Let them fhew us, if they can, how the ufe of reafon and their damning creeds ས་ agree; and the confiftency of curfing in churches, or that it is lefs fhocking for men to damn their neighbours in the worship of God, than in an ale-house or a gin-fhop! It can never be a just defence of these things, to tell us, that they are established by law. Human authority is not the ftandard of Truth; nor is it in the power of any men to make that which is wrong, to be right. A law compelling us to eat what we do not relifh, or cannot digeft, would be lefs unnatural than a law commanding us to believe what we do not understand, or judge to be false. If our laws are inconfiftent with reafon and truth and public good, have we not a right to abolish them? If not; what a ridiculous and contemptible, what a base and unworthy nation are we, to boast of knowledge and freedom? を Sir, I mention not thefe things for your instruction, but for your edification ; to animate and fortify you in the noble oppofition you have hitherto made to established falfhood and folly. In matters of Religion, neither the great vulgar, nor the fmall, have any concern what they profefs or act. Where honours, wealth, and preferments are annexed to any opinions, the great will ever profess and maintain them, how falfe and wicked foever they be; whilft truths that are attended with reproach and poverty, or and any degree of perfecution, will have few friends, few advocates and followers in this world. But if there be a God, the love of truth is a fure title to his favour hereafter They fhall fhine with diftinguifhed honour, that here ftood up for Truth and Liberty in a degenerate age; and by their example, influence, and all their abilities, studied to promote their intereft amongst men. Who would de fert fert fo glorious a caufe, with fuch rewards in profpect? That you will never defert it, I have the greatest reafon to believe; and Therefore I thus publicly declare myself to be, with great esteem and affection, SIR, January 16, 1752. Your bigbly obliged friend, And most bumble fervant, Richard Baron. THE An Addrefs to the Univerfity of Oxford, p. 101 The Nature and Extent of the Office of the Civil Magiftrate; by Benjamin Ibbot, D. D. p.205 An Enquiry into the Confequences of fuppofing that Baptifm makes Infants dying in Infancy, Inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven; or is ADVERTISEMENT. HE death of the Reverend Mr. Baron, the Editor of the following valuable Tracts, has not only given his friends much concern, but has likewife disappointed them in their expectation of a fpirited addrefs by way of preface. Mr. Baron's character was one of the most artless and undisguised that ever appeared in the world. He was a man of real and great learning-of fixed and steady integrity -and a tender and fympathizing heart. He firmly believed in Revelation, and for this very reafon was infinitely more concerned to promote the cause of TRUTH and VIRTUE in the world, than to procure any emoluments or advantages to himself. No |