A letter concerning the matter of the present excommunications

If we are Christians, we are concerned in these things as much as we are in the glory of Christ, and the salvation of our own souls. If we only make a pretence of religious Duties, if we only erect an image of them for our own advantage, we may despise them, but at our peril.

How well these things are observed in the present Excommunications, is notorious. Once to mention them, is to deserve a second Thunderbolt: An account of them as to matter of fact, will be shortly given; at present I shall only say, That there is not any transaction of affairs in any kind amongst men civilized, wherein there is a ⟨p. 20⟩greater appearance and evidence of turbulent passions, acting themselves in all manner of irregularities, more profaneness of expression, more insolent insultations, more brawling, litigious proceedings, more open mixtures of money demanded in pretended administrations of Right and Equity, than there are in the public proceedings about them: Shall any Christian suppose that the Holy Spirit of God, on whom alone depends the efficacy of all Divine Ordinances unto their proper end, will immix his holy Operations in or with this furious exertion of the lusts of men? If this be looked on as the Complement of Christian Discipline, or the last and utmost actings of this Authority of Christ towards men in this World, it must needs be a temptation unto men of atheistical inclinations: certainly greater scandal cannot be given; and it is the interest of some, at least for the preservation of a veneration to their Office, to dispose of proceedings in this case, in such a way and manner, as may administer occasion of consideration unto them concerned, and ⟨p. 21⟩not be carried on as at present, with Laughter, Indignation and Confusion; and if Dissenters are to be destroyed, it is desired, that the work were left unto the Penal statutes, which as now prosecuted and interpreted, are sufficient for it; rather than that the name of Religion, and a Divine ordinance, should merely for that end be exposed to contempt.