Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/229

 them under letters of marque against the enemies of England; or in which, in the 'Treatise on Taxes,' after observing that wiser physicians observe and comply with the motions of nature, and that the analogy might perhaps be applied to the customs duties, and yet that a prohibition to export under certain circumstances might be legitimate—he then immediately protects himself with the observation 'that he knows that he is himself neither merchant nor statesman;' and, after noticing that it may be an impediment to the prosperity of the country 'that the power of making war and raising money for carrying it on is not in the same hands,' he quickly adds that he leaves this question to those 'who may more properly meddle with fundamental laws,' which, he says, he never ventures to do himself; and if he ventures 'to discourse' of the customs, he only takes leave to do so as 'an idle philosopher,' and warns his readers that, whatever they be, they must certainly be paid.

That the Nonconformists increase is stated in the Preface to the 'Political Arithmetick,' with a great appearance of profound respect, amongst the signs alleged to be apparent of national decadence. But it is then covertly shown, by the example of Holland, that Dissenters are for the most part thinking, patient, and sober men, and 'such as believe that labour and industry is their duty towards God'—'how erroneous soever their opinions be;' and that 'the case of the primitive Christians, as it is represented in the Acts of the Apostles, looks like that of the present Dissenters'—'externally, I mean,' he immediately adds; and that trade is most vigorously carried on in every State and government 'by the heterodox part of the same, and such as profess opinions different from what are publicly established,' of which he proceeds to give numerous instances; and that absolute religious freedom is therefore presumably desirable, only licentious actings, as in Holland, being restrained by force. The reader is at length left in amused perplexity to wonder what has