1

effay to be canvaffed by all thofe narrow fpirits, who can fwallow down every thing the priests command, them to believe, without any regard to truth. I would have them roufe up their fenfes, and be no longer led blindfold by men who first lead them out of the way, and then laugh at their fimplicity and fenfeless credulity. Jacob faid, in his laft bleffing to his fons, concerning the tribe of Levi, that they were inftruments of cruelty, and their bad defcendants and progeny have ever fince that time fulfilled his prophesy of them. Othe prodigious effects of prieftcraft! O my foul come not thou into their fecrets; unto their affembly, mine honour be not thou united: Curfed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel; I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Ifrael.

PRIESTIANITY:

OR, A

VIEW

Of the DISPARITY between the

APOSTLES

AND THE

Modern Inferior Clergy.

By the Author of The Creed of an Inde pendent Whig.

First Printed in the YEAR, 1720.

16

THE

PREFACE.

To promote peace and quietness, to endeavour a reconciliation among neighbours, is undoubtedly a duty incumbent on all mankind; but furely they, who call themselves the fervants of the Lord, the fucceffors and followers of the Apostles, are under a double obligation to perform this Chriftian office. If we make a fcrutiny into the actions and ingratitude of the inferior clergy, we shall find, that, viper like, they attempt to fting the bofom, which took compassion on them, nourished them, and gave them, (as it were) fecond life. If we fearch for the original of our domeftic feuds and petty Quarrels, we Shall