A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

But when the Genius of a Christian Nation, seems, in the rising Generation, to be leading to a general Apostasy, from Christianity, in its Principal, and most Substantial Parts; and they are only patient of some External Rituals, that belong, or are made appendent to it, so as but to endure them, either •ith Reluctancy, or ⟨p. 205⟩Contempt. When the Juvenile Wit, and Courage, which are thought to belong to a Gentleman, entering upon the Stage of the World, are employed in satirizing upon the Religion, into which they have been Baptized, in bold Efforts against the Lord that bought them! Whither doth this tend!

But when the Genius of a Christian Nation, seems, in the rising Generation, to be leading to a general Apostacy, from Christianity, in its Principal, and most Substantial Parts; and they are only patient of some External Rituals, that belong, or are made appendent to it, so as but to endure them, either •ith Reluctancy, or ⟨p. 205⟩Contempt. When the Juvenile Wit, and Courage, which are thought to belong to a Gentleman, entring upon the Stage of the World, are imployed in satyrizing upon the Religion, into which they have been Baptiz'd, in bold Efforts against the Lord that bought them! Whither doth this tend!

Some would seem so modest, as in the midst of their profane Oaths, and Violations of the Sacred Name of God, to beg his Pardon, and say, God forgive them. But so ludicrously, as he whom Cato animadverts upon, For begging Pardon that he wrote in Greek, which he was unacquainted with; saying, He had rather ask Pardon, than be Innocent;¹ for what should induce him to do so unnecessary a thing, for which Pardon should be necessary? ⟨p. 206⟩