SOME FEW THOUGHTS

CONCERNING THE REPEAL OF THE TEST.[1]

[Footnote 1:  The text is that of the quarto edition (1765) of Swift’s Works. [T.S.]]

Those of either side who have written upon this subject of the Test, in making or answering objections, seem to fail by not pressing sufficiently the chief point upon which the controversy turns.  The arguments used by those who write for the Church are very good in their kind, but will have little force under the present corruptions of mankind, because the authors treat this subject tanquam in republica, Platonis, et non in faece Romuli.

It must be confessed, that, considering how few employments of any consequence fall to the share of those English who are born in this kingdom, and those few very dearly purchased, at the expense of conscience, liberty, and all regard for the public good, they are not worth contending for:  And, if nothing but profit were in the case, it would hardly cost me one sigh when I should see those few scraps thrown among every species of fanatics, to scuffle for among themselves.

And this will infallibly be the case, after repealing the Test.

For, every subdivision of sect will, with equal justice, pretend to have a share; and, as it is usual with sharers, will never think they have enough, while any pretender is left unprovided.  I shall not except the Quakers; because, when the passage is once let open for all sects to partake in public emoluments, it is very probable the lawfulness of taking oaths, and wearing carnal weapons,[2] may be revealed to the brotherhood; which thought, I confess, was first put into my head by one of the shrewdest Quakers in this kingdom.[3]

[Footnote 2:  The Quakers were more likely to admit this relaxation of their peculiar tenets, as, upon their first appearance as a sect, they did not by any means profess the principle of non-resistance, which they afterwards adopted. [S.]]

[Footnote 3:  The Quaker hinted at by Dr. Swift was Mr. George Rooke, a linen-draper.  In a letter to Mr. Pope, Aug. 30, 1716, Dr. Swift says, “There is a young ingenious Quaker in this town, who writes verses to his mistress, not very correct, but in a strain purely what a poetical Quaker should do, commending her look and habit, &c.  It gave me a hint, that a set of Quaker pastorals might succeed, if our friend Gay would fancy it; and I think it a fruitful subject:  pray hear what he says.”—­Accordingly Gay wrote “The Espousal, a sober Eclogue, between two of the People called Quakers.” [S.]]

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TEN REASONS FOR REPEALING

THE TEST ACT.[1]

[Footnote 1:  “This Tract is from a rare broadside copy.  It appears to be written by the Dean, and the arguments correspond with those he uses elsewhere” So says Scott; but Monck Mason considers this tract no more the work of Swift than several others he mentions.  See note prefixed to “The Presbyterians’ Plea of Merit.” [T.S.]]