A sermon on Acts xxviii, 22 shewing, that the Christian religion is not a sect, and yet that it is every where spoken against / by Matthew Henry ...
         Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714.
      
       
         
           1699
        
      
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             A sermon on Acts xxviii, 22 shewing, that the Christian religion is not a sect, and yet that it is every where spoken against / by Matthew Henry ...
             Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714.
          
           [2], 54 p.
           
             Printed for, and sold by Thomas Parkhurst ...,
             London :
             1699.
          
           
             Also appears as part of A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit (Wing H1475) at reel 420:12.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Acts XXVIII, 22 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Christianity -- Sermons.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           On
           Acts
           xxviij
           .
           22.
           
           Shewing
           ,
           That
           the
           CHRISTIAN
           RELIGION
           Is
           not
           a
           SECT
           ,
           And
           yet
           that
           it
           is
           
             Every
             where
             Spoken
             against
          
           .
        
         
           By
           
             MATTHEW
             HENRY
          
           ,
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           ,
           and
           Sold
           by
           ,
           
             Thomas
             Parkhurst
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bible
           and
           
             Three
             Crowns
          
           ,
           in
           Cheapside
           ,
           MDCXCIX
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           Christianity
           no
           Sect
           to
           be
           spoken
           against
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 ACTS
                 28.22
              
               .
            
             
               —
               For
               as
               concerning
               this
               Sect
               ,
               we
               know
               that
               every
               where
               it
               is
               spoken
               against
               .
            
          
        
         
           WOULD
           you
           think
           that
           such
           a
           spiteful
           scornful
           Word
           as
           this
           should
           ever
           be
           said
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           ?
           That
           
             pure
             Religion
             and
             undefiled
          
           ,
           
           which
           came
           into
           the
           World
           supported
           by
           the
           strongest
           Evidences
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           recommended
           by
           the
           most
           endearing
           Allurements
           of
           Grace
           and
           Goodness
           :
           The
           sayings
           whereof
           are
           so
           faithful
           ,
           
           and
           so
           well
           
             worthy
             of
             all
             acceptation
          
           :
           That
           Sacred
           Institution
           which
           scatters
           the
           brightest
           Rays
           of
           Divine
           Light
           and
           Love
           that
           ever
           were
           darted
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           :
           That
           's
           it
           which
           is
           here
           so
           invidiously
           call'd
           a
           Sect
           ,
           and
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
        
         
           It
           will
           be
           worth
           while
           to
           observe
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Who
           they
           were
           that
           said
           this
           ,
           they
           were
           
           the
           
             chief
             of
             the
             Jews
          
           that
           were
           at
           
             Rome
             ,
             ver
          
           .
           17.
           
           The
           Jews
           were
           look'd
           upon
           (
           at
           least
           they
           look'd
           upon
           themselves
           )
           as
           a
           very
           knowing
           People
           ;
           The
           Jews
           at
           Rome
           ;
           a
           place
           of
           Learning
           and
           Enquiry
           ,
           thought
           themselves
           more
           knowing
           than
           the
           other
           Jews
           ;
           St.
           Paul
           in
           his
           Epistle
           to
           the
           Romans
           ,
           chap.
           17.2
           .
           —
           20.
           takes
           notice
           of
           it
           :
           
             Thou
             art
             called
             a
             Jew
             ,
             and
             makest
             thy
             boast
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             knowest
             his
             Will
             ,
             —
             and
             art
             confident
             that
             thou
             thy self
             art
             a
             Guide
             of
             the
             Blind
             ,
             a
             Light
             of
             them
             which
             are
             in
             Darkness
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           suppose
           that
           
             the
             Chief
          
           of
           the
           Jews
           there
           who
           had
           the
           greatest
           Advantages
           of
           Education
           and
           Correspondence
           ,
           were
           the
           most
           intelligent
           :
           It
           might
           also
           be
           justly
           expected
           that
           upon
           the
           first
           notices
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           the
           Jews
           should
           have
           been
           of
           all
           People
           most
           ready
           to
           acquaint
           themselves
           with
           a
           Religion
           which
           was
           so
           much
           the
           Honour
           and
           Perfection
           of
           
             their
             own
          
           :
           And
           yet
           it
           seems
           ,
           the
           Jews
           ,
           the
           chief
           of
           the
           Jews
           at
           Rome
           knew
           no
           more
           of
           Christianity
           but
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           
             a
             Sect
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
             .
             This
             we
             know
             ,
          
           (
           said
           they
           )
           and
           it
           was
           all
           they
           knew
           concerning
           it
           .
        
         
           
           The
           Jews
           were
           of
           all
           other
           the
           most
           bitter
           and
           inveterate
           Enemies
           to
           the
           Christians
           ;
           while
           the
           Roman
           Emperors
           tolerated
           them
           ,
           (
           as
           they
           did
           till
           
           Nero's
           time
           †
           )
           the
           Jews
           with
           an
           unwearied
           Malice
           persecuted
           them
           from
           City
           to
           City
           ,
           and
           were
           the
           first
           Wheel
           in
           most
           of
           the
           Opposition
           that
           the
           Gospel
           met
           with
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           first
           Preached
           :
           Now
           one
           would
           think
           they
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           vigorous
           and
           industrious
           to
           suppress
           Christianity
           if
           they
           had
           not
           very
           well
           acquainted
           themselves
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           known
           it
           to
           deserve
           such
           opposition
           ;
           But
           it
           seems
           by
           this
           ,
           they
           knew
           little
           or
           nothing
           of
           the
           Religion
           
           they
           so
           much
           maligned
           ,
           had
           never
           search'd
           into
           the
           Merits
           of
           its
           Cause
           ,
           nor
           weigh'd
           the
           Proofs
           of
           its
           Divine
           Authority
           ,
           but
           against
           all
           Law
           and
           Reason
           condemn'd
           it
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           as
           
             Justin
             Martyr
          
           complains
           )
           purely
           upon
           
             common
             Fame
          
           ,
           and
           follow
           the
           cry
           to
           run
           it
           down
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Upon
           what
           occasion
           they
           said
           this
           .
           They
           were
           now
           appointing
           a
           time
           to
           discourse
           with
           St.
           Paul
           upon
           the
           
             grand
             Question
          
           in
           debate
           ,
           whether
           Jesus
           of
           Nazareth
           was
           the
           true
           Messiah
           or
           no.
           And
           they
           seem'd
           willing
           to
           hear
           what
           that
           great
           Man
           had
           to
           say
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           Religion
           he
           preach'd
           ,
           
             We
             desire
          
           (
           say
           they
           )
           
             to
             hear
             of
             thee
             what
             thou
             thinkest
             ,
          
           —
           Now
           one
           would
           expect
           that
           so
           good
           a
           Cause
           ,
           managed
           by
           such
           a
           skilful
           Advocate
           ,
           would
           not
           but
           carry
           the
           day
           ,
           and
           be
           Victorious
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           would
           all
           have
           been
           brought
           over
           to
           the
           belief
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           But
           we
           find
           v.
           24.
           that
           it
           prov'd
           otherwise
           ;
           after
           all
           ,
           there
           were
           those
           that
           
             believed
             not
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Text
           intimates
           the
           reason
           of
           their
           Infidelity
           ,
           they
           came
           to
           hear
           the
           word
           under
           a
           Prejudice
           ;
           They
           had
           already
           imbib'd
           an
           ill
           opinion
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           which
           right
           or
           wrong
           they
           resolved
           to
           
             hold
             fast
          
           ;
           And
           tho'
           some
           of
           them
           by
           the
           help
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           got
           over
           this
           stumbling
           Block
           ,
           
           that
           like
           the
           Bereans
           were
           
             more
             Noble
          
           than
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           of
           freer
           thought
           :
           yet
           many
           of
           them
           continued
           under
           the
           power
           of
           those
           Prejudices
           ,
           and
           were
           seal'd
           up
           under
           Unbelief
           ,
           v.
           26.27
           .
           Thus
           is
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Word
           in
           many
           ,
           baffled
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           Prejudice
           .
           They
           
             do
             not
          
           believe
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           resolved
           they
           
             will
             not
          
           :
           
           They
           conclude
           that
           no
           
             good
             thing
          
           can
           
             come
             out
             of
          
           Nazareth
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           be
           perswaded
           to
           
             come
             and
             
             see
          
           :
           
           Thus
           do
           they
           prejudge
           the
           Cause
           ,
           
             answering
             the
             matter
             before
             they
             hear
             it
             ,
          
           and
           it
           will
           prove
           
             folly
             and
             shame
          
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           the
           Account
           they
           here
           give
           of
           their
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               they
               look'd
               upon
               it
               to
               be
               a
               Sect
               ,
               and
               we
               'll
               prove
               that
               to
               be
               false
               .
            
             
               2.
               —
               A
               Sect
               
                 every
                 where
                 spoken
                 against
              
               ,
               and
               we
               will
               grant
               that
               to
               be
               true
               ,
               that
               it
               is
               generally
               spoken
               against
               ,
               tho'
               't
               is
               most
               unreasonable
               and
               unjust
               it
               should
               be
               so
               .
            
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           here
           called
           (
           but
           miscalled
           )
           a
           Sect
           ,
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           a
           Heresy
           .
           
             After
             the
             way
             which
             they
             call
             Heresy
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           Acts
           24.14
           .
           )
           
             so
             worship
             I
             the
             God
             of
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             —
             The
             Sect
             of
             the
          
           Nazarenes
           ,
           so
           Tertullus
           calls
           it
           in
           his
           opening
           of
           the
           Indictment
           against
           
             Paul
             ,
             Acts
          
           24.5
           .
           it
           's
           call'd
           
             this
             way
             ,
             Acts
          
           9.2
           .
           and
           
             that
             way
             ,
             Acts
          
           19.9
           .
           as
           if
           it
           were
           a
           By-path
           out
           of
           the
           common
           Road.
           The
           Practice
           of
           serious
           Godliness
           is
           still
           look'd
           upon
           by
           many
           as
           a
           Sect
           that
           is
           a
           Party-business
           ,
           and
           a
           piece
           of
           affected
           singularity
           in
           Opinion
           and
           Practice
           tending
           to
           promote
           some
           carnal
           Design
           ,
           by
           creating
           and
           supporting
           invidious
           Distinctions
           among
           Men.
           This
           is
           the
           proper
           notion
           of
           a
           Sect
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           Masters
           and
           Maintainers
           of
           Sects
           are
           justly
           in
           an
           
             ill
             Name
          
           ,
           as
           Enemies
           to
           the
           great
           Corporation
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           colour
           of
           Reason
           to
           put
           this
           invidious
           and
           scandalous
           Character
           upon
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           However
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           mistaken
           and
           misrepresented
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           far
           from
           being
           really
           a
           Sect.
           There
           were
           Sects
           of
           Religion
           among
           the
           
           Jews
           ;
           we
           read
           of
           the
           
             Sect
             of
             the
             Sadducees
          
           ,
           Acts
           5.17
           .
           which
           was
           built
           upon
           
             peculiar
             notions
          
           ,
           such
           as
           overturn'd
           the
           foundation
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           ,
           by
           denying
           a
           future
           state
           of
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           :
           There
           was
           also
           the
           
             Sect
             of
             the
             Pharisees
          
           ,
           Acts
           15.5
           .
           the
           
             straitest
             Sect
             of
          
           their
           Religion
           ,
           Acts
           26.5
           .
           which
           was
           founded
           in
           the
           observance
           and
           imposition
           of
           singular
           Rites
           and
           Customs
           ,
           with
           an
           affected
           separation
           from
           ,
           and
           contempt
           of
           all
           Mankind
           :
           These
           were
           Sects
           :
           But
           there
           is
           nothing
           of
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Genius
           of
           these
           in
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           instituted
           by
           its
           great
           Author
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           True
           Christianity
           establisheth
           that
           which
           is
           of
           common
           concernment
           to
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           therefore
           is
           not
           a
           Sect.
           The
           Truths
           and
           Precepts
           of
           the
           everlasting
           Gospel
           are
           perfective
           of
           and
           no
           way
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Light
           and
           Law
           of
           Natural
           Religion
           .
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           gives
           such
           mighty
           Encouragements
           and
           Assistances
           to
           those
           that
           
             in
             every
             Nation
             fear
             God
             and
             work
             Righteousness
             ?
          
           Acts
           10.34
           .
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           tends
           to
           nothing
           else
           but
           to
           reduce
           the
           revolted
           Race
           of
           Mankind
           to
           their
           Ancient
           Allegiance
           to
           the
           great
           Creator
           ,
           and
           to
           renew
           that
           Image
           of
           God
           upon
           Man
           which
           was
           his
           Primitive
           Rectitude
           and
           Felicity
           ?
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           proclaims
           God
           in
           Christ
           
             reconciling
             the
             World
             unto
             himself
          
           ,
           
           and
           recovering
           it
           from
           that
           degenerate
           and
           deplorable
           State
           into
           which
           it
           was
           sunk
           ?
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           publisheth
           Good-will
           towards
           Men
           ,
           
           and
           Christ
           the
           
             Lamb
             of
             God
             taking
             away
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             World
             ?
          
           Surely
           that
           which
           concurs
           so
           much
           with
           the
           uncorrupted
           and
           unprejudiced
           Sentiments
           ,
           and
           conduceth
           much
           more
           to
           the
           true
           and
           real
           Happiness
           of
           all
           Mankind
           cannot
           be
           thought
           to
           
           take
           its
           rise
           from
           such
           narrow
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           private
           Interests
           ,
           as
           Sects
           ow
           their
           Original
           to
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           True
           Christianity
           hath
           a
           direct
           tendency
           to
           the
           Vniting
           of
           the
           Children
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           gathering
           of
           them
           together
           in
           one
           ,
           and
           therefore
           is
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Sect
           ,
           
           which
           is
           suppos'd
           to
           lead
           to
           Division
           ,
           and
           to
           sow
           Discord
           among
           Brethren
           .
           The
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           did
           indeed
           prove
           the
           occasion
           of
           Contention
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           foresaw
           and
           foretold
           it
           would
           be
           so
           ,
           Luke
           12.51
           ,
           52
           ,
           53.
           that
           his
           Disciples
           and
           Followers
           would
           be
           
             Men
             of
             strife
          
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           sense
           that
           the
           Prophet
           was
           ,
           Jer.
           15.10
           .
           not
           Men
           striving
           ,
           but
           Men
           
             striven
             with
          
           ;
           but
           the
           Gospel
           was
           by
           no
           means
           the
           Cause
           of
           this
           Contention
           ,
           for
           it
           was
           intended
           to
           be
           the
           Cure
           of
           all
           Contention
           .
           If
           there
           be
           any
           who
           under
           the
           Cloak
           and
           Colour
           of
           the
           Christian
           Name
           
             cause
             Divisions
          
           ,
           and
           propagate
           Feuds
           and
           Quarrels
           among
           Men
           ,
           let
           them
           
             bear
             their
             own
             Burthen
          
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           certain
           that
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           as
           far
           as
           it
           obtains
           its
           just
           Power
           and
           Influence
           upon
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           will
           make
           them
           Meek
           and
           Quiet
           ,
           Humble
           and
           Peaceable
           ,
           Loving
           and
           Useful
           ,
           Condescending
           and
           Forgiving
           ,
           and
           every
           way
           Easy
           ,
           and
           Acceptable
           and
           Profitable
           one
           to
           another
           .
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           was
           introduced
           with
           a
           Proclamation
           of
           
             Peace
             on
             Earth
          
           ?
           That
           which
           beats
           Swords
           into
           Plow-shares
           ,
           and
           Spears
           into
           Pruning-hooks
           ?
           Or
           ,
           was
           he
           the
           Author
           of
           a
           Sect
           who
           is
           the
           Great
           Creator
           of
           Vnity
           ,
           and
           who
           Died
           to
           break
           down
           
             partition
             Walls
          
           ,
           
           and
           to
           slay
           all
           Enmities
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           
             gather
             together
             in
             one
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             that
             were
             scattered
             abroad
             ?
          
           Was
           he
           the
           Author
           of
           a
           Sect
           who
           came
           into
           the
           World
           
             not
             to
             destroy
             Mens
             Lives
          
           ,
           
           
             but
             to
             save
          
           them
           ,
           and
           who
           taught
           
           his
           Followers
           not
           only
           to
           love
           one
           another
           ,
           but
           to
           love
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           to
           count
           every
           one
           their
           Neighbour
           ,
           
           that
           they
           could
           be
           any
           way
           serviceable
           to
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           True
           Christianity
           aims
           at
           no
           Worldly
           .
           Benefit
           or
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           by
           he
           means
           be
           call'd
           a
           Sect.
           Those
           that
           espouse
           a
           Sect
           are
           suppos'd
           to
           be
           govern'd
           in
           it
           by
           their
           secular
           Interest
           ,
           and
           to
           aim
           at
           Wealth
           ,
           or
           Honour
           ,
           or
           the
           gratification
           of
           some
           base
           Lust
           :
           The
           Pharisees
           proved
           themselves
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Sect
           by
           their
           Thirst
           after
           the
           
             praise
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           and
           their
           greedy
           
             devouring
             of
             Widows
             Houses
          
           :
           But
           the
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           have
           not
           only
           been
           taught
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           to
           live
           above
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           look
           upon
           it
           with
           a
           Holy
           Contempt
           ,
           but
           have
           been
           expos'd
           by
           their
           Profession
           to
           the
           Loss
           and
           Ruine
           of
           all
           their
           secular
           Comforts
           and
           Enjoyments
           .
           Are
           those
           to
           be
           accounted
           politick
           and
           designing
           Sectaries
           that
           have
           for
           Christ
           chearfully
           
             suffered
             the
             loss
             of
             all
             things
             ?
          
           
           Is
           that
           a
           Sect
           which
           instead
           of
           prefering
           a
           Man
           to
           Honour
           ,
           or
           raising
           him
           an
           Estate
           ,
           lays
           him
           open
           to
           Disgrace
           and
           Poverty
           ,
           renders
           him
           obnoxious
           to
           Fines
           and
           Forfeitures
           ,
           Banishments
           and
           Imprisonments
           ,
           Racks
           and
           Tortures
           ,
           Flames
           and
           Gibbets
           ,
           which
           were
           the
           common
           Lot
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           ?
           
             Caesar
             Vaninus
          
           a
           sworn
           Enemy
           to
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           one
           who
           was
           industrious
           in
           searching
           out
           Objections
           against
           it
           ,
           own'd
           he
           could
           find
           nothing
           in
           it
           that
           savour'd
           of
           a
           Carnal
           and
           Worldly
           Design
           ;
           No
           ,
           it
           hath
           always
           approv'd
           it self
           a
           
             Heavenly
             Calling
          
           ,
           
           and
           the
           strictest
           Professors
           of
           it
           (
           even
           their
           Enemies
           themselves
           being
           Judges
           )
           have
           had
           
             their
             Conversation
             in
             the
             World
             in
             Simplicity
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             Godly
             
             Sincerity
             ,
             not
             with
             Fleshly
             Wisdom
             :
          
           Very
           unjustly
           therefore
           it
           is
           called
           a
           Sect.
           
        
         
           As
           to
           this
           therefore
           ,
           suffer
           a
           Word
           of
           Caution
           and
           Exhortation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           us
           take
           heed
           lest
           our
           Profession
           of
           Religion
           degenerate
           into
           any
           thing
           which
           may
           make
           it
           look
           like
           a
           
             Sect.
             Christianity
          
           as
           it
           was
           instituted
           by
           Christ
           is
           not
           a
           Sect
           ,
           let
           not
           Christians
           then
           be
           Sectaries
           .
           We
           make
           our
           Profession
           of
           Religion
           a
           Sect
           when
           we
           monopolize
           the
           Church
           and
           its
           Ministry
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           spend
           that
           zeal
           in
           matters
           of
           
             doubtful
             Disputation
          
           which
           should
           be
           reserved
           for
           the
           
             weightier
             matters
             of
             the
             Law.
          
           When
           we
           place
           our
           Religion
           in
           Meats
           and
           Drinks
           ,
           
           which
           should
           be
           placed
           in
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           
             Joy
             in
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           .
           When
           we
           profess
           Religion
           with
           a
           Conceit
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           a
           Contempt
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           with
           any
           Worldly
           secular
           Design
           ;
           when
           we
           sacrifice
           the
           common
           Interests
           of
           Christ's
           Kingdom
           to
           the
           particular
           Interests
           of
           a
           Party
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           when
           our
           Profession
           is
           tainted
           with
           the
           
             Leaven
             of
             the
             Pharisees
          
           ,
           
           which
           is
           both
           sowring
           and
           swelling
           ,
           then
           it
           degenerates
           into
           a
           Sect.
           Let
           us
           therefore
           adhere
           to
           the
           sure
           and
           
             large
             Foundations
             ,
             and
             be
             acted
             by
             a
             Principle
             of
             Love
             to
             ,
             and
             so
             maintain
             Communion
             with
             
               all
               that
               in
               every
               place
            
             ,
          
           
           and
           under
           every
           Denomination
           ,
           
             call
             on
             the
             Name
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             Lord
             ,
             both
             theirs
             and
             ours
             .
          
           Let
           us
           be
           Modest
           in
           our
           Opinions
           ,
           Charitable
           and
           Candid
           in
           our
           Censures
           ,
           Self-denying
           in
           all
           our
           Converse
           ,
           Acting
           always
           under
           the
           Influence
           of
           that
           
             Wisdom
             that
             is
             from
             above
          
           ,
           which
           is
           
             first
             Pure
          
           ,
           
           
             then
             Peaceable
             ,
             gentle
             and
             easy
             to
             be
             intreated
             ,
             full
             of
             Mercy
             and
             good
             Fruits
             ,
             without
             Partiality
             and
             Hypocrisy
             ,
          
           that
           by
           this
           well-doing
           
           we
           may
           
             put
             to
             silence
             the
             Ignorance
          
           of
           those
           who
           call
           Religion
           a
           Sect.
           
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Let
           us
           not
           be
           deterr'd
           from
           
             serious
             Godliness
          
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           Instances
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           invidious
           Name
           of
           a
           Sect
           ,
           which
           is
           put
           upon
           it
           .
           If
           a
           strict
           and
           sober
           and
           circumspect
           Conversation
           ,
           a
           conscientious
           Government
           of
           our
           Tongue
           ,
           Praying
           and
           singing
           Psalms
           in
           our
           Families
           ,
           a
           religious
           Observation
           of
           the
           
             Lord's
             Day
          
           ,
           a
           diligent
           Attendance
           upon
           the
           
             Means
             of
             Grace
          
           ,
           joyning
           in
           
             religious
             Societies
          
           for
           Prayer
           and
           Christian
           Conference
           ,
           and
           endeavouring
           in
           our
           places
           the
           Suppression
           of
           Profaness
           and
           Immorality
           ,
           if
           these
           and
           the
           like
           be
           call'd
           and
           counted
           the
           Marks
           and
           Badges
           of
           a
           Sect
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           be
           moved
           at
           it
           ,
           but
           say
           as
           David
           did
           ,
           2
           Sam.
           6.22
           .
           
             If
             this
             be
             to
             be
             vile
             ,
             I
             will
             be
             yet
             more
             vile
             .
          
           If
           the
           Practice
           of
           Piety
           be
           branded
           as
           a
           Sect
           ,
           it
           is
           better
           for
           us
           to
           come
           under
           the
           reproaches
           of
           Men
           for
           following
           it
           ,
           than
           under
           the
           Curse
           of
           God
           for
           neglecting
           it
           .
           It
           is
           a
           
             very
             small
             thing
             to
             be
             judged
             of
             Man's
          
           Day
           ,
           
             but
             he
             that
             judgeth
             us
             is
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           
           Let
           us
           therefore
           be
           more
           afraid
           of
           
             being
             Sectaries
          
           ,
           than
           of
           being
           call'd
           so
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Christian
           Religion
           is
           here
           said
           to
           be
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           That
           it
           was
           
             spoken
             against
          
           was
           evident
           enough
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           
             every
             where
          
           spoken
           against
           ,
           was
           more
           than
           they
           could
           be
           sure
           of
           :
           They
           did
           not
           know
           all
           Places
           ,
           nor
           had
           they
           correspondence
           with
           ,
           or
           intelligence
           from
           every
           Country
           ;
           but
           we
           must
           not
           wonder
           if
           those
           that
           oppose
           the
           Truth
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Jesus
           ,
           make
           no
           conscience
           of
           transgressing
           the
           Laws
           of
           Truth
           in
           common
           Conversation
           .
           But
           we
           will
           suppose
           that
           the
           Acquaintance
           and
           Converse
           
           of
           those
           Jews
           at
           Rome
           lay
           mostly
           with
           those
           that
           were
           Enemies
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           spoke
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           they
           therefore
           concluded
           it
           
             every
             where
          
           spoken
           against
           because
           they
           found
           it
           spoken
           against
           in
           all
           places
           that
           they
           
             came
             to
          
           ,
           or
           had
           
             advice
             from
          
           .
           Thus
           apt
           are
           we
           to
           embrace
           that
           as
           a
           general
           Sentiment
           and
           Observation
           which
           we
           find
           received
           by
           those
           that
           we
           usually
           associate
           with
           ,
           and
           so
           we
           run
           our selves
           into
           mistakes
           ,
           which
           larger
           and
           more
           impartial
           Enquiries
           would
           soon
           rectify
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           will
           take
           it
           for
           granted
           ,
           however
           ,
           that
           what
           they
           said
           was
           true
           ,
           not
           because
           they
           said
           it
           ,
           but
           because
           the
           experience
           of
           all
           Ages
           doth
           confirm
           it
           ,
           and
           concur
           with
           it
           :
           So
           that
           a
           little
           Acquaintance
           with
           Books
           and
           the
           World
           will
           prove
           the
           Observation
           which
           we
           ground
           upon
           this
           Text
           ;
           
             
               
               That
               it
               is
               ,
               and
               always
               hath
               been
               ,
               the
               Lot
               of
               Christ's
               Holy
               Religion
               ,
               to
               be
               every
               where
               spoken
               against
               .
               
                 Or
                 thus
              
               :
            
             
               That
               true
               Christianity
               hath
               all
               along
               met
               with
               a
               great
               deal
               of
               Opposition
               and
               Contradiction
               in
               this
               World.
               
            
          
        
         
           I
           purpose
           not
           to
           enter
           into
           a
           particular
           Disquisition
           of
           that
           which
           has
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           spoken
           against
           Religion
           ,
           nor
           do
           I
           undertake
           at
           present
           to
           shew
           how
           false
           and
           unreasonable
           it
           is
           ,
           That
           hath
           been
           done
           many
           a
           time
           by
           the
           best
           Hands
           ,
           and
           so
           effectually
           that
           every
           impartial
           eye
           must
           needs
           look
           upon
           the
           cause
           of
           the
           Adversaries
           of
           Religion
           to
           be
           a
           baffled
           Cause
           :
           But
           I
           shall
           only
           make
           some
           improvement
           of
           this
           general
           Observation
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           unseasonable
           in
           an
           Age
           wherein
           the
           Gates
           of
           Hell
           seem
           to
           be
           making
           their
           utmost
           efforts
           against
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           the
           Devil
           ,
           as
           the
           Calumniator
           and
           False
           Accuser
           
           to
           be
           
             more
             wroth
          
           than
           ever
           
             with
             the
             Woman
          
           the
           Church
           ,
           
           and
           to
           push
           on
           the
           War
           with
           an
           unusual
           vigor
           against
           the
           
             remnant
             of
             her
             Seed
             ,
             which
             keep
             the
             Commandments
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             Testimony
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           therefore
           (
           1.
           )
           enquire
           
             what
             it
             is
          
           in
           Christianity
           that
           is
           
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           And
           (
           2.
           )
           shew
           you
           why
           so
           Holy
           and
           Excellent
           a
           Religion
           is
           
             spoken
             against
          
           ,
           and
           then
           draw
           some
           Inferences
           from
           this
           Observation
           .
        
         
           
             For
             the
             first
          
           ,
           Who
           and
           What
           it
           is
           that
           is
           spoken
           against
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           is
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           When
           the
           First-begotten
           was
           brought
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           old
           Simeon
           ,
           among
           other
           great
           things
           ,
           pronounced
           this
           concerning
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           a
           
             sign
             which
          
           should
           be
           
             spoken
             against
          
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           means
           was
           set
           
             for
             the
             fall
             of
             many
          
           ,
           Luke
           2.34
           .
           when
           he
           was
           here
           upon
           Earth
           he
           was
           
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           The
           Stone
           ,
           
           which
           was
           design'd
           to
           be
           the
           
             Head
             of
             the
             Corner
          
           ,
           was
           rejected
           ,
           and
           set
           at
           naught
           by
           the
           Builders
           .
           It
           was
           not
           the
           least
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           in
           the
           days
           of
           his
           flesh
           ,
           that
           he
           
             endured
             the
             contradiction
             of
             Sinners
             against
             himself
             ,
             Heb.
          
           12.3
           .
           They
           spoke
           against
           his
           Person
           as
           mean
           and
           contemptible
           ,
           
           and
           one
           that
           had
           
             no
             form
             ,
             nor
             comliness
          
           :
           They
           spoke
           against
           his
           Preaching
           as
           false
           and
           deceiving
           ,
           John
           7.12
           .
           as
           factious
           and
           seditious
           ,
           Luke
           23.2
           .
           as
           senseless
           and
           ridiculous
           ,
           for
           the
           Pharisees
           derided
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           Luke
           16.14
           .
           They
           spake
           against
           his
           Miracles
           as
           done
           in
           Confederacy
           with
           
             Belzebub
             the
             Prince
             of
             the
             Devils
             ,
             Mat.
          
           12.24
           .
           They
           spoke
           against
           his
           Morals
           ,
           charging
           him
           with
           Blasphemy
           against
           God
           ,
           Profanation
           of
           the
           Sabbath-day
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           instances
           of
           Debauchery
           which
           were
           
           usually
           met
           with
           in
           a
           
             Gluttonous
             Man
          
           ,
           a
           Wine-bibber
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Friend
             of
             Publicans
             and
             Sinners
          
           ,
           Mat.
           11.19
           .
           They
           spoke
           against
           his
           Followers
           as
           a
           company
           of
           ignorant
           despicable
           People
           ,
           John
           7.48.49
           .
           When
           he
           was
           in
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           pass
           through
           all
           the
           steps
           and
           stages
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           find
           him
           
             every
             where
          
           spoken
           against
           ,
           They
           reproched
           him
           in
           all
           his
           Offices
           ,
           In
           his
           Office
           of
           Teaching
           ,
           when
           they
           challenged
           him
           to
           tell
           who
           
             smote
             him
          
           :
           In
           his
           Office
           of
           Saving
           ,
           when
           they
           challenged
           him
           to
           
             save
             himself
          
           as
           he
           had
           
             saved
             others
          
           .
           In
           his
           Office
           of
           Ruling
           ,
           when
           they
           challenged
           him
           to
           prove
           himself
           the
           
             King
             of
             the
             Jews
          
           by
           coming
           
             down
             from
             the
             Cross
          
           .
           The
           common
           People
           spoke
           against
           him
           ,
           
           even
           they
           that
           
             passed
             by
             reviled
             him
          
           .
           The
           Pharisees
           &
           chief
           Priests
           ,
           the
           Grandees
           of
           the
           Church
           were
           as
           severe
           as
           any
           in
           their
           Reflections
           upon
           him
           ,
           
           
             Princes
             also
          
           did
           
             sit
             and
             spake
             against
             him
             ,
             Herod
          
           and
           his
           Men
           of
           War
           set
           him
           at
           nought
           ,
           
             made
             nothing
          
           of
           him
           that
           made
           all
           things
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           even
           now
           he
           is
           set
           down
           at
           the
           right-hand
           of
           the
           Majesty
           on
           high
           ,
           
           
             far
             above
             all
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           both
           good
           and
           evil
           Angels
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           be
           no
           more
           hurt
           by
           the
           contradictions
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           than
           he
           is
           benefitted
           by
           the
           Adorations
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           yet
           still
           he
           is
           
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           Besides
           the
           Contempt
           cast
           upon
           him
           by
           the
           Jews
           and
           Mahometans
           ,
           are
           there
           not
           
             with
             us
          
           ,
           even
           
             with
             us
          
           ,
           those
           that
           daringly
           speak
           against
           him
           ?
           Arians
           and
           Socinians
           are
           daily
           speaking
           against
           him
           as
           a
           
             meer
             Man
          
           ,
           thinking
           that
           a
           Robbery
           in
           him
           ,
           
           which
           He
           thought
           none
           ,
           to
           be
           
             equal
             with
             God
             ;
             Quakers
          
           and
           Enthusiasts
           speak
           against
           Him
           as
           a
           
             meer
             Name
          
           ,
           setting
           up
           I
           know
           not
           what
           Christ
           within
           them
           ,
           while
           they
           explode
           that
           Jesus
           that
           was
           Crucified
           at
           
             Jerusalem
             .
             
             Atheists
          
           and
           Deists
           speak
           against
           Him
           as
           a
           
             meer
             Cheat
          
           ,
           accounting
           the
           Religion
           he
           established
           a
           great
           Imposture
           ,
           and
           His
           Gospel
           a
           Jest
           .
           Profane
           and
           Ignorant
           People
           speak
           slightly
           of
           Him
           ,
           as
           if
           our
           Beloved
           were
           no
           more
           than
           
             another
             Beloved
          
           ;
           and
           some
           speak
           scornfully
           of
           Him
           ,
           
           as
           Julian
           the
           Apostate
           did
           ,
           that
           call'd
           Him
           in
           disdain
           the
           Galilean
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Carpenter's
             Son.
          
           Such
           as
           these
           are
           the
           
             hard
             speeches
          
           ,
           
           
             which
             ungodly
             Sinners
             have
             spoken
             against
             Him
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           rebuke
           them
           ,
           even
           the
           Lord
           that
           hath
           chosen
           Jerusalem
           rebuke
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             God
             himself
          
           the
           great
           Object
           of
           our
           Religious
           Regards
           ,
           is
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           It
           is
           not
           only
           the
           
             Christian
             Revelation
          
           that
           is
           thus
           attack'd
           by
           virulent
           and
           blasphemous
           Tongues
           ,
           but
           even
           
             Natural
             Religion
          
           also
           .
           The
           Glorious
           and
           Blessed
           God
           the
           great
           Creator
           and
           Benefactor
           of
           the
           Universe
           ,
           that
           doth
           Good
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           whose
           tender
           Mercies
           are
           over
           all
           His
           Works
           ,
           even
           He
           is
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           Some
           deny
           His
           Being
           :
           Tho'
           His
           Existence
           be
           so
           necessary
           ,
           so
           evident
           ,
           that
           if
           He
           
             be
             not
          
           ,
           t
           is
           impossible
           any
           thing
           else
           should
           be
           ,
           yet
           there
           are
           Fools
           who
           
             say
             in
             their
             hearts
          
           ,
           what
           they
           dare
           not
           speak
           out
           ,
           
             that
             there
             is
             no
             God
          
           ,
           Psal
           .
           14.1
           .
           And
           he
           that
           saith
           there
           is
           no
           God
           wisheth
           there
           were
           none
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           could
           help
           it
           there
           should
           be
           none
           .
           Others
           Blaspheme
           the
           Attributes
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           charge
           the
           All-seeing
           Eye
           with
           Blindness
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             shall
             not
             see
          
           ,
           Psal
           .
           94.7
           .
           that
           charge
           the
           Eternal
           Mind
           with
           Forgetfulness
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             God
             hath
             forgotten
          
           ,
           Psal
           .
           10.11
           .
           that
           charge
           the
           Almighty
           Arm
           with
           Impotency
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Can
             God
             furnish
             a
             Table
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
          
           which
           is
           there
           call'd
           speaking
           
             against
             God
          
           ,
           Psal
           .
           78.19
           ,
           
           20.
           
           Those
           speak
           against
           God
           that
           promise
           themselves
           Impunity
           in
           Sin
           ,
           saying
           ,
           They
           shall
           
             not
             surely
             die
          
           ,
           
           and
           God
           
             will
             not
             require
             it
          
           .
           And
           those
           that
           boldly
           allow
           their
           Impiety
           and
           Irreligion
           ,
           saying
           unto
           the
           Almighty
           
             Depart
             from
             us
          
           —
           Job
           .
           21.14
           ,
           15.
           
           Some
           speak
           meanly
           of
           God
           ,
           tho'
           He
           is
           infinitely
           Great
           and
           Glorious
           ,
           others
           speak
           hardly
           of
           Him
           ,
           tho'
           he
           is
           infinitely
           Just
           and
           Good.
           The
           Name
           of
           God
           is
           
             spoken
             against
          
           by
           the
           profane
           using
           of
           it
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           construed
           Psal
           .
           139.20
           .
           
             They
             speak
             against
             thee
             wickedly
             ,
             thine
             Enemies
             take
             thy
             Name
             in
             vain
             .
          
           Can
           there
           be
           a
           greater
           slight
           put
           upon
           the
           Eternal
           God
           than
           for
           Men
           to
           use
           his
           Sacred
           and
           Blessed
           Name
           as
           a
           By-word
           ,
           with
           which
           they
           give
           vent
           to
           their
           exorbitant
           Passions
           ,
           or
           fill
           up
           the
           vacancies
           of
           their
           other
           Idle-words
           ?
           The
           Name
           of
           God
           is
           thus
           abus'd
           not
           only
           by
           those
           that
           belch
           out
           bloody
           Oaths
           and
           Curses
           which
           make
           the
           Ears
           of
           every
           good
           Man
           to
           tingle
           ,
           but
           by
           those
           that
           mention
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           slightly
           and
           irreverently
           ,
           in
           their
           common
           Conversation
           ;
           
           in
           whose
           mouths
           he
           is
           near
           when
           he
           is
           
             far
             from
             their
             reins
          
           .
           To
           use
           those
           forms
           of
           speech
           which
           properly
           signify
           an
           Acknowledgment
           and
           Adoration
           of
           God's
           Being
           ,
           as
           
             O
             God
          
           ,
           or
           
             O
             Lord
          
           ,
           or
           an
           Appeal
           to
           his
           Omniscience
           ,
           as
           
             God
             knows
          
           ,
           or
           an
           Invocation
           of
           his
           Favour
           ,
           as
           
             God
             bless
             me
          
           ,
           or
           
             God
             be
             merciful
             to
             me
          
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           to
           use
           these
           or
           the
           like
           expressions
           impertinently
           ,
           and
           intending
           thereby
           to
           express
           only
           our
           wonder
           ,
           our
           surprize
           ,
           or
           our
           passionate
           resentments
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           than
           that
           which
           is
           their
           proper
           and
           awful
           signification
           ,
           is
           an
           evidence
           of
           a
           
             vain
             mind
          
           ,
           that
           wants
           a
           due
           regard
           to
           
             that
             glorious
             and
             fearful
             Name
          
           ,
           
           The
           
             Lord
             our
             God.
          
           I
           see
           not
           that
           the
           Profanation
           of
           the
           Ordinance
           
           of
           Praying
           ,
           is
           any
           better
           than
           the
           Profanation
           of
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           Swearing
           .
           The
           serious
           consideration
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           might
           prevent
           much
           of
           that
           Dishonour
           which
           is
           done
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Holy
           Name
           ,
           by
           some
           that
           run
           not
           with
           others
           to
           an
           excess
           of
           Riot
           .
        
         
           The
           Providence
           of
           God
           is
           likewise
           every
           where
           spoken
           against
           by
           Murmurers
           and
           Complainers
           that
           quarrel
           with
           it
           ,
           
           and
           find
           fault
           with
           the
           disposals
           of
           it
           ,
           
           and
           when
           they
           are
           
             hardly
             bestead
             curse
             their
             King
             and
             their
             God.
          
           Thus
           is
           the
           mouth
           of
           the
           ungodly
           
             set
             against
             the
             Heavens
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             their
             Tongue
             walketh
             through
             the
             Earth
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           
             Word
             of
             God
          
           the
           great
           Rule
           of
           our
           Religion
           is
           every
           where
           
             spoken
             against
          
           ,
           so
           it
           was
           when
           it
           was
           first
           preached
           ,
           wherever
           the
           Apostles
           went
           preaching
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           they
           met
           with
           those
           that
           
             spake
             against
             it
             ,
             contradicting
             and
             blaspheming
             ,
          
           Acts
           13.45
           .
           So
           it
           is
           ,
           now
           it
           is
           
             written
             ,
             Atheists
          
           speak
           against
           the
           Scriptures
           as
           not
           of
           Authority
           ,
           Papists
           speak
           against
           it
           as
           dark
           and
           uncertain
           further
           than
           it
           is
           expounded
           ,
           and
           supported
           by
           the
           Authority
           of
           their
           Church
           ,
           which
           *
           receives
           unwritten
           Traditions
           
             pari
             pietatis
             affectu
             ac
             reverentiâ
          
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           pious
           affection
           and
           reverence
           that
           they
           receive
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           nay
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           may
           judge
           by
           their
           practice
           ,
           with
           
             much
             more
          
           .
           Thus
           is
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           blasphemed
           by
           them
           who
           call
           themselves
           the
           
             Temple
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           But
           if
           we
           take
           away
           Revelation
           (
           as
           the
           Deists
           do
           )
           all
           Religion
           will
           soon
           be
           lost
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           derogate
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           (
           as
           the
           Papists
           do
           )
           all
           Revelation
           is
           much
           endangered
           .
        
         
           Those
           also
           
             speak
             against
          
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           who
           profanely
           Jest
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           
           the
           more
           securely
           Rebel
           against
           
             Scripture
             Laws
          
           ,
           make
           themselves
           and
           their
           idle
           Companions
           merry
           with
           the
           
             Scripture
             Language
             .
             The
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             unto
             them
             a
             reproach
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Prophet
           complains
           ,
           Jer.
           6.10
           .
           And
           another
           Prophet
           found
           it
           so
           ,
           whose
           serious
           word
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           
             Precept
             upon
             Precept
          
           was
           turned
           into
           an
           
             idle
             Song
          
           ,
           (
           as
           Grotius
           understands
           it
           )
           Isa
           .
           28.13
           .
           
             The
             word
             of
             the
             Lord
             was
             unto
             them
             Precept
             upon
             Precept
          
           —
           Very
           likely
           it
           was
           done
           by
           the
           
             Drunkards
             of
             Ephraim
          
           ,
           spoken
           of
           v.
           1.
           and
           it
           gave
           occasion
           to
           that
           Caution
           ,
           v.
           22.
           
           
             Be
             ye
             not
             mockers
             lest
             your
             Bands
             be
             made
             strong
             .
          
           Profligate
           and
           Debauched
           Minds
           relish
           no
           wit
           like
           that
           which
           ridicules
           the
           Sacred
           Text
           ,
           and
           exposeth
           that
           to
           Contempt
           :
           
           As
           of
           old
           the
           insulting
           Babilonians
           must
           be
           humour'd
           with
           the
           
             Songs
             of
          
           Sion
           ;
           and
           no
           Cups
           can
           please
           Belshazzar
           in
           his
           drunken
           Frollick
           but
           the
           Sacred
           
             Vessels
             of
             the
             Temple
          
           .
           
           Thus
           industrious
           are
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           to
           Vilify
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           them
           contemptible
           ;
           but
           he
           that
           sits
           in
           Heaven
           shall
           laugh
           at
           them
           ,
           for
           in
           spite
           of
           all
           the
           little
           efforts
           of
           their
           impotent
           Malice
           ,
           
             He
             will
             magnifie
             the
             Law
             and
             make
             it
             honourable
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           word
           which
           he
           hath
           spoken
           ,
           Isa
           .
           42.21
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           
             People
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Professors
           of
           this
           Religion
           are
           every
           where
           spoken
           against
           .
           Not
           only
           those
           of
           some
           particular
           Perswasion
           or
           Denomination
           ,
           but
           (
           without
           regard
           to
           that
           )
           such
           as
           have
           been
           zealous
           in
           fearing
           God
           ,
           and
           working
           Righteousness
           have
           been
           ,
           in
           many
           places
           ,
           very
           much
           spoken
           against
           .
           Our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           hath
           told
           his
           Disciples
           what
           Treatment
           of
           this
           kind
           they
           must
           expect
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           revil'd
           and
           have
           
             all
             manner
             of
             evil
             said
             against
             them
             falsly
             ,
             
             Mat.
          
           5.11
           ,
           12.
           that
           they
           and
           their
           Names
           should
           be
           
             cast
             out
             as
             evil
          
           ,
           Luke
           6.22
           .
           And
           if
           
             they
             called
          
           our
           Master
           ,
           Belzebub
           ,
           no
           nick-names
           fastned
           upon
           his
           Followers
           can
           seem
           strange
           .
           Mat.
           5.25
           .
           Mocking
           was
           an
           old
           way
           of
           persecuting
           the
           Covenant-Seed
           ,
           for
           thus
           ,
           
             He
             that
             was
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             betimes
             persecuted
             them
             that
             were
             after
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           Compare
           Gen.
           21.9
           .
           with
           Gal.
           4.29
           .
           God's
           Heritage
           hath
           always
           been
           as
           a
           
             speckled
             Bird
          
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Birds
           are
           against
           ,
           Jer.
           12.9
           .
           
           And
           his
           Children
           
             for
             signs
             and
             for
             wonders
             in
             Israel
             ,
          
           that
           every
           one
           hath
           a
           
             saying
             to
             .
             Isa
          
           .
           8.18
           .
           Even
           Wisdoms
           Children
           have
           been
           call'd
           and
           counted
           Fools
           ,
           and
           
             their
             life
             Madness
          
           ;
           The
           
             Quiet
             in
             the
             Land
          
           represented
           as
           Enemies
           to
           the
           Publick
           Peace
           ;
           And
           those
           who
           are
           the
           greatest
           Blessings
           of
           the
           Age
           branded
           as
           the
           
             Troublers
             of
             Israel
          
           .
           
           The
           Primitive
           Christians
           were
           painted
           out
           to
           the
           World
           under
           the
           blackest
           and
           most
           odious
           Characters
           that
           could
           be
           ,
           as
           Men
           of
           the
           most
           profligate
           Lives
           and
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           that
           even
           placed
           their
           Religion
           in
           the
           grossest
           Impieties
           and
           Immoralities
           imaginable
           .
           Their
           Enemies
           found
           it
           necessary
           for
           the
           support
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           the
           Father
           of
           Lies
           and
           Slanders
           ,
           
             (
             fortiter
             Calumniari
          
           )
           to
           Characterize
           them
           as
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           were
           resolv'd
           to
           give
           the
           worst
           and
           most
           barbarous
           Treatment
           .
           It
           had
           not
           been
           possible
           to
           have
           baited
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           first
           dress'd
           them
           up
           in
           the
           skins
           of
           
             wild
             Beasts
          
           .
           And
           as
           then
           ,
           so
           ever
           since
           ,
           more
           or
           less
           in
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           Reproach
           hath
           been
           entail'd
           upon
           the
           most
           serious
           and
           zealous
           Professors
           of
           Religion
           and
           Godliness
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           The
           
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           the
           Preachers
           of
           this
           Religion
           ,
           are
           with
           a
           distinguishing
           Enmity
           every
           where
           spoken
           against
           .
           Under
           the
           Old
           Testament
           God's
           Messengers
           and
           his
           Prophets
           were
           generally
           mocked
           and
           misused
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           
           Jerusalem's
           measure-filling
           Sin.
           2
           Chron.
           36.16
           .
           'T
           was
           one
           of
           the
           Devices
           they
           devis'd
           against
           
             Jeremiah
             to
             smite
             him
             with
             the
             tongue
             ,
          
           because
           they
           would
           not
           ,
           and
           they
           desired
           tha●
           others
           might
           not
           
             give
             heed
             to
             any
             of
             his
             words
             ,
             Jer.
          
           18.18
           .
           Those
           to
           whom
           the
           Prophet
           Ezekiel
           was
           a
           
             very
             lovely
             Song
          
           ,
           and
           
             with
             their
             mouths
             showed
             much
             love
          
           to
           him
           ,
           yet
           were
           still
           
             talking
             against
             him
             by
             the
             Walls
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Doors
             of
             their
             Houses
             ,
          
           and
           God
           lets
           him
           know
           it
           .
           Ezek.
           33.30
           ,
           31
           ,
           32.
           
           And
           then
           it
           is
           not
           strange
           if
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           (
           in
           which
           Truth
           shines
           with
           a
           stronger
           Light
           )
           be
           with
           no
           less
           Enmity
           spoken
           against
           by
           those
           that
           love
           Darkness
           rather
           than
           Light.
           The
           Apostles
           ,
           those
           
             prime
             Ministers
             of
             State
          
           in
           Christ's
           Kingdom
           were
           so
           loaded
           with
           Reproach
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           made
           a
           
             spectacle
             to
             the
             World
          
           ,
           
           a
           spectacle
           of
           Pity
           to
           those
           that
           have
           either
           Grace
           or
           good
           Nature
           ,
           but
           a
           spectacle
           of
           scorn
           to
           those
           that
           had
           neither
           .
           They
           were
           trampled
           upon
           as
           the
           
             Filth
             of
             the
             World
          
           ;
           and
           whereas
           the
           Off-scouring
           of
           any
           thing
           is
           bad
           enough
           ,
           they
           were
           look'd
           upon
           as
           the
           
             off-scouring
             of
             all
             things
          
           ;
           even
           
             unto
             this
             day
          
           ;
           after
           they
           had
           in
           so
           many
           instances
           approv'd
           themselves
           well
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           but
           be
           made
           
             manifest
             in
             the
             Consciences
          
           of
           their
           worst
           Enemies
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           4.9
           ,
           13.
           
           And
           it
           hath
           all
           along
           been
           the
           Policy
           of
           the
           Churches
           Enemies
           by
           all
           marks
           possible
           to
           bring
           the
           Ministry
           into
           contempt
           ,
           and
           to
           represent
           the
           Churches
           Nazarites
           ,
           even
           those
           that
           were
           
             purer
             than
             Snow
             ,
             whiter
             than
             
             Milk
             ,
          
           and
           
             more
             ruddy
             than
             Rubies
          
           ,
           with
           a
           
             visage
             blacker
             than
             a
             Coal
          
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           
             have
             not
             been
             known
             in
             the
             streets
             .
          
           I
           allude
           to
           that
           complaint
           ,
           Lam.
           4.7
           ,
           8.
           
           Marvel
           not
           ,
           if
           the
           Standard-bearers
           be
           most
           struck
           at
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           The
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           it self
           hath
           been
           and
           still
           is
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           The
           Truths
           of
           it
           contradicted
           as
           false
           and
           groundless
           ,
           the
           great
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           
             Mediation
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Dead
           were
           ridicul'd
           by
           the
           Athenian
           Philosophers
           ,
           Acts
           19.18
           ,
           32.
           
           The
           Laws
           of
           it
           faulted
           as
           grievous
           and
           unreasonable
           ,
           as
           
             hard
             sayings
          
           ,
           which
           could
           not
           be
           born
           ,
           by
           those
           who
           bid
           open
           defiance
           to
           the
           Obligation
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             break
             their
             bands
             asunder
             ,
             and
             cast
             away
             their
             Cords
             from
             us
             ,
          
           Ps
           .
           2.3
           .
           The
           Ordinances
           of
           it
           despis'd
           as
           mean
           ,
           and
           having
           no
           form
           nor
           comeliness
           .
           
             Sabbaths
             mock'd
             at
          
           ,
           as
           of
           old
           ,
           
           Lam.
           1.7
           .
           and
           the
           sanctification
           of
           them
           represented
           as
           only
           a
           Cloak
           for
           Idleness
           .
           Sacraments
           reproach'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Sacred
           Memorial
           of
           Christ's
           Death
           and
           Sufferings
           ,
           by
           the
           Persecutors
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Christians
           represented
           to
           the
           World
           as
           the
           bloody
           and
           inhumane
           Killing
           and
           Eating
           of
           a
           Child
           ,
           and
           their
           
             Love
             Feasts
          
           and
           
             Holy
             Kiss
          
           (
           which
           were
           then
           in
           use
           )
           as
           only
           introductions
           to
           the
           most
           abominable
           uncleanness
           .
           Primitive
           Christianity
           was
           industriously
           put
           into
           an
           ill-name
           :
           it
           was
           call'd
           emphatically
           
             The
             Atheism
          
           ,
           because
           it
           overthrew
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           undermin'd
           the
           false
           Gods
           ,
           and
           worships
           that
           had
           so
           long
           obtain'd
           .
           This
           was
           the
           Out-cry
           at
           Ephesus
           ,
           that
           if
           
           Paul's
           Doctrine
           took
           place
           ,
           the
           
             Temple
             of
             the
             great
             Goddess
          
           would
           be
           despis'd
           ,
           Acts
           19.26
           ,
           27.
           
           It
           was
           also
           branded
           as
           a
           Novelty
           ,
           and
           an
           up-start
           Doctrine
           ,
           because
           it
           took
           
           people
           off
           from
           that
           
             vain
             Conversation
          
           which
           they
           had
           
             received
             by
             Tradition
             from
             their
             Fathers
             .
          
           
           It
           was
           call'd
           at
           Athens
           a
           
             New
             Doctrine
          
           ,
           and
           industriously
           represented
           in
           all
           places
           as
           a
           
             Mushrome
             Sect
          
           ,
           that
           was
           but
           of
           yesterday
           .
           It
           was
           look'd
           upon
           as
           nearly
           allied
           to
           Judaism
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           so
           much
           supported
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           nothing
           was
           more
           despicable
           among
           the
           Romans
           than
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           their
           Religion
           .
           The
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           were
           look'd
           upon
           as
           unlearned
           and
           ignorant
           Men
           ,
           Acts
           4.12
           .
           the
           very
           Dregs
           and
           Refuse
           of
           the
           People
           .
           
           Julian
           forbad
           the
           calling
           of
           them
           Christians
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           them
           called
           nothing
           but
           Galileans
           ,
           thereby
           to
           expose
           them
           to
           the
           contempt
           of
           those
           who
           are
           (
           as
           indeed
           most
           people
           are
           )
           govern'd
           more
           by
           a
           sound
           of
           Words
           than
           by
           the
           reason
           of
           Things
           .
           Thus
           when
           the
           Devil
           was
           silenced
           in
           his
           Oracles
           (
           as
           it
           is
           well
           known
           he
           was
           upon
           the
           setting
           up
           of
           Christianity
           in
           the
           World
           )
           his
           mouth
           was
           opened
           in
           Lies
           and
           Slanders
           ;
           and
           being
           forced
           to
           quit
           his
           pretentions
           to
           a
           Deity
           ,
           he
           appears
           bare-faced
           ,
           as
           a
           Devil
           ,
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           )
           a
           
             False
             Accuser
          
           .
        
         
           The
           Reformed
           Religion
           in
           these
           latter
           ages
           ,
           hath
           been
           in
           like
           manner
           
             spoken
             against
          
           :
           Though
           it
           
             maintains
             all
          
           that
           ,
           [
           and
           only
           that
           ]
           Doctrine
           ,
           which
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           preach'd
           ,
           and
           was
           before
           Luther
           there
           ,
           where
           Popery
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           never
           was
           before
           or
           since
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           yet
           the
           Professors
           and
           Preachers
           of
           it
           have
           been
           call'd
           and
           counted
           Hereticks
           ,
           
           and
           Schismaticks
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           possible
           Artifices
           expos'd
           to
           the
           odium
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           that
           
             none
             might
             Buy
             or
             Sell
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           have
           the
           benefit
           and
           comfort
           of
           civil
           Society
           and
           Commerce
           ,
           that
           
             had
             not
             the
             Mark
             ,
             
             or
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Beast
             ,
          
           
           
             or
             the
             Number
             of
             his
             Name
             .
          
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           even
           among
           some
           that
           profess
           the
           Christian
           and
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           yet
           the
           Practice
           of
           
             serious
             Godliness
          
           is
           very
           much
           
             spoken
             against
          
           .
           The
           Power
           of
           Religion
           is
           not
           only
           disliked
           and
           deny'd
           ,
           but
           contradicted
           and
           condemned
           by
           those
           that
           rest
           in
           the
           Form.
           They
           that
           
             call
             the
             Evil
          
           ,
           
           Good
           ,
           will
           call
           
             the
             Good
             ,
             Evil
          
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           not
           strange
           if
           they
           ,
           who
           abandon
           themselves
           to
           
             work
             all
             uncleanness
             with
             greediness
          
           ,
           
           speak
           ill
           of
           such
           as
           
             run
             not
          
           with
           them
           
             to
             the
             same
             excess
             of
             Riot
             ,
          
           where
           the
           
             Wicked
             walk
             on
             every
             side
             ,
             he
             that
             departeth
             from
             evil
             maketh
             himself
             a
             prey
             .
          
           
           The
           old
           Enmity
           between
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Woman
           and
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Serpent
           is
           still
           working
           ,
           and
           the
           old
           Game
           every
           day
           plaid
           over
           again
           .
           The
           
             Truth
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Jesus
             ,
          
           
           and
           the
           
             Truth
             which
             is
             according
             to
             Godliness
          
           will
           be
           contradicted
           by
           those
           that
           
             lye
             in
             wait
             to
             deceive
             .
             Bigots
          
           on
           all
           sides
           will
           have
           something
           to
           say
           against
           
             Catholick
             Charity
          
           and
           Moderation
           :
           They
           that
           are
           
             fervent
             in
             spirit
             ,
             serving
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           
             forward
             to
             every
             good
             Work
          
           ,
           must
           expect
           to
           be
           evil
           spoken
           of
           by
           such
           as
           affect
           a
           Lukewarmness
           ,
           and
           Indifferency
           in
           Religion
           :
           Nor
           can
           those
           who
           
             walk
             circumspectly
             ,
             not
             as
             Fools
             but
             as
             Wise
             ,
          
           escape
           the
           lash
           of
           their
           Tongues
           who
           live
           at
           large
           ,
           and
           walk
           loosly
           ,
           and
           
             at
             all
             adventures
          
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Fools
             in
          
           Israel
           .
        
         
           I
           come
           now
           in
           the
           
             Second
             Place
          
           to
           enquire
           
             what
             's
             the
             Reason
          
           that
           so
           Holy
           and
           Excellent
           a
           Religion
           as
           Christianity
           is
           ,
           meets
           with
           such
           hard
           usage
           ,
           and
           is
           thus
           spoken
           against
           ,
           
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
          
           :
           When
           we
           hear
           such
           an
           Out-cry
           as
           this
           made
           against
           Christianity
           ,
           it
           is
           natural
           
           to
           us
           to
           enquire
           ,
           as
           Pilate
           did
           when
           such
           a
           Clamour
           was
           raised
           against
           its
           Author
           ,
           
             Why
             ,
             what
             evil
             hath
             it
             done
             ?
          
           Truly
           we
           may
           say
           concerning
           it
           as
           Pilate
           did
           concerning
           him
           ,
           
             We
             find
             no
             fault
             in
             it
             .
          
           Which
           of
           all
           its
           Opposers
           convinceth
           it
           of
           Sin
           or
           Error
           ?
           It
           invades
           no
           Man's
           Right
           ,
           breaks
           in
           upon
           no
           Man's
           Property
           ,
           is
           no
           Disturbance
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           no
           Enemy
           to
           the
           Welfare
           of
           Families
           and
           Societies
           ,
           is
           no
           Prejudice
           at
           all
           to
           the
           Interests
           of
           States
           aad
           Princes
           ,
           but
           to
           all
           these
           highly
           Beneficial
           and
           Advantageous
           :
           
             Why
             then
             is
             it
          
           thus
           accused
           ,
           condemned
           and
           
             spoken
             against
          
           ?
           We
           will
           endeavour
           to
           find
           out
           the
           true
           Reason
           of
           it
           ,
           though
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           assign
           a
           justifiable
           Reason
           of
           that
           which
           is
           most
           unreasonable
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Adversaries
           of
           Religion
           speak
           against
           it
           
             because
             they
             do
             not
             know
             it
             .
          
           Sound
           Knowledge
           hath
           not
           a
           greater
           Enemy
           in
           the
           World
           than
           Ignorance
           .
           Our
           Lord
           Jesus
           was
           therefore
           despised
           and
           hated
           by
           the
           World
           ,
           because
           the
           World
           
             knew
             him
             not
             ,
             John
          
           1.10
           .
           
             If
             they
             had
             known
          
           the
           Dignity
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           the
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           the
           gracious
           Design
           and
           Purpose
           of
           his
           coming
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           certainly
           they
           
             would
             not
             have
             Crucified
             the
             Lord
             of
             Glory
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           2.8
           .
           They
           that
           did
           it
           ,
           
           did
           it
           
             through
             Ignorance
          
           ,
           and
           
             knew
             not
             what
          
           they
           did
           .
           Thus
           they
           who
           
             say
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             Depart
             from
             us
             ,
          
           could
           not
           say
           so
           if
           they
           did
           not
           at
           the
           same
           time
           studiously
           decline
           
             the
             knowledge
             of
             his
             ways
          
           .
           
           No
           Man
           will
           speak
           against
           Religion
           and
           the
           Power
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           hath
           either
           seriously
           weighed
           the
           Proofs
           and
           Evidences
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           impartially
           tried
           the
           Comfort
           and
           Benefit
           of
           it
           .
           
           If
           they
           
             knew
             this
             Gift
          
           ,
           this
           inestimable
           Gift
           of
           God
           ,
           instead
           of
           speaking
           against
           it
           ,
           
           they
           would
           covet
           it
           earnestly
           as
           the
           best
           Gift
           .
           He
           that
           looks
           at
           a
           distance
           upon
           Men
           Dancing
           ,
           would
           think
           them
           to
           be
           mad
           :
           (
           It
           was
           
             Peter
             Martyr's
          
           Comparison
           ,
           in
           a
           Sermon
           which
           had
           so
           good
           an
           influence
           upon
           the
           Conversion
           of
           the
           Marquess
           of
           Vico
           )
           But
           let
           him
           come
           nearer
           them
           ,
           and
           observe
           the
           Regularity
           and
           Harmony
           of
           all
           their
           Motions
           and
           Postures
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           not
           only
           admire
           their
           Order
           ,
           but
           find
           in
           himself
           an
           inclination
           to
           join
           with
           them
           :
           So
           he
           that
           contents
           himself
           with
           a
           distant
           and
           transient
           view
           of
           the
           Practice
           of
           Piety
           will
           perhaps
           take
           up
           hard
           thoughts
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           a
           better
           Acquaintance
           will
           rectify
           the
           Mistake
           .
           When
           the
           Spouse
           in
           the
           Canticles
           had
           given
           a
           Description
           of
           her
           Beloved
           to
           the
           Daughters
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           the
           same
           who
           before
           had
           scornfully
           ask'd
           ,
           
           
             What
             is
             thy
             Beloved
             more
             than
             another
             Beloved
             ?
          
           Now
           as
           seriously
           enquire
           ,
           
             Whither
             is
             thy
             Beloved
             gone
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             seek
             him
             with
             thee
             ?
          
           The
           People
           of
           God
           are
           called
           his
           
             Hidden
             Ones
          
           ,
           and
           their
           Life
           is
           a
           
             Hidden
             Life
          
           ,
           
           their
           way
           above
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           that
           the
           World
           speaks
           evil
           of
           them
           ,
           because
           it
           
             knows
             them
             not
          
           .
           1
           Joh.
           3.1
           .
           They
           who
           
             speak
             evil
             of
          
           these
           
             Dignities
             ,
             speak
             evil
             of
             those
             things
             which
             they
             know
             not
             ,
          
           
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           Jude
           8.10
           .
           How
           unjust
           then
           ,
           and
           unreasonable
           is
           the
           Enmity
           and
           Malice
           of
           the
           Adversaries
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           condemn
           that
           which
           they
           never
           enquired
           into
           ,
           and
           to
           load
           that
           with
           the
           vilest
           Reproaches
           which
           for
           ought
           they
           know
           ,
           merits
           the
           highest
           Encomiums
           !
           And
           how
           excellent
           then
           are
           the
           ways
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           none
           speak
           ill
           of
           but
           those
           that
           are
           unacquainted
           with
           them
           !
           while
           those
           that
           know
           them
           witness
           to
           the
           goodness
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           
             Wisdom
             is
             justified
             of
             all
             her
             Children
             ,
          
           Mat.
           11.19
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           They
           speak
           against
           it
           
             because
             they
             do
             not
             like
             it
             ,
          
           and
           we
           know
           
             Ill-will
             never
             speaks
             well
          
           .
           Tho'
           they
           have
           little
           acquaintance
           with
           Religion
           ,
           yet
           they
           know
           this
           concerning
           it
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           agreeable
           with
           the
           
             way
             of
             their
             hearts
          
           which
           they
           are
           resolved
           to
           walk
           in
           ,
           
           nor
           with
           the
           
             course
             of
             this
             World
          
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Card
           and
           Compass
           they
           steer
           by
           ,
           and
           from
           which
           they
           take
           their
           measures
           ;
           they
           know
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           lays
           a
           restraint
           upon
           their
           Appetites
           and
           Passions
           ,
           and
           consists
           much
           in
           the
           mortifying
           of
           their
           beloved
           Lusts
           and
           Corruptions
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           have
           a
           secret
           Antipathy
           to
           it
           :
           The
           
             Carnal
             Mind
          
           ,
           which
           is
           
             enmity
             against
             God
          
           ,
           is
           so
           against
           all
           that
           bear
           the
           Image
           of
           God.
           Christ
           hath
           bidden
           his
           Disciples
           to
           expect
           the
           Hatred
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           marvel
           at
           it
           ,
           Joh.
           15.18
           ,
           &c.
           
           They
           who
           
             hate
             to
             be
          
           themselves
           reform'd
           will
           never
           love
           those
           that
           are
           reform'd
           :
           Out
           
             of
             the
             abundance
          
           therefore
           
             of
             the
             Heart
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Malignity
           that
           is
           there
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           marvel
           if
           
             the
             mouth
             speak
          
           ;
           where
           the
           
             Root
             of
             Bitterness
          
           is
           ,
           
           it
           will
           bear
           
             Gall
             and
             Wormwood
          
           .
           The
           Daring
           Sinner
           that
           
             stretcheth
             out
             his
             hand
             against
             God
          
           finds
           his
           hand
           too
           short
           to
           reach
           him
           ;
           but
           
             say
             they
          
           ,
           
           
             with
             our
             Tongue
             will
             we
             prevail
             ,
             our
             Lips
             are
             our
             own
             .
          
           The
           Beast
           that
           made
           War
           with
           Heaven
           in
           the
           Apocalyptick
           Vision
           ,
           though
           he
           had
           
             ten
             Horns
          
           ,
           and
           those
           
           crown'd
           ,
           yet
           is
           not
           described
           doing
           mischief
           with
           them
           ,
           but
           
             opening
             his
             Mouth
             in
             Blasphemy
             against
             God
             ,
             to
             blaspheme
             his
             Name
             ,
             and
             his
             Tabernacle
             ,
             and
             them
             that
             dwell
             in
             Heaven
             ,
          
           Rev.
           13.5
           ,
           6.
           
           The
           Poison
           of
           the
           Serpents
           Seed
           is
           
             under
             their
             Tongue
          
           ,
           Rom.
           3.13
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           They
           speak
           against
           Religion
           
             because
             it
             speaks
             against
             them
          
           .
           They
           who
           have
           fellowship
           with
           the
           unfruitful
           Works
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           hate
           the
           Light
           which
           discovers
           them
           ,
           Joh.
           3.19
           .
           Nor
           do
           any
           curse
           the
           Rising
           Sun
           but
           those
           that
           are
           scorch'd
           by
           it
           .
           Why
           were
           the
           Pharisees
           so
           exasperated
           against
           our
           Saviour
           but
           because
           he
           spake
           his
           Parables
           
             against
             them
          
           ,
           
           and
           laid
           them
           open
           in
           their
           own
           colours
           ?
           Why
           did
           the
           
             World
             hate
          
           him
           who
           so
           loved
           the
           World
           ,
           
           but
           because
           
             he
             testified
             of
             it
             that
             its
             Works
             are
             evil
             ?
          
           Why
           had
           
           Joseph's
           Brethren
           such
           a
           spleen
           against
           him
           ,
           but
           because
           he
           was
           a
           Witness
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           
             brought
             to
             his
             Father
             their
             evil
             Report
             ?
          
           Why
           did
           Ahab
           hate
           Micajah
           ,
           
           and
           call
           Elijah
           his
           Enemy
           but
           because
           they
           were
           the
           faithful
           Reprovers
           of
           his
           Wickedness
           ,
           and
           
             never
             prophesied
             Good
             concerning
             him
             ,
             but
             Evil
             ?
          
           Why
           did
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           Earth
           rejoyce
           when
           the
           Witnesses
           were
           slain
           ,
           but
           because
           
             those
             two
             Prophets
          
           by
           their
           plain
           and
           powerful
           Preaching
           
             tormented
             them
             that
             dwelt
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ?
          
           
           The
           everlasting
           Gospel
           is
           a
           Testimony
           ,
           either
           
             to
             us
          
           to
           convince
           us
           ,
           or
           
             against
             us
          
           to
           condemn
           us
           ,
           and
           then
           no
           wonder
           if
           those
           speak
           against
           it
           who
           hate
           to
           be
           convinced
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           dread
           to
           be
           condemned
           by
           it
           .
           The
           Prophet
           complains
           of
           those
           that
           laid
           
             Snares
             for
             him
             that
             reproveth
             in
             the
             gate
          
           ;
           and
           why
           is
           it
           faithful
           Ministers
           are
           so
           much
           hated
           ,
           but
           because
           their
           Business
           is
           to
           
             shew
             people
             their
             Transgressions
          
           ?
           If
           they
           would
           flatter
           Sinners
           that
           flatter
           themselves
           in
           a
           sinful
           way
           ,
           and
           cry
           Peace
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           doth
           not
           speak
           Peace
           ,
           they
           might
           avoid
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Reproach
           and
           Censure
           ;
           but
           they
           dare
           not
           do
           it
           .
           
           They
           are
           not
           to
           make
           a
           new
           Law
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           to
           preach
           that
           which
           is
           made
           :
           they
           
           have
           their
           Rule
           in
           that
           Caution
           given
           to
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           Jer.
           15.19
           .
           
             Let
             them
             return
             unto
             thee
             ,
             but
             return
             not
             thou
             unto
             them
             .
          
           The
           Hearts
           and
           Lives
           of
           Men
           must
           be
           brought
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           can
           never
           be
           made
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Humours
           and
           Fancies
           of
           Men.
           Ministers
           as
           they
           would
           not
           for
           the
           World
           make
           the
           way
           to
           Heaven
           any
           straiter
           or
           narrower
           than
           Christ
           hath
           made
           it
           ,
           so
           they
           dare
           not
           make
           it
           any
           broader
           or
           easier
           ,
           nor
           offer
           Life
           and
           Salvation
           upon
           any
           other
           Terms
           than
           the
           Gospel
           hath
           already
           settled
           .
           If
           they
           aim
           at
           
             pleasing
             Men
          
           ,
           they
           cannot
           approve
           themselves
           the
           
             Servants
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           are
           they
           so
           much
           spoken
           against
           .
           And
           the
           same
           is
           the
           Reason
           why
           the
           most
           strict
           and
           serious
           Christians
           are
           so
           much
           
             spoken
             against
          
           ,
           because
           their
           Piety
           and
           Devotion
           ,
           their
           Justice
           and
           Sobriety
           ,
           their
           Zeal
           and
           Charity
           ,
           is
           a
           standing
           Reproof
           to
           the
           wicked
           World
           ,
           and
           condemns
           it
           ,
           
           as
           the
           Faith
           and
           holy
           Fear
           of
           
             Noah
             condemned
          
           the
           Infidelity
           and
           Security
           of
           the
           Old
           World.
           The
           Sodomites
           were
           vexed
           at
           
           Lot's
           Conversation
           as
           much
           as
           he
           was
           at
           their
           filthy
           Conversation
           .
           Wherefore
           doth
           the
           Blood-Thirsty
           hate
           and
           revile
           the
           Vpright
           ,
           while
           the
           
             Just
             seek
             his
             Soul
          
           ,
           
           but
           for
           the
           same
           Reason
           for
           which
           Cain
           hated
           Abel
           ,
           because
           
             his
             own
             Works
             were
             Evil
             and
             his
             Brothers
             Righteous
             .
          
           
        
         
           
           
             Now
             for
             the
             APPLICATION
             of
             this
             DOCTRINE
             .
          
           
             Let
             us
             see
             what
             good
             Use
             we
             may
             make
             of
             this
             Observation
             concerning
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             the
             Wicked
             in
             speaking
             so
             much
             against
             Religion
             and
             Godliness
             ,
             and
             what
             is
             our
             Duty
             in
             reference
             hereunto
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               admire
               the
               Patience
               and
               Forbearance
               of
               the
               God
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               in
               that
               he
               bears
               so
               much
               ,
               and
               so
               long
               ,
               with
               those
               that
               thus
               speak
               against
               Him
               and
               his
               Holy
               Religion
               .
            
             The
             Affront
             hereby
             given
             Him
             is
             very
             great
             ,
             and
             (
             we
             would
             think
             )
             intollerable
             ,
             even
             Hard
             Speeches
             that
             reflect
             upon
             an
             Infinite
             Majesty
             ,
             have
             in
             them
             a
             kind
             of
             Infinite
             Malignity
             .
             He
             hears
             and
             knows
             all
             that
             which
             is
             said
             against
             Him
             ,
             and
             against
             his
             Truth
             and
             VVays
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             Jealous
             God
             resents
             it
             .
             He
             hath
             always
             Power
             in
             his
             Hands
             to
             punish
             the
             proudest
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             nor
             would
             their
             immediate
             Ruine
             be
             any
             Loss
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             yet
             
               Sentence
               against
            
             these
             
               Evil
               Words
            
             and
             Works
             is
             
               not
               executed
               speedily
            
             :
             Be
             astonished
             O
             Heavens
             ,
             
             at
             this
             ,
             and
             wonder
             O
             Earth
             !
             that
             those
             wretches
             which
             rebel
             against
             the
             Beams
             of
             such
             Light
             and
             Glory
             ,
             which
             spurn
             at
             the
             Bowels
             of
             such
             Love
             and
             Grace
             ,
             are
             not
             immediately
             made
             the
             visible
             Monuments
             of
             Divine
             VVrath
             and
             Vengeance
             ,
             and
             like
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             ,
             set
             
               forth
               for
               an
               Example
            
             !
             That
             the
             Blasphemers
             and
             Scoffers
             of
             these
             last
             Days
             
             are
             not
             instantly
             struck
             Dumb
             ,
             struck
             Dead
             .
             That
             He
             who
             hath
             so
             much
             said
             against
             him
             ,
             yet
             doth
             himself
             
               keep
               silence
            
             ,
             
             and
             doth
             not
             answer
             all
             these
             Reproaches
             and
             Contradictions
             (
             as
             he
             easily
             could
             )
             in
             Thunder
             and
             Lightning
             .
             Though
             his
             Silence
             and
             Forbearance
             is
             turn'd
             to
             his
             Reproch
             even
             by
             those
             that
             have
             the
             Benefit
             of
             it
             ,
             who
             therefore
             think
             him
             
               altogether
               such
               an
               one
               as
               themselves
               ,
            
             
             and
             take
             occasion
             from
             his
             Patience
             to
             question
             his
             Faithfulness
             ,
             and
             challenge
             his
             Justice
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Where
               is
               the
               Promise
               of
               his
               Coming
               ?
            
             Yet
             he
             bears
             ,
             and
             his
             Patience
             is
             stretched
             out
             even
             to
             Long-suffering
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             
               not
               willing
               that
               any
               should
               perish
               ,
            
             
             nor
             that
             any
             means
             should
             be
             left
             untried
             to
             prevent
             their
             perishing
             .
             Therefore
             he
             bears
             with
             Sinners
             ,
             because
             this
             is
             the
             Day
             of
             
               his
               Patience
            
             ,
             and
             of
             
               their
               Probation
            
             .
             The
             
               Wrath
               of
               God
               is
               reveal'd
               from
               Heaven
            
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             
             that
             we
             might
             be
             aw'd
             by
             Faith
             ,
             more
             than
             in
             present
             Providences
             ,
             which
             would
             be
             an
             aw
             to
             Sense
             .
             But
             there
             is
             a
             Day
             coming
             ,
             a
             dreadful
             Day
             ,
             
             when
             our
             
               God
               shall
               come
            
             ,
             and
             shall
             no
             longer
             
               keep
               silence
            
             ,
             a
             Day
             foretold
             in
             the
             early
             Ages
             of
             the
             VVorld
             ,
             
             by
             
               Enoch
               the
               seventh
               from
               Adam
            
             ,
             when
             Judgment
             shall
             be
             executed
             upon
             ungodly
             Sinners
             
               for
               all
               their
               hard
               Speeches
            
             ,
             which
             Day
             he
             will
             not
             anticipate
             ,
             for
             
               he
               knows
               it
               is
               coming
            
             ,
             Psal
             .
             37.13
             .
             It
             is
             agreeable
             to
             the
             regular
             course
             of
             Justice
             ,
             that
             all
             Judgments
             be
             adjourn'd
             till
             the
             Judgment-Day
             ,
             and
             all
             Executions
             defer'd
             till
             Execution-Day
             :
             And
             therefore
             now
             he
             condescends
             to
             reason
             with
             those
             that
             speak
             against
             him
             ,
             for
             their
             Convicttion
             ,
             as
             he
             doth
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Ezek.
             18.25
             ,
             &c.
             where
             he
             fairly
             debates
             the
             Case
             with
             those
             who
             said
             ,
             
               The
               way
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               not
               equal
               ,
            
             That
             every
             Mouth
             
             may
             be
             stopped
             with
             an
             unanswerable
             Argument
             before
             it
             be
             stopt
             with
             an
             irreversible
             Sentence
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             have
             spoken
             against
             him
             may
             be
             sent
             speechless
             to
             Hell.
             He
             
               keeps
               silence
            
             now
             ,
             
             because
             when
             he
             doth
             speak
             
               he
               will
               be
               justified
            
             .
             When
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             was
             here
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             with
             what
             an
             invincible
             Patience
             did
             he
             
               endure
               the
               contradiction
               of
               Sinners
            
             ;
             when
             so
             many
             ill
             things
             were
             witnessed
             against
             him
             he
             was
             silent
             ,
             
             to
             admiration
             ,
             answered
             not
             a
             word
             to
             all
             their
             unjust
             Calumnies
             and
             Accusations
             ,
             but
             at
             the
             same
             time
             he
             
               bound
               them
               over
            
             to
             the
             Judgment
             of
             the
             great
             Day
             by
             that
             awful
             word
             ,
             Mat.
             26.64
             .
             
               Hereafter
               ye
               shall
               see
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               sitting
               on
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               the
               Power
               ,
            
             —
             and
             still
             he
             bears
             in
             expectation
             of
             that
             same
             Day
             .
             
             He
             doth
             not
             take
             Vengeance
             presently
             because
             he
             hath
             an
             Eternity
             before
             him
             for
             the
             doing
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             And
             by
             the
             way
             ,
             we
             may
             infer
             from
             hence
             ,
             That
             those
             who
             would
             be
             like
             their
             Heavenly
             Father
             ,
             must
             
               bear
               Reproach
            
             and
             Contradiction
             patiently
             .
             When
             any
             thing
             is
             said
             against
             us
             ,
             reflecting
             never
             so
             little
             Disparagement
             upon
             us
             ,
             or
             our
             Families
             ,
             our
             Resentments
             of
             it
             are
             very
             sensible
             ,
             and
             we
             are
             apt
             to
             take
             it
             hainously
             ;
             nay
             ,
             and
             to
             say
             we
             
               do
               well
               to
               be
               angry
            
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             not
             a
             thing
             to
             be
             endur'd
             ;
             not
             to
             be
             endur'd
             !
             O
             think
             how
             much
             God
             bears
             with
             the
             Contempt
             and
             Reproach
             cast
             upon
             his
             
               great
               Name
            
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             surely
             qualify
             our
             Resentments
             of
             any
             indignity
             done
             to
             our
             
               little
               Names
            
             !
             Who
             are
             we
             that
             we
             must
             not
             be
             spoken
             against
             ?
             Or
             what
             are
             our
             Sayings
             that
             they
             must
             not
             be
             contradicted
             ?
             
             Such
             Affronts
             as
             these
             we
             should
             learn
             to
             bear
             as
             David
             did
             when
             Sbimei
             cursed
             him
             ,
             
               So
               let
               him
               Curse
            
             ;
             and
             as
             the
             Son
             of
             David
             
             did
             when
             his
             Enemies
             reviled
             him
             ,
             
               Blessing
               them
               that
               Curse
               us
            
             ,
             and
             
               Praying
               for
               them
               that
               thus
               Persecute
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               the
               Children
               of
               our
               Father
               which
               is
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             God
             adjourns
             his
             Vindication
             to
             the
             great
             Day
             ,
             and
             then
             surely
             we
             may
             adjourn
             ours
             to
             that
             day
             as
             St.
             Paul
             doth
             his
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               acknowledge
               the
               Power
               of
               Divine
               Grace
               ,
               in
               keeping
               up
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               notwithstanding
               the
               universal
               Contradiction
               ,
               and
               Opposition
               it
               hath
               met
               with
               .
            
             One
             would
             think
             that
             a
             way
             thus
             spoken
             against
             every
             where
             should
             have
             been
             long
             ere
             this
             lost
             and
             ruin'd
             ,
             and
             the
             Christian
             Name
             cut
             off
             ,
             to
             be
             no
             more
             in
             remembrance
             ;
             
             which
             its
             Adversaries
             have
             so
             industriously
             endeavoured
             ;
             if
             it
             had
             been
             of
             Men
             ,
             it
             had
             certainly
             come
             to
             naught
             quickly
             ,
             
             though
             they
             had
             let
             it
             alone
             ,
             but
             being
             
               of
               God
            
             ,
             it
             was
             to
             admiration
             Victorious
             over
             all
             opposition
             .
             A
             Sect
             ,
             a
             Cheat
             could
             never
             have
             supported
             it self
             against
             so
             much
             Contradiction
             ;
             no
             Human
             Power
             or
             Policy
             could
             have
             kept
             it
             up
             ,
             nor
             any
             thing
             less
             than
             an
             Almighty
             Arm.
             
             The
             continuance
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             in
             the
             world
             to
             this
             day
             is
             a
             standing
             Miracle
             for
             the
             Conviction
             of
             its
             Adversaries
             ,
             and
             the
             Confirmation
             of
             the
             Faith
             of
             those
             that
             adhere
             to
             it
             .
             VVhen
             we
             consider
             what
             a
             mighty
             Force
             was
             raised
             by
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             against
             Christianity
             when
             it
             was
             in
             its
             Infancy
             ,
             how
             many
             they
             were
             that
             spoke
             against
             it
             ,
             learned
             Men
             ,
             great
             Men
             ,
             Books
             were
             written
             ,
             Laws
             were
             made
             against
             it
             ;
             those
             that
             spoke
             for
             it
             ,
             how
             few
             were
             they
             ?
             and
             how
             mean
             and
             despicable
             !
             the
             
               foolish
               things
            
             of
             the
             VVorld
             ,
             and
             the
             Weak
             ,
             and
             yet
             we
             see
             the
             
             Word
             of
             God
             mightily
             growing
             and
             prevailing
             .
             
             Must
             we
             not
             needs
             say
             ,
             
               this
               is
               the
               Lord
               's
               doing
               ,
               &
               it
               is
               marvellous
               in
               our
               eyes
               ?
            
             The
             several
             false
             Religions
             of
             the
             Heathen
             with
             their
             various
             Superstitions
             and
             Idolatries
             ,
             though
             they
             gave
             very
             little
             Opposition
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             but
             agreed
             together
             well
             enough
             ,
             yet
             having
             no
             foundation
             in
             Truth
             they
             all
             wither'd
             away
             ,
             and
             dwindled
             to
             nothing
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             mighty
             sway
             they
             had
             born
             ,
             and
             all
             means
             possible
             us'd
             to
             support
             'em
             ,
             at
             length
             their
             Day
             came
             to
             fall
             ,
             their
             Oracles
             silenced
             ,
             their
             Altars
             deserted
             ,
             and
             the
             Gods
             themselves
             were
             famished
             ,
             (
             Zeph.
             2.11
             .
             )
             and
             
               perished
               from
               the
               Earth
            
             ,
             according
             to
             that
             Prediction
             ,
             Jer.
             10.11
             .
             which
             is
             put
             into
             the
             mouths
             of
             the
             Captiv'd
             Jews
             ,
             to
             retort
             upon
             their
             insulting
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             for
             that
             purpose
             is
             originally
             in
             the
             Caldee
             Dialect
             :
             VVe
             may
             ask
             triumphantly
             ,
             not
             only
             
               where
               are
               the
               Gods
               of
            
             Humath
             
               and
               of
            
             Arpad
             ?
             
               Where
               are
               the
               Gods
               of
            
             Sepharvaim
             Hena
             ,
             and
             Ivah
             ,
             
             those
             obscure
             and
             petty
             Deities
             ?
             But
             where
             are
             the
             Gods
             of
             Babylon
             and
             
               Aegypt
               ,
               Greece
            
             and
             Rome
             ,
             the
             illustrious
             names
             of
             Saturn
             and
             
               Jupiter
               ,
               Juno
            
             and
             Diana
             ?
             where
             are
             the
             Gods
             which
             our
             British
             and
             Saxon
             Aucestors
             worshipped
             bofore
             they
             received
             the
             Light
             of
             the
             glorious
             Gospel
             ?
             Are
             they
             not
             all
             forgotten
             as
             dead
             Men
             out
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             their
             names
             written
             in
             the
             dust
             ?
             But
             Christ's
             Holy
             Religion
             ,
             though
             for
             some
             Ages
             it
             was
             utterly
             destitute
             of
             all
             Secular
             Supports
             and
             Advantages
             ,
             and
             was
             assaulted
             on
             all
             hands
             by
             the
             most
             vigorous
             Attacks
             of
             its
             daring
             and
             most
             implacable
             Enemies
             ,
             yet
             it
             hath
             strangely
             
               weather'd
               its
               point
            
             ,
             and
             is
             in
             being
             ,
             and
             ,
             thanks
             be
             to
             God
             ,
             in
             some
             places
             in
             a
             flourishing
             state
             to
             this
             day
             :
             Its
             
             cause
             an
             opposed
             ,
             
             but
             never
             a
             baffled
             cause
             :
             Let
             us
             turn
             aside
             now
             ,
             and
             see
             this
             great
             sight
             ,
             a
             Bush
             burning
             and
             yet
             
               not
               consum'd
            
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             The
             Lord
             is
             in
             it
             of
             a
             Truth
             :
             
               Come
               and
               see
            
             the
             Captain
             of
             our
             Salvation
             riding
             forth
             in
             the
             Chariot
             of
             the
             everlasting
             Gospel
             ,
             
             with
             his
             Crown
             upon
             his
             Head
             ,
             and
             his
             Bow
             in
             his
             Hand
             ,
             
               conquering
               and
               to
               conquer
            
             —
             That
             which
             was
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
             Christianity
             ,
             
             was
             like
             the
             Viper
             which
             fasten'd
             upon
             St.
             
             Paul's
             Hand
             ,
             it
             gave
             people
             occasion
             to
             think
             very
             ill
             concerning
             it
             ,
             and
             to
             look
             for
             its
             speedy
             fall
             ,
             as
             the
             barbarous
             people
             concerning
             him
             whom
             they
             concluded
             to
             be
             a
             Murtherer
             ,
             and
             expected
             that
             he
             should
             have
             swollen
             ,
             or
             
               fallen
               down
               Dead
            
             .
             But
             it
             hath
             in
             all
             Ages
             shaken
             those
             venomous
             Beasts
             into
             the
             Fire
             ,
             and
             taken
             no
             harm
             ,
             and
             so
             hath
             prov'd
             its
             own
             Divine
             Original
             .
             Let
             us
             herein
             acknowledge
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             
             who
             hath
             so
             firmly
             built
             his
             Church
             
               upon
               a
               Rock
            
             that
             the
             
               Gates
               of
               Hell
            
             ,
             i.
             e.
             all
             its
             Powers
             ,
             and
             Policies
             ,
             and
             Numbers
             could
             never
             
               prevail
               against
               it
               .
               Mahomet
            
             ,
             though
             he
             industriously
             adapted
             his
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             Sensual
             Appetites
             of
             Men
             ,
             whose
             Reason
             only
             ,
             and
             not
             their
             Lusts
             ,
             could
             object
             against
             it
             ,
             
             yet
             he
             obtain'd
             no
             strength
             ,
             nor
             interest
             at
             all
             ,
             till
             by
             a
             thousand
             Artifices
             he
             had
             got
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             Sword
             ,
             and
             with
             it
             forbad
             any
             upon
             pain
             of
             Death
             to
             
               speak
               against
            
             him
             or
             his
             Doctrine
             ;
             charging
             his
             first
             Followers
             ,
             who
             were
             to
             propagate
             his
             Religion
             ,
             if
             they
             met
             with
             any
             that
             objected
             against
             it
             ,
             not
             to
             dispute
             with
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             kill
             them
             immediately
             :
             By
             which
             means
             that
             grand
             Imposture
             in
             a
             little
             time
             got
             some
             footing
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             same
             Barbarous
             and
             Inhumane
             Methods
             ,
             it
             hath
             
             been
             supported
             now
             above
             a
             Thousand
             Years
             .
             And
             in
             like
             manner
             that
             great
             Enemy
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             represented
             in
             St.
             
             John's
             Vision
             ,
             maintains
             his
             Interest
             by
             causing
             that
             
               as
               many
               as
               would
               not
               worship
               the
               Image
               of
               the
               Beast
               should
               be
               killed
               ,
            
             Rev.
             13.15
             .
             Thus
             are
             Errors
             and
             false
             Religions
             propagated
             ;
             strip
             them
             of
             these
             supports
             ,
             &
             they
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             of
             course
             ;
             but
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             was
             planted
             and
             preserv'd
             not
             only
             without
             ,
             but
             against
             secular
             Force
             ,
             recommended
             and
             upheld
             by
             its
             own
             intrinsick
             Truth
             and
             Excellency
             ,
             and
             that
             Divine
             Power
             which
             accompanied
             it
             .
             The
             Preachers
             and
             Professers
             of
             it
             
               every
               where
               spoken
               against
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             every
             where
             getting
             ground
             ,
             and
             strangely
             victorious
             ,
             purely
             by
             the
             
               word
               of
               their
               Testimony
            
             ,
             
             and
             by
             
               not
               loving
               their
               Lives
               unto
               the
               Death
               .
            
             Thus
             is
             come
             Salvation
             and
             Strength
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Kingdom
               of
               our
               God
               ,
               and
               the
               Power
               of
               his
               Christ
               .
            
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               greatly
               lament
               the
               Folly
               and
               Wickedness
               of
               those
               who
               speak
               against
               Christ
               and
               his
               Holy
               Religion
               ,
               and
               if
               we
               can
               do
               any
               thin●
               ,
               have
               compassion
               upon
               them
               ,
               and
               help
               to
               undeceive
               them
               ,
               and
               rectify
               their
               Mistakes
               .
            
             Surely
             this
             is
             one
             of
             
               the
               Abominations
               committed
            
             among
             us
             ,
             for
             which
             we
             should
             be
             found
             among
             those
             that
             
               sigh
               and
               cry
            
             .
             Ezek.
             9.4
             .
             one
             of
             those
             Instances
             of
             the
             Pride
             of
             Sinners
             for
             which
             our
             Souls
             should
             
               weep
               in
               secret
            
             ,
             Jer.
             13.17
             .
             This
             is
             that
             
               Reproach
               of
               the
               solemn
               Assembly
            
             which
             is
             such
             a
             Burthen
             to
             all
             good
             Men.
             Zeph.
             3.18
             .
             Our
             Ears
             should
             tingle
             ,
             and
             our
             Hearts
             tremble
             to
             hear
             the
             Reproach
             and
             Contempt
             cast
             upon
             Christ
             and
             his
             Religion
             ,
             or
             to
             hear
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             looking
             upon
             our selves
             as
             nearly
             concern'd
             in
             
               Sacred
               Things
            
             ,
             we
             should
             be
             sensibly
             touch'd
             with
             the
             Profanation
             of
             them
             .
          
           
           
             To
             affect
             us
             herewith
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             great
             Dishonour
             hereby
             done
             to
             our
             God
             in
             the
             World.
             They
             that
             reflect
             upon
             his
             Truths
             and
             Ways
             ,
             his
             Word
             and
             Ordinances
             ,
             reflect
             upon
             him
             ,
             He
             that
             toucheth
             these
             
               toucheth
               the
               apple
               of
               his
               eye
            
             ;
             If
             therefore
             we
             have
             any
             love
             to
             God
             ,
             or
             concern
             for
             his
             Honour
             ,
             and
             have
             cordially
             espous'd
             the
             Interests
             of
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             what
             is
             an
             Affront
             to
             him
             ,
             will
             surely
             be
             a
             Grief
             to
             us
             .
             It
             cannot
             but
             be
             a
             very
             melancholly
             Thought
             to
             every
             sensible
             Soul
             ,
             That
             the
             God
             that
             made
             the
             World
             is
             made
             so
             light
             of
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             That
             he
             who
             doth
             so
             much
             Good
             to
             the
             Children
             of
             Men
             ,
             hath
             so
             little
             
               Honour
               from
            
             them
             ,
             nay
             ,
             and
             hath
             so
             much
             Dishonour
             done
             him
             by
             them
             every
             day
             ,
             
             and
             
               his
               Name
               continually
               blasphemed
            
             .
             That
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             
               so
               loved
               the
               World
            
             ,
             is
             so
             much
             hated
             and
             despised
             by
             the
             World.
             The
             Reproaches
             of
             them
             who
             thus
             reproach
             our
             Master
             ,
             if
             we
             be
             his
             faithful
             Servants
             we
             should
             feel
             as
             
               falling
               upon
               us
            
             .
             
             And
             if
             he
             take
             what
             is
             said
             and
             done
             against
             his
             People
             ,
             as
             said
             and
             done
             against
             himself
             ,
             much
             more
             reason
             have
             they
             to
             find
             themselves
             aggrieved
             in
             that
             which
             is
             said
             and
             done
             against
             him
             .
             If
             we
             pray
             heartily
             that
             God's
             Name
             may
             be
             hallowed
             ,
             as
             we
             should
             do
             every
             day
             ,
             we
             should
             grieve
             heartily
             that
             his
             Name
             is
             dishonoured
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             it
             is
             every
             day
             .
             And
             our
             resentments
             of
             the
             Reproach
             cast
             upon
             God
             and
             Religion
             ,
             we
             should
             make
             a
             humble
             and
             pious
             Remonstrance
             of
             before
             God
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             King
             Hezekiah
             spread
             Rabshakeh's
             blasphemous
             Letter
             
               before
               the
               Lord
            
             ,
             with
             that
             tender
             and
             affectionate
             Request
             ,
             
               Lord
               bow
               down
               thine
               ear
               and
               hear
               :
               Open
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               thine
               eyes
               and
               see
               ,
            
             2
             Kin.
             19.16
             .
             How
             pathetically
             doth
             Joshua
             
             plead
             ,
             chap.
             7.9
             .
             
               What
               wilt
               thou
               do
               unto
               thy
               great
               Name
               ?
            
             And
             with
             what
             a
             concern
             doth
             the
             Psalmist
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Church
             insist
             upon
             this
             ,
             Psal
             .
             74.10
             .
             
               O
               God
               ,
               how
               long
               shall
               the
               Adversary
               reproach
               ?
               Shall
               the
               Enemy
               blaspheme
               thy
               Name
               for
               ever
               ?
            
             And
             v.
             18.
             
             
               Remember
               this
               that
               the
               Enemy
               hath
               reproached
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               foolish
               People
               have
               blasphemed
               thy
               Name
               .
            
             And
             how
             earnestly
             doth
             he
             beg
             ,
             v.
             22.
             
             
               Arise
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               plead
               thine
               own
               Cause
               .
            
             Thus
             should
             the
             Honour
             of
             God
             and
             Religion
             lie
             nearer
             our
             Hearts
             than
             any
             other
             concern
             whatsoever
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             the
             
               miserable
               Condition
            
             of
             those
             that
             presumptuously
             speak
             against
             God
             and
             Religion
             .
             Tho'
             they
             may
             do
             it
             with
             an
             Air
             of
             Assurance
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             run
             no
             hazard
             ,
             yet
             he
             that
             rolleth
             this
             
               Stone
               ,
               it
               will
            
             certainly
             
               return
               upon
               him
            
             sooner
             or
             later
             .
             They
             that
             speak
             against
             Religion
             
               speak
               against
               their
               own
               Heads
            
             ,
             
             and
             their
             own
             Tongues
             will
             at
             last
             fall
             upon
             them
             .
             We
             have
             reason
             to
             bewail
             their
             Madness
             ,
             and
             to
             pity
             ,
             and
             pray
             for
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             do
             .
             Miserable
             Souls
             !
             How
             will
             they
             be
             deceived
             at
             last
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             find
             that
             
               God
               is
               not
               mocked
            
             !
             
             And
             that
             while
             they
             were
             studying
             to
             put
             contempt
             on
             Religion
             ,
             they
             were
             but
             preparing
             eternal
             Shame
             and
             Confusion
             for
             themselves
             !
             The
             Lord
             is
             a
             jealous
             God
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             hold
             them
             guiltless
             that
             thus
             profane
             his
             Name
             :
             Their
             Wit
             ,
             and
             Learning
             ,
             and
             Figure
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             may
             embolden
             them
             in
             their
             Sin
             ,
             and
             bear
             them
             up
             a
             while
             in
             an
             open
             Defiance
             of
             all
             that
             's
             Sacred
             ,
             but
             nothing
             can
             prevent
             their
             utter
             Ruine
             besides
             a
             serious
             and
             sincere
             Repentance
             ,
             which
             is
             an
             unsaying
             ,
             with
             Shame
             and
             Self-lothing
             ,
             of
             all
             that
             which
             they
             have
             proudly
             spoken
             against
             God
             
             and
             Godliness
             .
             They
             that
             pervert
             the
             right
             ways
             of
             the
             Lord
             will
             certainly
             
               fall
               therein
            
             ,
             
             and
             they
             that
             wrest
             the
             Scriptures
             do
             it
             ,
             
               to
               their
               own
               Destruction
            
             .
             Religion's
             Motto
             is
             ,
             
               Nemo
               me
               impune
               lacessit
            
             .
             'T
             is
             ill
             jesting
             with
             edg-tools
             .
             Jerusalem
             will
             certainly
             be
             a
             
               burthensome
               Stone
               to
               all
               People
            
             ,
             
             that
             
               burthen
               themselves
               with
               it
            
             .
             They
             that
             spurn
             at
             the
             Rock
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             will
             not
             only
             be
             unable
             to
             remove
             it
             ,
             but
             will
             find
             it
             a
             
               Stone
               of
               Stumbling
            
             ,
             
             and
             a
             
               Rock
               of
               Offence
            
             .
             And
             we
             find
             those
             who
             ridicul'd
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               broken
               ,
               and
               snared
               ,
               and
               taken
               .
            
             Let
             all
             those
             therefore
             that
             mourn
             in
             Sion
             ,
             weep
             over
             those
             that
             will
             not
             weep
             for
             themselves
             ;
             and
             look
             with
             pity
             and
             compassion
             upon
             those
             that
             look
             upon
             them
             with
             scorn
             and
             contempt
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Consider
             the
             Mischief
             that
             is
             hereby
             done
             to
             the
             
               Souls
               of
               others
            
             .
             They
             who
             thus
             err
             ,
             their
             error
             remaineth
             not
             with
             themselves
             ,
             but
             this
             poisonous
             and
             malignant
             Breath
             infects
             others
             .
             Words
             spoken
             against
             Religion
             
               eat
               as
               doth
               a
               Canker
            
             ,
             
             and
             they
             who
             speak
             them
             ,
             seldom
             
               perish
               alone
            
             in
             their
             iniquity
             ,
             for
             
               many
               follow
               their
               pernicious
               ways
            
             .
             
             Unwary
             Souls
             are
             easily
             beguil'd
             ,
             and
             brought
             to
             conceive
             rooted
             Prejudices
             against
             that
             which
             they
             hear
             every
             where
             spoken
             against
             ,
             and
             few
             have
             Consideration
             and
             Resolution
             enough
             to
             maintain
             a
             good
             opinion
             of
             that
             which
             they
             that
             set
             up
             for
             Wits
             ,
             make
             it
             their
             business
             to
             
               cry
               down
            
             .
             
             
               Sergius
               Paulus
            
             was
             a
             
               prudent
               Man
            
             ,
             and
             yet
             St.
             Paul
             saw
             him
             in
             danger
             of
             being
             turned
             
               away
               from
               the
               Faith
            
             ,
             by
             the
             subtle
             Suggestions
             of
             Elymas
             the
             Sorcerer
             ,
             which
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             resented
             with
             a
             more
             than
             ordinary
             keenness
             .
             It
             is
             sad
             to
             think
             how
             many
             
               Young
               People
            
             ,
             who
             perhaps
             were
             well
             Educated
             and
             Hopeful
             ,
             
             when
             they
             go
             abroad
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             by
             conversing
             with
             those
             who
             lie
             in
             wait
             to
             deceive
             ,
             have
             their
             minds
             insensibly
             vitiated
             and
             debauch'd
             ,
             and
             perhaps
             they
             are
             made
             
               seven
               times
               more
               the
               Children
               of
               Hell
               than
               those
               that
               first
               seduced
               them
               .
            
             Under
             a
             pretence
             of
             free
             Thought
             ,
             and
             fashionable
             Conversation
             ,
             and
             a
             generous
             Disdain
             of
             Preciseness
             and
             Singularity
             ;
             Atheistical
             Principles
             are
             imbib'd
             ,
             the
             Restraints
             of
             Conscience
             shaken
             off
             ,
             Brutish
             Lusts
             not
             only
             indulg'd
             but
             pleaded
             for
             ,
             and
             serious
             Godliness
             and
             Devotion
             look'd
             upon
             with
             Contempt
             ,
             and
             thus
             the
             Heart
             is
             impregnably
             fortify'd
             for
             Satan
             against
             Christ
             and
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             Wrath
             is
             treasur'd
             up
             against
             the
             Day
             of
             Wrath
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             might
             have
             been
             the
             Blessing
             prove
             the
             Plague
             of
             their
             Age
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             Lamentation
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             for
             a
             Lamentation
             to
             all
             that
             wish
             well
             for
             the
             souls
             of
             Men
             ,
             and
             to
             those
             especially
             that
             are
             desirous
             of
             the
             welfare
             of
             the
             
               rising
               Generation
            
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               take
               heed
               that
               none
               of
               us
               do
               at
               at
               any
               time
               ,
               directly
               or
               indirectly
               ,
               speak
               against
               the
               ways
               of
               Religion
               and
               Godliness
               ,
               or
               say
               a
               Confederacy
               ,
               with
               those
               that
               do
               so
               .
            
             
             Submit
             to
             Divine
             Instructions
             given
             
               with
               a
               strong
               hand
            
             not
             to
             
               walk
               in
               the
               way
               of
            
             those
             People
             that
             speak
             ill
             of
             Religion
             .
             Take
             heed
             of
             embracing
             any
             Notions
             which
             secretly
             tend
             to
             derogate
             from
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             or
             to
             diminish
             the
             Honour
             of
             Religion
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             or
             of
             accustoming
             your selves
             to
             such
             Expressions
             as
             treat
             not
             Sacred
             Things
             with
             that
             awful
             Regard
             which
             is
             due
             to
             them
             .
             Those
             were
             never
             reckon'd
             Wise
             Men
             that
             would
             rather
             lose
             a
             Friend
             than
             
               a
               Jest
            
             ,
             much
             less
             are
             they
             to
             be
             accounted
             so
             that
             will
             rather
             
             lose
             the
             Favour
             of
             their
             God.
             Those
             that
             in
             their
             common
             Converse
             make
             themselves
             merry
             with
             serious
             things
             ,
             how
             can
             it
             be
             expected
             they
             should
             at
             any
             time
             be
             serious
             in
             them
             ,
             or
             experience
             the
             influence
             and
             comfort
             of
             them
             ?
             It
             is
             not
             likely
             that
             those
             who
             make
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             the
             subject
             of
             their
             Jests
             ,
             should
             ever
             make
             it
             the
             Guide
             of
             their
             way
             ,
             or
             find
             it
             the
             spring
             of
             their
             Joys
             .
             Let
             us
             not
             chuse
             to
             associate
             with
             those
             that
             have
             light
             thoughts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             are
             ready
             upon
             all
             occasions
             to
             speak
             against
             it
             .
             It
             is
             not
             without
             good
             reason
             that
             among
             the
             
               many
               words
            
             with
             which
             St.
             Peter
             exhorted
             his
             
               New
               Converts
            
             ,
             this
             only
             is
             recorded
             ,
             
               Save
               your selves
               from
               this
               untoward
               Generation
               ,
            
             Acts
             2.40
             .
             Those
             that
             listen
             to
             the
             
               Counsel
               of
               the
               Vngodly
            
             ,
             
             and
             
               Stand
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Sinners
               ,
            
             as
             willing
             to
             walk
             with
             them
             ,
             will
             come
             at
             length
             (
             if
             Almighty
             Grace
             prevent
             not
             )
             to
             
               set
               in
               the
               seat
               of
               the
               Scornful
               .
            
             Let
             us
             therefore
             abide
             by
             that
             which
             Job
             and
             Eliphaz
             ,
             even
             in
             the
             heat
             of
             Dispute
             ,
             were
             agreed
             in
             ,
             that
             
               the
               Counsel
               of
               the
               Wicked
               shall
               be
               far
               from
               us
               ,
            
             which
             Protestation
             we
             have
             ,
             Job
             21.16
             .
             and
             22.18
             .
             It
             's
             dangerous
             making
             Friendship
             with
             those
             that
             have
             an
             enmity
             to
             serious
             Godliness
             ,
             lest
             we
             
               learn
               their
               way
            
             ,
             and
             
               get
               a
               Snare
            
             to
             our
             Souls
             .
          
           
             There
             are
             two
             common
             Pretences
             ,
             and
             seemingly
             plausible
             ones
             ,
             under
             which
             those
             that
             
               speak
               against
            
             Religion
             shelter
             themselves
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             neither
             of
             them
             justifiable
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             They
             pretend
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             only
             for
             
               Argument
               sake
            
             ,
             that
             they
             object
             against
             Religion
             ,
             and
             pick
             quarrels
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             (
             so
             little
             esteem
             they
             have
             of
             the
             thing
             call'd
             Sincerity
             )
             they
             will
             not
             be
             thought
             to
             mean
             as
             they
             say
             .
             And
             are
             the
             great
             
             Principles
             of
             Religion
             become
             such
             Moot-points
             ,
             such
             Matters
             of
             
               doubtful
               Disputation
            
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             indifferent
             which
             side
             of
             the
             Question
             a
             Man
             takes
             ,
             and
             upon
             which
             he
             may
             argue
             ,
             pro
             or
             con
             ,
             at
             his
             pleasure
             ?
             
             That
             grave
             and
             weighty
             saying
             of
             a
             Learned
             Heathen
             is
             enough
             to
             silence
             this
             pretence
             ,
             
               Mala
               enim
               &
               impia
               consuetudo
               est
               ,
               contra
               Deos
               disputandi
               ,
               sive
               ex
               animo
               id
               fit
               ,
               sive
               simulate
               .
            
             It
             's
             an
             ill
             thing
             to
             talk
             against
             Religion
             ,
             whether
             a
             Man
             means
             as
             he
             saith
             or
             no
             ,
             or
             (
             in
             the
             Language
             of
             our
             Age
             )
             whether
             he
             speak
             seriously
             ,
             or
             only
             
               banter
               .
               Julian
            
             ,
             the
             Apostate
             ,
             when
             ,
             before
             he
             threw
             off
             his
             Disguise
             ,
             he
             frequently
             argued
             against
             Christianity
             ,
             pretended
             it
             was
             only
             for
             Disputation
             sake
             .
             But
             out
             of
             the
             abundance
             of
             the
             Heart
             the
             Mouth
             speaks
             ,
             and
             whence
             can
             such
             evil
             things
             come
             but
             from
             an
             evil
             Treasure
             there
             ?
          
           
             2.
             
             They
             pretend
             that
             it
             is
             not
             Religion
             that
             they
             ridicule
             and
             expose
             to
             Contempt
             ,
             but
             some
             particular
             Forms
             and
             Modes
             of
             religious
             Worship
             which
             they
             do
             not
             like
             .
             And
             this
             is
             one
             ill
             effect
             of
             the
             unhappy
             Divisions
             among
             Christians
             ,
             that
             while
             one
             side
             hath
             labour'd
             to
             make
             the
             other
             contemptible
             ;
             Religion
             in
             general
             hath
             suffer'd
             on
             
               all
               sides
            
             .
             To
             reprove
             what
             we
             think
             amiss
             ,
             with
             Prudence
             and
             Meekness
             is
             well
             ,
             but
             to
             reproach
             and
             make
             a
             Jest
             of
             that
             which
             our
             Fellow-Christians
             look
             upon
             as
             Sacred
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             part
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             cannot
             be
             to
             any
             good
             purpose
             at
             all
             .
             To
             scoff
             at
             the
             Mistakes
             and
             Weaknesses
             of
             our
             Brethren
             ,
             is
             the
             way
             to
             provoke
             and
             harden
             them
             ,
             but
             not
             to
             convince
             and
             reform
             them
             .
             They
             who
             think
             to
             justify
             this
             way
             of
             ridiculing
             those
             that
             differ
             from
             them
             ,
             by
             the
             Instance
             of
             
             Elijah's
             jeering
             the
             Priests
             of
             
             Baal
             ,
             perhaps
             
               Know
               not
               what
               manner
               of
               Spirit
               they
               are
               of
               ,
            
             
             no
             more
             than
             those
             Disciples
             did
             who
             would
             have
             their
             intemperate
             Heats
             countenanced
             by
             the
             Example
             of
             that
             great
             Prophet
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               that
               profess
               the
               Christian
               Religion
               ,
               be
               very
               cautious
               that
               we
               do
               not
               give
               occasion
               to
               any
               to
               speak
               against
               it
               .
            
             If
             there
             are
             those
             in
             all
             places
             that
             are
             industrious
             to
             cast
             reproach
             upon
             Religion
             ,
             then
             we
             have
             need
             to
             
               walk
               circumspectly
            
             ,
             and
             to
             look
             well
             to
             our
             goings
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             
               watch
               for
            
             our
             halting
             may
             have
             no
             occasion
             given
             them
             to
             Blaspheme
             .
             It
             is
             certain
             that
             tho'
             in
             Religion
             there
             is
             nothing
             which
             may
             be
             justly
             spoken
             against
             ,
             yet
             among
             those
             that
             profess
             it
             there
             is
             too
             often
             found
             that
             which
             deserves
             to
             be
             tax'd
             ,
             and
             which
             cannot
             pass
             without
             just
             and
             severe
             Reflections
             —
             
               Pudet
               haec
               opprobria
               nobis
            
             —
             Are
             there
             not
             those
             within
             the
             Pale
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             
               through
               whom
            
             ,
             the
             
               Name
               of
               God
            
             and
             his
             Doctrine
             are
             blasphemed
             ,
             
             and
             
               by
               reason
               of
               whom
               the
               way
               of
               Truth
               is
               evil
               spoken
               of
               .
            
             Are
             there
             not
             those
             who
             wear
             Christ's
             Livery
             ,
             but
             are
             a
             Scandal
             to
             his
             Family
             ,
             
               Spots
               in
               the
               Love-Feasts
            
             ,
             and
             a
             standing
             Reproach
             to
             that
             worthy
             Name
             ,
             by
             which
             they
             are
             call'd
             ?
             Now
             though
             it
             is
             certainly
             very
             unjust
             and
             unfair
             to
             impute
             the
             faults
             of
             Professors
             to
             the
             Religion
             they
             profess
             ,
             and
             to
             reproach
             Christianity
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             those
             that
             are
             call'd
             Christians
             who
             expose
             themselves
             to
             Reproach
             ;
             yet
             it
             is
             ,
             without
             question
             ,
             the
             Sin
             of
             those
             who
             give
             Men
             occasion
             to
             do
             so
             .
             This
             was
             
               the
               Condemnation
            
             in
             
             David's
             Case
             ,
             and
             entail'd
             the
             Sword
             upon
             his
             House
             ,
             though
             the
             Sin
             was
             pardon'd
             ,
             that
             by
             it
             he
             had
             
               given
               great
               occasion
               to
               the
               Enemies
               of
               the
               Lord
               to
               blaspheme
               ,
            
             
             2
             Sam.
             12.14
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             double
             our
             diligence
             and
             care
             ,
             to
             give
             no
             offence
             either
             to
             Jew
             or
             Gentile
             ,
             that
             Religion
             which
             hath
             so
             often
             been
             
               wounded
               in
               the
               House
               of
               her
               Friends
               ,
            
             may
             never
             be
             wounded
             through
             our
             sides
             .
          
           
             If
             we
             enquire
             (
             as
             we
             are
             commanded
             to
             do
             )
             what
             it
             is
             that
             gives
             occasion
             of
             Reflection
             upon
             Religion
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             that
             the
             Imprudences
             of
             those
             that
             profess
             it
             ,
             give
             some
             occasion
             ,
             but
             their
             Immoralities
             much
             more
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             Imprudences
             of
             Christians
             often
             turn
             to
             the
             Reproach
             of
             Christianity
             .
             There
             may
             be
             such
             over-doing
             even
             in
             Well-doing
             ,
             as
             may
             prove
             Undoing
             .
             When
             more
             stress
             is
             laid
             than
             ought
             to
             be
             upon
             some
             instances
             of
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             justling
             out
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             the
             Exercises
             of
             Devotion
             are
             either
             mis-timed
             ,
             or
             mis-placed
             ,
             or
             mis-proportion'd
             ,
             Religion
             is
             hereby
             mis-represented
             ,
             or
             look'd
             upon
             to
             disadvantage
             .
             Rash
             and
             indiscreet
             Zeal
             may
             give
             occasion
             to
             those
             who
             seek
             occasion
             to
             speak
             against
             all
             religious
             Zeal
             .
             
             Therefore
             
               walk
               in
               Wisdom
               towards
               them
               that
               are
               without
               .
            
             Religion
             is
             a
             most
             sweet
             and
             pleasant
             and
             amiable
             thing
             :
             Let
             not
             us
             by
             our
             Indiscretion
             make
             it
             a
             Task
             to
             our selves
             ,
             and
             a
             Terror
             to
             others
             .
             The
             more
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             are
             
               Children
               of
               Wisdom
            
             ,
             
             the
             more
             they
             justify
             it
             ,
             and
             its
             ways
             .
             Christian
             Prudence
             is
             very
             much
             the
             beauty
             and
             strength
             of
             Christian
             Piety
             .
             Though
             it
             will
             secure
             the
             welfare
             of
             our
             own
             Souls
             if
             we
             walk
             in
             our
             Integrity
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             necessary
             for
             the
             preserving
             of
             the
             Credit
             of
             our
             Profession
             ,
             that
             we
             walk
             
               in
               Wisdom
            
             ,
             
             that
             
               Wisdom
               of
               the
               Prudent
            
             which
             is
             to
             
               understand
               his
               way
            
             ,
             
             that
             Wisdom
             which
             is
             
               profitable
               to
               direct
            
             .
             And
             
               if
               any
               Man
               lack
            
             this
             
               Wisdom
               ,
               let
               him
               
               ask
               it
               of
               God
               ,
            
             
             who
             
               gives
               liberally
            
             ,
             and
             
               upbraids
               us
               not
            
             with
             our
             Folly.
             Pray
             with
             David
             ,
             Psal
             .
             27.11
             .
             
               Teach
               me
               thy
               way
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               and
               lead
               me
               in
               a
               plain
               Path
               because
               of
               mine
               Enemies
               .
            
             (
             Hebr.
             because
             of
             
               mine
               Observers
            
             .
             )
             Our
             Enemies
             are
             our
             Observers
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             ready
             to
             reproach
             our
             Way
             ,
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             the
             
               false
               steps
            
             we
             take
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             have
             need
             to
             
               ponder
               the
               Path
               of
               our
               Feet
               ,
            
             and
             let
             Discretion
             guide
             and
             govern
             our
             Zeal
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Immoralites
             of
             those
             who
             profess
             Christianity
             turn
             much
             more
             to
             the
             reproach
             of
             that
             Holy
             Religion
             ;
             when
             those
             that
             are
             called
             Christians
             ,
             are
             griping
             and
             covetous
             ,
             and
             greedy
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             false
             and
             deceitful
             ,
             and
             unjust
             in
             their
             Dealings
             ,
             sowre
             and
             morose
             ,
             and
             unnatural
             to
             their
             Relations
             ,
             turbulent
             and
             unquiet
             in
             Societies
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             froward
             and
             passionate
             ,
             proud
             and
             haughty
             ,
             hard-hearted
             and
             oppressive
             ,
             loose
             and
             intemperate
             .
             When
             they
             are
             found
             guilty
             of
             Lying
             and
             Cheating
             ,
             Drunkenness
             or
             Uncleanness
             .
             When
             it
             appears
             that
             they
             keep
             up
             some
             secret
             Haunts
             of
             Sin
             ,
             under
             the
             cloke
             and
             covert
             of
             a
             specious
             Profession
             ,
             when
             they
             that
             profess
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             lick
             up
             the
             vomit
             of
             Heathen
             ,
             and
             allow
             themselves
             in
             those
             things
             that
             are
             contrary
             to
             the
             Light
             and
             Law
             even
             of
             Natural
             Religion
             .
             This
             is
             that
             which
             opens
             the
             mouths
             of
             the
             Adversaries
             to
             speak
             reproachfully
             of
             that
             Religion
             ,
             the
             Profession
             of
             which
             is
             made
             to
             consist
             with
             such
             vile
             Practises
             ,
             which
             cannot
             possibly
             consist
             with
             the
             Power
             of
             it
             .
             This
             makes
             People
             ready
             to
             say
             as
             that
             Mahometan
             Prince
             did
             ,
             when
             the
             Christians
             had
             broke
             their
             League
             with
             him
             ,
             
               O
               Jesus
               ,
               are
               these
               thy
               Christians
               ?
            
             Or
             as
             the
             complaint
             was
             upon
             
             another
             occasion
             ,
             
               Aut
               hoc
               non
               Evangelium
               ,
               aut
               hi
               non
               Evangelici
               ,
            
             Either
             this
             is
             not
             Gospel
             ,
             or
             these
             are
             not
             to
             be
             call'd
             Professors
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             If
             Ministers
             
               give
               offence
               in
               any
               thing
            
             ,
             not
             they
             only
             ,
             but
             their
             Ministry
             will
             
               be
               blamed
            
             .
             Nay
             ,
             
             if
             Servants
             ,
             Christians
             of
             the
             lowest
             rank
             and
             figure
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             unfaithful
             ,
             and
             disobedient
             to
             the
             Government
             they
             are
             under
             ,
             
             the
             
               Name
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               Doctrine
               ,
            
             is
             likely
             to
             be
             blasphemed
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             who
             profess
             Relation
             to
             the
             Eternal
             God
             ,
             and
             Dependance
             upon
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             a
             Regard
             to
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             as
             we
             tender
             the
             Reputation
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             
             
               walk
               worthy
               of
               the
               Lord
               unto
               all
               pleasing
               .
            
             Let
             us
             Order
             our
             Conversation
             so
             in
             every
             thing
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             may
             
               adorn
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               God
               our
               Saviour
               .
            
             
             While
             we
             are
             call'd
             by
             so
             good
             a
             Name
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             dare
             to
             do
             an
             ill
             thing
             .
             The
             Disciples
             of
             Christ
             are
             as
             a
             
               City
               upon
               a
               Hill
            
             ,
             
             and
             have
             many
             eyes
             upon
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             have
             need
             to
             behave
             themselves
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Caution
             ,
             and
             to
             
               abstain
               from
               all
               appearance
               of
               evil
               .
            
             
             Let
             us
             not
             do
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             unjust
             ,
             or
             unbecoming
             us
             ,
             nor
             allow
             our selves
             in
             that
             which
             we
             know
             the
             Gospel
             we
             profess
             doth
             by
             no
             means
             allow
             of
             ,
             lest
             we
             be
             to
             answer
             another
             day
             ,
             for
             all
             the
             Reproach
             of
             Religion
             which
             we
             have
             occasion'd
             :
             How
             light
             soever
             we
             may
             make
             of
             this
             now
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             that
             it
             will
             greatly
             enflame
             the
             Reckoning
             shortly
             ,
             when
             God
             will
             affect
             the
             Honour
             of
             his
             own
             Name
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             
               glorified
               upon
            
             those
             by
             whom
             he
             was
             not
             glorified
             .
             In
             consideration
             of
             this
             ,
             let
             us
             see
             to
             it
             that
             we
             
               have
               our
               Conversation
               honest
            
             among
             the
             Adversaries
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             
               speak
               against
               us
               as
            
             Evil
             -
             
               doers
               ,
               
               may
            
             ,
             
             
               by
               our
               Good
               Works
               which
               they
               shall
               behold
               ,
            
             be
             brought
             to
             
               glorify
               God
            
             ,
             and
             to
             entertain
             good
             thoughts
             of
             Religion
             ,
             
             or
             at
             least
             ,
             that
             
               we
               may
               with
               well-doing
               put
               to
               silence
               the
               ignorance
               of
               foolish
               Men.
            
             Our
             Religion
             ,
             I
             am
             sure
             ,
             is
             an
             Honour
             to
             us
             ;
             let
             not
             us
             then
             be
             a
             Dishonour
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             
               If
               there
               be
               those
               every
               where
               that
               speak
               against
               Religion
               and
               Godliness
               ,
               let
               us
               then
               as
               we
               have
               opportunity
               be
               ready
               to
               speak
               for
               it
               .
            
             Every
             Christian
             should
             be
             both
             a
             Witness
             and
             an
             Advocate
             for
             his
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             rather
             because
             it
             is
             so
             much
             oppos'd
             and
             contradicted
             .
             Next
             to
             our
             Care
             not
             to
             be
             a
             Shame
             to
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             should
             be
             our
             Resolution
             not
             to
             be
             asham'd
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
             You
             are
             Subpaena'd
             by
             the
             King
             of
             Kings
             
               to
               appear
            
             for
             him
             in
             the
             World
             :
             
               Ye
               are
               my
               Witnesses
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Isa
             .
             43.10
             .
             Do
             not
             betray
             this
             Cause
             then
             by
             declining
             your
             Testimony
             ,
             how
             much
             soever
             you
             may
             be
             brow-beaten
             and
             confronted
             .
             Say
             with
             a
             holy
             boldness
             as
             Elihu
             ,
             Job
             36.2
             .
             
               Suffer
               me
               a
               little
               and
               I
               will
               shew
               you
               ,
               that
               I
               have
               yet
               to
               speak
               on
               God's
               behalf
               .
            
             You
             hear
             what
             is
             daringly
             said
             against
             God
             ,
             how
             his
             holy
             Name
             is
             trampled
             upon
             and
             abus'd
             ,
             his
             Truths
             contradicted
             ,
             his
             Word
             and
             Ordinances
             vilified
             ,
             and
             have
             you
             never
             a
             word
             to
             say
             for
             him
             ?
             Is
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             appearing
             for
             us
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             pleading
             our
             Cause
             there
             ,
             pleading
             it
             with
             his
             own
             blood
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             we
             be
             ready
             to
             appear
             for
             him
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             plead
             his
             Cause
             though
             it
             were
             with
             the
             hazzard
             of
             our
             blood
             ?
             As
             it
             is
             then
             a
             
               time
               to
               keep
               silence
            
             ,
             when
             we
             our selves
             are
             spoken
             against
             ,
             
               I
               as
               a
               Deaf
               Man
               heard
               not
               ,
            
             so
             it
             is
             then
             a
             
               time
               to
               speak
            
             ,
             when
             God
             is
             spoken
             against
             ,
             
             and
             the
             Honour
             of
             our
             Religion
             lies
             at
             stake
             ,
             and
             at
             such
             a
             time
             we
             must
             take
             heed
             ,
             
             Jest
             by
             a
             cowardly
             silence
             we
             wrong
             so
             J
             st
             a
             Cause
             ,
             as
             if
             we
             were
             either
             asham'd
             or
             afraid
             to
             own
             it
             .
             Wisdom's
             Children
             should
             take
             all
             occasions
             to
             justify
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             vindicate
             it
             from
             the
             aspersions
             that
             are
             cast
             upon
             it
             .
             Read
             the
             doom
             of
             him
             that
             is
             
               asham'd
               of
               Christ
               and
               of
               his
               Words
               in
               this
               adulterous
               generation
               .
            
             Mark
             8.38
             .
             
               Of
               him
               shall
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               be
               asham'd
               ,
               when
               he
               comes
               in
               the
               Glory
               of
               his
               Father
               .
            
             Not
             confessing
             Christ
             when
             we
             are
             call'd
             to
             it
             ,
             is
             in
             effect
             denying
             him
             ,
             and
             disowning
             Relation
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             do
             so
             ,
             except
             they
             repent
             as
             Peter
             did
             ,
             
             will
             shortly
             be
             denied
             and
             disowned
             by
             him
             .
             If
             we
             should
             ,
             with
             an
             
               angry
               countenance
            
             at
             least
             ,
             
             
               drive
               away
               a
               backbiting
               Tongue
            
             that
             reproacheth
             our
             Brother
             ,
             much
             more
             a
             Blasphemous
             Tongue
             that
             reproacheth
             our
             Maker
             .
             Should
             we
             hear
             a
             near
             Relation
             or
             a
             dear
             Friend
             (
             in
             whose
             Reputation
             it
             is
             natural
             to
             us
             to
             reckon
             our selves
             sharers
             )
             spoken
             against
             and
             slander'd
             ,
             we
             would
             readily
             appear
             in
             his
             Vindication
             ;
             and
             have
             we
             no
             resentments
             of
             the
             Contempt
             and
             Contumely
             cast
             upon
             Religion
             ?
             Can
             we
             sit
             by
             contentedly
             to
             hear
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             the
             Scripture
             and
             serious
             Godliness
             reflected
             upon
             ,
             and
             have
             we
             nothing
             to
             say
             in
             their
             behalf
             ?
             Common
             equity
             obligeth
             us
             to
             be
             the
             Patrons
             of
             a
             just
             ,
             but
             wronged
             Cause
             .
             And
             that
             we
             may
             not
             think
             our selves
             discharged
             from
             this
             Duty
             by
             our
             inability
             to
             defend
             the
             Truths
             and
             Ways
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             so
             make
             our
             Ignorance
             and
             unskilfulness
             in
             the
             word
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             an
             excuse
             for
             our
             Cowardise
             and
             want
             of
             Zeal
             ,
             we
             ought
             to
             take
             pains
             to
             furnish
             our selves
             with
             a
             clear
             and
             distinct
             knowledge
             of
             
             the
             
               certainty
               of
               those
               things
               wherein
               we
               have
               heen
               instructed
               .
            
             
             We
             must
             labour
             to
             understand
             not
             only
             the
             Truths
             and
             Principles
             ,
             but
             the
             Grounds
             and
             Evidences
             of
             our
             Religion
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             able
             to
             
               give
               an
               Answer
            
             (
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             an
             Apology
             )
             
               to
               every
               Man
               that
               asks
               us
               a
               Reason
               of
               the
               Hope
               that
               is
               in
               us
               .
            
             
             How
             industrious
             are
             the
             prophane
             Wits
             of
             the
             Age
             to
             find
             out
             something
             to
             say
             against
             Religion
             ,
             and
             should
             not
             that
             quicken
             us
             to
             provide
             our selves
             with
             the
             
               Armor
               of
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             
             
               both
               on
               the
               right
               hand
               and
               on
               the
               left
               ,
            
             aiming
             at
             the
             
               Riches
               of
               the
               full
               assurance
               of
               Vnderstanding
               ?
            
             
             And
             if
             we
             do
             (
             as
             there
             is
             occasion
             )
             with
             Humility
             and
             Sincerity
             ,
             and
             from
             a
             principle
             of
             Zeal
             for
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Honour
             ,
             appear
             in
             Defence
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             its
             injur'd
             Cause
             ,
             we
             may
             doubtless
             take
             encouragement
             from
             that
             promise
             ,
             Mat.
             10.19
             .
             
               It
               shall
               be
               given
               you
               in
               that
               same
               hour
               what
               ye
               shall
               speak
               .
            
             God
             will
             own
             those
             that
             own
             him
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             fail
             to
             furnish
             his
             faithful
             Advocates
             with
             needful
             Instructions
             ,
             
             and
             many
             a
             time
             ordains
             such
             
               strength
               out
               of
               the
               mouth
               of
               Babes
               and
               Sucklings
            
             as
             strangely
             
               stills
               the
               Enemy
               and
               the
               Avenger
               .
            
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             
               Let
               none
               of
               us
               ever
               think
               the
               worse
               of
               the
               way
               of
               Religion
               and
               Godliness
               for
               its
               being
               every
               where
               spoken
               against
               ,
               nor
               be
               frighten'd
               hereby
               from
               walking
               in
               that
               way
               .
            
             The
             Contempt
             cast
             upon
             the
             Practise
             of
             Piety
             is
             with
             many
             ,
             an
             invincible
             Objection
             against
             it
             ;
             their
             good
             Impressions
             ,
             good
             purposes
             and
             good
             overtures
             are
             hereby
             crush'd
             and
             brought
             to
             nothing
             :
             They
             have
             that
             
               within
               'em
            
             which
             tells
             'em
             that
             the
             way
             of
             Sobriety
             and
             serious
             Godliness
             is
             a
             very
             good
             way
             ,
             and
             
             they
             sometimes
             hear
             that
             
               Word
               behind
               them
               ,
               saying
               ,
               This
               is
               the
               walk
               ye
               in
               it
               ,
            
             
             But
             they
             have
             those
             
               about
               'em
            
             that
             tell
             them
             otherwise
             ,
             and
             thus
             the
             convictions
             of
             Conscience
             are
             over-rul'd
             and
             baffled
             by
             the
             Censures
             and
             Reproaches
             of
             Men
             ,
             whose
             Praise
             they
             covet
             
               more
               than
               the
               Praise
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             But
             to
             take
             off
             the
             force
             of
             this
             Objection
             ,
             let
             us
             consider
             these
             four
             Things
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Consider
             
               who
               they
               are
            
             that
             speak
             against
             Religion
             and
             Godliness
             ,
             not
             only
             that
             they
             are
             Mortal
             Men
             ,
             
             whom
             the
             
               Moth
               shall
               eat
               up
               like
               a
               Garment
               ,
               Men
               that
               shall
               die
               ,
            
             and
             the
             
               Sons
               of
               Men
               which
               shall
               be
               made
               as
               Grass
               ,
            
             all
             whose
             thoughts
             will
             shortly
             perish
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             therefore
             why
             should
             we
             
               fear
               their
               Reproach
               ,
               or
               be
               afraid
               of
               their
               revilings
               ?
            
             Nor
             only
             they
             that
             are
             fallible
             Men
             who
             may
             be
             mistaken
             ,
             and
             whose
             Judgment
             is
             by
             no
             means
             decisive
             ,
             nor
             such
             as
             will
             bear
             us
             out
             :
             Shall
             we
             put
             what
             Men
             say
             in
             the
             Scale
             against
             what
             God
             saith
             ?
             
               Let
               God
               be
               true
               and
               every
               Man
               a
               Liar
               .
            
             We
             must
             not
             be
             judg'd
             hereafter
             ,
             and
             therefore
             should
             not
             be
             rul'd
             now
             by
             the
             Sentiments
             and
             Opinions
             of
             Men
             :
             But
             those
             that
             speak
             against
             Religion
             are
             also
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ill
             Men
             ;
             Men
             of
             unsettled
             Heads
             ,
             debauch'd
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             profligate
             Lives
             .
             'T
             is
             
               the
               Fool
            
             and
             none
             but
             he
             ,
             that
             
               saith
               in
               his
               heart
               ,
               there
               is
               no
               God.
            
             The
             Scoffers
             of
             the
             last
             daies
             are
             Men
             that
             
               walk
               after
               their
               own
               Lusts
            
             ,
             whose
             carnal
             ,
             fleshly
             Interest
             retains
             them
             on
             that
             side
             .
             David
             was
             abus'd
             by
             the
             abjects
             ,
             Psal
             .
             35.15
             .
             and
             the
             Christians
             at
             Thessalonica
             by
             
               certain
               lewd
               Fellows
               of
               the
               baser
               sort
               ,
            
             Acts
             17.5
             .
             Such
             as
             those
             are
             the
             
             Men
             that
             make
             a
             mock
             at
             Religion
             ,
             and
             shall
             we
             be
             sway'd
             and
             influenced
             in
             the
             greatest
             Concerns
             of
             our
             immortal
             Souls
             by
             such
             Men
             as
             these
             ?
             Shall
             those
             have
             the
             Government
             of
             us
             that
             have
             so
             little
             Government
             of
             themselves
             ?
             Shall
             the
             Cavils
             and
             vain
             Scoffs
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             know
             not
             what
             it
             is
             to
             be
             serious
             ,
             carry
             the
             day
             against
             the
             deliberate
             Sentiments
             of
             all
             Wise
             and
             Good
             Men
             ,
             who
             have
             with
             one
             consent
             subscrib'd
             to
             the
             Equity
             and
             Goodness
             of
             Religion's
             Ways
             ?
             If
             we
             chuse
             such
             as
             these
             for
             our
             Leaders
             ,
             surely
             the
             
               Blind
               lead
               the
               Blind
            
             ,
             and
             we
             know
             the
             consequence
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Consider
             how
             trifling
             and
             frivolous
             that
             is
             which
             is
             commonly
             said
             against
             Religion
             and
             Godliness
             .
             The
             Devil
             made
             his
             first
             fatal
             assault
             upon
             Mankind
             by
             Lies
             and
             Slanders
             ,
             suggesting
             hard
             thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             promising
             Impunity
             in
             Sin
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             same
             wretched
             methods
             he
             still
             supports
             and
             carries
             on
             his
             Interest
             in
             the
             World.
             They
             that
             speak
             against
             Religion
             ,
             
               make
               Lies
               their
               Refuge
            
             ,
             and
             under
             
               falshood
               they
               hide
               themselves
            
             .
             All
             those
             bold
             and
             daring
             things
             which
             are
             spoken
             against
             Religion
             ,
             are
             either
             groundless
             and
             unproved
             Calumnies
             ,
             or
             very
             unjust
             and
             unfair
             Representations
             .
             
             Hence
             the
             Enemies
             of
             Religion
             are
             said
             to
             be
             absurd
             and
             
               unreasonable
               Men.
            
             Men
             that
             while
             they
             cry
             up
             the
             Oracles
             of
             Reason
             ,
             rebel
             against
             all
             the
             Light
             and
             Laws
             of
             it
             .
             Put
             all
             that
             together
             which
             is
             spoken
             against
             Godliness
             ,
             and
             weigh
             it
             in
             the
             Balances
             of
             right
             Reason
             ,
             and
             you
             will
             write
             Tekel
             upon
             it
             ,
             
               weigh'd
               in
               the
               Ballances
               and
               
               found
               wanting
               .
            
             And
             ,
             as
             if
             an
             over-ruling
             Providence
             had
             forced
             the
             Scoffers
             of
             these
             last
             days
             to
             confess
             their
             own
             Infatuation
             .
             Some
             of
             those
             that
             have
             been
             most
             sharp
             in
             their
             Invectives
             against
             Religion
             ,
             have
             been
             no
             less
             free
             in
             their
             
               Satyrs
               against
               Reason
            
             it self
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             resolv'd
             to
             answer
             the
             Character
             of
             
             Solomon's
             Fool
             ,
             whose
             
               Wisdom
               fails
               him
            
             so
             far
             ,
             
             that
             
               he
               saith
               to
               every
               one
               that
               he
               is
               a
               Fool.
               
            
          
           
             3.
             
             Consider
             how
             much
             is
             to
             be
             said
             
               for
               Religion
            
             notwithstanding
             it
             is
             
               every
               where
               spoken
               against
            
             .
             Religion
             hath
             Reason
             on
             its
             side
             ,
             its
             Cause
             is
             a
             Good
             Cause
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             right
             way
             whoever
             speaks
             against
             it
             .
             
             
               It
               is
               no
               disparagement
            
             (
             as
             that
             excellent
             Pen
             expresseth
             it
             )
             
               to
               be
               laughed
               at
               ,
               but
               to
               deserve
               to
               be
               so
            
             ;
             you
             have
             heard
             Religion
             reproach'd
             ,
             but
             did
             you
             ever
             find
             that
             it
             deserv'd
             to
             be
             so
             ?
             Nay
             ;
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             have
             you
             not
             found
             that
             it
             very
             well
             deserves
             your
             best
             Affections
             and
             Services
             ?
             Enquire
             of
             those
             that
             have
             made
             trial
             of
             it
             ,
             consult
             the
             Experiences
             of
             others
             :
             
               Call
               now
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               any
               that
               will
               answer
               thee
               ,
               and
               to
               which
               of
               the
               Saints
               wilt
               thou
               turn
               ?
            
             
             
               Ask
               thy
               Father
               and
               he
               will
               shew
               thee
               ,
            
             
             
               thine
               Elders
               and
               they
               will
               tell
               thee
               ,
               that
               the
               Fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               that
               is
               Wisdom
               ,
               and
               to
               depart
               from
               Evil
               ,
            
             
             
               that
               is
               Vnderstanding
            
             .
             They
             will
             tell
             thee
             ,
             That
             Religion's
             Ways
             are
             
               Ways
               of
               Pleasantness
            
             ,
             
             and
             all
             her
             
               Paths
               are
               Peace
            
             ,
             and
             that
             all
             the
             Wealth
             and
             Pleasure
             in
             this
             World
             is
             not
             worth
             one
             Hours
             Communion
             with
             God
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
             They
             will
             tell
             thee
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             no
             Truths
             so
             certain
             and
             weighty
             as
             Divine
             Truths
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             Statutes
             and
             Judgments
             are
             so
             righteous
             as
             the
             Divine
             Law
             ,
             which
             is
             
               Holy
               ,
               Just
            
             ,
             and
             Good.
             They
             will
             tell
             thee
             ,
             That
             real
             Holiness
             and
             Sanctification
             
             is
             the
             Perfection
             of
             the
             Human
             Nature
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Participation
             of
             a
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             That
             a
             firm
             Belief
             of
             the
             Principles
             of
             Religion
             is
             the
             greatest
             improvement
             of
             our
             intellectual
             Powers
             ,
             a
             strict
             Adherence
             to
             its
             Rules
             our
             surest
             Guide
             in
             all
             our
             Ways
             ,
             and
             a
             chearful
             Dependance
             upon
             its
             Promises
             ,
             the
             Fountain
             of
             better
             Joys
             ,
             and
             the
             Foundation
             of
             better
             Hopes
             than
             any
             we
             can
             be
             furnish'd
             with
             in
             the
             things
             of
             Sense
             and
             Time.
             They
             will
             tell
             thee
             that
             a
             Life
             of
             
               serious
               Godliness
            
             is
             incomparably
             the
             most
             Sublime
             and
             Honourable
             ,
             the
             most
             Sweet
             and
             Comfortable
             Life
             a
             Man
             can
             live
             in
             this
             World
             ;
             and
             that
             nothing
             doth
             more
             answer
             the
             end
             of
             our
             Creation
             ,
             better
             befriend
             Societies
             ,
             nor
             conduce
             more
             to
             our
             true
             interest
             in
             both
             Worlds
             than
             that
             Holy
             Religion
             which
             is
             
               every
               where
               spoken
               against
            
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Consider
             that
             the
             cause
             of
             Religion
             and
             Godliness
             ,
             however
             it
             be
             spoken
             against
             and
             oppos'd
             ,
             will
             infallibly
             be
             the
             prevailing
             Cause
             at
             last
             .
             We
             are
             sensible
             of
             a
             mighty
             struggle
             in
             the
             World
             betwixt
             the
             
               seed
               of
               the
               Woman
               and
               the
               seed
               of
               the
               Serpent
               ;
               Michael
            
             and
             his
             Angels
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             the
             Dragon
             and
             his
             Angels
             on
             the
             other
             .
             Many
             there
             are
             that
             
               speak
               against
            
             Religion
             ,
             and
             are
             very
             vigorous
             in
             opposing
             it
             ,
             and
             some
             ,
             tho'
             but
             a
             few
             ,
             that
             are
             speaking
             for
             it
             ,
             contending
             for
             the
             Faith
             ,
             and
             striving
             against
             Sin
             ,
             now
             it
             is
             desirable
             to
             know
             which
             of
             these
             contesting
             Interests
             will
             be
             victorious
             ;
             and
             we
             may
             be
             assur'd
             that
             the
             cause
             of
             God
             and
             Religion
             will
             certainly
             
               carry
               the
               day
            
             .
             Contradicted
             Truths
             will
             be
             effectually
             clear'd
             and
             vindicated
             ;
             Despised
             Holiness
             will
             be
             honour'd
             ;
             Mistakes
             rectify'd
             ;
             Reproaches
             roll'd
             away
             ;
             and
             every
             thing
             set
             in
             a
             true
             Light.
             
             
               Then
               you
               shall
               return
               and
               discern
            
             between
             
             Truth
             and
             Falshood
             ,
             Right
             and
             Wrong
             ,
             which
             now
             it
             is
             not
             always
             easie
             to
             do
             .
             The
             
               Day
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             is
             said
             to
             be
             in
             the
             
               Valley
               of
               Decision
            
             ,
             Joel
             3.14
             .
             Because
             then
             and
             there
             will
             this
             great
             Cause
             be
             decided
             ,
             which
             has
             been
             so
             long
             depending
             ,
             and
             a
             definitive
             Sentence
             given
             from
             which
             there
             will
             ly
             no
             Appeal
             ,
             and
             against
             which
             there
             will
             be
             no
             Exception
             .
             
             
               Our
               God
               will
            
             then
             
               come
               and
               will
               not
               Keep
            
             Silence
             ;
             whoever
             now
             Speak
             against
             Religion
             he
             will
             then
             speak
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             will
             undoubtedly
             be
             
               justified
               when
               he
               speaks
            
             ,
             
             and
             
               clear
               when
               he
               judgeth
            
             .
             Particular
             Parties
             and
             Interests
             ,
             as
             such
             ,
             will
             wither
             and
             come
             to
             nothing
             ,
             But
             
               Catholick
               Christianity
            
             ,
             that
             is
             
               Denying
               Vngodliness
               and
               Worldly
               Lusts
            
             ,
             and
             living
             
               Soberly
               ,
               Righteously
               ,
               and
               Godly
               in
               this
               present
               World
               ,
            
             in
             expectation
             of
             the
             
               Blessed
               Hope
            
             :
             This
             is
             Good
             ,
             and
             the
             Goodness
             of
             it
             being
             founded
             on
             the
             unchangeable
             Will
             of
             the
             Eternal
             Mind
             ,
             it
             is
             Eternally
             Good
             ,
             and
             no
             doubt
             will
             be
             Eternally
             Glorious
             ,
             whatever
             is
             said
             against
             it
             .
             This
             ,
             this
             is
             that
             Gold
             and
             Silver
             ,
             and
             those
             
               Precious
               Stones
            
             ,
             which
             will
             stand
             the
             Test
             of
             the
             Fire
             that
             shall
             
               try
               every
               Mans
               Work
            
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             3.12
             ,
             13.
             and
             will
             be
             
               found
               unto
               Praise
               ,
               and
               Honour
               ,
               and
               Glory
               at
               the
               Appearing
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               .
            
             
          
           
             Assure
             your selves
             (
             Christians
             )
             there
             is
             a
             
               Day
               of
               Recompences
               for
               the
               Controversy
               of
               Sion
            
             coming
             ,
             
             and
             it
             is
             at
             Hand
             ;
             
             
               Behold
               the
               Judge
               standeth
               before
               the
               Door
               .
            
             Then
             Vice
             and
             Wickedness
             which
             now
             appear
             so
             daring
             ,
             so
             threatning
             ,
             will
             be
             effectually
             and
             irrecoverable
             crush'd
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             fatal
             and
             incurable
             Blow
             given
             to
             the
             
               Serpents
               Head
            
             that
             he
             shall
             never
             hiss
             ,
             shall
             never
             spit
             his
             Venom
             any
             more
             :
             Then
             shall
             
               the
               Vpright
               have
               the
               Dominion
               ,
               Psal
               .
            
             49.14
             .
             and
             all
             the
             faithful
             
             Souldiers
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             shall
             be
             call'd
             to
             set
             their
             
               Feet
               upon
               the
               Necks
            
             of
             Principalities
             and
             Powers
             .
             
             Then
             Atheists
             and
             Blasphemers
             ,
             the
             Debauchees
             and
             prophane
             Scoffers
             of
             the
             Age
             ,
             will
             have
             their
             Mouths
             stopt
             with
             an
             irresistable
             Conviction
             ;
             will
             have
             all
             their
             vile
             Calumnies
             visibly
             confuted
             ;
             their
             Hearts
             fill'd
             with
             unspeakable
             Horror
             ,
             and
             their
             Faces
             with
             everlasting
             Shame
             :
             Their
             
               Refuge
               of
               Lies
            
             will
             then
             be
             
               swept
               away
            
             ,
             
             and
             
               Rocks
               and
               Mountains
            
             call'd
             upon
             in
             vain
             to
             shelter
             them
             :
             
             Then
             shall
             
               the
               Righteous
            
             who
             are
             now
             trampled
             upon
             and
             despised
             ,
             
               shine
               as
               the
               Sun
               in
               the
               Firmament
               of
               their
               Father
               .
            
             
             Wisdom
             and
             her
             Children
             shall
             be
             first
             justified
             ,
             and
             then
             glorified
             before
             all
             the
             World
             :
             And
             they
             that
             through
             Grace
             have
             
               gotten
               the
               Victory
               over
               the
               Beast
               ,
            
             
             
               and
               over
               his
               Image
            
             ,
             shall
             solace
             themselves
             ,
             and
             praise
             their
             Redeemer
             with
             everlasting
             Songs
             of
             Triumph
             .
             The
             Dirt
             that
             is
             now
             unjustly
             thrown
             upon
             them
             ,
             will
             not
             only
             be
             wiped
             off
             ,
             but
             will
             add
             to
             their
             Glory
             ,
             
             and
             every
             Reproach
             for
             the
             Testimony
             of
             Jesus
             will
             be
             a
             Pearl
             in
             their
             Crown
             .
             The
             Righteous
             Judge
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             will
             shortly
             
               render
               to
               every
               Man
               according
               to
               his
               Work
               :
            
             
             
               To
               them
               who
               by
               patient
               continuance
               in
               Well-doing
               seek
               for
               Glory
               ,
               and
               Honour
               ,
               and
               Immortality
            
             in
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             and
             (
             in
             pursuit
             of
             that
             )
             patiently
             bear
             Disgrace
             and
             Contempt
             in
             this
             ,
             to
             them
             he
             will
             render
             
               Eternal
               Life
            
             ,
             which
             will
             make
             them
             as
             Happy
             as
             they
             can
             desire
             ,
             far
             more
             Happy
             than
             they
             can
             now
             conceive
             .
             But
             to
             
               them
               that
               are
               Contentious
               ,
               and
               do
               not
               obey
               the
               Truth
               ,
               but
            
             contradict
             it
             ,
             and
             rebel
             against
             the
             Light
             and
             Laws
             of
             it
             ,
             being
             resolv'd
             to
             
               obey
               Vnrighteousness
            
             ,
             to
             them
             he
             will
             render
             ,
             with
             a
             just
             and
             Almighty
             Hand
             ,
             
               Indignation
               and
               Wrath
            
             ,
             the
             effect
             of
             which
             
             will
             be
             such
             
               Tribulation
               and
               Anguish
            
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             as
             will
             make
             them
             feel
             eternally
             ,
             what
             now
             they
             will
             not
             be
             perswaded
             to
             believe
             ,
             
             that
             
               it
               is
               a
               fearful
               thing
               to
               fall
               into
               the
               Hands
               of
               the
               living
               God
            
             ;
             for
             never
             any
             hardned
             their
             
               Hearts
               against
               him
            
             and
             prosper'd
             .
             Brethren
             ,
             
               These
               are
               the
               true
               Sayings
               of
               God
               ,
            
             on
             the
             certainty
             of
             which
             ,
             
             we
             may
             venture
             our
             Immortal
             Souls
             .
          
           
             They
             who
             speak
             and
             act
             so
             much
             against
             Religion
             ,
             design
             to
             run
             it
             down
             ,
             and
             extirpate
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             
               Name
               of
               it
               may
               be
               no
               more
               in
               remembrance
               ,
            
             
             and
             perhaps
             you
             hear
             them
             sometimes
             boast
             of
             their
             success
             herein
             :
             If
             they
             can
             but
             handsomly
             (
             as
             they
             think
             )
             ridicule
             the
             sacred
             Text
             ,
             or
             Banter
             any
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mysteries
             ,
             or
             Hector
             over
             a
             good
             Man
             ,
             they
             are
             ready
             to
             triumph
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             had
             
               run
               down
            
             Religion
             :
             Run
             down
             Religion
             ?
             In
             the
             Name
             of
             my
             great
             Master
             ,
             I
             defy
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             Hell
             and
             Earth
             to
             run
             it
             down
             :
             
             They
             may
             sooner
             run
             down
             the
             flowing
             Tide
             ,
             or
             the
             Sun
             when
             he
             goes
             forth
             in
             his
             strength
             ,
             than
             run
             down
             the
             least
             of
             the
             Dictates
             of
             Eternal
             Truth
             ,
             
             not
             
               one
               iota
               or
               tittle
            
             of
             which
             shall
             fall
             to
             the
             Ground
             .
             Dagon
             will
             certainly
             fall
             before
             the
             Ark
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             the
             Rod
             of
             Aaron
             will
             
               Swallow
               up
            
             the
             Rods
             of
             the
             Magicians
             .
             
             Do
             they
             talk
             of
             
               running
               down
            
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             the
             Ordinances
             of
             Christ
             ?
             
             
               The
               Virgin
               the
               Daughter
               of
            
             Sion
             
               hath
               despised
               them
               ,
               and
               laughed
               them
               to
               scorn
               ,
               the
               Daughter
               of
            
             Jerusalem
             
               hath
               shaken
               her
               Head
               at
               them
            
             ;
             and
             hath
             therefore
             
               put
               them
               to
               shame
               because
               God
               hath
               despised
               them
               ,
            
             as
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
             Psal
             .
             53.5
             .
             He
             that
             
               sets
               in
               the
               Heavens
            
             enjoying
             himself
             ,
             
               and
               rides
               upon
               the
               Heavens
            
             ,
             
             for
             the
             Help
             of
             his
             People
             ,
             derides
             their
             Attempts
             against
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             his
             Son
             ,
             as
             vain
             and
             fruitless
             .
             
               The
               
               Lord
               shall
               laugh
               at
               them
               ,
            
             
             
               for
               he
               sees
               that
               his
               Day
               is
               coming
               .
            
             They
             have
             their
             Day
             now
             ,
             it
             is
             their
             Hour
             and
             the
             Power
             of
             Darkness
             :
             But
             God
             will
             have
             
               his
               Day
            
             shortly
             ,
             and
             a
             Glorious
             Day
             it
             will
             be
             ,
             when
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             shall
             appear
             in
             all
             the
             Power
             and
             Grandeur
             of
             the
             Vpper
             World
             ,
             to
             the
             everlasting
             Terror
             and
             Confusion
             of
             all
             his
             Adversaries
             ,
             and
             the
             everlasting
             Joy
             and
             Honour
             of
             all
             his
             faithful
             Servants
             and
             Soldiers
             ;
             With
             the
             believing
             Hopes
             and
             Prospects
             of
             which
             Day
             ,
             let
             all
             those
             who
             heartily
             espouse
             and
             plead
             Religion's
             righteous
             Cause
             ,
             Comfort
             themselves
             and
             one
             another
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A70206-e130
           
             Jam.
             1.27
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.15
             .
          
           
             1
             Thes
             .
             2.15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             Tertullian
             
               confidently
               asserts
            
             Primum
             Neronem
             in
             hanc
             Sectam
             tum
             maxime
             Romae
             orientem
             ,
             Caesariano
             gladio
             terocisse
             .
             Apol.
             cap.
             5
             
          
           
             Inquisitione
             &
             agnitione
             neglecta
             Nomen
             detinetur
             Nomen
             expugnatur
             —
             Vox
             sola
             praedamnat
             
               Tert.
               Ap.
               c.
               3.
            
             
          
           
             Acts
             17.11
             .
          
           
             John
             1.46
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             18.13
             .
             John
             7.51
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               Electio
               optio
            
             ,
             An
             Opinion
             not
             forced
             upon
             us
             by
             the
             Evidences
             of
             Truth
             ,
             but
             chosen
             by
             us
             with
             some
             forreign
             Design
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.19
             .
          
           
             Luke
             2.14
             .
             Joh.
             1.29.3.16
             .
             1
             John
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Secta
             dicitur
             à
             Secando
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             2.14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
             John
             11.52
             .
          
           
             Luk
             ,
             9.56
             .
          
           
             Luke
             10.36
             ,
             37.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.8
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.12
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             14.17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             Luke
             12.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.2
             
          
           
             Jam.
             3.17
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Doct.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             12.17
             ,
          
           
             Psal
             .
             118.22
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             53.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Mat
             ,
             27.39
             .
          
           
             Luke
             23.11
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             1.20.21
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.6
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             Jude
             15.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             3.4
             .
             Ps
             .
             10.13
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             12.2
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             28.58
             .
          
           
             Jude
             16.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             8.21
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             73.9
             .
          
           
             *
             Trident
             Concil
             .
             Sess
             .
             4th
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             137.3
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             5.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Zach.
             3.8
             .
          
           
             See
             this
             at
             large
             ,
             represented
             by
             Caecilius
             in
             
               Minucius
               Felix
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             —
             the
             Theatre
             they
             plaid
             upon
             .
          
           
             —
             cui
             septima
             quaeque
             fuit
             lux
             Ignava
             —
             Juvenal
             .
             sat
             .
             5.
             
             Dicimur
             sceleratissimi
             de
             Sacramento
             infanticidij
             ,
             &
             pabulo
             inde
             .
             &
             post
             convivium
             incesto
             ,
             
               &c.
               Tertull.
               Apol.
               cap.
               7.
            
             
          
           
             
               1
               Pet.
               1.18
               .
               Acts
               17.18
               ,
               19.
               
            
             
               See
               Dr.
               
               Cave's
               Primitive
               Christianity
               ,
               lib.
               1.
               ch
               .
               1.
               
            
          
           
             Greg.
             Nazian
             .
             Invectiv
             .
             in
             Julian
             .
             Orat
             .
             1.
             p.
             
               (
               mihi
               )
               42.
            
             
          
           
             Lollards
             from
             Lolium
             ,
             Tares
             so
             my
             Ld.
             Cook
             from
             Mr.
             
               Fox
               .
               Rev.
            
             13.17
             
          
           
             Rev.
             13.17
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             5.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.3
             ,
             4
             ,
          
           
             Psal
             .
             12.8
             .
             Isa
             .
             59.15
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.21
             .
             compar'd
             with
             Tit.
             1.1
             .
          
           
             Acts
             3.15
             ,
             17.
             
             Luke
             23.34
             .
          
           
             Job
             21.14
             .
          
           
             John
             4.10
             .
          
           
             Cant.
             5.9.6.1
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             83.3
             .
             Col.
             3.3
             .
             Prov.
             15.24
             .
             Psa
             .
             105.
             
          
           
             Quid
             iniquiusquàm
             ut
             oderin●
             homines
             quod
             ignorant
             .
             Tunc
             enim
             meretur
             ,
             quando
             cognoscitur
             an
             mereatur
             Tert.
             
               Apol.
               cap.
               1.
            
             
          
           
             Antè
             nos
             incipiunt
             odisse
             quam
             nosse
             ,
             ne
             cognitos
             aut
             imitari
             possint
             ,
             aut
             damnare
             non
             possint
             
               Min.
               Fel.
               p.
               (
               mihi
               )
               30.
               
               Rom.
               8.7
               .
               1
               Joh.
               3.13
               .
            
          
           
             Job
             15.25
             .
          
           
             Psa
             .
             12.4
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             21.45
             .
          
           
             John
             7.7
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             37.2
             .
             1
             Ki.
             22.8.21.20
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             11.10
             .
             Mat.
             24.14
             .
             
               Naturale
               est
               &
               odisse
               quem
               times
               ,
               &
               quem
               metueris
               ,
               infestare
               si
               possis
               .
            
             Min.
             Felix
             .
             Isa
             .
             29.21
             .
             Isa
             .
             58.1
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             1.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             11.7
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             29.10
             .
          
           
             1
             John
             3.12
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             8.11
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             50.12
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             50.3
             .
          
           
             Jude
             14.15
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             22.12
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             26.63
             .
             Joh.
             19.9
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.13
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             16.10.4
             .
             1
             Pet.
             2.23
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             83
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Acts
             5.38
             .
          
           
             See
             this
             excellently
             enlarged
             upon
             by
             the
             learned
             Grotius
             de
             
               v.
               R.
               C.
               l.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             Acts
             19.20
             .
          
           
             2
             Kin.
             18.34
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             3.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             6.2
             .
          
           
             Acts
             28.3
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             16.18
             .
          
           
             See
             the
             learned
             Dr.
             
               Humfrey
               Prideaux's
            
             excellent
             History
             of
             the
             Life
             of
             Mahomet
             lately
             published
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             12.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             52.5
             .
          
           
             Psa
             .
             69
             10.
             
             Mat.
             25.45
             .
          
           
             Psa
             .
             64.8
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Hos
             .
             14.9
             .
             2
             Pet.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             12.3
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.8
             .
             Isa
             .
             28.13
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.17
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Act.
             13.7.8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Isa
             .
             8.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             1.1
             .
          
           
             Cic.
             de
             Nat.
             Deor.
             
               lib.
               2.
            
             ad
             Fin.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             9.55
             .
          
           
             Ro.
             2.24
             .
             2
             Pet.
             2
             2.
             
          
           
             Jude
             12.
             
             The
             foulest
             Reproaches
             of
             the
             Primitive
             Christians
             took
             rise
             from
             the
             vile
             practises
             of
             the
             Gnosticks
             ,
             and
             
               other
               Pseudochristians
            
             .
             Of
             which
             Vid.
             Euseb
             .
             Eccl.
             Hist
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             7.
             
          
           
             Col.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             7.35
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             14.8
             .
          
           
             Ec.
             10.10
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             1.5
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.3
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             Col.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             2.10
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.14
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes
             .
             5.12
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             v.
             15.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             38.33
             .
             Eccl.
             3.7
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             12.9
             .
             2
             Tim.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             25.23
             .
          
           
             Luke
             1.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             3.15
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Col.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             8.2
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             30.21
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             51.7.8
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Thes
             .
             3.2
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             10.3
             .
          
           
             Arch
             Bp.
             
             Tillotson's
             Serm.
             on
             2
             Pet.
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Job
             .
             5.1
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             32.7
             .
          
           
             Job
             .
             28.28
             
          
           
             Prov.
             3.17
             
          
           
             Mal.
             3.18
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             50.3
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             51.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             34.8
             :
          
           
             Jam.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             Jos
             .
             10.24
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             28.17
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             Ma.
             13.43
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             15.2
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             10.31
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             19.9
             .
          
           
             Psa
             .
             83.4
             .
          
           
             Magna
             est
             Veritas
             &
             praevalebit
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.18
             .
          
           
             Ex.
             7.12
             .
          
           
             Isa
             .
             37.22
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             2.4
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             33.26
             .
          
           
             Psa
             .
             37.13
             .