Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/110

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Thoughts on

Those of the present Age, on a Want of Principle.

For the false Principles which disgraced the Protestants of the last Age, are vanished. The mistaken Interpretations of Scripture, on which the Jacobite, the Tory, the bigoted Dissenter, founded their various Pretensions and Attempts, are now held in general Derision: A Preacher, of whatever religious Congregation, who should now advance these obsolete State-Heterodoxies, would be the Contempt of his wiser Audience.

Nay, what is more, these false Principles tending to Despotism, are generally banished, even from the Breasts of the Clergy; except only a very few of the most aged. For the Bishops being appointed by the Patrons of Liberty, have been such, as held Principles consistent with the Freedom of the State: And much Caution having been required of them, and used by them, in the Appointments of their Clergy, the general Com-