Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

And, what little reason we have now to think to ingratiate our selves with the Pagan-Christians (as some think they have ground enough to stile the Papists.) I would rather ye should hear from a learned Doctor, than from me, who delivers this, among his Documents (as he calls them.) Seeing we are so well assured, that the Papacy is the Kingdom of Antichrist, or that City of Babylon, wherein the people of God, were held captive, we should leave no string, or tassel of our ancient captivity upon us, such, I mean, as whereby they may take hold on us, and pull us back again into our former Bondage: but look upon our selves as absolutely free from any tie to them, more than in endeavouring their Conversion, and Salvation. Which we knowing so experimentally not to be compassed by needless symbolizings with them, in any thing, I conceive our best policy, is studiously to imitate them in Nothing: But for all indifferent things, to think rather the worse of them, for their using them. As no Person of Honour, would willingly go in the known garb of any lewd, and infamous Persons. Whatsoever we court them in, they do but turn it, to our scorn, and contempt, and are the more hardened in their own wickedness. [Dr. Hen. More, Divine ⟨p. 311⟩Dialogues, Part ii. pag. 398.] How easily soever Pagan Rites were admitted into the Christian Church, I am sure many of them have taken such deep root, that it is very difficult to eradicate, and purge them out. So much for the third Obstruction.

Fourthly, They who desire to be helpful in promoting the entertainment of the Gospel, must not, unnecessarily provoke, and exasperate those, whom they would win over to it. Moses refused to permit the Israelites, to sacrifice to the Lord, before the faces of the Egyptians, lest they should be enraged thereupon, and stone them, Exod. viii. 25, 26. They must not, indeed, forbear to do that, which, under all due circumstances, God hath made to be their present duty. Yet even, in such cases, they should remember my Text, [Walk in wisdom, toward them that are without.] And learn what that meaneth, I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice. They must declare against their idolatry, and endeavour to convert them to the true God, as Paul did,