g6 liberty op reasoning 



made by fpme fafhionable writings, and not the natural 

 confequenee of a real illumination and conviction ge- 

 nerally diffufed ? If it depends merely on the turn of 

 mind, or humour, or good- nature, or indifference of 

 the regent, and -on the accidental imbecillity of the 

 priefts of Moloch, fighing over their impotence, and 

 longing for power ; inHiead of refting on the folid balls 

 of univerfal reafon, and the irrevocable laws of govern- 

 ment ? In fhort, what caufe have we to reckon our- 

 felves fafe, while the raging, untamed, tiger is only 

 afleep ; inftead of being bound, like the dedfcial of 

 Mohammed, at leaft till the day of judgement, in in- 

 diffoluble chains ? 



Againft one party, with whom intolerance, in a cer- 

 tain fenfe, is even a fundamental article of their reli- 

 gion, we can contipue in fafety, fo long as they perfe- 

 vere in this way of thinking, no otherwife than by our 

 political power. But on what is our internal fecurity 

 founded ? What defends us againft the intolerance of 

 a fuperftitious attachment to an antiquated terminology 

 and idle formularies, againft a fanatical zeal in behalf of 

 the fuppofed caufe of God, &c. arifing from o ur felves ? 



The indifference at prefent fo prevalent in religion 

 is an armour not much to be depended on, as liable to 

 fall off on the flighteft fhock. Whoever is acquainted 

 with the hiftory of mankind and of religion cannot 

 poffibly be indifferent about the ftate of a matter, 

 which, in the hands of fools, of fanatics, and tartuffs, 

 may be made the inftrument of fo much mifchief when 

 they are poffeffed of influence and clad in the robes of 

 authority. We may learn from the experience of our 

 own times, that this indifference has occafioned the 



moft 



