s to be regulated, and by whose
admonitions it ought to be reformed; admonitions which cannot be
supposed to be without force from men to whom the great province of
preaching virtue and truth is committed, and whose profession is so
much reverenced, that reputation and infamy are generally in their
power.

Should the justices, my lords, abuse their authority, either for the
increase of the revenue, or any other purpose, what could they expect
but to be marked out on the next day of publick worship for reproach
and derision? What could they hope but that their crimes should be
displayed in the most odious view to their neighbours, their children,
and their dependants; and that all those from whom nature or interest
teaches them to desire friendship, reverence, or esteem, will be
taught to consider them as the slaves of power and the agents of
villany, as the propagators of debauchery, and the enemies of mankind?

There is, therefore, my lords, reason to hope that the bill may be
useful, because it will be hindered from being detrimental; and as
there is an absolute necessity of doing something, and no better
method can at present be proposed, I think this ought not to be
rejected. We have found by experience that the publick is not to be
reformed at once, and that the progress from corruption to reformation
must be gradual; and as this bill enforces some degrees of amendment,
it is at least more eligible than the present law, which is wholly
without effect, because no man will dare to put it in execution.

Every man must be convinced, by his own experience, of the difficulty
with-which long habits are surmounted. I myself suffer some indulgence
which yet I cannot prevail upon myself to forbear; this indulgence is
the use of too much snuff, to which it is well known that many persons
of rank are not less addicted; and, therefore, I do not wonder that
the law is ineffectual, which is to encounter with the habits and
appetites of the whole mass of the common people.

For this reason, my lords, I cannot approve what has been recommended
in this debate, any new law that may put the enjoyment of this liquor
yet farther from them, by facilitating prosecutions, or enforcing
penalties, as I am convinced that the natural force of the people is
superiour to the law, and that their natural force will be exerted for
the defence of their darling spirits, and the whole nation be shaken
with universal sedition.

It has been object