Part 6 (1/2)

I cannot but admire that they who within these few years have in this kingdom embraced Socinus his opinions, should consider no better how little success they have had elsewhere against the truth, and that upon the score of their divisions, which will unavoidably follow, till they can agree in unanimously rejecting the authority of Scripture. Neither doth it avail them anything to use quibbles and evasions, and weak conjectures, since they are often unanswerably confuted even by some of their brethren, who are more dexterous than they in expounding of Scriptures.

But being resolved by all means to defend their tenents, some chief men amongst them have undertaken to set aside the authority of Scriptures, which is so troublesome to them: and the author of a late book, int.i.tled _Considerations_, maintains that the Gospels have been corrupted by the Orthodox party, and suspects that of _St. John_ to be the work of _Cerinthus_.

It is no very easy task to dispute against men whose principles are so uncertain, and who in a manner have no regard to the authority of Scripture. It was much less difficult to undertake Socinus himself, because he owned however the authority of Scripture, and that it had not been corrupted. But one knows not how to deal with his disciples, who in their opinion seem to be so contrary to him, and one another.

(_The Judgment of the Ancient Jewish Church against the Unitarians_, London, 1699, Preface.)

[Pierre Allix, born in Alencon in 1641, died in London in 1717. He was pastor at Charenton up to 1685, when he fled to England and became Canon of Salisbury. He contemplated writing a history of the Councils in seven volumes. A special Act of Parliament (11 & 12 Will. III., c. 3) was obtained, providing that the paper for the entire work should be imported duty free.]

ABEL BOYER

_Upon History_ (1702)

Some writers barely relate the actions of men, without speaking of their motives, and, like gazeteers, are contented to acquaint us with matter of fact, without tracing it to its spring and cause; others, on the contrary, are so full of politicks and finesse, that they find cunning and design in the most natural and innocent actions. Some, to make their court to the powerful, debase the dignity of history, by cringing and adulation; whilst others, to serve a party, or faction, or merely to gratify their ill-nature, rake up all the scandal of men's lives, give a malicious turn to every thing, and libel every body, even without respecting the sacred Majesty of Princes. Another sort moralize upon every petty accident, and seem to set up for philosophers, instead of historians. And lastly, others are peremptory in their decisions, and impose on the world their conjectures for real truths.

These faults I have endeavoured to avoid. When I relate matters of fact, I deduce them, as far as my informations permit me, from their true causes, without making men more politick, or subtle, than nature has made them. I commend what, in conscience I believe, deserves to be commended, without any prospect of favour, or private interest; and I censure what I think deserves to be blam'd, with the liberty that becomes a faithful unprejudic'd historian, tho' with due regard to persons, whose birth, dignity and character command the respect, even of those who disapprove their actions. I am sparing of reflections, unless it be upon those remarkable events from which they naturally result; and I never bia.s.s the reader's judgment by any conjectural impositions of my own.

Yet after all these precautions, I am not so vain as to expect to please all: for how were it possible to gain the general approbation, when people differ so much in opinion about the _Prince_, whose history I have attempted to write?

(_The History of King William the Third_, London, 1702, Preface.)

[Born in Castres in 1664, Boyer lived in Switzerland and Holland before settling in England, where he became a journalist and party-writer. He edited a French-English and English-French Dictionary which was long a cla.s.sic. Swift honoured him once with the appellation of ”French dog.”]

PIERRE MOTTEUX

_Extract from a Letter to the Spectator_ (1712)

Sir,--Since so many dealers turn authors, and write quaint advertis.e.m.e.nts in praise of their wares, one who from an author turn'd dealer may be allowed for the advancement of trade to turn author again. I will not however set up like some of 'em, for selling cheaper than the most able honest tradesman can; nor do I send this to be better known for choice and cheapness of China and j.a.pan wares, tea, fans, muslins, pictures, arrack, and other Indian goods. Placed as I am in Leadenhall-street, near the India-Company, and the centre of that trade, thanks to my fair customers, my warehouse is graced as well as the benefit days of my Plays and Operas; and the foreign goods I sell seem no less acceptable than the foreign books I translated, _Rabelais_ and _Don Quixote_. This the critics allow me, and while they like my wares, they may dispraise my writing. But as 'tis not so well known yet that I frequently cross the seas of late, and speaking Dutch and French, besides other languages, I have the conveniency of buying and importing rich brocades, Dutch atla.s.ses, with gold and silver, or without, and other foreign silks of the newest modes and best fabricks, fine Flanders lace, linnens, and pictures, at the best hand. This my new way of trade I have fallen into I cannot better publish than by an application to you. My wares are fit only for such as your traders; and I would beg of you to print this address in your paper, that those whose minds you adorn may take the ornaments for their persons and houses from me....[105]

_A Song_

Lovely charmer, dearest creature, Kind invader of my heart, Grac'd with every gift of nature, Rais'd with every grace of art!

Oh! cou'd I but make thee love me, As thy charms my heart have mov'd, None cou'd e'er be blest above me, None cou'd e'er be more belov'd.

(_The Island Princess or the Generous Portuguese_, 1734.)

_To the Audience_

... So will the curse of scribling on you fall; Egad, these times make poets of us all.

Then do not d.a.m.n your brothers of the quill; To be reveng'd, there's hope you'll write as ill.

For ne'er were seen more scribes, yet less good writing, And there ne'er were more soldiers, yet less fighting.

Both can do nothing if they want supplies, Then aid us, and our league its neighbouring foes defies; Tho' they brib'd lately one of our allies.

Sure you'd not have us, for want of due pittance, Like nincomp.o.o.ps sneak to them for admittance, No; propt by you, our fears and dangers cease, Here firm, tho' wealth decay, and foes increase, We'll bravely tug for liberty and peace.

(_The Loves of Mars and Venus_, Epilogue, 1735.)