Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-12-19 00:00:00, page 2

cMim to a divine original requires, and with hearts
ddpofed Sincerely to embrace, and humbly to submit
to it, if you Should fee reason to think your maker
is author? Or have you impiously neglected to
examine the credibility of it, or examined it with
minds prejudiced against it? If either of the two
left be the case, it will be in vain to plead in ex
cafe for your unbelief, that you cannot believe
what you will: For the true reason is, you are
not disposed to believe, because you have not a due
regard for him, whole message it is declared to be.
But, perhaps, you will fay, you have examined
the pretensions of the Christian Religion to be a
Divine Revelation, and find somethings relating to
it unaccountable, and others incomprehensible ;
and therefore you cannot believe it. But why
cannot you believe the revelation of the Bible,
tho' you cannot account for every part and cir
cumstance of it? Can you account for all the dis
pensations of Providence? If not, and you uever
thelefs believe a Divine Providence, why cannot
ynu believe a Divine Revelation, which, in some
refpe&s, is unaccountable?
It seems you argue that there can be no danger
in unbelief; because, as you fay, believing is an
act, not of the will, but of the understanding; and
therefore, that it is neither in our power to believe
what appears incredible, nor to refufe to believe
what we judge credible. But this is a great mis
take. Believing is so far a voluntary a&, that tho'
we cannot believe what appears to be falfe, nor re
fufe to believe what we judge to be true, we can
refufe to believe, not only what is true, but what
we should judge to be so, if we would attentively
and impartially confider the evidence afforded us of
its truth. And by thus disregarding the credibi
lity of it, it is as much in our power to disbelieve
the most credible thing in the world, as it is to be
ignorant of the truth of any demonstrable proposi
tion whatsoever, by not attending to its demon
stration. Now the guilt of infidelity appears to
me to consist in this; which, upon carefully exa
mining its nature, will be found to be very heinous.
It indeed, after due consideration of the nature
and evidence of a fyilemof religion, said to be de
rived from heaven, a perlon thinks it to be an im
posture, he cannot be so culpable for not believing
it. But if his unbelief be owing to his not duly
considering the reasons he has to believe it, it must
be highly criminal. That it is the duty of reason
able creatures to examine, with the utnioft care,
the evidence of what is proposed to them in the
tame of their great Creator, and has him for its
author, is indisputable. To refufe or negled to
do this, betrays such a want of regard for his Di
vine Majesty, as muff be acknowledged to be very
criminal, and therefore justly to deserve his dread
ful displeasure. Itargues the person whois guilty
of such impiety, to be far from having the pro
found reverence for the adorable author of his
being, and awful regard for his will, which he
manifeftly ought. Nay, it Shews that he minds
him but little, if at all. And what then must
such impious behaviour merit from the divine jus
tice? And how highly must it concern you to con
fider, whether you be not chargeable with it?
That the Gospel is proposed to you in the name
of the great God of Heaven and Earth, and that
there is at lead a probability of its being derived
fr >m him, cannot be denied. Have you confider
cd its credentials with the seriousness which its
But it is not only unaccountable, but in several
particulars incomprehensible also, which you think
another good reason for rejecting it. But are you
sere a Revelation, if divine, cannot contain any
thing, but what you can comprehend? Are theie
not many things undeniably true, which surpass
human comprehension? And do not you yourselves
give your assent to other matters of this kind? Do
you fully comprehend either what reason teaches
concerning the nature and attributes of God, or
even what you experience in youifehes? Can you
form an adequate notion of an cnoriginated infi
nitely peifed Spirit? Or conceive how your fouls
and bodies are united; or mutually ad upon and
atfe& each other? Nay, do you clearly compre
hend how you perform any action of life; so much
as how an ad of your will or, your finger ? If
t^efe, and num! erlefs other phenomena of nature
exceed, as you mutt acknowledge them to do,
r an's comprehension, it can be no just objection
to the truth, or divine original of a Revelation,
that it teaches incomprehensible doßrines. If we
could account for all the ways of Providence, and
comprehend both the nature and works of our
g- rat Creator, theie would be some weight in these
objections; but Since we are far from being able
to do either, it seems strange they should be urg
ed to invalidate the authority of sacred Writ.
7 1 at there are thin, s in the Gofpcl revelation, for
which we cannot account, and doctrines above our
mprehenfion, is really a preemptive argument
To the Prater of tie Ph nnstlvan l A I acket.
SI R,
If you think the incited Add, cfs deforcing of a place
in your paper, plea/e to nfc/t ii in the Packet of
Monday next. Tee truths wh:ch it aims to efta
b ifh, are at all times fe.fondle ; but cannot fail
of bein, particular/) acceptable to such of your
readers, as are preparing them/fve tyor a folcinn
commemoration of the nativity of the 3on of God,
the Redeemer and Saviour oj Men.
Gentlemen,
AS you must be sensible this address is disin
terested, I hope you will attend to what I
shall suggest with feriouinefs and impartiality. I
suppose you to be convinced of the Being and Pro
vidence of a God; or of the existence of an infi
nitely perfea Spirit, who not only made and pre
serves, but also governs the world, and particu
larly superintends the affairs of mankind, and will
call us to an account for our behaviour; but that
you rejed what is commonly looked upon as a di
vine revelation. And since, if the revealed fyf
temis really of the high authority, which it is said
to be of, and is by many judged to be, your con
dition cannot but be very dangerous; I shall re
present yourdanger to you, in order to engage you
to fhunit.
A.Q K.
To THE D E I S T S.
" The honour unanimously conferred on us this
day, bythe important trust which you have again
committed to our charge, calls for the warmest
acknowledgments. We beg leaveto tender them
to you, with the affeding sensibility of grateful
hearts. The ftriff and solemn engagement we
have already entered into with you contains the
most essential points of our duty, as well as the
most substantial matters, which can be brought
into the deliberation of Parliament. We are de
termined to pursue those great national objects with
unremitting diligence and ardour. Your violated
rights in particular, and those of the whole body
of electors of this kingdom, demand, and shall
have our firft attention. We will endeavour a full
vindication of them, and an adequate security
against such flagitious attempts hereafter. We
entreat the favour of your inftrudions and kind as
sistance, in the difeharge of the arduous business
we now undertake as your representatives, and
we allure you of the utmost deference on all occa
sions to the sentiments of our worthy constituents.
We are, Gentlemen, under increasing obligations,
Your faithful and obedient humble servants,
Brentford, O^ 20 , 177 , GLYNN”'
Oct. 22. An orderof the Council, dated the
19th inst. is published in this night's Gazette, pro
hibiting the exportation of gun-powder and arms,
from any part of the kingdom.
Atthe final close of the poll last Tuesday af
ternoon, for Members of parliament for Worce
ster, the numbers stood as follow:
For Mr. Rous 981
Mr. Wallh 893
Sir W. Lewes 736
Mr. Bearcroft 312
whereupon Mr. Rous and Mr. WalSh were de
clared duly elected, but they were not chaired till
yesterday. Sir Watkin, immediately after a de
claration of the numbers, protested against the re
turn, and declared he would bring the ele&ion be
fore a superior tribunal.
'HIS morning, about 8 o'clock, a great num-
JL ber of freeholders of Middlesex, pursuant
to advertisement, met John Wilkes and John
Glynn, Efqrs. at the Mansion house, from whence
a calvacade soon after let out for Brentford in the
following order:
Two fl'gs, with French horns, and upwards of
one hundred freeholders on horseback, preceded
the Lord Mayor's coach drawn by fix horses, in
which were the Candidates and Lis Lordship.
This was followed by between fifty and sixty coach
es and post chaises, and these were joined at Hyde
Park corner by a great number of other carriages
from different parts of Westminster.
At eleven o'clock the procession arrived, amidst
the loudest acclamations, at the hustings at Brent
ford, when John Wilkes and John Glynn, Efqrs.
being nominated as fit and proper persons to re
present the county of Middlesex in the ensuing
parliament, they were unanimously elected with
out any opposition These gentlemen afterwards
addressed the freeholders in excellent speeches.
John Wilkes, Esq; was chaired, but Serjeant
Glynn begged to decline that honour, on ac
count of his being greatly indisposed with the gout.
Immediately after the election was over the new
members, attended by a great number of freehol
ders, set out for Guilford, to attend the election
for the county of Surry, which began this day at
that place.
The Lords Mountmorres and Mahon were
present, and after the election made speeches, re
questing the votes and interest of those gentlemen
prelent, who were electors for the city and liberty
of Westminster.
of its truth, rather than a proofofits faifhood. In
these relpeds the accounts therein given us of the
great G wernor of the world's dealings with man
kind and the incbmprehenfiblenefs of his nature,
refemblc rhe couife of his providence, and the
Suggeihons of reason concern.ng him. And the
more what the bible lays of the being and provi
dence of God is like what reason and experience
teach us relative thereto, the grea er certainty
there is ofits truth. The impossibility, therefore,
of accounting for what is related in the sacred
volume, oi of Comprehending some things taught
in it, will be far from juftifyiug your rejecting it
as an impollure. And it deserves to be well con
sidered, with what firmnels such creatures as we
are, whose knowledge is confeffe'd to be so very
imperfect, wi l be able to plead theunaccountable
nefs, or ineomprehenbblenefs of what we are
taught in the name of our great Creator, as an ex
culc for our not believing it: and what regard is
like to be shewed to such an excuse, when we shall
be called upon to give the reasons for our unbelief?
That you, Gentlemen, may be able so to review
your conduct in this important matter, as at last
to Hand approved before the Governor and righ
teous Judge of the world, is the sincere with of
Every thing was conduced with the greatest
order, harmony and decorum.
The following is theaddrefs of thanks of Mr.
Wilkes and Mr. Glynn.
“ Gentlemen,
oa. 25. Wednesday Sir George Saville, and
Mr. Lafcelles were unanimously eleded Members
for the county of York.
Also, Lord Algernon Percy, and Sir William
Middleton, for Northumberland.
Brfol, oa. 27. State of the poll last night.
For Mr. Cruger 3°55 °
Mr. Burk 2277
Mr. Brickdale 2019
L. Clare 245
Tt is expected that our election will be ended
to-morrow, as voters are very scarce on each fide.
The poll was never remembered to bave held so
long before; and as to the number of persons that
have been made free it is almost incredible, they
being very little Short of two thousand.
Your affectionate and humble Servant.
*99'5<>9099999\§9599®•)99®$
By the (hip Belle, Captain Jones, arrived here
from Bristol, ive have the following Intelli
gence.
L O N DO N, Ohlober 20.
(Signed by order of the Provincial Congress)
JOHN HANCOCK, Prefant.
In Provincial Congress, Cambridge, Dec. 5.
And whereas it is of the utmost importance
that the salutary aSTociation of the Continental
Congress be effectually executed; and the plans
of foes to America defeated, who, aided by tyran
nical power, intend to import goods, wares and
merchandize prohibited by the association, which
may clandestinely be vended as goods imported
before the firft of December instant, by afiftance
of such merchants and traders as to this intent
shall basely prostitute themselves; and it will be
extremely difficult to diftinguiSh between goods
imported before the said firft day of December,
and such as after laid day shall, in violation of the
association, be imported and secretly dispersed
throughout the colony.
And whereas it is expressly recommended by
the Continental Congress “ to the provincial con
ventions, and to the committees in the refpe&ive
colonies, to ellablilh such farther regulations as
they may think proper, for carrying into executi
on their association."
Resolved, That from and after the tenth day of
October next, it will be indifpenlably necessary
that all goods, wares and merchandize, directly or
indirectly imported from Great-Britain or Ireland,
molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee or pimento from
the British plantations, or from Dominica; wines
from Madeira or the Western Blands, and foreign
indigo, should cease to be fold or purchased in this
colony, notwithstanding they shall have been im
ported before the firft day of December aforefaid,
unless the ads and parts of ads of the British Par
liament (particularly enumerated in a paragraph
of the the American Congress association, subse
quent to the fourteenth article) shall be then re
pealed.
And it is hereby strongly recommended to the
inhabitants of the towns and diftrifts in the colony,
that from and after the said tenth of October,
they cease to fell or purchase, and prevent from
being exposed to sale, within their refpedive li
mits, any goods, wares, merchandize, &c. above
enumerated, which shall at any time have been
imported into America, whether before or after
the firft of December aforefaid; unless said ads
of Parliament Shall be then repealed.
And it is likewise strongly recommended to the
Committees of Infpedion (which ought immedi
ately to be cbofen agreeably to the said association
by each town and district in the colony, not having
already appointed such committees) that they
exert themselves in causing the association as
thereby directed, to be ftridly executed.
And tfa~ after the said tenth day of October
(unless the said ads of Parliament aforefaid are
repealed) they apply to all the merchants and
traders in their refpedive towns and districts,
and take a full inventory of all the goods, wares,
and merchandize aforefaid in their possession,
Reflved, That the most grateful acknowledg
ments are due to the truly honourable and patrio
tic members ofthe Continental Congress, for their
wife and able exertions in the cause of American
liberty; and rids Congress in their own names,
and in behalfof this c >lony, do hereby, with the
utmost sincerity, express the fame.
Refo ved, That the Hon. John Hancock, Hon.
Thomas Cufhing, Efqrs. Mr. Samuel Adams,
John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Efqrs. or
any three of them, be, and they hereby are ap
pointed and authorized to represent this colony,
on the 10th of May next, or sooner if necessary,
at the American Congress, to be held at Phila
delphia; with full power with the Delegates from
the other American colonies, to concert, agree up
on, direct and order such farther measures, as
shall to them appear to be best calculated for the
recovery and establishment of American rights and
liberties, and for the restoring harmony between
Great-Britain and the Colonies.
RESOLVED,
TH AT the proceedings of the American
Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia,
on the §rh of September lad, and reported by the
honourable Delegates from this colony, have with
the deliberation due to their high importance been
considered by us, and the American bill of rights
therein contained, appears to be formed with the
greatest ability and judgment ; to be founded on
the immutable laws of nature and reason, the prin
ciples of the English constitution, and refpedive
charters and constitutions of the colonies ; and to
be worthy of their most vigorous support, as es
sentially necessary to liberty.—-Likewise the ruin
ous and iniquitous measures, which in violation of
these RIGHTS at present convulse and threat
en deftrudlion to America, appear to be clearly
pointed out, and judicious plans adopted for de
feating them.
BOSTO N, December $.
In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
Cambridge, Dec. I, 1774.
WHERE A S, by the rigorous operation of
the BoJlon Port Bill, the metropolis of
this province, and the neighbouring town of Char
leltowra, have been brought into a me ,ft dilreffed
state, many of the inhabitants being deprived of
the means of their subsistence, and reduced to the
cuel alternative of quitting their habitations; or
of perishing in them by famine, if they bad not
been supported by the free and generous contri
butions of our fitter colonies, even from the le
moteft parts of this continent.
Revolved, That the grateful acknowledgments
of this Congress be returned to the several colo
nies, for having so deeply interested themselves in
behalf of said towns, under their present fufferings
in the common cause: And that the Congress
confider these donations, not merely as unexam
pled afts of benevolence to this province in gene
ral, which has also greatly fuffcred, and of chari
ty to those towns in particular; but as convincing
proofs of the firm attachment of all the the colo
nies to the glorious cause of American liberty,
and of their fixed determination to support them
in the noble stand they are now making for the
liberties of themselves and of all America.
Captain Bernard fails this day for Boston, and
has on board, being part of the donations of this
city for the poor inhabitants of Boston, 180 bar
rels of flour, pof pork, and 12 firkins of butter ;
alfo2i barrels of wheat and rye, sent from the
inhabitants of Marble Town, in Ulster County.
Dec.l 5. The Six Nations have lately sent deputies
to Col. Guy Johnson, the Superintendant of Indian
affairs, from their General Congress at O&ODdaga±
refpeding some further resolutions which they
and their dependants have entered into concern
ing the troubles to the southward; from which
we expert to hear shortly of a favourable issue, as
the deputies, with many other Indians, were ar
rivedat Guy Park, when the last intelligence came
from Albany.
Last Monday at 3 o'clock died Alexander
Colden, Esq; (eldest son of his Honour Lieute
nant Governor Colden) Post-Master and Sur
veyor General of this province. He was univer
sally beloved, and be has not left a man of a more
humane temper, and more generous disposition be
hind him. Last night his obsequies, attended
by a numerous train of relations and friends,
were deposited in the family vault at Trinity
Church.
Dec. 8. We hear from Cohaffet (the only free
port in the county of Suffolk) that on the 17th
instant, the militia company in that place, appear
ed in the field, lodged their arms, and marched to
the meeting-house. Their officers then volunta
rily resigned their commissions, a moderator and
clerk were chosen; after which the Rev. Mr.
Browne, by desire of the moderator, made a prayer
and delivered an animated speech on the exigen
cies of the times. They then fang the former
part of the 44th Psalm, and proceedeed to the
choice of officers, when the three worthy gentle
men, who had lately borne commissions, were una
nimously chosen to be their leaders. They chear
fully accepted the trust, being fully sensible that
all authority under GOD, is derived constitution
ally from the people.
Letters by the Ship Lady Gage inform us, That
the Empress of Russia, in consequence of the ad
vantages She has received from the support afford
ed to her operations by the crown of Great-Bri
tain, in the late war against the Ottoman Empire,
has granted to the fubjeds of our most gracious
Sovereign, a free navigation in all the seas of her
Majesty's realm, including those rights secured to
the crown of Russia by the late glorious peace
concluded with the Turks.
PHILA DE LP HI A, December 19.
The Committee for the City and Liberties
of Philadelphia will meet this afternoon at five
o'clock at the Philosophical Society's Hall.
Extraß of a letter from London, dated oa. 14!
“ We are very anxious and impatient to learn
the result of your Congress; and much, very much
depends on it; for if you don't take some Spirited
steps in this important crisis, your liberties are
gone, and ours also, as I fear, for really I don't
think we have virtue enough to save us. Weare
indeed very busy just now, in the choice of a new
Parliament; but I fee so many already of the old
venal members re eleded, that I augur no good
from it; and I affiire you that I think the consti
tution in a very dangerous way. In the mean
time, I am somewhat fearful that the Boston peo
ple will be so irritated by continued oppressions,
that they will be hurried into some sudden rash
ness, and I am not without apprehensions that
something has already happened as the Scarbo
rough man of war has been arrived at Portsmouth
for some days, and the news /he has brought is
carefully concealed from the Public; we only sug
gest it is bad, by the immediate order of more Ships
and forces for that port."
whether they (hall have h^n imported befr r e
or after the firft day cf December afoiefaid;
requiring them to offer no mor^ for sale, until said
a^s shall be repealed, and if any merchant, trad
er, or others, fnall refufe to have an inventory
taken, or shall offer for sale after the said tenth
of October, any such goods, wares, or merchan
dize, it is exprefly recommended to the commit
tees aforefaid, that they take the goods into their
possession to be stored at the rifque of the proper
owners until the repeal of the a^s aforefaid, and
publish the names of such refractory merchants,
traders, or purchasers, that they may meet with the
merits of enemies to their country. And the towns
and diftrids throughout the province are also ad
vised, that they by no means fail vigorously to as
sist and support their committees, i@ difeharging
this as well as the other duties of their offices, and
to cause this resolution to be executed by every
measure which they shall think necessary.
Signed by order of the Provincial C ongrefs,
JOHN HANCOCK, Prefdent.
A true extrafl from the Minutes,
Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary.
Last Saturday afterncon the Scarborough man
of war, which went express from hence to Eng
land the beginning of September last, returned
hither again, with dispatches sos his Excellency
the Governor, the contents of which have not
transpired.—The Scarborough failed from Ply
mouth the 24th of October, and, it is said, three
fllips of the line, viz. the Asia, Boyne and So
merset, with the Hind frigate, and Falcon sloop
of war, with 500 marines, on board each of the
large flips, were to fail soon after for this place.
—We are told, that when the above ship came
away, the elections were nearly compleated, and
that there was a large majority of the old Mem
bers elected again.
“ The Captain fays, three Ships of 70 gone,
and two frigates, failed from Plymouth at the
fame time he failed from Portsmouth, all for this
place. One of the 70 gun Ships is new com::g
in."
Extras of a Letter from Boston, Dec. 5.
“ The Scarborough arrived yesterday from
England with dispatches for Gen. Gage, the con
tents of which are not yet known.
N E W-Y O R K, Dec. 12.