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The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 6 › Section 6
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. Because under a pretence of greater strictness in Religion, they do but hatch and carry on Sedition and Rebellion; and that the World will never be quiet, whilst such Vipers are suffered in the Bowels of it.
3. That both the former have been made su• •iciently evident and apparent in several former, and more recent Instances of the Hypocrisy and seditious Designs of as high Pretenders to Religion and Reformation, as those are, whom they truly hate, and would not suffer them to live, if their Power were answerable to their Hatred.
As to this first Plea, viz. Their Hypocrisy, 'twill quickly be found to be too thin and weak, ⟨p. 104⟩to endure the Test of your own Reason and Consciences. For how will you answer them, when they shall thus argue and expostulate the matter with you?
You that thus Censure, and those that are censured for Hypocrisy by you, do both profess one and the same Religion. Your profane Lives are toriously contrary to all the Principles of this Religion. You Swear, Drink, Whore, Revile, and Persecute the others, only because you fancy their Tones, Gestures, &c. to be some way or other indecent You cannot deny, but they live Soberly and Godly. They attend upon all the Duties of Religion strictly and conscientiously. Your Malice against them can find nothing to carp at, but some little Trifles, with which the Essence of Religion is not concerned. Did they run into the same excess of riot with you, greater matters than these would be over-looked, yea, and applauded too.