Alas! my Lord, you well know how many sad examples might be brought to demonstrate the reverse: why then put me to the needless task of reminding you of the many times and occasions when the “several denominations of Christians have united, upon a liberal basis, their zeal and exertion, to an unexampled degree,” for the utter destruction of church and state? Why should I be forced to enter upon the disgraceful history of men, who, with words smoother than butter, and softer than oil, with fair promises of taking sweet counsel together, and walking to the house of God as friends, have put forth their hands against such as be at peace with them, have broke their covenant, and drawn their swords against them? The church’s many scars and wounds as yet unhealed, and sores that are daily vexed, have taught her not to lean upon every arm that is held out to support her weak and tottering strength. Experience always begets caution; and knowledge of degenerate human nature, brings with it circumspection. She reads in the sacred volume written for our learning, of Joab’s slippery trick with Abner; and till she can be persuaded that he who speaks quietly and peaceably means no mischief, it would now be worse than imprudence to turn aside to speak at all. The church, my Lord, is not solicitous for such companions as these; and why should your Lordship be solicitous to bring her sons and servants into familiarity with those who despise her, and are plotting her destruction? Permit me to address you as a Church of England man; as a man who fears God, honours the king, and hears the church. Allow us, my Lord, to reason together a little, upon this project of yours, to which you call my attention, and endeavour to engage my feelings. You propose an alliance between the churchman and every description of religionists, who either use or abuse the name of Christ; that is, in the new phrase, between Christians of the “several denominations.” Has your Lordship weighed well the advantages and disadvantages that are likely to accrue to the church? Supposing the design of this proposed association to be as pure as it appears to your Lordship, and that the exclusive object be, to disseminate Bibles throughout the world; will this new connexion empower the church to extend its bounds, and to confer its salutary blessings upon those who sit in darkness? Is this likely to be effected by the aid and assistance of those whole delight has always been to clip the silver wings of the heavenly dove, and to pluck her golden feathers from her breast? When did she ever soar, but to encounter a cloud of enemies, to tempt the rapine of every bird of prey under heaven—to offer a luscious and inviting morsel to all the several hungry “denominations of christians, to whom the happy constitution of this country,” your Lordship says, “affords _equal_ protection with herself?” If the church to which you profess to belong, be really a part of the Holy Catholic