C 267) "And methitìksMien, fo proud that they cannot bear tvith any 'that differ from their ignorant dictates, fhould fcarce be willing -that Hiítory fhould lift them among the Cainites or Aabotifts. any more thanamong man-eating Cannibals. I I. Youcannot extirpate or deftroy.all Digenters, if you do your worst. i. So great a number will be true to their Con fciences, and fulfer what ever you infla on`thetn, as will take you up much.tiíne and trouble, and render you more odious to the refs. 2. The commonPeople that were indifferent, will enquire what thefe men have done, and will be turned'from thofe that alictfo many of the innocent ; efpecially their neighbours,who know thembetter by experience, than by your reports. 3. Thofethat fill not Priions, or die not as Martyrs, will but Conceal their minds, andnot change them. And they will then by out ofthe reach ofyour hurting power : When they commu- nicate with you, and give you no outward matter of accufation, what can you do to them ? Or what pretence can you find to ex- tirpate thenf'? The heart you know not : Their actions they will keepout ofthe reachof the-Law : Ifyou try them by Oaths or unjuft profeff.ions, by increafng the number ofSufferers, you will increafe your infamy andodium: And they that for fear dofwearagainft their judgments,,will hate you the more when they feel their wounded Confcience fmart. 4. And if you force them into fecrecy, they will' `th°erefpeak more freely, and will Educate their Children into 'a -hatred of your ways. And if you could deftroy then, is o`for one will fpring up as their fuccefsours. Who would have thought that' the 'neat French Mafacrc fhould have rather increafed than diminhhed the Proteftants ?' Or that Queen Mary's bone-fire fhould have extinguiflied Po- pery ? Or that the two hundred thourand murderedby the (rill) fhould but have haftned the overthrow and ruine of the murde- rers ? In fhort9 youcannot extirpate them. I I I, The more you attempt it, and the more you fucceed, the moreyou will do agai; ft yearfelves. a. Is not the King more fafe, and strong, and honourable, and eafy when he hath theHearts of ail his Subjects, than if he rule 2 People by divifions and perfecutions fhattered like a broker ilafs,or living inprofecution or fear, and hatredofoneanóther, ",
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