The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William Cobbett — John Shaqi
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William CobbettConway, Moncure Daniel
Religion
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 1. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England; to which is added a Sketch of Paine by William Cobbett
Conway, Moncure Daniel
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809
The Quakers of Pennsylvania and New Jersey had held a congress in
Philadelphia and issued (January 20th) "The Ancient Testimony and
Principles of the People called Quakers renewed, with respect to the
King and Government; and touching the Commotions now prevailing in these
and other Parts of America; addressed to the People in General." Under
this lamb-like tract, and its bleat of texts, was quite discoverable
the "Tory" wolf; but it was widely circulated and became a danger. The
Quakers of Rhode Island actually made efforts to smuggle provisions into
Boston during the siege. Paine presently reviewed this testimony in a
pamphlet, one extract from which will show that he could preach a better
Quaker sermon than any of them:
"O ye partial ministers of your own acknowledged principles! If the
bearing arms be sinful, the first going to war must be more so, by all
the difference between wilful attack and unavoidable defence. Wherefore,
if ye really preach from conscience, and mean not to make a political
hobbyhorse of your religion, convince the world thereof by proclaiming
your doctrine to our enemies, for they likewise bear arms. Give us proof
of your sincerity by publishing it at St James's, to the commanders
in chief at Boston, to the admirals and captains who are piratically
ravaging our coasts, and to all the murdering miscreants who are acting
in authority under Him whom ye profess to serve. Had ye the honest soul
of Barclay ye would preach repentance to your king; ye would tell the
Royal Wretch his sins, and warn him of eternal ruin; ye would not spend
your partial invectives against the injured and insulted only, but, like
faithful ministers, cry aloud and spare none."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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