HANDBOUND
AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF
THE
/Sg/i
Mifcellaneous WORKS
O F
Mr. JOHN TOLAND,
Now firft publiflied from his
ORJGIKAL MANUSCRIPTS,
CONTAINING,
J. An Hiftory of the Britijh
Druids, with a Critical Ef-
fay on the ancient Celtic
Cuftoms, Literature, &c. To
\vhich is added, an Account
of fome curious Britijb An-
tiquities.
II. An Account of Jcrdano
J?r»»o,and his celebrated Book
on the Innumerable Worlds.
III. A Difquifition concerning
thcfe Writings, which by
the Ancients were truly or
falfely afcribed to Jefus
Chrift and his Apoftles.
IV. The Secret Hiftory of the
South-Sea Scheme.
V. A Plan for a NationalEank.
VI. An EfTay on the Romato
Education.
VII. The tragical Death of
Attilius Regulus, proved to
be a Ficlion.
VIII. Seleft Epiftles from Pliny,
tranflated into Englijk.
IX. A diverting Defcription of
Epfom, and its Amufements.
X. Four Memorials to the Earl
of &&— -ft — ry, relating to Af-
fairs of State in 1713, 1714.
XI. Phyfick without Phyficians.
XII. Letters on various Subjecls.
XIII. Cicero illuftratus.
XIV. Conjefiura de prima Ty-
pographic Origins.
To the whole is prefixed,
A Copious ACCOVNT of Mr.
Life and Writings.
By Mr. DES MAIZEAU&
VOL. II.
LONDON:
^
Printed for J. WHISTON, in Fleet-Street ; S. BAKBR, in Ru/el-
Court near Cogent-Garden j and J. ROBINSON, in Ludgatt-
Street. 1747.
^ ,., j .,
-x&Uv
THE
CONTENTS
OF THE
SECOND VOLUME.
Letter concerning the Roman Edu-
cation. Pag. i
Directions for breeding of Children
by their Mothers and Nurfes, in two Let-
ters written above two thoufand years ago.
12
The fabulous Death of ATILIUS REGULUS :
or a Differtation proving the received Hifto-
ftory of the tragical Death of that Roman
Conful, to be a fable. 2 8
Some Letters of PLINY, tranflatcd into Eng*
lifli. 48
A new Defcription of Epfom. 9.1
The primitive Conftitution of the Chriftian
Church : with an Account of the principal
Controversies about Church-Government,
which at prefent divide the Chriftian World.
I2Q
5& Project of a Journal, intended to be pub-
lifh'd weekly. 201
THE CONTENTS.
A Memorial for the mod honourable the Earl
of * * *, containing a Scheme of Coalition.
215
Another Memorial for the moft honourable
the Earl of * * *. 220
A Memorial prefented to a Minifter of State,
foon after his Majefty King GEORGE'S Ac-
ceflion to the Qown. 239
! f . V.I, r-J.. * ,/ t-x s.A *•-'
A Memorial concerning the State of Affairs in
England, in the latter part of the year 1714.
25$
Phyfick without Phyftcians, 273
Letters. 292
AN APPENDIX,
Containing fome ^Pieces found among
Mr.ToLAND's Tapers. Pag. i
Of the Immateriality of the Soul, and its di-
ftinftion from the Body : by Mr. BENJ.
BAYLY, M, A, R,e£tor of St, Jameses in
Briftol. 3
Critical Remarks upon Mr. TOLAND'S Book,
entitled, Na&arenus &c. concerning the
Opinions of the Cerinthians, Carpocratians,
Ebionites, and Nazarens. 29
G. G. LEIBNITII Annotatiuncufa fubitanea
ad Librum de Chriftianifmo Myfteriis ea-
rente. tfp
A
LETTER
CONCERNING THE
ROMAN EDUCATION.
H E N I laft had the happinefs, Sir,
to be in your company, you may
remember that we tpent moft of
the afternoon about antient and
modern Learning, which ftill con-
tinues to be a very fafhionable fubjeft ( i) both
in Books and Converfation. Yet, with all
juft regard to the famous advocates of cither
fide, the Queftion, in my opinion, ought
not fo much to have been, who fucceeded befl
in the federal faculties, (tho I wou'd not
have this excluded) as which kind of Learn-
ing ex cells, and is of great eft life to mankind
that of the oldGreecs and the Romans, or that
of the late Schoolmen and the frefent time ?
Not that I wou'd make an odious comparifon
VOL. II;
(0 In 1703.
A
between
2 THE ROMAN
between us and the Schoolmen, over whom
\ve have got many confiderable advantages :
but, Fm furc,the further we ftill proceed to quit
their language, and matter, and method, the
nearer we muft needs approach to thofe of the
Greeks and the Romans. Nor can I imagin
that any men will fo far oppofe matter of
fad, or expofe their own judgment* as to
deny that all the perfections of the Moderns
beyond the Schoolmen have been revealed to
them by the Ghofts of the Antients, that
is, by following their rules, reading their
works, imitating their method, and copying
their ftile, which laft holds as true in prole as
in verfe.
THIS ought not at all to be [wonder'd
at, as if the Antients had been a different
race or fpecies of men from us, or that Greece
and Italy did formerly breath out more im-
proving exhalations than at prefent, as fome
of the Heathens fancy'd their Oracles were
given rather in one place than another by an
infpiring vapor out of that particular fpot.
You may be certain, Sir, that I am difturb'd
with no fuch fancy : the Antients and we
are equal in our race and make, in the ftruc-
ture of our brains and our natural capacities :
'tis government and education that makes
all the difference,; liberty of fpeech, and
the rewarding of merit. The rules of reafon
and good ienfe are eternal, the fame in all
ages and countries, and wherever equally cul-
tivated
EDUCATION. |
fcivated they mod certainly produce the like
effeft. But where men are reftrain'd in their
genius, debarr'd all freedom from fuch and
fuch fubjetts, or branded and incapacitated
for being of this or that opinion 5 there 'tis
impoffible there fhould be any impartial learch
aftpr truth, or any real improvement of the
underftanding, any ufeful or new difcoveries }
and confequently fuch times and places muft
come infinitely fhort of others that had an.
unlimited liberty, and all due encourage-
ment. Can it be expefted, for example, that
the like extent of knowlege, the like mu-
tual exercife of wits, or the like increafe of
difcoveries fhould obtain in thofc countries
where one fort of Philolbphers alone are
allow'd, and even thofe obliged to fpeak the
language of their Priefts, as in other countries
where all Philofophies were publicly taught*
and where all Religions were equally tolerated,
and no opinion of any kind difcountenan-
ced, nor any men branded, but thofe who
fubverted the Government, or deprav'd men's
Morals ? and therefore it's no wonder why
new Rome fhould come fo fhort of the old*
or why the prefent Greeks fhould be Barba-
rians, whereas their anceftors held all the
world to be fuch except themfelves. The
difference is rfbw as plain between England and
Spain 5 which fhows that time is not concerned,
and that liberty civil and religious is the caufe
of our knowlege, as their tyranny and inquifi-
tion is that of thek ignorance,
A a As
4 THE ROMAN
As for the feveral forts of learning, fome be-
ing common to the Antients and the Moderns,
and fome being peculiar to the one and to the
other, I'll fay nothing to you at prefent on
fo copious an argument. But / was always
peffuaded, that, as to the ferfons who made
a profejfion of learning? and as to the manner
of teaching it to others, the Antients made a
much better choice than the Moderns, and
ought inconteftably to have the f reference.
Their learned men were not the meaneft of
the people bred to letters, of rather to vari-
ous cants for a livelyhood $ uncommon words
and terms being as far from arts and know-
lege as pedantry is from learning, or affeftation
and foppery from civility and good manners :
but all the dignities and degrees of the facred
Priefthood itfelf, as well as the great pofts in
the Laxfr, and all the offices in the State, were
poffcft by men of diftinguifht birth and for-
tune, and whofc education was every way futa^
ble. Among the Moderns, on the contrary,
the noble and the rich quit the ufe of Letters
as well as of arms to the meaner fort, think-
ing their knowlege fhould be carry'd about
by their fervants like their cloaths, tho* with
this difference, that they will not ufe the
one as they wear the other 5 whereby they
render themfelvcs obnoxious to be blindly led
by their inferiors in opinions, as they fhame-
fuily put their poffeffions in their power
whenever they are tempted to become the
matters. This in our time has made the Arts
of
EDUCATION. 5
of peace and war hateful and contemtible,
wheras being formerly plac'd in better hand?
and far nobler purpofes, they were neither
mercenary nor oppreffive, but exceeding tu>
norable and beneficial. They were not in
the firft place cloifter'd up from fociety ; nor
under the whips and fines, the fcanty dyet and
barren leftures of fpeculativemen, accuftomed
to a retir'd and fedentary way of living : for
fuch perfons are commonly ftrangers to the
world, which (with the want of pra&ifing
mankind by the advantage of travelling) makes
'em imperious and auftere, vehemently ad-
di&ed to difpute, impatient of contradi&ion,
noify and paffionate in converfation, and,
what's word of all, more concerned to pre-
poffefs the underftandings of their Schollars
with thofe particular doftrines which make for
the profit and credit of their own profeffion,
than to fit them for bufinefs, to give 'em
gentile accomplishments, and to advance 'cm
in the liberal Arts and Sciences. But the Ro-
man youth, after they came out of their nurfes
and pedagogue's hands, were plac'd under the
infpeftion of Companions rather than Maf-
ters, men of univerfal learning, generous
breeding, well vers'd in public proceedings
and in the common affairs of life, their ex-
amples being as inftru&ive at leaft as their
precepts. Forein languages they taught their
difciples by converfation, and to be Critics in
thofe as well as in their own by Grammar.
You muft not fancy, Sir, that thefe were like
A 3 the
6 THE ROM AN
the prefent Governors (as they call "em) who
in &rcat men's houtes are but the next fort
of ierving men after the Chaplain, and when
they, travel abroad are only the Stewards of
their young Mailer's cafli, and confequently
fuch flovenly pedants as to afford perpetual
matter of laughter to their dhciples, being
neither capable to introduce thefc nor them-
felves to the audience of Princes, to the divcrfi-
on of Courts, or into any creditable company*
BUT among the Romans, before the
ruin of the Commonwealth, they invited
Philofophers from Greece by ample rewards,
or prevail'd on able perfons at home to un-
dertake this province 5 befides very reputable
conditions, they treated 'cm always with the
jrefpeft that became men of learning and
knowlege, whpfe behaviour and politenefs
their children were as carefully to imitate as,
to obey their directions in all parts of their
conduft. They did not fill their heads with
narrow, pedantic, and ufelefs notions, nor
did they captivate their tender minds to blin4
authority, or implicitly fwear 'em to parti-
cular opinions 5 much lefs did they torment
their memories with any wretched, unintel-
ligible jargon : but cultivating their rcafon,
and leaving their judgments free, they taught
them to difcourfe handfomly in private, to
fpeak eloquently in public, to write perfpi-
cuoufly, elegantly, and corredly 5 but, a-
bove all things, to underftand the Cuftoms,,
I^ws, and Religion of their Country. The
EDUCATION. f
knowlege of Mankind (a mighty art) they
communicated to 'em by comparing antient
Hiftory with the daily obfervations they made
on ftrangers, their own acquaintance, and
fellow-citizens. By reading the cuftoms and
conftitutioni> of other places, they fhow'd
'cm what in their own was blameable or
praifeworthy, what requir'd to be amend-
ed, added, or abolifht. They ir^fplr'd them
with an ardent paflion for Liberty, a true love
and refped for ftrift Laws, with an equal
abhorrence of Tyranny and Anarchy : per-
fuading 'em to prefer death to flavery, and
readily to expofe their lives and eftates in de-
fence (not of any form indifferently) but of
a Government which protected their perfons,
preferv'd their property, encouraged induftry,
rewarded merit, and left their fentiments
free. Such a government it was that they
call'd their Country, and for this they thought
it moft honourable to dy, whether it were fixe
in temperate climates and happy fields, or a-
mong barren rocks and fands, under the cold-
eft or moft foggy air. For wherever they en-
joy 'd liberty, there they thought themielves
at home ; and indeed a fondnefs for any
fpot of earth from the mere confideration of
being born there, is not only a falfe notion
of our Country, but, in my opinion, as childifli
3 prejudice as that of fome old Men,who order
their dead bodies to be carry'd many hundreds
of miles to be laid with their deceaft Progeni-
tors, their Wives, or other Relations,
A THS
8 THE ROMAN
THE Roman youth were taught manly
and martial cxerciies. By public games and
prizes, as horfe-raceing, courfeing in chari-
ots, wreftling, running, fencing, and the
like, they were inur'd to bear fatigues,
and bred to all heroic Virtues, which are
very confident with the eafy, affable, and
obliging carriage which they learnt at the
fame time, and from the fame men. This
made the Commanders in thofe days as fa-
mous for their learning as their valor, the
fame pcrfons governing and obeying by
turns, without any difference between the
Soldier and the States-man, the Orator or the
General. To this is owing not only their
furprizing aftions, noble refolutions, and
powerful harangues 5 but in particular theitr
admirable flratagems of warr (proceeding
from a perfeft koowlcge of human nature,
acquired byHiftory and Philofophy'- and whicH
can never be pradtis'd by fuch as had no other
education befidcs handling a mufquet or trail-
ing a pike, treading perpetually in the com-
mon road of their appointed excrcife, and
who are only preferred to their pofts with
refped to their feniority, juft like the Fellows
of a College. The favour of aSoverain can
make any man a General, but not endow him
with the leaft tinfture of thefe arts ; nor are
they to be learnt in all the breeding of a
Courtier. Soft foothing fpeeches will never
pafs for orations, no more than cunning little
tricks for flratagems > and the managing of a
ball
E D U C A T I O N. 9
ball is as different from the marflialling of an.
army, as dancing is from fighting.
'
FROM want of confidering the mixt capacity
of the great men among the Romans, or rather
for not underftanding their manner of Edu-
cation, which equally fitted them for the
Forum and the Camp ; even moft of the learn-
ed of our time look on the Orations they read
in their hiftorians as never fpokeri, which is
a great and unpardonable miitake. A militia
of free citizens is no lefs a commonwealth
or politic body than the Senat and Aflemblics
they have left at home, and in which the
next year they'll take their places, when others
have their turn of going into the field. In
the Roman armies they voted on many occa-
fionsby their centuries in the camp, as well as
about civil affairs in the city ; and therefore
the ufe of reafon and perfuafion was as ne-
ccflary in the one place as the other 5 not that
I affirm thefe Speeches were conftantly de-
liver'd in the very words of the hiftorians
(which yet they often were) but only to that
purpofe : for it wou'd be too voluminous to
infert them always at length, when the fenfe
of them can be abridg'd into a narmw com-
pafs, which we fee done by the beft writers
of our time in harangues, decrees, proclama-
tions, and other public pieces which we very
well know to be genuine. And, that I may
fay no more on this fubjeft, the Hjftorians,
who, after this example, had ftufft their works
with
So THE ROMAN
with falfc Harangues, did not efcapc the ccn-
fureof the Antients, and the like authors lit-
tle confider what they do among the Moderns :
but in compofing a Romance fuch a prafticc is
of a piece with the reft, and certainly allowa-
ble, being then an imitation of nature in a
free country, and not in danger of impofing
in any country on the readers.
THE Education of the Romans is likewifc
the reafon why their youth entered fo early
on adion, converfing with men from their
cradles, and not boys with boys , as among
us, till we arrive at manhood, when at length
we begin to think of learning the duties of
fociety j but old age does generally overtake
us before we can half conn our leifon. The
fons of the Nobility or Patricians were ad-
mitted after a certain age to hear the debates
of the Senat, as the beft and only School,
where they cou'd learn how far extended the
liberty of the people, and what were the true
bounds to the power of the Magiftrate , how
to imitate betimes the bcft matters in the art of
perfuafion, to obferve the orders, rules, and
methods of proceeding $ and to know what
behaviour was becoming towards their fub-
jefts, enemies, auxiliaries, and allies, as well
as to form a right notion of all the feveral
interefts and parties in the Commonwealth,
The fons of the inferior Gentry and Com-
mons, thofe of the Equeftrian and Plebeian
, modeftly flood for the &IHQ ends by
the
£> EDUCATION. Ir
the door ; and, fuch was the power of their
virtuous Education and Difcipline, that you
fcarce ever meet with any inftances of theij;
blabbing again in company what was pro-
pos'd. or refolv'd in thofe auguft Affemblies,
but on the contrary, very many commenda-
tions of their filence and discretion, tho,
were any of 'em bafely inciin'd, they might
flatter themfelves with no dilcovery from the
multitude of their companions.
I cannot fpeak here, Sir, as I wou'd, of
the Patrons which the Roman youth propos'd
for their imitation amongft the moft noted
men of the Republic, obferving all their
words and aftions, accompanying 'em to the
Forum and the Senat, takeing notes from
their public fpeeches or pleadings, attend-
irjg 'em home to their houfes, and paying
to -em the fame reverence and gratitude as
to their own parents. After the fame man-
ner they put themfelves Voluntiers under the
braveft Generals, to learn the art of war,
not avoiding, but rather chufing the mod
dangerous expeditions, and they were aftual-
ly oblig'd to make a certain number of cam-
paigns, before they were capable of any
Office whatfoever in the Government 5 but
all thefe particulars require a larger confide-
jration than is confident with the bounds of
jhis Letter,
/ awy Sir, &c.
- '«'.*V *<-*t. ft • *?*• f
iz THE BREEDING
DIRECTIONS
For breeding of Children ty their Mothers
and Nurfesy in two LETTERS^
written alow two thoufand years ago.
Introduction to the Letters.
N my Letter concerning the Ro-
man Education I faid nothing re-
lating to Mothers or Nurfes, as
not falling naturally within my
province. I remember Mr. LOCKE has been
cenfur'd more than once by fome of our
Pedants for takeing the Women's bufmefs
(forfooth) out of their hands, and for being
too converfant in the nurfery. But the im-
potent declamations of thofe odd creatures
ihou'd never have deterr'd me, if that true
Jover of mankind had not exhaufted the
fubjeft in his moft ufeful Treatife of Edu-
cation : befides that this part is not fo arbi-
trary and fubjeft to variation, as what may
be reckoned the genteel or fafhionable Learn-
ing of different Countries 5 the right me-
thods of breeding Children by their Mothers
or Nurfes being the fame (however various
the practice) in all times and places. Yet,
to
OF CHILDREN: n
to gratify for once thefe fqueamifli Hyper-
Critics, as well as to exhibit in a fmall com-
pafs what is delivered by Mr. LOCKE in too
many words (the grand fault of his book) I
fhall give 'em this very part of Education
from the hands they think mod proper $
fince the following Letters were written by
two Ladies, of whom I think it fitting here
to give iomc fhort account.
T H E A N o was the dearly beloved wife of
PYTHAGORAS, who, tho' not the firft wife man,
yet the firft man that ever bore the title of a
Philofopher. She was as learned as fair : and,
after her husband's death, manag'd the Py-
thagoric School, with her fons TELAUGES
and MNESARCHUS. Tis no wonder there-
fore that this Sed fhou'd be fo illuftrious from
its very foundation for female Difciples,
which were fo numerous, that PHILOCHORUS
of Athens fill'd a whole volum with 'cm :
but neverthelefs it rais'd the wonder of Mr.
MENAGE, that of all fefts Women fhou'd
be fond of the Pythagoric fed, which re-
commended and enjoy'd filence fo much.
This piece of raillery is as infipid, as it is vul-
gar. THEANO, as I faid, was the firft and
moft celebrated among the Pythagorean La-
dies. She was afterwards call'd the Daugh-
ter of the Pythagorean Philofophy, which
made fonae other miftake her for the daugh-
ter of PYTHAGORAS himfelf. We have a re-
markable inftance, how far Philofophy had
cur'd
14 THE BREEDING
cur'd her of the Superftition and vulgar errors
of her country, where, among other fuch
filly obfervations, people believ'd themfelves
polluted by touching dead bodies, and that
even ma;i and wife muft perform certain
rites of purification alter conjugal careifes.
Now THEANO being askt by fome body,
within what fpace of time a woman might
be counted pure, after the embraces of a
man ? She anfwcr'd, After her own hus-
band immediately , after another man, netiet*
This THEANO then wrote the fccond of the
following Letters, and I need lay little more
of MUIA (who wrote the firft, the fubjeft
requiring this order) but that fhc was the
worthy offspring of THEANO and PYTHAGO-
RAS. It was queftionleis an effeft of her
education, no lefs than of her natural difpo-
fition, that, while a maid, fhe appear'd in all
public aflemblies at the head of the young
Ladies 5 and that, when a wife, fhe continu'd
at the head of the marry'd Women. She was
fo much admir'd for her prudent manage-
ment, that her townfmen, the Crotonians,
converted her houfe into a temple of CERES ;
and was fo remarkable for her elegant learn-
ing, that the avenue to this houfe was ftil'd
the MUSEUM: a glorious example for Ladies
to imitate in both refpe&s. To be fhort>
thcfe Letters are choice monuments of an-
tiquity, and perfed in their kind, both with
refpeft to the epiftolary ftile, and likewife as
to accuracy of thought.
i LETTER
OF CHILDREN.
*>{fl .T ';
LETTER I.
CONTAINING
Vtn&ions for the Choice and Conduft of
a Nurfe.
M U I A 7b PHYLLIS
Health.
O W you are become a Mother o£
Children, I give you the follow-
ing advices.
CHUSE a Nurfe every way fit for the purpofe,
but particularly a neat and modcft Woman,one
that is not addided to Wine or too muc^ Sleep :
for fuch a Woman is agreed by every body,
to be the beft qualified for bringing up Chil-
dren without any fervil examples $ provided
always that her Milk be kindly, and that
{he wholly refrain from her Husband for the
time. For great ftrefs is to be laid on thefe
matters > fince the choice of a Nurfe, and
her manner of tending us, is of moft evident
and effential concern in the courfe of our
whole lives. A good Nurfe will do evety
*hin§ that fhe ought in its due feafon, not
giving
16 THE BREEDING
giving the breaft, pap, or any other nou*
rifliment to the Child at random, and as
often as he craves 5 but with a peculiar dif-
cretion, for this highly conduces to the in-
fant's health : and if fhe will not fuffer him
to deep whenfoever he pleafes, but when fhe
judges him. to want his natural reft, this like*
wife will not a little confirm his health.
Let not the Nurfe be a paffionate Woman,
nor a ftammerer in her fpeech; neither 1 et-
her be indifferent when or what fhe eats, but
be difcreet and lober in her meals. Let her
further, if you can poffibly compafs it, be a
( i ) Greec and not a Batbarian. The beft
time to lay the Child to fleep, is, after he
has fufficiently fill'd himfelf with Milk : for
reft is not only moft grateful to Children,
but the digeftion of fuch food is alfo moft
eafy. ?:•
IF any thing elfe befides Milk muft be given
him, let it beofthefimpleft fort. But Wine
ought to be wholly deny'd him, as being
naturally too ftrong and hot : or if he muft
have any, let it be very rarely, and fuch as
( i ) This caution, as that about ftammering a little before, is
given to prevent Children (who are continually jmirating every
thing they fee or hear) not only from acquiring any 'vicious
habit in their manners, but even in their fptech : A* CICERO Ji^e*
wife fays, that /'/ is a mutter of great concern who they be - «
ar.y one hears every day at home, or with -whom he mul coititr, *
a child j harm our Fathers, how our M»fars> and how our wry MtlheM
exfrefs tkemfclves. In Bruno.
••JC& S
;j>OF CHILDREN. f?
comes neaireft the confidence of Milk that
may be. His body muft not be too often
waflit : for the lefs frequent, and the more
carefully prepar'd his baths are, the better. If
he be fent abroad to nurfe, let it be in a
temperate air, neither too hot nor too cold ;
as the fituation of the houfe muft not be too
bleak, nor too clofe. Let not the water us'd
about him be over-hard or over-foft $ as his
very fwadling- bands, and what other cloaths
he wears, muft be of a middle fort between
coarfc and fine, yet ever juftly fitted to his
body : for nature does in all thefe things re-
quire a certain Simplicity [and economy, but
no |nicenefs or magnificence.
I have thought it not unufefui to write
thefe things to you at prefent, in hopes of
a happy narfery, performed as before pre-
fcrib'd : but, God aflifting, we fhall likewife
in due time give fuch proper directions as we
can for the Education of the Child.
B LETTER
is THE BREEDING
LETTER II.
CONT AIN ING
Directions for a Mother how to manage
her Children.
THE A NO To EUBULA
Health.
am inform'd that you bring up
your Children after a very nice
and fond kind of manner. Now,
it is the duty of a good Mother,
not to cocker up her Children in Pleafure,
but to accuftom them to Modefty and Pru-
dence. Take heed therefore, that you play
not the part rather of one that flatters, than
of one that loves them 5 forPleafure being
made, as it were, the fofter- brother of Chil-
dren, fuch a companion renders them intem-
perate and incorrigible. And what is it, pray,
that can be afterwards more agreeable to
Children, than the Pleafures to which they
are us'd from the beginning > Wherefore care
muft be taken, my friend, that the Education
of Children become not their Perverfion : for
'tis a perverfion of nature when their minds
are abandoned to Pleafure, and thek bodies
to
OFCHILDREN. 19
to Voluptuoufnefs ; thus avoiding labour in
the laft, and growing fpiritlefs in the firft.
But Children ought to be timely inur'd to
pains-taking and hardships, that, when af-
terwards they muft in good earned fuffer
pains or undergo fatigues, they may not turn
the (laves of their paffions (over-rating Plea-
fure, and dreading Labour) but that, fcorning
fuch poor prejudices, they may prefer Honour
and Virtue to all things whatsoever, and con*
tinue ftedfaft in the purfuit of the fame. By
confequence then, their Feeding is not to be
too fumtuous or plentiful, nor their Pleafures
too many or exquifite, nor their Paftimes too
frequent or long : neither may they fpeak
whatever comes uppermoft, nor always be
themfelves the chufers of what they fhall do.
I am further inform'd that you are terribly
frightn'd when your Child cries, and that you
are at much pains to coax him again into
{miles 5 tho' he fhou'd even beat his Nurfe,
or tell your felf that you laugh impertinent-
ly : nay, that you make provifion of cooling
things for him in fummer, and of warming
implements in winter, with many other deli-
cacies which poor folk's Children never expe-
rience, but are brought up at a much eafier
and cheaper rate > nor are they for all that
of a flower growth, and for the moft part
they enjoy a much better health. But you,
on the contrary, educate your Children as if
they were the pofterity of SARDANAPALUS,
B z ener-
20 THE BREEDING
enervating the natural vigor of Men by effemi-
nate Pleafures. What think you will become
of that Child, who, if he may not eat when,
he lifts, ftrait falls a crying 5 or, if he may
eat, muft have fweet and relifhing things?
who faints away, if the weather be hot; and
fhivers all over, if it be cold? who, if any
body chides him, will contend again ? who,
if not ferv'd at command, grows melancholy ?
and falls into a morofe humour, if delay'd
his meals ? who fhamefully indulges himfelf
in lazinefs, and whofe behaviour is infa-
nioufly foft and indolent ? Know then for cer-
tain, my friend, that fuch as begin their lives
in fuch diffiolute floath, feldom fail of be-
coming other men's fervants in riper age.
Do your endeavour therefore to pluck up
thofe Pleafures in your Children by the roots,
pra&ife upon them the hardy and not the
delicate method of Breeding, let them learn
to bear hunger and thirft, with heat and cold,
and to behave themfelves civilly, not only to
their fuperiors, but alfo to their equals : fince
thus they will acquire a certain ingenuous and
manly carriage, both when they are ferioufly
employ 'd in affairs, and when they relax their
minds by neceffary diverfions. For believe
me, friend, labours to Children are in the
nature of preparatories towards the attaining
of perfeft Virtue, and which having fuffici-
cntly imbib'd, they afterwards receive the
tinfture of Virtue itfelf with much greater
facility. Take care then, my friend, that,
2 as
OF CHILDREN. 21
as ill-cultivated vines bear none or bad fruit,
fo the tender rearing of your Children may
not produce the mifchief of much vanity and
difgrace.
CONCLUSION.
j.r,, ,,, .-; :• •. •(» V:. ; -••i fctjij8$ir:m-*
CERTAIN Critics may think both thefe Let-
ters fpurious, if they will; as they pronounce
all the Grecanic Epiftles to be fuch without
diftinftion : but in the mean time I defy 'em
to prove thefe Letters to be fo in particular, or
(which is our main point at prefent) to write
a couple of better or as good Letters upon
the fame fubje&s themfelves. The inftrufti-
ons are never the worfe, come they from
THEANO and MUIA, or from any Sophift
or Grammarian that perfonated thofe excel-
lent Ladies. But indeed the four Letters arc
evidently fpurious, which LEO Ai/LATiushas
publifh'd under the name of our THEANO, in
his Notes on the Life of PYTHAGORAS. Be-
fldes their being written in the Attic, whereas
thefe are in the Doric dialed (generally affed-
ed by the Pythagoreans) PLATO'S mention'd
in the laft of 'em, and his dialogue with PAR-
MENIDES, contrary to all Chronology. There
were other Women, and fome not unlearn-
ed, caird by the name of THEANO ; fo that
there may be no miftake in the name, tho* a
Very grofs one in the perfon.
I muft not forget to remark, that, accor-
ding to the noble fimplicity reigning in the
B i moft
22 THE BEHAVIOUR
moft ancient writings, the fecond perfon is
aiv/ays exprefs'd in our two Letters by thou,
and thee : and fo I fhou'd have tranflated3
v/ere it not that Cuftom (the only difpofer of
Languages) has made you to fignifie in Englifh
the fecond perfon no lefs in the fingular than
in the plural number, juft as in Latin ft fig-
nifies the third perfon in both numbers.
I fhall here add two Letters which in my
opinion are little inferior to the former. One
from MELISSA to CLEARETA, and the other
from THE ANO to NICOSTRATA, concerning
the behaviour of married women.
MELISSA 70 GLEARETA
Health.
OU appear to me to abound of
your felf in all good qualities : for
the earned defire you exprefs to
hear fomething concerning the de-
cent behaviour of Women, gives fair hopes
that you purpofe to grow old in a courfe of
Virtue. Now, it behoves a prudent and free-
born Woman, who is join'd to on$ Man ac-
cording to the laws, to adorn her felf modeft-
ly, not magnificently. Let her drefs be clean,
and neat, and convenient 5 but neither fplen-
did nor fuperfluous : for tranfparent or gorgi-
ous attire, and thofe garments interwoven
with
OF MARRIED WOMEN. 23
with purple and gold, are to be rejected, and
wholly left to MiftrifTes, as inftruments where-
by to allure and retain the more cuftomers. But
the ornament of a Woman, whofe bufmefs is
to pleafe one Man, does not confift in modes
but in manners : fince'tis the honour of a free-
born Woman to ftudy to pleafe her own hut
band only, and not every one elfc that looks
upon her. Inftead of Paint then, bear a blulh
on your face, as a fign of modefty. Prefer
probity, and neatnefs, and frugality, before
gold and precious ftones : for a Woman of
truly virtuous inclinations muft not place all
her beautifying skill in adjufting her cloaths,
but in the management of her houfe, and in
complaifance towards her husband, the beft
means to procure his favour. Indeed the
Will of a husband ihould be an unwritten
law to a good wife, whereby to govern all her
aftions 5 as (he ought to think that obedience
is the faireft and ampleft dowry fhe can bring
with her : for more truft is to be put in the
beauties and riches of the mind, than in thofe
of the face or of a fortune $ fince malice or
ficknefs may deftroy thefe laft, whereas the
firft continues ftedfaft and ufeful till death.
Farewell*
B4 THEANQ
*4 THE BEHAVIOUR
THEANO^NICOSTRATA
Health.
have heard of your husband's ex-
travagance, that he keeps a Miftrifs,
and that you are jealous of him.
But, my friend, I know a great
many other men, that labour under the fame
diftemper : for they are caught (it feems) by
thofe women, and held faft, and deprived of
their underftanding. In the mean while you
are tormented both night and day, you aban-
don your felf to grief, and are ever contriv-
ing fomething or other againft him. But do
fo no more, my friend : for the virtues of a
wife lies not in watching her husband's ali-
ens, but in complaifance to his will, and this
very complaifance obliges you to bear with
his madnefs. He keeps company with a Mif-
trifs for his pleafure, and with a Wife for his
convenience : but it is convenient not to mix
evils with evils, nor to heap one folly upon
another. Some faults there be, my friend,
\vhich are irritated the more by reproof, and
which pafs'd over in filence are the fooner cur'd,
as fire not blown is obfcrv'd to go out of it-
felf : and therefore if he defigns to conceal
his. conduft from your knowledge, but that
you are rcfolv'd to expofe by chiding his
wcaknefs>
OF MARRIED WOMEN. *5
weaknefs, then hell tranfgrefs openly, and
without ceremony 5 place not then your friend-
fliip in the carefles, but in the merit of your
husband ; for in this lies the pleafure of
Society. Perfuade your felf, that he goes
to his miftrefs inftigated by luft, but that he
comes to you as a companion for life 5 that
he loves you out of judgment, but her only
out of paffion. But this laft is of fhort durati-
on, as being foon fatiated : 'tis fuddenly begun,
and as fuddenly ended. Thus a man, that is not
altogether profligate, will fpend but little time
with a Miflrifs : for what can be fillier than that
inclination, in gratifying which a man procures
his own damage ? Moreover, he will at leifure
refleft upon the fliip wrack he makes of his for-
tune and of his fame : for no wife man will con-
tinue voluntarily in any fault to his own hurt.
Being therefore call'd upon by the rights he
owes you of marriage, and confidering with re-
gret how his fortunes are impaired, he'll thorow-
ly know thee at laft, and, not able to bear
the difgraceful remorfe of his crime, he'll
quickly reform. Do not you however, my
friend, be provok'd to lead a life anfwerable
to that of a Miftrifs ; but diftinguifh your felf
by obedience to your husband, by care about
your family, by officioufnefs to your acquain-
tance, and by natural affedion to your chil-
dren. Nor ought you even to be jealous of
the woman herfelf : for 'tis only commenda-
ble to have an emulation with virtuous wo-
men. Shew your felf (on the contrary) at all
times
If THE BEHAVIOUR
times prepaid for a reconciliation : for, my
friend, noble qualities procure us the good
will of our very enemies, and efteem is the
effect of probity alone. Being only thus re-
prov'd by you, he'll grow the more afham'd,
and be the fooner defirous of a reconciliation.
Nay? he'll love you the more ardently, be-r
coming confcious of his injuftice towards you,
as well as acknowledging the unblamablenefs
of your life, and having received fuch a proof
of your affedion for him : for, as the end of
bodily afflidions is pleafant, fo the differen-
ces of Friends render their reconciliation the
more agreeable. Be likewife pleas'd to make
a parallel of the word that may happen every
way. When he's fick, you become fick too
pf courfe with grief 5 if he fuffers in his re-
putation, the world will make you likewife
fuffer 5 .if he ads againft his intereft, your in-
ter eft as join'd to his, cannot efcape unhurt ;
from all which you may learn this leffon, that
in punifhing him you punifli your felf. If, on
the other hand, you get a divorce, and marry
another man 5 yet, in cafe he be guilty of the
like praftices, you muft ftill marry another :
for widowhood is not tolerable to young
women. But you'll live alone, as if you were
not join'd to any man $ you'll negled your
family, and ruin your husband : and I fay,
that you'll reap for your pains the plague of a
miferable life. But you'll be reveng'd on his
Miftrifs. Shell obferve and avoid you 5 or,
if it comes to blows, a fhamelefs woman will
be
OF MARRIED WOMEN. *7
be found a flout fighter. But 'tis a fatisfadion
to fcold with one's husband continually : and
what will you get by that > for wranglings
and contentions do not put an end to irregu-
larity, but proportionably encreafe the mifun-
derftanding. What next then ? you'll attempt
fomething againft his perfon. By no means,
my friend, Tragedy teaches us to mafter jealou-
fy'by thofe feveral reprefentations, in which
Medea perpetrates her cruelties. But as hands
muft be refrain'd from fore eyes, fo do you
get rid of this evil by taking po notice of it :
for in being patient, you'll the fooner extin-
guifh his paflion.
THE
28 THE DEATH OF
THE
FABULOUS DEATH
ATILIUS REGULUS:
O R,
A DISSERTATION proving the re~
ceitfd Hiftory of the tragical Death
^/MARCUS AT i LI us REGULUS
the Roman Conful^ to be a fable.
:;• . =/»,.. a'T«iicr- ' .* >rn bs&Jiifc
SIR,
!HE fecond time I had the honour to
wait upon you at your Lodgings, I
found you reading CASAUBON'S
POLYBIUS, which occafion'd us to
difcourfe a while of Hiftory, and particularly
about that of this Author. Among feveral im-
portant obfervations you were pleas'd to make,
I could never afterwards forget the queftion
you propos'd to me about the tragical Death
of ATILIUS REGULUS, Why ( i ) POLYBIUS
(i)i*. i.
makes
ATILIUS REGUL'US. 29
makes no mention thereof, when he is fo diffu-
five in the circumfiances of his defeat and
captivity ? I was not afham'd to confefs then
that I had no folid anfwer to give ; for as,
like the reft of mankind, I come to the knov/-
ledge of things fucceffively and occafionally :
fo I had no opportunity before that time to
enquire into this matter. Nor, perhaps, with-
out that difficulty, fhould I have ever under-
ftood fo much of it as I perfuade my felf now
I do. All true judges of Learning are fen-
fible, how beneficial good Converfation is
to the attaining of it. And I do now ex-
perience it, fince your undefign'd hints have
afforded me matter enough, without any
ftudied digreffions, for an extemporary and juft
Differtation.
A Note of PALMERIUS upon ( i ) APPIAN
direfted me to a confiderable Fragment of the
24th book of DIODORUS SICULUS, which has
plainly convinced me, that the commonly re-
ceiv'd account of the death of ATILIUS is
nothing elfe but a female tattle, and a Roman
fable. And that you may not call in queftion
the authority of my Fragment, which I do
not know if ever you faw, III give you the
hiftory of it in a few words.
THE Emperor CONSTANTINUS, furnamed
*Porfhyrogennetus> thefonofLso, and grand*
(2) Ve bello fumco.
fon
5a THE DEATH OF
fon of BASILIUS, having, contrary to the com-
mon genius of Princes, a more than ordinary
inclination to Literature ; was at the pains,
whilft yet a minor, to difpofe under feveral
heads, common-place-wife, whatever he was
moft defirous to underftand : and made large
collections out of all the Authors treating of
them, that came to his hands. His labours
of this kind amounted to no lefs than 106
Volumes, whereof only three are hitherto found
and publifh'd ; the firft by FULVIUS URSINUS,
the fecond by DAVID HOESCHELIUS, both very
learned men, and the third ( which is ours )
purchased at a vaft price in Cyprus by the
learned FABRICIUS PEIRESCIUS, and publifh'd
at Paris by the immortal ornament and pro-
moter of Greek Erudition, VALESIUS, in the
year 1631.
As for the genuinenefs of the Fragment
we can't doubt of it 5 for our Emperor in
his Collections is exad even to a nicety.
The many paflages he has out of the extant
Works of POLYBIUS, DIODORUS, JOSEPHUS
and others, agree generally in terms with the
copies we read every day, which leaves us
no pretence of queftioning the reft, and ex-
cludes all other proof as fuperfluous.
AND for DIODORUS, he is univerfally own'd
to be one of the beft and moft difinterefted
Writers among the Ancients. He's none of
thofe who only copy or contraft a bulky
3 volume
ATILIUS REGULUS. R
volume or two, not of fuch as obtrude preca-
rious relations and conjeftural inferences for
matter of fad upon pofterity. He's very un-
like them who go no farther than their clofets
for materials, and he betrays no where the
leaft partiality or mercenary end. He travell'd
over a great part of Europe and Afia. He
faw the mod celebrated places mentioned in
his works, and got authentick Memoirs con-
cerning them upon the fpot. He purpofely
liv'd a confiderable while at Rome, then rhe
Epitome of the Univerfe, where he could not
mifs of all necefiary helps towards carrying
on his great and ufeful defign. Befides, he
fpent thirty years complete in making, for the
cafe and benefit of others, this curious Collec-
tion out of the moft valuable Authors ; and
very fitly entituled it The hiftorical Library..
Thefe particulars we learn from his own Pre-
face. PLINY, after due commendations, calls
it in the Proem of his 'natural Hiftory The
hifterical Libraries. So it is cited in the plural
by JUSTIN MARTYR, and EUSEBIUS, who like-
wife (3) fays That DIODORUS collected into one
'work the whole hiftorical Library. We need
not wonder then if this induftrious Author has
preferv'd feveral matters not to be eafily or ia
deed at all met with elfewhere 5 which ferves
but to make us more fenfible of our lois in the
beft part of his labours.
(3) trtptrat* Evw&fa lib. i»
ji THE DEATH OF
I fhould now give you the Fragment with
the Obfervations I made upon it. But to ren-
der the Difcourfe more natural and therefore
more evident, I fliall firft relate the hiftory
of ATILIUS, after which I'll offer my excepti-
ons, then fhew the reafons of my diffent,
and laftly fubjoin the whole Fragment with
the addition of another.
I. After the two potent and emulous Re*
publicks of Rome and Carthage had a long
time with various fuccefs contended for the
foveraignty of Spain, and the dominion of
Scicily, Sardinia, and other Ifles of the Me-
diterranean ; the Romans at length perceiv-
ing that their attempts were likely to prove
fruftraneous, without more marine force and
experience, (for the Carthaginians were un-
doubted matters at fea) fitted out a great fleet
of hatched vefiels fuch as they never had be-
fore, and excellently well mann'd. They
ibon found by their fuccefs and recovering
ftate, of what advantage good (hips and ftout
feamen were like to be ; which made them
augment their forces that way more and more,
as (4) POLYBIUS copioufly defcribes. Thus,
flufli'd with fome late victories, and much re-
lying upon their naval army, confifting of
140000 fighting men, they look'd no longer
fo low as Scicily ; but refolv'd to transfer the
war into the enemies own country, fwallow-
(4) L'b. i,
Ing
ATILIUS REGULUS. 33
ing in their hopes no meaner an acquifition
than Carthage it felf. In purfuance of this de-
fign MARCUS ATILIUS REGULUS and Lucius
MANLIUS made a defcent into Africa, after
having beaten the Carthaginians at fea who
endeavour'd to hinder their landing. The Pu-
nick commanders were ASDURUBAL,AMILCAR
andBosTAR, of which two laft more hereafter.
The Romans took in a fhort time feveral
ftrong places, and, MANLIUS with part of the
army and the prifoners returning to Italy,
ATILIUS was left with the fole power of pro-
fecuting the war ; who, as faft as he could fit
down before them, took from the Carthagi-
nians (5) 200 towns , wafting the country to
the very fuburbs of their capital city, which
made him brag, that he had feal'd the gate of
Carthage, that none might efcape. The poor
Carthaginians were under a terrible confter-
nation upon this ftupendious progrefs of the
enemies arms, and would readily conclude a
peace upon any reafonable terms, But the
(6) haughty ATILIUS, not knowing how to life
his good fortune, propos'd fuch hard conditi-
ons as differed little from abfolute flavery,
which put the Africans to defpair. But hap-
pily about this time arriv'd fome Grecian mer-
cenaries under XANTHIPPUS an expert andcou-
ragious Lacedemonian, who by the confent
of the commanders themfelves, to whofe ill
condud the people attributed the Roman vic-
Cf) dppian. fie bello Puniw.
(6) See pag. 18, &c.
C tories,
34 THE DEATH OF
tories, was fet over all the forces, and fliortly
after totally routed the Romans, and took
ATILIUS who became AMILCAR'S prifoner. As
foon as this defeat was known in Rome, they
fitted out another fleet under the Confuls
^EMILIUS and FULVIUS, who at the Hermxan
Promontory attacked that of the Carthagini-
ans and took all their fhips being 114 with
all the men on board 'em, and by confe-
quence the (7) Generals AMILCAR and BOST AR.
So ASDRUBAL alone was left to manage the
war by land. Upon this laft victory the Car-
thaginians fent their AmbalTadors to Rome to
treat of the peace, and ATILIUS their prifoner
with 'em, upon oath to return if he could
not perfuade the Senate x to grant their de-
mands. But he inftead of this difluaded them,
and returned with the Ambafladors, prepar'd
to fuffer for the good of his country whatever
punifhment the offended Carthaginians fhould
inflift. (8) CICERO with fome others affirms
that they cut his eyelids, and thruft him into
a dungeon, where they conftantly kept him
awake in a certain machine till he dy'd. Others
with (9) APPIAN fay he was put into a barrel
ftuck every where full of fharp nails. ( i o) FLO-
RUS has him crucify'd; and all tortur'd to death.
This ftory has not only been thus tranfmit-
ted to pofterity by moft of the Hiftorians that
•")
(7) We hear no further of 'em /» this War.
(8J Offie. lib. 3.
(9) De hello Punicf.
(10) lib. 8.
wrote
rATILIUS REGULUS; 35
wrote of the Roman affairs, but alfo ftill con-
tinues to be a celebrated example, in moft
authors as well as familiar difcouries, of for-
titude, andgreatnefs of mind.
II. BUT preferving the higheft veneration
for the memory of this noble General's he-
roick adions, efpecially the love he bore to
his country, I'll make bold to give a very
different account of his end, which, from
the reafons you fhall hear by and by, I think
was after this manner. After he did con-
trary to the inftances of all his friends, fo
glorioufly return to Carthage, the Romans
having got into their hands AMILCAR and
BOSTAR at the Hermaean fight (as abovefaid)
to comfort his wife they committed them
(n) with other prifoners of the beft quality
to her cuftody, to exchange them for her
husband, or detain them till he was let at
liberty. In the mean time ATILIUS dyes either
of fome infirmity according to the courfe of
nature, or more probably being a high fpi-
rited and proud man, he broke his heart for
the fudden and unufual difgrace he fell under.
But let this be as it will, I only maintain his
death was not violent. ATILIUS'S children,
you may eafily imagine, were extreamly troub-
led at their father's death in captivity and a
foreign hnd. But his wife was in defpair,
icfufing all confolation. She could not bear
I'll) Zmaras.
C z ihc
36 THE DEATH OF
the fight of a Carthaginian, and out of excefs
of anger and grief, attributed the death of
her husband to the negligence of his keepers.
She therefore commanded her fons to ufe
the captives as ill, which injunction they
cruelly executed, as you'll fee in the Fragment.
And tho'AMiLCAR did frequently implore this
enraged woman's companion, yet relentlefs
to all his prayers, and the proteftations he
made of the great care he t6ok of her hus-
band whilft he was his prifoner; ihe con-
tinu'd to torment him till the matter was
difcover'd to the Senate, who were, for this
difhonour done to the Roman name, highly
inccns'd againft the mother and children. But
{he to excufe herfelf, and to avoid the im-
putation of cruelty among her neighbours and
acquaintance, told them that fable of her
husband's lamentable death, which was quick-
ly ipread over the town by thofe women ef-
pecially who came to comfort her > and who,
'tis likely, made this pretended tragedy the
chief theme of their difcourfe at every gof-
fipping. Thus it obtained credit firft among
the women and vulgar ; then it afforded the
fubjed of a Tragedy to the Stage, where it
received all the advantage of fidion, that is
allowable to Poets or Politicians ; and at laft
out of hatred to the Carthaginian name, it
was commonly inferted by Hiftorians in their
relations of that Punick War, and fo handed
down to us.
III. MY
ATILIUS REGULUS. 37
'
III. My reafons for what I have here affert-
ed are,
i. Firft, POLYBIUS'S filence : for noHiflo-
rian had better opportunities to know thofe
things than he. He was SCIPIO the younger's
own tutor, and his companion too in his ex-
peditions. He was particularly prefent at the
deftruftion of Carthage by this great perfon ;
and there is fuch a connexion between this
latter and the former Punick Wars, that a
man fo familiar with the General, fo learned
and curious as to write the hiftory of both,
with much fincerity and no lefs accuracy,
could not be ignorant of fo remarkable a cir-
cumftance, as the fate of ATILIUS muft needs
be, if fuch a thing there were. Befides, ( 1 2) he
affures us himfelf, that he has gone over all
the particulars of ATILIUS'S ftory, that thofe
who read it may thereby learn to become
better men, according to the vulgar faying,
Happy is he who learns by the misfortunes of
others. Now, I refer it to the judgment of
every unbyafs'd and thinking perfon, whe-
ther if POLYBIUS had this good intention to-
wards mankind, as we have no reafon to
doubt it, he would omit this common ac-
count of our Conful's death, if it had been
true ? Or whether he can be fuppos'd to for-
get what he defign'd fo pun&ually to relate,
when in matters of little importance, where
C 3
5* THE DEATH OF
his word is no way engag'd, he's fometimes
tedioufly circumftantial ?
jt. MY fecond reafon is the partiality of
the firft Hiftorians, who treated of that Punick
War, to wit, FABIUS and PHILINUS, whoy fays
(13) POLYBIUS, related not the truth to us with
that jincerity they ought. PHILINUS affures
his reader that the Carthaginians manag'd all
matters with unparaliel'd wifdom, juftice, and
courage, and the Romans quite contrary.
But FABIUS, as zealous for the credit of his
countrey, gives PHILINUS the lye, and as
much extolls the equity, prudence, and va-
lour of the Romans, as he enlarges upon
the cruelty, folly, and cowardife of the Car-
thaginians. POLYBIUS having occafion in an-
other (14) place to corred one of FABIUS'S
voluntary miftakes about that war, has thofe
fine words, which, one would think, were
calculated for our times. But why have I
mentiortd FABIUS, fays he, and his hiflory ?
not that I believe his narrative fo like the
truth as to gain belief from fome. For what
he writes in thisf place is fo contrary to rea-
fon, that thd I were Jilent^ the readers will
eajily perceive the man's infincerity, which
plainly enough discovers itfelf. But this I
write to admonifo thofe ^ into whofe hands his
hiflory may come> that they judge not as the
C'4) &. J.
title
ATILIUS REGULUS; 39
title of the book promifes, but according to the
nature of the things themfelves. For there
are fome who rather confider htm that fpeaks
than what he fays 5 and becaufe they know
the author liv'd in thofe times and was A
Roman Senator p, they forthwith receive what-
ever he delivers as mofl deferring of credit.
But for my own part, as I woidd not have
this author s veracity flightly c alt din queftion,
fo neither would I eftablijh it in fuch a man-
ner as to fin the readers faith upon it ; but
rather that every one Jhould chufe thofe things
his judgment inclines him to believe. Thus
far our Author.
Now, let this fame FABIUS, or Vho elfe
you pleafe, be the firft writer of this ftory,
the next Roman author that mentioned it did
probably copy him, as all the reft might one
another without much enquiring into the
original of the thing, which all the quotati-
ons in the world can render no truer than
the firft relation. I fay not this as if I thought
'em always partial or fabulous. I acknow-
ledge they were not fo barren of truly brave
and vertuous inftances in their citizens to be
fond of afantaftick Hero. But in matters of
this nature which are eftablifti'd by popular
tradition, wherein religion or the honour of
a nation are concern'd, and the belief where-
of can have no ill confequences, 'tis not
always fafe, nor perhaps will it be thought
fo neceffary to infift too nicely upon truth.
C 4 Modem
40 THE DEATH OF
Modern as well as ancient Hiftories furnifh us
with numerous examples to this purpofe.
The brevity I defign permits me not to im-
prove on my behalf the different accounts,
that the authors give us of REGULUS'S tor-
ments. The laft of 'em is fufficient to puniih
the blacked crime, and it was impofllblc for
one to fuffer 'em all, being not only too
many, but contrary to each other. There is
fomething more than miftaking a word, or.
exaggerating Rhetorick in this variety. Vul-
gar Romance, which is made or embelifli'd at
pleafure in all ages, and taking things upon
truft, are the fofteft expreffions I can beftow
upon it.
3. MY third reafon is pofltive, and built
upon the Fragment in which I chiefly confider
three paflages.
1. Firft, ATILIUS'S own wife (as you'll ob-
ferve) has nothing to lay to the charge of her
illuftrious captives the Carthaginian Generals
but a bare fufpicion that her husband dy'd for
want of being well look'd after, or as (he ex-
preflesit, through (15) neglect. And do you
think if there had been any thing in the fa-
mous Legend,but fhe would make them bloody
reproaches upon this head?
2. Secondly, AMILCAR with tears protefts
that he in particular took all poffible care of
her husband whilft his prilbner 5 nor would
(15-) 'A^AH*.
he
ATILIUS REGULUS. 41
he fail to excufe others or lay the blame on
the ftate where it fhould be, if there had been
occafion for it. And tho' he fees he can by
no means mollifie this mercilefs woman, and
looks upon himfelf as a loft man 5 yet he ftill
calls God to witnefs Ms innocency, and, that
for the thanks his care of their father de-
ferv'd of ATILIUS'S children, complains he's
moft ungratefully repaid with exquifite tor-
ments.
I
3. Thirdly, the indignation of the Ma-
giftrates againfttheAxiLii upon the difcovery
of their barbarity, and their imputing all
the fault to their mother , with the fpeedy
care they took to burn the dead according
to cuftom, and carefully to cherifh the liv-
ing. Now, 'tis prefum'd, the Senate would not
cxprefs this high refentment if ATILIUS had
perifh'd thro' violence or negleft. And had
we the reft of this 24th Book of DIODORUS,
we fhould, queftionlefs, hear the faft excus'd
to the Carthaginians, or, at Icaft, their com-
plaints. But that, I fear, is irrecoverable with
the reft of LIVY,POLYBIUS, TACITUS, APPIAN,
MARCELLIN, and many others, (to fpeak no-
thing of entire authors) unlcfs more of CON-
ST AN TINE'S collections be difcover'd in Greece,
where, 'tis probable, they may be all ftill with
much better Books.
THESE (as they clearly appear in the Frag-
ment) feem to me reafons fufficient to con-
vince
4* THE DEATH OF
vince all ingenuous perfons, that the tragical
ftory of the Death of REGULUS is partly in-
vented, partly miftaken, and altogether a fa-
ble. I could add feveral other cogent argu-
ments from the politicks and manners of the
Carthaginians, with their dangerous ftate at
that juncture, to give fo grievous a provo-
cation to the Romans 5 but that I look upon
more proofs as needlefs, when the matter of
fad is already made fo evident.
IV. Now finally, to illuftrate the whole,
and confirm our Diflertation, I fubjoin the
verfion of the Fragment itfelf, which is as
faithful as you could make it elegant.
A Fragment of the ^^th Book of Dio
DORUS SICULUS m the collection
and edition mention d above.
€€ B u T the mother of the (i 6) young men
bearing heavily the death of her husband,
which flic attributed to neglcd and care-
leffnefs, commanded her fons to ufe the
captives as ill as they could. Firft then,
they were ftmt into a fmall room fo nar-
row that for want of place they were forc'd
to conglobate their bodies, and lye round
as beafts are wont to do. And then being
deny'd food for five days, BOSTAR out of
anguifh of fpirit, and hunger together, ex-
(16) The Jtilii.
« pifd.
it
ATILIUS REGULUS. 45
" pir'd. But AMILCAR being endu'd with a
" fingular greatncfs of mind, altho' deftitutc
ec of all hope, yet kept himfelf up as well as
" he could, and did frequently beg compaffi-
" on from the woman with tears, telling her
" what great care he had taken of her hus-
" band. Yet he was ib far from inclining
" her to any fenfe of humanity, that the
" cruel woman did fhut up BOSTAR'S carcafs
" with him five days longer, affording him
" in the mean time food enough to preferve
fe life in him, to make him fenfible of his
" calamity and torment. But AMILCAR feeing
" now all hopes of mercy cut off from his
" entreaties calls JUPITER the proteffor of
" fir 'anger 's, and all the powers that regard
" human affairs to witnefs 5 loudly exclaim-
" ing that for the thanks due to him he was
" rewarded with moft cruel torments. Now
" whether by the compaffion of the Gods,
" or fome good luck that brought him unex-
" peded affiftance, he dy'd not by thefe tor-
" tures : for when he was in the utmoft peril
" of his life, what by the noifome ftench of
" BOSTAR'S body, and what by the other
" ftreights he was under, fome of his fer-
vants coming to know of it told the thing
to certain foreigners. Thefe, highly mov'd
at the indignity of fuch wickednefs, fpee-
" dily difcover'd the whole matter to the
" Tribune of the people. And becaufe the
" fad appeared extreamly barbarous, the Ma-
f giftrates fummon'd theAxii.ii before them,
" who
"
"
44 THE DEATH OF
" who narrowly efcapM capital puniftiment
" for having infamoufly branded the Roman
" name with this mark of cruelty. More-
" over, the Magiftrates threatn'd them fe-
" verely if they did not hereafter take fpc-
" ciai care of the captives. But they laying
" all the blame of the matter upon their
" mother, burnt the body ofBosTARand fent
<c his aflies to his country $ and, delivering
" AMILCAR from his former mifery, they
" brought him by degrees to his ufual ftrength
« again.
SIR, you may remember I accus'd ATILIUS
of mixing fome Pride with his many extraor-
dinary Virtues; and diffuading the Peace at
Rome, with his return to Carthage, are ftill
fufficient to magnifie his name without the
addition of a fable. This I did not there-,
fore to IcfTen his charafter, which I deferved-
ly admire ; for there's fome bafe allay in the
fineft gold : but I have great reafon to colled
fo much from fome Authors, and am put out
of all doubt by another judicious Fragment
of the fame Book of DIODORUS, and out of
the fame collection, wherereof I give you
this indifferent Tranflation.
The fecond Fragment.
" I hold it the duty of a Hiftorian (fays our
" Author) diligently to fet down and mark
« the manners and inclinations of the Com-
3 * manders
ATILIUS REGULUS. 45
" manders on both fides. For as by blaming
" the ill condud of any, others may avoid
" committing the like faults 5 fo on the other
" hand, the commendation of what is right-
" ly performed cnflames the mind to purfue
" Virtue. Now who would not juftly re-
" prehend the impudence and arrogance of
" ATILIUS REGULUS, who, not able to bear
" his good fortune, as if it had been fome hea-
vy burthen, both deprived himfelf of great
praife, and caft his country into mighty
dangers? For when he had it in his power, be-
fides procuring the glory of much clemency
and humanity, to conclude a peace very glo-
rious and advantageous to the Romans, but
bafe and difhonourable to theCarthaginians;
he fet light by all thefe confiderations, and
proudly infulting over the misfortunes of
" the diftrefled, impos'd fuch hard conditions
" as mov'd the indignation of the Gods, and
" forc'd the vanquifh'd to aft moft valiantly.
" Thus through the mifcarriages of this one
€e man, there happened fuch a fudden change
" of affairs, that the Carthaginians, who, by
" reafon of their late defeat, had defpair'd of
" any fafety, now having unlook'd for fup-
€' plies, quite routed the enemies forces : and
" the Romans, who, before were reputed to
" excell all the world in land fights, were fo
" difcomfited and fhatter'd as not to dare
" after this to venture a land battle with their
" enemies. Whereupon this war became more
£ tedious than any of the precedent, and was
" con-
ec
4* THE DEATH OF
" converted into a naval one, in which in-
" numerable fhips of the Romans and their
" allies, and above i ooooo men perifh'd over
" and above what fell by land. Befides, It
" coft fuch vaft fums of money as were thought
" fufficient to entertain as great fleets tho'
" the war fhould laft fifteen years. Now the
" Author of thefe evils bore a large fliare of
" them 5 for he obfcur'd his former glory
" with much greater infamy and dishonour :
" and by his infelicity became a warning to
€f others not to bepuft up by fuccefs. What
" is moft to be noted, having cut off from
" himfelf that favour and compaffion which
" is ufually beftow'd upon the affMed, he
" was forc'd to bear their reproaches and fub-
" mit to their power, whofe calamities he in-
<c fulted over a little before.
THUS, Sir, without favour or affection,
(you may be fure) I have confuted this old
tradition * and remov'd all the cruelty from
Africa, where it lay fo long, into Italy whofe
title to it I find much better. There are many
other hiftories as little queftion'd as ever this
was, which, we are very certain, have not a
quarter fo much ground nor probability to
recommend 'em for truth. And yet many
in the world place all their learning and fome-
thing more in the bare belief of fuch childifti
and old-wives fables. Truly we fhall not en-
vy them this fublime knowledge, nor the re-
fin'd fpcculations it affords them. Nay, with
S
ATILIUS REGULUS. 47
our confent they may not only value themfelves
upon it, but laugh at our ignorance too, like
PARSONS the Jefuit, who pleafantly, becaufc
ferioufly, affirms inhisanfwer to CooKE,that
one Tapift of mean learning is more wife and
knowing than an hundred Hereticks together.
For the Heretick, fays he, is only guided by
his own fenfe and reafon, but the Tapift fol-
lows the learning and wifdom of his whole
Church conjlfting of an infinite number of great
men> and fo makes their learning and wifdom
his own. I wonder he might not as well
conclude, that the pooreft Papift is more
learned than a million of Proteftants, or than
all the Popes themfelves, from thefe notable
premiffes. But fuch is the admirable reafon-
ing of our implicit-faith-men in every thing !
They differ only about their fubjeds whilft
they perfedly agree in their difquifitions. But
this is fo evident and you fo perfpicacious,
that I need infift upon it no longer : and there-
fore fhall only add that with all imaginable
affedion, I am,
Sir,
You moft humble Servant.
Ox ON, Aug. the 6th,
1694-
SOME
SOME LETTERS
SOME LETTERS
: OF PLINY
Translated into Englifh.
To Mr. * * *
SIR,
fend you fome Letters of PLINY,
as a fpecimen of the Tranflation I
am making of the whole 5 and de-
fire your judgment on this Effay.
I make no doubt but you will agree with me,
that for what they call a happy turn, deli-
cacy of expreffion, and fpeaking only to the
bufmefs in hand, no modern comes near our
PLINY, no more than in the variety of his
fubjeds, fuch as intrigues of date, points of
literature and hiftory, queftions in natural
philofophy, rural pleafures, the concerns of
his friend, and fome trifles which he renders
Important. The fhort Notes I fliall add at the
foot
OF PLINY. 49
foot of every page will juftifie my Tranflation,
which I endeavour to make as concife as his
Latin, not comparable indeed with that of
CICERO, but nothing behind him in fenfe
or matter. I conclude as he does in one of
his Letters, that I give you this account, SIR,
becaule our mutual friendfhip requires you
ihou'd not only be made acquainted with all
my words and aftions, but even with my de-
figns. Farewell.
EffomSept. 10.
1712.
TO SEPT I MI US.
Lib. i. Ef. i.
YOU have frequently exhorted me, that,
if I had written any Letters with more
accuracy than others, I wou'd colled and pub-
lifh them. I have made fuch a colle&ion, yet
without obferving any order of time (for I
was not writing a hiftory) but juft as they hap-
pen'd to come each to hand. It now re-
mains, that neither you repent of your ad-
vice, nor I of my compliance : which if we
do not, will occafion me to look out for thefe
Letters I have thrown afide as ufeleis, and not
to fupprefs thofe I may write hereafter.
Farewell.
VOL. II. D TO
50 SOME LETTERS
v TO CANINIUS RUFUS.
Lib. i. Ep. 3.
HO W fares Comum, my delight and
yours? that country feat fo exceeding
lovely ? that gallery, where 'tis always fpring ?
that moft fhady grove of plane-trees, that
canal, fo green and clear as a diamond ? the
lake hard by, which feems defign'd for a re-
fcrvatory to fupply it \ thofe firm and yet eafy
walks? that bath which never wants the fun
in his round ? thofe large dining rooms for
company, and thofe letter withdrawing rooms
for a few friends ? how goes it with the drink-
ing rooms ? how with thofe bedchambers for
night, and thofe antichambers for day ? Do
thefe poffefs and mare you by turns? or are
you hinder'd (as you were wont) with fre-
quent excurfions abroad, by an over-earned
defire of encreafing your eftate > If thefe pof-
fefs you, then are you eafy and happy : but if
they do not, you are only one of many that
admire 'em. Why do you not rather (for it
is high time) commit thofe low and fordid
cares to others, and apply your felf to books
in that quiet and plentiful retreat ? let this
be your bufinefs and leifure, your labour and
recreation : let (Indies employ your thoughts
by day, and be the fubjeft of your dreams
by night. Invent and finifli fomething, that
may be perpetually yours : for the reft of your
poffeffions will, after your death, fucceflively
fall
OF PLINY. 51
fall to the (hare of many owners , but if this
once begins, it can never ceafe to be yours.
I know how great a foul, and how fine a
genius I exhort. Do you only endeavour to
have as good an opinion of your felf, as
others muft needs entertain of you, if once
you are confcious of your own worth.
Farewell.
TO CORNELIUS TACITUS.
Lib. i. Ef. 6.
YO U'll laugh, and you may laugh as long
asyoupleafe. I, that fame PLINY whom
you know fo well, have caught three wild
boars, and extraordinary fine ones. Who,
you your felf? fay you. Yes, I my felf: but
I fat by the toils, not fo as entirely to quit
my eafe and quiet j for I had lying by me,
not a hunting-pole and a lance, but a pocket-
book and a pencil. I meditated fomething and
noted it down, that, if I went home with
empty hands, yet I might bring with me full
pages. You'll fee no reafon to defpife this
manner of ftudying. Tis wonderful, how
the mind is roufed by the exercife and mo-
tion of the body. The woods and the foli-
tude all around you, and that very filence
which is requifite in hunting, are great en-
ticements to thinking. Whenever therefore
you go a hunting hereafter, you may upon
my authority carry with you a pocket-book
and a pencil, as well as a pouch and a bottle.
D 2 You'll
5t SOME LETTERS
You'll find that MINERVA does no lefs wan-
der upon the mountains, than DIANA.
TO MINUTIUS FUNDANUS.
Lib. i. Ep. 9.
^ I ^ I S a wonderful thing how reafonably
we ad or at lead feem to ad, in the
city upon particular days •> but not fo every
day, nor many days together. For if you ask
any one, what have you been doing to day ?
and that he anfwers, / was to congratulate
with a friend for his fon's arriving to man's
eft ate, I was prefent at a contract or a wed-
ding, one call'd me to be a witnefs to his will,
another to ajjift him in a law~fuit, another to
have my advice in fome other matter : thefe
things will juft then feem neccffary offices 5
but, if confider'd as done every day, they
muft appear to be pure lofing of time, and
you'll be convinc'd of it much more when
you retire into the country. For then I call
to mind, how many days I have fpent in
mod trivial affairs ; which reflection I efpeci-
ally have, when, in my Laurentin villa, I read
any thing, or write, or even take care of my
body, the prop and fupport of the mind.
There I hear nothing of which I wou'd chufe
to be ignorant, nor fpeak any thing I wifh
unfaid again. No body detracts from me at
another man's table by malicious difcourfes,
and I find fault with no body but only with
my felf, when I can't write to my mind. I
2 am
OF PLINY. 53
am perplex'd with no fears, I am not dif-
quieted with any reports : I fpeak only with
my felf and my books. O upright and fin-
cere life ! O fweet and honourable leifurc !
preferable (I had almoft faid) to any bufinefs
whatfoever ! O fea ! O fhore ! you true and
private ftudying-place ! how many things you
diftate to me ? how many things you occafion
me to invent ? Do you therefore, as foon as
ever you can, leave that noifc, thofe vain
prattles, with all the pains you are at to fo
little purpofe, and betake your felf to ftudy
or recreation : fince 'tis better (as our friend
ATILIUS has no lefs learnedly than facetioufly
faid) for a man to be idle than to be bufy in
doing nothing. Farewell.
TO FABIUS JUSTUS.
Lib. i. Ep. ii.
yf | ^IS a great while fince you have fcnt
JL me any Letters. I have nothing (fay
you) to write. Why then write this very
fame, that you have nothing to write ; or at
leaft that with which our fore-fathers us'dto
begin, if you are in health 'tis welly I am
likewife in health. This will be enough for
me, for 'tis all in all. You'll think I am
jefting, but I defire it of you very ferioufly.
Let me know then what you are a doing, of
which I cannot be ignorant without the great-
eft uneafinefs. Farewell*
D 3 TO
'J41 SOME LETTERS
r TO A VITU S. ',5
Lib. 2. Ej>. 6.
IT wou'd be both tedious, and to little
purpofe, to give you a particular account,
how I (that am not wont to be every man's
gueft) Ihou'd happen to flip with a certain
perfon, who in his own opinion is liberal
and yet frugal, but to me appears to be at the
fame time both fordid and prodigal : for he
order'd the richeft difhes to be fet before him-
felf and a few friends, but the lead and the
cheapeft before the reft of the company. He
likewife order'd his wine, which was in very
fmall bottles, to be distributed into three
forts 3 not to give us the liberty of chufing, but
that we might not have the power of refu-
fing : fince one fort was for himfelf and us,
another for his lower friends (for he has his
friends by tires) and a third for theirs and
our gentlemen. He that fat next me took
notice of this management, and ask'd me
whether I approved it. By no means, faid I.
Pray then, reply 'd he, what method do you
follow > Why, I order the fame things to be
ferv'd to all that are at the table : for I invite
people to a meal, but not to a reproach 5 and
I equalize thofe in all things, whom I admit
to my bed or my board. What, your Gen-
tlemen too ? Certainly : for then I look upon
'em as my companions, and not as my de-
pendants, O, but this is expenfive. Not
at
OF PLINY. 55
at all. How can that be * The reafon is, be-
caufe my gentlemen don't drink the lame
wine as I, but I the fame as they : and truly
if you be not very extravagant, 'twill be no
great burthen to fliare with others what you
ufe your felf. Tis Luxury therefore that muft
be moderated, and kept under as it were, if
you wou'd fave charges ; which is much bet-
ter done by your own temperance, than by
the difgrace of others. But to what tends all
this > E'en that the boundlefs luxury of fome
people may not, under the notion of frugali-
ty, impofe on fo hopeful a young Gentleman
as your felf: and my affection for you re-
quires of me, when any thing of this nature
happens, to precaution you by fuch an ex-
ample what you ought to avoid. Remember
therefore, that nothing is more to be avoid-
ed than this new fellowiliip between luxury
and fordidnefs $ which, as they are moft piti-
ful things disjoined and afunder, fo they are
much more contemptible when united.
Farewell.
"StTO CANINIUS.
Lib. 2. Ef. 8.
DO you ftudy > or go a fifhing ? or ride
a hunting > or do all thefe together >
our Larius gives you an opportunity for
'em all : for this lake affords plenty of fifh,
the woods that furround it game, and that
moft profound retreat ftudy.. But whether
D 4
7<S SOME LETTERS
You follow 'em all or any one thing, I cannot
fay, I envy you : neverthelefs 'tis a torment
to me that I cannot likewife enjoy thofe
things, for which I long with as much ardor
as feverifh perfons do for wine, or baths, or
fountains. Shall I never be able to break, if
I cannot diffblve, thefe intolerable bonds ?
I think I never (hall. For frefli bufinefles
throng on the back of the old, before thefe
are quite finifh/d : and the weight of my
affairs is encreas'd upon me every day, like
an addition of fo many cords and chains.
Fare well.
The beginning of PLINY'S Letter to
CALLUS, defer ibmg his Country
Houfe near Laurentum.
Lib. 2. Ef. 17.
VOU admire why the Laurentin (orLau-
•*• rens, if you'll have it fo) fhou'd fo ex-
treamly delight me. But you'll ceafe your
wonder, when you know the agreeablenefs
of this Country Houfe, the conveniencies of
the place, and the extent of the fhore on
which it is fituated. Its diftance from the
city is but feventeen miles; fo that after
having done all your bufinefs, you may ar-
rive there before it be late or the fun is down.
You come to it by more ways than one, for
the way of Laurentum and that of Oftia lead
hither 5
OF PLINY. 57
hither ; but after travelling fourteen miles you
quit the Laurentin, and after eleven the Oftian
road. Leaving the one and the other you
fall into a way that is fomewhat fandy, pretty
deep and tedious for carriages, but to peo-
ple on horfeback eafy and fhort. The prof-
peft is vary'd from place to place, for by
the woods you meet, the road is fometimes
ftraighten'd, and fometimes again it grows
extraordinary large acrofs moft fpacious mea-
dows. You meet many flocks of flieep, with
great herds of cows and horfes, which after
winter thrive, well and grow mighty (leek by
the grafs of the downs, and the kindly warmth
of the fpring. My Villa is large enough for
all conveniencies, yet not coftly to maintain.
There is, in the firft place, an entry which
is plain indeed, but not flovenly : &c.
Here follows the defer if tion of the houfe,
gardens, enclofures, &c.
The condujlon of the fame Letter.
'iJUv* '•' ' ' N
ARE you now convinc'd that for good
reafons I cultivate, inhabit, and love this re-
tirement ? which, you muft needs be too
much addifted to the city, unlefs you defire
to fee 5 and I wifh you may defire it, that to fo
great and many ornaments of our little houfe
may be added the highcft commendation
from the honour of your company.
Farewell.
TO
$* SOME LETTERS
^ TO CALVISIUS. /
Lib. 3. Ep. i.
I don't remember that ever I paft my time
more pleafantly, than when I was lately
with SPURINNA : infomuch, I afiure you,
that, if it be my lot to grow an old man,
there's none, whom in old age I wou'd fooner
imitate : for nothing is more methodical than
that kind of life, and I am as much delighted
with the orderly life of men, of old men
efpecially, as with the conftaht courfe of
the ftars. Indeed, hurry and confufion are
not wholly unbecoming; young men, but all
things ftill and regular arc expefted of the
old, in whom pains taking is of the lateft,
and ambition is fcandalous. The rule I am
going to tell you, is moft conftantiy obferv'd
by SPURINNA, and thefe little things (little,
if they were not daily pradis'd) are reduc'd
by him into a certain order and rotation as
it were. In the morning he fits for feme
time on his couch, at fix a-clock he calls for
his fhoes, he walks three miles, and exer-
cifes his mind no lefs than his body. If he
has any friends with him, they are enter-
tain'd with excellent difcourfes, but if not,
fome book is read , and this fometimes when
he has the company of his friends, provid-
ed they don't didike it. Then he fits down
a while, and fo comes the book again, or a
2 difcourfe
OF PLINY. 59
difcourfe that excells any book. Soon after
he mounts his chariot, and takes in his wife
of exemplary virtue, or fome of his friends,
as very lately my felf. O how amiable, how
fvveet is that privacy ! How much of anti-
quity will you learn there ! Of what aftions,
of what men will you hear ! What precepts
will you be taught ! tho' he prefcribes this
temperament to his own modefty, as never
to feem to di&ate. After he has thus rode
feven miles, he walks another mile, and fits
down again, or betakes him to his clofet and
his pen : for he writes, and that in both
languages, Lyrics efpecially with a great deal
of art. They are wonderful foft, wonder-
ful fweet, wonderful facetious : and their
graces are augmented by the probity of the
writer. When he's warn'd of the hour for
the bagnio (which in winter is eleven a-clock,
and one in fummer) if it be not windy wea-
ther, he walks naked in the fun. Then he
plays long and vehemently at tennis, for by
this kind of exercife, helikewife makes war
upon old age. After he has wafh'd he firs
down to table, but does not eat immediate-
ly : and in the mean time hears fomething
read with a diftinft and foft voice. His friends
may all this while freely do the fame things,
or whatever elfe they like better. At laft
comes in fupper, no lefs neat than~ frugal,
ferv'd up in old and upright plate. He like-
wife uies Corinthian ware, with which he's
pleas'd but not betwitch'd. The intervals of
fupper
6o SOME LETTERS
fupper are frequently fill'd up by the perform-
ances of Comedians, thatpleafure itfelf may
be feafon'd with wit. Even in fummer this
takes up a good part of the night, but is
tirefome to no body, the entertainment
being continu'd with a world of agreeable-
nefs. Hence it is, that now after his feven
and feventieth year, he has the perfed ufe of
his eyes and ears ; hence it is, that his body
is brisk and aftive, and that he has nothing
of old age but experience. For this kind df
life I pray, and aft it already in my thoughts;
being refolv'd to begin it chearfully in good
earneft, as foon as my. years may warrant me
to fmg a retreat. In the mean time I am
fatigu'd with a thoufand labours, of which
the fame SPURINNA is both my comfort and
example : for he likewife, as long as it was
difhonourable to do otherwife, performed the
ufual duties, fill'd diverfe magiftracies, governed
provinces, and earn'd his prefent leifure by
a great deal of pains. I therefore prefcribe
to my felf the felf-fame courfe and the felf-
fame end ; and give you an afliirance of this
even now under my hand, that if you per-
ceive me to go longer on in bufinefs, you
may plead this very letter of mine as a law
againft me, and command me to be quiet,
as foon as I can avoid the imputation of
lazinefs.
Farewell.
T O
OF PLINY. 61
TO CATILIUS.
Lib. 3. Ep. 12.
I Shall come to fupper to you : but I bar-
gain now before hand, that it be fhort,
that it be frugal, that it abound only in So-
cratic difcourfes, and that even of thefe there
be no excefs. There are likewife certain
duties belonging to the night, wherein CATO
himfelf cou'd not be found imploy'd without
blame, whom yet CAIUS CAESAR fo reproaches
as to commend him : for he reprefents cer-
tain, who met him blufhing, when upon un-
covering his head, they difcover'd he was
drunk ; and then adds he, you would think
that CATO had furprifd them, and not they
CATO, Could more authority be attributed
to CATO, than that even drunk he appear'd
fo venerable \ But let the time of our Ripper
be limited, as well as the preparation and the
expence : for we are not thofe, whom our
very enemies cannot cenfure without praifing
us at the fame time.
Farewell.
I
TO LICINIUS.
Lib. 4. Ep. 30.
Have brought you, as a prefent out of
my country, a queftion very worthy of
your
6* SOME LETTERS
your profound erudition. A fpring rifes in
a hill, it runs thro' rocks, is received in a ba-
irn made by hands, and, interrupted there a
while, it fails into the Larian lake. The
nature of this Fountain is admirable. It in-
creafes and decreaies thrice a day at certain
floods and ebbs. This is plainly feen, and
the experiment istry'd with extraordinary de-
light. You feat your felf near it and eat
there ; nay, and drink too out of the foun-
tain, for 'tis extream cold. In the mean
while it does at certain and proportionable
fpaces of time fall or fwell. You lay your
ring, or any thing elfe, on the dry fand, the
water comes towards it by degrees, and covers
it ; at laft the ring begins to appear again,
and is by little and little quite left by the
water. If you ftay long enough, you may ob-
ferve the fame thing a fecond and a third
time. May there be any hidden breath, that
fometimes opens the mouth and jaws of
the fountain, and fometimes clofes them
again, according as by infpiration it ruflies
in, or by expiration 'tis forc'd out ? as
we fee to happen in bottles, and in other
veffels of that fort, which have not an open
and ready paflage : for they like wife, tho'
inclined and held downwards, do by certain
delays of the obftrufting air (expreft in fre-
quent gulpes) flop what's to be pour'd out of
them. Or is the fountain of the fame na-
ture with the ocean > and by whatever caufc
this laft is driven to the mores and fwallow'd
back
OF PLINY. 63
back again, fo this fmall water is funk or
rais'd. Or as rivers, running into the fea, are
by contrary winds and tides forc'd back to-
wards their fource, fo is there any thing that
at certain times may drive back the ftream of
this fountain ? Or are the latent veins of fuch
a certain capacity, that while they are colled-
ing the quantity they loft, the ftream grows
lefs and flower, but quicker and greater when
the veins are full again > Or is there, I know
not what occult and imperceptible Iteration,
which when it is light, raifes and forces the
fprmg ; and when it is depreft, flops and
choaks it ? Do you fearch the caufes of fo
great a wonder, for you are able : 'tis
enough for me, if I have clearly enough ex-
preft the matter of fad. Farewell.
The Beginning of PLINY'S Letter to
APOLLINARIS, defcribing his Tufcan
Villa.
Lib. 5. Ef. 6.
IWas pleas'd with your care and uneail-
nefs, when, having underftood that I de-
fign'd to go this fummer to my Tufcan Coun-
try Houfe, you perfuaded me not to do it,
as thinking the place unwholfome. Indeed,
the coaft of Tufcany along the fliore is foggy
and infedious, but this place is far diftant
from the fea, and ftands juft at the foot of
the
<54 SOME LETTERS
the Apcnnin, which is the healthieft of moun-
tains. And that you may be rid of all fear
on my behalf, take this account concerning
the temperature of the climate, the fituation
of the country, and the agreeablenefs of the
Villa, which muft needs be very pleafing for
you to hear, and me to relate. The air in
winter is cold and fharp, neither will it bear
or produce myrtles, olives, or fuch other
plants as thrive by a perpetual warmth : but
it agrees with bay-trees, and fometimes pro-
duces very green ones, but none decay oft-
ener than they do about the city. The fum-
mer is wonderfully temperate, and the air
is always in fome kind of agitation, but which
occaftons breezes more frequently than winds.
This is the feafon that you meet with many
old people, and that the youth fee their
grandfathers and great grandfathers. You
may hear the old ftories and difcourfes of
our anceftors, and, when you come hither
you'll think your felf born in the former age.
The profpeft of this country is extraordinary
fine. Imagin to your fclf a certain vaft am-
phitheater, and fuch as nature alone is able
to form : then a large and fpacious plain
incompaft with hills, and the tops of thofe
hills cover'd with lofty groves and antient
trees, which fupply continual hunting, and
of diverfe forts. The fides of the hills are
ftock'd with coppice woods, among which arc
mellow and clayifh hillocks (for you can
fcarce find a (tone, tho' you purpofely look
foj
OF P,LINY. 69
I not able to decide, whether it be more
difficult to take any thing or to write.
Farewell.
TO M A U R I C U S.
Lib.G. Ep. 14.
YO U prefs me to come to your tformian
Villa 5 and I (hall go, on condition
that you put yourfelf to no fort of incon-
venience, which is making the like bargain
for my felf, againft your coming to me : for
'tis neither the fea nor the Chore, but you,
and cafe, and liberty, that I would enjoy.
Otherwife it were more elegible to flay in the
city. We muft do every thing according to
our own or other folks humour : and this on
my word is the nature of my ftomach, that
it can bear nothing but what's plain and im-
iiux'd. Farewell.
TO N EPOS.
Lib. 6. Ep. 19.
DO you know that the price of lands
is rifen, efpedally, near this city ? The
caufe of this furprizing rife, which is the
fubjed of much difcourfc, did at the lad
meeting of the Senate, ovx^fion feveral moft
excellent fpeeches, importing, That the can-
didates at elections fhould neither treat 9
£ 3 nor
70 SOME LETTERS
nor make prefents, nor lay out any wwmj.
The two firft of thefe abufes were not lefs
exceflively than openly praftis'dj and the
third, notwithstanding the care us'd to con-
ceal it, was a thing taken for granted. Now
our friend HOMULUS, having diligently im-
prov'd this unanimous agreement of the
Senate, mov'd for a refolution, that the Con-^
fuls fhould be order'd to acquaint the Prince
with the defires of them all, and to pray him,
that according to his ufual vigilance, he
would corred this, as he had other diforders.
The Emperor aflented, for he put a flop to
thofe bafe and infamous expences of the can-
didates, by>4 law againft canvaffing, and ob-
lig'd them to qualify themfelves by laying
out on land, a third part of their eftates j
cfteeming it a very fhameful thing, as indeed
it was, that fuch as are defirous of this ho-
nour, fhould live in Rome and Italy, not as
their country, but as a lodging, or like tra-
vellers in an inn. T he candidates hereupon,
outbid one another every where, and buy
up whatever they are informed is to be fold ;
infomuch, that many now part with their
lands, who did not think of doing it before.
If you are weary therefore of your farms in
Italy, this is certainly your time of putting
them off to advantage, as well as of buying
in the provinces, while the candidates are
felling there to purctafe he?e.
Farewell.
r ^V ^m , ^HVVV U\fcV\>
TO
OF PLINY. <7i
TO MACRUS. '
Lib. 6. Ep. 24.
WHAT a world of difference there is,
by whom any thing is perform'd : for
the fajne actions are either extoird too high,
or prcft down too low, by the fame or the
oblcurity of the authors of them. I was fail-
ing upon our Larian lake here, when an old
friend of mine fhew'd me a villa on the fhore,
£nd the very room hanging over the water.
Out of that place (fays he) did a woman of
our borough precipitate herfelf together with
her husband. I inquired the caufe. Her hus-
band (continues he) flunk with certain ul-
cers, which from a long difeafe he had con-
traded about the privy parts of his body.
His wife, than whom none cou'd better judge
of that matter, beg'd him to let her infped
the part affefted to fee if curable; fhe faw,
fhe defpair'd, fhe exhorted him to dye ; and
became herfelf the companion of his death,
nay, and was the guide, the example, and the
neceffary caufe of it : for fhe bound herfelf
with her husband, and fo tumbl'd into the
lake. I, that am of the fame town, never
heard of this fad till very lately : not becaufe
it is lefs than the moft famous deed of Arria,
but becaufe the woman herfelf is lefs.
Farewell,
E 4 TO
7i SOME LETTERS
TO F E R O X.
Lib. 7. Ep. 13.
TH E fame letter informs me, that you
ftudy,and that you do not ftudy. I fpeak
riddles — Yes for certain, till I tell you more
diftindly what I mean. For it denies that
you ftudy, yet is fo polite, that none but
one who ftudies cou'd write it ; or elfe happy
arc you above all mortals if amidft {loth and
idlenefs you can finifh fuch pieces.
Farewell.
TO F A L C O.
Lib. 7- Ep. 22.
1 1
WHEN you know who and what my
friend is, you'll wonder the Ids, that
1 ib earneftly preft you to confer upon him the
Tribuncfhip. But now, after you have pro-
mis'd me, 1 am ^t liberty to tell you his name,
and to give you his charter. Tis CORNELIUS
MINUTIANUS, who, whether you regard his
rank or his acconiplifhmcms, is the ornament
of my country. Being nobly born, he abounds
in riches, but loves books as if he were born
poor. He is a mod upright judge, a molt in-
defatigable advocate, and a moft faithful
friend. When you are better acquainted
with the man, who is equal to all honours, to
all
OB PLINY. 6$
for one) which in fmitfulnefs arc not inferior
to any fields on the plains, and yield a plen-
tiful crop, later indeed, but not lefs full ct4
ripe. Below thefe the whole declivity is cc-
ver'd with vineyards, which give the lame
uniform profped: on every fide; and fhrubs
grow in abundance about the extremities^
like a fort of fringe. Next come fields and
meadows. The fields are fuch as can be oi>
ly broken by huge oxen and ftrong plows,
this mod ftiff earth turning up into fuch vaft
clods as require nine breakings before they
are tam'd. The meadows arc befpangl'd and
Cnamel'd with flowers, producing clover and
other herbs, which are foft and tender as
if they were always young : for they are all
\vater'd with never-drying flreams. Nevcr-
thelcfs, where the greateft quantity of water
is to be found, there is no marfli $ becaufc,
being fteep land, whatever moifture it can-
not foak, glides down into the Tyber. This
river, which is navigable, runs thro* the mid-
dle of the country, and carries all our pro-
duftions to the city, tho' only in winter and
the fpring ; for it grows low in fummer, and
leaves in its dry bed, the name of a great
river, which it reaffumes in autumn. You'll
be greatly charm'd if you behold the fituation
of this country from^the top of the hill : for
you'll not imagin to fee land, but fome piece
that is painted with the moft exquifite delica-
cy. With this variety, with this difpofition,
the eyes arc refrefh'd wherever they turn.
VOL. II. E My
66 SOME LETTERS
My Villa which (lands towards the foot of the
hill enjoys as fair a profpect as if it were on the
top : it rifes fo eafily and by fuch flow de-
grees, that you find yourfelf got up without
perceiving that you mounted. The Apennin
is behind, but a good way off. In the moft
ftill and faireft days there come breezes from
thence 5 yet neither piercing nor impetuous,
but fpent and out of breath by the diftance
itfelf. The greateft part of the houfe looks
towards the fouth, &c.
A Court, Shade, and Wildernefs, m the
fame Definition and Letter.
Before this lovely front of the houfe, there
is anfwerable to the whole extent of it a
very fpacious Court, wherein horfes are to
be manag'd, and may even run races in a
circular courfe. It is open in the middle,
which at one view wholly difcovers it to
thofe that are coming into it. It is planted
round with plane-trees, and thefe are fo co-
ver'd with ivy, that their lower parts are
green with its leaves, as the tops are with
their own. The ivy creeps up from the
trunks to the branches, and by paffing over
from one tree to another, links 'em all to-
gether. The diftances between them are fill'd
up with box, and they are lin'd quite along
behind with a hedge of bay, which joins
its (hade to that of the plane-trees. This
courc
[>; OF PLINY. ;67
court extending in a right line, is terminat-
ed in a jfemicircle, and changes its land (chape,
being at the end furrounded and cover'd with
cyprefs, occasioning there a clofer, more
dark and gloomy (hade 5 tho' the open round
fpors of this wildernefs (which are very many)
receive the cleareft light, which makes rofes
thrive here, and fo the coolnefs of the (hade
is tempered with the grateful warmth of the
fun. All jhefe numerous and various wind-
ings are at laft reduced to a ftraight line, and
hot in this plot alone, for there are feveral
others feparated by allies, on either fide be-
fet with box or rofemary. Here you have
green parterres, and there compartments of
box, which are cut into a thoufand figures,
fometimes into letters denoting the name of
the owner, and fometimes that of the gardi-
ner. Among thefe there mount by turns
pyramids of yew and: the fhapes of trees loa-
den with fruit. But in/fo regular a piece of art
there dill appears a ftudy'd negligence, with
a fort of imitation of nature and the country,
the middle fpace being adorn'd with dwarf
plane-trees 5 befides which, there is ftore of
foft and creeping acanthus, then feveral
more figures, and a greater number of names.
£ * ..ijjijo: j S
I
68 SOME LETTERS
TO ANTONINUS.
Lib. 5. Ef. 10.
TH E RE's nothing makes me more fen-
fible how good your Verfes are, than
when I ftrive to make the like : for as painters
can never reach the perfe&ion of a fair and
faultlefs face ; fo I lagg, and fall fhort of your
original. I therefore fo much the rather ex-
hort you to produce a great many more, which
all may paffionately endeavour, but none, or
very few, be able to imitate.
Farewell.
L TO MACRUS. '"2
Lib. 5- Ef. iS.
TI S well with me, becaufe 'tis well with
you. You have your wife with you,
and you have your fon. You receive delight
from the fea, from the fprings, from the
green trees, from the fields,and from a moft
pleafant country-houfe : for indeed I can-
not doubt, but that houfe is moft pleafant,
which was the retirement of that man, who
was more, before he was made moft happy.
Here in Tufcany, I both hunt and ftudy,
which 1 do fometimes by turns, and fome-
times both together: yet to this hour am
Inot
OF PLINY: , ?$?
place, do afford both bathing and lodging for
your money. Nor are there wanting coun-
try feats, which following the pleafantnefs of
the river, (land on the brink of it. In a
word, there's nothing that will not afford
you fome delight : for you'll ftudy likewife,
and read various things by various petfons,
written on every pillar, on all the walls, to
celebrate this Fountain and its God. Moft of
'em youll commend, but fome you'll de»
fpife; tho' fo great is your humanity, that
you'll laugh at nothing.
Farewell.
: TO URSUS.
Lib. 8. Ep. 9.
*r • MS a great while fince I have taken a
book, fince I have taken a pen into
my hand. Tis a great while fince I knew
what is eafe, what repofe, what that flothful
indeed but delightful thing, to do nothing,
to be nothing : fo much am I render'd inca-
pable, either to retire or to ftudy by the many
affairs of my friends ! For no ftudies are fo
valuable, as to make us abandon the duty we
owe our friends, and which thofe very ftudies
command us moft religioufly to obfervc.
Farewell.
78 SOME LETTERS
TO MAXIMUM
IN Letters confift both my joy and my
comfort : for there's nothing fo joyful
which by thefe is not made more joyful, nor
any thing fo fad, which by thefe is not made
lefs fad. Haying therefore been out of order
by the ficknefs of my wife, the danger of
many in my family, and even the death of
fome 5 I have my refuge to books, as the on-
ly eafers of my grief, they teaching me to
underftand adverfity better, and to bear it
more patiently. Now you know it is my
way to examine by the judgment of my friends*
and particularly by yours, whatever I am
about to publifh to the world. Do you there-
fore, if ever,be attentive in corre&ing the Book
you'll receive by this letter ; becaufe I fear,
left by occafion of my fadnefs, I have not
been attentive enough my felf. I cou'd in^-
deed fo far matter my grief as to be able to
write 5 but yet not fo far as to do it with an
cafy and chearful mind 5 for as fatisfa&ion
from ftudies, fo ftiidies proceed from mirth.
Farewell*
TO
n
OF PLINY;
TO CALLUS.
i
Lib.. s. Ep. 20.
TH E fame things, to know which we be-
gin long journies, and crofs the feas, we
negleft nearer hand and under our eyes : whe-
ther it be that nature has fo fram'd us, as to be
incurious of what's at home, and covetous of
what's remote j or that the defire of every
thing grows fo much the fainter, as the means
of obtaining them become eafier, or, final-
ly, that we put off to another time our de^
fign of feeing, what's in our power to fee as
often as we pleafe. Whatever be the caufe,
there are very many things in our own city,
and about it, which we never faw with our
eyes, nor ever heard with our ears 5 yet were the
fame in Greece, in Egypt, in Afia, or in any
other land fruitful of wonders, and valuing
it felf upon them, we fhould have heard, and
read, and fcen them e'er now. Thus I have
lately both heard and feen my felf, what be-
fore I neither heard nor faw. My grandfa-
ther in law requefted of me, that I would
take a turn to vifit his farms near Ameria.
As I was walking over thefe, they fhew'd
me a Lake at the foot of a hill, going by the
name of Vadimon, and told me certain in-
credible things of it at the fame time. I
went ftrait to it. The lake is as round as a
wheel lying on the ground, equal on all fides,
4 no
IB SOME LETTERS
no creek, no bay ; but every thing propor-
tioned, even, and as if they had been hol-
lowed and fcoopt out by the hand of an ar-
tift. The colour of the water is lighter than
blue, and deeper than green ; the fmell of
it is fulphureous, the tafte medicinal, and the
Virtue of it is to confolidate fraftures. It oc-
cupies but a fmall fpace, yet large enough
to feel the force of the winds, and to have
its furges fwell'd by the fame. There is no
boat upon it (for it is facred) but certain
grafly Iflands all floating in it, all defended
\vith reeds and rufhes, and fuch other things
tis grow in fertile marfhes, ot at the extre-
mities of this Very lake. Each of thefe iflands
has its proper figure and motion. The mar-
gins of all are bare, becaufc that being fre-
quently (truck againft the fliore, or one ano-
ther, they reciprocally wear and are worn.
They are all equally high, and equally light >
for their roots fall flaming into the water,
after the manner of a keel. This figure may
be obferved on all fides, they being funk and
fufpended in the fame water. Sometimes
they are join'd and coupl'd together, and
refemble the continent : at other times they
are feparated by oppofite gufts of wind 5 and
not feldom floating fingly, when the water's
in a gentle morion. The fmaller often lye by
the fides of the greater, as lighters do by {hips ;
and the greater and the lefs ajre often in
fuch a motion, as if they drove together,
I or
OF PLINY: 7?
all titles (for I'll fay no more of the modefteft
perfon in the world) you'll be perfuaded 'tis
you yourfelf that have received the obligation.
Farewell
TO RUFUS, '*' " ;|
Lib. 7. Ep. 25,
OHow much does the modefty of learned
men, pr their love of quiet leflen or
obicure their fame ! But we, when about to
fpeak any thing in publick or to rehearfe,
fear only thofe who have made their ftudies
known : whereas they who hold their tongue
perform thus much farther, in that they ad-
mire a noble work by their very fdence.
What I write, I write from experience,
TERENTIUS JUNIOR, having moft honourably
acquitted himfelf in the horfe fervicc, and
in the adminftration of the Province of Nar-
bon, retir'd to his own eftate in the country,'
and prefcrr'd a moft profound tranquillity to
the employments that were ready to be heap'd
on him. Having invited me to his houfe, I
confider'd him as an underftanding head of a
family, or as a diligent farmer, being ready
to difcourfe him on thofe fubjefts, wherein
I thought him moft converfant 5. and I begun
fo to do, when he by a moft learned fpeech
recaird me to my ftudies. HOW accurate
every thing ! How excellent his, Latin ! How
pure his Greek! For he's fq much mailer of
both.
74 SOME LETTERS
both, that you wou'd always think he excellM
in that language he's adually fpeaking. How
much has he read > How much does he re-
member ? You would fwear the man liv'd at
Athens, and not in a country feat. But what
need of more words > He has encreas'd my
follicitude, and makes me ftand no lefs in fear
of thofe retir'd men, who may be reckon'd
a fort of farmers, than of thofe whom I
know to be the moft learned. I advifc you to
the fame caution : for as in canips, fo in
letters, you'll find, if you carefully enquire
after them, a great many under a ruftic ha-
bit, who are arm'd at all points, and begirt
with a moft piercing wit.
Farewell.
TO MAXLMUS.,^-
Lib. 7. Ef. 26.
I Was lately convinced by the indifpofition
of a friend, that we are beft when we
are fick : for what fick perfon is difturb'd with
avarice or luft? He purfues no amours, he
covets no honours, he neglefts riches, and,
let him leave but ever fo little behind him,
he has enough. Then he believes there are
Gods, and remembers himfelf to be a man.
He envies no body, he admires no body, he
defpifes no body, neither is he curious to
hear or is pleas'd even with fcandal. His
thoughts are wholly fet on baths and foun-*
tains.
OF PLINY.
tains; The top of his cares, the top of his
wifhes is, that, after efcaping his diftemper,
he may become fleek and plump : which is
to fay, that he refolves to lead an innocent
and happy life for the future. What the Phi*
lofophers therefore endeavour to teach in
many words, nay in many volumes, I can
thus briefly prefcribe to you and myfelf ; that
when we are well, we continue to be fuch,
as we profefs our felves refolv'd to be, when
we are fick.
Farewell,
rbirlw £ttii-m;; cj fans rite 'io -yjli •
TO ROM AN US.
Lib. 8. Ef. s. .
.voril rbiw -j': ;no^
HAV E you at any time feen the well of
CLITUMNUS ? If you have not yet (and
I believe not, fince otherwife you had told
me of it) fee it now, as I have done of late,
tho' it repents me I was too backward. There
riles a gentle hill, {haded with a grove of
antient cyprefs-trees. At the bottom of this
hill breaks out the Fountain, iffuing by fc-
veral fprings, fome greater and fome iefs,
and bubling up makes a bafon, which fpread-
ing wide appears fo clear and tranfparent,
that you may count the chips that are thrown
in, and the pebbles that fhine at the bottom.
From thence the water is protruded not by
any declivity of the place, but by its own
quantity and weight. This fpuntain more-
over
SOME LETTERS
over (that immediately becomes a large river
capable of boats, which coming upwards, it
forces down again and keeps back) is fo im-
petuous, that tho' it runs on plain ground, it
bears along, without the help of oars, what-
ever is to follow its courfe. But you can
difficultly get againft its ftream with all the
help of oars and poles to boot. Both effefts
are pleafant enough to thofe who are on the
water for play and paftime, exchanging la-
bour for eafe, or eafe for labour, juft as they
change their courfe. The banks are cover'd
with abundance of afh and poplar-trees, which
the pellucid river, as if they were drown'd
therein, adds by reflection to the number of
the green ones above. The coldnefs of the
water may compare with fnow, nor is it in-
ferior in colour. Hard by is an an tient Temple,
held in great veneration. CLITUMNUS himfclf
ftands clad in a Pretexta. The lots there
fiiow him to be a prefent and a prophetical
Deity. Several chappels are fcatter'd around
it, and as many images of the God. Each has
its peculiar devotion, with its peculiar name,
and fome likewife their peculiar wells : for
befides the greateft, which is as it were the
father of the reft, there are others lefs, di-
vided in their fources, but united in the ri-
ver, which is paflable by a bridge. This bridge
is the bounds of what's facred and what's pro-
fane. Tis lawful above it only to fail, but
below it, people may alfo fwim. The Hik
jpcllates, on whom AUGUSTUS beftow'd this
OF PLINY.
or ran a race. Being driven back again
into the fame place from whence they fet
out, they enlarge the ground; and fome-
times on this fide, and fometimes on that,
they leffen or increafe the lake, and then
only leave the compafs of it entire when
they keep in the middle. 'Tis well known,
that cattle following the grafs, are wont to
get upon thofe iflands, miftaking them for
the utmoft bank, without perceiving the
ground to be moveable till they are fepara-
ted from the fhore, and then grow afraid
of the water all around them, as if they
were fliip'd and tranfported ^ but foon getting
out, as the wind happens to drive them, they
no more perceive, when they come afhore,
than when they went aboard. The fame
lake difcharges it felf into a river, which, after
icing vifible a little while to the eye, is fwal-
lowed into a cave, andruns deep underground,
and whatever's received by it before this de-
fcent, it preferves and brings out again at the
other iflue. I have written thefe things to
you, as fuppofing them not lefs unknown,
nor lefs agreable to you, than they were
to my felf; for nothing more delights you as
well as me, than the works of nature.
Farewell.
VOL. II. T O
'
*z SOME LETTERS
; - v TO GEM IN US. >
Lib. 8. Ep. 22.
HAVE you not obferv'd fuch, as being
flaves to all manner of lufts, are yet
ib angry with the vices of others, as if they
envy'd them; and moft grievoufly punifh
fuch as they moft diligently imitate : when
nothing is more becoming even thofe than
lenity, who ftand in need of no body's cle-
mency. And indeed I look upon that man as
the beft and moft faultlefs, who pardons others
as if he always err'd ; but yet fo abftains from
errors, as if he wou'd never pardon Let us
therefore hold this as a maxim both at home
and abroad, as well as in every condition of
life, that we be implacable towards ourfelves ^
but eafily reconcil'd, even to thole who can-
not forgive any but themfelves : and let us
fix in our memory whatTHRASEA the mildeft,
and for this very reafon, the greateft of men,
was frequently wont to fay, who hates vices,
hates men. You'll be curious perhaps to
•know, what mov'd me to write this. A
certain pcrfon of iate — But we'll difcourfeof
this more to the purpofe when we meet; tho'
now that 1 think better of it, not then neither :
for I am afraid, left telling that which I
blame others for praftifing, cenfuring, re-
porting, fhould be repugnant to the virtue I
ib earneftly inculcate. Who therefore, or
what-
OF PLINY. *j
•i
\vhatfoever he be, let him be forgot in fi-
lence : fince to make him remarkable, might
fhew ibme example $ but not to make him
fo, ihcws much more humanity.
Farewell.
TO AUGURINUS. '
Lib. 9. £/>. 8.
IF now I begin to praife you after being
prais'd by you, I am afraid left I fhould
be thought not fo much to fpeak my own
judgment, as to return you thanks. But thoj
I fhould be thought fo to do, I eftecm all
your writings neverthelefs to be very fine, and
thofe to be the fineft that treat of us. This
proceeds from one and the fame caufe : for
you write beft when you write of your
friends, and I read as beft of all what con-
cerns myfelf.
Farewell.
5— TO TACITUS.
Lib. 9. £/>. 14.
YOU neither applaud yotirfelf, nor do
I write more out of refped, than as
the fubjett itfelf requires. Whether pofteri-
ty will have any regard for us, I know not,
but certainly we deferve it fhould have fome :
I will not fay for our wit (fince that were
F z arrogant)
$4 SOME LETTERS
arrogant) but for our ftudy, diligence, and
even our defire to pleafe pofterity. Let us
only perfift in the courfe we have begun, for
tho' it has advanc'd but few to glory and
fame, yet it has deliver'd a great many from
forgetfulnefs and filence.
TO LATERANUS,
Lib. 9. Ef. 27.
I Have often before, but efpecially of late,
perceiv'd how great is the power, how
great the dignity, how great the majefty, nay,
how great is the divinity of Hiftory. A cer-
tain perfon was publickly rehearfing a book
full of truth, and referved part of it for ano-
ther day. Hereupon the friends ofTome-
body came begging and praying him, not to
proceed with his rehearfal : fo much aftiam'd
are they of hearing what they did, who had
no fhame in doing what they blufh to hear.
The author however granted their requeft,
for he had not given his word to read the reft.
But the book, like the deed itfelf, does ftill
remain, as it will for the future, and be read
in all ages, fo much the more becaufe not
ftraight publifh'd : for men grow impatient to
difcover thofe things, that are kept back from
their knowledge.
Farewell.
TO
OF PLINY. 85
TO RUSTICUS.
Lib. 9. Ep. 29.
AS it is more eligible to do any one
thing in perfedion, than many things
indifferently 5 fo it is to do many things in-
differently, if you cannot do any one in per-
feftion. This confideration has induc'd me
to make a tryal of my abilities in variou^kinds
of ftudies, having not confidence enough to
confine myfelf to any in particular : and
therefore when you read this or that thing
of mine, you'll fo pardon every one, as not
being the only one. Shall the number of
pieces be an excufe in the other arts, and the
condition of ftudies continue more fevcre,
where it is more difficult to fucceed > But
what do I talk of pardon, as if I were on
the fudden grown ungrateful > For if you re-
ceive thefe laft performances with the fame
courtefy that you did thofe I fent before, I
may rather expeft praife than pardon 5 tho'
I for my part am well content with the latter.
Farewell.
TO GEMINUS,
Lib. 9. Ep. 30,
O U do very often in perfon, as now
t>y letter, praife your friend NONIUS to
F 3
8* SOME LETTERS
me, for being liberal to fome people : and I
likewifc praife him, provided it be not to
them only. For I will have him, that is tru-
ly liberal, give to his country, to his kindred,
to his wive's relations, to his friends, but I
piean to his poor friends 5 not as they, who
chiefly prefent thofe, that are moft able to
prefent again. I look upon fuch not to give
away their own, but by their gifts (cover'd
over with hooks and birdlime) to catch the
goods of others. They arc much of the fame
difpofttion, who take away from one what
they give to another, and fo court the fame
of liberality by avarice. But the firft thing
to be done towards this, is to be content
with one's own ; as the next is, to become a
fort of confederate by turns with him, who
maintains and chcrifhes fuch as you know are
truly in want. All which if NONIUS does,
he's without doubt to be commended 5 if on-
ly any one of 'cm, he's Icfs indeed, but ftill
to be commended : fo rare a thing is even
311 example of imperfect liberality ! All men
are iciz'd with fuch a vehement defire of hav-
ing, that they may fcem rather to be pofleft
than to poffcis. Farewell.
w
TO TIT i AN us.
Lib. 9. Ep. 32.
HAT are you doing? What are you
about to do ? I lead a moft pleafant,
tha?
OF PLINY. 87
that is, a mod idle life. For this reafon I
would willingly read, but not write, long
letters; the one as being idle, the other as
being indolent : for nothing's more flothful
than your indolent, or more curious than
your idle folks.
Farewell.
; TO CANINIUS.
Lib. 9. Ej>. 33.
I Have happened upon a true fubjeft, but
very like a fiction, and worthy of that
moft luxuriant, moft profound, and truly poe-
tical genius of yours. You muft understand
that I happen'd upon it, as fitting at flipper
one and another were relating diverfe won-
derfull things. Great is the finccrity of the
relator : tho' I may ask, what is fincerity to
a Poet J Yet the relator is fuch as you would
not fcrtiple to credit, were you even writing
a hiftory. In Africa is the colony of Hippo,
near the fea, and nearer to the town is a
navigable lake, out of which there runs a
gut like a river, which, as the tide happens
to ebb or flow, is by turns carry'd off to the
fea or reftor'd back to the lake. Thofe of all
years are bufy'd in this place, as they delight
in filhing, or failing, or fwimming : but ef-
pecially the boys, who are allur'd hither by
play or idlenefs. To fwim in the deepcft wa-
ter is among thefe matter of glory and cou-
F 4 ^
S3 SOME LETTERS
rage ; and he's viftor who leaves farthcft be*
hind him both the fiiore and his fellow fwirrr
mers. In this contention a certain boy, bol-
der than the reft, fwom far beyond them >
a Dolphin meets him, now gets before him*
now follows him, next wheels round him,
laftly gets under him, flides him off, comes
under him again, and carries him all tremb-
ling firft towards the fea, then prefently turns
towards the fhore, and reftorcs him to the
land and to his companions. The fame of
this thing fpreads thro' the colony : all run to-
gether, and look upon the boy himfelf as a
miracle 5 they ask him queftions, they hear
him anfwer, they report all again. Next day
they flock to the fhore, they look towards the
lea, or any thing that's like the lea. The boys
fall to fwimming, he among the reft, but
with more caution. The dolphin comes again
at his ufual time, and approaches the boy.
He flies with the others. The dolphin, as if
he were inviting and calling him back, frisks
above water, dives again, and dexteroufly per-
forms diverfe wheelings and turnings. The
like he did the fecond day, and the third, and
feveral other days, till the fhame of fearing
feiz'd upon thofe men bred to the fea : they
come near him therefore, they play to him,
and they call upon him 5 at laft they likewife
touch him, and handle him, he tamely fuffer-
ing it all the while. This experiment en-
creafes their boldnefs. The boy efpecially,
who made the firft tryal, fwims towards the
dolphin
OF PLINY. 89
dolphin as he was fwimming, he leaps upon
his back, is carry'd and return'd, believes him-
felf to be known and belov'd by him, an4
loves the creature on his part, neither of them
fearing nor being feafd. The boldnefs of
the one and the tamenefs of the other en-
creafes, while the other boys fwim on the
right and the left, encouraging and directing
them. There accompany'd him (which is
likewife a wonder) another dolphin, as if he
were a fpeftator and comrade : for he nei-
ther did nor fuffer'd any thing like the other ;
but came and departed with him, as the boys
did with the other boy. It looks incredible
(yet is as true as the reft) that this dolphin,
the play-fellow and carrier of the boys, us'd
to be drawn upon the fhore, and, growingfdry
upon the fands in the heat of the day, to be
rovvl'd back again into the fea. 'Tis alfo well
known, thatOcTAvius AVITUS, the Legate of
the Proconful, did, out of fuperftition, as he
was thus lying on the fhore, pour a certain
ointment upon him, frightn'd by the novel-
ty and fmell of which he fled into the deep $
nor was he feen till after many days he ap-
pear'd languid and forrowful, yet foon reco-
vering his ftrength, he repeated his former
tricks and fervices. The magiftrates flock'd
from all quarters to behold the fight, by whofe
coming and ftay this fmall republick was bur-
then'd with new expences : and laft of all the
place itfelf loft its former quiet and privacy.
They agreed therefore to make away fecretly
witft
60 SOME LETTERS
with the caufe of this confluence. With
what companion, with what exuberance will
you bewail, adorn, and elevate thefe parti-
culars ! tho' you are under no neceflity of
feigning or adding, fince it will be fufficient
if the things that are true be no way dimi-
niih'd. Farewell.
TO SATURNINUS.
Lib. 9. Ep. 38.
IMuft commend our friend R.UFUS, not be-
caufe you intreated me fo to do, but be-
caufe he moft highly deferves it ; for I have
read over his Book, perfed in all refpeds >
tho' the love I bear him made it fo much the
more agreeable. I judg'd however as I read :
for they are not the only Critics who read
to find fault.
Farewell,
A New
ANEW
DESCRIPTION
O F
E P S O Mr|
WITH THE
HUMOURS and POLITICKS
of the Place:
IN A LETTER TO
;.,. E U D O X A.
Scribettir till forma loquactter & fitus agri :
Continui monies, ntfi diffocientur opaca
Valle -^fed ut veniens dextrum latus adfpiciat fol,
LAVUM dtfffdexs curru fugiente vapor et.
Hor.Epiit. 1 6. lib. i.
M A D A M?
INCH the place in which I pafs
the fiimmer was thought fit, on a
certain occafion you remember, to
be compared with my miftrefs, who
jnakcs it fummer wherever fhe is$ youdefirc,
that
92 A DESCRIPTION
that as I fhew'd you the pifture of the
I would likewife lend you a defcription of the
other, and as like the original as may be. The
right you have to every thing that is mine,
makes this rcqueft a command 5 and therefore
without any further difficulty or apology
(ceremonies inconfiftent with rural iimplici-
ty) be pleas'd to receive it as taken from the
life at one fitting. But the performance is
not fo eafy, efpecially in the manner, as is
the promifeof a thing. I am not ignorant,
that you think correftnefs and elegance of
ftile as neccffary to fet off the plaineft truth,
as neatnefs of drefs and politenefs of manners
are to recommend the moft beautiful woman :
a flatternly negligence, or a tawdry affeftati-
on, being no lefs difgufting in the one than
in the other. Yet as there are feveral forts of
beauties, each having their peculiar charms,
it is juft fo with writing. You know (with-
out being one of thofe they call Virtuofo-
Ladies) that there's the low and the fublime,
the epiftolary, the hiftorical, the oratorial
ftile, with many other fuch differences. And
in this Letter I fancy you'll eafily agree, the
ftile ought to be a little luxuriant, like the
fubjed it felf. Nay you have enjoin'd me
as a task, to be rather turgid than fimple in
a piece of ferious amufement, where, you
fay, I ought to fhew my felf more a Poet
than a Hiftorian, yet ftill keeping clofe to the
truth of the latter. Befides, that even un-
erring nature puts on her gayeft apparel in
May,
OF EPSOM: 9j
May, and teaches us her children, by the ex-
ample of the trees, of the plants, of the
birds, and of every objed that prefents it felf
to our fenfes, to delight in the fame inno-
cent variety ; particularly in profpefts, land-
fchapes, and the defcriptions of extraordina-
ry places, fuch as I am now going to do my
felf the honour of fending you.
EPSOM (i), a village in the county of Sur-
ry, much frequented for its moft healthy Air
and excellent mineral Waters, is diftant about
fourteen Italian miles from London- bridge,
and twelve from Fox-hall. It is delicioufly fi-
tuated in a warm even bottom, antiently call'd
Flower- dale, between the fineft Downs in
the world on one fide (taking their name
from the village of Banfted feated on their
very ridge) and certain clay- hills on the o-
therfide, which are varioufly checquer'd with
woods
(i) The old Saxon name of this place was EBBESHEIM, which
is to fay Ebba's home or Palace, fo called from EBBA, a Queen
of this country : as afterwards EBBISHAM and EB'S-HAM, the
corrupt pronunciation of this laft word occasioning the pre-
fent name of EPSOM. Surrey, and SufTex, with part of Hamp-
fhire, made up the Kingdom of the South Saxons, founded by
the valiant ELLA, next after that of Kent, and continued in his
pofterity to ETHELWOLF, the firft Chriftian King, whofe Queen was
EBBA, of whom THOMAS RUDBORNE, who wrote in the time
of HENRY III. thus fpeaks in his Maoufcript Chronicle in the
COTTON Library (Nero A. 17.) Regina vero nomine Ebbe In few,
U eft Wtccieworum prwincia, ftterat faptizata* Emt autem Gus-
TRIDI fiita, frAtris RUHERI, qtti ambo cum ftto popttlo Chriflitmi fue-
runt. Guilford was the fummer refidence of the South Saxon
Kings.
9f A DESCRIPTION
woods and groves of oak, afh, elm, and beech,'
•with both the poplars, the intoxicating yew,
and the florid white-beam. The wyche-tree,
the withy, the horn-beam, the bird-feeding
quicken-tree, and the correcting birch, are
not wanting. I need not mention the num-
berlefs copies of hazel, thorn, holly, maple,
and other trees and flurubs of dwarfifh growth,
that agreeably diverfify all this country : nor
that, for the mod part, they are amoroufly
clafpt in the twining embraces of ivy and
honey-fuckles. The Downs, being cover'd
with grafs finer than Pcrfian carpets, and per-
fum'd with wild thyme and juniper, run
thirty miles in length, tho' under different
appellations, from Croydon to Farnham : and
for fheep-walks, riding, hunting, raceing,
ihooting, with games of moft forts for exer-
cife of the body or recreation of the mind,
and a perpetual chain of villages within a
mile of each other beneath, they arc no where
clfe to be paralleled. The form of this our
village, as feen from thence, is exactly fe-
micircular ; beginning with a Church, and
ending with a Palace : or, left our ftile here
iliou'd offend you, MADAM, it has a Palace
for its head, and a Church for its tail. Mr.
WHISTLER'S far-confpicuous grove makes,
as it were, a beautiful knot in the middle :
as the road from thence to Wood- cote-green,
may be caird Midway-ftreet. EPSOM ne-
ver mifles of the eaftern or weftern Sun, and
is about a mile in length 5 the area, withi^
the
OF EPSOM: 95
the bending of the bow or half-moon, being
a fpacious plain of corn-fields, fown with e-
very grain, and opening full to the downs.
To thefe ever-green mountains of chalk you
may out of every houfe infenfibly afcend,
without as much as a hedge to obftrud the
air or the paffage. Indeed the rifings are ma-
ny times fo eafy, that you find your Felf got
to the top, without perceiving that you were
mounting. From the circumference of the
femicircle there branch out two or three plea-
fant lanes, being the extremities of the roads
which lead to the town, from the flow de-
clivities of the neighbouring hills. Thefe
are prefer'd to the principal ftreet by fuch
as are lovers of filencc and retirement j and
are known by the iiunies of Clay-hill, New-
inn-lane, and Woodcote- green, in which iaft
place your humble fervant has his hermitage.
There are other alleys and outlets of caner
note. Among them I don't reckon the a-
venue leading up the hill to Durdms, the
Palace I juft now mention'd; nor yet rludfon's-
lanc, which I remember for the fake of Ep-
fom-court, that antient Saxon (2) feat (long
fince converted into a farm) the mother and
original
(2) In old writings its likewife cali'd Ebby (ham-place; n.ow
only a great name, and nothing more to be feen, buc an oblong
fqtiare area rais'd higher than the other ground, on the fbuth-eaft
of the houfe. Abundance of wrought ftone. of Roman bricks
and tiles are often dug up about the farm.: and forne of the
fields do yet prefervc the name of a Park.
95 A DESCRIPTION
original of our fubjed. Now, all thefe by-
places are fo feparated from each other by
fields, meadows, hedge-rows, plantations,
orchards and the like, that they feem to be
fo many diftinft little villages, uniting into
one confiderable town at the large ftreet, in
the middle of which (lands the watch-houfe.
As I wifh to fee this laft a more ftately edi-
fice; fo I long to have the whole fpace about
it, from the new-Parade down to the Spread-
eagle, neatly pitch'd : considering that flint-
(tones are fo near, fo plentiful, and fo cheap.
Several perfons, who have chofen this
fweet place of EPSOM for their conftant
abode, are diftinguifh'd from the reft by
their habitations, as they are either by their
birth or fortunes. As Sir JOHN WARD'S houfe
on Clay-hill, Sir EDWARD NORTHEY'S on
Woodcote-green, and Mr. ROOTH'S in New-
inn-lane, whofe canal on the top of a hill,
with the foft walks on both fides, and the
green mounts at each end, are very delight-
ful. But among feveral other fuch houfes,
I fhall make particular mention only of two.
The firft .of thefe is Durdans, twice already
mention'd j tho* the place is fo well known,
that I need not fay any thing to fet off the
grove, or the houfe, or the fituation. But
it were to be wifhed, that the right honou-
rable the Lord GUILFORD, owner, would on
the eminence (which bounds his noble ave-
nue from the downs) ereft a ftone Pillar in-
fcrib'dTO HEALTH AND LIBERTY,
3 as
OF EPSOM. 97
as the air is the moft pure in that place, and
unconfin'd, that can be. This pillar, after
the manner of the antients, will alfo ferve
for a point of view according to the modern
way : and will be no lefs beneficial to the
town, nor lefs obliging to the company that
frequent it, than ornamental to Durdans.
Round the bafis ihould be a feat of the fame
ftone for the Ladies, who own they have for
fome time left off their laudable old cuftom
of walking on the downs : not out of iazinefs
or love to gaming, as they are fcandaloufly
afpers'd ; but, as they themfelves more truly
affirm, from the want of a" refting place on
this charming fpot, by them call'd Mount
Amoret. Nor feems indeed this fpot to be
of common earth, but rather magic ground $
for the perfons who have not walk'd three
evenings and three mornings (at the leaft)
upon Mount Amoret, muft not promife
themfelves any good from the air of Epfopi :
neither husbands, if they are maids ^ nor, if
batchelors, wives. The fame is as true of
the mount in Afhted Park, yet with this
difference j that if there you take your rounds
either on horfeback, or in a coach, then
both the virtue of the place, and the merit
of all your actions, will prove without any
effeft. The gladiator, in the middle of it,
kindly warns you of the danger. Not the
high-tufted trees nor the fhort-bitten lawns,
not the gloomy coverts nor the lightfome
glades, not the open profpefts of APOLLO,
VOL. II. G nor
9S A DESCRIPTION
nor the retired walks of DIANA can avail you a-
ny thing, if you furvey 'em not all on foot.
The other houfe in Epfom that requires
a fpcciai mention, is Mount Difton, fo
nam'd from the owner, and from the round
hillock near adjoining, which, rifing gently
on all fides in a conic figure, terminates on the
fummet in a circle, which is a hundred foot di-
ameter, and divided into four equal quarters.
The round and crofs walks of this circle are
turfd, and thofe triangular quarters planted
with trees ; which, after they are grown to
their full height, will make a ftatcly land-
mark over all this country. But tho' nothing
feems more pleafing to the eye, than the near
profpeft of the town, or the diftant profped
quite around, yet you mount ftill higher nine
and twenty fteps into an arbour or pavilion,
on the top of an oak, that grows in the very
edge of the circle, and whence your view is
every way proportionably enlarged. Up to
this circle there comes a double walk, divi-
ded by a range of trees from the beft gar-
den, yet of very eafy afcent, three hundred
and fifty five foot, which I call the north
walk : and at the other end, there comes up
to it likewife from the rcfcrvatory the fouth
walk, three hundred and feventy foot 5 in
both which the flopes feem wonderfully natu-
ral, yet artfully contrived. At the foot of the
mount is a crofs walk, from north-eaft to
fouth-weft, two hundred and ten foot, open
at each end thro' handfom grills 5 and from
the
OF EPSOM. 99
the court before the houfe there goes a walk
from north-weft to fouth-eaft, five hundred
and fifty five foot, including the breadth of
the court. Behind the houfe is a magnificent
double Terrafs, the middle of each being gra-
vel, and turf on the fides, (which may be a-
dorn'd with ever-green dwarfs) three hundred
foot Jong ; and the femi-circular flopc, with
proper fquares, in the middle of this terrafs,
is eighty foot broad : to which you afcend
out of the garden ten fteps, being five fteps to
each terrafs, and then ten fteps more from the
upper terrafs into the houfe ; all thefe fteps, as
well as thofe in the fore-court, being of excel-
lent Portland ftone. From the terrafs, which
I have faid is three hundred foot long, there is
continued in a ftraight line over the fide of the
mount, diredly towards the downs,a walk fine-
ly turf d, as are all the reft (except one private
fand walk, and one gravel-walk) fix hundred
and fifty foot. And it muft be acknowledged that
Mr. ACKRES, in laying out this hill, wherein
nature was the chief guide that he followed, has
done juftice to his art : nor is it to be doubted,
but his genius will ftill appear with greater
advantage in the garden as foon as lie goes
about it ; there being not a more beautiful
or convenient piece of ground for fuch a
ufe any where. Let others judge as they
pleafe of the houfe and the conveniences a-
bout itv I fliall confine my felf to the pecu-
liar objefts of my own delight, which will
add not a little to the pleafures of this place.
G z But
ico A DESCRIPTION
But remembring, MADAM, that I am to
defcribc a village, and not a fingle houfe, I
muft needs fay, that even the H'oufes of the
very townfmen are every where mighty neat,
built moft of 'em after the neweft manner,
and extremely convenient, being purpofely
contrived for the entertainment of Grangers,
aikt therefore beautify'd by the owners to
the utmoft of their ability, to which the ru-
ins of Nonfuch-palace have not a little con-
tributed. The fronts are adorn'd throughout
with rows of elm or lime-trees, in many pla-
ces artificially wreathed into verdant Porticos,
cut into variety of figures, and clofe enough
wrought to defend thofe, who fit under fuch
hofpitable fhades, from the in juries of the fun
and the rain, Here fometimes breakfaft and
fupper are taken, as at other times a chear-
ful glafs and a pipe : for thefe vegetable ca-
nopies, in the very heat of the day, yield a
grateful and refrefhing coolnefs, by the fan-
ning breezes they coiled from the delicate
air of the downs. The fineft of 'em all is that
which {hades the pav'd terrafs in the centre
of the town, extended quite along before
the chief tavern and coffee-houfe. By the
converfation of thofe, who walk there, you
wou'd fancy your felf to be this minute on
the Exchange, and the next minute at St.
James's ; one while in an Eaft-India factory
or a Weft- India plantation, and another while
with the army in Flanders or on board the
fleet in the ocean. Nor is there any profef-
fion,
OF EPSOM. ioi
fion, trade, or calling, that you can mifs of
here, either for your inftruftion or for your
diverfion. Fronting this our Forum (as I
may well call it) there is another of thefe
fliades, lately wrought over a pav'd walk of
confiderable length, which I juft now call'd
the New Parade. Behind the houfes are
handfom tho' not large Gardens, generally
furnifh'd with pretty walks, and planted with
variety of fallads and fruit-trees 5 which in
feveral of 'em are all left free for the Lod-
gers. Such as negleft their gardens, find
their error in the emptinefs of their rooms,
as I wifh they ever may. Thus when you
are on the top of the downs, 'tis one of
the lovelieft profpefts imaginable, to view
in the (3) vale below fuch an agreeable
mixture of trees and buildings, that a ftran-
ger is at a lofs to know (as it has been
obferv'd of my beloved city Leyden in Hol-
land) whether it be a town in a wood, or
a wood in a town.
One thing is wanting, and happy is the
fituation that wants no more! For in this
place, (notwithstanding the medicinal Wa-
ters, and fufficient of fweeter for domeftic
ufe) are not to be heard the precipitant
murmurs of impetuous cafcades 5 there are
no purling ftreams in our groves to temper
G the
(3) This valley of Flower - Dale divHcs Walton and Medley,
and ends about a mile below Epforn> butting upon a bill on
the other fide Ewell river.
102 A DESCRIPTION
the fhrill notes of the warbling chorifters,'
whofc never - ceafing concerts exceed B o-
N o N c i N i and C o R E L L i : die woods arc
not frequented by the unhappy, that they
may liften to the foft whifpers of fome gen-
tle rivulet to beguile and mitigate their cares ;
the vailies are not divided by the curling
waves, and fporting whirl-pools of rapid
rivers ; neither are the flowry meads reviv'd
by gliding meanders, cool bubling fprings,
or ftagnant lakes. I leave you to guefs, whe-
ther in thefe periods I defign'd to (how how
well read I am in bombaft-romance, or ra-
ther to refrefh the heated imagination, by
exhibiting the various images under which
water naturally delights us in the country.
Ewell, an antient market-town within an
ealy mile, has a mod plentiful fpring, the
head of a cryftal brook; capable, were it
here, to furnifh a thoufand ornaments and
conveniences. And I am perfuaded from
phyfical reafons, that the digging a trench of
a reafonable depth, for a quarter of a mile
(along the rivulet overEpfom-court-meadows)
from the now-uncertain fprings in Church-
flreet, would quickly produce a dream, that
in three quarters of a mile farther fhould fall
in with the other, and give it the more dig.
nify 'd name of Epfom-river. But this prefent
defed (for I augurate an approaching remedy)
is amply recompensed by every thing befides.
The two rival Bowling-greens are not to be
forgot, on which all the company by turns,
after
OF EPSOM. 103
after diverting themfclves in the morning ac-
cording to their different fancies, make a
gallant appearance every evening (efpecially
on Saturdays and Mondays) mufick playing
moft of the day, and dancing fomctimes
crooning the night : as every new comer is
awaken'd out of his deep the firft morning,
by the fame mufic, which goes to welcome
them to Epfom. The Ladies, to fhow their
innate inclination to variety, are conftantly
tripping from one green to the other; and
the Men are not more fure to follow 'em,
than glad of the occafion, to excufe their own
no lefs propenfity to change.
Here the Britifh beauties, like fo many ani-
mated ftars, fhine in their brighteft luftre ; not
half fo much by their precious jewels and coft-
ly apparel, as by the more pointed glories of
their eyes. Here every old man wifhes himfclf
young again, and the heart of every youth
is captivated at once and divided between a
thoufand deferving charms. A fairer circle
was never feen at Baix or Cumx of old, nor
of late at Carels-bad or Aix-la-chapelle, than
is to be admir'd on both the Greens and in
both the Long- rooms on a public day. If the
German baths outnumber us in Princefles, we
outfhine 'em in Nymphs and Goddeffes, to
whom their Princes wou'd be proud to pay
adoration. But not to difiemble any thing,
bountiful nature has likewife provided us with
other faces and fhapes, I may add, with ano-
ther fet of drefs, fpeech, and behavior (not
G 4 to
IP4 A DESCRIPTION
to mention ages) ordain'dto quench the cruel
flames, or to damp the inordinate defires,
which the young, the handfom, and the ac-
complifh'd, might undefignedly kindle: fo
neceffary is an antidote to love, where the
difeafe is fo catching and fo fatal !
In the raffling fhops are loft more hearts
than guineas, tho' CUPID be no where fo liberal
as in England. And the greateft order, that
in fuch cafes can be expefted (however to me
it be a rout) is preferv'd at the gaming-tables
of every kind $ where it is very diverting
for a ftander by to obfervc the different hu-
mors and paflions of both fexes, which dif-
covcr themfelves with lefs art and referve at
play, than on any other occafion. There
ypu'll fee a fparkifh young fellow of twenty
five, fitting right over a blooming beauty of
eighteen, but fo intent on gain and the dice,
that he never exchanges a word or a look with
her : while a little lower you may frniie at
an old hunks, that loves his mony as well as
any in the city, yet lofing it as faft as he
plays, by having his eyes wholly off his cards,
and fixt on a green girl of thirteen, that cares
as little for any man there, as he does for his
wife at home. The rude, the fallen, the
rioify, and the affefted, the peevifh, the co-
vetous, the litigious, and the fharping, the
proud, the prodigal, the impatient, and theinvr
pertinent, become vifible foils to the well-
bred, prudent, modeft, and good humour'd,
in the eyes of all impartial beholders. Our Doc?
tors.
OF EPSOM; 105
tors, inftead of prefcribing the waters for
the vapors or the fpleen, order their patients
to be affiduous at all public meetings ; know-
ing that (if they be not themfelves of the num-
ber) they'll find abundant occafion to laugh
at bankrupt fortune-hunters, crazy or fuper-
annuated beaus, marry 'd coquets, intriguing
prudes, richly dreft waiting maids, and com*
plimenting footmen. But being convinced, MA-
DAM, that you diflike a malicious infinuation,
as much as you approve an inftruftive hint, I
abftain from all particular characters 5 fparing
even thofe, who fpare none but themfelves.
From this account it is plain we are not
quite in Heaven here, tho' we may juftly
be faid to be in Paradife : a place cohabited
by innocence and guilt, by folly and fraud,
from the beginning. The judicious EUDOXA
will naturally conclude, that fuch a con-
courfe of all ranks of people, muft needs fill
the {hops with moft forts of ufeful and fub-
ftantial wares, as well as with finer goods,
fancies, and toys. The Taverns, the Inns, and
the Coffee-houfes anfwer the refort of the
place. And I muft do our coffee-houfes the
juftice to affirm, that for focial virtue they
are equaled by few, and exceeded by none,
tho' I wifli they may be imitated by all. A
Tory does not ftare and leer when a Whig
comes in, nor a Whig look four and whifper
at the fight of a Tory. Thefe diftinftions are
laid by with the winter fuit at London, and
a gayer cafier habit worn in the country :
even
io6 -A DESCRIPTION
even foreigners have no reafon to complain
of being ill received in this part of the Ifland,
«v Religion, that was defign'd to calm, does
not ruffle mens tempers by irreligious wrang-
lings: nor does our moderation appear by
rude invedives againft perfons we do not
know, no more than our charity does con-
fift in fixing odious charafters on fuch as un-
willingly diffent from us. But, if at any
time we muft needs deal in extremes, then
we prefer the quiet good-natur'd Hypocrite to
the implacable turbulent Zealot of any kind.
In plain terms, we are not fo fond of any fet
of notions, as to think 'em more important
than the peace of fociety. Curft be thofe
Priefts and Politicians (as they are fure to fall
fooner or later a viftim to good fenfe) who
fo induftrioufly propagate difcord and inhu-
manity in Britain ! while in Holland (for ex-
ample) tho* they differ, as all men muft un-
avoidably do, in their fentiments of many
things in Religion, and that they have oppofite
interefts in the ftate ; yet this is fo far from
exafperating, that it renders them more re-
markably civil, as the certaineft means to
gain on each others perfuafion, or at leaft on
their good opinion. They are not brand-
ed there for their Creeds, nor their Faith ridi-
culoufly follicited with promifes of favor or
preferment ; which wou'd be an infallible me-
thod to bring all perfons void of honor or
confcience to make an open profeflion of
their national religion, and then (what's worft
of
OF EPSOM; 107
of all) to cover their infincerity with the fu-
rious pretext of zeal. Private advantage (be-
lieve me) btit not the fear of God or the love
of man, is the adequate, the true, the only
fource both of Hypocrify and Persecution :
for a real perfuafion is as far from needing
any fuch interested baits, as an averfion to
mens perfons for the fake of their opinions is
from being a mark of judgment or grace.
Neither ecclefiaftical favagenefs, nor political
enthufiafm, follow thefe our beft allies from
the coffee- houfe to the tavern, nor from the
exchange to their own tables, no, nor even
to church itfelf : and the man, of what color
or profeffion foever, wou'd be counted no
lefs unmannerly than ftrangely afluming, that
fhou'd prefcribe to another what company he
ought to keep. His own after that wou'd be
no longer coveted, nor indeed eafily admit-
ted. And I doubt not but fome fuch magifte-
rial fawcinefs of old, was the original of a
prefent wife cuftom, which makes it fcanda-
lous for a fort of men (I will not name out of
refpeft) to be feen in taverns or coffee- houfes.
This makes all people eafy. No didators,
no informers. The Dutch (in a word) arc
fo intermixed and intermarry'd, that you can
never guefs at their fed or party by pub-
lic converfation 5 and, to do it, you muft fol-
low a man to his chapel or to his clofet :
for all promifcuous difcourfes on thefe fub-
jeds, are manag'd with the fame cheerfulnefs
and indifference, that they do any other to-
pics.
A DESCRIPTION
pics. If we muft needs emulate the Dutdv
for heaven fake let's do it in tbiefe laudable
refpefts, and not foolifhly damn 'em for being
more induftrious than our felves. In the
mean time, let the wife and well-meaning,
the able and honeft of all denominations, hear-
tily join together to carry on the public caufe,
and mutually bear with one another's incura-
ble differences or infirmities, becoming in
this laft refped perfeft Interpendants. Let
free-born Britons be the common ddignation
for the future j and no diftin&ion be known
among us, but only of fuch as are for civil
liberty, toleration, and the proteftant fuc-
cefllon, and of fuch others as are for abiblute
flavery, perfecution, and a popifh pretender.
A juft indignation at our fenfelefs quar-
rels has extorted this cenfure, like lome
epifode in a Poem. But (that I may not di-
grefs too far, tho' in a place where you may
ramble long enough without fearing to lofe
your way) I am pretty fure I fhall be forgiven
this tranfport for Unity by our Governor him-
felf. So we ufually call, MADAM, a Gentle-
man of our fociety here, that for good hu-
mor, good breeding, and good living, is
efteem'd by all thofe who poffefs or under-
ttand thefe qualities. He's a profeft enemy
to all party-difputes, he's the arbiter of all
differences 5 and in promoting the intereft of
this town, which he has frequented for many
years, 'tis plain that he looks upon virtue as
its own reward. His choice of the place i$
I cf
OF EPSOM. 109
of a piece with his judgment in every thing :
for as England is the plentifulleft country on
earth, fo no part of it is fupply'd with more
diverfity of the beft provisions, both from
within itfelf and from the adjacent villages,
than Epfdm. The nearnefs of London does
in like manner afford it all the exotic prepa-
ratives and allurements to luxury, whenever
any is difpos'd to make a fumptuous banquet,
or to give a genteel collation. You wou'd
think yourfelf in fome enchanted camp, to
fee the peafants ride to every houfe with the
choiceft fruits, herbs, roots, and flowers, with
all forts of tame and wild fowl, with the
rareft fifli and venifon, and with every kind
of butcher's meat, among which Banfted-
down mutton is the moft relifliing dainty.
Thus to fee the frefh and artlefs damfels of
the plain, either accompany'd by their amo-
rous fwains or aged parents, ftriking their
bargains with the nice court and city Ladies,
who, like Queens in a Tragedy, difplay all
their finery on benches before their doors
(where they hourly cenfure, and are cenfur'd)
and to obferve, how the handfomeft of each
degree equally admire, envy, and cozen one
another, is to me one of the chief amufe-
ments of the place. The Ladies who arc
too lazy or too ftately, but efpecially thofc
that fit up late at play, have their provifion$
brought to their bed-fide, where they con-
clude the bargain ; and then (perhaps after a
dilh of Chocolate) take t'other nap, till what
they
no A DESCRIPTION
they have thus bought is got ready for din-
ner. Yet thefe rounds of the Haglers (which
I would have by no means abolifh'd, and
Which may be call'd a travelling market) are
not incompatible with a daily fix'd Market in
the middle of the town, not only as a far-
ther entertainment for the Ladies, who love
occafions of coming together, no lefs than
the men, but likewife becaufe a greater
choice of every thing may be had there, and
at all hours, than poflibly can be at their
doors : nor would it be more advantageous to
the meaner fort for cheapnefs, than convenient
for the neighbouring Gentry on many accounts.
The new fair during the Eafter holy-days,
and that on the twenty fourth of July, are
as yet of little moment , tho' capable in
time to be highly improved. Even VENUS
had a mole ; and goffipping is the great
eft objection I have ever heard made to EP-
SOM. But befides that this is common to it,
with all places of narrow compafs, efpecially
places of public refort : fo, next to not de-
ferving any cenfure at all, the beft remedy
is, not to mind the unavoidable chat of idle
people, who are generally fufferers in the
end. But what fence is there any where
againft ignorance and prejudice? When I have
known at Hampftead fome houfe-keepers fo
filly, as to let their rooms ftand empty, ra-
ther than to fill them with Jews : tho' thefe
people are known to give as good rates as
any other whatfoever, and that they are as
2 ready
OF EPSOM. in
ready to promote all the diverfions of the place*
Yet, tho' ignorance and prejudice, as I faid*
do thrive amain every where in the world >
fo wife men will ever be eafy in fpite of both*
So much for the Town. Nor is my pleafure
diminifh'd by excurfions out of it: for no where
has nature indulged her felf in grateful varie-
ty, more than in this canton. The old Wells
at half a mile's diftance, which formerly us'd
to be the meeting place in the forenoon, are
not at prefent fo much in vogue ,• the waters,
they fay, being found as good within the vil-
lage, and all diverfions in greater perfection.
The view from the fertile Common in which
they lye, is, as from every elevation here-
abouts, wonderfully delightful 5 efpecially fo
diftind a profped of London at fo great a
diftance. But the fortuitous cure of a leprous
(hepherd (an origin attributed to thefe in
common with other fuch Wells) appears even
hence to be fabulous, that they have never
fmce had the like effed : tho' otherwife thefe
aluminous waters are experienc'd to be very
beneficial in gently cleanfing the (4) body, in
cooling the head, and purifying the blood;
the fait, that is chymicaily made of 'em, be-
ing famous over all Europe. Yet the cold
Bath, lately ereded on the bottom of this
pretended miracle, meets with as little en-
couragement, as the old ftory it felf does with
belief 5 it not being the fafhion in this, as in
fome other countries, to have all falutiferous
waters
(4) Infirmo capiti fiuitutilis, utilis alvo. Hor. Epijt, i6,lib. r.
ii2 A DESCRIPTION
waters under the infpeftion of theparfon^ or
the proteftion of a faint. The hunting of
a Pig there every monday morning, when
the only knack confifts in catching and hold-
ing him up by the tail, is infinitely more be-
comeing the boys that perform it, than the
fpedators that employ 'em. As for a cold
Bath, Ewell would by much be the propereft
place ; fince, by reafon of the Ipring, the
water may not only be chang'd for every new
comer, but a bafin be likewife made adapted
for fwimming, which on fuch occafions was
the practice of the antients.
But to Ihift our fcenes : from the Ring on
the moft eminent part of the Downs, where
I have often counted above fixty coaches on,
a Sunday evening, and whence the painter
muft take his view when he reprefents EP-
SOM, you may diftindly fee nine or ten
counties in whole or in part. Befides the
imperial city of London, very many confi-
derable towns, and an infinite number of
coomtry - feats, you alfo fee the two Royal
Palaces of Windfor and Hampton - Court.
Within a mile and a half is the place, and
only the place, where that other fplendid
Palace of Nonfuch (5) lately flood : a fit
fubjeft of reflection for thofe, who are inclined
to moralize on the frailty, uncertainty, and
viciflltude of all things. You may from thence,
further perceive with your glafs, the ruins
of
Cf) A great part of it flood in my own time, and I have /pokcn
with thofe that faw it entire.
OF EPSOM. IT*
of the moft antient Palace of Eltham in Kent,
and that of Oatlands in this fame county of
Surry ; where was likewife the Saxon Royal
feat of Croydon, the modern one of Rich-
mond, the royal manor of Wokeing, with
feveral more of this rank, which fhcws the
good tafte of our former Kings* But not to
quit our Downs for any court, the great num*
ber of Gentlemen and Ladies, that take the
air every evening and morning on horfeback,
and that range either flngly or in feparate com-
panies over every hill and dale, is a moft en-
tertaining objeft. You can never mifs of it
on the fine grounds of the new orbicular
Race, which may well be term'd a rural
Cirque. The four-mile courfe over theWarren-
houfe to Carfalton, a village abounding in
delicious fprings as much as \ve want 'em, fel-
dom likewife fails to afford me this pleafurc :
having all the way in my eye (like fome cy-
nofure) the tufted trees of the old Roman for-
tification (6) Burrough, properly fituated to
crown the downs, and once in my opinion
reigning over all the groves. I except not
that of Durdans famous for love, nor even
Aflited- mount the manfion of the graces. Sut-
ton and Cheam, tho* not too low, are yet in
VOL. II. H winter
(6) I am not the firft that made BuftGH a Roman fortrefs j foi%
in the poft humous edition of Dr. GALE'S Annotation! en ANTONINE'S
Itiaerary* it will be found there were Roman Garrifons, not on-
ly at Burrough (call'd by the Saxons Burgh from the old fort)
but likewife at Ben'sbury by Wimbledon, at Gatton, and fuch
other advantageous pofts new the city NonoMAOUM 00
^ote-warren.
ii4 A DESCRIPTION
winter too (7) dirty 5 as Walton and Hedky
are both too \v\jindy, too (8) woody, and
therefore in fummer too clofe.
This I infert for your information, nobleft
CHERUSCUS, to whom I'm confident EUDOXA
will communicate this Letter ^ fince you have
wifely refolv'd (as you do everything) to pur-
chafe a fummer retreat, coft what it will,
ibmewhere in this neighbourhood. But whe-
ther you gently ftep over my favorite Mea-
dows, planted on all fides quite to (p) Wood-
cot - feat , in whofe long grove I ofteneft
converfe with my felf : or that you walk
further on to Afhted - houfe and Park, the
i weeteft fpot of ground in our Britifh world :
or ride ftill further to the enchanting profped
of Box -hill, that temple of nature, no
where elfe to be equall'd for affording fo
furprizing and magnificent an idea both of
heaven and earth : whether you lofe yourfelf
in the aged yew-groves of Mickle-ham, as the
river Mole does hide itfelf in the (10) Swal-
lows beneath, or that you had rather try your
patience
(7) The dirtincfs of Cheam is not the fault of the place, which
is naturally dry, but proceeds from the negligence of the inha-
bitants ; from which imputation, I wifh Epfom it fclf were
wholly free.
(8) This objection is not like to continue long, fince fo many
woods have been fcll'd and grubb'd up of late, that the country
is rather in danger of being left too bare : tho' the raffing of wood
for timber, or fuel, or flicker, or ornament, be the eafieft thing
in the world j and that we are no lefs bound to make this provi-
fion for pofterity, than our Anceftors have done it for us.
(9) It belongs to the right honourable the Lord BALTIMORE.
( i o) See the dcfcripdon of Box-hill. S /
OF EPSOM. 115
patience in angling for trouts about Leather-
head : whether you go to fome cricket match
and other prizes of contending villagers, or
chufe to breath your horfe at a (n) Race,
and to follow a pack of hounds in the proper
feafon: whether, I fay, you delight in any
or every one of thefe, E P S O M is the place
you mud like before all (12) others.
I that love the country entirely,and to partake
in fome meafure of moft diverfions (except gam-
ing) have fixt my refidence here ; where I con-
tinue the whole fummer, and whither I with-
draw frequently in winter. Nor are thefe
I now nam'd my only inducements : for as
I prefer Retirement to Solitude, and fo
wou'd have it in my power to be alone or in
company at pleafure, I cou'd be no where
better fitted befides 5 every body meeting his
acquaintance on the Bowling - greens, in the
Coffee-houfes, in the Long-rooms, or on
the Downs 5 and few vifiting others at their
houfes unlefs particularly invited, or where
friendftiip has made all things common. Tis
otherwife among themfelves with chance-lod-
gers, who come purely for diverfion. In two
or three hours time I can be at London, when-
ever I will,at my eafe 5 and, if I have no bufi-
nefs in town, I can receive all the public news
as well, and almoft as foon, at E P S OM : fe-
H z veral
(n) Banftcad- downs are very famous for horfe-matches, as
there is not a propercr place in the world for this fport3
(12) Ille terrarum mihi praeter omncs
Angulus ridct. Her, 0</. G.ltb, 2* v
116 A DESCRIPTION
vcfal ftage-coaches going and returning every
day, with town and country waggons more
than once a week 5 not to mention the or-
dinary poft, that arrives every morning, Sun-
days excepted. Thus I remove at pleafure, as
I grow weary of the country or the town, as
I avoid a crowd, or feek (13) company.
Here then, EUDOXA, let me have Books
and Bread enough without dependance, a
bottle of Hermitage and a plate of Olives
for a felecl friend , with an early rofe to pre-
fent a young Lady, as an emblem of difcre-
tion no lefs than of beauty : and I inglori-
oufly refign (from that minute) my (hare of all
titles and preferments to fuch as are in love
with hurry, pay court to envy, or divert
themfelves with care; to fuch as are con-
tent to fquare their lives by the fmiles or
frowns of others, and who are refolv'd to
live poor that they may die rich. Let fome
therefore hide their aking fears under lau-
rels, or raife cftates to their children by ruin-
ing their clients, or fquander the gettings of
their fathers in corrupting elections againft
their country $ while others kill whom they
can't cure, or preach what they don't believe :
but grant me, ye powers, luxurious tran-
quillity !
You
(13) Hasc mihi nonprocul urbefitaeft, nccprorfus ad urbcm ;
Nc patiar turbas, utque bonis potiar :
It quotics mutare locum faftidia cogunt,
Tranfco i & ahcrnis rurc vel urbc fruor.
OF EPSOM. 117
You have here, MADAM, the defcription
that you demanded of EPSOM, and my
reafons for liking the place. But the main
attraftive is {till unfaid. I have other Miftrcf-
fes that charm me in the neighbourhood ,
befide thofe which may be gain'd with fome
addrefs and pains in a town fo well ftock'd
with beauties. I make no queftion, but you'll
prefently think, I mean the lonely Shepherd-
efles on the wide downs, or the plain farmers
daughters as they go to hay- making, to har-
vcft, a nutting, a milking, or perhaps to turn
in or out their harmlefs cattle : amours that
Gods and Heroes have not difdain'd. This, I
repeat it, will be your firft thought, which
wou'd be uncivil in me to contradid. But I
know your next reflection will be, that I
allude to the nine Mufes, which meet me in
every lawn and every grove, in every fhady
bower and folitary glade. MINERVA is to be
met on our downs as well as (14) DIANA:
and if ever I go a hunting, 'tis always (as a
learned Roman has recorded of himfelf) with
a pocket-book and a pencil, that if I hap-
pen to take nothing, I may yet bring fome-
thing (15) home. Nor is this all. To us
lovers of the country, the lowing of oxen,
the bleating of fhcep, the piping of fticp-
H 3 herds
(14) Expericris non Dianam magis montibus quam Miner vam
inerrare.
(i$0 Vcnor aliquando: fed non fine pugillaribus, ut quanws
nihil ceperim, non nibil referam. ld*m\\b. 9, Epift. $6,
Vt* A DESCRIPTION
herds, and the whittling of hinds, are charms
for which the men of noife and bufinefs, with
the men of pleafure falfly fo call'd, have nei-
ther tafte nor car. O refrefhing Zephirs, bear-
ing odors and fpices on your wings, fweeter
than all artificial perfumes ! O ye wild fruits
nd berries, ye tender buds and fragrant flow-
ers, cropt with my own hands, preferable to
the repafts of Bifhops ! O cooling fhades and
grors, ye retir'd caves, moffy fprings, and aw*
ful woods: ye fpacious plains, ecchoing val-
leys, and majeftick hills, far more pleafant
than the well-known Courts of Princes ! I call
you all to witnefs, that, tir'd with fport or
ftudy, and fleeping on the grafs under a fprcad-
ing beech, I enjoy not a more folid and fe^
cure repofe, than the proudeft monarch in
his gilded Palace ? In fuch places, MADAM,
(if I dare flatter myfelf that I am fometimes
happy in your remembrance) you'll ima-
gine to lee me wandring as void of care
as of ambition, and always a book in my
hand or in my (16) head : yet ftill with
a defign of returning more entertaining to
private converfation , or more ferviceable
to publick fociety. But wherever I am,
or however employed, you may depend up-
on it (and I know you'll generoufly do fo)
that as none is higher in my efteem, fo
nope
Taciturn filvas inter repfare falubres,
Curantciu quicquid dignum fapiente bonoquc eft.
OF EPSOM: 119
none is oftcncr in my thoughts, than the
every way incomparable E u D o x A. Of
this the confcioufnefs of her own worth
affures her: and therefore 'tis purely form
obliges me to add , that with a zeal and
fincerity not poflible to be expreft, I am,
fro.
~ T T
*"\
I
THE
ni' '.' I
rt20 THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE
PRIMITIVE
CONSTITUTION
O F T H E
CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
With an Account of the principal Con-
troverfies about Church -Govern-
ment y which at prefent di-
vide the Chriflian World \
CHAP, I.
The Occajion and Argument of the Work.
INCH Religion, SIR, no lon-
ger fignifies an inftitution that'
informs the mind, and rectifies
the manners, but is become the
diftinguifhing name of Seft and
Party 5 happy is that man who is not fo rigid-
ly narrow, four, imeafy, and cenforious, as
his Religion wou'd make him, if it be in a
differing
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 121
fuffering condition ; nor fo intolerably info-
lent, vexatious, oppreffing, and deftru&ive, as
if it has the countenance of authority. The
one of thefe hates the man who excludes him
from publick truft, he feverely obferves his
failings, and watches an opportunity to (hake
off his yoke : the other will engrofs to himfelf
all preferments, he unmercifully punifhes the
cxpofer of his aftions, and keeps him down
the more to prevent his revenge. Mutual ex-
afperations muft neceflarily follow 5 then Per-
fecutions, Depopulations, Tumults, and Wars.
This makes it of the greateft confequence there-
fore to any good Government, that the prin-
cipal members of it be rightly inform'd, and
have due notions, not only of what's true in
fpeculation, but likewife of what's ufeful in
praftice, or beneficial to the fociety. And if
they begin with the laft, they may be fure to
difcover the firft : for nothing that ferves to
leflen the quiet, peace, union, and happinefs
of men, can be true Religion 5 fince one of
its main ends (and perhaps the chiefeft in this
world) is to retain 'em the more effedually
in their feveral duties.
II. BUT what difpofes me more readily
than my duty it felf, SIR, to write on this
fubjed for your fatisfaftion, is, that I cannot
remember to have ever met with a certain
Gentleman (whom I need not name or de-
fcribe to you, and who has more opportuni-
ties than I tp be about your perfon) but he
prefently
122 THE CONSTITUTION OF
prefently magnify'd the Church, rail'd againft
Schifmaticks, or cxpreft his abhorrence of He-
reticks, Nor, to do him juftice, is hefingu-
lar in this ; for moft other men talk with ad-
miration of Ecclefiaftical Difcipline, and the
Order of Priefthood, without which they be-
lieve that no Religion or community can fub-
lift. That this opinion has long and largely
reign'd, I acknowledge 5 tho', to fpeak freely,
I do not for all that think the Clergy to be
the Church, nor, where they differ from other
men, to be any part of the Chriftian Religi-
on. I do not admit the Church it felf to be
a Society under a certain form of Govern-
ment and Officers; or that there is in the
world at prefcnt, and that there has continued
for 1 704 years paft, any Conftant Syftem of
Doftrine and Difcipline maintain'd by fuch a
Society, deferving the title of the Catholick
Church, to which all particular Churches
ought to conform or fubmit, and with which
all private perfons are oblig'd to hold com-
munion. Much lefs do I believe that there
was inftituted in the Church a peculiar Or-
der of Priefts (tho' Chriftian Priefts I do al-
low) no Priefts, I fay, whofe office it is to
inftrucl: the People alone, and fucceffively to
appoint thofe of their own function, whether
by the hands of one prefiding Bifliop, or of
ieveral equal Presbyters, Paftors, Minifters, or
Priefts of any degree or denomination. And
leaft of all will I grant, that either Princes or
Priefts may juftly damnify any perfon in his
reputation^
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 123
reputation, property, liberty, or life, on the ac-
count of his religious Profeffion ; nor lay him
under any incapacities for not conforming to
the national manner of Worfhip, provided he
neither profefles nor praftifes any thing re-
pugnant to human Society, or the civfl Go-
vernment where he lives.
III. THESE are not the means inftituted
by C H R i s T and his Apoftles, nor directed by
true prudence to fupport the dignity and pow-
er of Religion : neither is it difficult for any
man, not partial or negligent, to find out thofe
means 5 nor impoffible to put them-tflnexecu-
tion, when difcover'd. There is a vaft diffe-
rence between the Dodrine of CHRIST, and
the methods appointed to propagate or to pre-
ferve it. Now this is the very cafe : for it
is not out of a regard to his ordination, de-
gree or function (of all which in their places)
that a Prieft is reckoned a Chriftian 5 but only
as he believes the Doftrines, and pradifes the
Duties taught by JESUS CHRIST 5 which is
common to him with all other perfons $ of
otherwife none but a Prieft cou'd be properly
faid to be of any Religion. Yet fince it be-
carne more advantageous to be a fervant to
the Church than one of its members, and
more honourable to be a Prieft than a mere
Chriftian j Religion, by which they get no
more than others, has been generally negleft-
cd by the Clergy 5 and Difcipline, wherein
£ pnfrfts all their power and profit, is made al-
moft
124 THE CONSTITUTION OF
moft the fole argument of their preaching and
difputes. Difciplinc, and not Religion, oc-
cafion'd the Schifm of the Eaft and Weft.
Hence arofe the firft and principal contefts be-
twixt the Papift and the Protcftants: from
the fame caufe proceeded the impofitions of
the Englifh Hierarchy upon the Diffenters
from it > nor are the latter divided into Pref-
byterians and Independents on any other
fcore. In a word, much the greateft part of
the inhuman barbarities, controverfies, and
divifions of Chriftians, with nine parts in ten
of the religious volumes they have written,owe
their being to the oppofite factions of Priefts,
and to their various forms pf Church-Govern-
ment.
IV. THUS while the Clergy are contending
for their own fuperiority and advantage, the
Laity (as if they were afraid to fuffer for their
neutrality) warmly take fides in a quarrel where*
in they arc not in the leaft concerned: only that
the great point in debate is commonly about
the iikelieft means of making themfelvcs (laves,
without their perceiving it $ or how to keep
'em in fubjeftion, fhou'd they grow weary of
their chains. This is felf-evident in the dif-
pute about Occasional Conformity, which
divides our Nation at prefent, and is like to
give us more difturbance in time to come.
Yet 'tis Difcipline and not Religion, not Chri-
ftianity but the Church, that is the occafion
of rhofc unnatural heats, fcandalous libels,
bitter
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH iaj
bitter inveftivcs, foul afperfions, malicious
reports, and irreconcileablc factions, which
from thence have taken their rife, or that
make it a new pretence to cover antient ani-
mofities. The worft part of the Epifcopal
Clergy endeavour moft ftrenuoufiy to bring
all the grift to their own mills 5 and the moft
ignorant among the Diflenting Minifters ftrug-
gle as ftoutly to keep back thofe by whofc
cuftom they get their livelihood : while the
honeft men on all fides make large allowances
and conceffions, without being violent or
uncharitable in any thing .The honour and
authority of both is nearly concerned in the
number of their adherents. Ambitious Statcf-
men ftimulate and encourage the one, or pro-
tea and uphold the other (how indifferent
focvcr they may be to the merits of the
caufe) as it contributes to ferve their own pri-
vate purpofes, or to gratify the aims of the
Prince. And all this while the People, who
are the very play-thing and foot-ball of thefe
cunning gamcfters, arc with much addrefs
made to believe, that their good and happi-
nefs is the grand matter in qucftion ; each
party pretending to be zealoufly efpoufing
their interefts, or, to be fure, the People
wou'd not be fuch fools as to efpoufe theirs,
Neverthelefs, which ever fide they defend or
oppofe, which ever faftion they defert or
embrace, they are neither more nor lefs Chri-
ftians than they were before : they learn no
feew fpiritual Doftriue, nor ao new moral du-
3 tjr >
126 THE CONSTITUTION OF
ty } and confequently they become neither
\vifer nor better men.
V. WITH all this, SIR, be pleas'd to do
juftice to thofe that deferve it, when you are
fo prone to be merciful to offenders : for you
ate not to imagine that every man goes upon
one or other of thefe falfe bottoms ; and that
thofe very perfons who defend the truth a-
mong us, are only in the right by accident.
There are thofe in the Court, in the Senate,
of the Church, of the Law, and in the Camp,
in the capital City, and in all parts of the
country, who are not the fervile flatterers,
nor implicit followers of other mcns Opini-
ons 5 who feek neither profit nor applaufe,
nor authority nor revenge : but who oppofc
all arbitrary impositions on the Underftand-
ing or Confciences of men, from a generous
affedion to their own fpecies, out of a right
knowledge of human nature, and for advanc,
ing the flourifhing ftate of the commonwealth.
Not (as many do, who yet arc not the worft
rank of men) for temporary ends and poli-
tick accommodations, but from a deep and
juftfenfeof impartial, full, divine, and eter-
nal liberty. Thefe are the perfons to whom
the nation is indebted for wealth and tran-
quillity at home, for power and reputation
abroad : whereas the firft would foon be ru-
in'd, and the fecond be fooner loft, might
thofe of narrow affedions, bigotted notions,
of fordid -or ambitious inclinations, manage
affairs,
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 127
affairs, and overbear the reft. Thefe are the
men, who having received their light and
knowledg from reafonable arguments, are not
for converting others by dint of blows; who
leave all parties their free choice, without
being unfettled or indifferent in their own
Faith > and who, tho' they a£t themfelves on
true Principles, are often oblig'd to work on
the prepoffeflions of their neighbours, to pro-
cure a majority in favour of truth. May they
receive the excellent and unfpeakable rewards
of Virtue ! may their names and aftions be
faithfully tranfmitted to pofterity ! and may
their worthy examples be emuloufly followed
by thofe of the prefent and the future time,
by this nation, and by all the regions of the
earth i
VI. BUT all other forts of men are fo
tranfported by their pafllons, or fo intent on
their particular views and defigns, that they arc
deaf to whatever can be faid to 'em on this
fubjeft. Intereft never confiders right or
wrong, but power and advantage. And let a
man offer the cleared demonftrations, his
pains will be thrown away on fuch as are guid-
ed more by prejudice or cuftom, than by rea-
fon and convenience. But fince I write to one
who profefles a greater love for truth, than
fondnefs for any Church or form in the world;
who declares he'll never think hirnfelf too old
nor too great to learn 5 and that hell neither
be afham'd nor afraid to change, whenever he
3 meets
Y28 THE CONSTITUTION OF
meets with fufficient motives : I fhall there-
fore with all imaginable plainnefs deliver my
own fentiments, which I have not adopted
out of Angularity, fincel have not fought re*
nown by publifhing them under my name $
nor yet out of intereft, fince they are not the
opinions to which rewards or preferments arc
annext 5 and leaft of all from education, fincc
there's no place nor fociety wherein they arc
publickly taught. But I have, by a free en-
quiry and diligent application, learnt them
from the dictates of right reafon, from my
own obfcrvations on the beft governments In
the world, and from the original Conftitution
of Chriftianity.
W\' -O anoi^y 3 iifc ycl.-hfif; .-''Oilllii ir.iilt^d
VII. A S I call all things by their proper
names, fo I endeavour to reftore Words to
their genuine fignifications, and to refcue them
from fophiftry, ambiguity, and obfcurity. Ma*
ny, without designing any fraud, impofe on
others by the expreffions they ufe in an un-
determined fenfe, and are by the fame confu*
Jion alike deceived in their turn. To employ
terms fometimes one way, and fometimes an-
other, pretending all the while to mean but
one thing, is a difhoneft artifice, a fophifm
in logick, and whereof the author muft pro-
bably be ever confcious to himfelf. But to
define your words, and to affign the idea you
defend or oppofe, is not only the faireft deal-
ing, but alfo the fafeft 5 and, between un-
feigu'd enquirers after truth, 'tis the moft
certain
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ii*
certain way to fhorten controverfies, as
well as for men to differ without breach of
charity, without indecent language, or mutu-
al difefteem. Where I agree with others, I
think not my felf the lefs in the wrong mere-
ly for that, nor the more in the right where
I dlfagree with them $ neither theirs nor my
bare opinion being of any weight againft
truth. And as no party Wou'd be thought to
maintain all my notions, becaufe they may
like fome of 'em 5 fo I wou'd not be deno-
minated from any party for approving them
in certain things, whereas I may difapprove
them in more. It is no fmall artifice to
give nicknames in Religion, and to bcftow an
odious or a creditable title, according to the
words in prefent fafluon : for what's the bug-
bear of one age is the honour of another $
nay, what was twenty years ago the blackeft
crime, is now in many cafes the brigheft merit i
and the only thing to which moil are conftanr*
is, that if a man's not found within the pale
of fome certain Se<ft, he's look'd upon by all
as an outlying deer, which it's lawful for eve-
ry one to kill* But notwithstanding my fore*
knowledge of this matter, yet, as I lliall not
ambitioufly aflume the name of any party*
neither (hall I be concenVd what name they'll
pleafe to impofe upon me, fo long as I know
my felf to be a hearty well-wrfhcr to man-
kind, a fincere lover of my country* and
your no lefs faithful than dutiful Servant* DC*
me this juftice, SIR, and proceed*
VOL, IL I C H A ?,
130 THE CONSTITUTION OF
CHAP. II.
Of the Chriflian Religion.
LYT7HEN JESUS CHRIST, the moft
\\ refplendent fun of fanftity, juftice,
and knowledge, begun to difperfe thofe thick
clouds of ignorance which from the Jews and
Gentiles had much obfcA'd the perfeft truth,
he engag'd his principal followers in the no-
ble task of refcuing men from the tyranny
of cuftom, fraud, and force : and (inftead of
fuperftitious practices, introduced by the fool-
ifh, and improv'd by the crafty ; inftead of
unintelligible theories, calculated as much for
the authority of fome, as for the fubjeftion
of others) he fixt the true notion of one God,
and declared how he becomes propitious to
rebellious man $ he taught repentance and re-
miffion of fins 5 he injoin'd faith in himfelf
as the MESS i AS and deliverer 5 he brought
life and immortality to light, and fettl'd mo-
rality upon its juft and natural foundation.
'•^m- ?'ii.<h r-*s/fcfi
II. HIS Difciples, with a zeal becoming
the laft commands of their divine mafter
(who fufFer'd an ignominious death for the
glorious caufe of truth, and for the falvation
of mankind) perform'd their part with al-
moft equal danger and fucce£s. Thefe extra-
ordinary pcrfons were from their fevcral pro-
vinces call'd fome Apoftles, fome Prophets,
fome Evangelifts, fome Paftors and Teachers $
and
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i3f
and fome by more of thefe names, as they
Were at certain times differently imploy'd, ac-
cording to the feveral dialeds of the places
where they preach'd, or as fynonymous terms
in the fame language and country. They
were ty'd to no certain place nor conftint
refidence, having generoully undertaken, to
the utmoft of their power, to difFufe the
Chriftian Do&rine among all nations of the
earth, and to provide effectual means for the
prefervation of it wherefoever they planted
it 5 tho' to the hazard of their own lives, and
ready to feal the truth of it with their blood*
When it came immediately out of their hands,
it was no lefs plain and pure than ufeful and
neceflary 3 and, as being the concern of every
man, it was equally underftood by every bo-
dy, as it was in reality promifcuoufly offer'd
to all forts and degrees of men. CHRIST*
did not inftitute one Religion for the learned,
and another for the vulgar* It is recorded on
the contrary, that (i) the common 'People heard
him gladly ', that (2) he preach' d the Gofpel to
thefoor ; and he was not only followed by
divers of the female fex, but alfo among the
converts of PAUL are reckoned (3) of the
honourable Women not a few. This fuppofes
that having a good difpofition, they eafily
comprehended the evidence of the Chriftian
Doftrine, which therefore they imbracd and
I 2 prefer'd
i xii. 37,
(j) Mat. xi. j.
(3) Jifft xvii. ia«
JJ2 THE CONSTITUTION OF
prefer'd to their own native but lefs edifying
Religions.
:>.-;i io ?.b3U;r; .** v/^1 3/11 oJ .iifnt/K''
III. AND certainly one of the mod di-
ftinguifhing advantages of true Chriftianity is
this, that neither poverty, nor want of let-
ters, nor the hurry of particular callings, can
hinder any perfon from acquiring it, without
which it cou'd not be properly a perfed Re-
ligion : but rather on the fame foot with the
ceremonial worfhipof the Jews, with the fe-
cret myfteries of the Heathens, and with the
abftrufe dodrines of the Philofophers $ where-
as it fupplies the imperfedions of the firft,
prevents the impofture of the fecond, and ex-
cludes the difficulties of the third. Not the
borrow'd terms or pofitions of antient per-
plexing fophifters, not the barbarous jargon
and idle diftindions of later fcholaftick wrang-
lers, neither the precarious hypothefes and
nice fubtilties of conceited doaors, nor the
pretended infpirations and ridiculous vifions
of extravagant enthufiafts, were then ereded
into Articles of Faith. Truth was not then
made the fport of chance, and tumultuoufly
decided by the votes of fadions ; nor any
thing deiiver'd for truth, but what vifibly
tended to make men either the wifer or the
better. Curious queftions about the Perfon
of CHRIST were not fiibftitiited by his A-
poftles to his Dodrines; the circumftantials
were not made the fundamentals, nor the
hiftbry of Chriftianity transform^ into the ef-
fence
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 133
fence of the fame. That idolatry, thofe fa-
bles, this pomp and pageantry, were not fo
early father'd upon himfelf, which then he
was known aftually to abolifh and deftroy.
Nor couM he be then reprefented as the
favourer of tyranny, or the founder of a
more formal, fuperftitious, and impofing
Priefthood than the Levitical, when he cx-
prefly declared all his true followers (4) to
be Kings and friejts, that is, the difpofcrs of
their own liberty and the minifters of their
own facrificcs, as being voluntary members of
fociety, and the worfhippers of God in fpirit
and truth.
IV. AND here, as a moft tra&able learn-
er, I wou'd addrefs my felf to thofe that are
more knowing, defiring information in this
point j namely, to what purpofe any thing can
ferve, which does not render us either wiier or
better men than we were before? For what'pro-
duces neither of thefe effeds, cannot be com-
prehended,and therefore in that refpeftis whol-
ly ufelefs 5 fuice what we don't underftand can-
not make us the wifer, and if we are not the
wifer, how can we be the better ? But if this
be granted (as I can yet perceive no reafon why
it fhou'd not) then I wou'd again be inform'd
why nations, provinces, families, friends, and
acquaintance fhou'd be difturb'd, why all
union fhou'd be difTplv'd, affe&ions divided,
laws fubverted, or governments unhing'd,
fevu^cv I 3^m ion Jao about
(4) Rw, i. <.
134 THE CONSTITUTION OF
about fuch things as no mortal can either con-
ceive to himfelf or explain to others? as the
Judgments an<i Decrees of God 5 the manner
of his Subfiftence, of his will, or underftand-
ing 5 the immediate State of departed Souls ;
the Refurreftion of the fame numerical body;
with other (ubjefts which are thought more
eafy, but which are not better known. Yet
hence in great part proceed the inhuman divi-
ftons of Chjriftians, tho' this be not the only
nor the greateft caufe : whereas nothing can
be wifer, plainer, truer, and confequently
more divine, than what CHRIST and his A*
potties have proposed about the means of re-
conciling God to fmnerss of purifying the
ipind, and rectifying the manners $ of illumi-
nating the underftanding, guiding the confci-
ence, and direding particular duties ; of con-
firming the hopes of recompence to the good,
and denouncing the dread of puniffiment to the
bad ,- of propagating mutual love, forbearance,
and peace among all mankind $ of cementing,
maintaining, and fupporting civil fociety.
V. THE whole Chriftian Religion was
fuccefllvely and occafionally committed to
writing by certain of the Apoftles, Evangeljfts,
and other Difciples ; and it fummarily confifts
in the belief and observation of the truths that
were taught by its founder JESUS CHRIST.
This, and this only, entitles men to the name
of Chriftians 5 not the prefcriptions of time
or fucccffion, not the fancy'd prerogatives of
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 135
any places or perfons. Whoever therefore
receives the dodrines, and pradifes the com-
mands of the Gofpel, is a true Chriftian, how-
ever he came by his Religion 5 whether un-
der the difcipline of matters, or by his own
private induftry and ftudy. Nor can there
be afllgn'd any good reafon in the world,
why a man may not learn his duty, fettle his
belief, and form the condud of his life, by
reading the volume entitled the NEW TES-
TAMENT, which contains the originals of the
Chriftian Religion ; as another may regulate
his perfuafion and manners, by reading the
Dialogues of PLATO, which contain the fpe-
culations and morals of that Philofopher.
To fay that to be a Platonift is an indifferent
thing, but not fo of a Chriftian, is one of
thofe unwary expreffions by which people
know not what they mean themfelves. For
if Platonifm be truth, none ought to be indiffe-
rent to it, unlefs where the matter of it is
indifferent in itfelf 5 nor even in fuch a
cafe can any body be indifferent to £ truth
that is made evident to him, unlefs we cou'd
believe or disbelieve as we pleafe, which is
a thing in no man's power to do, whatever
he may think fit to fay. And if Platonifm
be falfe (as certainly in many things it is)
then no perfon ought to be indifferent about
imbracing a fyftem which he ought moft care-
fully to examin, left he be miftaken in his
reafons, and confequcnly mifled in his adions.
But if it be meant that none fhou'd be com*
I 4 pell'd
136 THE CONSTITUTION OF
pell'd either to disbelieve or to profefs Pla-
tonifm, or any other Seft of Philofophy, the
lame is as true of Chriftianitys the preach-
ing of thc-Gofpel, and the convi&ion of con-
fcience, being the only juft and ordinary
means to propagate it. The fpeculative Doc*
trines of it are offer'd to the light of inter-
nal perfuafion, and the moral Precepts of it
arc left to the care of external laws.
VI. I am not ignorant that, on the con-
trary, Chriftians are pretended to be mem-
bers of a form'd Society, into which they
are admitted by peculiar Rites, which muft
be only performed by fpecial Officers divine-
ly commiflion'd to that end, and to whofe
Government all the members are to be in
conftant fubjedion 5 as they are to be juftly
cenfur'd or cxpell'd, if they do not conform
to the laws by which thofe officers claim their
Authority. That this has been for more than
a thoufand years paft, as it is at prefent, the
fenfe of mod (tho' not of all) Chriftian So-
cieties or Churches, however they may Dif-
fer among themfelves as to the nature or ex-
tent of their Power, Ordination, or Func-
tion, I do moft freely confefs ; as, on the
other hand, I think I have good grounds to
affirm it not to have been fo from the begin-
ning, not to be the true intention of the
writings of the New Teftamcnt, nor to be
the moft reafonable fenfe that can be put
upon them, and much lefs $Q follow from
4 thence
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 137
thence by any evidence or neceflity. This
is what I fhall now endeavor to (hew, and
is the Argument of the following Chapters,
wherein the proofs of it are to be fought,
and not here in the Introduction, as I my
felf fhall take no fuch pofuive aflfertions for
an anfwer from others.
VII. BUT before I begin this task, I think
it not wide from my purpofe to (hew, how
much nobler and more generous ideas fomc
of (thofe they call) the antient Fathers had
of Chriftianity ; conceptions, I fay, muck
more worthy and juft than many of them*
who, in our times, are not a little proud to
ftile themfelves their fons. But let it be al-
ways remember'd that I am none of thofe
froward and undutiful children, fuch as they
have all been without exception, that com-
ply with the will of their fathers only when
it fuits with their own, but that roundly dit
obey and rejed it when it thwarts or con-
tradids their favorite notions, which is the
conftant pradice of every party. And that
this is no more than the naked truth, I defire
that Church, nay, or that one man in the
world to be nam'd, who agrees with every
thing in all the Fathers, or in any one Fa-
ther whatfoever. What I am therefore go-
ing to alledge, is left to impartial confide-
ration, not from the authority of the perfons,
but from the reafon of the things themfelves,
<pompar'4 with the teftimony of the Scrip-
tures:
i3S THE CONSTITUTION OF
tares : for matters arc come at prefent to that
pafs in the world, that I exped no thanks,
but rather ill-will for what I have faid in
commendation of the Chriftian Religion $
cfpecially from thofe (whoever they be) that
have chang'd it into an art of gain, and a
fyftem of contention. Thus in the iirft
preaching of it, fuch as glory'd in being the
only true Church did moft ftrenuouily oppofe
its progrcfs, and the Priefts were of ail o-
thers its fierceft enemies. Nor ought this to
be reputed a wonder, fince there is no fuch
fatyr in nature againft Prieft- craft as the Gof-
pel of CHRIST 5 which fo exafperated the cor-
rupt Priefts of his time, that after growing
weary of their captious difputes, malicious
calumnies, invidious infinuations, opprobri-
ous language, fcurrilous reflexions, falfe re-
prefentations , and cruel perfecutions, (the
common and perpetual arts of the interefted
patrons of error) they never refted till they
brought him at laft to the fcandalous death of
the crofs.
VIII. BUT not to digrefs: Thofe who
live according to Reafon (fays (5) JUSTIN
MARTYR) are Chnftiansy tho they be reputed
Atheifts. Such among the Greeks were SOCRA-
TES, and HERACLITUS, and all like to them :
and fuch among the Barbarians were ABRA-
HAM, and ANANIAS, and AZARIAS, and
MISAEL, andELiAs, and many others, whofe
names
(f) Jpol. II. Eft. P*r, p. 83.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 139
names and actions, becaufe we think it tedious,
we fha/ not at prefent rehear ft. How much
more charitable is this opinion, than that of
almoft all Chriftians at this time and forfeve-
ral ages paft ! who condemn SOCRATES, with
all the pious, virtuous, juft, heroick, and ex-
cellent peribns among the antients, to eter-
nal torments, notwithftanding their good
works (which are gravely term'd fplendid fins)
becaufe they did not believe what was ne-
ver reveard nor propos'd to them, and there-
fore never requir'd nor made a part of their
duty. If we do not agree with our Author
that SOCRATES, and fuch others, were pro-
perly Chriftians, yet if we believe (as we can^
not but do) that JESUS CHRIST taught a rea-
fonable Dodrine, it feems to be fafer for us
to follow thofe latitudinarian notions of JUS-
TIN, than the more narrow, rigid, and dam-
natory decrees of others ; fincc they are things,
and not names, that determine worth, and
that truth is the fame, whether it be partly or
wholly difcover'd: beftdes that the obliga-
tions under the Gofpel and the Law of Na-
ture differing but as from lefs to more, there
might in fome fenfe, according to the mea-
fure of their knowledge, be found true Chri-
ftians in the world, (and the holy Patriarchs
we take to be fuch) before (6) thefulnefs of
grace and truth was reveal'd by CHRIST, from
whom all that now offer a reafonable wor-
fhip, bear the denomination of Chriftians.
IX. AFTER
(V job. \. 14.
' <
THE CONSTITUTION OF
IX. AFTER SOCRATES (fays (7) the
fame JUSTIN) had diligently endeavoufd by
found Reafon to make thefe things appear, and
to draw men away from the 'Dgmons, or
falfe Gods, thofe 'very ^Damons by the means
of men delighting in wickednefs (the Sophifts
concern'd for their glory, and the Priefts for
their offerings) fo order'd matters, that he
was put to death for an Atheifl and irreli-
gious perfon, giving out that he introduced new
'Deities. And they ftrve us after the fame
manner 5 for thefe things were not only con-
futed from Reafon among the Greeks by SO-
CRATES, but alfo among the Barbarians by
Reafon it felf transformed or become a Man,
and calld JESUS CHRIST ^ by whom we being
perfuadedy maintain that the *D<emons who
do thefe things, are not only not good, but al-
fo evil and impious ; fuch whofe beft actions
do not equal thofe of virtuous men: where-
fore we likewife are nicknam'd Atheifl s. And
we acknowledge, that in refpeft of thofe pre-
tended 'Divinities we are Atheifl s, but not
fo of the mofl true God, the father ofjuflice,
and temperance, and all other virtues, with-
out any mixture of evil. Tis obfervable here
how ftrangely men are mifreprefented to the
world by a prevailing fadion, and made to
hold thofe very things which they laboured to
deftroy. SOCRATES, who intended to fub-
vert the Doftrine of D«monsa muft himfelf
have
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 141
have a familiar Dsemon ; and while he efla-
blifli'd the 'Dxmonium or true God, 'tis pre-
fently converted into a Dxmon or falfe God.
This was likewife in divers refpeds the very
cafe of JESUS CHRIST, on whom thofe
things have been fpurioufly charg'd, that he
really defign'd to overthrow. We may fur-
ther perceive how liberally the epithet of
Atheift has been thrown in all ages on mea
void of Superftition, ,by the Priefts and by
the rabble ; tho' the Chriftians, who were fa
much and fo unjuftly charged with this crime at
the beginning, ought even for that very rea foil
to be more referv'd in imputing it to others,
were they not likewife further reftrain'd by the
charity they are enjoin'd, and by which they
are ever to think the beft of every thing. And
indeed there appears to be as much caufe in
this age for fome body to make an Apology for
learned men from being Atheifts, as NAUD^US
did in the laft age from being Magicians ; for
this was the blackning cry of that time.
X. JUSTIN in other places fpeaks to the
fame purpofe ; and C L E M E N s of Alexan-
dria comes not behind him, when he fays, as
from the mouth of the Apoftle P E T E R, that
(8) God gave us a New Teftament, or man-
ner of worfhipping him, thofe of the Jews
and the Greeks being antiquated. But we that
ivorjhip him of late, adds he, in a third way,
Chriftians : for PETER clearly fhews,
in
(8) Stromat.lib, 6, Edit, tar, />, 6$ 5,
142 THE CONSTITUTION OF
in my opinion, that one and the fame God was
known by tht-Greeks after the manner of the
Heathens, by the Jews in their own Jewifo
way, but of late by us in a fpiritual manner*
A little after he affirms, that what the Pro-
phets were to the Jews, the fame were the
^hilofophers to the Heathens 5 God raijtng up
among the Greeks the mo ft approv'd per Jons,
and diftinguifymg them from the vulgar, ac-
cording as they were capable to receive his
favour, that they might ferve' for ^Prophets
to their countrymen in their own language.
And laftly, he fays, that as the breaching of
the Gofpel is now come in its due time ; jo in
their feafon were the Law and the 'Prophets
given to the Jews, and Thilofophy to the
Greeks.
XL SOME other Fathers were of thefe
comprehenfive fentiments, among whom I
do reckon LACTANTIUS. Tho' the beft
part of his 'Divine Inftitutions (for fo he calls
his Books) be childiflh declamation againft the
Philofophers, and pitiful plagiarifm from CI-
CERO 3 yet one thing he has advanced (9) in
the fixth Book, which creates me no fmall
wonder, confidering the temper of the man :
for heafferts thattho* no particular perfon or
party has taught the whole truth, yet that it
is eafy to mew that all the truth is divided
among the feveral Setts of Philofophers.
y adds he a little further, if there were
any
(9) Jwflf. Oxf».f.6*x, See.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
any perfon that wou'd colleff together and
digeft into one body the Truth which lies
fcattefd among each of thefe, and diffused
throughout their Setts, certainly this man
wou'd not difagree with us. Then he fays,
that none can perform this without the aid
of Revelation 5 but that if any (hou'd happen
by chance to do it, he wou'd discover a mojl
affurd Thilofophy : and that tho' he corid not
defend theje things by divine teftimonies, yet
that truth ivou'd recommend it felf by its proper
luftre. An admirable Apologift, fhall I ra-
ther fay a betrayer of Chriftianity ? In the
firft place, by all Truth he muft only mean all
practical and moral virtues ^ fmce the Philo-
fophers knew nothing of the revelations or
miracles either of the Jews, or of the Chri-
ftians. Secondly, I deny to LACTANTIUS,
that, unlefs affifted by Revelation, none can
colleft all thofe truths which are fcatter'd
among the Philofophers. Is this a proper
argument from a Father for the neceffity of
Revelation ? Or has he not forgot and con-
tradi&ed himfelf in other places * For there's
no reafon why the perfon who difcover'd two
truths, might not add a third to 'em, to that
a fourth, to this a fifth, and fo on. Now if
any one of the Philofophers had written or
invented ten or twenty of thefe truths (as fe-
verai have done more) it is much eafier for
another to digeft into one volume what they
have all prepar'd to his hand, and left him on-
ly the labour of cpllefting : nor is this a
4 matter
144 THE CONSTITUTION OF
matter that feems to require any other help,
befides books, judgment, application, and
time. If it fhou'd be objcded that it was
never yet done, this is more than can be
warrantably affirm'd, without knowing all
that ever has been done : tho', were it fo,
it follows by no means from thence, that
it fhall never be perfornYd, fince every thing
has its tune of beginning ; and it were ex*
tream folly to argue that nothing fhall be
hereafter, which has no exiftence at prefent :
which reafoning, had it been true yefterday,
this Difcourfe had not been written to day.
XII. BUT leaving LACTANTIUS to the cor-
JrecYion of thofe, who can be angry with the
Fathers when they advance what does not re-
lifh their own palats ; I fhall conclude with
the idea which MINUTIUS FELIX has given
of Chriftianity, in his better Defence of it
againft the Heathen C/ECILIUS. Ttoyou think,
fays he, (10) that we conceal what we adore y
because we have no Temples or Altars ? For
what image can I frame of God, when if
you rightly confidery man himfelfis his image ?
What Temple {hall I build for him, when the
whole Univerfe, which he has made^ is not
able to contain him ? And when I, that am
but a man, can command a larger habitat ion^
Jhall I confine the Tower of the divine Ma-
jejly within one fmall Shrine ? Short d we not
rather dedicate a Temple fo him in our minds >
and
(10) In Ofitwif. Edit. Lug. Bat. />* 313^
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 145
and confe crate an Altar for him in our hearts ?
Shall I offer tkofe things in Viftiws and Sacri-
fices to the Lord, which he has created for
my ufe, fcornfully throwing back his gifts to
himftlf again ? This were Ingratitude^ when
the moft p leafing Sacrifices to / im are a good
difpojition, a pure mind, and ajincere cotifci trice.
Whoever therefore keeps hmifelf innocent, he
frays to the Lord •> he that loves juftice, does
offer him Sacrifice : whoever abftains from
fraud, procures the favour of God > and he that
delivers any out of diftrefs, makes him an a-
greeable offering. Thefe are our Sacrifices ', this
is our divine Service : fo that whoever is the
honeftefl man among us, him we alfo count the
moft religious. According to this model, the
Chriftian Worfhip docs not confift (it feems)
in (lately Edifices, fumptuous Altars, nu-
merous Attendants, gorgeous Habits, exqui-
fite Mufick, or a curioufly contriv'd, expen-
/ive, and ceremonious fervice, fupported by
ample revenues and poffeffions. Were the
Religion of MINUTIUS believ'd or obferv'd,
there had been no Difputes about thefe or the
like temporal matters ; no charge of impi-
ous facrilege on the one hand, nor profane
idolatry on the other 5 no reviling accufations
of fuperftition or fanaticifm , of pageantry
or clownifhnefs : neither wou'd any room be
left for the boafted and affeded mediums of
order, decency, and reverence, between thefe
two extremes. A man's behaviour, and not
the cant of a party, not the particular garbs
VOL. II. K or
146 THE CONSTITUTION OF
or cuftoms of any place, but the goodnefs
and fmcerity of his actions, wou'd be the
real teft of his Religion.
v : CHAP. IIL -^XV
Of the Church^ and the Dtftin&ions
thereof.
I. T3 U T the Chriftian Religion is not the
J point in queftion, 'tis the Chriftian
Church. The Church, the true Church, the
pure Church, the Orthodox, the Catholick
Church, are in every body's mouth; and
therefore one wou'd think they muft needs
very well underftand what they mean by the
Church : tho', in reality, they have no fix'd
idea to this word, nor any fignification in
which they all agree 5 and that particular no-
tion, to which they are moft inclin'd, I mean
of a form'd Society with proper rites, officers,
laws, and government, does no where occur
in the New Teftament, and is both unreafon-
able and impoffible in it felf. The original
word, which we tranflate Church, is Ecclefia,
and denotes in the Greek laws and writers,
any Affembly of men call'd together, as by
a publick cryer, to hear an oration 5 anfwera-
ble to the Latin word Concio for the fame
thing, from concieo, to fummon or bring to-
gether. And hence it came to fignify num-
bers of men, that aflemble of themfclves at
known
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 147
known and ftated times, fuch as the meet-
ings of towns and corporations, as the Ecch-
Jite of Athens, of Lacedemon, and other
Republicks.
II. ECCLESIA therefore in it felf is
but any publick Affembly in general, whe-
ther about civil, or religious, or other affairs
whatfoever; and whofe rules are either none,
or few, or many, or various, according to
the nature of the things to be debated, or
the different cuftoms of feveral times and
places. Thus it is generally us'd in the New
Teftament. But accuracy of Language not
being the bufinefs of the penmen of that vo-
lume, Ecclefia does likewife occur there (n)
for a tumultuous rabble got together by
chance, without any warrant from authority,
nor knowing why they came themfelves. And
in the fame place, that is, in the nineteenth
Chapter (12) of the Afts of the Apoflles, a
lawful Affembly, or Ecclejia, is oppos'd to
it. The Chriftians therefore call'd their own
Affemblies for worfhip or inftruftion by this
name, not for any peculiar worth or energy,
but becaufe it was then the common word
for Affemblies or Congregations. It really
fignifies the fame thing with the Jewifh Sy-
nagogue, which is a fynonymous term : but
the firft Chriftians being reputed a Seft of
K 2 the
(n)
I48 THE CONSTITUTION OF
the Jews, they rather chofe to borrow the
Language of the Heathens, left they fhould
be thought to fymbolize with, the former,
or ftill to continue fuch. Thus Meetings are
now oppos'd to Churches in England, which,
after all, are bat two words for the fame
thing ,• namely, a place of aflembling on a
religious account. Yet the firft Chriftians were
not fo fuperftitioufiy nice in the diftinftion
of words, as their modern followers : for the
Apoftle ] AMES calls (13) the meeting of Chri-
ftians a Synagogue, tho' the wary Tranflators
have rendered it Aflembly ; and the Author
of the Epiftle to the Hebrews expreffes (14)
the aflembling of Chriftians by the word
Synagogein.
III. I N fhort, any Meeting or Society of
Chriftians is promifcuoufly call'd Ecclefia in
the New Teftament, let them come toge-
ther about any bufinefs whatfoever. Thus it
is put for thofe in the fame family, as the
Church (15) in the houfc of PRISCILLA and
AQUILAV that (16) inthehoufe of NYMPHAS,
and that (17) in the houfe of PHILEMON. So
it occurs for the Chriftian Meetings of par-
ticular cities, and for the Chriftians of whole
nations and provinces ; as the Churches, that
Ch. ii.jt.
(14) Ck.x.if.
(if) Rom. am.
(16) Col. iv. if.
(17) Philem. ^.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 149
is, the Chriftians of Rome, Corinth, Laodicea?
the Churches (18) of Afia, the Churches of
the Gentiles, and the like, which are expref-
fions frequently us'd in PAUL'S Epiftles. From
the proper fignification of a Meeting at a
certain time and place, the firft Chriftians
made Ecclefia likewife to fignify all thofe
of their perfuafion, wherever difpers'd in the
world, as being united in their minds or Re-
ligion > but without any refped to the ga-
thering together of their bodies into any de-
finite place, or under any certain rules and
oeconomy : as PAUL exhorts the Ephefian
Husbands (19) to love their Wives, as CHRIST
loves his Church ; and in fuch other gene-
ral pafiages where it fignifics all Chriftians,
both they who teach, and they who are taught.
In other paflages it fignifies the People as
diftind from their inftrudors: fo PAUL in
the Ads of the Apoftles exhorts (20) the El-
ders of Ephefus to feed the Church ; and in
his firft Epiftle to TIMOTHY, fpeaking of the
qualifications of an Elder, he fays, (21) that
if he knows not how to rule his own Houfe,
he cannot take care of the Church of God.
IV. BUT for the Paftors to fignify the
Church as diftind from the People, there's no
fliadow for fuch a meaning of the word in the
whole New Teftament. The only place al-
K 3 ledg'd
(18) i Cor. xvi.4. Row. xvi. 19.
(10) Chap. xx. 18.
(u) Ch.iilf.
i5o THE CONSTITUTION Of
ledg'd to this purpofe, is the celebrated *Dic
Ecclefi* in MATTHEW'S Gofpel, (22) where
CHRIST dire&s, that if any man has a contro-
veriy with his brother, and that the other
will neither make it up by an amicable com-
pofition, nor yet by the conviction of witnef-
les, then he's to tell the matter to the Church ;
but if he neglects to hear the Church, fays
CHRIST, let him be to thee as a Heathen and a
^Publican. Here it is moft obvious to all dif-
intercfted lovers of truth, that this paffage
concerns a civil injury, where, the offending
brother refuflng to give private fatisfaftion,
the difference was to be compounded by the
Congregation, to whom the offended bro-
ther was to refer it ; which CHRIST moft wife-
]y order'd 'em to do, to fave both the ex-
pences and further enmity of a law-fuit. And
truly if the Clergy wou'd claim any thing
from hence, it muft be the utter difcharging of
other judges, and the bringing of all civil
caufcs under their own cognizance and jurif-
didion. Now that I have given the true fig-
nification of this paffage, I defire thefe three
Queflions to be confidcr'd : Why the Clergy
ftiou'd be meant here, when no other text
does favour fuch an interpretation, and that
Ecclejia is fo often put for the Laity, as Chri-
ftians are corruptly diftinguifli'd ? Whether
any ordinary and external Tribunal of Chri-
ftian Bifhops, or other Churchmen, can be
prov'd
(12) Ch, xviii. 17.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 151
prov'd to have exiftcd then in the world ? And
why tell it to the Church fhou'd not be here
underftood of the whole Congregation, as
well as PAUL means the whole Congregation,
when, in the firft Epiftle to TIMOTHY, (23)
he fays, Agatnfl an Elder receive not an ac-
cu fat ion, but before two or tkree witneffes :
them that fin rebuke before all, that others
may alfo fear? The places are exa&ly paral-
lel, and need no further explication.
V. FROM all this it clearly follows, that
thofe who receive the Dodtrine of CHRIST
are Chriftians, that their afTenibiics are
Churches 5 and if they will call their per-
fuafion or fellow-believers the Church, or by
a common figure give that name to the Houfe
or Place of their meeting (as we fay the Chan-
cery, the Court, the Exchange) there is no
harm in all this, provided that in their fpcech
and writing they carefully diftinguilh thofe
fignifications ; and that they let us always
know which of them they mean, that there
may be no equivocation or confufion. But
the abufe of this word has occafion'd a world
of extravagant notions and diftin&ions, nei-
ther warranted by Scripture nor Reafon. The
Clergy call themfelves the Church, by which
they mean a certain body, polity, or govern-
ment 5 and tho' you fhou'd never fo ftri£lly
conform your felf to the Do&rine of CHRIST,
K 4
(23) Cb. v.ip, 20*
152 THE CONSTITUTION OF
yet if you oppofe the Clergy, you arc faid
to oppofe the Church, which makes their
blind admirers imagine that you oppofe Chri-
flianity. The Dilcipline and Ceremonies of
a particular Sect are often cali'd the Church 5
and if you neglect or diflike thefe, you arc
flrait made an enemy to Religion 3 for which
you may be lure to fuffer in your perfon or
reputation, and generally in both. Some-
times a favourite - doctrine, as Paflive Obe-
dience to the arbitrary will of Princes, the
Divine Right of Epifcopacy or Presbytery,
the Immerfion of adult perfons in Baptifm,
or fome other particular opinion, is made the
principal Diftinftion of a Church. Then a
Doubt is propos'd, Whether by the Church
be meant an aflembly of Men and Angels >
Whether the Patriarchs and holy men of the
Old Teftament, were not a part of CHRIST'S
Church ? Whether Children be real mem,
b.ers of the Church, and how ? Whether the
whole Church can ever err, or totally pe-
rifh? And whether the Paftors and the Sheep
be not in a certain fenfe two Churches, where-
of the firft is the reprefentative of the laft?
But I have already remov'd the imaginary
foundation of this reprefentative Church of
the Clergy, and under the next head of Synods
and Councils, I fhall demonftrate that there
can be no fuch Reprefentation 5 where I fhall
Jikewife examine the diftin&ion of particular,
Churches and the univerfal.
VI,
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i55
VI. NEXT the Church is divided into
vifible and invifible, which, if it be meant
of a real and feeming periuafion, quadrates
as well to all other Opinions or Societies,
where the external profeflion is more diffu-
five than the internal fincerity : and if it be
meant of the publick exercife of Religion, in
oppofition to a time when none in the, world
docs or dares openly acknowledge it, then
it's poflible that at fuch a time there may be
no perfon 'of that Religion j or there's a
plain dcmonftration, that this Religion is not
a Society confiding of members under fuch
a Government as they commonly call the
Church. Another diftindion of the Church
is into militant on earth, and triumphant in
heaven, to which the Romanics add the la-
borant in purgatory. And truly this laft may be
found as foon in the NewTeftament, as the re?
prefentative Church of the Clergy, which may
very properly be call'd militant, confidering
the fines, imprifonments, banifhments, ex-
ecutions, ravages, devaluations, wars and maf-
facres it has fo frequently occafion'd 5 and (till
continues to pradife wherever it has the pow-
er, for it feldom wants the will. But 'tis by
a wonderful figure of fpeech that the Mar-
tyrs are ftil'd the triumphant Church, for be-
ing worfted by their enemies $ and 'tis by a
modefty no lefs fmgular, that others decline
triumphs till they cannot help it.
VII. THE
154 THE CONSTITUTION OF
VII. THE Catholick Church is an un-
fcriptural expreffion, and fignifies all Chri-
ftians, or nothing. It cannot mean any par-
ticular fet of Opinions, for there is none
wherein all Chriftians are agreed 5 much lefs
do they all fubmit to any one kind of Go-
vernment, tho' the Pope has fairly aini'd at a
univerfal Monarchy under this Catholick pre-
tence. And to fay, that it denotes the Or-
thodox believers, is neither grammar nor
fenfe : for, in the firft place, there may be
errors fpread over all Chriftian Societies j and
then among that great variety of Churches,
which manifeftly differ in difcipline, rites,
and do&rine, every one of them is Ortho-
dox to it felf. So that if Catholick figni-
fies Orthodox, God knows how many Ca-
tholick Churches we (hall have. At leaft, if
there be but one, it will be the true labour
in vain to find it among fo many pretenders,
if you take their own words for it ^ and let
them e'en decide it as they pleafe, for names
and titles are but empty things in companion
of truth. Tho' the real notion of the Church
be thus loofe and unfix'd among the admirers
of it, as 'you'll better perceive in the follow-
ing Chapter : yet they talk of nothing more
commonly or pofitively than the extraordina-
ry Prerogatives of the Catholick Church $ by
\vhich they do not mean (or in the plaineft cafe
they fpeak very myftefioufly) the Privileges of
individual Chriftians, but the fancy 'd excel-
lencies
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 155
Icncies of an abftra'fted, and therefore an ima-
ginary idea made up of no particular ideas ;
like all thofe charms, graces, and beauties,
which the valiant DON QUIXOT ador'd in his
belov'd DULCINEA, tho' he never fet eyes
upon her ; and that indeed there was no fuch
creature in being out of his own giddy brain.
' CHAP. IV.
Of Synods and Councils.
(
I. 'TT^HO' the vulgar notion of a Church
does no where appear in the New
Teftament, yet fo early are people accuftom'd
to fix that idea to the word, that, whenever
they read there of particular Churches (as when
PAUL, in (24) the firft Epiftle to the Corin-
thians, mentions the Churches of God, the
divifions (25) in. the Church of Corinth, and
fays, in (26) another place, that the care of
all the Churches lies on his ftioulders) they do
not fimply conceive the Societies of Chri-
ftians in thofe places united in the fame per-
fuafion, but likewife as under a particular form
and difcipiine of divine and unalterable In-
ilitution 5 as now the Church of England, the
Church of Scotland,or the Lutheran Churches,
confider'd by their feveral profeffors. On
the
(24) Ck.xi. id.
(27) lO.xi. 18.
(1,6) a, Or. xi. 28.
156 THE CONSTITUTION OF
the other hand, when they meet with the
word Church intended in a general fenfe of all
Chriftians, becaufe they agree in the fame
Paith, as, in his firft Epiftlc to TIMOTHY,
PAUL fays, That (27) the Church of the liv-
ing God is the pillar and ground of the truth $
then they imagine I know not, and indeed
they know not, what univerfal Church, to
whofe Decifions all the particular Churches
are to ftand, by the power whereof they are
to be govern'd, and uvwhich they are all unit-
ed, and made members of the fame Society.
II. B U T I have already ftiewn that the
\tQt&Ecclefia fignifies no reprefentative Church
of the Clergy. I deny not but that in cer-
tain diftrifts, as parifhes, towns, provinces,
and a whole nation, a feleft number of per-
fons may meet by authority in a Chriftian
Government $ or by voluntary confederation
in other countries, to agree upon the circum-
flances of time and place in their worfhip, or
any other thing relating to their well-being
and convenience. On fuch an occafion ,
when a numerous Society cannot without
confufion meet together in one place, the
light of nature has taught 'em to devolve the
care of their tranfaftions on a fufficicnt num-.
ber, to whom they commit a fiduciary pow-
er, and of which their Paftors may or may
not be, fo as all things be ferformd decently
and
3
(17) (tf.iii. ifj
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 157
and in good Order , as PAUL direfts in the
firft Epiftle (28) to the Corinthians. Mat*
ters of this nature (as what habits of diftin-
&ion any fhall wear among 'em, what fafts
they fhall appoint, what feftivals they fhall
obferve, or what other regulations they lhall
think necefiary) may be alter'd or abolifh'd
as urgent caufes fhall appear, and they can
oblige no other perfons or aflemblies in the
world, further than as the wifdom of the
thing may induce 'em to follow a good ex-
ample.
III. BUT as to points of Doftrine and
perfuafion, decreeing Articles of Faith, or
determining Controverfies about fuch (which
is the proper bufinefs of the Churches in
queftion) no body can be another's reprefen-
tative or believe for him, no more than be
fav'd or damn'd for him $ every perfon being
to ftand or fall by his own conviction, hav-
ing his proper judgment of difcretion to de-
termine for himfelf according to the light
of his confcience. This is the voice of
CHRIST $ this is what we are frequently told
in the New Teftament. There we are of-
ten commanded to examine the Scriptures,
not by delegates, but with our own eyes. And
PAUL, in his fecond Epiftle to TIMOTHY,
affures us that (2 9}the Serif tures are able to make
.
i$S THE CONSTITUTION Of
us wifeuntofalvation, through the faith that
is in CHRIST JESUS 3 which is to fay, that
in the Scriptures we may learn the Faith of
CHRIST, by which falvation is to be had.
IV. A S for them who fit in thofe Synods
or reprefentative Churches, they muft be fent
by the Clergy, or by the Laity, or by both.
If by the Clergy, they reprefent only them 5
and if by the Laity cnly, fo like wife of them.
But if they be fent by, or in the name of
both, furely he that fends may fit there as
well as he that is fent : or if none are qualify'd
to fit but fuch as are elected, they cannot deter-
mine but what their Principals approve. It
wou'd be very hard and abfurd, if the fent
might exclude the fenders. In the Aflembly
of the Chriftians at Jerufalem, recorded in
the Ads (30) of the Apoftles, to enquire whe-
ther their brethren of the Gentiles were ob-
lig'd to the Obfervation of the Jewifh Cir-
cumcifion and Ceremonies (becaufe Chrifti-
anity was an improvement on the Law of
MOSES) and where it was determined to leave
the Gentiles to their former liberty, yet with-
out exprefly exempting the Jews 5 nay/ and
PAUL did ibme time after (si) circumcife TI-
MOTHY, tho' his father was a Gentile, to
pleafe the Jews, becaufe his mother was of
their nation : I fay, in this Aflembly all forts
of
(30) Ck. xv. if ..
(31) ^tf.xvi.j.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 159
of perfons equally debated and concluded,
not only (32) the Apoftles and Elders, but
likewife the whole Church or Congregation;
and indeed it was but delivering their opinion,
to which they did not fay that others were
boUnd, but only wou'd do well (33) to con-
form.
V. MOREOVER, if thefe Synods be
to decide the Controverfies that may arife
among Chriftians, and that they fincerely de-
fign to fearch for the truth without prejudice,
and to aft according to impartial juftice > then
thofe of all fides ought to fit there with equal
freedom and power, Greeks, Armenians,
Proteftants, Papifts, Socinians, Arians, Qua-
kers, and all other Sefts, fince none may
decide for others ; and that for one Party to
determine in their own favour, is to be
Judges in their own cafe. But cuftom againft
equity makes void the law. However ,
fuppofing that all Sefts and perfons were free-
ly admitted to feffion and fuffragej yet it fol-
lows not that their final Judgment muft be
neceflarily the truth, unlefs it be prov'd that
truth muft be neceflarily of the ftronger fide $
whereas it has not been lefs frequently, and
(perhaps as matters go in the world) it is moft
commonly found on the weaker fide.
VI. TIS but too manifeft that moft of
the antient Synods did not weigh reafons, but
3 number
(32) Aft. XV. 2Z.
THE CONSTITUTION OF
number voices. And to fay that we ought to
prefume they always adted honeftly, is to fay
nothing, unlefs it cou'd be prov'd that every
body will always do his duty, that men will
constantly perform what they profefs, and
execute the truft repos'd in them without
being mifled by ignorance, paffion, intereft,
favor, or fear. Now juft the contrary of all
this appears in the antient Synods, as with
very little labor may be prov'd from Eccleii-
aftical Hiftory. They generally came toge-
ther to try their ftrength, and the (mailer
number feldom or never acquiefc'd in the
Decifions of the greater $ which made the
breach wider than before, cxafperated the
parties, and, inftead of healing Controver-
iics, they occafion'd new hereftes, fchifms,
libels, recriminations, tumults, and bloody
murders. To gain their purpofes of maftery
or revenge, they have fervilely flatter'd the
higher powers, who had the means not on-
Jy of corrupting them by gratifying their vani-
ty and ambition ; but alfo of getting always
a majority of their own creatures fent there,
and to condemn or approve what they pleas'd.
Thus was the Council of Nice againfl ARIUS,
and that of Ariminum for him ; with a
world of other examples. And really it is
almoft an argument againft the reafonable-
nefs or integrity of human nature, to ob-
fervc the perpetual jangling, clafhing, and
oppofition of thofe Councils, one rejeding
what the other eftablifli'd, and others fub-
fcribing
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
fcribing to neither ; whence they proceeded
to anathematize and damn one another with-
out mercy, not feldom for mere trifles : and
according as they were favoured at Court,
putting the Emperors and other Princes on
perfections, banifhmcnts, confutations, and
profcriptions 5 which inevitably produced a re-
taliation from thofe of the other fide, when-
ever they got an opportunity. Hence new
Edids, new Decrees, new Canons, new Ar-
ticles of Faith, and all their refolutions as
pofitively and peremptorily ratify'd as if God
himfelf had direded their proceedings, which
they mod blafphemouily alierted, confidering
their paffions, partiality, and infinite contra-
didions. Their elections were unfair and
moftly feditious, their debates were manag'd
without temper, their conclufions were form'd
without reaibns 5 and they never anfwer'd
their end, nor ever procured any union but
by force and fe verity. In fo much that the
Hiftory of antient Synods is a lively reprefen-
tation of the ignorance, pride, and corrup-
tion of the Clergy of thofe times, from
which vices the Laity were not free, and
their failings were augmented by the contagi-
ous example of their guides and governors.
VII. BUT as men are always the fame un-
lefs amended by free Laws and a generous
Education, and that from the like caufes the
like effects will certainly follow 5 fo if we
confider the canvaft elections, fierce debates,
VOL. II. L unfeemly
162, THE CONSTITUTION OF
unfeemly noife and rude behaviour, contra-
diftory protcftations, hafty and undigefted Ca-
nons of fome of our own Convocations,
with the other Ecclefiaftical AiTemblics of Eu-
rope , we may perceive what virulence and
factions reign in them, what tools they are
made of by Princes and parties for and againft
one another ; and how much more they feem
concern'd for temporal Power and Dominion,
for indifferent Rites and Ceremonies, or for
avenging private piques, and indulging per-
fonal refentments, than for the true Faith,
Reformation of Manners, or univerfal Peace,
Toleration, and Charity. Tho' their prac-
tice is a proof that the Holy Ghoft does not
always prefide in their meetings, yet I grant
that they decree what feems good to them-
felves ; wherefore if I look on what they de-
termine as their own belief, 'tis more perhaps
than I am ftridly bound, but I fhall never
own it as the fule of my Faith. Happy,
thrice happy had it been for Chriftianity, if
there never had been any Synods or Councils
to impofe their arbitrary Diftates for Arti-
cles of Religion ! This made GREGORY NA-
ZIANZEN, and our late Archbifhop TILLOT-
SON, with, other excellent perfons living and
dead, mortally to hate fuch Aflemblies, and
to own that no good ever came of them.
A bold and ungrateful, yet a noble truth !
But to conclude my dedudion that Synods
are not the Church, I challenge that one Sy-
nod to be inftanc'd, whether diocefan, pro-
vincial,
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 163
vincial, national, or oecumenical, to. which
all Chriftians fubmit, or which is in all things
acknowledged by all parties, and which has
not decreed many things held by the greateft
number of Chriftians to be falfe and erro-
neous.
VIII. TAKING the Church therefore in
what fenfe you pleafe, either for any prcmif-
cuous Affembly of Chriftians united for re-
ligious worfhip and inftrudion, or for a fe-
parate body of the Clergy for teaching and
governing; yet the Church is as much as ever
to leek under the notion of a formed Society,
which is to ferve for a (landing and univerfal
rule. The Members, in the firft place, of
all Churches are individual pcrfons fubjefl: to
prejudice, weaknefs, and error. Secondly,
no particular Church has any promife or pri-
vilege that it fhall not err for the future, no
more than fuch as have done fo before. And,
Thirdly, if all particular Churches may err,
fo may likewife the univerfal and oecumeni-
cal Councils, fmce they confift only of the
Delegates fent from thefe, and differ but in
number ; nor does their coming together in
general take away what they were in particu-
lar, but rather makes their error the greater.
The variety of their own Creeds is a fuffi-
cient Argument againft them. Experience
fhews that they are not lefs obnoxious to cor-
ruptions of perfuafion and practice than other
affembiks. And they are the principal pa-
L 2 rents
164 THE CONSTITUTION OF
rents of all the errors in Religion, which the
people without them, or without fome of the
particular Clergymen whereof they were com-
pos'd, wou'd never have thought of or ima-
gin'd ; befides that no general Council pro-
perly fo calTd has ever exifted. It is a mere
chimera 5 not only becaufe Deputies never
did nor cou'd come to reprefent all concerned,
but like wife becaufe all parties were never
admitted.
IX. A Univerfal Church or Society, ce-
mented by Letters of Communion, is as fan-
radical 5 fince the particular Churches, where-
of the Univerfal muft confift, difagrce in the
moft efiential Articles of Faith, of Difcipline,
and Worfhip. The interefts of civil Govern-
ments are fo various, and places (where there
may be good Chriftians) are fometimes fo
fituated, as to make fuch a correfpondence
impracticable : and thoufands of private Chri-
ftians every where fubmit to the authority
of no particular Churches. When thofe
Letters were moft in fafhion, there was as
little union, and as great impofitions as ever :
fo that if the Bifhops of Italy differ'd from
thofe of Africa, and both from thofe of Afia,
and Greece > or part of the Bi£hop>- of Italy
oppos'd the Biihop of Rome, and the Bifhop
of Carthage accus'd the Bifhop of Egypt (for
the like cafes not feldom happen'd) how cou'd
any man difcern from the Epifcopal Charac-
ter or Authority which of thefe were the true
Church?
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 165
Church ? or if he was to examine the Con-
troverfy not by dignities, places, or numbers,
but by the touchftone of Reafon and the Bi-
ble, this is making every perfon his own
judge, and granting all we defire. Or if none
of thefe expreffions be forcible enough, I
defire to know what are the Terms of Com-
munion on which a man is to be receiv'd in
all particular Churches, as a member of the
Catholick Church? Is it not undeniable in
faft, that there are no fix'd terms, in agree-
ing to which you'll be admitted to Communi-
on in all Chriftian Churches ? And as univer-
fals are made up of particulars, I wou'd like-
wife be inform'd where thofe particular
Churches are, or that one fmgle Church,
with which the others are to conform as their
exemplar? And if that Church can ufe any
arguments to convince the reft that it fclf is
the true Church of CHRIST, different from
fuch arguments as any private man can fhew
that he is a true Chriftian (whether he lives
in a Chriftian Society, or with his Bible in
a wildernefs) I wou'd be glad to find 'em fpe-
cify'd > Thus the difpute wou d foon be end-
ed. But if this cannot be done, I fee not the
ufe or neceffity of fuch a Church.
X. A S for one man to be the infallible
judge of Controverfies, it is not only expe-
rimentally repugnant to human nature, and
plainly unwarranted from Scripture;, but that
very Church which maintains this ftrange
L 3 paradox
166 THE CONSTITUTION OF
paradox has not determined whether the Pope
be above a General Council or fubjeft to it,
that is, which of them is the Church ; whe-
ther they are both together the fupreme Au-
thority, or whether he can only utter oracles
when he {its on his tripod; and this fame
chair, no lefs wonderful than the cap of FOR-
TUNATUS, is to this day a Controverfy unde-
cided, what it is, or where. Nor is it con-
ceivable to any that confiders his own words,
how a man that can err by himfelf, and a
Council that can err by it felf, fhou'd both
in conjunction become infallible. Or if
reafon were not to judge in the cafe, yet the
numberlefs oppositions of Councils in the
moft fundamental points of Chriftianity, and
the no fewer reverfions of Papal Decrees by
their fucceffors, not to infill on the dubious
titles and mutual excommunications of the
Antipopes which divided Chriftendom, is an
unanfwerablc demonftration againft their pre-
tences.
XI. LASTLY, be the Church which of
all thefe you will, it cannot poflibly be a
{landing Rule, fince none of them is in con-
flan t being, and fome of 'em wanting to the
v/orld for many fcore years : fo that no con-
troverfycan be decided in the interval of the
deaths of Popes, or the fittings of Councils,
or during the intermitted correfpondence of
Bifhops; there's no recourfe to be had for
refolutions of doubts to any tribunal of uni-
z
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 167
verfal Authority. Thoufands therefore of
private Chriftians may die in their fcruples
or in their errors 5 nay whole focieties may
be deftroy'd before they can have the means
of decifion. Nor has any perfon a right all
that while to pronounce another to be a
Heretick, Schifmatick, or Apoftate, if he's to
depend on ftkh an external authority, and
not on the facred Scriptures alone, interpret-
ed by his own Reafon and Judgment. I con-
clude then, that people fpeak very uncorreft-
ly, or rather know not their own meaning,
but precipitantly follow an habitual form of
fpeech, when they fay that fuch or fuch a
thing is the determination of the Church, and
that they fubmit to the Authority of the
Church in all ages : phrafes I have fometimes
heard in the mouths of the Englifti Diffen-
ters, generally from thofe of the eftablifh'd
Church, and always from Papifts,
^ C H A P V. -V.
Of the Marks of the True Church.
I. 'TT^ H E Chriftian Religion, and figura-
JL tively the ftncere Profeffors of it
wherever difperft, but no form'd Society af-
fuming to it felf the name of the Church,
I grant to be (34) the pillar and fupport of the
L 4 Truth*
($4) i Tim. iii, 15-;
168 THE CONSTITUTION OF
Truth ; and I think I have alfo briefly made
out, that there is no filch Church or fociety in
the world, to be deduc'd from the word EC-
clefia, nor from Synods, Councils, Popes,
or Epifcopal Letters of Communion. Or if
fuch a Church or fociety there were, I pre-
fume that none will be fo unreafonable as to
deny that it has certain Marks, whereby it
may be known and diftinguifh'd from falfe or
corrupt Churches, and from thofe that are
Heretical or Schifmatical, to fpeak in their
own confecrated language. Without thcfe
it wou'd be perfectly the fame thing, whether
there was any fuch Church or not 5 and of
this the Bidders for a political affociated
Church are fo fenfible, that Marks of one
kind or another they have all aflign'd. I fhall
examine them in order, omitting none that
ever came to my knowledge : for if I mifs
the right Church, it is not for want of learn-
ing her peculiar properties, which fo many
pretend to teach. But in general this muft be
agreed, that the Marks ought to be better
and eafier known than the object they diftin-
guifh, and likewife be different from it in
the whole or in part ; elfe they can be no
right tokens, nor poffibly ferve to fhew the
difference of one thing from another.
II. N O W the figns which the bulk of
Proteftants afcribe to the true Church, are
the preaching of pure Doftrine, the due ad-
miniftration of the Sacraments, and exaft
z Difcipline.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 169
Difcipline. I hope this is only a difpute of
words, proceeding from want of accuracy in
fome of the firft Reformers, who being in
their old Syftems accuftom'd to treat apart of
the Marks 'of the Church, wou'd needs make
a diftind head of it in their new Theology :
for their Marks are fo far from being fuch,
that they are the very things to be known,
the effential points in jiebate 5 fince the
Doftrine , Sacraments , and Difcipline of
all parties are to themfelves the bed 5 and
the Queftion is, by what fure Marks we fhall
know which are fo in reality, and not mere-
ly in opinion. Befides, that there may be a
true Church, that is a number of good Chri-
ftians, where there is no preaching, nor any
Ecclefiaftical Difcipline. PAUL affirms, that(s 5)
the Scriptures are able to make us wife unto
fahation , thro9 the faith that is in JESUS
CHRIST ; not to fpeak of the firft Proteftants,
nor of the primitive Chriftians under perfe-
cution, who had none other in the world
with whom they wou'd communicate ; or,
if there were, and it be faid that they com-
municated with them in voto (as the phrafc
is) it ftgnifies no more than that they wifli'd
to be in good company, and free from their
prefent dangers or troubles.
III. FOR what is it> pray, to us here in
England, who they be that are of the true
Church in other parts of the world ? I do not
mean
2 Tim. iii, i.
I7o THE CONSTITUTION OF
mean in a political fenfe, as nations may be
to one another mutual fupports of liberty
againft tyranny and fuperftition ; nor as we
ought to tender the good and welfare of all
mankind, as our brethren and the fellow ci-
tizens of this terraqueous globe, but I fpeak
to the merits of the caufe : for we are ne-
ver the worfe Chriftians if they fhou'd not be
good, and if they be, we are not foir that
ever the better. Tis not the teftimony, cor-
refpondence, equality, or fuperiority of o-
thers that can make us more to be Chriftians,
than to be innocent or virtuous men, which
we may aftually be, and perfe&ly know it
our felves, nay and are indifpenfably obliged
to continue fuch, tho* all the world fhou'd
confpire together to maintain the contrary.
After the fame manner, if we are perluaded
of the DoCtrines of CHRIST, and are con-
fcious to our felves, that we fubmit to his
laws, fulfilling his will, and taking his Gof-
pel for our Rule, we may be fully afifur'd
that we are good Chriftians 5 and therefore
Members of the Church of God, whofe true
Union confifts in thefe things, and in having
CHRJST for its head and author : but not in
any form of external polity, which may be
juftly alter'd according to the exigency of
time and circumftances ; nor in the fuccef-
fion of perfons, rites or offices, thefe being
things with which the maintenance of truth
has no relation or neceffary connexion, and
which (according to the ceaflefs viciffitudes
of
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 171
of human affairs) are impoffible to be always
preferv'd the fame.
IV. THE Romanifts give us more Marks,
but not more certainty. However I fhall dif-
cufs 'em all, becaufe as I write in favour of
no particular Party, no more do I oppofe any
one as fuch. In the firft place, Catholicity
is no mark, fmcc I have prov'd already that
there is no fuch Catholick Church in their
fenfe, and that it is evidently begging the
queftion to make it a mark, if there were.
A Catholick Society is nonfenfe, and Roman
Catholick a contradiction. Secondly, An-
tiquity is no mark, fince the Church muft
have been without it at the beginning ; nor
does it follow that the Doftrines never vary,
tho' moft of the names fhou'd continue ftill
the fame. Yet this is the ftale and common
cant of all Sefts, as if Religion, like wood
or wine, was ever the better for being old.
ThePapifts do not only make this objection
to the Proteftants, but fome of the latter are
as apt as any to declaim moft tragically againft
all changes or innovations 5 and the Heathens
often alledg'd the venerable wrinkles of their
Religion, how many nations, cities, and
moft flourishing empires, had for a long feries
of time profefs'd it with great fuccefs, prof-
perity, and happinefs : If Antiquity , fays
SYMMACHUS to a Chriftian (36) Emperor, can
add any Authority to Religions, we muft ad-
here
($6) Or fit. fro drtt Vifor.
i72 THE CONSTITUTION OF
here to the faith of fo many ages, and herein
imitate our fathers , who happily followed
theirs. Thirdly, for the like reafons, Du-
ration is no mark ; befides, that the names
and do&rines may not only frequently change
(as they have done in effed, or there had
been no difputes about them) but that feve-
ral of 'em may quite decay and perifh, as
other inftitutions have done in courfeof time,
which had perfifted longer in the world than
the Roman or any other Chriftian Church.
Fourthly, a Promife of never failing is no
mark ; fmce it's in difpute to what Church
that Promife was made, if ever it was to any,
unlefs the word Church be rightly transfer'd
from a Sacerdotal Society to the true Reli-
gion of CHRIST. Fifthly, The Multitude of
Profeffors is no mark, becaufe the Church
wanted it at the beginning ,• and that the
profefibrs of other Religions may be, and of-
ten are, much more numerous : but tho' the
purity of Religion depends not upon it, yet
the authority and profit of the Church, I
mean of the Clergy, is greatly concerned in
the multitudes that own them as their guides.
V. SIXTHLY, A Succeffion of Bifhops
is no mark, for it is not the Succeffion of
perfons, but the truth of the Do&rine that
is to be known ; befides that the Greek and
Armenian Prelates pretend to retain their fuc-
ceffion, no lefs than the Jews. Yet fuppo-
fing it fignify'd any thing, there's no uncon-
troverted
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 173
troverted Succdlion in the world, the be-
ginnings being manifeftly fabulous, diverfe
and long interruptions happening afterwards,
dubious and undecided titles not feldom ad-
vanc'd, nor the perfons agreeing either in
Doctrine or Difcipline with thofe that went
before them. Neverthelefs fome who pre-
tend to be Proteftants, are fo fond of this
Succeffion, that they fcem to make it the
fole mark of their Chriftianity , for they al-
low no Chriftianity that's good or found to
fuch as are without it : and what's yet more
abfurd, they objed as great Corruptions to
thofe of whom they had it -5 thus making
Epifcopacy a real Charm, the very enchant-
ed Caftle that preferves the Lady Religion fafe,
when violated, loiT, or perfecuted every where
befides. But more of this in other places of
the fequel. Seventhly, Agreement with the
primitive Church is no mark ; for if this be
meant of the Apoftles and their time, 'tis ftill
the thing in queftion : and if it be meant of
the following times, the primitive Chriftians
differ'd among themfelves as much or more
than we do 5 nor among the numberlefs
Churches, Altars, Sefbs, and Herefies, which
they oppos'd to each other, is there one with
which the Roman or any other prefent Church
agrees. Eighthly, Union among themfelves
is no more a mark of truth than of error, and
their adverfaries are united as much as they $
that is, all of them are fplit into infinite par-
ties and fubdivifions, each pretending to be
more
174 THE CONSTITUTION OF
more perfed than the reft : no inftitution
that ever was, being rent into more Seds than
Chriftianity, nor any of thofe Seds having
a greater variety of opinions and pradices, of
corredions and additions, than the Romanifts ;
notwithftanding the exquifite policy of their
Hierarchy, which was likewife feveral ages,
by various degrees and alterations, arriving
to that perfection. Ninthly, Sandity of
Doctrine is begging the queftion, and the
thing that requires to be known. So is,
Tenthly, the Efficacy of the Dodrine, which
wants a mark inftead of being one.
VI. ELEVENTHLY, the Lives of
the Authors > Twelfthly, Miracles 5 Thir-
teenthly, Martyrs; and Fourteenthly, Pro-
phecies are no marks : becaufe thefe things are
harder to be known themfelves from coun-
terfeits, than what they are faid to mark 5
and that all Religions and parties glory in a
large Catalogue of Saints, Miracles, Martyrs,
and Prophets, each maintaining theirs to be
the only true ones, and all others to be falfe
or fabulous, magical or delufory. Fifteenth-
ly, the Confeffion of Adverfaries is no mark,
fince they are not adverfaries but a party if
they come over to the Church ; and if they
continue adverfaries (till , their confeflion
ought to go for nothing, who are fo unfm-
cere as to ad againft their own convidion
and falvation. But in good earneft, what
fignifies the denial or confcffign of any one
to
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 175
to truth ? At this rate the truth of Chriftiani-
ty it felf muft yield to the obftinaey of its
adverfaries. Nor is, Sixtecnthly, the ill For-
tune of Adverfaries a better mark , fince
this may be retorted on all Churches, nay
on the primitive Martyrs, which affeds the
very Chriftian Religion : and the fuccefs of
adverfaries is often greater than their misfor-
tunes, witnefs againft the Romanifts, LU-
THER, CALVIN, the Governments of Japan,
Sweden, and other places where none is per-
mitted to profefs the Roman Church ^ on the
other fide, the Duke of Alva, the Inquifi-
tion, with fo many Popes, Kings, Princes,
and other perfons and places which thrive
very well, tho' they perfecute Proteftants with
exile, fines, and prifons, with halters, fire,
and fword. And indeed the fuflfering of
another may well ferve for a witnefs of his
own perfuafion, but is no argument of con-
vidion or reje&ion to me, fince it makes
equally for and againft every thing. Seven^
teenthiy, and laftly, the Felicity of Profefibrs
is fartheft of any from being a mark ; for it
excludes CHRIST from being the Head of his
Church, it pofitively unchurches the poor
Fifhermen, the primitive Martyrs, and all
Chriftians almoft for two or three hundred
years ; not to mention the perfecuted, cala-
mitous, and afflided ever fince, who yet are
fupported under their miferies by finding
themfelves ftil'd blefs'd when they fuffer,
and having a promifq annex'd, that of fuch
is
I76 THE CONSTITUTION OF
is the Kingdom of Heaven. But this, I grant,
is the principal mark at which the Church
aims ; for the fake of this the external Poli-
cy was made to fignify the Church 5 thus the
Church came by her riches and power ; for
thefe her fons will brawl, clamor, and per-
fecute, burn, and damn without mercy : thefe
they wou'd monopolize to themfelves, and
exclude as many from being fharers as they
can 5 tho' it muft be own'd that no other
Church has fo many means and methods, fo
many dignities and preferments to make its
profeffors happy as the Roman.
VII. HAVING thus gone carefully over
all the Marks both of the Proteftants and the
Papifts, we are fo far from finding out the
true Church, that we have yet feen no rea-
fons to believe there's any fuch thing, mean-
ing it always of an afibciated Body Politick
in the fenfe of the Clergy : for if the word
had been every where, as it is fometimes,
tranflated Meeting, Aflembly, Congregation,
or the like, it had not become fuch a rid-
dle, nor been the fubjed of fo many and fo
intricate Difputcs. But the plaineft things
in the world will be quickly perplex'd , by
fuch as are like to get any power, or honor,
or profit for fo doing 5 and the only reafon
why the Axioms of Geometers are not con-
tefted, is, bccaufe on thefe fubjefts it is nei-
ther dangerous nor unreputable to hold the
truth, nor gainful or honourable to maintain
the
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 17*7
the contrary. Where it is otherwife, things
as plain as any in the Mathematicks are de-
ny'd, even the teftimony of our very fenfes ;
as that what has the colour, and taft, and
fmell of bread, and is no bigger than a fhil-
ling, is perfeft flefh and blood, nay an en-
tire man, with the monftrous confequences
of that Doctrine.
CHAP.
'Of Ordination, and the various Orders
of Priefts.
L T N the Argument of this Writing (37)
JL I deny'd that there was inftituted in
the Church a peculiar Order of Priefts (tho*
Chriftian Priefts I do allow) no Priefts, I fay,
whofe office it is to inftmft the people alone,
and fucceflively to appoint thofe of their
own function, whether by the hand of one
prefiding Bifhop, or of feveral equal Presby-
ters. I proceed now to the proof of this
Affcrtion. But here I exped to be told by
fome people, that I may reafon as long and
as plaufibly as I pleafe., without ever gain-
ing their aflent, tho' they fhould not be able
to aniwer me in form, becaufe that for the
fucceflive Ordination of Priefts, which con-
ftitute the Church Reprefentative they find
IL M exprefs
(37)No.ir;
178 THE CONSTITUTION OF
exprefs pafTages in the New Teftament. If
it proves to be really as they pretend, I can-
not blame them, and I wou'd do as much my
felf, tho', by- the way, this method of argu-
ing from bare founds and feparate texts, is
extremely fallacious, and may ferve as well
to prove the contrary as the contents of any
writing. Attention muft therefore be given
to the fcope of the Author and the thread of
his difcourfe, which muft always be reafona-
bly interpreted According to this view, to-
gether with a diligent consideration of his
particular expreflions, which muft not be un-
dcrftood as they ftand by themfelves, but as
they agree with the whole. How cou'd we
prefer the New Teftament to the Alcoran,
or believe that the one is true and the other
falfe, if we did not after the ftridleft exa-
mination perceive the contents of the firft to
be highly reafonable, ufeful, confident, and
agreeable to the natural notions of God ;
whereas the latter is full of abfurdities, con-
traditions, ambiguities, and impoftures, which
may well become a defigning and wicked
man (as many ilich Inftitutions have by the
like means long and often obtain'd in the
world) but cou'd never have an honeft or a
good Author, and leaft of all a divine ori-
ginal > But certain things cannot poflibly be
defended, if the difcuffion of Reafon be ad-
mitted. Wherefore fuch as have an intereft
to maintain them, will be fure to exclude
Reafon from being a judge, and betake them-
felves
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 170
felves for refuge to Authority, which is in-
deed to make ufe of force, and to reduce all
at laft to implicit obedience. If the holy
Scripture be the Authority they chufe, and
that their Adverfaries accept of the condi-
tions, as being perfuaded that the Writings
of the Apoftles are the moft reafonable Books
in the world; then they artfully cull out cer-
tain words and phrafes, which taken alone
wou'd feem to countenance their opinions,
when moft commonly the context is againft
them : yet they have fuch pafiages always in
their mouths, and fo they eafily impofe on
fuch as may truiy reverence the Scriptures,
but who will not be at the pains to learch,
to try, and examine them, as thofe divine
oracles themfelves direft.
II. THUS they were hard put to it, who
firft alledg'd in defence of Clerical Ordina-
tion thefe words of CHRIST in the Gofpel
(38) of JOHN: He that enters not by the
door into the jheepfold, but climbs up fome
other way, the. fame is a thief and a robber.
Moft SeCts and parties agree in their expla-
nation of this place, as if it related to the
due manner of admitting or authorizing Chri-
ftianPriefts, Minifters, orPaftors ; for I (hall
not difpute about the propriety of the words,
when their meaning is fix'd. But there's odd
charging, and mutual imputations, each mak-
M 2 ing
(38) Ch. x. i.
I8o THE CONSTITUTION OF
ing thieves of moft of the reft : and for any
juftification to be expefted from this text, they
may be all alike guilty 5 for it properly re-
lates to the Perfon of CHRIST as the true
MESSIAS, in oppofition to all thofe who pre-
tended to be fuch before him, if his own
explication of this Parable may be prefer'd to
that of the Clergy. And as he tells us that
he himfelf (39) is the "Door to the Sheepfold,
fo he has faid nothing of opening it to Priefts
of any fort in particular j but by me, fays he,
(40) if any man enter he fhall be fav'd, and
fh all go in and out? and find pafture. By the
Fold he fignify'dthe Jews ; but lower (41) he
fays, Other fheep I have which are not of
this Fold, (meaning the Gentiles) them alfo
Imufl bring; and they Jhall hear my voice,
and there Jhall be one fold and one jhepherd.
The Clergy being ordinarily caird the Pa-
ftors, and the People their Flocks, it was
an eafy thing for them to gloze this Pa-
rable to their own purpofe, and to make
fimple perfons believe that they had the
Door of the Church, and confequently
the Keys of Heaven in their keeping 5 fo
that none cou'd enter either place, but by
their means, without being guilty of burg-
lary, nor purchafe a little Chriftianity from
the Bible without being introduced by a
matter
(39) v. 7:
(40) V. 9.
V. 15
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i8»
mafter of the ceremonies, and obtaining a
licence from this fpiritual corporation.
III. THO' the place therefore regards the
Evangelical Difpenfation , yet as the meta-
phors of Sheep and Shepherds are natural
enough, and juftify'd in Scripture of the Peo-
ple and their Teachers, let us by way of
accommodation (which yet is granting too
much) underftand this Parable of the Clergy j
and even then it can only relate to the difpo-
fitions that move a teacher to take that func-
tion upon him, but by no means to the
way whereby he's call'd or admitted into his
office. CHRIST himfelf being here call'd the
Door, he fays, (42) that whoever enters by
him, that is, according to his defign, will
(as he did) go in and out before thefheep, pro-
vide them fhelter and pafture, and if it be
neceflary, (43) will give his life for them.
But he that breaks in any other way, that is,
for other ends, as inriching or dignifying him-
felf, does (44) fteal, kill and deflroy : he that
is a hireling flys, when he perceives the wolf
a coming, becaufe he is a hireling, and cares
not for the Jheep ; for they are not the fheep,
but his wages that he loves, as the falfe de-
liverers, the hypocritical Scribes and Pharifees,
and the fuperftitious domineering Priefts did
before our Saviour. And he that is not 3
M 3 Hireling
(4*) V. 9.
(4?) V. 1 1.
(44) V. jo, 13,
182 THE CONSTITUTION OF
Hireling indeed, or, as bad, his (lave, will
grant that the Ordination in queftion can de-
rive no Authority from this place. They
are more concerned to underfland it, who
purchafe fuch offices by means no lefs indirect,
than their purpofes are criminal 5 and who,
uncalled or unqnalify'd, thruft themfelves in-
to a bufinefs of fo great importance, both
in the defign and execution of it 5 who (as
in rnoft other preferments are wont to be
done) make their court to great men, appear
at their levees, flatter fuch as can befriend
them, enter into private obligations with the
patrons, and gain fome others by prefents,
which is to corrupt them with bribes. Let
them apply this place to themfelves, who to
render the egregious effects of their Miniftry
more diffufive, procure as many and as large
Flocks as they can, or to be tranflated from
fuch as are thin, and lean, and naked (and
therefore want moft care) to the numerous,
fat, and fleecy, which leaft need their help 5
nay who, rather than be no facred Shepherds,
will difpenfe with the infpeftion of any flock,
or living among their fheep, leaving them
always the paftoral name and crook (whereof
they feem mighty fond) and duly paying the
falary, which, tho* defer ving nothing for
their pains, they gladly receive, as a reward
(I fuppofe) of their good intentions, for we
feldom fee any worthy fruits of their leifure.
Let fuch, if they pleafe, found their prac-
tices on that text j unlefs they think it more
z convenient
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 1*5
convenient to quit their right to the Ordain-
ers, on condition that they admit none into
the Sheepfold but men of their flamp and
complexion $ and then they are fure not to be
told of their faults, which is a tender pointy
and what they cannot bear.
IV. ANOTHER Paffage produced for
the Ordination of Priefts by Priefts (whether
of their own or another degree) is in PAUL'S
(45) Epiftle to the Romans, viz. How Jh all
they f reach except they be fent ? We grant
that none may be a publick Teacher, no
more than bear any other publick Office or
Magiftracy, who is not duly call'd to his poft,
and impower'd to execute it, according as the
laws and cuftoms prcfcribe in the place where
he lives. But this text has no relation in
the world to the matter, tho' all forts of
Clergymen (at leaft the bulk of them) under-
Hand it of Ordination : for it is not fpoken
of the ordinary preaching of any doftrinc,
much lefs of the manner of authorizing any
to do fo ; but it concerns the firft promulga-
tion of certain matters of fad, as the abolifli-
ing of the Mofaick Law, and the fucceed-
ing of the Gofpel in its room. The Apoftle
jrepeats an objection of the Jews againft their
being condemned for not believing in CHRIST,
whofe difpenfation no body cou'd difcover
without fome extraordinary Revelation, with-
M 4 out
Cb. x,
584 THE CONSTITUTION OF
out exprefs notice from himfelf, or from fucli
as had feen and heard him. This, tho' PAUI,
affirms the contrary, they deny to be their cafe
in the following words: (^6]Howfh all they call
on him, in whom they have not believ'd? And
how jhall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard ? And how fhall they hear
without a ^Preacher, or one to tell it them >
And how Jhall they preach except they befent,
or that it be reveal'd to them? But have they
not heard, anfwers PAUL? (47) Tes verily }
their found is gone over all the earthy and
their words to the end of the world. *Didnot
Ifrael know, fays he? and then he quotes
MOSES and ISAIAH as prophefying of this ve-
ry matter. Now what has all this to do
with Ordination ? It might well be apply'd
to the firft Preaching of the Gofpel, but
with no appearance of reafon to the teach-
ing, or inculcating, or prefling of the Chri-
ftian Religion at this time, where it is al-
ready receiv'd and eftablifli'd, and when any
willing perfon in a Chriftian Country may
fufficiently learn it from his Bible * * * *
CHAR
(46) v. 4, ir.
(47) P-'p, zo, ii..
CHRISTIAN CHURCH. i«jj
CHAP. VII
Of the Religious Teachers inftituted by
CHRIST.
I. ' • ^ H E Religious Teachers inftituted by
J[_ CHRIST were from their feveral pro-
vinces, as we have obferv'd, calTd fome
Apoftles, fome Prophets, fome Evangelifts,
fome Paftors and Teachers, and fome by
more of thefe names as they were at certain
times differently employed, or according to
the feveral dialers of the countries where
they preach'd. They were ty'd to no cer-
tain place nor conftant reftdence, having ge-
neroufly undertaken, to the utmoft of their
power, to preach and diffufe the Chriftian
podrine among all the nations of the earth,
and to provide effectual means for the pre-
fervation of it wherefoever they planted it.
Among other privileges peculiar to their
body, they ^re fometimes term'd Ambaffa-
dors (which is but another word for Apoftle)
becaufethey were immediately fent by CHRIST
to offer his Dodrine to the world according
to the inftruftions they receiv'd from him 5
fo that this appellation belongs only to them,
and is moft improperly apply'd to the prefent
Teachers, many of whom are neverthelefs
very ready tp aflame the title, and are not a
little
186 THE CONSTITUTION OF
little proud of the fame. We read in other
Hiftories (as well as in that of the New Tefta-
ment) of their journeys, their fuccefs, and
their troubles, tho' mixt with many fabu-
lous Narrations. But becaufe many pretend
that TIMOTHY and TITUS were not admit-
ted into the number of thefe extraordinary
Teachers, befides the title of Evangelift ex-
prefly given the firft, any one may in feve-
ral paffages of the New Teftament acquaint
himfelf with their labors, travels, and feliow-
Jhip with the reft. Concerning TIMOTHY,
confult the Afts of the Apoftles, the Epiftles
to the Romans, Corinthians, Theflalonians,
and the Hebrews. About TITUS, fee the
Second Epiftle to the Corinthians, with that
to the Galatians j and laftly, read the Epiftle
infcrib'd to himfelf, where it is plain that he
was left only for a while in Crete to finifh
what remained imperfeft, and to ordain El-
ders in every city there, which we'll prove by
and by was a charge that belonged to the ex-
traordinary Minifters of Chriftianity, when
perform'd by any fingle perfon. He went
afterwards to Dalmatia, and PAUL may as
well be reckoned Bifhop of Corinth, An-
tioch, or Athens, becaufe he made fome flay
in thofe places, as that TITUS fhould be Bi-
fhop of Crete. Nor can I difcover the rea-
fon why TIMOTHY fhould not have as much
right to the Bifhoprickof Theflfalonica, whi-
ther he was fent by PAUL to confirm them
ia the Chriftian perfuafion, as to that of
Ephefus
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 1*7
Ephefus where he was defir'd by the fame
Apoftle to tarry for fome time, and fee that
no falfe or ufelefs Doftrine might be taught
there. It fignifies nothing to objed here that
they did not immediately receive their commif-
fion from CHRIST, for fuch were not his on-
ly extraordinary Minifters, but likewife all
thofe able perfons that were willing to fpread
Chriftianity, and whom the Apoftles chofe
for their coadjutors either to do fo, or to tra-
vel and confirm it where it was already
preach'd. Thefe were the Evangelifts pro-
perly fo calFd, whereof PHILIP and STEPHEN
were two as well as TIMOTHY and TITUS,
to whom may be added the feventy Difci-
pies: as alfo SOSTHENES, CLEMENS, BARNA-
BAS, MARK, SILAS, and fome others.
II. But as it was not enough thus to fpread
and fettle their Religion in the world, where
it might foon be corrupted or forgotten,
they always declared it a main duty of Chri-
ftians to inftrud and exhort one another. Yet
left thro* the wickednefs of fome, the neg-
ligence of others, and the peculiar occupa-
tions of all, this fhould not be fo exadly per-
form'd, they did, in every place, chufe out
of their converts fit and able perfons to put
people in mind of their Religion, and that as
much by the example of their own lives, as
by the reafonablenefs and evidence of their
Difcourfes. Thefe ordinary Preachers of
Chriftianity were to reflde with their own
flocks.
188 THE CONSTITUTION OF
flocks. They might not pretend to any new
Doctrine, but were only oblig'd to publifh
and explain that already deliver'd 5 to the ob-
fervation whereof they could not force any,
but perfuade all they could. They were not
to fine, damn, or burn 5 but to exhort and
convince gain-fayers. Nay, fhould they take
upon them to trouble people with fabulous
wonders, Traditions, or Genealogies 5 with
Logomachys, philofophical Subtleties, or any
thing not tending to the improvement of their
underftanding or practice, they were not to bo
heard or obey'd had they been Angels from
Heaven. And however ufeful Miracles might
be efteem'd to gain authority or credit to the
firft publifhers of any Dodrine, efpecially a-
mong the Jews, yet this reaches not the or-
dinary Teachers : for when the queftion do's
not concern perfons, and that men are dif-
pos'd to receive Truth from any hand, 'tis
then the pure merit of the Doftrine, con-
fider'd in its nature and confequences, that
is to come under examination; without any
fruitlefs difquifitions about its age or origin,
which are the entangling pretences of defign-
ing heads, and proofs only to the weak or
fuperftitious.
III. In all the ancient writings, as well
the fpurious as authentic, we find thefe ordi-
nary Minifters of Chriftianity, call'd for the
moft part Presbyters or Elders, and fome-
ttmes Bifhops, which Greek word fhould be
tranflated
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. is£
tranflated Overfeers. Now thefe two ex-
preffions are but feveral dcfignations of the
fame perfons. The name of Elder is taken
from the gravity of their years, apteft to in-
culcate reverence and attention: for it was
ever the policy of the bed Governments to
make aftion the bufinefs of the young, as
they did government and counfel the pro*
vince of the old. The other Denomination
of Overfeer imports the infpe&ion com-
mitted to them over the information and con-
dud of the people 5 they being the cenfors
of their manners, and the monitors of their
duty. This will undeniably appear from thofe
places of the New Teftament, where Elders
and Bifhops are promifcuoufly us'd for one
another. When PAUL in his Epiftle (48)
to TITUS enumerates the necefiary qualifica-
tions of an Elder, he fays among other things,
If any be blamelefs, and prefently fubjoins,
becatife a Bijhop muft be blamelefs--, fo that
Elder and Biihop here fignify both one thing.
And \^hen the fame Apoftle fent for the El-
ders of Ephefus to Miletus, he exhorts them
(49) in thefe terms : Take heed to your fefoes*
and to all the flock over which the Holy Spi-
rit has made you Qverfeers. Epifcopus, every
where befides a Bifhop, is here tranflated
Overfeer not without a myftery 5 for did they
put in Bifhops, the people are not fo ftupid
but
(48) tit. i. f, 6. f>
(49) <*tt, xx, 17—
THE CONSTITUTION OF
but they muft conclude thefe two words to be
fynonymous: and according to the prefent
ideas of thefe words, the pafTage wou'd (bund
ridiculous, to tell the Presbyters that they
were Bifhops. PETER exhorts (50) the El-
ders to feed the flock of CHRIST, overfeeing
it willingly, not by conftraint ? not for bafe
lucre, but out of a ready mind-, not as being
Lords over God's inheritance, but as exam-
fles to the flock. Now if the Elders were
to overfee, furely they well might be, and
for that reafon, were ftil'd Overfeers, that
is, in terms of art, if they might bifhop the
flock, they might be Bifhops of it. The qua-
lifications and duties of Elders and Bifhops
are the fame in the Epiftles to TIMOTHY to
TITUS, and every where elfe. The ordina-
tion or appointment of both is the fame,
which muft have been feparately confer'd, and
different in form, were the perfons fo in
their capacities. The Apoftles write to Bi-
fhops and Deacons (51) at Philippi, where
there cou'd not be plural Bifhops in the fenfe of
the word ; andfpeak of Bifhops, or Elders and
Deacons indifferently 5 but not a word of
Bifhops, Presbyters, and Deacons, as three
diftinft orders or offices. When there arofe
a difference among the Chriftians about the
obfervation of certain legal rites, we meet
with the Elders call'd to confult with the
Apoftles
(5-0) i Tet.vl it;
Phil. i. i.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 191
Apoftles about that matter, and their Letters
of refolution lent to the Chriftians of other
Countries, without any mention made of
another rank of ordinary Teachers. And fo
it is all over the New Teftament, notwith-
ftanding it is afferted by fome, that 'tis
evident to all men diligently reading the
Holy Scriptures and ancient Authors, that
from the Apoftles time there have been thefe
three orders in Chrifis Church, Bijhops ,
Trie/Is, and 'Deacons. About the three
words in Scripture there is no difpute 5 but
that they fignify there fo many orders, I think
the contrary is now made very plain.
IV. We meet with another fet of men, not
more peculiar to Chriftians than to Jews or
Heathens ; I mean the Deacons, which fhould
be properly tranflated Minifters or Servants.
They were public fpirited (52) perfons of
eminent probity (and not a particular fet of
Ecclefiaftics) appointed to colled and diftribute
what charitable people beftowM upon the
needy, in the faithful difcharge of which
duty they did much approve themfelves to
the community. The Chriftians then were
fo far from having hofpitals or phyficians
at command, as by frequent perfecutions to
be perpetually exposed to all the inconveni-
encics of imprifonment, ficknefs, wearinefs,
hunger, and cold : and becaufe women in
thefe
192 THE CONSTITUTION OF
thefe cafes are generally more ferviceable
than men, there were pious and charitable
\vidows (but none under fixty) appointed for
that attendance. It was likewife a part of
the duty of thefe to inftrud the younger fort
of their own fex in Religion and Virtue;
neither decency, nor the cuftoms of thofe
times allowing the ordinary Teachers (who
arc no more exempted from certain paflions
than other men) to be familiar with them out
of the publick Affemblies. Some will tell
you that after Chriftianity degenerated into fu-
perftition, and as a part of that corruption,
religious Celibacy grew in fafluon, the Priefts
got thofe Deaconeffes abolifh'd, that they
might have a plaufible occafion of entertain-
ing the young women in private. But let-
ting that pafs, the Deacons were principally
employ'd in ferving or miniftring to the fick,
to the poor, and at tables in their feafts of
charity 5 as the Elders or Overfeers had the
charge of reforming manners, and propaga-
ting virtue. It behov'd fuch as imprint a
fpiritual character upon the Deaconfhip, and
make it a neceffary ftep to the Priefthood,
to tranflate the Deaconefs PHOEBE, a Servant
of the Church at Cenchrea ; for otherwife
women might claim the Priefthood, and fo
Epifcopacy, which would make a female Pope
neither wonderful nor infrequent, confider-
ing the intereft of the fair. But if the per-
fons were permitted to retain their original
office of looking after the poor, there had
been
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
been no need of fhuffiing thus with words
to throw duft in the eyes of the people, who
are not aware that Servant is but the tranfla-
tion of ^Deaconefs. I gave an inftance be-
fore of fuch fair dealing, and, to fpeak no-
thing of acknowledged difficulties, I have ob-
ferv'd fome hundreds of places in the New
Teftament and other ancient writings, not
only thus cunningly, but even falfly rendred ;
which is to be fear'd, could not proceed
from any ignorance of the tongues in fome
of the Tranflators, but either to maintain cer-
tain opinions and cuftoms already eftablilh'd,
or to countenance the introduction of more.
But to return to the Deacons, it is objc&ed
that PHILIP and STEPHEN preach'd 5 as if
I had deny'd that men of parts, approving
themfelvesin theDiaconat, might not as well
as all other Chriftians be tranflated to ano-
ther office, as PHILIP was promoted to be an
Evangelift. Befides, it is the undoubted right
of every perfon in difcourfe or writing to
maintain the truth, and upon proper occa-
fions to teach it others 5 thoJ, for avoiding
confufion, none but thofe allow'd may do it
in publick Aflemblies.
V. We are now to enquire by whom thefe
perfons, thus fet apart for the common good
of the Society, were and ought to be ap-
pointed or ordain'd. We have feen before
that the extraordinary Preachers of Chriftiani-
ty did always nominate Elders, wherefoever
N they
194 THE CONSTITUTION OF
they planted their Religion. For, to pafs by
their Authority, and the care of all the Churches
being upon them, none doubtlefs, better
knew the abilities of their own Profelytcs.
But no other particular perfons can with
more right fucceed them in this privilege,
than in their power of difcerning fpirits. As
foon as the Chriftians became pretty nume-
rous, the Elders were chofen by the votes of
the People : and without thefe, the Apoftles
themfelvcs did nothing of common concern.
MATTHIAS was elefted into the Apoftlefhip
againft the other candidate JOSEPH the Juft
by the Ballot, or as we tranflate it, by the
lots of about one hundred and twenty, which
were all the Chriftians of the place. TIMO-
THY, an Evangelift, was ordain'd by PAUL
in conjunction with the Elders. The Dea-
cons were appointed by the People, who are
the beft judges of fuch among 'em as defer ve
that office. And to add another inftance,
PAUL tells us that BARNABAS was, together
with himfelf, tho' an Apoftle, chofen by all
the Affemblies to travel. It cannot be con-
tefled but that Apoftles and Evangelifts might
be apppointed by thofe of the fame order
without the joint confent or approbation of
others j for it is highly reafonable, that the
author or immediate publiihers of a Doftrine
(as well .as of any new invention) fhould
have the choice and nomination of the firft
managers. But if even upon fuch occailons,
the Apoftles thought fit to defire the concur-
rence
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 195
rence of their profelytes, what, pray, can
incapacitate the People now from chufing
the ordinary Miniflers, fo immediately relat-
ing to themfelves > efpecially, feeing there
are no perfons at this time in the world,
to whom any deference ought to be paid
upon the fcore of extraordinary gifts or pow-
er: and, equivocally to fay, that none can
give but what they have, proves as ftrongly
that the citizens of London cannot chufe
their Sheriffs, nor the nobility of Poland
their King, fincc every ele&or is not himfelf
a King or a Sheriff.
VI. In this cafe therefore/ as in all other
publick affairs of the People, the right of
Eledion is theirs 5 or, which is the fame thing,
of fuch a fufficient number, anfwerable to
them, upon whom they fhall devolve it, when
they cannot all conveniently meet in one
place. If they be allowed not only to chufe
their Mayors and Aldermen, but alfo their
Lawyers or Phyficians, of whofe profeffions
they are fuch incompetent judges, with much
greater reafon may they elect theirEcclefiaftick
Teachers, in whom no eflential quality is
required, that every Chriftian is not bound to
poffefs. All men are frequently commanded
by the voice of CHRIST and Reafon, not on-
ly to be well exercis'd in piety and the know-
ledge of the truth, but alfo to inftrucl: their
families and neighbours, to admonifh and re-
prove, to comfort and edify one another.
N 2 S®
tp6 THE CONSTITUTION OF
So that the only difference between the Peo-
ple and their Teachers confifts, as I remarked
before, in this 5 namely, that left thefe du-
ties fliould thro' vice, negleft, or bufinefs,
be generally omitted, certain perfons are fet
apart by all to preach them, which exempts
no body from particular obligations. I affirm
therefore that any Society of Chriftians may
out of their own number, or any other body
of people, pitch upon willing perfons, with
the neceffary qualifications to be their Ovcr-
feers. This is the mod divine and regular
Million upon earth, as agreeable to original
practice, and the light of reafon which is the
candle of the Lord. But that the Ovcrfeers
ihould exclufivcly of thePeople chufe one ano-
ther, much lefs be ordain'd by one, is both un-
rcafonable and unfafe, as I fhall make it appear
e're I have done. Whoever affents to thefc
truths, muft like wife grant that he's no lon-
ger an Overleer that is depos'd for juft caufes,
as being ignorant, dcbauch'd, or an enemy
to the Government. No more is he that has
no charge at prcfent, tho* formerly the Pa-
llor of an afiembly : for 'tis the relation be-
tween the aflembly and him that gave him
this denomination, which perifhes as foon as
that is diffolv'd. The diftindion therefore be-
tween a Minifter and the exercife of his Mini-
ftry, is quite as ridiculous* as when in other
words they fay, that he is a Minifter in ha-
bit who is not one in aft, which is to be
adually none at all. For my own part, I
don't
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 197
don't look upon any in the nation, however
dignify'd or diftinguifh'd, that is not fome-
where an aftual Teacher, and as fuch receiv'd
by the People, to be more a Bifhop, Elder,
or Paftor (term it as you pleafe) than I think
him this year Lord Mayor, that was fo the
laft ; or that a fhepherd remains one, after
the flock is all fold to the butchers or de-
vour'd by the wolves. And when I call thofe
perfons by any of the aforefaid or equivalent
names, I'm then forc'd to ufe the language
of cuftom and not of reafon, which in many
other points is the misfortune of more be-
fides my felf. All they can claim is a capa-
city of being Teachers, when any focicty
pleafes to authorize 'em 5 to which every will-
ing and qualify 'd Chriftian may pretend as
well as they : for this only amounts to poffibi-
lity and fitnefs : nor will any body deny but that
a man who has already approved himfelf in
teaching, is preferable to another, of whole
abilities the world has had no experience, nor
that fuch a perfon is deferving of honor and
refpeft wherever he comes, if he has worthi-
ly executed his office 5 but the fame is as true
of all other callings important to the com-
mon-wealth.
VII. Mod of thofe who make Bifliops a fu-
perior order to other Priefts or Minifters,
teach a very different doctrine from this.
For, according to them, the Bifhop only may
ordain 5 and let the People be never fo unani-
N 3 nious
199 THE CONSTITUTION OF
mous, or let their Teachers be unexceptiona-
ble in their lives, learning, and doftrine, yet if
they receive not their power from a Bifhop they
have no Chriftian Church or Affemblies, nor
can they reap any benefit from the praftice
of religious Duties. This is one of the moft
extravagant and uncharitable pofitions that
was ever heard. It's abfolutely as wild and
contradictory to common fenfe, as Tranfub*
ilantiation j and excludes as many from Hea-
ven, as this renders Idolaters. lor to affert that
fuch as are firmly perfuaded of the do&rine
of CHRIST, and confcientioufly pradife his
precepts, are no Chriftians without this Cle-
rical Hierarchy, is evidently as abfurd as be-
lieving that to be no bread which I faw made
and fold, wherein I find the ufual colour, tafte,
and all other properties, becaufe it was not
bak'd in fome oven appointed by Authority 5
or as if I thought nothing could quench my
thirft bat what I drank out of filver. But if
the effeds of liquor remain the fame, be the
veflel of earth or of glafs j fo they are good
Chriftians, let their Miffion (as they fpeak)
be what it will, who believe and pradife^the
Dodrine of CHRIST. Nor fhall I make any
diftindion how they came by their Religion,
whether under the difcipline of mafters, or
by their own private induftry and ftudy.
VIII. Some are likewife fo ftrangely blind*
ed by Education, but more by Intereft, as to
imagine he ceafes not being a Teacher that
was
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
was once lawfully ordain'd, tho' he become5
deaf, or dumb, or any other way incapable to
cxercife his office ; a privilege never claim'd
or pretended by any fort of Magiftrates, except
of late by fome Kings, fince the Creation.
This wonder is perform'd by virtue of a cer-
tain facred, unknown, invifible, yet indelible
Character, as unintelligibly ftampt on the
foul at the imposition of the Bifhops hands
in Ordination, as a fmall crumb of bread is
transformed into the body of CHRIST by four
words of a Mafs-prieft. Chirotonia, or the
elevation of hands, was in moft Common-
wealths (particularly thofe of Greece and Afia,
where the Apoftles travelled) the way of giving
Suffrages at Ele&ions, as it is now in the
Guild-hall of London , whence the very aft
of appointing a Magiftrate, or giving of votes,
tho' after another manner, is fometimes figu-
ratively fo caird, as none will deny that has
read the new Teftament or prophane Authors
in the original Greek. Chirothefia, or the
impofition of hands, was a ceremony pecu-
liarly us'd by the Jews, not always to denote
an internal change or character, as fome ridi-
culoufly maintain (which I cannot perfuade
my felf they believe) but, when there was
nothing extraordinary, as a folemn defigna-
tion of the perfon appointed to any office in
the Government 5 whereby the ratification of
his Eleftion was declar'd, himfelf fhewn to
the people, and recommended to their love
and refpeft. Upon all occafions of this na-
N 4 turc
200 THE CONSTITUTION c£r.
ture fomc fign muft unavoidably be employed,
whether it be by proclamation, the impofi-
tion of others hands, ftretching out of his
own j the delivering of a fword, a book, a
flaffV; the putting on a crown, a cap, a robe,
or any other way. But all thefe are in them-
ielves indifferent, and depend entirely upon
cuftom. Now moft of the Chriftian Clergy
have conftantly retain'd every where the ce*
rcmony of ordaining Magiftrates us'd in Judea,
where the firftof their order were appointed;
while the people of other places obferving
their own national rites, and changing fafhi-
ons fometimes in this as in other matters,
are apt to imagine the Clergy would not
depart from the common forms, if fome-
thing more than a bare designation was not
meant by their peculiar cuftom : particularly
when they read that the firft who were fo or-
dain'd could perform extraordinary things ;
tho' daily experience may convince them,
that nothing unufual follows upon the mere
laying on of a Bifhop or Presbyter's hands.
Let fuch therefore as pretend the contrary,
convince us by miracles 5 and let thofe, who
are not fo extravagant, acknowledge the ufe
of this ceremony to be no more effential to
theirs, than the ordination of any civil officers,
and fo let them indifferently ufe or forbear
it according to the various Cuftoms of dif-
ferent places, but never affecl: or prefs it as a
neceffary Rite of divine Inftitution.
9
A PRO-'
(201 j
PROJECT
O F A
JOURNAL
Intended to le fullijhed weekly.
Jan. i. 1704-5-
HAVE throughly confider'd, Sir,
the Subjeft of our laft Difcourfe,
and I am not only perfeftly con-
vinc'd of the ufefulnefs of what
you propofed, but likewife fully
determin'd to begin the Correfpondence you
defire 5 which I hope will be agreeable to
your felf, as I ihall conftantly endeavour it
may neither be unprofitable nor ungrateful to
the Pubiick. Tis very furpri/ing that fome-
thing of this nature has not been thought of
in our country before, or, if any had form'd
fuch a defign, that it was never yet executed.
Perhaps they thought that the Law and the
Cofpel
2oi A PROJECT
Gofpel were fufficient. Our Laws, it's
enforce the obfervation of moral and focial
Duties, and 'tis acknowledg'd, even beyond
the feas, that our Divines are the beft Preachers
in the world. But as all Duties come not di-
reftly under the cognizance of the Laws, nor
all the different circumftances of any Duty
\vhatfoever, fo the Magiftrate is but half
obey'd by thofe, who can elude the intention
of the Legiflators, either in point of time
or place, or in any other particular not fore-
feen at the beginning : and he's often not at
all obey'd, by fuch as know no other reafon
of the Law, but only the authority that has
given it a fanftion, which they regard as a
meer force, that might as well have appointed
the contrary $ a power that afts with no re-
gard to the good of private perfons, farther
than they contribute to encreafe the gran-
deur, wealth, and fecurity of the Government.
But whenthefe very men perceive the beauty,
harmony, and reafonablenefs of Virtue in it
iclf } how much it is their own outward in-
tereft and inward fatisfaftion to pra&ife it,
(fuppofing there had been neither praife. nor
rewards to encourage it, nor any punifli-
ments or difgrace to prevent the contrary,)
and when they fee that the good of all perfons
indifferently is the fcope of the Laws, whence
the Government is wealthy, wife, or power-
ful, only as the wealth, and wifdom, and
power of the Nation make it fo : then a
more chearful and fincere obedience will bo
yielded
OF A JOURNAL: 203
yielded by them to the Laws, and the Magi-
ftrate be better imploy'd in diftributing honor
than inflifting of ftiame. This is likewife as
true of the Divines, becaufe the intrinfick
worth and rational evidence of religious Duties,
will naturally confirm what they preach to the
people, viz. that fuch things are commanded
by God, and acceptable to him, fince their
being both intelligible and practicable make*
them truly worthy of God, who could not
fhew his beneficence more, than in giving
man a rule fo much for his advantage, which
could not therefore be invented by thofe that
teach it, for their own credit, gain, or au-
thority.
2. But not to detain you longer upon a fub-
jed you underftand fo well, I fhall rather con-
vince you that I took your meaning right,
by fhewing you in what manner I defign to
execute your Projeft : for as to the juftifying
of a private man for concerning himfelf with
the publick, or proving that this is one of
the propereft ways wherein I could ferve my
Country, I Ihall touch upon it in another
Letter, which will be upon the Publick Good,
or the common Intereft of the Society.
3. Once a Week then you may expert to
receive a Letter from me, containing a Sheet
of paper, upon fome fubjeft of general ufe,
and which you are permitted for that reafon
to publifli to the world. This is the whole
3 defigu
204 A PROJECT
defign in two words. But to make it plain
beyond all fufpicion of faying one thing and
meaning another, I take a Week's time for
every Letter, not only to give my felf leifure
enough without interrupting my other af-
fairs, and not to overburthen the attention,
or to pall the curiofity of the Reader : but
alfo to leave no excufe for an ill performance,
and to keep a juft medium between fuch Pa-
pers as come abroad too often or too feldom ;
which laft therefore are fometimes quite forgot,
as the former muft exhauft the moft fruitful
invention. The day of publication fhall be
Wednefday, becaufe moft people are then
in Town, and that thofe who come from
their Country-houfes may receive this lec-
ture frefh before them for their inftruftion or
entertainment 5 as they may lay it by, if
the hurry of their bufinefs requires it, till
they are gone again.
4. A Sheet of Paper is the lead that can be
taken for handling a fubjeft of any impor-
tance with the care it deferves, and perhaps
in moft fubjefts, that come under our con-
iideration, it is paper enough too : for if Au-
thors did not generally propofe, not fo much
to clear the matter, as to write a volume of a
certain bulk, their reafonings and fads might
often be reduc'd within a very fmall compafs;
and we fee fometimes, that the Abridgment
of a folio by an able hand into half a iheet, is
ab etter Treatife on the fubjeft than than the
z Original,
OF A JOURNAL. 205
Original, and more efteem'd by good judges.
But however, when I chance to light on any
Argument that cannot be diffidently cleared
in one fheet, it fhall be continued in the next,
or in more, as there may be a neceflity for it ;
tho' I am of opinion, that fuch cafes will very
rarely happen.
5. As for the Subjed of our Letters, it
{hall be any thing that may be ufeful and
acceptable to the publick, but chiefly the
moral Virtues, remarkable paflages of Hiftory,
philofophical Difquifitions, and the detec-
tion of popular Errors. The thread and-
body of the Letter will always confift of the
main fubjeft, capable of fuch embellilhments
and examples as may divert, as well as of fuch
grave andfolid reafonings as may inftrud. Any
fubjeft in the world, and, what at firft fight
would feem the unlikelieft to do it, may give
a natural occafion for refolving important
doubts in Learning, for making new Difco-
veries in Nature or Art, for critical Remarks,
and for quoting verfes, epigrams, fragments,
and paffages of Authors, fuch as are not in
the hands of every body, and that even the moil
knowing would be fomething puzzi'd to find,
or that indeed they never obferv'd. Not that
I promife you all this, Sir : but that if now
and then you meet with things of this nature,
you may not think it foreign to the Subject ;
unlefs you find that there's no connection
between them, nor any chain of thought
or
206 A PROJECT
or expreffion, whereby the one gave occa-
fion for mentioning the other.
6. The whole World is the ftorehoufe of
the Materials I fhall ufe ; antient and modern,
foreign and domeftick Books, the Letters
and Converfation of other perfons; the face
of Nature and my own particular Thoughts.
So that 'tis impoffible I fhould ever be at a
lofs for a fubjeft, but rather in fufpence which
to prefer, and how with the exa&eft judg-
ment to chufe properly among fo many. But
one indifpenfable law I propofe to my felf,
is, that the fubjed be fomething which may
be generally entertaining, for which reafon
I fhall always treat of it in a ftile and me-
thod intelligible to every body. The Quo-
tations out of other Languages fhall be ex-
preft in our own, with the original in the
margin j excepting Verfes now and then,
which often lofe their grace and beauty tranf-
lated, the whole turn perhaps depending on
the dialed wherein they were written. Let
no man therefore imagine that this will be a
work above his fphere or capacity : for 'tis
in the moral part of it equally intended for
the good of all, and the learn'd part of it
is particularly defign'd for thofe, who have
not the leifure, nor ever had the opportunity
to turn over many Books. And 'tis efpecial-
]y hop'd that the Ladies, who neither do nor
ought to undergo fuch drudgery, will in
thefe Letters find fomething that may plcafe
OF A JOURNAL. 207
them, tho' not worth their while to make a
painful fearch for it in bulky volumes. Tis
the duty of us men to cafe and ferve them
in this, as in any thing befides.
7. This Mifcellany therefore being defign'd
to be of univerfal benefit, the fheets are
printed all on the fame Paper and Letter
with this Specimen, and the number of the
Pages are continued in the order of other
books : fo that every perfon may preferve
his fheets clean till a Volume be finifh'd,
which then he may caufe to be bound after
his own fancy. The heads, or Paragraphs,
of every Letter are likewife numbered 5 that
any thing may be the eafier found or referr'd
to, and for the more perfed framing of the
Index, which will be at the end of every vo-
lume. Now one word to my felf, and ano-
ther to my Readers. As for me, I thus
write a Book at my own leifure, and 'tis
the fame thing as if I publifh'd it under fome
general Title, though the Pieces be entirely
independent of one another 5 as fome have
done under the names of Colledions, Various
Readings, Memorable Things, Storehoufes,
Nofegays, Treafuries, Gleanings, or fuch other
ferious or whimfical Titles, denoting variety
of Matter. And as for others, the method
I take is infinitely preferable, becaufe they
have no trouble in reading the Book by
parts, which would deter them in one volume.
They have abundantly more time to digeft
the
268 A PROJECT
rhe contents, than if they came on their hands
all together. The expence will be no more
than if they bought the whole Book, nor fo
much ; befides that 'tis perfeftly infenfible to
moft, and eafy to all manner of perfons.
8, Now, Sir, I'll tell you, and, in telling
it to you, I declare to the Publick what I am
rcfolv'd not to do ; and whenever I tranfgrefs
thofe Rules, my labour, no doubt, will find
a fuitablc reception. There's no fear in
the firft place, that the Reader fhould be dif-
appointed as to the caufe of publication, the
materials of thefe Papers not depending on
the wind or weather, on dangerous or dirty
ways, on private correfpondence or publick
permiflion ^ and therefore not fubjeft to amufe
any with falfe or fham intelligence, to tire
him with naufeous repetitions, or to banter
him with idle tattle at home for want of
good ftories from abroad : which is not faid
in derogation of News-papers (which in all
good Governments are of fingular ufe, under
a due regulation) but as things they cannot pof-
jtbly avoid, if they keep up the order of their
Papers, and to which the prefent undertaking
is no way lyable. Neither, as in fuch daily
Papers, ihall any part of ours be taken up
with Advcrtifements of any kind, which
would not only be unfair, but alfo ridicu-
lous, to make the Readers pay for what others
have loft or found, or what the Bookfeller
has to fell, inftead of the matter with which
\ve
OF A JOURNAL; 209
have promised to furnifh him. But an
Account of Books newly publifh'd, fhall al-
ways make up, at lead, one third part of this
Journal.
9. Next we fhall above all things avoid gd*
ing out of our way to meddle with any Fadions
or parties at home, with civil or religious
profeflions, defigning to hurt none, and to
oiblige all, to the utmoft of our power. We
fhall not rake into private or family affairs *
much lefs abufe any perfon by his name
at length or abridged, nor under any colour*
reprefentation, or pretence whatfoever; this
being inconfiftent with all good manners^
policy, or fociety, being a real affaflination.
when committed by anonymous writers,
againft whom the injured perfon has no repa-
ration. Our defign leads us not to concern
our felves with particular men, or, if it
fhould, it muft be to fpeak well and not ill
of them 5 and when we produce any as ex-1
amples of worth or bafenefs, they fhall be
Commonly out of antient or foreign Hiftory :
or, iince our own Country abounds with
inftances of all kinds, having been for many
ages fo famous a theatre of adion 5 I may
Well mention the living for the honor and
countenance of virtue, but in difparaging
of vice, the names 1 ufe fhall be of perfons
long fince dead, and in whom the families of
the living are not concerned.
VOL. II. O 10. Nor
2io A PROJECT
10. Nor is it to be fear'd that this Pape*-
fhould ever incur the diipleafure of the Go-*
vernment, fince ferving the Publick and the
Government is certainly one and the fame
thing, efpecially in our happy Country (if
our own happinefs we could but truly dif-
tinguifli and value) where the intereft of the
one and the other are infeparable. By fer-
ving the Government therefore, I mean, not
being the penfionary of a fecret Cabal, nor the
trumpet of a designing Minifter, nor the tool
of an ambitious Prince : but every man ferves
a good Government, who contributes (accor-
ding to his power) to render the members of
it wife and vertuous, which leads them of
courfe to be peaceable and obedient > to bot-
tom their felicity on the publick welfare
wherein their particular intereft is involved ;
confequently to promote the glory, wealth
and tranquillity of their Country, whereof
they become proportionable fharers 5 and
readily to yield all honor, duty and reve-
rence to the pcrfon and authority of the Ma-
giftrate, who deferves it fo well for the dan-
gers, pains and care which he undergoes for
the whole and every part.
1 1 . I need fay no more, either as a preface
to my Book, or as an account of my defign $
but that whoever has any thing to intimate
or communicate, any hint that he thinks to
be feafonable, any favorite notion or pecu-
liar difcovcry, which can naturally enter into
this
OF A JOURNAL .iii
this work, let fuch Pacquets be addreft td
the Bookfeller, with a Letter containing the
defires of the fender, and I fhall comply, or
give reafons for not doing it, if the iubjeft
be of iany importance j as to any obfervati-
ons or exceptions that may be made relating
to thefe Papers, fuch as have a mind to ca-
vil, to fliew their talent^ or to make a noifei
about fomething, will be fujre to print with-
out confulting any body 5 and to fuch we
have nothing to fay, becaufe we have no
amendment to expect from them. But as for
thofe who are really concern'd for truth, and
who have any doubts to propofe, or obje&ions
to make, who require a further explication
of any thing, or that can point out any real
nriftakes, they fhall receive a fatisfa&ory an-
fwer, and thanks into the bargain : for as I have
merely engag'd in this undertaking for the fake
of truth; fo the Reader may be fatisfy'd that
I fhall not endeavour to fupport it by anya
falfhood.
12. And now, to return to your felf, Sir,
go on as you have advis'd and encouraged
me, to cultivate your underftanding, to en-
creafe your knowledge, to inftruft your neigh-
bours, and to rectify their manners. Who-
ever does not make ufe of his Reafon, is not:
only ungrateful to negieft fo excellent a gift
of God, but actually prefers the (late of
brutes to humanity. But whoever, on the con-
trary, has addifted himfelf to a ferious con-
O 2 templatioH-
212 A PROJECT
f cmplation of the works of God and Nature}
to a diligent examination of times and places,
and to an impartial enquiry into men and
opinions (which is what we truly call Philo-
fophy, and not any peculiar fyftem of the
Schools) whoever, I fay, will thus employ
his mind, muft needs be pleafed with this
Undertaking, and breakout with CICERO (i)
into this divine Exclamation : " O vitae Phi-
lofophia dux ! O virtutis indagatrix cxpul-
trixquc vitiorum! quid non modo nos, fed
omninovitahominum, fincte efiepotuiflct?
Tu urbes peperifti, tu diffipatos homines in
focietatem vitae convocafti. Tu eos inter fc,
primum domiciliis, deinde conjugiis, turn
litcrarum & vocum communione junxifti.
Tu invcntrix legum, tu magiftra moram
Scdifciplinac fuifti. Ad te confugrrnus, ate
opempetimus, tibinos penitus totofquc tra-
cc dimus. Eft autem unus dies bcne, & ex prae-
<: ceptis tuis aftus, pcccanti immortalitati an-
" teponendus. Cujus igitur potius opibusuta-
" mur quam tuis? quae & vitae tranquillitatem
" nobis largita es, & terrorem mortis fuftu-
« lifti ". O Thilofbphy ! thou guide of life,
thoH difcoverer of virtues, andexpeller of vices!
what manner of life Jhould not only ours> but
that of all men in general be without thee ?
By thee it' was that cities were founded, and
mankind affembled into fbciety which lived
differ fed before. Thou fir ft didjljoin them in
their
CO
OF A JOURNAL, 213
their habit at ions, next in marriages, and then
by a mutual participation of languages and
letters. Thou we'rt the invent reft of
laws, the miftrefs of learning and manners.
With tkee we take fanffuary, from thee we
beg affiftance, to thee we perfectly and wholly
rejign our felves : for one day well fpent, ac-
cording to thy precepsy is preferable to an er-
ring eternity. What other helps therefore
jhould we life but thine, who haft beftowed up-
on us the tranquillity of life, and remold the
terror of death.
i
13. Thus I have done with my Plan. But
this defign of a weekly Paper puts me im
mind of that mod true laying of King SOLO-
MON, that there is nothing new under the
funy no not in the meaneft trifles which we
think are but of yefterday's invention, as (to
give you a trivial inftance) the illuminations
in windows, which of late years we have
fubftituted to our old rows of bone-fires : yet
if you look into JUVENAL, you find them
there exaftly defcrib'd and praSifed on great
days, cfpecially on the birth- days of Princes:
Herodis <venere dies, pinguefque feneftris
Or dine difpofita flammam 'vomuere lucerne.
And tho' I will not at this time affirm,
that there ever was fuch a weekly Paper as
mine, yet 'tis undeniable of the *Daily Cou-
ranty feeing there was in Rome a Daily Jour-
nal of al| t^at paft in that: city, compil'd
Q 3 with
A PROJECT &c.
the approbation and under the dire&ion
of the Magiftrate. Thefe were the Atta?
diurna, of which I (hall give you moire par-
ticulars, and fome fragments at the end of
rny Letter next Tuefday, which, as I promi£
cd you, fhall be concerning the Vublick
Good. I need not be fo formal as to tell
you every time, what you know fo well 5
and therefore now once for all I fubfcribe
my felf your moft faithful humble and
obedient Servant.
A M E M
( 215)
A
MEMORIAL
FOR
The Moft Honourable
THE EARL OF ***
CONTAIN ING
A Scheme of Coalition.
MY LORD,
FTER paying my acknowledge-
ments for your laft favor, I can-
not but complain I have fo fel-
dom of late the honor of admit-
tance to your Lordfhip ; and when
I obtain it, that no opportunity is given me
to fpeak of any thing to any purpofe. I am
ignorant, as I told you, whom you meant
t'other day, by my particular friends that were
O 4 againft
A M E M O R I A L.
againft the Peace : but of this lam fare, that
all my acquaintance are unanimous in their
fentiments. Particular friends in this cafe
j have none, but the Houfe of Hanover :
and, tho' a good Peace be a good thing, we
are perfuaded no peace can be good for their
intereft at this time , and much lefs a peace
that gives up Spain and the Indies to a Prince
of the Houfe of Bourbon, or to any French
Prince whatfoever. This, MY LORD, but
not the fpirit of any party, nor partiality for
any miniftry, is the ground of our oppofi-
tion. I therefore conjure your Lordfhip, by
all the friendfhip I entertain and profeis for
you, to confider, whether it be advifeable in
any Minuter tp carry on a thing fo perfectly
difgufling to the next Succeffor? and I be-
feech you to permit me (as your moft fincere
wellwilhcr) freely to tell you, that a clan-
deftine negotiation with France founds very ill
to Englifh ears, even in times of the profound-
eft peace. I have been fo much amaz'd, on
the one hand, at the circumftances of this
tranfadion from the beginning : and I have
had fo much confidence in your Lordfnip, on
the other hand, as looking upon you to be
moft true to the Succeflion, that I made my
felf and others too believe, that the whole
\vas a trick upon the French King and the
High- Church 5 and that, as foon as the pub-
lick money was all granted, you wou'd up-
on very good pretexts break with both o.f
them, and be the author pf a happy Coali-
tioq,
A MEMORIAL. 217
tion between the true friends of their Coun-
try, which are the moderate Whigs and the
moderate Tories. Several of thefe denomi-
nations have, from time to time, made ap-
plication to me to convey their thoughts on
this matter to your Lordfhip ,- which I whol-
ly declined, when i perceiv'd fuch difficul-
ties both of accefs and fpeech, as judging
#iy good offices of this kind were no longer
agreeable. Among the reft a perfon of un-
doubted credit among the Whigs, and that
undertook (without prefumption) for the lea-
ders, proposed about two months ago this
Scheme, which I took in writing upon the
fpot from his own mouth :
I. A Coalition, wherein the Earl of G** *
and the Earl of S *** fliould be left for fome
fmall time unemployed by confent, the rea-
fon of which is felf evident : that in this ad-
miniftration your own figure fhould not only
be chief, but be continued fo, as a fecurity
whereof the balance of the Parliament fhould
be put into your hands.
IL Prefent diflblution of this Parliament,
which might be time enough for the year's
fervice, witnefs the laft Parliament of King
WILLIAM ; that the qualifying Aft pad lafl
feffions, wou'd throw put at leaft a hundred;
befides, that the heats about SACHEVERELL
being quite allay 'd,. and fuch a number of
hotheads difappointcd by this Miniftry, there
wou'd
A MEMORIAL:
wou'd not be fo much money fpent now on
that fide.
III. Pretexts for the diffolution various,
efpecially that the mony'd people will never
truft this Parliament.
IV. A certain number of moderate Tories
nam'd, in conjun&ion with whom the Whigs
were willing to ad.
And fo he concluded, that, the prefent
Miniftry mifcarrying, you muft be ruin'd of
courfe, all being imputed to your Lordfhip,
who will be made to pafs for a fingle Minifter :
whereas, on the foot of this Scheme, others
will be anfwerable as well as your felf for
any meafures that fhall be taken.
This mefiage I peremptorily refus'd to car-
ry, for the reaibns abovefaid, but told the
perfon (whofe name fhall be mentioned, if
you deftre it, according to the permiflion he
gave me) that, if your Lordfhip intended any
fuch thing at all, I was of opinion the pro-
per time wou'd be after this Parliament fhould
grant the year's charge : for then their fall-
ing into heats about the Peace, or reviving
the High-Church projects againft the Diffcn-
ters, a mifunderftanding upon any fcore be-
tween both houfes, or fomething elfe that
may break out by chance or contrivance,
wou'd ferve as better pretexts for a Diffolu-
tion, and beget a better difpofition in the
l
A MEMORIAL; 219
eleftors, who underftand nothing, at leaft
very few of 'em, concerning credit, tho? in
ijt felf a moft efiential point. Sed illud quo-
que va/eat quantum valere poteft. Many o-
ther reprefentations of no lefs importance
I was entirely difcourag'd from offering $ and
had you given me the hearing, the world
(hould never have feen his Electoral High-
nefs's late Memorial. Don't you now find
by experience, MY LORD, that what I wrpte
to you about that Court near a twelvemonth
iince, is exaftly true ? Inftead then of your
P * * * and your S * * * you ought to dif-
patch me privately to Hanover this minute,
where you'll find me as fecret, as I hope to
]t>e fuccefsful. In my judgment it imports
you not a little, were it but for the Queen's
fcrvice, to clear up fome things there. If
you are of the fame opinion, I know Hol-
land fo exaftly as to engage my life for pat
fing and repafling unobferv'd ; giving out
here, that I am retir'd fome where into the
country. I need fay no more, but that as
my intereft is infcparable from that Family,
fo none upon earth wifhes better to your par-
ticular perfon. But we muft come to a near-
er underftanding. If you'll pleafe to fend
me any letter or meffage, let it be to the fame
houfe where I lodg'd, and where your chap-
lain fucceeds me. Delays are dangerous.
/ am,
>lv LORD,
Tour Lordfiips mqft faithful
humble Servant.
( 220)
Another
MEMORIAL
FOR
The Moft Honourable
THE EARL OF ***
MY LORD,
London^ Dec. 17, 1711.
A M fo far from being trouble*
fome by frequent, affeded, or
officious vifits to the great men,
with whom I have the honor of
being acquainted, that the fear
of offending this way, is rather more likely
to argue me guilty of negligence or difre-
peft ^ and to make me pafs for one that ei-
ther clownifhly knows not, or that fullenly
cares not to make his court. But as my cir-
cumftances muft clear me from the laft impu-
tation j fo the company I have ever kept, and
the good Deception I have often had from
.A MEMORIAL: ^f
many Princes, in whofe Courts I have re-
fided, or with whom I had any bufinefs to
tranfad, will (I doubt not) fet me right as to
the firft. <Principibus flacmffe viris, non ul-
tima laus eft. Your Lordfhip in particular
will acknowledge, that I am not wont to
interrupt my friends about trifles. But I am
very fenfibly mov'd (I own) at the unufual
difficulty of accefs I find of late to your
Lordfhip, when at the fame time, I have
fcarce ever fail'd of meeting thofe going up
your flairs or coming down ; who, not very
long fince, wou'd have been afraid to be
found in the fame houfe with you : men (as
I then thought) the moft oppofite to you in
principles, and men who were the moft bit-
ter in their farcafms againft your reputation,
when I fufferM the reproaches of my beft
friends for adhering to your intereft$ per-
fonal, I mean, and not always political.
But as, in the quality of a States-man and
Prime Minifter, you are to deal with all forts
of perfons , ib I don't complain of their good,
but of my own bad ufage. I need not men-
tion how many years ago our familiarity
cpmmenc'd, founded upon the fame love of
tetters and Liberty, which to generous fpirits
are ftronger ties, than even thofe of blood or
alliance. As little need I mention, how in-
violably I have obferv'd the rights of friend-
fhip, both in the times of your profperity
and advcrfity. My enemies never obje&ed
the
fni A M E M O R I A L;
the contrary to me: whereas a certain (?)
couple, I often fee coming from you, and
who are known to be high in your favor,
are remarkable for nothing fo much as
the one for his levity, the other for his
ingratitude, and both for their infufficiency j
which indeed does excellently qualify 'em for
tools, if that be your defign. They have am-
bition enough to turn and return, to fay and
do, to unfay and undo as they are bid : nor
have you any thing to risk, when you ufe
them as tools deferve. To you (I can fay it
without vanity) I am juft the reverfe. I might
be fometimes miftaken in men, but never
was fo in things. My management abroad,
my behavior at home, what I whifper'd in
private, and what I printed to the world, all
fpeak the fame language, all tend to the fame
end. But of this point on fome other oc-
cafion : my bufinefs now is more particular.
My adhering to your intereft, MY LORD, when
it was not my own to do fo, made feveral
people entertain an opinion of me, to which
I can lay no manner of claim 5 as if I were
no lefs engag'd in your Lordfhip's confidence
and concerns, than you are in my refped and
efteem. This perfeverance of mine, and this
only, is the foundation of that notion, which,
tho' to me fo reputable, I was never induftri-
ous to propagate : but rather infinuated quite
the contrary to all thofe, who, led by this
miftakc, follicited my intereft for accefs to
your
(0 «? !??
A MEMORIAL
your perfon, or interceilion in their behalf £
ccnftantly refufing the mod tempting offers^
and often when I had not many guineas left
for fuperfluous expence.
I defy the whole world to produce an inftance
to the contrary. I laid an honefter Scheme of
ferving my Country, your Lordfhip, and my
felf: for feeing it was neither convenient for
you, nor a thing at all defir'd by me, that
I fhould appear in any publick poft, I fincere-
ly proposed (as occafions fhould offer) to com-
municate to your Lordfhip my observations
on the temper of the miniftry, the difpofi-
tions of the people, the condition of our
enemies or allies abroad, and what I might
think moft expedient in every conjundure;
which advice you were to follow in whole,
or in part, or not at all, as your own fupe-
rior wifdom fhould dired. My general ac-
quaintance, the feveral languages I fpeak, the
experience I have acquired in foreign affairs,
and being engag'd in no intereft at home, be-
fides that of the publick, fhou'd (one wou'd
think) qualify me in fome meafure for this
province 5 wherein I am of the mind more
than one ought to be neceffarily employM
Ail wife Minifters have ever had fuch private
monitors. As much as I thought my felf fit,
or was thought fo by others, for fuch gene-
ral obfervations, fo much have I ever abhor-
red, MY LORD, thofe particular obfervers we
call Spies 5 which afperfiou neverthelcfs on
your
A M E M 6 R I A L:
your account, neither I, nor yet fomc othcl
men, who as little deierv'd it, cou'd wholly
efcape from the malice of yours or our own
ill-wifhers : as if none cou'd approach a great
man, without entring ftraight into his mea-
fures right or wrong. But I defpife the ca-
lumny no lefs than I deteft the thing : and as
you, on your part, muft own that I never in-
jur'd any man or woman to you ; fo I'll do
you the juftice, on my part, that Your Lord-
fhip never thought fo unworthily of me as to
hint, much lefs to require any thing of this
kind. Of fuch general obfervations then as
I offer'd, you ftiou'd have perus'd a far greater
number, than I thought fit to prefent hither-
to, had I difcover'd by due effeds that they
were acceptable from me : for they muft
unavoidably be received from fome body, and,
as I laid, from more than one hand, unlefs
a Miniftcr were omnifcient* Yet I foon had
good reafon to believe, I was not defign'd
for the man ; whatever the original fin cou'd
be that made me incapable of fuch a truft,
and which I now begin to fufpeft. With-
out dire ft anfwers to my propofals, how
cou'd I know whether what 1 did here was
a fcrvice or a diflervice ? whether I help'd my
friends elfewherc, or betray'd them contra-
ry to my intentions ? and accordingly, I have
for fome time been very cautious and re-
ferv'd. But if Your Lordfhip will frankly
pleaie to enter into any meafures with me
on a fair and honourable foot, I fhall not
only
A MEMORIAL.1 225
only ufe all the faithfulnefs and diligence
in my power tou procure the good of my
country , but be more ready to ferve your
Lordftiip, in this, or in fomc becoming capa-
city, than any other Minifter. They who
confided to my management affairs of a high-
er nature, have found me exaft as well as
fecret. My impenetrable negotiation at Vi-
enna (hid under the pretence of curiofity) was
not only applauded by the Prince that em-
ploy'd me, but alfo proportionably rewarded.
And here, MY LORD, give me leave to fay,
that I have found England miferably ferv'd
abroad fmce this change, as in fome cafes
before : and our Minifters at home are fome-
timcs as great ftrangers to the genius, as to
the perfons of thofe with whom they have
to do. I forefee that a little time will con-
vince you of this, efpecially in .... where you
have placed the moft unacceptable man in the
world, one that liv'd in a fcandalousmifunder-
ftanding with the Minifter of the States at ano-
ther Court, one that has been the laughing-ftock
of all courts for his fenfelefs haughtinefs and
moft ridiculous airs, and one that can never
judge aright unlefs by accident in any thing.
Now what is it that fhould hinder your
Lordfhip, after fo long an acquaintance, from
honoring me with your Patronage and Com-
mands, but fome difagreement to the condi-
tions demanded by me, or in the principles
on which we are both to proceed > To per-
YoL.II. P fuadc
126 A MEMORIAL.
fuadc me of either of thefe, I fancy will be
a harder task than moft men can cafily per-
form. The annual allowance I have propofed
is fo moderate, and the ways of fecuring it
to me (without coding your Lordfhip any
thing) are fo many and fo obvious, that it
will admit of no other queftion, but whe-
ther you are ftill difpofed to comply with it :
for 1 had your promifc for it the laft time but
one 1 had the honor to difcourfe with you,
befidcs all the Letters and Promifes of provi-
ding for me in general before. By declining
a publick Poft, not only out of prudence, but
out of choice (which yet will fcarce be credi-
ted) all pretences arc remov'd of irritating
any party or perfons that fliould not approve
my preferment, a thing unavoidable prefer
who you will: and there are fo many ways
of accounting for my being eafy, befides one
relating to Learning I fliall not name at pre-
fent, that this point likewife admits of no
difficulty. The work I mean will be no par-
ty-drudgery, nor wou'd the great eft Prince on
earth think it below him to patronize it, whe-
ther he had the beft, or the worft, or no Re-
ligion. But fuch will never like it, as are
not hearty lovers of their Country.
As for the Principles on which we are both
to ad, I hope we are ftill more agreed. The
fpecial ones of ufefully ferving your Lord-
fhip, and fecuring a competent maintenance
to my felf, sue fuppofed of courfe. But the
2 general
A M E M O R I A L; 227
general ones which with me are unalterable
and indifpenfable, are civil Liberty, religious
Toleration, and the Protcftant SucccfTion.
Thefe are my conditions Jine qua non : and
lie that will not agree with me on this foot,
muft never employ me nor ever truft me.
This I take to be plain-dealing, as I take ho-
rsefly to be the beft policy. Sooner than re-
creantly efpoufe Prerogative, Perfecution, or
the Pretender, let me be utterly dif carded, be
cxpofed to all hazards, difficulties, and incon-
Veniencies. To obviate any mifunderftand-
ing, MY LORD, I mean no more by Liberty
than a government of Laws and not of wilJ,
particularly our own excellent conftitution
of King, Lords, and Commons : yet without
the Juiredivinofhip of the Prince, or the Paf-
five-obedienceof the Sub) eft, the Laws being
to both an equal rule. As the Whigs mean
lio other Commonwealth, contrary to the
calumny of the furious and ill-afFeded part
of the Tories $ fo I am perfuaded many
tff the Tories are far from aiming at fetting
up irrefiftible Power or indefeafible Succef-
fion, contrary to the fuggeftions of fome
weak but well-meaning Whigs. The Papifts
and Jacobites are common enemies to both,
and againft thefe they muft both join at laft, or
be ruin'd. Such a Common-wealth's-man I
only approve, as your Lordfhip formerly ^vas,
when you encourag'd me to reprint Harring-
ton's Oceana, tho' neither of us imagined the
model it felf to be practicable. For my own
P 2 part,
228 A MEMORIAL:
part, as I have ever been, fo I ftill declare my
felf to be a Whig: a Whig, I fay, by denomi-
nation as well as by principle, in the fenfe
that I have explain'd this word in a book I
wrote by your Lordfhip's allowance and en-
couragement, the Memorial of the State of
England. But I declare at the fame time,
that I am far from thinking the Prince, or
even his chief Minifter, fhould make himfelf
the head of a party ; which will not only
render either or both of them contemptible,
but likewife plunge 'em into inextricable dif-
ficulties. In this very refpeft I have often
admir'd and applauded your Lordfhip, for fo
often in certain affairs recovering the over-
fetting vcfTel to its former fteddy courfe : and
it (hall be my ardcntcft wifh, that no provo-
cation of what nature foever, no precipitate
meafures of your affociates, neither fuperior
influence, nor inferior phrenzy, may be able
to force you into any of thofe extremes, the
edge of whofe fury you have fomctimes blunted
or retorted with fuch admirable addrefs. So
have I always undcrftood your conduct, and fo
have I always explain'd it in the finccrity of my
heart, as well as by my inclination to have it
fo : fo I understand your Lordfhip now
(whether I be miftaken or not) and may I
prove as true a Prophet as ever to my fpeciai
Friends ! But my mind in this matter is fully
underftood by the Scheme I prefum'd to lay
before you not very long ago about a Coa-
lition, towards the effecting of which, never-
thelefs,
A MEMORIAL. 229
thelefs, the management of affairs fince gives
me very fmall hopes, and feems to portend
quite the contrary, which muft needs end in-
confufion.
. NoSv if your Lordfhip keeps as firm as
ever to the glorious principle of Liberty, you
muft by an inevitable confequence be entirely
fixt in the next human and heavenly princi-
ple of Toleration. So far am I from appre-
hending you fhould, as fome daily infinuate,
promote any of the High- Church clefigns,
thofe projefts of APOLLYON, that I am per-
fuaded (whatever ufe you may make of the
Proteftant Jcfuits of Chrift- Church) you can
never favor thofe Priefts who fawcily ftrike
at the Queen's Supremacy, by aiTerting the In-
dependency of the Church upon the State j
who openly endeavour to make the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper pafs for a proper Sacri-
fice the very-tffence of the Mafsj who as
boldly prefs the duty of private Confeffion to
a Prieft, in order to introduce the neceflity
of his lucrative Abfolution 5 and who, by
other means more covert and difguis'd, labour
at reconciling ours with the Church of Rome,
or rather to make the Englifh Church as
pompous, fuperftitious, and tyrannical as the
Papal : the ultimate end of A***, S***,
M * * *, and fuch other Preachers for Bifhop-
ricks, being nothing elfe but advancing the
pride and power of Priefts. This is they:
Church of England^ and by this word is the
inob deluded. How can I, that think I know
P 3 your
A M E M O R I A L.
your Lordfhip fo well, ever impofe on my
felf fo far, or fuffer my friends to fwallow
fuch a monftrous abfurdity , as that you
fhould not ftrenuoufly fupport the legal Tole-
ration, ay and the general Naturalization too,
in their utmoft latitude? as being the main
fprings and fecrets of making any country
flourifh in wealth and learning, in arts and
arms. Your Lordfhip knows that I neither
am, nor affed to be thought, a Bigot ,• and
that I abominate Licentioufnefs as much as I
venerate Liberty. But let no body imagine
that we Free-thinkers (whom fome of nar-
row views ignorantly confound with thought-
lefs Libertines) fhould be lefs zealous or cou-
rageous, than the moft wholelale believer oj:
the precifeft profeflbr of 'em all, againft the
return of Popery under whatever denomina-
tion. The converts in King JAMES'S time
were moft of 'em Ecclefiaftics or their Lay-
bigotted Pupils, and not one of 'em a Free-
thinker, no nor a Diflentcr •> nor are the Free-
thinkers (for which glorious name they are
oblig'd to their enemies) fo eafily put off
with words as fome others, fince there may
very well be fuch a thing as Proteftant Pope-
ry; for Popery is in reality nothing elfe, but
the Clergy's affuming a right to think for the
Laity > from which not only follows the
leading or driving of them at their pleafure,
but every thing imaginable the Priefts ftiall
find conducing to their peculiar profit or au-
thority, Englifh Catholic Chocks common
fenfc
A MEMORIAL; 231
fenfe, as much as Roman Catholic. You
may play your Priefts then (if that be all *) juft
as you pleafe againft one another, I (hall
cheerfully go on to ferve your Lordfhip for
the Proteftant caufe in general, which, even
in the lead reform'd parts of it, muft be ac-
knowiedg'd to be a noble ftruggle for Liber-
ty, and a mighty ftep towards the ruin of
fpiritual Tyranny.
Having expreft my felf fo copioufly, My
LORD, upon Liberty and Toleration, I may
be the fhorter upon our third principle of the
Houfe of Hanover, from which the other two
are infeparable. Liberty and Property, To-
leration and Union, have occafion'd that Suc-
cefllon. On thefe it is founded, by thefe it
muft be maintained againft all oppofition. And,
as a fure earneft of a glorious future profped,
thefe are the domeftic hereditary principles
of that Houfe : for, whatever our fools or
knaves may prate of arbitary Power there,
the inhabitants are Sy#cretifts by profeffion
(that is German Occafi6nal Conformifts) and
never were there Subjefts on earth better
ufed, or more content; the Barons having
an appeaWrcrm the Prince to a higher Court,
tho' they never have occafion given them to
make ufe of this right. Your Lordfhip appear-
ed for this caufe as early as any, and if to the
fame you are not ftili as firm as any, what a
wretched Politician am I } how greatly mifled
my felf? and how great a mifleader of others,
P 4 efpecial-
232 A MEMORIAL:
efpccially of that illuftrious Family ? This, I
cannot in duty forbear telling you, is the
place in which your enemies now attack you
with their utmoft vigor, and, from certain odd
circumftances, they perfift in their accufation
with the moft fanguine hopes of fuccefs. It
is here therefore that I daily exert my greateft
efforts in your defence, and where I have a
better right to be credited than any of your
new friends. To this Houfe, in a word, I am
wholly devoted out of inclination and prin-
ciple. I have no other intereft than this,
which I take to be the common intereft of
us all. Tho' changing of fides is become fo
fafhionable a thing, yet neither fear nor fa-
vor, no advantage or temptation, tho* ever fo
confiderablc, not the byafs of acquaintance,
nor even the force of friendftiip, can take me
off (as the phrafe is) from this principle of
the Hanover Succeffion, where I have from
the beginning fixt my reft : and therefore I
cannot but be honeftly of the mind, that I
ought to be more truftcd and more encou-
raged, than fuch as have been ever indifferent
or ever enemies to it. There's a long lift of
thofe I mean, and which I am ready to pro*
duce upon occafion. I do therefore moft ear-
neftly wifh, that all ugly appearances (where-
of I have fo frequently complain'd in other
Memorials) were quite taken away, and that
a better underftanding were cultivated with
the moft difcerning Court in Europe. Your
Lordfhip will find by experience that I don't
flatter, Since
A MEMORIAL;
Since then, MY LORD, the truth of the
matter is, that I have been for many years,
both at home and abroad, your unwavering
friend and adherent 5 one, for whom you have
cxpreftthegreateftkindnefs; one, to whom,
fince your late advancement, you have made
repeated promifes of the continuance of your
protection $ and one, who on many accounts
may be more ferviceable to you for the fu-
ture than ever before : I cannot, I fay, from
all thefe confiderations , but, in the nature
of a lover, complain of your prefent neg-
left, and be follicitous for your future care*
There being none but your felf (which may
never happen !) capable to convince me that
we are not embark'd in the fame bottom,
have I not fome reafon to exped good enter-
tainment in the fhip, where I have not been
altogether idle ? efpecially, when I neither
take upon me to control the officers, nor to
claim any fhare in the government. As to
the obfervations I did propofe to make, I
fancy thofe I actually prefented, are fuffi.
cient to anfwer for thofe I fhou'd have made,
had I received befitting encouragement. I
appeal particularly to my early application
about the pretended ,Weft-Meath Plot, and
the too real affair of the Scots Medal 5 both
\vhich (from wrong fteps taken againft my
advice at firft) have fince occafion'd fo much
noifc, and, if I be not miftaken, they'll oc-
cafion much greater yet, tho' feemingly now
forgot. No body is punifh'd at all that li-
bels
234 A M E M O R I A L;
bels the fucceffion, tho* I have fhewn fuch
libels to be numerous, and openly fold.
We'll fee what the houfe does with CR * * L:
yet one wou'd think that certain others ne-
ver expefted thofe to fucceed, againft whofe
fentiments they ad in fo defperate a manner.
But, in plain truth, what fhall we fay after
the pardoning of fome from the gallows,
\vhofe execution might be a fervice to the
Miniftcrs as well as to the Nation ? after the
not punifhing of one mortal for the late
Invafion, a mercy not to be parallel'd in all
hiftory? and after the difmiffing of thofe
that were taken in the fad on fuch eafy bail ?
The advancement of certain perfons in Scot-
land, feems prodigious unaccountable to the
irreconcileable enemies of Popery and the
Pretender. I (hall not fay however that this
is inconfiftent with her Majefty's Speech, at
the opening of the prefent Parliament (where
being hearty for the Houfe of Hanover is
made by her an expreft qualification for pre-
ferment) becaufe in the firft fpeech fhe ever
made in Parliament, fhe bids the nation ex-
peft to find her always a Jiriff and religious
observer of her word. Nor muft your Lord-
fhip take ill what is meant fo well, if I pro-
phecy that two incendiaries (2) in Ireland, if
not timely prevented, will occafion you many
a heart-ake: feeing the honeft people of Eng-
land now do make the fame inferences from
the proceedings about Corporations in Ire-
land,
(i) P *** and H** *.
A M E M O R I A L; 23s
land, that they did from the Declarations for
Indulgence in Scotland, and from the Quo
Warranto's and Regulators in England, in
King JAMES'S time. Verbumfapienti: for furely
the reigns of King CHARLES and King JAMES
fhould be no patterns to men of revolution
principles $ by which I mean thofe that afted
in the Revolution, and that approved of it.
Nor are many lefs alarm'd at the late unpro-
teftant and unpolitick Addrefies of certain Irifh
Bifhops, and their noble pupils in leading-
ftrings. I hope, during the power of fuch a
father's fon, the honeft Northern Diffenters
may not be fo barbaroufly us'd with relation
tothepenfion of their Minifters, as a reward
(or fhall I fay a punifhment?) for fecuring
London-Deny, and preventing thereby a de-
fcent into Great Britain of a very dubious
iffue. Muft reprifals be thus taken upon them,
for the villanous impoftor LANGTON'S being
{truck off the Eftabliihment> I further hope,
that you'll keep fome body from medling a
third time in that Kingdom with matters
above his fphere.
But I am launched perhaps too far, where
my advice is not ask'd : and I am afraid by
this time, Your Lordfhip may imagine I
would give my felf airs of importance. I ap-
peal to your own experience, whether of all
that tranfaft any thing with you, I be not
the fartheft frorft this fort of vanity? Nei-
ther am I a medler or bufy body, beyond
what juftly comes tp the fhare of every free
fubjeft.
A M E M O R I A t:
fubjeft. Have I ever obtruded on Your Lord-
ihip's privacies > or importun'd you to tell
me, what you did not think fit to impart of
your own accord ? for as to the affairs of the
prefent conjuncture, I content my felf with
knowing as much of 'em, as any man in the
world that is not in the fecret, of which I
have given, where it was neceffary, a moft
authentic demonftration 3 and even to your
felf, when, in my laft Memorial, I declar'd
againft any Peace at all at this time, as be-
lieving it muft be fuch a peace, as will not
only render ufelefs all her Majefty's triumphs,
fully the henor of the nation, betray our
beft and firmeft allies, but effectually ruin
theirs, and ours, and the liberties of all Eu-
rope, befides the manifeft breaches of word
and faith in perfonsy whofe character ought
not to be lightly proftituted. I wilh from niy
foul, inconfiderable as I am, that you had
vouchfaf 'd to ask me a few queftions, with
regard to fome particulars.
As for writing in defence of your perfon
or politics (the negleft of which was lately
objected to me, by one of your relations)
how cou'd I poilibly divine, without your
exprefs inftruftions, that I (hou'd not be all
the while unskilfully thwarting your defigns ?
Far from being ambitious of recommending
your Schemes to the publick, I wou'd glad-
ly have employed my pen to convince the
-world, that it was neither by your Lordfhip's
privity
A MEMORIAL; 237
privity nor approbation (as your enemies give
out) that our faithful Allies, efpecially the
Dutch, have been treated of late, in a man-
ner too injurious and fcurrilous to be permit-
ted even towards declared enemies, in any
civilized country. Pofterity will be afham'd,
when they read fuch infamous pieces. With
what alacrity fhould I obey, were I autho-
riz'd to (hew how the not calling of the
wretched ABEL ROPER to account for his
trealbnable paragraph againft the Succeflion,
and his abominable ufage of all men of
worth, abroad and at home (not to forget the
Author of the good old caufe, of the Oath to
an Invader, the Examiner, and fuch other
open oppofers of the Proteftant Line 5) how,
I fay, this unexampled lenity towards fuch
criminals, is confident with our care and con-
cern for the Houfe of Hannover, and for the
Liberties that have cofl fo much blood and
treafure to fecure ^ for, believe me or not,
I h^d rather be enabled to fhew the true rea-
fons, than to receive a bank-bill of a thou-
fand pounds. My beft apology for the length
of this Letter, MY LORD, is that the nature
of the thing required it. I have before made
ufe in it of the ftmile of a Lover, and, as fuch
indeed, I thought fit once for all to come to
a thorow explanation : looking upon uncer-
tainty as one of the greateft misfortunes that
can befall me, and beiag refolv'd, if my af-
fedion be not kill'd by your unkindnefs (I
mean to your fclf as well as to me) to become
238 A M E M O R I A L;
indiffolubly yours; for which the only ft-
crct is, that you do infeparably become yoitf
Country's. I am with the fame dutifulncfs,
zeal, and refpedt as ever,
MY LORD,
Tour Lordfiip's
woft faithful, obedient,
and devoted Servant.
A MEMO-
MEMORIAL;
Prefented to a
MINISTER OF STATE,
Soon after his Majefty King GEORGE'S
accejjion to the Crown.
H E chief heads of this Memorial
lliall be the Clergy and the Laity.
And as for the firft of thefe, I take
it for granted, as a thing of publick
notoriety, that but too many of
the Clergy of England have no regard for any
thing but profit and power 5 that the\more
you enrich or advance them, the more haugh-
ty and mifchicvous they will be 5 not valu-
ing any fort of Religion or Virtue, further
than
A M E M O R I A L.
than it merely ferves their intereft. This,
you'll fay, ought not to be fo, to which I
add, that 'tis pity it fhould be fo. But nei-
ther of us can deny the fact : and I con*
ceive the only way to manage thofe men,
fo that they may neither hamper the Govern-
ment nor difturb the Peace of the People (by
their intrigues and importunities with rela-
tion to the firftj or their impofing upon and
gaining the money of the laft, by wheedling,
and efpecially by pra&ifing upon fick people)
is to make the ftatute of Mortmain in force
as formerly. Their revenues are fufficient,
and much more than are enjoy 'd by any fecu-
]ar Priefts in the world. Nay, had many of
them lefs, their cures would be better taken
care of : and it is apparent that nothing ever
did or can keep them quiet, but a ftrid and
fteddy hand over them. I mean, that they be
not fuffer'd (much lefs encourag'd) to med-
dle with politicks or civil affairs 5 but that
they be ftriftly kept to their fpiritual office,
as fct forth in a Sermon preach'd by the late
Archbifhop of York. They muft be difcoun-
tenanc'd in their rampant pradices, and thofe
be never preferred who tranfgrefs in the
above-mentioned particulars. Thus the thing
may be eafieft affc&ed, by a good Magiftracy
in every County : for thefe I am fpeaking
of, are meanly born and bred, ignorant for
the greateft part, and made equally proud
and infolent at the Univcrfities. Therefore
when they perceive the civil Government re-
is folv'd
A M E M O R I A LJ 24!;
fblv'd and ftcddy, they will court and coriiply
with the Magistrates; being naturally fearful,
and perpetually undermining each other:
\yhcreasthemore the Magiftrate gives way to.
them, the more they'll grow upon him. It
is felf-evident, that their great power and in-
tereft is principally derived (not from the po-
pulace) but from thofc of the Nobility and
Gentry, who govern the people, and who
are themfclvcs governed by thefe Priefts.
When very young they are commonly their
Schoolmafters, and always their Tutors at the
Univerfities 5 whereby they cannot only lead
them all their lives in matters above their
reach, but even fright and deceive them as
they pleafe j governing their perfons, families^
eftatesand intereft. A remedy therefore fiiould
be found out for a better Education and bet-
ter Inftrudions at our Univerfities* Among
other methods; I fancy if the Fellows and
Matters of Arts in all the Colleges were
not oblig'd to go into Orders, that it would
go a good way towards the cure. But of this
more particularly hereafter.
Now as to the Laity, they are divided intd
^apifts, Tories, Whigs, and Trimmers. The
firft of theic, if confident with the Aourifli-
ing condition of any civil Government, is
not I am fare with a Proteftant one : becaufc
their Religion not only obliges them to own
a foreign Superior, to whom they yield a fub-
iniflion incompatible with their Allegiance
y QI» a (4 to
34* & MEMORIAL:
to their natural Sovereign ; but to break ill
faith, morality, and humanity with thofc
which the Pope fhall denuonce to be Hereticks,
in order to advance their own Dodrincs, all
calculated for th£ intereft of that damnable,
bloody, and deftrudive Fadion they call the
Church. Thefe men ought to be crufti'd and
fubdu'd to the utmoft (not for mere opinions-
in Religion, which every man ought to en*
joy) but as they are conftantly endeavouring,
with all pofliblc induftry and artifice, to de-
ftroy all other Religions, to fubvert Liberty
and Property, the better to introduce their
own Superftition. The Pope and his Clergy
abroad (who formerly pofleft the beft part
of this rich and happy Ifland) leave no ftone
unturn'd to regain thofe powers and riches
they formerly had. To this end they fend
over their beft heads, generally natives of this
Kingdom, to make converts diredly, and
indiredly, under the notion of zealous church-
men, to increafe myftery, fuperftition, and
prieftly power, to divide the eftablifh'd Church,
to encreafe the Sectaries, to corrupt the Uni-
verfities, to raife antipathies among the Peo-
ple by party-names and diftindions ,• to bribe,
(in a word) to lie, defame, and murther, or
if there be any other villany more heinous
than thefe. On fuch accounts no proceed-
ing can be thought too fevere, fince this evil
is become hard to fupprefs, or indeed to be
tolerably kept under, by reafon of the byafs
the Houfe of the STUARTS has had all along
A M E M O R I A t. 243
^n favour of Popery, and the incoufagement
it has conftantly receiv'd, tho' in a more co-
vert manner, from the afpiring or the ignorant:
part of the Church of England Clergy. King
GEORGE, on the contrary, will not only;
more effedually fecure himfelf at home, and
become prodigious popular, by appearing (as
he is) a thorough Proteftant, as having the
Reformed Intereft much at heart 5 but thus
acquire authority, credit, and confidence
abroad, as the real Head of the Proteftant
Religion every where, and in every circum-
ftance.
To proceed from the Papift to the Tories^
thefe are of two forts. The firft are Non-
jurors, perfed Roficrufians in Government,
a ftupid, illiterate, ftubborn, pofitive, noify
and impudent Generation ; yet not very dan-
gerous, f6 long as they have ingenuity enough
to continue their fcruples about the Oaths:
but once they get the better of their confci-
cnces in this refpeft (which, a few filly crea-
tures excepted, they generally do) then no
fort of men are more clamorous about the
Church, or more importunate for Places.
Thefe ought not only to be kept under, and!
difcouraged 5 but alfo to be ridicul'd and
made contemptible both in print and con-
verfation : for they are never to be chang'd,
and confequently never to be trufted > as be-
ing incapable of reafon, and infenfible of
favours. Befides that it is an eftablirfi'd
2 maxunf
>44 A M E M O R I A L:
maxim with them, to fwear and creep into
places, the better to ferve their young Mafter,
as thefe Wittals term the Pretender. The
fecond fort of Tories are, 'tis true, men fo
devoted to the Church of England, that they
art implacable towards all other opinions,
thor ever fo little differing in form or fub-
ftance from their own, but yet they are neither
fo furious, fenfelefs, or wicked as the firft : for
they wou'd not give up their own Property
or the Liberty of Europe, they wou'd not
willingly lofeour Trade or aggrandize France
to the ruin of their native Country; and
they are withal good friends to the Prote-
ftant Line, and as averfe as any to a Popifh
Succefibr. Thefe men therefore ought to be
mildly treated, and thofe of 'em to be pre-
ferr'd to Places, who have virtue and merit 5
which are the beft qualifications in all kinds
of men, for Magiftracy and offices. This
impartiality will highly pleafe the People,
leave the Tories in hope, even the worft of
them, and give no ground for the clamours of
any Party.
The Whigs (I mean thofe who praftife
what they, profefs) are virtuous, wife, and
induftrious Church of England men 5 yet
brotherly indulgent towards other Protef-
tants, and all for a general Naturalization,
To thefe ought to be added the Sedarics,
who heartily join with them on one common
bottom, againft Popery and Slavery either
in Church or State. The Whigs of all de~
nomination &
i A . - •
A MEMORIAL.
nominations (whatever may be their failings
or differences in other refpefts) are immovo-
ably ftaunch for Liberty civil and religious,
for Trade and the Balance of Europe, in .*
which things I take the true intereft of Bri-
tain to confift. So far are they from being
againft Kingfhip (as their enemies foolifhly
calumniate them) that they are to a man moft
zealous for the Aft of Succefllon, particu-
larly faithful to King GEORGE (whom they
admire almoft to adoration) abfolutely deter-
min'd to fupport his progeny, and liich, in
fhort, as may be depended upon in all the
particulars aforefaid. I ftill mean thofe that
are true to their principles, fuch as have kept
their integrity in times of danger, that have
not chang'd for intereft or favour, and who
are known (as all men are beft fo) by their
actions. Thefe are the men who ought to
fill all pofts of truft in his Majefty's fervice,
both at home, and in his Embaffies abroad ;
giving fome places of honor, and of profit
alfo, to fuch Tories as are to be wean'd off
from their Party, or who are to keep them
in hope and dependence.
The Trimmers are timorous pufillanimous
fcnaves, who (forfooth) would not provoke
any party, but fmile upon all, and ever lean-
ing towards the prevailing fide, or hovering
between both till they fee who gets the bet-
fcer. I conceive no other ufe ought to be
pf jfceft raeu, butastpols to fervethe
A MEMORIAL.
Prefent demands; but fuch time-fervers are
never to be confided with pofts of truft, nor
with any fuch great places, that will procure
them credit and power, both which they
will be as ready to employ againft as for the
King, according to the influence their fears
or their avarice may have upon them in
a perilous conjuncture.
If this be the true ftate of our cafe, the
next enquiry muft be after a proper cure ;
which that we may the more certainly dif-
cover, we ought to lay down fuch principles,
as will fupport all we (hall build upon them
in the fequel of this Difcourfe. There is no
queftion to be made, but that mankind by
nature is of the fociable fpecies of animals,
herding together in communities for their
fcommon fafety ; and that they quarrel among
thcmfelves, or opprefs each other, juft upon
the fame motives and topicks with other am7
mals: fuch as food, venery, ficknefs, old-age,
and want of underftanding ^ but to a far
higher degree by the ufe of fpeech, and efpe-
cially of hands, which manage weapons to
their own deftrudion, as well as that of their
fellow-creatures. I conceive therefore, that
true Virtue, Religion, and underftanding,
ought to provide againft thefe evils of Soci-
ety, by good Education and wholefome Laws,
whereby fuffjcient food may be provided with-
out violence, venery without force, the fick
and aged reliev'd, ^nd niatfmen and idioB
t^ken care of. The
A MEMORIAL. 247
The rules for Virtue and Religion ought to
be plain and fimple, or (as we commonly
fpeak) the naked truth, unchangeable, void
of craft, of gain, or of power; being part of
the civil government, and wholly depend-
ing upon the fame. The Clergy fhou'd teach
thofe rules, and deliver thofe precepts with-
out adding, diminiQiing, gloffing, or com-
menting ; which is the ready way to make
Humanity fhine, Juftice flour ifh, and Com-
munities happy. But fince England is not
what we cou'd wifh it, we muft endeavour
to alter and amend by degrees, as far as prac-
ticable : and I think it very reafonable, that
prefent care fhou'd be taken, to prevent the
Clergy meddling with Politicks in their pul*
pits or elfewhere.
This evil may in a great meafure be cur'd by
the King, and by the Diocefans proceeding
according to his Injundions, both fending
fuch orders to the inferior Clergy, as fhall
feem moft convenient 5 the King ading as
Head of the Church, and the Bifhops as Go-
vernours of their feveral Diocefles under him.
They muft be ftriftly kept to that Law and
Canon already in force, viz. that no perfons
be admitted to take Orders, but fuch as have
a title, or are truly prefented to livings 5
nor that they be permitted to act or concern,
fhemfelves ia any civil employment what*
foever.
0,4 Great
A M E M O R I A L.
Great care fhould be taken to reform the
Universities, which, if fettl'd on the foot of
Virtue, wou'd in twenty years bring up age-
Deration, that fhou'd retrieve the v/orth, un-
derftanding, induftry, and honor of the nation,
pow fo low, and almoft deftroy'd by a late
let of men, who were there vicioufly and ig-
norant! y educated. Smiles and frowns will
gp 3 great way at the Univerfity, preferring
one before another, as they excell in probi-
ty and proper endowments. Other methods
will have their due effefts, as obliging the
Tutors to read Ledhires to their Pupils in a
yegular manner; but cfpeciaJly encouraging
fuc;h Jutprs, as teach ufeful knowledge : re-
(training them from dablingin Politicks, and
that youth be not permitted to be out o£
their Colleges, but at certain hours, with-
out the leave of their Tutors 5 nor to fre-
quent public^ houfcs, but fconc'd when found-
there at any time of the day : that common
fire-ropms t>e provided in all Colleges, and
{hat feveral fuperftitious cuftoms t>e abolifh'd,
with that feryile one of Scholars capping Fel^
lows, Matters of Arts or fuch others, any more
than they do other men in other places:
that prizes be given by the King to iiich as
excell in Literature, or eveji in any exercifes
relating to Trade, no lefs than in Mathema^
ticks, /Mechanicks, Agriculture, Navigation^
Planting^ Fifhery, Mincing, and.fp Oil-
'^-.v L;
A M E M O R I A L; 249
As to particular Profeffions, care fhould be
taken, that no perfons be prefer'd but fuch
as are bred up to that fame way, or are well
skill'd therein 3 but by no means to give the
lame pcrfon two employments in different
profeflions 5 I mean, that Lawyers be kept to
affairs of juftice folely, Phyficians to take
care of health, Soldiers for offence or defence 5
as Gentlemen to the Belles Lettres, to travel,
to the court, to embaffies, and to country*
offices : the Merchants to trade, the Citi-
zens to their various crafts, the Shop-keepers
to diligence in retail and the plain rules
of buying and felling, Farmers to the ma-
nagement of their lands, and Labourers to in-
duftry, fobriety, cheap diet and cloathing.
In fhort, not to encourage them to entrench
upon or intermix with each other, in any
thing different from that which they were
feverally bred j unlefs in cafe of fome extra-
ordinary genius and propenfity. This will
quiet and pleafe vaft numbers of people.
Alfo it will be granted (I fuppofe) at firft
fight, that a prudent Economy fhou'd be us'd
in difpofing of Places, fmce for any one
place there are fo many Candidates. No
perfon therefore fhould have pluralities. Rich
men fhou'd be rewarded by titles or places of.
Honor : middling men Ihou'd be rais'd pure^
ly on the fcore of their Merit : and poor men
for induftry, honefty, and other fitting qua-
lifications. A fpecial regard ought to be
I
350 A M E M O R I A L.
had to the various defires and inclinations of
men : for a fmall thing rightly apply'd, may
pleafe more than one of twenty times the
value. But men extremely profufe or co-
vetous, ought not to be prefer'd at all, thefe
extremes making them mercenary, cowardly,
and perfidious.
Education is of the laft confequence, and
care fhou'd not only be taken to adapt the
profeffions to the genius or inclinations of
the youth; but alfo to encreafe the numbers
of each profeflion, as the emergencies of
State may require. And I think nothing will
prove more pernicious to the Publick than
the new eredions of Charity Schools, where
the poor Children are bred up all pen-men
(forfooth) and qualify'd for fuch employ-
ments where they are not wanting, but which
are on the contrary more than overftock'd.
This caufes a prodigious drain from the Manu-
fafturers and Labourers, who are obferv'd to
grow much fcarcer fmce this mifchievous in-
vention, and which of courfe encreafes the
price of man's labour, makes commodities
be wrought worfc, and fent dearer to the mar-
ket. It does further give the greateft encou-
ragement to idlenefs, the poor folks ufing all
means and intereft to educate their Children
book-learned and Schollards 5 which is a moft
inconceivable damage to the Nation : as to
this fame Nation , I take the great number
pf Country Latin Schools to bfc a real lofs.
A M E M O R I A L. $$i
stnd injury, fince four or five years of their
childrens labor are loft and milpent, by moft
that can pay a fmall matter for their teach-
ing 5 tho' not one in five hundred makes any
future ufe of it to their advantage, but ra-
ther to their ruin, and fo much of their beft
time irrecoverably loft from learning other
matters, infinitely more ferviceable to them-
felves and the Publick. This fame Latin-mong-
ing fpoils their hand-writing, figuring, and
true EnglHh, the only accompliftiments re-
quifite for the Populace.
Another matter highly injurious to the
Publick, as it particularly reflefts on the Prince,
is that the Difcipline of the Army fhould be
fo negleded as it is in England, that com-
mands fhou'd be difpos'd of for money, not
merit ; that falfe mufters and unfit men fhould
be conniv'd at 5 that advantage fhould be taken
of the Soldiers cloathing and fubfiftence $ that
they are not kept to eafy labour for the pub-
lick good in time of Peace, and care taken
to employ them when disbanded. But the
moft fhameful evil is, the Collonels, and others
making their children of two or three years
old, Captains, Lieutenants, and Enfigns. I
have been credibly informed that girls have been
lifted officers, nay, that children unborn were
fo. Nothing can be a greater cheat, nor more
difgufting to all forts of people, than to fee
this practice 5 and to pay the money (which
fome \yant for neceffaries) to uphold this
wicked*
A M E M O R I A L:
wickcdnefs : nor is it to be doubted but
good and wife King will forthwith redrefs
this evil, for the fad is undoubtedly true , be-
fjdes that, he will have the more places to
difpofe of, to men devoted to his fervice>
arid greater numbers of officers and effective
men to fcrve in his wars. Care {hould alfo
be taken, that the Soldiers in their quarters
fhould not meddle with the Magiftracy, nor
invade any man's property 3 that they be kept
to virtue and morals, and not to be fuffer'd
to deftroy the Game, which is a great of- ,
fence to the Country Gentlemen, tho' they
£yen give their confent to the officers.
England is now fo vicious and wicked, that
it is of abfolute neceflity to put the feveral
Laws ftriftly in execution, the doing of which
tho' a feeming feverity, yet is real charity ;
$nd no people will ever obey a Government
that do not pay a ready obedience to the
Laws. The declaration of pardoning none,
willfave the blood and punifliment of thou-
fands. Magiftrates, in a word, muft be ob-
lig'd to do their duties, whereas they are at
this time fo complying, and fo negligent tq
the laft degree, that vice has got the, better
of almoft all of them. Riots therefore, and
Factions, and Tumults, particularly the di-
fturbers of the Worfhip of fuch as arc tole-
rated by law to exerciff their Religion, fliou'd
be as feverely punifh'd as the law allows, and
the abettors of fuch difturbers of the Peace
jremarkabty
rA' MEM OR I A E
remarkably difcourag'd : for in a good Go-
vernment, all men ought to have free liber-
ty to fpeak and write upon any fubjeft what-
foever, not inconfiftent with virtue, morali-
ty, or the civil administration.
'>i'J w^i 'ijii\ ., "fhtftif'
It's highly neceflary, that the Revenue and
publick Money be put into a good method
and frugal management, both as to the re-
ceipts and iffues, as well as in all parts of
the application to proper ufes ; corre&ing the
finifter practices of under - officers, and pre-
venting the lavifhing of great fums by bri-
bery, or trades-men's cheating and omiffions>
the flow execution of bufinefs both civil
and military, efpecially going to market up-
on tick, the advancing of money upon loans
or intereft, and ufmg of extortion in returns.
Times ought to be fet for undertakers, and
no great cqntrafts made privately or under-
hand, but publifh'd in the Gazette, and by o-
ther proper methods, to the view and con-
fideration of all the world. But I am grown
kfs follicitous about this moft eflential arti-
cle, fince his Majefty has (hewn his wifdom,
by putting the Earl of HALIFAX at the head
of the Treafury.
There's nothing the Nation labours fo much
under at prefent, as the heavy load of pub-
lick Debts (tho' numbers of particular men be
rich and opulent) and therefore its hop'd his
Majefly will apply his great wifdom to this
work 5
254 A M E M O R I At!
work; and manage his own Revenue fo welt
as to fpare (if poffible) fome part of it to the
publick-fervice. This will gain him millions
in time, and endear him to the People above
all things: for nothing can pleafe them fo
much after their late great payments, as fome
fuch aft, tho' a fmail infignificant matter.
What acceflion of power and her people's
love, did Queen ELIZABETH acquire by re-*
turning fome taxes, for which there appeared
no occafion ? and by her frugal management*
of the purfe, were not /all the purfes of the
Nation at her devotion ? Nor, give me leave
to fay it, will any thing more difpleafe the
people at this >undure, than the asking of
an additional Revenue, as fome out of of-
ficioufnefs fhew themfelves ready to offer,
and others on purpofe to make his Majefty
odious, to entangle his affairs, and that the
Hanover Succefllon may feem a national
burthen : whereas it's humbly conceiv'd, that
the prefent Revenue will anfwer all the de-
mands of the Royal Family, till the necefll-
ty of publick affairs requires the raifing of
more money.
L)l J •• i «*'IiJl>}& ^,*» "i ..•,..«.•- i » w ~->...+i j ^
But that thefe main points, and capital ar-
ticles, may not put fmaller matters out of
our memory, which yet deferve our care, I
am of opinion that Gypfies, Vagabonds, and
Beggarly Strangers, ought to be taken up
and feverely handl'd, if they cannot give a
good account of themfelves : for they com-
monly
ME MORI AH
fiioiily difperfc lyes and fcandal, they teach
the people tricks and knavifh ftiifts, they
are examples of idlenefs and thieving, and
have an opportunity (which I wou'd have un-
derftood likewife of Hawkers and Pedlars)
to carry about any treafonable defign, cor-
refpondence, or libels, on which they may
be put by crafty, difcontented, or ill-affefted
perfons 5 who rather than fail of their pur-
pofe, will gain 'em with money.
t" *
The beft way to prevent this, and many
the like mifchiefs, is to have Gentlemen of vir-
tue, underftanding, and induftry made Ma-
giftrates; men who know their bufinefs, and
that will be fure to execute the Laws 5 men
that will be zealous to retrieve the morals
and manners of the people, who are diflb-
lute and vicious to the higheft degree. But
no Clergymen (as I faid more than once be-
fore) ought to be in the civil Magistracy, and
as few Lawyers, at leaft Attorneys and Petty-
foggers, as may be. And if any of thefe Ma-
giftrates be remifs and negligent, or fliew o-
thers the worft example by tranfgreffing the
Laws in their own perfons, let fuch be imme-
diately turn'd out, and others put in their
room without favour or aflfeftion. I had
like to forget that all Fees ought to be af-
certain'd by Ad of Parliament, with a great
penalty on thofe that will prefume to take
niore.
* js/^'i'^'tv^" •- ** -: *fi& i ^^'-'•'^ :'-1.*
The
A MEMORIALS
The prefent practice of the Courts of Law
is extremely corrupt, dilatory, and expen-
iive ; the Counfel abominably mercenary, and
guilty of extravagant extortion in their fees 5
the Attorneys are arbitary in their bills, trea-
cherous to their clients, the greateft encou-
ragers of cheats and falfhoods, ay and of
perjury too; commonly beggars, poyibning
the peoples morals, ever fetting'em together
by the ears, and awing them to that degree,
that they perpetually live in fear, being lit-
tle better than their flaves : fo that the Law*
which was fpecially ordain'd for the relief of
the poor and ignorant? is become their high-
eft bane and oppreffion.
els :!l 37 i '<;•; i . , ;
I further prefume to hint whether (now that
we have got a King who delights in hunting,
the princely exercife of his Saxon Anceftors)
it may not be of fervice, to enforce the Laws
againft Poachers, efpecially as to (hooting.
Thefe being very numerous, and encreafing
every day, the mifchief is not only the al^
moft intire deftrudion of the Game, even in
his Majefty's forefts , but it makes the com-
mon people negligent of their callings, idle,
lewd, infolent, and beggarly. To prevent
thefe or worfe effeds, care fhould be taken
to revive and encourage by prizes or other-
wife, fuch other Sports and Paftimes as were
anciently in nfe for the publick exercife of
the people 5 fuch as Wreftling, Cudgel-play-
ing^
A MEMORIAL. 257
ing, throwing the barr, and the like recrea-
tions fcrving to increafe ftrength and agility
of body, no lefs than to procure or to pre-
ferve health. Among others it is more to
be deftr'd than hop'd (confidering our mere
than Jewifli fuperftition) that there fhou'd be
a reafonable exercife of the Militia after even-
ing fervice on Sundays, particularly in fum-
mer, as it is praftis'd in fome Proteftant coun-
tries abroad ; which wou'd be ufeful to the
State, and pleafing to the People : provided
always, that their fire-arms be kept in a room
for that purpofe, excepting only when they
are thus to be employed.
But why fhou'd I longer infift on thefe par-
ticulars, when I confider that never before
did Britain pofiefs a King endu'd with fo
many glorious qualities ; as true piety, forti-
tude, temperance, prudence, juftice, know-
ledge, induftry, frugality, and every other
virtue, all fupported by an aftive and even
temper, by uninterrupted health and applica-
tion : fo that (thanks be to heaven) we may
all reft affur'd that this greateft and beft of
Princes will encourage virtue and truth, that
he will employ and countenance fuch men
as will in time (under his benign influence)
make thefe Iflands the moft happy, flourifhing
and potent Empire of the whole world 5 ef-
pecially, by the deftru&ion of Superftition ^nd
Vice, the higheft and moft glorious conqueft.
VOL, IL R A MEMO.
MEMORIAL
Concerning the
STATE OF AFFAIR S ^
I N
^ENGLAND*
In the latter part of the Tear 1714. *
H E happinefs of the Nation, and
the \vellfare of Europe, as well
as his Majefty's quiet, does in a
great meafure depend upon the
conduft that is to be obferv'd in
the prefent juncture ; and nothing but a Prince
of ib great wifdom, experience, and fteadi-
3 nefs
* This Memorial was not drawn up by Mr. TOLAND, but
found among his Papers ; and therefore properly belongs to the
^ppentlix: but it was thought fit to infert it here, as relating to
the fame fubjeft with the foregoing Piece.
A MEMORIAL. *5$
nefs can extricate us out of our prcfent dif-
ficulties.
'•'»' . 'L il / c "i ' -•'»' •
That the State of Affairs, upon his Majefty's
coming to the Crown, may be the better
underftood, it's neceflary that fome fhort ac-
count Ihould be given of the two Parties
which fo unhappily divide the Nation, their
intereft, views, and defigns.
It's notorious that a great many of the
Clergy in Queen ELIZABETH'S reign came
very unwillingly into the Reformation ^ and
that it cut them to the heart to part with
the gainful Doftrines of Popery : the Pope's
Supremacy they were willing to quit, but
'twas in hopes of gaining that Supremacy to
themfelves.
Thefe men, who faw how fond JAMES
I. was of arbitrary power, thought they had
no way of making themfelves abfolute in
ecclefiaftical matters, but by allowing him
to be fo in temporal : and in order to it, they
preached up the Divine Right of Kings, and
that Obedience was due to them in all things,
tho* never fo contrary to the Law of the
Land, if not contrary to the Law of God $
and that Subjects on pain of damnation were
obliged never to refift, tho* to fave their
Liberties and Lives, and that the defcent of
the Crown was unalterable by any human
Laws.
R 2 Thcfc
£60 A MEMORIAL;
Thefe Doctrines did not fpread much du-
ring King JAMES'S reign, and ferv'd only to
create jealoufies in the minds of his People,
which had very fatal cffefts in the reign of
his Son, who was intirely governed by theafe
principles, and the party which embrac'd
them, who went under the name of Cava-
liers, as thofe that oppofed them did under
that of Round-heads.
CHARLES II. prefer'd none in Church or
State, but who embrac'd thofe arbitrary prin-
ciples ; and the Univerfities .made it their
bufincfs to inftill them into the youth : and
then it was, that the parties were diftinguifli-
ed by the names of Whig and Tory \ the lat-
ter joining with the King, hindred the paf-
iing a Law for excluding the Duke of York
from the Crown, contrary to the bent of
the generality of the Nation, who then
dreaded nothing fo much as a Popifh Suc-
ceffor.
JAMES II. when he came to the crown,
was fo weak as to imagine the Clergy and
Tories wou'd be tied down by their own Doc-
trines ; and therefore courted the Difienters,
fufficiently cxafperated againft the Church
by a long and fevere perfecution : this made
the Church quickly renounce their former
doftrines of Non-refiftance, &c. and promife
the Diflenters (who'faw what King JAMES
meant
A MEMORIAL. 261
meant by defigning to divide the Proteftams)
to treat them for the future as their brethren >
but when they had opportunity of doing it,
then they fhew'd that they thought Faith was
no more to be kept with Schifmaticks, than
the Papifts do with Hereticks. And when
the Parliament, in fpite of all their oppofi-
tion, patted the Toleration Ad, they revi-
ved their old principles, and ever fince taught
thofe Dodrines in the Univerfities, by which
means mofl of the Gentry have been poifon-
ed : whereas if King WILLIAM had reformed
the Univerfities, and employ 'd none but men
of revolution principles, Torifm had been
rooted out.
He, or rather his Minifter, to whom he
weakly intrufted the whole adminiftration,
induftrioufly nurs'd up the Parties, which*
being pretty equal, the Court cou'd turn the
ballance on what fide they pleafed. This
oblig'd the Party they headed to come into
their meafures 5 fince otherwife they faw
they muft be oblig'd to give up their prefer-
ments and penfions to the other party. It
was this, and not any difaffeftion, which
made the Whigs aft fo fcandalous a part with
relation to the coming over of one of the
illuftrious Houfe of Hanover. They had no
other way to preferve their leaders, and con-
fequently themfelves, in their pofts ; and
that the Tories put thefe difficulties on them,
not with any defign to ferve the Houfe of
R 3 Hanover,
26z A M E M O R I A V.
Hanover, their conduft ever fince has made
very plain.
This dextrous management of the Parties
brought things to that pafs, that neither of
them fcjruprd at any thing that wou'd ferve
their own fide 5 and they feldom confider'd
whether a man was rightly elefted, but whe-
ther he was of the right fide : and if one party
propos'd any thing which was for the publick
good, the other party, for that only reafon,
"wou'd oppofe it. And as one party was for
humbling of France, fupportingof the Allies,
preferving the Toleration, hindring the Cler-
gy from affuming more power than the con-
ftitution allow'd them 5 the other party (tho*
their principles did not influence them) wou'd
in oppofition have taken the contrary fide,
by being in the intereft of France, and the
Pretender, and favouring the Papifts both at
home and abroad, and for perlecuting the
Diffenters.
And the Tories, thof they were frequently
Courted by King WILLIAM, yet he cou'd
never make them really his friends, or to
join with the Whigs in the common intereft.
When they were out of favour, they clog'd
the wheels of affairs, by providing deficient
Funds, &c 5 and when employed, they favour-
ed as much as they durft the defigns of France :
and King WILLIAM being in their hands,
when the Spanifh King died, they made him
own
*•
A MEMORIAL: 26?
own the Duke of Anjou, and fit ftill till
the French werepoflefs'd of theSpanifh Monar-
chies * and aftedfuch apart, that the King at
laft cou'd not avoid feeing that all his carefles
were in vain, and that his own, and the
Nation's fafety, required the removing them
from all places of truft, or profit. And how
they afted fince, I need no more mention,
than how they a£ted during CHARLES II.
reign.
Though the greateft part of the Gentry, by
reafon of their Univerfity Education, have
been debauch'd into anti-revolution Princi-
ples , yet the Populace, who had no fuch
education, and efpecially the better fort of
them, in whom lies the greateft part of the
riches of the Nation, and who have votes
in choofing Parliament-men, were for the
moft part true to the principles of the Revo-
lution, and to the common Proteftant in-
tcreft; (and when we had any tolerable Par-
liaments, it was owing to the little intereft
the Clergy and Gentry had then over them.
But thefe well meaning men were at laft
impofed on by the perpetual noife the Clergy
made about the 'Danger of the Church* and
by being perfuaded by the Tories, that the
Whigs, for the fake of their private intereft,
wou'd never put an end to the War j which,
they faid, had given them an opportunity of
cheating the Nation of more than thirty
R 4 millions;
264 A M E M O R I A t;
millions ; but that if they \you'd be fo much
in their own intereft, as to vote for the
Tories, they vvou'd force the Whigs to re-
fund, and cafe them of all their Taxes, and
give them a glorious Peace, and a moft flourifh-
iag Trade. Thefe, and liich like {lories, made
them defert their old friends, and vote for the
Tories.
The High-Church Clergy, who fince SA-
CHEVERELL'S Trial imagine they can rule the
People as they pleafe, will rather than endure
a Whig Aliniftry have recourfe to their ufual
arts, and cry out as much as ever of the Dan-
ger of the Church, in order to make the
People choofe fuch a Parliament as they hope
will diftrefs the King, and force him to put
the adminiftration into Tory hands.
And it can't be expected but that the
Tories, who are now fuch a majority in Par-
liament, will do their utmoft to be chofen
again ; and for which now they are in the
Country making their utmoft efforts, while
the Whigs flay in Town , folliciting for
places.
And the late Miniftry, who know an ho-
neft Parliament muft call them to account,
are oblig'd to be at all p.ofljble expence to
get one for their turn,
And
A M E M O R I A L; 265
And confidering all the French King's hopes
now depend on fuch a Parliament, it is to be
prefum'd, that French Money will not be
wanting to bribe the eledors.
His Majefty's reputation abroad, his quiet
at home, and the intereft of Europe, depend-
ing in a great meafure upon the temper of
the next Parliament, all efforts ought to be
made for obtaining a good Parliament.
And moftofthe better fort of People, who
now feel the effefts of a bad Peace, and plain-
ly fee that they were grofly deluded by the
Tories, and that they neither made out any
one charge againfl the Whigs, or performed
the leaft tittle of all their promifes, may ea-
fily be brought over to join again with the
Whigs, efpecially if due care be taken to
have them rightly inform'd of ail their late
tranfaftions, and Pamphlets writ to that pur-
pofe be well difpers'd.
The late Miniftry, knowing how much it
was for their intereft, bribed thofe who cry'd
Pamphlets and Papers about the ftreets, to cry
none but thofe of their fide ; and were at
no fmall expence to difperfe them into every
corner of the Kindgom ; and fince the paper
war is like to continue, the Government fhou'd
not fcruple fome fmall expence, to have
that which is writ in its defence as effe&ually
difpcrsU Nothing
266 A M E M O R I A L:
Nothing would have a greater influence
over the People, than if the King in his de-
claration for diffolving of the Parliament ex-
preft himfelf fully as to the Danger the nation
was in, both as to their religious and civil
Rights. This wou'd make them perceive,
that thofe who cry'd out mod of the dan-
ger of the Church, were the only perfons
that brought the Church in danger.
It will be highly convenient that one, if
not of the chief Traytors, yet of their moft
criminal Inftruments, fhou'd be convifted be-
fore the choofing of a new Parliament j for
then the Tories cou'd not take the advantage
of the King's peaceably coming to the Crown,
to deny all that was afted in favour of France,
the Pretender, and Popery, nor ask why the
Whigs have fo little regard to the wellfare of
their country, as not to punifh, when it is
in their power, at lead fome one of the no-
torious Confpirators : and I can't think that
any one will oppofe this proceeding, except
he has been tampering with Prance himfelf.
«-i
That the eyes of the People begin to be
open it's evident from the late election in the
City, whore a Whig Sheriff carry 'd it by a
majority of more than a thoufand : and be-
caufe there can be no doubt, but that they
will carry the eledion for Parliament men
in the City, by at ieaft as great a number,
it
A MEMORIAL. 267
it ought to be fo contriv'd, fince other Cor-
porations are influenced by the example of
London, that the firft choice of Parliament
men ihou'd bt made there,
And fince there is a divifion among the
Tories, and fomc of them have diftinguifh'd
themfelves from the Jacobites, by feverai
Votes in favour of the Houfe of Hanover,
and in being againft that deftru&ive treaty
with France , there can be no reafon, why
they ought not to enjoy his Majefty's favour;
provided in the elections they will oppofe
the Jacobite Tories, and in Parliament come
into proper meafures for punifhing the be-
trayers of their country. This method will
very much increafe the number of his Ma-
jefty's friends, and enlarge the true Britifli
intereft.
As for thofe, who according to their ufual
cuftom, hope by a majority in Parliament
to force the King to difcharge his faithful
fervants, and to employ none but themfelves,
they arc his word enemies; efpccially the Lead-
ers amongft them, who flight his Majefty's
favour, and wou'd not accept the moft bene-
ficial employs, if not at the head of their
awn party $ many of which Party, tho* pre-
ferr'd by or got into the Parliament by means
of the late Treafurer, yet becaufe he (tho*
as black as any other) wou'd not take fuch
hafty unadvis'd fteps in favour of the Pretender,
a$
268 A M E M O R I A L.
as a late Secretary, they went over to him
as ading more agreeable to their violent
tempers.
4
And if there be any great men about the
King, who either recommend Jacobite Tories,
or make an intereft for them in elections, it's
plain they intend not his Majefty's fervice,
but defign upon the firft opportunity to fet
themfelves at the head of the Tory party.
In order therefore to the getting of an ho-
neft Parliament, it's neceflary fince the late
Miniftry pick'd out themoft violent Jacobites
for Deputy-Lieutenants, Juftices of the Peace,
and Magiftrates, that they fhould be chang'd,
and that fuch Whigs or Hanoverian Tories
as arc men of probity and courage, and of
the bed cftates, fhou'd be put into their pla-
ces. In order to this, his Majefty ought to
have a lift of the beft men in every county >
and fince the Lord Lieutenants, and other
great men, will in their choice have more
regard to their own creatures than his Ma-
jefty's fervice, it might be proper that thofe
they recommend, be confider'd by fome pri-
vate difinterefted perfons.
The Colleftors of the Duties, efpecially of
the Excife, who can influence the Ale-houfe-
keepcrs as they pleafe, and who being a fet
of profligate men, have almoft as much de-
bauch'd the People, as the Clergy have the
Gentry,
A MEMORIAL. 269
Gentry, ought to be chang'd, or oblig'd on
lofs of their places in the elections, to do
their utmoft for his Majefty's fervice.
If thefe and all other methods whatfoever,
which are neceffary for procuring a new
Parliament, fliould be ftridly obferv'd, yet
the Tories can have no manner of reatbn
to complain, fince they deftroy'd the freedom
of elections by mobbing the eleftors, and by
bribing the returning officers, and by ufing
all other indired methods : and considering
the Court may be fecure almoft to a man of
the members from Scotland, and there are
near one hundred and fifty, who by reafon
of their places depend on the Court, there
can be no danger, if vigorous methods are
taken, of not carrying a majority.
When the Clergy fee a fteady conduft ob-
ferv'dby the Government, and that they have
no way of getting preferments but by com-
ing into its meafures, they, who mean no-
thing by Church and Religion, but them-
felves and their own intereft, wou'd not long
ftand out ; and in the mean time there may
be fuch divifions fown among them, and
one Univerfity fet againft another , as
they may be difabled from doing much mif-
chief.
; .j ' t Jj» <«4£*J
The Tories want courage as well as fenfe,
and may be us'd by a refolutc Prince as he
2 thinks
A MEMORIAL:
thinks fit : but if a Prince is fo abjeft, as to
court them, they grow moft infolent in pow-
er, and no Exchequer is fufficient to fatisfy
their unrcafonable demands 5 and fo merce-
nary are they, that there's fcarce one amongft
them but may be eafily brib'd to betray his
own party. Sir C * * * M * * * is a remark-
able inftance of this, who, tho' at their head
for many years till his death, was by agree-
ment againft the Court in little matters, the
better to ferve it in greater.
CROMWELL by ailing a fteady part, and em-
ploying none but fuch as were hearty in his
intereft, tho' he had in a manner the whole
Nation againft him, yet governed as he
thought fit 5 whereas the STUARTS, tho' they
had the whole Nation for them, yet by not
obferving fuch a conduft, but giving them-
felves up to be govern'd by a few worthlefs
men (who as long as they enjoy'd their fa-
vour heap'd what preferments they pleas'd on
themfelves and their creatures) met with a
great many difficulties, and their affairs were
continually embarrafs'd.
A Prince who only fees with his Favourites
eyes, and hears with their ears, can be no
better than their tool, to execute thofe de-
figns that their ambition, their covetoufnefs,
their revenge, and their other paffions will
inlpire them with ; and the more a King is
a ftranger, the more will they be tempted
to
A MEMORIAL. 271
to endeavour to impofe on him, efpecially
if before they have governed other Princes as
they pleas'd : fuch men will take the merit
of all the good which is done to themfelves,
and lay the blame of all ill on him. A Prince
thus befieg'd by his Favourites, tho' his under-
Handing be never fo good, yet it will caufe
his own fubjefts to have but a very mean
opinion of his parts. Whereas a King who
has a mind to govern, and not to be governed
by his Minifters, ought upon(ali occaflons, to
receive information from fiifh private pcr-
fons without doors, as are men of good un-
derftanding, and have fhew'd themfelves in
the word of times zealous of his intereft, and
who by being made eafy in their private cir-
cumftances, have nothing to do but to attend
to his Majefty's fervice.
Thefe Men, tho' with the utmoft privacy,
may be permitted humbly to offer their o-
pinion, and with the like privacy receive his
Majefty's command. This wou'd give him an
opportunity to fee whether his Minifters afted
fincerely with him, and make them as well
as others have a juft opinion of his great pe-
netration 5 fo that none would dare ever to
impofe on him 5 and the advantage his Ma-
jefty may receive (not to mention any others)
as to the management of his Revenue either
at home or in the Plantations (which laft is
under the worft regulation) would be very
confiderable. And the Trade of the Nation
has
272 A MEMORIAL.
has been fo little the bufinefs of the Miniftry,
that no other ufe has been made of the Board
of Trade, which coft the Government every
year fuch considerable fums, than to skreen
the mifcarriages of the Miniftry; and the
filling up that Gommiffion with Merchants,
and fuch as underftand Trade, wou'd be a
great fatisfadion to all the trading part of
the Nation.
ybnori;
ov.ri 8i3rho ?s
>i Y-tfoiic-nsa
n.Yi xia ^lo
01 -ioa) v
PHYSICK
P H Y S I C :*
WITHOUT
PH Y S ICIANS:
In a
J LET TE Rj™
TO
* * G * * * Eft ; i
antiqui damnabant fed Artem.
PLiN.NatHift.xxix,i:
O mention your Friendship,
nerofity, or any other of your
good qualities to your feif, is no
more improper, than doing it to
your acquaintance, or to thofe
whom your name has any way reach'd ; that
is, telling them what they know already:
s
274 PHYSIC WITHOUT
but as thefe will be always well-pleafed, tS
find their experience or their opinion con-
firm'd by frefh inftances 5 fo you, SIR, ought
never to be offended, at the grateful expref-
fions of thofe you have oblig'd, tho* praife
be not what you either like or leek. I take
the liberty therefore to repeat the inefface-
able fenfe I have of the concern you fhew'd,
for my late indifpofition at London ^ and my
thanks for fo feafonably affifting me even ia
perfon, to fly from the foggy, fmoaky, fteamyy
and putrid air of that vaft City : which, in
fo weak a condition, wou'd have naturally
kill'd me in lefs than a fortnight, without
needing the help of art to do it fooner. I
am not ignorant, that certain men of vitia-
ted palates, yet mighty pretenders to nice
breeding, declare a difrelifli of all fuch per-
fonal acknowledgments, efpecially if pub-
lic : but they are fuch as your favorite Au-
thor, the younger PLINY, has long fince de-
fcrib'd, (i) men who doing nothing them-
felves deferring commendation^ think it imper-
tinent that any (hould be commended. The
difapprobation of fuch delicates I fliall ftudi-
oufly court, by never failing to applaud
merit.
As for my prefent ftatc, I am recovering
Indeed, tho' very {lowly : for having as yet
little appetite, 1 can have no great ftrength >
i nor
0) Poflquam defiimus faccre laudanda, laudari quoque inep-
tum putamus. Lib. 8, Ep. ai.
PHYSICIANS.
ho* have I been once out of doors, lince laft
abroad with your felf. This is the efFcft of
Phyik, taken againft judgment, and given
w.ithout any. Had I obey'd the call of Nature,
to which I am not wont to be difobedicnt*
and retir'd from London when my Lungs
and Stomach begun to fail me (which I per-
ceiv'd both to do by degrees for four winters
paft, tho' in the thickeft fogs breathing and
eating freely in the Country ) this fick-
nefs had not in all probability happcn'd : and
when it happened, had I then quitted the
Town with the fooneft, had I kept to Mn
LA MARQUE'S fimple and intelligible manned
of treatment, which fucceeded like wife to
admiration (for I fhall never excufe my owa
blameable eafinefs in this matter) I had e'er
now been in perfeft health. That honeft
man, who's well worth your acquaintance,
is a good Botanift, a dextrous Surgeon, and
prepares his own Medicines ; joining all the
three funftions together, as of right they were
united originally: and folely trufting to his
own eyes, experience, and judgment. But
I muft needs be fafhionable, and perfuaded
to put my felf under the care of a collegiate
Phyfician by a noble Lord, the beft of Patriots
and kindeft of Friends; Avho himfelf, the
more's the pity, is fure to fall one day by the
hands of the Doftors : men, who, the greateft
part of them, ruin Nature by Art 5 and who*
by endeavouring to be always very cun-
ning for others, by making every thing a myf-
3 z
PHYSIC WITHOUT
tery, are frequently too cunning for them-
This has been the point in regard to me,
fince my Phyfician (willing enough I believe
to do me good) plainly miftook both my
Cafe and Conftitution. Itwou'dbe tedious,
to give you an account of the particulars.
Thus much only I now tell you, that what
was given me for a gentle aperitive, to di£
pofe my body for ftronger operations, vo-
mited and purg'd me for the beft part of
three days j brought on a Joofenefs, that
cou'd hardly be ftopt in a week 5 and, befides
the continuance of the vomiting, threw me
into fainting and fwooning fits. Many ma-
terial obfervations, that I made from time
to time on other people, (lightly indifpos'd,
but difabled or difpatch'd by their Phyficians,
prefented themfelvcs on this occafion frefti
to my mind. On this you may therefore
depend, that, happen what will, I fhall never
more put my felf under the management
of fuch, whofe art is founded in darknefs,
and improv'd by Murther. Even this Gen-
tleman, after my telling him how much and
how violently his Lenitive had vomited
me, which he own'd was contrary to his ex-
peftation, feem'd no otherwife concerned
than gravely to fay, That it was 'very re-
markable. Was it fo Doctor ? I promife you
then, it fhall be the laft Remark, that any
Phyfician fliall ever make upon me 5 and the
3 reafon
PHYSICIANS. 277
rcafon very good : (z) They learn their Art
at the hazard of our lives* and make expe-
riments by our deaths -•> which is the infallible
fentenceof one who was a thorough judge,
and who'll tell you more truths, presently.
From this cenfure however ought to be ex-
empted thofe few gallant fpirits (far exalted
above the herd of their profefllon) who, by
their Learning, Integrity, and Application,
defervc to be ftil'd the Btnefa£for$ and 'De-
liverers of mankind, in this like God him-
fclf : only it were to be wifh'd that they fol-
low'd the example farther, and made the
charge of their afliftance fo eafy ; as barely
to ferve for an exception from him, who be-
ftows all his benefits freely. A diftinftion
(in fhort) ought to be made, be the numbe?
on one fide ever fo fmall.
vv£$ •"
But the whole myftery, with the number-
lefs mifchiefs, of Quackery, (for, the caufe of
the Difeafe being once known, all Phyfic,
except manual Operations, a regular Diet,
moderate Exercifcs, and the proper ufe of
Simples, is fuch) all Quackery, I fay, you'll
find divinely laid open by the elder PLINY,
in the ift Chapter of the zpth Book of his
Natural Hiftory : a work little read by the
Phyficians, and lefs underftood ; fmce even
the delirious fables, charms, and other magi-
S 3 cal
(%) Difcunt periculis noftris, & cxpcrimenta per mortis
agunt. PLIN. K*t. Htft. lib. 2$. (*p. i.
PHYSIC WITHOUT
ical vanities he fo judicioufly explodes, are by
many of them grofly confounded with his
approv'd remedies and moft folid remarks.
It is literally an unparalleled performance,
the like having never been accomplifh'd be-
fore or after him: and the character his Ne-
phew gives of it, is no more than juft^ that
it is not only (3) a work full of Learning*
but Ukewife as diffufe and diver jiff d as Na-
ture itfelf. Certain pafiages out of him, in-
ftead of a more modifli New-year's Gift, I
hereby fend you ; being fure they 11 pleafe,
if they do not convince you.
After having given a hiftorical account of
the many changes, fome of 'em from white
to black as we fay, that the Art has under-
gone (which is an infuperable objection againft
it) he proceeds (4) thus : There is no doiibt but
fill thofe Thyjicians, in hunting after fame
by fome novelty, make an affufdtraffickof our
Hence thofe wiferable diverjities of
opinion
(3) Naturae Hiftoriarum xxxvii. opus diffufum, eruditum, nee
ipjinus varium quam ip/a Natura. PLIN. lib. g, Ep. 5-.
(4) Nee dubium eft, omnes iftos, famam novitate aliqua aut
fupantes, animasflatim noftras negotiari. Hinc illae circa aegros
jniferae fentcntiarum concertationes, nullo idem cenfente, ne
videarur acceijio alcerius : hinc iiia infelicis monumenti infcriptio,
TURBA SE MEDICORUM PERiissE. Muratur Ars quotidie, toties inter-
polis, 8c ingeniorum Grseciacflatu i mpellimur} palamque eft, ut quif-
cue intcriftos lcquendopolieat,Imperatorem illico viraenecifque fieri.
Ceu veronon miiiia gentium fine Mcdicis deganr, ncc tarccn fine
^ledicina: ficut populus liqmanus ultra fcxcentefimura annum,
yiec ipfe in accipiendis Artibus Icntusi Medicinaeetiam avidus, &$*
»ec expertam datpnavit, -PLIN, hijl. $<«t. lib. 2$. caj>. i.
PHYSICIANS. 270
opinion in Confutations about the fak> not one
of 'em declaring himfelf of another's Judg-
ment, left he Jhould feem to approve his Sen-
timents : hence that Infcription order d by a
wretched pat tent to be put on his Tomb, THAT
THE MULTITUDE OF HIS DOCTORS HAD KILI/D
HIM. The Art is changd every day, being as
often patch' d up, and we are driven whitherfo-
ever the breath of the Grecian wits [who in-
vented this myftery] will blow us. 'Tis more-
over evident, that the greater tongue-pad any
among 'em is, hejiraight becomes thefoveraign
diffofer of Life and "Death 3 as ifthoufands
of Nations had not liv'd, andflill dofo, with-
out Thyfaians, tho' not without Thy fie. Thus
did the 'People of Rome for above fix hun-
dred years, whereas they were not backward
in receiving the Arts*, and even fond of Thy-
cy till after trial, they condemn d and ba-
' it. Here's our firft paffage.
Now, he that in thefe daily, thcfe endlefs
changes and contradictory methods, does not
fee the abfolute uncertainty of the Art, muft
needs be either fenfelefs, or prejudiced, or
interefted : and it is as evidently obfervablc
in ours as in all ages before us, that thofe
Nations, which have no Phyficians, are trou-
bl'd with few difeafes $ and thefe eafily cur'd
by Diet, Exercife, or Simples, whofe effects
have been Jong and generally known, many
of them Specifics. Thus it is likewife with
particular perfons, who make little ufe of
280 PHYSIC WITHOUT
Phyftcians where they abound, of which
I could give many examples $ my felf among
the reft, till I became infefted with this de-
plorable habitude of fome of my beft friends,
it felf the greateft of Diftempers. But (hall
we have recourfe to no fort of Phyficians ? I
anfwer, that if there be any choice, 'tis the
hardeft of all things to be made : for the
Doftors have almoft as many jarring Sefts and
incompatible Fadions among 'em as the
Priefts, and come little fhort of hating each
other as heartily; that is, like Devils, accor-
ding to a general (5) maxim. They broach no-
vel opinions vifibly for the fake of thwarting
their Advcrfaries, there being nothing fo ri-
diculous or extravagant, which many of 'em
do not hold: generally founding their con-
ceits, upon fome loofe fcrap of one antient
Sage or other, which feems to countenance
what they maintain (landing thus alone ; but,
read with 'what goes before or after ir\ the
fame place, it fignifies quite the contrary,
pr fomething as different as a Cock and an
Elephant.
Nor is this the worft. They reduce all
Difeafes, with their Cures, right or wrong
to certain precarious Syftems, or Hypo-
thefes, according to which he that expref-
fes himfelf the moft volubly or plaufibly,
fets up immediately for an able Phyfi-
cian,
Odium Theologorum eft odium Diabolorura. Confenf*
PHYSICIANS;
cian, and is by others fo deem'd : tho" he
knows nothing of Anatomy, Botany, or
any fuch requisite qualifications 5 and wou'd
fooner kill a njan according to the Doctrine
he has efpous'd, than cure him by following
any other method. PLINY does not exceed
bounds a jot, in affirming (6) with wonder
and indignation? that their Art has be en her e~
t of ore more inconflant, and is now more fre-
quently alter'd, than any other , tho* none be
more amply rewarded ; the eafieft means, one
would think, for acquiring of certainty and
ftability. I (hall not infift on fuch flight
crimes, compared to others, as their willfulr
ly protracting many times the cure of Dif-
eafes, or their turning of fmall diforders
into perillous fymptoms, in order to fqueezc
the purfe of an opulent patient : nor yet am
I prone to credit thofe Phyficians, who accufe
fome of their faculty of willfuHy fending
a patient out of the world 5 left another
fhould have the credit of a cure, which they
cou'd not effed. This fuggeftion may be
owing to their mutual envy, which is long
fince grown into more than one (7) Pro-
verb.
But
(6) Mirumque &indignum f>rotinus fubit, nullam Artium in-
conftantiorem fuifle, & etiamnum facpius mutari, cuip tit fnjc-
tuofior nulla. Hift. Nat. lib. 29. cap. i.
(7) Medicorum Invidia:
Medicus Invidiae Pelagus:
Medicus Invidiae pcrforata Clepfydra.
Cttfmf. Univerf.
PHYSIC WITHOUT
But not to quit fuch an entertaining and in*
ftrudive companion as PLINY, a good way
lower in the fame Chapter I have quoted,
there's another curious pafiage ; which, tho*
the matter of every body's obfervation, was
never fo happily exprefs'd. He begins with
the fottifh credulity of the Patients, and goes
on with the ftupendous impofture of their
Dodors 5 who, (to fpeak of the thing as mo-
deftly as may be) are departed almoft as far
from ESCULAPIUS and HIPPOCRATES, as the
Chriftian Priefts are from JESUS CHRIST and
his APOSTLES. Thus run his (s) words: Who-
ever treats of Thyjic^ otherwife than in Greek
terms i has no authority $ no not with the
ignorant vulgar, or fuch as underftand not a
word of the language: and they believe thofe
things the left, which concern their health and
prefer<vationy if they are made intelligible to
them. Thus (by HERCULES) it comes to pafs
in this alone of all Arts, that credit is pre-
fently given to any body, who frofeffes him-
felf a Thyfaian, thd a lye be not fo dangerous
in
(8) Imo vero au&oritas, alitcr quam Grace earn tra&antibus
(Medicinam fcilicct) ctiam apud impcritos expertefquc linguse,
non eft: ac minus crectont, quae ad falutem fuam pertinent, fi
intelligunt. Ita (Hercules) in bac Artium fola evenit ut cuicun-
<jue, Medicum fe profefTo, ftatim credatur, cum /it pericuiurn
in nullo mendacio rnajus: non tamen illud intuemur, adeo blan-
da eft fperandi pjo fe cuique duicedo. Nulla practerea Lex, quas
puniant infcitiam cspiralem } nullum cxemplum vindi^rae. Dif-
cunt pen'culis noftris, & experimenra per mortes agunt, rnedico-
que tanturn hominem occidifle impunitas fumma eft: quinimo
tranfit in convitium, & intemperantia culpaturj ukroquc^ qui
perwrc, arguuntur. #//&. N«/. ubi far*.
PHYSICIANS: 283,
In any other regard: but this we do not fee or
conjider, fo flattering and agreeable is the hope*
that every one conceives in his own behalf. Let
it be alfo confider'd that there is no Law, for
puni fling with death the ignorance that caufes
i+ 5 nor fo much as an example of any being
da I'd to account on fuch a [core. They learn
their Art at the hazard of our Lives, and
make experiments by our "Deaths: bejides,
that none, but only Vhyficians, may murder
men with all fecurity and impunity ; nay, and
affront their memory afterwards, reproach"
ing them with intemperance, and reviling the
dead without provocation. If you believe
them, in a word, none ever perifh'd by a
Phyfician, nor recover'd without one. How
difingenuous ! how barbarous ! firft to torture
and kill us, and then to give out, we did it
our felves 5 that we wou'd not be governed,
and ate, or drunk, or did fomething elfe the
Doftor forbad : whereas on the other hand,
if a Patient's happy Conftitution gets the bet-
ter of an improper prefcription, and the per-
fon mends 5 then the Doftor has wrought a
fignal Cure, and the Medicine is cry'd up to
the deftruftion of thoufands. But all that
Chapter, of which I only give a few choice
sketches, ought to be carefully read over and
over by every one, who values fuch near con-
cerns as health and life.
Now, SIR, fince I have fo frankly declar'd
, againft thofe Empirics, tho' not againft Medi-
cine,
284 PHYSIC WITHOUT
cine, (which is the gift of God and Nature)
I fhall, when my health is confirm'd, and lei-
lure permits, fend you my thoughts more par-
ticularly, about the method how we may
acquire the knowledge of thofe thihgs, where-
in this Medicine truly confifts $ and at thp
fame time give you fome neceffary cautions
againft the intolerable cheats of the Apothe-
caries, who impofe on the Phyficians, as much
as thefe on the Patients: for, to do every
body juftice, the latter have not done half
the hurt to mankind as the former j and they
wou'd do ftill lefs, did they prepare their owu
Medicines, and avoid thofe monftrous mix-
tures, which are the fource of infinite mif-
chiefs, and wherein a fyftematical conjec-
ture has more place than reafonable or expe-
rimental knowledge. They were deceitful-
ly invented to bereave people of their money
and their fenfes. The poor Patients muft
never know what th^y take, nor ever pay
enough for what they do not know. Be-
fides that the feveral ingredients of thofe
Compofitions (by our Author prettily term'd
inexplicable, or if you will inextricable] thus
intangl'd and imbarrafs'd, fermented, coagu-
lated, or any other way altered, do often pro-
duce quite other effefts than what were ex-
pefted from their proportionable adjuftment; :
whereas perhaps any one of them, at leaft
fome other Simple for certain, wou'dfucceed
as intended,
The
PHYSICIANS; *«/
The genuine Books of HIPPOCRATES, with
a few other pieces in that collection call'd his
Works, are the beft guides and helps to him,
that wou'd ftudy Medicine in the way of na-
ture and experience. Such a perfon neither
prepoflefs'd by any hypothefis, nor fervilely
tying himfelf down to any fyftem, ought to
pick what's rational, good and experienced,
wherever he finds them 5 as well from an
old woman or a favage Indian, as from Dr.
MEAD, or Profeffbr BOERHAVE : nor fliou'd
he flight every thing that even Quacks and
Mountebanks vend, who often light one way
or other on an excellent remedy, by the credit
of which they difpofe of numberlefs poyfons.
Finally, he muft not be a THESSALUS, one
who in the reign of NERO (as (9) PLINY ac-
quaints us) rav'dandfoamd againft the *Phy-
ficians of all ages before him, rejecting indif-
criminatefy whatever they had invented or ap-
prov'd : and this, not out of love to truth,
or for the good of mankind 5 but to bring
the whole grift of Rome and Italy (if not
of the Empire) to his own mill, pardon fo
vulgar an expreflion. The candor, judicious
obfervations, and incredible diligence of HIP-
POCRATES, will give us a nobler idea of things.
That admirable perfon, whom for fome years
paft I have efteem'd , as I do (till, for one of
the
(9) Eadem actas, Neronfs principatu, ad ThefTalum tranftulitj
(ddencem cun&amajorum placita, & rabie quadam inomnis aevi
Medicos perorautera, &c. flm. Ibid*
i86 PHYSIC WITHOUT
the moft accurate Philosophers ; and whofe
Writings I have perus'd more than once on
that account (for at the Univerfity I never
look'd into him, then groveling under the
prejudice of thinking him fit only for Phy-
ficians) HIPPOCRATES, I fay, who has prefer-
ved in part the falutiferous remedies of Es-
CULAPIUS, fhall be the champion of the
next Letter : well affur'd, that we may as fuc-
cefsfully batter Quackery by his authority, as
we do Superftition by that of the Bible.
In the mean time PLINY fhall hold his
rank in this Letter, and entertain us nov/
with a fliort parallel between the no lefs eafi-
ly than cheaply procur'd Simples of the Fields
or Gardens, and thofe expenfive far-fetclVd
pernicious mixtures of the Apothecaries,
equally ruining men's bodies and eftates. Hear
him, and be wifer. It (10) has f leafed NA-
TURE to make thefe the only Remedies, things
that may beprepafd by every body, eafy to
be found without expence, andfome of'em our
daily food. But the frauds of meny and
Jharpers with baited hooks, have invented
thofe Jhops, wherein every mans own Life if
fublickly
(10) Haec fola Naturae placuerat efle Remedia, parata vulgo,
invcntu facilia, ac fine impendio, 5c ex quibus vivimus. Poftca
fraudes hominum,&ingeniorumcapturae, officinas invcnere iftas,
in quibus fua cuiquehomini veoalis promittitur vita. Statim com-
politiones 8c mixturae inexplicabiles dccantantur, Arabia atque
India in mcdio aeftimaiitur, ulcerique parvo Medicina a Rubrcr
Mari imputatur^ cumReraedia vera quotidiepauperrimusquifque
coenet : nara fi ex horto petantur, aut herba vel frutCX
nulla artium vilior fict. ftj/?. Nat. lib* 3.4. cap. i .
PHYSICIANS:
fublickly expofed to fale to him. There,
portions and inexplicable mixtures are im-
mediately erf d up 5 Arabia and India are rated
on the counter, and a cure from the Red- Sea is
apply d to an inconsiderable bile ; whereas the
pooreft man has, every day, the true Remedies
for a fallet: but iffuch be brought out of the
garden, or fome herb or Jhrub be fought in the
felds, the Apothecaries will of all arts be-
come the mojt contemptible. The paflage is
in the firft Chapter of the 24th Book, and
is too plain to need any comment*
I wou'd only here obferve, how manyi
how great cures we continually read and hear
perform'd in the Eaft and Weft-Indies, by
flowers, roots, leaves, juices, barks and the
like. But, without going to foreign Coun-
tries, wonders are daily wrought by Simples
in the Highlands of Scotland, in the Hebrides
or Weftern Ifles, and in fome parts of Ire-
land, whither the plague of fyftematicai
Phyfic has not yet penetrated : and, what is
ftill more obfervable, when, by the infor-
mation of Travellers or otherwife, any Re-
medy of this kind is communicated to a col-
legiate Phyfician (as it fometimes happens)
prefently this man of myftery, who fcorns
to learn of any one, fo alters and difguifes
his difcovery, by preparing it more artifici-
ally than the Natives, or incorporating it
with a multitude of other things, that it
cither lofes all its virtue, or produces a dif,
ferent,
i88 PHYSIC WITHOUT
ferent, if not a contrary effeft. In the mean
time a noble Medicine, perhaps a Specific, is
cry'd down and grows into difufe, thro' the
credulity of thofe that implicitly hearken
to a pretending Coxcomb. Thus even the
Peruvian bark, and Ipecacuana root, are often
rendered noxious or infignificant by pharma-
ceutic preparations.
We muft not ungratefully forget on this
cccafion thofe wife and worthy Ladies, who,
considering, or it may be fadly experiencing,
the dangerous and often fatal compofitions,
the clogging and naufeating flops of the Phy-
ficians (to fay nothing of their imperious dio
rating oracular declarations, or infolent beha-
viour) take care not only of their own healths
and that of their Families ; but are alfo a com-
mon blefling in this refped to all around
them, whether in town or country : par-
ticularly to the lower fort of people, glad to
live by cheap and obvious means ; while the
Great chufe to perifh by rules of Art, and to
make a parade of their wealth, by the fums
they lavifli on exotic drugs, not content with
enriching one domeftic poyfoner. Among
fuch beneficent Ladies, I had the happinefs
to be for feveral years acquainted with one,
who was wife to the beft and braveft Citi-
zen that ever lived ; whom, tho' by confti-
tution valetudinary, Ihe skillfully nurs'd to
a good old age : till at laft this excellent wo-
man was feiz'd fo violently by a fever, that,
not
PHYSICIANS. 28$
hot being in a condition to order thofe helps
for her felf, flie was always fo ready to af-
ford others, a Phyfician was call'd, and flic
dy'd univerfally lamented, nor did the truly
deftitute Sir ROBERT CLAYTON, for this was
the man, long furvive his faithful compa-
nion and preferver. That at prefent, SIR, I
entertain ilrong hopes of a perfeft recovery,
that J am able to fend you this long Letter
(written indeed by fits and ftarts in my inter-
vals of up-fitting) is for the greateft part ow-
ing to the proper things, and directions for
ufing them, fent me by a Lady, exempla-
rily tender of an infirm husband : and who,
as in beauty and modefty (he's inferior to
none of her own Sex ; fo, in a clear under-
ftanding ar>d an agreeable converfation, fliefur-
paffes moft of ours. I am likewife inform'd
by very good hands, that the Dutchefs of
M ARLBOROUGH (which I record to her Grace's
honor, and will not be reckoned the leaft of
her virtues) contributes more to the eafe and
relief of the never fame-dying Hero, her illu-
ftrious confort, than all the aids of collegiate
art; which, in fuch mighty circumftances,
cou'd not poflibly fail of being procured,
were there in reality any thing of this kind
effectual or certain. I wifli fome of this
great Lady's family had never feen a Phy-
fician. So much of this fubjeft for the
prefent.
VOL. II. T |f
PHYSIC WITHOUT
If any of the faculty fhould chance to fee
iny Letter, I know they would firft make an
arrogant grimace, as difdaining one unskill'd
in their profeffion; and then pretend to
anfwer it with an infipid Jeft, faying, that tho'
I complain'd of being immoderately purg'd
and vomited, I had not yet got rid of all
my Bile. That is true : to let 'em fee I know
fomething of the animal economy, tho' lit-
tle of their juggling. Neverthelefs, I do at
fure you, my old friend, that I never wrote
any thing with more phlegm in my whole
life ; which thofe facetious Gentlemen may
be ready enough to allow, tho' in a different
fenfe from you. But I care as little what
they fay, as they do what becomes of their
Patients : and if they provoke me (as CICERO
faid of the Petty-foggers of Rome, who re-
proach'd him with not underftanding the
quirks and chicanery of the Law) I fhall in
three days become no lefs. matter of thek
legerdemain and jargon, than the beft of thcm-
fclves. This, however, would be throwing
away too much time by any, that fcorn'd to
riiake ufe of it to the fame vile purpofes.
A nobler task attends me : for I fhall ftudy
Nature hereafter with regard to the body of
jrnan, in her own way and for my own pre-
/ervation, as the beft Philosophers were an-
ciently wont: there being nothing more
pleafant than fo ufeful an amufement, very cor>
fiftent with other occupations. This I was
?tf ways inclined tp do? having early affifted at
two
PHYSICIANS; 5511
two courfes of Anatomy, after being tole-
rably initiated into Botany : but I was diver-
tbd from fo good a refolution, I know not
how. The Craft I abhorr'd, the Skill I admi-
red 5 herein precifely of my Author's mind,
who fays, that the antients did not tondemft
the thing, but the trade.
While I am comforting my felf with theft,
fage ideas, you are buftl y retrieving your lofles
by the villanous execution af a late execra-
ble Scheme. Long may you enjoy health for
your own fake, and that of your lovely
family. But as 1 heartily intereft my felf in.
whatever concerns you, fo I particularly
\vifh, you may never become, the prey o£
thofe mercilefs fharks, I have been hitherto
defcribing : for were your purfe as large as
your foul, it wou'd not fuffice both for
Doftors and Directors ; and believe me, your
body is as little to be trufted with the one,
as your money with the other, By thefc
you have loft part of your wealth, and I
part of my health by thofe : wherefore lee
the caution be mutual, and be perfuaded thaf
I am, Dear SIR, your jnoft faithful friend, youf
moftoblig'd and obedient Servant.
'Putney, January
( 292 )
LETTERS
To
* *
Oxford, Jan.
Got fafe to Oxford, tho' not with-
out frequent apprehenfions of
being fet upon by highway men >
and indeed-we narrowly efcap'd,
for the Coaches that came in next
after us, and they fay thofe of Monday be*
fore us, were all robb'd. I was fo far from
making any obfervations upon the country as
I came along, that, as if I were never to know
my Way back again, I could not once look
out, the weather was fo tempeftuous. One
of the Fellows of New College, a violent
partifan of the Clergy, happened to be my fel-
low traveller, of whom in that fmall time,
as occafional difcourfes favour'd me, I informed
my felf of the abilities, genius, and difpo-
fition of the Doftors. The place is very plea-
fant, the Colleges are exceeding fine, and
I muft
LETTERS. 2$M
I muft confefs I never faw fo much of the air
of an Univerftty before. I ly under great ob-
ligations to the Gentlemen who recommend-
ed me, both for the advantageous Character
fhey were pleas'd to beftow upon me, and
the fuitable reception I met with : Mr,
CREECH in particular has been extraordinary
civil to me, and did me the honor to recom-
mend three or four of the moft ingenious
men in the Univcrfity to my acquaintance,
who accordingly vifited me. The like did Dr.
MILL and Mr. KENNET. This Hook upon as
very obliging, and fo I take it, but it is very
troublefome , and fomewhat a la mode dc
France : for I am put into as great agonies as Sir
LIONEL JENKINS to anfwer the expeftations of
thofe grand Virtuolos, efpecially fome of
their Antiquaries, and Linguifts who faluted
me with peals of barbarous founds and obfo-
lete words, and I in return fpent upon them all
my Anglo-Saxon and old Britifh Etymologies j?
which I hope gave them abundant fatisfadion :
Hebrew and Irifh, I hope, will bear me out
for fome weeks, and then Til be pretty wellfur-
nifh'd from the Library, into which I was
fworn and admitted yefterday only : for it
was not to be done, without being firft pro-
pos'd in Congregation. This is the reafon,
SIR, that I have not fooner written to you,
having no account to give of my felf. For
the future, I'll endeavour frequently to ac-
quaint you with fomething more entertain-
ing than what concerns my felf j tho' if I
T 3 cqu'd
LETTER S.
jcou'd undcrftand what it is you rnoft cfteem^
J fhou'd particularly ftudy to give you fatis-
fadion : with whatever elfe I can think may
convince you, that I am not a little proud of
the honor my friends did me, in making
jne known to fo confiderable and inge-
nious a perfon > and that I am very fenfi-
ble pf your goodnefs in contributing to make
niy life more eafy, and my ftudies more free.
J beg you, SIR, to acquaint Mr. FREKE as foon
as you fee him with the contents, whofe
care and favour I fli^ll always endeavour to
cjeferve : looking upon him as the primum
jnobile of my happinefs. I forgot to tell you
that Mr. CREECH is publifhing Lucretius in
Latin, with a Paraphrafe and Commentary,
and Manilius in Bnglifh Verfe, which will
be nothing inferior to Lucretius. Dr. MILL
Jias already communicated his Teftament to
me, and others fent me feveral Books, I only
jpquir'd after, without any defign of making
bold fo foon to borrow 5 all which I attribute
to the refped they owe their friends. I am
conveniently and pretty reafonably lodg'd at
Mr. Bodington's over againft all Souls Col-
lege, to which place all my Letters and Pac>
are to be Oircdejl.
O
1 E T T E R S.
FOR
Mr. TOLAND.
I, May 4, 1694.
Mr. TOLAND,
TH E Character you bear in Oxford i$
this s that you are a man of fine parts,
gr.eat learning, and little religion*
Whither or no this be your juft Charac-
ter, I cannot fay 5 but this I can fay, and am
aflur'd of, that if it be, 'tis your higheft in-
tereft to refled ferioufly upon the matter,
and to endeavour betimes to deferve a better.
This is the whole occafion of my writing to
you, and I entreat you to receive it as it is meant.
Tis the conftant voice of the Holy Scrip-
tures 5 and there is nothing more agreeable to
our common reafon, than that much (hould be
ixquir'd of him to whom much is committed *
you are fenfible (I believe) that you have re-
ceiv'd a great deal ^ it lies at your door to
employ it fo, as to be able to give up a good
accompt to him, from whom you received it,
at the laft day.
'T would be a very grievous and bitted
thought, when you lay upon your death- bed
(and thither one day you muft come 5 God
qnly knows how foon) to confides that your
T 4 parts>
parts, and your knowledge, which, if cm-
ploy'd in the fervice of your maker, and to
the benefit of mankind, might have entitled
you to a nobler fhare of happinefs and glory ;
fhall not only be of no advantage to you,
but fhall infinitely enhanfe and augment your
condemnation.
Popular efteem, the applaufes of a Coffee-
houfe, or of a Club of prophane Wits, are
mean, unworthy ends 5 and which a man of
underftanding is afham'd to ftoop for : they
are too (lender to fatisfy at the prefent 5 and
'tis certain they can yield us no comfort when
we fliall have moft need of it.
But the difcharge of our duty, and a good
confcience, are a never-failing fpring of
pleafure : and what mighty advances may
a man make in virtue, if fuch abilities as,
God hath been pleafed to blefs you with,
were direfted into a right channel ?
Think not, SIR, that I fpeak thus to draw
you over to a party 5 as though Religion
cither feared an ingenious adverfary, or need-
ed a learned advocate : no, (blefled be God)
fhe ftands firm upon a rock, and 'tis not with*
in the power of the eager malice of Devils,
much lefs of the vain tongues of wicked men,
to overthrow her : neither doth God need
the fervice of any man $ he, who ordains
ftrength ex ore infantum, ;can work his ends,
and
LETTERS. 297
and maintain his own caufe, without the
concurrence of human wifdom or policy.
No. Believe me, I am concern'd for your
fake : methinks, 'tis ten thoufand pities that
any one Ihould freely choofe to be eternally
wretched, or but moderately happy, into
whofe hands God hath put the means of pur-
chafing an exceeding weight of Glory 3 and
whom he feems to have defigned to be a
veffel of honour.
All that I can do to you, is to entreat you
by the love you bear your own Soul, to
weigh impartially the evidences, and the con-
fequences of the Chriftian Religion : if its
evidences convince you not of its reality, I
muft pity your blindnefs ^ but if they do, thea
I am furc its confequences are fuch as muft
either allure or frighten him that is not
either very difingenuous, or very ftupid. The
genuine ififue of this reflection, will be an
hearty refolution of embracing the plain
eafy duties enjoined in the Gofpel: which,
as it is the only fure grounds upon which
we may exped Salvation hereafter, fo is it
the true foundation of peace and fatisfadion
in this world: every ftep we tread, before
we have, in fome meafure, fecur'd our peace
with Heaven, is infinitely hazardous, and
fuch as flefh and blood could not bear the
profped of, were our eyes open. God who
made you, an4 hath fo richly bleflcd you,
of
29« LETTER S;
of his great mercy, blefs you yet farther, and
make you become an happy inftrument of
his Glory. Amen.
Dear SIR, I remain your hearty well-wifher
and real ( though unknown ) friend an$
fexvant,
FOR
Mr. TOLAND.
Oxford, May 7, 1694,
Dear Mri TOLAND,
I Hear that you have received a Note of the
4th inftant, which was ordered to be left
for you at Nan's Coffee-houfe : I hear alfo
with what acceptance you entertain it ; you
fay, the Letter has nothing in it immodeft or
uncivil 5 but you cannot believe that he who
wrote it intended you any kindnefs by it,
becaufe he fent it unfeal'd and to a publick
houft.
Now to this, I fay, that fuppofing the Let-
ter to be modeft and civil , it feems more equi-
table to impute any mifcarriage or acciden-
tal indecency in its delivery, to indifcretioq,
jrather thgn lack of kindnefs.
LETTERS,
For, alas! had he intended to defame you,
how eafy had it been to have pitch'd upon 3
more natural and likely means of procuring
it, than the directing a Letter to your own
hand ? it being highly improbable that, if any
thing were found there tending to your dii-
paragement, you your felf fhould have di-
vulged it,
Np, affure your felf, Dear SIR, he who
wrote it, meant you no harm, but rather the
contrary ; and if, through any accident, the
matter went farther than his own, an4 your
bjreaft, 'tis c^uite befide his intention.
That excellent fweet-tempered Religion,
which he entreats you to look towards, and
embrace 5 as it obliges its followers to love all
men, fo it forbids them to defame or up-
braid $ny : and I am fure, that he wko fent
you that Letter, would willingly put his
hands under your feet? to do you any real
fervice.
The true reafon of his fending it to the
Coffee-houfe, was becaufe he knew not your
lodgings 5 and to have enquired for them
might occafionally have difcovered, what he
clefigns to conceal.
f
The caufe of his fending it unfealed, was
a dependance upon the general integrity of
tnankind in this particular 5 arifing from the
odium
LETTERS;
odium which attends bufy- bodies; and chief?
Jy thofe who examine other mens papers.
In fliort, whether you believe him your
friend or your enemy 5 he paffionately defines
you to lay to heart what he has faid. If he
be an enemy, you will fufficiently revenge
your felf upon him, by difappointing him of
all occafion of reproaching you : if he be a
friend, you will abundantly gratify him, by
letting him fee the good effeds of the travel
of his foul : but, above all, by that means
you will be a true friend to your felf. Dear
SIR, farewell, and may the bleffing of God
always attend you.
Dear SIR, I muft beg one favour of you.
The ftory runs thus ; that a Letter was left at
the Coffe£-houfe with this Superfcription,
For Mr. TOLAND'S perufal. Now, I confefs,
this infcription feems to promife fomewhat
fcurrilous and refleftive : but you who know
that this is falfe, may do me thus mud;
juftice, as to Satisfy thofe you mayfpeak with
Concerning it, that 'twas infcribed otherwife.
Mr. TO-
LETTERS. 301
;! Mr. TOLAND's
A N S W E R.
S I R,
IT F I knew your pcrfon as much as I hd-
J^ nour your merit, the ftile of my Letter
Ihould, it may be, better fuit your quality
and ftation : but I am perfuaded by the ex-
traordinary temper of yours, that a fincere
Anfwer is the greateft refped I can pay you.
The grave and ferious advice you conde-
fcend to give me, with this fair opportuni-
ty of vindicating my felf from all indecent
afperfions, cannot but oblige me to the high-
eft pitch of gratitude. I blefs God, that in
this loofe and fceptical age, there remains fo
much of the truly primitive fpirit as the ge-
nuine fruits of itexprefs in you. Indeed, your
clofe and perfpicuous arguments, fo candid-
ly manag'd, and fo properly apply'd, could
not well mifs their effed upon any ingenuous
man, under my fuppos'd circumftances j but
I heartily wifli I could as juftly claim the firft
two parts of the charader, you fay, I bear in
Oxford, as I really abhor the laft. You feem,
SIR, to fpeak more of me from the difcourfes
of others than any perfonal knowledge, and
you are not ignorant how cautioufly we
fliould receive the informations of any, till
we learn the intcrefts and inclinations of both
the parties. Had I the happinefs of your ac-
quaintance, which I paffionately defire, I
could
LETTERS;
could quickly convince you that the irreli-
gion laid to my charge, is as much owing to
the malice of my enemies, as the reputation
of parts and learning to the goodnefs of my
friends. Neither have I receiv'd fo much as
you think, tho' more than I deferve, arid
enough to render every negled of my duty
inexcufable.
I am fenfible all my actions fliould be cal-
culated for the glory of God, and the good
of my country. To become more capable
of anfwering thefe ends, is the true rtafon
of the ftay I make for fome time in this
famous Univerfity. And further than they
contribute towards this defign, neither the
exceeding agreeablenefs of the place, nor the
improving converfation of the members
fliould be to me any attraftives. But to
what purpofe fhould I ftudy here or elfe-
where, were I an Atheift or Deift, for one
of the two you take me to be ? What a con-
tradi&ion to mention Virtue if I believ'd there
was no God, or one fo impotent that could
not, or fo malicious that would not reveal
himfelf ? Nay, tho' I granted a Deity, yet if
nothing of me fubfifted after death, what
laws could bind, what incentives could move
me to common honefty > Annihilation would
be a fanftuary for all my fins, and put an,
end to my crimes with my felf. Believe me,
I am not fo indifferent to the evils of the pre-
fent life 5 but, without the expectation of a
betteiy
LETTERS, . sol
better, I fhould foon fufpend the mechanifm
of my body, and refolve into inconfcious
atoms. Now if I am perfuaded our Souls
are immortal and refponfible for their actions,
to be eternally happy or miferable in a fu-
ture ftate, I muft be neceffarily of fome Reli-
gion: and I prefume you will readily ac-
knowledge it to be the Chriftian, when I
allure you, that
" I. I firmly believe the exiftence of art
" infinitely good, wife and powerful Being,
" which in our language we call GOD, fub-
" ftantially different from the Univerfe he
" created, and continues to govern by his
" Providence ; of whom, through whom,
** and to whom are all things.
" II. Concerning CHRIST in particular*
" I believe that he is God manifeft in the
" flefh, or true God and Man, perfectly united
" without contrariety of will, or confufion of
" eflence. As to his human nature, that
" according to the Prophets, he was born
•*« of a pure Virgin, conceived by virtue of
" the divine Spirit, and therefore ever free
" from all the finful diforders of fallen man.
" That he rofe from the dead the third
" day after he was crucify'd by the Jews, and
<c forty days after afcended into Heaven,
*' from whence I expeft his coming at the laft
f( day to judge me and all the world : and
^ tlut when he was on earth he not only by
i his
LETTERS.
« his life gave us a perfed example, and by
" his Dodrine an infallible rule of all that
" we are to do, fuffer and hope j but alfo
" by the facrifice of his death, reconcil'd to
€C mercy all fuch as do the will of his Father,
ic particularly thofe that believe his word,
tc imitate his works, and accept his inter-
<c ceffion. That as well the holy adult de-
" cealed before his paflion, as children dy-
" ing before the ufe of reafon, are delivered
" from death by his merits, fo that none
" can be fav'd without a Mediator. And
" laftly, that he is the only Ruler and Legifla-
" tor of the Church.
" III. I believe we are fandify'd by the
tc divine Spirit, who worketh in us, and with
" us, who direds and perfeds us. I acknow-
" ledge the purity, excellence and obliga-
" tion of all the evangelical precepts, as they
" are comprehended under thefe three heads,
" to live temperately, juftly, andpioufly ; to
" love God above all things, and my neigh*
" bour as my felf. This is the fum of ftiy
" affurance of eternal life, in hopes where-
" of I am now writing this unfeign'd Con-
" feflion of my Faith*
Whoever confents to thefe Articles, and
receives the Scriptures for the word of God,
is my brother in CHRIST, let him think of
me or denominate himfelf as he pleafes. I
will not contend with any about dubious or
obfcurc
LETTERS;
obfcure points, and I do not fo mueh regard
frivolous matters, how fuperftitioufly ibever
cry'd up by fome, as to ered them into terms
of Communion. I dare not confine the
Church to the narrow limits of a peculiar
Sed, or her Dodrines to the affected phrafes
of a Party 5 and beeaufe the Gofpel tcacheth
us mutual forbearance and- the love of our
enemies, I would not be fufpeded to favour
thofe I cannot abufe with unfeemly hear,
much lefs queftion the truth of what I hold
unlawful to impofe. No man can believe as
he lifts, and 'tis not juft any mould fay what he
thinks not. All that we have to do is cha-
ritably to inftrud, and if we can, convince
the erroneous. We may pray for the obfti-
nate, and perfift in our endeavours, but fur-
ther we have no commiffion. They have as
great an intereft to fave their own Souls, as we
to encourage them to it : and if they flight
our exhortations, we muft leave them to God.
The civil Society cannot be injured by this
Toleration, whilft all irregular practices are
punifhable by the Magiftrate; nor would I
defend it, did I fee the fin or the danger : fo
far am I from making it a flicker to Athe-
ifm and indifference, as my ill-wifhers give
out*
SIR, I hope by this time I have fatisfy'd
your pious concern about my evcrlafting
happineis, and the evidence of that Religion,
whereof, tho' I cannot pretend to be an in-
II. U genious,
306 LETTERS.
genious, or a learned advocate, I fhall always,
according to my poor abilities, prove a faith-
ful and a zealous one. I give you a thoufand
thanks for the pains you have taken about
me in your two excellent Letters, which I
fhall ftill preferve and value. I am certain
you intended me no hurt by them, which I
may not fay of thofe who fuggefted the un-
worthy thought. Tis true I was furpriz'd
with the circumftances 5 yet never fufpefted
your good intentions.
Things reflecting upon yours and my
integrity were difcouried about the firft
Letter, which made me communicate it
to feveral but in vain 5 for the malice of
fome Jacobites, who envy me common
charity, proclaims my felf the Author. This
honor I'm fure is undefign'd, as the palpable
abfurdity that I fhould purchafe a few com-
mendations of courfe, at the expence of
what is moft laudable among men. But this
is not the only time I have been grofly mit
reprefented by thefe Gentlemen, tho' ordi-
narily their efforts have contrary effefts. At
my firft coming, they thought to frighten
me with that terrible thing of a Common-
wealth, an artifice I look'd upon defpis'd, and
forgotten as the incenfe of arbitrary power
which they offer'd to the late Kings. But
when they perceived I was nothing fhy of
owning the true Conftitution of the Eng-
IHh Government, however bafely nick-nam'd
by
LETTERS, 307
by fome of its degenerate fubjeds, they
made a mighty noife about the Church, and
falfly reported that I did not frequent the
public worfhip from which they voluntarily
feparate themfelves. Now they make my
affiduity a fault for reafons as groundlefs as
pitiful, fo implacable is their fpirit! But the(e
miferable tricks not taking with the learned
and the wife, they fhifted fcenes, and made
me next an accomplilh'd Conjurer for ridicu-
ling Necromancy, and the fecond Sight. A
fimple ftory was whifper'd of the amazing
feats I had done, which a worthy friend gave
me occafion to expofe to the diverfion of the
company, and the relator's difgrace. Well,
if Magic won't do, Herefy muft. I am a dan-
gerous Anti-Trinitarian, for having often pub-
lickly declared that I could as foon digeft a
wooden, or breaden Deity, as adore a crea-
ted fpirit or a dignified man. This Socini-
anifm and Arianifm are, one would think,
very orthodox.
{• ^ »'•«.> v V ' ' •'.• k f O .*••-'.
SIR, thefe are few of the numerous inftan-
ces I can produce of my adverfaries un-
chriftian hatred, which I pray God to forgive,
as I do. Did they but mind their own bu-
iinefs as much as I flight what they fay of me,
they would afford the Coffee-houfe better
entertainment. Tis to undeceive you and the
reft of my honored friends, whole favours I
thankfully acknowledge, that I have writ
this Anfwer. I was a while fomewhat back-
U 2 ward
308 LETTER S:
ward to do it, left any fhould imagine I mind-
ed our State Enthufiafts, but at length their
clamours extorted it. I'm confident you'll do
me that juftice I exped, and becomes you,
tho' I dare not flatter my felf with the hopes
of your more defireable acquaintance. Had
you given me any Direction, you (hould have
leen this Anfwer before I received your fecond
obliging Letter 5 wherefore I entreat you, if
this comes to your hand, not to forget this
point the next time. I am, SIR, your much
oblig'd, and moft humble Servant.
FOR
«*: Mr. T O L A N D. *
Oxford,
S i k,
SOME time laft week, I got the fight of
a Letter which you left at the Coffee-
houfe for your Friend A. A. and it being
intended for a vindication of your Charac-
ter, from the falfe and malicious afperfions
of your ill-wifhers, I am glad that I never
found means of getting it into my hands fe-
curely, before it was open'd : for I fhould
never have been able to have done you half
the juftice, which the timely appearance of
this Paper in publick hath done.
I am forry that you fhould think, that I
miftook you for an Atheift or a Deift : by
the
LETTERS. 3op
the charafter of little Religion, I meant no
more than this : that you were one who
dealt fomewhat too freely with it, a man of
an afpiring and uncontrolled reafon, a great
contemner of Credulity, and particularly an
undervaluer of the two extraordinary Cures,
wrought lately at London : thefe do not im-
mediately prove a man an Atheift j though,
I confefs, I was always apt to think, that
they generally proceed from fome degree of
infidelity in the heart, which by a little in-
dulgence may eafily grow into an hatred and
contempt of Religion $ andj thence infenfu
b!y difpofe the mind for Socinian^fm, Deifm,
Atheilm, or any thing : but however, I am
concern'd at it the lefs , fince you ack-
nowledge fome have been endeavouring to
faften a bad Character on you 5 and you have
hence taken occafion to refute all Calumnies,
In the Letter you load me with much
honor, much more than I expefted, or de-
.ferve ; in thofe who never faw my Letters,
this raifes an opinion that fomething is in
them very extraordinary 5 but to thofe who
have feen them, and to my felf, 'tis au
argument of great candour in you, who
can love truth in fo plain a drefs : the ab-
horrence you exprefs for Atheifm, and your
defcanting upon it, even to the awakening
the Civil power againft it, give me grounds
to believe that you have no real kindnefs
for it ; your concern for the loofenefs and
U 3 fcepticifm
3io LETTER S.1
fcepticifm of this age, inclines me to hope
that you are neither prophanely nor fceptical-
ly given 5 your fo free declaration of your
Paith, makes me think you an Orthodox
believer; and your fenfe of the obligation
of the Chriftian duties, and your refolves
of appearing in the behalf of Religion, con-
firm me, that you are, and defign to con-
tinue a very good Chriftian.
For, why fhould I not acquiefce in thefc
tokens of fincerity .? I confefs, I hate a di-
ftruftful narrow temper, which is jealous and
fufpicious of all mankind; 'tis, methinks,
a difparagement to our common nature,
when we refufe to think well of another,
till it's impoffible to think other wife, and is
the very fcepticifm we condemn. No, I
truft, SIR, you are in good earnefr, and
would not play with your foul's happinefs :
and I doubt not, but you will foon make
many be of my mind 5 for Religion is no
lifelefs thing, but when once it hath taken
root in the heart, (which is its proper foil)
as a tree planted in the fertile valley, or (as
the Pfalmift fpeaks) by the water-fide, it can-
not fail to bring forth its fruits, its genuine,
undoubted, diftinguiihing fruits, in due fea-
And though God^ who difpofes and cul-
tivates the heart, alone knows the time of its *
harveft, yet in man's judgment, no feafon
can
LETTERS. 311
can be more proper for its producing a plen-
tiful crop, than while the underftanding is
mature, and in its full ftrength, the mind frefh
and impregnated with the dews and (how-
ers of God's grace, and moreover adorn'd
with all outward accomplifhments; than
while the body is healthy and ftrong, and in
a vigorous capacity of miniftring unto the
foul. This is the feafon, in which men ex-
ped that a noble foil fhould yield much fruit
to be treafur'd up in ftore againft a day of
calamity, againft the day of ficknefs, old-
age, and death : and I am fully perfuaded,
that if a few generous fpirits would fiedfaft-
ly reiblve to employ their rich endowments
in the fervice of the donor, but efpecially
praife him with the tongues which he hath
given them 5 to ftem ?he flood of impiety,
and appear boldly in the behalf of virtue >
fhewing as well the loveHnefs of being ver-
tuous, as the bafcnefs and rafcality of being
wicked; and ftudy ferioufly to engage all
they converfe with in that reafonable courfe,
which alone, can render them happy here,
and glorious hereafter 5 we fhould foon fee a
blefled change upon the earth, fin being by
degrees extirpated, we might make fome ap-
proach to our former Paradifaicai ftate; in
the language of the Prophet, inftead of the
Thorn, would come up the Firr-tree, and in-
ftead of the Brier, would come up the Myr-
tle-tree : millions of fouls (each of them bet-
ter than the whole periftiing woi>ki) might
U 4 be
in LETTERS:
be refcu'd from definition, and entitl'd td
glory ; and the happy undertakers themfelves,
be affur'd of Ihining as the brightnefs in the
firmament, as the ftars for ever and ever : and
oh ! that God would touch the hearts of fome,
who are fitted for this *work, with the alone
truly laudable ambition of becoming exceed-
ingly beneficial to this world, and exceeding-
ly happy in the next !
Dear SIR, I run out into this fubjed, as
well, becaufe my hopes of the good fuccefs
of fuch an attempt (through God's bleffing)
are very ftrong and lively, (for I know that
in reality, nothing is fo arrant a coward as
vice, and nothing is fo forcible as reafon
and love) as likewife, becaufe 'tis commonr
ly reported, that you are at prefent upon a
work, which I fear will not prove half fo
advantageous to yourfelf or others : 'tis faid,
that you are now publifhing a piece with in-
tent to fhew, that there is no fuch thing as
a Myftery in our Religion 5 but that every
thing in it isfubjicible to our underftandings.
I confefs, I do not forefee what good influ-
ence it would derive upon our praftice, if
all the deep and hidden things of God lay
open to the meaneft capacities (and there is no
better argument with me, that the know-
ledge of them would be of no great ufe un-
to us, than that they lye fo very deep) but
that ever they fhould be thus laid open to
inen in thefe bodies, I freely own, I think
next;
LETTERS. 313
next to impoflible. Myftcries, 'tis true, are re-
veal'd to the meek, and it may be the pecu-
liar reward of fome very humble perfons, to
be admitted to behold fome things within
the veil : but then I am perfuaded, that what-
ever they fee there, is of the fame nature with
St. PAUL'S ApfaTa , it cannot, it need not be
utt^r'd unto others. If you are really engag'd
in fuch a work, 'twould be folly in me to
think of diverting you from it, by any
thing which I can fay ; let me only beg
you to run over a book, entitl'd, The Caufes
of the *Decay of Chriflian Tietyy a piece of
the fame lineage and\ integrity with the Whole
'Duty of Man, in which, among other melan-
choly truths, the great mifchief of ingenious
perfons applying the choked abilities to fuch
fort of purpofes, is pathetically lamented.
Pear SIR, pardon, I befeech you, the great
freedom I ufe with you, I am unknown to
you, and therefore am the freer; though I
confefs, I think that fome degree of this free-
dom would do no great harm in common
converfation. I earneftly defire of you to
let no man fee this. You gave fome reafons
which obliged you to impart my other, I fee
no ends which you can ferve by difclofing
this ; let me entreat you therefore, by the
kindnefs which you fay you bear me, not to
let this go any farther than your felf. As to
the perfonal knowledge, which you fay, you
wifla j I affure you it can be of no ufe
3 to
314 LETTERS;
to you, and it may be very prejudicial to my
felf, upon divers accounts 5 otherwife you
may imagine I fhould not eafily decline your
fo valuable an offerture : 'tis not any feeming
modefty, but, indeed, real and ncceffary
prudence which makes me ftudy to be con-
cealed.
Dear SIR, excufe all the trouble I have
created you, and particularly that of this
wearifome Letter : the matter, I hear, has
made fome noife, and I am forry for it 5 all
my comfort is, that I never intended it. Dear
SIR, adieu.
I am
your real friend and fervant,
T O
THE REVEREND Mr. ***.
London^ Sept. 12, 1695*.
_ "j'OJ Hi o
Reverend SIR,
I Can fend you no news foreign or domef-
tick this'poft, and, which is the greater
wonder, your Champions of the Common-
wealth of Learning feem to have retir'd into
winter-quarters too, for we never enjoy'd a
more profound peace in this refped : either
no eneriiy appears at all, or, if now and
then one makes an incurfion, he meets with
little
LETTER S. 315
little or no oppofition ; except a Captain
ANTONIO ventures abroad fometimes to pick
up his ftraglers, and curfe him afar off, as
SHIMEI did good King DAVID. So, you
know, the Reafonablenefs of Chriftianity was
lately ferv'd.
However, I can be no fufFerer by this fi-
lence of the Learned, as long as you are plea-
fed to honor me with your correfpondence.
You are the oracle I cohfult about all my
difficulties, and from which I never mifs of
fatisfadion. What employs my thoughts at
prefent may feem a great Paradox; but, un-
lefs your anfwer can make it in good earneft
appear one to me, the world is like to
have it one time or other for found Di-
vinity.
The Subjed is the Book of Job. After
proving it, with others, more antient than the
writings of MOSES, and fhewing it to be a
real Hiftory and no Parable, contrary to the
fentiments.ofthe Jews and a modern author 5
I difcover the true Quality and Country of
JOB, the nobleft pattern on record of a mind
truly divine, endu'd with the moft finifh'd
wifdom and refolution. So far, you'll fay,
all goes very well. But further, I endeavour
to make it appear in particular (for none be-
fore me, as I know, ever dreamt of any fuch
thing) that only the Dialogue between JOB
and his three Friends is the genuine Book,
3 beginning
LETTERS:
beginning at verfe the fecond, of chapter the
third, and ending at the laft verfe of chapter
the thirty firft, according to our common di-
vifion. Then I prove the Relation preceding
this Dialogue, as an Argument to the Piece,
wherein fuch odd, if not impoflible, paflages
are told of Satan and the Sons of God, of
JOB himfelf, his wife, his children and friends,
to be a meer Fable made by fome idle Jew j
who, finding the Hero of this excellent Poem
labouring under the greateft afflictions,
thought pity the particulars fhou'd be un-
known : and fo by a liberty ordinary to the
Rabbins, invented that monftrous Story, tho'
without any fufficient ground for it, from
JOB'S complaint and defence, or the re-
proaches and arguments of his Friends. I
make the fame account not only of the lat-
ter part of the laft chapter, but alfo of the
foregoing chapters, from the xxxii inclufive-
ly. And that fame ELiHUthe fonof BARA-
CHEL, who takes fo much upon him in thofe
chapters, I (hall demonftrate to be the un-
doubted Author of all the Additions.
But tho' it be not my intention to give
you the detail of my reafons for this Para-
dox, yet I would have you confider, that the
xnoft part of what I call in queftion, is penn'd
in very dull and negligent profe ; whereas
the native beauties of the Dialogue appear even
through the verfion, which* is all rimed verfe,
according to the genius of the Eaftern Poetry,
The
LETTERS. 31?
The Dialogue too is full of Arabifms, which
help us to difcover the original, but no fuch
thing appears in the additions of the Hebrew
Tranflator.
And to compleat all, I ihew by the beft
Memoirs that any perfon can defire, what was
JOB'S true ftate, or the occafion of thofe Com-
plaints, fo pathetically exprefs'd in this admi-
rable piece.
All that I requeft of you, SIR, is, by the
ftrongeft reafons you can think on, to fhew
me any impoffibility in fuch a performance;
and if no better occur to you, let me have all
the negative difficulties you can make.
SIR,
I am
your unalterable frknd and
a CON-
*iS LETTERS,
A
CONSOLATORY LETTER
To the honorable
Sir ROBERT CLATTON, Kt.
r.ir. > ^
Formerly Sheriff, afterwards Lord Mayor, and
ftill Alderman of London.
London Decemb. 4, 1698*
SIR,
THE paflions are fuch an eflential part of
our conftitution, and fo infeparably
united to our underftanding, that on this ac-
count they are commonly term'd natural af-
feEtions $ nor is there any part of our fabrick
wherein the effe&s of divine wifdom are
more vifible and obvious 5 feeing that to
have all our members fo wonderfully accom-
modated to their feveral ufes would fignify
little, if we wanted the paflions of joy and
grief, or the fenfations of pain and pleafurc,
which are the primary fprings and motives
of all our defires and aftions. Herein there-
fore the excellence or depravation of our
mind appears, according as reafon governs
our pafliojis, or we fuiFer the paflions to cor-
rupt our reafon. An inclination to eating
and drinking (for example) is very natural,
and
LETTERS. 319
and abfolutely neceffary for our prefer-
vation 5 but he, that confiders no further
than the pleafing and inviting taft of the
meat or liquor, ads unnaturally : while ano~
ther, who meafures his appetite by a fuffici-
cnt nourifhment and fupport for his body,
anfwers the defign of God in planting thefe
defires within him. In like manner, to
grieve or be afflifted for the lofs of any
thing which in it felf we count amiable
and worthy, or pleafing and profitable to us
in particular, is natural and juft$ for with-
out this affe&ion we fhould not fufficiently
value thefe blefllngs, or be enough follicitous
to cultivate and preferve them : but on the
other hand, fo to let loofe our paflionson fuch
doleful occafions as to fet no bounds to our
forrow, and to defpair of all other comforts
at once, becaufe we have loft any fimple ob-
j eft of our felicity, is both unreafonable and
defencelefs.
Now, confidering that the firft motions of
our paffions are generally too violent to hear
advice 5 and that indeed this impetuous tor-
rent of the fpirits is nothing fo dangerous to
our bodily health or intellectual faculties, as
the melancholy and folitary thoughts that
fucceed (thefe being of a longer continuance
and of a more pineing nature) I thought fit,
SIR, to fpeak very little to you at the begin-
ning concerning the early death of your moft
hopeful Nephew, and to write nothing at
all
LETTERS.
all on this fubjed (which I count not fe
much your private lofs, as that of the pub-
lick in a ufeful Citizen) till your mind
fliould be lefs difturb'd, or your firft tranfports
well allay 'd. And I muft acknowledge that
I was greatly pleafed to perceive with how
much decency and true manlinefs you be-
hav'd your felf on this occafion; tho', for
preventing the fatal confequences of future
penfivenefs, I take the liberty at this time of
laying a few considerations before you. I
knew the young Gentleman well when
we ftudied at Oxford together, and valu'd
him both for his perfonal merit and the hope
I conceived of his ability to ferve his Coun-
try in fome eminent ftation.
This makes, not me alone, but all his
other acquaintance to be deeply fenfible of
our lofs in him ^ and therefore to be compa-
nions with you (tho' not on equal terms) in
forrow. But permit me to tell you, SIR, that
of all others you have in my opinion
the leaft reafon to torment your felf. That
men are born mortal, every body knows, how
few foever feem to confider it ; for by many
of their aftions one would think they were
certain of immortality here on earth. Nor
are they lefs convinc'd that the whole courfe
of life is fubjed to infinite changes and acci-
dents, which by their fudden or unforefeen
cffe&s always confound the weak and vitious,
but
LETTERS. 321
but never catch the honeft and wife unpre-
par'd; for a virtuous man of good under-
ftanding is xjslaced above all the chances of
fortune, becaufe he conftantly expefts them,
and is never difpleafed but with the ill of
others or his own frailties, which he labors
to conquer and reform. Moft people will
agree likewife that we fhould not bear thofe
things heavily, which we can by no means
avoid j and the experience of all ages muft
perfuade us that we can neither by poverty
or pain, by flavery or difgrace, nor even by
death it felf, fuffer any thing new or unufual 5
which refle&ion alone fhould teach us to live
content with that condition wherein we are
born.
But thefe arguments of Confolation, tho*
very good and folid in themfelves, are yet
common to you, Sir ROBERT, with the reft
of mankind. You have little reafon in
particular to impair your health, or to leffen
the tranquillity of your mind by abandoning
your felf to fruitlefs mourning, when you
ferioufly confider that after having rais'd your
fortune folely by your own merit and indu-
ftry (without lofing your honor or reputa-
tion by any indired and criminal methods of
growing rich) you had the happinefs of fer-
ving your country in the moft publick capa-
city> as well in this City, as in the honourable
Houfe of Commons j and that in the moft
dangerous times, but yet with thegreateft ap-
VOL. II. X plaufc ;
LETTERS.
plaufe : that you ftill affift in the govern-
ment of the greateft, freeft, and moft pow-
erful City in the world, where you are uni-
verfally efteem'd, particularly dear to the beft
perfons, and that without your advice the
moft eminent of your fellow citizens will not
adminifter their own (hare of the magiftracy :
that by publick and private charities, as well
as by a generous and hofpitable manner of
living, you have fhowcr'd the bleflings of a
plentiful eftate the moft agreeably to the will
of heaven, the exigences of the needy,
and the approbation of the beft men : and
that with all this you have neither neglected
your own kindred, nor the relations of your
excellent Lady, who all tenderly love and
reverence you living, and will adore and
blefs your memory when dead : I fay, when
you conftder all this you ought to entertain
a becoming fatisfaftion in your mind, and
to contemn all the crofs accidents of the
world.
When you further think on what you
have done for that incomparable youth for
whom you particularly deftin'd a large fhare
of your eftate, and in whofe laudable aftions
your country might promife it felf as it were
a continuation of your own life 5 how you
gave him the liberal education of a Gentle-
man, and taught him the principles of true
virtue, iiluftrated by your own example and
that of other good men; you ought to be
greatly
£ E T T E R S. 313
greatly pkafed that nothing was wanting
of your fide. And when on the other hand,
you remember how well he anfwer'd all
your care and hopes, how temperate, how
learn'd, and how judicious he was j how pru-
dent in his travels, and how pious in render-
ing his foul to God who gave it, you have
the higheft reafon to rejoice that fo liv'd and
died a perfon of the bed accomplifliments at-
tain'd thro' your beneficence and direction.
Thus irreproachably to lead his life, deferved-
ly belov'd of every body 3 and thus to finifh
his courfe agreeable to the utmoft perfection
of nature, would certainly be hereafter, and
has, no doubt, hitherto been the refult of
your defires.
The only apology therefore left for your
grief, muft be, that he died fooner than was
good, for you or himfelf. But I have too
great an opinion of your underftanding to
imagine you fhould harbour any thought,
which is not the lefs unreafonable for being
fo common. A paffage to immortality, and
a perpetual union with the fupreme Being
cannot be reckon d for his difadvantage j and
were there no fenfation after death, he could
not be reputed more miferable than before
he was born : nor would this argument for
forrow be lefs cogent from the firft moment
of his nativity, fince you might be fure
he muft inevitably die fome time or other.
And as for you, I will not appear fo diffi-
X * dent
324 LETTERS.
dent of your accuftom'd wifdom and gra-
vity, as to fuppofe you fhould now be wan-
ting to your felf in making good the charac-
ter you have hitherto obtained of conftancy
and firmnefs, or that you will expeft that
cure from length of time, which you ought
fpeedily to perform by your own reafon.
You have ftill many opportunities of bene-
fiting the world, you have the fame means
of doing good, and the fame difcernment to
chufe the propereft objefts of your charity
or care. Inftead of one family you may
raife fevcral, or prevent others from falling
to decay 3 and by what you defign'd to give
that lovely young Gentleman alone, you can
make the fortunes of many, who may prove
to be the ornaments of their country, and
will be the moft glorious monuments of
your piety, wifdom, juftice, liberality. But
to one who fo much exceeds me in age and un-
derftanding, to hint thefe things is fufficient.
I fhall be extremely pleafed to learn that
thefe lines have afforded you any pleafure or
confolationj and if they fhould not have all
the effed I intended, yet lam fatisfy'd that
I did not fail of my Duty to ferve a perfon
whom all good men love, whom I particular-
ly honor, and to whom I have fo great obli-
gations.
T O
LETTERS. 325
TO THE SAME.
London Decem. 7, 1698.
SIR,
AS thofe who have not perform'd any
worthy actions themfelves, think it
impertinent that others fhould be commend-
ed 5 fo the panegyrics, which fear or favor
draws from fervile fpirits on undeferving per-
fons in corrupt times, occafion all juft praifc
to pafs for flattery. But in thofe ages and
places where liberty and learning equally
flourifh'd, every man's virtue had full juftice
done to it 5 nor were the moft glorious re-
wards proposed to merit half fo effectual, as
the diftinguiftring examples of brave or good
men, to animate others with an emulation
of their laudable actions. This manifestly ap-
pears in all the writings of the old Romans,
particularly in the divine volumes of CICERO,
where we meet with fuch noble characters,
and fuch lovely pictures of his friends and
cotemporaries, as may enflame the moft in-
fenfible to glory or applaufe.
?UTi.I '"iM 'S r ' ~ ' • '1x1
In imitation therefore of thefe perfed mo-
dels, I wrote the Letter which I lately fent
to you, and wherein the chiefeft topic of
comfort was the consideration of your own
virtues. I fend you now, as a juftification of
X 3 this
326 LETTER S:
this uncommon way of writing, and as an
additional argument or example, the Tran-
flation of a Letter written upon the like oo
cafion to CICERO after the Death of his be-
lov'd Daughter TULLIA, a Lady of extraor-
dinary learning and merits. CICERO, tho*
the moft eminent philofopher, politician, and
orator in the world, wras not proof agamft
the firft impreflions of this misfortune : where-
fore all the men of parts and quality that
knew him, either came or fent to comfort
him. MARCUS BRUTUS fent him a confola-
tory Letter, which CICERO himfelf frequent-
ly commends 5 but it is fince unhappily loft.
Lucius LUCCEIUS wrote another to him 5
JULIUS CXSAR one, and at laft he wrote a
Confolation to himfelf : but the only one
remaining is that of SERVIUS SULPITIUS,
which I here fubjoin for your perufal, wifh*
ing you long life and an uninterrupted hap-
pinefs,
SERVIUS SUL PITIUS
/>. , t\ r , «.
T O
MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO.
WH E N I was inform'd of your Daugh-
ter TULLIA'S Death, I took it, as I
ought, moft grievoufly and heavily, efteem-
ing
L E T T E R S,
ing it a common calamity. And if I had
been there at that time, I had neither been
wanting to you, nor yet have forborn to ex-
prefs my grief in your prefence. Tho' this
kind of Confolation be miferable and diffi-
cult, becaufe the relations and acquaintance,
who ought to afford it, are themfelves af-
flided with the fame forrow, and cannot
endeavour to do it without many tears 5 info-
much that they may feem rather to want
being comforted by others, than to be able
to perform this good office to any elfe : not-
withftanding, what things offer themfelves at
prefent to my mind I determin'd to write to
you briefly > not that I think you ignorant
of them, but that being hindred by your
grief you may perhaps obferve 'em the lefs.
Wherefore then fhould you be mov'd at
that rate by your private forrovv > Confider
how fortune has dealt with us hitherto : and
how all thofe things are taken away from
us, which ought not to be lefs dear to men
than their children ; I mean our Country, our
Reputation, our Dignity, and all our Ho-
nors ? What could be added then to our
affliction by this one misfortune > or how can
a mind difquieted with thefe things not grow
callous, and fet a lower value on all other
matters ? But if (as I fuppofe) you lament her
cafe, how often muft you have hit on this
thought, and I have not feldom done it, that
in thefe times their fate is not the worfly
X 4 who
328 LETTERS.
who may without much pain exchange their
life for death ? Now, what was it that could
fo greatly invite her to live at this time?
what thing? what expectation? what plea-
fure of mind ? Is it that fhe might fpend her
days in marriage with any of the principal
youth ? as I believe a perfon of your figure
may pick and chufe a fon-in-law among our
young men, to whofe care you might fafe-
ly commit your daughter. Or is it that flic
might bear children, whom fhe would rejoice
to fee in their prime ? who could wifely pre-
ferve the eftate receiv'd from their parents ?
who fhould in their turns ftand candidates
for honorable pofts in the government ? who
fhould make ufe of their liberty in the fer-
vice of their friends ? Now, which of all
thefe was not taken away before it was given ?
But you'll fay it is a misfortune to lofe our
Children. A misfortune indeed, if it be not
worft to be always affli&ed and fuffering on
this account. What afforded me no fmall
confolation I fhall impart to you ; for per-
haps the fame thing may contribute to di-
minifli your grief. In my return from Afia,
as I faird from ^Egina towards Megara I be-
gun to view all the regions on every hand
of me 5 behind me was ^Egina, Megara be-
fore me, on my right hand Pirxus, and
Corinth on my left 5 which cities were once
in a moft flourifhing ftate, tho'now they lye
(catter'd, and mangl'd in ruins before you,
F Thus
LETTERS. 329
Thus I begun therefore to meditate with ray
felf : Alas ! why Jhould we poor men be dif-
pleasd that any of our number dyes or is kiUd,
whofe life is naturally jhort 5 when the car-
caff es of (o many cities lye expos din one place !
*Do thou therefore refrain thy felf, O Servius,
and remember thou art born a man. .Believe
nie, I was not a little confirmed by this
thought. Do you like wife, if it feems good,
let the fame thing before your eyes. Late-
ly fo many famous perfons were deftroy'd at
once; befides our Empire is fo greatly di-
minifli'd 5 all the Provinces are fhaken, and
arc you fo vehemently difturb'd at the death
of one woman, who, if fhe had not depart-
ed now, muft have dy'd notwithftanding with-
in a few years, feeing fhe was born of hu-
man race ?
Recall therefore your mind from thefe
things to the knowledge of your felf, and
rather remember thofe matters that are be-
coming your perfon 5 namely, that fhe liv'd
as long as it was needful for her, and ex-
pir'd together with the Commonwealth : that
ihe faw you her father, a Prastor, a Conful,
an Augur : that fhe was marry 'd to a couple
of our hopefulleft young Gentlemen : that flie
had enjoy 'd almoft every good thing in the
world : and left this life when our govern-
ment was deftroy'd. What is it then where-
in you or fhe can in this refped complain
of fortune \ Finally, do not forget that you
are
330 LETTERS;
are CICERO, and he that was wont to com-
fort and advife others : nor imitate bad Phy-
ficians, who profefs great skill in the dif-
cafes of others, and cannot cure themfelves ;
but rather call to your mind and propofe to
your felf, what you are accuftom'd in the
like cafes to prefcribe other people.
There is no grief but length of tima di-.
minifhes and foftens j but for you to expedt fuch
a time, and not rather find a remedy for this
matter from your own prudence, is unwor-
thy. But if the very dead have any fenfe of
our condition, fuch was the love fhe bore
you, and her piety towards all her relations,
that fhe requires none of your tears. Be
rul'd then by your dead child ; by the ' reft
of your friends and acquaintance, who are
griev'd for your fake ; grant this favour to
your country, that if there be any occafion,
it may ufe thy affiftance and advice : and laftr
ly, fince our hard fortune is fuch, and that
we muft aft this complying part, do not fuf-
fer that any fhould fufpeft it is not fo much
your Daughter, as the bad times of the Com-
monwealth, and the viftory of the oppofitq
faction, that afflifts you,
I'm afham'd to write any more to you on
this fubjed, left I fhould feem to diftruft
your wifdom : wherefore, after offering you
this one particular, I fhall make an end of
writing. We faw you fometimes bear your
profperou*
LETTERS: m
profperous fortune excellently well, which
procured you great commendations: let us
now then be convinc'd that you can equally
bear adverfity, and that it feems no heavier
burden to you than it ought ^ leaft of all
virtues you fliould appear to want this fin-
gle one. As for my felf, when I know that
you enjoy more tranquillity of mind, I fhall
acquaint you with the tranfadtions of this
place, and the condition of our Province.
Farewell.
ANTHONIO VAN DALE
S. P. D.
JO. T O L A N D U
NO N pofiiim, vir celeberrime, non pof-
fum non te etiam atque etiam monere
quanti ingenium & fludia tua Temper fecerim,
nee quidem, ut frequenter evenire aflblet,
minuit praefentia famam : nam qux in te fum-
mopere elucent virtutes ; mira fcilicet comi-
tas, exquifitiffima doftrina, veritatis inda-
gandx defiderium cum libertatis tuendae ftu-
dio conjunftum, te mihi (quod vix poflibile
credebam fieri) chariorem adhuc multo red-
diderunt. Pergas ergo, Archasologorum quot
Jimt quotvc erunt doftiflime, iifdem tibi
conciliare
33* LETTERS.
conciliarc modis omnes ingenues, bonos, &
cordatos : herculeo nitaris labore horrenda
fuperftitionis in lucem pertrahere monftra, dc
non ferendum excutere focerdotale jugum :
demonftres non ovum ovo fimilius effe, quam
fe invicem referunt facratce recentium & anti-
quorum, quibus popello illudunt & imperi-
tant, artes, fraudes, ftrophx : fac videant ip-
fi hebetioris acuminis homines nullo pafto
in mirandis fabulis, horrendis ambagibus, vel
reconditis myfteriis, fed in vera virtute & folida
fcientia,fitum effe fummum mortaliumbonum:
Hi mores i h#c duri immota Catonis
SeEta fuit, Jervare modum^ finemque tueri,
Naturamque fequi> patriteqtte imfendere
vitam,
Necjibi, fed toti genitum fe credere mundo.
Ut breviter dicam, fruatur quam cito litera-
tus orbis aureis illis, quos de Romanorum &
GrxcorumSacerdotiis elaborafti tradlatibus: nee
Jongius, quam par eft, expeftentur fecundae me-
liorefque de Oraculis curx, quibus evulgandis
non magis tibi alias conterraneos meos de-
vincire poteris.
Altero meo hofpiti, viro digniffimo Domi-
no DROSTIO, grates ago innumeras ob tot in
me favores congeftos, & quos ut bene fentio
non mereri me potuiffe, fie doleo. Com-
mendatum me habeas, qucefo, tarn forma
quam ingenio prxftantiffim» virgini, Domi-
ng
LETTERS. 333
nx mese COLARTI^, maximo Harlemi fimul
& naturx miraculo. Inter pretiofiffima repo-
nam cimelia, quibus beare me dignata eft mu-
nufcula 5 etft adhuc vix mihi perfuadere pof-
fum de veritate rerum earum quas tamen in
dubio mihi revocare non licet, quarum-
que propriis auribus & oculis cxperimentum
accepi.
Per literasquas hie ex Anglia accepi, intel-
ligo Comitcm PORTLANDS hue certiifime
venturum, Regem manere domi hac seftate, nu-
merofam parari claffem, Gallos nequaquam
timendos, & Parliamentum noftrum in proxi-
mum annum efle prorogatum ut noftri lo-
quuntur. Vale.
Nobiliflimo Domino
JO. TOLANDO
A. VAN DALE S. R D.
ME tibi percharum efle maxime guadco.
At fuffundis me tantis elogiis, quibus
me minimedignum fentio, maximo pudore.
Sumo tamen ilia pro humaniflima admoni-
tione ; ut coner talia, per qux, fi non laude,
certe venia doftis ac cordatis viris dignus
videar. O fi liceret cum talibus, qualis tu
nobiliflime vir es, tranfigere mihi vitam !
Nunc vivo, ubi dum bene facere ftudeo,
3 male
334 LETTERS;
male tamen audio, unius ob noxam & faci"
nus Ajacis Oilei. ^ BEKKERUS nempc mihi
amicus fuit. Ccrte fi jam non fen ex eflem,
ac non uxoratus, mihiq; fatis honefta ac
qua fatis commode fubfiftere queam, oblata
efiet in Anglia conditio, ibi vobifcum vi-
vere ac mori liberet. Hie nullus eruditis
honos : aut fi aliquis adhuc fit, folis illis ob-
tigit, qui fumma cum patientia (licet fimul
fummo cum taedio) fervitutis pignus ferre de-
dicerunt, adulationiq; illorum, qui ipfis lon-
ge pejores funt fe bene afiuefcere valent.
Novellas, quas mihi fcripfifti, pergratae funt*
At hie Harpocrati litandum; nifi apud tales,
qualis tu nobiliff. vir, ac DROSTIUS noften
Reperies tamen & Amftelodami Nicodemi-
tas. Ejufmodi moribus quippe hie nobis vi-
vendum $ nifi quibus ita vivere licet, ut aliis
non indigcant. Ego interim, dum adulari
nefcio, tacitus fata mea fero 5 mihiq; magis
magifq; circa talia impero. Verum plura de
hifce coram, cum per diem unum aut alterum
adhuc fimul vivere licebit.
Perilluftri GR^EVIO, ut commendes me
ficut defidero, ita nullus dubito.
Vale interim optime virorum : atq ; ut jam
coepifti, me amare pergas.
Harlemiii
Pcril^
LETTERS. 3ii
Perilluftri eruditione viro
GEORGIO JOANNI GR^EVIO
'• ^;.;T;;: s. p. D. '•;?(.
A. VAN DALE M. D.
QUOD dudum volueram, fed vix tan-
dem aufus fum, id jam occafione hac
captata faccre inftituo, ut te fcilicet fuper
ftudiis meis confulam. Cum itaque vellet
ad te tranfvolare nobiliflimus Anglus Jo. To-
LANDUS, oneravi ipfum meis nugis ad te fie
perferendis. Non ipfum, celeberrime vir, tibi
commendo^ quod neminis commendatione
indigeat : ipfe enim fibi eft optima ac maxi-
ma commendatio 5 at volo me per ipfum tibi
commendari.
Verum ut ad rem accedam, eft mihi nunc,
poft facra Taurobolia, fub manibus traftatus
illis fubneftendus de Sacerdotiis, aliifque mu-
neribus gT^vo^oi^ apud Grascos : qua occafio-
ne mihi plufquam centum Infcriptiones Gras-
cas partim explicandae, partim illuftrandas, par-
tim confulendx aut perpendenda: veniunt ^
circa quas ut mihi plures occurrunt difficul-
tates, fie tu mihi, celeber. vir, fuper una at-
que altera confuleudus es,
3 Ad
336 LETTERS;4
Ad te igitur, ut ad commune eruditorum
oraculum confugio : nee tarn xifya, atque ob-
fcura, quam ilia fuerunt qux ex Apollinis
opertis prodibant, expefto. In ifta igitur In-
fcriptione apud SPONIUM/'. 356. n. 99. occur-
rit nobis primum d^i^vg T£*CflMrcAe#v, quod
fateor me non intelligere : unde ad Hierapo-
lim mihi confugiendum hie videtur^ atque
ita reponere velim fy<wreArr«v, quod videre
mini videar,fi non ex STRABONE atqueSTEpHA-
NO, VITRUVIO ac PLINO, certe ex hac Infcrip-
tione illam ad Sardianos pertinuiffej cum idem
L. J. BONNATUS, de quo hie mentio/ fimul
*Ap%itptv$ £ 'A<riag r cv Av^/c& Hctphavav, fuerit.
Secundo, mihi moleftias creat ille dywQ&'vrvig
Sia^iav, quern quoque non capio, nifi ad Gla-
diatores Diarios referendus fit. Nofti, optime
vir, quam multa vocabula Latina nobis in
Graecis infcriptionibus occurrant, ut ^goMpgi$tf>
?a,£xhd()i@*, <fi(>ci1yif> tlfBtfaf, & nefcio qux non
alia. Sic ergo crediderim rug hayixg fuifle
Gladiatores ipfps, qui certo die a Caefaribus
dato depugnabant : atque eo refpicere non
folimi earn infcriptionem quae a LIPSIO /. i.
Saturnal. producitur ; fed & illam quae a
GRUTERO p. 475. n. 3. exhibetur. Familias au-
tem Gladiatorum fuos procuratores, & minc-
rarios, & wh&fj&ft adeoque & dyavoS'iT&g ha-
buiffe, acque fere atque athletas, mihi ex in-
fcriptionibus perfuadeo.
Plura client mihi quidem proponenda fu-
per aliis 5 at naufeam meis nugis tibi creare
non
LETTERS. 337
non audeo. Si videro hxc non nimis ingra-
ta fuifle, proponam quoque qux, cum fupcr
aliis, turn fuper Archibucolo'Dei Liber iy turn
fuper Sacerdote Cereris Gr^eca^ turn deniquc
qux fuper pluribus aliis concepi. Vellem
namque cum minimo meo dcdecore talia, nee
nimis cruda, in orbem literarium protrudere.
Atque, utinam mihi prxfenti te confulere li-
ceret ! verum hie mihi fubfiftendum, ne tibi
nimis ob nugas meas txdio fiam. Hoc tamen
addam, Oracula mea nunc iterum fub Bomii
prxlo, non fudare, fed frigere, ac quidem
v?tpov wjMTtfM : prior enim Diflertatio agit de
origine ac progreffu, feu potius de auftori-
bus Oraculorum ; pofterior vero de ip forum
duratione atque interitu. Vale interim, ce-
leberrime vir , atque hoc temporis tui dif-
pendium mihi, quxfo, benigne condones,
dum tuus ex animo ilcuti femper permaneo,
Harlemi, 24 Maii, 1699.
T O
Mr.
London^ June 16, 1 705%
SIR,
Y the difcourfe we had together laft
week, I find you have lain under the
fame miftake with many others in relation
to my circumftances 5 tar I do no lefs po-
Y fitively-
S5S LETTERS.
fitively than fmcerely afifure you, that in my
whole life, I had no relation whatfoever
to my Lord SOMERS or my Lord HALIFAX,
that I have no perfonal obligations to either
of them, nor ever entered into any manner
of tranfaftions with themfelves or on their
behalf, either here at home, or any where
abroad. As to my Politics, I ever was and
will be for a free Government againft what
is arbitrary and defpotic, which is to fay,
that I prefer Handing and indifferent Laws to
the uncertain and byaft will of any Prince.
But concerning the feveral forms of free Go-
vernment (which are all good in their kinds,
tho' not all equally fo) I juftly think our own
mixt Conftitution to be the beft that is now
extant any where. With thefe fentiments
I came abroad into the world $ but as no
body's born infpir'd, fo I am not afham'd to
own, that I had not fo much wifdom and dif-
cretion, as I had fmcerity and zeal, in the
management of my opinions. I thought
every body meant what they faid as well as
my felf ; and therefore in the moft public
manner I promoted the party I had efpous'd,
without once confidering that their adver-
faries wou'd all very naturally become my
enemies; nor did I take any care to ballance
that oppofition by procuring potent friends
el fe where. Bef\des what I wrote my felf, I
likewifepublifh'dthe Lives andWorks of HAR-
RINGTON and MILTON, with fome other Au-
thors > and tho' I profeft not to agree with
them
LETTERS, 339
them in every thing (efpecially in their De-
mocratical Schemes of Government) yet in
general they greatly contributed to beget in
the minds of men, as the effed has fhewn,
an ardent love of liberty, and an extreme
averfion to arbitrary power. This was reckoned
a public fervice, but rewarded only with the
public applaufes of fuch as approved the un-
dertaking 5 while the other fide had the moft
fpecious pretext imaginable to reprefent me,
what yet in their fenfe I was not, a moft vio-
lent Republican.
But, SIR, you'll fcarce conceive my fur-
prize, when by degrees I begun to difcover,
that certain perfons, of whom I hitherto en-
tertain'd a high opinion, meant nothing by
the Public but themfelves 5 and my wonder
was yet greater when I perceiv'd fo many o-
thers, wifer and abler than thefe, contentedly
become the mean tools of their avarice or am-
bition, being their exchange or coffee-houfe
heralds, and the trumpeters of their praifes
in all public meetings. This made me quick-
ly diftinguifh between men and things, be-
tween profeffions and performances 5 and it
remained no longer a myftery to me, why they
were fonder of imp loy ing and preferring foot-
men, bankrupts, poets, players, and pettyfog-
gers, than men of family, learning, ability,
or virtue : becaufe the firft wou'd not fcru-
ple to do unexamin'd, what the laft might re-
je£t with deteftation or contempt, and ne-
Y z
340 LETTER S.
ver come under fuch engagements as the
others wou'd be fare both to promife and
to perform 5 befides that they cou'd not bear
any rivals to their reputed capacity, which
made 'em difcountenance the beft fpirits of
their own party. Three or four Bills in Par-
liament did quite take the fcales from my
eyes. And who, I pray, cou'd endure to
hear any Whigs oppofe the Judge's Bill, the
Triennial Bill, the Bill for regulating Tryals
in cafes of High Treafon, and fuch like?
when in the preceding Reigns they loudly
caird for thefe, as the very Laws of Nature,
wherein they were moft certainly in the right.
Their reafons againft thefe excellent Statutes
were worfe than even their oppofition, as if
the Whigs only ought to enjoy the bene-
fit of wholefome regulations, and as if the
Tories might reafonably fuffer under brib'd
Judges and perpetual Parliaments. As a judg-
ment of God, the Tories might juftly come
under thefe punifliments for promoting them
formerly againft others, without confidering
how another time (as it happened) it might be
their own turn to feel the fmart of fuch feveri-
tiesi but this partiality was ftrangely unbe-
coming the Whigs, who by their conftant
principles ought to be patrons of the Liber-
ty of mankind. I was not a little fcanda-
liz'd to find 'em, when all other colours fail'd,
pretend they were againft thefe Laws, becaufe
the Tories were for 'em, to ferve their own
purpofes : for 'tis no matter who is for a good
thing,
LETTERS. 341
thing, nor for what ends, provided the thing
it felf be truly ufeful and neceffary ; tho' no ex-
cufe is to be made for men of good princi-
ples to appear for a bad thing , efpecially if
they clearly perceive the ill of it, and have
fo declared it themfelves before.
The bufinefs of the (landing Army finifh'd
all, tho' I am far from being againft an Ar-
my whenever our circumftances indifpenfa-
bly require it. By that time I underftood fo
much of men and things, as moft plainly to
fprefee that the endeavouring to gain that
dangerous and invidious point, wou'd in the
minds of the people quite ruin the credit of
the Whig-Miniftry. For this, I own, I was
not forry $ but I was afraid that thro* their
fides the caufe of Liberty wou'd fuffer, as very
manifeftly it did. Neverthelefs thofe per-
fons, in order to make their own court and
fortunes, did violently infill on that matter,
fo difpleafing to the nation, and fo direftly
oppqfite to their own declared principles and
profeffion. It became the very teft (as they
wou'd have it) of Whig and Tory, when
they were all Whigs that wrote againft it,
tho' I will not fay, they all had the fame views,
no more thain all the Tories in oppofing it in
Parliament 5 but, as others are convinced that
this controverfy ferv'd more truly for a teft
to difcover the infide of thofe quack Minifters,
and their worthlefs Tools, and to undeceive
fchofe who before this time had more favou-
Ys rabk
34* LETTERS.
rable thoughts of both, but now call'd their
ability in queftion no lefs than their integri-
ty. What changes, what Parliaments, what
meafures enfu'd, you well know, and all
thinking men did exped. Yet fo enrag'd
were thefe undertakers at their furprizing
difappointment, that they never forgave thofe
Whigs, who had the honefty and firmnefs to
adhere to their old principles. Uncertain
men they call'd fuch as they durft not irri-
tate too much -y and thofe they had lefs rea-
fon to fear (among which I had the misfor-
fortune to be one) they either branded for
Tories among the credulous herd, or repre-
fented as men of none or unfettl'd principles,
and all were unfettl'd that \wou'd not go thro*
ftitch. Neither of thefe chre to be ever par-
don'd for rendring their hopeful pro) efts ab-
ortive. However I am forry they are fuch
bad Chriftians as not to forgive real or imagi-
nary offences againft them , or fuch bad POT
liticians as to think themfelves infallible, in-
capable of committing any errors or miftakes,
and not as liable as others to the revcrfes
of fortune, which may occafion the want of
ufcful friends. Yet to this hour they cannot
difcern their friends from their flatterers, but
profecute the former with all the contumely
and ill offices they are capable. And, be-
lieve me, SIR, this perverfe difpofition makes
hundreds of Whigs to defire that, however
thefe Gentlemen fet up for Liberty (which
they wilh long to continue) yet they may
neve*
[LETTER S. 343
never be the guardians of it : and 'tis but
natural that they fhou'd endeavour to keep
the power out of thofe hands who have the
will to hurt them 5 efpecially fmce there
are fo many fit and able perfons in the Na-
tion, under all diftinftions, who never ap-
proved of their maxims or practices (fome of
which are lately employed, as the Duke of
NEWCASTLE and others,) men who were
cither never tainted with notions of arbi-
trary Power, or at lead were never ingaged in
arbitrary Proceedings ; and who are moft
unlikely to be feduc'd or corrupted hereafter
by reafon of their great quality, plentiful
fortunes, and honeft principles.
But, leaving fuch Affairs to her Majefty's
wifdom, I proceed to tell you, SIR, that the
perfevering Whigs on the other hand, were
always ready to prefer the public good to their
private refentments 5 nay, they were con-
tent to wink at thofe needy Minifter's indi-
ted methods of fcraping for eftates at home,
fo long as to fecure them they wou'd be zea-
lous and vigorous againft our enemies abroad :
and therefore when the caufe of Whiggifm
was thought to be attacked in thofe Gentle-
men's perfons, they cordially defended thorn
againft the profecution of their enemies;
Avhich fervice they did *em with more fuc-
cefs, I am fure with a better grace than their
fworn creatures and mercenary dependents.
The thanks that I in particular had for my
Y 4 pain$
LETTERS;
pains, was to be moft falfly reprefented by
them not only at home but abroad 5 at the
fame time that I was exhorted by my real
friends to forget all perfonal injuries, and
not to complain, if I fhould not think fit
to commend. The Tories were againft me
of courfe ; and I cannot blame the Jacobites
for being ib, if any reafons can be given to
juftify the defence of a bad Caufe. But
thofe who pafs for Tories, without being
Jacobites, are perfectly mifinform'd about
me, and if they knew how I reprefented them
at Hanover, and in Holland, as being really
for the Succeflion, and in what matters I was
of opinion they deferv'd to be oblig'd, they
wou'd undoubtedly believe me no enemy
of theirs, how little I might thereby be-
friend my felf : for words are but wind (as
they fay) and therefore names go for nothing
with me, where men's aftions demonftrate
'em to be true Englifhmen; fince healing of
breaches, and enlarging the foundation, ought
to be only 4 good Countryman's defign. But
fuch a temper in any man is what certain
great peribns deteft above all things, becaufc
they can only hope to make a confiderable fi-
gure in forne narrow-bottom'd fadion ; where*
as in a conjunction of all who agree in the Pro-
teftant Religion and Succeflion (however they
may difagree in fuch trivial matters as forms
or ceremonies) their tinfel abilities wou'd be
qnickly obfcur'd by the fhining merit andfo-
lid worth of very many Gentlemen in al.i
parties. From
LETTERS; 345
From thefe fevcral Confiderations you may
eafily infer, that in the firft year of her Ma-
jefty's reign, being a ftranger abroad and friend-
lefs at home, I muft needs have been in a
very uncertain condition, were not the high-
born perfons, under whofe protection I then
liv'd, proof againft $11 mifreprefentations, and
that they judg'd of things from their own
knowledge and not by the paffions of
others, to which they are not (o great ftran-
gers as they are thought or wou'd feem. Twas
happy for me, they had this generous difpo-
fition : for at one and the fame time I had
a Tory Secretary of State writing Letters
againft me to foreign Courts as Agent to
the Whigs, if not obnoxious to the Laws;
and certain leading Whigs were perfuading
the fame Princes that I was Mr. HARLEY'S
Creature, which was a higher crime by far
than being a Tory. But I proteft to you,
SIR, by all that's awful, that 1 have not fpoke
one word to Mr. HARLEY, norreceiv'd one
Letter or Meffage from him, nor fent any
to him, fmce King WILLIAM died. And
in this particular I frankly confefs, that
from prudential confiderations I afted by
conftraint againft my own judgment, I
mean in breaking off converfation and cor-
refpondence with a perfon of fignal abilities,
and excellent learning, by whom a man
in my circumftances cou'd mightily improve,
$s before I freely acknowledge to have
done. But this affe&ed ftrangenefs was mere-
546 LETTERS.
ly to prevent the vile afperfions of others
cither againft him or my felf, which yet
I was not able to accomplish : tho' 1 did as
little approve as any whatfoever fuch things,
if any there were, as I thought in Mr. HAR-
LEY might proceed from private refent-
ments to the detriment of the public Good.
Yet I wholly did and do approve the fenfe
he then had of our corrupt Miniftry, and
thank him for the ftrenuous efforts he made
to diflblvc it. But, in the mean while, I find
my condition to be like that of your coquet
Ladies, who taft all the bitter of the fcandal
without enjoying any of the fweets of the
fin. I paft for Mr. HARLEY'$ friend, when
he was oppofed by the Court, and now that
he's in power I'm informed that by the fugget
tion of certain Scots and a Dutchman, he
takes me for his enemy ; tho' his real un-
forgiving enemies will have me ftill to bq
his favorite, and oppofe me now op. that
xvery fcore.
With relation to another very great man,
the Duke of MARLBOROUGH ; I own that
having known nothing of him but by the
report of others, and being milled by ap*
pearances of a conjunction between him and
the mod violent Tories, from whence I rea-
fonably apprehended danger to the Succef-
fton in the beginning of this reign, I gave
my felf in Holland, at Berlin and elfewherc
fome liberties in fpeech, for which upon
better
LETTERS: 347
better information I have amply aton'd, do-
ing him all the juftice poffible wherever I
had injur'd him. And fince his Grace has per-
form'd fuch extraordinary fervices for his
Country (which have contributed not only
to reconcile and endear him to all true pa-
triots, but alfo to undeceive all well-mean-
ing, tho' miftaken perfons 5 and that his
aftions are an effectual demonftration of his
good intentions to the Succeflion, whereof
the Court of Hanover it felf never doubt-
ed) he has the means in his power of difcern-
ing the fmcerity of all who pretend to ho-
nor his worth ; considering efpecially the
open enmity and fcurrilous ufage he meets
at prefent from many, who were his Flatte-
rers and pad for his Admirers before. The
very ground of their carefles (as their beha-
viour undeniably proves) was a prefum'd
averfion in his Grace to the Proteftant Suc-
ceffion of the Houfe of Hanover, which they
were far from making a fecret till this laft
year, when their faireft hopes were fo happily
and fo glorioufly defeated,
As for my Lords N*** and R*** (for
J am refolv'd to be fo plain and particular,
as not to trouble you with a fecond Letter
on this fubjeft) the firft had a perfonal pique
againft me, the Miniftry of the fecond was
dreaded abroad yet more than at home, and
I am fo averfe to the Defigns of both the men,
that there was no fricndlhip or favour to be
3 expected
348 LETTERS:
expefted from that quarter, and fo none wa*
ever defir'd. To fay it then in a word, my
fupport has beeji owing to the generofity
and efteem of the Earl of SHAFTSBURY, and
certain other worthy perfons at home, to-
gether with fome help from Germany; and
not in whole or in part deriv'd from my
Lord SOMERS, Lord HALIFAX, or any other
Minifters. The Duke of NEWCASTLE has
been my true friend 5 and, fince I had the
honor to be known to his Grace, h$ has been
conftantly infufir^g into me fentiments of
peace and moderation, the profoundeft re-
fpe£t for the Queen's Majcfty and Govern-
ment, ^n4 a largenefs of foul towards all
denominations of Englifhmen, that wou'd
agree in the fupport of her Title and the
Jegal Succeflion, notwithftandmg any dif-
ference of opinion in other matters, whether
of Church or State. To this difpofition ex-
perience had already brought me without his
honeft advice, and if enabl'd, I fhall make it
plainly appear in the whole conduct of my
life.
Thus I have given you, SIR, the true rea-
fons why I have not been hitherto put into
any Employment, nor ever yet fu'd for one
to any Party. Whether it be a vanity to
own it, I know not, but it wou'd certainly
be a falfe modefty to conceal it from you,
that I thought my felf negleded and ill-ufed
by the Whig-Minifters (as they were cali'd)
\yhich
LETTERS. 349
which without all queftion has begot fuita-
ble refentments againft their perfons, but no
diflike of the Caufe in which they pretend
to be ingag'd, which is the caufe of human
nature, and confequently mine as well as
theirs. You need not wonder therefore any
longer that I made no application (fince they
fay I was never deny'd) where the terms im-
ported to become a tool at leaft, and what
the moft is I forbear now to mention. But
I was once fo fenfible of their unworthy
treatment, that I digefted the heads of a Pa-
per, which I intended to call Advice to the
Whigs againft the time they are next in
power, wherein I wou'd fhew the true Whigs
the feveral flights and failings of thofe Gen-
tlemen, what a difcredit they brought there-
by on the Party and danger to Liberty 5 that
they were the occafion of any difaffefted per-
fon's getting into the Adminiftration, and that
they were by no means fit to head a Party,
tho' they might be proper enough to pro-
mote or undermine one : in the fervice I
think they ought always to be kept, and
therefore to be always fed in hopes. But I
made no progrefs to reduce that Paper into
method, and God knows if ever I do : for
all I have repeated and much more I cou'd
forgive, tho' not be able to forget, provided
the peace of my Country required it.
The prefent Lord Treafurer is a perfon I
never offended in word or writing, tho' in
5 the
LETTER 5.
the Art of governing by 'Parties, which 1
wrote fome years ago, I have fhortly but
juftly charaderiz'd all the other great men
(with fome more) I have, nam'd in this Let-
ter, except Mr. HARLEY. This, you may be
fure, cou'd not proceed from a forefight of
his being one day, as he is at prefent,
firft Minifterj but is a pure effed of his
merit in the difcharge of his truft as a
public perfon j for in all other refpeds he's
to me a perfed Granger, tho' neither the
name nor imputation of any Party cou'd pre-
judice me againft him, according to the part
I have a good while aded, which is reckon-
ed lukewarm by the pretended Whigs 5 and
yet moft violent by the worft Tories, but
in time, perhaps, may be wee verfa. Now,
tho' I never yet did fo to any other, yet to
him I find my felf moft readily difpos'd to
apply in any manner, that he {hall think me
fit to ferve the Queen or himfelf 5 for I am
certain before hand, that it will be on fuch a
foot as is agreeable to my principles, and for
the particular benefit of the Succeflion. Tho'
they have done whatever they cou'd to ruin me
in all people's opinion, yet I commend the
meafures his Lordfliip takes with thofe abdi-
cated Minifters; but then let him always
remember the late Lord SUNDERLAND, and
confider whether they did not owe more to
him, notwithftanding their ungrateful re-
turns, for which, however, they have deferv-
cdly fmartcd ever fince. Neither am I appre-
henfive
LETTERS. 351
henfive that fo wife a man fhould receive
hafty impreffions againft me as being too
open, when I had no fecrets to keep, or bu-
finefs to manage 3 nor as being too bookifh,
when I had no other employment for my
thoughts or time, notwithftanding the artful
infinuations of certain people in the world.
'Tis but putting me to the tryai. And might
my own advice be heard in an affair that
concerns me fo nearly, I wou'd not defire
any public eftablifhment for fome time, 'till
my Patron had got experience of my fitnefs
and ability, as well as that I might have an
opportunity of curing certain prejudices in
others which have done me much differvice,
and which I never endeavour'd to prevent,
becaufe it was never worth my while. Youli
wonder all this time, that I have not mention-
ed the Church which is fo much exafperated
againft me 5 but as that is indeed the heavieft ar-
ticle, and the leaft cxcufable, being matter of
pure fpeculation, yet 'tis undoubtedly the eafi-
eft conquer'd, and I know the infallible me-
thod of doing it : but of this in particular a-
mong our felves.
I wou'd therefore go at prefent to Ger-
many, as before I intended by encouragement
from thence, and keep a conftant weekly
correfpondence with his Lordfhip, not only
according to his Inftru&ions, but likewife as
to all Obfervations of my own, Ifhou'd think
deferving his curiofity or notice. I Ihou'd
remain fometimes at Berlin, or Caflel, or Def-
fau,
as* LETTERS;
fau, that it might not be faid I was more at
Hanover than elfewhere, or that I was fent
by any man or party thither; but my intereft
there is fo good, and they have fuch an opi-
nion of my diligence and affedion, that
when abfent I fhou'd know all that paft there
and cou'd communicate what I thought fit
to them from other places, as well as when
I found it convenient to be upon the fpot.
This I fancy wou'd be of fome advantage
both for the Queen's fervice and theirs, and
the fecret fhall be kept by me inviolable, fo
long as it (hall be thought neceffary fo to do j
for I have pretences enough to go into that
Country on my own account, as to make
an ampler Defcription of it, or for any other
plaufible intent. For my Appointment, I fhall
be well content that it be paid me quarterly,
and that it be continued no longer than I
lhall be judg'd to defer ve the fame or a better.
Whether fuch a perfon, SIR, who is nei-
ther Minifter nor Spy, and as a lover of Learn-
ing will be welcome every where, may not
prove of extraordinary ufe to my Lord Trea-
furer as well as to his predeceffor BURLEIGH
who employed fuch, I leave his Lordfliip and you
to confider. As for the fervice and gratitude I
Ihou'd owe to his family no lefs than to himfelf,
they are better underftood than expreft $ fince it
is not words but deeds that muft do the latter,
and that there can be no deeds without an op-
portunity. My friends on t'other fide of the
Sea
LETTERS.
Sea wifti me impatiently there ; and even ia
my Lord N ***'s time, notwithftanding his
Memorials, the Eledrefs proferr'd to do fome-
thing for me in a public manner, were I
but recommended by any confiderable per-
fons, as I'll fhew you by exprefs Letters : for
five believ'd (and I fuppofe not without rea-
fon) that I was ftrangely mifreprefented to
the Queen, with whom fhe juftly defir'd, as
flie ever will do, to be upon the beft terms
(he cou'd, and fo durft do nothing openly in
my behalf. Neverthelefs, her Royal High-
nefs knew better than any body that it was
impoffible I fliould not be moft hearty for her
Majefty's Title and Government, or be per-
fe&ly inconfiftent and the falfeft creature in
the world to my own principles, and regard-
lefs of that Succeffion for which I profeft fo
much zeal, and which I had publifli'd to the
world as the greateft happinefs, not only to
England, but to the liberty of Europe in ge-
neral. I can make no other apology for the
length of this Letter, but that it faves you
the trouble of many more, and that in a nar-
rower compafs I cou'd not give a full and
fatisfadory anfwer to all your Queftions,
which yet may be all reduc'd to thefe two,
why I was not employ'd before, and how I
wou'd be employ'd at prefent?
I am, SIR,
your moft oblig d and humble fervant,
VOL. 11 Z T O
•tot ' ;
354 LETTERS.
SolS^tS^1 .*,..,.'
•m if _^» A£» _>lx
f\/| 1* '/v '/v '/v*
ivir.
December 14, 170$*.
SIR,
ALL this time I have been a filent but
not an idle Spectator. Publick matters
go exa&ly according to my wifhes, and not
otherwife than I expe&ed from this Miniftry,
which (I hope) in the principal fupports and
fprings of it is inviolably united : and then
the ornamental or fubfervient parts may be
alter'd or amended at leifure. It is no fmali
iatisfa&ion to me, that the judgment of the
:£>ueen, the Parliament, and the Miniftry, do
fo unanimoufly concur with the Book, which
(under your protection) I have publifh'd for
their fervicej and which has met with all
the fiiccefs and reputation that any Author
cou'd^vifli, tho* he had declar'd his name, as
I have been far from doing even to thofe I
have dbiig'd. It had the honour to be at-
tributed by good judges to feveral eminent
perfons, and among the ifcft to you 5 where
it had moft certainly fix'd, were it not for
the Charafter given therein of your felf, in
which particular, the world believ'd that
you wou'd be lefs juft and more referv'd, than
any of your fervants, friends, or admirer*.
Among perfons of an inferior rank I have
nam'd (as I understand) by many 5 but,
3 for
LETTERS. 555
for want of good information, 'twas always
with fome doubting, wherein I am ftill de-
termin'd to leave 'em. As for any thing in
the Book not juft according to your fenti-
ments, which perhaps may happen in a point
or two, you'll have the goodnefs to confider
that I wanted opportunity to confult you
perfonally , for doubtlefs your Ipecial Di-
re&ions, or the honour of your Conver-
fation at leifure hours, wou'd have made it
another guefs piece 5 I having finifh'd it in
a very few days , without any to advife me
but Mr. P * * *> being in the country, and not
mafter of time enough to polilh the very
language.
Now, SIR, I have fotm'd another Defign,
which may be as feafonable, ufeful, and
neceffary as the firftj and therefore as well
for that, as for fome Other reafons, I hum-
bly and earneftly beg the favour of one half
hour's Difcourfe with you, wherever or in
what manner you pleafe to appoint 5 for I
can come by water, or at any time in the
night. I wou'd not give you any trouble of
this kind, while my friend Mr. P * * * was
abfent, that I might not be oblig'd to make
ufe of any other name. There's no time to be
loft, and I am ambitious to have the next Piece
without a fault 5 which I {hall judge it to be, if
it has but your concurrence or approbation. Ha-
ving fent one of the firft (under the feign'd name
of Mr. FREEMAN) to Mr. SLOWER the DUTent-
Z 3 ing
LETTER S.
ing Minifter, I receiv'd the Anfwer which I
fend you inclos'd, and more fuch from other
hands : all afliiring me that The Memorial of
the State of England was the true (late of
the cafe, had lefs trifling, and more impar-
tiality than any Book that had yet appear'd
on the fubjeft. I flatter my felf you'll
not wholly impute it to vanity, that I give
you this account of a work, which in lome
jfenfe may be call'd your own, as in every
fenfe I am, SIR, with the greateft ftncerity
and zeal,
Tour moft faithful, humble, and
obedient Servant.
Mr. SHOWER's Letter on receiv-
ing the Memorial of the State of
England, as a Prefent from the un-
known Author.
Clerkemvell, Oft. 24, iyof.
SIR,
f • ^ H E kind Prefent I receiv'd on Monday
J| night, viz. The Memorial of the State
oflEngland, appears to me to be the moft
judicious and feafonable of any thing lately
printed. Tis the real ftate of our cafe fet
in a true light, with excellent judgment and
eloquence j very likely to open the eyes, and
calm the minds of many. I fliall moft glad-
ly do what lean to promote the fpreading of
it*
LETTER S. 357
it 5 and accordingly defire twenty five may be
fent me per firft, and (hall pay the porter the
Bookfeller's price, and fo difpofe of em, as
to occafion the buying and reading of a much
greater number. If the other Minifters nam'd
have read it, I doubt not but their fentiments
are the fame with mine, tho' I have not had
the opportunity to fee either of 'em. SIR, I
reckon it an honour to have been thought
worthy of fuch a prefent 5 and 'twill be an
additional one to kifs the hands of him who fent
it, and exprefs my thanks and efteem and un-
feign'd refpeft, of which I hereby allure him,
who am, SIR, his moft oblig'd humble Servant,
JOHN SHOWER,
My Aver Jim and Inclination :
IN A LETTER
To Mrs. D * * *
YO U fend me news indeed, MADAM,
that Dame SCRAG that unparalleled o-
riginal, imagines I am deeply fmitten with
her j by reafon of fome exprefllons in a Let-
ter of mine to the Reverend Doftor, our com-
mon acquaintance. But that Gentleman and
I dealing wholly in myfteries of one Jcind or
Z 3 another,
358 LETTER S;
another, I'll then allow her to comprehend
my meaning, whenever flic has a particular
revelation either from him or me. But you
fay the fame thing was confirm'd to her by
one, who has an unlucky talent at 'writing
merry Ballads and waggUh Lampoons 5 nay,
that he infinuated much more than he thought
fit to fay. Such a heroic accomplifhment is
enough, I confefs, to beget a terrible idea of
that wight,in the breaftsof all thofe Ladies who
blufh as foon as they hear him nam'd ; which
are the foolifh, the frail, and the fickle, the
tattlers, the dawbers, the modifh, and the
coquets, to all which I know her Ladyfhip
to be a perfeft ftranger. Thefe characters will
reach neverthelefs to 3 world of other wo-
men ; which makes me wonder, that the ad-
venturous Poet does not put all the timorous
fair under Contribution; which wou'd be a
furer way of enriching himfelf, than by dab-
bling (as he does now) in Politics, or by drudg-
ing (as he did before) in Trade. I don't fay,
and you won't think, that on any account
whatfoever, her Ladyfhip fhou'd either pay
her quota to him in coin, or be frighted by
his Satyr to quit any of her humors, which
are dearer to fomc women than the mod
precious of their jewels : but in the particu-
lar you mention, fhe's certainly more afraid
than hurt, or rather, not being hurt, is the
reafon (he's not afraid 5 fince the fcandal (if
any was intended) muft be entirely meant to
which yet I eafdy forgive, becaufe none
will
LETTERS. 359
believe it. But, in the name of aver-
iion, what have I done to occafion this fuf-
picion ? for what have I not left undone to
prevent it ? Yet if it muft needs be added to
the punifhment of my other fins, let it be
faid at leaft, that I fuffer for a fin of omiffion ;
fince in all probability I wou'd take care not
to be over intimately concerned, unlefs with
fome of your fly Gypfies that can keep a fe-
cret, fuch as rarely fhew their admirer's Let-
ters, and that never boaft of the number of
their conquefts. But I appeal to her Lady-
fliip, if fetting afide fome roguifli expreflions,
which I know to be one of her favourite di-
verfions, I be not the moft harmlefs thing in
the world as to deeds; and I am ready to
take my corporal oath, that flic was never
one moment the objedt of my thoughts.
However, left her Ladyfliip fliould be ever
fo little difcompos'd at fo ungrounded a fur-
inife, and that I may ruin my felf all at once
with fome other Darlings of mine (meaning
the venerable fociety of vain and wanton
Widows ; the honourable company of Vir-
gins, that have large fortunes and fmall un-
derftandings > with the faded skins, and cher-
ry-cheeks of both forts) I need but tell them
in one emphatical word, that I have engag'd
my heart : or, to ufe a longer form, fincc
they love chat, that I fhall be conftant to me-
lit in the pcrfon of one excellent creature j;
and then the very old Maids themfelves, will
Z 4 cry
360 LETTERS.
cry out upon me for an old fafhion'd lover.
Truft me, MADAM, this is a more infallible
receipt to get rid of what's importunate or
impertinent, than ever was invented for driv-
ing away troublefome flyes. It will effeftu-
ally lofe ine the reputation of intriguing,
which I have ever carefully avoided; nor will
I gain a little by it in another way, I (han't
be apt to tell you at this time. And now if
you wou'd either know my fure prefervative
againft all mean temptations, or how my in-
clinations ftand towards fome of your other
female acquaintance, be pleas'd to learn from
my own pen the Charafter of my real or ima-
ginary Miftrefs; for as to the defign of this
Letter, 'tis no matter whether it be a pre-
Cent Miftrefs or a future.
* * * V' i^.A I ./ * 4-4 *'.* *l.'«/i, vj {Jp + J I J J t i ,> ' '• V,* ..A •rf-ilVjP
I afliire you therefore in the firft place, that
fhe ever thinks before fhe fpeaks, tho' fhe ne-
ver fpeaks half (he thinks 5 which you'll fay,
is very much in either man or woman. You
know already who fhe is not. But then, as
file betrays no folly by giggling laughter, nor
any malice by leering fmiles, fo fhe can be ve-
ry brisk and chearfui in converfation, with-
out poorly leflening, or fcandaloufly abufing
her friends. Her prudent bbfervations (join'd
to moderate reading) will never let her be
at a lofs, when 'tis her turn to entertain the
company j tho* fhe's far from being the morv*
(ler they call a Learned Lady, or from think-
ing her iclf'oblig'4 to fuinidi all the talk
and
LETTERS. 36i
and diverfion : for (he never becomes the
fubjcdof difcourfe to others, but as (he's the
admiration of the good, or the envy of the
bads and even theie laft are fometimes heard
to praife her, in order to pafs themfelves
the better with their neighbours for fincere
or judicious perfons. She avoids ill company
as carefully as (he does their faults : but if
by accident or miftake (he happens to be
engag d in fuch, (as who can always prevent
it) (he behaves her felf fo cautioufly, as nei-
ther to difoblige them, nor to fcandalize o-
thers 5 yet leaving them without any hopes
of receiving a fecond vifit, and the reft of the
world without any juft caufe of refle&ion.
She has wit and beauty to make her be paf-
fionately lov'd in youth, as (he has fenfe and
virtue to make her be honourably efteem'd
in old age : and (he defpifes as much the nau-
feous flatteries of pretending coxcombs, as
(he values the difinterefted commendations of
the wife and good, whom (he ftudioufly
imitates. Her Religion lyes not in her tongue,
but in her heart : and the outward perform-
ances of it do no more confift in precifely
lifting up her eyes to heaven, at the fame
time that (he curtfies to the rake or the fop
in the next pew 5 than the private duties of
it are reading loofe Poems, placing of paint
and patches, confulting the oracle of the
bottle, or ufing certain other amufements
in the clofet, from which feveral come out
more boifterous Devil^ than they went in
demure
36* LETTERS,
demure Hypocrites. But the inoffenfivenefs
of her manners, the cvennefs of her temper,
the charitablenefs of her difpofition, and the
clearnefs of her whole conduft, make her be
bleft and admir'd for her goodnefs wherefo-
eyer flic comes ; fo that the propereft prayer
for difcreet Matrons, is to wilh night and day,
that their own Daughters may be like her. To
be as Ihort as I can in a very long Letter, flic's
genteel without affectation, gay without levi-
ty, civil to ftrangers without being free, and
free with her acquaintance without being fa-
miliar.
I am convinc'd that thofe Ladies who
judge of other's inclinations by their own,
and who have reafon to wHh all women
were like themfelves, wou'd be ready to
fay, (if they faw my Letter) that this is an
imaginary Miftrefs 5 tho' if I had but her per.
inifllon, I cou'd with pleafure tell you her
name, and defy their worft malice to find a
tittle in the defcription, which is not out-
done by the original. Yes, MADAM, there
is in reality fuch 4 Lady fom^where 5 tho* I
am fo far from pretending to a return of mu-
tual love, that I cannot even fay I ever made
her a pofitive declaration. Yet as to the
mere Charader, I'm fure for the honor of
your fex you'll make no fcruple to believe it.
But then, for the honor of ours, I expeft
you'ltlikewife believe, that fecure of fuch
a one's perfon and affedion, I wou'd rather
undergo
LETTERS.
undergo poverty and difgrace, accept of the
woods for my lodging with the old Knights-
errant, and be content with roots for my
daily food $ than being coupl'd (like the liv-
ing and the dead) with any of a different
ftamp, to poflefs riches and favour, to feed
continually on exquifite dainties with the
modern heroes, and to pafs all my time in
gilded palaces. And tho' I have no reafon
to doubt but fhe has a handfome fortune (for
this I'd fcorn to examine) yet I heartily re-
joice that fhe's none of your vaft eftates^ left
fhe fhould imagine from the conduft of moft
other men, that one fordid arrow tipt with
her gold, had mingl'd with thofe purer rays
which are fhot from her eyes. This you
may take for romantic language, tho' of
you in particular I have a better opinion : and
others, whofe good opinion I fliou'd be for-
ry to deferve, will call it a generous folly.
But I, who know that true happinefs is in-
ward tranquillity and not outward pageantry,
contemn the judgment of the multitude
when it comes in competition with my own
experience: my pleafure and repofe by no
means precarioufly depending on what others
think, or fay, or do: but folidly confiding
in what I my felf do feel, and relifh, and
enjoy.
Now, that I may a little fluff the fcene, Til
fay that for Dame SCRAGG, fhe's wonderful
fagacious to fmell out ati Amour before it is
conceiv'd,
364 LETTERS.
conceived, and at fuch a terrible diftance too.
But fince to clear my felf to her Ladyfhip
from the imputation of being her admirer
(which I wou'd not do to any other woman
on earth) is the main defign of this long Let-
ter 5 I need not (I fuppofe) give you any fur-
ther trouble, than only to tell you, that I am,
with as much gratitude for your information,
as efteem for your friendfhip,
MADAM,
Tour mo ft faithful and obedient fervant.
*>' TO THE SAME.Di£/
rj*k\ 1
I Lately made you my confidente, MA-
DAM, fo far as to own I have a Miftrefs :
and, tho' lovers are commonly liars, yet you
may fafely take my word for it, when I fay,
I am fo well pieas'd with the choice, that
I continually blefs the day, the hour, the
place, where fo fweet and charming a crea-
ture had the fecret (and 'twas no fmall one)
to make her felf the fole objefl: of all my
care and wiflies. 'Twas no diftruft of you,
but want of leave from her, that made me
fliy of telling her name : but having commu-
nicated her Character to you then, I now fend
you her Pidure, to fee whether you judge
as truly of the one as you did of the other*
When you know the Lady, you'll fwcar I
4 have
LETTERS; 3*5
have not flatter'd her ; but neverthelefs, MA-
DAM, I aflure you the piece is furprizingly
like, for the impreffions (he has made, are
too deep and lively ever to be forgot. Yet if
the copy (hould not reach the original (as in-
deed it cannot) my skill in drawing muft not be
blam'd, but her unparallel'd perfe&ions, which
are inimitable as they are innumerable.
To reprefent her therefore in miniature,
her perfon is abfolutely unexceptionable, as
being the golden mean between two very
difagreeable extremes; not approaching that
monftrous tallnefs which prefently begets
avcrfion, and as far from that lownefs of
ftature, which generally occafions contempt.
Her carriage is graceful without affe&ation,
and cafy without negleft, which makes aa
undrefs or any kind of drefs equally becom-
ing her : but fo, that in whatever manner
fhe appears, it's always thought by others to
be out of defign, as finding it for that time
and occafion the moft proper. Her fhape is
exactly proportioned to her perfon, neither
ridiculoufly molded into nothing with fqueez-
ing engines, nor yet in the leaft over-grown
for want of care: but juft as it fhou'd be,
enough to convince a man that he embraces
a delicate woman, and is not vainly grafping
at an airy phantom. Her hair is incompa-
rably fine, extremely thick, and of a light
alh-colour, which makes it the greateft or-
nament in the world, as partaking at once of
whatever
366 LETTERS;
whatever is enflaming in the brown and
ibftening in the fair. Her teeth are as even
and white, and her hands as taper and gen-
teel, as one of the correfteft fancy cou'd wifli
in his own miftrefs, and the niceft wou'd not
expeft to find more in any other. Her
lips are the native feat of all the fmiles and
the graces; infomuch that the Bee (which
flie gave me for a device) wou'd take 'em
for the moft beautiful flower in nature, it
wou'd gladly dwell in the pretty dimples of
her cheeks, and fuck honey from her fweeteft
mouth for ever. Her completion is, in my
opinion, wholly divine , and what of all o-
thers I infinitely prefer j frefti as the glories
of the fpring, and fair as the pride of autumn.
Lilies and Rofes are but faint poetick refem-
blances of thofe colours in her lovely face,
which fo admirably exprefs all the charms of
blooming youth, all the fymptoms of perfeft
health, and all that mixture of fire and phlegm,
without which Love were but a lazy dream,
and life it felf a burthen. In her dear eyes
fhine all that's ingenious, gay, or engaging.
No magick is half fo enchanting. No mag-
netick power is near fo attractive. No fhafts
can hit more fure or deeper $ as at the fame
time no art can bring a more ready cure, no-
thing but themfelves having the virtue to heal
thofe wounds they occafion : nor does their
colour put me lefs in mind of heaven than
their glory. Her forehead, her chin, her eye-
brows, and all the reft of her features, arc
exa&ly
LETTERS. 367
exa&ly regular 5 andfmgly or united are ca-
pable to charm the whole world, making
young men mad, old men fools, and all wo-
men envious. 'Tis better to fay nothing of
her breaft than not to fay enough, or in fome
proportion to the tranfporting fubjed, thofe
heaving adorable twins of the moft refin'd
and unfpeakable delights. But this is much
better expreffed by imagination, and is a blifs
to be touch'd, but never to be thoroughly de-
fcrib'd. Nor do I queftion the exceflive per-
fedions of thofe other beauties , which the
troublefome difguife of garments hide from
my longing eyes ; and which as I have not
feen I cannot pretend to paint, nor wou'd
if I were able, fince it is the higheft ambition
of my heart, that thefe may be only fcen,
admir'd, and pofieft by my felf. This inefti*
mable bleffing wou'd quickly render me the
happieft man alive 5 as fhe wou'd become the
happieft of women, if a thorough knowledge
of her worth, and the moft difintercfted af-
fedion for her perfon, cou'd poflibly make
her fo.
Thefe, MADAM, are but the external lines,
and only the cover of a yet fairer foul, whence
( according to old obfervatioh ) the valuable-
ncfs of the jewel may be guefs'd by the rich,
nefs of the cafe. Her good breeding, good
humour, and good fenfe, I have already de-
fcrib'd in her Character: and, where thefe
are, no other good thing can be wanting.
Now
LETTERS.
Now I hope you'll own, that in fending you
this rough draught of my Miftre&'s Pidure, I
have lent you at the lame time a fufficient
juftification of my own paffionj having invi-
olably reiblv'd to love her only to my laft
breath (which flie alone can hinder) with all
the ardor of the youngeft man, and with all
the conftancy of the oldeft philofopher. In
fliorjr, MADAM, that Miftreis alone I wou'd
make a wife, of whom I think in this man-
ner $ and (he (I think) ought to make that
Lover alone her husband, who thus thinks
of her : for tho* other things may ren-
der Matrimony fplendid,, 'tis only this can
make it happy. I have nothing more to
add, hut that her name is A, B, C, D.
T O
Mr. * * *
SIR,
IN anfwer to yours of Saturday laft, be
pleas'd to know, that the Seven Provinces
coming to a ftricter Union than that of U-
trecht (the foundation of their Republic) it
was unanimoufly agreed in the year 1583,
that the exercile of the Proteftant Religion
alone fhou'd be publickly eftablifti'd, while
other Sefts fhould be onely tolerated, and
Popery cpnniv'd at. This is the only Law,
with
LETTERS. 369
with relation to the religious qualification
of Magistrates, that ever was made in the
Provinces from that time to this : and that
Reformata Religio did fignify therein the
Lutherans as well as the Calvinifts at the time
of making this Law, and that it is understood of
the Arminians no lefs than of the Gomarifts
fince that time, I fhall have no difficulty to
convince you 5 juft in the fenfe, I fay, that
Reformed Churches fignifies all thefe in one
Liturgy. For, tho' Reformed or Calvinift,is now
us'd commonly abroad in contradiftindion to
Evangelic or Lutheran ; yet, at the time of
making the Law aforefaid, it comprehend-
ed the whole body of thofe who made the
Bible their only rule of faith, andwhojoin'd
in rejecting the Idolatry and Superftitions of
Popei'y, together with the Supremacy of the
Pope. As a proof of this, among abundance
of others, feveral of the leading men, men
of the greateft authority, and who had their
fhare in making this very Law, were profeft
Lutherans : moft of the cities of the Pro-
vinces were then full of Lutherans, who were
admitted to Magiftracy equally with the Cal-
vinifts : and Lutheranifm, in fhort, was the
prevailing profeffion of diverfe places for
fome time after the enafting of this Law,
particularly of the city of Worden; whofe
inhabitants came afterwards to change of
their own accord, without any pofitive or
negative difcouragements to influence them.
VOL. II. A a As
370 LETTERS.
As for the Arminians, or RemonftraiitS*
who truly account themfelves, and are no
lefs accounted by others, to be Reform'd or
Protcftants ; 'tis certain that they are by
no means excluded from Magiftracy, nei-
ther by the Law of the year 1583, when this
diftindion was not known, nor by any Law
fince : and at this very time many of 'em
partake of the moft confiderable pofts, being
the prevailing Party in feveral places, as they
are reputed to be fo in the fupreme Govern-
ment it felf , and, whenever you require it,
I fhall acquaint you with their names, being
alfo willing to give you particular proofs of
every other thing which I have hitherto af-
ferted. Indeed at certain junctures, as, for
example, under the late glorious King WIL-
LIAM, (to whom the Arminians were no
friends, by reafon of their averfion to any
Stadtholder) they were prudently kept out
of offices, but not excluded by any Law :
as thofe of the Church of England, who are
difaffeded to the prefent Settlement, are very
juftly kept out of places, tho' otherwifc
qualifying themfelves by the facramental Teft.
This, and no other, has been precifely the cafe
of the Arminians in Holland : and the Ana-
baptifts (who are unqueftionably Proteftants)
are no otherwife excluded, than as they ex-
clude themfelves by their notions of Magi-
ftracy and the ufe of the fword ; feveral of
'em being employ'd where their Confciences
will permit 'em to ferve, and particularly in
the
LETTERS. 371
the city of Amfterdam. I fpeak all this time
of civil offices, for all the public Churches
are to be only ferv'd by Minifters who fub-
fcribe the Synod ofDort; with liberty, as I
faid, to others, who pay their own Minifters.
To His Grace
My Lord Archbifhop
O F
CANTERBURY. ;|
May it pleafe Tour Grace,
MOnfieur DUBOURDIEU gave me an ac-
count how favourably your Grace was
pleas'd to receive the Book I took the liber-
ty to fend you 5 which I efteem not only
as an extraordinary obligation ; but (confider-
ing my character in the world, which is not
what at prefent I deferve) I look upon it as a
demonftration of that Chriftian goodnefs and
greatnefs of fpirit, with which you are ack*
nowledg'd by all good men, to iiipport and
adorn your high Station in the Church. The
fame reverend perfon, who was not want-
ing to me at feveral times in his friendly and
charitable admonitions, has further acquarnt-
ed me with what he promised on my behalf
to your Grace, and which I fhall always,
A a 2 by
372 LETTER S.
by the help of God, endeavour to make
good; being firmly refolv'd in this laudable
purpofc both by principle and engagement.
He has been a witnefs for two years paft of
my ordinary converfation, which he'll own
to be very different from what it has former-
ly been, and is (till reprefented to be by thofe
who do not know me, or are not willing I
fliou'd make a better ufe of my reafon and
experience : for I am forry to fay what I cou'd
not chufe but obfcrve, that fome people
wou'd rather fee a man, who is averfe to
their enflaving Politics, run the risk of work-
ing his own damnation and endangering the
fouls of others, than to be exempt from their
cenfurc or revenge on the fcore of Religion,
when they cannot otherwife attack him.
Whoever is loyal and orthodox in the State,
is with them a Heretick or a Traitor in the
Church, let his life and doftrine be ever fo
unblameable.
But if I can be fo happy, My Lord, as to
approve my felf to the beft, I fliall reckon it
no misfortune to meet with reproaches from
the worft, which is a part of my duty no lefs
to bear than to forgive. As I was born nei-
ther infpir'd nor infallible, fo I fliall be far
from justifying any thing I may have hitherto
done amifs: but this is no argument that I have
never perform'd any thing worthy of com-'
mendation. And therefore, ilnce the bounds
of this Letter cannot contain what I have to
fay
|L'E T T E R S. 373
fay on either of thefe heads, I humbly beg
the favour of you to permit me to wait on
Your Grace, to offer that further fatisfadion
I am prepar'd to give, as well as to receive
your paternal advice and directions, which,
next to the facred precepts of the Gofpel, I
fliall efteem the moft obligatory rules where-
by to frame the future condud of my life.
I am, with all the ftncerity and veneration
imaginable,
MY LORD,
Tour Grace's moft faithful, duti-
ful, and obedient Servant.
March the 6th,
1706-7.
T O
THE REVEREND Mr. ***
Reverend SIR,
TO hear of fcandal, quarrels, and defa-
mation, I am forry, is no new things
the world did always abound with them, and
will continue to do fo as long as envy, pride,
or avarice deprave human nature. Not-
withftanding there be a fovereign light plac'd
by the Almighty in every man's heart as
well to moderate his paffions as to guide his
5 yet left we fhoti'd be too partial in
A a 3 affairs.
374 LETTER S.
affairs which concern our own perfons, and
fo be apt to miftake our felfifh inclinations
for the dictates of unbyafied reafon; we have
.public monitors and judges divinely eftablifh'd
among us, both to inform us of our duty,
and to regulate our behaviour. Tho* it be
a mod wicked thing in any body to mifre-
prefent another, yet the fin is more notori-
ous in that man whofe peculiar fundion obli-
ges him to preach charity, peace, and forgive-
nefs to others : for nothing he can ever fay
will have any great influence while his ill ex-
ample feems to be fo ftrong an argument
that he believes not his own Do&rine.
Tis but too well known in how many par-
ticulars I might apply this with relation to
my felf 5 but I'm fo much accuftom'd to the
hard and undeferv'd ufage of fome men, that
now it moves me not in the leaft 5 yet I was
ftrangely furpriz'd to hear you cenfur'd by
fome of your brethren in the country, as if
you had receiv'd a bribe to give me the Sa-
crament, which fhews at once their igno-
rance and their malice: their ignorance in
imagining you cou'd deny it me, and their
malice in belying you after fo bafe a manner.
My charity wou'd never let me fufpeft that
you were capable of being corrupted to com-
mit any wilful iniquity, much lefs that you
wou'd for a little money proftitute the moft
facred ordinance of the Chriftian Religion.
I wifti my circumftances wou'd allow me to
make
LETTERS. 37*
make the poor acknowledgment, I yearly pay
the Minifter, a great deal more : you know it
was but one Guinea to you laft year, and
given a long while before you publifh'd your
intentions of adminiftring the Sacrament.
As for my participating of it, there needed no
other known qualification (I hope) than be-
ing difpos'd as the Rubric dire&s ,• and the
bare ad: of receiving it ought to convince ail
charitable perfons of my veneration for it :
iince I look upon it to be the public fign
whereby we commemorate the death of
JESUS CHRIST, the founder of our Religion,
engage our felves to obey his Laws, and de-
clare our hopes to enjoy the benefits of the
fame. Indeed I differ from you and others
who think the Sacrament to be a means of
conveying grace: which* if it be an error,
has been profeft to the world by many emi-
nent Divines of our Church, and was never
thought a fufficient bar to Communion.
It is a maxim with me never to believe
a ftory which reflefts upon any man's honor,
till I have it from an unqueftionable au-
thor: nor is it enough that it be one I
efteem, if he knows no more of it than
only by report ; and therefore I need not
tell you with what tendernefs we ought
to handle reputation, fmce the injury is com-
monly irreparable. I am a true well-wittier
to all mankind, hut I particularly defire the
converfion of my enemies. I doubt not
A a 4
376 LETTERS.
your juftice when occafion requires it, and
you will not fcruple myfincerity whenlpro-
fefs my felf to be, Reverend SIR, your moft
humble fervant.
Mr.
T O
*^y>
"Tff
S IR,
WHAT you heard from your Coufin
about the Book of which he tells
you I am matter, is aftually true j and no
ftory of his making (as you fuppofe) to fet
Doftor MORELLI'S mouth a watering, nor
any fcheme of my contrivance to vent my
own notions under fuch a difguife. The
Volume carries in it felf undeniable argu-
ments of its age and authority : and, fince
you fay your curiofity is fo great and pref-
fing, you (hall by no means lofe your long-
ing j tor I'll tell you the hiftory of this piece
in as few words as I can, yet omitting at
this time all that I know concerning the per-
fon and circumftances of the Author.
In the Court of Queen ELIZABETH 'tis
generally acknowledge, even by her enemies,
that there was a fet of very extraordinary
men, and among them fome, who underftood
every thing elfe as well as the Art of Govern-
ment, and who faw further than any fince
(or
LETTERS: 377
(or perhaps before) into the myfteries of
Prieftcraft and the extravagancies of Superfti-
tion. This knowledge of the follies of fome
men, and the frauds of others, did not a lit-
tic ferve to make them fuch exquifite Politi-
cians, enabling them to take every thing by
the right handle, what fafely to aboliih, what
necefiarily to retain, how to govern all men by
the fprings of their own paffions, and to ma-
nage the whole machine by the chains and
weights of prevailing opinions. Private Confe-
rences they ufuaily had, wherein they talk'd of
every thing freely and without a veil, being fc-
cure from the cenfure or miftakes of the pro-
phane vulgar, and in thofe things true to one
another, tho' not feldom at variance on other
occafions.
The moft remarkable inftance of their
liberty in thinking, and of their prudence
in concealing their notions is this Book,
which was written with the privity of a cer-
tain number among them, who had the few
copies that were printed, and the work was
particularly dedicated to Sir PHILIP SIDNEY,
of whom the Author has given an excellent
character, as he has done of the French Am-
baffador Monfieurde MAUVISSIERDE CASTEL-
NAU, and of FULK GREVILL, afterwards Lord
BROOK, three principal men m this learnedClub
of Courtiers: the reft being a mixture of young
and old perfons, as Sir CHRISTOPHER HATTON,
Sir THOMAS SMITH, Sir WALTER RALEIGH,
Sir AMBROSE PHILLIPS, the Eari of LEICESTER,
2 and
37s LETTERS.
and fomc others : but the Encomium of Queeu
ELIZABETH, for the juftice of fad, delicacy
of thought, and eloquence of expreffion,
feems to ingage the Author's affections ,
wherever he has occafion to mention her.
In the Book is reprefented a Council of
the Gods, owning, rehearfing, and expofing
their ancient worfhip, or the Religion of
the Heathens, in a moft learned, long, and
elegant Oration made to them by JUPITER,
on the Feftival in commemoration of their
Victory over the Giants. But the Gods are
no lefs fcandaliz'd and offended at the pre-
fent condition of things, which they con-
clude to be yet far worfe than in the Pa-
gan times, both in refpeft of private Vir-
tue and of public Government. Having re-
folv'd therefore to make amends for their
own paft tricks and offences, and to deftroy
the fucceeding impoftures of others, they
agreee to ad fairly for once, and to fet up
the intelligible, ufcful, neceffary, and unal-
terable Law of Nature, againft the myfte-
rious, fpeculative, unprafticable, and change-
able Inftitutions of all other kinds. But in
order to this, finding no Letters fo clear, uni-
verfal, and durable, as the eternal fires of
the Stars, they abolifh the antient names of
the Conftellations : which, when underftood,
are but the hiftories of the tyranny,, luxury,
brutality, whimficalnefs, and other defeds
of aiuient Princes or great men 5 or, where
»ot;
LETTERS;
hot underftood, many of them are fabu-
lous, moftly obfcure, and all unprofitable.
Wherefore inftead of thefe poetical fictions,
they give the Conftellations the names of
the fo long forgot and neglefted moral Vir-
tues, carefully marking, examining, confu-
ting, and rejecting the oppofite vices. All
the antient Conftellations, about forty eight
in number, are fucceffively arraign'd 5 and in
exploding the Heathen (lory (as that of Ori-
on, or the £ear, or Aquarius, for example)
there is commonly a parallel or allufion made
to fome later Superftition, which is ironical-
ly handled, and admirably turn'd into ridi-
cule, in a method peculiar to our Author.
Immediately after this, the contrary Virtue is
fet off to full advantage, being propofed by
fome of the Gods, and decreed by JUPITER,
to take up the room of the Heathen Fable ;
but in fo grave and folid a (tile, that one
is tempted to believe, it is not always the
fame hand that writes. The counterfeit of
every Virtue, and all the falfe pretenders to
that name, are patiently heard in making
their feveral pleas to obtain the honor of a
Conftellation ^ but are at laft deteded, con-
demn'd, and difcarded, as the real Virtue is
plac'd on its true foundation, and worthily
prefented with a becoming Seat in the
Heavens. The Law of Nature being thus
methodically reduc'd to certain heads, and
the Conftellations bearing the titles of fo
inany Virtues, as of Truth, Prudence, Tempe-
2 ranee,
LETTERS:
ranee, Juftice, Fortitude, and the like 5 this
they call'd the Book of Nature, being equal-
ly legible and open, at all times and to all
perfons.
The projed was pretty enough 5 for ia
lefs than the fpace of a fortnight, any
body may become matter of the celeftial.
Sphere; fo that even boys at fchool might
be taught this part of Aftronomy with no
imall pleafure; and by giving fuch names
to the Conftellations, they wou'd become the
beft monitors and moft obvious memorials
of their duty to all manner of people. It
ferv'd this purpofe for Religion among the
Heathens, which fhews the thing is not im-
pra&icable another way. But our Author
never dreamt of publickly eftablifhing it, but
chofe it for a plan that ferv'd at once to ex-
pofe the Priefl>craft of the Heathens and
other people. However, this part of the
Book is eafily conceived ; and what is moft
fmgular in the whole, is the manner of ex-
ploding Superftition. In a word, it was a
very uncommon thought, and incompara-
bly perform'd : for tho' this Volume exceeds
not 261 pages in Oftavo, fmall print, befides
the explicatory Dedication containing about
a fheet; yet in one continued thread and
contexture it contains the whole doftrine of
the Sphere, the Learning and Hiftory of antknt
Superftition, the confutation of modern Im-
poftijre, and a compleat Syftem of E thicks;
befides
LETTERS. BSI
bcfides various incidents and digreffions.
How the fecret was kept, and this Book
(which was probably the Queen's own) came
to my hands, you fhall be told another time,
for this Letter is but too long already.
I am,
SIR,
your, fyc.
JP* • ^ ^j/ >|y ifa
lo
Prague^ January 1708.
SIR,
I HAVE nothing to add to what I did my
telf the honor to write to your Excel-
lency per poft, but that the Countefs of
STERNBERG is not the only perfon at Prague
to whom I am particularly oblig'd : for the
very reverend Father Guardian, and the reft
of the worthy members of the Irifh Con-
vent, were not more difpofed to do me all
the good offices of humanity, than they were
forward to fhevv me the moft zealous af-
feftion of Country-men. Yet I did not re-
ceive half that fatisfaftion from their many
civilities to my own perfon, as I wascharm'd
with their putting round the Queen's health
in full Refeftory, where a great many ftrangers
were prefent, and of feveral Nations as well
as different Religions, Nor did I find 'em
lefs
*82 t E t T E R S.
lefs eafy and well-bred upon this laft article,
than in other things ; tho* I frankly told 'em
my fentiments, and, perhaps, that I might
fometimes, to improve by the difcourfe of in-
genious perfons, carry matters further than
Reafon or the Reformation will allow. But
I muft do that juftice to the bearer of this
Letter, Father FRANCIS 6 DEULIN, Leftor
of Divinity, as to own my felf not a little
pleafed with his courteous behavior and good
literature. The leaft I cou'd therefore do
in return of fo much kindnefs and friendfhip,
was to recommend him> according to his own
defire, to a perfon of your Excellency's ex-
traordinary candor and capacity, not doubt-
ing by my own experience, but that during
his flay at Vienna, you'll not only favor him
with your protection (he being a good Impe-
rialift, without which I wou'd not efpoufc
him) and be ready to forward or counte-
nance him in all lawful occafions. But I
am confident his own merit will prevail far-
ther than any thing I can fay in his behalf.
I am c^r.
L'"E T T E R S.'
Mr. T O L A N D.
Hanover ) ce 30 tfAw'il 1709.
MONSIEUR,
J'AY receu a mon retour le prefent de vo-
tre Livre avcc 1'honneur de votreLettre,
6c je vous en remercie. Mon abfence a etc
longue 5 autrement je vous aurois repondu
pluftot.
II y a plufieurs bonnes remarques dans totis
Vos ouvrages, & je vous avoue facilement,
que TITE LIVE n'etoit rien moins que fu-
perftitieux. Monfieur HUET en appliquant
les Fables des Payens a MOYSE, a vouiu pluftot
faire paroitre foil erudition que fon exaditude,
dont il a pourtant donne de bonnes preuves
ailleurs ; & fon Livre des cDemonft rations
Evangeliques ne laifle pas d'eftre tres inftruc-
tif, nonobftant qu'il s'y donne carriere, en
fe jouant des Mythologies. Vous avcz fort
raifon, Monfieur, de donner des grands elo-
ges a HERODOTE. STRABON eft un auteur gra-
ve, mais lors qu'il parle de MOYSE, il paroift
qu'il prend les adions «5c les fentimens de ce Le-
giflateur felon les preventions & les chimeres
des Grecs. II n'en avoit apparemment que des
notices confufes, & il fe tronipe manifeftc-
ment
LETTERS:
mcnt en croyant que le Temple dejerufaleni
a etc 1'ouvrage de MOYSE, que les voifins des
Hcbreux avoient des coutumes femblables aux
leurs, & que la circoncifion & la defenfe de
certaines viandes aupres des luifs a ete pofte-
rieure a MOYSE.
Je ne fay, fi vous avez trouve, Monfieur,
dans la Langue des Coptes ou Egyptiens qu'elle
convient avec celle des Pheniciens & des
Arabes, comme vous dites p. 145. Feu M.
ACOLUTHUS de Breflau la croyoit convenir
avec celle des Armeniens: niais fes preuves
nc me fatisfaifoient point. C'eft une Langue
fort differentc des autrcs, que nous connoit
fons.
Pour ce qui eft de votre but, j'avoue qu'on
ne fauroit aflez foudroyer laSuperftition; pour-
veu qu'on donne en meme temps les mo-
yens de ladiftinguer de la veritable Religion ;
autrement on court rifque d'envelopcr Tune
dans la ruine de 1'autre aupres des hommes,
qui vont aifement aux extremites 5 commc ii
eft arrive en France* ou la bigoterie a rendu
]a devotion meme fufpefte : car une diftinc-
tion verbale ne fuffit pas. Ainfi j'efpere que
vous ferez porte a eclaircir la verite, comme
vous avez travaille a rejetter le menfonge.
Vous faites fouvent mention, Monfieur,
de Topinion de ceux qui croyent qull n'y a
point d'autre Dieu, ou d'autre cftre eternel,
que
LETTERS. 385
que le Monde, c'cft a dire, la matiere & fa con-
nexion (comme vous 1'expliquez p. 75.) fans
queceteftre eternel foit intelligent (p. 156.);
fentiment que STRABON attribue a MOYSE
felon vous (p. 156.), & que vous meme attri-
buez aux Philofophes de 1'Orient, & particu-
lierement a ceux de la Chine (p. 1 1 8.). Et vous
dites meme (p. 115.) qu'on y peut appliquer
(mais par equivoque) 1'Eftre parfait, TAlpha
& TOmega, ce qui a efte, qui eft, & qui fera >
ce qui eft tout en tous, dans lequel nous fom-
mes, nous nous remuons, & nous vivons, for-
inules de la Sainte Ecriture. Mais comme
cette opinion (que vous marquez rejetter
vous meme) eft aufli pernicieufe, qu'elle eft
mal fondeej il cut etc a fouhaiter, Monfieur,
que vous ne reuffiez rapportee qu'avec une
refutation convenable, que vous donnerez
peut - etre ailleurs. Mais il feroit tousjours
mieux de ne pas difFerer Tantidote aprez le
venin. Et pour dire la vcrite, il ne paroift
pas que la plufpart de ceux des anciens
& des raodernes, qui ont parle du Monde
comme d'un Dieu, ayent cru ce Dieu defti-
tue de connoiflance. Vous faves qu'ANAXA-
GORE joignoit llntelligence avec la Matiere*
Les Platoniciens ont concu une Ame du
Monde, & il paroit que la doftrine des Stoi-
ciens y revenoit aufli : de forte que le Monde
felon eux etoit une maniere d'Animal ou
d'Eftre vivant le plus parfait qui fe puifle,
& dont les corps particuliers n'eftoient que
les membres. ,11 femble que STRABON aufli
VOL, II, B b Tcntenci
386 LETTERS.
1'entend ainfi dans le paflage que vous cites.
Les Chinois memes, & autrcs Orientaux con-
coivent certains Efprits tin Ciel & de la Terre,
&: peut-etre meme, qu'il y en a parmy eux,
qui concoivent un Efprit fupreme de TUni-
vers. De forte que la difference entre tous
ces Philofophes (fur tout les anciens) & entre
le veritable Theologien, confifteroit en ce
que felon nous & felon la verite, Dieu eft au
defliis de 1'Univers .corporel, & en eft 1'auteur
& le maiftre (intelligent ia fuframundana) 5 au
lieu que le Dieu de ces Philofophes n'eft que
1'Ame du monde, ou meme TAnimal, qui en
refulte. Cependant leur Tout (nav) n'eftoit
pas fans intelligence, non plus que notre Eftre
fupreme. Madame rEleftrice a couftume de
citer & de louer particulierement ce paffagc
de TEcriture, qui demande s'il eft raifonna-
ble que 1'auteur de 1'oeuil ne voye pas, & que
1'auteur de Toreille n'entcnde pas; c'eft a dire,
qu'il n'y ait point de connoiflance dans le pre-
mier Eftre, dont vient la connoiflance dans
les autres.
^^ij ~*3 in-v/; ' in:'s, ^.-.^fno-i-
Et a proprement parler, s'il n'y a point
d'Intelligence univerfelle dans le monde, on
ne pourra point le concevoir comme une Sub-
ftance veritablement une : ce ne fera qu'un
aggregatum, un aflemblage, comme feroit
un troupeau de moutons, ou bien un etang
plein de poiflbns. Aiiifi en faire une Subftance
eternelle, qui meritat le nom de Dieu, ce
feroit fe joucr dcs mots, & ne rien dire fous
de
LETTERS. 387
de belles paroles. Les erreurs difpafoifient>
Jors qu'on confidere afles les fuites un peu
negligees de ce grand Principe, qui portc
qu'il n'y a rien, dont il n'y ait une raifoa
qui determine poutquoy cela eft ainfi pluftot
qu'autrement : ce qui nous oblige d'aller au
dela de tout ce qui eft materiel, parce que
la raifon des determinations ne s'y fauroit
trouver.
Les deux ouvf ages i'un en Latin Fautre en
Italien que GIORDANO BRUNO a public de
tunivers & de I'infini, & que j'ay lus autre*
fois, font voir que cet auteur ne manquoit
pas de penetration. Mais malheureufement
il eft alle au dela des juftes bornes de la rai-
fon. II donnoit auffi dans les Chimeres de
1'Art de RAYMOND LULLE. Je n'ay jamais
lu fon fpaccio della Beftia triomfante: il me
femble, qu'on nVen a parle un jour en France,
mais jc ne le faurois affcurer : il y a trop
long temps. Ne faudroit il point dhcfpec-
chio au lieu de fpaccio? M, DE LA GROSE
m'a dit, que vous luy avez monftre ce Livre.
Madame TEledrice fe porte encore bien,
graces a Dieu. Elle vient de pefdre fa foeur
Abbefle de Maubuiffon bien plus agee qu'elle,
& qui s'eft afiez bien portee jufqu'a fa dernierc
annee. Je crois que Monfeigneur le Prince
Eledoral ira encore faire la campagne.
Au refte je fuis avec zele,
tres humble & tres
obeiffant ferviteur.
LEIBNIZ.
Bb *
388 LETTERS.
P. S. Mes amis m'ont preffe de faire me-
tre au net mes confiderations fur la Liberte
de 1'Homme & la Juftice de Dieu par rapport a
rOrigine du Mai : dont une bonne partie
avoit ere autresfois couchee fur le papier pour
faire lire a la Reine de Pruffe qui le defiroit.
J'y examine toutes les difficultez de M. BAYLE
& tache de les refoudre , pendant que je
rends juftice a fon merite. Car je n'aime pas
d* accufer les gens fur des fimples foupcons.
T O
Mr. LEIBNIZ.
Feb. 14, 1710. N. S.
S i R,
I Lately did my felf the honour to fend
you the Letter I publifh'd that very day,
as an antidote againft Dr. SACHEVERELI/S
feditious Sermon 5 and the Articles fince ex-
hibited againft that Incendiary by the Com-
mons, fhew that I did not only rightly ap-
prehend the fcope of his writings, but that
I no where ftretch'd his meaning, and that
his principal view has been the defeating of the
Succeffion in the Houfe of Hanover. I fhou'd
have fent you freely the Articles at large,
whereof I have an authentick copy 5 but
that I fuppofe your Envoy at our Court
\vo\id not leave the Eleftor to the blunder-
ing
LETTERS. 3$9
ing abftrafts of Gazettes, in a matter that
fo nearly and efientially concerns himfelf and
his Pofterity.
I then promised by the following poft to
fend a larger pacquet concerning your felf:
but your Bookfeller TROYEL, who offer'd
me his fervice in this particular, was not pre-
par'd enough till now, that he has fome
fheets of yours to fend. Some time ago,
he told me he was printing your Confedera-
tions upon the Liberty of Man, and the Juftice
of Cod, with relation to the Origin of Evil?
and that you were making fome addition to
it, upon the account of what Dr. KING, the
Archbiihop of Dublin, has written upon the
argument. Tho* TROYEL, without your
permiffion, would not let me read your Con-
fiderations, yet I was eafily perfuaded, that
the mod folid and accurate Monfieur LEIB-
NIZ wou'd reconcile thofe points infinitely
better than that Prelate, who, fince the pub-
lication of the other Book, has printed a Ser-
mon likewife (which I may term his curae
fecundae) upon this very fubjed. But a friend
of mine in England, a Lay-man like your
felf, and a Gentleman of a good eftate, has
juft now publifti'd a notable cenfure of this
Sermon, which he has fent me with fome
Other things, and which I thought wou'd not
only be proper, but likewife agreeable to
you at this junfture. I have therefore delivered
them this morning to your Bookfeller for
B b 3 this
390 LETTERS.
this purpofe. A word now to your former
Letter.
My Adelfidaemon will be reprinted at the
Hague, as foon as I tranfmit thither an addi-
tional Differtation, tho' upon a different fub-
jeft. I (han't make the lead alteration either
in Adeifidaemon or the Origines Judaic ae:
fmce the attempts to anfwer or cenfure them
appear to be as impotent as they were mar
licious, and therefore have confirmed others
no lefs than my felf in the truth of my alle?
gations; for their invidious confequences I
utterly difclaim as illogical and falfe. The
cpiftolar animadveriions of my true friends,
I take as kindly, as I have treated thofe of
my envyers with contempt : but npne of
thofe whom I juftly admire and revere, have
been more pertinent and candid than your
felf, which indeed is your moft laudable be-
haviour towards all mankind.
You frankly acknowledge that LIVY was
nothing lefs than fuperftitious, tho' certain
Journalifts would foolifhly endeavour, out
of mere oppofition, to produce the contrary >
wherein they only (hew the littlenefs of their
fpite, and the greatnefs of their ignorance,
from which character I muft needs exempt
the Gentlemen of Leipfick, who have done
me juftice to my fapsfa&ipn.
I wholly
LETTERS. 391
Sri; :;! ; ^B# 3&fe <'•-
I wholly agree to what you fay about care-
fully diftinguifhing Religion from Supcrfti-
tion, left the one be unwarily involved in
our cenfure of the other : and 'tis to your
zeal for keeping inviolably to this rule, that
I muft attribute a few miftakes, that have flipt
you in relation to the Origines Judaicae.
After beftowing a juft commendation upon
STRABO, you add, that he reprefented the
Adions and Doftrincs of MOSES according
to the prejudices and chimeras of the Greeks :
whereas in almoft every particular he gives
a quite different account of him, from what
the Greeks, or their Latin copiers, have left
upon record 5 and the decifiori of this point
depending upon faft, I need fay no more
about it, till the pafTages be produc'd that I
have overlooked or mifundcrftood. Where
he had his materials is another queftion, of
which, I have yet faid nothing, but only
fhewn how fraudulently Monficur HUET had
mifreprefentcd him. Neither does STRABO,
SIR, (as you charge him) any where fay that
MOSES built the Temple of jerufalem, but
only that he conducted the jews to the place
where that Fabrick flood in our Author's
time, x,&i &,7TYiycLyr,v ZTTI rev TOTTCV TXTOV, OTTX vvv i<?i
TO tv -rag if^ofro^v^cig 'ATta-fta, ; and he afterwards
very plainly afcribes the ere&ing of it, as
a real Cittadel, tho' under the pretence of a
• Temple, to thofe Tyrants who had preverted
the Mofaick Inftitutions. The Queftion is not
B b 4 all
LETTER S.
all this while how much STRABO was in the
right, but what he precifely thought, whe-
ther in the wrong or not. As to the Rites
he affirms were introduced after the time of
MOSES, perhaps he's miftaken in thofe you
fpecify : but in the Reffublica Mofaica I (hall
unanfwerably prove that many things, both
rites and precepts in that abridgment we call
the 'Pentateuch, are long pofterior to MOSES j
and this will I do after quite another man-
ner, than SPINOSA cOu'd, or LE CLERC wou'd
have done. You add, that STRABO'S mani-
feftly miftaken, when he fays that the neigh-
bours of the Jews had many ceremonies and
cuftoms like to theirs. This he no where
fays, tho' I do ; nor can any man doubt of
it that reads their MAIMONIDES, or our SPEN-
CER. From thefe and more antient Autho-
rities I fhall demonftrate this thing in the fore-
faid work, and not from the pafifage of
STRABO, where ha, rqv cwfaav ought to have
been tranflated by reafon of acquaintance or
Cffmmerce(froptcr confuetudinem aut commer-
cium) and not of rites or manners, as it is
there. This is the only place where thro'
inadvertence I have left him wrong tranfla-
ted j for from the third word fjuyetSw I have
corrected the verfion even to the end.
You own that Monfieur HUET, in apply-
ing the Pagan Fables to the Perfon or Doc-
trine of MOSES, intended rather to fhew
his learning than his exaftnefs 5 and I agree
with
LETTERS. 393
\mh you, that in other things he has {hewn
himfelfexaft enough. But this fubj eft, me-
thinks, requir'd more exaftnefs than Roman-
ces either in Love or Philofophy^ and his
very title of ^Demonftration ought to have
remov'd afar off every thing that was not of
the utmoft accuracy. But the truth of it is,
that, whatever I may with you afcribe to his
learning, there runs a large vein of Prieft-
craft throughout that tedious work, which
has not charms enough to make any Infidel
read it 3 and you, who have no fuperior in
the Mathematical fciences, well know, that
the very arrangement of his Propofitions {to
fay nothing of what he alledges for proof of
'em) is far from being exad. This, as I uti-
derftand from France, I fliall be foon oblig'd
to prove, which will coft me neither time
nor pains, as having it ready cut and dry'd;
and, in the mean while, I fend you tha
charader of his work from a very able
man in Germany, and one you intimate-
ly know.
You doubt whether I have found any affi-
nity between the Coptick Language, and that
of the Phoenicians and Arabians. But I have
neither in page 141, to which you refer,
nor any where elfe, mention'd the Coptick
Language ; as believing that Jargon fo caird
at this day, to have very few genuine remains
of the ancient Egyptian Language : and fo
for pught I know, Mpnfieut ACOLUTHUS of
/LETTER S.
Breflau might have been in the right in com-
paring it with Armenian, which I don't un-
derftand. Yet, if your curiofity will require
it, I am ready to (hew you, that the Egypti-
an words preferved in the Bible, and thofe
in other old writings (except fbme introduced
under the great Kings) were as much of the
fame origin and contraction with the He-
brew, as Arabick or Cadean 5 and as Swed-
ifh or Iflandifh are with the prefent Ger-
man, and any other Dialect of that with the
old Gothick.
As to what you faid with regard to two other
points, the one of JORDANO BRI/NO and his
writings, efpecially his Spaccio dela Bejtia tri-
omfante ; and the other of the Pantheiftick
opinion of thofe who believe no other eter-
nal Being but the Univerfe, I (hall do my
fclf the favor to write you in my next. Pray,
let me have your thoughts of my printed
Letter, with the liberty of rending what's
printed of your work:, and be pleas'dtodi-
reft your anfwer jo be left for me at TROY-
EI/S. After my duty and fervicc, where juft-
ly due, I am &c.
T O
LETTERS.
T O
Mr. L E I B N I Z.
SIR,
LAST poft day I gave a Letter for you,
and two fmall Books, to your Book-
ieller TROYEL 5 who promis'd to fend them,
with other things of his own, without de-
lay. But that Letter was too long already
to add any more to it, and therefore I fhall
do my felf the honor at prefent to anfwer
another point in your former Letter, con-
cerning JORDANO BRUNO NOLANO, and his
writings. Several befidesyou had a curiofity to
fee the Spaccio della Beftia trionfante (Beftiae
triumphant!* expulfio) and at laft I found my
felf oblig'd to fend as far as Vienna, a kind
of Differtation upon this fubjeft, which is
all that feems neceffary in general, and which
I enclofe herein for your perufal. My Copi-
er is indeed a very young Lad, but in read-
ing over his tranfcript, I have corrected all
his miftakes. I confefs fomething more par-
ticular ought to have been faid concerning
the Spaccio, which of a printed Book, is I
believe the rareft in the world. But on the
other hand, 'tis not a fecret to be communi-
cated to every body. Yet as very few arc
matters of fo much judgment and difcretion
39* LETTERS.
as Monfieur LEIBNIZ, 'twou'd be a deroga-
tion to both, as well as a breach of the honor
and friendfliip I profefs for him, if Idid not im-
part what I have written to another excel-
lent perfon on this fame argument 5 which
is firft, a moft circumftantial account of the
Book it fclf, and fecondly, a fpecimen of it,
containing three articles out of forty eight.
This you may depend upon receiving per
hext, and in the mean while, permit me to
have recourfe to you, as an Oracle in Hi-
ftory, for the folution of a doubt that has
long puzzl'd me about the Chinefe Language,
and which the late publication of fome
Books in Italy has ftrongly reviv'd.
I need not quote any particular Authors
for what you have read in fo many, I mean
the extreme and almoft infuperable difficul-
ty of a foreigner's ever learning, to any tole-
rable degree, that Language, or even of a
native Chinefe to be perfeft mafter of it
under many years application. This proceeds
in part (fay they) from the hieroglyphical
forms of their Letters, vary'd into number-
lefs figures, but not fo cxpreflive of what
they reprefent, as to make 'em eafily in-
telligible 5 partly from the multifarious accen-
tuating or different pronunciations of one
and the fame word or character, which re-
fpe&ively vary the fignifications thereof; and
laftly from the infinite number of words,
as well as from the moft frequent ufe of
figura:
LETTERS;
figurative expreflions. The Jefuits urge this
difficulty at prefent more eagerly than ever
in their famous Difpute againft the Domini-
cans, and in certain Reflections, printed by
them laft year at Rome I have among o-
thers noted this paflage in the nth Reflexion.
La lingua Cmefe e cofi difficile e ojcura, che
per quanta ftudio ciponga un Europeo, fe in effa,
nonfiafialle'vatoda teneri anni, &non*vi ab-
bia con oftinato ftudio di molti luftri, & per
*vero deflderio di convertire quell' anime, tutta
impiegata lafor&a dun grand ingegno,non pub
giugnere afaperne quant o ne fappia il minima
de* *Dottori Cinefi. Thirty years ftudy is the
fpace they commonly allow an European,
to be able to judge or decide any controver-
fy arifing from the genius of the Language*
The contrary of all this, you may remember,
was affirm'd to you, and by an Italian Au-
guftine Friar, about three years ago at Wol-
fembuttk, who afterwards repeated the fame
thing to me at Berlin; nor did I fee any
reafon to queftion his veracity in this point,
tho' I vehemently fufpefted what he faid of
the Compafs. But I am yet more than ever
perplexed, by an Anfwer that has been lately
publifh'd to the faid Reflexions at Turin by a
learned Dominican, who produces no con-
temptible teftimonies againft the aflertion of
the Jefuits, of which I (hall here tranfcribe
a couple. The firft is cited out of the fourth
part of Dr. FRANCESCO GEMELLI CARERI'S
Giro del mondo, Book the fecond, and Chap-
tec
LETTERS,
ter the pth 5 this Author having travell'cf over
all China, was a great favorer of the Jefuits,
and his words are thefe: la lingua Cinefe
al parerede Mijfionari (Gefuitt) e la piu facile
di tutte taltre Oriental}. Se per apprendere
una lingua principalmente fa d'uopo memoria,
quella lingua far a piu facile che aver a mi-
nor copia di parole ; per che fempre e piu age-
vole ritenerne unapicciola quant it a, che motte :
era, la lingua Cinefe e compofla di fole 3 20
monojillabley quando la Greca & la Latina
hanno una infinita di parole, di tempi diffe-
rent i> nomi, & perfone: adunque effa devo
ejfere affai piu facile. Si aggiugne a do che non
fa di meftieri altra memoria che degli accentiy
iqualifono come la prmay da cut fi diftingue
fa Jignificazione delle parole. II popolo pero
pronuncia bene il tutto con fomma facilita,
fenz,afapere che cofajieno tuoni b accenti, che
nonfbno conofciuti che da* Letter at i. Nonpo-
tra di do dubbitarfi, quant e volte Jivoglia for
mente che li *Padri Mijfwnariy che <vanno in
Cina, con I'applica&ione di due anni predicano,
confeffano, e compongono in quella lingua y come
fe foffe la loro propria ; quantunque vadano
in quelle parti gia auvanzati in etay onde
hanno compofli e ft amp at i moltijjlmi libri, che
fono ammirati e ftimati da medemi Cine/I.
But left the Jefuits ftiou'd cavil againft the
Authority of GEMELLI, as being a Lay man,
my Author produces an unexceptionable wit-
nefs^ namely father GABRIEL MAGALLIANS,
a Portuguefe Jefuit, moft converfant in the
i Chinefe
t E T T E R S. $99
Chinefe language, who lived thirty feven years
in China, and twenty five of thefe in the capi-
tal city of Pekin. This Miffionary in the p6th
page of his Relation has this paflage : La lin-
gu€ Cinefe e pin facile della Greca, della
Latina, e di tutte I'altre d Europa. E certo
che uno, ilquale ftudi con applicazione e buono
metodo, pub in un* anno molto beri intendere e
farlare in idioma Cinefe. Ed in fatti <vedia-
mo che tutti linoftri padri, che pre/entemente
faticano in quefla miffione, in cap a a due an-
ni fanno coji bene quefta lingua, che confeffa-
no, catechizano, predicanoy e compongono con
tantofacilita, come fe fojfe la lor lingua na-
turale. This is a plain contradiction to what
the Jefuits have pretended ever fince the Pa-
pal Decree appear'd likely to go againft them ;
alledging that the other Mifllonaries had not
fufficient knowldge of the Chinefe Language,
to determine whether the controverted Rites
and expreffions were atheiftical and idolatrous
or not. But the Francifcan and Auguftine,
as well as the Dominican Miffionaries, very
juftly 'reply, that fuppofing the Chinefe
Tongue io difficult to them as is pretended,
it. mull needs be as difficult likewife to the
Jefuits ; or elfe on the contrary, as eafy to
them as to the Jefuits. This is certainly
true, and therefore the inquiry between you
and me, is not how the feveral difputes or
interefts of thefe Gentlemen are or may be de-
tcrmin'd, but what is true in faft concerning
the difficulty or facility of the Chinefe Lan-
guage,
400 LETTER S.
guage, wherein by the concordant confeffion
of both, there are contain'd fuch vaft num-
bers of excellent Books, and containing a
Philofophy efpecially very different from
what obtains in our parts of the world.
Wherefore I defire the favor of you, not only
to communicate your thoughts to me on
this fubjeft, and fuch obfervations as I'm fure
in a long traft of reading you have moft
judicioufly collected, but to refer me like-
wife to fuch Books, as you fhall think the
moft proper to give me due light and fatis-
fa&ion.
After prefenting my duty and fervice as
before, I remain,
S IR,
Tour moft obfervant and de-
voted admirer.
A
^ Mr. TO LAND/;""
Hanover ce i.de Mars 1710.
*Hs& • an tvv •}'•-•££ e-iiii^ff
MONSIEUR,
J'Ay receu ce quo vous m'avez envoye
contre le Dofteur SACHEVEREL, aufli
bien que le Sermon de M. TArcheveque de
Dublin, avec la refutation, dont je vous re-
mercie. J'ay trouve de bonnes chofes dans
3 le
L E T T fi R S;
le Livre de ce Prelat fur Yorigine du mal? mais
je ne faurois gouter fon fentiment, qui tend
a nous faire croire, qu'il y a dans les fubftan-
ccs libres une volonte ou election, qui n'eft
point fondee dans ia reprefentation du bi-
cn ou du mai des objects, mais dans je ne
fay quel pouvoir arbitraire de choifir fans
fujet. Son Sermon aulfi ne me fatisfait pas>
lors qu'il femble nier, que nous ayons de
Veritables notions des attributs de Dieu*
II eft vray, que STRABON eft un bon Aii-
teur : mais je crois pourtant, qu'on peutdire
qu'il fe trompe fort en parlant des Juifs. II ne
paroit point fonde d'avancer les points fuivans :
i, que des Edomites chaffez de 1' Arabic^ fe
font joints aux Juifs & ont pris leur loix : i,
que les Juifs font Egyptiens d'origine : 3,
que MOYSE a etc un Pretre Egyptien : 4, que
MOYSE a cru, que Dieu eft le Monde: 5,
que MOYSE a occupe les environs de Jerufa-
falem : 6> qu'il a obtenu ce pays fans combat :
7, que le pays des Juifs eftoit peu digne d'etre
matiere de combats : 87 qu'au lieu d'armes
MOYSE a employe les ceremonies de la Reli-
gion : 9, que les peiiples voifins fe font joints
a luy : i o, que fes fucceffeurs ont introduit
la circumcifion, 6c Tabftinence de certaines
viandes. Je ne veux point eplucher le refte,
mais je ne faurois diffimuler la faute qu'il a
faite dans un fait voifin de Ion temps, en cro-
yant qu'HERoDE a ete un des Pretres ou Pon-
tifes des Juifs. M. CASAUBON a remarque
VoL.,-11. C G encore
402 LETTERS.
encore, que STRABON trompe par d'autres au-
teurs, a confondu le Lac de Sirbone avec Ic
Lac Afphaltite, ou le Jordan fe perd.
La Langue Cophtc garde beaucoup de 1'an-
cien Egyptien, & des perfonnes y verfees le
croyent bien different de 1'Arabe.
M. HUET etant, fans doute, un des plus fa-
vans hommes de notre temps, merite qu'on
parle de luy avec moderation.
Quant aux Chinois, je crois qu'il faut dif-
tinguer entre leur Caraderes & leur Langue.
Les Carafteres en font difficiles a apprendre,
& les Jefuites ont raifon de foutenir, qu'il
faut beaucoup de temps pour qu'on foit en
etat de bien entendre les livres de cette na-
tion 5 mais la Langue n'eft pas fort difficile,
quand on en a attrappe la prononciation :
aufli eft elle fort imparfaite 5 les favans ne
la cultivant point, parce qu'ils s'attachent
aux Caraftercs. Le Pere GRIMALDI m'a dit,
qu'il arrive quelque fois aux Chinois dans, la
converfation de tracer les caraderes en Tair
ou autrement, pour fe mieux expliquer.
Au refte je fuis
MONSIEUR,
<votre tres humble
& tres obeijfant ferviteur,
LEIBNIZ,
LETTERS. 403
T O
Mr.
Pel. p, 1710-11.
S I R,
Something I was to finifli for Prince EU-
GENE, with whom I hold a literaiy cor-
refpondence, and which I have transmitted
to his Highhefs laft poft, is the reafon I have
fo feldom apply'd to you in perfon or paper
(if I may fo fj>eak) fince my arrival. But
tho' I intend to do my felf the honor of wait-
ing on you to morrow, yet my duty obliges
me to fend you this Letter to day. I have,
indeed, been very bufy hitherto (which hur-
ry is now over) yet I have been at times in
all places and with all people. My long ab-
fcence has given me a good pretext for an
unaffefted ireferVe, as feeming ignorant of
every thing at home, which makes all men
defirous to inform me on the foot of their
own fchenies and principles, being God
knows fometimes extremely different, and
frequently inconfiftent.
That I never admir'd the late Miniftry,
to whom I was under no tie of affeftion qr
gratitude, you remember as well as any
pun 5 and you know, that by the Miniftry,
C c z 1 don't
404 LETTER S.
I don't mean every man that was then in
Employment : but that I neither difparage
nor commend them now, any more than
over-flatter the prefent Miniftry, which I am
likewife far from under- rating, is what you'll
be doubtlefs inform'd of from the Coffee-
houfes, where you great men (be of what
iide you will) need have no fpies in pay ^
Jfince there are fo many officious expectants
in each of them ready to perform that fer-
vice. I therefore hear and fee every thing.
I have the pleafure very often by crofs quef-
tions, or a feeming compliance, to draw that
out of fome people, for which they wou'd
be ready to hang themfelves, if they thought
I rightly underftood them, tho', after ftar-
ting their dcfigns, to the beft of my ability,
their perfons for me fhall be always fafe.
Bantering and fooling, indifference and doubt-
fulnefs, are fuccefsful engines in this art of
disburdening, which you know the French
call tirer les vers du nez>> and we Englifh
pumping. In fhort, I fet up not pretendedly,
but in downright earned:, for converfing with
all men and about all things; which conduit
I have exadly obferv'd ever fince my going
laft abroad, and fhall ever continue it.
Let this fcrve as a preface, SIR, to what-
ever I may have occafion to write or fay to
you for the future, and in particular to what
I am now going to tell you ; which is, that
a violent fufpicion is ftrongly rooted in the
minds
LETTERS. 405
minds of many, and indireftly affe&ing all,
as if I know not what long-winded meafures
were concerted in favour of the Pretender's
more eafy accefs to the Britifh Empire 5 and
confequently againft the rightful and law-
ful claim of the Houfe of Hanover. Be-
lieve me, this notion alone does the Court
more harm, than all the artifices of all the
men that are difoblig'd in the nation. I will
not difpute but that the late Minifters and
their creatures would gladly clog the wheels 5
as fome ill-affeded, ignorant, or difconten-
ted Tories wou'd drive 'em much too fair.
But other Whigs and Tories wou'd not be
willinger to get more money than they
have at prefent, than to improve by any
hands the money they have got already,
cou'd they entirely truft the Government.
Nay, tho'lfhou'd agree with your Pro) eftors,
that fome keep up their money out of ful-
lennefs, and others in expectation of greater
advantages when the Court is in greater
diftrefs ; let me take the liberty neverthelefs
to afiiire you, that there are a third fort,
and thofe not the leaft wealthy or numerous,
who for the reafon given before (well or ill
grounded) dare not at this juncture part with
their money on any terms, tho' ever fo
inviting. Such people have with the greateft
earneftnefs and fincerity beg'd me for a rea-
fon to fet them at cafe.
C c 3 Now
406 LETTERS.
Now fince by conquering this fame point
of Money, you conquer all other difficulties,
I think it behoves the Court by fome un-
affe&ed method (yet as much for their own
honor as poflible) to fettle the minds of
the fubjeD:s $ and to aft in refped to the Houfe
of Hanover with more opennefs and hearti-
nefs than they are hitherto obferv'd to have
done either there or elfewhere. Dry and
general expreflions will not do: friends muft
be confirm'd, and enemies put out of hope.
I cou'd tell you the anfwers that men have
ready in their mouths to that part of the
Queen's Speech which relates to the Succef-
fion>(and which (by the way) feems even to
me not to be over punctually followed by
the countenance and preferment given fince
to certain perfons whereof 1 faw a lift, with
whole former conduft and characters I am
throughly acquainted, and who I have reafon
to believe are not chang'd by an oath, what-
ever they may be by a place. They cannot at
leaft be faid to be zealous for the Proteftant
Succeffion.
I am not a ftranger to the principles and
practices of certain Scots I can meet every
day about Weftminfter, no more than to the
peculiar conftruftion they put on the Oath
of Abjuration. I know what is further faid
in the world concerning the affeded ftile,
Or rather incoherent jargon of the late Ad-
2 dreffes $
LETTERS. 407
drefles; nor want I explanations from fome
of the Addrefiers themfelves. I am glad how-
ever on other accounts that fuch Addreffes
there were. But to pafs over a thoufand
things of this nature and tendency, I muft
not forget that fome of the Writers that
wou'd diftinguiih themfelves by their zeal
for the prefent Miniftry (as the Examiner,
for example) have given but too much ground
for thefe furmifes by very odd and impru-
dent , if not difaffedted and villanous ex-
preffions.
'Tis likewife prodigious to think, that
LESLY, who deferves to be hang'd, was not
as much puniiht at lead for his Good old
Caufe, as Sir ROWLAND GWYN for his Letter >
or GILDON for publifliing and defending it.
Tho' 1 don't mention 'em, I am not igno-
rant of other fuch Books that have pafs'd un-
cenfur'd, to the no fmall amazement of every
body. There are fo many fcatter'd parti-
culars of this kind, which tho' fingly per-
haps unheeded, yet colleded and fet fairly
in one view, wou'd (I durft wager) bring
down (locks lower than ever.
Certain informations now before the At-
torney General againft two Scots Officers, as
alfo againft a man from Exeter (to name no
more) and the fham-plot of thofe two ram-
pant St. German Priefts LANG TON and HIG-
GXNS, againft fome honeft Gentlemen in Ire*
C c 4
40S L E T T E R *S.
land, whereof I have a very particular ac-
count, from one of the Gentlemen them-
felves, cannot but make people remember
and dread the days of King CHARLES and
King JAMES. Tis ever an ill fign when hv
formers are encourag'd.
I will not inftft on the choice of Minifters
to the Court of Hanover, aimoft from the
beginning : nor on certain, I was going to
fay childiih, ways of treating them, of which
jhey'll be the laft themfelves to tell you $
and I own that I am far from being com-
miflion'd to do fo, or any thing like it. I
am however afraid, and I wifh I may never
have occafiqn to ihew, that you have all of
you a wrong notion of that place, where you
may depend upon it that there are neither
Whigs nor Tories; and where as Mr. H***
(if he has any faith in me) is the higheft in
their efteem for a Politician, fo he may be
the firft in their confidence as a friend, with-
out forfeiting any of his duty to his prefent
Royal Miftrels, whofe true intereft and theirs
are, in their opinion, infeparable. Never, I
gm fiire, were heirs apparent or prefumptive
Jcfs 'difpos'd to make the poffeffbr uneafya
or lefs in haft to leap at a Crown, being al-
|:eady fo eafy themfelves. Yet this is far from
jendring them indifferent, as fome (hallow
monfters have mifconftrued their difcretion j
the Eledor's language being unvariably this,
that hell always do by the Queen, as he xyou'd
have
LETTER S, 409
have his fon do by him. The late Minifters, we
may naturally imagine will not be wanting (if
poffible) to ruffle this their tranquillity, as well
as improve the miftruflful difpofitions, and, I
hope, ill-grounded jealoufies of the people.
As to Credit (which is the main point at
prefent) the very perfons in the City, who
abhor the thoughts of any deftgn for the
Pretender in Court or Parliament, yet find-
ing thofe that believe fuch deftgns keep up
their money, will likewife keep up theirs for
fear of the worft : fince the leaft confufions
on this account muft ruin a world of men.
'Tis in your will, I am perfuaded, and for
God's fake let it be in your power, to obvi-
ate the malicious defigns of your own and
the Nation's enemies. A method may be
eafily found out : tho' I have known a boat
overfet, becaufe the skipper wou'd not
flacken his fail at the defire of a paffenger.
Our Britifh Court muft often condefcend to
fatisfy the doubts or delires of the Peo-
ple, nor does even the French King always
negled it.
Pray, SIR, miftake me not 5 as if I had the
Englifh fpleen or a German penfion. I own
it is impoffible for any man to be more in
the interefts of that moft illuftrious Family
than I am 5 and as I hope to out-live every
man alive that's older than my felf but you,
fo I have a real and hearty concern for what's
to
4io LETTERS;
to come. But for all that, you may fafcly
rely upon it, that this Memorial is deliver'd
out of perfed good will to you, moft fin-
cerely intended for your fervice, and I doubt
not but fo you'll underftand it. I am in my
felf entirely fecure as to the event. Tho'
time and things have taught me to be cauti-
ous of every body, yet I am convinced that
too much jealoufly is as bad, if not worfe,
than none at all. Were I furc, as I am cer-
tain of the contrary, that every man and
woman they fufpeft was imbark'd in fuch a
Plot, yet^[ ftiou'd not much fear for the Succef-
fion's blowing up or finking their (hip. Nay
were the Pretender landed at Leith or in
the Downs (which is believ'd to be the mean-
ing of the hieroglyphical Almanack from
Chrift-Church, where the allegorical health
is Confufion to fPhilofophy> that is to SO-
PHIA and \\et friends) fhotild this happei}, I
fay, I fhou'd not defpair of his being quick-
ly driven out again ; and in this cafe foreign-
ers, I fancy, wou'd inter- meddle whether we
wou'd or no. But 'tis better he fhou'd not
come at all, left you or I fhou'd fall in the
fcuffle.
For the reft, I do affure you, Dear SIR,
that what I have laid before you is not whol-
ly pick'd from common fame, nor yet the
language of tools or factious fellows ; but
that of entire truft in me from fome of the
moft confiderable men in the Nation and
City*
LETTERS.
City, the apprehenfions of Tories as well
as of Whigs, many of whom have ever def-
pifed thofe whom you may be apt to fufpeft
of putting fuch notions in their heads, or
fuch words in their mouths. But to conclude,
I have befidcs a dcmonftration to my felf
that a majority of the nation does more or
lefs believe the matter that has occafion'd this
Letter. The Jacobites give out they are cock-
furc of it, the Whigs fear it may be too true,
and many of the Tories know not what to
think : but I know in fuch a cafe with whom
fome of them wou'd be moft likely to join.
The October Club, if rightly managed, will
be rare fluff to work the ends of any party.
J fent fuch an account of thofe wights to
an old Gentlewoman of my acquaintance,
as in the midft of fears will make her laugh.
I am with my head, with my pen, and with
my heart,
SIR,
Tour mft faithful
and obedient fervant.
T O
LETTERS:
T O
Mrs.
MADAM,
IF we correfpondcd in all things as pun&u-
ally as we have done this week, in inter-
changing the good news, no pair in hiftory
cou'd exceed us. But by yours before the
laft (for both which I return my heartieft
thanks) I find that a Lady of your acquain-
tance and my felf, differ very much in our
notions about Solitude, which I take to be
quite another thing from Retirement. I am
ready to own that without Retirement one
is in a perpetual hurry: it reiterates all our
enjoyments by recollection; and furnifhes us
with materials as well as defires for new
plcafures, when we produce our felves again
upon the theatre. Solitude, on the contrary,
not only deprives us of both the paft and the
future, but always inclines the prefent hour
to joylefs melancholy, which fooner or later
ends in fomething intractable, Timonean,
(pardon the word) or perhaps more fatal. And
if this be true of the meaneft and moft
thoughtlefs peafants , tho' little differing
from brutes in all they do j how much more
muft it be fo of fuch elevated genius's, whofe
ready and juft conceptions of things, whofe
proper
L E T T E R S. 5j.il
proper but unaffeded expreffion, and whofe
engaging affability ever join'd to difcretion,
make them the only Angels, capable to ren-
der others happy, and to be fo themfelves>
in converfation, friendfhip, love, or affairs,
or all together.
This is exadly the Chara&et of the Lady,
who pleads for Solitude •> and who you tell
me looks upon the Book of Nature, as fuffici-
ent to employ and divert her. Pray ac*
quaint her from me, that no man in the
world admires that fame Book, more than
my felf, but that it is ftill only in Retire-
ment 5 and I fancy I fhou'd underftand it bet-
ter, were (he there to tell me the names of
the flowers, or I to tell her their virtues : be-
fides that, after all, we perufe the Book very
imperfectly, if we do not frequent the beau
monde, pleafe and be pleafed, hear and re-
late 5 all which being natural, are fo many
agreeable pages of that infinite volume. I
fhould be very angry at what your acquain-
tance fays of her time of day^ were not their
proper perfon the only thing, wherein Ladies
of her fenfe are allow'd to fpeak by con-
traries. Perfuade her therefore to corne to
town, and affure her, that whoever looks
upon her with my eyes, muft allow the Pifture
I fend you to refemblc her in every particular.
I never read it, but I thought fo, and confe-
quently thought of herfelC
i T O
414 LETTERS.
Mr.
o ••
* *
SlR>
I Had the honor of receiving your Letter
yefterday by the hands of Dr. F***.
The Motto you fent, being one of five I
had fince colle&ed for your choice, is already
fet in the frontifpiece : for in fubjefts of this
nature, I have as juft a deference for your tafte
and judgment, as ever VIRGIL or HORACE
had for VARIES. I likewife acknowledge
your criticifm, as to narration in general, to
be right, where we ought to be very fparing
of Epithets, except when they are abfolutely
requifite : for they only, and their coufin Ad-
verbs, make all the diftin&ion of things, not
can any writing be without them. But on
the other hand, I admit not your French
Tekmachus, nor any other the moft corred
French Author for a Rule in Language : for
their own is neither a good original, nor ca-
pable of imitating fuch. What Frenchman
can fay the all-permeating Aether or fwift-
footed ACHILLES > tho' words of this kind be
as effential to Paftorals (whether in profe or
verfe) as to Tragic or Epic Poetry,
There
LETTERS. 41$
There may be however a vicious affeda-
tion of thefe in fuch Pieces as moft require
them. Nor do we Authors (and 'tis only la-
zinefs or a more unpardonable modefty that
keeps you ftom being of our number) always
print every word we write in the firft heat
of our imagination. This fort of pruning
is call'd by our friend HORACE ambitiofa re~
cidere ornament a ; and the Rqcitation of the
Antients to their judicious acquaintance (a
thing wholly neglected by the Moderns) was
principally defign'd for this purpofe. Mine
was fo to you : but I had done it in vain,
if you had not ufed a liberty wherein no-
thing is to be blam'd, but the excufe you
make for it. If you don't fend me word
that you have bufinefs or better company
to morrow, I fhall have further difcourfes
with you on this fubjeft. In the mean
time, believe me to be in the ftrideft fenfe,
SIR,
Tour moft true
and faithful Jew ant.
T O
LETTERS
Mr.
T O
* * *
SIR,
SINCE you cannot read the Memoirs of
Monfieur CASTELNAU in the original,
I fend you a tranflation of his Character of
Queen ELIZABETH, which, in my opinion, is
a mafter-piece. He had long refided Ambaf-
fador at her Court from France, and was
very much in her favour, tho' in Religion
Popifli 5 and, as fuch, hath often mifrepre-
fented the Proteftants, efpecially thofe in
France: which is an undeniable argument
for not fufpeding his fincerity when he
fpeaks well of them.
THE
CHARACTER
O F
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
« THO' this Princefs was pofleft of all
" the great qualities that are necef-
" fary for reigning a long while, which (he
" likewiie did, yet, however good her un-
** derftanding
LETTERS. 417
cc derftanding might be, fhe wou'd never
(t either decide or undertake any thing of
" her own head, but always imparted every
" thing to her Council. What happened in
" the time of AUGUSTUS, when the Tem-
" pie of JANUS was (hut as a fign of the uni-
" verfal Peace of the Empire, might be as
" truly faid of her reign $ for the Queen
" of England having avoided all wars, by
" ftudying to fix them upon her neighbours
" abroad, rather than to draw them upon
11 her own Kingdom, and to feed them at
" home, flie prelerv'd her fubje&s by this
" means in very great tranquillity. Nor was
" it with any juftice that fhc wastaxt by fome
" with avarice, for not having made any confi-
" derable liberalities(forfooth) which not only
" load thofe with envy on whom they are
" conferred, when exceflive^ but very often
" are the caufe of cenfure upon thofe who
" beftow them without reafon, andunlefsthe
" gift be a work of charity or neceility.
" A further and fufficient defence againft this
<c unjuft charge of being govern 'd by avarice,
" is, that the faid Queen did entirely dif-
" charge all the debts of her Predeceffors,
" and put her finances into fo good order,
" that no Prince of her time did amafs fo
" great riches, and levy'd with fo much
" equity, as fhe did, without ever laying
" any extraordinary taxes or new- invented
" imports to fqueeze her fubjefts. This ma-
" nagement is the reafon that for the fpacc of
VOL. II. D d " eight
41* t E T T E R 1
" eight years fhe never demanded the ordi*
" nary fubfidies and free gift, which the Eng-
" lifli are accuftom'd to grant their Princes
" from three years to three years : and, what
" is more, her fubjeds having offer'd her in
" the year 1570 the ufual fum without her
" asking of it, fhe not only thank'd them
" without accepting thereof 5 but likewife
" aflur'dthem, that unlefs abfolute neceflity
" requir'd it, fhe wou'd never raife a crown
" upon them, but what wou'd be juft
" neceffary for fupporting the government.
" This fmgle adion deferves the higheft
" praife, and may well entitle her to the
<c reputation of being extremely liberal.
" But yet further, fhe neither fold the of-
" fices of her Kingdom, nor made money
" of them any other way, tho' other Princes
" are wont to give them to the higheft bid-
" der : a thing that ordinarily corrupts ju-
" ftice and policy, with all humane and di-
" vine Laws, Befides her maintaining of
" her fubjeds in peace and tranquillity, fhe
" continually built a great number of Ships,
tf which were the fortreffes, the baftions,
and the ramparts of her State, cauiing a
new man of war to be launched once every
two years; and fuch Ships they were, as
" made account to meet with nothing on
" ( the feas capable to rcfift them. Thefe
" were the buildings, thefe were the Palaces
" that the Queen of England begun from
" her
LETTERS.
ff her very acceilion to the throne, and
" which fhe delighted to continue ever
" after. She exercis'd withal another fort
*' of prudent Liberality, which is, to fpare
" no expences in order to know the fecrets
" of foreign Princes : and this was particu-
" lar to her, that fhe chofe rather to lend
" without intereft, than to borrow her felf
" on any conditions, tho' ever fo gainful.
" She has been indeed moft bafely calumni-
" ated with certain Love-Intrigues, which I
" can affirm with much fincerity to have
" been mere inventions, and ftories not on-
" ly fpread by malecontents at home, but
" likewife forg'd in the clofets of Ambaffa-
" dors, to make thofe Princes averfe to her
" alliance, to whom her friendfhip might be
" of the greateft advantage. Had fhe had an
" inclination for the Earl of LEICESTER
" (as it was pofitively reported) and that fhe
" had preferred him not only to all her own
" fubjeds, but likewife to thofe foreign Prin-
" ces that courted her, what cou'd hinder
" her from marrying him > efpecially, feeing
" that the three eftates of her Kingdom,
" and the neighbouring Kings and Princes,
" did often beg it of her with great earneft-
" nefs, or to marry any other, even of her
" fubjefts that fhe might beft like. But fhe
" was plea fed to fay to my felf an infinite
" number of times, and long before I had
€t the honor to refide in her Court, that were
" fhe ever difpofed to marry, it fhou'd only
D d 2 ' " be
420 LETTERS;
<c be to a Prince of a great and illuftrious
<e Family, and of Royal lineage, not inferior
<c at leaft to her own $ and this more for the
" good of her Kingdom, than for any parti-
cc cular affection : nay, and that if fhe thought
" any of her fubjeds were fo prefumtuous
" as to defire her for a wife, fhe wou'd
" never admit him afterwards into her pre-
" fence, but, contrary to her natural difpo-
" fition very oppofite to cruelty, fhe wou'd
" play him fome ill turn $ fo that there re-
" mains no reafon to doubt, but that fhe was
" always no lefs chafte than prudent, as the
" effects do plainly demonftrate. What ferves
€c for a further good proof of what I here
€e allege, is, the curiofity fhe had to learn
€t fo many Sciences and Languages, befides
" her continual application to affairs of ftate
" foreign and domeftic, that fhe cou'd fcarce
" have any leifure to think of amorous pat
tc fions, which are the offpring of Idlenefs
<c but not of Letters : a thing well under-
" flood by the ancients, when they made
" PALLAS the Goddefs of wifdom, to be a
ct> virgin, and without a mother, and like-
" wife the nine Mufes to be fo manychaft
" virgins. For all this, I know the Courti-
" ers will fay, that Honor confifts only in re-
" putation, and principally the honor of
" women, who are happy if they have but
" a good name. Now if I have been carried
" fomewhat too far out of my road to de-
" fcribe the praifesofthis Princefs, the par-
" ticular
LETTERS. 421
" ticular knowlege I had of her merits will
" ferve me for a lawful excufe 5 as the re-
" hearfal of them feem'd alfo neceiTary, that
" the Queens , who fhall come after her,
" may take the example of her virtues for
" their looking-glafs.
Read now all the Hiftories that expreffly
or occafionally relate the Aftions of this
incomparable Princefs, and you'll find that
this Charader might well ferve for argument
to them all : fo judicioufly cou'd the French
Minifter croud immenfe matter into a very nar-
row room. When I write on that fubjeft,which
I hope to do e'er it be long, I am refolv'd to
take it for my text 5 and to enlarge on the
following heads, viz. That fhe was,
1 . Bafely envied by the Scotch race, and
her day abolifh'd by King JAMES II.
2. Maintaining the ballance of power
abroad, and the head of the Proteftant inte-
reft every where.
3 . No fingle Miniftry, but the refults of
a wife Council.
4. Preferv'd peace at home by keeping the
war abroad (i), where fee always entertain-
ed fufficient forces, both to affift her allies,
which fhe never abandoned ; and to main-
tain military Difcipline in her Kingdom.
(i) Bcllum foris, pax domi.
£> d 3 5. Not
LETTER S.'
5. Not prodigal of the public money to
worthleis favourites. The Popifh Libels on
that fubjeft againft a time of need.
6. She did difcharge the public debts in
reality, and not in idea ; as the public credit
was held up by effects and not by a vote.
7. When (he forbore receiving the ufual
taxes, (he was at the fame time engag'd in
foreign wars. This was liberality to her People.
8. Never rais'd money to enrich favou-
rites, and fupply the luxury of a Court.
9. No felling of offices after the bafeft
manner ; that is, beftowing them as bribes to
the turbulent or corrupt, and not as favours
to men of merit ; and fplitting them among
many to make the more voices, or quarter-
ing thofe you dare not employ on thofe
you do.
10. Her care of augmenting the Fleet, and
how it dwindled under her Succefibr,. the
{hips fhe built rotting in the Docks.
1 1 . By paying well for the fecrets of Princes,
fhe was not at a lofs what meafures to take,
nor ever fhamefully forc'd to change, her
fchemes with every wind.
12. Never borrowed at exceffive premi-
ums, a fure fign of mifmanagement.
13. Marry 'd only to her Kingdom, and
not changing her Minifters with her Lovers,
Steddy, and not faying and unfaying, deny-
ing and affirming, as (he was bid ; a /ign that
thofe who do fo, either know not what is a
doing at all, or no judges when they do
know it. 14. Her
LETTERS. 423
14. Her prodigious knowledge, her affa-
bility, her polite Literature, not mewing her
felf up, but filling all foreigners with admira-
tion of her wit as well as her wifdom.
15. Scorn'd to mifally her felf with the
fprouts of the Law or the Gofpel.
1 6. Her example to be follow'd by Kings
as well as Queens.
17. Sometimes changing Minifters, but
never meaiures, fo that her motto of fewper
eadern^ her own choice and no imitation,
was not a fatyr but a panegyric upon her
condud.
CASTELNAU, who liv'd in England 25
years, was admirably well acquainted with
her genius 5 and, knowing by our conftitu-
tions, that other Queens might probably
reign here before time cou'd abolifh his Me-
moirs, he drew up this Charafter for a guide,
an encouragement to their good condud.
Mr.
T O
* * *
SIR,
THE following abftraft of a French
Letter writ from Carolina, in the year
1688, being fall'n into my hands, I thought
the account it gives of the honeft Indians
of that Country, would not be unacceptable
to you. D d 4 An
424 LETTERS.
An Account of the Indians at Carolina.
I had but little knowledge of Mankind,
whilft the only means I had of judging was
from the Books of Morality, and the Conver-
fation of thole, amongft whom I then liv'd.
All things are fo order'd and fo compos'd
there, that 'tis very hard to make a found
Judgment of what a Man is. The fubmif-
fion one owes to Princes, to Juftice, and
to Ecciefiaftical Power, do keep men fo
ftrongly within the bounds of a certain
duty, as well as the prevailing cuftom of
yeilding obedience to fome perfons more
powerful then themfelves, and more capa-
ble of doing them harm ; that it is almoft
impoflible ever to fee Man in a ftate of
pure nature : but in this Country, where he
ieems to be free from all thefc tyes and ob-
ligations, one fees him in his true light, and
\vithout a mask. And truly one may fay,
that the apparent exaggeration of the Pro-
phets in the Old Teftament, did never carry
farther the deformity of the Jews character,
then can be made that of the Chriftians : fo
far are they from having the marks of a
Chriftian that hardly have they of a rational
creature. One fees them daily exclaming
againfl one another , without zeal towards
God, without piety or affeftion, not help-
ing one another, having no other God but
their riches, without confidence in divine
Providence,
LETTERS. 425
Providence,murmuring always againfthim up-
on the moft trifling vexation, as if God Al-
mighty were ungrateful in giving fo fmall
rewards and encouragements to thofe who
make profeflion of being Chriftians.
This is it that teacheth me to know what
Man is in his depraved ftate. But on the
other hand, God has been pleas'd to grant
me a fight of Man fuch as he ought to be,
and thereby has made me underftand, that in
creating us, he has not left us unprovided of
natural abilites to avoid the evil for its
uglinefs, and to fearch after the good for
its beauty only $ without the fear of punifli-
ment attending the one, or the hope of re-
compence to induce us to the practice of
the other. Would you imagine, SIR, that
the example fhould be feen and found a-
mongft thefe Indians, of whom you feem
fo unwilling to believe any fuch matter ? Yes,
SIR, it is thefe very Indians that have made
me blufh for fhame to be a Man, and yet fo
little reafonable 5 and to carry the name of
a Chriftian, and yet fo remote from the pra-
ftice of an Evangelical life. We know our
Saviour's precepts without obferving them,
and they obferve them without knowing
him: were they to have alltheGofpel word
by word by heart, they could not practice it
with more exadnefs and ftriftnefs then they
do it already.
'WOii .'til;* r. '\ "J.>lIjO ti> 3
One
425 LETTERS.
One fees fo wonderful an union amongft
this People, that you never hear of any dif-
putes or quarrels among them. They are an
induftrious and laborious Nation 5 lubmiffive
to fuperior Powers, but without being their
flaves j obeying without repining or grumb-
ling their Sovereign's orders : never mind-
ing their own particular Interefts, when the
Publick has need of their fervice or endea-
vors ; never fuffering their neighbour to be
in want, whilft they have where-withal to
make them fharers with them ; hofpitable,
religious obfervers of their word and pro-
mife 5 never lying, never taking away from
another what belongs to him $ no ways
diflblute, luxurious or debauched; the mar-
ry 'd women being modeft and vertuous, as
to every thing that looks like gallantry, as
well as the unmarry'd; civil and obedient
to their husbands, according to the advice of
St. PAUL : all of them courteous, affable,
and obliging towards ftrangers, no ways fa-
vage nor morofe, no ways ungrateful, and
never forgetting a good office ; valiant and
proud in war, traftable and mild in peace,
hating thieves, robbers, lyars, and all fuch
as break their word. This is the true Cha-
rader of the Indians, with whom I con-
verfed moft. I muft needs own to you,
SIR, that after having liv'd among them
fome weeks, I could not but admire and be
amaz'd at the lives of other men, and how
we
LETTERS. 427
\ve toil and labor for fuperfluities that we
may very cafily be without. It was amongft
them that I learn'd to feek after what is ne-
cefiary, and to undervalue the great hurry
of bufiaefs of the world, in which, there
is nothing but anguifh and vexation of fpi-
rit. Good God ! What fenfible difference
I found betwixt the happy quietnefs and re-
pofe I enjoy 'd amongft them, and the trou-
ble I meet with daily amongft people, a thou-
fand times more favage then they. But, O
SIR, if this People were Chriftians, what
pleafure would there be never to part from
them > 'Tis true they are not Chriftians, and 'tis
to be fear'd will never be. When I difcour-
fed them upon it, they gave me fuch an an-
fwer as made me hold my tongue for (hame.
" You would (fay they) have us become
" Chriftians ? well, to what end and purpofe ?
" Is it to make us better than really we are,
" or is it not rather to make us as wicked
" and vicious as your felves, to render us
" Adulterers, Whore-mafters, Lyars, Mur-
" therers, Robbers, without faith, honor, or
" honefty, minding nothing but how to de-
" ceive one another, and to deftroy you up-
" on pretence of Juftice ? Is this a party to
" choofe, and to oblige us to renounce the
" firaplicity of our manner of life, and the
" fweet tranquillity of mind we now en-
" joy •> " When I attempted to reprefent
to them, that 'twas not our Religion that
made us fuch as they painted us ^ fince
3 it
428 LETTERS.
it taught us to lead better lives: they re-
ply'd , " that all the Indians that became
" Chriftians, were fallen into the fame vices
" and irregularities, that are praftic'd amongft
<c us } and that therefore they would not
" run the hazzard of it.
To
* *
Dear SIR,
HAV ING waited a fortnight after the
publication of my Book, and no An-
Iwer coming out in that time (as I fee not
what can be reply'd to fuch plain fa&s, be-
fides railing, which will never pafs for rea-
fon) I thought my felf bound to attend no
longer, and fo came down hither at the ear-
ned requeft of a Gentleman, to whom I owe
very many obligations. In one word he's
neither King- ridden nor Prieft- ridden. I fhall
not however during my fmall ftay, wafte time
in merely feeing the country, or indulging
the pleafures it affords : but on the contrary,
I fpend an hour or two every morning on
a Piece that will make a much greater noife,
and raife a far nobler fpirit than 'Dunkirk
or 'Dover. I am perfuaded it will be reckoned
a very acceptable fervice by all true lovcr$
of their Country.
:.-!! "^?i .fc-nmra -7^;:i V%% . *g ~*
But
LETTERS. 429
But 'tis very hard on the other hand, that
while I thus incur the odium of the French
Party in power, I fnould be neglefted by
thofe whofe Englifh principles, and I may
alfo fay whofe private interefts, I fo heartily
promote* I do all this, its true, from the
unalterable love I bear to Liberty •> but while
they find their account in it, methinks, they
fhould not be the lefs thankful. I hope at
leaft they will now fee, how unjuft their Suf-
picions were, that I had ftill a fecret under-
ftanding with my Lord * * * whofe Spy
they us'd approbrioufly to ftile me 5 tho' I
expoftulated with him more, and fpoke more
plain truths to him, concerning the deftruc-
live meafures I faw he was taking, than any
one of them has done. I neither defire nor
cxped my word fliould be taken for this:
for I have authentick Proofs of it in the
copies of feveral Writings or Memorials on
that fubjed, to every one of which, the per-
fon who entertains me here is a witnefs, as
having been privy to the fame 5 and in par-
ticular to the laft Letter I wrote his Lordfhip
about two years ago, wherein upon certain
(as he thought) ambiguous words he let drop
about the Houfe of Hanover, I utterly re-
nounc'd his friendfhip, and confequently all
the advantages one in my circumftances might
hope from his Protection. Since that time
I never fpoke nor wrote to him more : and
thus while I behav'd my felf as if I had the
3 moft
43o LETTER S,
moft plentiful fortune to fupport me againft
his refentments, yet am I fhamefully aban-
don'd as if I were his Creature in the worft
fenfe.
I fhould not have taken the liberty, SIR,
to be fo particular with you, if I were not
thoroughly convinc'd that you are not one-
ly upon the firmed Principles engag'd in the
nobleft caufe in the world ; but likewife be-
caufe I found you always inclin'd both to
juftify and favour me, as knowing well that
I neither was, nor cou'd be any thing but a
Whig. Indeed a perfon who has fo nice a
tafte of polite Literature himfelf, cannot but
p&tronize a lover of Letters in a lower de-
gree than I am : and hence therefore it is,
that I throw my felf on your generous care,
not doubting but you'll take fome pains to
fet me right with thofe who know me not
fo well, and fo difpofe 'em to put me in a
condition of writing as freely as I think.
Being refolv'd to fet out for London next
monday,there's no need of honouring me with
an Anfwer, and in the mean time, I am, with
the profoundeft refpeft and fincerity.
S I R,
Your, &c.
T O
LETTERS. 431
T O
Mr.
''^v *7v "sfr
•
London Jan. it.
Dear SIR,
THE Book I do my felf the honor to
fend you by next munday's carrier
will fufficiently inform you, how I have been
fpending my time for fome weeks paft at
Epfom j and the diftance of that place from
London, as well as my continual attention
to a thread of ancient and modern fads, will
excufe the interruption of Correfpondence.
Yet the lofs to me has been in fome meafure
made up by the affurance I received from
time to time of both your healths and kind
remembrance.
I flatter my felf that in the forefaid Book
you'll meet with more novelties, than in the
ordinary courfe of poftage I cou'd have fent
in that time 5 and I am forry on the other
hand, that you are too fure to find in it
many things that will be no news to you.
Difcourfing of Liberty, nay, affertaining
and maintaining it, I cou'd not but ad with
the greateft freedom, and indeed it wou'd not
only be improper, but, in my opinion, in-
effe<3ual
432 LETTERS.
effectual to do otherwife : fince the principal
art of perfuafion is to appear pcriuaded your
felt 5 and, to tell you the truth without dif-
guize, it is impoflible for a foul that's really
fir'd with the love of his Country, not to ex-
prefs in the mod pathetic terms a deteftation
for Tyranny, a contempt for Slaves, an aver-
fion to Traytors, and refentment of injur'd
Truft. But all this while I have not afted
without caution likewife, expefting little
affiftance from many of thofe that will be
the loudeft to applaud me : and therefore,
the coming out of the Book being fixt to
next Tuefday, I have provided my felf with
a privacy where I fancy I maybe fafe enough
till the firft fury be overpaft, if they think
it advifeable to make any profecution. Clips-
ton is too far off, or it were the fecureft
place in the world.
But leaving the event to time, you are to
underftand, that, without any regard to thefc
things, I am in about three weeks time bound
for Germany 5 tho* firft for Flanders, and next
for Holland. I believe I fhall be pretty well
accomodated for this Voyage, which upon
many accounts I expeft will be very ftiort.
Lord ! how near was my old Woman being
a Queen! and your humble fervant being
at his eafe ! All is not over yet, and fome
fymptoms are promifing enough. I have beem
the bolder upon this prefumption, nor am I
alone, fince all the Princes in Europe take
their meafures on the fame foot.
LETTERS. 435
You'll receive Mr. STEELE'S Crtfis by the
fame carrier that delivers you my Art of
Reftormg. I think it a very good Book, but
it docs not anfwer the expectation of many
others, who are good friends to him and
the Caufe.
'•'•7 - £\
Our naval armament goes on very
flovvly : and whether defign'd to reduce Bar-
celona, Copenhagen, or London, either of
thefe, or all three in conjunction with the
French, is yet a fecret to the body of our Peo-
ple, but none to me, as per next I fhall irre-
fiftibly convince you.
I am, SIR,
your
TO
•fltfr. T O L A N D.
,., ,o .. • 1
Pau 23 July 1714. N. S.
Dear SIR,
IT is about five weeks fince I came to this
place, but was not fettled till very
lately in a houfe fit for my purpofe, with
Stable, Coach-houfe and Garden. The Town is
but fmall, and full of Perfons of Quality, which
makes good houfes fo fcarce, that 1 thought
Vox,. IL E e I fhould
434 LETTER S.
I fhould have been forc'd to go fomewherc
elfe. I have taken one for a year at kaft,
and think I (hall ftay longer, finding the
place very pleafant and very healthy, as far
as I am yet able to judge. The City is fur-
rounded with very fine walks, either for
coach, horfe, or foot, and the Country much
the mod fruitful of any part of France, thro*
which I pafs'd. The people of condition
are extremely civil, by whom we have been
vifited univerfally, with promifes of much
friendfhip and fervice. I have been vifited
but once with the Gout fince I left England,
with a very moderate fit fince I left Paris,
which is more than has happened to me for
feveral years paft. It might poflibly have
been fo, if I had ftay'd in England, but I had
rather impute it to the exercife of my journey,
and the warmth and goodnefs of the air. I
go out fometimes on horfe-back, but for the
moft part in the coach, where I feldom fail of
meeting twenty or thirty more belonging to
this little Town. We got hither by eafy jour-
nies without meeting any misfortune 5 and,
tho' we pafs'd a great deal of bad way, my
horfes perform'd fo well, as to lofe no flefh
when they came hither, and are as good and
frefh as at firft.
The Country we pafs'd thro' is fufficient-
ly miferable, wanting almofl all neceflfaries
for a comfortable fubfiftence ; the peafants
fcarcely may be (aid to live, and thofe they
«U
LETTERS. 43*
call Gentlemen are proportionally in a worfe
condition. The fields are very much de-
ferted, whole towns abandon'd, and the
houfes fallen down as if they had been vifi*
ted with an earthquake^ fervants for manu-
fadures are much wanting, and thofe that
remain are very idle and avoiding labour,
which together with the diminution of
money, and the late univerfal plague amongft
their fheep and cattel, makes their wool
fcarce, and their manufa&uring dear. And
yet they reckon'd this a blcfled condition in
comparifon of what they feit in the time of
war, and look upon the peace as no lefs than
a reftoration of their beings, which were
reduc'd to their laft gafp. It muft needs be a
long while before the country can recover
the damage and defolation caus'd by the war,
and in all likelyhood they will never be able
to do it : and if the Bill of Commerce paffes,
I do not fee how any Province will get by
it, except fuch who deal in wines and bran-
dies.
Every body here talks very confidently of
an Invafion of England with a confiderablc
force, but deny that their King is any way
concerned in it, difguifing all under the Em-
peror's name : many ftick not to affirm open-
ly, that the Queen is expected fhortly in
France, and preparations are making for her
reception. No doubt if flic quits her King-
dom upon any account, flic will find a wel-
come here. E e z The
43* LETTERS.
The ftate of Learning in this Kingdom is
very low, and ignorance and barbarity creeps
infenfibly upon the people of all conditions:
the Priefthood being eas'd of their ftudies and
pains in confuting adverfaries, will be fure to
take care to keep the lay people as ignorant
as they can. And we may exped if things
continue in the prefent ftate, to fee this na-
tion over-run with witchcrafts and appariti-
ons, miracles, and all the barbarities of the
I2th and isth Centuries.
I am,
'Dear SIR,
Tour mofl affeffionate humble fervant,
T. RAULINS.
TO
\ Mr. THORESBY.
London Sep. zp, 1 7 1 f „
SIR,
MR. DBS MAIZEAUX, the Gentleman
who publifli'd Monfteur BAYLE'S Let-
ters, and who has oblig'd the learn'd world
with feveral of his own Productions, was fo
taken with your *Ducatus Leodienfis, (as all
perfons of curiofity and judgment muft ne-
ceffarily be) that he fent an account of it to
a foreign Joumalift, with whom he keeps a
correfpon-
LETTER S. 437
correfpondence. After having mention'd
your Book, he adds, in relation to your
felf(i):
" M. THORESBY avoit etc eleve pour le
" commerce, & il y faifoit dc fort bonnes
" affaires ; mais la paffion violente qu'il
" avoit pour route forte de Curiofitez & de
" Raretez lui fit abandonner cette profcf-
" fion pour fuivre fon inclination naturelle.
€( Le Catalogue des Raretez de fon Cabinet
" n'eft pas moms curieux qu'inftrudif : il fe-
" roit a fouhaiter que tous ceux qui poffedent
" de femblables trefors vouluffent imiter
*' Mr. THORESBY.
Of this I knew nothing till I faw the
Journal, and then Mr. DEsMAiZEAUxown'd
he had tranfmitted that Paragraph, which
will make the Book enquir'd after beyond
the feas. In effeft, a famous Bookfeller in
Holland, has upon this notice fent for fome
copies.
I thought my felf fo much inter efted in
what concerns the fame of an honeft man,
tho' not long happy in his acquaintance, that
I cou'd not refrain fending you this account.
The juftice done in it to your merit, ought
to be imitated by all thofe of your Coun-
trymen, who do not envy you, for there are
no parties in the Republic of Letters : and
(i) Nouvelles Litteraires du SamediiS Septembre 17 if.
E € 3 if
438 LETTERS.
if foreigners are fo highly pleas'd with peru-
fing your Antiquities of a place they never
faw 5 I think the Town of Leeds, which you
have not only rendred illuftrious, but even im-
mortal, fhou'd after their example (of which
I couM give many inftances) in gratitude ereft
your Statue, accompany'd with a mod hono-
rable Infcription.
You may remember, SIR, that Mr. DES
MAIZEAUX inferred his name in your Album
the day I took leave of you. He forgets not
his promife of furnifhing you with fome
hands. I fhall likewife add others, to thofe
you have already been pleas'd to accept. In
the mean time, I beg the favour of you to
lend or procure me an account of fuch Tra-
ditions, concerning the ^Druids, as may pof-
fibly obtain in your northern parts: what
Monuments are afcrib'd to them there, OK
that arc likely to be theirs, tho* vulgarly ta*
ken otherwife : and what places (if any) are
evidently, or con jeftur ally, call'd after them.
Such an account, in whole or in part, will
lay a fmgular obligation upon,
SIR,
j j
Tour mop faithful
obedient fervant*
LETTER S. 43$
'£ Mr. THORESBY's
"" ;_.... A N S W E R. Lu«i
Leeds Qftob. iz, 171 f.
*h
SIR,
I Take the opportunity of the very firft
port to acknowledge the favour of your
moft obliging Letter, with the inclos'd Para-
graph out of the Nouvel/es Litferaires,
wherein I perceive that Mr. DES MAIZEAUX
has done me the honor to mention the 2)#.
catus Leodienjis. My humble fervice and
thanks to that learned Author : but his and
your candor hath, I fear, been too extenfive
as to any thing of my performance, who be-
ing bred a Merchant, want the advantage of
an Academic Education 5 b\ttla paffion violent?
he juftly obferves in me, did me in that refpeft
a kindnefs, and made me give over in time
before the gentleman in Holland I was in
partnerfhip with, run himfelf aground.
I am forry I cannot more effectually an-
fwer your requeft as to the 'Druids, we not
having any traditions, &c. relating to them
in thefe parts. They feem to me to have re-
tired with the Britains to Wales : whatever
\ have been abk to procure relating to them*
E e 4 (mention'd
440 I E T T E R S.
( mentioned p. 493-) being procured from
thence. Only I have often thought that Bard-
fay near Wetherby in thefe parts receiv'd
its name from the Bards their contempo-
raries, 'tis even yet a private retired place
near the foreft, proper for contemplation.
I am particularly pleafed with one ex-
preflion in yours, \hztthere are no parties m
the Republic of Letters, for I am (as you kind-
ly obferve) an honefl man, (let me add fimple
and plain hearted) and can converfe with
great eafe and fatisfaftion with both high
and low, (tho* I cou'd wifh all diftin&ions
were laid afide) and have correfpondents of
both denominations. But you will pardon
me for wifliing that a Gentleman of fo much
humanity, learning, and curiofity, was, in one
point, more of the fentiments of the Ca-
tholick -Church. Pardon, SIR, this fingle
expreflion as proceeding from the affe&io-
nate defires of a fimple reclufe in his coun-
try cell, where he prays for peace and truth,
and the welfare of all mankind. I fhall
not for the future difturb you with anything
of this kind, but moft readily ferve you in
any thing that lies in the power of,
Jii3 ~j\-.*
SIR,
t- -- ~~ - . -, - r - ~ 'ir'-'ftf*
Tour moft faithful humble fervant
•*»»' . ' : &\l N r . ' :[
RALPH THORESBK^.
,-^*** « rj •' J ft J~.' . •!•* ZT T .
.'•id j *f-'.J
BETTERS:
•4f'- ' • ..!..;T ° ^'^iSv^ •
Mr. TO LAND. %
Bruffeh July 31, 1716.
/ -.t^v
S IR,
Tf Will not now make any excufe for trou-
JL bling you with an account of what I
Ihall fee abroad, fmce it is only in obedience
to your commands that I do it.
I fet fail from Dover to Calais about
twelve of the Clock on the the izth of July
O- S. and arriv'd there five hours after,
which was the 2 3d N. S. (which you know
is ufed almoft all over Europe), As foon as I
landed, the Soldiers of the Garrifon told me
I muft go before the Governor, and the In-
tendant de la Marine, before I could go to
the Inn, which I accordingly did 5 there I
was ask'd my name, who I was, what I came
there for, and how long I intended to ftay,
and as foon as I had anfwer'd their quet
tions they told me I might go.
Calais is but a fmall town, much about the
bignefs of Dover, but more compact; the har-
bour is well fortify 'd, but that part of the
fortifications which is towards the land, is
old and out pf order. You are not igno-
rant
44* *"L"£ t Tf E R S.>
norant that this Town belong'd formerly
to the Englifh, and it's the moft part built by
them, for the three principal Churches, and
almoft every thing that is ancient, had its ori-
gin from our fore- fathers. Here is a GarrU
fon of a thoufand men.
On the 25th I went for Dunkirk, which
is eight leagues from Calais, I din'd in the
way at Graveline, where there is a Garrifon
of fifteen hundred men. This town lies upon
the coaft^ and I was told the|French King
had once a defign to make this a fea-port, but
Dunkirk was afterwards thought more con-
venient : it's juft four leagues from Calais
and three leagues from Mardyke, which laft
place is but one from Dunkirk. When
I came by Mardyke I got out of the coach
to go and view the Canal, which is a prodi-
gious work and very large, for it's wide and
deep enough to receive a firft rate man of
war, and capable now of containing even
beyond the fluice two hundred or two hun-
dred and fifty fhipss fo that it may in time
(that is whenever our enemies think there
is occafion) be as prejudicial to us as Dun-
kirk, or perhaps more, fincc it's fo much
nearer the (heights of Dover and Calais, as
it's removed from Dunkirk, which laft place,
I think one of the prettieft towns I ever yet
faw. Though there is nothing very magnifi-
cent, yet there is nothing looks mean or
poo* : it's built moft of brick, which upon
account
LETTERS. 443
account of the colour refembles very much
our ftone 5 the ftreets are large and well
pav'd, which gives a good air to the place.
I went to view the bafon and fortifications,
which though ruin'd, yet the remains give a
man an idea of the vaftnefs of the work,
which I believe is the greateft the laft age
has produced : there are two vaft moles which
feem to rife like mountains a confiderable
diftance in the fea, upon which forts were
built, and form'd the mouth of the har-
bour. Whether it's fo far demolifh'd as that we
may have nothing to fear from it, is of lit-
tle confequence, fince Mardyke will as well
ferve their turn.
On the 27th I left Dunkirk and travell'd
on the fand of the Tea almoft to Newport,
which is five leagues and a half : it's a (mall
but very clean town. This is the firft place
out of the dominions of France : here is a
Garrifon of feven hundred men paid by the
Emperor. From hence to Bruges is fix
leagues, which is a very large place and pretty
well built, but prodigioufly crowded with
Monafteries ; and now upon the road one can-
not travel in any common carnage but one
is fure of the company of two or three fat
Priefts. As I ftaid but one night at Bruges,
fo I had little time to inform my felf of any
thing remarkable here. From hence to Ghent
is eight leagues, which I pravell'd by a boat
drawn by horfes, Ghent is the capital of
Flanders,
-444 LETTERS.
Flanders, and is very large and well
but the walls take up a much greater circum-
ference than what the houfes fill up. I was
here to fee feveral of their Churches which
were very fine, as indeed almoft all the
Churches in Flanders are. I was at a little
Chappel, where they told me the Virgin
MARY had cur'd a great many blind people,
and the Pictures of them who had been cur'd
were hung up in the Church ; amongft the
cur'd they fhew'd me one who they faid was
an Englifh Countefs. But I could not learn
her name. In the Town-houfe there are
feveral very good Pidures containing the
hiftory of CHARLES the fifth, who you know
was born here, and they fhew the Cham-
ber he was born in. On the 2pth I left
Ghent and came here : the road from Ghent
to Brufiels is all pav'd with ftone, and it's ten
leagues or thirty Englifh mile long; here
on each fide the way is as fine a Country
as ever I faw in my life, and I never faw more
plentiful crops of corn, or a finer foil. I
obferv'd they did not mow the Barley as we
do, but reap'd it with a Side and fet the
corn up in Sheaves as we do wheat: I could
not but wonder to fee them plowing the
lands before the corn was got off of the
ground, which we never do in England, but
a confiderable time after harveft. I din'd
at a place call'd Aloft, juft half way to Bru£.
fels : it's upon the road from Ghent that you
have the beft view of Bruffelsj which Hands
upon
LETTER S. 44*
tipon a hill that defcends gradually. I fhall
fay no more of Bruffels now, but fhall con-
clude, SIR, your moft humble Servant.
T O
Mr. C * * * •'
Putney, Jan. ztf, 1718-1 p.
My Dear Friend,
THO' you well know my heart, yet I
cannot forbear putting you to a penny
charge, to receive my moft fincere acknow-
ledgments for all your favours of all forts,
for which you fhall never want at leaft the
payment of gratitude.
As for the rich uncharitable company, in
which, you tell me you were t'other day,
I freely forgive them 5 looking upon men
of their difpofition, as much more requir-
ing pity than my felf. They are Lovers :
and all fuch, we know, have their judgments
no lefs blinded, than their tafte vitiated.
Money is the fole objeft of their affection,
and whatever is fo to any man, in that he
places his chiefeft happinefs : fo that 'tis na-
tural for him not to confent any way to its-
diminution, but to endeavour by all means
poffible the increafe of it; and in this pur-
iuit he'll confequently perfevere, without re-
flefting
446 LETTER S.
flc&ing on the uncertainty of the future,
ther his treafure will ever defcend to thofc
for whom he deftines it, or whether who-
ever enjoys it may not be both unthankful
to him, and alfo in other refpefts unworthy
of fuch a poffeffion. I need not fpeak of
thofe accidents in life , which are as com-
mon as unforcknown. But the man who can
diftinguHh the ufe of mony from the abufe
of it, who makes it is his fervant and not
his miftrefs, takes incomparably more plea-
furc in what he contributes to make eafy his
friends in diftrefs, to relieve the poor and
the needy, or to promote undertakings of
public benefit, than in what he faves and
hoards over and above the rules of prudent
forefight. For I wou'd not be fo underftood,
as if every man was not to look to the main
chance, and to preferve his eftate clear and
intire : whatever any body does inconfiftent
with this, is neither generofity nor cha-
rity, but prodigality and profufenefs. A man
of found underftanding on whom Heaven has
beftow'd a liberal mind, will eafily perceive
where the medium lyes, what he can fpare,
and what he ought to lay up.
~r ;, fidM
Dear HARRY, a lefture of this kind wou'd
be receiv'd as an affront, by the muck-worms
you had lately in your company, and by
their brethren every where 5 as one, whofe
fins happen to be touch'd in a Sermon, thinks
the preacher did particularly aim at him, tho*
he
LETTERS. 44?
he was not at all in his thoughts : but to
fuch as your felf, that have done a thou-
fand generous, kind, and charitable offices,
(which are far from being loft, tho' the re-
ceivers may prove unthankful or otherwife
undeferving 5) to fuch, I fay, this Doftrine
founds agreeably, and is truly relifh'd by them,
being ever accompany'd with the inward fatis-
faftion, that neceffarily flows from all good
aftions.
I can tell you however for your comfort, as
every thing rejoices in its like; that you are not
the only rich man, who knows how to do
handfom things : for, as I wrote to you not
long fmce, that we muft ever thankfully
pubiifh the beneficence of our friends ,- fo,
fince the receipt of yours, Sir W * *• *
S * * * (to whom I neither wrote nor fent
and who only accidentally heard of my in-
difpofition) fent a fervant to fee how I did,
with a very affe&ionate Letter, and five
Guineas inclos'd in it. The manner of do-
ing this has made a deeper imprefllon upon
me, than if another had prefented me with five
hundred Guineas in a difobliging way : as
xnoft certainly the circumftances of giving
are fometimes nolefs difobliging, thanthofe.
of denying.
After my fervice to your brother and all
friends, I mean fuch as are truly fo, were
they even poorer than my felf, (for real
friend-
44* LETTERS;
friendfhip knows no difparity of conditions;
I am with all the faculties of my foul,
Honeft Dear HARRY,
Tour rnofl oblig'd andmoji
faithful Servant.
T O
Mr. T O L A N D.
Plymton, July io, 1720.
SIR,
YOUR Nazarenus fell into my hands
but very lately, which muft be my
apology, if I fhould happen to anfwer the
two Problems you have proposed, a little of
the lateft.
The frft ^Problem is thus:
" WHETHER, without having recourfe to
" miracles, or to promifes drawn from the
" Old Teftament (which is the fame thing, if
" you don't take thofe promifes for wife
" forefight) it can be demonftrated by the
<c intrinfic constitution of the Government
" or Religion of the Jews, how, after the
" total fubverfion of their State for almoft
€t feventeen hundred years, and after the dif-
" perfion of their nation over the whole
€l habitable earths being neither favour'd
^ nor
LETTERS.
** hot fupportcd by any potentate, but rather
" expos'd to the contempt and hatred of all
<c the world : they have neverthelefs pre-
u ferv'd themfelves a diftind people with all
" their ancient rites, excepting a very fmall
" number of ceremonies, they were necefia-
<c rily enjoin'd to pradife within the bounds
" of Judea, and which they are no longer
ic permitted to do ? while that in the mean
*' time the Inftitutions of the Egyptians, Ba-
" bylonians, Greeks, and Romans (nations
** that were much more powerful) are long
" ago entirely abolifti'd, and brought to no-
" thing : and that the nanles only of certain
*< celebrated Religions fubfift yet in Hiilory j
ic without even fo much as the names re*
*' maining of fome other wormips, that
" doubtlefs were neither lefs believ'd, nor
" lefs extended.
This Problem I find dnfwer'd, te It feems
to nuc, to fatisfa&ion, in SPINOZA'S Traffa-
ius Theologico-'Politicus, towards the end of
the third Chapter p. 61. of the oftavo edi-
tion, printed 1674. Whofe argument I mail
only enforce by faying, that it feems pretty
evident, when a man has once fuffer'd any
mark in his flelh, which cannot be defac'd
or repair'd, purely upon account of his Re-
ligion, he will not be inclined to be per-
fuaded out of it by any thing lefs than a de-
monftration; or elfe fome great temporal
advantages.
Vol. II. Jf And
I
"
"
450 LETTERS.
And that the Jews are not altogether im-
pregnable to fair ufage, notwithftanding Cir-
cumcifion it felf, we have an inftance in the
above cited page.
The fecond ^Problem* you exprefs in this
manner :
" WHETHER a fufficient reafon can be at
" fign'd, drawn from the nature and frame of
the Jewilh Republic or Religion(without al-
ledging miracles, or promifes not account-
ed miraculous, as aforelaid) why, during
the time that they were the independent
Lords of their own country, and that their
€t Government (ubfifted in a flourifhing con-
" dition > they were perpetually inclin'd
" to the moft grofs Idolatries, always in fuf-
" pcnfe whether they fhould follow BAAL or
" JEHOVAH, and having a ftrong propenfity
" to mix or marry with the women of o-
" thcr nations, contrary to their fundamen-
" tal Laws ? whereas, fince their actual dif-
" perfion among thefe fame nations, they
" arc obftinatcly careful to keep their race
" entire, without corruption or mixture :
". and that, notwithftanding the moft agree-
" able temptations or the moft cxquifite tor-
" tures, they abhor beyond all expreffion
" Idolatry of every kind ; but particularly
" the adoration of dead men (from which
" they are evidently exempt) as they are fur-
" prizingly
LETTERS. 451
<c prizingly uniform in their worlhrp and
" dodrine, which is not deny'd, by any body-
As to the firft part of that Problem,
this too is in a great meafure anfwer'd by
the fame Author p. 293? and feveral of the
following pages.
To which I add, that as the rnind of man,
efpecially of the vulgar, feems of it felf to
be prone enough to Idolatry, that is, to wor-
fhip the Deity under fenfible Images, and
perhaps by degrees the Images thcmfclves,
they might eaftly in the time of the Judges,
flide into that Idolatry, partly thro' converfa-
tion with the idolatrous nations that were
intermix'd, and a fondnefs of being like their
neighbours, tho' enemies, who were probably
more polite than themfelves , and partly thro'
ignorance, which might be occafion'd by want
of copies of the Law$ which ignorance I guefs
to be MICAH'S cafe in the Appendix to the
Book of Judges : for MICAH feems to be
a pcrfon that meant well, Judges xvii. 1 3 :
and partly perhaps thro' lazinefs or an un-
willingnefs to go up to worfiiip at the pro-
per place. Judges xviii. 31.
As for the Kings, the fame Author {hews
that they had fufficient reafon not to be over
fond of the Levites. If fo, I add, that 'twas
cafy for the Kings to perfuade themfelves,
there was no great matter in ceremonies,
F f a that
452, LETTERS.
that God might be worftiip'd in one place1
as well as another, either with or without
reprefentations : on the fame principles as
JEROBOAM did, thro' another motive. See
JOSEPHUS p. 506 of L'ESTRANGE'S od. edit,
and as eafy to perfuade the people thro* the
fcarcity of copies of the Law. Which Law
was found in JOSIAH'S time after it had been
long loft.
As to the fecond part of t^ic fecond Pro-
blem; I anfwer: i. All that are in a ftate
of perfecution, are induftrious to fortify
themfelvcs and their children in the princi-
ples of their Religion, and more careful thatt
at other times, in the pradice of it.
2. Add to this, that if any one trangrefles
amongft his own brotherhood in a foreign
country, he has neither numbers nor great
men to keep him in countenance, as he might
have had perhaps upon many occafions in
his own country. They are already fhun'd
by ftrangers, to be fhun'd too by their own
fraternity would be abfolutely intolerable.
The foundation of the whole feems to be
Circumcifion : without Circumcifion proba-
bly they would not have continued a diftind
people, nor without being a diftind people,
been fo obnoxious to the hatred and con-
tempt of others, nor confequently have had
that
LETTERS. 451
that temptation, or rather that provocation to
adhere lo ftridly to their ancient rites.
An anfwer to this will be a very great favour to
SIR,
Tour admirer and unknown
humble Servant.
S * * * R.***
T O
Mr.
SIR,
THO' the laft Independent Whig (i)
be an incomparable Paper; yet, as it
fometimes happens to the moft accurate com-
pofitions, there is a flip of memory at the
conclufion of it.
The Tribe of LEVI had not an equal Jhate
of Land with the others, nor an equal r/gv&f$
but only certain Cities with their fuburbs,
fcatter'd throughout all the Tribes, for their
more convenient attendance every where.
Yet the Tribes, with refped to their poffef-
Ff 3 fions,
O) Numb. ix. Wednefday, March 16, 1729,
454 LETTERS.
fions, were flill in number twelve; that of
JOSEPH, having been divided into two, name-
ly, thofe of EPHRAIM and MANASSEH. The
Tythes and Offerings were given the Tribe
of LEVI, inftcad of their (hare of the Land.
The Lordfpoke unto Aaron (Numb, xviii. 20.)
thou Jhalt have no inheritance in their Land,
neither (halt thou have any part among them ;
1 am thy part, and thine inheritance, among
the children of Ifrael. This is often repeated
and inculcated elfewhcre. Yet, for all this,
the Tribe of LEVI was far from being in a
worfe condition than their brethren. There
was, on the contrary, much better provi-
Jion made for them tha!n the reft, and with
little or no labor to themfelyes.
1. Thus, all the fin-offerings of all kinds
were theirs, except fuch as were made in
their own name or that of the whole Con-
gregation , with thofe particular portions,
which were to be confum'd by fire. See the
entire 4th and 6th Chapters of Levitipus.
2. They had the like right to the trefpafs?
offerings, with the like exceptions, as may be
feen, Levit. vii. and elfewhere.
3. The fame is as true of the peace*
offerings, which were many and of various
kinds, Levit. xxiii. & alibi.
4. Theirs was the oil, that was offer'd by
pcrfons infected with the Leprofy, Levit. xiv.
LETTERS. 455
5. Alfo what remain'd of the {heaves of
the firft- fruits, whereof Levit. xxiii. 10.
6. The two wave - loaves., with the good
things accompanying them, Lcvit. xxiii. \j.
7. The twelve huge loaves of fhew-bread,
rencw'd every week, Levit. xxiv 9.
8. The remainder of the meat- offerings, Le-
vit. vi. 1 6.
9. The skins of all facrific'd beafts (no
fmall income) except fuch as were wholly
confum'd with fire, Levit. vii. 8.
10. The bread and right fhoulder of all
the peace-offerings, and the heave- offerings,
Levit. vi. 30, &c.
1 1. The cakes and the loaves, offcr'd with
the facrifices of thankfgiving, Levit.vii. 12, &c.
1 2. The like things accompanying the ram,
offcr'd by the Nazarites, Numb. vi. 17 — 20.
13. The firft-born of all clean beafts, that
is of all beafts good for any thing, without
redemption, Numb, xviii. 15.
14. The firft- fruits of all manner of grain
and fruits, Numb, xviii. 13.
15. All the bed of the oil, and all the
beft of the wine, &c. in firft-fruits, Numb,
xviii. 12.
1 6. The tythe of the tythcs, paid by the
Levites to the Priefts, Numb, xviii. 28.
17. A cake of the firft dough from every
family, Numb. xv. 20.
1 8. The firft-fruits of woo!, from every
one that had flieep, Deut. xviii. 4.
«
19. All
456 LETTERS.
19. All devoted things living or dead, par-
ticularly fields or farms not redeemed before
the year of Jubilee, Lev. xxvii. i<5, 26, 28, &c.
20. Every trefpafs, that had none to claim.
Jt, Numb. v. 8.
21. The fhoulder, the tyo cheeks, and the
maw of all beafts kill'd for daily ufe? Deut.
xviii. 3.
22. The mony given for the redemption
of the firft-born of men, Numb, xviii. 15.
23. The like for the redemption of the
£rfi-born of unclean beafts, Num. xviii. 15, 16.
24. The tythes of every kind, which alone
were an immenfe Revenue, faffim.
25. The forty eight Cities with their fub-
urbs or liberties, Numb, x^cxv. 2, &c.
Now, if the particulars of thefe and fuch
other heads be cdnfider'd, as feveral fums of
rnony from all matters of families, a gene-
ral poll-tax, bullocks, heifers, rams, lambs,
ewes, goats, kids, doves, fpices, oil, wine,
corn, fruits, wool, skins, fluffs, flower,,
loaves, cakes, firftlings, wood for the Altar,,
^nd diverfe other fpecies too tedious to enu-
jnerate (befides that mony was to be given
in exchange for many of them) the revenues
of the Priefts might be truly call'd Royal j;
^nd, in effed, by virtue of thefe, they feiz'd
on the Royalty it ielf at laft. But feveral
unanfwerable reafons may be given, why no
fet of men among Chriftians, can derive
the le^ft clairn frpm the Priefts ^nd Levites^
who
LETTERS. 457
who were peculiarly adapted to the Jewifh
Theocracy ; and were the Minifters of JEHO-
VAH the King of Ifrael, attending in his Pa-
lace, &c : whereas there was no manner of
Priefthood infiituted by JESUS CHRIST or his
Apoftles, the Elders, whereof we read in the
New Tcftamcnt, having been all Lay-men $
and either the proper Magiftrates of the Jew-
ifh corporations and communities^ or fuch
others fet up by the firft Chriftians in imi-
tation of thefc, for the management of their
own private affairs. Nothing in the world
can be more eafily prov'd than this. Prieft,
Altar, Sacrifice, &c, are as contrary to origi-
nal Chriftianity, as Idolatry, Immolation,
Augury, &c. Wherefore, the writer of the
Independent Whig did very well, in calling
the Chriftian Clergy, the pretended fuccef-
fors of the Jewifh Priefts : but it was a mi-
ftake to fay, that the Tribe of LEVI had a right
to the twelfth part of the lands, and that the
incomes of the Priefts were moderate. How-
ever, he's fafe enough in the ignorance of his
gdverlarics. I am with grateful refpeft,
S i R,
Toyr moft faithful obedient
fcrvant.
T 0
4i8 LETTERS,
T O
The Right Honourable
THE LORD SOUTHWELL.
jbs^Clso '&i'W.rii'-- "-'-03 brrr.
London April 2,7, 1710.
MY LORD,
IF I am guilty of any fault in not doing
my felf the honor to write to you before
now, my Lord MOLESWORTH muft anfwer
for it, who told me you waited for the coin-
ing of a yacht from Ireland: and I was of
opinion my felf, that a Letter direded to
Mr. SMITH at the Cuftom-houfe, before
your Lordfhip's certain arrival, might occa-
fion fome miftake, which is eafier prevented
than excus'd. But this apprehenfion being
now remov'd by advices from Chefter, I
gladly make ufe of the liberty you were
pleafed to allow me of writing to you, as
I fhall regularly continue to do, till I under-
(land from your Lordfliip that you are weary
pf the corrcfpondence.
Before ail things I earneftly intreat you
to accept of my fincereft thanks (the only
return my gratitude enables me to make)
for the happinefs of your acquaintance; which
as
LETTERS. 459
as well on account of the honor it reflefts
on me, as the real improvement I have receiv'd
by it, I fhall ever infinitely value. I thank
you efpecially for making me known to fo
many of our Countrymen, to whom I was
a greater ftranger before, than to mod Na-
tions of Europe. Tho' I dare not fay, that
Philofophy has eradicated all prejudices in
favour of my native foil, nor that indeed it
ought to produce this effed (fince one may
be no lefs a citizen of the world, than of
any particular place, by embellifhing one quar-
ter, and delighting in it, more than another)
yet I can faithfully affure your Lordfhip, that
in the fmall efforts whereby I have endea-
vored to ferve Ireland, I was afted rather by
thofe principles which teach me what is due
to all mankind, than by any byafs to that
Kingdom, in which I have fpent fo little of
my time. Thofe eternal notions of Liber-
ty and Slavery, I imbib'd with the firft milk
I fuck'd from the Mufcs; thofe notions, I
fay, which were fortify 'd in me by the con-
verfation and writings of the ableft men in
England, and which were abfolutely perfected
by the fame means in Holland, as they fhall
dired my aftions during the whole courfc
of my life: fo I neither know by the impulfes
of nature, nor was taught by the precepts of
my matters, to reftrain the bleflings of them
to any time or place ; much lefs to make
Ireland a fingle exception, and ftill by a
Beater abfurdity to make acqueft to be a
conqueft,
46o LETTERS.
conqucft, or that the conquerors fliou'd be
as ill treated, if not worfe, than the con-
quer'd. Wherefore you may depend upon
it, that I fliall lofe no time, nor /pare any
pains to go on with the Work, which your
Lordfhip's defires and my own inclinations
have encouraged me to undertake. Mate-
rials flow in on me as faft as I can wifh : but
on this fubjed I fhall have the honour to en-
tertain you more particularly in my next.
I heartily congratulate you on the no lefs
furprizing than agreeable revolution, that has
happened here fince your departure : but as
well for your fake as my own, I do not think
it proper to enter on the particulars either
of the motives or the means, the prefent
effects or the conjectural confequences of this
happy Reconciliation of the Royal Family,
till I am certain that my Letters come fafc
to your hands. The fame reafon muft hold
as to all other news, public or private ; and
I hope you'll think it none, that, with the
jufteft fentiments of obligation and refpeft,
} am,
LORD,
Tour Lordjhif's
' . :: r.v»;v;,/i^o
oft faithful gbedient fervatf*
TO
LETTER S. 46i
Mr. T O L A N D.
Bfsckdenflon near Dublin
June the if thy 1720.
SIR,
IShou'd be glad that any thing my Lord
CASTLETON met with in my Lord
SHAFTSBURY'S Letters to me wou'd encourage
him to try for heirs to his honours and eftate.
I think he owes fo much to his family and
country. I was always of your opinion that
thofe Letters were very valuable for the rea-
ions you give, and had it in my thoughts that
it wou'd be a good thing to publifh them.
But upon farther confederation that my Lord
SHAFTSBURY'S relations might take it amifs
that I divulge family fecrets, and that it wou'd
be conftrucd a piece of vanity (now much
in ufe) for me to print my own commenda-
tions, (as you know there are fuch in feveral
of thofe Letters,) I concluded it better to have
fuch publication deferr'd till after my death.
If you have any good reafons to think other-
wife let me know them. You may, if you
think fitting, communicate them to Mr.
COLLINS, and take his opinion of them, and
\vhat is bed to be done with them. I own
I am proud enough of having been not only
i fo
LETTER S*
fo intimate with that great man, but to
have had a hand in the firft forming of his
mind to virtue. There are other great Mi-
nifters now living for whom I endeavoured
as much, but as they have forgot it, fo will L
The Lord SHAFTSBURY \\ias of a different
temper, and carried on his friendfhip to my
fons, the eldeft of which did him fignal fer-
vice in Italy, where (at Naples) he died.
I will confult friends here before I deter-
mine any thing touching the reprinting the
Irifh Pamphlet which 1 lent you: and i£
they think it proper I will fend you word.
You may believe it to be S***'s; for he
was here with me to get me to uie my in-
tereft that no hardfhip fhou'd be put upon the
Printer, and did in a manner own it. I be-
lieve it was writ in hafte, for perfons do not
always write alike.
I am glad to hear your Book is likely to
fwell to the bulk you fpeak of. In Sir JOHN
DAVY'S Hiflory of Ireland, how it came to pals
that it was not thoroughly fubdued till King
JAMES the firft's time (whofc Attorney Ge-
neral here he was) you will plainly find that
i the Parliaments of England never intermedlcd
Jin the lead with the affairs of Ireland from the
r firft conqucft to the time he wrote. I have
Jthat Book here, and if you find it difficult
'for you to meet with it there, I will contrive
way to fend you mine.
In
•'"•> L E T T E R S. 46$
In anfwer to the offer about ferving me
in any of the Subfcriptions now on foot 5 I
fhou'd be glad enough to make one among
them, and get a little money, (which I need
to pay offfome debts) in any honeft Projed.
The time, I fuppofe, is over in the South-Sea
Company. Sir T*** J### whofe
judgment and honefty is to be relied on,
is beft to be advifed with in this, and you
may do it if you pleafe in my behalf. I
have good credit, having never yet, I
thank my ftars, forfeited it in any one in-
fiance, and fhall be beholding to your good
friend Sir T * * * (for fo he has fignally fhewn
himfelf to my very great pleafure and fatisfac-
tion) if he can put me into a like method.
And as to the Harburg Projed, I do not
underftand what it is 5 but if I cou'd do it
and become one of the undertakers, with-
out great risk (or fubfcribers), you may fpeak
to Sir A * * * of it. I am defirous of having
my final 1 oar in the public boat, and not too
obftinately to refufe profit. Since the Nation
is a fharing, I have contefted long enough,
and may now without imputation come in
for my part of it ; tho' I believe I am too
late for any fignal gain. However, this mat-
ter I refer to my friends, being only fure of
one thing, that I have endeavoured to deferve
well both from Britain and Ireland. Adieu.
I am,
Tour mofl faithful
friend andfervant
MOLESWORTH.
LETTERS.
T O
The Right Honourable
THE LORD MOLESWORf H,
London^ June zfy 172.0*
MY LORE*,
THE laft I had the honor to write tci
you was from the South-Sea houfe,
where I never was before that time. Sir
T*** has generoufly kept his word with
me, adding a further promife, that on the
next fuch occafion, about three months hence*
he'll procure me the liberty of another Sub-
fcription, any body elfe laying down the
money, and on that fcore going halves foif
the profit, than which there is nothing more
common. I wifh in the next you'll do me
the favour to write to me, you wou'd pleafe
to mention him in a manner that may fhew
his kindnefs to me has oblig'd your Lord-
fhip, as feveral of my other friends have
already thank'd him.
This will come the more naturally from
your hands, not only as you arc generally
known to be my trueft Patron,;but likewif©
as your very name (ever aufpicious to Liber-
ty) has been made ufe of to fecure this Sub-
fcription
LETTERS. 4-$*
feription to me : fo* the very day t^foire, the
Directors, by reafon of the multitude that
offer'd to fubfcribe, made a private order
that no one perfon ftiou'd be in two Lifts,
and that none except a Parliament-man
fhou'd fubfcribe for a thoufand pounds. Up-
on this, Sir T * * * put in your name for
mine, as being fure you wou'd not take it
ill, fioce there was no time for asking your
leave 5 and that moft of the Lor4s and Com-
mons, who had voted againft them, did fub-
fcribe, without being fuppofed by fo doing
to have ia the lead alter'd their judgment*
In a word, there was no way of fecpring
my Subfcription but by a Parliament-man's
name, and I my felf wou'd not be (helter'd
by any name but yours, had he confulted
me, for which he had not time*
I was offered a thoufand pounds advantage
three hours after the thing was done, and
thirteen hundred this very day : but my be-
nefaftor affures me that at the opening of the
Books it will be worth a great deal more.
You may eafily guefs I will be govern'd by
him in this point. Another fuch job will
make me as eafy and independent as I de->
fire, without ever Stockjobbing more ? fince
I may buy an annuity of two or three hun-
dred pounds, tho* the purehafe of land is
got up to thirty years, and, if things go on
at this rate, will mount much higher*
v*'-- - •— wsi n nl i, f.l-L^ i"
VOL, IL G g All
LETTERS.
All things are in the utmoft tranquillity.1
Private news I have none, and the public
are only fuch as the papers contain.
ifiL! 'ov/ ( ni 3d fo'uof no:*?q sn'o on u^n
/ am, &c
im bV T O jj >
: >;/" lot 5n:'fi rn; f^v/. •afj-.xi^ . jl^ .tit
Sir
, S J R> Tr'. ''^ ^rV'ri1^.
WHENEVER any man proved himfelf
my friend, or at any time did or de-
fign'd me a favour, I was always gratefully
, inclined to do him what fervice lay in my
power, unlefs he became an enemy to the
Liberty of our Country, in which cafe I hold
all ties to be diffolv'd, and all obligations can-
cell'd. As I have known you for many years,
not only under as fair a character as any Mer-
chant in London, but likewife a moft zea-
lous friend to the Britiifh Conftitution : fo I
cou'd not be unconcern'd to fee you involved
of late in the fame difficulties with the reft
of the South- Sea Directors, whom I cannot
perfuade my fclf to be all equally guilty.
You in particular have frequently expreft to
me your diflike of feveral meafures, when
: the whole town madly applauded them. You
condemned the too great power that was
lodg'd in a few hands, and the arbitrary ufe
; 4 they
LETTERS. 467
they made of it 3 ading as it were by infpi-
ration (thefe are your own words) and pub-
lifhing their Refolutions but a Very fmall umc
before they were to be put in execution.
I am not acquainted enough with the na-
ture of mercantile Companies, to account
why fueh as difapprove the eondud of their
fellow Directors, do not enter their Protefts*
or fignify their difallowance in fomc pub-
lick manner, fo as to be matter of record.
But obferving your uneafmefs at almoft every
thing from a little before the third Subfcrip-
tion, I have been urgent with you, ever fmce
the Parliament took this affair in hand, to
clear your felf with the fooneft, as believ-
ing you rather imprudent than criminal :
for I fhall never think ill of any oine, of whom
I once thought well, till matters of fad make
it impoflible for me to think other wife* I
have follieited you to be fpeedy and frank in
eonfeffing all you knew, (to which I found
you well difpofed) as the moft certain-
way to fhew a man's innocence, if he ba
really excufable : and having the honor to
wait fometimes on the right honourable the
Lord Vifcount MOLESWORTH (whofe fole
view I am confident is doing juftice to the
Public, without the leaft prejudice againft
any particular perfon) I propos'd to you to
wait upon him, and to be as candid as his
integrity and your cafe requir'd. You rea-
dily agreed, provided his Lordfhip wou'd ad-
G g 2
468 LETTERS.
mit of it : and upon my reporting this to
him, he did not think it advifeable to fee
you without fome more of the Committee
were prefent.
This, as far I can remember, was on Wed-
nefday the i8th of January 5 and accordingly
you met fome of the Committee at his Lord-
ihip's lodgings the next day. To what part
there I am an utter ftranger, for I cou'd not be
fo impertinent as to ask his Lordfhip, what I
Was fure before hand he wou'd never tell me.
All the difcourfe I had with your felf that day
was about your Treafurer, whofe flight you
much lamented, becaufe he cou'd clear and
prove what was in no other mortal's power, and
that thjfere wou'd be the utmoft intricacy and
confufion without him. You added, that you
little thought of Mr. KNIGHT'S intention to
withdraw himfelf, when that very Saturday
on. which he fled, you were earneftly exhor-
ting him (in conjunction, I think, with Sir
ROBERT CHAPLIN) to give the Committee
a full account of every thing; and that here-
upon he faid, / know the other 'DireEtors will
lay all upon you of the Committee of theTrea-
fury, and that you'll charge me of courfe : .but
if it comes to that, and that I mufl be oblig'd
to fay all I know, I fhall difcover fuch things
as will amaze the world, or words to this
erfeft. This declaration, you faid, had taken
from you all fufpicioh of his defigning an
efcape, and this is the fubftance of what I
remember;
LETTERS. 469
remember; and I repeat thefe things now,
to the end that if ever my name fhou'd be
mentioned on occafion of the fervice I hear-
tily defign'd you, whether effectual or not,
you may be fatisfy'd that I a&ed in all
things according to the tenor of this Letter.
I wifh you a happy iflue out of all your
troubles, and am, with the greateft fince-
rity,
SIR,
Your moft faithful
obedient fervant.
A Letter written in the name of a
Member of the Houfe of Commons
to another Member.
SIR,
I AM very forry I fliou'd be obliged to go
into the country at this juncture, when
the public credit, and a confiderable Chare of
my private property, lie at ftake. But do-
meftic affairs indifpenfably require my ab-
fence for near a month. I am not, how-
ever in any pain about the iffue, fince moft
of che Members of our Houie are fo deeply
interefted tliremfelves, over and above their
duty to the State, without whole flourifhing
condition, we muft needs all be miferable. My
r! *••-.-- • G g 3 opinion
470 L E T T E R S.
opinion concerning the Diredors of the
South-Sea Company, I'll give as frankly as
you defire it, and the rather, becaufe your
worthy relation, of whofe honour and abi-
lity I am equally convinced, is chofen one of
the Committee to enquire into their conduft.
Neither my gains nor lofles by the South- Sea
are fo extraordinary, as to render me too
ievere or indulgent. But as my concerns
requir'd, and my education enabl'd me to
examine into this affair with the utmoft ap-
plication, both in juftice to my felf and my
friends 5 fo I have taken all proper methods
to gain the trueft information. Among other
things, I have carefully read over the feveral
Accounts and Papers which have been laid
by the Dire&ors before the Houfe of Com-
mons, and made the ftjrideft enquiry, that I
cou'd poflibly, into the behaviour of thofe
Gentlemen , efpecially with relation to
the feveral fteps they took in the execu-
tion of the Scheme which was intruded
to their management. The refult I (hall
briefly and impartially now lay before you.
In the firft place, it appears to me (and I
believe will be fo found upon examination)
that the Scheme was form'd, and carry M on
without being communicated to the Court of
Dire&ors, or even mentioned to them, till
after it was open'd to the Houfe of Commons
by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. About
three millions of money were in this man-
ner pffer'd by the undertakers without their
knowledge
L E T T E R S. 471
knowledge or confent 5 which you'll own to
be a pretty affuming way of proceeding, but per-
feftly of a piece with their fubfequent manage-
ment.In the iequel of thisnegotiation,the Bank
intervening, and offering to take the Scheme,
it was by fome people judg'd proper, in order
to defeat the propofal of the Bank, to have
a power lodg'd in the Sub-Governor and De-
puty-Governor to offer whatever they fhould
think fit : a power perhaps the greateft that ever
was trufted to any two men, and for the con-
fequences of which thofe onlyfeem refponfible,
who were fo forward to grant it, while others
deem'd it unreaibnable and dangerous. One
of the many bad confequences was, that
feven millions and a half of the Company's
money, being very near two thirds of every
man's property in that corporation, was given
at once. If this be the cafe, as I have all the
reafons in the world to believe it was, then
I can not with any juftice think, that fuch
of the Directors who had no hand in thefe
tranfaftionsjwho knew nothing of the Scheme
till it was brought into the Houfe of Com-
mons, and who probably diflik'd it as much
as any others, when they underftood how
dear they were to pay for it, can be laid
to be the authors of the mifchiefs, which
this unaccountable undertaking has brought
upon the Nation. Mifchiefs they are with
a witnefs, and which I am as far from ex-
tenuating, as in my ftation I fhall be from
(greening the guilty : but I am alfo perfuaded
Gg 4 that
47* t t T T £ fl S.
that with me yoa will be for diftinguifliing
thofc who may be innocent, and no kfs
futferers than tht loudeft accufers.
I do not find in the general Account of
the Proceedings of the Directors, nor yet in
rheir Minutes, any orders given for felling
of Stock for the Company's account. If they
who peculiarly profecuted the Scheme, gave
directions for thefale of the five hundred and
odd thoufand pound's, which were difpos'd of
about the time of the puffing of the Bill,
without acquainting the other Directors with
it (a circumftance that cannot efcape the im-
partial attention of the Committee) how can
that crime b£ ifa any juftice imputed to thofe,
who were entirely ignorant of it? In God's
name let it reft where it ought— -but, for rea-
fons you may eafi4y gitefs, I ftvall not dwell
on this particular.
The Money Subfcriptions were taken (as
we all know) and hurry'd on in fo incom-
prehenfible a manner, that this way of pro-
ceeding cou'd not, I dare fay, be the remit
of a number of men afting with tool and
deliberate thoughts. Tis highly probable
that the peculiar Contrivers of the Scheme
did in their private meetings concert all things
beforehand , without the participation or
concurrence of their brethren ; an<i fo im-
pos'd What they pleas'd upon the reft of the
Court, which con jedutre of mint, I fancy, will
prove
L E T T E R S. 475
prove to be matter of faft, when the Di-
reftors are cxamin'd by the Committee. In
a word, what thro' the defign of fome, the
ftupidity of others, and the aVarice of all, the
fuccefs of the managers was fo great, and
the applaufe they met with fo univerfal, that
their authority became abfolutely incontrol-
lable in the Court of Directors ; nor had it
been fcarce fafe to have oppos'd them, with-
out the imputation of obftruding credit, even
among thofe without doors, they were at
that time fo much in favor with the inconfi-
derate people. Thus every Director was ob-
lig'd to fubmit to a fmall proportion al-
low'd him for himfeif and friends. So the
bulk of thefe Subfcriptions was left to the
difpofal of the Sub and Deputy -Governors,
to ferve perfons of diftinftion, &c. This, I
am credibly kiform'd, occaiion'd a great deal
of murmuring among fomc of the other Di-
reftors, but to nopurpofe: for the pill muft
be fwallow'd, and you arc too well acquaint-
ed with the nature of fuch Courts in other
Companies, to imagine that Protefts cou'd
be either practicable or ufeful.
•.•-•'^ri.'i h;jc <-..:^i3-'| >r!i jio^ >r; cJ
No fboncr did a good Sum of Money a-
rife by the Subfcriptions, but it naturally
brought on the queftion, what todowithrt?
?Tis rumoured abroad, and has been private-
ly told me with much affurance, that feve-
rai of the Directors would have had this
jiioney apply'd to the paying off of the Re-
deemables,
474 LETTERS.
deemables, and infifted hard upon it : but this
fuited not the deftgns of the Scheme, and
fo it was carry'd for lending money on Stock
and Subfcriptions. With what pernicious con-
fequences this fatal refolution has been at-
tended, too too many felt to their forrow : but
I can never be of the mind, nor I prefume
any of the Committee or the reft of the
Houfe, that thofe Direftors who opposed it,
are in this refpeft culpable, or ought any
way to fuffer for it.
You know as well as I or any man, that
when Stock begun to fall, great crowds, and
among them perfons of the firft Quality, were
daily at the South -Sea Houfe, preffing the
Directors to buy. A Cabal is fufpefted to
have then fold a vaft quantity of Stock, which
is a thing deferving the niceft enquiry. If
they influenc'd counfels within, and the Com-
pany's money was made ufe of to buy their
Stock, I take it to be a heinous crime in
thofe who were the promoters of fuch a
defign. But they, on the other hand, who
innocently gave their confent to it, in order
to fupport the price, and hinder the finking
of the Stock, after Subfcriptions had been
taken at a thoufand, and the Redeemables
at eight hundred, do not, in my opinion, de-
fervc any blame 5 fince they did it with a
good intent, and cou'd not forefee the fud-
dain and precipitate fall of the Stock.
Thus,
LETTERS:
Thus, SIR, I have given you the beft in-
formation I cou'd about this matter. I have
learnt from my own and the experience of
paft times, riot t~6 be fway'd by popular ob-
loquy, no more than by popular favor,
There's always a mean in fuch cafes, tho*
the bent of the multitude is generally
to extremes, being naturally more addiftipd
to confound than to diftinguifh. Wherefore
I cannot but think people are too fe-
vere in prejudging and condemning the Di-
re&ors by the lump : for as I hope, and
fliou'd be very glad, to fee the real Authors of
our prefent uneafineffes brought to condign
Puniflimentj fo Ifhou'd beasforry, that any
honeft well-meaning Dire&or fhou'd fufFer
for mifmanagement he cou'd not help, and
which 'tis very likely he difapprov'd. But
thefe are reflexions that cannot efcape the
wifdom or juftice of the Committee, and J
hope to be with you my felf, before the mat*
ter is finally decided. I am,
T O
LETTERS.
T O
•K..'.:>h:
Mr. * *.
n&nf -siQra. Oj: . r "pal
'ori; , ' --A n? T4s3ftT':£ tVb*/;r:C <on>rfT
M*y 2,1, 1711.
I Have juft read over Dr. HARE'S new
Piece ( i). I fee he has karn'd from Dr.
S * * * to write fcandal in his Title-page.
But I am apt to believe, that, in the draw-
ing up of the Anfwer it felf, he ftudy'd no
pattern 5 and, leaft of all, his own. He has
in my opinion oondefcended to the meaneft
of all abufes $ and were I to draw up a charge
againft him, I wou'd do it in the words of
SOCRATES, which PLATO (in his Apology] in-
troduces him fpeaking againft MEL IT us.
ov, on
cvotv
TOVTM g^eA^gi/. It fhews, I thin k, no
great concern for truth to declare, as he does
at his firft fetting out, that his (2) having
promised to anfwer the Bifliop was the on-
ly motive for doing it. Tis a happy expe-
dient he has found out, of mixing his obfer-
vations on real or fuppos'd Atheiftical Books
and
(1) Scripture vmftcnted from the Mtfaterprgtations of the Lord Si-
of Btngor ; tn his Anfinr to tht Dean *f Worctfler'i Vt/itation.
Sermon concerning Church- duttority.
(2) Pref. t*g. i.
LETTER S. 47?
and Perfons, with confutations of the Bifhop.
This is fuch an ungenerous infmuation, that
(if I coti'd not otherwife guefs at the Dean's
temper) I muft think it owing to the moft
virulent malice : as if there were fomething
fo agreeing between them, that they can-
not well be feparated. But perhaps he thinks
himfelf qualify'd to be a Drawcanfir in con-
troverfy. If fo, I don't queftion, but the Bi-
fhop will foon prove him miftaken : tho' he
is refolv'd, it feems, not to heed whatever is
advanc'd againft him for the future. Sure
no man had ever lefs reafon to infult his
adverfary with a Q^E. D. at the conclufion
of a Paragraph 5 in which, as far as I am
able to judge, whatever he dwells on, either
makes for the Bifhop, inftead of refuting him,
or is inconclufive, or entirely falfe. One
jnanifeft contradiction in it, I cou'd not help
taking notice of. We are told (in page 6)
that Ku'e/w, when given to civil Governors,
is an honourable appellation only ^ and that
cDominus is the rendring, not of ic.J^/of, but
of terircTvig. This he himfelf refutes in page
9, where he fays Kv^/og is equivalent to
A€J-TTCT^, and fignifies a property of the Go-
vernor in the perfons govern' d.
As to his Quotations for fettling the fenfe
of the word ng/3-go9-^, I am not without fome
fufpicion, that they will all recoil upon him-
felf. ARISTOPHANES I am confident (to whom
he chufes particularly to appeal, as writing
4 in
478 LETTERS.
in the familiar ftile) can't ferve his purpofee
This Author being a favorite of mine, I was
eafily induc'd to examine all the places, where
he ufes this word : and I allure itiy felf it
no where fignifies to obejy in the ftrid fenfe
of the word. It occurs three times in his
iPLUTUS I
' KAP.
and again,
vOv \yu fy&w fidfascx, psld <ri. II A* Trt&ofAcii. (4)
and again,
_/>-j\ \/v»'/ /A \/
Tt ^V CtK, TO TTp& &Y\ } TTcljtV K&l TlH T
•> £
And in his NUBES, where a ftupid illiterate
fellow is fhewn a Map of the world,
''Av oi <roi
vcu.
In all thefe places it is impoffible the
word fhou'd mean any thing, but 7 believe
it is as you fay, oil cannot be perfuaded it is
fo* The fame fenfe is to be put upon it in
this verfe of his ACHARNENSES :
(3) Vcr. 30.
(4) Ver. zft.
(f) Ver. 33f,
(6) Vcr. 207.
LETTERS. 479
l&v Trti&ofteu. (7)
« T/
In the NUBES, where a father is endeavour-
ing to prevail upon his fon, to forfake a loofe
way of living, by all the arts of a mild per-
fuafion, we have the following words :
TTtU, inSS* ^EI. Tl XV 7ri9~£pCU $VJTCt, (TOt (8) '
.yEx<T|3g;|/cv a>g Tawqct, rovg erct,v]o
Ka't fJLctv&av' eA^^v ay 9y» 7ra(>u<na-&)
4>EI. Myt Sr, ri xtfavtig j ZT< ^ rx;,
<£EI TTiirofAtu. (8)
After this, Juftice is reprefented making
ufe of feveral arguments to gain him over to
her fide : but Injuftice fliews him, to what
reproach he will be expOs'd, if he fuffers him-
felf to be perfuaded by the other :
El roivy, u jAti^ci'Atov 7rti<rit T^UTM, &C. (9)
The inftance out of the VESPAE, upon
which the Dean lays fo great a ftrefs, is far
from declaring in his favour. An old fool
is there reprefented, refolving to continue
his pradice of frequenting the Courts of Judi-
cature :
(7) Ver.i>i.
(8) Ver. 87.
(9) Ver. 996,
480 LETTERS.
cature : and his fon endeavouring by feveral
arguments to diffuade him from it, the Cho-
rus advifes him to comply with his re-
queft:
IIiS'OV) irt&Zv hiyoiarij pffiatp^uv yivn. (10)
Can it be faid that the father ( whofe
power over the fon, according to the Dean,
ought to be very great) is here bid to obey
the fon ? The father all this while continues
iilent. The Chorus tells the fon, this ftlence
is owing to his being convinc'd of his miftake >
and that he will now confent to do, what
before he cou'd not be perfuaded to :
C/A rou TrapaKtfavwTtg ovx, ITTI&ITD, (l i)
Nuy ovv 'itrag -n*$ troUg Aoyoi<n Tre
Kctl (fipOVSl fAt9-i<?e&$ 1$ TtfalTTOV TOY
The fon continues to prefs him to a com-
pliance,
' I&\ a TraTeo, Trplg rav 3-t£v tpot &&£. (12)
To which he replies, ri wu&cpAi <rel 5 and
upon his fon's telling him, not to concern
himfelf with judicial proceffes, he anfwers,
(10) ver. 728,
(n) ^744.
LETTERS.
i'lia linn • TOUTS ^g (l j
i TToTtov, r/ 'yo
In all thefe paflages, which very unluckily
for fome body follow fo clofely in the fame
Scene, and which give light to each other, it is
manifeft that the word has not the fenfe the
Dean wou'd make it confefs ; but only to be
or not to be ferfuadedy to comply or disagree.
In the AVES of the fame Poet, where a per-
fon has a propofal to make, which, if ac-
ceptedj he thinks will be of great fervice to
the Republic of Birds, we meet with the fol-
lowing words :
H ugy £Vfi£& /SfluAguu. ev O^i-9-^i^ vev«, (14)
\ ^/ r/ » A » '
Kflt; OVt*fJUV) q ytvoir ct,v, ot T
EH. Tirol vAu^y^ HEX. O,T/
T«6 jWgl/, &C.
Here it can fignify nothing> but to follow ad*
'vice: and afterwards, where the fame perfon
feconds the Chorus, in defiring an interview
with the Nightingale* it can't be faid any
obedience is demanded.
7& TOVTO piv vy Ai* avroitriv fri^S. (15) I
! tvi>£,I tiH ^^n^ibd
(13) vcr. 75-9.
(-14) vcr. 165.
(i^) ver. 662.
. II. H h Again
482 LETTERS.
Again \ve find this terrible word in his Lr.
SISTRATA.
Kx&TroQ' ixovo-ot, rdvtyi r® pa Tr&ropcu. (16)
This is the paffage in which the Dean feems
to triumph, when he obferves, it is here us'd
of unwilling obedience. But he's ftrangely
miftaken in the meaning of it. The Athe-
nians are fuppofed by the Poet to declare
war againft the Lacedemonians 5 and the
women, not knowing how to fpare their
husbands, endeavour to oblige them to make
peace. Till this is accomplifh'd, they bind
themfelves by oath not to admit them to their
embraces. LYSISTRATA in the name of the
reft reads the oath, declaring fhe will fuf-
fer no man to carefs her ; that flie will flay
at home, and adorn her felf as much as pof-
fible, to appear the more engaging in her
husband's eyes; and, that when (he has by
thefe arts enflam'd him, fte will refufe to
fatisfy his defire.
K^e^ofi* iiwvo'eiTcivS'qi ra pa Treitrofuu. (17)
'Tis ftrange the Dean fhou'd interpret a mo-
deft expreffion for love-familiarity, to be
obedience. His Lady, I believe, is of ano-
ther mind. I forbear to mention, that the
phrafe
VCT. iaj.
(17,) Ubi fupra.
LETTERS. 483
phrafe £*, ixav Trzt&t&ou does not mean to be
unwilling to obey in any good author. In
PLATO efpecially, who often makes ufe of
it, it can fignify nothing but not eafilj to be
ferfuatted. Oux ix,&v Trei&tTcu, x foi^iug e«&€A«
w&S'zcQ'ai, cv 7rcivv tvS'i&s e3"eA« Trti&t&rcu, are
with him equivalent expreffions. Thofe I
have alledg'd -are all or moft of the places
in ARISTOPHANES, where this fame word
Wd-scShw is to be feen ; in none of which, I
fancy, will it be found big with that autho-
rity the Dean contends for.
As to the more ferious part of the ar-
gument, where he does not refute himfelf
(which I think is often the cafe) I fee no-
thing but what the Bifhop has already an-
fwer'd. I (hou d be glad to be inform'd, what
relation a confiderable part of his Book has
to the prefent Controverfy. He is very fond,
lobferve, of marginal notes j one of which
(I mean his emendation of HORACE) I fup-
pofe was introduced to fix to himfelf the re-
putation of a judicious Critic. I was the
more furpriz'd at this, becaufe, in the Toft-
fcrift of his Sermon, he promifed the Bifhop,
that he wou'd not turn to any other fubjeft
to recover that character.
Hh z TO
484 LETTERS.
ft v
T O
TO. L AN D. ;
dlbemark-ftreeti January
the ft#9 i j zi-2,.
SAturday night about nine I received yours
of that day, which gives me fuch a dif-
mal account of your ill ftate of health, that
I was extremely concerned at the condition I
found you were in, I doubt for want of ne-
cefiarics,
I cannot forbear wifhing you were in town,
for 1 doubt you cannot eafily get fuch broths
and bits of eafy digcftion as I fhou'd take care
to procure for you. Your Landlady may be
a very good woman, and have a great re-
fped for you, but her poverty may prevent
her from providing fuch fort of visuals and
drinks, as are proper for a fick man redu-
ced to fo weak a condition as I find you are.
Indeed I expefted you every day in town after
the Letter I wrote to you laft week, not ima-
gining you had been fo much out of order :
tho* I faw by your looks that a fit of fick-
nefs was growing upon you, which I hop'd
your Vomits and Purges had prevented in a
great meafure.
I intend
LETTERS. 485
I intend to follicite the Peer your old
ftingy acquaintance and my neighbour, and
fee whether a Letter, which I fhall fend him,
will move him once in his life to be gene-
rous and charitable.
Your reflexions upon the Phyficians, and
the Injufticeof the World are very right; but
you muft not indulge melancholy thoughts
at fuch a time. Let it fuffice you to know,
that although my circumftances are narrow
enough, you fhall never want neceffaries
whilft I live. I am fenfible that bare neceflaries
are but cold comfort to a man of your fpirit
and defert j but 'tis all I dare promife. Tis an un-
grateful age, and we muft bear with it the beft
we may, till we can mend it. Adieu, be cheer-
ful, and think of going with me for Ireland.
Tours fincerely,
MOLESWORTH.
i TO THE SAME.
' ,t?e4/ * \\ of sicffi "iw\ f£$ ;-7dJ
Munday night p a-Clock.
I AM forry to find you continue fo ill, and
yet dare not prescribe any thing for you :
no forts of Quacks have credit with you,
and I can recommend nothing to you but
your own kitchen Phyfic. Veal broth with
Hh 3 barley,
4*6 L E T T E R S.
barley, or (if you be enclined to a loofenefs)
with rice boiled in it, is very proper. Tis
a very fickly tiriie : there is a rot among our
Lords, five or fix of them are dropt off with-
in this week, yet little lofs to the Public.
I am glad you got the Macjera, arM wifh
I had a ftock of my own to fend you more.
I begd the bottle I fent you from Do&oi;
WELWOOD, for the right fort is not to be,
bought. I writ the moft moving Letter I
cpu'd invent, tp your ftingy Peer, and he
excufed his writing an anfwer $ but by
word of mouth, told my man> that he had
already fent you fomething, meaning, a^;
I fuppofe,, the chetif prefejajt my Lady
H^**, mentions. 'Tis a fad nxonftex of a
man, apd not worthy of furthcx notice to be
taken of him.
I wonder, your appetite does not mend
in that fine air: 'tis a fign your diftemper
has not done with you.
Adieu, l$t m<Lheac from you npw/vand
then, fince I am not able to fee you.
Tours
ktit ill Ji ^nniih',vj TOY bull or W'tfit M A
1 gnfon
J :; rf .-.rtvill
lii
LETTER S. 4*7
nov ?;.
L'uOili '
SIR,
AS I wou'd never ferve ray friends by
halves, were I in a capacity to be ufe-
fui to them } fo I (hall fet no other bounds
to my good wifhes in their behalf, but what
nature her felf has irrevocably fet : and there-
fore, that all the years of your life, and thofe
of each in your hopeful family, may be at-
tended with health and profperity, is my
very hearty and unfeign'd wifh, this year and
as long as I live.
The day after I had the honor to fee you
in London, I fell mighty ill, having been
lingring before ; and the Doftor that was
call'd to me, made me twenty times worfe,
if poffible. All acknowledge that he had
like to kill me. I was brought hither the Satur-
day following (which was the next before
Chriftmas) and have never fince been able
to go out of my Chamber, fcarce to walk
crofs it for fome time. From that day to
this I never tafted a bit of meat, being fole-
ly confin'd to broths and other liquids 5 not
by the Doftors, but my ftomach, which re-
fufes and throws out every thing elfe : Jit
Had not my Lady H * * * flatter'd
H h 4 me
488 LETTERS:
me more than once in her Letters, that you
would be fo kind as to call on me 5 I fhou'd
have given notice to you before, as to one
of my beft friends, of the condition I am in,
tho' very perceptibly better than I was. I
need fay no more on this fubje£t.
The laft time I was at your houfe, feeing
the young Ladies drudging at the longwind-
ed and unweildy Cleopatra, I promised to ac-
commodate them with entertainment of that
kind, that fhould pleafe them much more 5
and cfpcci&lly Zayde, the beft underftood of
all Romances, I thought then to be the bear-
er my felf, but fince I cannot yet be fo hap-
py, I take the liberty to fend it now ; and,
when they have done with this, I fhall fendl
another.
IK$ I am,
SIR,
•JjS Jiiii ,3gh»i ./O- VK \\l\. .L'HifiOf; li
Tour woft faithful hum-
o:»oi5t <r,< vrn 't. :'u^o^ ot
.fii tpoi !>/no: Aoio
'i iaho tj^rn- '!;; ^ j L LofLci *i .- /.-i I airil
T O
E T T E R SJ 4*9
T O
fjr.: < -j." TKix! : n p/itoi'q av."
Mr. T O L A N D. ; !
fburfday, Feb. 8, 1721-2.
Dear SIR,
I Began to be very uneafy at not hearing
from you for eight or ten days together,
and had order'd my man to walk to Putney
this morning, when I received your Letter
laft night.
{ • ..'t .% .! f. . * ,\ ''?'// '' ' I *J f f ?! i i I H '1 ** I • *• -^
The return of the fpring, and your keep-
ing to kitchen Phyfic, will reftore you to
health. I would not have you venture a-
broad too early, altho' I long to fee you,
Among other things, I wou'd fhew you thp
moft noble Colleftion of Papers, and authen-
tic Records for the writing a Hiftory of the late
Wars (from King WILLIAM'S death to Queen
ANNE'S Peace) that you can poflibly imagine.
The Colonel L * * * and I would defire your
afliftance, and wou'd endeavour to make you
find your account in fo doing, for fo much
of your time and pains as fhould be employed
that way. But 'tis time enough to talk of
this, when you are reftojr'd to perfed health.
My Lady H * * * is a perfon very much be-
yond the rank of our modern Ladies. I have
5 always
490 LETTERS.
always efteem'd her as fuch, and fhc has as
conftantly made good my opinion. You and
I might give twenty inftances of this. But
• none pleafcs me better at prefent than her
kindnefs and charity for you.
I think'tis very wholefome for you not to be
troubled with publick news, unlefs you were
better. You will come into a new world
when your get once abroad again, and ever*
thing will be ftrange and diverting to you one
way or other. Our weather is too good for
the feafon of the year : but do you keep to
a great fire fide till March be far advanced.
Our Parliament will be up in a fortnight,
and I intend to fit in no future one.
oj us? oioiha i:uv/ tOifyri'i msi&ttA ot gfii
Adieu.
,fjpv :ol Ol 2, no I I Vrbir; rv!-;r/j not bso~:
Yours,
-ml srhlo Yioiifi I n ^rfhiiv/ :
ii^riQoifbfiaba^Ai.'AtW
HOY D^siri oi ifj-; T^fcir^ h,"i;r ;- ./^
/i3f-rn 61 16! mo!>ot ni in; >-{ I:
-.7i-i flafti:.^oi h'lofl^i ?r «o'{.-i!..w«
T O
r/sri . ^- reborn 100 iOviitfT'-
LETTER S. 49V
»
.ttfii'- • •/ •; j-. r^r.n;r snv.^ff vm gnh&biltto:*
';e i. ^rn? •*;» : ,vr miv/ ur?/- ^'diJGtt vino iinrii I
rji ShQn;- r;b Gfh/ fO#."
>« \o *,<ijq rjqi j vldiv/ol P.BW .pfi..vcijj
The Right Honourable^ '
;,.. i:j rbho.y :i? ci Ii/Tslri '.*r--;/ rl^jra c^e
THE LQRC> MOLESWORTHr
;:G ,v^kl:!ar---; ?rr!o3 rbfrn or ic^n L^jHi'iJ
P^^, FKday-Noon,
MY LORD,
TTT-xT- r1-/-^ »i nirniOiii-nl
HEIST I l^m d; to be in .^ fairway
( of mending, my old pains in my
reins^ aod ftomach, feiz'd me vio-
lently twp days ago ; wit;H a tptai lofs of ap-
petite^ hourly teachings., r and very high co-
lourU water. I.tak^.it for granted, thatthefe
are fymptoms of approaching Gravel, and
therefore I coaifpi't my felf with the thoughts,
that when this Gravel comes, I (hall together
with it be diicharg'd from my pains.
In my laft, I told your Lordfhip, that tho'
your refolution of ferving in no future Par-
liament, might be beneficial to your felf, it
wou'd be detrimental to your Country : but
if I had not been in hafte to finifli a long
Letter, I fhould have added, that upon fe-
cret thoughts, even your Country wou'd be
a gainer by a retirement from bufinefs at
this age. My reafons and examples for fup-
portmg this afiertion are numerous. Yet
4 confi-
49 f LETTERS,
confidering my prefent unfitnefs for writing^
I (hall only trouble you with the example of
CICERO, who during the feven year's fpace
that he was forcibly kept out of bufinefs,
wrote all thofe incomparable Books, which
are much more ufeful to the world, than
the whole courfe of his Employments. The
great noife he made in the Forum has not con-
tributed near fo much to his Immortality, as
the fruits of his Retirement, whereof never-
thelefs we have but the leaft part remain-
ing. In like manner, MY Loap, that ex-
cellent work, wherein you have made fuch
progrefs, and which feems to refemble fa
nearly CICERO de Republica, will be a no-
bler task, and more ufeful to mankind, than
any Senatorial efforts : nee aliud fcribendt
genus tarn e dignitate veftra mihi videtur,
Ar~
occ.
Jill* -<rn ,ooil L>«1
I tqirf!fcio,I T-IOV bio; I
no\r 01 fiirr;ffi't Lovir
jfflkift or .ofi.'ui i n^.d '• I >i
TO
LETTERS. 493
4- : '''"'-• TO
Mr. TO LA NIX f I
March i, 1711-1.
;;> r ' rr Tfl T'r- • /
Dear TOLAND,
1 Wonder I hear nothing from you or of
you : you muft needs be very ill, or care-
lefs 5 1 had much rather it were the laft. I hope
altho* I do not fend you fupplies (fuch fmall
ones as I can afford) yet that you wou'd be
fo free as to ask me in cafe you wanted them,
for I ant one of thofe who with a friend
defire freedom, and exped to be told when
other refources fail. Pray let me hear from
you often. I am fometimes very much indif-
pofed, fometimes tolerably well in health 5
now 1 am the latter, but that may not con-
tinue.
You will fee that I am embark'd in a
grand affair, no lefs than ftanding for Weft-
minfter. I have employ Jd all my friends as
follicitors and runners about, and great hopes
are given me. I am forry you are not in
a ftate of health to do me fervice. Believe
me, when I tell you, you fhall fare as I do,
and
494 LETTERS.
and if that be not extraordinary well, blame
not.
Tour affeEtionate
friend and fervent,
•XA * JL. A
MOLESWORTH.
Mr. TOLAND's
^ >J--><A N S W E R.!0^" f
Putney, Manh 2, 1721-2.
MY LORD,
I Was never a carelefs correfpondent, or
were I fo to any, fure I am, it fhould not
be of all mankind to your Lordfhip. Neither
was it for not needing afliftance of my friends,
I have been fo long filent ; but by reafon of
aimoft inceffant pains, and very extraordi-
nary weaknefs. Two or thrte days before your
fcrvant call'd here laft, I grew much worfe
than I was; and from a mending date (the
vigour of my mind increafing, the' with lit-
tle influence on the infirmity of my body) I
relaps'd again into ail my former fymptoms,
more frequeftt and malignant than ever.
This has oblig'd me to put my felf into the
hands of a Phyfician, who I believe to be an
honeft man, prepares his own medicines,
and explains every thing he does to me. He
has
LETTERS. 495
has already put me to fevcral little expences,
fome of them extremely ufeful to my poor
corpufcle, as four dimitty waftcoats, which
a vifit from Sir T*** J*** enabled me
to pay. I need not defcend to more particu-
culars, ready pence going necefiarily out
every day.
Since you will embark once more on that
troublefome fea, I heartily wifh you all good
luck, and wifh I had been able to run for
you night and day, which with great ardor
I wou'd. I am, with the utmoft truth and
zeal,
MY LORD,
Tour Lordfotys
moft humble and
mo ft obedient fervant.
FINIS.
A N
APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
SOME PIECES
FOUND AMONG
Mr. TO LA N D's
PAPERS.
, II.
o >i i /; \ T ;i o 3
3M08
O >T O M A a W U O -.i
.
3
. 'I
i
OF THE
IMMATERIALITY
OF THE
S O U L,
AND ITS
DISTINCTION
FROM THE
BODY :••"'•
B Y
ML BENJAMIN BAYLY, MA.
Redor of St. JAMES'S in BriftoJ.
I N A
LETTERTO * * *.
SIR,
T is with no fmall plcafure and in-
ftruftion that I have read thole Papers,
that lately pafs'd between you and
the learned and reverend Mr. CLARKE,
concerning the Immateriality of the Soul %
and although it would be too great prcfump-
a 2 tiou
4 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
tion in me, to pretend to determine on which
fide the advantage in that Controverfy lay,
yet certainty you engage me to you too powerly
in fome particulars, and if I may not lay you
demonftrate againft Mr. CLARKE, yet I and
the whole world muft fay, you demonftrate
moft evidently your own incomparable parts
and underftanding. So that if a man fhould
fancy you worded in that difpute, yet how-,
ever it was not Mr. CLARKE that worfted you,
tho a very learned and ingenious man 5 but
that invincible thing, Truth, which at that
time pcradventure one might conceit your
enemy. But let that be as it will, my inten-
tion is not to meddle in it, but rather to pro-
pofe to you an Argument of fomewhat a dif-
ferent kind, and which feems to me freer
from exception. And as your great Candour
and Ingenuity, and the general Reputation
you have for a man of unfpottcd virtue, as
thefe make you highly defervc any endeavours
that can be ufcd, to let you right in matters
of an important nature ; fo the fame virtues,
I am fure, muft render any fuch endeavours
highly acceptable to you, from whomfocvcr
they proceed, and how weak focvcr they
fhould prove. 'Tis true, you profeis to be-
lieve the Soul immortal, from the authority
of divine Revelation, and becaufe you pro*
fefs to believe this grand principle of all Re-
ligion, it would be the utmoft uncharitablc-
nefs in any man to queftion it 5 cfpecially,
when no contradiction, but the highcft agree?
ablcnef$
OF THE SOUL. i
ablenefs to this belief, is found in your life and
converfation 5 but how to make this belief a^
greeable to your fentiments about the Soul*
is verily a difficulty with me ; and if I could
have reconciled this, or made you confident
\vith yourfelf, I fhouid not have troubled yoii
on this point, notwithftanding you had
held the Soul corporeal. I fhall wave any
farther introdudion or ceremony to you, and
lay before you the argument itfelf, which,
if you pleafe to confider, and give your
thoughts on it, you will both fliew me an
extraordinary civility, and perhaps give fome
farther light to the fubjed, upon which you
have been lately employ 'd*
THE Argument is in PLATO (i) ; and as
his writings you know are, it proceeds by
way of Dialogue, between SOCRATES and Ai>
CIBIADES. The fubftance of it, I (hall en-
deavour to tranflate, and then make fome re-
marks upon it*
" Socra. Who is he that difcoui'fes
" with you ? Is it not SOCRATES ? And who
" is he that hears ? Is it not ALCIBIADES ?
" Alcib. Doubtlefs. Socra. And what is this
" bufinefs of difcourfing ? Is it any thing but
" a man's ufing fpeech? Are not thefe the
" fame ? Alcib. It is not to be deny'd. So-
% era. Is not then he that ufes a thing* atid
(i) PL AT. Alcib. ift. -^vij
a 3 " th«
6 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
" the thing ufed, different, diftind from one
" another? Alcib. How fay you, SOCRATES ?
" Socra. To the purpofe. Confider any han-
" dy-craftfman. Is he not different from the
" tools and inftruments that he ufes in his
" work ? The thing that cuts from the perfon
" that cuts with it? Alcib. Paft queftion.
" Socra. What ? in regard to any mufical In-
" ftrumcnt, is not the thing the fame ? Is
" not the Lute one thing, and he who plays
" on it another ? Alcib. Confefs'd. Sacra.
" And this, ALCIBIADES, was the purpofe of
" my queftion to you juft now, whether he
" that ufes a thing, and the thing ufed, do
" not always appear different, diftind, things ?
" Alcib. They do fo indeed. Socra. Very
" good ! And pray what does one of thefe
" handy-craftfmen in exercife of his occupa-
" tion ufe ? Alcib. He ufes his inftruments.
" Socra. Does he not ufe like wife his hands ?
"Alcib. His hands likcwife. Socra. And
" his eyes ? Alcib. I grant ye. Socra. And
" was it not before granted, that he that ufes
" a thing, and the thing ufed, are different ?
" and confequently that the Mufician, or any
" other artift is different, not only from his
"; inftruments, but from his hands and eyes,
<c thofe parts of the Body that he ufes ? Al-
" cib. Very true. Socra. And does not a
" man ufe his whole Body? Alcib. I think
" fo indeed. Socra. Carry this ftill along
<c with you, That the thing ufed, and he who
" ufes it, are different. Alcib. I remember it,
" SOCRA-
OF THE SOUL. 7
" SOCRATES. Socra. I therefore conclude,
« that what we call a Man is a thing entirely
" different from his Body. Alcib. I cannot
€e deny it. Socra. -What is it then in this
<c compofition that we may moft properly
" call the Man? Alcib. Nay, in that you
<c muft excufe me, SOCRATES. Socra. "What !
e€ know you not what it is that ufes the Bo-
" dy> Alcib. Full well. Socra. Is it any
" thing but the Soul > Alcib. -,No, certainly.
<c Socra. And is not this what rules and go-
" verns the Body > Alcib. No doubt."
THIS, in my opinion, will furnifh us with
idea's, at leaft lay a foundation of proving (I
had almoft faid demonftrating) the Soul's di-
ftindion from the Body.
A N D in order to it, I {hall firft premifc a
few things, that my meaning may be the
more clearly apprehended $ and next, consider
more exacYly, the force of the preceding
Arument.
i/, I T is not my intention from this ar-
gument, to conclude any thing immediately
touching the nature of the fubftance of the
Soul, not indeed whether it be perfectly im-
material, diverted of all the properties of mat-
ter, (as I take it immaterial fignifies) and con-
fequently of exteniton, as well as others ; al-
though it be often retained by fome who con-
ceive the Soul immaterial and goes into its
a 4 idea,
s OF THE IMMATERIALITY
idea, which feems to me very difagreeablc^
Per what is immaterial but a negation of all
matter > And while men affert this of the
Soul, they flxmld ftill continue to it, the
primeft property of matter, if not repugnant*
yet for certain is extreamly incongruous, and
the ground of endlefs difficulties and jargon.
But with this, I have nothing to do here. By
the Body, we underftand this corruptible fy-
ftem of matter, which is made up of divers
parts, blood, animal fpkits, &c. and a particu-
lar difpofition and organization of thofe parts 5
and my intent is to prove the Soul none of
thefe, no mode, quality, power or faculty of
any of thefe feparately, neither the refult of
the whole taken together, but that which
thinks in us is a fubftance, and a diftind fub-
ftance from the Body. And I rather chufe to
call the Soul a diftind fubftance from the Bo-
dy, than call it immaterial 5 becaufe many men
have taught the Soul to be a diftind fubftance
from the Body, and yet have difcours'd of it as
material (as did, I conceive, TERTULLIAN) but
then their idea of this matter, of which they
thought the Soul to partake, was vaftly different
from their idea of the Body : it was matter of a
different kind, matter and matter differing in
their language and idea's, almoft as much per-
haps, as Spirit and Body does now according
to the modems. With the reditude of this
way of thinking, I have nothing to do.
OP THE SOUL. 9
idly, WHAT we undcrftand hereby the
terms fubftance, faculty, mode, dec. By fub-
ftancei we conceive fomething that fubfifts of
itfelf* and that is the fubjed of what we term
properties,powers, faculties, modes, &c. Thefe
latter cannot fubfift, nor ad of themfclves,
and this is what diftinguifhcs between them : all
powers and faculties muft be powers and faculties
of fomething, as Mr. LOCKE fays fomewhere,
to conceive of a thing as capable of affing, is
to conceive of it as a fubftance ; and there-
fore to conceive thus of any faculty, we de-
part from our idea of a faculty, and con-
ceive of it as a fubftance 5 and if we can for
certain demonftrate any thing to ad of itfelf,
we demonftrate it to be a fubftance ; and if
we can prove the Soul thus to ad of itfelf,
we prove it a diftind fubftance from the Body.
idly, BY the Soul, I underftand fomething
that thinks within us. And this I fay, on pur-
pofe to prevent any fufpicions in you, that I
endeavour to impofe on myfelf or you, by
taking that for granted, which ought to be
proved 5 as poflibly might be imagined, when
I fay, the Soul aEls upon the Body, &c. by
which I do not fuppofe the Soul and Body
two diftind fubftances, but Soul is equiva-
lent with me to Thought, or the power of
thinking, be it what it will.
, W H A T I mean by different or di~
Jtinff fubftances. £Iow it is certain, we may
and
to OF T&E IMMATERIALITY
and are very apt to fancy differences and di-
ftindions as to things where there are really
none. As for example 5 any fyftem of mat-
ter, any common ftone or pebble, is one di-
ftind thing or fubftance, but yet it is made
up of fevcral parts 5 but from this diftiridion
of parts, it would be a ftrange way of argu-
ing, when the queftion is concerning any one
Body or Syftem of Matter, hence to infer it
feveral diftind things or fubftances, becaufe
the thing itfelf confifts of thefe feveral parts,
in a peculiar way difpofed and united. So
in conftdering Man, I would not impofe fuch
a grofs fallacy on myfelf, becaufe in this
compofition, I can conceive it made up of
feveral parts, hence to infer man compound-
ed of feveral diftind fubftances. It avails no-
thing therefore, unlefs thefe parts can be
proved of a different diftind kind. Thus you
fee I labour to free myfelf from all ambigui-
ty of expreffion ; and if I am imposed on, I
am fure it is not with my own knowledge
and corifent.
T O return to the Argument of SOCRATES,
in which two things are carefully to be con-
fider'd :
I. WHETHER the Soul ads upon the
Body, or ufes it as an inftrument or organ.
II. W H E T H E R this demonftrates a real
and fubftantial diftindion* between Soul and
Body. i ft,
OF THE SOUL. n
i ft, WHETHER the Soul afts upon the Body,
or ufes it as an inftrument or organ. That is,
when the parts of the Body are found and right-
ly difpofed, whether Thought or this thinking
power doth not communicate motion to them,
influence, direft, govern them. This every
man experiences, at Icaft of many parts of
the Body ; my hands, eyes, &c. I move ac-
cording to the direction or determination of
my will. The only doubt that can be darted, is,
whether Thought thus moves the whole body,
or whether there are not fome invifible parts,
viz. the Brain, and animal Spirits, from whence
this motion or influence is derived. I un-
dertake therefore to prove this propofition,
•viz.
;/; ..,< , 7rms2 r*a.v; .mj KrWWj'.1
THAT the motions of the Body, fuch as
we term voluntary, proceed not ultimately
from the Brain, or any other invifible parts
of the Body, but from Thought, or the power
of thinking.
FOR example, my hand is at reft ; by the
determination of my will, I move it. What
is that that moves my hand? According to
the common hypothefis, immediately I con-
fefs it is the Mufcles, animal Spirits, &c. But
then what moves, or at leaft differenly deter-
mines them ? (for it muft be granted, the muf-
cles and animal fpirits that immediately move
isny hand, muft receive motion, or a different
deter-
12 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
determination of motion, when my hand
moves, from what they were in, when my
hand was at reft) I fay then, from whence
proceeded this motion of the Nerves, animal
Spirits, &c. that immediately mov'd my hand?
We will fay, from fome parts or part of the
brain. (And in this, we fay no more than can
be prov'd, what none that I know, deny.) But
what moves, or at leaft gives a different de-
termination of motion to this part of the brain,
from whence this motion in my hand is de-
rived ? (for it muft be granted again, that this
part of the brain, from whence this motion
to my hand is derived, muft be at that ai-
dant put into motion, or fome different dif-
pofition, or determination of motion, from
what they were in when my hand was at reft.
Thefe parts of the brain cannot be in the fame
motion or difpofition, when my hand moves, as
when my hand was at reft.) Well ! I fay, what
gives thefe parts of the brain this motion, or
this different difpofition or determination of
motion ? Muft it not be refolved into thought
or the power of thinking > for certainly here
is nothing elfe to do it.
m
LET us examine 2dly, Whether this ar-
gues two diftinft Subftances in Man, whether
this will infer that that thinks in us, to be
a Subftancd diffident from the Brain, animal
Spirits, &c. I think in/ truth, this is as de-
monftrable.
fOR
OF THE SOUL. 13
FOR certainly, If a Body at reft, moves,
fomething muft put it into_motion$ again, if
a Body in motion, be differently determined
in its motion, fomething muft alter, or dif-
ferently determine its motion, or elfe the Mu-
fician might be the fame thing with his Fiddle,
the Horfe with his Rider, and the Tennis-ball
with the Wall, that rebounds it. To be guil-
ty of a little tautology. Here is a Body at
reft. It is moved. Muft it not be fomething
that moves it > Again, here is a body mov-
ing in a ftrait line, it inftantly changes from
this to a circular one. Can this be without
fomething that changes and guides its motion >
The parts of the brain are at reft, or under
fome peculiar motion , or difpofition 5 this
thinking power gives thefe parts motion, or
3 different difpofition or determination of
motion. Muft not this therefore be fome real
fubfifting thing, different from the brain or the
parts of it, that it moves or dircds ? I faw
once a Phyfician by moving the nerves, at fome
diftance from the hand, move the hands and
the fingers in a Skeleton diverfe ways. Was
not the Phyfician different from the Skeleton ?
What the Phyfician did, Thought did in the
living man more compleatly. Why is not
then that which thinks in us a different thing
from the body, that it moves > I know not,
how other men think, but it fcems to me,
J have hardly about any thing more clear Ideas.
But yet to examine this matter the moft fe-
verely,
UfJl T
}
14 OF T.HE IMMATERIALITY
,SS\Mr:I t-S;*t.i - •$; .t^-c.Vi^.-j •' )> .-^.O j
I will therefore fancy to my felf three Sup-
pofitions, whereby I will endeavour to folve
this, without the afliftance of a diftinft Sub-
ftance from the body.
i ft, I will examine, whether fome part or
parts of the brain cannot move, or differently
determine themfelves.
2dly, WHETHER this may not arife from
fome peculiar organization, &c.
3dly, WHETHER a power of felf-motion
cannot be fuperadded by GOD to fome peculiar
part or parts of the brain. As I have not
met with any thing very different from thefe,
fo I believe it is not eafy to form any very
different hypothecs.
i . WHETHER fome parts of the brain, can-
not move or differently determine themfelves.
The parts of the brain are matter, and what-
foever a man may fancy about the powers of
matter, one can never fancy matter, when
once at reft, capable of giving it fclf motion,
or differently determining its own motion 5
jio more than it can convert it felf from a
fquare to a round figure : which, if it could do,
I know not what it might not do, it might
give it felf underftanding and wifdom as well,
and all other attributes of the Deity. And
this is not only the cafe of Matter, but of
any
OF THE SOUL.; r 15
any oth^r thing 5 to talk of giving itfelf
that, which it had not, is a plain contradidi-
on, becaufe giving fuppofcs the being already
pofleffed of that, which is to be given, and
yet the latter claufe fuppofes, th^t it has not,
that which is to be given. So that if by
matter's moving it felf, be underftood of mat-
tcfs giving it felf motion, (and it muft give
it felt motion, or another muft give it, for
potion cannot arife out of nothing) nothing
can be more evidently abfurd. But nobody
imagines fo abfurd a thing.
YES really, I think, he imagines the felf
fame thing, who thinks, that matter at reft,
be it the brain, or any other matter, can
move itfelf, can ftop or differently determine
its own motion. For while matter is at reft,
motion is not in it; while it moves in a right
line, it moves not in a circular one. When
it moves therefore here is an addition of mo-
tion made to itj when it moves from aftrait
to 3; circular line, its motion is changed,-
Whence is this motion in the firft cafe, this
alteration of motion in the fecond cafe? The
force and intcrpofition of another being, is
difown'd. If therefore this motion be deri-
ved from it felf, muft not itfelf give it? for
certainly here is fomething added, when mo-
tion is added, here is fomething that was not
before j which muft be derived from itfelf or
fome other being. But may it not have a
power
16 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
power of moving itfclf , although it doth not
always actually move?
S T I LL we cheat our felves with terms. For
what is this power of motion in matter ? To
me it is nothing but a capacity of being mov-
ed, and then ftill it will require fome other
thing to move it, as in many cafes, a power
in things, fignifies nothing, but a capacity of
being aded on 5 but in this cafe, I think it is
ckarly fo. For if you take power here for
fomething adive in matter, I would ask you
two things. Firft, when this power is brought
into aft, or influences the parts of matter,
whether matter then is not paffive, or receives
not the influence of that power, (this it muft
furcly do, or elfe matter would never move)
and yet in regard this power of motion is a
power of matter, I would ask you again,
whether matter is not at the fame time adive.
So that the fame parts of matter, it feems, at
the fame time, are both adive and 'paffive.
Can you reconcile this ? that at the fame time,
matter fhould be both adive and paffive, or
ad and not aft? To me again this has the
face of a very grofs contradiction. If you fay,
this power ads feparately on matter, and fo
exerts itfelf on the parts of matter : I agree
with you, but then this is evidently our Idea
of a Subftance diftind from matter.
zdly. SEEING in the prefent cafe of
Voluntary motions, this force that moves
OF THE SOUL, 17
brain, and upon which the motion in my
hand depends, I fay, feeing this force is not
aftually exerted upon the parts of the brain,
when I move not my hand (for if it were
aftually exerted, my hand would aftua- A move)
I would ask you what it is that aduaiiy ex- -
erts it, and again flops it. We all feel, it
is done by the mediation of our wills -. but
willing is nothing towards moving or deter-
mining any parts of matter, unlefs fomc force
or influence attends it. And the point is, to
what belongs this force and influence : if you
fay to matter, you make the thing to be
moved, and that which moves it, all one 5 and
again you fuppofe, fuch a power in matter,
that I dare fay, is your own and every body's
idea of a fubftance 5 and you prove to me
that which thus ads upon matter, to be no
fubftance, and I will prove to you, matter. is
no fubftance. But of this again hereafter. I
fuppofe not this your opinion, that matter
as fuch, can move it felf 5 but rather the others
remaining. I proceed therefore to examine,
II. In the id place, Whether this may
not arife from fome peculiar difpofition of
parts, organization, &c. Whether this way
cannot be explained thefe voluntary motions.
And I think, it is impoflible. By difpofition
and organization of parts, I underftand a fort
of clock-work or mcchanifm, from whence
we will fuppofe thinking to refult. What fort
of mechanifm or difpofition of parts, this as
Vox,. II. b yom
18 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
you will not undertake to fhew, fo I fhall
not trouble you, nor my felf about 5 whatfo-
cver it be, I hope to prove clearly, voluntary
motions can be the rciiilt of no fuch thing.
i. I fuppofe you will grant me that any
mechanifm whatfoever can produce nothing
but neceffary ads or effcds, and if you fup-
pofe the Soul the refult of any fort of orga-
nization or difpofition of parts, in my prefent
conceit I think my felf able to maintain, this
refult, viz. the Soul, either a different fub-
ftance from the mechanifm, diipofition of parts,
or elfe man a neceffary agent $ for thinking
here follows from this organization and dif-
pofition of parts, and confcquently muft not
only be neceffary in general, but in the feve-
ral and particular ads of it, and choice and
willing being particular ways or modes of
thinking, thefe muft be neceffary, as nccefl'5-
ry as ftriking in a clock. So that here will
be an end of all fort of Liberty and free-
dom in man 5 and becaufe I believe, we have
demonftration for thefe, we have certainly
demonftration againft thinking's being any re-
fult of mechanifm and difpofition of parts,
&c. I take it here it is impoflible you can
defend any fort of liberty hi man, if think-
ing be nothing but the refult of mechanifm.
For the caufe that produces thinking, ads ne-
ceffarily, and hence that thinking fhould be
free, is a perfedly unintelligible thing. For
thinking is the effeft, and that the effecl: fhould
be
OF THE SOUL. 19
be free, when the caufe aded ncccflarily, that
produced it, is perfedly irreconcileable to it-
fclf 5 unlefs you take the effed, which the dif-
pofition of parts, &c. which is nothing but
the power of mechanifm, produced, for fome-
thing difengaged from this mechanifm, for
fomething free, and that depends not upon
the mechanifm ; then indeed you can defend
freedom, but then this thinking power is no
longer a power of the mechanifm, an effect
that mechanifm produces, but a diftind thing
and fubftance. And Imoft paffionately long
to have you arguing on this point, denying
Liberty in man, or defending it on your prin-
ciples 5 making thinking the refult of me-
chanifm or a difpofition of parts, altogether
a nccciTary effed, and yet a free thing. But
what do I talk of a free thing > thinking is
the refult of mechanifm of a certain organi-
zation and difpofition of parts, doth not there-
fore this certain organization, difpofition of
parts, &c. produce thinking ? And then what
is thinking here but an effed ? And to talk
of an effect's ading, is ridiculous and contra-
didory, as if a man Ihould talk of the ftri-
king in a clock's ading, when ftriking is con-
ceived as nothing but an effed produced by
the difpofition of parts in the clock. Tis
true, to fay there is a power in the clock
to ftrike, is well, becaufe this is the caufe of
it: but to confider ftriking as the refult of this
power in a clock, as fomething arifing
out of it, and adually produced, this is to
b z con-
20 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
confidcr it as an effect ; and to talk of an ef-
feft's afting, is either to confider an effeft, as
fome real thing that can ad of itfelf, or elfe
is down right nonfenfe. And yet I have heard
men difcourfe, that the power of thinking is
the refult of median i tin, of fome difpofition
of parts, &c, of the brain, which, if this power
be no real thing, is idly cali'd a power, it is
only a bare effect and can no more aft, than
as I faid ftriking in a clock can aft ; and if
the cafe be ib, if thinking flows from a dif-
pofition of parts, mechanilm, power of the
fyftem, (for thefe words fignify much the fame)
to me, there hath not been a greater cheat,
a greater folly in all ages, than this notion pf
the Liberty and freedom of man.
TO make this yet clearer if poffible. Think-
ing arifcs from matter organized, or difpofed
after fome peculiar manner , that we know
not, into a fyftem. We mtift therefore affirm,
if there be nothing in man but matter, that
matter thus difpofed, &c. thinks. I here ask
you, whether it be not agreeable to your ideas,
that if nothing guides matter thus difpofed,
there could be no Inch thing as freedom j
for freedom implies in fome cafes, a power of
afting or not acting > but you can never deduce
this from any being, that has nothing in it,
but matter difpoicd into a fyftem. For there
being nothing to hinder its operations, it
would always aft or operate, where the caufe
were fufficicnt ; where the caufe were not
fufficieat,
OF THE SOUL. zi
fufficient, no operation or effect would fuo
ceed. And hence, if I miftake not, Mr. HOBBES
was obliged, from this principle to deny all
Liberty in man. But I am fenfiblc I tire you.
2dly, NEITHER is this fuppofition of
thinking's refulting from matter organized,
&c. lefs contradictory to the fenfe and ex-
perience of mankind, touching the force and
energy that the Soul has upon the mechanifm
or fyftem it felf. Certainly our idea of any
thing, that arifes from the organization of
matter, implies a neceffity in that which is
fuppofed to refult from it, it is under a fort
of fubjcdion, and is a (lave to that mecha-
nifm or organization, is made out of it. But
now thinking is fuch a vigorous a&ive thing,
that it turns upon its very author, and lords
over it, commands the fyftem or machine it
felf, and how will you reconcile this to orr
ganization or mechanifm ? There is ftriking
in a clock (I ufe this boldly, becaufe it hath
been your own illuftration) which is a qua-
lity or effeft refulting from the difpofition of
its parts 5 now Ihould this ftriking be able to
return upon the mechanifm, reftify, alterv,
fufpend its motions, would not this be a
marvellous thing > Indeed it is fenfelefs to
fuppofe it. Does not thinking do this > Is
it not by this, we move the whole machine
of the body from place to place, that v/e guide,
fufpend, new determine many of its motions
and operations } To me it is clear, if think-
b 3 ing
22 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
ing refulted from any difpofition of .parts,
quite the contrary would follow : thinking
could do nothing on the body , but here, a
different difpofition or motion of the parts
of the body is produced by thinking. This
is ftrangely contrary to my ideas.
III. I proceed to the 3d fuppofition, Whether
a power or faculty of tclf motion, cannot be
fuperadded by God to fome peculiar part or
parts of the brain. This was originally Mr.
LOCKE'S, and although no perfon has a higher
cfteem for that great man, yet I cannot but
look on this notion as an error and flip in
his writings.
THIS hypothefis differs from the former
In this, viz. the former, fuppofes matter and
motion under fomc certain difpofition and
organization of parts capable in it fclf of pro-
ducing thinking : this, fuppofes matter and mo-
tion in itfelf, howfoever difpofed and modi-
fy'd, entirely incapable of thinking 5 elfe there
had been no need of recurring to the power
of God. So that if we fuppofe the body
of man framed exaftly, as now it is, yet
if this faculty of thinking were not fuper-
added by God, it would be a machine in-
deed, a fyftem, but would never think. I
have two or three things to obferve to you
lipon this.
OF THE SOUL. 23
i. THIS however is as unlikely to be ap-
prehended and entertained by fceptical men,
as the old common hypothecs, of God's
introducing and fuperadding to the fyftem of
the body, an immaterial fubflance ; becaufe
this as equally requires the immediate appli-
cation of a divine power, to fuperadd this fa-
culty as a diftind fubftance : and I believe, it
is much the fame with them, to fuppofe God
fuperadding either faculties or fubftances,
their hopes and expectations for certain, ex-
tending farther j that thinking might arife
from bare matter and motion, without any
ad of a fuperior caufe. But unqueftiona-
bly you being not of that crew, which is for
juftling God out of the world 5 I own, the
pbfervation idle and impertinent.
HOWEVER, it hath been thought an
objection to the fuppofition of two diftincT:
fubftanccs in man, that it requires the con-
ftant and immediate application of the Deity,
perpetual creations towards the propagation
of mankind ; and this requires fomething like
it, a conftant and perpetual fuperaddition of
faculties to every individual man, nay if you
allow (as I perceive you do) brutes to have
fenfe, here muft be a fuperaddition of a far
culty of fenfation to eve? y one of them too,
to mice, and lice, and mites, &c. which al-
though not quite fo abfurd as the creation
b 4 Of
24- OF THE IMMATERIALITY
of diftinft fubftances, yet will I believe have
fuch a fhare of it, as will not eafily be di-
gefted. If you affert this fuperadded faculty
communicated from father to fon, &c. if
I not greatly miftake, this will have likewiie
a plentiful fliare of abfurdity.
zdly, ACCORDING to this doftrine of
the fapperaddition of faculties, as well as ac-
cording to the foregoing, I intreat you to
confider, how to conceive the Soul of man
immortal. You receive this principle from
divine revelation. Granted. But yet you may
fo conceive of the foul, as to render that
promife of immortality impoffible to be ful-
filled, as I believe, it is impoffible, according
to the preceeding Schemes. For immortal, I
prefume, you apply to the foul itfelf, not
the body , for every one fees the body mor-
tal and perifhing. The foul therefore this
promife concerns, and by its immortality, I
prefume, you underftand that it exifts, and
afts, and thinks after the diffolution of the
body; that it doth not remain in an eftate
of infenfibility, till the refurredion. If this
be your opinion of the immortality of the
foul, which, I think muft be of all fuch, as
hold it immortal, I would fain know how
you can reconcile this to your principles. For
it is clear, if thinking naturally ariies from
fuch a difpofition of parts, &c. and death
deftroys this difpofition, it deftroys the foul
and
OF THE SOUL. 25
and its thinking. One of thefe two things,
muft be faid here. Firft, either that God pre-
ferves fome parts of the body from diffblving
at death, to which thinking more efpeciaily
belongs. To this many things might be op-
pofed, but all I (hall fay to it, is this : me-
thinks it argues thofe parts fo very peculiar
from the reft of the body, that it looks like
a diftind fubftancc, and it feems extravagant
for a man to deny the Soul a diftind fub-
ftance, when he allows between the parts of
the body fuch a vaft diftindion. Or elfe,
2dly, fomething more abfurd niuft be faid,
viz. that God can preferve a meer mode of
a body, without the body itfelf, without its
fubjcd, which is worfe than Tranfubftantia-
tion.
T I S the fame, according to the fuppofi-
tionof the Soul's being a faculty of thinking's
fuperadded by God. If you fay this power
or faculty can be preferred without fome fub-
jed, it is clearly to me a fubftance, it being
entirely contrary to our idea's, that powers and
faculties fhould exift of themfelves, or be fup-
ported in being, even by the power of God.
I muft imagine therefore , while the argu-
ment lies under this view, many things that
Mr. DODWELL afierts to a man of your un-
derftanding and clearnefs of conception, muft
appear ftrange paradoxes, becaufe you feem
to me to truft to Reafon, as the principle
that
26 OF THE IMMATERIALITY
that is to dired you in matters of belief 5 and
I can never think you can reconcile the fub-
iiftence of Accidents and Modes, Powers and
Faculties, whatfoever hard names are given
to them, to your Reafon. But this only by
the by.
3dly, IT is fuppos'd by this notion of
thinking's being a faculty fuperadded to mat-
ter by the power of God, as before premis'd,
that matter in itfelf, howfoever difpofed,
moved, and organized, would not think >
and it is quite two different things, fo to dif-
pofe matter, that matter thinks, and to fupcr-
add a faculty of thinking to it. In the firft
cafe, matter is made to think $ in the latter,
this thinking faculty thinks in it* There is
as much difference between thefe, as between
the fecond and laft hypothcfis, which indeed
are your own ; for how often do you diftin-
guifh to Mr. CLARKE, between thinking's be-
ing a power of matter, under fuch or fuch a
texture, motion, &c. and a fuperaddition of
a faculty of thinking to it by God > which
muft fuppofe fome diftinction between them :
and the diftinftion is this, matter may be fo
diipofed and moved as to think, or elfe may
have a faculty of thinking fuperadded by God.
Now, I fay, our idea of this latter cafe fup-
pofes matter not to think, but the faculty fu-
peradded to think in it ; for before this think-
ing faculty was fuppeiradded > although the
fyftem
OF THE SOUL. 27
fyftem of the body were juft as it is, the
body would not think : fo that if in think-
ing, this thinking faculty any ways depends
upon the difpofition aiad motion of the parts
of the body, or fyftem, it is owing to the
divine appointment ; and if God had fo ap-
pointed, this thinking faculty would have
thought as well in a ftone, a clod of earth, as
in an organized body, nay, without any bo-
dy at all. As 'tis plain : for according to our
prcfent fuppofition, howfocver the divine
power had modify 'd or difpos'd matter, think-
ing would never have proceeded from it.
How therefore doth the bare fyftem concur
towards thinking ? Nothing at all certainly in
itfelf. And if it concurs nothing at all, (I
mean any othcrwife than God hath fo or-
der'd it) this thinking faculty is a fubftance.
Again, it may think as well in any other
body, as a fyftem, or organized body. Laftly,
as well without any body at all, as with it.
All which confirms that this notion is the
fame with that it pretends to differ from 5
and if fome underftand the fame by power as
others do by fubftance, 1 have nothing to
do to oppofe them, provided they do not
think themfelves all the while far above o-
thers in point of knowledge and difcovery of
truth.
THUS, Sir, I have freely reprefented to
you what my thoughts fuggeftcd on this fub-
38 OF THE IMMATERIALITY,^
jeft, and have no other aim in the world, but
a profound refped to you and truth, which
you fo conftantly profefs in your Writings.
If I am under miftakes, it will be charity in
you to point them out to me, and fhall be
ever mod gratefully receiv'd and acknow*
ledg'd by
Your very humble Servant.
CRITI-
CRITICAL REMARKS
UPON
;*Mr. T GLAND'S BOOK,
ENTITLED,
Na&arenus, or Jewifh, Gentile, and
Mahometan Chriftianity :
CONCERNING
The Opinions of the Cerinthians,
Carpocratians, Ebionites, and Na-
zarens.
NAZARENUS, c. 6. p. 17.
H E Cerinthians before them, (i.e«
the Bafilidians) and the Carpocra-
tians next, (to name no more of
thofe who affirmed JESUS to have
" been a meer man) did believe the fame
" thing, that it was not himfelf, but one of
" his followers very like him, that was cruci-
" fied."
— ' . ^n3 tfi^i? ift^A itf *u • • «•
THE
30 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
THE Author has not referred us to any
ancient Writer for the confirmation of the
account here given 5 and it is apparently dif-
ferent from that which IREN^EUS, and after
him EPIPHANIUS, have given of CERIN-
THUS'S opinions.
IREN^EUS'S words are :
Cerinthus .... docuit Cerinthus taught that
• - • fu*ff* eumjofeph he (i. e. Jefus) was the
& Maritffilium . . . & Son of Jofeph and
toft Baptifmum de- Mary . . . and that af-
fcendiffe in eum Chri- ter his Baptifm Chrift
ftum, ab ea principal}- came down upon him
tate, qua eft fuper from that principality
omniajigura columbx, which is above all
& tune annunciate things, in the figure
incognitum Tatrem , of a Dove $ and then
& virtutesperfeciffe; gave an account of
in fine ant em revolaffe the unknown Father,
iterum Chriftitm de and wrought Miracles 5
Jefa* & Jefum paf- but that at laft Chrift
fum effe , &• refur- flew back from Jefus :
rexiffe : Chri ft urn ait- and that Jefus fuffered,
tern impajjlbtlem per- and rofe again 3 but
feveraffe, exiftentem that Chrift continued
fpiritalem. Adv. Hac- incapable of fuffering,
ref. lib. i. c. 25. being of a fpiritual na-
ture.
EPIPHANIUS'S words are :
His Doftrine was . '. .
Srev . . . tx. T» «j«ft) ©g« that after Jefus, who
fprung
rro
rov
X&-9DP &$ civlov, T»-
75S7 10 nvtvfj(& <TD dyt-
ov tv &£ei IKL&I* tv
TOIS
r«7o
rov
Kcu
et$
Qev,
ID
Mr.TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 31
fprung from the feed
of Jofeph and Mary,
was grown up to his
full bignefs, Chrift
came down upon him
from above from the
Father, i. e. the Holy
Spirit, in the fhape of
a Dove in Jordan, and
made known to him,
and by him to thofe
that were with him,
the unknown Father :
and that therefore, af-
ter the power was
come upon him from
above, he wrought Mi-
racks : and that when
Jefus fufFered, that
which came upon him
from above left him,
taking its flight up-
wards 5 but that Jefus
fufFered and role a-
gain : whereas Chrift
who came upon him
'from above, defcend-
ing in the form of a
Dove, was not capable
of fuffering, and fled
back again 5 and that
Jefus was not the fame
with Chrift.
THUS
CCTTO TW I»o-«
fe rov
Iw<r«i>,
gA6oj/7rc g« au-
fijj ctv<x,<7jlciv<TT%,
g$7 T
ev eiS
TDP Iwo-«»>
Haeref. 28.
Hervag.Bafil.p. 53.
32 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
THUS far EPJPHANIUS'S account agrees
with IREN^EUS'S ; but he afterwards gives a
fomewhat different account of his opinion,
which contradicts the former, and fcems high-
ly improbable.
\'.<A\ 3di\*:i t ..v M?
His words are:
5 K*#ti>.SiK... This fame Cerinthus
has the confidence to
fay, that Chrift fuffer-
cd and was crucified 5
JU«AA«K «^« but that he is not yet
rifen, but that he fhall
rife at the general
Relurreftion of the
*&• dead. Therefore thefe
01 pw^aTa >cxc wuHpItt: thoughts and jjfpeeches
/^/W. p. 54. among then) are in-
confiftent.
BUT it feems clear thatEpiPHANius docs
not take care to fpeak exadtly in his account
of this matter, he ufing the word CHRIST fe-
veral times where he ought to ufe the word
JESUS, (which was by no means proper to be
done, when he was relating the opinions of
one, who fo carefully diftinguifhes between
JESUS and CHRIST) of which careleffnefs of
expreffion, take the following inftances :
*ctt SI©, ex And this Cerinthus
xai etc <r7rep- gives us to underftand,
that
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. jj
Ift>0>?(p <ror Xg/e- that Chrift was born
yiyivncd-cti. ibid. p. of Maty and of th£
5 3 . feed of Jofeph.
WHEN he proceeds td confute CERIN*
THUS'S opinions, he has thefe words ;
For neither was Chrift
]&><7»<f> o Xg/93J x. t. of the feed of Jofeph*
A. /&*/. « 55< &c-
NOW it is certain from lufeN^u^ that
CERINTHUS did not fay that CHRIST was de*
fcended from JOSEPH 3 and EPIPHANIUS him-
felf knew it, and therefore unlefs we fiippofe
him to put the word CHRIST inftead of JE-
SUS, he fights without an Adverfary in this
paffage.
>rV* .xVrt.v** •-».>•".<•««« •* » * ^ r-r
~l:1^' '^ft -'< « •'•><.!/' "r«. >' \' ^»»V»\V*VtV--'.X ^^ -VA
WHEREFORE it feems feafonable td
me, to lay moft ftrefs upon IREN,«US'S ac-
count, which is more clear and confident
than EPIPHANIUS'S, and which has fo much
the advantage of it in point of antiquity $
and consequently there is no reafon to think,
that CERINTHUS difputed the matter of fad,
that JESUS, who was crucified at Jerufalem,
rofe again from the dead 5 and that ground
of wonder is removed, which is fuggefted in.
thofe words of this learned Author, in p. 1 8,
" Tis a ftrange thing, one would think, they
" fliould differ about a fad of this nature fo
*' early 5 and that CERINTHUS, who was con-
VOL. II. c ^ tempo-
34 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
" temporary, a countryman, and a Chriftian,
" fhould, with all thofe of his fed, deny the
" Refurredion of Chrift from the dead/' It
is removed (I fay) fo far as CERINTHUS is con-
cerned in it , as depending chiefly, if not on-
ly, on EPIPHANIUS'S carelefs and confufed way
of expreffing himfclf, or his miftaken repre-
fentation of the matter. And this learned
Author himfelf, in the fame page, informs,
that EPIPHANIUS confounds every thing.
AUGUSTIN'S words in this matter would
have been more to the purpofe, than the pa£
fage our Author refers to in E B i p H A N i us,
had they had any good foundation. They
run thus :
~r '~'' *l '• c tYn " V3T a c." 1 ' • r «r/ « r'-* * /•>•* r * i\
Cerinthiani a. Cerin- The Ccrinthians from
tho . . . Jefum homi- Cerinthus . . . main-
nem tantummodo fu- tain, that Jefus was on-
iffey nee refurrexiffe ly a Man, and that he
fed refurreffurum af- has not already rifen,
feverantes. lib. deHx- but fliall rile again.
ref. n° 8. .
BUT AUGUSTIN probably borrowed from
EPIPHANIUS 5 and his account is very imper-
fed, and in oh e part of it manifeftly falfe, if
be true.
if! ! :'/! vvdfH>r rlv rornoi:v?i v^< >'^3&
FROM none of thefe accounts does it
appear, that CERINTHUS believed that it was
wot JESUS himfelf, but one of his followers,
very
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENU.S. 35
very like him, that was crucify 'd > but the con*
trary.
AS to CARPOCRATES and his followers,
IREN^US in his account of them, Haeref.
lib. i. c. 24. makes no mention of their de-
nying that JESUS fuffered, and faying that an-
other fuffered in his ftead ; but tells us, that
they pretended to have an image of CHRIST
made by PILATE, when JESUS was among men.
TERTULLIAN gives us this account of him :
Carpocrates . . . dicit Carpocrates . . . faith
Chriftum . . hommem that Chrift . . was a
tantummodo . . . hunc meer man . . . that he
apudjudaos paffum: fuffered among the
folam animam ipjius Jews : that his foul
'in c#lo ' receptam, eo only was received in-
quod firmior & ro- to heaven, becaufe it
tmftior c<eteris fuer'tt : was more firm and
tx quo colligeret, ten- ftrong than others :
tat a animarum falute from whence he in-
nullas cor for is re fur- ferred, that the falva-
•re£f tones. Tcrtul de tion of Souls alone
Prxfcr. adv. Haeret. being attempted, there
cap. 48. was no refurredion of
the body.
EPIPHANIUS faith nothing in his account
of the CARPOCRATIANS (H<eref.zj) about
their denying that JESUS fuffered, or afferting
that another fuffered in his ftead ; but men-
c 2 tions
36 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
tions their having images or pictures of
CHRIST made by PONTIUS PILATE. Au-
GUSTIN tells us, that they deny'd theRefur-
reftion of the Body , and worshipped the
images of JESUS and others. Lib. de Htcref.
BUT in none of thefe accounts, nor in
that given by EUSEBIUS, (Hift. Eccl. lib. 4.
c. 7.) is there the lead hint, that CARPOCRA-
TES fuppofed that JESUS did not fuffer, but
another in his (lead. And TERTULLIAN af-
fcrts the contrary.
NAZARENUS, c. 6. p. 18.
r ftttKlytJO
"THE EBIONITES, according to EPIPHA-
€C NIUS, had not the Genealogy in their Go-
" fpel, which makes it ncedlefs for him to
" fay elfewhere, that the CERINTHIANS re-
" jeded it, whofc Gofpel was the fame.
EPIPHANIUS indeed tells us, that the EBI-
ONITES and CERINTHIANS did both ufe the
Gofpel according to MATTHEW, and that on-
ly : but he does alfo tell us, that they did not
ufe that which was whole and compleat, but
one that was imperfcd and adulterated; and
it does not appear, that MATTHEW'S GofpeJ,
as ufed by -them, was in all points the fame $
fo that one of thofe fefts might expunge or
admit fomc paflages which the other did not,
tho as to the main body of the Gofpel, it was
the fame. Therefore tho the Genealogy were
" want-
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 37
wanting in the MATTHEW of the EBIONITES,
yet it might be let (land in that of the CE-
RINTHIANS; and then EPIPHANIUS, without
being guilty of confu.fion or inconfiftency in
this matter, might tell us , that CERINTHUS
made ufe of this Genealogy to prove that
JESUS was the fon of JOSEPH and MARY.
And that this was the cafe, according to
EPIPHANIUS'S rcprefentation of the matter,
may be inferred from the following paflagcs
compared together.
OF the MATTHEW of the EBIONITES, he
fays :
Ev id yw mp avlois In their Gofpcl, ac-
MoT- cording to Matthew,
which is not compleat
and perfcd, but adui-
terated and mutilated,
(they call it the He-
brew Gofpcl) it is
, K. T. A. Ha- found, &c.
ref. 30. p. 64.
OF the CERINTHIANS, r;e fays;
Mof- They ufe the Gofpci
according to Matthew
^ll Part> but not com-
wv yweethoytcur vtv pleat (or not all of it)
pap- but becaufe of the Ge-
TV nealogy according to
38 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
Ev&yyehw, <mAjr Ae- the flefh, and they (or
yvns on afurnr x, T. they alfo) bring this
A. Htfref. 28. p. 54. Teftimony from the
Gofpel, again faying,
that it is enough, &c.
BUT in this place the conftrudion is dif-
ficult, and our learned Author fccms from
this very pafiage to infer, that the CERIN-
THIANS rejected the Genealogy $ which does
not feem clear to me from the words of
the Author, which run as above, and fhould
(if they can) be interpreted fo as to cbnfift
with what he faith elfewherc of their mak-
ing ufe of the Genealogy. See his words re-
lating to that matter :
'O
-pit
T&F
Trap
T»
MxT-
Sice,
7©-
yeve&hcyictt
7rci&vx.v ex
Cerinthus and Carpo-
cras ufmg the fame
Gofpel with them (i.e.
the Ebionites) would
prove from the Ge-
nealogy in the begin-
ning of the Gofpel
according to Matthew,
that Chrift was of the
rOu- feed of Jofeph and
Mary. But thcfe (i.e.
the Ebionitcs) are of
another mind. For
7/gy«cstAo^a$ ap- they cut off the Ge-
TOI- nealogics in Matthew,
As- and begin the Gofpel,
as
$t aAAo,
Mol-
us
Mr. T OLAND's NAZARENUS. 39
DTI eyeveiv ev as I faid before, at
&jfb x» thofe words (Matth. 2.
T. A. Hxref. 30. p. i.) In the days of He-
65. rod, &c.
FROM whence it is plain, that EPIPHA-
NIUS did not think that the Cerinthian and
the Ebionite Gofpcls were word for word
the fame, tho they went under the fame
name, and might in mod things agree. And
this he might do confidently enough With
what he had faid before of the Ebionite
Gofpel, in thofe words :
They alfo own the
MaTflcwop Eu- Gofpel according to
T«ID ytp Matthew, for they, as
us xcw QI >(#.- alfo the Cerinthians
nyiv- and Merinthians, ufe
Ibid, this only.
p. 60.
BUT it is probable he never faw this Go-
fpel according to the HEBREWS (which he
imadn'd to be the fame with that according
c? _ c>
to MATTHEW) as may be inferred from the
followin words :
Jfe TO 3(^7a MoT- They (i. e. the Nazi*
Evayyehiov TrArj- renes, of whom he is
£t/Vi..oujto/<ft)& there giving an ac^-
« ^ T<t$ yev$x\Qyt<x,e count) have the Gofpel
T» A/3e$ta/4 according to Matthew
40 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
*%& Xe/<ry TOg&iaAoK. in Hebrew . . . But I
Idem. Hteref, 29, #4 do not know whe-
ther they have taken
away the Genealo-
gies from Abraham to
Chrift.
NAZARENUS, cap. 9. p. 26.
affirms, that thcNAZARENs
<c took this name to themfelves, but not that
" of JESSEANS after JESUS, nor of CHRISTI-
" ANS after CHRIST, and that all Chriftians
*c whatfoever were ftiled NAZARENS/'
k.
THIS account leads one to imagine, that
EPIPHANIUS derived the name JESSEANS from
JESUS, which he did not. His \vord5 run
thus;
yap SVJJTOIS ovo- For thefe (the Naza*
B^ X^t- rcns) gave themfeivcs
TO ofo/L^u the name neither of
Jcfus nor of Chrift,
Kcu -TTCUTIS <fg but of Nazarens : and
all Chriftians were
then called Nazarcns,
But it came to pals,
that in a little time
ty >j g^ iTjf they were called Jcf-
ap<tyv Aa- leans, before the Dif-
£ aw Ji MafiwTou xo^Ae*- ciples began to be cal-
led Chriftians at An-
tioch,
Mr.TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 41
Igwoioi <^* tioch. They were cal-
Ig(r<7cu oi^ai, firei- IcdJcfTeans, I fuppofc,
o A*£i^ g| Ie<7- from Jeffe 5 for as
cat x. T. A H*ref. much as David de-
29- p. 5 5> 5 6* fccndcd from Jefle ,
&c.
THE pcrfons whom he, thro miftake, fup-
pofed to be called JESSIE ANS, were the Es-
S^.ANS mentioned by PHILO (vid. il?id. apud
Epiph. p. 57.) who fcem to me not to have
been CHRISTIANS, nor docs it appear, that
they were, from PHILO'S account of them, in
his Book concerning the contemplative Life,
but a fort of JEWS, who lived a Monaftic
Life in Egypt,
NAZARENUS, cap, 9. p. z6.
" THEY were likewife call'd by way of
^ contempt EBIONITES or Beggars.
I know none of the Fathers that fays EBI-
ONITES was a name given to all Chriftianson
account of the meannefs of their Condition,
OUR. Author proceeds and fays (ibid.) this
" is very evident not duly from the Silence
" of IREN^US, but alfo from the exprefs
" Testimonies of ORIGEN and EUSEBIUS,
" that they were thus nicknamed becaufe of
" their mean condition ; and even from the
f< Hebrew word ££wz (}v:is) itfelf, which fig-
" nifics
42 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
" nifies poor, and was a aloft proper Epi*
" thet for the firft Chriftians.
I do not fee the force of this way of ar-
guing 5 viz. IREN^US fpeaking of the Ebio-
nites, whom he reprefents as a particular fort
of Chriftians, who held doftrincs different
from other Chriftians, for which he ranked
them among the Hereticks, does not mention
any man of the name of EBION as their lea-
der, nor indeed gives us any rcafon of their
name 5 therefore not only they, but all Chri-
ftians whatfoever, were called Ebionites from
the meanneis of their condition.
BUT it will be proper to confidcr the ex-
prefs teftimonics of ORIGEN and EUSEBIUS,
to which we are referred, as delivered in their
own words.
O R i G E N'S words in the firft place re-
ferred to, run thus: (they being part of his
anfwer to CELSUS, who cfteem'd the Jews ri-
diculous for fuffcring themfelves to be fo in>
pofed upon by JESUS, as to leave their country-
Jaws, &c.)
Not confidering that
& am hfatw &t the Jews who belicv-
lrt<rvv <m&voi"ns u cd in Chrift did not
<nv m- leave their country-
VOJJ.QV' Gun y> law. For they live
according to it, receiv-
ing
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 43
xaorct <o(v
E£<
K
cu
TOV
cos
T»
TO
byyv ing (or being cali'd by)
yiye- a name agreeable to
<o>i>rc o the poverty of the
Law, according to
their way of tinder-
ot am (landing it. For E-
cos bibn among theje\^s
fignifies poor 5 and
thofq of the, Jews
K<x,- who received JeluS ais
o^^ Chrift, are called E-
w^- bionites. And Peter
<x,7n> for a good while ap-
ct*a/3cwp«j> pears to have obferv-
TO yepp- ed the Jewifh c'uftoms
em TOP scair* according to the law
of Mofes, as having
not yet learned of
5c. Jefus to afcend front
T. A. Contra Celfumy the letter to the {pi-
lib. 2. p. 56. rit of the law, as we
learn from the Afts
of the Apoftles (chap.
10. 9.)&c.
I N the other paflage referred to, he hav-
ing mcntion'd thofe words of our Saviour (ih
Matt. 15. 24.) I am not fent but unto the
loll fhecp of the houfe of Ifrad, goes on
fayin
T<XU- We took not thefe
?y words as thofe do,
who
077^?
01
44 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
who being of a poor
undcrftanding, receive
(E£io> yauf the name of Ebionitcs
Trap' 'Eftzpi- from the poverty of
cJsF OTTO- their underftanding 5
anp-Mvovs (for a poor man is
HAia$ c^YiyvfjiB- called Ebion in He-
TOV X^isoi' g'Tn- brew) 5 fo as to fup-
Lt)jKgrtf** x. T. A. pofe that Chrift came
Idemfhilocal.cap.i. chiefly to the Ifrae-
f. 17- Htcs according to the
flefli, 6cc.
IN both thefe paflages there is nothing
faid of the Ebionitcs being poor or beggars
as to their circumftanccs in the world, or
their being nick-named from thofe circum-
ftances ; but from their poor interpretation
,of the Law, which, as it was underftood by
them, anfwered the name which PAUL gave
it of beggarly elements (^^ wtfut, Galat.
4. 9.) fo that as far as appears from his own
account, the antient Fathers fcem rather to
have taken an occafion from thefe words of
PAUL, to determine the name of Ebionites to
have been properly given them, than from
their outward poverty.
BUT let us fee whether EUSEBIUS'S words
are more to our Author's purpofe :
T*T*S oiK&wt The ancients did pro-
v pi Tr^Jfji perly cajl thofe Ebio-
nites,
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 45
Ta'7rt/j>u)s *ra nites , who had a
T» X/u<r« Sbyw poor and mean opi-
Jo^a^opTtt** nion of Chrift ; for
\LW yap ct,vnv they cfteemed him to
f}yvvn' K. r. be a mecr and com-
A. Hift. Ecclef. lib. 3 . mon man, &c.
c. 27.
BUT he afterwards mentions one fort of
Ebionites, who did not deny that our Lord
fprung from the Virgfh and the Holy Spi-
rit 5 tho they did not own him to be God,
the Word, and Wifdom ; and did, as the firft,
adhere to the law of MOSES, and keep the
Jewifh as well as the Chriftian fabbath, re-
jefting PAUL'S Epiftlcs, and goes on thus :
'O0gt/ <m££ TUX ID/CW;- Wherefore upon this
account they got the
name of Ebion, de-
T» Epiwv ovov&l®* noting the poornefs
<?Hw%eictv of their underftand-
ing > for by this name
do / the Hebrews call
m? 'EG&uoi* a poor man (or this
Ibid. word fignifies poor in
Hebrew.)
FROM which words it feems plain, that
EUSEBIUS thought they received their name,
not from their circumftances, but the nature
of their opinions.
NOW
4<S CRITICAL REMARKS ON
Now it appears hence, that whether this
were the true reafon of the name given the
Ebionites or not, 'tis what ORIGEN and Eu-
SEBIUS (as did alfo others of the antient Fa-
thers who treat of this matter) give of it 5 and
no proof of the contrary appears, unlefs you
will take thofe Ebionites own account of it,
which is recited in EPIFHANIUS, to which our
author refers us, p. 27. But fo far as I have
learn'd of the charader of thofe Ebionites in
EPIPHANIUS, either from EPIPHANIUS him-
felf or other ancient books, it does not ap-
pear clear enough to me, to induce me to
lay much ftrefs upon cither their honefty or
their judgment.
NAZARENUS, c. 9. p. 27, 28.
"
"
"WHATEVER confufion aad diverfity
may be obferved concerning them in IRE-
N^US, JUSTIN MARTYR, EUSEBIUS, EPI-
PHANIUS,AUGUSTIN,THEODORET and others
of thofe they call the old Fathers, 'tis con-
ftantly agreed among them, that the Na-
" zarens and Ebionites affirmed JESUS to
" have been a meer man, as well by the Fa-
" ther's as the Mother's fide, namely the fon
" of JOSEPH and MARY, &c. &c.
f
I remember not where IREN^EUS, JUSTIN
MARTYR and EUSEBIUS give this account of
the NAZARENS, as holding all the opinions
here
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 47
here recited in common with the EBONITES.
Nor fliail I believe it till feme plain paffages
be produced put of them tp prove it. IRE-
N^US has not entred the NAZAJIENS into his
lift qf Heretics 5 neither he, nor JUSTIN MAR-
TYR, make mention of them under that name.
EJJSEBIUS, as far as I remember, is filent con-
cerning them , his Hiftory furnifhes no paflage
to fupport this account. TERTULLIAN in-
deed mentions the NAZARENS ; b>ut does not
charge them with thefe opinions. I make it
3 queftioa whether any one of the Fathers
before -the fourth Century mention the NA-
ZARENS as Heretics, and agreeing with theE-
BIONITES in their fentiments ; and if they do
not, I fee no reafon for our Authors ufing the
words EBIONITES and NAZARENS promifcu-
oufly, as if they fignify'd precifely the fame
perfons.
EPIPHANIUS has put the NAZARENS into
his lift of Heretics. He tells us they obferved
the law, but does not positively fay that they
held CHRIST to be a meer man dcfcended from
man, as well by the father's as by the mother's
.fide.
His words are :
«* w- But as to Chrift I
x) atxiDi cannot fay whether
on <n>v ir&>&mi*.wvv they (i. e. the Naza-
rens) being Ie4 by the
wicked-
I
48 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
wickednefs of the Ce-
rinthians and Merin-
mv y\ xerjoos 7i aA»v%«a thians hold him to
be a nicer man, or
ZK Ma- affert that he, as the
truth is, was (born
rtf. 19. p. 58. of) fprungfrom Mary
by the Holy Spirit,
A S to that pafTage relating to the reafon
of JESUS'S being owiid for the Son of God,
'tis not cxprefly afligiVd by IREN^US,ORIGEN,
EUSEBIUS or TERTULLIAN in their account
of the EBIONITES as theirs j (THEODORET
I have not by me, and fo could not confult
him,) and as far as I have yet been able to
find, EPIPHANIUS is the chief, if not the only
author, that has giv.en us an account of the
EBIONITES affigning that reafon 5 but it does
not at all appear even from him, that the
NAZARENS join'd with them in it. And ac-
cording to his account, that was not the on-
ly realon of his being cali'd the Son of God
aflign'd by them.
His words are :
Ivicrvv ytytvvjjutvov tx, They fay that Jefus
I- was begotten of the
^ feed of a man and
v chofen 5 and fo oal-
©€« xAH&rio/ a-Tic T« led the Son of God
b according to election
from
Mr.TQLAND's NAZARENUS. 49
from Chrift's coming
down upon him in the
form of a Dove. But
they do not fay that
he was begotten but
fe
aAAa ex-no-
*. T. A, Haeref,
66.
created by God
Father, &c.
the
as
ovvectus &v<u
^ «)c aA«6«-
<fe
«-
<x,v
ov i$w s>»i77 Pep- They fay that Chrift
$ aA«6«as' Kca was a Prophet of
yen? ®ga JC9t'7«' truth, and Chrift the
avvct,- ion of God on ac-
count of his proficien-
cy and intimate ac-
TV* ^rJepfwias quaintance with the
fublime knowledge
that came to him from
above. But they fay
the Prophets are Pro-
phets of underftand-
ov, ing but not truth, and
fe that he alone isaPro-
&e phet, and man, and
j($tA*ic$»j tjov ©e». fon of God, and Chrift,
ibid. p. <57. and a meer man as
we faid before, but
that by a virtuous life
he came to be called
the fon of God.
S O that if I underftand him right, EPIPHA-
Nius fuggefts three particulars upon account
of which according to the Ebionites he was
d
50 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
called the Son of God, viz. his being chofen
and marked out by God by the defcent of
CHRIST in form of a Dove; his being favour-
ed with a deep knowledge of divine myfteries,
and his virtuous life ; unlefs you rather fup-
pofe the two firft to fall into one.
.safe xisfL;,: .':,,..
I N the Gofpel according to the Hebrews
which was ufed by the Ebionites, the Holy
Spirit is called by our Saviour, his Mother,
as appears from divers paflages in ORIGEN and
JEROM, as particularly that where ORIGEN
has thefe words :
ms *ro But if any one admit
' eE@p?ivs Evayye- the* Gofpel according
aJT©» 6 2*>- to the Hebrews, where
vr<p (fvivi* AOTI -gAa/3g the Saviour himfelf
pe fi pump jw,y, m dyi- faith, my Mother the
ov 7rvsvfj(^ ev fjua <TWV Holy Spirit took me
cLirzvsyne a little while ago by
«; IB o&>s TO [teyx one of the hairs of
uc. T. A. Com. my head, and carried
in Joann. Tom. z. f. me to the great moun-
58. CD. tain Tabor, &c.
^.'j'j ^mhd , Lif,l
••IBUT on what account the Holy Spirit
\vas called his Mother, does not appear. By
that defcent .he was endued with wifdom and
knowledge, if JEROM'S conjedure be right,
in his Commentary on Efai.'n. 2. On occa-
•fT6n? -of thofe words, " the fpirit of wifdom and
*c the fpirit of underftandiug", he there cites a
fragment
Mr. TOlAND's NAZARENUS. 5?
fragment of the "Hebrew Gofpelof the Naza-
rens, which I fhail add here becauie
rit calls him there his firft begotten:
In Evangelic, cujus In the Gofpel above*
fufra fecimus men- mentioned (i. e. the
tionem, htec fcripta Hebrew one) we find
refer imus: Faffumefl thefe things written:
ant em cum afcendiffet But it came to pafs
Ttominus de aqua, de- that when the Lord
fcendit fons omnisfpi- came up from the
ritus fanffi, & re- water, the whole
quievit fufer eum & fountain of the Holy
dixit illi : Fill mi, in Spirit came down, and
omnibus Trophetis ex- retted upon him, and
fectabam te ut vent* laid to him^ In all the
res & reqiiiefcerem Prophets I look'd for
in te. Tu es enim thee that thou might*
requies mea , tu es eft come, and I might
filius mens frimogeni- reft upon thee. Thou
tits , qui regnas in art my reft, thou art
femfitermtm. my firft born Son,
who reigneft for c»
ver.
*A ro "O-
WHERE AUGI/STIN makes the Ebionites
and Nazarens agree in all the particulars
mentioned by our Author, I know not. In
his Book of Herefies he mentions them as
two forts of Heretics, and tells us the Na-
zarens own C H R IST to be the Son of God,
but does not fay on what account 5 and th
d 2
•
Si CRITICAL REMARKS ON
the Ebionitcs fay CHRIST was only a
man.
A S to the paffage referred to in EUSEBIUS
by our Author, to prove that he made the Na-
zarens and Ebionites agree in all the par-
ticulars here recited, I find mention only of
the Ebionites there 5 and he does not tell
us that they affirmed that JESUS merited to be
peculiarly caird the Son of God, by reafon
of his moft virtuous life, but only that he
was juftify'd on the account of it.
His words are :
ctvvop *j wi*ov They were of opinion
, JC9tio» «z>£p>cp- that he was a nicer
GLUTOV povov and common man ,
tTfJ^x-cM^g- but that being only a
vov. Hi/I. Ecclef. lib. man he was juftify'd
3. £-,27. upon account of the
excellency of his mo-
rals.
OUR Author himfelf obferves, that in
EUSEBIUS'S time the Ebionites were divided
in their opinion about the parents of CHRIST.
NAZARENUS, cap. p./. 28.
" EUSEBIUS faith that fome few of them
(the Author had been fpeaking of the E-
bionites and Nazarens* whom he calls
Jewifli
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 5?"
Jcwifh Chriftians) " in his time, that is, the
" fourth Century, believed like the Gentile
" Chriftians, the mother of CHRIST to have
" been a Virgin > and that he was Conceived
" by virtue of the Spirit of God, tho' ftill but
" a nicer man, &c.
THE placing thofc words, believed like
the 'Gentile Chriftians^ after this manner in
this fcntence, might induce one to believe
that they were made life of by EUSEBIUS
himfclf, which they are not 5 foj;
His words are :
ft
•ros <*UTH$ ovns
7t»y
<mw «-
T«TH* There were others bc-
fides thefe who went
under the fame name,
wwrnv Sieft- who quitted the ab?
furdity of thofe t>Cr
fore-mentioned , not
denying the Lord to
tot ytyovevout rov Ku~ be fjprung from tjip
eSr9 Spot- Virgin and the Holy
Spirit. Put thefe like
the others not own-
ing that he had any
Bror
Geov
3£o<ptaLv
ovm
Ecclef. lib. 3 . cap. 27
Cxiftence before, as be-
ing God, the Word,
and Wifdom, were in-
volved in the
of the fiift,
:54 CRITICAL REMARKS ON,
J^ •' u 'St. :i yi 7\ 3. A *•! a u /T A JT U F .'Li /»
WHERE it is proper to obferve, that he
freaks not here of the Nazarens but the
Ebionites.; that he does not fay whether
there were fome few or many of this party
of the Ebionites, nor makes any mention of
the Gentile Chriftians; nor fo much as hint
to us any thing that fhould perluade us
that it was an opinion peculiar to Gentile
Chriftians before his time, to think that the
mother of our Lord was a Virgin.
ADD to this, that tliefe two different
forts of Ebionites were obferved before ;£u-
SEBIUS'S time by ORIGENJ
whofe words are :
« ^ *1 T-f f* ' \W ^
01 ^iThi Thefe are the two
of, y\ vvi ex, forts' of Ebionites, 'be- '
* <i \^
jy> >.vywns Q- ing Neither fuch as
HIM* ff^v Iw<7«y* witlf' us acknowledge
i * -'A ' ' ' i? 'i -^ ' ' ' L '! • <* \ » » » ^> T^
§TW yiyevnc&ni Jefus to be born of
<£$• TVS A&/7r*$ a Virgin, or flich' aV
5. con- pretend, that he was
Ctflf. p. 272. not born fo, but as*N
other men.
THESE things confidcrcd, it muft' ^G
own'd, that the account of our Author would
have been more fatisfadory, if he had dillind-
ly told us which of the Fathers affcrted one
part and which the other, of thofe things he
has
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 5$
has put together in page 27, at the end of
the page, and at the beginning bf 28: it not
appearing from the paffages he refers to, that
all thole he mentions agreed in all the par-
ticulars.
- T : j . j
NAZARENUS, c. 12. p.^oy 41.
'
"NO other fchemc can rcconcile^Chri-
" ftianity and the promifes of everlafting du~
" ration made in favour of the Jewifh Law :
" which are poorly, I will not fay fophiftical-
" ly, evaded by making the words eternal^
" everlasting, for ever ^perpetual, #&&through-
" out all generations? to mean only a, great
" while 5 that the way of CHRIST'S accom-
" f lifting the /aw, was to abolifh it 5 and that
till heaven and earth fhall pafs, fignify'd till
" the reign of TIBERIUS v^onrv.
WITH refped to this paffage one can
hardly forbear obferving that our Author's
fcheme may be reafon'd againft, by arguments
drawn fronl thefe phrafes, as well as that of
thofc whom he oppofes. Por according to
the Ebionite fcheme JESUS came into the
world to abolifti facrifices, and confequently
that part of the Levitical Law relating to them
is not now to be obferved, as appears from
a paffage cited by EPIPHANIUS, out .of the
Gofpel according to the Hebrews, which was
in ufe among the Ebionites.
d4
'$6 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
His words arc :
But they fay that he
VQV ct( IB -m/)* auTois came and declared, as
Evctyye\tov j^A»/>tgyoy it is faid, in what is
w&tygi, °Tl flASop j($t- called the Gofpel by
<j*A^0zt« 10,5 8i/0ict$* 3 them, that I came to
txv fjw Trauoy&g T* ^u- abolifli iacrifices, and
ay, « TTCLvofJou a<p9 J- if you ceafe not from
f#>K 5 o/>x Hteref. facrificing, wrath fliall
30. p. 66. not ccafe from you.
S O that one part of the bufinefs of JESUS
upon earth was to declare thofe who con-
tinued to facrifice to be under wrath. What
then is become of the ftatutcs made in fa-
vour of the eternal duration of the Jevvifli
laws about Sacrifices > With rcfpcft to the or-
ders given about the Pafchal Lamb, the law
fays, "ye fliall obferve this thing for an or-
" dinance to thce and to thy fons tor ever",
Exod. 12. 24. And again fome parts of the
iacrifices of the peace-offerings are given to
AARON the Prieft and to his fons by a ftatute
for ever, Lwit. 7. 34. So with refpeft to
.what the High-prieft fhould do on the day of
atonement, 'tis faid " this fliall be an cvcrlafting
*r ftatute unto you", Lwit. 16. 34. and divers
'other fuch paffages there are. For thofe phrafcs
cited by our Author as favouring the perpetual
duration of MOSES'S law, are as commonly
fnade ufc of in reference to Iacrifices as to
any
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 57
any ordinances whatfoever in the law 5 when
yet our Author owns the law to be changed
with refped to thefe. Vid. Nazaren. p. 63, 64.
NAZARENUS, cap. 16. p. 62.
" Works there (i. e. in JAMES'S Epiftle)
" fignify the Levitical Law, as Faith is put for
" Chriftianity ," and afterwards "Works are
" interpreted to fignify the Levitical rites.
OUR Author's fcnfe of the word Works is not
countenanced by the examples here made ufeof
to prove JAMES'S dodrine. " Was not (faith
" JAMES) ABRAHAM juftify'd by Works? cap. 2.
"21. and was not RAHAB juftify'd by Works \"
ver. 25 : when yet ABRAHAM was dead fome
hundreds of years before the Eftablifliment of
the LcviticalLaw, andRAHAB was aCanaanitefs,
and not obliged to the obfervation of it. And
the Works by which they were faid to be
juftify'd, were neither of them fuch as were
bound upon them by that Law. So that ac-
cording to this interpretation, JAMES mfifts
upon it, that the Jews were to be juftify'd
by the Works of the Levitical Law, bccaufe
their Father ABRAHAM and another perfoa
were juftify'd without them.
W H E N I confider the titles given by
JAMES to the Law, the obfervance of which
is recommended as fo neceffary, which is cal-
led " the ingrafted word which is able to favc
" fouls
58 CRITICAL REMARKS ON
" fouls in cap. i. 215 and the pcrfc&lawof
" liberty ver. 25 , and the inftanccsof obedience
mentioned in cap. 2. as alfo the examples of
obedience before mentioned, I cannot per-
fuade my felf that by Works he only means
the Levitical rites, if he do at all diredly mean
them. It ieems more agreeable to the tenor
of his diicourfe to fuppofe that he means by
Faith a firm and well grounded perfuafion
of the . certainty of any truth made known
to us by God, and particularly of the princi-
ples of the Chriftian Religion ^ and by Works
fuch kind of adions as thofe principles are
defign'd and fitted to put us upon. And his
defign is plainly to teach us that if we en-'
tertain in our minds the bcft principles in
the world ; as particularly thofe which the
doctrine of Chrift teaches us, yet if we do
not ad up to them we nmft exped to be
condemned. And that of Chrift ians he and
he only who ads according to thefe his prin-
ciples mall be accepted, acquitted, and pro-
nounced righteous by God when his cafe comes
to be try'd.
NAZARENUS, cap.\6, p. 63.
rtfz&w ^£:^{.i\<-
" T H A T the Law was our fchoolmafler
" to bring us unto Chrift . , . . is a phraie to
a be underftood only of us Gentiles.
T H I S I can by no means grant, when I
Sonftder the words immediately preceding
and
Mr. TOLAND's NAZARENUS. 59
and following thofe here cited. The words
preceding (Gal. 3. 23.) are, Before Faith
(or the Faith) came, we were kept under
the Law fhut up unto the Faith , which flould
afterwards be revealed. So that the law was
the Schoolmafter onjy of thofe that were un-
der it, which very perfons were freed from
this Schoolmafter by .the coming of the Faith >
as the words following inform us, ver. 25. But
after that (the) Faith is comey we are no
longer under a fchoolmaftvr. Unlefs there-
fore we will fuppofe the Gentilfs to have
been under the LeviticalLaw before the Go-
fpel was publifhed, the words ver. 24. cannot
reafonably be apply'd to them, efpecially not
fo as to exclude the Jews, who are own'd
by all to have been under the law-before that
fime.
G. G. L E I B N I T I I
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E
^ S U B I T A N E
A D
B R U M
D E
Chriftianifmo Myfteriis carente
Confcriptx 8 Augufti 1701 *.
IBER Anglicana lingua fcriptus,
faepe auditus mihi, nondum vifus,
de Chrijiianifmo myfteriis carente^
cum nuper in manus meas venii-
fet$ non potui tcmperare mihi
quin perlegerem ftatim, & more mco aliquas
Notatiunculas in chartam conjiccrem inter
legendum, quod non raro facio cum Libri
occurrunt fingulares. Hunc certe ingeniose
fcriptum efle fateri oportet. Et, cum caritas
non fit fufpicax, ego mihi libenter perfuadeo,
fcopum
* The celebrated Mr. LEIBNIZ, i§ the Author of thefe
Remarks.
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, &c. 61
fcopum Autoris, viri dodrina & ingenio non
vulgar! praediti, & ut arbitror bene animati,
fuifle ut homines a Theologia theoretica ad
pradicam, a difputationibus circa perfonam
Chrifti ad ftudium imitandx cjus vitas revoca-
ret j etfi via, qua ad hunc fcopum ivir, non
fatis reda aut plana ubiq; videatur. Equi-
dcm Theologiam vere Chriftianam, eflfe prac-
ticam conftat, «5c primarium Chrifti fcopum
fuifle potius infpirare voluntati fanditatcm,
quam intelledui immittere notiones vcritatum
arcanarum.
NON tamen ideo ncgari debet, per Chri-
ftum nobis revelatas fuiffe divinas doftrinas
quas ratio perfpiccre non poteft, & cavenda
mihi videntur non tantum quae fedarias o-
pinipnes Theologorum fovent, fed etiam mui-
ro magis qux Clcrum Retbrmatuni plcbi o-
diofum reddcre aut in contemtum adducerc
poffunt $ quod genus fedx omnium periculo-
ilfllmum foret, nam turbas dare poflet, quibus
alimenta fubminiftrare alieniffimum efle arbi-
tror a mente autoris, qui ut virum probum
dccet fuas cogitationes ad bonum reipublicx
dirigere velle profitetur. Certe errores & a-
bufus qui irrepsere inEcclefiam, non tam cieri
artibus, qiiam temporum vitio tribui debentj
ipfamq; autoritatem Pontificum nimiam, pau-
latim enatam conftat circumftantiis favcnti-
bus, & cafu interveniente ut folet. Prxterca
iilis temporibus quibus folus fapiebat clerus,
caetcri vero ornnes ingenui homines militares
crant 5
*i G. G. L E I B N I T I I
crant ; non abfurdum crat, militarc imperium
fapientum, id eft "cleri/ autoritate temperari.
TITULUS ipfe Libri mihi videtUrlon-
gius ire quam par eft, nam ita habet: Chri-
ftianifmus myfterio carcns, hoc eft Traffatus
ojtenden-s mhil ineffe Evangelio contrarium
ration^ mhil fupra rationem 5 atq$ adeo nul-
lam Cbriftianam do£irinam myfterii nomine
proprie loquendo appellari foffe. Equidem
ornncs fatcntur nihil ineffe dcbere Thcolo-
gix Canftianx quod fit contrarium ration!, id
etl abfurdum 5 f fed cideni nihil ineffe quod
fit fupra rationem, id eft, quod ratione iioftra
comprehend! ncqucat, non video qua proba-
bilitate dicipoflitj cum ipfa divina natura,
qux infmita eft, neceffario fit incomprehen-
fibilis : quemadmodum & in omnibus fub-
ftantiis aliquid ineft infiniti, unde fit ut a no-
jbis perfefte intcliigi pofiint folx notiones in-
completx, quales funt numerorum, figurarum,
aliorumqj hujufmodi modorum a rebus animo
abftraftorum. Fateor effe nobis, ut optinie
bbfervat autor, diftinftam quandam infiniti (per
fe fcilicct feu abfoluti) notionem •, fed non eft
nobis finite intelledlu prxditis, infinitarum Va-
rietatum diftinda confidcratio, qua tariien in re-
bus prxfertim divinis comprehendendis pcrfxpe
opus foret. Itaqj miror initio ftatim Libri, in
prxliminari formatione ftatus controverfix,
improbari eos qui dicunt : " adorandum'effe
" quod nequit comprehend! 5 " quo tamen pro-
nuntiato nihil mihi videtur effe certius : nifi
fcilicct
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E; &c. 63
fcilicet Comprehenfionem,ut alicubi Cl. Autor
facit, {Sett. 3. cap. 2.) ita interprctemur, ut
nihil aliud fignificct quam cognitionem $ qui ta-
men fenfus non eft ufitatus, nee proinde in
popular! ufu facile adhibendus.
AD SECTIONEM I.
V E N I O ad Libri contenta primaria, &
Sedionem quidem primam de Rat tone ; ubi
Capite i. autor ingeniofus ait effe in nobis
Facilitates for mandi ideas ac perceptiones re-
rum, affirmandiqi aut negandi prout eas inter
fe concentre aut dijjldere perfpicimus $ atq;
inde amandi ac defiderandi bona, aut contra
odio habendi fugiendio[> mala. Et legitimum
harum facultatum ufum effe Senfum communem
aut Rationem in univerfnm. Hanc egoDefi-
nitionem libenter concedam, quia bonum
fenfuni admittit. Tametfi aliquid in ea defi-
derari poffit, dum non explicat in quo redus
ille ufus confiftat. Quod tamen hoc loco fa-
cilius excufari poteft, quia fcopus autoris non
eft hxc tradare ex profeffo. Ideam definit
immediatum cogitationis obje£lumy quod ab
aliorum quoq; fenfu non abhorret.
ih^qf: •: irp Lil . ^/if/ii^Jtrxi; ' Tayn^i HOIt
Capite 2. tradat in quo Ratio confiftat '5
aitq,- Cognitionem effe perceptionem con-
fenfus aut diffenfus idearum: in quo nonni-
hil h^ereo. Videtur enim mihi id verum qui-
dem effe in noftra cognitione rational!, nempe
ex ideis five defimtiorubus dednda^ quam di-
cimus
64 G. G. L E I B N I T I I
cimus efle a priori, fed non in cognitionc a
pofteriori fumta, five experimentali 5 ubi fxpe
nullas diftindas ideas habemus, neq; adeo con-
fenfum aut diflenfum earum percipimus : ita
(ut exemplo utar) experimento quidem cog-
nofcimus acid a firupum violarum rubro co-
lore tingere, fed nuliam perfpicimus confen-
fionem idearum, quas acidi & rubri & violacei
diftindas nondum habemus. Solius D E I eft
omnia deduccre ex mentis fax ideis. Quas
adduntur de duplici cognitione (rationali Ici-
licet) immediata & mediata, laudoj etfi al-
tius penetrandum putem, ut res fufficienter
cxplicetur, quod fateor hujus loci non efle.
Caput. 3. fine Annotatione tranfmittere
poffe mihi videor.
IN Capite 4. admittere poflum funda-
mentum ferfuajionis effe evident tarn, modo
abufus hujus do£fcrinx abfit. Etfi enim id
de quo perfuafi fumus non femper fit evidensj
debet tamen evidentia intervenire in modo
perfuadendi. Verbi gratia, evidens efle nobis
debet autoritas eorum quibus credimus aliquid
contigifle, quod tamen quomodo fadum fit
non femper perfpicimus. Ita qui ignorant
quomodo Hydropota intra breve temporis
fpatium ex ore magnam copiam ladis, atra-
menti, cerevifix, vini rhenani, vini ex tellina
valle, fpiritus vini, aliorumq; liquorum in con-
fpedu virorum perfpicacium, & de propinquo
intentorum emitterepotuerit; rem tamen fac-
tam
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, &c. 65
tam cfle, non tarn mihi (qui bis Hanoverae vi-
di) quam tot aliis mecum teftibus oculatis cre-
dere pofTunt, eorumque errorem a (criptoribus
nonnullis temere defenfum deponere, quibus
perfuafum eft non vcros efie illos liquores led
limuiatos tantum & in fpeciem nefcio qui-
bus eflcntiis tindos. Et hxc Evidentia in
rebus fidei divinx ineft iis argumentis, qux
vulgo multi Thcologi (minus eleganter qui-
dem> vocant mottia credibilitatis. Sed ex-
plicandum erat Evident** criterion: multos
enim vidi ad Evidentiam provocare ubi nulla
erat. Itaque in Schediafmate quodam Aftis
Lipficnfibusinferto *De cognitione, ^erttate^
ideis^ pro parte fupplere conatus fum hunc
defedum fcriptoribus communem.
AD SECTIONEM II.
CLARISSIMUS Autor agnofcit nemi-
item Thtologorum quos norit, aliquid creden-
dum docert? quod fat eat ur ration* contrarium 5
a fieri fquet amen doceri, omnino fieri pojfe ut
fidei dogma rationi contrarium fait em <videa-
tur : quod ipie impugnat Cafite i . ubi obiter
annoto Evangclicis, quos (invitis ipforum prae-
ftantiflunis non paucis) Lntheranos appellat,
non rede imputari impanationcm, nee ab
omnibus iplorum Theologis admitti ubiqui-
tatem , vel potius omni-prsefentiam carnis
Chrifti. Rede vero culpari Socinianos quod
crtatum qufndam *Deum introducitnt divini
honoris cafacem.
VOL, II. e Q^UOD
66 C. G. LEIBNITII
QJJOD attinet communes notiones qui-
bus congruunt aut non congruunt divinae ve-
ritates, jamdudum diftinxere prudentcs Theo-
logi inter eas qux funt metaphyficae neceflita-
tis, ubi contrarium implicat contradiftioncm,
a quibus diffidere nulla divina veritas poteft ;
& inter veritates phyficas, qux hauftx funt
ab experientia atque ut fie dicam ex confue-
tudine mundi, cui derogare Deum nihil pro-
hibet, cum etiam in naturalibus tale quid
contingere faepe videamus, ut ipfe Cl. Autor
infra agnofcit. Talis veritas eft, maffam fer-
ream fua natura in aqua defcenderej quod
tamen cum non fiat, quoties ea arte in
cavum lebetem formatur, quis dubitat
multo magis Deo modos praefto efle idem
efficiendi, dum nature arcana quadam ra-
tione afliftit?
SED hoc miffo, infpiciamus an hie res
codem redeat, ut ait Dn. Autor, Jive con-
tradiEtio fit vera jive apparent. Id vero
ego mihi perfuadere non poffum. Equidem
fateor, nobis regulariter fcqucnda efle qux
apparent 5 & verorum locum tenere 5 fed
quoties plura apparent inter fe contraria
re2;ulam neceflario ceffare; & expendendum
effe quxnam verifimilitudo magis fit fe-
quenda. Ubi non tantum fpeftandum eft
qux fententia fit probabilior, fed & qux
fit tutior. Veluti fi major mihi probabi-
Htas lucrandi quam perdendi proponatur ;
fed
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, &c. 67
fed lucrum fit futurum exiguum, damnum
vero ingcns 5 fitque multo major ratio dam-
ni ad lucrum quam fpei ad metum, redius
propofita conditione abftinebo. Ita fi verba
Domini faveant uni fententiae, & rcrum fpe-
cies alteri, & verbo Domini potius ftando re-
bus Domini nullum periculum creetur, a
verbis autem recedendo periculum accerfa-
tur mihi, profedo redius verbis inhxrebo ne-
que recedam a^T«.pwT« prxtcxtu TTIS SIOWOM.
Idque tanto magis verum eft, quanto Do-
minus prudentior eft & major 5 cum etiam
in re militari miles non impune fit la-
turus, qui verba mandati ab imperatore fuo
profedi fine graviflima caufa delerit. Cxte-
rum affarentem contradiEtionem hie intelligo
earn qux re non fatis difcufla ofFertur 5 veluti
fi quis infpcdis obiter tabulis rationum ab
agente in rebus redditarum, videatur fibi er-
rorem videre aut in calculo, aut in materia
calculi : ille huic judicio fuo fidere non de-
bet, nifi examine ut par eft iterato & difcuf-
fione abfoluta confirmetur; cum nihil in re-
bus impeditis fit magis lubricum quam judi-
cium promtum.
QJJ O D vero hoc loco dicitur neminem
credere foffe niji quod animo concipit, verum
eft, fi non nimium extendatur. Verba fen-
fum aliquem habere oportet, fed non fempcr
neceflarios effe conceptus diftindos, nedum
adxquatos, experimenta oftendunt (qualium
& fupra memini) quibus fidem adhibemus
tamctfi dc multis fcnfuum objedis imme-
e 2 diatis
68 G. G. LE IB NIT II
diatis, (veluti coloribus, odoribufquej diftinc-
tos conccptus non habeamus. Etiam in nie-
taphyficis CL Autor noitcr cum plerifque aliis
loquitur de fubflantia tanquam iuftentaculo,
de caufa, aiiifque multisj etfi diftin&x fatis
notiones vulgo fortaffe defmt. Immo oftcndi
alibi, eflfe quaedam in ipfis primis Geomctrix
notionibus non fatis haftenus a Geometris ex-
plicata. Et quanto quiique in meditationibus
verfatior eft, tanto magis hos defcdus agno-
fcit, animumque ad cam prxfcrtim in facris
modeftiam componit, qux neque exigat ni-
mium neque polliceatur.
Cap. 2. dicitur Revelationem effe tantum
modum informatzonis, non argumentum affen-
fum extorquens 5 cujus pronuntiati fi is eft
fenfus, Revelationeni non plus habere auto-
ritatis quam magiftrum cui credimus tantum
quia probat, aut quia rem per diftindos con-
ceptus explicat, ftare nequit. Nam Revelator
non tantum habet perfonam magiftri aut do-
centis, fed & teftis imo judicis irrefragabilis 5
poftquam fcilicet conftat, quod revclans fit
ipfe Deus. Itaque ctiam in humanis non
femper opus eft evuKniia in rebus (quam
Cl. Autor requirit) modo fit in per fonts, ut
de earum fide conftet. Secus eft in doftrinis
qux ratione conftant, ut fi magifter me do-
ceat Geometriam •, ibi enirn locum habet, quod
Cl. Autor paulo generaiius pronuntiare vide-
tur, fundamentum perfuaflonis mete effe non
mtoritatem dicentis, fed claritatem concep -
tionis.
ANNOTATIUNCUL^ &c. 69
tionis. Illud utique veriflimum eft, nihil efle
in divina revelatione quod non fit dignum
Deo, qui fumma ratio eft : fed fcimus tameti
etiam in oeconomia nature multa nobis vifa
eife abfurda, ob noftram ignorantiam, quia in
vero centre collocati non fumus, unde rerum
pulchritudo fpedari debet. Ita Alphonfus Rex,
Aftronomix ftudio infignis, ridicule credebat
melioris Syftematis ideam fe daturum fuifle,
f\ a creatore in confilium adhibitus fuiflet.
Cum tamen nunc, ex quo nos animo in fo-
lem (quern deprehenfum eft centrum efle hu-
jus fyftematis) transferre didicimus; manifef-
tum fit pulcherrimam effe rerum conftitu-
tionem.
Cap. 3. concedit Cl. Autor, ut par eft,
miracula a Chrifto fuiffe edita : fed hoc ipfo,
Ji quid judico, etiam concedit effe aliquid
credendum in Chriftiana Religione quod fit
fupra rationem noftram : quid aliud enim
miracula funt quam operationes qux ex na-
turx creatx Icgibus quas intelledus creatus
quantaecunque capacitatis percipere poflet, de-
rivari non poflunt. De cxtero bene difputat
contra cos, qui Evangel iftas & Apoftolos male
& obfcure fcripfifle putant de rebus quas fcire
oportet.
Cap. 4.. refpondet objicientibus carruptam
effe rationem noftram. Hie mihi videtur rur-
fus non male difputare dam diftinguit inter
ipfam Rationem & pravum facultatis bonx
c 3 ttfum
70- G. G. L E I B N I T 1 1
ufuniy uti diftinguimus inter artem & artificem.
Interim non aufimdicere quod habetur $. 31.
omnes noftras cogitationes plane liber as effe *
arbitror enim in quantum noftra natura in-
fir ma vel corrupta eft, in tantum nos fervituti
obnoxios efle. Et cum mox difputat pro omni-
moda arbitrii libertate^ vereor ne longius pro-
cedat quam res patiatur aut fit ncceffe. Sed ea
quasftio hujus loci non eft.
AD SECTIONEM III.
Cap. i . Autor oftendit Myfteria apud Ethnicos
fignificafle ritus arcanos in quibus prof ani aut
non initiati admitti non debebant; adeoq; my-
fterium olim fuifle rem non intelleEiam qui-
dem, fed <valde tamen intelligibilem Jt revela-
retur. Hoc non illibenter admifero. Genti-
lium enim Religio non tarn in dogmatibus
quam ceremoniis confiftebat, qux quifq; pro
lubitu interpretabatur : unde fiebat etiam ut in-
ter ipfos de religionibus non certaretur.
Cap. 2. obfervat non flatim Myfteria effe,
quorum adtequatas ideas aut omnium jimul
proprietatiim notitiam non habemus. In quo
ipfi -libens itidem affentior, alioqui enim etiam
circuli & reliqux figurac forent myfteria. Sed
illud jam qu^ritur utrum aliqua fint Myfteria
in natura ? ubi aio fi Myfterii voce inteiliga-
tur quicquid prsefentem rationem noftram fu-
perat, innumera etiam phyfica myfteria depre-
hendi. Ita fi quxratur an aquas interior cognitio
ft
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, &c. 71
fit fupra noftram rationem, refpondeo efie fu-
pra prxfentem : nondum enim a quoquam ejus
texturam iatis expofitam puto ; fed tamen non
deipero poffe aliquando cxplicationem dari
qux phaenomenis fatisfaciat. Sum ctiam
multa fupra rationem humanam pofita non
noftram tan turn, fed & pofterorum, feu qualis
fciiicet non nunc tantum exiftit, fed & unquam
erit in hac vita quaai in terris degimus ; etfi
fieri omnino poffit, ut ab aliqua creatura no-
biliore intelligantur, & nobis etiam in nobi-
liorem ftatum tranflatis aliquando fint futura
intelligibilia.
S E D fi quis Myfterium appellet quicquid eft
fupra omnem rationem creatam 5 aufim dicere,
nulla quidem phxnomena naturalia fupra ra-
tionem efle, fed ipfas tamen fubftantiarum fin-1
gularium comprehenfiones creato intelleftui|
efle impoffibiles quia infinitum involvunt. Un- 1
de fit ut rerum univcrfi perfcda ratio reddi
non poflit. Et talia nihil prohibet efle etiam
dogmata quxdam divlnitus revelata, ut nulla
rationis vi fatis explicari queant ctfi, animo
utcunq; attingantur atq, etiam a con trad idionis
accuiatione rite vindicari poffint. Porro com-
frekenjionem appello non tantum cum diftindae
interveniunt ide^, fed & cum adxquatas 5 id \
eft cum non tantum propofiti termini habe-;
tur definitio live refolutio, fed & quivis ter-
minus earn ingrediens rurfus refolutus habetur
ufque ad primitives; ut in numeris experi-
mur.
C4 Cap. i.
7* G. 6. LEIBNITII
Cap. 3. oftendere aggreditur etiam in Scrip-
tura facra & libris prirrue antiquitaris Myfterium
vulgar! Theologorum fenfu incognimm efle.
Adducit tamen ipfe locum Pauli i Cor. ii.
9, 10. ubi dicitur nee oculum vidtffe , neqi
aurem audtffe^ nee in hominis cor intraffe, qua
*Deus amicis fais paravit. Ubi videtur ahquid
intclligi quod nobis ignotum eft, non ideo
tantum quia nobis non eft diftum, fed etiam
quia licet nobis diceretur, percipi non poflet
nifi exaltarentur fenfus noftri & veniremus in
rem praefentcnvper altiorem quandam experi-
entiam : prorfus ut cxcus de coioribus judicare
non poteft, etfi ipfi colorum dodrina expo-
natur, nifi oculi ejus aperiantur.
C^ETERUM illud bene notat Autor
nofter, multa ignota fuiffe Phiiofophis & nuda
ratione obtineri non potuifle, non quod efTent
incomprehenfibilia, fed quod pendcrent a re
fadi nonnifi per divinarnRevelattonem cog-
nofcenda. In exemplum affert doftrinam dc
laffu Adami) quae difficultates tollat de caufa
peccati, quibus Philofophi exercebantur.
C & T E RU M quod ait §. 30. nihil magni
ri ji reveletur veritas incomprehenjibi-
Its, non puto ac fempcr jure dici. Sic in na-
turalibus quoqj detedio acus magnetic^ res
magna eft eritq; etfi operationes ejus perpetuo
nobis inexplicatx mancrcnt. Eodem modo
in Theologia veritas cujus ratio reddi nequk
magni
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, Sec. 73
magni tamen ad falutis oeconomiam moment!
cffe poteft.
I N i Tim. iii. 1 6. videtur Myftermm etiam
aliquid amplius fignificare quam rem ignotam
qmdem ante a, fed revelation? faff a facilem
intelleEtu. Nam cum dicitur ^Deum mani-
feftatum in carney <vifum Angelisy receptum
in gloriay apparet intelligi qux natiiram crea-
tam, virefqj rationis tranfcendunt.
OBITER annoto quod ait Dn. Autor §.39.
"veteres in pueritia mundi vixijfe, & nos a-
dultiore ejus tetate <vieverey adeocp pr<efentia
potius <vetera effe dicenda 5 verimmum cqui-
dem efle, & autoritati antiquorum detrahere
in its qux funt fcientix & experiential, fed non
in iis qux funt hiftorix ac traditionis. Mani-
feftum enim eft remotiores a fonte narratio-
nes vel voce vel fcripto propagatas fieri indies
imperfedtiores.
Cap. 4. Refpondet obje&ionibus a locis
fcripturx, item a natura fidei petitis, quibus
nurac ut inhxream neceffe non puto. Tantum
annoto quod dicitur §. 54. Fidem ejfe ex au-
ditii^ fed Jt qu# audiamus non intelligantur
inanem imo nullam fidem fore ; effe quidem
veriffimum : fed multum tamen differre intel-
leftum verborum & comprehenfionem rei, ut
etiam in naturalibus patet. Sxpe enim vel
idex quas habemus, vel methodus ex ideis ra-
tiocinandi quam habemus, non fufficiunt ad
con-
7* G. G. L E I B N I T 1 1
connexionem fubjedi & prxdicati intelligendam
ctfi aliquam fubjedi 6c prxdicati notitiam
prxftent. Etiam in Geomctria non eft cujus-
vis, thcoremata dcmonftrare figurarum diftinde
licet cognitarum, quamvis ea theoremata jam
ab aliis fint inventa ac communicata.
Cap. 5. Cl. Autor fibi ipfi prudenter obji-
cit, quod fupra objeceram, Mtraculaeffe fupra
rationem. Definitio Miracufiquam exhibct fie
fatis ni fallor convenit communi dodrinxTheo-
logorum, ut fcilicet fint feifer leges nature
ordinariafq*, oper at tones. Refte tamen agnofcit
efle pojjlbma & intelltgibilia. Sed eo modo
ctiam Myfteria Theologis poffibilia & intelli-
gibilia funt. Quis enim dubitat quin abfit con-
tradidio & verba intelliganttir , etfi modus
cxplicandi utrobiq; rationis noftrx vim tranf-
cendat. Itaque Vir Cl. objedioni mihi fatis
feciffc non omnino videtur. Nihil rcferr, quod
myfteria funt doEirin<e, & miracula funt hif-
torite 5 nam miracula funt ut fie dicam myfte-
ria tranfitoria, & myfteria aliqua habent quo-
dam modo miraculi durabilis naturam.
U & Cap. 6. dicuntur de introdiiEtione
caufa non perfequor, de re ipfa fatis feciffe con-
tentus 5 nam qux ad Hiftoriam Ecclcfiafticam
pertinent latius diffunduntur, quam ut brevi-
bus tradari poffint, neq> neceflaria funt ad
fcopum noftrum.
IN
ANNOTATIUNCUL^E, &c. 75
W £#ft& ib^b
IN Conclufione fpcrare jubet Cl. Autor^ar-
flicationem intelligibtlem dottrina NoviTefta-
menti. 1 aiem ego quoque purem dari poife,
irno, fetfi fortafle difperiam) jam habcri 5 fi
infcriorc quoJam intcliigibilitatis gradu fimus
content!. Sed cum id opus non prodicrir, non
eft cur rei immorer hoc loco. Itaq; & ipfe
finio, tantumq; addo: Philofophos noftri tem-
poris infignes multa in natura agnofcere fupra
noftras rationis vires.
I D A M Cartefiani eximii unionem ani-
& corporis pro miraculoia habent 5 alii
compofitionem continui, aut conciliationem
liben arbitrii cum divina prxordinatione ne-
gant comprehend! pofle.
L O C K I U S , magni nominis Philofophus
Anglus, cujus fententias Autor nofterpaffim
probat, cum olim docuiffet omnia corporum
phenomena pofle explicari ex foliditate & ex-
tenfione & harum modis 5 mine in Refponfione
quadam ad celeberrimum Stillingfleetium, Epif-
copum nuper Wigornienfem doftiffimum, re-
traftat fententiam magna cum laude ingenuita-
tis, & profundiflimi Newtoni perfuafus argu-
mentis Attradiohem cujufvis materise partis ad-
mittit originariam & a mechanifmo non deri-
vatam, nee proinde ratione explicabilem.
EGO ctfi fperem quxdamex diftis explica*
tionem aliquam admittere, cujus & ipecimen
dedi
76 ANNOTATIUNCUL^&c.
dedi circa unionem anrmx & corporis ; aliter
tamcn agnofco interiorum naturae incom-
prchcnfibilem fublimitatem ab influxu infiniti
orientem, qui fons eft idearura clararum fimul
& tamen confufarum (quales fenfibilium qua-
rundam qualitatum habemus) quibus nulla
crcatura penitus exui poteft, & quas in con-
troverfia inter eximios viros Stillingfleetium &
Lockium non fatis ab aliis difcretas puto. Atq;
haec quidem omnia fane oftendunt multo mi-
nus mirandum effc fi in rebus divinis occurrunt,
quxrationis vires longe tranfcendunt. Quod
, fi ergo font quxdam difficiiia & impedita apud
I Thcologos, non ideo aut ipfis infaltandum, aut
Thcologtca Syftemata (id eft ordinatam dodri-
; nac expofitionem) rejicienda cenfeo, non ma-
gis quam philofophica aut. medica ; fed tantum
cavcndum (ut in medicina) ne nimium difpu-
tando praxin & falutem negligamus.
FINIS.
BOOKS lately printed, and fold by J. PEELE.
H E hiftory of the Conqueft of Mexico by the Spa-
wards : tranflared into En^ipfrom the original Stop-
77/Jfo of DonAntowo de Solis, Secretary and Hiftoriographer
to his Catholic Majefty. By Thomas Jownfiend Efq; In
folio.
II. Joannis Seldom Jurifconfulti Opera. omma> tarn edita tjuam
zneditij in tribus volttminibus ; cellegit ac recertfuit) Vitam Au&o~
ris, Prtfa'eones &> Indices idjecit David Wilkins S.-T. P. Canom-
CHS Cantuar'exjis, 6 vol. jolio.
III. The Compleat Surveyor ; or, the whole Art of Sur-
veying of Land, by a new Inftrument lately invented, as
alfo by the plain Table, the Circumferenter, the Theodo-
lite, as now improved, or by the Chain only. Containing
plain and eafy Directions in feveral kinds of Menfuration,
and other things neceflary to be known in a Work of this
nature. By William Leyhurn. The whole alter'd and a-
mended, and two entire Books added by the Author long
before his death. The fifth Edition, in nine Books. Everv
Operation, both Geometrical and Arithmetical, examina,
and an Appendix added to the whole* Confifting of praSi-
cal Obfervations in Land-Surveying. By Sam. Cunn. folio.
IV. A new Syftcm of Agriculture, being a compleat Bo-
dy of Husbandry and Gardening in all the parts of them,
«ifc. Husbandry in the Field, and its Improvements. Of
Foreft and Timber-Trees, great and fmall ; with Ever-
greens and Flowering Shrubs, &c. Of the Fruit-garden.
Of the Kitchen-Garden. Of the Flower-garden. In five
Books. Containing all the beft and latcft, as well as many
new Improvements, ufeful to the Husbandman, Grazier,
Planter, Gardener, andFlorift. Wherein are interfperfed
many curious Obfervations on Vegetation, on the Difeafes
of Trees, and the general Annoyances to Vegetables, and
their probable Cures. As alfo a particular Account of the
famous Silphium of the Ancients. By John Lawrence M. A.
Re&or of BiJh.p's-Weremouthj in the Bifrioprick of Durham^
and Prebendary of the Church of Sarum. In Folio.
V. A general Treatife of Husbandry and Gardening :
containing a new Syftem of Vegetation. Illuftrated with
many Obfervations and Experiments. In two Volumes.
Formerly publifh'd monthly, and now methodized and di-
gefted under proper Heads, with Additions, and great Al-
terations. In four Parts. Part I. Concerning the Improve-
ment of Land, by fertilizing .bad Spoils. Of Stocking of
Farms with Cattel, Poultry, Fifh, Bees, Graffcs, Grain,
Cyder, &c. Part II. Inftru£tions to a Gardener, wherein
is demonftrated the Circulation of Sap, the Generation of
Plants,
Books printed for J. PEELE.
Plants, the Nature of Soil, Air, and Situation. Of the
Profits arifing from planting and raifing Timber. Part III.
Of the Management of Fruit-Trees, with particular Ob-
fervations relating to Grafting, Inarching, and Inoculating.
Part IV. Remarks on the DiYpofition of Gardens in gene-
ral. Of the Method of managing Exotic Plants and Flow-
ers, and naturalizing them to our Climate. \Vith an Ac-
count of Stoves and Artificial Heats. Adorn'd with Cuts.
By Richard Bradley, Profeflbr of Botany in the Univerfity
of Cambridge, and F. R. S. In two Volumes O&avo.x Pr.ia/.
VI. The Practical Fruit-Gardener ; being the beft and
neweft Method of raifing, planting, and pruning all forts
of Fruit-trees, agreeably to the Experience and Practice
of the moft eminent Gardeners and Nurfery-men. By
Stephen Switzer. Revifed and recommended by the Reve-
rend Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Bradley. Adorn'd with proper
Plans. InOftavo.
VII. An Hiftorical and Critical Account of the Life and
Writings of Witt'iam Chiilingworth, Chancellor of the Church
ofSarum. Wherein are inferted fcveral original Letters of
that Eminent Divine* By Mr. Des IMaizeaux. F. R. S. In
Oftavo.
VIII. The Independent Whig. The third Edition, with
Additions. In O&avo.
IX. The Spirit of the Ecclefiafticks of all Se&s and Ages,
as to the Doctrines of Morality, and more particularly the
Spirit of the antient Fathers of the Church examined. By
Monf. Barbeyrac, Profeflbr of Laws and Hiftory in the Uni-
verfity of Laufanne. Tranflated from the French by a Gen-
tleman of Grays-Inn. With a Preface by the Author of the
Independent Whig.
X. The Earl of Sbtfteifay* Letters to the Lord Vif-
count Molefworth, concerning the Choice of a Wife, and
the Love of one's Country. To which is prefixed a large
Introdu&ion by Mr. Toland, giving an Account of Lord
Shaftesbury's Conduft in publick Affairs.
XI. The Laft Day. A Poem, in 12 Books. By J. Bulk-
ley Efq; late of Clare-Hall in Cambridge, Author of the Letters
to the Reverend Dr. Clark, on Liberty and Neceflity. The
fecond Edition. In O£ravo.
XII. Popery againft Chriftianity : or, an Hiftorical Ac-
count of the prefent Sute of Rome ; the Elc£hon of the
late Pope ; the Proceedings of the Jefuits in China, and
alfo in England and other Proteftant Countries. With an
Appendix, containing the Lives and Canonization of the
laft four Saints ; and feveral Decrees of Popes contradi&ing
one
Books printed for J. PEELE.
one another. By Partbenopxus ttereticus. The fecond Edi-
tion. In O&avo.
XIII. The Cafe of lHand's being bound by A&s of Parlia-
ment in England dated. By Wllllim Mclllnettv of Dublin Efq;
To which is added, The Cale of Tenures upon the Com-
miffion of Defective Titles, argued by all the judges of
Ireland. With their Refolutions, and the Reafons of their
Refolutions. In O&avo.
XIV. A Treanfe of Laws : or, a general Introdu£Kon
to the Common, Civil, and Canon Law. In three Parts*
I. The Common Law of EngLwdy illuftrated in great Va-
riety of Maxims, &>c. Alfo the Ufe of this Law ; with
References to the Statutes in all Cafes. II. Of the Civil
Law, intermix'd with the Law of Nations, and its Ufe
here in Englwd', and a Parallel between the Civil Law
and Common Law. III. The Canon Law, and Laws Ec-
clefiaftical ; containing the Authority and Rights of the
Enftl/jb Clergy ; Of Patrons of Churches ; Courts Ecclefia-
ilical, Tryals, Qpc. In O&avo.
XV. The Law of Securities : being a Methodical Trea-
tife of all the Laws and Statutes relating to Bills Obliga-
tory, Bonds and Conditions, Judgments, Recognizances,
Statutes, Mortgages, Securities Real and Perfonal, C olla-
teral Securities, and all manner of Engagements for Mo-
ney ; {hewing how far Perfons and Eftates are bound, and
the Court of Chancery will give Relief. And alfo, The
Laws and Statutes concerning Pawns, Pledges, and Ufu-
ry, with the Methods of Profecution, Pleadings, &c. and
proper Precedents in all Cafes interfpers'd throughout. To
which are added, The Laws againft Bankrupts ; with Va-
riety of Law-Cafes, Precedents of Commiflions, Align-
ments of Commiflioners, Certificates, Deeds of Distribution,
&c. In Ofravo,
XVI. The Hiftory of John of Bourbon, Prince of Carency ;
containing a Variety of entertaining Novels. Tranflated
from the French of the Countefs D'dunoh. The ad Edit.
XVII. The Dublin Mifcellany : being a ColleGion of Po-
ems, original and tranflated. By Dr. Swift, Mr. ¥avncll9
Dr. Delany, Mr. Bra-tt'w, Mr. Wwd, Mr. Sterling^ Mr. Conca-
nen, and others. In O8:a\ o.
XVIII. A NewTreatife of the An of Thinking : contain-
ing a Compleat Syftem of Reflexions concerning the Con-
duel and Improvement of the Mind, in Enquiries into all
kinds of Truth: efpecially fuch as relate to the Know-
ledge of Mankind. Illuftrated with Variety of Characters
and Examples, drawn from the ordinary Occurrences of
Life.
Books primed for J. PEELE.
Life. Written in French by Monf. Croufaz, Profeflbr of
Philofophy and Mathematicks in the Univerfity of Lau-
fane. Tranflated into Englifl, in two Volumes O&avo.
XIX. A Collection of Debates in the Houfe of Com-
mons in the Year 1680, relating to the Bill of Exclufion
of the then Duke of York ; containing the Speeches of the
Lord Rujfel, Sir Henry Capel, Sir Francis Winnlngtony Ralph
Monttgue Efq; Henry Booth Efq; Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir
L'w.JenklnSt Sir Tho. Pl*yery Sir Richard Graham, Sir Wil-
liam Poultney, Daniel Finch Efq; Hugh Bofcawen Efq; John
Trenchard Efq; John Hampden Efq; Sir Repr Hill, Sir WU-
liAm Jones , S\r Richard Mafon, Lawrence Hyde Efq; Colonel
Legg, "Edward Deering Efq; Colonel Birch, with many more;
and a Lift of the Members that compofed that Honourable
Houfe. To which are added, The Debates of the Houfe
of Commons aflembled at Oxford, March 21. 1680. as allb an
Introduftion, (hewing the Progrefs of Popery from the He-
formation to the prefent Time. In O&avo.
XX. An Hiftorical Eflay on the Legiflative Power of
England, wherein the Origin of both Houfcs of Parlia-
ment, their Antient Constitution, and Changes that have
happen'd in the Perfons that compoied them, with the Oc-
cafion thereof, are related in a Chronological Order; and
many things concerning the Enelifo Government. The An-
tiquity of the Laws of England, and the Feudal Law, are
occafionally illuftrated and explained. By George St.Amand,
of the Inner Temple, Efq; In O&avo.
XXI Cato's Letters. With a Preface, containing an An-
fwer to the moft popular Obie&ions to thefe Letters, and
a Character of the late John Trenchard Efq; In 4 vol. 12°.
XXII. The Works of the ;Honour.-.ble Sir Charles Sedley,
confifting of Poems, Plays, Speeches in Parliament, 6v.
viz, The Mulberry-Garden, Bellamira or the Miftrefs, The
Grumbler, Anthony and Cleopatr.i, and the Tyrant King of
Crete, &c. With Memoirs of the Author's Life. In two
Volumes 12°.
XXIII. Three Tragedies, viz.. The Diftrefs'd Mother ;The
Briton ; and Humfrey Duke of Ghcejler. By Ambrefe Philips
Efq; in 12°.
XXIV. Epiftles, Odes, &c. written on feveral SubjeQs.
With a Diflcrtanon concerning the Perfection of the Eng-
tijb Language, the State of Poetry, &c* By M.r.Wt!Jled.
The fecond Edition.
XXV. Silk- Worms : a Poem in two Books. Tranflated
from the original Lath of Marc. Hi»r. Vida, Bifliop of Alba.
With a Preface giving an Account of the Life and Wri-
tings of Vtd*.
• r
BINDING SECT. MAR 5 " 1968
AC Toland, John
7 Miscellaneous works
T6
v.2
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11