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The Works of Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin
The Works of Dr Jonathan Swift Dean of St Patrick's Dublin Author:Jonathan Swift Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A N ARC UMENT To prove that the Abolishing of CHRISTIANITY E N G L N D may, as things nowjland, be attended -with feme in conveniences, and perhap... more »s not produce thofe many good ejf'efls propofed thereby. Written in the Year 1708. IAm very fenfible, what a weaknefs and prefumption it is, to reafon againft the general humour and difpofition of the world. I remember it w.is with great ju- ftice, and a due regard to the freedom, both of the publick and the prefs, forbidden upon feveral penalties to write, or difcourfe, or lay wagers againft the union, even before it was confirmed by parliament ; becaufe that was looked upon as a defign to oppofe the current of the people, which befides the folly of it, is L 4 a mania manifeft breach of the fundamental law, that makes this majority of opinion the voice of God. In like manner, and for the very fame reafons, it may perhaps be neither fafe nor prudent to argue againft the abolifhing of chriftianity at a juncture, when all parties appear fo unanimoufly determined upon the point, as we cannot but allow from their ac l ions, their dif- courfes, and their writings. However, I know not how, whether from the affectation of fingularity, or the preverfenefs of human nature, but fo it unhappily falls out, that I cannot be entirely ot this opinion. Nay, though I were fure an order were iflued lor my immediate profeeution by the attorney.general, I fhould ftill , confefs, that in the prefent pofture of our affairs at home or abroad I do not yet fee the abfolute ncceflity of extirpating the chriftian religion from among us. This perhaps may appear too great a paradox even lor our wife and paradoxical age to endure; therefore I fhall handle it with all tenderncfs, and with the utmoft deference to that great and pro- founc)...« less