File:Library of the world's best literature, ancient and modern (1896) (14763615464).jpg

Identifier: worldsbestlitera24warn (find matches)
Title: Library of the world's best literature, ancient and modern
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors:
Subjects:
Publisher: N.Y.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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d seek a new seat in some remote part of theworld, by way of cure for the corruption of their manners. Therefore I think this caution was in itself altogether unneces-sary (which I have inserted only to prevent all possibility ofcaviling), since every candid reader will easily understand mydiscourse to be intended only in defense of nominal Christianity;the other having been for some time wholly laid aside by generalconsent, as utterly inconsistent with our present schemes of wealthand power. But why we should therefore cast off the name and title ofChristians, although the general opinion and resolution be so vio-lent for it, I confess I cannot (with submission) apprehend; nor isthe consequence necessary. However, since the undertakers pro-pose such wonderful advantages to the nation by this project,and advance many plausible objections against the system ofChristianity, I shall briefly consider the strength of both, fairlyallow them their greatest weight, and offer such answers as I
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JONATHAN SWIFT I4267 think most reasonable. After which I will beg leave to showwiiat inconveniences may possibly happen by such an innovation,in tlic present ))osture of our affairs. First, one ji^rcat advantas^e proposed by the abolishing of Christ-ianity is, that it would very much enlarge and establish libertyof conscience,— that great bulwark of our nation; and of theProtestant religion,—which is still too much limited by priest-craft, notwithstanding all the good intentions of the legislature,as we have lately found by a severe instance. For it is confi-dently reported that two young gentlemen of real hopes, brightwit, and profound judgment, who, upon a thorough examinationof causes and effects, and by the mere force of natural abilities,without the least tincture of learning, having made a discoverythat there was no God, and generously communicating theirthoughts for the good of the public, were some time ago, by anunparalleled severity, and upon I know not what obsolete la

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