ral one, As there would be nothing left to redress the wrong Reprefentation. For, Reafon, which performs this Office in the falfe Impreffions of Senfe, is the very Faculty employed in making the Impreffions of Reflexion. Were these therefore liable to the fame Kind of Deception, we should be unavoidably led into and kept in Error by the natural Frame and Conftitution of Things. But as this would reflect on the Author of Nature, no Theift, I prefume, will be inclined to admit the Confequence. If the Fatalift fhould reply, that Reafon, when well exercised and refined, does here, as in the falfe Impreffions of Senfe, lay open the Delufion; this, I muft tell him, is the very Folly we complain of: That, when Things are fubmitted to the Arbitrement of Reafon, her Award fhould be rejected while standing in the Road of Nature, with all her Powers and Faculties entire; and not thought worthy to be heard, till made giddy in the airy Heights of Metaphyfics,

taphyfics, and racked and tortured by all the Engines of Sophiftry: In a word, when Reafon is no more herself; but speaks as her Keepers and Tormentors dictate.

However, it is not the looking within only, that affures the Theift of his Freedom. What he may obferve abroad of the horrid Mischiefs and Absurdities arifing from the Doctrine of Fate, will fully convince him of this Truth. It fubverts and annihilates all Religion: For the Belief of Rewards and Punishments, without which no Religion can fubfift, is founded on the Principle of Man's being an accountable Creature; but when Freedom of Will is wanting, Man is no more so than a Clock or Organ. It is likewife highly injurious to Society: For whoever thinks himself no longer in his own Power, will be naturally inclined to give the Reins to his Paffions, as it is fubmitting to that Fate which muft at last abfolutely turn and direct them.

But

But after all, the most powerful Argument for Freedom, I confefs, Sir, is fuch a Life as yours. Of which, tho' I could fay much, and with Pleasure, I will only fay, that it has made me, in common with every one who knows you,

May 18, 1742.

Your obliged,

Your affectionate, and

Your faithful Servant,

W. WARBURTON.

PREFAC E.

T

HERE are two forts of Writers, I mean the BIGOT and the FREETHINKER, that every honeft Man in his Heart esteems no better than the Pests of Society; as they are manifeftly the Bane of Literature, and Religion. And whoever effectually endeavours to ferve either of Thefe, is fure immediately to offend both of Thofe. For, the Advancement of Literature is as favourable to true Piety, as it is fatal to Superftition; and the Advancement of Religion as propitious to real Knowledge as difcrediting to vain Science.

The Author of the following Letters, who hath aimed at leaft to do this Service, by his Writings, regarding these two forts of Men, as the irreconcileable Enemies of his defign, began without any Ceremony (for he was not difpofed, for their Sake, to go about) to break through thofe lumpifh impediments they had thrown across the Road of Truth; and labour'd to clear the

way, not only for himself, but for all who were difpofed to follow him. In which it fared with him as it fometimes happens to those who undertake to remove a public Nufance for the Benefit of their Neighbourhood, where the nicer Nofes hold themselves offended even in the Service thus undefervedly rendered to them. For notwithstanding our Author hath taken all Opportunities, and even fought out Occafions to celebrate every Writer, living or dead, who was any way refpectable for Knowledge, Virtue, or Piety, in whatever Party, Sect, or Religion he was found, efpecially fuch as he had the Misfortune to diffent from, and this fometimes with fo liberal a hand as to give offence on that fide likewife; tho' he hath done this, I fay, yet having, for the Reafons above, declared eternal War with Bigotry and Free-thinking, the ftrong, yet fincere Colours in which he hath drawn the Learning, Senfe, Candour, and Truth of thofe Subjects in which thefe noble Qualities are most eminent, have been cenfured as Infolence and Satire, and a Tranfgreffion of all the bounds of Civility and Decorum. But

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