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Country, without the Liberty of the Prefs, is a contradiction in terms; it is free flavery, or inchained Liberty. Light and Darkness are not more oppofite than Liberty and the Deprivation of the means of being rational..

Who, that loves mankind, is not. forry that any thing is ever publifhed. tending to confound men's understanding, mislead their judgments, or deprave 'their morals? But is there any more likely method for fenfe to prevail against abfurdities, than leaving her at full liberty to paint them in their native colours? Can truth be better armed against error than with the mighty blade of uncontrouled Reafon? Or virtue more furely triumph over immorality, than by

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the vigorous execution of the truly wholefome laws purpofely framed for her support?

I hate all calumny and defamation, as I hate the corruption of heart, from which alone it can proceed; and do with the utmoft zeal deteft thofe prophaners of Liberty, who pretending to be friends -to it, have recourfe to fuch black diaabólical methods. But I take the laws already in force amongst us to be a more than fufficient prefervative (at least as far as human prudence is able to pro-vide) against all the abufive overt-acts I am now expreffing my abhorrence of: and as fuch we have reason to esteem -valuable fecurities of our Li

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berties and reputations. But becaufe

wicked things are publish'd must there be no publishing? I know it is objected that there is a medium between an abfolute Liberty of the Prefs, and an abfolute Suppreffion of it. Which I admit; but yet aver the medium (by which either Licenfing or nothing at all is meant) is far worfe on all accounts than either extreme. For though we are indeed told, that Licenfers would ferve us with wholesome goods, feed us with food : convenient for us, and only prevent the - diftribution of poifon; fure fuch cant was never meant to impofe on any, but those who are afleep, and cannot fee one inch before them. Let no True Briton therefore be deceived by fuch fallacious fpeeches, but confider the neceffary confequences

fequences which muft follow, and he I will foon find that it is as the flattering language of the ftrange woman [in the book of Proverbs] who with her fair fmooth tongue, beguileth the fimple, and leadeth them as an ox to the flaughter. That plaufible and deceitful language leadeth indeed into the chambers of darkness and death. But this fubject is fully handled in the excellent Treatise fubjoin'd. I will only propofe to the confideration of all lovers of Religion, Virtue, Science, and Mankind, the few following queries; and every one ought methinks to propose them to himself every day of his life, as making a fundamental Catechifm. For if the truths, which these contain, are not fundamen

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tál, man is not a man, but a beaft; religion and virtue are empty names.

1. What is our most valuable part, or what is it that maketh us capable of Religion, Virtue, and rational Happinefs? Is it not our Reafon or Underftanding?

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2. What then is the nobleft privilege that belongs to man? Is it not the free Exercise of his Understanding, the full ufe of all the means of advancing in «Virtue and Knowledge?

3. What is it then that is, and muft be, the chief end of government to encourage and promote? Is it not Know"ledge, Virtue, and Religion?

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4. And can Knowledge, Virtue, or "Religion; be promoted, if the only means

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