LETTER Some there will be, I hope indeed a great many, LX. who will complain that I have not done the fubject

juftice. To this charge, where kindly intended and candidly made, I fhall moft readily plead guilty; and fhall only offer the trite apology of having done the best I could, with my hearty wifh, that fome abler hand would undertake it, and do better. There will be others of the oppofite fentiment; that the subject, especially in the latter part of it, was not worth the pains that even I have been able to bestow upon it. To that clafs of critics, I never doubted but our church, in her prefent low condition, would appear an object of contempt, as in her higher state of outward fplendor fhe had been of envy and ill-will. But let fuch remember, that the whole Chriftian Church was once in the fame predicament; fet at nought by the rich and opulent, by the applauded philofo pher and fashionable politician, ridiculed for her principles, and defpifed for her numbers. Not that I would be ftating an exact parallel in every particular, especially in the invidious article of perfecution, between our fituation and that of thefe early times. I would only obferve, that to impartial reflexion, if fuch would apply itself to our cafe, it may rather be matter of wonder than offence that, under fuch repeated depreffions, and deftitute of all worldly fupport, our church fhould have been preferved thro' the long courfe of a. whole century, even tho' reduced to that low con dition, in which the infulting eye of profperity may allow itself to triumph over her.

Whatever ground there might have been for the popular cry of Difaffection and improper Hopes,' against the ejected Epifcopal clergy, who, as men of natural paffions, and once in legal poffeffion of

com

comfortable livings, could not be thought all at LETTER once to lofe fight of their former fituation, or con- LX. tract much affection for the immediate authors of their loffes and difappointments, there can be no good reafon for keeping up thefe two inflaming articles of fufpicion againft their fucceffors, who certainly can have no other object in view, than the interests of that kingdom which is not of this world,' no higher ambition than to do their duty as meffengers of the PRINCE of PEACE. And as the principles, by which they are actuated, are thus harmlefs and inoffenfive, they have no doubt but their practices, if inquired into, will fhew them not altogether unworthy of the clemency which they have for fome time experienced. Far from being guilty of any actual infringement of the laws of their country, their only fault has confisted in omitting to qualify themselves in the precife manner which the law prefcribes. That omiffion it was not in their power to avoid, but by declining or throwing up that facred office, which a ftrong sense of duty prompted them to undertake. They are now happy to think, that a favourable period has concurred with their moft anxious wishes, for obtaining that relief which their fituation has fo long and loudly called for. The prejudices which gave occafion to the penal laws are now no more. A religious diffenting from the

eftablishment is not confidered as inconsistent with the fafety of government: And those of the Epif copal perfuafion in Scotland may, without any hazard, be allowed to partake of that freedom, which is extended throughout the kingdom to fects of every denomination. Though they wish for Liberty,' it is not that they may • use it for a ⚫ cloke of maliciousness,' but that, as the Ser4 S 2

vants

LETTER vants of God,' they may perform, without moLX. leftation, thofe duties which, they are convinced, are effential to their happiness, both in this world, and in the next. And when they consider, with what becoming zeal the British legiflature has lately given force to the pious endeavours of the English Bishops, for planting Epifcopacy in foreign countries, they cannot but hope, that their own Epifcopacy may yet be faved from ruin, and that Britons will not be refufed a fhare of that gracious provifion which has been extended to Aliens. In this hope, they humbly commit themselves, and all their concerns, to the care of his over-rul. ing Providence, who has the hearts of Kings in his hands: Devoutly praying, that HE may ftill guide his church in the paths of righteoufnefs, and direct his protection to her, through whatever channel of benignity he pleases, that, under that bleffed protection, they may lead quiet and peaceable lives, with confciences void of offence toward God and toward men.'

I now beg your favourable acceptance of these my endeavours to comply with your requests, and remain,

MAY 1, 1788.

Yours, &c.

THE END.

APPEND

APPENDIX.

That the Reader may have a clear and diftin& View of the Epifcopal Succeffion in Scotland, fince the Revolution, as far as the prefent Bishops are concerned, it is thought proper to fubjoin the following Lift of Confecrations, with the true Dates and Confecrators Names, as extracted from their Ecclefiaftical Register.

JAN. 25, M of the minifters of Glasgow, and

R. JOHN SAGE, formerly one

1705. Mr John Fullarton, formerly minifter of Paisley, were confecrated at Edinburgh, by John Paterfon, Archbishop of Glafgow, Alexander Rofe, bishop of Edinburgh, and Robert Douglas, bishop of Dunblane.- N B. Archbishop Paterson, bishop Rofe, and bishop Douglas, with the other Scots Bishops, were deprived at the Revolution by the civil power, because Epifcopacy had been voted an infupportable grievance by the Scots Convention. Bifhop Sage died in June 1711, and Bishop Fullarton in May 1727.

APPEND. APRIL 28, 1709.-Mr John Falconar, minif ter at Cairnbee, and Mr Henry Chryftie, minifter at Kinrofs, were confecrated at Dundee, by bithop Rofe of Edinburgh, bishop Douglas of Dunblane, and bishop Sage. Bishop Chryftie died in 1718, and Bishop Falconar in 1723.

AUG. 25, 1711.-The Honourable Archibald Campbell was confecrated at Dundee, by bishop Rofe of Edinburgh, bishop Douglas of Dunblane, and bishop Falconar. He died June 16, 1744.**:

FEB. 24, 1712.-Mr James Gadderar, formerly minister at Kilmaurs, was confecrated at London, by bifhop Hickes, bishop Falconar, and bishop Campbell. He died in February 1733

OCT. 22, 1718.-Mr Arthur Millar, formerly minister at Inveresk, and Mr William Irvine, formerly minifter at Kirkmichael in Carrick, were confecrated at Edinburgh, by bishop Rofe of Edin burgh, bishop Fullarton, and bifhop Falconar. Bishop Irvine died November 9, 1725, and Bishop Millar, October 9, 1727.

After bifhop Rofe of Edinburgh's death, which happened March 20, 1720,-OCT. 17, 1722, Mr Andrew Cant, formerly one of the minifters of Edinburgh, and Mr David Freebairn, formerly minister at Dunning, were confecrated at Edin

Dr. George Hickes, formerly Dean of Worcester, was confecrated in the Bishop of Peterborough's Chapel, in the parish of Enfield, February 23, 1693, by Dr William Lloyd, Bishop of Norwich, Dr Francis Turner, Bishop of Ely, and Dr Thomas White, Bishop of Peterborough. N. B. Dr Lloyd, Dr Turner, and Dr White, were three of the English Bifhops who were deprived at the Revolution, by the civil power, for not fwearing allegiance to William III. They were alfo three of the feven Bishops who had been fent to the Tower by James II. for refufing to order an illegal proclamation to be read in their diocefes.

burgh,