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Untitled Article
sanctions on account of religious opinions ; and , as they feel that a difference in modes of faith and worship is no proper cayse of en « roity to any , so they expect the same liberality from others .
Concerning their opinions relative to government in general , and the British constitution- in particular , they are in strict conformity to those principles which directed the Revolution in 1683 , and which conduced to fix the
Brunswick family on the throne , whose-wtjifare is prayed for in all their congregations as regularly as in the established churches : and they may challenge any instance of variation of conduct
since that time . They may further boast , that in the memorable transactions of 17 L 5 , 1745 , 1780 , and 2 791 , no dissenters were accused of having any concern . The y adhere with full assent to
that fundamental maxim , that the proper end of government is the geerihttf ' . -tbe many , and not the emolument of the few . They cbeerfiitty admit , that the form o £ government by King , Lords and Commons is excellent in it .
sebf ?;< - and they affirm that it is cqrcKalfy approved by dissenters at large , as well as by members of the establishment , whatever may be . suggested to the contrary ; individuals being responsible for thena&elves on both sides .
For these reasons , far from meditating any thing hostile against the ; Constitution , they arc read y to hazard their lives and fortunes in its defence : and as tor
their seeking to promote a republican fovm of government , they utterly disclairtl and renouhce it ; E qua % to they disclaim every wistr ta introduce the Seott ** «> r VOL . IX . 2 N
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Presbyterian , instead & $ tfie English , or Episcbpttliafi , f&rni of worship . Their only wish is , tfcat
the present Constitution should be secured upon its own genuine principles ; though , for promoting this end , they have no plans peculiar to themselves . With
regard to their private interests , they are intimately connected with the public at large : for their stake in the public prosperity is , in proportion , as great or greater than that of any other class , as being more generally engaged irj commerce and manufactures .
As to the question concerning the expediency of religious establishments in general , their opinions are not uniform : but in this they all agree that the main
purpose of any religious establishment should only be the promoting of good morals , leaving every one at liberty to adopt that mode of worship which he likes
best . Whence , then , can arise this groundless and strange alarm , that they are dangerous to church and state ? It will be truly idle to urge the conduct of their
predecessors , known by the nan > e of Puritans , as it does not concern them at this day ; though if a reference to former times be
admitted on one side , it ought also on tbe other , and , in this case , nothing will be lost by the comparison . It may now be asked , if they do not meditate anv change in
church or state , what is it lhat they want?—The answer is easy and obvious : their only aim , as Pfotektant Dissenters , is f 8 be put on a footing with Mieir fellow ^ subjepts * by re moving the Test Laws , which they consider $$ a reproach to ihe " tMort ^ eiM an
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An Address in Behalf ofPrfrlestant Dissetite r * . * Ht ?
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1814, page 273, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2440/page/17/
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