The Virginia Gazette

THE present Commotions of my dear Country, makes

SIR,

but tends to no farther Purpose than for Topicks of Conversation: Men of all Ranks, from the Gentleman to the Mechanick, pity the present Posture of Affairs, and cry with a dejected Air, Are these Things so? But are we Britons, and on the many direful Calamities that are coming on us. From this Lethargy, and reflect with the Spirit of our Forefathers shall we suffer them? Let us rouze from our Sleep and Let the Nobility, Gentry, and wealthy Citizens not ha- artful Address, and, my Warmth makes me add, impetuous Harangue in Eloquence of Speech, and spend their Time in their Dependents, Friends and Followers, ready to be at- and Loyalty by their voluntary personal Appearance, with der'd to their appointed Rendezvous, shew their Ardour Compliments; but as soon as his Majesty's Forces are ordering to the utmost of their Ability, to the stopping the Torrent of Rebellion, Popish and arbitrary Power; not to sink under their present Load of Pride, Luxury, and Licentiousness. Lay aside, for Heaven's sake, your French Modes and Manufactures; mortify yourselves so far, if an Englishman may not be shy of the Expression- Send home your Italian Singers, promote your Country's Good, have her Commodities at Heart, cares the Soldier, the Sailor, the Men that defend and preserve your Country, not the Ruiners and Debauchers of it. Softness, Effeminacy, with a Depravity of Taste, seem to be amongst all Ranks. To this we may owe our publick Diversions: and as a Proof of it, the present Calamities, which is enough to stagger every thinking Man, does not put a Stop to their shameful Advertisements.

Think, O my Countrymen! with this Frame of Mind, how can ye beg a Blessing? Were these the first Bulwarks of your Religion? Did Elizabeth give Countenance to such Revels for your Reformation? To what End did Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, with all the Host of Martyrs, endure their fiery Trials, but to be bright Examples to future Generations; to shew us that true Holiness is sufficient to withstand, if not overcome, all the Barbarity and Cruelty of Romish Tyranny? Let us then, first supplicate the Almighty Being, to crown our Endeavours with Success, and then to persevere in them with Resolution, Steadiness, and Fortitude.

In former Ages, Our Country has produced heroic Examples of Virtue and Courage, Men that have with the utmost Intrepidity exposed themselves to Fire and Sword in their Country's Cause; nay, how many of our Brethren have lately fell for the Good of Europe? And is this Godlike Manly Spirit quite extinct? Are we so sunk and lost in every Vice, that we cannot be Judges of our true Interest, nor be sensible of the impending Ruin that hovers over us? Let us then, of all Denominations, without Distinction of Sects, or different Communities, join with one Heart, with one Hand, with one Mind, with one Voice. Let the Magistrate, Gentleman, and those in Authority, exert their Power, and immediately form Associations for the general Good.

Let there be Subscriptions open'd, and fitting Encouragement to the lower sort of Housekeepers, and Men of sober Reputation, to serve the Publick in the present Emergency, Not to be ridicul'd and laugh'd at, but to be countenanced encouraged, supported, and headed by the Gentlemen of their several Counties, and incorporated and mingled with the regular Troops. And lastly, let us enable the Government immediately to get more Forces from abroad.

For consider seriously, is not our All at stake. Whatever specious Pretences offer, France and Rome are at the Bottom; and behold the present Miseries of Germany and Flanders, nay, of all Europe, are owing to their Faith. If then, you believe your Holy Religion; if you have any Love, Tenderness, or Compassion for your Wives, Children, Parents, Friends, Country, and all that is dear or valuable, think that you hear their Cries, think that you see their Miseries, as this will be the Condition of all Degrees of sober People. Let these Thoughts animate you before 'tis too late. And you, Gentlemen of Fortune, shew yourselves to be so; pare nothing at this Crisis; remember a Sponge may wipe out all your Money Securities; your Trade ruin'd; and an insatiate blood-thirsty Church will claim their Abbey-Lands, &c.

I am, &c.