But, my Fathers, I would not have you think, that while I undertake to Scatter your Darkness by the Light of the Pagans, I make Saints of Men whom the divine Providence only rais'd up to enlighten the Mind. Thofe Sages whom I fball bring into the Field against you, left Mankind with the fame deprav'd Appetites that they found it; nay, while they fet about the Reformation of others, they did not reform themselves. Alas! how was it pof fible for them to be truly Wife, Just, and Virtuous? The Cross of Jefus Chrift, the only Source of true Wisdom, Justice, and Virtue, was unknown to many of 'em, and ridicul'd by others of 'em who had heard it mention'd.

Why then, you'll fay, Should WE be attack'd, WE who compose the Society of JESUS, out of the Books of Men who were without a Saviour, and withont Faith in the World? For two Reasons, my Fathers: First, becaufe thofe Men, as great Reprobates as they were, thought better and spoke better than you; and tho they did not practife Truth from a Love of it, they taught it, however, with as much Power, Plainnefs, and Extent, as you do Error and Impiety. The fecond Reafon is, becaufe I thought it would be doing you too much honour, to combat you with the Sacred Text, and the Writings of the Fathers, • and that a Victory gain'd with fuch Wea

• pons

pons, would have nothing glorious in it (f)? For where would be the Proportion between the Peters, Pauls, Bafils, Gregories, Ambrofes and Auguftins, on the one hand, and the Efcobars, Sanchezs, Tambourins, Baunis, Molinas, Sfondrates, Francolins, and the rest of your Cafuits on the other hand. And indeed, take ye all together, both Ancient and Moderns, tho fortify'd with the Conftitution into the Bargain, are you able to ftand against, I do not fay the leaft Catholick who can give a good Account of his Faith, but the meanest Pagan whofe Mind was enlightned with Reafon and good Senfe? I know that tho you have been thrown upon your Backs for a long time by the moft formidable Authorities, you still lift up your Heads; I know that you fing Victoria, tho you carry about your Necks, as it were, the Picture of your Overthrow and your Shipwreck in the Faith (g). I see, in fhort, that you rally again, because (b) the only Safety of the Vanquish'd is in defpair of Safety. But muft the Canons of the Church incessantly rattle over our Heads for this? Once again, I fay, 'tis doing both you and the Conftitution too much honour.

6

Mofes, in order to bend the Stubborn Heart of Pharaoh, and to humble his proud Spirt, employ'd neither Arms nor Soldiers. (i) A fwarm of Flies was fufficient to mortify the fwelling Pride of that haughty Monarch; and the Hearts of himself and his whole Court relented, as foon as thofe vile Infects appear'd.

Was not Gideon victorious over the Midianites, with the Sonnd of a few Trumpets, the Noife of a few broken Veffels, and the dim Light of a small number of Lamps (k)? And was not Goliah, that fcornful Enemy of the Ifraelites, thrown upon his Face by a little round smooth Stone, which David flung at his Forehead (l)?

After the Example of thefe Men of God, tho, compar'd to them, I am but a Shrimp, I come to you ye Thunderbolts of War (m), one of whom, if your Words taken, will do as much Execution as a may be whole Army. But I come to you in the Name of the God of Ifracl, whom you at this Day defy (n): I come in the Name of that God, not to give him Affiftance, for what am I to defend him, or you to attack him? But I come to clothe you with

(i) Exod. viii. 24, 25.

(k) Judges vii. 20.

(1) Limpidiffimos lapides, 1 Sam. xvii. 40, 49. (m) Picture of the firft Century, P. 410.

(n) 1 Sam. xvii, 45,

the

the greatest Shame and Confufion that you were ever cover'd with yet. And I advance not with the Books of the Prophets, Apofles, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church, but with the Text of the Poets, Orators, and Philofophers of Pagan Antiquity, to confound your Morals and your Doctrine, together with the Bull Unigenitus, which is your Masterpiece.

'Tis a bold Undertaking, and you will think it rafh. What, say you, will a fingle Man, with a few Pagans, pretend to cope with a Company fo formidable and fo numerous! Tet, my Fathers, you are not the only Perfons that I shall attack in this Treatife. Certain Politicians, who, like Micah (0), worship the Idol because they have given it the Name of the Propitiatory, will be therein confounded as well as you. I shall alfo take the Liberty to speak Sometimes of Pope Clement XI. of Cardinal Sfondrates, and alfo of my Lords of Biffy and Languet, who are your good Friends. But I hope to give both You and Them Satisfaction. I hall quote their Writings with the fame Exactness as yours, and fhall treat their Perfons and their facred Dignity with all proper Refpect. If after this they complain, and blush, like you, to fee Some of their Errors expos'd, let them blame themselves and not me otherwife the Pub

(0) Judges xvii. 4, 5.

lick

lick will tell them, that all their Complaints and Reproaches will not mislead their Judgment (p), and that they deceive themfelves.

O Lord, thou knoweft that I trust not in my Bow, and that my only Hope is in Thee (9) Help me therefore thou who art my God (r), for 'tis in thy Name only that I go against this Multitude: