confession, priestly absolution, and the sacrifice of the mass, have made great progress in England, and nobody has observed it: several other popish points are carried higher with us, than by the priests themselves: and somebody, it seems, had the impudence to propose a union with the Gallican church. I have indeed heard that Mr. Lesley published a discourse to that purpose, which I have never seen; nor do I perceive the evil in proposing a union between any two churches in Christendom. Without doubt Mr. Lesley is most unhappily misled in his politicks; but if he be the author of the late tract against popery[1], he has given the world such a proof of his soundness in religion, as many a bishop ought to be proud of. I never saw the gentleman in my life: I know he is the son of a great and excellent prelate, who, upon several accounts, was one of the most extraordinary men of his age. Mr. Lesley has written many useful discourses upon several subjects, and has so well deserved of the christian religion, and the church of England in particular, that to accuse him of impudence for proposing a union in two very different faiths, is a style which I hope few will imitate. I detest Mr. Lesley's political principles, as much as his lordship can do, for his heart; but I verily believe he acts from a mistaken conscience, and therefore I distinguish between the principles and the person. However it is some mortification to me, when I see an avowed nonjuror, contribute more to the confounding of popery, than could ever be done by a hundred thousand such introductions as this.
His lordship ends with discovering a small ray of comfort. God be thanked, there are many among us
- ↑ The Case stated.
