A SERMON On Acts xxviij. 22. Shewing, That the CHRISTIAN RELIGION Is not a SECT, And yet that it is Every where Spoken against.

By MATTHEW HENRY, Minister of the Gospel.

LONDON: Printed for, and Sold by, Thomas Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns, in Cheapside, MDCXCIX.

Christianity no Sect to be spoken against.

ACTS 28.22.

—For as concerning this Sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

WOULD you think that such a spite­ful scornful Word as this should ever be said of the Christian Religion? That pure Religion and undefiled, Jam. 1.27. which came into the World supported by the strongest Evidences of Truth, and recommended by the most endearing Allurements of Grace and Goodness: The sayings whereof are so faithful, 1 Tim. 1.15. and so well worthy of all acceptation: That Sa­cred Institution which scatters the brightest Rays of Divine Light and Love that ever were darted from Heaven to Earth: That's it which is here so invidiously call'd a Sect, and is said to be every where spoken against.

It will be worth while to observe,

1. Who they were that said this, they were [Page 2] the chief of the Jews that were at Rome, ver. 17. The Jews were look'd upon (at least they look'd upon themselves) as a very knowing People; The Jews at Rome; a place of Learning and En­quiry, thought themselves more knowing than the other Jews; St. Paul in his Epistle to the Ro­mans, chap. 17.2.—20. takes notice of it: Thou art called a Jew, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his Will, —and art confident that thou thy self art a Guide of the Blind, a Light of them which are in Darkness, &c. And we have reason to suppose that the Chief of the Jews there who had the greatest Advantages of Education and Correspondence, were the most intelligent: It might also be justly expected that upon the first notices of the Gospel, the Jews should have been of all People most ready to acquaint themselves with a Religion which was so much the Honour and Perfection of their own: And yet it seems, the Jews, the chief of the Jews at Rome knew no more of Christianity but this, that it was a Sect every where spoken against. This we know, (said they) and it was all they knew concerning it.

1 Thes. 2.15, 16.The Jews were of all other the most bitter and inveterate Enemies to the Christians; while the Roman Emperors tolerated them, (as they did till Nero's time Tertul­lian confi­dently as­serts Pri­mum Ne­ronem in hanc Sec­tam tum maxime Romae o­rientem, Caesariano gladio terocisse. Apol. cap. 5) the Jews with an unwearied Malice persecuted them from City to City, and were the first Wheel in most of the Opposition that the Gospel met with, when it was first Preached: Now one would think they would not have been so vigorous and industri­ous to suppress Christianity if they had not very well acquainted themselves with it, and known it to deserve such opposition; But it seems by this, they knew little or nothing of the Religion [Page 3] they so much maligned, had never search'd into the Merits of its Cause, nor weigh'd the Proofs of its Divine Authority, but against all Law and Reason condemn'd it ( [...], Inquisi­tione & ag­nitione neglecta Nomen de­tinetur No­men expug­natur — Vox sola praedamnat Tert. Ap. c. 3. as Justin Martyr complains) purely upon common Fame, and follow the cry to run it down, because it was every where spoken against.

2. Upon what occasion they said this. They were now appointing a time to discourse with St. Paul upon the grand Question in debate, whe­ther Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah or no. And they seem'd willing to hear what that great Man had to say in defence of the Religion he preach'd, We desire (say they) to hear of thee what thou thinkest, — Now one would expect that so good a Cause, managed by such a skilful Advocate, would not but carry the day, and be Victorious, and that they would all have been brought over to the belief of Christianity; But we find v. 24. that it prov'd otherwise; after all, there were those that believed not, and the Text intimates the reason of their Infidelity, they came to hear the word under a Prejudice; They had already imbib'd an ill opinion of the way, which right or wrong they resolved to hold fast; And tho' some of them by the help of Divine Grace got over this stumbling Block, Acts 17.11. that like the Bereans were more Noble than the rest, and of freer thought: yet many of them continued under the power of those Prejudices, and were seal'd up under Unbelief, v. 26.27. Thus is the Power of the Word in many, baffled by the Power of Prejudice. They do not believe, because they are resolved they will not: John 1.46. They conclude that no good thing can come out of Nazareth, and will not be perswaded to come and [Page 4] see: Prov. 18.13. John 7.51. Thus do they prejudge the Cause, answering the matter before they hear it, and it will prove folly and shame to them.

Now in the Account they here give of their Knowledge of the Christian Religion, we may observe,

  • 1. That they look'd upon it to be a Sect, and we'll prove that to be false.
  • 2. —A Sect every where spoken against, and we will grant that to be true, that it is general­ly spoken against, tho' 'tis most unreasonable and unjust it should be so.

First, The Christian Religion is here called (but miscalled) a Sect, [...], Electio op­tio, An O­pinion not forced up­on us by the Evi­dences of Truth, but chosen by us with some for­reign De­sign. [...], a Heresy. After the way which they call Heresy, (saith St. Paul, Acts 24.14.) so worship I the God of my Fathers, —The Sect of the Nazarenes, so Tertullus calls it in his opening of the Indictment against Paul, Acts 24.5. it's call'd this way, Acts 9.2. and that way, Acts 19.9. as if it were a By-path out of the common Road. The Practice of serious Godliness is still look'd upon by many as a Sect that is a Party-business, and a piece of affected singularity in Opinion and Practice tending to promote some carnal Design, by creating and supporting invidious Distinctions among Men. This is the proper notion of a Sect, and there­fore the Masters and Maintainers of Sects are justly in an ill Name, as Enemies to the great Corporation of Mankind; but there is not the least colour of Reason to put this invidious and scandalous Character upon the Christian Religi­on. However, it may be mistaken and misre­presented, it is very far from being really a Sect. There were Sects of Religion among the [Page 5] Jews; we read of the Sect of the Sadducees, Acts 5.17. which was built upon peculiar notions, such as overturn'd the foundation of Natural Religion, by denying a future state of Rewards and Punishments: There was also the Sect of the Pharisees, Acts 15.5. the straitest Sect of their Religion, Acts 26.5. which was founded in the observance and imposition of singular Rites and Customs, with an affected separation from, and contempt of all Mankind: These were Sects: But there is nothing of the Spirit and Genius of these in the Christian Religion, as it was in­stituted by its great Author.

1. True Christianity establisheth that which is of common concernment to all Mankind, and therefore is not a Sect. The Truths and Precepts of the everlasting Gospel are perfective of and no way repugnant to the Light and Law of Na­tural Religion. Is that a Sect which gives such mighty Encouragements and Assistances to those that in every Nation fear God and work Righteous­ness? Acts 10.34. Is that a Sect which tends to nothing else but to reduce the revolted Race of Mankind to their Ancient Allegiance to the great Creator, and to renew that Image of God upon Man which was his Primitive Rectitude and Fe­licity? Is that a Sect which proclaims God in Christ reconciling the World unto himself, 2 Cor. 5.19. and re­covering it from that degenerate and deplora­ble State into which it was sunk? Is that a Sect which publisheth Good-will towards Men, Luke 2.14. Joh. 1.29.3.16. 1 John 2.2. and Christ the Lamb of God taking away the Sins of the World? Surely that which concurs so much with the uncorrupted and unprejudiced Sentiments, and conduceth much more to the true and real Happiness of all Mankind cannot be thought to [Page 6] take its rise from such narrow Opinions, and pri­vate Interests, as Sects ow their Original to.

2. True Christianity hath a direct tendency to the Ʋniting of the Children of Men, and the ga­thering of them together in one, and therefore is far from being a Sect, Secta dici­tur à Se­cando. which is suppos'd to lead to Division, and to sow Discord among Breth­ren. The Preaching of the Gospel did indeed prove the occasion of Contention. Our Saviour foresaw and foretold it would be so, Luke 12.51, 52, 53. that his Disciples and Followers would be Men of strife, in the same sense that the Prophet was, Jer. 15.10. not Men striving, but Men striven with; but the Gospel was by no means the Cause of this Contention, for it was intended to be the Cure of all Contention. If there be any who under the Cloak and Colour of the Christian Name cause Divisions, and pro­pagate Feuds and Quarrels among Men, let them bear their own Burthen; but it is certain that the Christian Religion as far as it obtains its just Pow­er and Influence upon the minds of Men will make them Meek and Quiet, Humble and Peace­able, Loving and Useful, Condescending and Forgiving, and every way Easy, and Accepta­ble and Profitable one to another. Is that a Sect which was introduced with a Proclamation of Peace on Earth? That which beats Swords in­to Plow-shares, and Spears into Pruning-hooks? Or, was he the Author of a Sect who is the Great Creator of Ʋnity, and who Died to break down partition Walls, Eph. 2.14, 15, 16. John 11.52. and to slay all Enmities, that he might gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad? Was he the Author of a Sect who came into the World not to destroy Mens Lives, Luk, 9.56. but to save them, and who taught [Page 7] his Followers not only to love one another, but to love their Enemies, and to count every one their Neighbour, Luke 10.36, 37. that they could be any way ser­viceable to?

3. True Christianity aims at no Worldly. Be­nefit or Advantage, and therefore must by he means be call'd a Sect. Those that espouse a Sect are suppos'd to be govern'd in it by their secular Interest, and to aim at Wealth, or Ho­nour, or the gratification of some base Lust: The Pharisees proved themselves, to be a Sect by their Thirst after the praise of Men, and their greedy devouring of Widows Houses: But the Pro­fessors of Christianity have not only been taught by the Law of their Religion, to live above this World, and to look upon it with a Holy Con­tempt, but have been expos'd by their Profession to the Loss and Ruine of all their secular Com­forts and Enjoyments. Are those to be accoun­ted politick and designing Sectaries that have for Christ chearfully suffered the loss of all things? Phil. 2.8. Is that a Sect which instead of prefering a Man to Honour, or raising him an Estate, lays him open to Disgrace and Poverty, renders him obnoxi­ous to Fines and Forfeitures, Banishments and Imprisonments, Racks and Tortures, Flames and Gibbets, which were the common Lot of the Primitive Christians? Caesar Vaninus a sworn Enemy to the Christian Religion, and one who was industrious in searching out Objections a­gainst it, own'd he could find nothing in it that savour'd of a Carnal and Worldly Design; No, it hath always approv'd it self a Heavenly Cal­ling, Heb. 3.1. and the strictest Professors of it (even their Enemies themselves being Judges) have had their Conversation in the World in Simplicity, 2 Cor. 1.12. and Godly [Page 8] Sincerity, not with Fleshly Wisdom: Very unjust­ly therefore it is called a Sect.

As to this therefore, suffer a Word of Cauti­on and Exhortation.

1. Let us take heed lest our Profession of Re­ligion degenerate into any thing which may make it look like a Sect. Christianity as it was in­stituted by Christ is not a Sect, let not Christi­ans then be Sectaries. We make our Profession of Religion a Sect when we monopolize the Church and its Ministry and Sacraments, and spend that zeal in matters of doubtful Disputation which should be reserved for the weightier matters of the Law. When we place our Religion in Meats and Drinks, Rom. 14.17, 18. which should be placed in Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost. When we profess Religion with a Con­ceit of our selves, and a Contempt of others, and with any Worldly secular Design; when we sa­crifice the common Interests of Christ's King­dom to the particular Interests of a Party, and in a word, when our Profession is tainted with the Leaven of the Pharisees, Luke 12.1. which is both sowring and swelling, then it degenerates into a Sect. Let us therefore adhere to the sure and large Founda­tions, and be acted by a Principle of Love to, and so maintain Communion with all that in every place, 1 Cor. 1.2 and under every Denomination, call on the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Let us be Modest in our Opinions, Cha­ritable and Candid in our Censures, Self-deny­ing in all our Converse, Acting always under the Influence of that Wisdom that is from above, which is first Pure, Jam. 3.17. then Peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of Mercy and good Fruits, with­out Partiality and Hypocrisy, that by this well-do­ing [Page 9] we may put to silence the Ignorance of those who call Religion a Sect. 1 Pet. 2.15.

2. Let us not be deterr'd from serious God­liness, or any of the Instances of it, by the invi­dious Name of a Sect, which is put upon it. If a strict and sober and circumspect Conversation, a conscientious Government of our Tongue, Pray­ing and singing Psalms in our Families, a religi­ous Observation of the Lord's Day, a diligent Attendance upon the Means of Grace, joyning in religious Societies for Prayer and Christian Con­ference, and endeavouring in our places the Sup­pression of Profaness and Immorality, if these and the like be call'd and counted the Marks and Bad­ges of a Sect, let us not be moved at it, but say as David did, 2 Sam. 6.22. If this be to be vile, I will be yet more vile. If the Practice of Piety be branded as a Sect, it is better for us to come under the reproaches of Men for following it, than under the Curse of God for neglecting it. It is a very small thing to be judged of Man's Day, but he that judgeth us is the Lord: 1 Cor. 4.3, 4. Let us there­fore be more afraid of being Sectaries, than of be­ing call'd so.

Secondly, The Christian Religion is here said to be every where spoken against. That it was spoken against was evident enough, but that it was every where spoken against, was more than they could be sure of: They did not know all Places, nor had they correspondence with, or intelli­gence from every Country; but we must not wonder if those that oppose the Truth as it is in Jesus, make no conscience of transgressing the Laws of Truth in common Conversation. But we will suppose that the Acquaintance and Con­verse [Page 10] of those Jews at Rome lay mostly with those that were Enemies to Christianity, and spoke against it, and they therefore concluded it every where spoken against because they found it spoken against in all places that they came to, or had advice from. Thus apt are we to em­brace that as a general Sentiment and Observati­on which we find received by those that we usu­ally associate with, and so we run our selves in­to mistakes, which larger and more impartial Enquiries would soon rectify.

But we will take it for granted, however, that what they said was true, not because they said it, but because the experience of all Ages doth con­firm it, and concur with it: So that a little Ac­quaintance with Books and the World will prove the Observation which we ground upon this Text;

Doct.
That it is, and always hath been, the Lot of Christ's Holy Religion, to be every where spo­ken against. Or thus:
That true Christianity hath all along met with a great deal of Opposition and Contradiction in this World.

I purpose not to enter into a particular Dis­quisition of that which has been, and is spoken against Religion, nor do I undertake at present to shew how false and unreasonable it is, That hath been done many a time by the best Hands, and so effectually that every impartial eye must needs look upon the cause of the Adversaries of Religion to be a baffled Cause: But I shall only make some improvement of this general Observa­tion, which cannot be unseasonable in an Age wherein the Gates of Hell seem to be making their utmost efforts against the Church; and the Devil, as the Calumniator and False Ac­cuser [Page 11] to be more wroth than ever with the Wo­man the Church, Rev. 12.17, and to push on the War with an unusual vigor against the remnant of her Seed, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

I shall therefore (1.) enquire what it is in Chri­stianity that is spoken against. And (2.) shew you why so Holy and Excellent a Religion is spoken against, and then draw some Inferences from this Observation.

For the first, Who and What it is that is spo­ken against.

1. Jesus Christ, the Author of our Religion, is every where spoken against. When the First-be­gotten was brought into the World, old Sime­on, among other great things, pronounced this concerning him, that he was a sign which should be spoken against, and by that means was set for the fall of many, Luke 2.34. when he was here upon Earth he was spoken against. The Stone, Psal. 118.22. which was design'd to be the Head of the Corner, was rejected, and set at naught by the Builders. It was not the least of his Sufferings in the days of his flesh, that he endured the contradiction of Sinners against himself, Heb. 12.3. They spoke against his Person as mean and contemptible, Isa. 53.2, 3. and one that had no form, nor comliness: They spoke against his Preaching as false and deceiving, John 7.12. as factious and seditious, Luke 23.2. as senseless and ridiculous, for the Pharisees derided him for it, Luke 16.14. They spake against his Mi­racles as done in Confederacy with Belzebub the Prince of the Devils, Mat. 12.24. They spoke a­gainst his Morals, charging him with Blasphemy against God, Profanation of the Sabbath-day; and all the instances of Debauchery which were [Page 12] usually met with in a Gluttonous Man, a Wine­bibber, and a Friend of Publicans and Sinners, Mat. 11.19. They spoke against his Followers as a company of ignorant despicable People, John 7.48.49. When he was in his Sufferings, pass through all the steps and stages of them, and you will find him every where spoken against, They reproched him in all his Offices, In his Office of Teaching, when they challenged him to tell who smote him: In his Office of Saving, when they chal­lenged him to save himself as he had saved others. In his Office of Ruling, when they challenged him to prove himself the King of the Jews by coming down from the Cross. The common People spoke a­gainst him, Mat, 27.39. even they that passed by reviled him. The Pharisees & chief Priests, the Grandees of the Church were as severe as any in their Reflections upon him, Luke 23.11. [...]. Princes also did sit and spake against him, Herod and his Men of War set him at nought, made nothing of him that made all things.

Nay, even now he is set down at the right-hand of the Majesty on high, Eph. 1.20.21. far above all Prin­cipalities and Powers, i. e. both good and evil Angels, so as to be no more hurt by the contra­dictions of the one, than he is benefitted by the Adorations of the other, yet still he is spoken a­gainst. Besides the Contempt cast upon him by the Jews and Mahometans, are there not with us, even with us, those that daringly speak against him? Arians and Socinians are daily speaking against him as a meer Man, thinking that a Rob­bery in him, Phil. 2.6. which He thought none, to be equal with God; Quakers and Enthusiasts speak against Him as a meer Name, setting up I know not what Christ within them, while they ex­plode that Jesus that was Crucified at Jerusalem. [Page 13] Atheists and Deists speak against Him as a meer Cheat, accounting the Religion he established a great Imposture, and His Gospel a Jest. Pro­fane and Ignorant People speak slightly of Him, as if our Beloved were no more than another Be­loved; and some speak scornfully of Him, Cant. 5.9. as Julian the Apostate did, that call'd Him in dis­dain the Galilean, and the Carpenter's Son. Such as these are the hard speeches, Jude 15. which ungodly Sin­ners have spoken against Him, the Lord rebuke them, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke them.

2. God himself the great Object of our Religi­ous Regards, is every where spoken against. It is not only the Christian Revelation that is thus at­tack'd by virulent and blasphemous Tongues, but even Natural Religion also. The Glorious and Blessed God the great Creator and Benefactor of the Universe, that doth Good to all, and whose tender Mercies are over all His Works, even He is every where spoken against. Some de­ny His Being: Tho' His Existence be so necessa­ry, so evident, that if He be not, tis impossible any thing else should be, yet there are Fools who say in their hearts, what they dare not speak out, that there is no God, Psal. 14.1. And he that saith there is no God wisheth there were none, and if he could help it there should be none. O­thers Blaspheme the Attributes of God, that charge the All-seeing Eye with Blindness, say­ing, The Lord shall not see, Psal. 94.7. that charge the Eternal Mind with Forgetfulness, say­ing, God hath forgotten, Psal. 10.11. that charge the Almighty Arm with Impotency, saying, Can God furnish a Table in the Wilderness, which is there call'd speaking against God, Psal. 78.19, [Page 14] 20. Those speak against God that promise them­selves Impunity in Sin, saying, They shall not surely die, Gen. 3.4. Ps. 10.13. and God will not require it. And those that boldly allow their Impiety and Irreli­gion, saying unto the Almighty Depart from us— Job. 21.14, 15. Some speak meanly of God, tho' He is infinitely Great and Glorious, others speak hardly of Him, tho' he is infinitely Just and Good. The Name of God is spoken against by the profane using of it; so it is construed Psal. 139.20. They speak against thee wickedly, thine Enemies take thy Name in vain. Can there be a greater slight put upon the Eternal God than for Men to use his Sacred and Blessed Name as a By-word, with which they give vent to their exorbitant Passions, or fill up the vacancies of their other Idle-words? The Name of God is thus abus'd not only by those that belch out bloody Oaths and Curses which make the Ears of every good Man to tingle, but by those that mention the Name of God slightly and irreverently, in their common Conversation; Jer. 12.2. in whose mouths he is near when he is far from their reins. To use those forms of speech which properly signify an Acknowledgment and Adoration of God's Being, as O God, or O Lord, or an Appeal to his Omniscience, as God knows, or an Invocation of his Favour, as God bless me, or God be merci­ful to me; I say, to use these or the like expres­sions impertinently, and intending thereby to ex­press only our wonder, our surprize, or our passi­onate resentments, or any thing than that which is their proper and awful signification, is an evi­dence of a vain mind, that wants a due regard to that glorious and fearful Name, Deut. 28.58. The Lord our God. I see not that the Profanation of the Ordinance [Page 15] of Praying, is any better than the Profanation of the Ordinance of Swearing. The serious consi­deration of this, I hope, might prevent much of that Dishonour which is done to God, and to his Holy Name, by some that run not with o­thers to an excess of Riot.

The Providence of God is likewise every where spoken against by Murmurers and Complainers that quarrel with it, Jude 16. and find fault with the di­sposals of it, Isa. 8.21. and when they are hardly bestead curse their King and their God. Thus is the mouth of the ungodly set against the Heavens, Psal. 73.9. and their Tongue walketh through the Earth.

3. The Word of God the great Rule of our Re­ligion is every where spoken against, so it was when it was first preached, wherever the Apo­stles went preaching the Doctrine of Christ they met with those that spake against it, contradicting and blaspheming, Acts 13.45. So it is, now it is written, Atheists speak against the Scriptures as not of Authority, Papists speak against it as dark and uncertain further than it is expounded, and supported by the Authority of their Church, which Trident Concil. Sess. 4th. receives unwritten Traditions pari pie­tatis affectu ac reverentiâ, with the same pious af­fection and reverence that they receive the Scrip­ture, nay, and if we may judge by their practice, with much more. Thus is the Word of God blasphemed by them who call themselves the Temple of the Lord. But if we take away Revela­tion (as the Deists do) all Religion will soon be lost, and if we derogate from the Scriptures (as the Papists do) all Revelation is much endan­gered.

Those also speak against the Scriptures, who profanely Jest with them, and that they may [Page 16] the more securely Rebel against Scripture Laws, make themselves and their idle Companions mer­ry with the Scripture Language. The Word of the Lord is unto them a reproach, as the Prophet com­plains, Jer. 6.10. And another Prophet found it so, whose serious word of the necessity of Precept upon Precept was turned into an idle Song, (as Grotius understands it) Isa. 28.13. The word of the Lord was unto them Precept upon Precept— Very likely it was done by the Drunkards of E­phraim, spoken of v. 1. and it gave occasion to that Caution, v. 22. Be ye not mockers lest your Bands be made strong. Profligate and Debauched Minds relish no wit like that which ridicules the Sacred Text, and exposeth that to Contempt: Ps. 137.3. As of old the insulting Babilonians must be humour'd with the Songs of Sion; and no Cups can please Belshazzar in his drunken Frol­lick but the Sacred Vessels of the Temple. Dan. 5.2, 3. Thus industrious are the Powers of Darkness to Vilify the Scriptures, and to make them contemptible; but he that sits in Heaven shall laugh at them, for in spite of all the little efforts of their impo­tent Malice, He will magnifie the Law and make it honourable, according to the word which he hath spoken, Isa. 42.21.

4. The People of God, the Professors of this Religion are every where spoken against. Not only those of some particular Perswasion or De­nomination, but (without regard to that) such as have been zealous in fearing God, and work­ing Righteousness have been, in many places, very much spoken against. Our Blessed Saviour hath told his Disciples what Treatment of this kind they must expect, that they should be revil'd and have all manner of evil said against them fals­ly, [Page 17] Mat. 5.11, 12. that they and their Names should be cast out as evil, Luke 6.22. And if they called our Master, Belzebub, no nick-names fastned upon his Followers can seem strange. Mat. 5.25. Mocking was an old way of persecu­ting the Covenant-Seed, for thus, He that was after the Flesh, betimes persecuted them that were af­ter the Spirit. Compare Gen. 21.9. with Gal. 4.29. God's Heritage hath always been as a speck­led Bird, that all the Birds are against, Jer. 12.9. Zach. 3.8. And his Children for signs and for wonders in Israel, that every one hath a saying to. Isa. 8.18. Even Wisdoms Children have been call'd and counted Fools, and their life Madness; The Quiet in the Land represented as Enemies to the Publick Peace; And those who are the greatest Blessings of the Age branded as the Troublers of Israel. See this at large, re­presented by Caecili­us in Mi­nucius Fe­lix. The Primitive Christians were painted out to the World under the blackest and most odious Characters that could be, as Men of the most profligate Lives and Consciences, and that even placed their Religion in the grossest Impie­ties and Immoralities imaginable. Their Enemies found it necessary for the support of the King­dom of the Devil, the Father of Lies and Slan­ders, (fortiter Calumniari) to Characterize them as the worst of Men, to whom they were resolv'd to give the worst and most barbarous Treatment. It had not been possible to have baited them, if they had not first dress'd them up in the skins of wild Beasts. And as then, so ever since, more or less in all Ages of the Church, Reproach hath been entail'd upon the most serious and zealous Professors of Religion and Godli­ness.

[Page 18]5. The Ministers of Christ, the Preachers of this Religion, are with a distinguishing Enmity every where spoken against. Under the Old Te­stament God's Messengers and his Prophets were generally mocked and misused, and it was Jerusa­lem's measure-filling Sin. 2 Chron. 36.16. 'Twas one of the Devices they devis'd against Jeremiah to smite him with the tongue, because they would not, and they desired tha [...] others might not give heed to any of his words, Jer. 18.18. Those to whom the Prophet Ezekiel was a very lovely Song, and with their mouths showed much love to him, yet were still talking against him by the Walls, and in the Doors of their Houses, and God lets him know it. Ezek. 33.30, 31, 32. And then it is not strange if the Ministers of the New Testament (in which Truth shines with a stronger Light) be with no less Enmity spoken against by those that love Darkness rather than Light. The Apo­stles, those prime Ministers of State in Christ's Kingdom were so loaded with Reproach, that they were made a spectacle to the World, [...] — the Theatre they plaid upon. a specta­cle of Pity to those that have either Grace or good Nature, but a spectacle of scorn to those that had neither. They were trampled upon as the Filth of the World; and whereas the Off-scou­ring of any thing is bad enough, they were look'd upon as the off-scouring of all things; even unto this day; after they had in so many instan­ces approv'd themselves well, and could not but be made manifest in the Consciences of their worst Enemies, 1 Cor. 4.9, 13. And it hath all along been the Policy of the Churches Enemies by all marks possible to bring the Ministry into con­tempt, and to represent the Churches Nazarites, even those that were purer than Snow, whiter than [Page 19] Milk, and more ruddy than Rubies, with a visage blacker than a Coal, so that they have not been known in the streets. I allude to that complaint, Lam. 4.7, 8. Marvel not, if the Standard-bea­rers be most struck at.

6. The Christian Religion it self hath been and still is every where spoken against. The Truths of it contradicted as false and groundless, the great Doctrines of the Mediation of Christ, and the Resurrection of the Dead were ridicul'd by the A­thenian Philosophers, Acts 19.18, 32. The Laws of it faulted as grievous and unreasonable, as hard sayings, which could not be born, by those who bid open defiance to the Obligation of them, and say, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their Cords from us, Ps. 2.3. The Ordinances of it despis'd as mean, and having no form nor comeliness. Sabbaths mock'd at, as of old, —cui sep­tima quae­que fuit lux Igna­va— Juvenal. sat. 5. Dicimur sceleratis­simi de Sa­cramento infantici­dij, & pa­bulo inde. & post con­vivium in­cesto, &c. Tertull. Apol. cap. 7. Lam. 1.7. and the sanctification of them represented as only a Cloak for Idleness. Sa­craments reproach'd, and the Sacred Memorial of Christ's Death and Sufferings, by the Persecu­tors of the Primitive Christians represented to the World as the bloody and inhumane Killing and Eating of a Child, and their Love Feasts and Holy Kiss (which were then in use) as only introductions to the most abominable unclean­ness. Primitive Christianity was industriously put into an ill-name: it was call'd emphatically The Atheism, because it overthrew Idolatry, and undermin'd the false Gods, and worships that had so long obtain'd. This was the Out-cry at Ephesus, that if Paul's Doctrine took place, the Temple of the great Goddess would be despis'd, Acts 19.26, 27. It was also branded as a No­velty, and an up-start Doctrine, because it took [Page 20] people off from that vain Conversation which they had received by Tradition from their Fathers. 1 Pet. 1.18. Acts 17.18, 19. See Dr. Cave's Primitive Christia­nity, lib. 1. ch. 1. It was call'd at Athens a New Doctrine, and indu­striously represented in all places as a Mushrome Sect, that was but of yesterday. It was look'd upon as nearly allied to Judaism, because it was so much supported by the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and nothing was more despicable a­mong the Romans than the Jews, and their Reli­gion. The Professors of Christianity were look'd upon as unlearned and ignorant Men, Acts 4.12. the very Dregs and Refuse of the People. Greg. Na­zian. In­vectiv. in Julian. O­rat. 1. p. (mihi) 42. Ju­lian forbad the calling of them Christians, and would have them called nothing but Galileans, thereby to expose them to the contempt of those who are (as indeed most people are) govern'd more by a sound of Words than by the reason of Things. Thus when the Devil was silenced in his Oracles (as it is well known he was upon the setting up of Christianity in the World) his mouth was opened in Lies and Slanders; and being forced to quit his pretentions to a Deity, he appears bare-faced, as a Devil, ( [...]) a False Accuser.

The Reformed Religion in these latter ages, hath been in like manner spoken against: Though it maintains all that, [and only that] Doctrine, which Christ and his Apostles preach'd, and was before Luther there, where Popery, as such, ne­ver was before or since, that is, in the Holy Scrip­tures, yet the Professors and Preachers of it have been call'd and counted Hereticks, Lollards from Loli­um, Tares so my Ld. Cook from Mr. Fox. Rev. 13.17 and Schis­maticks, and by all possible Artifices expos'd to the odium of the People, that none might Buy or Sell, i. e. have the benefit and comfort of civil Society and Commerce, that had not the Mark, [Page 21] or the Name of the Beast, Rev. 13.17. or the Number of his Name.

Nay, even among some that profess the Chri­stian and Reformed Religion, yet the Practice of serious Godliness is very much spoken against. The Power of Religion is not only disliked and deny'd, but contradicted and condemned by those that rest in the Form. They that call the Evil, Isa. 5.20. Good, will call the Good, Evil; and it is not strange if they, who abandon themselves to work all uncleanness with greediness, 1 Pet. 4.3, 4, speak ill of such as run not with them to the same excess of Ri­ot, where the Wicked walk on every side, he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. Psal. 12.8. Isa. 59.15. The old Enmity between the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent is still working, and the old Game every day plaid over again. The Truth as it is in Jesus, Eph. 4.21. compar'd with Tit. 1.1. and the Truth which is ac­cording to Godliness will be contradicted by those that lye in wait to deceive. Bigots on all sides will have something to say against Catholick Charity and Moderation: They that are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, and forward to every good Work, must expect to be evil spoken of by such as affect a Lukewarmness, and Indifferency in Religion: Nor can those who walk circumspectly, not as Fools but as Wise, escape the lash of their Tongues who live at large, and walk loosly, and at all adven­tures, as the Fools in Israel.

I come now in the Second Place to enquire what's the Reason that so Holy and Excellent a Religion as Christianity is, meets with such hard usage, and is thus spoken against, every where spoken against: When we hear such an Out-cry as this made against Christianity, it is natural [Page 22] to us to enquire, as Pilate did when such a Cla­mour was raised against its Author, Why, what evil hath it done? Truly we may say concerning it as Pilate did concerning him, We find no fault in it. Which of all its Opposers convinceth it of Sin or Error? It invades no Man's Right, breaks in upon no Man's Property, is no Distur­bance of the Peace, no Enemy to the Welfare of Families and Societies, is no Prejudice at all to the Interests of States aad Princes, but to all these highly Beneficial and Advantageous: Why then is it thus accused, condemned and spoken a­gainst? We will endeavour to find out the true Reason of it, though it is impossible to assign a justifiable Reason of that which is most unreason­able.

1. The Adversaries of Religion speak against it because they do not know it. Sound Knowledge hath not a greater Enemy in the World than Ig­norance. Our Lord Jesus was therefore despised and hated by the World, because the World knew him not, John 1.10. If they had known the Dignity of his Person, the Excellency of his Do­ctrine, and the gracious Design and Purpose of his coming into the World, certainly they would not have Crucified the Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. They that did it, Acts 3.15, 17. Luke 23.34. did it through Ignorance, and knew not what they did. Thus they who say to the Almighty, Depart from us, could not say so if they did not at the same time studiously decline the knowledge of his ways. Job 21.14. No Man will speak a­gainst Religion and the Power of it, that hath ei­ther seriously weighed the Proofs and Evidences of it, or impartially tried the Comfort and Be­nefit of it. John 4.10. If they knew this Gift, this inestima­ble Gift of God, instead of speaking against it, [Page 23] they would covet it earnestly as the best Gift. He that looks at a distance upon Men Dancing, would think them to be mad: (It was Peter Martyr's Comparison, in a Sermon which had so good an influence upon the Conversion of the Marquess of Vico) But let him come nearer them, and observe the Regularity and Harmony of all their Motions and Postures, and he will not on­ly admire their Order, but find in himself an in­clination to join with them: So he that con­tents himself with a distant and transient view of the Practice of Piety will perhaps take up hard thoughts of it, but a better Acquaintance will rectify the Mistake. When the Spouse in the Canticles had given a Description of her Beloved to the Daughters of Jerusalem, the same who before had scornfully ask'd, Cant. 5.9.6.1. What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved? Now as seriously en­quire, Whither is thy Beloved gone, that we may seek him with thee? The People of God are called his Hidden Ones, and their Life is a Hidden Life, Psal. 83.3. Col. 3.3. Prov. 15.24. Psa. 105. their way above, and therefore it is that the World speaks evil of them, because it knows them not. 1 Joh. 3.1. They who speak evil of these Dignities, speak evil of those things which they know not, Quid ini­quiusquàm ut oderin [...] homines quod igno­rant. Tunc enim me­retur, quan­do cognosci­tur an me­reatur Tert. Apol. cap. 1. as the Apostle speaks Jude 8.10. How unjust then, and unreasonable is the Enmity and Malice of the Adversaries of Religion, to con­demn that which they never enquired into, and to load that with the vilest Reproaches which for ought they know, merits the highest Encomiums! And how excellent then are the ways of God, which none speak ill of but those that are unac­quainted with them! while those that know them witness to the goodness of them, and Wisdom is justified of all her Children, Mat. 11.19.

[Page 24]2. They speak against it because they do not like it, and we know Ill-will never speaks well. Tho' they have little acquaintance with Religion, yet they know this concerning it in general, that it is not agreeable with the way of their hearts which they are resolved to walk in, Antè nos incipiunt odisse quam nosse, ne cognitos aut imitari possint, aut damnare non possint Min. Fel. p. (mihi) 30. Rom. 8.7. 1 Joh. 3.13. nor with the course of this World, which is the Card and Compass they steer by, and from which they take their measures; they know this, that it lays a restraint upon their Appetites and Passions, and consists much in the mortifying of their beloved Lusts and Corruptions, and therefore they have a se­cret Antipathy to it: The Carnal Mind, which is enmity against God, is so against all that bear the Image of God. Christ hath bidden his Disciples to expect the Hatred of the World, and not to marvel at it, Joh. 15.18, &c. They who hate to be themselves reform'd will never love those that are reform'd: Out of the abundance therefore of the Heart, and the Malignity that is there, it is no marvel if the mouth speak; where the Root of Bitterness is, Job 15.25. it will bear Gall and Wormwood. The Daring Sinner that stretcheth out his hand a­gainst God finds his hand too short to reach him; but say they, Psa. 12.4. with our Tongue will we prevail, our Lips are our own. The Beast that made War with Heaven in the Apocalyptick Vision, though he had ten Horns, and those crown'd, yet is not described doing mischief with them, but open­ing his Mouth in Blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name, and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven, Rev. 13.5, 6. The Poison of the Serpents Seed is under their Tongue, Rom. 3.13.

[Page 25]3. They speak against Religion because it speaks against them. They who have fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, hate the Light which discovers them, Joh. 3.19. Nor do any curse the Rising Sun but those that are scorch'd by it. Why were the Pharisees so exasperated a­gainst our Saviour but because he spake his Para­bles against them, Mat. 21.45. and laid them open in their own colours? Why did the World hate him who so lo­ved the World, John 7.7. but because he testified of it that its Works are evil? Why had Joseph's Brethren such a spleen against him, but because he was a Witness against them, and brought to his Father their evil Report? Why did Ahab hate Micajah, Gen. 37.2. 1 Ki. 22.8.21.20. and call Elijah his Enemy but because they were the faithful Reprovers of his Wickedness, and never prophesied Good concerning him, but Evil? Why did the Inhabitants of the Earth rejoyce when the Witnesses were slain, but because those two Prophets by their plain and powerful Preach­ing tormented them that dwelt upon the Earth? Rev. 11.10. Mat. 24.14. Naturale est & odis­se quem ti­mes, & quem me­tueris, in­festare si possis. Min. Felix. Isa. 29.21. Isa. 58.1. The everlasting Gospel is a Testimony, either to us to convince us, or against us to condemn us, and then no wonder if those speak against it who hate to be convinced by it, and dread to be con­demned by it. The Prophet complains of those that laid Snares for him that reproveth in the gate; and why is it faithful Ministers are so much ha­ted, but because their Business is to shew people their Transgressions? If they would flatter Sinners that flatter themselves in a sinful way, and cry Peace to them, to whom the God of Heaven doth not speak Peace, they might avoid a great deal of Reproach and Censure; but they dare not do it. Gal. 1.8, 9. They are not to make a new Law and Gospel, but to preach that which is made: they [Page 26] have their Rule in that Caution given to the Prophet, Jer. 15.19. Let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them. The Hearts and Lives of Men must be brought to comply with the Word of God, for the Word of God can never be made to comply with the Humours and Fancies of Men. Ministers as they would not for the World make the way to Heaven any straiter or narrower than Christ hath made it, so they dare not make it any broader or easier, nor offer Life and Salvation upon any other Terms than the Gospel hath already settled. If they aim at pleasing Men, they cannot approve themselves the Servants of Christ, Gal. 1.10. and therefore are they so much spoken against. And the same is the Reason why the most strict and serious Christians are so much spoken against, because their Piety and Devotion, their Justice and Sobriety, their Zeal and Charity, is a stand­ing Reproof to the wicked World, and con­demns it, Heb. 11.7. as the Faith and holy Fear of Noah condemned the Infidelity and Security of the Old World. The Sodomites were vexed at Lot's Conversation as much as he was at their filthy Conversation. Wherefore doth the Blood-Thirsty hate and revile the Ʋpright, while the Just seek his Soul, Prov. 29.10. but for the same Reason for which Cain hated Abel, because his own Works were Evil and his Brothers Righ­teous. 1 John 3.12.

Now for the APPLICATION of this DOCTRINE.

Let us see what good Use we may make of this Observation concerning the Wicked­ness of the Wicked in speaking so much a­gainst Religion and Godliness, and what is our Duty in reference hereunto.

First, Let us admire the Patience and Forbea­rance of the God of Heaven, in that he bears so much, and so long, with those that thus speak against Him and his Holy Religion. The Affront hereby given Him is very great, and (we would think) intollerable, even Hard Spee­ches that reflect upon an Infinite Majesty, have in them a kind of Infinite Malignity. He hears and knows all that which is said a­gainst Him, and against his Truth and VVays, and as a Jealous God resents it. He hath al­ways Power in his Hands to punish the prou­dest of his Enemies, nor would their imme­diate Ruine be any Loss to him, and yet Sentence against these Evil Words and Works is not executed speedily: Be astonished O Heavens, Eccl. 8.11. at this, and wonder O Earth! that those wret­ches which rebel against the Beams of such Light and Glory, which spurn at the Bowels of such Love and Grace, are not immediate­ly made the visible Monuments of Divine VVrath and Vengeance, and like Sodom and Gomorrah, set forth for an Example! That the Blasphemers and Scoffers of these last Days [Page 28] are not instantly struck Dumb, struck Dead. That He who hath so much said against him, yet doth himself keep silence, Ps. 50.12. and doth not answer all these Reproaches and Contradictions (as he easi­ly could) in Thunder and Lightning. Though his Silence and Forbearance is turn'd to his Re­proch even by those that have the Benefit of it, who therefore think him altogether such an one as themselves, 2 Pet. 3.3, 4. and take occasion from his Patience to question his Faithfulness, and challenge his Ju­stice, saying, Where is the Promise of his Coming? Yet he bears, and his Patience is stretched out even to Long-suffering, because he is not willing that any should perish, 2 Pet. 3.9. nor that any means should be left untried to prevent their perishing. There­fore he bears with Sinners, because this is the Day of his Patience, and of their Probation. The Wrath of God is reveal'd from Heaven in the Word of God, Rom. 1.18. that we might be aw'd by Faith, more than in present Providences, which would be an aw to Sense. But there is a Day coming, a dreadful Day, Psal. 50.3. when our God shall come, and shall no longer keep silence, a Day foretold in the early Ages of the VVorld, Jude 14.15. by Enoch the seventh from Adam, when Judgment shall be executed upon ungodly Sinners for all their hard Speeches, which Day he will not anticipate, for he knows it is coming, Psal. 37.13. It is agreeable to the regular course of Justice, that all Judgments be adjourn'd till the Judgment-Day, and all Execu­tions defer'd till Execution-Day: And therefore now he condescends to reason with those that speak against him, for their Convicttion, as he doth by the Prophet Ezek. 18.25, &c. where he fairly debates the Case with those who said, The way of the Lord is not equal, That every Mouth [Page 29] may be stopped with an unanswerable Argument before it be stopt with an irreversible Sentence, and those who have spoken against him may be sent speechless to Hell. He keeps silence now, Mat. 22.12. be­cause when he doth speak he will be justified. When our Lord Jesus was here upon Earth, with what an invincible Patience did he endure the contra­diction of Sinners; when so many ill things were witnessed against him he was silent, Mat. 26.63. Joh. 19.9. to admirati­on, answered not a word to all their unjust Ca­lumnies and Accusations, but at the same time he bound them over to the Judgment of the great Day by that awful word, Mat. 26.64. Hereaf­ter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power, — and still he bears in expe­ctation of that same Day. Heb. 10.13. He doth not take Vengeance presently because he hath an Eternity before him for the doing of it.

And by the way, we may infer from hence, That those who would be like their Heavenly Father, must bear Reproach and Contradiction patiently. When any thing is said against us, reflecting never so little Disparagement upon us, or our Families, our Resentments of it are very sensible, and we are apt to take it hainous­ly; nay, and to say we do well to be angry, for it is not a thing to be endur'd; not to be endur'd! O think how much God bears with the Contempt and Reproach cast upon his great Name, and that will surely qualify our Resentments of any indignity done to our little Names! Who are we that we must not be spoken against? Or what are our Sayings that they must not be con­tradicted? 2 Sam. 16.10.4. 1 Pet. 2.23. Such Affronts as these we should learn to bear as David did when Sbimei cursed him, So let him Curse; and as the Son of David [Page 30] did when his Enemies reviled him, Blessing them that Curse us, and Praying for them that thus Per­secute us, that we may be the Children of our Father which is in Heaven. God adjourns his Vindicati­on to the great Day, and then surely we may adjourn ours to that day as St. Paul doth his, 1 Cor. 4.5.

Secondly, Let us acknowledge the Power of Di­vine Grace, in keeping up the Christian Religion in the World, notwithstanding the universal Contradic­tion, and Opposition it hath met with. One would think that a way thus spoken against every where should have been long ere this lost and ruin'd, and the Christian Name cut off, to be no more in remembrance; Ps. 83 3, 4. which its Adversaries have so industriously endeavoured; if it had been of Men, it had certainly come to naught quickly, Acts 5.38. though they had let it alone, but being of God, it was to admiration Victorious over all opposition. A Sect, a Cheat could never have supported it self against so much Contradiction; no Human Pow­er or Policy could have kept it up, nor any thing less than an Almighty Arm. See this excellent­ly enlarg­ed upon by the learned Grotius de v. R. C. l. 2. The conti­nuance of the Christian Religion in the world to this day is a standing Miracle for the Conviction of its Adversaries, and the Confirmation of the Faith of those that adhere to it. VVhen we con­sider what a mighty Force was raised by the Powers of Darkness against Christianity when it was in its Infancy, how many they were that spoke against it, learned Men, great Men, Books were written, Laws were made against it; those that spoke for it, how few were they? and how mean and despicable! the foolish things of the VVorld, and the Weak, and yet we see the [Page 31] Word of God mightily growing and prevailing. Acts 19.20. Must we not needs say, this is the Lord's doing, & it is marvellous in our eyes? The several false Reli­gions of the Heathen with their various Super­stitions and Idolatries, though they gave very little Opposition one to another, but agreed to­gether well enough, yet having no foundation in Truth they all wither'd away, and dwindled to nothing, and after the mighty sway they had born, and all means possible us'd to support 'em, at length their Day came to fall, their Oracles silenced, their Altars deserted, and the Gods themselves were famished, ( Zeph. 2.11.) and pe­rished from the Earth, according to that Predicti­on, Jer. 10.11. which is put into the mouths of the Captiv'd Jews, to retort upon their in­sulting Enemies, and for that purpose is origi­nally in the Caldee Dialect: VVe may ask tri­umphantly, not only where are the Gods of Humath and of Arpad? Where are the Gods of Sepharvaim Hena, and Ivah, 2 Kin. 18.34. those obscure and petty De­ities? But where are the Gods of Babylon and Aegypt, Greece and Rome, the illustrious names of Saturn and Jupiter, Juno and Diana? where are the Gods which our British and Saxon Au­cestors worshipped bofore they received the Light of the glorious Gospel? Are they not all forgotten as dead Men out of mind, and their names written in the dust? But Christ's Holy Religion, though for some Ages it was utterly destitute of all Secular Supports and Advanta­ges, and was assaulted on all hands by the most vigorous Attacks of its daring and most impla­cable Enemies, yet it hath strangely weather'd its point, and is in being, and, thanks be to God, in some places in a flourishing state to this day: Its [Page 32] cause an opposed, Exod. 3.3, 4. but never a baffled cause: Let us turn aside now, and see this great sight, a Bush burning and yet not consum'd, and say, The Lord is in it of a Truth: Come and see the Cap­tain of our Salvation riding forth in the Chariot of the everlasting Gospel, Rev. 6.2. with his Crown upon his Head, and his Bow in his Hand, conquering and to conquer — That which was every where spoken against Christianity, Acts 28.3. was like the Viper which fasten'd upon St. Paul's Hand, it gave people occasion to think very ill concerning it, and to look for its speedy fall, as the barbarous people concerning him whom they concluded to be a Murtherer, and expected that he should have swollen, or fallen down Dead. But it hath in all Ages shaken those venomous Beasts into the Fire, and taken no harm, and so hath prov'd its own Divine Original. Let us herein acknow­ledge the Wisdom and Power of our Lord Jesus, Mat. 16.18. who hath so firmly built his Church upon a Rock that the Gates of Hell, i. e. all its Powers, and Policies, and Numbers could never prevail against it. Mahomet, though he industriously adapted his Religion, to the Sensual Appetites of Men, whose Reason only, and not their Lusts, could object against it, See the learned Dr. Hum­frey Pri­deaux's ex­cellent Hi­story of the Life of Maho­met lately published. yet he obtain'd no strength, nor interest at all, till by a thousand Artifices he had got the Power of the Sword, and with it forbad any upon pain of Death to speak against him or his Doctrine; charging his first Followers, who were to propagate his Religion, if they met with any that objected against it, not to dispute with them, but to kill them immediately: By which means that grand Imposture in a little time got some footing in the world; and by the same Barbarous and Inhumane Methods, it hath [Page 33] been supported now above a Thousand Years. And in like manner that great Enemy of the Church, represented in St. John's Vision, main­tains his Interest by causing that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed, Rev. 13.15. Thus are Errors and false Religions propagated; strip them of these supports, & they fall to the ground of course; but on the contra­ry, the Christian Religion was planted and pre­serv'd not only without, but against secular Force, recommended and upheld by its own intrinsick Truth and Excellency, and that Divine Power which accompanied it. The Preachers and Pro­fessers of it every where spoken against, and yet e­very where getting ground, and strangely victo­rious, purely by the word of their Testimony, Rev. 12.10, 11. and by not loving their Lives unto the Death. Thus is come Salvation and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Christ.

Thirdly, Let us greatly lament the Folly and Wic­kedness of those who speak against Christ and his Ho­ly Religion, and if we can do any thin [...], have com­passion upon them, and help to undeceive them, and rectify their Mistakes. Surely this is one of the Abominations committed among us, for which we should be found among those that sigh and cry. Ezek. 9.4. one of those Instances of the Pride of Sinners for which our Souls should weep in secret, Jer. 13.17. This is that Reproach of the solemn Assembly which is such a Burthen to all good Men. Zeph. 3.18. Our Ears should tingle, and our Hearts tremble to hear the Reproach and Con­tempt cast upon Christ and his Religion, or to hear of it, and looking upon our selves as nearly concern'd in Sacred Things, we should be sensi­bly touch'd with the Profanation of them.

[Page 34]To affect us herewith, let us consider,

1. The great Dishonour hereby done to our God in the World. They that reflect upon his Truths and Ways, his Word and Ordinances, reflect upon him, He that toucheth these toucheth the apple of his eye; If therefore we have any love to God, or concern for his Honour, and have cordially espous'd the Interests of his Kingdom, what is an Affront to him, will surely be a Grief to us. It cannot but be a very melancholly Thought to every sensible Soul, That the God that made the World is made so light of in the World, That he who doth so much Good to the Children of Men, hath so little Honour from them, nay, and hath so much Dishonour done him by them every day, Isa. 52.5. and his Name continually blas­phemed. That the Lord Jesus, who so loved the World, is so much hated and despised by the World. The Reproaches of them who thus re­proach our Master, if we be his faithful Servants we should feel as falling upon us. Psa. 69 10. Mat. 25.45. And if he take what is said and done against his People, as said and done against himself, much more reason have they to find themselves aggrieved in that which is said and done against him. If we pray heartily that God's Name may be hallowed, as we should do every day, we should grieve heartily that his Name is dishonoured, as we see it is every day. And our resentments of the Reproach cast upon God and Religion, we should make a humble and pious Remonstrance of before God in Prayer, as King Hezekiah spread Rabshakeh's blasphemous Letter before the Lord, with that tender and affectionate Request, Lord bow down thine ear and hear: Open, Lord, thine eyes and see, 2 Kin. 19.16. How pathetically doth Joshua [Page 35] plead, chap. 7.9. What wilt thou do unto thy great Name? And with what a concern doth the Psal­mist in the name of the Church insist upon this, Psal. 74.10. O God, how long shall the Adversary reproach? Shall the Enemy blaspheme thy Name for ever? And v. 18. Remember this that the Enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish People have blasphemed thy Name. And how earnestly doth he beg, v. 22. Arise, O God, plead thine own Cause. Thus should the Honour of God and Re­ligion lie nearer our Hearts than any other con­cern whatsoever.

2. Consider the miserable Condition of those that presumptuously speak against God and Religion. Tho' they may do it with an Air of Assurance, as if they run no hazard, yet he that rolleth this Stone, it will certainly return upon him sooner or later. They that speak against Religion speak a­gainst their own Heads, Psa. 64.8. and their own Tongues will at last fall upon them. We have reason to bewail their Madness, and to pity, and pray for them, for they know not what they do. Mise­rable Souls! How will they be deceived at last, when they shall find that God is not mocked! Gal. 6.7. And that while they were studying to put contempt on Religion, they were but preparing eternal Shame and Confusion for themselves! The Lord is a jealous God, and will not hold them guilt­less that thus profane his Name: Their Wit, and Learning, and Figure in the World, may em­bolden them in their Sin, and bear them up a while in an open Defiance of all that's Sacred, but nothing can prevent their utter Ruine besides a serious and sincere Repentance, which is an un­saying, with Shame and Self-lothing, of all that which they have proudly spoken against God [Page 36] and Godliness. They that pervert the right ways of the Lord will certainly fall therein, Hos. 14.9. 2 Pet. 3.16. and they that wrest the Scriptures do it, to their own Destruction. Religion's Motto is, Nemo me im­pune lacessit. 'Tis ill jesting with edg-tools. Je­rusalem will certainly be a burthensome Stone to all People, Zach. 12.3. that burthen themselves with it. They that spurn at the Rock of Salvation, will not only be unable to remove it, but will find it a Stone of Stumbling, 1 Pet. 2.8. Isa. 28.13. and a Rock of Offence. And we find those who ridicul'd the Word of the Lord, broken, and snared, and taken. Let all those therefore that mourn in Sion, weep over those that will not weep for themselves; and look with pity and compassion upon those that look upon them with scorn and contempt.

3. Consider the Mischief that is hereby done to the Souls of others. They who thus err, their error remaineth not with themselves, but this poisonous and malignant Breath infects others. Words spoken against Religion eat as doth a Can­ker, 2 Tim. 2.17. and they who speak them, seldom perish a­lone in their iniquity, for many follow their perni­cious ways. 2 Pet. 2.2. Unwary Souls are easily beguil'd, and brought to conceive rooted Prejudices a­gainst that which they hear every where spoken against, and few have Consideration and Resolution enough to maintain a good opinion of that which they that set up for Wits, make it their business to cry down. Act. 13.7.8, 9, 10. Sergius Paulus was a prudent Man, and yet St. Paul saw him in danger of being tur­ned away from the Faith, by the subtle Suggesti­ons of Elymas the Sorcerer, which therefore the Apostle resented with a more than ordinary keenness. It is sad to think how many Young Peo­ple, who perhaps were well Educated and Hope­ful, [Page 37] when they go abroad into the World, by conversing with those who lie in wait to deceive, have their minds insensibly vitiated and de­bauch'd, and perhaps they are made seven times more the Children of Hell than those that first seduced them. Under a pretence of free Thought, and fashionable Conversation, and a generous Disdain of Preciseness and Singularity; Atheistical Prin­ciples are imbib'd, the Restraints of Conscience shaken off, Brutish Lusts not only indulg'd but pleaded for, and serious Godliness and Devoti­on look'd upon with Contempt, and thus the Heart is impregnably fortify'd for Satan against Christ and his Gospel, Wrath is treasur'd up a­gainst the Day of Wrath, and those who might have been the Blessing prove the Plague of their Age, which is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation to all that wish well for the souls of Men, and to those especially that are desirous of the welfare of the rising Generation.

Fourthly, Let us take heed that none of us do at at any time, directly or indirectly, speak against the ways of Religion and Godliness, or say a Confederacy, with those that do so. Isa. 8.11, 12. Submit to Divine Instructi­ons given with a strong hand not to walk in the way of those People that speak ill of Religion. Take heed of embracing any Notions which se­cretly tend to derogate from the Authority of the Holy Scriptures, or to diminish the Honour of Religion in the Soul, or of accustoming your selves to such Expressions as treat not Sacred Things with that awful Regard which is due to them. Those were never reckon'd Wise Men that would rather lose a Friend than a Jest, much less are they to be accounted so that will rather [Page 38] lose the Favour of their God. Those that in their common Converse make themselves merry with serious things, how can it be expected they should at any time be serious in them, or experi­ence the influence and comfort of them? It is not likely that those who make the Word of God the subject of their Jests, should ever make it the Guide of their way, or find it the spring of their Joys. Let us not chuse to associate with those that have light thoughts of Religion, and are ready upon all occasions to speak against it. It is not without good reason that among the many words with which St. Peter exhorted his New Converts, this only is recorded, Save your selves from this untoward Generation, Acts 2.40. Those that listen to the Counsel of the Ʋngodly, Psal. 1.1. and Stand in the way of Sinners, as willing to walk with them, will come at length (if Al­mighty Grace prevent not) to set in the seat of the Scornful. Let us therefore abide by that which Job and Eliphaz, even in the heat of Dispute, were agreed in, that the Counsel of the Wicked shall be far from us, which Protestation we have, Job 21.16. and 22.18. It's dangerous making Friendship with those that have an enmity to serious Godliness, lest we learn their way, and get a Snare to our Souls.

There are two common Pretences, and seem­ingly plausible ones, under which those that speak against Religion shelter themselves, but they are neither of them justifiable.

1. They pretend, that it is only for Argu­ment sake, that they object against Religion, and pick quarrels with it, and (so little esteem they have of the thing call'd Sincerity) they will not be thought to mean as they say. And are the great [Page 39] Principles of Religion become such Moot-points, such Matters of doubtful Disputation, that it is indifferent which side of the Question a Man takes, and upon which he may argue, pro or con, at his pleasure? Cic. de Nat. Deor. lib. 2. ad Fin. That grave and weighty say­ing of a Learned Heathen is enough to silence this pretence, Mala enim & impia consuetudo est, contra Deos disputandi, sive ex animo id fit, sive simulate. It's an ill thing to talk against Religi­on, whether a Man means as he saith or no, or (in the Language of our Age) whether he speak seriously, or only banter. Julian, the Apostate, when, before he threw off his Disguise, he fre­quently argued against Christianity, pretended it was only for Disputation sake. But out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaks, and whence can such evil things come but from an evil Treasure there?

2. They pretend that it is not Religion that they ridicule and expose to Contempt, but some particular Forms and Modes of religious Worship which they do not like. And this is one ill ef­fect of the unhappy Divisions among Christians, that while one side hath labour'd to make the o­ther contemptible; Religion in general hath suffer'd on all sides. To reprove what we think amiss, with Prudence and Meekness is well, but to reproach and make a Jest of that which our Fel­low-Christians look upon as Sacred, and make a part of their Religion, cannot be to any good purpose at all. To scoff at the Mistakes and Weaknesses of our Brethren, is the way to pro­voke and harden them, but not to convince and reform them. They who think to justify this way of ridiculing those that differ from them, by the Instance of Elijah's jeering the Priests of [Page 40] Baal, perhaps Know not what manner of Spirit they are of, Luk. 9.55. no more than those Disciples did who would have their intemperate Heats countenan­ced by the Example of that great Prophet.

Fifthly, Let us that profess the Christian Religion, be very cautious that we do not give occasion to any to speak against it. If there are those in all pla­ces that are industrious to cast reproach upon Religion, then we have need to walk circumspect­ly, and to look well to our goings, that those who watch for our halting may have no occasion given them to Blaspheme. It is certain that tho' in Religion there is nothing which may be justly spoken against, yet among those that profess it there is too often found that which deserves to be tax'd, and which cannot pass without just and severe Reflections— Pudet haec opprobria no­bis — Are there not those within the Pale of the Church, Ro. 2.24. 2 Pet. 2 2. through whom, the Name of God and his Doctrine are blasphemed, Jude 12. The fou­lest Re­proaches of the Pri­mitive Christians took rise from the vile pra­ctises of the Gno­sticks, and other Pseu­dochristi­ans. Of which Vid. Eu­seb. Eccl. Hist. l. 4. c. 7. and by reason of whom the way of Truth is evil spoken of. Are there not those who wear Christ's Livery, but are a Scan­dal to his Family, Spots in the Love-Feasts, and a standing Reproach to that worthy Name, by which they are call'd? Now though it is cer­tainly very unjust and unfair to impute the faults of Professors to the Religion they profess, and to reproach Christianity, because there are those that are call'd Christians who expose themselves to Reproach; yet it is, without question, the Sin of those who give Men occasion to do so. This was the Condemnation in David's Case, and en­tail'd the Sword upon his House, though the Sin was pardon'd, that by it he had given great oc­casion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, [Page 41] 2 Sam. 12.14. Let us therefore double our di­ligence and care, to give no offence either to Jew or Gentile, that Religion which hath so of­ten been wounded in the House of her Friends, may never be wounded through our sides.

If we enquire (as we are commanded to do) what it is that gives occasion of Reflection upon Religion, we shall find that the Imprudences of those that profess it, give some occasion, but their Immoralities much more.

1. The Imprudences of Christians often turn to the Reproach of Christianity. There may be such over-doing even in Well-doing, as may prove Undoing. When more stress is laid than ought to be upon some instances of Religion, to the justling out of others, and the Exercises of Devotion are either mis-timed, or mis-placed, or mis-proportion'd, Religion is hereby mis-re­presented, or look'd upon to disadvantage. Rash and indiscreet Zeal may give occasion to those who seek occasion to speak against all reli­gious Zeal. Col. 4.5. Therefore walk in Wisdom towards them that are without. Religion is a most sweet and pleasant and amiable thing: Let not us by our Indiscretion make it a Task to our selves, and a Terror to others. The more the Children of God are Children of Wisdom, Luk. 7.35. the more they justi­fy it, and its ways. Christian Prudence is very much the beauty and strength of Christian Piety. Though it will secure the welfare of our own Souls if we walk in our Integrity, yet it is necessary for the preserving of the Cre­dit of our Profession, that we walk in Wisdom, Prov. 14.8. that Wisdom of the Prudent which is to understand his way, Ec. 10.10. that Wisdom which is profitable to di­rect. And if any Man lack this Wisdom, let him [Page 42] ask it of God, Jam. 1.5. who gives liberally, and upbraids us not with our Folly. Pray with David, Psal. 27.11. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain Path because of mine Enemies. (Hebr. because of mine Observers.) Our Enemies are our Obser­vers, and will be ready to reproach our Way, for the sake of the false steps we take in it, and therefore we have need to ponder the Path of our Feet, and let Discretion guide and govern our Zeal.

2. The Immoralites of those who profess Chri­stianity turn much more to the reproach of that Holy Religion; when those that are called Chri­stians, are griping and covetous, and greedy of the World, when they are false and deceitful, and unjust in their Dealings, sowre and morose, and unnatural to their Relations, turbulent and unquiet in Societies, when they are froward and passionate, proud and haughty, hard-hearted and oppressive, loose and intemperate. When they are found guilty of Lying and Cheating, Drunk­enness or Uncleanness. When it appears that they keep up some secret Haunts of Sin, under the cloke and covert of a specious Profession, when they that profess the Christian Faith lick up the vomit of Heathen, and allow themselves in those things that are contrary to the Light and Law even of Natural Religion. This is that which opens the mouths of the Adversaries to speak reproachfully of that Religion, the Pro­fession of which is made to consist with such vile Practises, which cannot possibly consist with the Power of it. This makes People ready to say as that Mahometan Prince did, when the Christians had broke their League with him, O Jesus, are these thy Christians? Or as the complaint was up­on [Page 43] another occasion, Aut hoc non Evangelium, aut hi non Evangelici, Either this is not Gospel, or these are not to be call'd Professors of the Gospel. If Ministers give offence in any thing, not they only, but their Ministry will be blamed. Nay, 2 Cor. 6.3 if Servants, Christians of the lowest rank and fi­gure, if they be unfaithful, and disobedient to the Government they are under, 1 Tim. 6.1. the Name of God, and his Doctrine, is likely to be blasphemed. Let us therefore who profess Relation to the E­ternal God, and Dependance upon the Blessed Jesus, and a Regard to the Holy Scriptures, as we tender the Reputation of our Religion, Col. 1.10. walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Let us Order our Conversation so in every thing, as that we may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour. Tit. 2.10. While we are call'd by so good a Name, let us not dare to do an ill thing. The Disciples of Christ are as a City upon a Hill, Mat. 5.14. and have many eyes upon them, and therefore have need to be­have themselves with a great deal of Cauti­on, and to abstain from all appearance of evil. 2 Thes. 5.12. Let us not do any thing that is unjust, or unbecoming us, nor allow our selves in that which we know the Gospel we profess doth by no means allow of, lest we be to answer another day, for all the Reproach of Religion which we have occasion'd: How light soever we may make of this now, we shall find that it will greatly enflame the Reckoning shortly, when God will affect the Honour of his own Name, and will be glorified upon those by whom he was not glorified. In consideration of this, let us see to it that we have our Conversation honest among the Adversaries of our Religion, that they who speak against us as Evil- doers, [Page 44] may, 1 Pet. 2.12. by our Good Works which they shall behold, be brought to glorify God, and to entertain good thoughts of Religion, v. 15. or at least, that we may with well-doing put to silence the igno­rance of foolish Men. Our Religion, I am sure, is an Honour to us; let not us then be a Dishonour to it.

Sixthly, If there be those every where that speak against Religion and Godliness, let us then as we have opportunity be ready to speak for it. Every Christian should be both a Witness and an Advo­cate for his Religion, and the rather because it is so much oppos'd and contradicted. Next to our Care not to be a Shame to the Gospel, should be our Resolution not to be asham'd of the Gospel. You are Subpaena'd by the King of Kings to ap­pear for him in the World: Ye are my Witnesses saith the Lord, Isa. 43.10. Do not betray this Cause then by declining your Testimony, how much soever you may be brow-beaten and con­fronted. Say with a holy boldness as Elihu, Job 36.2. Suffer me a little and I will shew you, that I have yet to speak on God's behalf. You hear what is daringly said against God, how his holy Name is trampled upon and abus'd, his Truths contra­dicted, his Word and Ordinances vilified, and have you never a word to say for him? Is our Lord Jesus appearing for us in Heaven, plead­ing our Cause there, pleading it with his own blood, and shall not we be ready to appear for him on Earth, and plead his Cause though it were with the hazzard of our blood? As it is then a time to keep silence, when we our selves are spoken against, I as a Deaf Man heard not, so it is then a time to speak, when God is spoken a­gainst, [Page 45] and the Honour of our Religion lies at stake, and at such a time we must take heed, Psal. 38.33. Eccl. 3.7. Jest by a cowardly silence we wrong so Jst a Cause, as if we were either asham'd or afraid to own it. Wisdom's Children should take all occasions to justify Wisdom, and vindicate it from the asper­sions that are cast upon it. Read the doom of him that is asham'd of Christ and of his Words in this adulterous generation. Mark 8.38. Of him shall the Son of Man be asham'd, when he comes in the Glory of his Father. Not confessing Christ when we are call'd to it, is in effect denying him, and disowning Relation to him, and they who do so, except they repent as Peter did, Luk. 12.9. 2 Tim. 2.12. will short­ly be denied and disowned by him. If we should, with an angry countenance at least, Prov. 25.23. drive away a backbiting Tongue that reproacheth our Brother, much more a Blasphemous Tongue that reproacheth our Maker. Should we hear a near Relation or a dear Friend (in whose Repu­tation it is natural to us to reckon our selves sharers) spoken against and slander'd, we would readily appear in his Vindication; and have we no resentments of the Contempt and Contumely cast upon Religion? Can we sit by contentedly to hear God and Christ, and the Scripture and se­rious Godliness reflected upon, and have we no­thing to say in their behalf? Common equity o­bligeth us to be the Patrons of a just, but wronged Cause. And that we may not think our selves discharged from this Duty by our inability to defend the Truths and Ways of God, and so make our Ignorance and unskilfulness in the word of Righteousness, an excuse for our Cowardise and want of Zeal, we ought to take pains to furnish our selves with a clear and distinct knowledge of [Page 46] the certainty of those things wherein we have heen in­structed. Luke 1.4. We must labour to understand not on­ly the Truths and Principles, but the Grounds and Evidences of our Religion, that we may be able to give an Answer ( [...], an Apology) to every Man that asks us a Reason of the Hope that is in us. 1 Pet. 3.15. How industrious are the prophane Wits of the Age to find out something to say against Religion, and should not that quicken us to pro­vide our selves with the Armor of Righteousness, 2 Cor. 6.7. both on the right hand and on the left, aiming at the Riches of the full assurance of Ʋnderstanding? Col. 2.2. And if we do (as there is occasion) with Humility and Sincerity, and from a principle of Zeal for God, and his Honour, appear in Defence of Religion, and its injur'd Cause, we may doubt­less take encouragement from that promise, Mat. 10.19. It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. God will own those that own him, and will not fail to furnish his faithful Advocates with needful Instructions, Psal. 8.2. and many a time or­dains such strength out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings as strangely stills the Enemy and the A­venger.

Lastly, Let none of us ever think the worse of the way of Religion and Godliness for its being every where spoken against, nor be frighten'd hereby from walking in that way. The Contempt cast upon the Practise of Piety is with many, an invincible Objection against it; their good Impressions, good purposes and good overtures are hereby crush'd and brought to nothing: They have that with­in 'em which tells 'em that the way of Sobriety and serious Godliness is a very good way, and [Page 47] they sometimes hear that Word behind them, say­ing, This is the walk ye in it, Isa. 30.21. But they have those about 'em that tell them otherwise, and thus the convictions of Conscience are over-rul'd and baffled by the Censures and Reproaches of Men, whose Praise they covet more than the Praise of God.

But to take off the force of this Objection, let us consider these four Things.

1. Consider who they are that speak against Re­ligion and Godliness, not only that they are Mortal Men, Isa. 51.7.8, 12. whom the Moth shall eat up like a Garment, Men that shall die, and the Sons of Men which shall be made as Grass, all whose thoughts will shortly perish with them, and therefore why should we fear their Reproach, or be afraid of their revilings? Nor only they that are fallible Men who may be mistaken, and whose Judgment is by no means decisive, nor such as will bear us out: Shall we put what Men say in the Scale a­gainst what God saith? Let God be true and every Man a Liar. We must not be judg'd hereafter, and therefore should not be rul'd now by the Sentiments and Opinions of Men: But those that speak against Religion are also for the most part ill Men; Men of unsettled Heads, debauch'd Consciences, and profligate Lives. 'Tis the Fool and none but he, that saith in his heart, there is no God. The Scoffers of the last daies are Men that walk after their own Lusts, whose carnal, flesh­ly Interest retains them on that side. David was abus'd by the abjects, Psal. 35.15. and the Christians at Thessalonica by certain lewd Fellows of the baser sort, Acts 17.5. Such as those are the [Page 48] Men that make a mock at Religion, and shall we be sway'd and influenced in the greatest Concerns of our immortal Souls by such Men as these? Shall those have the Govern­ment of us that have so little Government of themselves? Shall the Cavils and vain Scoffs of those, who know not what it is to be serious, carry the day against the deliberate Sentiments of all Wise and Good Men, who have with one consent subscrib'd to the E­quity and Goodness of Religion's Ways? If we chuse such as these for our Leaders, sure­ly the Blind lead the Blind, and we know the consequence.

2. Consider how trifling and frivolous that is which is commonly said against Religion and Godliness. The Devil made his first fa­tal assault upon Mankind by Lies and Slan­ders, suggesting hard thoughts of God, and promising Impunity in Sin; and by the same wretched methods he still supports and carries on his Interest in the World. They that speak against Religion, make Lies their Refuge, and under falshood they hide themselves. All those bold and daring things which are spo­ken against Religion, are either groundless and unproved Calumnies, or very unjust and unfair Representations. 2 Thes. 3.2. Hence the Enemies of Religion are said to be absurd and unrea­sonable Men. Men that while they cry up the Oracles of Reason, rebel against all the Light and Laws of it. Put all that together which is spoken against Godliness, and weigh it in the Balances of right Reason, and you will write Tekel upon it, weigh'd in the Ballances and [Page 49] found wanting. And, as if an over-ruling Provi­dence had forced the Scoffers of these last days to confess their own Infatuation. Some of those that have been most sharp in their Invectives a­gainst Religion, have been no less free in their Satyrs against Reason it self, as if they were re­solv'd to answer the Character of Solomon's Fool, whose Wisdom fails him so far, Eccl. 10.3. that he saith to every one that he is a Fool.

3. Consider how much is to be said for Religion notwithstanding it is every where spoken against. Religion hath Reason on its side, its Cause is a Good Cause; and it is the right way whoever speaks against it. Arch Bp. Tillotson's Serm. on 2 Pet. 2, 3. It is no disparagement (as that excellent Pen expresseth it) to be laughed at, but to deserve to be so; you have heard Religion re­proach'd, but did you ever find that it deserv'd to be so? Nay; on the contrary, have you not found that it very well deserves your best Affe­ctions and Services? Enquire of those that have made trial of it, consult the Experiences of o­thers: Call now, if there be any that will answer thee, and to which of the Saints wilt thou turn? Job. 5.1. Ask thy Father and he will shew thee, Deut. 32.7. thine Elders and they will tell thee, that the Fear of the Lord that is Wisdom, and to depart from Evil, Job. 28.28 that is Ʋnder­standing. They will tell thee, That Religion's Ways are Ways of Pleasantness, Prov. 3.17 and all her Paths are Peace, and that all the Wealth and Pleasure in this World is not worth one Hours Commu­nion with God in Jesus Christ. They will tell thee, That there is no Truths so certain and weighty as Divine Truths, and that no Statutes and Judgments are so righteous as the Divine Law, which is Holy, Just, and Good. They will tell thee, That real Holiness and Sanctification [Page 50] is the Perfection of the Human Nature, as well as the Participation of a Divine Nature, That a firm Belief of the Principles of Religion is the greatest improvement of our intellectual Powers, a strict Adherence to its Rules our surest Guide in all our Ways, and a chearful Dependance up­on its Promises, the Fountain of better Joys, and the Foundation of better Hopes than any we can be furnish'd with in the things of Sense and Time. They will tell thee that a Life of serious Godliness is incomparably the most Sublime and Honoura­ble, the most Sweet and Comfortable Life a Man can live in this World; and that nothing doth more answer the end of our Creation, better be­friend Societies, nor conduce more to our true interest in both Worlds than that Holy Religion which is every where spoken against.

4. Consider that the cause of Religion and Godliness, however it be spoken against and op­pos'd, will infallibly be the prevailing Cause at last. We are sensible of a mighty struggle in the World betwixt the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent; Michael and his Angels on the one side, and the Dragon and his Angels on the other. Many there are that speak against Religion, and are very vigorous in opposing it, and some, tho' but a few, that are speaking for it, contending for the Faith, and striving against Sin, now it is desirable to know which of these contesting In­terests will be victorious; and we may be assur'd that the cause of God and Religion will certainly carry the day. Contradicted Truths will be ef­fectually clear'd and vindicated; Despised Ho­liness will be honour'd; Mistakes rectify'd; Re­proaches roll'd away; and every thing set in a true Light. Mal. 3.18. Then you shall return and discern be­tween [Page 51] Truth and Falshood, Right and Wrong, which now it is not always easie to do. The Day of the Lord is said to be in the Valley of De­cision, Joel 3.14. Because then and there will this great Cause be decided, which has been so long depending, and a definitive Sentence given from which there will ly no Appeal, and against which there will be no Exception. Psal. 50.3. Our God will then come and will not Keep Silence; whoever now Speak against Religion he will then speak for it, and will undoubtedly be justified when he speaks, Psal. 51.4. and clear when he judgeth. Particular Parties and Interests, as such, will wither and come to no­thing, But Catholick Christianity, that is Denying Ʋngodliness and Worldly Lusts, and living Soberly, Righteously, and Godly in this present World, in ex­pectation of the Blessed Hope: This is Good, and the Goodness of it being founded on the un­changeable Will of the Eternal Mind, it is Eter­nally Good, and no doubt will be Eternally Glo­rious, whatever is said against it. This, this is that Gold and Silver, and those Precious Stones, which will stand the Test of the Fire that shall try every Mans Work, 1 Cor. 3.12, 13. and will be found unto Praise, and Honour, and Glory at the Appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1.7.

Assure your selves (Christians) there is a Day of Recompences for the Controversy of Sion coming, Isa. 34.8: and it is at Hand; Jam. 5.9. Behold the Judge standeth be­fore the Door. Then Vice and Wickedness which now appear so daring, so threatning, will be effectually and irrecoverable crush'd, and such a fatal and incurable Blow given to the Serpents Head that he shall never hiss, shall never spit his Venom any more: Then shall the Ʋpright have the Dominion, Psal. 49.14. and all the faithful [Page 52] Souldiers of the Lord Jesus shall be call'd to set their Feet upon the Necks of Principalities and Powers. Jos. 10.24. Then Atheists and Blasphemers, the Debauchees and prophane Scoffers of the Age, will have their Mouths stopt with an irresistable Conviction; will have all their vile Calumnies visibly confuted; their Hearts fill'd with un­speakable Horror, and their Faces with everlasting Shame: Their Refuge of Lies will then be swept away, Isa. 28.17. and Rocks and Mountains call'd upon in vain to shelter them: Rev. 6.16. Then shall the Righteous who are now trampled upon and despised, shine as the Sun in the Firmament of their Father. Ma. 13.43. Wisdom and her Children shall be first justified, and then glori­fied before all the World: And they that through Grace have gotten the Victory over the Beast, Rev. 15.2. and over his Image, shall solace themselves, and praise their Redeemer with everlasting Songs of Triumph. The Dirt that is now unjustly thrown upon them, will not only be wiped off, but will add to their Glory, Mat. 5.11, 12. and every Reproach for the Testimony of Jesus will be a Pearl in their Crown. The Righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth will shortly render to every Man according to his Work: Rom. 2.6, 7, 8, 9. To them who by patient continuance in Well-doing seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immor­tality in the other World, and (in pursuit of that) patiently bear Disgrace and Contempt in this, to them he will render Eternal Life, which will make them as Happy as they can desire, far more Happy than they can now conceive. But to them that are Contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but contradict it, and rebel against the Light and Laws of it, being resolv'd to obey Ʋnrighteousness, to them he will render, with a just and Almighty Hand, Indignation and Wrath, the effect of which [Page 53] will be such Tribulation and Anguish to the Soul, as will make them feel eternally, what now they will not be perswaded to believe, Heb. 10.31. that it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the living God; for never any hardned their Hearts against him and prosper'd. Brethren, These are the true Sayings of God, on the certainty of which, Rev. 19.9. we may venture our Immortal Souls.

They who speak and act so much against Re­ligion, design to run it down, and extirpate it, that the Name of it may be no more in remembrance, Psa. 83.4. and perhaps you hear them sometimes boast of their success herein: If they can but handsomly (as they think) ridicule the sacred Text, or Ban­ter any of the Divine Mysteries, or Hector over a good Man, they are ready to triumph, as if they had run down Religion: Run down Reli­gion? In the Name of my great Master, I defy all the Powers of Hell and Earth to run it down: Magna est Veritas & praevalebit. They may sooner run down the flowing Tide, or the Sun when he goes forth in his strength, than run down the least of the Dictates of Eter­nal Truth, Mat. 5.18. not one iota or tittle of which shall fall to the Ground. Dagon will certainly fall before the Ark of the Lord; and the Rod of Aaron will Swallow up the Rods of the Magicians. Ex. 7.12. Do they talk of running down Religion, and the Scrip­tures, and the Ordinances of Christ? Isa. 37.22. The Virgin the Daughter of Sion hath despised them, and laughed them to scorn, the Daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her Head at them; and hath therefore put them to shame because God hath despised them, as it is said, Psal. 2.4. Psal. 53.5. He that sets in the Heavens enjoying himself, and rides upon the Heavens, Deut. 33.26. for the Help of his People, derides their Attempts against the Kingdom of his Son, as vain and fruitless. The [Page 54] Lord shall laugh at them, Psa. 37.13. for he sees that his Day is coming. They have their Day now, it is their Hour and the Power of Darkness: But God will have his Day shortly, and a Glorious Day it will be, when our Lord Jesus shall appear in all the Power and Grandeur of the Ʋpper World, to the ever­lasting Terror and Confusion of all his Adver­saries, and the everlasting Joy and Honour of all his faithful Servants and Soldiers; With the belie­ving Hopes and Prospects of which Day, let all those who heartily espouse and plead Religion's righteous Cause, Comfort themselves and one another.

FINIS.

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