A LETTER to Dr. PRIESTLEY from a Perfon calling him. felf an UNDERGRADUATE, but publicly and uncontradictedly afcribed to Dr. HORNE, Dean of Canterbury, and Prefident of Magdalen College, Oxford. BY THEOPHILUS LINDSEY, A.M. Opinionum commenta delet dies: natura, deique, judicia confirmat. CICERO. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, NO.72, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. M.DCC.LXXXVIII. Gift Tappan Presbolles (i) THE PRE FAC E. T HE idea of drawing up the following tract first arose from obferving a studied affectation in many perfons of treating Dr. Priestley's theological and metaphyfical writings with flight and contempt, and an endeavour in others particularly to infuse the like fentiments of him into the rifing generation which laft I could not but look upon as of pernicious confequence, tending to prevent their acquaintance with a writer, from whofe various works, above those of any other in our own country, they might reap the greatest advantage both in respect of useful knowlege and virtuous improvement. I had no view therein, was I capable of it, of lending him any aid against the attacks made upon him, as if he were in danger of being overpowered by his opponents. For he is more than equal to a whole host of them: which they have all experienced in their turns; bishop Horfely, one of the most violent of them, the leaft of all excepted. But I thought it might be poffible for another to fuggeft fome circumstances, and to fay certain things in his behalf, which he would never think of offering, and which indeed could not fo properly come from himself; by which the edge of prejudice might be taken off, and a jufter eftimate formed of him and his writings. I am not however without hope, that I may be able to produce fomething in confirmation of thofe very important points, which he has been called out to defend. And if I fhould not fee others exactly in the fame light with him, it will cause no breach or coolness in our friendship. For although he has no high opinion of Plato, as a metaphyfician, or theologian, he will approve |