♦ “nick-game” replaced with “nick-name”
But, methinks, I see you now begin to be impatient to know, (and indeed I have neither inclination nor leisure at present to pursue our author any further) who this can be that takes such gigantic strides? I assure you, he is a _perfect Goliah_ in the retinue of human learning.――――Will you guess?――Perhaps Dr. _T――――r_ of _Norwich_;――no――he is dead. Certainly not a churchman? Yes; a member, a minister, a dignitary, a bishop of the church of _England_;――and, to keep you no longer in suspence, it is no less a man than Dr. _Warburton_, the author of “The Divine Legation of _Moses_,” and now _William Lord Bishop of Gloucester_. I know you are ready to say, “Tell it not in _Gath_, publish it not in the streets of _Ascalon_.” But, my dear friend, what can be done? His Lordship hath published it himself: nay, his book hath just gone through a second impression; and that you may see and judge for yourself, whether I have wronged his Lordship or not, (as it is not very weighty) I have sent you the book itself. Upon the perusal, I am persuaded you will at least be thus far of my opinion, that however _decus et tutamen_ is always the motto engraven upon a _bishop’s mitre_, it is not always most certain, though his Lordship says it is, page 202, that they are written in every _prelate’s breast_? And how can this prelate in particular, be said to be the _ornament_ and _safeguard_ of the Church of _England_? when his principles are as directly contrary to the offices of that church, over which he is by divine permission made overseer, as light is contrary to darkness. You know, my dear friend, what our ministers are taught to say when they baptize: “I beseech you to call upon GOD the Father, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to this child that thing which by nature he cannot have.” But what says his Lordship? “All influence exceeding the _power of humility_, is miraculous, and therefore to abate or be totally withdrawn, now the church is perfectly established.” What say they when they catechise? “My good child, know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyself, nor to walk in the commands of GOD, and to serve him without _his special grace_.” But what says his Lordship? “A rule of faith being now established, the conviction which the weight of _human testimony_, and the conclusions of _human reason_ afford, are abundantly sufficient to support us in our religious perseverance.” What says his Lordship himself, when he confirms children thus catechised? “Strengthen them, we beseech thee, O LORD, with the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts of grace, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength.” But what says his Lordship, when he speaks his own sentiments? “All aids in spiritual distresses, as well as those which administered help in corporeal diseases, are now abated or totally withdrawn.” What says his Lordship when he ordains? “Dost thou trust that thou art inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost? then, receive thou the Holy Ghost.”
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And lighten with celestial fire: Thou the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above, Is comfort, life, and power of love; Enable with perpetual light, The dulness of our blinded sight.