(73) THE FIRST DISCOURSE. N O inclination is fo honourable, nor has any thing been so much esteemed in all nations, and ages, as the love of that country and fociety in which every man is born. And those who have placed their greatest satisfaction in doing good, have accounted themselves happy, or unfortunate, according to the fuccefs of their endeavours to ferve the intereft of their country. For nothing can be more powerful in the minds of men, than a natural inclination and duty concurring in the fame difpofition. NATURE in moft men prevails over reafon; reafon in fome prevails over nature: but when these two are joined, and a violent natural inclination finds itself owned owned by reafon, required by duty, encouraged by the highest praises, and excited by the most illuftrious examples, fure that force must be irrefiftible. Con ftrained by fo great a force, and the circumstances of my affairs not allowing me to be otherwise ferviceable to my country, I have in the following discourse given my opinion concerning divers matters of importance, which probably may be debated in the approaching feffion of parliament. I fhall be very well fatisfied, if any thing I fay do afford a hint that ray be improved by men of better judgment to the publick good. I hope I fhall not be blamed, for giving my opinion in matters of publick concernment; fince 'tis the right and duty of every man to write or fpeak his mind freely in all things that may come before any parliament; to the end that they who represent the nation in that affembly, may be truly informed of the fentiments of those they represent. Befides, we are now no more under thofe tyrannical reigns in which it was a crime to |