ess--he has nothing more to
say, but leaves the nonsense to its fate.

CHAPTER VIII--On Canting Nonsense.

The writer now wishes to say something on the subject of canting
nonsense, of which there is a great deal in England. There are various
cants in England, amongst which is the religious cant. He is not going
to discuss the subject of religious cant: lest, however, he should be
misunderstood, he begs leave to repeat that he is a sincere member of the
Church of England, in which he believes there is more religion, and
consequently less cant, than in any other church in the world; nor is he
going to discuss many other cants; he shall content himself with saying
something about two--the temperance cant and the unmanly cant. Temperance
canters say that "it is unlawful to drink a glass of ale." Unmanly
canters say that "it is unlawful to use one's fists." The writer begs
leave to tell both these species of canters that they do not speak words
of truth.

It is very lawful to take a cup of ale, or wine, for the purpose of
cheering or invigorating yourself when you are faint and down-hearted;
and likewise to give a cup of ale or wine to others when they are in a
similar condition. The Holy Scripture sayeth nothing to the contrary,
but rather encourageth people in so doing by the text, "Wine maketh glad
the heart of man." But it is not lawful to intoxicate yourself with
frequent cups of ale or wine, nor to make others intoxicated, nor does
the Holy Scripture say it is. The Holy Scripture no more says that it is
lawful to intoxicate yourself or others, than it says that it is unlawful
to take a cup of ale or wine yourself, or to give one to others. Noah is
not commended in the Scripture for making himself drunken on the wine he
brewed. Nor is it said that the Saviour, when he supplied the guests
with first-rate wine at the marriage-feast, told them to make themselves
drunk upon it. He is said to have supplied them with first-rate wine,
but He doubtless left the quantity which each should drink to each
party's reason and discretion. When you set a good dinner before your
guests, you do not expect that they should gorge themselves with the
victuals you set before them. Wine may be abused, and so may a leg of
mutton.

Second. It is lawful for any one to use his fists in his own defence, or
in the defence of others, provided they can't help themselves; but it is
not lawful to use them for purposes of tyrann