40 AN MUMBLE ATTEMPT, &C. to loss and shame, and yet not so much at to seek after any re- compence in the gains oftrue' religion, in the rewards and honours of heaven, and the blessings of the world to come? When Our Saviour foretold his disciples, while they follow- ed his ministry, that they shouldbe persecuted and hated of all men for his name's sake, he encourages them to bear up under all these hardships, by pron&sing them the favour of his Father, his own blessing, and a large reward in the heavenly world, John xv. 19, 29. Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen youout of the world, therefore the world hateth you. If they havepersecuted n?e they will also persecute you. xvi. 33. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcotne the world, and in me ye shall have peace. Mat. v. 10-12. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and speak all manner Of evil against you for my name's sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. These are the promises which our great Redeemer made to support the spirits of his persecuted disciples; but it is always to be understood on this condition, that they maintained their character of exalted virtue as the dis- ciples of the Holy Jesus, and in this view and prospect they were wise and happy, notwithstanding all their sufferings. But does not your own reason tell you, it is a vain and ridiculous thing in you to expose yourselves to the unkindness ofyour neigh- bours, and the loss of your honour or peace in any degree, for the sake of separate forms of worship and religion, if you take no care to secure some superior blessings by your conduct, which will far overbalance all the mockery and ridicule, all the hatred and hardships you sustain.? Is it not a very weak and senseless thing for any person to bear scandal and reproach for being a professor of strict religion in any form whatsoever, ifhe has nothing else to comfort him, but the mere manner, shape and outward form of this strict religion ? Will this empty form and shadow of nonconformity balance against the solid evils of poverty and real losses, against the bitter scoffs and jeers of an ungodly world ? Is he not a fool in grain to .take up with a de- spised and ridiculed profession and formof godliness, if he neg- lects the inward reality, the life and power of it, and the divine hopes and joys that belong to it, in order to support and recom- pense his sufferings? A hypocrite in any party or profession of religion has but a very unprofitable bargain at the foot and ba- lance of the account; but to be a hypocrite amongst the dissen- ters is a degree of folly that wants a name, when he gets nothing by it but reproach and contempt in this world, and damnation in the other. II. You professby this your separation, that you dare to be singular inyour place, and modes of worship, and in the minis-
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