vious sense, that line (A fecond deluge learning overrun) will be understood of learning in general; and I fancy 'twill be understood only (as 'tis meant) of polite learning, criticifm, poetry, &c. which is the only learning concerned in the fubject of the Eflay. It is true, that the monks did preferve what learning there was, about Nicholas the fifth's time; but those who fucceeded fell into the depth of barbarism, or at least stood at a stay while others arofe from thence, infomuch that even Erafmus and Reuchlin could hardly laugh them out of it. I am highly obliged to the Abbe's zeal in my commendation, and goodness in not concealing what he thinks my error. And his testifying some esteem for the book just at a time when his brethren rais'd a clamour against it, is an inftance of great generofity and candour, which I shall ever acknowledge. Your, &c. LETTER II. To the fame. June 18, 1711. IN your last you informed me of the mistaken zeal of fome people, who seem to make it no less their bufinefs to perfuade men they are erroneous, than doctors do that they are fick; only that they may magnify their own cure, and triumph over an imaginary diftemper. The fimile objected to in my Effay, (Thus avit, like faith, by each man is apply'd : plainly concludes at this fecond line, where ftands a full ftop and what follows (Meanly they seek, &c.) fpeaks only of wit (which is meant by that bleffing, and that fun) for how can the fun of faith be faid to fublime the fouthern wits, and to ripen the genius's of northern climates? I fear, these gentlemen understand grammar as little as they do criticism: and, perhaps, out of good nature to the monks, are willing to take from them the censure of ignorance, and to have it to themselves. The word they refers (as, I am fure, I meant, and as I thought every one muft have known) to thofe Critics there spoken of, who are partial to fome particular fet of writers, to the prejudice of all others. And the very fimile itself, if twice read, may convince them, that the cenfure here of damning, lies not on our church at all, unlefs they call our church one small feet and the cautious words (by each man) manifeftly fhew it a general reflection on all fuch (whoever they are) who entertain those narrow and limited notions of the mercy of the Almighty; which the reformed minifters and prefbyterians are as guilty of as any people living. : Yet after all, I promise you, Sir, if the alteration of a word or two will gratify any man of found faith tho' weak understanding, I will (though it were from no other principle than that of common good nature) comply with it. And if you please but to particularize the fpot where their objection lies (for it is in a very narrow compass) that ftumblingblock, tho' it be but a little pebble, shall be removed out of their way. If the heat of these good difputants (who, I am afraid, being bred up to wrangle in the schools, cannot get rid of the humour all their lives) fhould proceed fo far as to perfonal reflections upon me, I affure you, notwithstanding, I will do or fay nothing, however provok'd (for fome people can no more provoke than oblige) that is unbecoming the true character of a Catholic. I will fet before me the example of that great man, and great faint, Erafmus; who in the midst of calumny proceeded with all the calmnefs of innocence, and the unrevenging fpirit of primitive christianity. However, I would advise them to fuffer the mention of him to pafs unregarded, left I fhould be forced to do that for his reputation which I would never do for my own; I mean, to vindicate fo great a light of our church from the malice of past times, and the ignorance of the prefent, in a language which may extend farther than that in which the trifle about criticism is written. I wish these gentlemen would be contented with finding fault with me only, who will fubmit to them right or wrong, as far as I only am concerned; I have a greater regard to the quiet of mankind than to difturb it for things of fo little confequence as my credit and my fenfe. A little humility can do a poet no hurt, and a little charity would do a priest none: for as, St Austin finely fays, Ubi charitas, ibi humilitas, ubi humilitas, ibi pax. Your, &c. LETTER III. To the fame. July 19, 1711. HE concern which you more than seem to be TH affected with for my reputation, by the feve ral accounts you have fo obligingly given of what reports and cenfures the holy Vandals have thought fit to pass upon me, makes me defirous of telling fo good a friend my whole thoughts of this matter; and of fetting before you, in a clear light, the true state of it. I have ever believed the best piece of fervice one could do to our religion, was openly to exprefs our deteftation and fcorn of all those mean artifices and pia fraudes, which it stands fo little in need of, and which have laid it under fo great a fcandal among its enemies. Nothing has been so much a scarecrow to them, as that too peremptory and uncharitable affertion of an utter impoffibility of falvation to all but ourfelves: invincible ignorance excepted, which indeed fome people define under fo great limitations, and with fuch exclufions, that it feems as if that word were rather invented as a falvo, or expedient, not to be thought to be bold with the thunderbolts of God (which are hurled about fo freely on almost all mankind by the hands of ecclefiaftics) than as a real exception to almoft univerfal damnation. For befides the fmall number of the truly faithful in our Church, we must again fubdivide; the Janfenift is damned by the Jefuit, the Jefuit by the Janfenift, the Scotift by the Thomift, and fo forth. There may be Errors, I grant, but I can't think them of fuch confequence as to destroy utterly the charity of mankind; the very greatest bond in which we are ingaged by God to one another, therefore, I own to you, I was glad of any opportunity to exprefs my diflike of fo fhocking a fentiment as those of the religion I profess are commonly charged with; and I hoped, a flight infinuation, introduced fo cafily by a cafual fimilitude only, could never have given offence; but on the contrary must needs have done good; in a nation and time, wherein we are the fmaller party, and confequently the most misreprefented, and moft in need of vindication. For the fame reafon, I took occafion to mention the fuperftition of fome ages after the subverfion of the Roman Empire, which is too manifest a truth to be denied, and does in no fort reflect upon the prefent profeffors of our faith, who are free from it. Our filence in thefe points may, with some reason, make our adverfaries think we allow and perfift in those bigotries; which yet in reality all good and fenfible men defpife, tho' they are persuaded not to speak against them, I can't tell why, fince now 'tis |