Now then (worthy Brethren) consider and view over what ye gain to your design, whiles some among you endeavour by pen to blot the fair copy of Truth; (because you at present bStoop not down low enough to see it a Truth) and to cross out of the Book of mens memory and esteem the names of them whom God will honour, though you will not? Surely the copy is written out fairer and fuller; books are multiplied; more men read them; and by reason of the late mists hovering over Truth, and cords of bondage straitening mens consciences; all men of conscience are more eager to search out, and having found, to stand to, and sit down by those Truths that clear their minds, and set free their spirits. Mists mantling and masking, the Sun ascending, are soon cast off, and dispelled by its beams, being near his Zenith. We grasp with men of rising parts, and high places, for free speaking, about Text proof Points, to our loss. By an Antiperistatical opposition, the zeal of godly learned Writers, (before concealedly clouded with more silence) is set on fire: the cloud breaks, the voice of their thunder (as the Historian speaks of that Greek Commander Pericles his Fulminating Oratory) awakens the World, and the flame burns up the hay and stubble. 2Truth is like Camomile; the more it is trodden, the more it spreads. Like the Wall-nut tree, the more it is beaten for its fruit this year, the more it fructifies the next. Eclipses cause men more to stare after the Sun, and more joy in the enjoying of its light, ⟨image 3⟩when got free. The Jews crying up Mosaical Ceremonies, and humane traditions; Stephen, Peter, Paul, dispute, Preach, Apologize for the Spirituality, and liberty of the Gospel.3 What succeeds? thousands are converted, ten thousand are convinced, and the World is over-run with the knowledge of the truth, as the waters cover the Sea. The Gentiles likewise, (especially the Roman Empire) take the next turn to dedignifie the christians, scandalize their religious practises, and to persecute both (witness the ten persecutions.) What was the income, the return of gain upon that adventure? Upstart those mighty Giants in Religion, awakened with an holy inflammation of zeal, Aristides, Justinus, Melito Apollinaris, Athenagoras, Apollonius, Tertulllanus, &c. And gloriously Apologize for the Truth: James, Thomas, Andrew, Matthew, Philip, Mark, and others of the Apostles;
Now then (worthy Brethren) consider and view over what ye gain to your design, whiles some among you endeavour by pen to blot the fair copy of Truth; (because you at present bStoop not down low enough to see it a Truth) and to crosse out of the Book of mens memory and esteem the names of them whom God will honour, though you will not? Surely the coppy is written out fairer and fuller; books are multiplied; more men reade them; and by reason of the late mists hovering over Truth, and cordes of bondage streightning mens consciences; all men of conscience are more eager to search out, and having found, to stand to, and sit down by those Truths that clear their minds, and set free their spirits. Mists mantling and masking, the Sun ascending, are soon cast off, and dispelled by its beams, being neer his Zenith. We grasp with men of rising parts, and high places, for free speaking, about Text proof Points, to our losse. By an Antiperistatical opposition, the zeal of godly learned Writers, (before concealedly clouded with more silence) is set on fire: the cloud breaks, the voyce of their thunder (as the Historian speaks of that Greek Commander Pericles his Fulminating Oratory) awakens the World, and the flame burns up the hay and stubble. 2Truth is like Camomile; the more it is trodden, the more it spreads. Like the Wal-nut tree, the more it is beaten for its fruit this year, the more it fructifies the next. Eclipses cause men more to stare after the Sun, and more joy in the injoying of its light, ⟨image 3⟩when got free. The Iews crying up Mosaical Ceremonies, and humane traditions; Stephen, Peter, Paul, dispute, Preach, Apologize for the Spiritualtie, and liberty of the Gospel.3 What succeeds? thousands are converted, ten thousand are convinced, and the World is over-run with the knowledge of the truth, as the waters cover the Sea. The Gentiles likewise, (especially the Roman Empire) take the next turn to dedignifie the christians, scandalize their religious practises, and to persecute both (witnesse the ten persecutions.) What was the income, the return of gain upon that adventure? Upstart those mighty Giants in Religion, awakned with an holy inflammation of zeal, Aristides, Justinus, Melito Apollinaris, Athenagoras, Apollonius, Tertulllanus, &c. And gloriously Apologize for the Truth: Iames, Thomas, Andrew, Matthew, Philip, Mark, and others of the Apostles;
- b1. Pet. 1.12. [Greek or Hebrew] The Angels desire earnestly to stoop down to look into the things of the Gospel.1. Pet. 1.12. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 The Angels desire earnestly to stoop down to look into the things of the Gospel.
- 21. Cor. 3.12, 13. 14 &c.
- 3Act. 2. Act. 4.