You, my Lord, who
possess a considerable, though not an invidious estate, may be well
assured, that, if, by being engaged, as you assuredly would be, in the
defence of your religion, your king, your order, your laws, and
liberties, that estate should be put under confiscation, the property
would be secured, but in the same manner, at your expense.
But, after all, for what purpose are we told of this reformation in
their principles, and what is the policy of all this softening in ours,
which is to be produced by their example? It is not to soften us to
suffering innocence and virtue, but to mollify us to the crimes and to
the society of robbers and ruffians. But I trust that our countrymen
will not be softened to that kind of crimes and criminals; for, if we
should, our hearts will be hardened to everything which has a claim on
our benevolence. A kind Providence has placed in our breasts a hatred of
the unjust and cruel, in order that we may preserve ourselves from
cruelty and injustice. They who bear cruelty are accomplices in it. The
pretended gentleness which excludes that charitable rancor produces an
indifference which is half an approbation.
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