AN ESSAY ON CHARITY- SONOots. which they disapprove, and in religious sentiments 'different .from their parents. Objection XI. I know it will be smartly replied here, " And where is the hurt of all this ?" What if they are edu- cated in all the forms of the church of England ? Surely, the .difference between the dissenters and the church, is not so great and 'formidable, but that the poor should be willing to accept of such an education for their children, since they are not able to bring them up without the charity of others. To this, I answer, first, That it is readily granted, that . religion itself, in substance of it, is the same, which is professed and practised by both parties. God forbid, that I should suppose that a good education of youth in the established church, should prevent their usefulness here on earth, or their arrival at-heaven. I hope, and believe, there are thousands of holy souls in the aura of England,' which are beloved of God, and shall be for ever happy in his presence. I love them heartily, and rejoice in the success of their ministers, and beg of 'God their labours may be more abundantly blessed to the honour of God, and the eter- nal happiness of a great multitude of souls. Yet I beg leavehumbly to mention, what every body knows, what there are some forms and ceremonies, which were invented by men, and which Christ never appointed, that are yet imposed ou the ministers and the-people in that church ; not tomention some other disadvantages which the protestant dissenters have many times complained of Now the poor have consciences as well as the rich ; and the poor are concerned as well as the rich to have their children trained 'up' in that way of worship which they think most agreeable to the will of 'God :, And why- should they be put under such temptations to resign up their children to adifferent education, if there may be another provi- aion made for them, by a very small exercise of liberality among their own richer friends, who have the same religious sentiments ' with themselves. Since our governors have been so jest and kind to us, as to abolish those cruel, and unrighteous laws which forbid us to wor- ship God according; to our consciences, orto train up children in our.own schools, why should not the poor among us be partakers of this privilege; as well as the rich? And why should not the rich among us be' a little solicitous, that through their bounty and charity, their poor brethren might enjoy the advantageof bring- ing Oli their offspring in their own, way of worship, which the law of the land indulges, and which they themselves rejoice in ? Besides, it should tie, added here, that in all our dissenting schools, they are only taught the Assembly's Catechism, and in rtr..nl,., they are brought, once .a Slay to attend the public worship ía: our congregations, without any private influences to set them
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