Page 237.  “It can belong only to the people to appoint their own ecclesiastical officers.”  This word “people” is so delicious in him, that I cannot tell what is included in the idea of the “people.”  Doth he mean the rabble or the legislature, &c.  In this sense it may be true, that the legislature giveth leave to the bishops to appoint, and they appoint themselves, I mean, the executive power appoints, &c.  He sheweth his ignorance in government.  As to High Church he carrieth it a prodigious way, and includeth, in the idea of it, more than others will allow.

Page 239 “Though it be customary to admit none to the ministry who are not approved by the bishops or priests, &c.”  One of his principles to expose.

Ibid “If every one has not an inherent right to choose his own guide, then a man must be either of the religion of his guide, or, &c.”  That would make delicate work in a nation.  What would become of all our churches?  They must dwindle into conventicles.  Show what would be the consequence of this scheme in several points.  This great reformer, if his projects were reduced to practice, how many thousand sects, and consequently tumults, &c.  Men must be governed in speculation, at least not suffered to vent them, because opinions tend to actions, which are most governed by opinions, &c.  If those who write for the church writ no better, they would succeed but scurvily.  But to see whether he be a good writer, let us see when he hath published his second part.

Page 253 “An excellent author in his preface to the Account of Denmark.”  This man judgeth and writeth much of a level.  Molesworth’s preface full of stale profligate topics.  That author wrote his book in spite to a nation, as this doth to religion, and both perhaps on poor personal piques[1].

[Footnote 19:  This was Robert, Viscount Molesworth (1656-1725), who was born in Dublin, and educated at Trinity College there.  He was ambassador at Copenhagen, but had to resign on account of a dispute with the Danish king.  The “Account of Denmark,” which he wrote on his return, was answered by Dr. King. [T.  S.]]

Ibid “By which means, and not by any difference in speculative matters, they are more rich and populous.”  As if ever anybody thought that a difference in speculative opinions made men richer or poorer, for example, &c.

Page 258 “Play the Devil for God’s sake.”  If this is meant for wit, I would be glad to observe it, but in such cases I first look whether there be common sense, &c.

Page 261 “Christendom has been the scene of perpetual wars, massacres, &c.”  He doth not consider that most religious wars have been caused by schisms, when the dissenting parties were ready to join with any ambitious discontented man.  The national religion always desireth peace, even in her notions, for its interests.

Page 270.  “Some have taken the liberty to compare a high church priest in politics to a monkey in a glass-shop, where, as he can do no good, so he never fails of doing mischief enough.”  That is his modesty, it is his own simile, and it rather fits a man that does so and so, (meaning himself.) Besides the comparison is foolish:  So it is with men, as with stags.