fpecious

The fpecious pretence, on which this bill is founded, and indeed the only pretence that deferves to be termed fpecious, is the pro - priety of taxing vice; but this maxim of government has on this occafion been either miftaken or perverted.

Debates in Parliament 1787

However fpecious it may ap - pear C »38 3 pear to be, it cannot abide the eye of the examiner.

A review of ecclesiastical establishments in Europe : containing their history ... : and an essay tending to shew both the political and moral necessity of abolishing exclusive establishments, with answers to some principal objections Whatman, James, 1741-1798 1796

But many objefls which are fpecious at a diflant view -, afTum. e an oppofite appearance upon a clofer infpecftion.

The poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal. Ossian, 3rd cent 1796

Oh! that we had tried and proved thofe fpecious works in which we trufted. —

Sermons on practical subjects 1796

The fame caution ought to be ufed with refpe And I advife a ftudious youth to improve himfelfinfuch branches of knowledge as thefe, before he proceeds to perfed: himfelf in the higher mathematics; firft, on account of the incompa - rably fuperior importance of a thorough knowledge of our own nature, ftate, and obligations; the indifpenfable neceffity of underftanding which fubjedts is fuch, as to make all our purfuits appear comparatively but fpecious trifling.

The Dignity of Human Nature: Or, a Brief Account of the Certain and Established Means for ... 1794

To the law and to the teftimony; if they fpeak not accords ing to this word, however fpecious their fyftems may ap - pear, "there is no light jn them,"

A View of religions ... : the whole collected from the best authors, ancient and modern 1791

Are but a fpecious theatre, on which Th 'inconftant mind with decency forgets Its inward tribute.

The Mysterious Mother 1791

Shall every high refolve Devotion frames Be only lifelefs founds and fpecious names O rather, while thy hopes and fe-ars controul,

Elegant Extracts; Or, Useful and Entertaining Pieces of Poetry: Selected for the Improvement of ... 1791

What fpecious forc*d pretence Would you invent, to gild a weak defence?

The works of the English poets. With prefaces, biographical and critical, by S. Johnson 1790

The pretexts arc always found in fome fpecious appearance of a real good* You would not fecure men from ty - ranny and fedition, by rooting out of the mind the principles to which Jthcfe fraudulent pretexts apply?

Reflections on the Revolution in France,: And on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London ... 1790