In the mean Time I'll not compound the Difference depending between Bishop _Gibson_ and my self, upon any other Terms, than his making me ample Satisfaction for the Injuries done to my Reputation and low Fortunes. Tho' he may thirst after my Life, or at least, my Liberty; yet under the Providence of God I fear not the Loss of either. God be prais'd, this Kingdom is bless'd with such a Civil Administration for Wisdom, Justice and Mercy, as no Nation of the World can equal. Our Magistrates are all Philosophers, Lovers of Truth, and of an Enquiry into it; and so tender of the religious as well as of the civil Rights of the Subject, that I have nothing to dread from them. There is somewhat _popular_ indeed, tho' nothing true nor rational, in the Clamour and Accusations of the _Clergy_ against me. Bishop _Gibson_ would insinuate[337] that my _Discourses_ on _Miracles_ strike _at the Foundation of civil Society_; but by an unnatural Consequence of his own making. I confess, it is an heinous Crime to write any Thing that tends to the Subversion or Prejudice of the civil Society: But how will the _Bishop_ make me guilty of it? If the _Clergy_ will not be Disturbers of the Peace of the Publick upon my _Discourses_; it's certain, that the Quiet of the World, which I wish and aim at, will be inviolably kept and preserv'd for all me. My Followers indeed, when I walk the Streets of this City, are _numerous_; and if any of them should break the Peace, what serves my _Lord Mayor_'s Power for, but to chastise them for it? As for my self and my Adherents at home, which, as yet, are _without Number_, we are all _Quietists_ and should act against our Consciences and Religion, if we should injure any Man in his Person and Property. But I smile to see a _Clergyman_ all on a sudden, like the _Bishop_, so tender of the Welfare of the Publick, when _Ecclesiasticks_, in all Ages past, have been the _Bane_ of Society and the _Pest_ of Mankind, as appears from the Wars and Persecution they have rais'd in the World; and from that Strife, Variance and Discords, they have occasion'd in Cities and Families. And with Submission to the _Bishop_, who I hope will not be angry for my saying it, I am sure, the _Clergy_ at this Juncture, are like an _high-mettal'd blind Horse_, that were they not ridden by the Civil Authority with a strait Rein, would be oppressing and trampling upon all, that flood in the Way of their Interests, to the Disturbance of _Civil Society_. _Profaneness_ too does the _Bishop_ charge me with. But why so? Because I ridicule the Nonsense and Absurdities of _Jesus_'s Miracles according to the Letter, which he venerates. Very fine indeed! The _Bishop_ would worship the _Head_ of an _Ass_, and a wiser Man than himself, without the Charge of Profaneness, must not laugh at his foolish Superstition.