The first question, to be decided, when we talk of the Church's being in danger from any particular measure, is, whether the danger to the Church is a public evil: for to those who think that the national Church Establishment is itself a national grievance, to desire them to forward or to resist any measure, upon account of its conducing to the safety of the Church or averting its danger, would be to the last degree absurd. If you have reason to think thus of it, take the reformation instantly into your own hands, whilst you are yet cool, and can do it in measure and proportion, and not under the influence of election tests and popular fury. But here I assume that by far the greater number of those who compose the House are of opinion that this national Church Establishment is a great national benefit, a great public blessing, and that its existence or its non-existence of course is a thing by no means indifferent to the public welfare: then to them its danger or its safety must enter deeply into every question which has a relation to it. It is not because ungrounded alarms have been given that there never can exist a real danger: perhaps the worst effect of an ungrounded alarm is to make people insensible to the approach of a real peril. Quakerism is strict, methodical, in its nature highly aristocratical, and so regular that it has brought the whole community to the condition of one family; but it does not actually interfere with the government. The principle of your petitioners is no passive conscientious dissent, on account of an over-scrupulous habit of mind: the dissent on their part is fundamental, goes to the very root; and it is at issue not upon this rite or that ceremony, on this or that school opinion, but upon this one question of an Establishment, as unchristian, unlawful, contrary to the Gospel and to natural right, Popish and idolatrous. These are the principles violently and fanatically held and pursued,--taught to their children, who are sworn at the altar like Hannibal. The war is with the Establishment itself,--no quarter, no compromise. As a party, they are infinitely mischievous: see the declarations of Priestley and Price,--declarations, you will say, of _hot_ men. Likely enough: but who are the _cool_ men who have disclaimed them? Not one,--no, not one. Which of them has ever told you that they do not mean to _destroy the Church_, if ever it should be in their power? Which of them has told you that this would not be the first and favorite use of any power they should get? Not one,--no, not one. Declarations of hot men! The danger is thence, that they are under the _conduct_ of hot men: _falsos in amore odia non fingere_.