We are met to thank God for that event in
this country to which the name of THE REVOLUTION
has been given; and which, for more than
a century, it has been usual for the friends
of freedom, and more especially Protestant
Dissenters, under the title of the REVOLUTION
SOCIETY, to celebrate with expressions of
joy and exultation. * * * By a bloodless
victory, the fetters which despotism had
been long preparing for us were broken; the
rights of the people were asserted, a tyrant
expelled, and a Sovereign of our own choice
appointed in his room. Security was given
to our property, and our consciences were
emancipated. The bounds of free enquiry were
enlarged; the volume in which are the words
of eternal life, was laid more open to our
examination; and that [era] of light and
liberty was introduced among us, by which
we have been made an example to other kingdoms,
and became the instructors of the world.
Had it not been for this deliverance, the
probability is, that, instead of being thus
distinguished, we should now have been a
base people, groaning under the infamy and
misery of popery and slavery. Let us, therefore,
offer thanksgivings to God, the author of
all our blessings. * * *
It is well known that King James was not
far from gaining his purpose; and that probably
he would have succeeded, had he been less
in a hurry. But he was a fool as well as
a bigot. He wanted courage as well as prudence;
and, therefore, fled, and left us to settle
quietly for ourselves that constitution of
government which is now our boast. We have
particular reason, as Protestant Dissenters,
to rejoice on this occasion. It was at this
time we were rescued from persecution, and
obtained the liberty of worshipping God in
the manner we think most acceptable to him.
It was then our meeting houses were opened,
our worship was taken under the protection
of the law, and the principles of toleration
gained a triumph. We have, therefore, on
this occasion, peculiar reasons for thanksgiving. — But
let us remember that we ought not to satisfy
ourselves with thanksgivings. Our gratitude,
if genuine, will be accompanied with endeavours
to give stability to the deliverance our
country has obtained, and to extend and improve
the happiness with which the Revolution has
blest us. — Let us, in particular,
take care not to forget the principles of
the Revolution. This Society has, very properly,
in its Reports, held out these principles,
as an instruction to the public. I will only
take notice of the three following:
First: The right to liberty of conscience
in religious matters.
Secondly: The right to resist power when
abused. And,
Thirdly: The right to chuse our own governors;
to cashier them for misconduct; and to frame
a government for ourselves.
I would farther direct you to remember,
that though the Revolution was a great work,
it was by no means a perfect work; and that
all was not then gained which was necessary
to put the kingdom in the secure and complete
possession of the blessings of liberty. — In
particular, you should recollect, that the
toleration then obtained was imperfect. It
included only those who could declare their
faith in the doctrinal articles of the church
of England. It has, indeed, been since extended,
but not sufficiently; for there still exist
penal laws on account of religious opinions,
which (were they carried into execution)
would shut up many of our places of worship,
and silence and imprison some of our ablest
and best men. — The TEST LAWS are also
still in force; and deprive of eligibility
to civil and military offices, all who cannot
conform to the established worship. It is
with great pleasure I find that the body
of Protestant Dissenters, though defeated
in two late attempts to deliver their country
from this disgrace to it, have determined
to persevere. Should they at last succeed,
they will have the satisfaction, not only
of removing from themselves a proscription
they do not deserve, but of contributing
to lessen the number of public iniquities.
For I cannot call by a gentler name, laws
which convert an ordinance appointed by our
Saviour to commemorate his death, into an
instrument of oppressive policy, and a qualification
of rakes and atheists for civil posts. — I
have said, should they succeed — but
perhaps I ought not to suggest a doubt about
their success. And, indeed, when I consider
that in Scotland the established church is
defended by no such test — that in
Ireland it has been abolished — that
in a great neighbouring country it has been
declared to be an indefeasible right of all
citizens to be equally eligible to public
offices — that in the same kingdom
a professed Dissenter from the established
church holds the first office in the state — that
in the Emperor's dominions Jews have
been lately admitted to the enjoyment of
equal privileges with other citizens — and
that in this very country, a Dissenter, though
excluded from the power of executing the
laws, yet is allowed to be employed in making them. — When,
I say, I consider such facts as these, I
am disposed to think it impossible that the
enemies of the repeal of the Test Laws should
not soon become ashamed, and give up their
opposition.
But the most important instance of the imperfect
state in which the Revolution left our constitution,
is the inequality of our representation.
I think, indeed, this defect in our constitution
so gross and so palpable, as to make it excellent
chiefly in form and theory. You should remember
that a representation in the legislature
of a kingdom is the basis of constitutional
liberty in it, and of all legitimate government;
and that without it a government is nothing
but an usurpation. When the representation
is fair and equal, and at the same time vested
with such powers as our House of Commons
possesses, a kingdom may be said to govern
itself, and consequently to possess true
liberty. When the representation is partial,
a kingdom possesses liberty only partially;
and if extremely partial, it only gives a semblance of
liberty; but if not only extremely partial,
but corruptly chosen, and under corrupt influence
after being chosen, it becomes a nuisance,
and produces the worst of all forms of government — a
government by corruption, a government carried
on and supported by spreading venality and
profligacy through a kingdom. May heaven
preserve this kingdom from a calamity so
dreadful! It is the point of depravity to
which abuses under such a government as ours
naturally tend, and the last stage of national
unhappiness. We are, at present, I hope,
at a great distance from it. But it cannot
be pretended that there are no advances towards
it, or that there is no reason for apprehension
and alarm. * * * What an eventful period
is this! I am thankful that I have lived
to it; and I could almost say, Lord, now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation [Luke
2.29–30]. I have lived to see a diffusion
of knowledge, which has undermined superstition
and error — I have lived to see the
rights of men better understood than ever;
and nations panting for liberty, which seemed
to have lost the idea of it. — I have
lived to see THIRTY MILLIONS of people, indignant
and resolute, spurning at slavery, and demanding
liberty with an irresistible voice; their
king led in triumph, and an arbitrary monarch
surrendering himself to his subjects. — After
sharing in the benefits of one Revolution,
I have been spared to be a witness to two
other Revolutions, both glorious. — And
now, methinks, I see the ardour for liberty
catching and spreading; a general amendment
beginning in human affairs; the dominion
of kings changed for the dominion of laws,
and the dominion of priests giving way to
the dominion of reason and conscience. Be
encouraged, all ye friends of freedom, and
writers in its defence! The times are auspicious.
Your labours have not been in vain. Behold
kingdoms, admonished by you, starting from
sleep, breaking their fetters, and claiming
justice from their oppressors! Behold, the
light you have struck out, after setting America free,
reflected to France, and there kindled
into a blaze that lays despotism in ashes,
and warms and illuminates Europe!
Tremble all ye oppressors of the world! Take
warning all ye supporters of slavish governments,
and slavish hierarchies! Call no more (absurdly
and wickedly) REFORMATION, innovation. You
cannot now hold the world in darkness. Struggle
no longer against increasing light and liberality.
Restore to mankind their rights; and consent
to the correction of abuses, before they
and you are destroyed together.