XCII. King James II. his disgraceful reign. His impo- XCV. A seasonable and curious quotation taken from one of the political discourses upon Sallust the Roman XCVI. The quaker's advice to the young pretender, XCVII. The intimate resemblance between the popish clergy, and those of modern paganism in the east, XCVIII. Sect. I. Of the many good sermons preached and published against the rebellion. A sermon of singular tendency, by an eminent band: The strange doctrines advanced, and the observable omissions, XCIX. Sect. II. Our national sins no ways analogous to those of the Jews, nor meriting equal punishment. Sect. III. The impious behaviour of the disaffected cler- gy, formerly, how liable to divine judgment. Their pestilent flattery to bad princes, their enmity to the Sect. IV. The passionate and ridiculous application of di- vine judgdments, by visionary, selfish, and factious spirits. It is urged for argument where reason is Sec. V. The religion of the multitude rarely the effect of CI. Observation upon the clergy's incredible canon, in- THE INDEPENDENT WHIG. NUMBER 1. INTRODUCTION. WHOEVER goes about to reform the world, undertakes an office obnoxious to malice, and beset with difficulties. It speaks a confidence of his own capacity, which prompts him to set up for the school-master of mankind; and it infers a charge of corruption or ignorance in his pupils, out of which he assumes to whip them. As every man has a good conceit of his own merit, he thinks himself undervalued by instruction, and is provoked by correction. The confession of our own weakness, and that of another's better sense, is generally both contained in the taking of advice, which is seldom taken for that reason. Besides, blindess and prejudice are seldom to be resigned but with pain; and therefore, for the most part, are not resigned at all. It is but an unacceptable civility to offer to let in the rays of understanding upon those minds, which are used to subsist in the dark. It is like opening day-light upon a nest of owls; it always sets them a screeching. - The difference, however, is considerable between natural and acquired ignorance, and the last is much more incurable than the first. The one is capable, and often willing, to be informed; whereas the other thinks itself above it, and is too wise to learn. There can be no cure for one who is taught to be a blockhead; his ignorance is the fruit of instruction, and has cost him great pains; and so his pride is engaged to support it. As he has improved his mind into 'learned darkness, he stands upon his guard against common sense, is proof against all the assaults of reason, and scorns its power. If he do not take you for his enemy, and use you accordingly; yet, at least, he will pity your mistakes, and perhaps pray for your illumination. It will probably be said, by some of my readers, that I here describe myself and my own performances, and perhaps with too much truth. There lived, not long since, a poet, who made excellent criticisms upon the most applauded plays, and afterwards writ one himself obnoxious to them all. |