1. Now, first I have observed, that some who pretend themselves _Deists_, are Men of loose and sensual Lives; and I make no wonder that they dislike the _Christian_ Doctrine of Self-denial, and the severe threatnings against wilful Sinners. You may be sure they will not alledge this Reason: But having read _Spinosa_ and _Hobbes_, and been taught to laugh at the story of _Baalam_'s Ass, and _Sampson_'s Locks; they proceed to ridicule the reality of all _Miracle_ and _Revelation_. I have conversed with several of this Temper, but could never get any of 'em serious enough to debate the reality of _Revelation_: But a witty Jest and t'other Glass puts an end to all further Consideration. These are meer _Sceptics_, and practical _Atheists_, rather than real _Deists_. 2. But there are others, who, although they have not a due regard to _Revelation_, are Men of Sobriety and Probity, who with great freedom have let me into their Thoughts, whereby I can very clearly and fully (as I think at least) discern the rise and progress of this their Opinion, which is this; 1. In the time of King _Charles_ the First, (which confineth my longest acquaintance with Men) 'twas usual for Gentlemen to send their Sons abroad into _Italy_, _Spain_, _France_, _Germany_, _&c._ to accomplish themselves by Travel. But lest they should be prevail'd upon to change their _Religion_, care was taken that their Tutor or Governour, who travelled with 'em, should shew them the Idolatry and Superstition of the _Roman Religion_; and also let 'em in to see that _Popery_ in all its Branches was only a device of the _Priesthood_, to carry on a particular Interest of their own; to encrease their Wealth, Honours, and Power over the Lay-people; to exalt the Head of their Order above all the Crowned Heads in the World, and equal one whole Order of their Clergy, _viz._ the Cardinals, to the Princes of _Christendom_. Nay, since all People were obliged to make their Confessions to, and receive their Absolution from the _Priest_, the meanest of which Order could create a God for the People's Worship; 'tis plain, that their Religion was calculated for the Profit, Power and Honour of the whole Order of the _Priesthood_ in this World, whatsoever advantages they might find by it in the other. Now the Young Gentleman being throughly convinced of this Holy Cheat, returneth to Old _England_; where he meets with very zealous Contests about Religion (as was pretended) between the _Church_ of _England_, headed by Arch-Bishop _Laud_ on the one part, and the _Presbyterian Kirk_ on the other; and having carefully read the Debate (as it appeared in the Prints) on both sides, with those very Eyes which he had so lately cleared up in _Italy_ or _France_, he could not forbear to see that both these _Protestant_ Parties, under the pretence of Religion, were only grasping at _Power_, and that the Controversy at bottom, was not who's Religion was best, but only what Sect of the