*

I leave this place on Monday next, in order to attend the Convocation; where, I hear, we shall fet out warmly; the attack being to be renewed about the validity of Lay baptifin at our first fitting down; and the Archbishop's friends being ordered to appear there in full numbers. The credit that Mr. Bingham has done the caufe, by appearing in it, gives them hopes of fuccefs.

I beg your Lordship's bleffing; and am, with the greatest refpect, and the deepeft sense of all your Lordship's favours, your Lordship's ever obliged, faithful, and obedient fervant, FR. ATTERBURY.

See above, p. 301.

In "A Scholaftical Hiftory of the practices of "the Church, in reference to the adminiftration "of Baptifm by Laymen, Part I. 1712, 8vo. to which was foon after added "A Second Part;

with fome confiderations on Dr. Brett's and Mr. "Lawrence's anfwer to the Firft Part;" to which "is prefixed the ftate of the prefent Controverfy; "with an Appendix, containing fome remarks on "the Author of the Second Part of Lay Baptifm "invalid."

I

LETTER CIX.

To Bp. TREL A W N Y.

Chelfca, Feb. 10, 1712-13.

MY EVER HONOURED LORD,

HAVE received two letters, for which I

am to thank your Lordship, and will thank your Lordship as long as I live. For though I have received many kind ones from your Lordship, and particularly two (never by me to be forgotten) wherein your Lordthip was pleafed to below the Archdeaconry of Totnefs and a Canonry of Exeter upon me; yet permit me to fay, my Lord, that even those were not more welcome than the two laft which you were pleafed to fend me, and in which your Lordship has drawn a lively picture of that zeal for the true faith of CHRIST, and for the dignity and honour of the Priesthood, which are, and ever have been, a distinguishing part of your Lordship's character.

I entirely agree to all your Lordship fays in the former part of your letter, with re

fpect

spect to the blafphemies of Mr. Whiston and Dr. Clarke (for I cannot give the tencts even of the latter a fofter name); and wish with all my foul it were as much in my power, as it is in my inclination, to procure any thing to be done (either in or out of Convocation) that might effectually check and difcourage them.

But your Lordship well knows the prefent fad fituation of things. In Convocation we are told that we have no jurifdiction; nor can we be perfuaded, by the opinions of eight of the twelve Judges, and of the Attorney and Solicitor-general, that we have any. The Upper Houfe look upon themfelves to have taken a large step, in cenfuring Mr. Whiston's opinions, and will not be induced to go farther; to be fure, not to bring Dr. Clarke's book under the fame condemnation.

Out of Convocation, the thoughts of thofe who alone can restore the usefulness and dignity of fuch affemblies are so much taken up with fchemes of peace, as not to be at liberty to mind our concerns: fo that, for aught I can fee, we must be contented to wait for another opportunity; and, in the

mean

mean time, the Free-thinkers must go on to do their pleafure. And indeed, my Lord, they fee their opportunity; and, not knowing how long it may laft, are refolved to make ufe of it to the utmoft. Your Lordthip has, I fuppofe, feen the book in 'defence of Free thinking*; one of the boldeft attempts that was ever fuffered in a Chriftian nation. There is now in the prefs another bock, which, if I may guefs right of it from the title, is fill of more pernicious confequence. In runs in thefe words: "A new

66

Gofpel difcovered; or Jewish and Mahometan Chriftianity †,*

常

"Difcourfe of Free-thinking, 1713," by Anthany Collins, cfq. Againft this common enemy to Christianity, Dr. Atterbury feemed heartily to have joined iffue with his antagonists Dr. Bentley and Bp.

loadly.

The remainder of this interefting letter, having been written on a feparate theet, unfortunately has not been preferved

LET

LETTER CX.

TO DEAN SWIFT.

'MR. DE AN,

Chelfea, Tuefday morning, [April 21, 1713.]

IVE me leave to tell you, that there

is no man in England more pleafed with your being preferred* than I am. I would have told you fo myself at your lodgings, but that my waiting confines me. I had heard a flying report of it before; but Lord Bolingbroke yesterday confirmed the welcome news to me. I could not excufe myfelf without faying thus much; and I have not time to fay more, but that I am your moft affectionate and faithful fervant,

FR. ATTERBURY.

*To the Deanery of St. Patrick. Dr. Swift had been before-hand with his friend, in a most happily penned congratulatory Letter on his advancement to Chrift Church. See vol. II. p. 34.

LET