it does not work half so much as it might have done otherwise, there is one half lost, or if it hold not out, or work not above a 4th part, that is three fourths loss. Thus it is with the peo∣ple of France, they are much less profitable to the King and State, than they would be if the Clergy bore one hlf of the charge of the Kingdom, as they ought to do. I believe this Article may amount to forty or fifty Millions per Annum; for besides the Taxes from whence they are exempted, they are not subject, as I have already said, to any of the Vexations which are committed in the Levying 'em, nor to quartering of Soldiers, nor are they pillag'd by Civil Officers & Farmers general and their Un∣derlings, but on the contrary they pillage them.Article XV▪ relates to their Practice and Morals, I mean those of the Clergy; this occasions an infinite number of Crimes which are committed without Scruple; nay, they think they merit Heaven by the Commission of them, for they Act them by a Principle of Conscience.The Mischiefs which they have commit∣ted on the Account of their pretended Re∣ligion are to be ascribed to their Morals: They have Consecrated and Canoniz'd Per∣fidiousness, Cruelty, Murther, the Ravishing of Matrons and Virgins, and the Stealing of Children and Estates. It is not easie to compute this loss in Money, but all peo∣ple of Sense must needs perceive that this does ruin or very much incommode Trade, Arts,
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