paffing a sentence upon my character, where they had no title to judge me; in finding a relevancy without examination of the fubject, and when I - could not be heard in my defence; and, laftly, in appointing an inquifition for discovering the fact, directly in the face of law and equity.

I am forry I have detained the synod so long, Sir, but could not poffibly speak to this involved, perplexed accufation, in shorter time; and I hope the importance of the caufe to me, will plead for fome indulgence, and procure your attention for a very few minutes longer, and then I have done. Let me, Sir, fpeak plainly out: whatever may be pretended about the interest of religion being concerned in the fate of this pamphlet, there is ftrong reafon to fufpect, that it is the credit of a party that is really at stake. We all know that there are very great differences of fentiment among us, as to the government of the church; and it feems to be my misfortune, to be of oppofite principles from several members of this prefbytery on that point. This is the cause of my being charged with ill-nature and unpeaceablenefs. They themselves, Sir, will not pretend to give any other inftance of this temper; and I confefs, that as I reckon the glory of God, and the edification of his church, to be deeply concerned in the caufe, I am refolved, in his ftrength, to maintain and fupport it to the utmost of my power, fo long as I draw breath; and if I have been a firebrand, as I have been fometimes called, I wish I could answer the title, and burn their pernicious schemes even to alhes. And, Sir, as in no

other cafe have I ever discovered any keennefs of temper, fo I truft, that even in this, I have neither difcovered an overbearing pride, or perverfeness of temper, but have fupported what I efteemed to be truth with refolution, but without violence. I cannot pretend to the polite and courtly ftyle, in the fame degree with fome of my oppofers, yet have I endeavoured to preferve the meeknefs of a Chriftian, believing that the wrath of man worketh not the righteoufnefs of God. Now, Sir, I beg every wife and honeft man of the other fide of the queftion in our public differences, to determine seriously, whether he will approve of a prefbytery's making perfonal oppofition, and because a man is not in every respect of their way of thinking, barring his fettlement to the utmost of their power; and whether it be decent, or truly moderate, not only to rebuke, fufpend, and deprive those who cannot go with them, but, as the very laft effort of tyranny, to attempt to caft out any who are but fufpected of debating the point in writing.

Farther, I beg every man in this houfe, to lay his hand upon his heart, and fay this day, in his judgment, whether he will, in order to reach a man of a different party from himself, approve of going contrary to all form and law, and establishing a precedent of inquifition. However fecure fome may think themselves and their party at prefent, there is fuch an inftability in all human things, that the engines which they prepare against others may be directed against themselves. I know a fear of this kind, for the most part, operates but weakly upon mens' minds, because the caufes that may afterwards

caff up cannot be clearly difcerned, being hidden in the darkness of futurity; but, Sir, he is the wifest man that acts with most prudence, and does not expofe himself or his friends to the law of retaliation. This I fpeak in perfect fecurity as to myself, for if the church fhall find that interrogation is a proper way of inquiring into facts, it will but open. to me a larger field of information; and though it come to the real merits of this caufe, the trial of the relevancy of this crime objected to me will take up at least feven years, in proceffes of various kinds.

To conclude, Sir, though I will never approve of,. or give my confent for establishing a practice which I think unjust and tyrannical, yet as to my own case, I will even fubmit to be interrogated by this very party, upon this juft, this felf-evidently just condition, that the minifters of that prefbytery do fubmit themselves to be interrogated by me in turn, on their doctrine, their diligence in paftoral duty, their care and government of their families, and their perfonal truth. If they will yield to this, I will anfwer upon oath, either inftantly, or upon a month's preparation, not only as to this point, but all that they shall think fit to afk, as to my character, from my birth to this day. And if this condition be refused, the equity of their conduct I leave to the judgment of this venerable synod.

AN

HUMBLE SUPPLICATION

TO SUCH OF

THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF SCOTLAND AS ARE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH, AND MEMBERS OF

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

MUCH HONOUred,

OU will furely be fenfible, that it must have

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been a very urgent neceffity that has compelled a man of my ftation and profeffion to become an author, efpecially when I addrefs myself to you, whose circumstances fet you at fo great a distance from me, and may, without that candour and condefcenfion on your part, provoke you to contemn that advice which is offered voluntarily, and from fuch a hand. And indeed there is nothing of which I am more firmly perfuaded, than that the affairs of the church of Scotland are drawing faft towards a arifis, and that a little time will determine whether

fhe will fink or fwim. This view of things cannot fail to constrain every one who hath any regard to her profperity and welfare, of which number I hope I fhall always be, fo long as I draw breath, to exert himself to the utmost for her fupport, and also to fpread the alarm, and call on others to affift, who have more ability and opportunity to be useful.

On this occafion I am emboldened to addrefs myself to you, not only as by your quality and station you are able to contribute much to a change of the measures that have lately prevailed, but as your office of elders in the church may be prefumed to incline you to be ready and active for her profperity and fupport. I intended once to have ftyled you brethren, because I also am an elder, but was afraid of giving offence by too forward and affuming an introduction; however, I ftill hope for fome regard. iu confequence of this relation, because I have ever obferved, that a likeness of character, a participation of the fame office, or indeed a likeness in almost any confiderable circumftance, creates a kind of connection, and produces a fympathy or fellowfeeling, between the very highest and lowest that fall under the fame denomination. The inhabitants of the fame city, though very different in their ftátions, reckon themselves interested in one another. Thofe of the fame corporation are still more closely connected. And there is a certain fociety, comprehending perfons of very diftant characters in other refpects, who are faid to have an extraordinary tendernefs for each other's concerns the fociety I. mean is that of Free-mafons; for I am told a Free