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 Profanenefs, and Indifference to Religion, amongft us, have given them fo unguarded an Open ing for the re-establishing their ancient Do

minion.

Still how unjust foever it may be to think hardly of Chriftianity on their Account, yet atileaft 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 Papift, 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 artful Difguifes, or bold Denials; and who think in their Confciences, that nothing fhould induce Them to commit the Crimes, of which their Forefathers have been accufed; Yet notwithstanding, were that Authority in which they profefs an implicit Faith, to command their Affiftance in ever fó wicked an Enterprize, at a critical Juncture;; on what Grounds the moft unwilling of them all could refufe, one doth not fee. In the mean while indeed they may be much better Perfons, 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 fuch 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 moft watchfully.

Ours hath done it by penal Statutes, tertible in Appearance, but extorted by the Neceffity of the Times; and fo entirely fufpended, as that Neceffity leffened, that they, who have every where broke through all Laws, divine and human, to deftroy the Proteftant Religion, without fparing it in a fingle Inftance, where they could fupprefs it with Safety, have long enjoyed unmolested the Exercife of their own, notwithstanding fo many legal Provifions to the contrary, notwithstanding their numerous Attempts against former Government, notwithstanding their general Refufal to own and give Security to the prefent. God forbid, that we fhould envy them this Indulgence: God grant, they may learn to imitate our Mildness! Of that indeed there is little Hope. Yet ftill let Us continue to act, as Chriftians ought; and add to the publick Lenity of our Superiors, every prudent Inftance of kind Behaviour in private Life: never indeed affecting or entering

into dangerous Intimacies with them, but never giving needlefs Provocation, even to the worst; much less grieving the better-minded, by upbraiding Remembrances of past Things. Let us in every other Respect abfolutely forget all, that they have done or attempted: only not forget due Thankfulness to God, that they have not fucceeded hitherto; and due Precaution that they may not fucceed hereafter; either by open Force, or such private Arts of increasing the Number of their Profelytes, as may enable them to use Force when they will. For the Spirit of that Church, though ftudiously concealed, is ftill the fame. Not one of the vileft Actions, done to ferve 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 difown with common Modefty, though they force themfelves to do it fometimes, that they hold all Promifes and Oaths to be void, which they make to the Prejudice of their Religion or Church for it is the exprefs Language of their infallible Guides, their Popes and their Councils. It is very true, their Practices of late have not been fo enormous, as formerly: the Temper of Mankind is milder; their Influences on the Princes of the Earth is lefs; and they have the Wisdom not to threaten, while they cannot ftrike. But remember, our Days have known the bloody Executions of Thorn

Thorn, and the mercilefs Banifhments of Saltzburg; the Inquifition of Spain fubfifts in its full Force; the Imprifonments, the Confifcations, the Inflaving, the Murdering of our Proteftant Brethren in France, have been revived within these few Years, with the bittereft Fury, though entirely unprovoked, And if we will truft thofe, who continue to fhew, by fuch Marks, what they are; our Folly will deferve every Thing, which we can fuffer.

Now what have we to fecure 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 feen attacked by a formidable Rebellion, in Favour of a bigotted Member of that Communion. How then fhall we fupport, and ftrengthen effectually, an Establishment, fo effential to our Happiness? By hearty and active Loyalty, honeft and difinterested 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, bleffed be his Name, he hath in Time paft; not for our Righteousness, but for his own Mercies Sake: to break the Power of the Ungodly and Malicious *; abolish Perfecu

tion, Tyranny and Injustice, amongst Men; and graciously haften the promised Time, when the Wolf fhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard lie down with the Kid: when none fball hurt or destroy in all bis holy Mountain; for the Earth fhall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea*.

• If. xi. 6, 9.

SER