rgiven
a hard word, if I call this a perfect _cavil_. I readily own there
has been an old custom, time out of mind, for people to assemble in
the churches every Sunday, and that shops are still frequently
shut, in order, as it is conceived, to preserve the ancient
practice, but how they can be a hindrance to business or pleasure
it is hard to imagine. What if the men of pleasure are forced one
day in the week to game at home instead of in the chocolate houses?
Are not the taverns and coffee-houses open? Is not that the chief
day for traders to sum up the accounts of the week, and for lawyers
to prepare their briefs.... But I would fain know how it can be
contended that the churches are misapplied? Where more care to
appear in the foremost box with greater advantage of dress. Where
more meetings for business, where more bargains are driven, and
where so many conveniences and enticements to sleep?"

"I am very sensible how much the gentlemen of wit and pleasure are
apt to murmur, and be choked at the sight of so many draggle-tailed
parsons, who happen to fall in their way and offend their eyes; but
at the same time, these wise reformers do not consider what an
advantage and felicity it is for great wits to be always provided
with objects of scorn and contempt, in order to exercise and
improve their talents, and divert their spleen from falling on each
other, or on themselves; especially, when all this may be done
without the least imaginable danger to their persons."

"And to add another argument of a parallel nature--if Christianity
were once abolished, how could the free-thinkers, the strong
reasoners, and the men of profound learning be able to find another
subject so calculated in all points, whereon to display their
abilities? What wonderful productions of wit should we be deprived
of, from those whose genius, by continual practice, has been wholly
turned upon raillery and invectives against religion, and would,
therefore never be able to shine or distinguish themselves upon any
other subject! We are daily complaining of the great decline of Wit
among us, and would we take away the greatest, perhaps the only
topic we have left? Who would ever have suspected Asgil for a wit,
and Toland for a philosopher, if the inexhaustible supply of
Chris