Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

(2.) By opposing those who sincerely comply with the Heavenly Call, either by Scorn and Derision, or Violence and Persecution. Human Nature is very sensible of disparaging Reflections, and 'tis one of the spiteful Arts of Satan to make use of his Instruments to deride serious Religion out of the World. 'Tis equally profane and pernicious to turn into Raillery and wild Mirth the Impieties and Impurities of the Wicked, and the Holiness ⟨p. 217⟩that shines in the Lives of excellent Saints: for the making a Mock of Sin, takes away the just Horror and Detestation of it; and the scurrilous vilifying of Holiness, takes away the Veneration and high Respect that is due to it. Carnal Men who live in Pleasures, without restraint of their licentious Appetites, upbraided by the holy and heavenly Conservation of sincere Christians, cannot with Patience suffer others to practise what they neglect; and to countenance their own Looseness, and from Revenge, scurrilously abuse whom they will not imitate. Pure and undefiled Religion is the Game that winged Wits fly at. He that avoids the appearance and approach of Sin, that strives to be holy as God is holy in all manner of Conversation, is the Mark wherein their poisoned Arrows are fastened. The just upright ¹Man is laughed to scorn. Nay, even ⟨p. 218⟩dull Wretches will set up for Wits, and attempt by their insipid Jests, and threadbare Fooleries to abuse the Saints. But all the bitter Sarcasms that are darted upon Religion, are infinitely more hurtful to the Despisers than the Despised. It argues a prodigious Depravation of Mind in those who take a perverse delight in scorning Holiness, the glorious Likeness of God in Man: such in the account of Scripture are the worst Sinners, the most forlorn Wretches, whose Condition is dreadful, if not desperate.

(2.) By opposing those who sincerely comply with the Heavenly Call, either by Scorn and Derision, or Violence and Persecution. Human Nature is very sensible of disparaging Reflections, and 'tis one of the spiteful Arts of Satan to make use of his Instruments to deride serious Religion out of the World. 'Tis equally profane and pernicious to turn into Raillery and wild Mirth the Impieties and Impurities of the Wicked, and the Holiness