§ Mr. William Smith presented a Petition from several Protestant Dissenting ministers in and about the cities of London and Westminster, setting forth,
§ "That the petitioners, conceiving the right of worshipping God according to the dictates of their own consciences to be derived from the Author of their being, and confirmed by the Founder of their Christian faith, and, therefore, not to be subject to the controul of human authority, cannot but regard with deep concern those statutes which restrain and limit the exercise of this right, and impose conditions and penalties, that seem to them as unjust in their principle as they are injurious to the vital interests of true religion; and that they consider those statutes as originally designed to guard against evils which no longer exist, and as expressive of sentiments, with regard to the nature and extent of religious liberty, which no longer prevail, at a period when the subjects of the British empire, however they may differ with regard to the principles of their religion, and their mode of professing it, concur in a cordial attachment to the family on the throne; and, when enlightened views of religious liberty, and a corresponding liberality of spirit, have been diffused among religious professors of all denominations; and that the petitioners, expressing their lively gratitude for the 728 concessions made to their religious rights in the course of the present reign, earnestly but respectfully pray, that every remaining penal statute which extends its operations to the province of religion, may be repealed; and that, whilst they conduct themselves as loyal, obedient, and peaceable subjects to the state, they, in common with all their fellow citizens, may be put in possession of complete religious freedom, and allowed to worship their Maker, and maintain their Christian profession, according to their own views, and their incumbent duty, without being subjected to any penalties or disabilities in consequence of their dissent from the Established Church; and that the petitioners, confiding in the wisdom and justice of the House, pray that their case may be taken into consideration, and the relief granted to them which they supplicate."
§ Ordered to lie upon the table.