PREFACE TO THE WORK.

The concerns of a singular people cannot fail when treated to make a singular book. The present will be found such-and as such the Reader must accept it, once for all; since it is not probable that posterity will see another of the kind. The Collection of papers with which he is here presented, originated in the circumstances, as they stood five years ago, of the SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. So long has the work been in progress; and, during the time, the improvements which it advocates in our Religious liberties have been going on, to an extent which not any member of that society, nor indeed any other person, could safely have predicted. For these beneficial changes we are indebted, in the first place to Almighty God, who has been pleased so to order things by his providence, in the hands of a just and liberal Government, and enlightened Legislature, its three branches co-working freely to this good end. In the next, to the improved spirit of the age, which admits not now of the enforcement of a religious ascendancy by the jail and the sabre. I wish I could add with truth, that we owe them in the third place to our own strenuous, Christian, and patriotic

exertions in our own and our Divine Master's cause: since, if the blessing had not descended from above of mere mercy, and in Christian compassion for us, it would scarcely, in ten years more, have been drawn down by our prayers; who with great difficulty have been brought to petition parliament, at some two or three intervals, on the subject of Ecclesiastical impositions; and have never offered ourselves as we ought to have done, to give evidence before both houses, on the whole of our case.

In the Introduction to this volume, the Reader will find described the Editor's motives to his work, and the cheerful feeling with which he entered upon it-a feeling not unmixed with anticipations of the approval and co-operation of his Friends. Excepting however some valuable contributions from a few, upon whom he could have reckoned for help on the score of intimacy, or relationship, these expectations have not been realised. The work has not to any extent worth acknowledging been patronized by the Society: impediments have even been thrown in its way, of the nature of which it is not worth while here to make mention-though their effects will appear in the execution, especially of the latter part. The Editor had not chosen to conduct it, in respect of doctrine, and on the subjects of divine worship, the ministry, and the discipline of the church, in a manner according with the sentiments, and subservient to the views of the present ruling Friends.

To the use of the Christian public, therefore, now that it is finished the author has to dedicate this fruit of a five year's labour. The term author is used in consideration of a large portion of original matter; of which, together with that taken from other sources, he has now to enumerate the subjects. He here presents, for the candid perusal and serious examination of his fellow-christians; 1. The hideous picture