Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

3. To be Good in a profligate Age, doth much animate weak beginners; it Strengthens feeble knees, Isa. 35.3. And shores up those Temples of the Holy Ghost which are ready to fall. One mans Zeal is a Torch for others to light at. How did the Constancy of the Martyrs inflame the love of many to the Truth! Though only Christs blood doth Save, yet the blood of Martyrs may strengthen. St. Paul's Prison Chain, made Converts in Nero's Court, two of which were afterwards Martyrs as History relates. Mr. Bradford's holy advice and example so confirmed Bishop Farrar that he would not touch with the Roman Pollution.^*

3. To be Good in a prosligate Age, doth much animate weak beginners; it Strengthens feeble knees, Isa. 35.3. And shores up those Temples of the Holy Ghost which are ready to fall. One mans Zeal is a Torch for others to light at. How did the Constancy of the Martyrs inflame the love of many to the Truth! Though only Christs blood doth Save, yet the blood of Martyrs may strengthen. St. Paul's Prison Chain, made Converts in Nero's Court, two of which were afterwards Martyrs as History relates. Mr. Bradford's holy advice and example so confirmed Bishop Farrar that he would not touch with the Roman Pollution.^*

1. *Fox Acts & Mon.

4. How sad will it be for Christians to fall off from their former Profession, and espouse a novel Religion. Julian Bathed himself in the blood of Beasts Offered in Sacrifice to the Heathen Gods, and so as much as in him lay washed off his former Baptism. In the ⟨p. 9⟩time of Julius Cesar this Prodigy happened, after a plentiful Vintage there were wild Grapes appeared upon their Vines, which was looked upon as Ominous. When men seemed to bring forth the Fruits of Righteousness, and afterwards bring forth the Wild Grapes of Impiety, it is a sad Omen and Prognostic of their Ruin,