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60 to the idea of the inexterminable spirit, being Nature's only God! But is it not grossly foolish, to shock in this manner the nerves of his ordinary readers—to lead them to imagine he is denying the existence of a God, when he is only denying the mode of his existence. Had it not been wiser to have said, the idea of a Deity that would order such an act of barbarity, as the burning one of his misjudging creatures, must be erroneous—than thus to start from the real point at issue, and deny the Godhead, because those who affect to serve him, degrade his character! The incident imagined is unfortunate, because though we have had executions for alledged atheism, it is questionable whether ever an atheist existed. It was usual for the fanatics to apply this term of reproach to all who differed from them; and from the fact that Vanini, though condemned and executed as an atheist, on his defence took up a straw, and said that was sufficient to convince him of the existence of a God, it is evident with what caution the reported profession of atheism should be received. And, while we ought to be cautious in taking atheism upon the credit of fanatics, Mr. S. affords a striking instance that a man is not to be always believed when he professes the creed himself. The wonders