12 the eyes of the Nation; for if we are to be preferved, it must be by their means. The Bishops are in general learned and good Men; and much are we indebted to the King, for fetting fuch at the head of the Church. They take more pains, and have more work to do, than is commonly fuppofed. Yet if St. PAUL were among them, I think he would work harder than any of them, and adopt some stronger measures to bring back to their duty, fuch Clergymen as have deferted it: For, (forry I am to fay it) though you will find many among the lower Clergy who do their Duty, and take care of their Flocks; you will find too many, also, who neglect both, and fpend their time in Public Places; in Dancing, or Card Playing; or dangJing at Court, or elfewhere, in hopes of preferment. If fuch believe in a Day of Reckoning; I can only fay, they have a fort of Courage. which I have not. Among the Lawyers, Merchants, Traders, Farmers, and others engaged in Bufinefs; we find many honeft, generous, and charitable men; and and many dishonest, profligate, or covetous cha racters. But do we not find almost all of them, as much engroffed by worldly Bufinefs, or Cares, or Amusements, as if they were to live here for ever? Laftly, look at the Lower Claffes :-And, though (after due allowance for their little instruction and few advantages) they are, perhaps, lefs guilty, than those of higher Rank; yet, Are they as honeft, fober, and, induftrious, as they ought to be? Are they ready to obey those who have a right to command them? Do they spend all they earn in feeding and clothing themselves and their Wives and Families? and do they earn all they can? Are the Sundays spent at Church, or at the Alehouse ?-abroad, in bad Company, or at home, with their Families? Do they instruct their Children themselves; or accept, with hearty thanks, thofe inftructions which are provi ded for them by the bounty of their neighbours ? Having now turned our eyes on the various Claffes of which this Nation is compofed; can we be at a lofs to know what that Reform is, which our cafe requires?-furely, No. It is as plain, [ 14 ] plain, as plain can be, that the Reform we want, and the only Reform which can save us, (but which certainly will fave us, if adopted in time) is A THOROUGH REFORM OF PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES, AMONG ALL RANKS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM ! Let the King and Queen continue to fet an example of Piety, Regularity, Sobriety, and conjugal Fidelity, to their Children, their Servants, and all their Subjects. Let them drive from their Councils, and their Court, all Adulterers and Adultereffes; all Gamblers; all, in fhort, whofe Characters are notoriously bad, of either Sex, and of every Rank. Let them avoid even innocent Amusements, if liable to produce Immorality among others; which, alas! is too often the cafe. "Oh hard condition, twin-born with Greatnefs! I can take my Sunday evening's walk, chat with my Neighbours, and view the beauties of Nature; and no harm done. But if my gracious Sove Sovereign could fee but a small part of the Confufion, Idleness, Drunkenness, Dif-regard of the Sabbath, and other incalculable ill effects, which are produced, not only in Windfor, Eton, and the whole Neighbourhood, but even in his Capital itself, by his merely appearing on Windfor Terrace; how gladly would he give up for the good of his People, that heart-felt Satisfaction, which he has fo often felt, from-- Reading his History in a Nation's Eyes!" Let every Member of Parliament, whether Peer or Commoner, reflect on the awful Trust committed to his care, and attend diligently to the execution of it. Not merely when a political dispute arises, but conftantly and uniformly. Let no Act receive its fiat, without a ftrict ferutiny into its Merits. Let them revife, curtail, and methodise the whole code of Statute Law; whofe bulk and confufion is fuch, that I fear we may almost say "Mole ruit fuâ!" If but a small part of that time, and thofe talents, which are wafted in long-winded harangues, aud bitter difputations, were thus ap plied; T 16 I plied; our Laws would acquire clearness, preci fion, and vigour. The number, the length, and the expense of our Suits, would no more be the reproach of our Nation. Imagination itself can hardly embrace the variety and the magnitude of the national Benefits, which would be thereby produced. Let thofe, to whom the Administration of the Executive Government is committed, learn, by dear-bought and fatal Experience, that their own Arm cannot fave them; and that human Laws and human Power can avail nothing, without found Principles and pure Morals; and let them, therefore, without delay, bend the whole force of their talents to the promoting of these. As for thofe, who, from motives of perfonal Ambition, Advancement, or Gain; from private Pique, or party Prejudice, or any other finifter defign; are ready to facrifice the public good, to their private views; it is vain to waste words on them, their Confciences must be feared with a hot iron. To thofe, on whom Providence has beftowed Rank, Honour, Wealth, or any useful TaTM |