Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 5.djvu/299

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THE

PRESBYTERIANS

PLEA OF MERIT

IN ORDER TO TAKE OFF

THE TEST

IMPARTIALLY EXAMINED^[1].

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1731.

WE have been told, in the common newspapers, that all attempts are to be made this session by the presbyterians, and their abettors, for taking off the test; as a kind of preparatory step to make it go down smoother in England. For, if once their light would so shine, the papists, delighted with the blaze, would all come in and dance about it. This I take to be a prudent method; like that of a dis-

↑ The "Presbyterians Plea of Merit," the "Plea for repealing the Test in Favour of the Roman Catholicks," and the "Queries relating to the Sacramental Test," are looked upon to be the best tracts, that were published upon the Test. If the poisonous bait for the Church (The Proposal to take off the Test) was first offered in Ireland, it ought to be remembered, that the antidote came thence likewise.

U 2

creet

[1] The "Presbyterians Plea of Merit," the "Plea for repealing the Test in Favour of the Roman Catholicks," and the "Queries relating to the Sacramental Test," are looked upon to be the best tracts, that were published upon the Test. If the poisonous bait for the Church (The Proposal to take off the Test) was first offered in Ireland, it ought to be remembered, that the antidote came thence likewise.

[1]