believe them, as they are criſten'd, by the name of myſteries.
In the ſame manner corrupt ſtateſmen, when they are projecting deſtructive ſchemes againſt their country, conceal their deſigns under plauſible colours and a popular outſide; well knowing, that if Truth ſhould come to light, their actions will not ſtand the teſt of examination, and that the ruin, which they were plotting againsſt the publick, will fall heavy upon themſelves.
For this reaſon, both prieſts and politicians, who under thoſe characters are deſtroying the religion and liberties of their country, make it their buſineſs, as it is their interesſt, to siſcountenance honeſt and ſincere men, the impartial enquirers after truth, the avowed enemies of falſhood and deluſion.
In defiance of all theſe deſcouragements, I Terræ-Filius, a free-thinker, and a free-ſpeaker, highly incens'd againſt all knavery and impoſture, and not thinking Truth ſuch a terrible enemy to religion and good order, as it has been repreſented, do hereby declare war againſt all cheats and deluders, howſoever dignified, or whereſoever reſiding; the fear of obloquy and ill uſage ſhall not deter me from this undertaking, nor ſhall any conſiderations rob me of the liberty of my own thoughts and my own toungue.
In the purſuit of this deſign, I ſhall not confine my ſelf to any particular method; but ſhall be grave or whimſical, ſerious or ludicrous, proſaical or poetical, philoſophical or ſatyrical, argue or tell ſtories, weep over my ſubject, or laugh over it, be in humour, or out of humour, according to whatever paſſion is uppermoſt in my breaſt; whilſt I am writing.
