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the states of Europe. To prevent the return of those difaftrous fcenes, which involved their ancestors in fo many woful misfortunes, they wifely avoid that conduct which gave them birth.

If this nation had always conducted itself with the like wisdom and moderation, we should not at this day, be disgusted with so many pitiful prejudices; jealousy, fufpicion and distrust, would scarcely be difcernible; a more unbounded confidence and harmony would prevail in fociety; the kingdom at large, would be exposed to fewer dangers, and enjoy greater strength and fecurity, from a more perfect union of all its members.

Though I have hitherto represented the intemperance of the press, as the obvious caufe which maintains the still exifting diftinctions amongst us, in common life; yet, I by no means conceive it to be the only one. It is fupported by a strong troop of auxiliaries; amongst which I number the reverend preachers of anniversary fermons, and other occafional harangues, as its moft zealous and effective partifans.

Though among this clafs of the community, there are many juftly refpected for their talents, their virtues, and their universal benevolence; yet there are others, (and their number is not fmall) who seem to take infinite pleasure in fanning the flame of difcord, and like the vestals of old, to dread nothing fo much, as the extinction of the hallowed fire.

By what motive these gentlemen are actuated, in thus prostituting the temple of the God of charity and peace, into a conventicle of faction and malevolence, I am at a lofs to imagine: but I find there are fome authors who affert of them, what the Athenians did of one of their celebrated orators, that they speak with the Bus 7 yxalls. Whatever may be the object which they have in view, their mode of proceeding militates directly against the peace and security of the empire. For while they deal fo copiously in religious invective, and exert their zeal in bursts of abuse against their opponents; I wish to advertise them, that they thus undefignedly become the tools of men, whofe unwearied pursuit is to diffeminate distrust and disunion amongst us. Such conduct has frequently been productive of moft ferious confequences to this country, and if perfevered in, may perhaps (which Heaven avert) produce the like effect. We have still fresh in our memory, the scenes of 1780.

But notwithstanding all the efforts of this powerful combination of the prefs and pulpit, to irritate the public mind, and perpetuate amongst us the difunion of former times; there are many, particularly in the higher walks of life, who have forced themselves from the captivity of ancient prejudices and delufions. But the great bulk of the people are still a prey to a gloomy fufpicion, and diflike

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every one, who says his prayers upon a Sunday, in a different place from themselves.

This factious malevolence, fo inconfiftent with the charity and benignity of the christian religion, as far as it is directed against the Roman catholics, does not originate, at least amongst men of information, from the irrational errors in religion which are falfely imputed to them. These, they know, are mere common-place topics to amuse, or impose upon the ignorant. The civil difabilities under which they labour, have a more powerful influence upon their minds. As the Roman catholics ftand excluded by the legislature from all the posts of honor and emolument, they conclude without further inquiry, that there must be fome difloyal tendency in the principles of their faith, to authorize fo fevere an act of policy, against fo large and refpectable a body of the community.

My only motive in publishing the following pages, is to remove that injurious and unfounded prejudice and this I hope to effect to the full fatisfaction of the reader. I fhall give an impartial expofition of the catholic doctrine upon allegiance, and examine how far the conduct of our countrymen who follow that religion, has been conformable to their profeffions: to which will be added fome obfervations on the papal fupremacy. I shall make no illiberal reflections upon the political opinions of other religious focieties; for this would be wholly

foreign both to my inclination and purpose. My object in these few pages is not to raise suspicions against others, but to vindicate the catholics of this country * from the falfe imputations, which, upon the subject of allegiance, have so often been laid to their charge.

* I fhall forbear to make any remarks upon the catholics of Ireland: their cause has been very ably treated by Francis Plowden, Efq. in his hiftory of that country.

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