fied; confining all fuch Expreffions to the High-Priefts, and High-Church. That many of the prefent Clergy are Zealous for Civil Liberty, and Enemies to all Perfecution and Spiritual Tyranny, is readily acknowledged, and to diftinguish thefe from the reft of the Black Tribe, is but common Justice. However, as the Editor had no Authority to infert thofe Corrections, the Apologies were published in our first Impreffion according to the original Editions; and notwithStanding all the Noife of ignorant Zealots, and Prieft-ridden Rabble, he is still of Opinion, that the re-publishing those Tracts is both useful and feasonable. To be flandered and reviled, has been the common Portion of thofe, who have called upon Mankind to affert their Liberty. The great Milton, whofe Name and Writings will be immortal, complains of the ill Treatment he met with for his free and generous Principles, in the following Manner :

I did but prompt the Age to quit their Clogs
By the known Rules of ancient Liberty,

Whén

When ftraight a barbarous Noise invirons me Of Owls, and Cuckoes, Affes, Apes, and Dogs: But this is got by cafting Pearls to Hogs.

The Expreffion in the Title Page of the firft Edition of the first Volume, of Bleffed Memory, has given great Offence to fome Perfons, as if it bordered upon Profaneness. In Vindication of himself, the Editor thinks it fufficient to obferve, that the Clergy do generally apply the fame Expreffion to King Charles I who was no Saint, nor a Martyr, in the true Senfe of the Word: That be was a Tyrant, the whole Hiftory of his Reign evidently fhews; and how he came to be fo much extolled by the High-Priests, we all know. He was not more obftinate in his own Mif-government, than in defending their Pride and Trumpery; indeed, he died for both: And for this Reason, the Priests have fainted, and almost adored him. Now, if it be natural for the Clergy to bestow Elogiums and bigh Praises on that King, for bis Zeal and fond Attachment to them;

is

is it not equally Natural, equally Juft for us Laymen, to esteem and honour fuch as have been the Affertors of our Liberty? Every Man's Memory is bleffed, who has been a Benefactor to the World, and done good to his Country. And that our Author is of this Clafs of Men, must be acknowledged by all the Lovers of Liberty: And it may be faid with the greatest Truth, that he was one of the most useful Writers of the Age. I know that he is thought by many to have been a Deift: But admitting that; none of bis Writings are against Christianity, but highly Serviceable to it. They are all in Defence of private Judgment, and the Rights of Mankind, in Oppofition both to civil and religious Bondage. The late Dr. Codex was a Believer, but what

were the Fruits of his Faith? Did his Belief of the Chriftian Religion make him bumble, meek, and merciful? no; be was a proud Priest, a vile Perfecutor, an ufurping Prelate. I have been told by a Gentleman, who never told a Lye, that during the few Years that Codex was Bishop of Lincoln,

Lincoln, there were more Profecutions in the Spiritual Court there, by his Influence and Order, for Tythes, and other priestly Demands, than there had been from the Reformation down to that Time; What could any Infidel have done worfe? For my part, I fear not to fay, that I think Mr. Gordon was a much better Man, than Dr. Codex. An inspired Apoftle tells us, that Faith without Works, i. e. good Works, is dead; by which he means, that it will not avail any Man to Salvation: And, I doubt not, but a virtuous Infidel will have more Favour fhewn him, than a wicked Prieft. The Principles of Codex, and his enflaving Schemes; have promoted Infidelity more than all the Writings of Infidels. Their Books are eafily answered, and their Arguments fhewn to be weak and inconclufive; but it is impoffible to vindicate Christianity with the Appendages of Codex: And, therefore, if we have not Understanding and Honefty to feparate the true Religion of Jefus from the Corruptions of Priests,

we must all become Infidels.

After

After having faid this, the Editor will not be furprized to hear himself called a Deift. 'Tis the Way of the Priests; whoever oppoJes their Craft, is always marked out to be an Infidel. They do not confider that this Charge will affect the Apostles themselves : For they travelled thro' vaft Regions, to demolish Superftition and spiritual Tyranny. Every one knows the Arts used by Pagan Priests, the various Modes of their Worfhip; their Images, Altars, Bowings, Vestments; all instituted under the fpecious Pretence of exciting Devotion in the People, and doing Honour to the Gods: But the Chriftian Religion calls all thefe the Works of the Devil, to destroy which was one End of Chrift's coming into the World; and whereever bis Religion was received, all these Things fled before it. To be plain, what bave Prieftcraft, Superftition, and spiritual Tyranny; what have Tythes, Bishops, Caf focks, Lawn-Sleeves, and spiritual Courts to do with the Chriftian Religion? Can any Man

a