are aſſured that they can and ſhall Entail their Offices as ſecurely as their Lands, upon their own Children, as was the Order of Prieſthood, and the Faſhion of the houſe of Levi. But alas! theſe modes are all worn out, and made null; and ſuch mens Sons, as we are now treating of, in with the Multitude, muſt carry their falling Equal ſhare of the Common Load; that ſhould the Project prevail, under their Mannagement, (might they but look up out of their Graves in about half an Age) They may complain in Elegy, after the manner of Virgil over his, Sic vos non vobis. Hos ego verſiculos feci, Jubit alter Honorem. Theſe verſes I made, but another man carries away the Honour. So theſe Gentlemen might e'en ſay, we have Contrived to greaten the Clergy, and with Bees have filled a Rich Hive, and Built a fair Neſt well feathered, but our Poſterity, we ſee, is never the warmer, nor will they lick their fingers of it; and not only ſo, but are the men that muſt make up the tenth Sheaf, and deliver the tenth Cock, Calf and Lamb unto others out of their poor Demeſnes. And alſo it may Juſtly beget a mournful Remembrance in Poſterity of their Parents, and make them often look with a ſad Countenance upon their Fathers Graves, not becauſe they are Dead, but becauſe they had not ended their days ſooner, viz. before this Scheme (ſo Oppreſsive and Cruel to their ſmall Free-holds) had taken effect under their Mannagement.
2. We come now, according to engagement, to take a Survey of the Propoſals in their deſtinct Sections.