whole clear Gain arifing from the first Edition fhall be religiously applied as the first fruits to Charity: And as it is to serve no private End, it is hoped that it will not be taken amifs, that one Copy hath been directed and forwarded To You; with the Requeft, that if you approve of it, you will have the Goodness to bestow the Price (as part of the prefumed Profit of the first Edition) upon the first Object of Charity which may pre

fent itself.

If it should live to a fecond Edition, the Publishers, Meff. RIVINGTONS, in whofe Names it is entered at Stationers-Hall, have Directions to pay one Moiety of any Profit arifing from the fame, and of any fubfequent Editions, to the Treasurers of the Charities for the Relief of the Widows and Children of Clergymen.

TO THE GREAT AND LEARNED

AMONG CHRISTIANS,

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF A NUMBER OF POOR, LOYAL, UNLEARNED CHRISTIANS,

HUMBLY SHEWETH,

TH

'HAT your Petitioners chiefly confist of Farmers, Farmer's Servants, Mechanics and Labouring Men, who having in their youth been taught to read the Bible, and to go to the Public Worship of God, have ever confidered themselves as Christians.

THAT your Petitioners are not all of the fame fentiments, fome having been brought up by their parents to go to church, and others to go to meeting: And as they entertain a great respect for the memory of their religious parents, they have been hitherto cautious not to give up the distinctions eftaB blished

blished by them; although from intercourse with each other, they find, that in matters which appear of greatest moment, their ancestors were much of a mind; the ground of feparation between them being (as they understand) chiefly concerning habits used in performing divine fervice-Whether the facrament should be received fitting or kneeling -Whether a form of prayer should be used or not-And whether baptifm should be administered to children or grown persons.

THAT notwithstanding; your Petitioners being all agreed, that it is proper that the Bible fhould be read, and that Chriftians fhould live as Chriftians, in love, loyalty, and good neighbourhood, they have frequently (after fervice being ended on the Sabbath day) met in the evening, and have read the Bible, and in particular the New Teftament, and have alfo done their beft endeavour to make up any little differences, and to ferve each other in every respect; they discovering by the Bible, that it is their duty fo to do; and they have been particularly careful to keep and encourage refpect for the King, and the whole Government, under whom

they

they live; the fame being to their apprehenfion clearly enjoined in the New Testament, even at a time when it appears that the Governors of the world were Heathens, and fome of them perfecutors: And if fo, they cannot but think, that not only respect and duty, but also a kind and grateful love, is due to the present KING, who they understand to be a man of the fame religion with themfelves, and not in the least ashamed of being a CONSTANT WORSHIPPER OF GOD. Your Petitioners therefore unanimously say, "May "God Almighty bless him, through Jefus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of "Lords."

THAT your Petitioners used to look forward to the Sabbath day as a Holy day, and not fo much fo on account of its being a day of ceffation from labour, as a day of adoration of God, union at home, good neighbourhood, and love to each other: But they have lately endured the greatest misfortune, which renders them unhappy at the very times they formerly looked for happiness, and which takes its rife from certain ill-disposed persons endeavouring to undermine their attachment B 2 both

both to their religion and their loyalty, and some of those who were formerly the most forward to every good work, have been gained over to their opinions, which are the direct reverse of their former profeffion; and instead of love and affection, good neighbourhood and charity, being, as heretofore, the inhabiters of their village, they are now frequently taken up in disputes, anger, and contention; so that there appears to have arisen a new religion, if it can be fo called, among them.

THAT thefe fubjects have not only been brought forward in converfation, but some of the books of their adverfaries have been offered at a small price; particularly fome tracts written by Dr. Priestley, a book called The Rights of Man, and fome other books · recommended by a fociety called The Society for Conftitutional Information.

THAT your Petitioners late friends are often talking about philofophic neceffity, and materialifm, which your Petitioners cannot comprehend; and they are in general of opinion, that the fame is not material to them,

and