my friends, to do justice to all the world, and to fear no man."

In this reign, the attempts of the British Jacobites and the French Papists, caused to break out an unnatural rebellion; but the rebels were conquered in both parts of the island, namely, at Preston and Dumblain, in the year 1715, on the Lord's day, when his people, in their several congregations, were jointly offering up prayers to God, for the success of the king's arms. A conspiracy against the king was discovered a few years afterwards.

George II. in the year 1714, came to England, with his father, whom he succeeded in 1727. He married Princess Caroline, of Brandenburg Anspach, who died in 1737. On being desired to abridge the religious liberties of his subjects, he returned an answer worthy of a king, yea, the king of a free people: "I tell you, while I sit on the English throne, no man shall be persecuted for conscience sake;" and it is certain, he made his promise good, from the beginning of his reign to the end. Religious liberty is the birth-right of Britons, and is one of the invaluable blessings we enjoy. O how many nations are there where this privilege is not known, where the people are living in ignorance, and under the blinding influence of degrading superstitions!

The same enemies as before, were at work in this reign. The year 1745, is a period well known in English history. The Duke of Cumberland attacked the rebels on the plains of Culloden, and totally routed the presumptuous invaders. The Pretender fled away, and wandered among the frightful wilds of Glengarry, for nearly six months, during which period he passed through an affecting scene of danger, wretchedness, and distress. At length, a privateer of St. Maloes, hired by his adherents, arrived at Lochnanach, in which he em

barked, in the most tattered attire; and after having been chased by, two English men-of-war, he arrived in safety at Roseau, near Morlaix, in Bretagne. As the rebels, in the reigns of both father and son, took much the same route, so they met with a similar fate Their attempt, in both reigns, was to set up a Popish prince on the throne of these kingdoms; but the Governor of the world blasted their schemes, and confounded all their measures.

How surprising was the speedy and effectual suppression of this unnatural rebellion! The Divine goodness exceeded men's warmest wishes, for scarcely could any have imagined, that such a prodigious commotion would so soon have lost not only its terrors, but even its existence. Previously, people were filled with most dismal apprehensions of losing every thing worth contending for; every thing dear to them as men, as Christians, and as Protestants. In the midst of these alarming fears, how wondrously did the hand of God interpose, in many instances, but especially in raising up a general, who was to the whole army what the soul is to the body; and, at length, by turning the suspended balance in our favour, in the memorable field of Culloden! Hence, we may date our deliverance from a train of prodigious evils, under which the nation would certainly have fallen, had Popish enemies succeeded in their attempts. Adored for ever be the Divine goodness! The snare was broken, and his people escaped. The wicked were snared in the work of their own hands, and fell into the pit they had digged for others.

And Divine Providence has ever since signally watched over this nation, and guarded our privileges, both sacred and civil, against the secret designs and open attempts of our enemies. It is evident, that the designs of the Papists

have ever been to take away our religion, our laws, and our liberties; but the wisdom, the power, the goodness, and the sovereignty of God, have been gloriously displayed, in the whole progress of these important affairs, and eminently in our salvation. The arrows let fly at the Revolution, have hitherto fallen short of the mark, or rebounded on them that shot them. The abdicated king was never restored. The pretended prince, with his miserable followers, wandered in exile. Invasions and conspiracies were unsuccessful. Nay, the wisdom and power of God did not only resist and rebuke the attempts of these enemies, but over-ruled them to our advantage. The attempts of France to invade England, greatly weakened their naval strength, and equally strengthened that of ours. The plot to assassinate the king occasioned a national association. The four years of confusion in Queen Anne's reign, was a trial of men. The disturbances in the reign of George I. and George II. without any thanks to the authors of them, tended to promote our union, and render the government yet more safe and steady.

If any of these attempts had succeeded according to the wishes and designs of our enemies, then we should have been deprived of the inestimable privileges of the Revolution. What could have been expected from Rome, but Romish superstition and will-worship? What from France, but French tyranny and oppression ? What from an arbitrary monarch, an Italian Papist, but the ruin of all our established rights, and the entail of misery on posterity? But, thank God! the snares are broken, and we are escaped.

George III. grandson of George II. was proclaimed King on the 25th of October, 1760. In a speech which he himself delivered from the throne, on the 18th

November following, to both houses of Parliament, are these memorable words: "Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of BRITON, and the peculiar happiness of my life will ever consist in promoting the welfare of a people, whose loyalty and warm affection for me, I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my throne; and I doubt not, but their steadiness in those principles will equal the firmness of my inviolable resolution to adhere to, and strengthen this excellent constitution in church and state. The civil and religious rights of my loving subjects, are equally dear to me, with the most valuable prerogatives of my crown; and as the surest foundation of the whole, and the best means to draw down the Divine favour on my reign, it is my fixed purpose to countenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue.”

So anxious was the king to preserve the rights and privileges of the constitution, as far as his royal prerogatives could enable him, that Lord North frequently said, "The king would live on bread and water, to preserve the constitution of his country. He would sacrifice his life to maintain it inviolate." His Majesty's views of Protestantism and religious liberty, extended so far, that when the royal patronage was intreated in support of an establishment for the education of the poor, he replied, "he hoped to see the day when every poor child in his dominions should be able to read his Bible!" This is British liberty, and a sovereign cherishing these benevolent sentiments, is emphatically the father of his people.

One of our journalists observes, "Numerous attempts have been made, during his late Majesty's reign, to obtain the emancipation of the Catholics, by removing the disabilities under which they labour, and confer upon

them various offices in the army and navy; and although the enlightened and liberal spirit of toleration, by which our revered king was actuated, prompted him to grant them several concessions, yet his conscientious regard to the solemnity of an oath, effectually deterred him from yielding to any further demands." Of his adherence to his engagement, the following declaration of his Majesty to Lord Granville, when applied to on the Catholic bill, March 1807, contained in a letter from Sir Henry Harper, to the Rev. J. Eyton, his chaplain, affords a striking example; "My Lord,-I am one one of those that respect an oath. I have firmness sufficient to quit my throne, and retire to a cottage, or place my neck on a block or a scaffold, if my people require it; but I have not resolution to break that oath which I took in the most solemn manner, at my coronation."

There is a great difference between tolerating the Roman Catholic religion in this country, and introducing the Catholics, not only into high official situations under Government, but also incorporating them with the legislative authorities of these realms. It is true, there exists a difference of opinion on this point, even among eminent statesmen, as well as other persons of considerable learning and genuine piety; but the above declaration of the king, gives us his conscientious views, and fixed determination. In addition to which, a gentleman of unquestionable veracity, who held an official and important situation near the king's person, has asserted, that the king repeatedly declared to him in private, he never would grant the Catholic claims, and urged the dictates of his conscience, as well as the solemnity of his coronation oath, as the reasons why he could not do it.

Though the king believed, that granting the Catholic claims would interfere with his conscience and oath, yet