Christopher Wyvill, Burton Hall, to Samuel Shore (Dissenter), Leeds, 21 December 1789 [copy is not in Wood’s hand].

My Dear Sir,

        I have long been fully convinced that no person ought to be placed by the laws in a worse condition than his Fellow Citizens, mearly on account of his religious opinions. Every Test, thus calculated for the purpose of disqualification appears to me manifestly unjust and oppressive; but the peculiar Test, contrived for the safety of the Church of England in the regime of Charles 2d is not only unjust and oppressive; it is also laded with this additional Guilt that it is a profanation of a sacred ceremony of Religion appointed by Christ himself.

        Strongly impressed with these sentiments I have seen with much concern the repeated rejection of the Dissenter’s Petition to Parliament, for the Repeal of that Test.  But I trust that their next application in the ensuing Session of Parliament will be attended with that success which perseverance in a good cause often obtains after repeated defeats and against a most formidable opposition.  I am the more inclined to indulge myself in this pleasing expectation because Parliament has now drawn near to a dissolution; which is the season when the wishes of any considerable part of the People are likely to be heard with the greatest attention.  It is probable too that the dissenters instructed by former miscarriages will renew the attempt with strength more completely collected in a body better compacted and led on by Conductors better informed how to point its efforts to the greatest advantage.

        I know not whether it has been duly considered by your Committee in Yorkshire and London what new assistance to your cause might be obtained from those members of the established Church, who disapprove the Test.  But if this question has not already received their attentive consideration, it seems well to desire it.  For I believe it would be found upon enquiry that many persons who communicate with the Church of England are yet zealous advocates of the right of private Judgment and the liberty of Conscience.  It must be the wish of such men that their Dissenting Brethren may be restored to that equality of Civil Priviledges which has been unjustly taken from them; and that the National Church may cease to deserve the reproach of employing means of support which are inconsistent with the Principles of Religious Liberty; men of such sentiments must be ready when a proper opportunity shall be presented to them to join their testimony to yours against the oppressive Laws complained of; and if they are as numerous as I suppose them to be, there is perhaps no sufficient reason why their concurrence should not be called forth.

        It may indeed be suggested, that their appearance in your behalf might alarm the bishops, and provoke from them a more violent opposition; that among some of the parochial Clergy, this measure might excite a zeal for Counter Petitions; which hitherto the Bishops have not ventured to recommend, or have not been able to obtain, and consequently that the Dissenters are likely to lose more than they can gain, from the interposition of those members of the Established Church who are friendly to the Cause of Toleration. – To this objection it may be replyed with much probability that perhaps a great majority of the Parochial Clergy would not Counter Petition; that the Bishops, perhaps, are too wary Politicians to quit their accustomed Arts of dignified reserve and silent oppositions; or should they and their followers state to Parliament their objections to the proposed repeal, perhaps the more ample discussion of the question, though it might retard your success would ultimately render it more complete. How far the objection compared with these suppositions must be allowed to have weight, and to deter the Committees from inviting the aid of their well-wishers in the Established Church, the Committees themselves must determine. – I have only to add that if the Committee with whom you met in Yorkshire should resolve to call for the assistance of All whether in the Established Church or out of it, who are friendly to the proposed Repeal, I mean to attend their Meeting; or if prevented by illness or any other unavoidable impediment I shall subscribe any Petition, unexceptionably worded which they may agree to present to Parliament, for the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts.  I remain &c. 

                                                                                                                        C. Wyvill

Text: Test Acts Papers, no. 47, Unitarian Collection, UCC 3/6/6, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.