magnified beyond all bounds: what he has done once or twice in his life, will be represented as his daily practice : and the faults of one will be imputed to the whole body : nor can a wolf more delight in the blood of a lamb, than these do in tearing to pieces the characters of the Lord's people. We appeal to all, whether this be not true ? and whether there be not still as much reason as ever to say, " We know concerning this sect, that it is every where spoken against?"]
2. Their very character exposes them to injuries —
[It is well known to be an established principle with them, to suffer patiently, and not to avenge themselves; insomuch, that if a person professing godliness should indulge an angry and vindictive spirit, he would be universally considered as having no pretensions to real piety. Hence every one is bold enough to insult or injure them: a man that would not dare to shew the smallest disrespect to a worldly character, will take liberties with them, and calumniate them without fear. As the defenceless condition of the sheep invites the wolf, whose ferocity would be curbed in the presence of a lion, so a cowardly principle operates on the world, and instigates them to attack those from whom they expect no vindictive retaliation.]
3. They are considered as the legitimate prey of all who choose to oppress them —
[It is well said by the prophet, " He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey." Let any other respectable person be calumniated, and he will find some one to espouse his cause ; but, as we before observed, the religious man has no advocate ; every one has a right to say of him whatever he pleases. Let any other order of men be loaded with opprobrium, and multi- tudes will start up in their defence: yea, even a word that can bear an interpretation unfavourable to them, will be construed into a libel : but ten thousand words, the most harsh, the most cruel, and the most unjust, may be spoken against religious people ; the whole order of them may be condemned as fools and hypocrites, and no one will feel himself offended, nor will any one complain of the imcharitableness of such censures. Whence then is this ? Is it not, that these people are gene- rally understood to be excluded in a measure from the common rights of men ; and that every one has a right to attack them as he will ? Let a disorderly man interrupt a public or private concert, and an universal indignation will be excited against him : but let him disturb a religious assembly in their public or social ordinances, and the world will be far more ready to vindicate than condemn him ; or, at most, will only smile, as though he had committed but a slight and venial offence. ' Do not these things shew, that religious people are not on