f the
Nation. Nine Parts in Ten never read Books of any Sort; and those, that
do, would make but a small Proficiency in Vice, if they had no other
School to learn it in, but Books and unclean Pictures. It is true, Friend,
there are a great many impious Books, and indecent Prints, publickly sold
in our Streets; and they may have their Share in debauching the Morals of
the People: but I would have thee to reflect, that there have been Periods
of Time, when that Evil was more to be complained of than at present. I
verily believe, that there are not the Hundredth Part of irreligious Books
now printed, as were in the Reign of _Charles_ II. There is so little of
the Spirit of Religion now prevailing, that the Subject, even when spoken
of in ridicule, is disagreeable to the Polite of the present Age. But when
thou wast speaking of bad Books, there is one thing thou mightest have
mentioned with as much Propriety as Part of the Sins of the Times; that
is, the Want of good Books, the only proper Antidote against the Venom of
those thou so bitterly complainest against: The Age has not only produced
fewer bad Books, than some former; but it has been likewise remarkably
deficient in producing any thing fit to improve the Morals or
Understanding of the People. And this is not owing to the want of
Encouragement for such Labours: For, bad and wicked as the Age is, I never
heard of a good Book, either of Science, Religion, or Morality, but what
met with proper Encouragement from the Publick: but a Spirit of
Lukewarmness, in Matter of Religion and Devotion, in those, who are well
paid for being its Guardians, prevails so much, that they cannot be
induced to enter the Lists with Error and Infidelity; but satisfy
themselves with exclaiming, in general Terms, against the immoral Writings
of others, without giving themselves the Trouble to impugn their Errors,
or to furnish the People with Preservatives against their mischievous
Effects. And if, at any Time, they are tempted to take up the Pen in
Defence of some favourite Doctrine, the Controversy is handled with so
little Charity or Decency, that an honest, well-meaning, Christian, throws
aside the Book, disgusted at a Spirit so unbecoming the Followers of
_Christ Jesus_. In a Word, Friend _Thomas_, I think this Laziness in
those, endued with all the Advantages of Light and Knowledge, and whose
Time ought to be chiefly employed in such Labours, to be a much greater
Grievance, and a more infal