A Christian Directory

And it is plain that in most Countries the universal enmity of corrupted nature to serious Godliness, would inflame the rabble if they were but ungoverned, to commit more murders and cruelties upon the Godly, than most of the persecutors in the world have committed. Yet I deny not, that in most places there are a sober sort of men of the middle rank, that will hear reason, and are more equal to Religion than the Highest or the Lowest usually are. But suppose these sober men were the more numerous, yet is the vulgar rabble the more violent, and if Rulers restrained them not, would leave few of the faithful alive on earth. As many volumes as are written of the Martyrs, who have suffered by persecutors, I think they saved the lives of many more than they murdered. Though this is no thanks to them, it is a mercy to others: As many as Queen Mary Martyred, they had been far more if She had but turned the rabble loose upon them, and never meddled with them by Authority. I do not think Nero or Diocletian Martyred near so many, as the people turned loose upon them would have done. Much more was Julian a protector of the Church from the popular rage, though in comparison of a Constantine, or Theodosius he was a plague. If you will but consider thus the benefits of your common protection, your thankfulness for Rulers would overcome your murmurings. In some places and at some times perhaps the people would favour the Gospel, and flock after Christ if Rulers hindered them not: But that would not be the ordinary case; and their unconstancy is so great, that what they built up one day in their zeal, the next day they would pull down in fury.

And it is plain that in most Countreys the universal enmity of corrupted nature to serious Godliness, would inflame the rabble if they were but ungoverned, to commit more murders and cruelties upon the Godly, than most of the persecutors in the world have committed. Yet I deny not, that in most places there are a sober sort of men of the middle rank, that will hear reason, and are more equal to Religion than the Highest or the Lowest usually are. But suppose these sober men were the more numerous, yet is the vulgar rabble the more violent, and if Rulers restrained them not, would leave few of the faithful alive on earth. As many volumes as are written of the Martyrs, who have suffered by persecuters, I think they saved the lives of many more than they murdered. Though this is no thanks to them, it is a mercy to others: As many as Queen Mary Martyred, they had been far more if She had but turned the rabble loose upon them, and never meddled with them by Authority. I do not think Nero or Dioclesian Martyred near so many, as the people turned loose upon them would have done. Much more was Iulian a protector of the Church from the popular rage, though in comparison of a Constantine, or Theodosius he was a plague. If you will but consider thus the benefits of your common protection, your thankfulness for Rulers would overcome your murmurings. In some places and at some times perhaps the people would favour the Gospel, and flock after Christ if Rulers hindered them not: But that would not be the ordinary case; and their unconstancy is so great, that what they built up one day in their zeal, the next day they would pull down in fury.