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…

But if they chance to ruin all Dissenters, and none arise in succession to them, then must men grow to a carelessness & indifferency in all Religion; they shall retain the name, and perform and exercise some of the exterior parts and formalities thereof, but as for the Power of it, and a conscientious reverence and veneration for the Authority and Laws thereof, they are utter strangers thereunto. Impositions and Prosecutions upon the breach of those Laws that do enforce them, puts a period to all search and enquiry; it gives a check to all endeavours after an Increase in Knowledge: For if men use the means thereof, they will differ in their Sentiments and Apprehensions, and those differences will expose them to the public Rods and Axes; and therefore they must grow utterly negligent therein, choosing rather to be ignorant with security, than to obtain Knowledge to their ruin and destruction; and whatever puts a period to all endeavours after Knowledge and Understanding doth certainly ruin and destroy the Power of Religion. For Ignorance introduces Irreligion, Formality, and Superstition, but is no Mother to, or promoter of true, internal, hearty Religion and Devotion. And this is one of the dismal Effects that Impositions and Laws for the enforcing of men have had in Popish Countries, especially in Spain and Italy. There's nothing left in those Countries, but the name of Christianity, and some outside Formalities of Worship and Devotion; ⟨p. 40⟩they know nothing of the Power of it: And I am not without fears, that if the present Impositions in England be continued, and the Laws prosecuted, and Dissenters ruined and destroyed thereby, that (unless God raise up others) the Life and Power of Religion will decay, and Tepidity, Formality, & Indifferency, with an increase of Sensuality and Profaneness succeed thereunto.

But if they chance to ruine all Dissenters, and none arise in succession to them, then must men grow to a carelesness & indifferency in all Religion; they shall retain the name, and perform and exercise some of the exteriour parts and formalities thereof, but as for the Power of it, and a consciencious reverence and veneration for the Authority and Laws thereof, they are utter strangers thereunto. Impositions and Prosecutions upon the breach of those Laws that do enforce them, puts a period to all search and enquiry; it gives a check to all endeavours after an Encrease in Knowledge: For if men use the means thereof, they will differ in their Sentiments and Apprehensions, and those differences will expose them to the publick Rods and Axes; and therefore they must grow utterly negligent therein, chusing rather to be ignorant with security, than to obtain Knowledge to their ruine and destruction; and whatever puts a period to all endeavours after Knowledge and Understanding doth certainly ruine and destroy the Power of Religion. For Ignorance introduces Irreligion, Formality, and Superstition, but is no Mother to, or promoter of true, internal, hearty Religion and Devotion. And this is one of the dismal Effects that Impositions and Laws for the inforcing of men have had in Popish Countries, especially in Spain and Italy. There's nothing left in those Countries, but the name of Christianity, and some outside Formalities of Worship and Devotion;