Though an avowed freethinker, he had sate up all night at sea to compose sermons, and had with great difficulty been prevented from edifying the crew of a man of war with his pious oratory.

[31] He now addressed the House of Peers, for the first time, with characteristic eloquence, sprightliness, and audacity.

He blamed the Commons for not having taken a bolder line.
"They have been afraid," he said, "to speak out.

They have talked of apprehensions and jealousies.

What have apprehension and jealousy to do here?
Apprehension and jealousy are the feelings with which we regard future and uncertain evils.