[Footnote 12:  See the poem, reprinted by Monck Mason ("History of St. Patrick’s,” p. 388 note), entitled: 

  “The Grunters’ request
  To take off the Test,”

in which the poet advises his “lauds” to “faight y’er ain battel.” [T.S.]]

Upon this occasion I am in some doubt, whether the political spreaders of those chimerical invasions, made a judicious choice in fixing the northern parts of Ireland for that romantic enterprize.  Nor, can I well understand the wisdom of the Presbyterians in countenancing and confirming those reports.  Because it seems to cast a most infamous reflection upon the loyalty and religious principles of their whole body:  For if there had been any truth in the matter, the consequence must have been allowed, that the Pretender counted upon more assistance from his father’s friends the Presbyterians, by choosing to land in those very parts, where their number, wealth, and power most prevailed; rather than among those of his own religion.  And therefore, in charity to this sect, I rather incline to believe, that those reports of an invasion were formed and spread by the race of small politicians, in order to do a seasonable job.

As to Popery in general, which for a thousand years past hath been introducing and multiplying corruptions both in doctrine and discipline; I look upon it to be the most absurd system of Christianity professed by any nation.  But I cannot apprehend this kingdom to be in much danger from it.  The estates of Papists are very few; crumbling into small parcels, and daily diminishing.  Their common people are sunk in poverty, ignorance, and cowardice, and of as little consequence as women and children.  Their nobility and gentry are at least one-half ruined, banished, or converted:  They all soundly feel the smart of what they suffered in the last Irish war.  Some of them are already retired into foreign countries; others as I am told, intend to follow them; and the rest, I believe, to a man, who still possess any lands, are absolutely determined never to hazard them again for the sake of establishing their superstition.  If it hath been thought fit, as some observe, to abate of the law’s rigour against Popery in this kingdom, I am confident it was done for very wise reasons, considering the situation of affairs abroad at different times, and the interest of the Protestant religion in general.  And as I do not find the least fault in this proceeding; so I do not conceive why a sunk discarded party, who neither expect nor desire anything more than a quiet life; should under the names of highflyers, Jacobites, and many other vile appellations, be charged so often in print, and at common tables, with endeavouring to introduce Popery and the Pretender; while the Papists abhor them above all other men, on account of severities against their priests in her late Majesty’s reign; when the now disbanded reprobate party was in power.  This I was convinced of some years ago by a long journey into the southern parts; where I had the curiosity to send for many priests of the parishes I passed through; and, to my great satisfaction found them everywhere abounding in professions of loyalty to the late King George; for which they gave me the reasons above-mentioned; at the same time complaining bitterly of the hardships they suffered under the Queen’s last ministry.