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to confider the Sect of the Illuminati to be one of the horns of the Infidel Beaft, as we were to conclude the affociation of French Sophifts to be the other. We have now feen the Beast create a power by means of thefe horns, unknown in the history of the world, and in a manner equally unprecedented. We have feen thefe horns under the appearance of PHILANTHROPY, RALITY, and RELIGION, TAKE POSSESSION OF AN AUTHORITY which NO CICOULD EVER OBTAIN, WITHOUT THE WORLD'S PERCEIVING THAT THEY POSSESSED IT-We have feen them,

VIL MAGISTRATE

MO

WITHOUT ASSUMING THE SLIGHTEST APPEARANCE OF CIVIL POWER, fecure a multitude of tried and zealous adherents, ready to contribute DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY, according to the ranks in which (unknown to themfelves) they were placed by the fupreme conductors of the plan. We have seen them, in fine, gradually PERSUADE THESE MEN,

THAT FORCE WOULD BE NECESSARY
TO OVERTURN THE PRESENT REIGN OF
DESPOTISM, AND RESTORE THE GOLDEN
AGE; AND PREPARE THEM TO RAISE UP
A CIVIL POWER IN ORDER TO EXECUTE

THIS

I

THIS GLORIOUS DESIGN.

Reader! Is it

poffible for events to fulfil a Prophecy more accurately * ?

Let it not be pretended that these events arofe out of a feries of accidental circumstances were the natural effects of the preffure of a defpotic yoke-or any other common caufe of revolutions. The formation of a civil power as the inftrument of its designs, was a part of the original plan fuggefted by the great enemy of Chrift and of mankind. In proof of this I shall quote a letter written by a nobleman well known for his literary productions y, when he visited Paris in the year 1765; and which, I beg to obferve, ftrongly confirms the affertion in the former part of this Chapter, that the Free-Thinkers of England had not at that time any connexion with the Philofophers of France. "The Dauphin will probably hold out a very few days. His death, that is, the near prospect of it, fills the Philofophers with the greateft joy, as it was feared he would endeavour the restoration of the Jefuits. You

* See Introductory Chapter, vol. i. p. 396. y Lord Orford's Works, vol. v. p. 123.

will think the fentiments of the Philofophers very odd ftate-news-but do you know who the Philosophers are, or what the term means HERE? In the first place, it comprehends almost every body; and in the next, means men, who, avowing war against popery, aim, many of them, at a fubverfion of all religion, and ftill many more, at the deftruction of regal power. How do you know this? you will fay; you who have been confined to your chamber. True: but in the first period I went every where, and heard nothing elfe; in the latter, I have been extremely vifited, and have had long and explicit converfations with many who think as I tell you, and with a few of the other fide, who are no lefs perfuaded that there are fuch intentions. In particular, I had two officers here t'other night, neither of them young, whom I had difficulty to keep from a serious quarrel, and who, in the heat of the difpute, informed me of much more than I could have learnt with great pains."

From the "fecret correspondence" of thefe Philosophers, it appears that in 1743, Voltaire was plotting with the King of Pruffia to plunder the Ecclefiaftical Princes,

and

and the religious Orders of their poffeffions. In 1764, he fent a Memorial to the Duke of Praflin, on the Abolition of Tythes, in hope of depriving the clergy of their fubfiftence. In 1770, he writes, 66 I like to cover thefe harlequin bull-givers (Popes) with ridicule, but I had rather plunder them." D'Alembert advised, that the clergy should be deprived of their confequence in the State, before they were plundered of their poffeffions, and that the danger of letting the clergy form a dif tinct body in the state, should therefore be reprefented in ftrong colours. Frederick fays, "If we wish to diminish fanaticifm, we must not begin by the bishops. But if we fucceed in leffening the friarhoods, especially the mendicant orders, the people will cool; and they being lefs fuperftitious, will then allow the powers to bring down the bishops as beft fuits their states. This is the only poffible mode of proceeding." In 1761, Voltaire writes, " Had I but 100,000 men, I well know what I would do with them.” In 1767, Frederick says, "It is not the lot of arms to destroy the wretch. It will perish by the force of truth." But in 1775, he thinks that force

Το

must strike the last blow at religion. “To

Bayle,

Bayle, your forerunner, and to yourself no doubt, is due the honour of that Revolution working in the minds of men. But to

speak the truth, it is not yet complete; bigots have their party, and it will never be perfected but by a fuperior force. From government must the fentence ifue that shall crush the wretch. Minifters may forward it, but the will of the fovereign must accede. Without doubt this will be effectuated in time; but neither of us can be spectators of that long-wished for moment." Voltaire however was more fanguine; he writes in the fame year, "We hope that Philofophy, which in France is near the throne, will foon be on it."

Can any thing more exactly describe the defign of thefe chiefs to fet up a civil power for the exprefs purpose of crushing Chriftianity? Can any thing more exactly correspond with this design, than the Power now reigning in France?

The Secret committee for the exprefs purpose of executing this design against Christianity, was established in Baron Holbach's houfe at Paris, between the year 1763 and 1766, twenty-three years before the Re

volution

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