they come to be prefented for it before an unerring Tribunal. So that, methinks, they should have taken care how they run down that Sincerity, which may one day ftand them in fo great ftead. I defire not to be misunderstood in! what I fay of Sincerity; for I all along suppose a Man to have made a due use of his Faculties, i in order to attain that Knowledge and other Im->> provements, which may be neceffary to direct his Thoughts and Actions. But if thro' Sloth, Bigotry, or the like, he has fail'd in this, then he becomes without excufe: To fuppofe that a Man who has made. a. due ufe of his Faculties, and afterwards fincerely. goes about any Action, as thinking it well pleafing to God, can displease God in fo doing, is to fuppofe God and arbitrary and tyrannical Mafter, one who is refolved to be displeas'd at all adventures. I defire thofe who entertain fuch Thoughts of God, would acquaint the World how it is poffible for any Man to behave himfelf, fo as to become acceptable to him. Must a Man act contrary to his Confcience? No, that to be fure will fubject him to the divine Difpleafure. Muft he act according to it, 7. e. in Sincerity, as it it is called? No, thefe Gentlemen fay, the Principles of the Gofpel will not allow it. Which way muft a Man act? I readily agree, that Sincerity (either real, or as it is called) is no Excuse before human Judicatures, who, judging of Men by their Actions, take it, that when a Man does an ill Action he does it with an ill Intent. But God, who knows the Heart, can judge of its Sincerity or Infincerity. In the next Paragraph but one, they fay "It is this Infidelity, and these licentious Prin"ciples, that are the Source of those flagrant "Enormities and unnatural Vices, not fit to be "named amongft Chriftians." If thefe Vices are not fit to be named amongst Christians, L would gladly know why they are printed in Capitals in the Title-Page of this Presentment, and foisted in between Infidels and impious Books. And as for being caus'd by Infidelity, I dare venture a Wager, that every one of those who lately fuffer'd for that unnatural Vice, believ'd the Trinity. On the other hand, în Italy, un der the Pope's Nofe, where all free Inquiries into Matters of Religion are quite fhut out, every body knows that Vice reigns more than in any other Part of the World. "The "The Difhonour that the exceffivè Growth "of Herefy, Infidelity, and Profaneness hath "brought on our Church and Nation, &c.” The Growth of Herefy and Infidelity, can bring no difhonour in the World on those who continue in the Orthodox Faith, more than that they may be fuppofed, either thro' Laziness or Ignorance, not to have brought good Arguments in order to convince them. But if the Orthodox Believers have acquitted themselves as they fhould do in this refpect, all the Dishonour that remains will belong to the Hereticks and Infidels. Our Ecclefiaftical and Civil Conftitution muft needs undergo reproach, as if we either "wanted Laws to punifh fuch Enormities, or *Zeal to turn the edge of thofe Laws upon the daring Offenders." As for Herefy and Infi delity, (for I meddle not with the word Profanenefs, not knowing in what Senfe the Gentlemen use it) no body will reproach us for not punishing them, but such as love to copy after Popery. I fancy I could name a whole Nation, (a Nation, the Welfare of whofe State is pretty much link'd with ours) that would have quite another Notion of us. "Nevertheless, in hopes of the Affiftance of "this Honourable Court, to stop this Torrent of "Infidelity "Infidelity and Profanenefs, which may other"wife draw down the Vengance of Heaven on this Church and Nation; We the GrandJury, &c." It comforts me to think, that I live under the Providence of a good God, who will not fend down his Vengeance on a Nation, whenever a Grand-Jury thinks fit to call for it. On the other hand, if we heartily beftir ourfelves in endeavouring to confute our Adverfaries; then I hope, we shall not only ftay God's Vengeance, (who would not have destroy'd Sodom, if there had been five righteous Men in it) but likewife ftop this fame Torrent of Infidelity. But if we chufe rather to beat our Fellow-Servants, and deal about Blows upon fuch as we cannot convince by Argument; I much more fear, that we fhall draw down the Vengeance of Heaven for our Uncharitablenefs, or rather we fhall have no occafion for it, but may make a fhift to deftroy one another without it: For Perfecution, let it begin where it will, if you let it alone, will never reft till it have destroyed good part of Mankind. I am, SI R, Your Humble Servant, JOHN WICKLIFFE. |