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MATTER OF FACT

AND

Common Sense,

OR

A RATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

OF

MAN'S CORRUPT AND LOST ESTATE.

BY THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER,

VICAR OF MADELEY, SALOP.

Ye pompous Sons of Reason idolized
And vilified at once; of Reason dead,
Then deified, as Monarchs were of old;

Wrong not the Christian; think not Reason yours;
'Tis Reason our great Master holds so dear;
'Tis Reason's injured rights his wrath resents;
"Tis Reason's voice obey'd his glories crown;
To give lost Reason life he pour'd his own;
Believe, and show the Reason of a Man;
Believe, and taste the pleasure of a God;
Through Reason's wounds alone thy faith can die.

YOUNG.

The Son of man is come, to seek and to save that which was lost.

LUKE.

TO THE

PRINCIPAL INHABITANTS

OF

THE PARISh of Madeley,

IN THE COUNTY OF SALOP.

GENTLEMEN,

You are no less entitled to my private labours, than the inferior class of my parishioners. As you do not choose to partake with them of my evening instructions, I take the liberty to present you with some of my morning meditations. May these wellmeant endeavours of my pen be more acceptable to you, than those of my tongue! And may you carefully read in your closets, what you have perhaps inattentively heard

iv

in the Church! I appeal to the Searcher of hearts, that I had rather impart truth than receive tythes. You kindly bestow the latter upon me; grant me, I pray, the satisfaction of seeing you favourably receive the former, from,

Gentlemen,

Your affectionate Minister,

And obedient Servant,

J. FLETCHER.

MADELEY, 1772.

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