[L] But some will perhaps ask, why did the _first_ reformers inveigh _so much_ against _Purgatory_ and _Prayers for the dead_? Why the first reformers liked _spiritual_ commerce, _without_ duty if they could only contrive it. Now, as a remuneration for Prayers for the dead, our charitable ancestors had left certain handsome sums of money; now these reformers liked the _money_, but _not_ the _obligation_ of the Prayers; and, therefore, they inveighed _right lustily against_ the Prayers, but took care to slyly pocket the money. But when this spiritual commerce could _not_ be carried on unless the duty was _performed_, they very kindly retained the popish practice, and thus secured the money; witness the tolling of the bell for persons _just_ dead, the churching of females, and of burying the dead. These and other are in reality the remnants of popish ceremonies, and the performance of them inspire on the _Catholic_ mind _devotional_ feelings; but by Protestants are, _in general_, looked upon very lightly, in a _spiritual_ point of view. But then take away these popish ceremonies, and off flies the fee. Will the fee for baptism be now demanded, as baptism has been _lately_ declared to be an unnecessary act of religion in the Protestant Church? Our Saviour said to His Apostles, "Go, teach all nations, _baptizing_ them," (that is, all nations,) but the Protestant Church says to her ministers, "Go teach all nations," but as to the _absolute necessity_ of baptism, our Saviour _must_ have been wrong, and, therefore, go please yourselves about it. [M] Appendix to "Reasons why I am not a member of the Bible Society. By the Hon. Arthur Philip Percival, B.C.L. Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty."--Fifth Edition.