A55307:47
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.
London: printed for Tho. Simmons, 1682
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.
Moreover some men read but one sort of Books, and care not to read any thing that is written in opposition to their Anticipations; or if they do read any thing of that nature, 'tis with so great a prejudice, that their judgments are rather confirmed than altered thereby. They are strongly ⟨p. 21⟩persuaded of the truth of their own apprehensions, & what is intended to shake them, doth but (as the Wind by Trees) fix and establish them. That this is a fault I do easily grant, but 'tis easier to observe than cure it; and that mens prejudices are strangely fixed and confirmed thereby, cannot be denied.
Besides, men are strangely prejudiced against some Opinions, by the infamous reports that have been raised concerning those that have defended and maintained them. Thus the Papists are prejudiced against the Doctrine of Protestants, by impudent and frontless Lies, that have been raised against Luther and Calvin, and other great instruments in the Reformation: And thus many among us have an Implacable Pique and Displeasure against Dissenters and all their Opinions, because some men do report them a company of seditious People, that can never be quiet, but are always libelling Authority, and disturbing all Order and Governments wheresoever they live. And others are as much prejudiced against Episcopacy, and the peculiar Opinions of that sort of men, because they are reported to be a generation of men, that are proud and imperious, lovers of Empire and Domination, that engross the Revenues of the Church, and employ them in Luxury and Sensuality, but care not for the Souls of men. If they will obey the Orders of the Church, and submit to its Institutions, they may defy all the Laws of God, and without restraint or control make what haste ⟨p. 22⟩they please to Hell; they countenance the Ungodly and Profane, and persecute and oppress such as fear God, & tremble at his word; they are impatient of such Meetings and Assemblies, where a company of poor Christians meet together, to hear Gods Word, and call upon his Name; but they can very patiently bear the Assemblies of riotous Sensualists and Blasphemers, that convene to defy God, promote their own Damnation, and of as many others as they can.