But

We are indebted for all our Miferies to our Diftruft of that Guide, which Providence thought fufficient for our Condition, our own natural Reafon; which rejecting both in human and divine Things, we have given our Necks to the Yoke of political and theological Slavery. We have renounced the Prerogative of Man, and it is no Wonder that we fhould be treated like Beasts. our Mifery is much greater than theirs, as the Crime we commit, in rejecting the lawful Dominions of our Reason, is greater than any which they can commit. If, after all, you should confefs all thefe Things, yet plead the Neceffity of political Inftitutions, weak and wicked as they are, I can argue with equal, perhaps fuperior Force, concerning the Neceffity of artificial Religion; and every Step you advance in your Argument, you add a Strength to mine. So that if we are refolved to fubmit our Reafon and our Liberty to civil Ufurpation, we have nothing to do but to conform as quietly as we can to the vulgar Notions which are connected with this, and take up the Theology of the Vulgar as well as their Politics. But if we think this Neceffity rather imaginary than real, we fhould renounce their Dreams of Society, together with their Vifions of Religion, and vindicate ourselves into perfect Liberty.

You are, my Lord, but juft entering into the World; I am going out of it. I have played long enough to be heartily tired of the Drama. Whe

ther

ther I have acted my Part in it well or ill, Pofterity will judge with more Candor than I, or than the prefent Age, with our prefent Paffions, can poffibly pretend to. For my Part, I quit it without a Sigh, and fubmit to the Sovereign Order without murmuring. The nearer we approach to the Goal of Life, the better we begin to understand the true Value of our Existence, and the real Weight of our Opinions. We fet out much in love with both; but we leave much behind us as we advance. We first throw away the Tales along with the Rattles of our Nurfes; thofe of the Priest keep their Hold a little longer; thofe of our Governors the longest of all. But the Paffions which prop these Opinions are withdrawn one after another; and the cool Light of Reafon, at the Setting of our Life, fhew us what a falfe Splendor played upon these Objects during our more fanguine Seafons. Happy, my Lord, if, inftructed by my Experience, and even by my Errors, you come early to make fuch an Eftimate of Things, as may give Freedom and Eafe to your Life. I am happy that fuch an Estimate promifes me Comfort at my Death,

THE

THE

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES

OF THE

ANCIENT VILLA

O F

WHEATFIELD,

IN THE

COUNTY of SUFFOLK.

Ex fumo dare lucem.

HOR.

First Printed in the Year 1758.

1

I

ΤΟ

The Right Honourable

LORD

My LORD,

VENTURE into the Ocean of Antiquities in Confidence of your Lordship's Humanity and great Judgment; relying on the former to hold me up, if you see me finking; and on the latter to distinguish me from the many Logs, and drowned Puppies, bobbing up and down upon the fame Element; and upon both for Your Excufe of this Prefumption,

Your Lordship very well knows, that Studies of this Kind are apt, in their own Nature, to introduce Familiarities, not nicely regardful of Distinctions; because it is oftentimes neceffary to be free with Kings, and great Men; by making them older, or younger, better or worse, as it beft fuits the Purpofe of the Antiquary: There is alfo fomething levelling in thefe Enquiries; where we find Rottennefs and Corruption, Duft and Ashes, to be equally

the