Part 1

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AN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH OF DEISM IN ENGLAND.

_LONDON_: Printed for the Author, MDCXCVI.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE GROWTH OF DEISM·

_SIR_,

'Tis now three Years since you and I had a serious Discourse concerning the rise and progress of _Deism_: which is an Opinion of late Years crept into _England_, tho not so widely spread here as in other parts of _Europe_. I well remember we were both agreed, that there was no shadow of Reason why any one should suspect the _Gospels_ of Forgery, since the matter contain'd in them hath not the least favour of any worldly Interest, or indirect Design, but all the Lines of them do only center in the highest Improvement Humane Nature is capable of. So that in conformity every Man may take great comfort in himself, and all Mankind live well with one another. Besides, the Preachers of this excellent Doctrine had at first all the Discouragements which an irreligious and idolatrous Age could give them, (as is confessed by their Enemies) insomuch that nothing but their own personal full Conviction of the Truths they professed could engage them to Preach 'em; and the intrinsick Goodness of the Law of _Christ_, was sufficient to gain mens hearts, after _Miracles_ had born down their Prejudices, and gain'd their serious Attention. In fine, you and I could see no reason to doubt of the Truth of any matter of Fact contain'd in the _Gospels_, which relate the miraculous Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of _Jesus Christ_; but what would oblige us to deny the truth of all History whatsoever. And from these Considerations laid together, we concluded that the Doctrine of our Lord _Jesus Christ_ was undoubtedly sent to us by God.

This still made it appear more strange to us both, how _DEISM_ (which is a denial of all reveal'd Religion) should creep in upon us where the _Scriptures_ are made so publick, and where so many Learned Treaties are written, which so strongly assert their Authority to be Divine. I confess, I was as desirous to know upon what Grounds Men rejected the _Gospel_, as you your self were, and therefore I willingly undertook the Task you laid on me, _viz._ To collect and put together those Motives whereby some had been induced to lay aside all _Revelation_. For which Performance I was the fitter, because it doth not require any Learning and strength of Wit, but only Observation, and Inquiry, which I might easily make, because of the numerous Acquaintance I have contracted in Town, where (you know) I spend the Winter, and in the Country, where I bestow my Summer Visits. But all I shall do in this matter, is barely to give you a Relation of those Prejudices, and (as I think) false Reasonings, which have drawn some of my Acquaintance from _Revelation_ to _DEISM_.

1. Now, first I have observed, that some who pretend themselves _Deists_, are Men of loose and sensual Lives; and I make no wonder that they dislike the _Christian_ Doctrine of Self-denial, and the severe threatnings against wilful Sinners. You may be sure they will not alledge this Reason: But having read _Spinosa_ and _Hobbes_, and been taught to laugh at the story of _Baalam_'s Ass, and _Sampson_'s Locks; they proceed to ridicule the reality of all _Miracle_ and _Revelation_. I have conversed with several of this Temper, but could never get any of 'em serious enough to debate the reality of _Revelation_: But a witty Jest and t'other Glass puts an end to all further Consideration. These are meer _Sceptics_, and practical _Atheists_, rather than real _Deists_.

2. But there are others, who, although they have not a due regard to _Revelation_, are Men of Sobriety and Probity, who with great freedom have let me into their Thoughts, whereby I can very clearly and fully (as I think at least) discern the rise and progress of this their Opinion, which is this;

1. In the time of King _Charles_ the First, (which confineth my longest acquaintance with Men) 'twas usual for Gentlemen to send their Sons abroad into _Italy_, _Spain_, _France_, _Germany_, _&c._ to accomplish themselves by Travel. But lest they should be prevail'd upon to change their _Religion_, care was taken that their Tutor or Governour, who travelled with 'em, should shew them the Idolatry and Superstition of the _Roman Religion_; and also let 'em in to see that _Popery_ in all its Branches was only a device of the _Priesthood_, to carry on a particular Interest of their own; to encrease their Wealth, Honours, and Power over the Lay-people; to exalt the Head of their Order above all the Crowned Heads in the World, and equal one whole Order of their Clergy, _viz._ the Cardinals, to the Princes of _Christendom_. Nay, since all People were obliged to make their Confessions to, and receive their Absolution from the _Priest_, the meanest of which Order could create a God for the People's Worship; 'tis plain, that their Religion was calculated for the Profit, Power and Honour of the whole Order of the _Priesthood_ in this World, whatsoever advantages they might find by it in the other. Now the Young Gentleman being throughly convinced of this Holy Cheat, returneth to Old _England_; where he meets with very zealous Contests about Religion (as was pretended) between the _Church_ of _England_, headed by Arch-Bishop _Laud_ on the one part, and the _Presbyterian Kirk_ on the other; and having carefully read the Debate (as it appeared in the Prints) on both sides, with those very Eyes which he had so lately cleared up in _Italy_ or _France_, he could not forbear to see that both these _Protestant_ Parties, under the pretence of Religion, were only grasping at _Power_, and that the Controversy at bottom, was not who's Religion was best, but only what Sect of the _Clergy_ should make the best Market of the _meer Lay-men_. And as this Young Gentleman had before resolved with himself not to become a Property to the _Popish Priesthood_, no longer now will he be such to the _Protestant Clergy_ of any Denomination, since both pursue the same Ends. He perceiveth that our _Protestant High-Priests_ do all of them rival the Sovereign Power; the _Bishop_'s House like that of the _King_, must be called his _Palace_, he must still keep up his claim to the _Miter_ and _Crosier_, to vie with the _Crown_ and _Scepter_; and as the Stile of the King's Courts is _Anno Regni nostri_, i.e. In the Year of our Reign: So that of the Bishop's Court is _Anno Consecrationis nostræ_, i.e. In the Year of our Consecration; the Year of the King's Reign being unknown in the Bishop's Court: The King speaking to the People doth usually call 'em his Loving Subjects; the _Bishop_ doth not make himself so familiar, but stileth the People of his _Diocese_ barely his Subjects, _Jurisdictioni nostræ subditos_: The King is _Inthroned_, and the Arch-Bishop _Inthronized_; both derive their Power from a _Divine Right_; but the Bishop is the higher Power, because by the Principles of Episcopacy he can Excommunicate the King, _i.e._ forbid him the very Conversation of his Subjects, and thereby render them uncapable to make good their Oath of Allegiance, in yielding their Aid and Assistance.

Nor do's he find that the _Presbytery_ claims any inferior Powers; each Party alledge _Scriptures_ and _Fathers_ on their side; and for ought I can see, (says this Gentleman) they are all in the right. Through an excess of Prejudice thus occasion'd, he makes a further step towards _Deism_, and Reasons after this manner: 'Tis not impossible (continues he) that the ancient _Clergy_ might be possess'd with the same Spirit of Pride, which has prevail'd over the modern. If those Writings, which they call _Holy Scriptures_ are of their side, as they all say they are, I make no doubt but they were of their own inventing; and if _Jesus Christ_ their Patron, laid the Foundation of those Powers, which both _Popish_ and _Protestant Clergy_ claim to themselves from under him, I think the old _Romans_ did him right in punishing him with the death of a Slave. After this manner I have heard it said of late, by another of the same Constitution, that as the Church of _Rome_ was a modelled Faction against all other Christians, so was the Church of _England_, by Law Established, against all other Protestants, who were by Law excluded from every Office of Profit and Trust; who were made subject to the Piques and Malice of every Church-man, and became a constant Revenue to Apparitors and Spiritual Catch-poles. And though at present there be a _Toleration_ by Law granted, yet 'tis full opposed by the Spirit of the Church, as appears by Sermons preached at Visitations, and the constant ordinary Discourses of the _Clergy_, in which the Church of _England_ is always represented, as at this time, in greater danger than ever it was; though I should think the danger had been as great in King _James_'s Time: And notwithstanding the Toleration (said he) no Man can enjoy a place of Profit or Trust, though he be ever so dutiful a Subject, and ever so able or honest a Man, unless he hath a Conscience by Law Established: By which Church-device Men are deprived of the Privileges of their Country to which they are born, and for the discharge whereof they never did in any respect incapacitate themselves; and hereby it comes to pass, that the Nation cannot act vigorously in its own defence, being debarr'd the Use of one Moiety of it self; and notwithstanding this, they have the Confidence to tell us Lay-men, that we ought to love our Neighbours as our selves. Now if this be the way of the _Christians_, (concluded he) let my Soul be with the _Philosophers_.

2. And this brings to my Thoughts what another _Deist_ said jestingly to me, _viz._ That since I was a Christian, 'twas lucky for me that I was of the Bishop's Church; for though you were ever so Loyal (said he) to the King, yet if you did not pay as dutiful an Allegiance to the Bishops, you could not hold the Place you now enjoy; for as certain as the _Cross_ is above the _Crown_, so sure a thing is it, that the _Bishop_ will be above the _King_; which he undertook would appear to me if I looked back to King _Charles_'s Restoration, or King _William_'s Revolution. The _Presbyterians_, though they quarrelled with _Charles_ the First, yet became the loving Subjects of _Charles_ the Second; joined with the _Episcopalians_ in assisting him to the Throne, and made no scruple of Swearing their Allegiance to him, and owning his Supremacy. But after all this, the King was not able to support these his Loving Subjects against the Power of the Bishops, who in two Years time outed 'em of their Livelihoods, and after that, drove 'em five Miles distance from all Market-Towns; and at last the Acts made against _Papists_ were extended to them. But since King _William_'s Revolution the Case is alter'd; for the _Jacobite Clergy_, though turn'd out of their Livings by Law, for refusing Allegiance to the King, yet from the Allegiance they bare to the Bishops, they find such Favour from their Lordships, that if the Livings they lose are in the Bishops gift, he shall present any Friend which the dispossessed _Jacobite_ shall recommend; now what can be more by them desired, than to enjoy the Profits of their Livings, and put in what Curate they please? And after all, that they may enjoy the full Profits of their Livings, and pay their Curates another way, these _Jacobites_ may hold their Conventicles where they please, nay, Preach publickly and seditiously in an open Church near _Cheap-side, London_, without the least offence to the Spiritual Power. And is it not plain (said this Gentleman) from all this, that on this side the Water as well as on the other, the Clergies Zeal for their Communion, Church and Religion, is only meant to support their own Party, Dominion and Empire?

3. Now the oldest _Deists_ of my Acquaintance having conceiv'd so great a Prejudice against the Christian Faith, from the Behaviour of the Clergy, and having levened their Disciples therewith, it has fal'n out unhappily, that the late Revolution has by another way also confirmed them in this their Prejudice.

For the late happy Revolution, (which came on too soon, and was cut off too short) though it was not so highly beneficial to us, as was by some expected, was yet of very great Importance. But as there is nothing in this World ever so good, but what hath some appending disadvantage; so by meer Accident this Revolution, which has saved not only the Church of _England_, but (as I hope) the whole Protestant Interest throughout the World, has wonderfully encreased Mens Prejudices against the _Clergy_, and so by false Consequence (such as Men through Resentment will make) against the Truth of Religion it self. The old _Deists_ tell those of their Pupils, who never travelled abroad, that there is now no need of going over the Water to discover that the name _Church_ signifieth only a _Self-interested Party_, and that the _Clergy_ have no Godliness but Gain. Have you not (say they) for many Years together heard them Preach up the _Divine Right_, and indefeizable Authority of Kings, together with _Passive Obedience_, as the chief distinguishing Doctrines whereby their Church approved it self _Apostolick_ beyond all other Churches? Nay, were not the Doctrines of _Loyalty to the King_, insisted upon more than _Faith in Christ_? and yet when their particular Interest required it, their Doctrine of _Non-Resistance_ was qualify'd by _Non-Assistance_, the whole Stream of Loyalty was turn'd from the King to the Church, the indefeizable Right was superseded by a miraculous Conquest without Blood, the Oath of Allegiance to the _Divinely Rightful King James_ has its force allay'd by another Oath of the same Importance made to the _de facto_ King _William_ and Queen _Mary_, and all this is Sanctify'd by the name of the Church, _i.e._ their own Party and Interest, for the sake whereof it is done. This is indeed keeping to the Text--_Rem rem quocunque modo rem_.

* * * * *

And the wretched Defence they make for this their Apostacy (say the _Deists_) maketh the matter worse. For notwithstanding King _James_ is, as they will have it, Conquer'd; and his Throne, which was declared vacant, is legally filled by one who by Act of Parliament is declared our Rightful King; yet after all this Dr. S---- will reserve a Right to King _James_, though through Success and Settlement he will allow a Right also to King _William_. And this Notion the Clergy generally adhere to, because thereby they kill two or three Birds with one stone. 1_st._ They preserve to themselves their ancient Right of giving Titles to Sovereignty. For though both King and Parliament have disclaimed and damned the Conquest, yet the Clergy still insist upon it. 2_ly._ They make fair Weather with King _James_, by keeping his Title alive, and by still asserting his Right, open him a Door to recover his Possession again. For what honest Christian can oppose a Rightful King in regaining the Possession of his Throne, which is kept from him by a Successful Usurper? and 3_ly._ They think they have obliged King _William_ sufficiently by the formality of an Oath, and owning him in his Possession. Put all this together and 'twill prove, that

_When all the Argument is out, 'Tis Interest still resolves the doubt._

Thus (cry they) you plainly see, that your Church is nothing but a Party, to which whosoever joineth, himself shall find his Account thereby, notwithstanding any Error, Heresy, Immorality or Disloyalty to the present Government whatsoever; whilst any other who is conformable to the _Rubricks_ and _Canons_, whose Learning and Morals are an Honour to his Gown, and who is truly dutiful to his Majesty, shall be excluded from all those benefits his Profession would entitle him to. Thus the bold Asserters of King _James_'s Right enjoy some of the best Preferments, and particularly Dr. S---- sits D---- of St. P---- whilst honest Mr. _Johnson_ is starving upon Charity.

The Church of _England_ is a meer Party, (say they again) and has a Watch-word whereby they know one another, which they can vary upon occasion. _Non-Resistance_ was the Word in King _Charles_'s days. For though at that time you did conform to every tittle and ceremony, injoin'd by Rubrick and Canon, yet if you failed in the Point of _Non-Resistance_, you were a _Phanatick_ and _Republican_, a _Rebel_, and what not? Now if this Doctrine be contain'd in the Book of Homilies, as the _Jacobites_ say, 'tis a Sacred Record of the Unjustice of some of those who concurred in the late Revolution. The _Shiboleth_ of the Church now is King _William's de facto Title_; And no Conformity to Homilies and Rubricks will make you owned by the present Church, if you should acknowledge the King to be otherwise said than a meer _de facto_. Now (say they) although we grant that Men will submit to the Government, upon their own particular Principles, and therefore 'tis reasonable that the King should admit the Obedience of his Subjects upon what Grounds they please, yet we know no Reason why the Church should set up the _de facto_, as the only Principle of Obedience: And when the King had better Titles to his Crown, as the Consent of the People in Parliament, and his Matrimonial Title with the Queen, yet he must be made to pay the greatest price for the weakest and worst of all Titles; and give Dr. _S----_ Sixteen Hundred Pounds a Year, for a _Defactoship_ only.

You see, Sir, that the _Deists_ want not Occasions for their Prejudices, how far soever they are from having Reason o' their side. And pray resolve me, why must this false Title be set up as 'twere by the King's Consent, to worm out the only true one? Why must none be preferr'd to Church-Dignities, but such who come in upon this Title only? And those who own the King's Right upon the Consent of the People, be still labouring under the Church's highest displeasure? and poor _Johnson_, a Man against whom no Immorality was ever objected, that is an Object even of the _Deists_ Compassion, be left to starve for the Cause? Nay, they have gone so far upon the Strength of Dr. _S----_ Convocation-Title, in Opposition to that of Parliament, that since the good Queen is dead, and the Consent of the People, according to them, null and void; they have left the King a bare Possession, without any Title at all.

4. I am acquainted with a Gentleman, who for some Years has not gone to Church, having taken offence at those Practices I was now writing upon. This Man, you must know, had an extraordinary Veneration for the profound Learning (so he thinks much reading and common-placing to be) of a certain Eminent Divine, who had a fat Bishoprick bestow'd on him by King _William_ and Queen _Mary_. But he to requite their Kindness, when a Bill was brought before the Lords, declaring the King and Queen's rightful and lawful Title to the Crown, not only opposed and voted against it in the House; but when it had passed, he entred his Protestation against it in the Journal. Nay (said this Gentleman) if King _William_ be only King _de facto_, then the Bishop is _de facto_ only. Truly Sir, you may believe me, that I was amaz'd at this Relation; for (as I then said) though most Men look no further, than only to get Mony _de facto_, and do not with much strictness inquire _quo jure_; yet 'twas strange that any Man should protest that he had no right to that Estate, which he openly continued in Possession of. But I was soon answer'd by this his former Admirer, that if that Bishop had strengthened his own Title to the Bishoprick from King _J._ I might cease my wonder.

I am indeed sorry to hear Stories of this Nature, especially when they assure me of the Truth of 'em, and when I see the ill Consequences of them. For though nothing be more certain than that the Baseness and Falshood of Man can never disprove the Truth of God; yet when Men are highly Scandaliz'd, and greatly deceived by those for whom they had Esteem, and by whose Authority they in great measure governed themselves, they will stretch their Conclusion beyond their Premisses, and disown Religion in their Principle, because 'tis disregarded by some great Men in their Practice.

But though to strict Reasons, such Arguments for _Deism_ appear ridiculous; yet from the Promotion of these _de facto_ Men, I am told, hath arisen great disadvantage to the King, and those Subjects, whose Principles and Practices have been always faithful to his Majesties Interest: Since hereby it is, that it hath always been in the power of the open and professed Enemies of the King to oppress his most dutiful Subjects. For these _de facto_-men, and the _Jacobites_, were but lately the same sort of People, both of the same Principle and Temper. And though the _Jacobites_ do now rail at them, for their base Complyances (as they term it) with the _P._ of _O_'s Revolution; yet the _de factos_ are unwilling, for old Acquaintance sake, to pass by their Railing, and underhand to shew 'em any kindness: And this they submit to, as being Self-conscious, that the _Jacobites_ have a Right to reproach them; so that they are willing to appease the anger of their old Friends by their best Services. Now the _Jacobites_ having always an innate Hatred to the _Whigs_, (as they now stile all those who think themselves obliged to own the King for their rightful Sovereign) and being willing to keep up their old Master's Right to the Crown, (to which the _Whigs_ are irreconcileable Enemies) easily prevail upon these _de factos_ to oppress those other sort of Men, which is an Office they are as willing to undertake, as the _Jacobites_ can be to put it upon 'em. Thus it cometh to pass, that according as an open professed Enemy to the Government shall dictate, a Church-man shall strenuously exert that Power the King has given him, to discourage and oppress his Dutiful and Loyal Subjects. I will only (said a certain Person) make a Supposition, to shew you how this may be; suppose the King should bestow a Bishoprick upon a _de facto_ Doctor, and this Doctor should there find his old Acquaintance Dr. _H._ and being a Stranger in his Diocese, should be willing to instruct himself in the Characters of Men from the good D., would it not fall out so, that the Clergy of that Diocese must be used well or ill, as the most open and notorious Enemy the Government hath, shall design? And was it not possible that the E. of _N._ might oblige his old Friends in the same manner? Thus, though King _James_ be at last excluded, his Subjects reign in his stead. And whether an _Oath_ of _Abjuration_ laid upon the _Jacobites_ Proxy-men, will put an end to this Corruption, Time must tell us.