them, while others, on whom they most depended, forsook them.

VI. That feeling our rights as citizens, and our obligations as Christians, we are determined to adopt every constitutional measure apparently calculated to procure the repeal of these acts, with firmness and perseverance.

REMARK.

We do not see how it can consist with the laws, or agree with the safety of any constitution, that committees should form themselves for civil purposes, without a commission from the Government under which they live. We judge this a breach of the peace, to which liberty of conscience in Religion does not extend; and we think it of very dangerous tendency, that men should form themselves into one body, throughout the Nation, with design to act against the Laws. If the English Constitution is defective in this respect, they who are with the laws must purchase what security they can for themselves by a similar Association of the different Counties and Dioceses ; and this measure should be strongly recommended, and seasonably entered upon, with firmness and perseverance.

VII. That at an æra distinguished for its li

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beral and enlightened sentiments, when we behold a neighbouring nation, which has long groaned under a most arbitrary government, as with one voice asserting the rights of equal liberty, and nobly sacrificing the prejudices of religion and habits of despotic rule, to the claims of reason and humanity; and when even Roman Catholics are freely declaring, that diversity of religious opinion is no bar to a mutual participation of all the privileges of society; we cannot but hope that in a nation, long priding itself in an unrivalled attachment to justice and liberty, our moderate expectations will not be disappointed.

REMARK.

The state of affairs in France is here much misrepresented, and a miserable spectacle of Anarchy is held forth as a pattern of light and liberty. The liberty there prevailing was invented by Infidels and Atheists: and Catholics submit to it, not by choice, but by necessity: How a mutual participation of privileges can subsist, where the Clergy are deprived of their Tithes, held by chartered right from the first ages of Christianity, we do not understand. When one man robs another of half his possessions, it may be said that there is a mutual participation;

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participation; but the words thus applied, are terms of mockery. If the Government in England is already free, the proceedings of men under the despotic Government of France can be no fit example for us to follow.

VIII. That we are determined on our parts, and recommend it to all our brethren, to shew a decided preference at the ensuing general election, to the interest of such candidates as are approved friends to the cause of civil and religious liberty.

REMARK.

Candidates are here intended to be threatened with exclusion, unless they adopt the Dissenters' Cause; which will lead them to act against the constitution; but we apprehend few Gentlemen of liberal minds or ample fortunes will choose to come into the house with this mark of servility upon them.

IX, That we are gratefully sensible of the zeal and ability which has been exerted by the Committee of Dissenters in London, to obtain the repeal of the obnoxious statutes; and while we express our obligations to Edward Jeffries, Esq. their Chairman, and to the Committee through him, for their eminent past services, we confide in

their perseverance until the desired object shall be obtained, assuring them that we shall be happy to concur in every peaceable measure adopted to secure it.

X. That the thanks of this meeting be transmitled to Henry Beaufoy, Esq. for the distinguished ability and energy with which he has repeatedly asserted the rights of the Dissenters, in the House of Commons; and to Sir Henry Houghton, Bart. the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, William Smith, Esq. and all the other members of parliament who have voted for the repeal of the test and corporation acts.

REMARK.

The Gentlemen thus honoured with the thanks of this meeting, may be very worthy persons in their own private families; but men fall into their public opinions more from custom, connexion, and education, than from reason or religion. The same inducements may prevail with some to plead for the supposed rights of Dissenters, as prevail with others to plead for the doctrines of Jews and Mahometans. As to the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, a late publication informs us, that he was a professed Unbeliever when he was a school boy; and the date

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date of his reformation since that time, is not known to us.

XI. That the chairman of this meeting, and the deputies from the different congregations, be a committee, for the purpose of co-operating with any other public bodies of Dissenters in the kingdom, that have united in the pursuit of the same laudable object, and that copies of these resolutions be transmitted to Edward Jeffries, Esq. and the chairman of every other associated body of Dissenters.

XII. That the chairman, and any five of the committee, be empowered, at any future time, to call a general meeting of the deputies from the different congregations in this county.

REMARK.

As these articles give Power to hold civil meetings for the pursuit of a civil object, we apprehend they exceed the Act of Toleration, and so are without Authority of Law, and consequently against the peace of the kingdom. Of this measure, therefore, the Honourable House of Commons, and Gentlemen skilled in the Law, and all good citizens, who wish to preserve the peace we at present enjoy, should consider in due time. For if this should be neglected, a National