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book_n high_a young_a youth_n 21 3 7.7404 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A53501 A treatise concerning the causes of the present corruption of Christians and the remedies thereof; Traité des sources de la corruption qui règne aujourd'hui parmi les Chrestiens. English Ostervald, Jean Frédéric, 1663-1747.; Mutel, Charles. 1700 (1700) Wing O532; ESTC R11917 234,448 610

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preservative_n but_o these_o book_n be_v not_o much_o better_a than_o the_o other_o nay_o i_o can_v tell_v whether_o they_o be_v not_o more_o dangerous_a those_o morality_n be_v very_o ill_o place_v and_o few_o people_n be_v the_o better_a for_o they_o it_o be_v a_o very_a suspicious_a kind_n of_o morality_n which_o come_v from_o the_o pen_n of_o those_o author_n who_o write_v indifferent_o upon_o matter_n of_o love_n and_o religious_a subject_n who_o sometime_o seem_v to_o be_v libertine_n and_o sometime_o devout_a who_o after_o they_o have_v say_v a_o hundred_o licentious_a thing_n give_v you_o the_o history_n of_o a_o great_a many_o disorder_n and_o relate_v several_a scandalous_a passage_n entertain_v you_o with_o devotion_n and_o piety_n this_o be_v a_o monstrous_a mixture_n if_o those_o author_n be_v true_o religious_a they_o will_v forbear_v write_v those_o thing_n which_o religion_n condemn_v and_o which_o scandalize_v the_o public_a such_o book_n be_v particular_o fit_a to_o 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in_o the_o world_n what_o be_v so_o many_o book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n so_o many_o scandalous_a novel_n either_o feign_v or_o true_a and_o so_o many_o licentious_a piece_n of_o poetry_n but_o the_o production_n of_o that_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o dissoluteness_n which_o prevail_v in_o this_o age_n nay_o even_o book_n of_o learning_n which_o treat_v of_o serious_a subject_n have_v a_o mixture_n of_o impurity_n this_o infection_n be_v diffuse_v through_o all_o sort_n of_o book_n and_o appear_v every_o day_n in_o some_o new_a shape_n as_o the_o number_n of_o impure_a book_n be_v great_a so_o their_o effect_n be_v most_o pernicious_a and_o none_o ought_v to_o wonder_v that_o i_o shall_v assign_v these_o book_n as_o one_o of_o the_o general_a cause_n of_o corruption_n no_o bad_a book_n be_v more_o general_o read_v than_o these_o none_o can_v with_o more_o reason_n be_v call_v public_a fountain_n of_o vice_n and_o dissoluteness_n the_o mischief_n they_o do_v in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v imagine_v they_o prove_v to_o a_o infinity_n of_o person_n but_o especial_o to_o young_a people_n school_n of_o licentiousness_n it_o be_v by_o the_o read_n of_o they_o that_o youth_n learn_v to_o know_v and_o to_o love_v vice_n that_o age_n be_v prone_a to_o pleasure_n and_o to_o every_o thing_n that_o gratify_v sense_n and_o that_o inclination_n be_v so_o much_o the_o strong_a because_o it_o be_v cherish_v and_o fortify_v by_o a_o education_n altogether_o sensual_a and_o because_o young_a people_n for_o want_n of_o good_a instruction_n have_v not_o much_o piety_n nor_o any_o great_a aversion_n to_o vice_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o judge_v that_o they_o be_v susceptible_a of_o those_o passion_n which_o gratify_v sensuality_n and_o that_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o they_o to_o resist_v those_o impression_n which_o the_o read_n of_o impure_a book_n convey_v into_o their_o mind_n we_o see_v in_o fact_n that_o uncleanness_n be_v common_o the_o first_o sin_n and_o the_o first_o passion_n which_o seduce_v man_n in_o their_o youth_n and_o which_o engage_v they_o into_o vice_n for_o their_o whole_a life_n for_o it_o seldom_o happen_v but_o that_o all_o the_o age_n of_o life_n retain_v a_o spice_n of_o the_o irregularity_n of_o youth_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o these_o book_n have_v their_o advocate_n many_o person_n reckon_v that_o there_o be_v no_o harm_n either_o in_o read_v or_o even_o in_o publish_v they_o if_o we_o believe_v some_o author_n who_o infect_v the_o public_a with_o book_n full_a of_o obscenity_n none_o but_o fantastical_a people_n posseff_v with_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o precise_a devotion_n find_v fault_n with_o those_o who_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a and_o in_o defence_n of_o their_o opinion_n they_o allege_v this_o maxim_n 15._o maxim_n tit._n 1._o 15._o to_o the_o pure_a all_o thing_n be_v pure_a as_o if_o st._n paul_n who_o do_v not_o allow_v christian_n so_o much_o as_o to_o speak_v a_o undecent_a word_n do_v permit_v they_o to_o read_v and_o write_v thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o modesty_n and_o may_v occasion_v scandal_n from_o this_o maxim_n they_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o be_v those_o book_n that_o offend_v modesty_n or_o religion_n and_o they_o protest_v that_o for_o their_o part_n the_o reading_z of_o they_o do_v not_o defile_v their_o imagination_n i_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a frame_n of_o those_o man_n heart_n perhaps_o impure_a idea_n and_o lascivious_a object_n be_v grow_v so_o familiar_a to_o they_o that_o they_o do_v no_o long_o perceive_v that_o such_o idea_n and_o object_n make_v any_o impression_n upon_o they_o but_o it_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o people_n can_v preserve_v a_o chaste_a heart_n when_o they_o delight_v in_o write_v or_o read_v filthy_a thing_n after_o all_o though_o they_o read_v of_o such_o work_n shall_v have_v no_o ill_a effect_n upon_o some_o person_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o more_o who_o will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v every_o many_o who_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n to_o detest_v impure_a book_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v be_v grant_v by_o many_o but_o it_o will_v be_v think_v that_o to_o rank_a book_n of_o love_n and_o gallantry_n among_o impure_a book_n and_o to_o condemn_v the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v something_o to_o severe_a i_o confess_v that_o all_o those_o book_n be_v not_o equal_o bad_a and_o that_o some_o do_v not_o hurt_v modesty_n so_o visible_o as_o other_o do_v but_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o many_o in_o which_o a_o spirit_n of_o impurity_n and_o licentiousness_n may_v not_o be_v observe_v that_o love_n which_o make_v the_o subject_a of_o so_o many_o book_n be_v nothing_o else_o at_o bottom_n but_o a_o impure_a and_o irregular_a passion_n of_o which_o the_o gospel_n oblige_v we_o to_o stifle_v the_o very_a first_o motion_n what_o the_o world_n call_v a_o mere_a intrigue_n of_o gallantry_n be_v sometime_o a_o pretty_a large_a step_n towards_o the_o sin_n of_o adultery_n sin_n indeed_o may_v be_v disguise_v in_o those_o book_n under_o another_o name_n and_o may_v be_v dress_v in_o a_o modest_a garb_n but_o that_o make_v it_o slide_v the_o more_o easy_o into_o the_o mind_n it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o dally_v with_o thing_n which_o deserve_v the_o almost_o aversion_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o it_o be_v almost_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o horror_n of_o impurity_n and_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o come_v near_o it_o must_v insensible_o abate_v in_o any_o one_o who_o be_v addict_v to_o such_o readins_n there_o be_v two_o maxim_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o decide_v this_o matter_n the_o one_o be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_n the_o other_o that_o in_o thing_n indifferent_a we_o ought_v to_o avoid_v whatsoever_o may_v prove_v a_o scandal_n or_o a_o occasion_n of_o fall_v to_o any_o body_n especial_o when_o the_o scandal_n may_v be_v foresee_v now_o here_o be_v at_o least_o the_o appearance_n of_o evil_a it_o be_v certain_a that_o divers_a person_n will_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o those_o book_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o read_v arid_a publish_v of_o they_o can_v be_v excuse_v but_o as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o maintain_v etc._n *_o 1_o theff_n v._o xxii_o see_v rom._n fourteen_o 1._o cop._n x._o etc._n etc._n that_o the_o book_n in_o question_n may_v be_v read_v without_o sin_n it_o be_v pretend_v beside_o that_o the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a to_o open_v the_o mind_n of_o young_a people_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o valuable_a quality_n to_o have_v quick_a and_o well-fashioned_a part_n but_o there_o be_v other_o book_n which_o may_v be_v read_v without_o danger_n and_o which_o be_v much_o fit_a to_o form_v the_o mind_n and_o judgement_n of_o young_a people_n than_o book_n of_o gallantry_n the_o read_n of_o which_o every_o body_n know_v have_v often_o spoil_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v give_v to_o it_o the_o great_a mischief_n that_o attend_v this_o kind_n of_o read_v be_v that_o it_o corrupt_v the_o heart_n and_o sully_n the_o imagination_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o open_v the_o mind_n now_o it_o be_v better_a to_o have_v a_o little_a less_o of_o that_o fashionableness_n and_o politeness_n of_o part_n which_o be_v so_o much_o esteem_v in_o the_o world_n than_o to_o acquire_v it_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o one_o innocency_n but_o some_o people_n do_v not_o stop_v here_o they_o proceed_v so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v that_o these_o book_n be_v useful_a even_o in_o reference_n to_o religion_n and_o that_o they_o be_v proper_a to_o restrain_v youth_n from_o vice_n because_o we_o see_v in_o they_o the_o folly_n and_o misfortune_n which_o irregular_a passion_n betray_v man_n into_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v that_o this_o be_v allege_v in_o earnest_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a sort_n of_o remedy_n against_o impurity_n to_o make_v agreeable_a picture_n of_o love_n and_o to_o represent_v minutely_o and_o in_o a_o natural_a and_o insinuate_a manner_n all_o the_o motion_n which_o that_o passion_n excite_v in_o those_o who_o be_v possess_v with_o it_o we_o must_v be_v very_o ill_o acquaint_v with_o the_o temper_n of_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o young_a people_n if_o we_o can_v fancy_v that_o the_o read_n of_o such_o book_n will_v put_v they_o upon_o moral_a reflection_n and_o inspire_v they_o with_o a_o aversion_n to_o vice_n daily_a experience_n show_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o vain_a or_o false_a than_o such_o a_o imagination_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o at_o least_o those_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v except_v in_o which_o among_o love-matter_n and_o licentious_a subject_n the_o reader_n meet_v with_o fine_a morality_n which_o may_v however_o serve_v for_o a_o
a_o treatise_n concern_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o present_a corruption_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o remedy_n thereof_o part_n i._n london_n print_v for_o ri._n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n s_o churchyard_n 1700._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a gilbert_n lord_n bishop_n of_o sarum_n chancellor_n of_o the_o most_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n my_o lord_n the_o treatise_n i_o now_o humble_o offer_v to_o your_o lordship_n in_o english_a have_v meet_v with_o a_o very_a great_a and_o general_a applause_n in_o french_a a_o second_o edition_n of_o it_o be_v desire_v in_o less_o than_o two_o month_n after_o the_o first_o and_o it_o be_v already_o translate_v into_o more_o language_n than_o one_o but_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o weigh_v more_o than_o any_o other_o commendation_n be_v the_o high_a value_n your_o lordship_n set_v upon_o this_o book_n for_o if_o the_o most_o accomplish_v writer_n be_v the_o best_a judge_n of_o other_o man_n work_n there_o lie_v no_o appeal_n from_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n concern_v the_o worth_n of_o this_o i_o have_v hear_v your_o lordship_n deliver_v your_o opinion_n of_o this_o performance_n in_o a_o very_a particular_a manner_n and_o reckon_v it_o among_o the_o best_a book_n that_o this_o age_n have_v produce_v and_o that_o in_o all_o respect_n both_o for_o piety_n and_o learning_n good_a sense_n and_o true_a judgement_n your_o lordship_n think_v fit_a that_o so_o valuable_a a_o work_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o english_a you_o be_v please_v my_o lord_n to_o commit_v this_o translation_n to_o my_o care_n and_o i_o can_v wish_v i_o have_v be_v as_o well_o qualify_v for_o that_o office_n as_o i_o be_v desirous_a to_o discharge_v it_o to_o your_o lordship_n satisfaction_n but_o i_o be_o conscious_a of_o my_o want_n of_o ability_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o i_o fear_v the_o work_n of_o the_o reverend_n and_o worthy_a author_n who_o honour_v i_o with_o some_o share_n in_o his_o friendship_n have_v lose_v several_a beauty_n and_o grace_n by_o pass_v through_o my_o hand_n however_o my_o lord_n i_o have_v render_v his_o sense_n as_o faithful_o as_o i_o can_v and_o that_o be_v all_o i_o will_v be_v accountable_a for_o to_o the_o reader_n for_o if_o among_o that_o variety_n of_o nice_a and_o tender_a subject_n which_o be_v touch_v here_o the_o author_n mix_v any_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o suit_n with_o every_o body_n notion_n it_o be_v his_o province_n and_o not_o i_o to_o defend_v it_o he_o live_v in_o one_o of_o the_o remote_a country_n in_o which_o the_o protestant_a religion_n be_v receive_v and_o in_o what_o he_o write_v he_o have_v his_o own_o neighbourhood_n chief_o in_o view_n so_o that_o his_o main_a design_n be_v to_o corect_v thing_n within_o his_o reach_n to_o which_o the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v now_o in_o eminent_a danger_n led_z him_z but_o i_o leave_v to_o your_o lordship_n to_o judge_v whether_o that_o which_o he_o think_v proper_a for_o his_o own_o church_n may_v not_o be_v likewise_o of_o good_a use_n to_o other_o and_o now_o my_o lord_n i_o do_v glad_o embrace_v this_o opportunity_n to_o make_v a_o public_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o extraordinary_a obligation_n your_o lordship_n have_v lay_v upon_o i_o a_o post_n in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o great_a favour_n i_o have_v receive_v at_o your_o hand_n i_o reckon_v myself_o much_o more_o beholden_a to_o your_o lordship_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o your_o example_n and_o instruction_n which_o i_o have_v enjoy_v several_a year_n in_o your_o family_n but_o here_o i_o must_v make_v a_o full_a stop_n and_o how_o much_o soever_o i_o be_o incline_v to_o say_v a_o great_a deal_n upon_o the_o subject_n yet_o i_o know_v your_o lordship_n too_o well_o to_o venture_v on_o it_o for_o whatever_o i_o may_v think_v i_o know_v i_o must_v say_v nothing_o the_o best_a return_n i_o can_v make_v for_o the_o large_a experience_n i_o have_v have_v of_o your_o lordship_n kindness_n and_o generosity_n be_v to_o put_v up_o my_o most_o hearty_a prayer_n for_o the_o long_a continuance_n of_o your_o lordship_n life_n and_o happiness_n and_o for_o the_o last_a prosperity_n of_o your_o family_n this_o i_o do_v my_o lord_n as_o true_o as_o i_o profess_v myself_o with_o all_o possible_a respect_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a most_o dutiful_a and_o most_o oblige_a servant_n charles_n mutel_n the_o author_n preface_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o wonder_v at_o the_o great_a corruption_n that_o at_o present_a be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o christian_n the_o religion_n they_o profess_v do_v chief_o tend_v to_o sanctify_v man_n and_o to_o purge_v the_o world_n from_o corruption_n and_o vice_n and_o one_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v produce_v that_o effect_n since_o it_o afford_v such_o a_o clear_a light_n such_o powerful_a motive_n and_o such_o effectual_a help_n to_o holiness_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o whoever_o inquire_v into_o the_o notion_n and_o manner_n of_o christian_n must_v have_v no_o great_a share_n of_o sincerity_n or_o judgement_n if_o he_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v that_o religion_n have_v but_o littil_a influence_n upon_o their_o mind_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o amaze_a contradiction_n between_o their_o life_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o christianity_n this_o corruption_n be_v so_o evident_a and_o so_o general_o confess_v that_o i_o need_v not_o stand_v to_o prove_v it_o take_v it_o then_o for_o grant_v that_o christian_n live_v in_o a_o great_a neglect_n of_o their_o duty_n it_o be_v natural_a to_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o corruption_n and_o to_o consider_v what_o remedy_n shall_v be_v apply_v to_o it_o this_o be_v what_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v in_o this_o treatise_n in_o hope_n that_o such_o a_o enquiry_n will_v not_o be_v altogether_o unuseful_a for_o first_o it_o may_v contribute_v to_o maintain_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o confute_v infidel_n and_o libertine_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o despise_v it_o because_o its_o precept_n be_v little_o practise_v if_o religion_n say_v they_o be_v true_a and_o divine_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o it_o have_v so_o little_a efficacy_n and_o that_o there_o appear_v so_o much_o disorder_n and_o licentiousness_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o it_o to_o undeceive_v such_o man_n and_o to_o infuse_v into_o they_o a_o great_a respect_n for_o religion_n it_o be_v of_o very_o great_a importance_n to_o discover_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o piety_n and_o to_o show_v that_o if_o man_n be_v corrupt_v it_o be_v not_o because_o christ_n religion_n be_v insufficient_a to_o introduce_v virtue_n and_o order_n into_o the_o world_n but_o that_o this_o evil_n flow_v from_o some_o other_o cause_n and_o that_o if_o christian_n do_v what_o they_o may_v and_o ought_v to_o do_v true_a piety_n will_v not_o be_v so_o uncommon_a as_o it_o be_v among_o they_o a_o second_o advantage_n which_o may_v be_v reap_v from_o this_o enquiry_n be_v this_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o it_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o corruption_n may_v be_v it_o be_v not_o however_o as_o many_o imagine_v past_a remedy_n which_o imagination_n be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a prejudice_n while_o man_n look_v on_o it_o as_o impossible_a to_o stem_v the_o tide_n of_o corruption_n and_o to_o re-establish_a order_n and_o purity_n of_o manner_n in_o the_o world_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v it_o they_o let_v thing_n go_v on_o at_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o so_o the_o disorder_n increase_v and_o spread_v far_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o we_o corruption_n be_v great_a general_a and_o inveterate_a but_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o incurable_a disease_n the_o fountain_n of_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v discover_v and_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o stop_v they_o i_o hope_v this_o will_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o those_o who_o shall_v attentive_o and_o without_o prepossession_n consider_v what_o be_v propose_v in_o this_o work_n three_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n more_o likely_a to_o remove_v this_o corruption_n than_o to_o cut_v off_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o sure_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o compendious_a method_n one_o of_o the_o main_a reason_n why_o so_o many_o excellent_a book_n design_v to_o inspire_v man_n with_o a_o love_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n have_v not_o all_o the_o effect_n that_o may_v be_v expect_v from_o they_o be_v that_o the_o author_n do_v not_o sufficient_o observe_v the_o general_a cause_n of_o the_o depravation_n of_o manner_n it_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o deplore_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n to_o exhort_v man_n and_o to_o give_v they_o fine_a lesson_n of_o morality_n the_o work_n of_o reformation_n can_v
subject_a to_o the_o same_o passion_n with_o the_o vulgar_a and_o that_o those_o passion_n hinder_v they_o from_o discern_v the_o truth_n these_o maker_n of_o objection_n who_o pretend_v to_o politeness_n and_o wit_n be_v not_o general_o sound_v at_o heart_n but_o they_o love_v licentiousness_n they_o be_v not_o addict_v perhaps_o to_o a_o gross_a and_o shameful_a but_o to_o a_o more_o refine_a libertinism_n they_o observe_v a_o little_a decorum_n but_o they_o do_v not_o relish_v the_o maxim_n of_o devotion_n and_o piety_n and_o they_o can_v endure_v to_o be_v tie_v to_o they_o vanity_n have_v likewise_o a_o great_a share_n in_o their_o conduct_n a_o great_a many_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v for_o their_o credit_n to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o the_o vulgar_a and_o not_o to_o believe_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o people_n and_o when_o they_o have_v once_o embrace_v this_o way_n and_o set_v up_o for_o sceptic_n in_o the_o world_n they_o think_v themselves_o bind_v in_o point_n of_o honour_n to_o maintain_v that_o character_n man_n of_o knowledge_n be_v sometime_o govern_v by_o many_o prejudices_fw-la and_o false_a motive_n a_o preconceive_a notion_n or_o a_o mere_a circumstance_n be_v sufficient_a to_o determine_v they_o to_o the_o embrace_v of_o a_o opinion_n what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o conduct_n of_o prince_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o the_o opinion_n and_o hypothesis_n of_o the_o learned_a war_n and_o such_o other_o great_a event_n upon_o which_o the_o fate_n of_o nation_n depend_v and_o which_o make_v so_o much_o stir_v in_o the_o world_n do_v not_o always_o proceed_v from_o wise_a and_o mature_a deliberation_n sometime_o they_o be_v but_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o passion_n of_o a_o humour_n or_o of_o some_o particular_a circumstance_n thus_o it_o be_v with_o the_o learned_a we_o think_v too_o well_o of_o they_o if_o we_o fancy_v that_o they_o be_v always_o determine_v by_o the_o great_a weight_n of_o reason_n the_o motive_n which_o prompt_v they_o to_o maintain_v certain_a opinion_n be_v often_o very_o slight_a they_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o this_o they_o think_v themselves_o guide_v by_o reason_n and_o they_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o true_a principle_n of_o their_o action_n or_o judgement_n if_o infidel_n do_v strict_o examine_v themselves_o they_o will_v find_v perhaps_o that_o their_o scruple_n be_v first_o raise_v and_o have_v be_v maintain_v since_o either_o by_o some_o book_n they_o read_v when_o they_o be_v young_a or_o by_o the_o love_n they_o have_v for_o some_o person_n or_o by_o their_o aversion_n to_o other_o or_o by_o some_o ill_a treatment_n they_o have_v meet_v with_o or_o by_o the_o praise_n which_o have_v be_v give_v they_o for_o their_o wit_n or_o by_o some_o prejudice_n they_o have_v conceive_v against_o religion_n in_o general_n when_o they_o hear_v it_o ill_o defend_v or_o against_o certain_a tenet_n which_o be_v particular_a to_o the_o society_n they_o live_v in_o and_o manifest_o absurd_a or_o by_o some_o other_o motion_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o we_o call_v to_o mind_n in_o the_o last_o place_n what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o treatise_n to_o wit_n that_o few_o christian_n apply_v themselves_o sincere_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o general_a truth_n and_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n we_o shall_v not_o wonder_v that_o among_o so_o many_o who_o never_o inquire_v into_o the_o proof_n of_o religion_n some_o shall_v be_v inveigle_v by_o the_o objection_n of_o libertine_n and_o fall_v into_o infidelity_n i_o have_v in_o a_o manner_n step_v out_o of_o my_o way_n but_o this_o digression_n be_v not_o impertinent_a since_o these_o consideration_n may_v serve_v as_o a_o remedy_n against_o incredulity_n and_o scepticism_n which_o some_o author_n will_v fain_o establish_v by_o their_o write_n one_o will_v think_v that_o every_o body_n shall_v abhor_v those_o impious_a book_n but_o yet_o they_o be_v read_v and_o like_v by_o many_o person_n young_a people_n especial_o who_o for_o the_o most_o part_n love_v novelty_n and_o be_v incline_v to_o vanity_n and_o licentiousness_n do_v easy_o imbibe_n the_o principle_n which_o be_v scatter_v through_o such_o book_n they_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o genteelness_n the_o wit_n and_o some_o kind_n of_o learning_n which_o they_o common_o find_v there_o be_v not_o well_o ground_v in_o religion_n they_o be_v strike_v with_o the_o reason_n of_o infidel_n they_o very_o first_o objection_n puzzle_v they_o they_o begin_v to_o doubt_v of_o many_o thing_n and_o in_o a_o little_a time_n they_o become_v thorough-paced_n sceptic_n i_o leave_v any_o one_o to_o judge_v what_o effect_n this_o may_v produce_v in_o a_o age_n so_o prone_a to_o vice_n as_o this_o be_v and_o if_o young_a people_n can_v avoid_v be_v corrupt_v when_o they_o be_v no_o long_o restrain_v by_o religion_n and_o conscience_n there_o be_v no_o condition_n more_o remediless_a nor_o be_v there_o any_o state_n more_o deplorable_a than_o when_o incredulity_n be_v join_v with_o dissoluteness_n of_o manner_n people_z then_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v reclaim_v age_n and_o ill_a life_n fortify_v their_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n and_o they_o continue_v in_o that_o state_n to_o their_o die_a day_n this_o be_v the_o fruit_n which_o many_o reap_v from_o the_o read_n of_o those_o pernicious_a book_n but_o it_o be_v not_o all_o the_o mischief_n which_o be_v occasion_v by_o such_o write_n they_o may_v fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o who_o have_v no_o great_a compass_n of_o knowledge_n and_o beget_v several_a scruple_n in_o the_o mind_n even_o of_o good_a men._n after_o these_o reflection_n i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o no_o book_n be_v more_o dangerous_a than_o these_o and_o that_o to_o have_v the_o confidence_n of_o publish_v they_o be_v a_o superlative_a degree_n of_o impiety_n ii_o the_o book_n i_o have_v now_o speak_v of_o assault_n religion_n and_o piety_n in_o general_n and_o by_o consequence_n open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o disorder_n and_o vice_n there_o be_v other_o which_o though_o they_o do_v not_o attack_v the_o principle_n of_o faith_n do_v yet_o introduce_v licentiousness_n of_o manner_n it_o will_v be_v a_o long_a work_n if_o i_o shall_v specify_v here_o their_o several_a sort_n which_o be_v as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v vice_n passion_n or_o receive_v error_n among_o man_n this_o be_v a_o detail_n which_o i_o can_v enter_v into_o be_v then_o force_v to_o stint_v myself_o i_o shall_v only_o speak_v of_o impure_a book_n and_o i_o choose_v this_o particular_a species_n of_o ill_a book_n because_o the_o number_n of_o these_o be_v not_o only_o very_o great_a but_o because_o they_o be_v those_o likewise_o which_o do_v most_o general_o corrupt_v men._n their_o number_n be_v prodigious_a first_o we_o have_v the_o obscene_a book_n of_o the_o heathen_a which_o be_v not_o only_o read_v by_o man_n but_o be_v put_v likewise_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o youth_n some_o people_n be_v so_o infatuate_v with_o these_o book_n that_o they_o fancy_v a_o man_n can_v be_v a_o master_n of_o greek_a or_o latin_a unless_o he_o have_v read_v all_o the_o obscenity_n write_v in_o those_o two_o language_n which_o be_v as_o extravagant_a a_o opinion_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v pretend_v that_o whosever_v design_n to_o acquire_v a_o thorough_a knowledge_n of_o the_o french_a or_o of_o any_o other_o live_a language_n and_o to_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v and_o write_v elegant_o in_o it_o must_v read_v all_o the_o lewd_a poem_n and_o all_o the_o scandalous_a book_n which_o this_o age_n have_v produce_v second_o beside_o impure_a book_n of_o pagan_a author_n we_o have_v those_o that_o be_v write_v by_o christian_n the_o world_n be_v ove-run_a with_o book_n of_o this_o stamp_n their_o number_n increase_v every_o day_n and_o their_o amaze_a multitude_n be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o extreme_a corruption_n of_o the_o time_n it_o be_v the_o last_o degree_n of_o impudence_n to_o write_v in_o that_o style_n and_o then_o to_o disperse_v it_o in_o the_o world_n by_o the_o press_n the_o dissolution_n must_v need_v be_v very_o great_a when_o this_o be_v do_v so_o free_o and_o so_o often_o as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o age._n nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o lascivious_a or_o execrable_a than_o some_o book_n which_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v publish_v from_o time_n to_o time_n paganism_n do_v never_o produce_v any_o thing_n more_o abominable_a upon_o the_o head_n of_o impurity_n than_o several_a work_n which_o be_v hatch_v in_o the_o very_a bosom_n of_o christianity_n so_o that_o in_o this_o respect_v christian_n have_v no_o cause_n to_o reproach_n heathen_n these_o detestable_a book_n be_v not_o the_o only_a impure_a one_o nor_o perhaps_o the_o more_o dangerous_a vast_a number_n of_o other_o be_v currant_n
and_o solid_a enough_o we_o find_v nothing_o else_o in_o some_o of_o they_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o thought_n which_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o one_o another_o of_o rhetorical_a figure_n allegory_n and_o comparison_n fetch_v from_o the_o old_a testament_n or_o from_o profane_a history_n these_o thing_n may_v have_v their_o use_n they_o may_v be_v place_n in_o a_o sermon_n but_o not_o to_o say_v that_o sometime_o those_o thought_n and_o comparison_n be_v not_o very_o apposite_a or_o suitable_a to_o the_o subject_a i_o shall_v only_o observe_v that_o something_o more_o than_o this_o be_v necessary_a to_o stir_v up_o devotion_n in_o the_o communicant_o i_o do_v but_o just_a name_n this_o because_o i_o have_v deliver_v my_o opinion_n more_o at_o large_a concern_v this_o defect_n in_o my_o three_o reflection_n upon_o book_n of_o morality_n and_o in_o the_o 5_o upon_o book_n of_o devotion_n 2._o other_o book_n of_o preparation_n be_v too_o general_a they_o only_o consider_v in_o the_o lump_n the_o duty_n of_o christian_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o communion_n they_o speak_v of_o self-examination_n repentance_n faith_n and_o charity_n but_o all_o this_o be_v of_o no_o great_a use_n to_o many_o gross_a and_o ignorant_a christian_n who_o neither_o know_v those_o duty_n nor_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v perform_v beside_o all_o those_o who_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o condition_n some_o be_v good_a man_n and_o other_o impious_a and_o hypocritical_a person_n there_o be_v likewise_o several_a degree_n of_o good_a man_n as_o well_o as_o of_o hypocrite_n and_o ungodly_a person_n and_o the_o same_o man_n may_v be_v better_a or_o worse_o at_o one_o time_n than_o he_o be_v at_o another_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v fit_v that_o book_n of_o preparation_n be_v compose_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o every_o reader_n may_v be_v lead_v by_o they_o into_o those_o reflection_n which_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o state_n he_o be_v in_o it_o be_v a_o gross_a error_n to_o imagine_v that_o a_o general_a preparation_n or_o discourse_n concern_v the_o receive_n of_o the_o sacrament_n be_v proper_a for_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n i_o confess_v that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o fault_n of_o all_o the_o book_n of_o preparation_n some_o we_o have_v which_o be_v particular_a enough_o the_o true_a character_n by_o which_o every_o man_n may_v know_v his_o own_o state_n be_v very_o exact_o describe_v by_o some_o author_n but_o it_o be_v a_o unhappiness_n that_o such_o work_n be_v not_o better_o calculate_v for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o common_a people_n 3._o i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v in_o the_o three_o place_n that_o the_o too_o severe_a notion_n which_o some_o book_n give_v of_o the_o communion_n be_v one_o of_o the_o cause_n why_o so_o many_o people_n do_v neither_o live_v nor_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n as_o they_o ought_v it_o be_v a_o sad_a thing_n that_o the_o mind_n of_o christian_n shall_v be_v fill_v with_o so_o many_o scruple_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o sacrament_n by_o inconsiderate_a discourse_n and_o over-strained_n maxim_n writer_n and_o preacher_n do_v sometime_o speak_v of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n as_o if_o every_o thing_n in_o it_o be_v full_a of_o snare_n and_o as_o if_o hell_n and_o damnation_n be_v constant_o wait_v about_o it_o they_o represent_v the_o communion_n as_o so_o extraordinary_a so_o difficult_a and_o so_o dangerous_a a_o action_n that_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v those_o discourse_n be_v tempt_v to_o keep_v off_o from_o the_o holy_a table_n and_o despair_v of_o partake_v of_o it_o as_o they_o ought_v so_o that_o whereas_o there_o shall_v be_v nothing_o but_o joy_n when_o the_o eucharist_n be_v celebrate_v in_o the_o church_n many_o be_v then_o agitate_a with_o extreme_a perplexity_n and_o terror_n by_o this_o indiscreet_a severity_n it_o happen_v that_o many_o good_a man_n receive_v the_o sacrament_n without_o comfort_n because_o their_o conscience_n be_v disturb_v with_o divers_a scruple_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o read_n of_o those_o book_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o pious_a christian_n who_o never_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o with_o strange_a apprehension_n and_o dread_n in_o so_o much_o that_o several_a think_v they_o receive_v it_o to_o their_o condemnation_n nay_o this_o discourage_v likewise_o many_o sinner_n who_o have_v some_o inclination_n to_o good_a and_o some_o desire_n to_o set_v about_o the_o work_n of_o repentance_n indeed_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n not_o to_o flatter_v sinner_n in_o their_o vice_n nor_o to_o propose_v to_o they_o too_o easy_a a_o devotion_n and_o morality_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a in_o my_o judgement_n to_o give_v they_o a_o great_a idea_n of_o the_o purity_n which_o be_v require_v in_o so_o holy_a and_o solemn_a a_o action_n as_o the_o communion_n be_v and_o of_o the_o state_n which_o a_o christian_a ought_v then_o to_o be_v in_o but_o as_o this_o state_n of_o purity_n and_o holiness_n be_v attain_v only_o by_o degree_n that_o idea_n how_o true_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v be_v apt_a to_o fright_v a_o sinner_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o conversion_n because_o he_o do_v not_o find_v in_o himself_o at_o first_o all_o the_o character_n of_o true_a repentance_n and_o sincere_a regeneration_n he_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v inform_v that_o the_o beginning_n of_o repentance_n be_v weak_a that_o it_o have_v its_o degree_n and_o its_o progress_n and_o so_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v dishearten_v that_o god_n will_v accept_v of_o his_o devotion_n and_o endeavour_n provide_v his_o repentance_n increase_v afterward_o and_o he_o forsake_v his_o sin_n honest_o the_o matter_n be_v over_o do_v in_o point_n of_o devotion_n and_o morality_n not_o only_a when_o we_o propose_v rule_n which_o be_v too_o rigid_a but_o also_o when_o we_o say_v thing_n which_o though_o true_a and_o consonant_a to_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o sufficient_o accommodate_v to_o the_o state_n of_o those_o we_o speak_v to_o these_o be_v the_o principal_a reflection_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o bestow_v both_o upon_o book_n of_o religion_n and_o upon_o bad_a book_n all_o that_o remain_v now_o be_v to_o inquire_v what_o remedy_n be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o cause_n of_o corruption_n the_o sure_a of_o all_o will_v be_v to_o exterminate_v all_o the_o ill_a book_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o none_o such_o shall_v be_v make_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v but_o as_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v the_o only_a remedy_n which_o can_v be_v try_v be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v the_o effect_n of_o bad_a book_n and_o on_o the_o other_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o read_v and_o to_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o good_a book_n the_o book_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o religion_n and_o good_a manner_n may_v easy_o be_v know_v but_o how_o to_o keep_v man_n from_o read_v and_o be_v corrupt_v by_o they_o be_v the_o difficulty_n and_o in_o all_o probability_n this_o be_v a_o point_n which_o will_v never_o be_v entire_o gain_v yet_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o prevent_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o mischief_n which_o those_o book_n occasion_n in_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o this_o it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o take_v care_n in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o young_a people_n may_v not_o read_v book_n which_o inspire_v libertinism_n to_o this_o end_n the_o author_n who_o have_v write_v thing_n repugnant_a to_o modesty_n and_o honesty_n shall_v be_v expel_v the_o school_n it_o be_v a_o surprise_v thing_n that_o the_o ecclesiastic_n who_o have_v the_o direction_n of_o academy_n and_o college_n and_o who_o be_v bind_v by_o their_o character_n to_o redress_v this_o abuse_n have_v not_o do_v it_o yet_o in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o in_o family_n book_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o corrupt_v youth_n shall_v be_v take_v out_o of_o their_o way_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v 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