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ing a Prey to falfe. And accordingly the Emiffaries of the Church of Rome have never been either more active, or more fuccessful, than fince the aftonishing Increase of Profaneness, and Indifference to Religion, amongst us, have given them so unguarded an Open ing for the re-establishing their ancient Do

minion.

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Still how unjust foever it may be to think hardly of Chriftianity on their Account, yet atileast these Corrupters of it, perhaps, we may think, cannot well be abhorred too much, or treated too feverely. 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 wellmeaning Perfons, from whom both the Principles, and the Practices above mentioned, are concealed, as much as ever they can, by art ful Disguises, or bold Denials; and who think in their Confciences, that nothing should induce Them to commit the Crimes, of which their Forefathers have been accused, Yet notwithstanding, were that Authority, int which they profess an implicit Faith, to commandtheir Affistance in ever so wicked an Enterprize, at a critical Juncture;; on what Grounds the most unwilling of them all could refuse, one doth not fee. In the mean while indeed they may be much better Persons, than their Religion, did they know the Depths of it, would

would allow them to be. And even amongst the worst of them, great Numbers may be intitled 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.

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Ours hath done it by penal Statutes, terrible in Appearance, but extorted by the Neceffity of the Times; and so entirely suspended, as that Neceffity lefsfened, that they, who have every where broke through all Laws, divine and human, to destroy the Proteftant Religion, without sparing it in a fingle Instance, where they could fuppress it with Safety, have long enjoyed unmolested the Exercise of their own, notwithstanding so many legal Provifions to the contrary, notwithstanding their numerous Attempts against former Government, 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 publick Lenity of our Superiors, every prudent Instance of kind Behaviour in private Life: never indeed affecting or entering

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* Luke xxiii. 34. Aa3

into

into dangerous Intimacies with them, but never giving needless Provocation, 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 fucceed 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 publick Authority condemned, liberal as they are of Condemnations in other Cafes; 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 fometimes, 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 express 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

Thorn, and the merciless Banishments of Saltzburg; the Inquifition of Spain subsists in its full Force; the Imprisonments, the Confiscations, the Inflaving, the Murdering of our Proteftant 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 fuffer.

Now what have we to secure us from all the Errors, and all the Cruelties, of this most corrupt and 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 bigotted Member of that Communion. How then shall we support, and strengthen effectually, an Establishment, so effential to our Happiness? By hearty and active Loyalty, honest and disinterested publick Spirit, firm and friendly Union: but above all, by ferious Repentance, and Amendment of our Ways, with fervent Prayers to the great Difpofer 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 Persecu

* Pf. x. 17. A a 4

tion,

tion, Tyranny and Injustice, amongst Men; and gracioufly haften 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*,

• If. xi. 6, 9.

SER

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