e
to be silent; and earnestly entreat every Reader to judge for himself.
Indeed there was a Time, when a Text of sacred Scripture might have been
urged, as carrying some Weight in deciding the present Question: "Beware
of false Prophets, who come to you in Sheep's Cloathing, but inwardly they
are ravening Wolves. Ye shall know them by their Fruits. Do Men gather
Grapes of Thorns, or Figs of Thistles? Even so every good Tree bringeth
forth good Fruit; but a corrupt Tree bringeth forth evil Fruit. A good
Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit, neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth
good Fruit.--WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." I say, there
was a Time, when the Authority of such a Caution would have been regarded
as more decisive than the Productions of our modern licentious Presses.
But as we now live in very extraordinary Times, full of new Lights, and
new Discoveries, I forbear, lest our Patriots should accuse me of Bigotry,
Priestcraft, or Superstition[1].

4thly. I expressly except against all Persons of _Republican_ Principles
for very obvious Reasons; for tho' they dignify themselves by the Name of
WHIGS, yet as they are not the genuine, _constitutional Whigs_ of this
Kingdom, but an unnatural Superfoetation, and the avowed Enemies of the
_British_ Constitution, they ought not to be allowed to sit in Judgment in
a _British_ Cause. They are, it is well known, the professed Advocates for
continuing and cementing the Union between _Great-Britain_ and her
Colonies; and yet they wish, above all Things, to see these Colonies
totally exempt from, and independent of, the Power and Jurisdiction of the
_British_ Legislature. Now, how are we to reconcile these glaring
Contradictions? And what is the Reason for professing such a preposterous
Zeal for _America_, in Preference both to the Interests and Honour of
their native Country? The Reason is this:--They think, that by cherishing
and protecting a republican Government in the Colonies, they are paving
the Way for introducing a similar Establishment into _Great-Britain_.
Therefore _Republicism_ is the Bond of Union between these unnatural
_Englishmen_ and their Fellow-Labourers of _America_: _Republicism_, I
say, [pardon the Use of a new Word, where the Language doth not afford a
better] is made the _common Cause_ for uniting Persons of the most
discordant Interests and different Inclinations in other Respects.

And I will add, as an Illustration of this Matter, and