self-conviction.  To do him justice, he seems to have nothing else left, but to cry out, halters, gibbets, faggots, inquisition, Popery, slavery, and the Pretender.  But in the meantime, he little considers what a world of mischief he does to his cause.  It is very convenient, for the present designs of that faction, to spread the opinion of our immediate danger from Popery and the Pretender.  His directors therefore ought, in my humble opinion, to have employed his Lordship in publishing a book, wherein he should have asserted, by the most solemn asseverations, that all things were safe and well; for the world has contracted so strong a habit of believing him backwards, that I am confident, nine parts in ten of those who have read or heard of his Introduction, have slept in greater security ever since.  It is like the melancholy tone of a watchman at midnight, who thumps with his pole, as if some thief were breaking in, but you know by the noise, that the door is fast.

However, he “thanks God there are many among us who stand in the breach:”  I believe they may; ’tis a breach of their own making, and they design to come forward, and storm and plunder, if they be not driven back.  “They make themselves a wall for their church and country.”  A south wall, I suppose, for all the best fruit of the church and country to be nailed on.  Let us examine this metaphor:  The wall of our church and country is built of those who love the constitution in both:  Our domestic enemies undermine some parts of the wall, and place themselves in the breach; and then they cry, “We are the wall!” We do not like such patchwork, they build with untempered mortar; nor can they ever cement with us, till they get better materials and better workmen:  God keep us from having our breaches made up with such rubbish!  “They stand upon the watch-tower;” they are indeed pragmatical enough to do so; but who assigned them that post, to give us false intelligence, to alarm us with false dangers, and send us to defend one gate, while their accomplices are breaking in at another?  “They cry to God, day and night to avert the judgment of Popery which seems to hasten towards us.”  Then I affirm, they are hypocrites by day, and filthy dreamers by night.  When they cry unto him, he will not hear them:  For they cry against the plainest dictates of their own conscience, reason, and belief.

But lastly, “They lie in the dust, mourning before him.”  Hang me if I believe that, unless it be figuratively spoken.  But suppose it to be true; why do “they lie in the dust?” Because they love to raise it:  For what do “they mourn?” Why, for power, wealth, and places.  There let the enemies of the Queen, and monarchy, and the church, lie, and mourn, and lick the dust, like serpents, till they are truly sensible of their ingratitude, falsehood, disobedience, slander, blasphemy, sedition, and every evil work!

I cannot find in my heart to conclude without offering his Lordship a little humble advice upon some certain points.