ESSAY VII. 211 magistrate to persecute some of them to pt'isons, and almost to death. He flattered his consciencewith hopos that his zeal for the churchshould not only render him acceptable at the last day, but provide him a large reward. He lies now languishing upon a bed of sickness, on the borders of eternity, and is terribly awakened to behold his own mistake; whilst be stand within sight of the tribunal of Christ, and the face of the Judge, his former practice appears to his conscience in its true and frightful shape ; the fire that bath animated him against his brethren, now flashes in his soul, and discovers its infernal source ; now he dreads to be made an example of the same vengeance among devils, with which he hath pursued his fellow -mortals, he groans out his last breath in bitter agonies ; cries to the God of love for mercy upon his departing spirit; and expires almost without` hope. He is gone. But we leave his soul to the compassions of a God who can better pardon his mighty errors, than he would forgive others in their little mistakes. Thus dreadfully hath this vice of uncharitableness prevailed against the honour of Chris- tianity, and the peace of mankind. Thus sacrilegiously bath it taken away one of the brightest marks of the best religion, and that is love. It hath defaced the beauty of our holy profession, scandalized the sacred name that we bear, made a slaughter- house of the church of Christ, and deceived the souls of men to their own eternal ruin. Just as I had finished this essay, Pharisaino happened to come into my study, and taking up the first leaf, readthe title, and was persuaded this discourse must be written againt himself. "No, said I, there is not any man alive personally intended in these papers, but if you please to peruse them, and shall apply the characters to yourself; I hope you will confess divine provi- dence has led you into a conviction of your false zeal." Phari- saino sat himdown immediately, and with a running eye passed through every page. And though the frequent wrinkle of his brow discoveredhis inward chagrin and disgust, yet he paid me many a ceremony ; and " behold, saidbe, howlanguage and fancy will dress up zeal like a monster to frighten men out of their fer- vour of spirit. " I have heard, added he, that you have some skill in paint- ing, pray drawme the figure of this uncharitableness injust and proper colours, this monsterwhich you complain has so narrowed and disgraced, and murdered Christianity," I will attempt it, Pharisaino, if you will furnish me with a sheet of large paper, and that of the fairest kind, to represent the Christian church in this world. First, I will pare it round, and reduceit to a very small compass ; then with much ink will I stain the white- ness of it, and deform it with many a blot; at the next sitting I will stab it through rudely with an iron pen; and when I put . the last hand to complete the likeness, it shall be smeared over- -with blood. o2
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