Such Men as these profited not a little by the superstition of the People; and therefore could not but always have an interest opposite to that of Vertue:  Since the more vertuous Men were, the less they stood in need of, or minded those Matters, of which these managers of Mysteries and Ceremonies had the gainful direction.  No wonder then at all was it that the Gospel found so much opposition, whose design was so Diametrically contrary to the interest of a Party every where in such Power and Credit; and whose Author so expresly declared, that his coming was to abolish all such Institutions and Practices.

The Power of God yet prevail’d in spight of that of Men; and Christianity in a little time had spread itself through the Roman Empire.

What remedy then remain’d more fit to be devis’d by the Devil or evil Men, to make the Gospel of no effect, than under specious pretences of owning and honouring it, to corrupt it with the old Pagan Principles and Practices, introduc’d under a Christian Disguise?  But it being so plainly deliver’d in the whole Tenour of the New Testament, that Christ being once for all offer’d up, there remained no more Sacrifice for Sin; and that he came to teach Men to worship God in Spirit and, in Truth.  There was no room left for the searchers for their Religion in these Holy Oracles to be led into the formerly mention’d Pagan Superstitions.  The Scriptures therefore must be discarded, or, what was the same thing, shut up from vulgar Readers:  Which were all but those who had made it their interest to mislead others by their Explications:  The which, together with vain Traditions, supported by the Authority of reverend Names, coming in the place of Scripture, were enjoyn’d to be receiv’d equally with Divine Truths on Terrour of eternal Punishment to as many as could be so persuaded, but to be sure of Temporal Penalty to all who durst withstand this violence done to the common reason of Mankind.

The which Spirit of Imposition and Persecution began to shew itself very early among the Professors of Christianity:  And so soon as these were arm’d with secular Power, they fail’d not to make use of it one against another, for imposing of Humane Inventions to the neglect of what all profess’d to believe God indispensibly requir’d of them.  The which Mystery of Iniquity, tho’ it already worked, in the Apostles Days, yet could not be reveal’d even ’till the power of Heathen Rome was taken out of the way:  And Christianity had Civil as well as Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, by their Religions, becoming that of the Empire:  Which, when it did, Antichrist soon appear’d in his full Dimensions; and the Christian World became a very Aceldama; A History of which (sad as it is) might perhaps, with some pleasure, be perus’d, were those Tragedies now at an end; or the Reformed part of Christendom had no share in the Guilt.

We generally indeed exclaim against the Cruelties of the Roman Church exercis’d over Men, on account or pretence of Religion:  And it is true, that they have excell’d herein; yet all Parties among us, proportionally to the extent of their Power, have practis’d the same thing; and the Best, when restrain’d from it by the Civil Magistrate, make it evidently appear, that they bear that restraint uneasily.