COMMENTARIES, 30 NOVEMBER 1787

insurrections, without grievously oppressing the people, and greatly en-
dangering public liberty?
4th. Whether the federal judiciary, will not supplant the courts of
the several states-render the obtaining justice extremely burdensome
and oppressive, and sacrifice the poor to the avarice and oppression of
the rich?
5th. Whether the government will not be intolerably expensive, by
increasing the number of officers to be supported by the people-and
whether it will not lead to the establishment of a court in America,
similar to the venal courts of Europe, where will exist ambition with
idleness-baseness with pride-the thirst of riches without labour-aversion to
truth-flattery -treason-perfidy -violation   of engagements- contempt of
civil duties-hope from the magistrates weakness; but above all, the perpetual
ridicule of virtue, and the sacred doctrines and precepts of religion.
Finally, Whether in all its parts it has not a manifest tendency to
confer the heighth of power and happiness, on the few, and to reduce
the many to weakness and misery?
To enable you to give just answers to these queries, and a number
of others that might be suggested-examine cooly and dispassionately
the system itself-keep your minds open to conviction-read the sev-
eral publications for and against it, and judge for yourselves.
Truth will stand the test of free enquiry; but error shuns fair inves-
tigation. That you may be directed, by the father of light, to act in this
important matter, as becomes free and virtuous men, is the prayer of
A BAPTIST.
New-York, November 26, 1787.
1. John 18:36. Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world."
2. Ephesians 5:23. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head
of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."
3. Matthew 5:14.
4. Matthew 5:16.
5. Romans 12:10-11. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the
Lord."
6. Philippians 2:15.
7. 1 Peter 2:13.
8. Quoted from the Association's circular letter.
9. Hebrews 10:24.
10. The text in angle brackets appeared in the Association's circular letter before the
part quoted above at note 8.
11. 1 Corinthians 11:2.
12. 2 Timothy 1:13.
13. 2 Corinthians 11:3.

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