A sermon against persecution preached March 26, 1682, being the 4th Sunday in Lent (on Gal. 4:29, part of the Epistle for that day) and the time when the brief for the persecuted Protestants in France was read in the parish church of Shapwicke ... / by Sa. Bolde ...
         Bold, S. (Samuel), 1649-1737.
      
       
         
           1682
        
      
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             A sermon against persecution preached March 26, 1682, being the 4th Sunday in Lent (on Gal. 4:29, part of the Epistle for that day) and the time when the brief for the persecuted Protestants in France was read in the parish church of Shapwicke ... / by Sa. Bolde ...
             Bold, S. (Samuel), 1649-1737.
          
           [5], 36 p.
           
             Published by Richard Janeway,
             London :
             1682.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- N.T. -- Galatians IV, 29 -- Sermons.
           Freedom of religion -- Great Britain -- Sermons.
           Persecution -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Against
           PERSECUTION
           .
        
         
           PREACHED
           March
           26.
           1682.
           
           Being
           the
           4
           th
           .
           Sunday
           in
           Lent
           (
           on
           Gal.
           4.
           29.
           
           Part
           of
           the
           Epistle
           for
           that
           Day
           )
           and
           the
           time
           when
           the
           Brief
           for
           the
           Persecuted
           Protestants
           in
           France
           was
           Read
           in
           the
           Parish
           Church
           of
           Shapwicke
           .
        
         
           AND
           Now
           Published
           to
           the
           Consideration
           of
           Violent
           and
           Headstrong
           Men
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           false
           Reports
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Sa.
             Bolde
          
           ,
           Vicar
           of
           Shapwicke
           in
           Dorcetshire
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           1682
           ,
           and
           Published
           by
           
             Richard
             Janeway
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           IT
           hath
           bin
           my
           constant
           Course
           for
           some
           Months
           ,
           to
           Preach
           every
           Sunday
           either
           on
           the
           whole
           Epistle
           for
           the
           Day
           ,
           or
           some
           part
           of
           it
           .
           And
           finding
           I
           was
           commanded
           in
           the
           Brief
           for
           the
           Persecuted
           Protestants
           in
           France
           ,
           (
           which
           was
           brought
           me
           in
           the
           Week
           before
           the
           4th
           .
           Sunday
           in
           Lent
           )
           to
           publish
           it
           the
           next
           Sunday
           ;
           I
           found
           there
           was
           no
           need
           to
           alter
           my
           wonted
           course
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           my
           pitching
           on
           a
           Subject
           which
           might
           suit
           with
           that
           Occasion
           .
           The
           famous
           Dr.
           Patrick
           in
           his
           Epistle
           Dedicatory
           before
           his
           Sermon
           Preached
           before
           the
           Lord
           Major
           ,
           &c.
           the
           21st
           .
           Sunday
           after
           Trinity
           1680.
           ascribes
           his
           being
           directed
           to
           the
           Subject
           he
           then
           Preached
           on
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           to
           his
           
             own
             Prudence
             ,
             as
             a
             Kind
             of
             Divine
             Providence
          
           ;
           because
           having
           observed
           this
           same
           Course
           that
           Year
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           on
           that
           Occasion
           
             go
             out
             of
             his
             way
             to
             meet
             with
             a
             sitting
             Argument
             .
          
           Whether
           People
           will
           put
           the
           same
           Construction
           on
           this
           Discourse
           or
           not
           ,
           I
           neither
           know
           nor
           care
           .
           But
           I
           think
           I
           may
           truly
           say
           ,
           I
           have
           discoursed
           on
           this
           Text
           ,
           with
           a
           Freedom
           which
           becomes
           
             a
             Christian
          
           ,
           and
           particularly
           
             a
             true
             Son
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           England
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           he
           some
           who
           pretend
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           take
           Exception
           at
           this
           Sermon
           ,
           for
           there
           are
           some
           
             so
             shallow
          
           ,
           and
           of
           
             so
             short
             Discourse
          
           ,
           they
           cannot
           understand
           how
           a
           man
           can
           except
           against
           their
           violent
           Proceedings
           against
           some
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           himself
           
             a
             thorough
             Conformist
          
           .
           Indeed
           it
           is
           not
           of
           any
           moment
           what
           such
           may
           either
           say
           or
           think
           ,
           but
           yet
           to
           give
           them
           some
           Satisfaction
           ,
           if
           they
           ever
           happen
           to
           be
           favoured
           with
           any
           sober
           and
           lucid
           Intervals
           ,
           I
           will
           amongst
           the
           many
           Instances
           I
           might
           mention
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           offer
           these
           few
           to
           their
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           could
           never
           yet
           understand
           that
           Conformity
           did
           oblige
           any
           man
           to
           lay
           aside
           
             all
             Bowels
             of
             Compassion
          
           .
           Nay
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           to
           Convince
           and
           Satisfy
           Men
           with
           Reason
           ,
           and
           by
           Humility
           ,
           Gentleness
           ,
           and
           Meekness
           is
           most
           Christian
           ,
           and
           tends
           most
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           particular
           Persons
           ,
           and
           whole
           Churches
           .
           How
           much
           of
           Fierceness
           and
           Violence
           there
           is
           in
           any
           Party
           ,
           especially
           if
           countenanced
           by
           the
           Principles
           of
           that
           Perswasion
           ,
           so
           much
           there
           is
           of
           some
           Infernal
           and
           Devilish
           Mixture
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Those
           who
           do
           generally
           Decry
           and
           Prosecute
           Dissenters
           with
           greatest
           Passion
           and
           Virulence
           ,
           are
           greatest
           Strangers
           unto
           them
           .
           They
           usually
           know
           no
           more
           of
           them
           ,
           than
           they
           learn
           from
           some
           
             false
             and
             scandalous
          
           Observator
           
             or
             other
          
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           are
           commonly
           Ignorant
           of
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Controversy
           betwixt
           
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           .
           The
           true
           Reason
           ,
           why
           
             Judicious
             and
             thinking
             Conformists
          
           do
           use
           those
           particular
           Ceremonies
           which
           are
           enjoyned
           ,
           is
           because
           they
           are
           satisfied
           they
           come
           under
           the
           general
           Rule
           given
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           VIZ.
           that
           
             all
             things
             be
             done
             decently
             and
             in
             order
             .
          
           And
           the
           Reason
           why
           they
           observe
           no
           other
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           (
           whil'st
           it
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           there
           are
           others
           every
           whit
           as
           orderly
           and
           decently
           in
           themselves
           as
           these
           )
           is
           because
           ,
           these
           alone
           are
           enjoyned
           by
           an
           Authority
           ,
           they
           are
           perswaded
           ,
           has
           Power
           to
           interpose
           in
           these
           things
           .
           And
           now
           if
           others
           do
           not
           break
           the
           general
           Rule
           given
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           but
           apprehend
           that
           a
           Freedom
           from
           Impositions
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           is
           one
           part
           of
           the
           Liberty
           they
           are
           commanded
           
             to
             stand
             fast
             in
          
           ,
           why
           should
           we
           quarrel
           with
           ,
           and
           prosecute
           them
           ?
           especially
           whil'st
           they
           acknowledg
           that
           it
           pertains
           to
           Authority
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           them
           who
           are
           Indecent
           ,
           and
           Disorderly
           in
           their
           Worship
           .
           Is
           it
           not
           enough
           that
           we
           may
           act
           according
           to
           our
           own
           more
           
             minute
             Perswasion
          
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           Countenance
           and
           Incour
           agement
           of
           those
           in
           Power
           ,
           but
           we
           must
           ruine
           and
           oppress
           them
           who
           will
           not
           truckle
           to
           our
           Fancies
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           I
           have
           had
           the
           Opportunity
           to
           be
           acquainted
           both
           with
           Conformists
           ,
           and
           Nonconformists
           .
           And
           as
           I
           acknowledg
           I
           have
           great
           cause
           to
           bless
           God
           for
           the
           
             worthy
             Labors
          
           ,
           and
           
             exemplary
             Lives
          
           of
           very
           many
           in
           the
           
             Church
             of
          
           England
           ,
           so
           I
           ought
           to
           give
           others
           their
           due
           .
           And
           this
           I
           must
           say
           ,
           that
           those
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           whom
           I
           have
           bin
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           have
           bin
           men
           of
           great
           Learning
           ,
           exemplary
           Piety
           ,
           strict
           Devotion
           ,
           and
           
             extraordinary
             Loyalty
          
           .
           Men
           who
           have
           bin
           diligent
           Attenders
           on
           God
           in
           his
           publick
           Ordinances
           ,
           eminently
           Religious
           in
           their
           Families
           ,
           who
           have
           had
           a
           great
           regard
           to
           Conscience
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           their
           Conversation
           with
           Men.
           They
           have
           neither
           bin
           Haunters
           of
           Taverns
           ,
           nor
           obscene
           and
           loose
           in
           their
           Discourse
           ,
           nor
           have
           they
           bin
           guilty
           of
           sitting
           Days
           and
           Nights
           at
           Cards
           and
           Dice
           .
           Indeed
           they
           have
           bin
           Persons
           that
           could
           not
           be
           justly
           blamed
           for
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           had
           
             straighter
             Notions
          
           concerning
           
             humane
             Impositions
          
           in
           the
           
             Service
             of
             God
          
           ,
           than
           we
           Conformists
           have
           .
        
         
           
             And
             a
             very
             learned
             Gentleman
             had
             upon
             Consideration
             given
             a
             very
             just
             and
             good
             Reason
             of
             this
             .
          
           
           
             He
             expresseth
             himself
             in
             these
             Words
             .
          
           I
           think
           this
           their
           Scrupulosity
           may
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           some
           men
           are
           by
           him
           framed
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           provided
           it
           as
           a
           Bar
           and
           Obstacle
           in
           the
           Natures
           and
           Complexions
           of
           some
           devout
           Men
           ,
           against
           any
           Innovations
           whatsoever
           ,
           that
           dangerous
           ones
           may
           not
           steal
           upon
           the
           Church
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           maintaining
           the
           Simplicity
           and
           Purity
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           and
           Worship
           .
        
         
           If
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           any
           remain
           unsatisfied
           ,
           
           they
           may
           seek
           Satisfaction
           where
           they
           please
           〈…〉
           .
        
         
           
             Sa.
             Bolde
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Against
           PERSECUTION
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Galatians
             4.
             
             Verse
             29.
             
          
           
             But
             as
             then
             He
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Flesh
             persecuted
             Him
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             even
             so
             it
             is
             now
             .
          
        
         
           THere
           were
           some
           even
           in
           the
           Apostles
           days
           ,
           who
           laboured
           what
           they
           could
           to
           hinder
           the
           progress
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           by
           Preaching
           up
           the
           necessity
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Law.
           These
           having
           insinuated
           themselves
           into
           the
           Churches
           of
           Galatia
           ,
           had
           infected
           many
           of
           those
           Christians
           ,
           with
           their
           poysonous
           and
           false
           Doctrines
           :
           For
           though
           they
           did
           not
           openly
           declare
           themselves
           enemies
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           yet
           they
           did
           supplant
           it
           as
           to
           its
           power
           and
           efficacy
           ,
           by
           alledging
           its
           insufficiency
           alone
           ,
           and
           the
           necessity
           of
           their
           being
           circumcised
           ,
           and
           embracing
           those
           old
           rules
           God
           had
           anciently
           inforced
           under
           the
           former
           dispensation
           .
           They
           knew
           if
           they
           could
           leaven
           and
           corrupt
           them
           with
           these
           Principles
           ,
           they
           did
           at
           first
           so
           speciously
           display
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           be
           long
           before
           they
           
           should
           entirely
           undermine
           that
           foundation
           the
           Apostles
           had
           laid
           amongst
           them
           .
           For
           however
           innocent
           their
           pretences
           might
           seem
           at
           first
           ,
           it
           is
           clearest
           Paul
           perceived
           the
           consequence
           would
           be
           dangerous
           .
           
             Christ
             will
             not
             profit
             you
             at
             all
             ,
          
           Gal.
           5.
           2.
           
        
         
           For
           this
           cause
           it
           is
           he
           doth
           labour
           with
           them
           so
           earnestly
           ,
           and
           useth
           such
           variety
           of
           Arguments
           to
           secure
           them
           from
           giving
           place
           any
           further
           ,
           to
           those
           false
           and
           pernicious
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           errour
           and
           fault
           ,
           in
           giving
           way
           unto
           them
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           Amongst
           other
           Arguments
           he
           urgeth
           the
           different
           state
           men
           are
           in
           when
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           from
           that
           they
           were
           in
           when
           under
           the
           Law
           :
           And
           that
           the
           Law
           was
           primarily
           designed
           only
           to
           prepare
           and
           fit
           men
           for
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           continue
           in
           the
           same
           Place
           and
           Power
           after
           ,
           as
           before
           ;
           no
           more
           than
           he
           that
           being
           arrived
           to
           ripe
           and
           full
           years
           ,
           is
           bound
           to
           continue
           under
           their
           Tutorage
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           care
           of
           him
           in
           his
           Minority
           ,
           Gal.
           4.
           1.
           
        
         
           He
           afterwards
           proceeds
           to
           argue
           with
           them
           from
           the
           Nature
           of
           that
           Law
           they
           are
           so
           desirous
           to
           be
           under
           ,
           v.
           21.
           
           And
           then
           explains
           himself
           by
           a
           Similitude
           of
           
           Abraham's
           two
           Sons
           ;
           shewing
           there
           is
           as
           great
           a
           difference
           between
           those
           who
           are
           under
           a
           Gospel
           State
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           are
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           as
           between
           that
           Son
           which
           was
           his
           natural
           Child
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           was
           conferred
           on
           him
           by
           the
           special
           Promise
           and
           powerful
           Interposition
           of
           God's
           particular
           Blessing
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           he
           takes
           occasion
           to
           reflect
           on
           the
           great
           Alteration
           that
           was
           wrought
           amongst
           them
           ,
           since
           they
           did
           histen
           to
           ,
           and
           entertain
           these
           false
           and
           deceiving
           Apostles
           .
           And
           does
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           tell
           them
           ,
           it
           was
           no
           wonder
           they
           should
           thus
           vary
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           should
           now
           approve
           ways
           of
           Severity
           towards
           Christ's
           apostles
           and
           Followers
           ,
           seeing
           they
           did
           receive
           and
           adhere
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           were
           directly
           contrary
           to
           Christ's
           Ministers
           and
           Servants
           .
           Compare
           Gal.
           4.
           14
           ,
           15.
           whith
           this
           29.
           v.
           It
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           hath
           fallen
           out
           in
           all
           Ages
           of
           the
           World.
           The
           Servants
           of
           Sathan
           and
           Enemies
           of
           true
           Godlyness
           ,
           have
           always
           bin
           for
           persecuting
           the
           faithful
           and
           obedient
           Children
           of
           God.
           And
           it
           seems
           by
           this
           Epistle
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           especial
           and
           peculiar
           Character
           of
           them
           that
           are
           irreligiously
           and
           immoderately
           hot
           and
           zealous
           about
           Ceremonies
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           greatest
           Persecutors
           of
           those
           who
           are
           most
           
           Pious
           and
           Conscientious
           .
           Look
           through
           all
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           nay
           look
           through
           all
           the
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           you
           shall
           generally
           find
           that
           those
           who
           were
           most
           for
           the
           Persecution
           of
           others
           on
           the
           account
           of
           some
           indifferences
           relating
           to
           Religion
           ,
           were
           very
           wicked
           superstitious
           men
           :
           Men
           that
           were
           inordinately
           Zealous
           for
           ,
           and
           fond
           of
           some
           outward
           Ceremonies
           .
           Now
           if
           a
           fondness
           for
           any
           Ceremonies
           would
           maintain
           and
           justify
           Mens
           Persecution
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           cannot
           approve
           their
           Fopperies
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           these
           Teachers
           who
           were
           crept
           in
           amonst
           the
           Galathians
           should
           be
           excused
           ,
           because
           they
           prest
           only
           those
           things
           that
           had
           formerly
           bin
           of
           Divine
           appointment
           .
           
           For
           ,
           
             He
             that
             came
             to
             take
             away
             the
             insupportable
             Yoke
             of
             Jewish
             Ceremonies
             ,
             certainly
             did
             never
             intend
             to
             gall
             the
             Necks
             of
             his
             Disciples
             with
             another
             instead
             of
             it
             .
          
           But
           here
           we
           see
           how
           dangerous
           it
           is
           to
           give
           our selves
           too
           great
           a
           Liberty
           in
           admiring
           any
           bare
           external
           and
           accidental
           Appendage
           to
           Religion
           .
           Sathan
           doth
           suddenly
           strike
           in
           on
           such
           Occasions
           ,
           and
           doth
           so
           powerfully
           affect
           mens
           Minds
           with
           some
           strange
           Apprehensions
           ,
           of
           the
           Beauty
           ,
           Excellency
           ,
           Usefulness
           ,
           and
           Necessity
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           they
           are
           quite
           taken
           off
           from
           minding
           the
           inward
           Part
           and
           Soul
           of
           Religion
           .
           And
           by
           this
           means
           they
           come
           to
           lay
           out
           all
           their
           Zeal
           about
           these
           trifling
           and
           worthless
           Parts
           ,
           they
           even
           starve
           their
           own
           Souls
           ,
           by
           a
           constant
           feasting
           on
           these
           meer
           Husks
           ,
           and
           do
           what
           they
           can
           to
           destroy
           others
           Souls
           ,
           at
           least
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           by
           persecuting
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           not
           conceive
           and
           believe
           as
           well
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           .
           It
           is
           a
           very
           shrewd
           Sign
           ,
           and
           token
           that
           a
           Man
           is
           a
           wicked
           unregenerate
           Man
           if
           he
           be
           of
           a
           fierce
           and
           persecuting
           Temper
           ;
           if
           he
           be
           prone
           to
           endeavour
           to
           Ruine
           and
           Trouble
           ,
           or
           further
           the
           Vexation
           and
           Disturbance
           of
           serious
           pious
           People
           ,
           only
           because
           they
           cannot
           be
           as
           Ceremonious
           as
           he
           is
           .
        
         
           
             He
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           The
           Words
           do
           immediately
           relate
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Ismael
          
           is
           
             He
             that
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           viz.
           in
           a
           meer
           natural
           ordinary
           way
           .
           Now
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           Persecute
           ,
           and
           Mock
           ,
           and
           Deride
           ,
           and
           Insult
           over
           Isaack
           ,
           who
           
             was
             born
             after
             the
             Spirit
          
           ,
           viz.
           who
           was
           the
           Son
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           to
           whose
           Birth
           ,
           there
           was
           the
           Exerting
           a
           Divine
           Power
           in
           the
           accomplishing
           of
           that
           Promise
           which
           was
           made
           to
           Abraham
           ,
           when
           both
           he
           and
           Sarah
           were
           past
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           naturally
           uncapable
           
           of
           having
           Children
           ,
           
             so
             it
             is
             now
             ,
             viz.
          
           Even
           so
           ,
           those
           in
           these
           Days
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           the
           Seed
           of
           Abraham
           ,
           that
           pretend
           they
           have
           him
           for
           their
           Father
           ,
           and
           are
           outwardly
           Jews
           ,
           or
           that
           pretend
           themselves
           so
           out
           of
           servile
           Compliance
           ,
           do
           persecute
           them
           that
           
             are
             born
             after
             the
             Spirit
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           those
           who
           are
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           the
           Seed
           of
           Abraham
           ,
           truly
           so
           called
           in
           a
           religious
           Sence
           ,
           who
           succeed
           him
           in
           his
           Faith.
           
        
         
           The
           Jews
           did
           very
           much
           boast
           of
           ,
           and
           lay
           an
           extraordinary
           stress
           on
           their
           being
           the
           Seed
           of
           Abraham
           ;
           they
           placed
           most
           of
           their
           Religion
           on
           this
           ,
           and
           thought
           it
           a
           sufficient
           Plea
           for
           themselves
           on
           all
           Occasions
           ,
           and
           an
           effectual
           Security
           from
           those
           Judgments
           that
           were
           sometimes
           threatned
           against
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           find
           the
           Holy
           Men
           in
           Scripture
           often
           labouring
           to
           Convince
           them
           what
           a
           sandy
           Foundation
           they
           did
           build
           upon
           ,
           Mat.
           3.
           9.
           
           John
           8.
           39.
           
           Rom.
           4.
           12
           ,
           13
           ,
           14.
           
           It
           is
           indeed
           a
           great
           Mercy
           to
           be
           Born
           of
           Pious
           and
           Religious
           Parents
           ;
           Those
           Parents
           that
           have
           a
           great
           Familiarity
           and
           Interest
           with
           God
           ,
           have
           usually
           a
           great
           Treasury
           and
           Portion
           of
           Blessings
           laid
           up
           with
           God
           for
           their
           Posterity
           .
           Exod.
           20.
           6.
           
           But
           People
           may
           lay
           too
           great
           a
           stress
           on
           this
           outward
           Priviledge
           .
           And
           if
           Children
           do
           not
           labour
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           Steps
           of
           Religious
           and
           Gracious
           Parents
           ,
           but
           depend
           wholly
           on
           their
           Predecessors
           Holyness
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           fearfully
           mistaken
           at
           last
           .
        
         
           He
           that
           was
           Born
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           He
           that
           is
           a
           loose
           ,
           wicked
           ,
           Unregenerate
           ,
           Carnal
           Person
           ,
           is
           for
           Persecuting
           and
           Undoing
           him
           that
           is
           Born
           after
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           him
           that
           is
           Serious
           ,
           Holy
           ,
           Strict
           ,
           and
           Conscientious
           ;
           thus
           it
           has
           bin
           ,
           and
           thus
           it
           is
           .
           I
           will
           sum
           up
           all
           into
           this
           Proposition
           .
        
         
           Wicked
           ,
           
           Unregenerate
           Men
           ,
           always
           have
           bin
           ,
           and
           still
           are
           for
           Persecuting
           Holy
           ,
           Religious
           ,
           Spiritual
           Men.
           Look
           through
           all
           the
           Books
           both
           of
           Old
           and
           New
           Testament
           ,
           nay
           look
           through
           all
           History
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           still
           find
           ,
           where
           ever
           you
           meet
           with
           Persecution
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           carried
           on
           by
           the
           
           Devil's
           Agents
           ,
           by
           Wicked
           ,
           Lewd
           Men
           ,
           against
           Holy
           and
           Righteous
           Men.
           Observe
           the
           Characters
           every
           where
           of
           Informers
           and
           Persecutors
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           they
           have
           not
           bin
           branded
           with
           some
           notorious
           and
           hateful
           Wickedness
           .
        
         
         
           Indeed
           Men
           can
           scarce
           arrive
           to
           such
           a
           height
           of
           Wickedness
           ,
           as
           this
           is
           ,
           till
           they
           have
           by
           the
           habitual
           Exercise
           of
           other
           Crimes
           ,
           feared
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           are
           become
           so
           insensible
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           commendable
           Notions
           and
           Sentiments
           that
           do
           usually
           accompany
           Mankind
           ,
           are
           lost
           and
           eradicated
           out
           of
           their
           Brests
           .
        
         
           Consider
           these
           few
           Instances
           of
           Persecutors
           as
           they
           now
           occur
           ,
           and
           then
           see
           whether
           all
           others
           be
           not
           of
           the
           same
           Complexion
           .
           What
           an
           obdurate
           Caitiff
           and
           Villain
           was
           Cain
           that
           slew
           his
           own
           Brother
           ,
           because
           more
           Holy
           ,
           and
           consequently
           better
           accepted
           with
           God
           than
           he
           was
           ?
           What
           a
           vile
           Character
           is
           Ismael
           all
           along
           represented
           under
           to
           us
           ?
           Were
           not
           they
           Drunkards
           that
           were
           against
           David
           ,
           and
           made
           Songs
           of
           him
           ?
           What
           were
           the
           false
           Prophets
           that
           set
           themselves
           against
           Micaiah
           ?
           were
           they
           not
           such
           as
           did
           Prophecy
           Lies
           ?
           Who
           were
           those
           that
           were
           for
           the
           Burning
           of
           the
           three
           Children
           ?
           And
           for
           the
           casting
           of
           Daniel
           into
           the
           Lions
           Den
           ?
           Were
           they
           not
           all
           Flattering
           and
           Abominable
           Idolaters
           ?
           What
           was
           Judas
           that
           Betrayed
           Christ
           ,
           that
           Informed
           the
           High
           Priests
           and
           Scribes
           against
           his
           Master
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ?
           Was
           he
           not
           a
           Covetous
           Mercenary
           Son
           of
           Perdition
           ?
           What
           were
           those
           that
           swore
           ,
           and
           gave
           Evidence
           against
           Christ
           ?
           Were
           they
           not
           a
           couple
           of
           perjured
           Miscreants
           ?
           And
           if
           you
           search
           and
           inquire
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           all
           Informers
           against
           ,
           and
           Persecutors
           of
           the
           Just
           and
           Holy
           to
           be
           of
           the
           same
           Stamp
           .
           Are
           not
           the
           Informers
           and
           Persecutors
           of
           our
           Days
           like
           unto
           those
           that
           were
           before
           them
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           evident
           to
           all
           that
           they
           are
           notorious
           for
           Perjury
           ,
           Falsness
           ,
           Drunkenness
           ,
           Whoredom
           ,
           Prophane
           and
           common
           Swearing
           ?
           Are
           there
           any
           more
           regardless
           of
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           ,
           more
           Irreligious
           and
           Obscene
           in
           their
           Discourse
           ,
           more
           Vile
           .
           Contemptible
           and
           base
           in
           the
           Eye
           and
           Opinion
           of
           every
           Honest
           ,
           Pious
           ,
           Good
           ,
           or
           Sober
           Person
           ?
           Are
           there
           any
           so
           unjust
           ,
           so
           False
           ,
           so
           exorbitantly
           Vicious
           ,
           Lewd
           ,
           and
           Debauch'd
           as
           they
           ?
        
         
           Now
           Christ
           and
           Religion
           do
           not
           allow
           of
           Persecutions
           ,
           of
           Troubling
           and
           Vexing
           ,
           of
           Ruining
           and
           Undoing
           of
           any
           Men
           for
           little
           Indifferences
           much
           less
           for
           Truth
           and
           Holyness
           .
           They
           are
           for
           Advancing
           and
           Propagating
           Holyness
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Condescention
           .
           Is
           .
           42.
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           Christ
           came
           not
           to
           destroy
           but
           to
           save
           Mens
           Lives
           ;
           and
           sharply
           rebukes
           his
           Disciples
           when
           
           they
           would
           have
           call'd
           for
           Fire
           from
           Heaven
           to
           destroy
           the
           Samaritans
           :
           It
           is
           a
           sure
           Token
           Men
           are
           Enemies
           to
           Christ
           and
           Religion
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           of
           a
           persecuting
           Spirit
           .
           It
           hath
           always
           bin
           the
           great
           Character
           and
           Glory
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           that
           where
           ever
           it
           came
           ,
           it
           did
           promote
           and
           further
           Quietness
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Brotherly
           Kindness
           ;
           and
           did
           Banish
           Wrath
           and
           Fury
           ,
           and
           Malice
           ,
           and
           every
           hateful
           and
           hurtful
           Disposition
           and
           Inclination
           .
           It
           was
           always
           thus
           ,
           till
           Popery
           got
           some
           Power
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           then
           more
           barbarous
           Villanies
           ,
           and
           outragious
           Cruelties
           were
           perpetrated
           under
           this
           Name
           ,
           than
           were
           known
           to
           the
           World
           before
           .
           And
           if
           it
           be
           carefully
           observed
           ,
           you
           shall
           find
           that
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           those
           who
           have
           bin
           most
           for
           cruel
           Methods
           against
           them
           that
           differ
           from
           them
           ,
           have
           had
           most
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Popery
           in
           them
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           deplorably
           apparent
           that
           now
           in
           our
           Days
           ,
           they
           who
           appear
           most
           vigorous
           and
           active
           in
           Prosecuting
           those
           Protestants
           who
           differ
           from
           others
           in
           some
           accidental
           Matters
           ,
           have
           a
           great
           affection
           for
           Popery
           ,
           and
           are
           hastening
           towards
           Rome
           as
           fast
           as
           they
           can
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           following
           part
           of
           my
           Discourse
           may
           be
           as
           plain
           and
           easy
           to
           you
           as
           possible
           ,
           I
           will
           reduce
           what
           I
           design
           to
           say
           on
           this
           Subject
           ,
           to
           these
           following
           Heads
           .
           1.
           
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           what
           Persecution
           is
           .
           2.
           
           Name
           more
           particularly
           the
           Characters
           of
           them
           that
           are
           Persecutors
           .
           3.
           
           Shew
           you
           whence
           it
           is
           that
           wicked
           Men
           are
           so
           violently
           set
           against
           the
           Godly
           .
           4.
           
           I
           will
           make
           some
           brief
           application
           of
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           first
           of
           all
           to
           tell
           you
           what
           Persecution
           is
           .
           
           And
           it
           is
           an
           endeavouring
           to
           Trouble
           ,
           Molest
           ,
           Disturb
           ,
           Kill
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           Hurt
           and
           Injure
           another
           Person
           on
           some
           Religious
           account
           .
           Every
           Prosecution
           of
           a
           Person
           ,
           is
           not
           properly
           Persecution
           ,
           but
           only
           when
           it
           is
           grounded
           on
           some
           Religious
           Affair
           .
           A
           Man
           may
           be
           guilty
           of
           Sin
           in
           prosecuting
           another
           upon
           civil
           accounts
           ,
           but
           this
           Sin
           comes
           under
           another
           Denomination
           ,
           as
           Oppression
           ,
           Injustice
           ,
           unpeacable
           Brangling
           ,
           &c.
           
           Now
           Persecution
           is
           much
           what
           the
           same
           in
           Religion
           ,
           that
           Oppression
           is
           in
           Civils
           .
           When
           Men
           will
           not
           suffer
           others
           to
           enjoy
           that
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           those
           Rights
           in
           Religion
           ,
           which
           either
           Nature
           or
           Revelation
           do
           allow
           them
           ;
           but
           will
           be
           severe
           against
           them
           ,
           if
           in
           every
           accidental
           Matter
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           be
           just
           of
           their
           Mind
           .
           When
           Men
           do
           hale
           others
           to
           Tribunals
           ,
           
           and
           procure
           them
           either
           to
           be
           Punished
           in
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           Estates
           ;
           or
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           or
           civil
           Liberties
           ,
           because
           they
           either
           perform
           some
           Duty
           God
           has
           expresly
           Commanded
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           they
           do
           not
           approve
           ,
           or
           because
           they
           will
           not
           consent
           to
           ,
           Embrace
           ,
           and
           Comply
           with
           those
           Determinations
           they
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           Believe
           are
           Sinful
           .
           Whilst
           Men
           are
           not
           openly
           Wicked
           ,
           but
           tho
           not
           free
           from
           common
           Infirmities
           ,
           which
           do
           unavoidably
           accompany
           humane
           Nature
           in
           this
           frail
           Estate
           ,
           yet
           free
           from
           Gross
           and
           Scandalous
           Sins
           ,
           whilst
           they
           deny
           not
           any
           Doctrine
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           nor
           divulge
           any
           Tenet
           to
           the
           Prejudice
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           nor
           do
           any
           way
           endeavour
           to
           disturb
           the
           Peace
           of
           the
           Government
           under
           which
           they
           live
           ;
           they
           have
           a
           right
           to
           a
           peacable
           and
           quiet
           Residence
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           free
           from
           any
           Molestation
           ,
           tho
           they
           cannot
           in
           every
           accidental
           thing
           attain
           to
           the
           same
           Latitude
           with
           others
           .
           Whoever
           goes
           about
           to
           Disturb
           and
           Injure
           ,
           or
           Contract
           on
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           Fines
           ,
           or
           other
           Punishments
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           receive
           and
           comply
           with
           those
           super
           numerary
           Conceits
           some
           do
           too
           much
           please
           themselves
           with
           ,
           and
           press
           with
           too
           much
           warmth
           on
           others
           ,
           are
           too
           lyable
           to
           this
           heavy
           Charge
           of
           Persecution
           .
           And
           if
           we
           only
           consider
           what
           it
           is
           they
           are
           so
           concerned
           for
           ,
           we
           may
           see
           too
           much
           reason
           ,
           to
           conclude
           they
           have
           no
           great
           Portion
           of
           Commendable
           properties
           .
           Wherefore
           I
           will
           now
           proceed
           to
           the
        
         
           Second
           Point
           ,
           
           which
           is
           to
           account
           to
           you
           some
           of
           their
           Characters
           more
           particularly
           ,
           or
           to
           shew
           you
           what
           kind
           of
           People
           Persecutors
           generally
           are
           .
           They
           are
           commonly
           observed
           to
           be
           the
           worst
           ,
           the
           most
           Brutish
           ,
           and
           Degenerate
           part
           of
           Mankind
           .
           Consult
           others
           ,
           Read
           Histories
           ,
           or
           Consider
           what
           you
           may
           Learn
           from
           your
           own
           Observation
           ;
           you
           will
           find
           them
           to
           come
           generally
           under
           some
           very
           Scandalous
           ,
           and
           Offensive
           Characters
           .
           They
           are
           usually
           taken
           to
           be
           the
           very
           Pest
           of
           Society
           .
           It
           is
           almost
           as
           dangerous
           to
           live
           amongst
           them
           ,
           as
           amongst
           the
           Wild
           and
           Savage
           Beasts
           of
           the
           Desert
           .
           They
           are
           a
           sort
           of
           Tygers
           and
           Lions
           ,
           the
           most
           Ravenous
           Beasts
           of
           Prey
           with
           humane
           Visages
           .
           Were
           the
           Pythagorian
           Notion
           of
           the
           Transmigration
           of
           Souls
           received
           ,
           the
           whole
           World
           would
           then
           conclude
           them
           nothing
           but
           humane
           Carcases
           acted
           with
           Wolvish
           Breath
           .
           More
           particularly
           they
           have
           some
           or
           all
           of
           these
           Characters
           and
           Qualities
           attending
           them
           .
        
         
         
           
           1.
           
           They
           are
           Men
           of
           a
           very
           Superstitious
           ,
           Blind
           and
           Ignorant
           Zeal
           .
           And
           there
           is
           no
           one
           thing
           that
           makes
           Men
           more
           formidable
           and
           Troublesom
           ,
           than
           undue
           and
           mistaken
           Zeal
           .
           It
           is
           like
           Fire
           when
           it
           meets
           with
           Gunpowder
           and
           other
           combustible
           Matter
           .
           It
           devours
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           and
           its
           Flames
           become
           unquenchable
           .
           Superstitious
           Bigots
           place
           Religion
           in
           things
           ,
           that
           are
           at
           best
           but
           bare
           humane
           Inventions
           ,
           many
           times
           ,
           pure
           Diabolical
           Suggestions
           ;
           and
           then
           Sathan
           to
           ingulfe
           them
           further
           ,
           doth
           so
           excite
           and
           irritate
           them
           ,
           they
           contend
           and
           strive
           for
           these
           things
           as
           if
           Heaven
           ,
           Soul
           ,
           and
           Eternity
           were
           all
           at
           Stake
           ;
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           they
           represent
           all
           that
           are
           not
           of
           their
           Way
           and
           Mind
           ,
           as
           the
           greatest
           Criminals
           and
           Malefactors
           .
           No
           sooner
           do
           Men
           place
           Religion
           where
           God
           placeth
           none
           ,
           but
           Sathan
           obtains
           a
           great
           Power
           and
           Influence
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           hurries
           them
           headlong
           into
           strange
           and
           wild
           Extravagancies
           in
           the
           Defence
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Propagation
           of
           those
           Points
           .
           These
           are
           usually
           the
           most
           fierce
           and
           barbarous
           of
           all
           other
           People
           .
           For
           it
           is
           usually
           observed
           that
           Superstitious
           Men
           are
           very
           Fearful
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           greatest
           Cowards
           are
           most
           Revengful
           and
           Cruel
           ,
           if
           they
           can
           obtain
           an
           Advantage
           .
           
           Paul's
           blind
           Zeal
           made
           him
           a
           Persecutor
           :
           
             He
             did
             it
             Ignorantly
          
           .
           And
           our
           Saviour
           tells
           us
           of
           some
           that
           would
           kill
           and
           murder
           Men
           ,
           
           and
           flatter
           themselves
           with
           a
           Perswasion
           that
           they
           were
           therein
           
             doing
             God
             and
             Religion
             good
             Service
             .
          
        
         
           
           2.
           
           They
           are
           Men
           of
           insufferable
           Pride
           and
           Malice
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           absolute
           Necessity
           ,
           that
           some
           degree
           of
           that
           Popish
           Conceit
           of
           Infallibility
           should
           prevail
           in
           all
           that
           are
           Persecutors
           ,
           to
           reconcile
           themselves
           to
           their
           own
           Practices
           ;
           For
           who
           can
           be
           so
           absurd
           and
           foolish
           ,
           as
           to
           endeavour
           to
           ruine
           others
           ,
           because
           they
           will
           not
           Believe
           or
           Practise
           what
           they
           themselves
           do
           acknowledg
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           so
           certain
           concerning
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           possible
           they
           may
           be
           in
           an
           Errour
           and
           Mistake
           ?
           Those
           who
           are
           Persecutors
           do
           expect
           all
           should
           yield
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           take
           them
           for
           Oracles
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           be
           not
           thus
           received
           ,
           they
           think
           the
           Affront
           is
           too
           great
           to
           be
           endured
           ,
           and
           therefore
           must
           be
           Revenged
           .
           Malice
           and
           Revenge
           hath
           generally
           a
           very
           great
           Influence
           on
           all
           Persecutions
           .
           Your
           Persecutors
           are
           usually
           People
           ,
           of
           a
           Haughty
           ,
           Curst
           ,
           and
           Poisonous
           Nature
           ,
           they
           love
           to
           be
           
             doing
             Evil
          
           :
           Their
           Delight
           is
           to
           Hurt
           and
           Offend
           them
           ,
           with
           whom
           
             God
             is
             Pleased
          
           .
           They
           are
           
           canker'd
           and
           ill
           natured
           ,
           and
           never
           pleased
           but
           when
           they
           have
           an
           opportunity
           to
           intrap
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           
             Innocent
             fall
          
           .
           They
           cannot
           bear
           Contradiction
           .
           Zedekiah
           was
           so
           impatient
           of
           Contradiction
           ,
           he
           no
           sooner
           hears
           Micaiah
           bring
           a
           different
           Messsage
           from
           his
           ,
           and
           discover
           how
           a
           lying
           Spirit
           was
           in
           the
           Mouths
           of
           the
           other
           Prophets
           ,
           
           but
           he
           falls
           upon
           Micaiah
           ,
           and
           Buffets
           him
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           are
           Men
           of
           desperate
           and
           broken
           Fortunes
           ,
           or
           else
           
           great
           Worshippers
           of
           Mammon
           .
           They
           do
           commonly
           take
           up
           Informing
           ,
           and
           Swearing
           ,
           and
           Persecuting
           as
           a
           Trade
           to
           live
           by
           .
           They
           scarce
           know
           how
           to
           subsist
           but
           by
           Preying
           on
           the
           Wealth
           ,
           and
           Estates
           and
           Goods
           ,
           of
           those
           honest
           ,
           sober
           ,
           religious
           People
           they
           do
           Inform
           and
           Swear
           against
           .
           Men
           that
           are
           so
           lazy
           they
           cannot
           Work
           ,
           so
           luxurious
           they
           have
           not
           where
           withal
           to
           maintain
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           of
           so
           ill
           and
           blasted
           a
           Fame
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           none
           dares
           trust
           them
           .
           These
           are
           indeed
           a
           fit
           sort
           of
           People
           to
           Persecute
           the
           Righteous
           :
           They
           cannot
           Live
           unless
           some
           or
           other
           fall
           by
           their
           means
           .
           There
           are
           two
           sorts
           of
           most
           abominable
           and
           wicked
           Ways
           ,
           Men
           have
           found
           out
           to
           maintain
           themselves
           ,
           and
           feed
           their
           Lusts
           by
           :
           The
           one
           is
           Robbing
           on
           the
           High-way
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           is
           Informing
           against
           ,
           and
           Persecuting
           the
           Righteous
           .
           Now
           those
           that
           apply
           to
           the
           latter
           Way
           ,
           are
           the
           most
           Infamous
           of
           the
           two
           ;
           for
           as
           they
           are
           wicked
           enough
           ,
           to
           commit
           as
           great
           Villanies
           as
           the
           other
           dares
           ,
           so
           they
           have
           not
           Courage
           to
           adventure
           on
           such
           dangerous
           Courses
           ,
           and
           to
           expose
           themselves
           to
           so
           much
           Hazard
           for
           a
           Livelyhood
           as
           the
           other
           do
           .
           They
           think
           it
           easier
           to
           Swear
           ,
           than
           Hector
           and
           afright
           Men
           out
           of
           what
           they
           have
           .
           The
           wise
           Man
           seems
           to
           give
           a
           very
           lively
           Description
           of
           these
           People
           in
           Prov.
           4.
           16
           ,
           17.
           
           
             They
             sleep
             not
             except
             they
             have
             done
             Mischief
             ,
             and
             their
             sleep
             is
             taken
             away
             ,
             unless
             they
             cause
             some
             to
             fall
             ,
             for
             they
             eat
             the
             Bread
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             drink
             the
             Wine
             of
             Violence
             .
          
        
         
           If
           there
           be
           any
           Persecutors
           whose
           Fortunes
           are
           not
           altogether
           so
           despicable
           and
           small
           ,
           they
           are
           such
           as
           make
           a
           Mammon
           their
           God
           ;
           The
           Hopes
           of
           getting
           Wealth
           doth
           very
           powerfully
           irritate
           them
           to
           what
           they
           do
           :
           Was
           it
           not
           thirty
           pieces
           of
           Silver
           that
           made
           Judas
           betray
           his
           Master
           ?
           What
           is
           the
           Reason
           Sinners
           do
           excite
           one
           another
           to
           
             wait
             for
             Blood
             ,
             and
             to
             lurk
             privily
             
             for
             the
             Innocent
             without
             Cause
             ?
          
           
           Is
           it
           not
           because
           
             they
             hope
             they
             shall
             find
             all
             precious
             Substance
             ,
             and
             shall
             fill
             their
             Houses
             with
             Spoil
             ?
          
        
         
           
           4.
           
           They
           are
           extreamly
           profligate
           and
           scandalous
           in
           their
           Lives
           .
           Men
           that
           are
           very
           loose
           ,
           prophane
           ,
           and
           every
           way
           debauched
           :
           Such
           as
           are
           common
           Swearers
           ,
           Drunkards
           ,
           Whoremongers
           ,
           and
           professed
           Enemies
           to
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           Serious
           ,
           Holy
           ,
           and
           Good.
           Men
           that
           have
           prostituted
           themselves
           to
           every
           Lust
           and
           Wickedness
           ,
           that
           have
           no
           more
           of
           Religion
           than
           an
           outward
           Name
           ,
           being
           Atheists
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           so
           in
           their
           Profession
           .
           Such
           as
           think
           there
           is
           no
           Happiness
           but
           what
           agrees
           with
           
           Epicurus's
           Conceit
           ,
           making
           their
           Belly
           their
           God
           ,
           and
           minding
           nothing
           but
           the
           things
           of
           this
           World.
           Your
           ordinary
           forsworn
           ,
           and
           perjur'd
           Wretches
           ,
           are
           the
           People
           that
           do
           most
           commonly
           seek
           a
           Livelyhood
           by
           being
           suborn'd
           to
           Swear
           against
           them
           that
           
             fear
             the
             Lord.
          
           They
           that
           never
           scruple
           to
           tear
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           in
           Pieces
           ,
           and
           to
           affront
           their
           Maker
           on
           every
           turn
           ,
           by
           taking
           his
           Name
           in
           Vain
           ,
           who
           emboss
           every
           Word
           they
           speak
           ,
           with
           some
           dreadful
           Oath
           or
           other
           ,
           who
           dare
           impudently
           swear
           a
           hundred
           Oaths
           in
           an
           Hour
           ,
           without
           any
           Provocation
           ,
           these
           are
           the
           fittest
           Men
           to
           Inform
           and
           Swear
           against
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           their
           Ruine
           ,
           who
           have
           a
           Religious
           and
           truly
           Conscientious
           regard
           to
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           on
           which
           he
           hath
           stampt
           his
           Image
           .
           No
           wonder
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           should
           solemnly
           devore
           and
           prostitute
           their
           Souls
           to
           Hell
           ,
           by
           swearing
           even
           falsly
           against
           others
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           the
           Temptation
           and
           Incouragement
           of
           getting
           Wealth
           and
           Riches
           ,
           since
           they
           are
           so
           accustomed
           to
           affront
           their
           Maker
           ,
           they
           think
           they
           never
           speak
           gentilely
           ,
           unless
           they
           set
           their
           most
           high
           God
           at
           utmost
           Defiance
           ,
           and
           do
           in
           Words
           at
           length
           challenge
           him
           to
           Damn
           them
           .
           He
           that
           sets
           himself
           apart
           to
           Sathan's
           Service
           by
           indulging
           to
           all
           the
           Lusts
           of
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           that
           can
           boast
           of
           his
           Drunkenness
           ,
           and
           Uncleanness
           ,
           of
           his
           frequent
           Excesses
           ,
           and
           every
           Days
           Debauch
           ,
           that
           can
           unconcernedly
           ,
           or
           rather
           with
           Triumph
           speak
           of
           his
           Hopes
           and
           Desires
           of
           being
           Damn'd
           for
           ever
           ,
           that
           Defiles
           the
           Air
           he
           speaks
           in
           ,
           and
           offends
           all
           he
           comes
           amongst
           with
           his
           prodigious
           Oaths
           ,
           and
           Execrations
           :
           This
           Man
           is
           ready
           prepared
           if
           an
           Occasion
           do
           offer
           it self
           ,
           or
           can
           by
           any
           means
           be
           obtained
           ,
           to
           Swear
           a
           Conscientious
           ,
           
           Religious
           Man
           out
           of
           his
           Right
           ,
           and
           himself
           into
           it
           .
           That
           Man
           that
           will
           ordinarily
           indanger
           his
           Soul
           ,
           and
           Swear
           for
           nothing
           ,
           will
           much
           more
           do
           so
           ,
           be
           it
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           the
           Temptation
           of
           Wealth
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           the
           Applause
           and
           Commendation
           of
           great
           Men
           for
           his
           Incouragement
           .
        
         
           Having
           given
           this
           account
           of
           the
           two
           first
           Particulars
           .
           
           I
           shall
           now
           inquire
           whence
           it
           is
           that
           wicked
           Men
           are
           such
           bitter
           and
           inveterate
           Enemies
           against
           the
           Godly
           ?
           Constant
           Experience
           is
           an
           undenyable
           Proof
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           ,
           for
           no
           Age
           hath
           passed
           ,
           but
           the
           worst
           Men
           have
           bin
           contriving
           and
           endeavouring
           to
           do
           the
           Righteous
           some
           Displeasure
           .
           We
           need
           not
           consult
           Histories
           ,
           to
           Confirm
           what
           I
           am
           now
           treating
           of
           ,
           for
           we
           may
           every
           where
           take
           Notice
           of
           the
           Deplorable
           Truth
           and
           Certainty
           of
           it
           amongst
           our selves
           .
           But
           from
           amongst
           the
           many
           Instances
           which
           might
           be
           mentioned
           as
           having
           some
           influence
           in
           and
           concurring
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           only
           name
           these
           few
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           is
           a
           desperate
           and
           deadly
           Enmity
           against
           Godlyness
           ,
           
           and
           so
           against
           good
           Men
           ,
           rooted
           deeply
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           wicked
           Men.
           Ever
           since
           we
           lost
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           are
           
             by
             Nature
             the
             Children
             of
             Wrath
             ,
          
           not
           only
           as
           we
           are
           subject
           and
           lyable
           to
           the
           Wrath
           and
           Displeasure
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           as
           we
           are
           of
           a
           wrathful
           ,
           furious
           ,
           and
           unreconcilable
           Temper
           .
           We
           are
           naturally
           Enemies
           not
           only
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           to
           one
           another
           also
           .
           And
           it
           is
           to
           be
           ascribed
           principally
           ,
           rather
           wholly
           ,
           to
           the
           wise
           Conduct
           and
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           Men
           are
           not
           constantly
           up
           in
           Arms
           ,
           and
           always
           endeavouring
           the
           utter
           Extirpation
           one
           of
           another
           .
           But
           this
           Enmity
           is
           especially
           set
           against
           all
           Goodness
           .
           When
           Man
           lost
           Holyness
           ,
           
           he
           became
           a
           most
           violent
           Adversary
           to
           it
           .
           As
           you
           observe
           when
           a
           Man
           hath
           tasted
           of
           the
           good
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ,
           if
           he
           apostatize
           ,
           he
           becomes
           the
           most
           Virulent
           and
           Implacable
           Enemy
           to
           it
           .
           So
           it
           is
           with
           Man
           naturally
           since
           the
           Fall.
           The
           Devils
           that
           were
           such
           pure
           and
           holy
           Angels
           ,
           are
           now
           the
           greatest
           haters
           of
           Holyness
           .
        
         
           Wicked
           Men
           are
           of
           a
           Curst
           ,
           Envious
           ,
           Malicious
           Temper
           ,
           they
           are
           of
           a
           Persecuting
           Nature
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Savageness
           in
           their
           Temper
           ;
           they
           are
           against
           Holyness
           ,
           as
           being
           contrary
           to
           their
           Nature
           ,
           and
           thus
           become
           so
           violent
           against
           good
           Men.
           
           Look
           at
           any
           Creature
           ,
           you
           will
           find
           it
           hath
           an
           aversion
           to
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           are
           of
           a
           contrary
           Nature
           ,
           and
           if
           there
           be
           any
           thing
           of
           Wildness
           ,
           and
           Cruelty
           ,
           and
           Savageness
           intermixed
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           extraordinary
           violent
           against
           those
           which
           are
           of
           the
           contrary
           Nature
           .
           But
           those
           things
           which
           have
           not
           such
           a
           Savageness
           Intermixt
           ,
           they
           only
           testify
           their
           aversion
           by
           a
           peacible
           withdrawing
           themselves
           ,
           not
           at
           all
           endeavouring
           the
           Destruction
           or
           Hurt
           of
           the
           other
           .
           This
           is
           very
           apparent
           in
           the
           Wolf
           and
           the
           Lamb
           :
           They
           delight
           not
           in
           the
           Society
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           but
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           though
           of
           so
           contrary
           a
           Nature
           to
           the
           Wolf
           ,
           doth
           not
           seek
           the
           Life
           or
           hurt
           of
           the
           Wolf
           ;
           but
           the
           Wolf
           is
           not
           satisfied
           but
           with
           the
           total
           Destruction
           of
           the
           Lamb.
           Nor
           is
           this
           only
           because
           the
           Wolf
           doth
           usually
           prey
           and
           feed
           on
           such
           Creatures
           ,
           for
           then
           when
           the
           Hunger
           were
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           rapacious
           and
           fierce
           Temper
           would
           cease
           .
           That
           Creature
           which
           is
           of
           a
           fierce
           and
           ravenous
           Nature
           ,
           will
           destroy
           and
           kill
           not
           only
           out
           of
           Necessity
           ,
           but
           also
           for
           Sport
           and
           Recreation
           .
           Thus
           wicked
           Men
           they
           are
           of
           a
           contrary
           Nature
           to
           the
           Godly
           ,
           and
           have
           much
           wildness
           and
           ravenousness
           intermixed
           .
           They
           
             cannot
             sleep
             unless
             they
             make
             some
             to
             fall
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           are
           resembled
           to
           and
           set
           forth
           by
           those
           Creatures
           which
           are
           wholy
           set
           upon
           destroying
           the
           Harmless
           and
           Innocent
           .
           
             They
             lye
             lurking
             privily
             in
             their
             Den
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             catch
             the
             Righteous
             .
          
        
         
           If
           you
           ask
           what
           the
           Reason
           is
           that
           the
           Righteous
           and
           Holy
           do
           not
           Persecute
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Wicked
           do
           them
           ,
           the
           Nature
           of
           each
           being
           equally
           contrary
           to
           each
           other
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
           the
           Roughness
           and
           Severity
           of
           good
           Mens
           Natures
           is
           taken
           away
           by
           that
           sanctifying
           and
           altering
           Grace
           which
           is
           bestowed
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           they
           are
           so
           much
           hated
           by
           the
           other
           .
           The
           new
           Nature
           conferred
           on
           them
           ,
           hath
           the
           harmlesness
           of
           the
           Dove
           accompanying
           it
           .
           A
           sanctified
           Nature
           so
           far
           as
           under
           the
           Power
           and
           Influence
           of
           Sanctification
           ,
           hath
           no
           Hatred
           ,
           nor
           Envy
           ,
           nor
           Malice
           ,
           nor
           any
           other
           Quality
           that
           is
           hurtful
           .
           It
           dares
           not
           hate
           or
           hurt
           an
           Enemy
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           true
           reason
           why
           ungodly
           Men
           do
           no
           more
           hurt
           to
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           is
           because
           God
           restrains
           them
           ;
           he
           puts
           
             his
             Hook
             into
             their
             Nose
             ,
             and
             his
             Bridle
             into
             their
             Lips
             ,
          
           and
           checks
           them
           .
        
         
           Contrariety
           causeth
           their
           Aversion
           to
           the
           Godly
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           
           that
           fierceness
           which
           is
           intermixed
           ,
           which
           causeth
           the
           Violence
           of
           the
           Persecution
           ;
           as
           you
           see
           Tygers
           ,
           Wolves
           ,
           Lions
           ,
           and
           Bears
           ,
           do
           persue
           ,
           and
           kill
           ,
           and
           devour
           Sheep
           ,
           Lambs
           ,
           and
           other
           Innocent
           and
           Profitable
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           as
           Hawks
           and
           Kites
           do
           fly
           after
           and
           Prey
           on
           Turtle
           Doves
           and
           Pigeons
           ,
           so
           do
           Wicked
           outragious
           Ungodly
           Men
           Persecute
           and
           Trouble
           the
           Just
           and
           Holy.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Their
           Natural
           Enmity
           is
           very
           much
           increased
           and
           excited
           
           into
           act
           by
           very
           unjust
           Prejudices
           ,
           which
           they
           imbibe
           and
           entertain
           with
           Delight
           .
           A
           wicked
           persecuting
           Person
           rejoyceth
           to
           hear
           of
           any
           thing
           ,
           which
           tends
           to
           the
           Defamation
           ,
           and
           Disrepute
           of
           one
           that
           is
           truly
           Religious
           .
           He
           labors
           to
           spread
           and
           divulge
           it
           abroad
           ,
           and
           aggravates
           every
           Mistake
           ,
           and
           almost
           unavoidable
           Infirmity
           ,
           representing
           it
           as
           an
           hideous
           and
           unpardonable
           Crime
           .
           Nay
           he
           usually
           attributes
           the
           Faults
           of
           some
           particular
           Persons
           to
           the
           whole
           Profession
           .
           Thus
           the
           very
           Name
           of
           a
           Pious
           Man
           is
           Odious
           and
           Insupportable
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           he
           talks
           as
           virulently
           against
           ,
           and
           desires
           as
           vehemently
           the
           utter
           Destruction
           of
           every
           one
           ,
           how
           Harmless
           ,
           Good
           ,
           and
           Innocent
           soever
           ,
           who
           comes
           under
           such
           a
           Denomination
           ,
           as
           against
           the
           vilest
           Miscreant
           and
           Criminal
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           tho
           he
           never
           knew
           or
           heard
           of
           any
           Hurt
           by
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           any
           good
           by
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           It
           may
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           take
           notice
           now
           of
           a
           Sin
           ,
           that
           prevails
           exceedingly
           at
           this
           time
           amongst
           our selves
           ;
           which
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           disputed
           our selves
           into
           so
           much
           Wrath
           ,
           such
           an
           Aversness
           and
           Enmity
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           pretend
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           can
           scarce
           indure
           the
           Names
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           unless
           some
           disgraceful
           and
           reproachful
           Term
           be
           annexed
           .
           Too
           many
           of
           them
           are
           become
           such
           fierce
           Adversaries
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           not
           only
           abandoned
           themselves
           from
           the
           eminent
           Exercise
           of
           that
           Charity
           and
           mutual
           Forbearance
           ,
           common
           Christianity
           doth
           very
           much
           inforce
           ,
           but
           they
           do
           with
           too
           much
           Appetite
           listen
           and
           inquire
           after
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           mourning
           for
           ,
           do
           rejoyce
           and
           almost
           triumph
           in
           the
           Faults
           which
           particular
           Persons
           on
           either
           side
           are
           chargible
           with
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           yet
           a
           greater
           Fault
           ,
           they
           are
           too
           frequent
           in
           applying
           the
           Guilt
           beyond
           its
           due
           extent
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           means
           do
           those
           who
           are
           Corrupt
           ,
           Carnal
           ,
           and
           Sensual
           on
           each
           side
           ,
           labor
           to
           increase
           our
           Animosities
           ,
           and
           
           make
           our
           Divisions
           wider
           and
           more
           unhealable
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           most
           of
           all
           deplorable
           ,
           that
           the
           Malignity
           and
           Poison
           of
           this
           course
           ,
           seems
           to
           diffuse
           and
           spread
           it self
           amongst
           them
           who
           have
           given
           undeniable
           and
           prodigious
           Evidences
           of
           extraordinary
           Learning
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           of
           very
           great
           and
           deservedly
           imitable
           Moderation
           and
           Equanimity
           :
           Which
           discovers
           that
           when
           People
           do
           apply
           themselves
           to
           advance
           any
           Party
           with
           undue
           Warmth
           ,
           they
           forget
           to
           observe
           that
           Decorum
           ,
           they
           have
           formerly
           commended
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           are
           too
           easily
           induced
           to
           use
           the
           meanest
           Arts
           in
           depressing
           the
           Cause
           they
           oppose
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           certainly
           very
           unbecoming
           and
           unworthy
           of
           Men
           of
           great
           Learning
           ,
           Holyness
           ,
           and
           Gravity
           to
           indeavour
           to
           defame
           all
           that
           are
           of
           the
           contrary
           Perswasion
           ,
           by
           suggesting
           to
           the
           World
           evil
           Surmises
           and
           Opinions
           concerning
           all
           in
           general
           ,
           by
           reporting
           infamous
           Stories
           which
           concern
           only
           some
           few
           in
           particular
           :
           for
           besides
           the
           Injury
           they
           themselves
           do
           by
           this
           Means
           to
           those
           that
           are
           Innocent
           ;
           they
           both
           Countenance
           the
           unjust
           Methods
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           do
           use
           in
           decrying
           those
           they
           are
           against
           ,
           and
           they
           furnish
           them
           with
           Materials
           to
           carry
           on
           their
           Design
           .
        
         
           This
           hath
           bin
           an
           ancient
           Method
           ,
           People
           have
           used
           to
           revenge
           themselves
           on
           the
           Innocent
           .
           
           
             Report
             say
             they
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             Report
             .
          
           Do
           but
           either
           start
           any
           one
           Story
           that
           is
           real
           ,
           with
           relation
           to
           some
           Particulars
           ,
           or
           fraim
           and
           coin
           a
           Story
           that
           will
           appear
           Plausible
           ,
           and
           let
           it
           once
           take
           Air
           ,
           and
           we
           will
           soon
           help
           to
           transmit
           it
           further
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           means
           we
           
             shall
             take
             our
             Revenge
             on
             them
             .
          
        
         
           But
           what
           a
           dreadful
           Blow
           would
           be
           given
           to
           Chrisianity
           in
           the
           Opinion
           of
           its
           professed
           Enemies
           ,
           should
           all
           Parties
           labor
           to
           rake
           together
           the
           foul
           and
           enormous
           Offences
           of
           particular
           Persons
           amongst
           those
           they
           do
           Oppose
           ,
           and
           then
           publish
           them
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           what
           the
           whole
           Party
           doth
           either
           approve
           ,
           or
           may
           justly
           be
           charged
           with
           ?
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           doubt
           but
           this
           Church
           (
           tho
           it's
           Government
           and
           Constitution
           be
           so
           pure
           ,
           justifiable
           ,
           and
           Consonant
           to
           Apostolical
           Practice
           )
           would
           suffer
           very
           much
           ,
           should
           but
           the
           almost
           Ordinary
           mis-carriages
           of
           a
           great
           number
           who
           pretend
           to
           the
           Clergy
           be
           exposed
           to
           publick
           view
           ;
           with
           an
           account
           of
           the
           Incouragement
           
           they
           meet
           with
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           how
           free
           they
           are
           from
           Threats
           and
           Molestations
           ,
           whilst
           others
           who
           lead
           better
           Lives
           ,
           and
           are
           more
           constant
           and
           diligent
           Preachers
           ,
           and
           do
           express
           on
           all
           Occasions
           more
           of
           that
           Charity
           and
           Forbearance
           towards
           all
           men
           ,
           which
           Christianity
           doth
           so
           much
           commend
           and
           inforce
           ,
           are
           frowned
           upon
           ,
           and
           left
           open
           to
           the
           Rage
           and
           Fury
           of
           besotted
           Frantick
           and
           Debauch'd
           Bigots
           .
           There
           is
           no
           defence
           against
           unjust
           Prejudice
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           apprehend
           ,
           that
           the
           strict
           and
           Holy
           Lives
           of
           Religious
           
           men
           do
           very
           much
           reproach
           their
           lewd
           and
           vicious
           Courses
           .
           At
           least
           they
           find
           that
           their
           pure
           and
           Holy
           Doctrines
           do
           occasion
           them
           anguish
           and
           unquietness
           ,
           disturbance
           and
           trouble
           in
           the
           perpetrating
           of
           their
           beloved
           Wickednesses
           .
           Why
           could
           not
           Herodias
           suffer
           John
           Baptist
           to
           keep
           his
           Head
           any
           longer
           ?
           It
           was
           because
           she
           could
           not
           live
           quietly
           in
           her
           uncleanness
           with
           her
           Husbands
           brother
           ,
           whilst
           he
           was
           still
           Preaching
           to
           Herod
           ,
           that
           
             it
             was
             not
             lawful
             for
             him
             to
             have
             her
             .
          
           
           Indeed
           there
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           doth
           more
           effectually
           discover
           the
           horrid
           Loathsomness
           of
           wicked
           mens
           Lusts
           and
           Practices
           ,
           than
           the
           Chast
           ,
           Holy
           ,
           and
           strict
           Conversations
           of
           Pious
           men
           .
           And
           therefore
           they
           are
           so
           much
           against
           them
           ,
           even
           because
           their
           Doctrines
           and
           Lives
           do
           so
           much
           reprove
           their
           wicked
           Works
           of
           darkness
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Holy
           men
           are
           carrying
           on
           a
           different
           work
           from
           that
           which
           
           ungodly
           lew'd
           men
           are
           Designing
           and
           Acting
           .
           They
           are
           servants
           to
           different
           Masters
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           to
           be
           expected
           they
           should
           accord
           very
           well
           .
           The
           good
           Man's
           work
           doth
           defeat
           and
           Ruin
           the
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           therefore
           he
           is
           against
           him
           ,
           and
           doth
           persecute
           him
           all
           he
           can
           ,
           because
           he
           belongs
           not
           to
           his
           Company
           ,
           but
           is
           labouring
           to
           destroy
           his
           masters
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           overthrow
           what
           he
           esteems
           his
           own
           greatest
           Interest
           .
           
           
             If
             ye
             were
             of
             the
             World
             the
             World
             would
             love
             his
             own
             ,
             but
             because
             ye
             are
             not
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             I
             have
             chosen
             you
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             therefore
             the
             World
             hateth
             you
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           This
           proceeds
           many
           times
           from
           a
           very
           strong
           and
           Powerful
           impulse
           of
           Satan
           .
           As
           wicked
           men
           are
           his
           Slaves
           and
           doing
           
           his
           Work
           ,
           so
           he
           doth
           irritate
           and
           excite
           in
           a
           special
           manner
           to
           this
           very
           instance
           of
           Persecuting
           the
           Godly
           .
           The
           Devil
           thinks
           he
           has
           most
           work
           done
           when
           the
           greatest
           number
           of
           Righteous
           men
           fall
           :
           And
           he
           concludes
           that
           if
           he
           could
           by
           his
           Instruments
           
           absolutely
           suppress
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           he
           should
           Reign
           and
           Triumph
           in
           the
           World
           without
           any
           Opposition
           .
           
           The
           Devil
           
             Rules
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             Children
             of
             Disobedience
             .
          
           And
           it
           is
           worth
           our
           Observation
           ,
           that
           immediately
           before
           Judas
           went
           to
           the
           High-Priest
           ,
           &c.
           to
           inform
           against
           and
           betray
           his
           Master
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           
             the
             devil
             entred
             into
             him
          
           :
           
           So
           that
           one
           main
           instance
           ,
           whence
           it
           is
           that
           wicked
           People
           do
           persecute
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           is
           
             because
             the
             Devil
             is
             in
             them
             .
          
           The
           Devil
           doth
           as
           truly
           possess
           ,
           Act
           ,
           and
           govern
           them
           that
           persecute
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           those
           that
           were
           called
           Demoniacks
           ,
           when
           our
           Saviour
           was
           upon
           Earth
           .
           And
           tho
           he
           do
           not
           cause
           them
           now
           to
           Tear
           and
           Rent
           ,
           and
           Torture
           themselves
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           then
           ,
           yet
           he
           has
           a
           more
           dreadful
           Influence
           on
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           indangers
           them
           much
           more
           as
           to
           their
           spiritual
           and
           final
           Estate
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           now
           in
           the
           last
           place
           to
           apply
           what
           has
           been
           discoursed
           concerning
           Persecution
           ;
           
           and
           will
           do
           it
           in
           a
           few
           Words
           .
        
         
           
           1.
           
           For
           the
           support
           and
           Incouragement
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           when
           Persecuted
           and
           in
           distress
           .
           Take
           care
           that
           the
           reproaches
           and
           Violences
           of
           the
           ungodly
           do
           not
           afright
           you
           from
           your
           uprightness
           ,
           nor
           shake
           your
           stedfastness
           .
           Those
           storms
           and
           rufling
           Winds
           ,
           their
           Threats
           and
           Menaces
           ,
           should
           not
           break
           or
           overthrow
           you
           ,
           but
           should
           rather
           have
           the
           same
           Influence
           on
           you
           ,
           that
           blasts
           and
           Tempests
           have
           on
           firm
           and
           thriving
           Trees
           ,
           whilst
           they
           break
           and
           overturn
           those
           that
           are
           Rotten
           and
           weak
           ,
           they
           do
           only
           cause
           the
           other
           to
           take
           deeper
           and
           faster
           Root
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           you
           must
           expect
           ,
           and
           what
           every
           good
           man
           ought
           daily
           to
           prepare
           for
           .
           He
           that
           is
           resolved
           for
           Heaven
           must
           
             go
             through
             many
             Tribulations
          
           ;
           you
           are
           warned
           of
           such
           Treatment
           before-hand
           .
           Our
           Saviour
           has
           dealt
           so
           plainly
           with
           all
           his
           followers
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           one
           great
           part
           of
           a
           Christians
           work
           to
           live
           alway
           in
           Expectation
           of
           those
           things
           that
           so
           he
           may
           not
           be
           surprized
           when
           they
           come
           .
           We
           have
           our
           every
           days
           Cross
           to
           wait
           for
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           willing
           to
           take
           it
           up
           ,
           and
           bear
           it
           away
           with
           Cheerfulness
           ,
           when
           ever
           it
           comes
           .
           We
           have
           not
           the
           clearest
           and
           most
           unquestionable
           Evidences
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           at
           least
           the
           Power
           of
           Christianity
           in
           and
           over
           us
           ,
           till
           we
           can
           Cheerfully
           part
           with
           and
           resign
           up
           all
           ,
           yea
           with
           Triumph
           bear
           away
           Reproaches
           ,
           and
           Fears
           ,
           and
           false
           Accusations
           ,
           till
           we
           can
           lay
           
           down
           our
           very
           Lives
           rejoycingly
           for
           Christ
           ,
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           if
           occasion
           be
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           God
           sees
           fit
           to
           bring
           you
           to
           the
           Tryal
           ;
           it
           is
           that
           you
           may
           have
           the
           stronger
           assurance
           of
           your
           unfeigned
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           unconquerable
           interest
           in
           him
           .
           And
           that
           you
           may
           display
           the
           Efficacy
           and
           Beauty
           of
           Religion
           unto
           the
           World
           in
           the
           most
           undeniable
           and
           Constraining
           instances
           .
           The
           Persecutions
           of
           the
           first
           Christians
           gained
           Christianity
           a
           great
           Repute
           ,
           and
           made
           such
           an
           entrance
           for
           it
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           could
           never
           be
           stopt
           up
           or
           hindred
           ,
           till
           Sloth
           ,
           Carnality
           ,
           and
           Superstitious
           conceits
           had
           corrupted
           the
           Minds
           and
           Lives
           of
           it's
           Professors
           ,
           and
           this
           happ'ned
           after
           they
           were
           burthened
           and
           over
           loaded
           ,
           with
           Honours
           ,
           Ease
           ,
           Preferments
           ,
           and
           a
           multitude
           of
           unnecessary
           ,
           and
           Superfluous
           outward
           Accommodations
           .
        
         
           The
           Saints
           and
           people
           of
           God
           have
           met
           with
           the
           same
           Treatment
           in
           all
           Ages
           .
           This
           has
           been
           their
           Lot
           and
           Portion
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           lived
           amongst
           wicked
           loose
           People
           .
           And
           we
           generally
           find
           that
           they
           took
           great
           Satisfaction
           in
           it
           .
           Our
           blessed
           Saviour
           was
           used
           thus
           himself
           .
           How
           was
           he
           reviled
           ,
           scorned
           ,
           reproach't
           ,
           falsely
           accused
           ,
           Spit
           upon
           ,
           Buffetted
           ,
           Whipt
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           disgracefully
           Crucified
           ,
           by
           a
           degenerate
           inhumane
           People
           ?
           You
           see
           the
           greatest
           and
           most
           absolute
           Innocence
           is
           not
           safe
           ,
           from
           the
           Malicious
           rage
           ,
           and
           violence
           of
           ungodly
           men
           .
           The
           Apostles
           presently
           after
           ,
           were
           served
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           .
           And
           when
           they
           were
           Scourged
           ,
           to
           render
           them
           a
           publick
           scorn
           and
           reproach
           they
           went
           away
           rejoycing
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           counted
           worthy
           to
           be
           thus
           used
           for
           Christ
           .
           It
           is
           one
           part
           of
           the
           Vocation
           you
           are
           called
           to
           ,
           to
           suffer
           for
           Christ
           :
           Phil.
           1.
           29.
           
           The
           more
           that
           wicked
           men
           do
           Load
           you
           with
           Contumelious
           Language
           ,
           and
           oppressive
           Fines
           and
           Mulcts
           ,
           or
           do
           inflict
           on
           you
           Corporal
           Punishments
           and
           Torments
           ,
           the
           more
           they
           do
           to
           raise
           you
           to
           the
           Likeness
           of
           the
           blessed
           Jesus
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           not
           the
           least
           matter
           of
           rejoycing
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           Persecute
           you
           ,
           are
           only
           such
           as
           
             are
             born
             after
             the
             Flesh
          
           .
           Your
           Enemies
           ,
           are
           they
           that
           are
           Enemies
           to
           God
           and
           Christ
           ;
           worldly
           ,
           sensual
           ,
           Devillish
           men
           ,
           
             who
             glory
             in
             their
             Shame
             ,
             who
             make
             their
             Belly
             their
             God
             ,
             who
             are
             Enemies
             to
             the
             Cross
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             whose
             end
             is
             Destruction
             .
          
           It
           is
           a
           much
           greater
           disgrace
           ,
           to
           be
           respected
           and
           
           spoken
           well
           of
           ,
           by
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           them
           always
           spitting
           out
           their
           Venom
           ,
           and
           darting
           forth
           their
           forked
           Tongues
           and
           Stinge
           against
           you
           :
           They
           will
           speak
           well
           of
           none
           but
           such
           as
           are
           infested
           with
           their
           Disease
           .
           They
           that
           are
           the
           spawn
           of
           Satun
           ,
           will
           undoubtedly
           have
           ill
           will
           to
           the
           Children
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           But
           what
           a
           rejoycing
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           very
           means
           ,
           you
           are
           so
           particularly
           assured
           of
           a
           most
           glorious
           Recompence
           :
           Besides
           the
           inexpressible
           Consolation
           ,
           God
           will
           secretly
           Communicate
           at
           present
           ,
           he
           has
           provided
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           special
           manner
           promised
           Incomprehensible
           Felicities
           hereafter
           .
           Mar.
           5.
           10
           ,
           11
           ,
           12.
           1
           
           Pet.
           4.
           14.
           
        
         
           But
           then
           you
           must
           be
           sure
           that
           what
           you
           suffer
           for
           ,
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           Christ
           .
           Let
           it
           be
           true
           and
           real
           Religion
           ,
           Conscience
           indeed
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           groundless
           Phancy
           ,
           unreasonable
           Humor
           ,
           or
           unaccountable
           Resolution
           and
           stubborness
           you
           suffer
           for
           .
           Especially
           beware
           
             that
             none
             of
             you
             suffer
             as
             a
             Murderer
             ,
             or
             as
             a
             Thief
             ,
             or
             as
             an
             Evildoer
             ,
          
           
           
             or
             as
             a
             busie
             Body
             in
             other
             mens
             Matters
             .
          
           These
           are
           the
           faults
           and
           Characters
           of
           Persecutors
           themselves
           ,
           and
           for
           these
           things
           men
           ought
           to
           suffer
           .
           See
           that
           your
           Consciences
           be
           clear
           and
           well
           informed
           .
           Take
           care
           to
           understand
           the
           thing
           you
           contend
           for
           .
           Weigh
           your
           Opinions
           and
           your
           Practices
           in
           
             the
             Ballance
             of
             the
             Sanctnary
          
           .
           Be
           sure
           your
           cause
           be
           Good
           ,
           and
           then
           if
           you
           are
           Persecuted
           and
           do
           suffer
           ,
           come
           under
           what
           Denomination
           you
           will
           ,
           and
           let
           your
           Persecutors
           be
           who
           they
           will
           ,
           of
           how
           great
           Power
           and
           Authority
           so
           ever
           ,
           I
           dare
           and
           will
           pray
           that
           
             Peace
             may
             be
             upon
             you
             ,
             and
             upon
             the
             whole
             Israel
             of
             God.
          
           It
           is
           the
           cause
           that
           makes
           the
           Martyr
           ,
           tho
           it
           is
           not
           alway
           the
           cause
           that
           makes
           the
           Persecutor
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           Let
           this
           caution
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           be
           not
           guilty
           of
           this
           Sin.
           It
           will
           be
           found
           at
           last
           ,
           a
           very
           dreadful
           thing
           to
           be
           a
           Persecutor
           ;
           for
           by
           this
           means
           you
           become
           fighters
           against
           God.
           And
           dare
           ye
           resolutely
           
             Provoke
             the
             Lord
             to
             jealousie
          
           ,
           
           
             are
             ye
             stronger
             than
             he
          
           ?
           Did
           ever
           any
           set
           themselves
           
             against
             God
             and
             prosper
          
           ?
           The
           Lord
           Jesus
           doth
           take
           what
           is
           done
           to
           his
           Followers
           and
           Disciples
           ,
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           .
           And
           he
           will
           terribly
           avenge
           himself
           of
           the
           Adversaries
           and
           Destroyers
           of
           his
           People
           .
           You
           cannot
           hurt
           the
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           
           but
           you
           offend
           and
           pierce
           God
           himself
           
             in
             the
             Apple
             of
             his
             Eye
             .
          
           
           
             And
             will
             not
             God
          
           (
           think
           you
           )
           
             avenge
             his
             own
             Elect
             which
             cry
             day
             and
             night
             into
             him
             ?
             I
             tell
             you
             be
             with
             avenge
             them
             speedily
             .
          
        
         
         
           It
           were
           better
           for
           you
           ,
           you
           had
           never
           been
           born
           or
           that
           some
           fatal
           ,
           and
           miserable
           stroke
           had
           ended
           your
           Lives
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           you
           saw
           the
           Light
           ,
           than
           that
           you
           should
           live
           to
           be
           Persecutors
           .
           Mat.
           18.
           6.
           have
           not
           Persecutors
           alway
           come
           to
           some
           fearful
           end
           ?
        
         
           If
           you
           would
           not
           pull
           down
           divine
           Vengeance
           on
           your
           own
           Heads
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           make
           your selves
           and
           your
           Posterity
           infamous
           to
           all
           Generations
           ,
           by
           inheriting
           the
           most
           dreadful
           Curses
           on
           your
           Bodies
           ,
           your
           Estates
           ,
           and
           all
           your
           Interests
           and
           Concerns
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           be
           the
           general
           abhorrence
           of
           mankind
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           Rot
           away
           Peice-meal
           whilst
           you
           are
           alive
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           be
           your
           own
           unpitied
           Executioners
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           be
           filled
           with
           Horror
           and
           Consternation
           by
           reason
           of
           a
           Wounding
           ,
           Terrifying
           and
           accusing
           Conscience
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           not
           Purchase
           to
           your selves
           the
           hottest
           Climate
           and
           Region
           in
           the
           infernal
           Pit
           ,
           but
           can
           be
           content
           with
           
             an
             ordinary
             Damnation
          
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           no
           desire
           to
           be
           the
           worst
           ,
           the
           most
           miserable
           ,
           the
           most
           Contemptible
           ,
           of
           all
           that
           shall
           inherit
           everlasting
           burnings
           ,
           take
           heed
           of
           this
           Sin.
           The
           Devil
           never
           feasts
           so
           deliciously
           ,
           as
           when
           served
           with
           Persecutors
           and
           Informers
           .
        
         
           How
           variously
           and
           strangely
           has
           God
           testified
           his
           Displeasure
           and
           Wrath
           against
           Persecutors
           ?
           Whole
           Volumes
           might
           be
           filled
           with
           bare
           Relations
           .
           Those
           Judgments
           have
           been
           inflicted
           on
           them
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           a
           scorn
           an
           abhorrence
           ,
           and
           a
           warning
           to
           Posterity
           ,
           which
           were
           never
           known
           ,
           or
           heard
           of
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           punish't
           and
           made
           infamous
           by
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           you
           be
           Persecutors
           God
           has
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           greater
           Plagues
           and
           Judgments
           in
           store
           for
           you
           .
        
         
           I
           know
           there
           are
           few
           who
           apply
           themselves
           to
           this
           Course
           ,
           but
           they
           flatter
           themselves
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           satisfie
           others
           ,
           with
           some
           or
           other
           false
           and
           pretended
           Excuses
           .
           But
           alas
           what
           will
           these
           avail
           you
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           so
           Thin
           and
           Hollow
           not
           only
           the
           All-seeing-God
           ,
           but
           the
           ordinary
           sort
           of
           People
           can
           see
           thorough
           them
           ?
           Unless
           the
           cause
           be
           too
           black
           and
           horrid
           to
           obtain
           the
           Patronage
           of
           Hell
           ,
           or
           the
           Actors
           be
           sordid
           and
           scandalous
           enough
           to
           make
           the
           Devil
           ashamed
           of
           them
           ,
           he
           will
           furnish
           with
           some
           pretence
           to
           palliate
           and
           gloss
           the
           Fact.
           
        
         
           But
           it
           is
           not
           enough
           that
           you
           have
           something
           to
           Plead
           and
           say
           in
           your
           own
           defence
           amongst
           men
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           what
           will
           be
           
           warranted
           and
           approved
           by
           the
           judge
           of
           all
           ,
           for
           if
           you
           could
           so
           varnish
           the
           severity
           you
           use
           to
           others
           ,
           as
           to
           obtain
           the
           favorable
           opinion
           of
           the
           generality
           of
           men
           concerning
           it
           ,
           what
           will
           this
           avail
           you
           ,
           if
           when
           you
           appear
           before
           the
           great
           Tribunal
           ,
           you
           be
           found
           amongst
           Persecutors
           ?
           All
           false
           Colours
           ,
           and
           meretricious
           Paint
           will
           then
           disappear
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           secure
           you
           from
           this
           danger
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           needful
           to
           have
           a
           constant
           regard
           to
           these
           two
           Rules
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Have
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           hurting
           ,
           or
           contracting
           damages
           on
           any
           serious
           ,
           upright
           ,
           Conscientious
           Christian
           .
           Be
           not
           accessory
           for
           a
           World
           to
           the
           Ruine
           ,
           or
           needless
           prejudice
           of
           any
           one
           ,
           who
           stands
           fast
           in
           the
           faith
           of
           Christ
           .
           Those
           who
           agree
           with
           us
           in
           all
           the
           Substantials
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           add
           no
           dangerous
           or
           Destructive
           Tenet
           to
           these
           ,
           who
           are
           Holy
           ,
           Sober
           ,
           Chast
           ,
           Temperate
           ,
           Righteous
           ,
           Compassionate
           and
           merciful
           ,
           and
           who
           no
           way
           indeavour
           to
           disturb
           the
           publick
           peace
           ,
           but
           are
           Vigorous
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           resolute
           opposers
           of
           the
           common
           Enemies
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Civil
           Rights
           ,
           they
           ought
           (
           especially
           considering
           our
           present
           Circumstances
           )
           to
           be
           so
           far
           from
           being
           Persecuted
           and
           oppressed
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           all
           the
           Incouragement
           and
           Countenance
           that
           pious
           Christians
           ,
           and
           Loyal
           Subjects
           can
           claim
           and
           deserve
           .
           Do
           not
           hurt
           ,
           persecute
           ,
           or
           revile
           any
           ,
           whom
           you
           have
           reason
           to
           believe
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           will
           own
           ,
           approve
           and
           honour
           .
           
             Will
             Christ
             ever
             thank
             men
             at
             the
             great
             day
             for
             keeping
             such
             out
             form
             Communion
             with
             his
             Church
             ,
          
           
           
             whom
             he
             will
             vouchsafe
             not
             only
             Crowns
             of
             Glory
             to
             ,
             but
             it
             may
             be
             Aureolae
             too
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             thing
             there
             ?
          
        
         
           It
           had
           been
           well
           for
           Pilate
           ,
           
           if
           he
           had
           hearkened
           to
           that
           seasonable
           message
           ,
           
             have
             thou
             nothing
             to
             do
             with
             that
             just
             man.
             
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Take
           heed
           of
           ,
           and
           avoid
           the
           very
           appearances
           of
           this
           Sin.
           Keep
           at
           as
           great
           a
           distance
           from
           it
           ,
           as
           possible
           .
           Do
           not
           Cherish
           in
           your
           minds
           ,
           any
           thing
           that
           may
           ingage
           ,
           or
           incline
           to
           it
           .
           Cast
           away
           all
           unjust
           Prejudices
           ,
           Mortifie
           Wrath
           and
           Anger
           :
           and
           shut
           your
           Ears
           against
           them
           that
           would
           incense
           you
           against
           those
           ,
           you
           differ
           from
           ,
           by
           reporting
           false
           and
           malicious
           stories
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Supposing
           it
           could
           not
           properly
           be
           called
           Persecution
           to
           prosecute
           ,
           and
           be
           severe
           with
           People
           about
           those
           things
           ,
           which
           you
           are
           satisfied
           in
           your
           own
           minds
           ,
           God
           has
           not
           concern'd
           himself
           about
           ,
           either
           by
           Commanding
           or
           forbidding
           them
           ,
           yet
           your
           Ruining
           
           or
           making
           others
           suffer
           extremely
           for
           these
           things
           ,
           whilst
           they
           have
           other
           apprehensions
           either
           of
           the
           Nature
           or
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           will
           unavoidably
           look
           too
           like
           Persecution
           (
           I
           think
           )
           for
           a
           serious
           Compassionate
           Christian
           to
           tolerate
           himself
           in
           .
           This
           seems
           not
           to
           have
           any
           of
           that
           Meekness
           ,
           Condescention
           ,
           and
           Forbearance
           our
           Religion
           doth
           so
           expressly
           and
           so
           vehemently
           inforce
           .
        
         
           Nay
           your
           addicting
           your selves
           to
           such
           Courses
           will
           indanger
           the
           indearing
           of
           a
           rough
           ,
           sowre
           ,
           and
           unpeaceable
           temper
           to
           you
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           it
           will
           at
           last
           hurry
           you
           ,
           into
           such
           Exorbitances
           ,
           as
           you
           did
           not
           at
           first
           either
           Design
           ,
           or
           think
           of
           ;
           nay
           which
           will
           amount
           to
           inexcusable
           and
           down-right
           Persecution
           .
        
         
           This
           will
           certainly
           make
           way
           for
           your
           entertaining
           very
           unjust
           Prejudices
           against
           others
           .
           It
           will
           lay
           you
           lyable
           to
           greater
           Transports
           in
           your
           Passions
           .
           It
           will
           expose
           you
           to
           more
           and
           stronger
           Temptations
           ,
           than
           you
           are
           at
           first
           aware
           of
           ,
           it
           will
           lay
           you
           open
           to
           the
           wiles
           of
           Satan
           ,
           that
           cunning
           Adversary
           ,
           and
           great
           destroyer
           of
           the
           Godly
           .
        
         
           Nay
           it
           is
           probable
           enough
           ,
           that
           when
           those
           Christian
           Sentiments
           and
           Resolves
           ,
           you
           do
           at
           present
           retain
           ,
           are
           a
           little
           worn
           off
           ,
           and
           by
           disuse
           become
           feeble
           ,
           the
           very
           desire
           and
           ambition
           of
           acquaintance
           with
           men
           of
           Power
           and
           Repute
           ,
           who
           are
           Enemies
           to
           Protestants
           as
           such
           ,
           may
           ingage
           you
           in
           those
           Practices
           ,
           which
           both
           your
           deceitful
           Hearts
           and
           the
           better
           hopes
           of
           others
           ,
           made
           you
           believe
           you
           should
           for
           ever
           detest
           .
        
         
           Satan
           very
           seldom
           Attempts
           to
           draw
           any
           man
           to
           direct
           Persecution
           at
           first
           ;
           He
           only
           leads
           them
           at
           first
           to
           the
           out-skirts
           ,
           and
           Fleshes
           them
           by
           degrees
           .
           But
           when
           he
           has
           once
           brought
           men
           to
           take
           Pleasure
           in
           seeing
           others
           suffer
           ,
           tho
           not
           for
           real
           Religion
           ,
           the
           sweetness
           of
           Blood
           ,
           or
           the
           Satisfaction
           of
           getting
           Wealth
           ,
           or
           the
           Honour
           of
           being
           caressed
           by
           great
           men
           ,
           will
           indanger
           to
           qualifie
           them
           to
           undertake
           with
           unconcernedness
           and
           Triumph
           the
           most
           barbarous
           and
           inhumane
           Persections
           imaginable
           .
        
         
           Men
           know
           not
           where
           they
           shall
           stop
           ,
           if
           once
           they
           give
           way
           to
           Satan
           ,
           or
           their
           own
           corrupt
           Inclinations
           in
           matters
           of
           this
           Nature
           .
           People
           do
           sometimes
           Act
           those
           things
           under
           the
           Alteration
           of
           their
           outward
           Estate
           and
           Condition
           ,
           and
           become
           so
           extremely
           Savage
           and
           cruel
           as
           they
           could
           not
           before
           imagine
           ,
           
           which
           they
           could
           not
           endure
           to
           think
           of
           without
           the
           highest
           Concernment
           and
           Indignation
           .
           2
           Kings
           8.
           12
           ,
           13.
           
        
         
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           you
           may
           express
           your
           ,
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           its
           Service
           ,
           and
           its
           Ceremonies
           ,
           sufficiently
           other
           ways
           .
           I
           disswade
           not
           from
           any
           Methods
           ,
           which
           do
           any
           way
           tend
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           making
           of
           real
           Proselytes
           :
           But
           only
           from
           those
           which
           indanger
           its
           Reputation
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           at
           all
           Suitable
           to
           the
           Matter
           and
           Occasion
           of
           our
           Differences
           .
           I
           would
           perswade
           you
           to
           be
           as
           Faithful
           as
           possible
           to
           the
           Church
           and
           its
           Interests
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           express
           your
           Zeal
           in
           so
           confused
           and
           Preposterous
           away
           ,
           as
           will
           be
           destructive
           to
           humane
           Society
           ,
           or
           indanger
           your
           washing
           your
           Hands
           in
           the
           Blood
           of
           Innocents
           :
           Use
           all
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           rational
           Arguments
           you
           can
           ,
           to
           Winn
           upon
           ,
           and
           Overcome
           ,
           and
           Convince
           them
           that
           Dissent
           ,
           but
           beware
           of
           Extremity
           and
           Violence
           .
        
         
           How
           Ridiculous
           and
           Absurd
           is
           it
           ,
           to
           hear
           Men
           Talk
           very
           Gravely
           at
           sometimes
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           hath
           no
           Weapons
           but
           Tears
           and
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           yet
           presently
           to
           see
           the
           same
           Men
           using
           Rods
           ,
           and
           Swords
           ,
           and
           Axes
           in
           the
           Churches
           Behalf
           ?
           When
           the
           Church
           is
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           Clouded
           ,
           Eclypsed
           ,
           and
           Overcome
           ,
           and
           Supprest
           by
           Popery
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           unlawful
           to
           endeavour
           to
           help
           ourselves
           ,
           we
           must
           only
           lie
           Prostrate
           ,
           and
           try
           if
           we
           can
           wash
           away
           our
           Sorrow
           with
           our
           Tears
           ,
           or
           at
           most
           ,
           content
           our selves
           with
           
             Lord
             help
             us
          
           .
           But
           when
           we
           consider
           them
           we
           have
           got
           an
           Ascendency
           over
           ,
           it
           becomes
           Glorious
           (
           and
           indeed
           is
           more
           than
           Christian
           )
           to
           Swagger
           and
           Triumph
           ,
           and
           tread
           upon
           Men
           of
           the
           same
           Regligion
           with
           our selves
           ,
           only
           because
           they
           differ
           from
           us
           in
           some
           unhappy
           Circumstances
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           Church
           doth
           stand
           upon
           its
           proper
           Basis
           ,
           and
           shines
           in
           its
           Native
           Beauty
           and
           Lustre
           ,
           
           there
           will
           be
           no
           
             hurting
             in
             God's
             Holy
             Mountain
          
           .
        
         
           That
           Method
           which
           hath
           most
           of
           Lenity
           ,
           Forbearance
           ,
           Love
           ,
           and
           Meekness
           ,
           doth
           best
           comport
           with
           the
           Nature
           and
           Design
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           most
           answers
           that
           Temper
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Apostles
           commended
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           both
           by
           their
           Practices
           and
           Precepts
           .
           Luke
           9.
           55.
           2
           
           Tim.
           2.
           24.
           
        
         
           3ly
           .
           Let
           me
           say
           a
           few
           Words
           to
           you
           that
           are
           Persecutors
           ,
           you
           that
           are
           Vilifying
           and
           Reproaching
           ,
           Fining
           ,
           and
           Distraining
           on
           ,
           
           Murdering
           and
           tearing
           in
           Pieces
           the
           Members
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           if
           you
           have
           any
           Shadow
           of
           Humanity
           yet
           remaining
           ,
           be
           perswaded
           to
           refletect
           on
           what
           you
           do
           ,
           consider
           what
           your
           Condition
           is
           ,
           If
           you
           are
           not
           
             become
             Cruel
             like
             the
             Ostriches
             in
             the
             Wildernese
             :
          
           If
           
             your
             Consciences
             be
             not
             feared
             with
             a
             hot
             Iron
             :
          
           
           If
           you
           do
           not
           believe
           that
           your
           Impieties
           are
           a
           sure
           and
           impregnable
           Safeguard
           and
           Defence
           against
           all
           the
           Thuander-Bolts
           of
           God's
           Vengeance
           ,
           
           if
           you
           think
           they
           do
           not
           make
           you
           as
           Impenetrable
           by
           the
           Arrows
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           as
           the
           Scales
           of
           the
           Leviathan
           ,
           render
           him
           by
           the
           Arrows
           which
           are
           commonly
           cast
           at
           him
           ,
           then
           deliberate
           a
           while
           ,
           and
           think
           seriously
           ,
           whether
           one
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           you
           shall
           not
           be
           ashamed
           of
           ,
           and
           sorry
           for
           what
           you
           now
           perpetrate
           ?
           If
           you
           Believe
           there
           is
           any
           Truth
           ,
           or
           any
           Honesty
           ,
           or
           any
           things
           that
           are
           Pure
           ,
           or
           Just
           ,
           or
           Lowly
           ,
           or
           of
           good
           Report
           ,
           or
           if
           there
           be
           any
           Virtue
           ,
           then
           consider
           how
           contrary
           to
           ,
           and
           inconsistent
           with
           all
           these
           ,
           Persecution
           is
           .
        
         
           Persecution
           is
           a
           Sin
           that
           destroys
           common
           Humanity
           :
           It
           makes
           you
           much
           more
           fit
           to
           be
           banish'd
           from
           all
           Reasonable
           Society
           ,
           to
           abide
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           and
           Desert
           ,
           with
           the
           Ravenous
           Devouring
           Monsters
           you
           resemble
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           permitted
           to
           Prey
           on
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           as
           Humble
           as
           the
           Child
           ,
           as
           Meek
           and
           Innocent
           as
           the
           Dove
           .
        
         
           You
           that
           are
           Informers
           and
           Persecutors
           ,
           be
           you
           who
           you
           will
           ,
           of
           what
           Name
           ,
           Size
           ,
           Quality
           soever
           ,
           you
           are
           of
           the
           worst
           Extraction
           of
           all
           other
           Creatures
           .
           
           
             Ye
             are
             of
             your
             Father
             the
             Devil
             ,
             and
             the
             Lusts
             of
             your
             Father
             ,
             ye
             will
             do
             ;
             He
             was
             a
             Murderer
             from
             the
             Beginning
             ,
             and
             abode
             not
             in
             the
             Truth
             ,
             because
             there
             is
             no
             Truth
             in
             Him.
          
           And
           if
           you
           Believe
           not
           this
           ,
           you
           may
           read
           the
           Reason
           of
           your
           Unbelief
           in
           the
           next
           Verse
           .
           
           
             Because
             I
             tell
             you
             the
             Truth
             ,
             ye
             Believe
             me
             not
             .
          
        
         
           You
           are
           at
           present
           the
           Reproach
           of
           Humane
           Race
           .
           Judgments
           and
           Curses
           of
           the
           greatest
           Size
           do
           await
           you
           here
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           be
           poured
           out
           upon
           you
           ,
           to
           make
           you
           Instances
           of
           astonishing
           Vengeance
           ,
           an
           Abhorrence
           to
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           an
           Insupportable
           Bur
           than
           unto
           your selves
           .
           Nor
           is
           this
           your
           whole
           Portion
           ,
           for
           more
           than
           ordinary
           Wrath
           ,
           those
           Torments
           ,
           and
           Horrors
           ,
           which
           have
           peculiar
           ,
           and
           most
           envenomed
           Mixtures
           in
           them
           ,
           are
           prepared
           and
           kept
           in
           Store
           ,
           to
           make
           your
           Eternity
           .
           
           more
           amazing
           and
           dreadful
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           will
           for
           ever
           be
           the
           Punishment
           of
           other
           Sinners
        
         
           If
           
             Depart
             from
             me
             ye
             Cursed
             ,
             into
             everlasting
             Fire
             prepared
             for
             the
             Devil
             and
             his
             Angels
             ,
          
           be
           the
           mildest
           Sentence
           which
           shall
           be
           Pronounced
           on
           them
           ,
           who
           have
           only
           with-held
           their
           Charity
           ,
           and
           not
           administred
           to
           the
           Necessities
           of
           Christ's
           Members
           ;
           what
           a
           terrible
           Damnation
           must
           you
           expect
           ,
           who
           have
           both
           hardened
           your selves
           against
           all
           their
           Tears
           ,
           and
           Complaints
           ,
           their
           Groans
           and
           Entreaties
           ,
           and
           added
           Affliction
           to
           their
           Affliction
           ?
           What
           will
           be
           your
           Doom
           when
           Christ
           
             shall
             come
             to
             be
             Glorified
             in
             his
             Saints
             ,
          
           and
           shall
           charge
           you
           in
           particular
           with
           pulling
           the
           Food
           out
           of
           the
           Mouths
           ,
           and
           Cloaths
           from
           the
           Backs
           of
           his
           dearest
           Children
           ,
           yea
           with
           eating
           their
           very
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           drinking
           their
           Blood
           ?
           With
           taking
           from
           them
           their
           Means
           for
           Subsistence
           ,
           rifling
           their
           Houses
           ,
           devouring
           their
           Goods
           ,
           wasting
           their
           Estates
           ,
           and
           haling
           them
           to
           Goals
           and
           Prisons
           ?
        
         
           You
           that
           Persecute
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           maintain
           your
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           gratify
           your
           Luxurious
           Appetites
           and
           Desires
           ,
           with
           their
           Wealth
           and
           Estates
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           dreadful
           Hand
           of
           Vengeance
           ready
           to
           appear
           against
           you
           .
           For
           all
           your
           Huffing
           and
           Hectoring
           ,
           your
           Swearing
           and
           Damning
           ,
           your
           Carouzing
           and
           Quaffing
           ,
           your
           Healthing
           and
           Whoring
           ,
           for
           all
           your
           seeming
           Jollity
           and
           Mirth
           ,
           your
           Countenances
           will
           change
           ,
           Paleness
           shall
           seize
           your
           Faces
           ,
           Astonishment
           and
           Fear
           your
           Minds
           :
           You
           are
           at
           present
           but
           acting
           afresh
           
           Belshazzar's
           Folly
           and
           Wickedness
           :
           
           You
           are
           drinking
           the
           Blood
           of
           Innocents
           instead
           of
           Wine
           ,
           you
           are
           Feasting
           your selves
           with
           the
           
             Substance
             of
             the
             Righteous
          
           .
           The
           Vessels
           you
           use
           ,
           are
           Purchased
           with
           the
           Lives
           and
           Estates
           of
           the
           Just
           and
           Upright
           .
           
             For
             these
             things
             God
             will
             not
             Refrain
             ,
          
           
           but
           will
           
             certainly
             be
             Avenged
             of
             such
             Wickedness
             .
          
           When
           the
           Divine
           Hand
           doth
           write
           your
           Doom
           (
           as
           certainly
           it
           will
           )
           then
           will
           your
           
             Countenance
             be
             changeed
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             your
             Thoughts
             troubled
             ,
             the
             Joints
             of
             your
             Loins
             will
             be
             loosed
             ,
             and
             your
             Knees
             will
             smite
             one
             against
             another
             .
          
           Your
           making
           your selves
           Drunk
           with
           Wine
           ,
           and
           your
           being
           compassed
           about
           with
           great
           Men
           and
           Nobles
           ,
           with
           your
           Wives
           and
           Concubines
           ,
           will
           not
           preserve
           you
           from
           these
           Effects
           .
        
         
           What
           will
           you
           say
           for
           your
           own
           Vindication
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           shall
           appear
           in
           all
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           particularly
           charge
           you
           ,
           
           with
           Hurting
           ,
           Defaming
           ,
           Impoverishing
           ,
           Starving
           ,
           Fining
           ,
           and
           Murthering
           this
           and
           that
           Friend
           ,
           Servant
           or
           Child
           of
           his
           ?
           For
           all
           your
           confident
           Domineering
           at
           present
           ,
           tho
           you
           look
           and
           talk
           now
           ,
           as
           if
           you
           would
           Frown
           ,
           and
           Threaten
           ,
           and
           Swear
           them
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           are
           Advocates
           for
           them
           into
           Goals
           ,
           nay
           in
           to
           their
           Graves
           ,
           and
           were
           it
           possible
           lower
           than
           that
           ;
           a
           Time
           is
           hastening
           when
           Shame
           and
           Confusion
           will
           cover
           your
           Faces
           ,
           and
           an
           Ignominious
           Silence
           shall
           betray
           your
           Guilt
           .
           A
           Day
           is
           now
           approaching
           when
           you
           will
           think
           it
           a
           kind
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           if
           you
           might
           slink
           privately
           into
           the
           Places
           of
           Eternal
           Torment
           ,
           and
           so
           escape
           the
           Solemn
           Reprimand
           and
           Condemnation
           you
           must
           have
           for
           this
           Sin
           in
           particular
           ,
           before
           all
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           I
           know
           there
           are
           several
           things
           you
           insist
           on
           ,
           to
           justify
           your selves
           in
           what
           you
           do
           .
           But
           alas
           ,
           they
           are
           such
           poor
           ,
           and
           thin
           ,
           and
           slight
           Excuses
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           so
           far
           from
           yielding
           you
           any
           Relief
           in
           the
           Judgment-day
           ,
           that
           had
           you
           any
           Shame
           ,
           or
           Grace
           ,
           and
           Modesty
           ,
           you
           would
           blush
           to
           name
           them
           at
           present
           .
           And
           that
           you
           may
           not
           any
           longer
           cheat
           your selves
           with
           a
           vain
           Pretence
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           enough
           to
           justify
           you
           in
           what
           you
           do
           ;
           I
           will
           briefly
           name
           what
           you
           principally
           trust
           to
           ,
           and
           then
           shew
           you
           how
           foolish
           and
           impertinent
           such
           Excuses
           be
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           three
           things
           generally
           Insisted
           on
           by
           Informers
           ,
           and
           Persecutors
           for
           their
           own
           Vindication
           :
           They
           are
           these
           .
           1.
           
           They
           say
           they
           do
           no
           more
           than
           what
           the
           Law
           doth
           Countenance
           them
           in
           .
           2.
           
           The
           Persons
           they
           Prosecute
           are
           Dangerous
           ,
           Seditious
           ,
           Rebellious
           People
           .
           3.
           
           What
           they
           do
           ,
           is
           out
           of
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           are
           commonly
           alledged
           ,
           and
           People
           do
           depend
           on
           them
           as
           Sufficient
           and
           Unanswerable
           .
           But
           how
           unjust
           these
           Pretences
           be
           ,
           when
           pleaded
           by
           Foreign
           Persecutors
           of
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           I
           hope
           all
           are
           satisfied
           who
           do
           heartily
           approve
           the
           Reformation
           .
           Now
           the
           Prosecution
           of
           Dissenting
           Protestants
           amongst
           our selves
           ,
           is
           generally
           defended
           by
           the
           same
           Arguments
           .
           And
           tho
           I
           acknowledge
           there
           is
           a
           great
           Difference
           in
           the
           things
           ,
           on
           the
           account
           of
           which
           the
           Protestants
           are
           Prosecuted
           here
           ,
           and
           in
           other
           palces
           ,
           yet
           all
           those
           Abatements
           being
           allowed
           for
           ,
           the
           generality
           of
           our
           Fierce
           and
           Furious
           Prosecutors
           cannot
           be
           excused
           from
           Guilt
           by
           these
           Instances
           .
           This
           will
           appear
           more
           clearly
           if
           
           we
           consider
           the
           Particulars
           pleaded
           distinctly
           ,
           and
           by
           themselves
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           You
           say
           you
           do
           no
           more
           than
           the
           Law
           alloweth
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           in
           these
           following
           Particulars
           .
        
         
           
           1.
           
           You
           do
           generally
           understand
           the
           Law
           as
           little
           as
           any
           other
           People
           .
           
           And
           often
           times
           when
           the
           Law
           is
           on
           a
           Mans
           side
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           what
           he
           does
           ,
           it
           is
           against
           him
           in
           the
           Method
           he
           observes
           .
           This
           is
           undeniably
           Evident
           in
           the
           Prosecution
           of
           the
           Protestants
           in
           France
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Those
           who
           have
           had
           as
           good
           Opportunities
           as
           any
           others
           ,
           
           to
           find
           out
           the
           Intention
           and
           Meaning
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           do
           put
           another
           Interpretation
           on
           them
           than
           you
           do
           .
           And
           therefore
           you
           had
           need
           to
           have
           strong
           assurance
           you
           are
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           before
           you
           adventure
           on
           those
           Courses
           you
           cannot
           justify
           ,
           but
           by
           such
           a
           Pretence
           as
           in
           general
           ,
           is
           a
           very
           blind
           and
           imperfect
           Excuse
           .
           For
           Instance
           ,
           If
           the
           Law
           condemns
           Seditious
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           Prosecute
           and
           undo
           a
           Man
           only
           for
           Preaching
           ,
           and
           not
           prove
           any
           thing
           of
           Sedition
           ,
           you
           are
           certainly
           so
           far
           from
           having
           the
           Law
           to
           justify
           you
           ,
           that
           this
           general
           Plea
           will
           not
           Excuse
           you
           to
           a
           Conscience
           that
           is
           in
           any
           measure
           Sensible
           of
           ordinary
           Obligations
           .
        
         
           
           3.
           
           The
           Prosecution
           of
           these
           Laws
           hath
           bin
           declared
           Inconvenient
           and
           Hurtful
           to
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           
           by
           them
           who
           understand
           the
           Nature
           ,
           the
           Tendency
           ,
           and
           the
           Obligation
           of
           these
           Laws
           ,
           as
           well
           ,
           or
           better
           than
           any
           of
           the
           Violent
           and
           Outragious
           Prosecutors
           of
           them
           .
           And
           tho
           this
           cannot
           Repeal
           or
           make
           Null
           the
           Laws
           ,
           yet
           the
           publick
           Opinion
           of
           so
           great
           ,
           Honourable
           ,
           and
           August
           an
           Assembly
           ,
           should
           have
           so
           much
           Influence
           ,
           as
           to
           check
           the
           inordinate
           Zeal
           some
           are
           too
           apt
           to
           lay
           out
           in
           their
           unnecessary
           Informations
           and
           Presentments
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           If
           you
           must
           needs
           express
           your
           Zeal
           for
           established
           Laws
           ,
           there
           are
           others
           which
           you
           may
           understand
           more
           easily
           ,
           and
           
           the
           Transgressing
           of
           which
           will
           be
           more
           obvious
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           pursuance
           of
           which
           ,
           you
           may
           do
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           Kingdom
           good
           Service
           ,
           viz.
           Those
           Laws
           which
           are
           made
           against
           Swearing
           ,
           Drunkenness
           ,
           Prophaning
           the
           Lord's
           Day
           &c.
           
           Have
           not
           those
           Laws
           which
           are
           inforced
           by
           God
           as
           well
           as
           Men
           ,
           as
           great
           a
           Power
           and
           Authority
           over
           you
           ,
           as
           those
           which
           are
           only
           Humane
           Sanctions
           ?
           Your
           talking
           of
           the
           Law
           is
           of
           no
           weight
           ,
           whilst
           
           you
           your selves
           do
           resolutely
           Transgress
           every
           Day
           ,
           those
           Laws
           which
           are
           of
           greater
           and
           more
           general
           life
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           But
           you
           say
           in
           the
           second
           Place
           ,
           that
           those
           you
           Prosecute
           are
           Dangerous
           ,
           Seditious
           ,
           and
           Rebellious
           People
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           can
           prove
           this
           Charge
           against
           them
           ,
           in
           Gods
           Name
           go
           on
           and
           never
           spare
           them
           .
           
           But
           is
           it
           not
           very
           Unjust
           to
           say
           they
           are
           Rebellious
           ,
           and
           not
           prove
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           Nature
           against
           them
           ?
           Why
           do
           you
           not
           inform
           against
           them
           under
           this
           Notion
           ,
           and
           then
           prove
           it
           substantially
           against
           them
           ?
           But
           to
           talk
           thus
           ,
           and
           when
           all
           comes
           to
           be
           inquired
           into
           ,
           it
           is
           nothing
           but
           for
           serving
           God
           ,
           when
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           you
           were
           serving
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           your
           Lusts
           in
           a
           Tavern
           or
           Brothel
           House
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           villianous
           Wickedness
           imaginable
           .
        
         
           Is
           not
           this
           to
           write
           after
           the
           most
           extravagant
           Instance
           we
           have
           in
           the
           French
           Persecutors
           ?
           
           Nay
           is
           it
           not
           to
           out-do
           what
           is
           reported
           of
           the
           Intendant
           of
           Rochefort
           who
           Suppressed
           a
           Protestant
           Minister
           ,
           when
           the
           Deponent
           could
           say
           no
           more
           ,
           but
           that
           
             tho
             there
             was
             nothing
             to
             be
             found
             fault
             with
             in
             his
             Words
             ,
             yet
             he
             perceived
             his
             Thoughts
             were
             not
             Innocent
             ?
          
        
         
           Besides
           many
           of
           those
           you
           Prosecute
           ,
           have
           given
           great
           Demonstrations
           of
           their
           Loyalty
           ,
           having
           suffered
           more
           in
           the
           late
           Times
           of
           Usurpation
           ,
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           than
           many
           ,
           if
           not
           all
           of
           you
           have
           ,
           and
           contributing
           much
           more
           to
           the
           bringing
           of
           him
           back
           to
           his
           Crown
           ,
           and
           other
           just
           Rights
           .
           Those
           who
           never
           did
           more
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           than
           make
           themselves
           Drunk
           with
           drinking
           his
           Health
           ,
           are
           not
           fit
           to
           compare
           in
           Point
           of
           Loyalty
           with
           them
           that
           lost
           their
           Estates
           ,
           and
           hazarded
           their
           Lives
           for
           him
           .
           And
           
             many
             of
             the
             most
             considerable
             Dissenters
             ,
          
           
           
             did
             even
             then
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             not
             so
             safe
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             now
             ,
             openly
             declare
             against
             it
             (
             i.
             e.
          
           the
           Murder
           of
           the
           late
           King
           )
           
             both
             in
             their
             Sermons
             and
             Writings
             .
             This
             is
             what
             in
             Justice
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             them
             ,
             and
             many
             of
             them
             were
             no
             less
             Active
             and
             Industrious
             ,
             and
             were
             indeed
             highly
             Instrumental
             in
             the
             bringing
             home
             of
             his
             Majesty
             that
             now
             Reigns
             .
          
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           
           You
           pretend
           that
           all
           you
           do
           is
           out
           of
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           Zeal
           for
           the
           Church
           .
           To
           which
           I
           offer
           these
           following
           Considerations
           ,
           which
           may
           discover
           how
           false
           this
           Pretence
           is
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           You
           are
           not
           qualified
           to
           do
           the
           Church
           any
           Service
           .
           The
           
           Church
           suffers
           more
           by
           the
           Ungodliness
           ,
           and
           Debauchedness
           of
           
           your
           Lives
           ,
           than
           by
           any
           one
           thing
           whatsoever
           .
           All
           the
           Dissenters
           in
           the
           Nation
           cannot
           prejudice
           the
           Church
           half
           so
           much
           ,
           as
           you
           drunken
           ,
           swearing
           ,
           prophane
           Informers
           and
           Persecuters
           do
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           the
           Church
           would
           be
           much
           better
           without
           you
           ,
           than
           with
           you
           .
           And
           could
           she
           proceed
           against
           you
           in
           some
           of
           those
           ways
           ,
           you
           would
           have
           her
           use
           against
           others
           ,
           she
           would
           do
           herself
           great
           Right
           ,
           and
           very
           much
           commend
           that
           Purity
           ,
           and
           Holyness
           and
           Strictness
           ,
           which
           would
           greatly
           adorn
           her
           ,
           and
           which
           is
           by
           your
           means
           very
           much
           Obscured
           .
        
         
           Can
           any
           thing
           reflect
           more
           upon
           a
           Church
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           those
           Men
           countenanced
           in
           Prosecuting
           others
           ,
           who
           do
           themselves
           discover
           no
           real
           Love
           to
           God
           or
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           whom
           no
           good
           can
           be
           said
           by
           others
           ,
           nay
           who
           have
           nothing
           to
           say
           in
           their
           own
           Vindication
           ,
           but
           that
           when
           they
           are
           in
           the
           height
           of
           their
           Debauches
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           Drunk
           and
           Prophane
           enough
           to
           be
           the
           Reproach
           and
           Abhorrence
           of
           all
           Society
           ,
           they
           do
           then
           pretend
           to
           admire
           and
           applaud
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           decry
           ,
           and
           rail
           at
           ,
           and
           swear
           against
           Dissenters
           ?
        
         
           You
           do
           the
           Church
           an
           unspeakable
           Injury
           ,
           you
           prejudice
           her
           almost
           beyond
           Repair
           ,
           by
           pretending
           either
           Love
           for
           ,
           or
           Alliance
           unto
           her
           .
           For
           by
           this
           means
           you
           do
           what
           you
           are
           able
           to
           Represent
           her
           to
           Strangers
           ,
           as
           the
           only
           Receptacle
           of
           ,
           and
           Sanctuary
           for
           the
           most
           infamous
           Criminals
           and
           Villains
           .
           It
           is
           no
           Credit
           to
           any
           Woman
           ,
           be
           she
           never
           so
           Chast
           ,
           Sober
           ,
           and
           Honest
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           Debauches
           ,
           and
           lewdest
           Miscreants
           are
           incouraged
           for
           her
           Service
           ,
           and
           claim
           her
           Patronage
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           which
           renders
           you
           still
           more
           unfit
           for
           this
           Service
           .
           you
           intrude
           your selves
           into
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           make
           the
           Church
           consist
           only
           of
           such
           as
           your selves
           ,
           and
           dare
           impudently
           decry
           all
           the
           Sober
           ,
           Moderate
           ,
           and
           Pious
           Conformists
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           Virulence
           you
           set
           your selves
           against
           them
           you
           call
           Nonconformists
           .
           So
           that
           were
           it
           in
           your
           Power
           ,
           you
           would
           turn
           the
           Church
           into
           a
           meer
           Stew
           ,
           or
           Alehouse
           ,
           or
           School
           of
           Sin
           and
           Debauchery
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           ,
           
           God
           knows
           ,
           too
           too
           many
           Debauchees
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           who
           would
           be
           thought
           great
           Champions
           for
           the
           King
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           do
           infinite
           Prejudice
           to
           both
           ,
           by
           the
           mad
           and
           frantick
           Expressions
           of
           their
           Zeal
           ,
           who
           do
           mighty
           honour
           to
           Fanaticism
           ,
           by
           charging
           all
           with
           it
           ,
           that
           run
           not
           with
           them
           to
           the
           same
           Excess
           of
           Riot
           .
        
         
         
           As
           to
           all
           those
           who
           pretend
           to
           be
           of
           our
           Communion
           ,
           and
           yet
           live
           scandalous
           Lives
           ,
           
           and
           think
           that
           their
           owning
           themselves
           for
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           make
           Atonement
           for
           their
           Immoralities
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           they
           have
           done
           us
           more
           hurt
           ,
           then
           ever
           they
           will
           do
           us
           good
           .
           And
           unless
           they
           would
           reforme
           ,
           it
           may
           perhaps
           be
           wished
           that
           we
           were
           rid
           of
           them
           .
           Let
           them
           declare
           themselves
           Fanaticks
           ,
           Papists
           ,
           any
           thing
           rather
           than
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           .
           It
           would
           perhaps
           be
           more
           desirable
           to
           Live
           in
           a
           mean
           ,
           low
           ,
           afflicted
           Condition
           without
           such
           Company
           ,
           than
           to
           govern
           the
           World
           with
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           is
           an
           old
           Hypocritical
           pretence
           with
           which
           the
           Enemies
           
           of
           God
           and
           Religion
           have
           usually
           cover'd
           their
           wicked
           Persecutions
           and
           barbarous
           Cruelties
           .
           This
           cannot
           secure
           you
           from
           Vengeance
           .
           God
           incourages
           his
           people
           to
           hope
           that
           he
           would
           appear
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           against
           such
           as
           should
           make
           this
           pretence
           for
           their
           Persecuting
           them
           .
           
             Hear
             the
             word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ye
             that
             tremble
             at
             his
             Word
             ,
             your
             brethren
             that
             hated
             you
             ,
          
           
           
             that
             cast
             you
             out
             for
             my
             Names
             sake
             ,
             said
             ,
             let
             the
             Lord
             be
             Glorified
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             appear
             to
             your
             joy
             ,
             and
             they
             shall
             be
             ashamed
             .
          
           They
           pretended
           what
           they
           did
           against
           them
           that
           trembled
           at
           the
           word
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           was
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           might
           be
           Glorified
           ,
           but
           yet
           God
           would
           bring
           them
           to
           shame
           for
           their
           Hypocrisie
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           afraid
           there
           are
           many
           who
           talk
           high
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           would
           be
           glad
           to
           see
           her
           welter
           in
           her
           own
           Blood
           ,
           or
           consumed
           to
           Ashes
           with
           those
           flames
           they
           hope
           to
           kindle
           by
           their
           own
           furious
           ,
           or
           intemperate
           Zeal
           .
           People
           who
           are
           wicked
           enough
           notwithstanding
           their
           loud
           Crys
           for
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           set
           her
           on
           Fire
           themselves
           ,
           and
           then
           like
           Nero
           ,
           Triumph
           ,
           and
           Dance
           ,
           and
           Sing
           ,
           when
           they
           behold
           her
           devouring
           Flames
           ,
           and
           utter
           Devastation
           .
        
         
           As
           some
           in
           the
           late
           times
           did
           very
           wickedly
           face
           Rebellion
           with
           the
           name
           of
           Religion
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           some
           in
           these
           days
           do
           Cloak
           Popery
           ,
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           hatred
           to
           all
           Piety
           ,
           with
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           
             All
             that
             swear
             by
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             make
             mention
             for
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
          
           
           
             do
             not
             do
             it
             in
             .
             Truth
             nor
             in
             Righteousness
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Your
           not
           Prosecuting
           them
           ,
           who
           play
           and
           drink
           ,
           or
           walk
           
           &
           loiter
           away
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           and
           other
           times
           they
           should
           alot
           for
           the
           publick
           service
           &
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           does
           plainly
           demonstrate
           it
           
           is
           not
           any
           hearty
           Concernment
           for
           Religion
           ,
           or
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           which
           ingages
           you
           in
           these
           Methods
           ,
           but
           rather
           an
           invincible
           Detestation
           to
           Holiness
           and
           Truth
           as
           such
           .
           Could
           you
           with
           the
           like
           Impurity
           ,
           shut
           up
           our
           Church
           doors
           ,
           and
           revile
           our
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           cast
           contempt
           on
           our
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           other
           serious
           and
           hearty
           Officers
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           who
           oppose
           and
           contradict
           you
           in
           your
           Lusts
           and
           wickedness
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           much
           to
           be
           doubted
           ,
           but
           you
           would
           be
           as
           severe
           and
           Tyrannous
           this
           way
           ,
           as
           you
           be
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           have
           such
           Love
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           why
           are
           you
           so
           mild
           and
           favourable
           ,
           and
           gentle
           towards
           the
           Papists
           ,
           who
           are
           as
           great
           Enemies
           to
           the
           state
           as
           to
           the
           Church
           ?
           Why
           are
           you
           not
           for
           getting
           those
           Laws
           executed
           which
           are
           in
           force
           ,
           against
           Field
           and
           Street
           walkers
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           haunt
           Ale-houses
           ,
           and
           Taverns
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           playing
           at
           Cards
           ,
           or
           Dice
           ,
           when
           they
           should
           be
           at
           Church
           ?
           And
           those
           who
           are
           rattling
           about
           in
           their
           Coaches
           ,
           or
           other
           ways
           Conveying
           themselves
           from
           one
           place
           to
           another
           ,
           on
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           and
           in
           time
           of
           divine
           Service
           ,
           to
           perform
           some
           idle
           and
           Sacrilegious
           visits
           ?
        
         
           
           4.
           
           The
           methods
           you
           use
           are
           no
           way
           becoming
           the
           Church
           .
           They
           will
           never
           do
           the
           Church
           any
           Service
           .
           Force
           and
           violence
           will
           never
           satisfie
           mens
           Judgments
           .
           They
           will
           not
           extirpate
           those
           unjust
           Prejudices
           ,
           People
           have
           suckt
           in
           against
           our
           Church
           ,
           but
           will
           rather
           Confirm
           them
           .
           These
           Courses
           will
           not
           fairly
           remove
           mens
           Scruples
           .
        
         
           Suppose
           you
           should
           force
           many
           to
           come
           within
           the
           Doors
           of
           our
           Churches
           ,
           by
           harsh
           and
           severe
           Proceedings
           ,
           what
           is
           our
           Church
           the
           better
           for
           this
           ?
           Can
           you
           ,
           together
           with
           outward
           Compulsion
           ,
           infuse
           into
           their
           minds
           an
           affectionate
           Love
           to
           ,
           and
           unfeigned
           Approbation
           of
           our
           Service
           and
           worship
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           you
           may
           make
           our
           Church
           fuller
           of
           Hypocrites
           than
           she
           was
           before
           ,
           but
           not
           fuller
           of
           real
           and
           Cordial
           Proselytes
           ;
           you
           may
           turn
           the
           places
           for
           our
           publick
           worship
           into
           Prisons
           ,
           if
           you
           please
           ,
           but
           you
           cannot
           by
           these
           mean's
           make
           the
           Dissenters
           
             a
             willing
             People
             in
             the
             day
             of
             your
             Power
             .
          
        
         
           The
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           must
           be
           Volunteers
           ,
           and
           not
           Press'd
           men
           .
           Such
           as
           are
           forced
           will
           never
           do
           acceptable
           Service
           .
           They
           will
           embrace
           the
           first
           Opportunity
           to
           relinquish
           and
           bespatter
           us
           .
        
         
         
           It
           has
           hitherto
           been
           the
           certain
           Property
           and
           Character
           of
           Heterodox
           ,
           Heretical
           ,
           Popish
           ,
           and
           Anti-Christian
           Churches
           and
           People
           ,
           to
           Persecute
           and
           oppress
           others
           ,
           or
           to
           use
           violent
           ,
           fierce
           ,
           and
           ruining
           Courses
           to
           advance
           themselves
           and
           their
           Interests
           .
           And
           it
           was
           the
           way
           of
           the
           pure
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           anciently
           ,
           and
           since
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           to
           use
           no
           Methods
           with
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           what
           were
           full
           of
           Reason
           ,
           Scripture
           ,
           Meekness
           ,
           and
           Christian
           Forbearance
           .
        
         
           
             The
             learned
             Bishop
             of
             St.
          
           Asaph
           ,
           
           
             does
             determine
             the
             Question
             ,
             who
             are
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ?
             Or
             who
             are
             the
             Enemies
             of
             it
             ?
             By
             bringing
             it
             to
             this
             issue
             .
          
           That
           they
           who
           are
           most
           given
           to
           hate
           and
           destroy
           others
           ,
           especially
           those
           who
           differ
           from
           them
           in
           Religion
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           they
           are
           so
           far
           Corrupt
           in
           that
           Particular
           .
        
         
           These
           Courses
           do
           not
           agree
           and
           suit
           with
           the
           Temper
           and
           Constitution
           of
           our
           Church
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           am
           afraid
           they
           who
           use
           these
           Methods
           ,
           or
           countenance
           and
           incourage
           them
           who
           appear
           boistrous
           in
           them
           ,
           are
           either
           ignorant
           of
           ,
           and
           Strangers
           to
           our
           Constitution
           ,
           or
           implacable
           Enemies
           to
           our
           Church
           .
           Instead
           of
           doing
           the
           Church
           any
           Service
           ,
           they
           seem
           to
           study
           to
           do
           her
           all
           the
           mischief
           they
           can
           ,
           under
           a
           contrary
           pretence
           .
           
             It
             is
             not
             the
             Genius
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
          
           
           
             she
             hath
             no
             Doctrine
             that
             teacheth
             Persecution
             ,
             she
             hath
             not
             Practised
             it
             ,
             as
             others
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             in
             Authority
             ,
             I
             thank
             God
             for
             it
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             she
             will
             alway
             continue
             in
             that
             Temper
             ,
             which
             being
             added
             to
             the
             other
             Marks
             of
             a
             true
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             may
             assure
             no
             that
             she
             is
             a
             Church
             according
             to
             the
             mind
             of
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           It
           was
           one
           thing
           that
           did
           not
           a
           little
           Commend
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           after
           it's
           Establishment
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           tho
           Popery
           gained
           Power
           again
           in
           these
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           influenced
           it's
           Professors
           to
           treat
           the
           Protestants
           with
           all
           the
           Cruelty
           and
           outrage
           that
           Religion
           doth
           inspire
           men
           with
           ,
           or
           direct
           them
           to
           ,
           yet
           when
           in
           Queen
           Elizabeths
           Reign
           Popery
           was
           cashier'd
           ,
           and
           the
           Protestants
           had
           the
           Power
           and
           Laws
           on
           their
           side
           ,
           they
           used
           no
           Violence
           ,
           Fury
           ,
           or
           revenge
           at
           all
           ;
           
             Tho
             living
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             them
             ,
             whose
             dearest
             Friends
             and
             Relations
             they
             had
             Murdered
             ,
             and
             tho
             Protestants
             could
             say
             there
             goes
             he
             that
             burnt
             my
             Father
             ,
             or
             he
             that
             Murdered
             my
             Brother
             ,
          
           
           
             or
             that
             brought
             them
             to
             that
             cruel
             Death
             ,
             tho
             the
             Queen
             her self
             could
             say
             who
             they
             were
             that
             in
             her
             Sisters
             time
             ,
             dealt
             
             most
             insolently
             and
             barbarously
             with
             her
             ,
             yet
             when
             she
             came
             to
             be
             their
             Queen
             ,
             for
             ten
             years
             ,
             she
             touched
             not
             a
             Hair
             of
             any
             of
             their
             Heads
             .
          
        
         
           Notwithstanding
           Bonner
           had
           in
           the
           preceding
           Reign
           been
           a
           most
           bloody
           and
           barbarous
           Persecutor
           of
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           
           and
           had
           often
           in
           his
           Persecution
           of
           them
           exceeded
           what
           the
           Law
           allowed
           ,
           yet
           this
           was
           not
           revenged
           upon
           him
           ,
           no
           ,
           so
           far
           were
           the
           Reformers
           from
           doing
           any
           thing
           that
           might
           look
           like
           Revenge
           that
           he
           was
           suffered
           to
           go
           about
           in
           safety
           ,
           and
           was
           not
           made
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           the
           Revenge
           of
           those
           who
           had
           lost
           their
           next
           Friends
           by
           his
           means
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           Condescention
           and
           Meekness
           ,
           which
           brought
           Repute
           to
           this
           Church
           formerly
           ,
           and
           adorned
           it
           in
           it's
           most
           flourishing
           state
           :
           And
           why
           should
           you
           now
           change
           it's
           ancient
           Methods
           ,
           if
           your
           Love
           to
           it
           ,
           be
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           your
           Zeal
           as
           Regular
           ,
           as
           was
           that
           of
           our
           first
           and
           best
           Reformers
           ?
        
         
           4ly
           .
           
           In
           the
           fourth
           place
           this
           discovers
           what
           ill
           Offices
           they
           do
           (
           whether
           they
           be
           of
           the
           Clergy
           ,
           or
           in
           other
           places
           of
           Power
           )
           who
           are
           continually
           Exciting
           people
           to
           inform
           against
           all
           Dissenters
           ,
           without
           making
           any
           difference
           .
           Peoples
           spirits
           are
           apparently
           over-heated
           already
           .
           They
           are
           cast
           into
           too
           Violent
           a
           ferment
           ;
           And
           therefore
           rather
           then
           use
           any
           means
           to
           exasperate
           their
           Passions
           more
           ,
           we
           ought
           all
           in
           our
           places
           ,
           to
           do
           what
           we
           can
           ,
           to
           cool
           these
           hearts
           ,
           and
           reduce
           men
           to
           more
           calm
           ,
           and
           gentle
           Tempers
           .
           Especially
           should
           this
           be
           the
           care
           and
           study
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           pretend
           they
           have
           a
           Right
           to
           that
           Character
           ,
           of
           being
           Ambassadours
           ,
           and
           Heraulds
           of
           Peace
           .
           Your
           loud
           Declamations
           ,
           your
           Passionate
           and
           envenomed
           Instigations
           ,
           and
           your
           founding
           Alarms
           from
           the
           Pulpit
           against
           Dissenters
           in
           general
           ;
           will
           not
           please
           ,
           nor
           gratifie
           nor
           benefit
           any
           ,
           but
           the
           sensual
           ,
           debauch't
           part
           of
           your
           Auditors
           .
           This
           will
           endanger
           the
           creating
           ill
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           way
           you
           pretend
           to
           ,
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           Soberer
           and
           more
           harmless
           sort
           .
           Such
           kind
           of
           Preaching
           will
           be
           Interpreted
           ,
           but
           like
           clapping
           your
           Hands
           ,
           and
           lowing
           on
           the
           Dogs
           ,
           which
           instead
           of
           bringing
           People
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           drive
           them
           out
           of
           the
           Church-yard
           .
           St.
           Paul
           directs
           us
           to
           a
           more
           Christian
           Method
           ,
           and
           such
           an
           one
           as
           will
           ,
           if
           generally
           ,
           faithfully
           ,
           and
           diligently
           observed
           (
           and
           we
           are
           qualified
           
           to
           make
           use
           of
           it
           )
           make
           thousands
           of
           more
           real
           Proselytes
           to
           our
           Church
           ,
           than
           common
           Informations
           ,
           Fines
           ,
           and
           other
           Punishments
           will
           make
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           2.
           24.
           25.
           
        
         
           5ly
           .
           
           This
           calls
           for
           your
           Prayers
           for
           ,
           and
           your
           Commiseration
           ,
           and
           pity
           ,
           and
           what
           other
           help
           and
           Assistance
           you
           are
           able
           to
           Administer
           to
           them
           that
           are
           Persecuted
           .
        
         
           You
           have
           this
           day
           heard
           that
           your
           Neighbour-Protestants
           are
           in
           a
           very
           Afflicted
           and
           Calamitous
           Estate
           .
           This
           calls
           for
           your
           Pity
           ,
           your
           Prayers
           ,
           your
           Help
           ,
           and
           what
           relief
           you
           can
           afford
           them
           .
        
         
           You
           know
           not
           how
           soon
           your
           own
           Condition
           may
           be
           the
           same
           with
           theirs
           ,
           if
           you
           will
           resolutely
           adhere
           to
           your
           Religion
           ,
           and
           dare
           not
           deny
           Christ
           and
           his
           Gospel
           ;
           you
           are
           at
           present
           safe
           ,
           you
           injoy
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           peaceably
           ,
           but
           you
           have
           no
           assurance
           ,
           this
           prosperous
           and
           shining
           Day
           will
           continue
           long
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           you
           would
           find
           help
           ,
           and
           relief
           from
           others
           ,
           when
           destitute
           ,
           afflicted
           ,
           and
           persecuted
           ,
           have
           some
           regard
           to
           ,
           and
           let
           your
           Bowels
           yern
           over
           your
           persecuted
           Neighbours
           ,
           
             in
             this
             their
             day
             of
             affliction
             .
          
           Nature
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           Christianity
           ,
           all
           that
           is
           good
           and
           excellent
           intreat
           ,
           and
           importune
           your
           Charity
           .
           Can
           you
           deny
           these
           sufferers
           ?
           Can
           you
           withhold
           any
           thing
           from
           Christ
           ,
           imploring
           and
           beseeching
           your
           Commiseration
           in
           these
           his
           afflicted
           ,
           persecuted
           Members
           ?
           Can
           you
           eat
           and
           drink
           ,
           and
           feast
           your selves
           ,
           and
           be
           merry
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           concern
           for
           Christ's
           wandring
           ,
           naked
           ,
           indigent
           ,
           distressed
           Servants
           and
           Followers
           ?
           Ye
           that
           
             put
             far
             away
             the
             Evil
             day
             ,
             and
             cause
             the
             seat
             of
             Violence
             to
             come
             near
             ,
             that
             lye
             upon
             Beds
             of
             Ivory
             ,
             and
             stretch
             themselves
             upon
             their
             Couches
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             eat
             the
             Lambs
             out
             of
             the
             flock
             ,
             and
             the
             Calves
             out
             of
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             stall
             ,
             that
             chant
             to
             the
             sound
             of
             the
             Viol
             ,
             and
             invent
             to
             themselves
             Instruments
             of
             Musick
             like
             David
             ,
             that
             drink
             Wine
             in
             Bowls
             ,
             and
             anoint
             themselves
             with
             the
             chief
             Ointments
             ,
             but
             they
             are
             not
             grieved
             for
             the
             affliction
             of
             Joseph
             .
             Therefore
             now
             shall
             they
             go
             Captive
             ,
             with
             the
             first
             that
             go
             Captive
             ,
             and
             the
             Banquet
             of
             them
             that
             stretched
             themselves
             ,
             shall
             be
             removed
             .
          
        
         
           But
           that
           you
           may
           be
           more
           duely
           affected
           with
           their
           Condition
           ,
           
           I
           will
           lay
           before
           you
           the
           same
           Account
           ,
           which
           is
           given
           of
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           most
           impartial
           ,
           learned
           ,
           and
           Celebrated
           Historian
           of
           this
           age
           .
           The
           account
           is
           this
           .
        
         
           Those
           born
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           are
           required
           not
           to
           change
           their
           Religion
           ,
           which
           was
           left
           free
           before
           .
           Schools
           and
           Colledges
           are
           suppressed
           in
           most
           places
           .
           The
           Churches
           which
           the
           Protestants
           had
           in
           the
           
           Country
           or
           small
           Towns
           ,
           are
           generally
           raised
           ,
           and
           all
           Religious
           meetings
           in
           private
           houses
           are
           forbidden
           .
           The
           Synods
           and
           Colloquies
           of
           their
           Clergy
           are
           fordidden
           except
           a
           Popish
           Commissioner
           is
           present
           ,
           the
           singing
           of
           Psalms
           is
           Prohibited
           .
           When
           they
           are
           sick
           ,
           they
           are
           forced
           to
           admit
           the
           Popish
           Magistrates
           to
           come
           with
           Witnesses
           to
           exhort
           them
           to
           change
           their
           Religion
           :
           no
           Midwives
           are
           permitted
           to
           Practise
           but
           Papists
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           baptise
           their
           Children
           ,
           
           upon
           which
           it
           may
           be
           afterwards
           pretended
           ,
           if
           they
           continue
           Protestants
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           reliapsed
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           baptised
           by
           a
           Papist
           ,
           and
           the
           Punishment
           of
           this
           is
           Terrible
           .
           No
           Minister
           ,
           Elder
           ,
           or
           Deacon
           may
           go
           and
           visit
           their
           flocks
           ,
           to
           confirm
           them
           in
           their
           Relgion
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           Wavering
           in
           it
           ;
           Accusations
           are
           brought
           upon
           the
           sleightest
           Pretences
           against
           the
           Ministers
           or
           others
           that
           are
           noted
           for
           their
           Zeal
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           Religion
           ,
           upon
           which
           Orders
           for
           their
           imprisonment
           are
           easily
           given
           out
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           either
           forced
           to
           fly
           ,
           or
           are
           ruined
           by
           a
           long
           imprisonment
           .
           And
           the
           intendants
           of
           the
           Provinces
           oppress
           them
           most
           unmercifully
           ,
           with
           design
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           easily
           guessed
           ,
           to
           drive
           them
           into
           a
           Rebellion
           ,
           that
           so
           a
           pretence
           may
           be
           given
           to
           destroy
           them
           all
           at
           once
           .
           No
           Protestants
           can
           be
           admitted
           to
           any
           Charge
           or
           Employment
           ,
           how
           mean
           soever
           it
           be
           .
           Nor
           may
           they
           be
           received
           to
           any
           Trading
           or
           Mechanical
           Corporation
           .
           And
           to
           take
           from
           them
           all
           Confidence
           ,
           or
           Credit
           in
           Trade
           ,
           if
           any
           Protestant
           merchant
           turns
           Papist
           he
           cannot
           be
           sued
           for
           his
           Accounts
           ,
           or
           Debts
           ,
           for
           three
           years
           thereafter
           .
           And
           these
           Orders
           are
           much
           heavier
           in
           the
           manner
           in
           which
           they
           are
           Executed
           .
        
         
           The
           present
           Proceedings
           in
           Poictu
           shew
           what
           the
           rest
           are
           to
           look
           for
           ,
           the
           Mercenary
           Agents
           of
           Mr.
           Pelisson
           prevailed
           so
           far
           on
           the
           Weaknesses
           and
           Necessities
           of
           many
           ,
           
           as
           to
           draw
           them
           to
           adjure
           their
           Religion
           ,
           but
           not
           a
           few
           of
           these
           soon
           after
           repenting
           of
           that
           base
           Bargain
           ,
           by
           which
           for
           a
           few
           Crowns
           ,
           they
           had
           sold
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           openly
           Expressing
           their
           Horror
           for
           it
           ,
           were
           clapt
           in
           Prison
           ,
           where
           they
           lye
           still
           in
           great
           Misery
           ,
           only
           their
           Numbers
           are
           such
           that
           it
           seems
           it
           is
           not
           thought
           fit
           to
           proceed
           to
           Extremities
           against
           so
           many
           at
           once
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           Intendant
           of
           that
           Province
           ,
           Mr.
           
             De
             Marilliac
          
           ,
           whether
           directed
           by
           secret
           Orders
           ,
           or
           set
           on
           by
           the
           fierceness
           of
           his
           own
           Temper
           ,
           or
           by
           his
           Confessors
           is
           not
           known
           ,
           
           is
           resolved
           to
           take
           a
           severe
           Revenge
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           that
           Religion
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           those
           unhappy
           Relapses
           ,
           and
           has
           treated
           them
           not
           as
           Peaceable
           and
           Obedient
           Subjects
           ,
           but
           as
           open
           Rebels
           ,
           and
           declared
           Enemies
           .
           Their
           Goods
           and
           their
           Houses
           are
           Robbed
           ,
           and
           their
           Persons
           violently
           assaulted
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           ,
           is
           done
           by
           the
           Intendants
           Order
           .
           The
           Soldiers
           under
           his
           Command
           are
           lodged
           only
           in
           the
           Houses
           of
           those
           of
           the
           Religion
           ,
           where
           they
           do
           not
           only
           ruin
           their
           Hosts
           ,
           by
           the
           Excessive
           Charge
           they
           put
           them
           to
           ,
           and
           by
           
           the
           Contributions
           they
           exact
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           use
           all
           the
           means
           they
           can
           think
           of
           to
           frighten
           them
           out
           of
           their
           Religion
           ;
           tho
           the
           horrid
           Oaths
           and
           Blasphemies
           they
           break
           out
           daily
           in
           ,
           are
           but
           ill
           Arguments
           to
           perswade
           Men
           to
           turn
           .
           If
           they
           refuse
           to
           go
           to
           Mass
           they
           Cudgel
           them
           ,
           they
           Drag
           the
           Women
           by
           the
           Hair
           of
           the
           Head
           ,
           with
           Ropes
           about
           their
           Necks
           ,
           they
           Torture
           some
           with
           their
           Screws
           ,
           they
           bind
           Men
           of
           eighty
           years
           of
           Age
           ,
           and
           abuse
           their
           Children
           before
           their
           Eyes
           .
           And
           such
           of
           the
           Souldiers
           as
           are
           not
           Guilty
           of
           those
           Cruelties
           ,
           yet
           spoil
           and
           rob
           their
           Goods
           ,
           and
           sell
           them
           publickly
           ,
           they
           threaten
           them
           often
           with
           Death
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           not
           change
           ,
           having
           naked
           Swords
           in
           their
           Hands
           ,
           or
           holding
           Pistols
           to
           their
           Breasts
           .
           And
           if
           all
           these
           Means
           are
           Ineffectual
           ,
           then
           they
           carry
           them
           in
           Sheets
           to
           Churches
           ,
           and
           fling
           Holy
           Water
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           tell
           them
           now
           they
           are
           made
           Catholicks
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           return
           again
           to
           their
           Heresy
           ,
           they
           threaten
           them
           ,
           they
           will
           Accuse
           them
           as
           Relapsers
           .
           And
           when
           House-keepers
           are
           by
           these
           Means
           quite
           Ruined
           ,
           yet
           they
           must
           not
           give
           up
           their
           Houses
           ,
           tho
           they
           can
           keep
           them
           no
           longer
           ,
           but
           are
           Fined
           500
           Livers
           if
           they
           quit
           them
           .
           And
           that
           which
           has
           always
           bin
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           the
           Miserable
           ,
           is
           now
           denyed
           them
           ,
           for
           when
           they
           come
           to
           Complain
           of
           these
           Violences
           to
           the
           Intendant
           ,
           He
           without
           hearing
           them
           ,
           or
           observing
           the
           common
           Forms
           of
           Justice
           ,
           sends
           them
           presently
           to
           Prison
           ,
           and
           keeps
           them
           still
           there
           ,
           without
           framing
           any
           Process
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           content
           with
           all
           this
           ,
           tho
           it
           is
           scarce
           to
           be
           imagined
           what
           can
           come
           after
           it
           ,
           or
           rise
           beyond
           it
           ;
           when
           he
           heard
           that
           Complaints
           were
           made
           of
           these
           Outrages
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           he
           sent
           upon
           that
           ,
           his
           Officers
           to
           may
           of
           their
           Houses
           ,
           to
           force
           them
           to
           Sign
           a
           Denial
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           these
           Violences
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           Suffered
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           which
           aggravates
           their
           Misery
           ,
           and
           therefore
           renders
           them
           more
           deserving
           of
           our
           Commiseration
           and
           Help
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           a
           People
           ,
           who
           have
           done
           extraordinary
           Services
           for
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           could
           never
           yet
           be
           charged
           with
           any
           undutiful
           Demeanour
           to
           the
           Government
           .
           And
           they
           have
           the
           same
           Rights
           and
           Priviledges
           with
           the
           other
           Subjects
           ,
           assured
           to
           them
           by
           as
           firm
           Edicts
           ,
           and
           binding
           Laws
           ,
           as
           any
           by
           which
           that
           Nation
           is
           govern'd
           :
           And
           yet
           purely
           on
           the
           account
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           without
           the
           Guilt
           or
           Charge
           of
           any
           Fault
           ,
           and
           in
           direct
           Contradiction
           to
           those
           Laws
           which
           were
           made
           ,
           and
           often
           Confirmed
           for
           their
           Security
           ,
           are
           they
           now
           Persecuted
           to
           the
           Degree
           before
           mentioned
           .
        
         
           This
           shews
           that
           neither
           the
           best
           Services
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Innocence
           ,
           the
           highest
           Merits
           ,
           nor
           the
           most
           Sacred
           and
           Solemn
           Tyes
           ,
           Ingagements
           or
           Laws
           can
           secure
           a
           Protestant
           People
           from
           being
           treated
           as
           
           the
           vilest
           Criminals
           and
           Rebels
           ,
           when
           under
           the
           Power
           ,
           Influence
           and
           Authority
           of
           a
           Popish
           Bigotted
           Prince
           :
        
         
           6
           ly
           ,
           
           Which
           in
           the
           last
           place
           calls
           us
           all
           to
           prepare
           our selves
           for
           Persecution
           .
           What
           Clouds
           do
           hang
           over
           us
           ?
           What
           Storms
           do
           threaten
           us
           !
           We
           are
           none
           of
           us
           Ignorant
           of
           the
           Attempts
           which
           have
           bin
           made
           ,
           and
           are
           still
           carrying
           on
           ,
           to
           Supplant
           and
           Overthrow
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           in
           Popery
           amongst
           us
           ,
           as
           an
           overflowing
           Stream
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           which
           greatly
           threatens
           our
           loss
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           those
           Ordinances
           we
           have
           long
           enjoyed
           ,
           is
           both
           the
           great
           and
           general
           Increase
           of
           Wickedness
           and
           Debauchery
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           too
           many
           of
           those
           who
           have
           pretended
           to
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           our
           Security
           and
           Reformation
           ,
           have
           set
           up
           for
           Atheism
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           have
           declared
           themselves
           Enemies
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           Deity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           publick
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           all
           Ordinances
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           much
           different
           whether
           we
           have
           our
           Bibles
           ,
           our
           Services
           ,
           and
           publick
           Administrations
           in
           Latin
           ,
           or
           whether
           we
           have
           none
           at
           all
           .
           These
           things
           do
           Witness
           against
           us
           ,
           and
           unless
           we
           do
           throughout
           the
           Nation
           ,
           set
           upon
           a
           serious
           and
           vigorous
           Reformation
           ,
           we
           may
           expect
           our
           
             Candlestick
             will
             be
             removed
          
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           shall
           either
           be
           stript
           of
           all
           our
           present
           Enjoyments
           ,
           or
           at
           most
           but
           Inherit
           the
           Name
           of
           them
           .
           And
           if
           such
           days
           do
           come
           ,
           then
           all
           
             who
             will
             Live
             Godly
             ,
             must
             certainly
             suffer
             Persecution
             .
          
        
         
           Nor
           do
           I
           at
           all
           doubt
           ,
           but
           if
           either
           Popery
           ,
           or
           Atheism
           ,
           or
           both
           ,
           have
           in
           these
           Nations
           ,
           the
           Countenance
           and
           Incouragement
           of
           a
           Prince
           ,
           the
           very
           same
           Men
           who
           are
           now
           Violent
           against
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           pious
           People
           ,
           will
           then
           with
           greater
           Fury
           Persecute
           ,
           Oppress
           and
           Destroy
           all
           that
           will
           either
           own
           and
           worship
           God
           ,
           or
           reprove
           themselves
           avowed
           Protestants
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           therefore
           study
           the
           Scripture
           diligently
           ,
           be
           thoroughly
           informed
           in
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           get
           our
           Hearts
           raised
           to
           an
           unconquerable
           Admiration
           and
           Love
           of
           the
           Blessed
           Jesus
           .
           Let
           us
           take
           heed
           of
           placing
           too
           much
           Confidence
           on
           a
           Natural
           Resolution
           ,
           or
           Humane
           Strength
           .
           Let
           us
           learn
           to
           resign
           up
           our selves
           entirely
           unto
           Christ
           ;
           and
           Pray
           daily
           that
           we
           may
           not
           fear
           any
           of
           those
           things
           which
           we
           shall
           Suffer
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           may
           be
           so
           strengthened
           and
           assisted
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           approve
           our selves
           Faithful
           unto
           Death
           .
           Thus
           we
           may
           attain
           to
           Inherit
           a
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           ,
           which
           God
           of
           his
           infinite
           Mercy
           bring
           every
           one
           of
           us
           unto
           ,
           for
           the
           Merits
           Sake
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           our
           Blessed
           and
           only
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           Redeemer
           ,
           to
           whom
           with
           the
           Father
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A28594-e190
           
             Mr.
             Hunt's
             Appendix
             to
             his
             Argument
             for
             Bps.
             Right
             in
             judging
             in
             Capital
             Causes
             in
             Parliam
             .
          
           
             p.
             84.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A28594-e880
           
             Dr.
             Stillings
             .
             pref
             .
             to
             Irenic
             .
          
           
             Doct.
             
          
           
             1st
             .
          
           
             2ly
             .
          
           
             John
             16.
             2.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             King.
             22.
             24.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             1.
             11.
             13.
             
          
           
             3ly
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             6.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             20.
             10.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             14.
             3.
             
          
           
             John
             15.
             19.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             22
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             4ly
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             4.
             15.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             22.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             2.
             8.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             18.
             7.
             2.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Stilling
             .
             Irenic
             .
             praef
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             27.
             19.
             
          
           
             Js
             .
             65.
             25.
             
          
           
             Lam.
             4.
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.
             2.
             
          
           
             John
             8.
             44.
             
          
           
             vers
             .
             45.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             5.
             
          
           
             vers
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             vers
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             1st
             .
          
           
             Vid.
             Dr.
             
             Burnet's
             Pref.
             to
             his
             Hist
             .
             of
             the
             Rights
             of
             Princ.
             &c.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             Res
             .
             of
             House
             of
             Comm.
             Jan.
             10.
             80.
             which
             seems
             very
             consonant
             with
             our
             Soveraign
             .
             Judgm
             .
             when
             at
             Braeda
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             Present
             State
             of
             Protest
             .
             in
             France
             ,
             p.
             21.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Burnets
             Fast
             Serm.
             on
             30
             of
             Jan.
             1681
             p.
             16.
             
          
           
             3ly
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Fowler
             's
             Assize
             Serm.
             1681.
             p.
             29.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Sharp's
             Serm.
             before
             the
             House
             of
             Commons
             April
             .
             11.
             1679.
             
          
           
             Is
             .
             66.
             5.
             
          
           
             Is
             .
             48.
             1.
             
          
           
             Serm.
             before
             the
             House
             of
             Lords
             ,
             Novemb
             .
             5
             th
             .
             1680.
             p.
             8.
             
          
           
             Id.
             p.
             20.
             
          
           
             Id.
             p.
             28.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
               Burnets
               Hist
            
             .
             Refor
             .
             part
             .
             2
             d.
             p.
             396.
             
          
           
             4ly
             .
          
           
             5ly
             .
          
           
             Amos
             6.
             3.
             to
             the
             8.
             v.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             
             Burnet's
             praef
             .
             to
             his
             Hist
             .
             of
             the
             Rights
             of
             Princes
             in
             the
             disposing
             of
             *
             Ecclesiastical
             benefices
             ,
             &c.
             p.
             54.
             &c.
             
          
           
             Vid.
             Present
             State
             of
             the
             Protestants
             in
             France
             ,
             and
             the
             policy
             of
             the
             Clergy
             of
             Fran.
             to
             destroy
             the
             Protestants
             of
             that
             Kingdom
             .
          
           
             Id.
             p.
             59.
             
          
           
             Id.
             p.
             62.
             
          
           
             6ly
             .