The case of compulsion in matters of religion stated by G.B. ; addressed to the serious consideration of the members of the Church of England, in this present juncture.
         Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
      
       
         
           1688
        
      
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             The case of compulsion in matters of religion stated by G.B. ; addressed to the serious consideration of the members of the Church of England, in this present juncture.
             Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.
          
           [1], 15 p.
           
             Printed by T.S. ...,
             London :
             1688.
          
           
             Attributed by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints to Burnet.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Religious tolerance.
           Liberty of conscience.
        
      
    
     
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           The
           Case
           of
           
             Compulsion
          
           In
           Matters
           of
           RELIGION
           STATED
           .
        
         
           By
           
             G.
             B.
             
          
        
         
           Addressed
           to
           the
           Serious
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Members
           OF
           THE
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           this
           present
           Juncture
           .
        
         
           Licensed
           
             August
          
           21.
           1688.
           
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             T.
             S.
          
           in
           the
           Year
           1688.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Case
           of
           Compulsion
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           stated
           .
        
         
           ALL
           Persecution
           rises
           out
           of
           an
           impatience
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           makes
           a
           man
           less
           able
           to
           bear
           Contradiction
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           Tyranny
           in
           most
           mens
           nature
           ,
           which
           makes
           them
           desire
           to
           subdue
           all
           others
           by
           the
           strength
           of
           their
           understandings
           ,
           and
           such
           men
           have
           an
           implacable
           hatred
           to
           all
           that
           do
           not
           render
           themselves
           to
           their
           Reasons
           ,
           and
           think
           that
           they
           are
           affronted
           when
           other
           men
           refuse
           to
           submit
           to
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           who
           would
           strike
           at
           Persecution
           in
           its
           root
           must
           begin
           here
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           soften
           men
           ,
           especially
           toward
           those
           who
           differ
           from
           them
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           .
           This
           imperious
           temper
           ,
           when
           it
           works
           upon
           Subjects
           of
           Religion
           ,
           finds
           somewhat
           to
           raise
           its
           spleen
           ,
           that
           was
           of
           it self
           impetuous
           enough
           before
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           called
           
             Fury
          
           and
           
             Rage
             ,
          
           when
           it
           is
           imployed
           in
           other
           Disputes
           ,
           comes
           to
           be
           called
           
             Zeal
          
           when
           it
           is
           turned
           toward
           the
           Theories
           that
           relate
           to
           another
           world
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           we
           consider
           what
           a
           sublime
           thing
           Divine
           Truth
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           poor
           low
           thing
           the
           mind
           of
           man
           is
           ,
           we
           shall
           see
           cause
           to
           blunt
           alittle
           the
           edge
           of
           our
           Spirits
           if
           they
           are
           too
           sharp
           in
           such
           matters
           .
           Man
           is
           much
           governed
           by
           Fancy
           ,
           and
           Fancy
           follows
           the
           Texture
           of
           the
           Animal
           Spirits
           ,
           which
           renders
           many
           more
           capable
           of
           apprehending
           Objects
           that
           are
           some
           way
           proportioned
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           more
           disposed
           to
           follow
           them
           ;
           So
           that
           
             Temper
          
           prepares
           men
           for
           some
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           prepossesses
           them
           against
           others
           .
        
         
           With
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           mankind
           Education
           is
           so
           powerful
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           scarce
           ever
           able
           to
           overcome
           it
           ;
           
           and
           if
           Education
           and
           Temper
           have
           hit
           together
           ,
           it
           will
           require
           a
           very
           extraordinary
           elevation
           to
           rescue
           a
           man
           from
           that
           force
           .
           Men
           likewise
           receive
           with
           their
           impressions
           of
           Religion
           such
           a
           respect
           for
           them
           as
           makes
           them
           look
           on
           every
           thought
           that
           calls
           them
           in
           question
           as
           criminal
           ;
           and
           when
           Persons
           are
           bred
           up
           to
           disquiet
           themselves
           with
           scruples
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           so
           much
           as
           made
           a
           doubt
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           hard
           to
           see
           them
           adhere
           so
           firmly
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           their
           Education
           ▪
           which
           stick
           so
           fast
           to
           the
           worst
           sort
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           even
           Atheists
           themselves
           ,
           after
           all
           the
           pains
           they
           take
           to
           get
           rid
           of
           them
           ,
           cannot
           shake
           them
           off
           so
           entirely
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           return
           oft
           upon
           them
           .
           Men
           that
           think
           much
           ,
           and
           that
           reason
           well
           ,
           that
           are
           freed
           from
           the
           byass
           that
           Interest
           ,
           Honour
           ,
           Kindred
           ,
           and
           Custom
           do
           give
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           have
           leisure
           to
           examine
           matters
           carefully
           ,
           may
           indeed
           get
           above
           all
           these
           ;
           Yet
           there
           are
           so
           few
           that
           can
           do
           this
           ,
           and
           there
           are
           yet
           so
           much
           fewer
           that
           will
           do
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           rather
           a
           wonder
           to
           see
           so
           many
           change
           their
           Persuasions
           ,
           than
           to
           see
           so
           few
           do
           it
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           so
           sublime
           a
           Theory
           to
           think
           on
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Attributes
           ,
           and
           Works
           ,
           or
           to
           think
           of
           another
           state
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           way
           that
           leads
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           till
           God
           furnishes
           out
           a
           new
           Mission
           of
           Apostles
           with
           a
           Measure
           of
           those
           Extraordinary
           Gifts
           which
           he
           poured
           out
           on
           the
           Great
           Pentecost
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           imagine
           how
           the
           Conversion
           of
           Heathen
           Nations
           should
           be
           made
           ,
           for
           though
           the
           Idolatry
           of
           some
           of
           these
           is
           extreme
           gross
           ,
           yet
           their
           Priests
           have
           such
           symbolical
           significations
           for
           all
           these
           Rites
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           much
           diminish
           the
           horror
           which
           is
           raised
           by
           the
           first
           sight
           of
           them
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           strangers
           :
           And
           since
           the
           chief
           grounds
           upon
           which
           we
           prove
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           are
           taken
           from
           the
           Prophecies
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           and
           their
           Accomplishmene
           in
           the
           New
           ;
           from
           the
           evidence
           
           that
           was
           given
           concerning
           the
           Miracles
           ,
           the
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           we
           confirm
           from
           the
           collateral
           Proofs
           of
           the
           state
           of
           that
           time
           ,
           of
           the
           Writings
           of
           the
           Enemies
           of
           this
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           succession
           of
           Authors
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           Ages
           which
           have
           past
           since
           ,
           have
           mentioned
           those
           matters
           ,
           and
           cited
           the
           Books
           which
           we
           hold
           Divine
           .
        
         
           All
           this
           is
           so
           evident
           to
           those
           who
           can
           make
           the
           enquiry
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           strange
           to
           find
           how
           any
           one
           can
           withstand
           it
           ;
           but
           to
           Barbarians
           who
           know
           nothing
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           who
           have
           no
           way
           of
           informing
           themselves
           concerning
           it
           ,
           all
           this
           can
           signify
           nothing
           ,
           so
           that
           in
           order
           to
           the
           convincing
           of
           their
           understandings
           ,
           for
           I
           do
           not
           treat
           of
           Gods
           secret
           Methods
           in
           touching
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           see
           how
           we
           should
           expect
           that
           they
           should
           yield
           easily
           ,
           unless
           there
           were
           a
           new
           Power
           of
           working
           Miracles
           conferred
           on
           those
           who
           labour
           in
           this
           work
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           from
           this
           digression
           ,
           a
           man
           is
           scarce
           the
           Master
           of
           his
           own
           thoughts
           :
           Habit
           ,
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           other
           things
           do
           so
           concur
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           open
           his
           eyes
           to
           new
           Objects
           ,
           nor
           see
           them
           in
           a
           new
           Light
           ,
           other
           than
           that
           in
           which
           he
           has
           been
           accustomed
           to
           view
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           Man
           can
           no
           more
           change
           his
           notions
           of
           things
           ,
           because
           a
           set
           of
           new
           Opinions
           would
           accommodate
           him
           better
           ,
           than
           he
           can
           change
           the
           relish
           that
           his
           senses
           ,
           his
           ear
           or
           his
           taste
           have
           in
           their
           Objects
           ;
           A
           Man
           may
           prevaricate
           ,
           but
           still
           he
           thinks
           as
           he
           thinks
           ,
           and
           cannot
           think
           otherwise
           because
           he
           would
           have
           himself
           do
           so
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           a
           Man
           is
           not
           the
           Master
           of
           his
           own
           mind
           ,
           much
           less
           is
           any
           other
           Man
           the
           Master
           of
           it
           .
           No
           man
           has
           that
           superiority
           over
           any
           other
           mans
           Reason
           as
           to
           expect
           that
           it
           should
           always
           accommodate
           it self
           to
           his
           ;
           and
           the
           severest
           exercise
           of
           Tyranny
           must
           still
           leave
           the
           
           thoughts
           at
           liberty
           ;
           the
           forcing
           of
           a
           man
           to
           say
           or
           do
           otherwise
           than
           he
           thinks
           ,
           by
           threatnings
           ,
           the
           execution
           of
           which
           is
           above
           his
           force
           to
           endure
           ,
           is
           only
           the
           delivering
           over
           such
           a
           Person
           to
           the
           rack
           of
           his
           own
           Conscience
           here
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           those
           miseries
           hereafter
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           the
           portion
           of
           Hypocrites
           ,
           and
           of
           Dissemblers
           with
           God
           or
           Man.
           
        
         
           Nor
           is
           there
           such
           infallible
           distinction
           in
           one
           mans
           nature
           from
           another
           ,
           that
           the
           one
           is
           more
           likely
           to
           be
           in
           the
           
             right
          
           than
           another
           ;
           since
           therefore
           among
           all
           those
           that
           differ
           ,
           some
           must
           be
           in
           the
           
             wrong
             ,
          
           those
           that
           have
           the
           power
           in
           their
           hands
           may
           possibly
           be
           of
           the
           wrong
           side
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           case
           all
           their
           severity
           is
           turned
           against
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           those
           who
           believe
           it
           .
           And
           since
           God
           makes
           the
           Sun
           to
           shine
           ,
           and
           the
           Rain
           to
           fall
           on
           the
           just
           as
           well
           as
           on
           the
           unjust
           ,
           
             Gideons
          
           reasoning
           may
           be
           applied
           to
           this
           matter
           ,
           
             If
          
           Baal
           
             is
             as
             God
             let
             him
             plead
             for
             himself
             ;
          
           And
           the
           force
           of
           
             Gamaliels
          
           Argument
           that
           ,
           
             If
             it
             is
             of
             men
             it
             will
             come
             to
             nought
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             is
             of
             God
             we
             must
             not
             fight
             against
             him
             ;
          
           As
           it
           silenced
           an
           Assembly
           of
           very
           fierce
           Persecutors
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           full
           as
           strong
           now
           as
           it
           was
           then
           :
           For
           Reason
           is
           Eternal
           ,
           and
           changeth
           not
           .
        
         
           It
           seems
           also
           plain
           that
           those
           Actions
           which
           concern
           humane
           Society
           belong
           indeed
           to
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ;
           but
           that
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           with
           relation
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           such
           actions
           as
           arise
           out
           of
           those
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           others
           have
           no
           interest
           ,
           are
           Gods
           immediate
           Province
           ,
           and
           can
           belong
           to
           no
           other
           Jurisdiction
           ;
           God
           only
           knows
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           as
           he
           alone
           can
           change
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           a
           Magistrate
           by
           encroaching
           upon
           them
           ,
           breaks
           in
           upon
           Gods
           Propriety
           ,
           and
           upon
           that
           Essential
           Right
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           of
           worshipping
           God
           according
           to
           our
           Conviction
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           us
           Antecedent
           to
           all
           Humane
           Government
           ,
           &
           can
           never
           be
           subject
           to
           it
           .
        
         
         
           But
           if
           the
           general
           Theories
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           give
           a
           very
           favourable
           view
           of
           what
           is
           now
           advanced
           ,
           the
           Characters
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           many
           express
           Texts
           that
           are
           in
           it
           should
           determine
           this
           matter
           more
           positively
           .
           The
           Religion
           revealed
           by
           
             Moses
          
           consisted
           in
           Temporal
           promises
           ,
           an
           earthly
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           and
           all
           the
           blessings
           of
           this
           life
           ;
           so
           that
           since
           the
           Jews
           had
           all
           these
           things
           by
           vertue
           of
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           it
           was
           very
           reasonable
           that
           a
           Violation
           of
           that
           Law
           should
           infer
           a
           forfeiture
           of
           all
           those
           Rights
           that
           the
           Jews
           held
           by
           vertue
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           as
           just
           that
           a
           Jew
           should
           have
           been
           put
           to
           death
           for
           the
           Violation
           of
           those
           Laws
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           lawful
           for
           us
           to
           put
           a
           man
           to
           death
           that
           Coins
           or
           Clips
           Money
           .
           Yet
           as
           for
           opinions
           the
           case
           was
           different
           even
           among
           the
           Jews
           ;
           and
           therefore
           though
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           the
           Sadducess
           struck
           at
           the
           Foundations
           of
           all
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Pharisees
           when
           they
           had
           the
           upper-hand
           never
           carried
           the
           matter
           so
           far
           as
           to
           proceed
           to
           extremities
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           what
           severities
           soever
           might
           have
           agreed
           with
           the
           Mosaical
           Dispensation
           ,
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           all
           out
           of
           doors
           under
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           which
           gives
           us
           no
           earthly
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           no
           Temporal
           Blessings
           ,
           nor
           the
           Rules
           for
           Civil
           Society
           .
           But
           having
           found
           the
           world
           in
           the
           Possession
           of
           their
           Temporal
           Rights
           ,
           it
           only
           came
           to
           superadd
           to
           those
           the
           Doctrines
           and
           Rules
           of
           a
           Divine
           Discipline
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           happiness
           or
           miseries
           of
           another
           state
           do
           depend
           .
           Now
           it
           seems
           to
           be
           an
           uncontested
           Rule
           in
           Justice
           ,
           that
           in
           whatsoever
           Society
           one
           is
           engaged
           ,
           the
           Violation
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           that
           Society
           can
           only
           inser
           a
           forfeiture
           of
           all
           that
           one
           had
           or
           might
           have
           expected
           by
           Vertue
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           this
           cannot
           be
           carried
           so
           far
           as
           to
           make
           one
           forfeit
           all
           that
           he
           holds
           by
           Vertue
           of
           any
           other
           Society
           to
           which
           he
           belongs
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           we
           hold
           our
           
           Temporal
           Estates
           and
           Liberties
           not
           by
           vertue
           of
           our
           Christianity
           ,
           but
           as
           we
           are
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           State
           or
           Kingdom
           to
           which
           we
           belong
           ,
           our
           doing
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           only
           contrary
           to
           our
           Religion
           may
           well
           make
           us
           forfeit
           all
           that
           belongs
           to
           us
           by
           vertue
           of
           our
           Baptismal
           Covenant
           ;
           but
           this
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           carried
           so
           far
           as
           to
           cut
           off
           those
           Rights
           that
           we
           have
           Antecedent
           to
           our
           Christianity
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           
             Men
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Subjects
          
           of
           a
           
             Civil
             Government
             .
          
           Our
           Saviour
           confirmed
           all
           this
           by
           saying
           ,
           That
           
             His
             Kingdom
             was
             not
             of
             this
             world
             ,
             That
             he
             came
             not
             to
             destroy
             but
             to
             save
             ;
          
           and
           by
           giving
           this
           Rule
           of
           Justice
           ,
           of
           doing
           to
           others
           that
           which
           we
           would
           have
           others
           do
           to
           us
           ;
           which
           would
           soon
           let
           all
           Persecutors
           see
           how
           differently
           they
           act
           to
           it
           ;
           but
           above
           all
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           has
           made
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           Meekness
           and
           Charity
           such
           main
           Ingredients
           in
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           made
           them
           the
           
             Characters
          
           by
           which
           his
           Disciples
           may
           be
           every
           where
           known
           ;
           and
           this
           Spirit
           of
           Love
           is
           so
           diffused
           through
           the
           whole
           Writings
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           that
           how
           hard
           soever
           it
           may
           be
           to
           understand
           some
           of
           the
           other
           passages
           that
           are
           in
           them
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           ambiguity
           at
           all
           in
           those
           that
           set
           this
           forth
           ;
           we
           are
           not
           only
           restrained
           from
           ruining
           those
           who
           differ
           from
           us
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           required
           to
           love
           them
           ,
           to
           bear
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           deal
           with
           them
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Meekness
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           some
           of
           the
           Epistles
           that
           do
           not
           mention
           several
           of
           the
           Duties
           incumbent
           on
           Christians
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           not
           one
           ,
           how
           short
           soever
           ,
           in
           which
           this
           of
           
             Love
          
           is
           not
           proposed
           in
           terms
           that
           are
           both
           strong
           and
           tender
           ;
           and
           while
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Corinth
          
           was
           almost
           rent
           asunder
           by
           a
           variety
           of
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           different
           Parties
           that
           followed
           the
           several
           Teachers
           that
           had
           been
           among
           them
           ,
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           does
           not
           enter
           much
           into
           the
           grounds
           of
           their
           disputes
           ,
           but
           recommends
           Love
           and
           Charity
           to
           them
           ,
           in
           
           terms
           that
           shew
           how
           much
           he
           himself
           was
           inflamed
           while
           he
           writ
           them
           ;
           and
           he
           is
           carried
           into
           all
           the
           raptures
           of
           a
           Divine
           Eloquence
           that
           so
           transporting
           a
           subject
           could
           inspire
           .
        
         
           St.
           
             Iohn
          
           lived
           so
           long
           as
           to
           see
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           the
           first
           fervor
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           slacken
           ;
           but
           when
           he
           writ
           to
           revive
           that
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Argument
           upon
           which
           he
           dwells
           chiefly
           ,
           is
           ,
           to
           persuade
           all
           to
           love
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           he
           does
           that
           in
           the
           softest
           and
           most
           melting
           language
           that
           can
           be
           imagined
           .
           The
           controversie
           concerning
           the
           Obligation
           that
           lay
           on
           the
           Gentiles
           for
           obeying
           the
           Mosaical
           Law
           was
           judged
           by
           the
           Apostles
           against
           the
           Judaizers
           ,
           and
           the
           Inferences
           that
           depended
           on
           that
           controversie
           were
           such
           ,
           that
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           says
           ,
           they
           went
           so
           far
           as
           to
           make
           void
           the
           
             Death
             of
             Christ
             ;
          
           yet
           the
           same
           Apostle
           is
           gentle
           to
           those
           that
           without
           seeing
           the
           extent
           of
           those
           consequences
           were
           carried
           away
           by
           those
           Judaizers
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           acknowledges
           that
           in
           their
           observing
           them
           from
           a
           good
           motive
           they
           were
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           consisted
           not
           in
           those
           scrupulous
           distinctions
           of
           Meats
           and
           of
           Drinks
           ,
           but
           in
           righteousness
           ,
           peace
           and
           joy
           in
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ;
           so
           he
           adds
           ,
           that
           every
           man
           was
           to
           endeavour
           to
           be
           fully
           persuaded
           in
           his
           own
           mind
           ,
           and
           was
           not
           to
           judge
           his
           Brother
           in
           such
           matters
           ,
           but
           to
           leave
           him
           to
           the
           Judgment
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           This
           way
           of
           managing
           a
           controversie
           that
           was
           of
           such
           importance
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           maintained
           with
           so
           stiff
           an
           opposition
           ,
           even
           to
           that
           extraordinary
           Authority
           that
           was
           lodged
           in
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           the
           measure
           upon
           which
           all
           the
           succeeding
           Ages
           of
           the
           Church
           ought
           to
           have
           formed
           themselves
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           Apostles
           that
           had
           an
           Infallible
           Assistance
           ,
           and
           so
           might
           have
           spoken
           in
           a
           strain
           of
           higher
           Authority
           than
           any
           that
           have
           come
           after
           
           them
           ,
           yet
           thought
           fit
           to
           Treat
           of
           those
           matters
           in
           such
           an
           humble
           and
           softning
           stile
           ;
           those
           who
           cannot
           ▪
           pretend
           to
           such
           a
           direction
           ought
           not
           to
           take
           upon
           them
           to
           dictate
           ,
           and
           to
           threaten
           and
           destroy
           those
           who
           differ
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           Christians
           did
           during
           the
           first
           Ages
           declare
           highly
           against
           all
           Cruelties
           on
           the
           account
           of
           a
           Difference
           of
           Persuasion
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           though
           their
           Interest
           naturally
           led
           them
           to
           this
           ,
           yet
           we
           pass
           a
           very
           hard
           Judgment
           on
           those
           times
           ,
           if
           we
           think
           that
           they
           were
           only
           of
           that
           mind
           because
           the
           Power
           was
           then
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           their
           Enemies
           .
           When
           the
           Empire
           turned
           Christian
           ,
           the
           very
           
             Heathen
             Worship
          
           was
           not
           only
           tolerated
           for
           above
           a
           whole
           Age
           together
           ,
           but
           the
           Heathens
           themselves
           continued
           to
           be
           in
           the
           chief
           Imployments
           of
           the
           Empire
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           pleasant
           to
           see
           how
           the
           Heathens
           that
           had
           so
           long
           persecuted
           the
           Christians
           ,
           and
           that
           had
           contrived
           the
           severest
           of
           all
           
             Persecutions
          
           under
           
             Iulian
             ,
          
           which
           very
           probably
           had
           been
           put
           in
           execution
           if
           he
           had
           returned
           victorious
           from
           the
           
             Persian
          
           Expedition
           ,
           saw
           the
           state
           of
           things
           no
           sooner
           altered
           than
           they
           began
           to
           imploy
           all
           their
           Eloquence
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           Toleration
           ;
           as
           if
           
             Liberty
             of
             Conscience
          
           had
           been
           an
           
             Essential
             Right
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             from
             which
             they
             ought
             never
             to
             be
             cut
             off
             ;
          
           and
           they
           carried
           this-so
           far
           as
           to
           pretend
           ,
           That
           a
           difference
           in
           Religion
           tends
           more
           to
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           an
           Uniformity
           in
           it
           could
           do
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           fancied
           that
           a
           
             Variety
          
           in
           it
           was
           acceptable
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           The
           first
           Severity
           that
           Christians
           practised
           one
           upon
           another
           was
           the
           banishing
           of
           
             Arius
             ,
          
           and
           a
           few
           of
           his
           Followers
           :
           It
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           that
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           the
           utmost
           extent
           of
           Civil
           Authority
           in
           those
           matters
           :
           For
           certainly
           a
           Government
           may
           put
           such
           Persons
           out
           of
           its
           Protection
           that
           are
           Enemies
           to
           its
           Peace
           ,
           and
           so
           
           banish
           them
           upon
           great
           occasions
           ,
           giving
           them
           leave
           to
           sell
           their
           Estates
           ,
           and
           to
           carry
           away
           with
           them
           all
           that
           belongs
           to
           them
           ;
           yet
           this
           being
           all
           that
           any
           Humane
           Government
           can
           claim
           ,
           it
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           applied
           too
           easily
           or
           rashly
           ,
           till
           it
           is
           visible
           that
           all
           other
           means
           are
           ineffectual
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Publick
           Safety
           can
           be
           no
           other
           way
           secured
           :
           But
           though
           this
           Severity
           against
           
             Arius
          
           had
           no
           great
           effects
           ,
           yet
           the
           
             Arians
          
           had
           no
           sooner
           the
           power
           in
           their
           hands
           than
           they
           put
           in
           practice
           first
           all
           the
           contrivances
           of
           Craft
           and
           Fraud
           ,
           together
           with
           many
           less
           crying
           violences
           under
           
             Constance
             ;
          
           and
           they
           carried
           this
           afterwards
           to
           a
           more
           open
           Persecution
           under
           
             Valens
             ;
          
           and
           after
           that
           ,
           both
           in
           
             Spain
          
           and
           
             Africk
             ,
          
           it
           appeared
           that
           a
           cruel
           Spirit
           was
           so
           inherent
           in
           that
           Party
           ,
           that
           it
           shewed
           it self
           as
           often
           as
           they
           had
           power
           ;
           but
           while
           
             Valens
          
           persecuted
           in
           his
           Division
           of
           the
           Empire
           ,
           it
           is
           observed
           ,
           that
           
             Valentinian
          
           his
           Brother
           thought
           it
           was
           enough
           to
           support
           the
           
             Orthodox
          
           without
           persecuting
           the
           other
           .
           
             Gratian
          
           carried
           the
           matter
           further
           ,
           and
           tolerated
           both
           almost
           equally
           .
           And
           in
           the
           happy
           turn
           under
           
             Theodosius
             ,
          
           at
           what
           pains
           was
           St.
           
             Gregory
             Nazianzen
          
           to
           restrain
           the
           
             Orthodox
          
           from
           retaliating
           upon
           the
           
             Arians
          
           the
           ill
           treatment
           that
           they
           had
           suffered
           from
           them
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           the
           
             Novatians
             ,
          
           but
           even
           the
           
             Arians
          
           continued
           to
           have
           their
           Churches
           in
           the
           Imperial
           Cities
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           instance
           of
           imploying
           the
           Secular
           Arm
           against
           
             Hereticks
          
           that
           was
           set
           on
           by
           any
           of
           the
           
             Orthodox
             ,
          
           was
           under
           the
           Reign
           of
           that
           bloudy
           Tyrant
           
             Maximus
             ,
          
           and
           it
           was
           managed
           by
           two
           such
           scandalous
           Bishops
           ,
           that
           their
           ill
           Lives
           is
           no
           small
           Prejudice
           against
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           carried
           on
           by
           such
           Instruments
           .
           This
           was
           condemned
           by
           the
           best
           Bishops
           of
           that
           Age
           ,
           and
           the
           ill
           effects
           of
           that
           Severity
           are
           very
           copiously
           marked
           by
           the
           Historian
           .
           One
           is
           unwilling
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           those
           Ages
           
           to
           reflect
           on
           the
           rigour
           that
           appears
           in
           some
           
             Laws
          
           that
           are
           in
           the
           
             Code
             ,
          
           yet
           the
           mild
           behaviour
           of
           
             Atticus
             ,
             Proclus
             .
          
           and
           some
           other
           Bishops
           ,
           is
           marked
           with
           the
           praises
           that
           were
           due
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           probable
           ,
           that
           those
           Laws
           were
           rather
           made
           to
           terrifie
           ,
           than
           that
           they
           should
           be
           executed
           .
           The
           
             Donatists
             ,
          
           after
           a
           Contest
           of
           above
           120
           years
           continuance
           ,
           that
           was
           managed
           at
           first
           more
           gently
           ,
           grew
           at
           last
           so
           fierce
           and
           intolerable
           ,
           that
           not
           being
           contented
           with
           their
           own
           Churches
           ,
           they
           broke
           in
           upon
           the
           Churches
           of
           those
           of
           the
           
             Unity
             ,
          
           and
           committed
           many
           outrages
           on
           the
           Persons
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           putting
           out
           the
           eyes
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           leaving
           others
           for
           dead
           .
           The
           Bishops
           upon
           that
           consulted
           whether
           they
           ought
           to
           demand
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           Emperors
           Protection
           ,
           but
           the
           Application
           of
           the
           Laws
           made
           against
           
             Hereticks
          
           to
           the
           
             Donatists
             .
          
           St.
           
             Austin
          
           and
           some
           Bishops
           opposed
           this
           for
           some
           time
           ,
           but
           they
           yielded
           at
           last
           ,
           and
           these
           Laws
           were
           so
           severely
           executed
           ,
           that
           not
           only
           the
           
             Donatists
          
           themselves
           complained
           heavily
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           St.
           
             Austin
          
           in
           several
           Letters
           that
           he
           writ
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           upon
           this
           occasion
           made
           the
           same
           complaints
           ;
           He
           interceeded
           very
           earnestly
           for
           the
           
             Donatists
             ,
          
           and
           said
           ,
           
             That
             it
             detracted
             much
             from
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             had
             received
             so
             much
             honour
             from
             the
             sufferings
             of
             the
             Martyrs
             ,
             to
             see
             others
             suffer
             upon
             the
             account
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
          
           and
           he
           told
           them
           plainly
           ,
           
             That
             if
             they
             did
             not
             proceed
          
           more
           moderately
           the
           Bishops
           
             would
          
           suffer
           all
           that
           could
           come
           upon
           
             them
             from
             the
             Rage
             of
             the
          
           Donatists
           ,
           
             rather
             than
             complain
             any
             more
             to
             those
             who
             acted
             so
             rigorously
             .
          
        
         
           Yet
           though
           St.
           
             Austin
          
           condemned
           the
           Excesses
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrates
           in
           some
           particulars
           ,
           he
           set
           himself
           to
           justify
           severity
           in
           General
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           imployed
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           moderate
           
           pleadings
           for
           
             Liberty
          
           that
           are
           to
           be
           found
           either
           in
           
             Tertullian
             ,
             Cyprian
             ,
          
           and
           more
           copiously
           in
           
             Lactantius
             ,
          
           with
           relation
           to
           Heathens
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           reasonings
           that
           are
           to
           be
           found
           in
           
             Athanasius
             ,
             Hillary
             and
             Lucifer
          
           with
           relation
           to
           the
           Persecutions
           of
           the
           
             Arians
             ,
          
           were
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           forgot
           ;
           St.
           
             Austin
          
           had
           a
           heat
           of
           imagination
           that
           was
           very
           copious
           which
           way
           soever
           he
           turned
           it
           ,
           and
           this
           was
           imployed
           chiefly
           in
           Allegorizing
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           bring
           together
           a
           vast
           number
           of
           proofs
           for
           every
           cause
           that
           he
           undertook
           ;
           without
           troubling
           himself
           to
           examine
           critically
           what
           the
           true
           meaning
           of
           those
           Passages
           might
           be
           :
           and
           he
           is
           so
           apt
           to
           run
           out
           in
           all
           his
           Reasonings
           into
           excessive
           Amplifications
           ,
           and
           into
           all
           the
           Figures
           of
           copious
           and
           uncorrect
           Eloquence
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           no
           wonder
           to
           find
           that
           Passage
           of
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           Parable
           ,
           
             Compel
             them
             to
             enter
             in
             ,
          
           with
           some
           other
           Places
           misapplied
           on
           this
           occasion
           .
        
         
           With
           that
           Father
           the
           Learning
           of
           the
           
             Western
             Church
          
           fell
           very
           low
           ,
           so
           that
           his
           works
           came
           to
           be
           more
           read
           in
           the
           succeeding
           Ages
           than
           the
           Writings
           of
           all
           the
           other
           Fathers
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           ,
           as
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           Men
           that
           knew
           not
           how
           to
           reason
           themselves
           ,
           contented
           themselves
           with
           that
           lazy
           and
           cheap
           way
           of
           copying
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           of
           depending
           on
           his
           Authority
           .
        
         
           The
           Incursion
           of
           the
           
             Northern
          
           Nations
           that
           overthrew
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Empire
           ,
           and
           those
           Polishings
           of
           Learning
           and
           Civility
           that
           fell
           with
           it
           ,
           brought
           on
           a
           night
           of
           Ignorance
           that
           can
           scarce
           be
           apprehended
           ,
           by
           those
           who
           have
           not
           read
           the
           writings
           of
           the
           following
           Ages
           ;
           Superstition
           grew
           upon
           the
           ruins
           of
           Learning
           ,
           and
           eat
           up
           all
           .
           The
           fierce
           Tempers
           of
           the
           
             Northern
          
           People
           being
           mufled
           up
           in
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           wrought
           on
           by
           Superstition
           ,
           were
           easily
           leavened
           with
           Cruelty
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           Heresy
           came
           to
           be
           reckoned
           the
           greatest
           of
           all
           Crimes
           ;
           and
           as
           
           it
           condemned
           Men
           to
           everlasting
           burnings
           ,
           so
           it
           was
           thought
           that
           those
           might
           be
           well
           anticipated
           by
           Temporary
           ones
           of
           their
           kindling
           .
           Zeal
           against
           Heresy
           was
           extol'd
           as
           the
           highest
           act
           of
           Piety
           toward
           God
           ;
           and
           since
           Heresy
           is
           reckoned
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           among
           
             the
             Works
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           it
           seemed
           as
           just
           to
           punish
           it
           in
           the
           severest
           manner
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           to
           punish
           any
           other
           
             Works
             of
             the
             flesh
             ;
          
           and
           since
           all
           Hereticks
           were
           looked
           on
           as
           Persons
           damned
           ,
           all
           tenderness
           toward
           them
           ,
           and
           pity
           for
           them
           ,
           was
           as
           far
           extinguished
           as
           was
           possible
           .
           For
           a
           false
           Religion
           will
           not
           easily
           have
           the
           better
           of
           good
           nature
           so
           entirely
           as
           to
           root
           it
           quite
           out
           ;
           All
           the
           room
           that
           was
           left
           for
           good
           nature
           ,
           was
           the
           favourable
           Definition
           that
           was
           given
           of
           
             Heresy
             ;
          
           by
           which
           
             Obstinacy
          
           was
           made
           its
           peculiar
           Character
           that
           distinguished
           it
           from
           
             Error
             ,
          
           which
           lies
           in
           a
           more
           innocent
           mistake
           in
           Divine
           matters
           .
           And
           as
           many
           have
           explained
           this
           
             Obstinacy
             ,
          
           it
           amounts
           to
           a
           continuing
           in
           
             Error
          
           after
           one
           is
           convinced
           of
           it
           .
           This
           notion
           of
           
             Heresie
             ,
          
           which
           has
           been
           received
           by
           many
           of
           the
           Greatest
           of
           Men
           ,
           even
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           it self
           ,
           seems
           to
           agree
           well
           with
           that
           of
           St.
           
           Paul's
           ranking
           
             Heresie
          
           among
           
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ;
          
           For
           if
           it
           is
           meerly
           a
           mistake
           in
           the
           Judgment
           in
           which
           one
           continues
           because
           he
           cannot
           overcome
           his
           Persuasion
           ,
           nor
           see
           Reasons
           strong
           enough
           to
           oblige
           him
           to
           change
           his
           mind
           ,
           such
           an
           adhering
           to
           
             Error
          
           may
           be
           called
           any
           thing
           rather
           than
           a
           
             work
             of
             the
             Flesh.
          
           But
           if
           a
           Man
           from
           a
           Principle
           of
           Interest
           ,
           Pride
           ,
           or
           Discontent
           ,
           either
           throws
           himself
           into
           ill
           Opinions
           ,
           or
           continues
           in
           them
           after
           his
           mind
           is
           better
           inlightned
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           stifles
           and
           denies
           that
           inward
           Conviction
           ;
           then
           the
           Reason
           is
           very
           plain
           why
           such
           an
           ill
           Temper
           of
           Mind
           should
           be
           reckon'd
           a
           
             work
             of
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           because
           it
           plainly
           arises
           out
           of
           a
           depraved
           nature
           .
        
         
         
           I
           will
           not
           here
           enter
           into
           so
           troublesom
           an
           Enquiry
           as
           it
           would
           be
           to
           examine
           how
           far
           an
           Erroneous
           Conscience
           acquits
           one
           before
           God
           ;
           for
           that
           must
           be
           left
           to
           Him
           who
           will
           judge
           every
           man
           according
           to
           his
           works
           ,
           and
           who
           best
           knows
           how
           far
           he
           will
           accept
           of
           a
           general
           Repentance
           of
           unknown
           sins
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           general
           Act
           of
           Faith.
           even
           of
           Truths
           that
           are
           yet
           unknown
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           the
           Judgments
           of
           Men
           ,
           certainly
           when
           the
           other
           parts
           of
           ones
           Life
           make
           it
           clear
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           a
           Judgment
           of
           Charity
           ,
           but
           even
           to
           that
           of
           Discretion
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           sincere
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           means
           well
           ,
           it
           is
           hard
           to
           know
           when
           he
           is
           
             Obstinate
             ,
          
           and
           when
           his
           
             Errors
          
           become
           
             Heresies
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           
             works
             of
             the
             Flesh.
             
          
        
         
           So
           far
           have
           I
           been
           led
           upon
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Persecution
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           only
           warranted
           by
           Custom
           ,
           and
           a
           long
           continued
           Practice
           ,
           but
           by
           Laws
           ,
           Councils
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           I
           am
           carried
           next
           into
           a
           Scene
           of
           Thoughts
           that
           are
           more
           particularly
           suited
           to
           the
           
             Doctrines
          
           of
           the
           
             Reformed
             Churches
             ;
          
           and
           here
           it
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           that
           Persecution
           is
           a
           more
           justifiable
           thing
           according
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           than
           it
           is
           according
           to
           our
           Tenets
           ;
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
          
           that
           pretends
           to
           be
           Infallible
           ,
           has
           a
           better
           Right
           to
           demand
           a
           blind
           submission
           from
           all
           its
           subjects
           ,
           and
           to
           treat
           those
           roughly
           who
           refuse
           to
           grant
           it
           ,
           than
           a
           Church
           that
           pretends
           to
           nothing
           but
           a
           
             Power
             of
             Order
             and
             Government
             ;
          
           and
           that
           confesses
           ,
           she
           may
           be
           mistaken
           .
           
             Our
             being
             subject
             to
             Error
          
           is
           unreasonably
           urged
           ,
           when
           men
           would
           carry
           it
           so
           far
           as
           to
           make
           us
           doubt
           of
           all
           things
           ;
           yet
           it
           ought
           at
           least
           to
           have
           this
           effect
           on
           us
           as
           to
           keep
           us
           from
           being
           too
           ready
           to
           judge
           hardly
           of
           those
           who
           are
           of
           another
           mind
           ,
           or
           to
           use
           them
           roughly
           for
           it
           ;
           since
           it
           is
           possible
           that
           they
           may
           be
           in
           the
           right
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           may
           be
           mistaken
           ;
           at
           least
           they
           may
           have
           very
           probable
           Reasons
           for
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           which
           if
           they
           do
           not
           quite
           justifie
           their
           mistakes
           ,
           yet
           do
           very
           much
           excuse
           and
           lessen
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           likewise
           visible
           ,
           that
           all
           severe
           Proceedings
           upon
           the
           diversity
           of
           Opinions
           how
           effectual
           soever
           they
           may
           be
           on
           base-minded
           men
           ,
           who
           will
           always
           make
           
             Shipwrack
             of
             a
             good
             Conscience
          
           when
           it
           comes
           in
           competition
           with
           the
           
             Love
             of
             this
             present
             World
             ,
          
           yet
           work
           quite
           contrariwise
           on
           Men
           of
           awakened
           Understandings
           and
           generous
           Souls
           ;
           instead
           of
           gaining
           on
           such
           Persons
           ,
           these
           inspire
           them
           with
           horror
           at
           a
           sort
           of
           men
           who
           go
           about
           to
           ruin
           companies
           of
           people
           that
           never
           did
           them
           hurt
           .
           It
           is
           from
           this
           that
           those
           violent
           hatreds
           arise
           among
           men
           of
           different
           Persuasions
           .
           Every
           man
           is
           not
           capable
           to
           understand
           an
           Argument
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           much
           disturbed
           at
           it
           ;
           and
           though
           
             Divines
          
           that
           carry
           their
           Speculations
           farther
           into
           the
           consequences
           of
           Opinions
           ,
           whether
           real
           or
           imaginary
           ,
           grow
           hot
           and
           
           angry
           at
           one
           another
           upon
           those
           heads
           ,
           yet
           the
           people
           understand
           them
           little
           ,
           &
           feel
           them
           less
           ;
           but
           every
           man
           feels
           an
           injury
           ,
           &
           Nature
           makes
           her
           inferences
           very
           quick
           upon
           it
           ,
           &
           concludes
           that
           
             Those
             who
             use
             us
             ill
             hate
             us
             ;
          
           &
           there
           must
           be
           a
           great
           degree
           of
           Regeneration
           to
           keep
           men
           from
           hating
           those
           that
           hate
           them
           .
           Upon
           this
           arises
           all
           the
           animosity
           that
           is
           among
           the
           several
           Parties
           ;
           for
           every
           one
           reckoning
           himself
           a
           Member
           of
           that
           Body
           to
           which
           he
           associates
           himself
           ,
           thinks
           that
           he
           is
           obliged
           to
           resent
           all
           the
           injuries
           that
           are
           done
           to
           his
           Fellow-members
           as
           much
           as
           if
           they
           were
           done
           to
           himself
           in
           particular
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           same
           Natural
           Logick
           he
           casts
           the
           guilt
           of
           the
           wrongs
           done
           his
           own
           Party
           ,
           not
           only
           on
           those
           individuals
           of
           the
           other
           Party
           from
           whom
           they
           did
           more
           immediately
           arise
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           so
           here
           is
           a
           War
           kindled
           in
           Mens
           Breasts
           ;
           and
           when
           that
           is
           once
           formed
           within
           ,
           it
           will
           find
           some
           unhappy
           occasion
           or
           other
           to
           give
           it self
           a
           vent
           .
           Those
           who
           are
           ill
           used
           ▪
           are
           in
           a
           State
           like
           that
           of
           a
           Mass
           of
           Humors
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           which
           ●●●ul
           about
           less
           perceived
           till
           some
           unlucky
           accident
           has
           weakened
           any
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           will
           all
           discharge
           themselves
           on
           the
           part
           that
           suffers
           .
           Men
           that
           are
           uneasie
           naturally
           love
           changes
           ;
           for
           these
           are
           like
           the
           shifting
           of
           postures
           ,
           that
           give
           some
           present
           ease
           ,
           and
           they
           flatter
           the
           Patient
           with
           the
           hope
           of
           more
           to
           follow
           .
        
         
           Persecution
           is
           not
           only
           hurtful
           to
           those
           that
           suffer
           many
           hard
           things
           by
           it
           ,
           but
           is
           likewise
           mischievous
           to
           them
           by
           the
           Aversion
           that
           it
           inspires
           in
           them
           to
           those
           at
           whose
           hands
           they
           suffer
           ,
           by
           the
           ill
           habit
           of
           Mind
           into
           which
           it
           throws
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           those
           violent
           Projects
           and
           Convulsions
           which
           do
           very
           naturally
           come
           into
           the
           Heads
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           as
           they
           feel
           much
           ,
           so
           they
           fear
           yet
           more
           .
        
         
           Those
           that
           do
           Persecute
           ,
           though
           they
           seem
           to
           triumph
           a
           while
           with
           the
           spoils
           of
           their
           Enemies
           ;
           yet
           will
           soon
           feel
           how
           this
           sinks
           their
           credit
           extreamly
           among
           those
           that
           were
           more
           indifferent
           Spectators
           ,
           while
           the
           debate
           was
           managed
           with
           the
           Pen
           or
           Tongue
           ;
           but
           they
           will
           certainly
           take
           part
           at
           least
           in
           their
           Compassions
           with
           the
           Miserable
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           disposed
           to
           think
           ill
           not
           only
           of
           those
           men
           that
           are
           heavy
           upon
           their
           harmless
           Neighbours
           ,
           but
           even
           the
           cause
           it self
           ,
           that
           is
           supported
           by
           such
           methods
           .
        
         
           The
           Multitude
           even
           of
           the
           lowest
           Order
           of
           Men
           has
           a
           Remnant
           of
           good
           Nature
           left
           ,
           which
           shews
           it self
           in
           the
           sad
           looks
           that
           all
           put
           on
           at
           the
           Execution
           even
           of
           Malefactors
           :
           But
           if
           a
           false
           Religion
           has
           not
           quite
           extinguished
           Humanity
           in
           its
           Votaries
           ,
           this
           will
           make
           a
           more
           sensible
           Impression
           ,
           when
           men
           that
           have
           done
           nothing
           amiss
           ,
           and
           are
           only
           in
           fault
           because
           they
           cannot
           help
           thinking
           as
           they
           do
           ,
           are
           made
           Sacrifices
           to
           the
           rage
           of
           others
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           have
           little
           more
           to
           say
           for
           themselves
           but
           that
           they
           are
           in
           possession
           
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           which
           in
           the
           next
           Revolution
           of
           Affairs
           that
           may
           fall
           out
           will
           be
           an
           Argument
           so
           much
           the
           stronger
           for
           using
           themselves
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           a
           just
           retaliation
           on
           them
           for
           that
           which
           they
           made
           others
           to
           suffer
           .
        
         
           In
           short
           ,
           Persecution
           does
           extreamly
           vitiate
           the
           Morals
           of
           the
           Party
           that
           manages
           it
           ;
           the
           worst
           men
           ,
           so
           they
           are
           furious
           and
           violent
           ,
           are
           not
           only
           connived
           at
           ,
           but
           are
           even
           courted
           ,
           and
           men
           otherwise
           of
           severer
           Morals
           will
           insensibly
           slacken
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           engagements
           with
           vitious
           men
           ,
           whom
           they
           will
           find
           themselves
           forced
           to
           cherish
           and
           imploy
           ;
           and
           if
           those
           who
           have
           Persecuted
           others
           fall
           under
           a
           reverse
           〈◊〉
           Fortune
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           suffer
           themselves
           a
           little
           of
           that
           which
           they
           made
           others
           feel
           ,
           as
           their
           ill
           behaviour
           ,
           will
           deprive
           them
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           of
           those
           Compassions
           that
           would
           otherwise
           work
           towards
           them
           ,
           so
           it
           will
           raise
           within
           them
           many
           uneasie
           reflections
           upon
           their
           own
           Actings
           ,
           which
           will
           prove
           but
           Melancholy
           Companions
           to
           them
           in
           their
           Afflictions
           ;
           and
           these
           will
           force
           them
           to
           conclude
           ,
           that
           because
           they
           shewed
           no
           mercy
           therefore
           they
           now
           meet
           with
           the
           requital
           of
           Judgment
           without
           mercy
           ;
           which
           how
           unjust
           soever
           it
           may
           be
           in
           those
           by
           whom
           they
           suffer
           ,
           yet
           they
           will
           find
           it
           meet
           to
           look
           up
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           confess
           that
           just
           and
           righteous
           are
           all
           his
           ways
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           returning
           the
           Severities
           we
           have
           suffered
           at
           the
           hands
           of
           any
           ,
           is
           a
           Practice
           so
           contrary
           to
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           that
           I
           do
           not
           stick
           to
           say
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           rather
           see
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           fall
           under
           a
           very
           severe
           Persecution
           ,
           than
           fall
           to
           Persecute
           others
           ▪
           when
           it
           should
           come
           to
           its
           turn
           to
           be
           able
           to
           do
           it
           .
           The
           former
           will
           〈◊〉
           serve
           to
           unite
           us
           among
           our selves
           ,
           and
           to
           purge
           us
           from
           our
           Dross
           ,
           and
           in
           particular
           ,
           from
           any
           of
           the
           Leaven
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Persecution
           that
           we
           have
           not
           yet
           quite
           thrown
           out
           ;
           but
           the
           other
           would
           very
           much
           slain
           the
           purest
           and
           best
           constituted
           Church
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           it
           would
           be
           too
           near
           an
           approach
           to
           that
           cruelty
           which
           we
           cannot
           enough
           detest
           ;
           but
           how
           much
           soever
           we
           may
           hate
           their
           corruption
           ▪
           we
           must
           still
           remember
           that
           they
           are
           Men
           and
           Christians
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           of
           a
           course
           grain
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           our selves
           are
           Reformed
           Christians
           ,
           who
           in
           Imitation
           of
           our
           Blessed
           Master
           must
           
             not
             render
             evil
             for
             evil
             ,
             but
             overcome
             evil
             with
             good
             .
          
        
         
           
             G.
             B.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .