A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

3. Consider the Mischief that is hereby done to the Souls of others. They who thus err, their error remaineth not with themselves, but this poisonous and malignant Breath infects others. Words spoken against Religion eat as doth a Canker, ¹and they who speak them, seldom perish alone in their iniquity, for many follow their pernicious ways. ²Unwary Souls are easily beguiled, and brought to conceive rooted Prejudices against that which they hear every where spoken against, and few have Consideration and Resolution enough to maintain a good opinion of that which they that set up for Wits, make it their business to cry down. ³Sergius Paulus was a prudent Man, and yet St. Paul saw him in danger of being turned away from the Faith, by the subtle Suggestions of Elymas the Sorcerer, which therefore the Apostle resented with a more than ordinary keenness. It is sad to think how many Young People, who perhaps were well Educated and Hopeful, ⟨p. 37⟩when they go abroad into the World, by conversing with those who lie in wait to deceive, have their minds insensibly vitiated and debauched, and perhaps they are made seven times more the Children of Hell than those that first seduced them. Under a pretence of free Thought, and fashionable Conversation, and a generous Disdain of Preciseness and Singularity; Atheistical Principles are imbibed, the Restraints of Conscience shaken off, Brutish Lusts not only indulged but […] for, and serious Godliness and Devotion loo•d upon with Contempt, and thus the Heart […] impregnably fortified for Satan against Christ and his Gospel, Wrath is treasured up against the Day of Wrath, and those who might have been the Blessing prove the Plague of their Age, which is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation to all that wish well for the souls of Men, and to th•s• especially that are desirous of the welfare of the rising Generation.

3. Consider the Mischief that is hereby done to the Souls of others. They who thus err, their error remaineth not with themselves, but this poisonous and malignant Breath infects others. Words spoken against Religion eat as doth a Canker,