then some, who profess this faith, will act in defiance to it, let them bear their condemnation. But to charge their guilt on Christianity, would be like censuring the legal constitution of any government, because they, who rebel against it, behave unjustifiably. For indeed the spirit of persecution is rebellion against Christ, under pretence of a commission from him it is the man of sin, sitting as God in the temple of God. And where it is not designed impiety, it is the grossest ignorance, both of the attributes of our Maker, and the precepts of our Redeemer, as the words of the text expressly declare: These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. And the remedy for this evil is, not casting off the regard, which we owe to God, but establishing just and worthy notions of his service in the minds of men; which, in proportion as they prevail, will banish enthusiasm and superstition from off the earth; whereas, if true religion be once lost, every absurd opinion, as well as mischievous practice, may spring up in its stead. If atheism could take place, it must visibly be the ruin of society. But it cannot. There is an irresistible bent in the human mind to reverence an invisible Power: and if men are not directed to do it in a right manner, they will do it in a wrong. Therefore the certain consequence of abandoning true piety, is becoming a prey to false. And accordingly the emissaries of the church of Rome have never been either more active, or more successful, than since the astonishing increase of profaneness, and indifference to religion, amongst us, have given them so unguarded an opening for the re-establishing their ancient dominion. Still how unjust soever it may be to think hardly

* 1 Thess. ii. 3, 4.

of Christianity on their account, yet at least these corrupters of it, perhaps we may think, cannot well be abhorred too much, or treated too severely. But God forbid, that we should imitate, however provoked, what we condemn; or charge on every particular papist, what we cannot but charge on popery, in general. Many of them doubtless are well-meaning persons, from whom both the principles, and the practices above-mentioned, are concealed, as much as ever they can, by artful disguises, or bold denials; and who think in their consciences, that nothing should induce them to commit the crimes, of which their forefathers have been accused. Yet notwithstanding, were that authority, in which they profess an implicit faith, to command their assistance in ever so wicked an enterprise, at a critical juncture; on what grounds the most unwilling of them all could refuse, one doth not see. In the meanwhile indeed they may be much better persons, than their religion, did they know the depths of it, would allow them to be. And even amongst the worst of them, great numbers may be entitled to our Saviour's plea for his crucifiers: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do*. But such ignorant zeal, though it alleviates their guilt, increases the danger from them; and they must allow communities of a different faith, to defend themselves against that danger most watchfully.

Ours hath done it by penal statutes, terrible in appearance, but extorted by the necessity of the times; and so entirely suspended, as that necessity lessened, that they, who have every where broken through all laws, divine and human, to destroy the protestant religion, without sparing it in a single

* Luke xxiii. 34.

instance, where they could suppress it with safety, have long enjoyed unmolested the exercise of their own, notwithstanding so many legal provisions to the contrary, notwithstanding their numerous attempts against former governments, notwithstanding their general refusal to own and give security to the present. God forbid, that we should envy them this indulgence: God grant, they may learn to imitate our mildness! Of that indeed there is little hope. Yet still let us continue to act, as Christians ought; and add to the public lenity of our superiors, every prudent instance of kind behaviour in private life: never indeed affecting or entering into dangerous intimacies with them, but never giving needless provocations, even to the worst; much less grieving the better-minded, by upbraiding remembrances of past things. Let us in every other respect absolutely forget all that they have done or attempted: only not forget due thankfulness to God, that they have not succeeded hitherto; and due precaution that they may not succeed hereafter: either by open force, or such private arts of increasing the number of their proselytes, as may enable them to use force when they will. For the spirit of that church, though studiously concealed, is still the same. Not one of the vilest actions, done to serve it, have they ever by public authority condemned, liberal as they are of condemnations in other cases: not one of the most extravagant claims, made in favour of it, have they ever disowned. And they cannot disown with common modesty, though they force themselves to do it sometimes, that they hold all promises and oaths to be void, which they make to the prejudice of their religion or church: for it is the ex

5

press language of their infallible guides, their popes and their councils. It is very true, their practices of late have not been so enormous, as formerly: the temper of mankind is milder; their influences on the princes of the earth is less; and they have the wisdom not to threaten, while they cannot strike. But remember, our days have known the bloody executions of Thorn and the merciless banishments of Saltzburg; the inquisition of Spain subsists in its full force; the imprisonments, the confiscations, the enslaving, the murdering of our protestant brethren in France, have been revived within these few years, with the bitterest fury, though entirely unprovoked. And if we will trust those, who continue to shew, by such marks, what they are; our folly will deserve every thing, which we can suffer.

Now what have we to secure us from all the errors, and all the cruelties, of this most corrupt tyrannical church? Not one thing, under God, but the support of the government, which we now enjoy; and have seen attacked by a formidable rebellion, in favour of a bigoted member of that communion. How then shall we support, and strengthen effectually, an establishment, so essential to our happiness? By hearty and active loyalty, honest and disinterested public spirit, firm and friendly union: but above all, by serious repentance, and amendment of our ways, with fervent prayers to the great Disposer of all things for his protection. And may it please him to deliver us, in time to come, as, blessed be his name, he hath in time past: not for our righteousness, but for his own mercies' sake: to break the power of the ungodly and malicious *; abolish persecution, tyranny, and injus

Psalm x. 17.

tice, amongst men; and graciously hasten the promised time, when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down with the kid: when none shall hurt or destroy in all his holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea *.

* Isaiah xi. 6. 9.