in the pulpit and from the press; and we should in an especial manner instil carefully into the minds of the young, the true principles of Protestantism. But, on the other hand, admitting the facts, as represented, to be true, if it appears that the schools and mass houses so much complained of, are only frequented by persons of the Roman Catholic persuasion; if the priests and their congregations take the prescribed oath; if no undue endeavours are used to make proselytes, and no doctrines are taught hostile to the government of the country; I do not see how, on the principles of Toleration or of Christianity, any other opposition can be made to them, but that of argument and persuasion, and increased activity and zeal on our part in guarding those intrusted to our care against the superstitions and errors of the Church of Rome."

60

LIFE OF

other means, but what were clearly con-
sistent with moderation and prudence.
All this was plausible: and had it in a
single case been clearly substantiated,
that a priest or his congregation had re-
fused to take the oath prescribed by the
Act; that doctrines had been inculcated
injurious to the Constitution; or that
any attempts had been made to seduce
Protestants from their faith; there would
then have been sufficient ground for
alarm: but no such facts were made out
in evidence.

The Bishop's sentiments upon this sub-
ject are perfectly just, and worthy of his
own liberal and enlightened mind. “Un-
doubtedly,” he says, "we ought to be on
our guard against the arts and industry
of those who profess to teach the tenets
of Popery; we ought to combat their
manifold errors, as occasions offer, both

in

and we

in the pulpit and from the press; should in an especial manner instil carefully into the minds of the young, the true principles of Protestantism. But, on the other hand, admitting the facts, as represented, to be true, if it appears that the schools and mass houses so much complained of, are only frequented by persons of the Roman Catholic persuasion; if the priests and their congregations take the prescribed oath; if no undue endeavours are used to make proselytes, and no doctrines are taught hostile to the government of the country; I do not see how, on the principles of Toleration or of Christianity, any other opposition can be made to them, but that of argument and persuasion, and increased activity and zeal on our part in guarding those intrusted to our care against the superstitions and errors of the Church of Rome."

This surely is precisely the language as well of sound reason as of true religion: but it was not that which answered the views of the Protestant Association. Men under the influence of passion and prejudice are not easily repressed; and therefore, though against the concurrent opinion of the Bishops and the whole body of the English Clergy, they determined, as they expressed themselves, in the most prudent and respectful manner-in other words, at the head of 150,000 people-to present their petition to Parliament. The consequences, as is well known, were the riots of 1780, when a scene of desperate outrage was exhibited in this Metropolis, than which nothing could be more disgraceful to the national character, or more injurious to the credit of the Established Faith.

Early in 1781, the returns to an inquiry,

inquiry, which the House of Lords had ordered to be made, into the number of Papists in England and Wales, were laid upon the table: when Earl Ferrers, who had moved for that inquiry, observed, that it appeared evidently from these returns, that there had been a very considerable increase of Papists in this kingdom, and particularly in the Diocese of Chester. "In that Diocese," he said, "the number in 1717, was 10,308; in 1767, it was 25,139; and at this time the number given in to the House amounts to 27,228. He therefore submitted to their Lordships, whether it would not be highly expedient to lay such restrictions upon the Catholics, as might, consistently with the true principles of liberality and candour, prevent their further increase. He was no friend to persecution; but he believed the spirit of Popery was not changed;