4 An Argument against abolishing Chriftianity A Project for the advancement of Religion The Sentiments of a Church-of-England Man, The BOOKSELLER'S ADVERTISEMENT. T HE following discourse came into my hands perfect and entire. But there being several things in it which the present age would not very well bear, I kept it by me some years, refolving it should never fee the light. At length, by the advice and assistance of a judicious friend, I retrenched those parts that might give most offence, and have now ventured to publish the remainder. Concerning the author, I am wholly ignorant: Neither can I conjecture, whether it be the fame with that of the two foregoing pieces; the original having been fent me at a different time, and in a different hand. The learned reader will better determine; to whose judgment I entirely submit it. A DISCOURSE } CONCERNING THE MECHANICAL OPERATION of the SPIRIT.* For T. H. Efq; † at his chambers in the academy of. the Beaux-Efprits in New England. SIR, T is now a good while since I have had in my head fomething, not only very material, but absolutely necessary to my health, that the world should be informed in. you a fecret, I am able to contain A 2 For, to tell it no longer. However, * This discourse is not altogether equal to the former, the best parts of it being omitted. Whether the bookfeller's account be true, that he durst not print the rest, I know not: nor indeed is it casy to determine, whether he may be relied on in any thing he fays of this, or the former treatises, only as to the time they were writ in: which, however, appears more from the discourses themselves, than his relation. This difcourse is a fatire against enthusiasm, and those affected inspirations, which constantly begin in folly, and very often end in vice. In this treatise, the author has revelled in too licentious a vein of farcafm: many of his ideas are nauseous, some are indecent, and others have an irreligious tendency. Nor is the piece itself equal in wit and humour, either to The Tale of a Tub, or The Battle of the Books. 1 should constantly chuse rather to praise, than to arraign any part of Swift's writings: but in those tracts where he tries to make us uneasy with ourselves, and unhappy in our present existence, there I must yield him up entirely to cenfure: Orrery. † Supposed to be Col. Hunter. 1 |