AN

ESSAY

ON

FANATICISM,

ADDRESSED TO THE

PEOPLE of his own PERSUASION,

By the Rev. JOHN STINSTRA.

IN A PASTORAL LETTER.

Originally written in DUTCH.

TRANSLATED

By the Rev. ISAAC SUBREMONT.

DUBLIN:

THOMAS E WIN G.

MDCCLXXIV.

THE

PREFACE.

I

SHALL only say in regard to the following Letter, that its being unknown in this country, where Fanaticism has of late made fuch confiderable progress, and where it gains ground daily, would be much to be regretted.

As there can be no Chriftian, who wishes well to true

religion, nor even a man who esteems reafon of the leaft value, that can calmly fee the one and the other defaced, in fo horrid and disgraceful a manner, by this pernicious monfter, I thought it my particular duty as a clergyman, to communicate to the Public a Performance, which, by the fimple tho' masterly manner in which it is written, may perhaps serve to recall from their errors fome Fanaticks, who are not yet too far involved, or at least prevent many others from embracing

bracing them.

As a fo

reigner, and not thoroughly acquainted with the English language, I applied to fome worthy Gentlemen to tranflate it, who would not have ftood in the fame need of indulgence from the Reader. But, fince fome excufed themfelves as infufficient mafters. of French, and others upon their avocations and want of leifure; rather than the Public should any longer be deprived of a production, in my opinion fo beneficial, I undertook