as abſurd and unreaſonable, notwithſtanding they have ſolemnly ſubſcribed what is equivalent to it in their own articles of religion. And therefore one would hardly expect that they would lay the guilt of the king's death upon us, altho' our fore-fathers had been the only authors of it. But this conduct is much more ſurpriſing, when it does not appear that our anceſtors had any more hand in it than their own.—However, bigotry is ſufficient to account for this, and many other phenomena, which cannot be accounted for in any other way.
Although the obſervation of this anniverſary ſeems to have been (at leaſt) ſuperſtitious in its original; and although it is often abuſed to very bad purpoſes by the eſtabliſhed clergy, as they ſerve themſelves of it, to perpetuate ſtrife, a party ſpirit, and diviſions in the Chriſtian church; yet it is to be hoped that one good end will be anſwered by it, quite contrary to their intention: It is to be hoped that it will prove a ſtanding memento, that Britons will not be ſlaves; and a warning to all corrupt councellors and miniſters, not to go too far in adviſing to arbitrary, deſpotic meaſures
To conclude: Let us all learn to be free, and to be loyal. Let us not profeſs ourſelves vaſſals to the lawleſs pleaſure of any man on earth. But let us remember, at the ſame time, government is ſacred, and not to be trifled with. It is our happineſs to live under the government of a PRINCE who is ſatiſfied with ruling according to law; as every other good prince will—We enjoy under his adminiſtration all the liberty that is proper and expedient
for