II. The _Bishop_ is a wilful Calumniator, or, at best, an unhappy Misrepresenter of me, and of other Infidels, saying in his _Dedication_, that our Design is _To sap the Foundation of all Government_, and----_That we were pursuing such Methods, as have a natural Tendency to introduce Confusion_. If this was true of us Infidels (for now I speak of my self as one of them) it behoves Civil Governors to look about them, and to punish and suppress us with all speed; and we should be the most unreasonable Men alive, if we complain'd of Persecution, or call'd it hard Usage. And the _Bishop_ of _London_, and other _Divines_ (like this _Bishop_) do commonly declaim on the Danger of Infidelity to Civil Society, but this is all Ecclesiastical Cant and Jargon. I thought I had given[349] the _Bishop_ of _London_ so much on this Head of Complaint against Infidelity, as I could not suppose the _Bishop_ of St. _David's_ would ever have repeated it. It is true, what the _Bishop_ says, that _Religion is the firmest Support of Government_, and _Christianity especially lays the greatest Obligations, on Men's Consciences, of Obedience to the Civil Powers_. I believe all this, and that the better Christians Men are, the more quiet, peaceable, and useful Subjects, and the greater Friends would they be to the Civil Authority. But does it follow from hence, that we _Infidels_, because we have rejected the Belief of some systematical Divinity, as the _Clergy_ are fond of, should consequently be Enemies to the Civil Government, and Foes to the Peace, Order, and Welfare of Society? O fie upon the Drawers of such Consequences! We are, I believe, a numerous and growing Sect in these Nations, though I am acquainted with none, no, not so much as with the Great Mr. _Grounds_: But I could never perceive that any of us, in Principle, were against Civil Government, and the Welfare of the Community; or were for _Confusion_, for setting the People together by the Ears, to the Disturbance of the publick Peace and Tranquillity. No, no, our Interests in the World, as well as other Men's, oblige us to consult the publick Welfare; and our Consciences, from the Religion of Nature, bind us to Obedience to Government; and, was it not agreeable to our Inclination, the Necessity of Affairs would force us to be as quiet and obedient as are any Christians: And I thank God, we have hitherto behaved our selves very peaceably, clear of all Suspicion of Treason and Rebellion to any Prince or State. The _Bishop_ hints at Experience to the contrary, but it will puzzle him to give an Instance. One would think, by this common Harangue, of _Ecclesiasticks_ against us _Infidels_, that Christians, especially the Priesthood, being, as the _Bishop_ says, both _under the Penalties of human Laws, and the stronger Impressions of a future State_, were of a Lamb-like Nature, and never given to disturb the Civil Authority: And I will own the Christian _Laity_