PREFACE.

PREFACE.

Considering the condition of Affairs in these Nations, in reference to the late Miscarriages, and present Distempers of men about Religion; it was no hard Conjecture, that some would improve the Advantage, seeming so fairly to present it self unto them, unto ends of their own: Men of prudence, ability, and leisure, engaged by all bonds imaginable in the pursuit of any special Interest, need little minding of the common ways of wisdom for its promotion. They know, that he that would fashion Iron into the image and likeness which he hath fancied, must strike whilst it is hot; when the adventitious efficacy of the fire it hath admitted, makes it pliable to that whereunto in its own nature, it is most opposite. Such seems to be, in these days, the temper of men in Religion, ⟨p. 2⟩from those flames wherewith some have been scorched, others heated, all provoked, and made fit to receive new impressions, if wisely hammered. Neither was it a difficult Prognostication for any one to fore-tell, what Arguments and Mediums would be made use of, to animate and enliven the persuasions of men, who had either right, or confidence enough, to plead or pretend a Disinterest in our miscarriages, for an embracement of their profession. Commonly with men that indulge to passion and distempers, as the most of men are apt to do, the last provocation blots out the remembrance of preceding crimes no less heinous. And what ever to the contrary is pretended, men usually have not that indignation against Principles which have produced evils they have only heard or read of; that they have against Practices under which they have personally suffered. Hence it might easily be expected, that the Romanists, supposing, at least by the help of those paroxysms they discern amongst us, that the miscarriages of some of their Adversaries would prove a garment large enough ⟨p. 3⟩to cover and hide their own, would, with much confidence, improve them to their special advantage. Nor is it otherwise come to pass. This persuasion and suitable practice thereon, runs through all the veins of the Discourse, we have proposed to consideration; making that seem quick and sprightly, which otherwise would have been but an heap, or a carcass.