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Is it not better that power fhould be the standard of truth, than that we should

have no fettlement, no peace, no religion?

But, fays another writer, as honest a man, and at least as fair a reafoner, as Dr. Johnfon, "If men were not to de"clare their opinions in fpight of estab"lifhments either in church or state, "truth would foon be banished the "carth;" and to this agrees John Milton. What is then to be done?

Why, fays a moderator, punish the authors of these wicked publications; for Dr. Johnfon tells you, "It is yet al"lowed that every fociety may punish, "though not prevent, the publication of

* Dedication of the Effay on Spirit.

"opinions

"If nothing may be publifhed but "what civil authority have previously "approved, power muft always be the "ftandard of truth."

Would not one think that problem was thus folved at once? Is not this an alternative which even Dr. Johnson's predilection for power would hardly admit ? Hold a little, till we have fhewn you the evils on the other fide.

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"If every dreamer of innovations may

propagate his projects, there can be no "fettlement; if every murmurer at go"vernment may diffufe difcontent, there ❝can be no peace; if every sceptic in

66

theology may teach his follies, there "can be no religion."

Is it not better that power fhould be the standard of truth, than that we fhould have no fettlement, no peace, no religion?

But, fays another writer, as honeft a man, and at leaft as fair a reafoner, as Dr. Johnson, "If men were not to de"clare their opinions in fpight of estab"lishments either in church or state, "truth would foon be banished the “carth *;” and to this agrees John Milton. What is then to be done?.

Why, fays a moderator, punifh the authors of thefe wicked publications; for Dr. Johnson tells you, "It is yet al"lowed that every fociety may punish, 66 though not prevent, the publication of

* Dedication of the Efay on Spirit.

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"opinions which that society shall think

"pernicious."

We could mention very good fort of men, and no fools, who would not allow this to every fociety. But be this as it may, this allowance does not fatisfy our Biographer; for, fays he, "This punish❝ment, though it may crufh the author,

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promotes the book; and it feems not

"more reasonable to leave the right of "printing unreftrained, because writers. 66 may be afterwards cenfured, than it "would be to fleep with our doors un"bolted, becaufe by our laws we can "hang a thief." The conclufion is,

hang every man who prints or publishes

without a license.

Hardy

Hardy must be the man who can publifh this fophiftry with fo many contradictory facts ftaring him in the face. And diftreffing must be the dilemma which obliges Dr. Johnson to admit either that the minority have propagated no projects of innovation, diffused no difcontents by murmuring at government; or that his friends the minifters of ftate have not been able to protect the fettlement, and keep the public peace. If there can be no religion upon the fuppofition that every fceptic may teach his follies, I am afraid the Doctor himself can have no religion; for fuch fceptics may and do teach their follies every day with all free

dom.

Perhaps

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