than in extending the limits of human knowledge: this, though an indirect method of forwarding its progrefs, was not, on that account, either lefs dangerous or less useful.

"In England, Collins and Bolingbroke; in France, Bayle, Fontenelle, Voltaire, Montefquieu, and the Schools formed by these men, combated in favour of truth. They alternately employed all the arms with which learning and philofophy, with which wit and the talent of writing could furnish reafon. Affuming every tone, taking every fhape, from the ludicrous to the pathetic, from the most learned and extenfive compilation, to the novel, or the petty pamphlet of the day; covering truth with a veil, which, fparing the eye that was too weak to bear it, left to the reader the pleasure of gueffing it, infiduously careffing prejudices, in order to ftrike at them with more certainty and effect: seldom menacing more than one at a time, and that only in part; fometimes foothing the enemies of reafon, by feeming to ask but for a half toleration in religion, or a half liberty in polity; refpecting Defpotifm when they combated religious abfurdities, and Religion when they attacked tyranny; combating these two pefts in their very principles, though apparently in

veighing

veighing against ridiculous and difgufting abufes; Atriking at the root of thofe peftiferous trees, whilft they appeared only to wish to lop the Straggling branches; at one time pointing out Superftition, which covers Defpotifm with its impenetrable field, to the friends of liberty, as the first victim which they are to immolate, the firft chain to be cleft afunder; at another, denouncing Superftition to Defpots as the real enemy of their power, and alarming them with a representation of its hypocritical plots and fanguinary rage; but never ceafing to claim the independence of reafon, and the liberty of the prefs, as the right and fafeguard of mankind; inveighing with enthusiastic energy against the crimes of fanaticifm and tyranny; reprobating every thing which bore the character of oppreffion, harshness, or barbarity, whether in religion, adminiftration, morals, or laws; commanding kings, warriors, priests, and magiftrates, in the name of Nature to fpare the blood of men; reproaching them, in a strain of the most energetic feverity, with that which their policy or indifference prodigally lavished on the fcaffold, or in the field of battle; in fine, adopting the words reafon, toleration, and humanity, as their fignal and call to arms.

"Such

"Such was the modern philofophy, fo much detefted by thofe numerous claffes which exift only by the aid of prejudices.-Its chiefs had the art of escaping vengeance, while they exposed themselves to hatred; of concealing themfelves from perfecution, while they made themselves fufficiently confpicuous to lofe nothing of their glory."

It is indeed certain, that, before the age which is now to be the object of our attention, there had long exifted in Europe men, who, led by vanity or vice, did think, and act, and write, in the manner which Condorcet defcribes. But it does not appear, that these men were united by any one ruling aim or motive. Whoever will take the trouble of examining the writings of the last, and the very beginning of the prefent century, will find in many a degree of felf-deception, and of vifionary good, which, though tending to affift the cause of atheistic anarchy, cannot be deemed the produce of fuch a fyftem. Such men were steptics, not atheifts-republicans, but not anarchifts-admirers of virtue, science, and freedom; not advocates for vice, enemies to learning, and deftroyers of liberty. But nothing can more ftrikingly exemplify the neceffity of Religion as the guide and curb of

human

human reason, than the extravagancies into which fuch men have been led, and the dreadful weapons they have furnished for the hands of their more formidable followers. Some men there undoubtedly were, who, actuated by direct and inveterate enmity to religion and civil government, feparately attacked them both, with vehemence and fkill; but it does not appear that even they formed any abfolute plan, or league for their deftruction. This feems to have been referved for the demoniacal genius of Voltaire; and the extract I have given from the pen of Condorcet, ought to be confidered as an explanatory fketch of the fyftem of his mafter, rather than a faithful account of the views of his predeceffors: Profeffing to confider this new philofophy as beneficial to the world, he' artfully reprefents it to have originated with men lefs likely to betray its real nature and tendency, than those whofe avowed hatred of religion might render its defign more liable to fufpicion. But on another occafion, when celebrating the glories and benefits of the French Revolution, he does ample justice to his Hero. "It appears," fays Condorcet in his Life of Voltaire, "that it would have been impoffible to fhew in a clearer light, the eternal obligations which human nature has

VOL. II.

L

to

to Voltaire. Circumftances were favourable. He did not forefee ALL that he has done, but

HE HAS DONE ALL THAT WE NOW SEE.

In order to fhew the exact resemblance between this new philofophy as it is called, and the second beaft which had two horns as a lamb, and spoke as a dragon," I shall felect from the writings of its teachers, its principles, its end, and the means by which it pursues that end, before I confider the effects it has actually produced. The authorities for all these pasfages are before the public; and as they are allowed to be incontrovertible, it will be unneceffary to take up the page with references.

"I am weary (faid Voltaire) of hearing people repeat, that twelve men have been fufficient to establish Christianity: and I will prove that one may fuffice to overthrow it." No precept is oftener repeated by Voltaire than frike, but conceal your hand." The myfteries of Mythra are not to be divulged; the monster (Religion) muft fall, pierced by a thousand invisible hands: yes, let it fall beneath a thousand repeated blows. "I know not why people are fo obftinately bent on believing me the author of the Philofophical Dictionary. The greatest service you can do me, is to affert, though