ON FREEDOM OF WRITING' AND THE IMPROPRIETY OF ATTEMPTING TO OCCASIONED BY A Late PROCLAMATION against Seditious Publica VIEWED CHIEFLY In the afpect they bear to RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, Bruce, Atem Pala What Britons dare to think, he dares to tell. WARTON aaaaaaa M.DCC. XCIV. To be fold by W. BERRY, South Bridge, and J. Gu- Hist. -Sotheran Grant 5-23-25 11760 AN attempt to vindicate the freedom of the human mind, and the liberty of the Prefs, in an age when moderation seemed to have gained the ascendant in the greater part of Europe. efpecially in fuch a nation as Britain, may appear to fome, not only unfeasonable, but fuperfluous. The writer of this heartily wishes that their view of the matter might be found to be right. He confeffes that he was long difpofed to entertain the fame opinion. He could not perfuade himfelt that a people who had once tafted the sweets and advantages of a happier fyftem, fhould ever be capable of relinquithing there for a yoke of all others the most ignominious and galling, Recalling to remembrance the croud of nameless evils which the restraint of civil and religious liberty had formerly introduced, the costly price at which is was acquired, and being every day accustomed to hear its praifes celebrated, almoft in every book, and by every tongue, he scarce thought it poffible, that, in our days, the old frenzy of tyrannical impofition and perfection fhould in any degree recur, or that Britons fhould ever be in danger of lofing acquaintance with their darling liberty, or their high eftination for it; or that they hould tamely fuffer any portion of it either to be stolen or wrefted from them. He has, however, lived long enough to fee caufe to al ter his opinion on this head. There are not wanting too |