Page:Petty 1660 Reflections.djvu/139

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( 137 )

and torrent of the Sequacious multitude seemed able to have carried them that way.

Moreover, let the Lord Lieutenant be asked whether, I ever went about to injure or lessen by Word or Deed, those whom he knew to hate me? Whether I was busie to bring him Tales to the prejudice of any man? or build up my interest in him, by acquainting him with the rash Obloquies of bitter Spirits; provided they tended not to some dangerous action, which timely discovery might prevent.

I come lastly to matters of Religion, and ask; Whether I have not been unreasonably injured, by being accompted sometimes a Jesuit, sometimes a Socinian, and sometimes an Atheist? What similitude is between these three, that I should be esteemed indifferently either? Why one of these three? but because the best is very odious; Why do they magnifie my Craft in small matters of the world, and yet make me the most stupid fool in matters of my Soul? As in being an Atheist, In believing that the most curious bodies of Animal (to say nothing of