The singularity of the posture in which I find myself placed, in having given my sentence contrary to the general voice of the Diocesan Clergy, convened by their respective Archdeacons, may require to be explained, if it cannot be vindicated. Having received a requisition from the Archdeacon of Essex, addressed to "the Clergy beneficed or resident within the Archdeaconry," to repair to Brentwood, on May 19th, to "take into consideration the propriety of petitioning the two Houses of Parliament, on the subject of the Roman Catholic claims:" I obeyed the summons, with a latent conviction, that the measure was intended as a demonstration, not of distaste to the Roman Catholic claims, but of disaffection to the newly-constructed Administration. From an attention to the reasons, on which the reverend assembly seemed inclined to acquiesce in the measure; two arguments, as far as I could collect, seemed adequate to recommend it to their adoption. After it had been premised, that there was an obligation of conformity to the established religion, incumbent on the King himself, without which his subjects were absolved from their allegiance; some importance was laid upon the possibility of His Majesty choosing a consort who was in the Romish communion. As a matter of particular moment, the unreserved obedience exacted by the See of Rome, from every person who received the baptismal rite, was insisted on; B |