Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

2. This is most contrary to the Practice of our Saviour, and to the Spirit of the Gospel. The Sword that Christ useth in subduing his Enemies, and making them willing Subjects to his Sceptre, goes ¹out of his Mouth. His Kingdom was introduced into the World by Preaching and Miracles, by doing Good and suffering Evil: he opened the way for the Gospel not by killing his Enemies, but by dying himself and in his Members: The establishing and enlarging his Religion are by suitable means, the Illumination of Mens Minds, the Persuasion of their Wills, the drawing of their Affections to embrace it. Accordingly the Apostle ⟨p. 198⟩tells us, The Weapons of our Warfare ²are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds; Casting down Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ. The Weapons are suitable to the Warfare, and the Warfare to the Kingdom, which is spiritual, not of this World. The using of Force to constrain Men to embrace the Christian Religion, is contrary to the Love, the Goodness, Meekness, Clemency and Benignity, the blessed Temper the Gospel plants in the Breasts of Christians. How severely did our Saviour rebuke the fiery Spirit in James and John? You know not what manner of Spirit you are of; the Son ³of Man came not to destroy Mens Lives, but to save them. 'Tis contrary to the Golden Rule given to all his Disciples, What you would ⟨p. 199⟩have others do to you, do you to them.

2. This is most contrary to the Practice of our Saviour, and to the Spirit of the Gospel. The Sword that Christ useth in subduing his Enemies, and making them willing Subjects to his Scepter, goes ¹out of his Mouth. His Kingdom was introduced into the World by Preaching and Miracles, by doing Good and suffering Evil: he open'd the way for the Gospel not by killing his Enemies, but by dying himself and in his Members: The establishing and enlarging his Religion are by sutable means, the Illumination of Mens Minds, the Perswasion of their Wills, the drawing of their Affections to embrace it. Accordingly the Apostle