Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 4.djvu/415

Rh enlighten his understanding, or graft in his heart the first principles of charity; a virtue which some people ought not by any means wholly to renounce, because it covers a multitude of sins.

Fifthly, the bishop applies himself to his own party in both houses of parliament, whom he exhorts to ''guard their religion and liberty against all danger, at what distance soever it may appear. If they are absent and remiss on critical occasions; that is to say, if they do not attend close next sessions, to vote upon all occasions whatever, against the proceedings of the queen and her ministry, or if any views of advantage to themselves prevail on them: in other words, if any of them vote for the bill of commerce, in hopes of a place or a pension, a title, or a garter; God may work a deliverance for us another way, (that is to say, by inviting the Dutch) but they and their families, i. e''. those who are negligent or revolters, shall perish; by which is meant they shall be hanged, as well as the present ministry and their abettors, as soon as we recover our power; because they let in idolatry, superstition, and tyranny; because they stood by and suffered the peace to be made, the bill of commerce to pass, and Dunkirk to lie undemolished longer than we expected, without raising a rebellion.

His last application is to the tory clergy, a parcel of blind, ignorant, dumb, sleeping, greedy, drunken dogs. A pretty artful episcopal method is this, of calling his brethren as many injurious names as he pleases. It is but quoting a text of Scripture, where the characters of evil men are described, and the thing is done: and at the same time the appearances of piety and devotion preserved. I would engage, Rh