their Adverfaries with known Fictions Calumnies; tempting Men from their Religion by Promiles of Temporal Advantages; which when they have gain'd them, they do not always make good. Can any thing be more oppofite to the Genius of the Chriftian Religion, than to promote it by Means fo plainly con trary to the very Nature and Defign of it? It must be confefs'd, that nothing can be more ferviceable to the Religion of the Church of Rome; for fuch a Religion as is calculated for the promoting Secular Intereft, is to be carried on by Secular Arts. And of this (fays His Grace we have a Famous Inftance in that Worldly and Secular Church which now for several Hundred Years hath more purfued the End of Secular Greatnefs and Dominion, than any other Church hath done the Ends of True Religion, the Glory of God, and the Salvation of Men's Souls. So that there is hardly any Doctrine or Practice peculiar to that Church, and dif fering from our common Christianity, but it hath a direct and visible tendency to the promoting of fome Worldly Intereft or other. For Inftance, Why do they deny the People the Holy Scriptures, and the Service of God in fuch a Language which they can understand? But that by keep

ing

,

ing them in Ignorance, they may have them, in more perfect Slavery and Subjection to them? Why do they forbid their Priefts to Marry? But that they may have no Interest distinct from that of their Church, and leave all to it when they dye To what End is Auricular Confeffion? But to keep People in Awe, by the knowledge of their Secrets? Why muft, the Laity only receive the Sacra ment in One Kind, but to draw a greater Reverence to the Prieft, whofe Privilege it fhall be to receive in Both? And why is the Intention of the Prieft neceffary to the Efficacy of the Sacraments? But to perfuade the People, that notwithstanding the Gracious Intention of God towards Mankind, they cannot be fav'd without the Goodness of the Prieft? The Doctrines of Purgatory and Indulgences, are a plain Device to make their Markets of the Sins and Souls of Men, &c. I might inftance in a Hundred Things more in that Church, which are of the fame tendency. But that which is moft remarkable is, that St. John foretold, that it thould be the Character of Antichrift; that he fhould be of a Worldly Spirit, and the Doctrines fuch as fhould ferve a Secular intereft and Defign; 1 Job. 4, 5. They are of the World, and they 'Speak from the World, and the World hears them. And tho' I do not from hence infer,

that

the Pope is Antichrift, as fome have done; yet I think I have reafon to fay with my Lord Bacon; That if a Hue and Cry fhould come after Antichrift, which fhould describe him by those Characters, by which he is decypher'd in the Bible, the Pope would certainly be apprehended for him.

And now having given a fhort, but I hope a distinct and fatisfactory Answer to to all thofe Objections N. C. has brought against the Archbishop's Sermons; I fhall conclude with the Profeffion of a Sincere Love and Hearty Good Will to the Perfons of our Adverfaries; and my Prayers, That what I have Writ may be useful to open their Eyes, and convince their Judgments That they may fee in this their Day, the things which belong to their Peace, and Eternal Welfare. And to this End:

O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and Houfhold continually in thy true Religion; that they who do lean only upon the Hope of thy Heavenly Grace, may evermore be defended by thy mighty Power, through Jesus Christ our our Lord.

Lord, who haft taught us, that all our doings without Charity are nothing worth, fend thy Holy Ghoft, and pour into our Hearts that most excellent Gift

Gift of Charity, the very Band of Peace, and of all Virtues; without which who. foever liveth, is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thy only Son Jefus Chrift his fake. Amen. Amen.

FINI S.

ADVERTISEMENT.

I have here inferted the chief of the Errata, which either pervert or obfcure the Senfe. Many more there are, especially when I quote N. C.'s own Words, which I have taken care punctually to transcribe) which are not to be imputed to the Preß.

PA

ERRAT A:

Ag. To. 1. 14. r. day appointed for. p. 11. 1.14 r. fecond. p. 26. 1. 19. r. Greek. p. 34. 1. 23. r. no, not St. Peter; p. 39. 1. 5. r. as a new. P. 44. 1. 20. r. his, P. 45. I. 12. r. these. p. 67. r. nibble at, p.7o. 1. penult. r. intended. p. 88. 1. 13. r. as. p. 81. l. 15. r. and this. p. 84. 1. 21. r. the. p. 106. 1, 6. r. vend fuch. p. 109. 1, 15. r. integrum. p. 109.1. 31. r. thus. p. 113.1.4. for. p. 122. penult. r. waswv. p. 131. r. permittatur. P. 138. 1.5. r. of. p. 132, 1. 5, dele'as, 135, 1. 23, děle that, P. 156. 1. 3. r. was.

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