with the idea, that he had dropped into the world three or four centuries before society was prepared to receive so great a genius. And it seems to me, Sir, to be the misfortune of the Edinburgh Reviewers, that they have come as much too late for the full developement of all their energies; for now the secular arm is not found to be so obsequious to the views of every bigot who calls for vengeance on all who dare to think, speak, and write, otherwise than himself. O the golden days of good Queen Mary !—

"When Bonner, blithe as shepherd at a wake,

Enjoy'd the show, and danc'd about the stake."

When poor ignorant fanatics, raving enthusiasts, and canting hypocrites, were punished for their sins here in this world, for the edification of all "rational Christians"-punished by something more substantial than pen and ink; when they were indeed "hunted, caught, killed, and cracked," as such vermin ought to be! Nor have later times been wanting in examples that might well alarm modern sectaries, could they take warning from declarations of so conscientious a devotion to the great work of regeneration. Not many years have elapsed since some hundreds of ministers of the Catholic church were consigned, as we are informed, to the pitiless deep actually put on board vessels which were ordered to be sunk at the distance of a few leagues from land! For the enlightened politicians of France, found too, that to allow a veto might have been troublesome; and they also were bound to employ such instruments as were "most efficacious to the destruction of their victims."

I shall conclude these observations which I have ventured to make on the extraordinary opinions and doctrines of the Edinburgh Reviewers, by observing, that they have endeavoured to represent the Dissenters as dangerous enemies to Church and State at home and abroad-as objects of the public scorn and hatred, without adducing a single fact in proof of such atrocious insinuations. Thus they have failed in justice to that Public to whom they profess to devote their time and their talents. They have barbarously sought to revive that long-quieted spirit of persecution among their brethren, in the heart of their own country, by accusing a large portion of the community of the worst crimes, while they artfully evade to substantiate such charges; and, to serve their purpose,

magnify a few foibles, which no sensible man among the number would think of vindicating. And while they have forfeited the claim which they otherwise might have to the respect of their countrymen, by artifices the most mean, and inconsistencies which outrage all the principles for which they have on other occasions con tended with so much ability and effect, they have given us a presage of the nature of that liberty which we are to expect, should the country unfortunately be cursed with their rule.

I have only to add further, that I am neither a Methodist, nor the son of a Methodist; and that I should, probably, never have heard of the work of Mr. John Styles, had I not perused the Edinburgh Review. But I am, Sir, and, whatever the evil genius which presides over the theological department of that work may be destined to accomplish, I trust I shall always be allowed to glory in being

A BRITISH PROTESTANT.

Gilbert, Printer, Salters-hall Court, London.

THE FOLLOWING WORKS

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