A Christian Directory

§. 2. The Verb [Persequor] is often taken in a good sense, for no more than continuato motu, vel ad extremum sequor; and sometime for the blameless prosecution of a delinquent: But we take it here, as the English word [Persecute] is most commonly taken, for [inimico affectu insequor]; for a malicious or injurious hurting or prosecuting another, and that for the sake of Religion or Righteousness. For it is not common injuries which we here intend to speak of. Three things then go to make up Persecution. 1. That it be the Hurting of another, in his Body, liberty, relations, estate, or reputation. 2. That it be done injuriously, to one who deserveth it not, in the particular which is the cause. 3. That it be for the cause of Religion or of Righteousness, that is, for the Truth of God which we hold or utter; or for the worship of God which we perform; or for obedience to the will of God revealed in his Laws. This is the cause on the sufferers part what ever is intended by the Persecutor.

§. 2. The Verb [Persequor] is often taken in a good sence, for no more than continuato motu, vel ad extremum sequor; and sometime for the blameless prosecution of a delinquent: But we take it here, as the English word [Persecute] is most commonly taken, for [inimico affectu insequor]; for a malicious or injurious hurting or prosecuting another, and that for the sake of Religion or Righteousness. For it is not common injuries which we here intend to speak of. Three things then go to make up Persecution. 1. That it be the Hurting of another, in his Body, liberty, relations, estate, or reputation. 2. That it be done injuriously, to one who deserveth it not, in the particular which is the cause. 3. That it be for the cause of Religion or of Righteousness, that is, for the Truth of God which we hold or utter; or for the worship of God which we perform; or for obedience to the will of God revealed in his Laws. This is the cause on the sufferers part what ever is intended by the Persecuter.

§. 3. There are divers sorts of Persecution. As to the Principles of the Persecutors, 1. There is a Persecution which is openly professed to be for the cause of Religion; As Heathens and Mahometans persecute Christians as Christians: And there is an Hypocritical Persecution when the pretended cause is some odious crime, but the real cause is mens Religion, or obedience to God. This is the common Persecution which nominal Christians exercise on serious Christians, or on one another. They will not say that they Persecute them because they are Godly or serious Christians; but that is the true cause: For if they will but set them above God, and obey them against God, they will abate their Persecution. Many of the Heathens thus persecuted the Christians too, under the name of Ungodly, and evil doers: But the true cause was because they obeyed not their commands in the Worshipping of their Idol Gods. So do the Papists persecute and murder men, not as Professors of the truth (which is the true cause), but under the name of Heretics and Schismatics or Rebels against the Pope, or what ever their malice pleaseth to accuse them of. And profane nominal Christians seldom persecute the serious and sincere directly by that name, but under some Nickname which they set upon them, or under the name of Hypocrites, or self-conceited or factious persons, or such like. And if they live in a place and Age where there are many Civil Wars or differences, they are sure to fetch some odious name or accusation thence: Which side soever it be that they are on; or if they meddle not on any side, they are sure by every party whom they please not, to hear Religion loaded with such reproaches as the times will allow them to vent against it. Even the Papists who take this course with Protestants, it seems by Acosta are so used themselves, not by the Heathens; but by one another, yea by the multitude, yea by their Priests: For so saith he speaking of the Parish Priests Priests among the Indians, having reproved their Dicing, Carding, Hunting, Idleness, Lib. 4 c. 15. pag. 404, 405. Itaque is cui Pastoralis Indorum cura committitur, non solum contra diaboli machinas & naturae incentiva pugnare debet; sed jam etiam confirmatae hominum consuetudini & tempore & turba praepotenti sese objicere; & ad excipienda invidorum ac malevolorum tela forte pectus opponere;