ftrength, fhew how fincere, how able a champion he was of religion and the church. So foon as these were printed in Dublin, in a new edition of the Dean's works, it was a juftice due to them to felect them thence to complete the London edition. Like the Author, though they owe their birth to Ireland, they will feel their maturity in Britain, and cach nation will contend which fhall receive them with greater ardour. CON A CONTENTS. 13 Dr. Swift to the Provoft and Senior Fel- lows of Trinity College, Dublin Letters from Dr. Swift to Dr. Narciffus Marth, Lord Primate and Archbishop of Dublin 357 Letter from Dr. Swift to Sir Charles Wogan, an [1] A SERMON ON FALSE WITNESS. EXODUS XX. 16. Thou shalt not bear falfe witness against thy neighbour. 'N thofe great changes that are made in a country by the prevailing of one party over another, it is very convenient that the prince, and those who are in authority under him, should use all just and proper methods for preventing any mifchief to the public from feditious men. And governours do well, when they encourage any good fubject to difcover (as his duty obligeth him) whatever plots or confpiracies may be any way dangerous to the ftate: Neither are they to be blamed, even when they receive informations from bad men, in order to find out the truth, when it concerns the public welfare. Every one indeed is naturally inclined to have an ill opinion of an informer; although it is not impoffible, but an honeft man may be called by that name. For whoever knoweth any thing, the telling of which would prevent fome great evil to his prince, his country, or his neighbour, is bound in confcience to reveal it. But the mifchief is, VOL. XI. + A that that when parties are violently inflamed, which feemeth unfortunately to be our cafe at prefent, there is never wanting a fett of evil inftruments, who either out of mad zeal, private hatred, or filthy lucre, are always ready to offer their fervice to the prevailing fide, and become accufers of their brethren, without any regard to truth or charity. Holy David numbers this among the chief of his fufferings; Falje wiineffes are rifen up against me, and fuch as breathe out cruelty *. Our Saviour and his apofiles did likewife undergo the fame diftrefs, as we read both in the Goffels and the Acts. Now, becaufe the fin of falfe witnefling is fo horrible and dangerous in itfelf, and fo odious to God and man: And becaufe the bitterness of too many among us is rifen to fuch a height, that it is not eafy to know where it will ftop, or how far fome weak and wicked minds may be carried by a miftaken zeal, a malicious temper, or hope of reward, to break this great commandment delivered in the text: Therefore, in order to prevent this evil, and the confequences of it, at least among you who are my hearers, I fhall, I. FIRST, Shew you feveral ways by which a man may be called a falfe witness against his neighbour. II. SECONDLY, I fhall give you fome rules for your conduct and behaviour, in order to defend yourselves against the malice and cunning of false accufers. III. AND laftly, I fhall conclude with fhewing you very briefly, how far it is your duty, as good fubjects and good neighbours, to bear faithful witnefs when you are lawfully called to it by those in authority, or by the fincere advice of your own confciences. I. As to the firft, there are feveral ways by * Pfal, xxvii. 12. |