u 112 Of Chr /ian Liherty. S E R M. gofpel, which is the effence of pratical IV. chriftianity; but a merely external con- `` Brained obedience, proceeding from world. ly confiderations and human terrors ? This impious antichriftian plan was not finifhed at once; fuch a total alteration of chriftianity, it cannot be thought chriftians in any age would have confpired in making or fubmitting to, had it been propofed to them intire, and in all its deteftable deformity; but it had an early commencement, and role up gradually, increafing continually by the la- bour of bufy ambitious minds, through many fucceffively degenerating ages, without their being able to forefee what it would arrive to at laft ; the myftery of iniquity began to work even in the apoftolic times, and from the addition of a few trifling ceremonies to the fimplicity of the chriftian fervice, and more moderate claim of ecclefiaftic power, under the pretence of preferving order, peace, and uniformity in the churches, it grew, by unperceived degrees, to that bur - denfom heap of fuperftitious, nay and idola- trous rites, and that enormous tyranny which hath defaced the beauty of the chri- ftian inftitution, enervating the precepts of the holy Jefus, and, fo far as it is receiv- ed, thoroughly enflaving his fubjeds. But 4 divine
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