A Christian Directory

§. 4. 2. Another Cause and way of Murder, is by the Pride and tyranny of men in power. When they do it easily, because they can do it. When their Will and Interest is their Rule, and their Passion seemeth a sufficient warrant for their injustice. It is not only Nero's, Tiberius's, Domitian's, &c. that are guilty of this crying crime; but O what man that careth for his soul, had not rather be tormented a thousand years, than have the blood-guiltiness of a famous applauded Alexander, or Caesar, or Tamerlane, to answer for! So dangerous a thing it is to have Power to do mischief, that Uriah may fall by a Davids guilt, and Crispus may be killed by his father Const•mine. O what abundance of horrid murders do the histories of almost all Empires and Kingdoms of the World afford us! The maps of the affairs of Greeks and Romans, of Tartariuns, Turks, Russians, Germans, of Heathens and Infidels, of Papists, and too many Protestants are drawn out with too many purple lines, and their Histories written in letters of blood. What write the Christians of the Infidels, the Orthodox of the Arians, (Romans or Goths or Vandals) or the most impartial Historians of the mock Catholics of Rome, but Blood, Blood, Blood. How proudly and loftily doth a Tyrant look, when he telleth the oppressed innocent that displeaseth him, Sirra, I'll make you know my power! Take him; Imprison him, Rack him; Hang him! Or as Pilate to Christ, Joh. 9. 10. Knowest thou not that I have power to Crucify thee, and have power to release •hee? I'll make you know that your life is in my hand: Heat the Furnace seven times hotter, Dan. 3. Alas poor worm! Hast thou power to kill? So hath a Toad or Adder or mad D•gg or pestilence, when God permitteth it. Hast thou power to kill? But hast thou also power to keep thy self alive? and to keep thy Corpse from rottenness and dust? and to keep thy soul from paying for it in Hell? or to keep thy Conscience for worrying thee for it, to all Eternity? With how trembling a heart, and ghastly look wilt thou at last hear of this, which now thou gloriest in. The bones and dust of the oppressed Innocents, will be as great and honourable as thine: And their souls perhaps in rest and joy, when thine is tormented by infernal furies.

§. 4. 2. Another Cause and way of Murder, is by the Pride and tyranny of men in power. When they do it easily, because they can do it. When their Will and Interest is their Rule, and their Passion seemeth a sufficient warrant for their injustice. It is not only Nero's, Tiberius's, Domitian's, &c. that are guilty of this crying crime; but O what man that careth for his soul, had not rather be tormented a thousand years, than have the blood-guiltiness of a famous applauded Alexander, or Caesar, or Tamerlane, to answer for! So dangerous a thing it is to have Power to do mischief, that Uriah may fall by a Davids guilt, and Crispus may be killed by his father Constmine. O what abundance of horrid murders do the histories of almost all Empires and Kingdoms of the World afford us! The maps of the affairs of Greeks and Romans, of Tartariuns, Turks, Russians, Germans, of Heathens and Infidels, of Papists, and too many Protestants are drawn out with too many purple lines, and their Histories written in letters of blood. What write the Christians of the Infidels, the Orthodox of the Arrians, (Romans or Goths or Vandals) or the most impartial Historians of the mock Catholicks of Rome, but Blood, Blood, Blood. How proudly and loftily doth a Tyrant look, when he telleth the oppressed innocent that displeaseth him, Sirra, I'le make you know my power! Take him; Imprison him, Rack him; Hang him! Or as Pilate to Christ,