Some deny Tindal to be the author, and produce stories of his dulness and stupidity.  But what is there in all this book, that the dullest man in England might not write, if he were angry and bold enough, and had no regard to truth?

REMARKS UPON THE BOOK, &c.

Page 4.  “Whether Lewis XIV. has such a power over Philip V?” He speaketh here of the unlimited, uncontrollable authority of fathers.  A very foolish question; and his discourse hitherto, of government, weak and trivial, and liable to objections.

Ibid.  “Whom he is to consider not as his own, but the Almighty’s workmanship.”  A very likely consideration for the Ideas of the state of nature.  A very wrong deduction of paternal government; but that is nothing to the dispute, &c.

Page 12.  “And as such might justly be punished by every one in the state of nature.”  False; he doth not seem to understand the state of nature, although he hath borrowed it from Hobbes, &c.

Page 14.  “Merely speculative points, and other indifferent things, &c.”  And why are speculative opinions so insignificant?  Do not men proceed in their practice according to their speculations?  So, if the author were a chancellor and one of his speculations were, that the poorer the clergy the better; would not that be of great use, if a cause came before him of tithes or Church lands?

Ibid.  “Which can only be known by examining whether men had any power in the state of nature over their own, or others’ actions in these matters.”  No, that is a wrong method, unless where religion hath not been revealed; in natural religion.

Ibid.  “Nothing at first sight can be more obvious, than that in all religious matters, none could make over the right of judging for himself, since that would cause his religion to be absolutely at the disposal of another.”  At his rate of arguing (I think I do not misrepresent him, and I believe he will not deny the consequence) a man may profess Heathenism, Mahometism, &c. and gain as many proselytes as he can; and they may have their assemblies, and the magistrate ought to protect them, provided they do not disturb the state:  And they may enjoy all secular preferments, be lords chancellors, judges, &c.  But there are some opinions in several religions, which, although they do not directly make men rebel, yet lead to it.  Instance some.  Nay we might have temples for idols, &c.  A thousand such absurdities follow from his general notions, and ill-digested schemes.  And we see in the Old Testament, that kings were reckoned good or ill, as they suffered or hindered image-worship and idolatry, &c. which was limiting conscience.

Page 15.  “Men may form what clubs, companies, or meetings they think fit, &c, which the magistrate, as long as the public sustains no damage, cannot hinder, &c.”  This is false; although the public sustain no damage, they will forbid clubs, where they think danger may happen.