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tifications. In the court of Eglon there was neither love of truth nor fear of evil; the first craving feeling was gratified, if the means could be obtained, though reason revolted, and good policy would have prohibited the gratification. But where infidelity prevails, it naturally produces all sorts of immorality. Forms of religion are then intended as mere decoys to take in the unwary, and are made subservient means to fulfil the inordinate desires of degenerated mortals. Rituals of devotion, and places of worship, become tools of appetite, and places of assignation. Thus the worship of Baalpeor was adapted to their Justs, and their outward respect to deity rendered subservient to their abominable desires.

The Moabites, perceiving that persons of rank feared no sin, nor abstained from any animal pleasure, considered licentiousness as no crime; and because habits had made uncleanness natural to them, they viewed those unnatural desires as propensities implanted in them by their Maker, in the same manner as they are in beasts. They therefore practised like other animals, and gave up reason to the force of appetite. Conjugal obligation was made void, and every man and woman fulfilled their carnal desires in the same manner as the most libidinous animals, It was impossible for dukes, earls, or lords, to know their own children, more than it is possible for English courtiers to know their's; for they had all their wives in common. This was the only thing in Moab which was common; for land, houses, and money, were confined to a few overgrown chiefs, as in Great Britai. The very money which was collected from the public, for public services, was restrained to private purposes; and great men could with impunity devour millions, without fear or shame. All this dirt proceeded from infidelity, which was the leading part of the character of the nation of Moab. But, without proceeding farther, I shall conclude this Discourse,

END OF NEW SERMONS TO ASSES.

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TO

LORDS SPIRITUAL;

OR,

AN ADVICE TO THE BISHOPS,

CONCERNING

Religious Articles, Tithes, and Church Power,

WITH

A Discourse on Ridicule.

BY THE REV. JAMES MURRAY,
AUTHOR OF 66 SERMONS TO ASSES," &c.

"I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."-REV. ii. 16.

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PRINTED BY AND FOR W. HONE, 67, OLD BAILEY, THREE DOORS FROM LUDGATE HILL.

1818.

AD

DOMINOS SPIRITUALES.

DOCTISSIMI, PRESTANTISSIMI VIRI,

CUM vestram dignitatem in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ Veri Spiritui oppositam magis magisque cogitemus, nostri animi mirando stupefacti sunt, quo pacto Illustrissimi Viri a Sacris Literis erravissent. Vox Sacra videntibus a prejudiciis liberatis est tam manifesta, ut nulli, nisi capti oculis, sed eam intelligere possent. Siquidem vis lucri vestros animos inquinati obruit poscendum veniam Deum de hoc horrifico malo.

CICERO, Domini, declaravit, quæ vestris præcordiis sunt digna, "Nemo enim justus esse potest, qui mortem, qui dolorem, qui "exilium, qui egestatem timet, aut quæ his sunt contraria, equi"tati anteponit. Maximeque admirantur eum, qui pecuniâ non "movetur: quod in quo viro perspectum sit hunc dignum spec"tatu arbitrantur.”

Decet omnes Episcopos CICERONIS sententias animis considerare. Melius esset, si mente altâ DEI leges in dies revol, vissent.

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