It is greatly complained of that Popery doth increase in this na- tion; and some express their fears of its farther prevalency, and that perhaps not without cause. And although there are several other ways whereby men may and do apostatize from the truth, yet all those who take any other measure of things besides their own secular interests, with the corrupt affections of their minds, in wrath, envy, and revenge, do look on this as far the most dangerous, as that which will be most compliant with the predominant lusts of the present age, and most comprehensive to receive the community of men. Besides, by what it hath done formerly, it sufficiently in- structs what it is likely enough to do again. Wherefore very many industriously attempt its prevention, as that which would prove (if it should prevail) deplorably ruinous unto the nation and their pos- terity therein. To this end some implore the aid of authority for the enacting of severe laws for the prohibition of it. This, according to the opinion of late ages, some suppose the most effectual means for the preservation of the truth; for if they can but destroy all that are otherwise minded, the rest of mankind will have the face of peace unto them who are advantaged thereby. _Some write books in the confutation of the errors of it, and that to very good purpose.
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ENMITY A CAUSE OF APOSTASY. 89
But in the meantime, if there be any thing of truth in reports, the work is as effectually progressive as if no opposition had been made unto it; and we may assure ourselves that these and such like means as these, if they are alone, will never keep Popery out of England, if it should ever have an advantage and opportunity for a return, nor prevent the entrance of any other false way in religion.
As for the use and severity of penal laws, I meddle not with it, as that which is to be referred to the wisdom of our governors. But T must needs say, it seems not to be unto the advantage of truth, or, at least, not unto the reputation of them by whom it is professed, that they should no otherwise be able to preserve its station amongst men. Neither can it be honourable unto any religion, that where it pretends unto all the advantages and rights of truth, and [is]in the real possession of all outward emoluments and supportments, yet that it cannot secure itself or maintain its profession without outward force and violence, things so remote from the first introduction and plant-
ing of truth in the world. But these things are not of our present
consideration. [As] for the confutation of the errors, superstitions, and idolatrous practices of the church of Rome, in books of contro- versy, it is no doubt a work good, useful, and necessary in its kind; but when all is done, these things reach but a few, nor will many divert from other occasions to the serious consideration of them. Wherefore some other way must be fixed on and engaged in to secure the truth and interest of protestant religion among us; and this is no other but the effectual communication of the knowledge of it unto the minds, and the implantation of the power of it on the hearts of the people. This is that alone which will root out of them that enmity unto evangelical mysteries and spiritual things which betrays the souls of men into apostasy.
Unless men know what they are to value religion for, and what benefit they really receive by its profession, it is irrational to expect that they will be constant therein when a trial shall befall them. — If once they come to say, “It is in vain thus to serve God,” or, “What
" profit is it that we have kept his ordinances?” they will easily admit
the yoke of any falsehood or superstition that pretends to gratify them with greater advantages. And at one time or other it will be no otherwise with them with whom this enmity is predominant. But, on the other side, when God by the gospel “shines in the hearts of men, to give them the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ;” when they find their consciences set free thereby from the intolerable yokes of superstition and tradition ; and that by the word of truth which they do profess they are begotten anew unto the hope of eternal life, their inward man ‘being renewed and their lives reformed thereby; that their expectation of a blessed
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90 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
immortality is well founded on it and safely resolved into it,—they will, through the effectual supplies of the Spirit of Christ, abide con- stant in the profession of it, whatever may befall them. .
On these terms, on these experienced evidences of truth and good- ness, was the gospel first entertained among men, and the reforma- tion of religion first introduced into this nation; for although sundry other things concurred unto its reception and establishment, yet if the minds of multitudes had not received an experience of its power and efficacy unto the ends mentioned, it would never have been of any permanency among us. The mere outward form of true religion is not able to contend with that appearance which error and super- stition will represent unto the minds of men, as knowing how much they stand in need thereof.