Besides, I leave it to their consideration, whether, with all their zeal against the Church, they ought not to shew a little decency, and how far it consists with their reputation, to act in concert with such confederates.  It was reckoned a very infamous proceeding in the present most Christian king, to assist the Turk against the Emperor:  policy, and reasons of state, were not allowed sufficient excuses, for taking part with an infidel against a believer.  It is one of the Dissenters’ quarrels against the Church, that she is not enough reformed from Popery; yet they boldly entered into a league with Papists and a popish prince, to destroy her.  They profess much sanctity, and object against the wicked lives of some of our members; yet they have been long, and still continue, in strict combination with libertines and atheists, to contrive our ruin.  What if the Jews should multiply, and become a formidable party among us?  Would the Dissenters join in alliance with them likewise, because they agree already in some general principles, and because the Jews are allowed to be a “stiffnecked and rebellious people”?

It is the part of wise men to conceal their passions, when they are not in circumstances of exerting them to purpose:  the arts of getting power, and preserving indulgence, are very different.  For the former, the reasonable hopes of the Dissenters, seem to be at an end; their comrades, the Whigs and Freethinkers, are just in a condition proper to be forsaken; and the Parliament, as well as the body of the people, will be deluded no longer.  Besides, it sometimes happens for a cause to be exhausted and worn out, as that of the Whigs in general, seems at present to be:  the nation has had enough of it.  It is as vain to hope restoring that decayed interest, as for a man of sixty to talk of entering on a new scene of life, that is only proper for youth and vigour.  New circumstances and new men must arise, as well as new occasions, which are not like to happen in our time.  So that the Dissenters have no game left, at present, but to secure their indulgence:  in order to which, I will be so bold to offer them some advice.

First, That until some late proceedings are a little forgot, they would take care not to provoke, by any violence of tongue or pen, so great a majority, as there is now against them, nor keep up any longer that combination with their broken allies, but disperse themselves, and lie dormant against some better opportunity:  I have shewn, they could have got no advantage if the late party had prevailed; and they will certainly lose none by its fall, unless through their own fault.  They pretend a mighty veneration for the Queen; let them give proof of it, by quitting the ruined interest of those who have used her so ill; and by a due respect to the persons she is pleased to trust at present with her affairs:  When they can no longer hope to govern, when struggling can do them no good, and may possibly hurt them, what is left but to be silent and passive?