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PREFACE.

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'S the Author of the following Treatise has al-· ready appeared in Publick on a Subject of Commerce, and undergone fome Cenfures for engaging in Enquiries, feemingly befide his Profeffion; be begs Leave to offer fome Reafons for his interfering in thefe Matters, and, at the fame Time, to vindicate bimfelf from the Suppofition of having deferved the ill Treatment be bas met with. If it shall appear then, that he has not been wanting in his Endeavours to difcharge bis Clerical Duties punctually, as he hopes it would appear, if Enquiry were made in his Parish (in which, though large and populous, be performs all the Offices of his Function himself, according to the beft of his Abilities:) If, in this Particular, he is not found neglectful, and thefe Enquiries, which he profecutes at bis leifure Hours, are not, in their Tendency, inconfiftent with Piety to God, and good Offices to Man,-be flatters himself, that as long as he follows thefe Studies, without neglecting his other Engagements, and delivers his Opinion in an inoffenfive Manner, be shall be excufed in the Judgment of all candid Perfons

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A brief Effay on the Advantages and Difadvantages which refpectively attend France and Great Britain with regard to Trade: With fome Proposals for removing the principal Difadwantages of Great Britain, in a new Method. The Second Edition, corrected, with large Additions. London, printed for T. Trye, Holborn, 1750.

Perfons, tho' the Warmth of Party Zeal, or the Ro fentment of thofe, whofe Intereft clashes with that of the Publick, may excite them to vilify and infult him. It bath been thought excufable for a Clergyman to write on Subjects of Amusement, or on curious Points of Learning; and therefore, it may not be reckoned abfurd in a Clergyman, to form a Judgment (and deliver it modeftly) on Subjects, by which, not only national Wealth and Profperity, and the external Bleffings of Life are encreased; but, by which, Industry, Frugality, and Sobriety are promoted, and promoted too, by protecting perfecuted and conscientious Cbrif

tians.

INDEED, it might be observed, that every Plan, by which the Practice of focial Duties is advanced, which contributes to make Men more Sober, Juft, and Frugal, (which is the Fund of Charity) is not foreign to, but intimately connected with the Clerical Charatter. And to deter the Clergy from fuch Enquiries, is to confine, in a great Degree, their Abilities of doing Good. Or again, To propose any Expedient, by which the Encrease of wilful and corrupt Perjury may be prevented, is not unbecoming a Minister of that God, who will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his Name in vain. Yet this would be vented, in the two GREAT SOURCES of it, by avoiding the Oaths now taken at Custom-Houfes, and thofe by Freemen of Towns. A Scheme was bumbly offered by the Author of thefe Sheets, in an Effay on Trade, to avoid the former; and his prefent Attempt is, to point out the true Caufes and Origin of the latter; together with fuch Remedies for thefe Evils, as appear to him the most effectual. And, though he may be mistaken in the Means propofed, yet be is per¬ fwaded, that all ferious Chriftians will join with

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