Madam, _Your Majesty's_ _most humble_, _most obedient_, _and faithful Servant_, Thomas Woolston. [Illustration] A DEFENCE OF THE DISCOURSES on _Miracles_. At Last, one Volume of _Bishop Smalbroke_'s mountainous Work, that the _Press_ has been so long pregnant with, is brought forth: And I don't doubt, but it answers the Expectations of the _Clergy_, who will extol it to the Skies, and applaud it to the Populace, as an absolute Confutation of my _Discourses_; but I would advise them, if it be not too late, not to be too profuse in their Commendations of it, for fear that an Occasion should be given them to blush for their want of Judgment. We have had Instances of Books before now (and one very remarkable, in the Case of _Boyle_ against _Bently_) that have met with a general Approbation, till they have been sifted into, and upon Examination found empty; and it is not impossible, but _this_ of the _Bishop_ before us, may meet with the same Fate. I had conceived a great Opinion of this _Bishop_'s Learning and Abilities, and, if he had not sent[338] two simple _Harbingers_ before-hand, should have been so apprehensive of his Acuteness, that nothing, but a thorough Persuasion of the Goodness of my Cause, and of my Power to defend it, could have kept me from Flight before him. But I stand my Ground, and shall, against greater Adversaries than this _Bishop_, who has more weakly and maliciously attack'd me, than you'd have been expected from one of his reputed Candour and Learning; and given me greater Advantages to insult and triumph over him, than I could wish or desire.