houses? Alas! the Church of England! What with Popery on one hand, and schismatics on the other, how has she been crucified between two thieves!

Now let us crucify the thieves. Let her foundations be established upon the destruction of her enemies, the doors of mercy being always open to the returning part of the deluded people; let the obstinate be ruled with the rod of iron.

Let all true sons of so holy and oppressed a mother, exasperated by her afflictions, harden their hearts against those who have oppressed her.

And may God Almighty put it into the hearts of all the friends of truth to lift up a standard against pride and Antichrist, that the posterity of the sons of error may be rooted out from the face of this land for ever.

THE CRISIS;

OR,

A DISCOURSe represenTING,

FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC RECORDS, THE JUST CAUSES OF THE LATE HAPPY REVOLUTION;

AND

THE SEVERAL SETTLEMENTS

OF THE CROWNS OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND

ON HER MAJESTY; AND ON THE DEMISE OF HER MAJESTY WITHOUT ISSUE, UPON THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCESS SOPHIA, ELECTRESS AND DUCHESS DOWAGER OF HANOVER, AND THE HEIRS OF HER BODY BEING PROTESTANTS; BY PREVIOUS ACTS OF BOTH

PARLIAMENTS OF THE LATĘ KINGDOMS OF ENGLAND
AND SCOTLAND; AND CONFIRMED BY THE

PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN.

WITH SOME SEASONABLE REMARKS ON THE
DANGER OF A POPISH SUCCESSOR.

Invitus ea tanquam vulnera attingo; sed nisi tacta tractataque sanari non possunt.-Liv.

BY

RICHARD STEELE, ESQ.

1714.

F

TO THE

CLERGY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

GENTLEMEN,

It is with a just deference to your great power and influence in this kingdom, that I lay before you the following comment upon the laws which regard the settlement of the Imperial Crown of Great Britain. My purpose in addressing these matters to you, is to conjure you, as Heaven has blessed you with proper talents and opportunities, to recommend them, in your writings and discourses, to your fellowsubjects.

In the character of pastors and teachers, you have an almost irresistible power over us of your congregations; and by the admirable institution of our laws, the tenths of our lands, now in your possession, are destined to become the property of such others as shall by learning and virtue qualify themselves to succeed you. These circumstances of education and fortune place the minds of the people, from age to age, under your direction. As, therefore, it would be the highest indiscretion in