and Woman, and a Man and Woman of Gaul, which were facrificed to Jupiter Latiaris at Rome: Those most holy Myfteries also, whether of Ceres, or of Liber Pater, were as full as ever they could hold of filthinefs and obfcenity; as appeared when the fecrets of this Religion were once laid open, and began to be divulged: of which Clemens Alexandrinus, and others, have given us a large account. Thofe Feftival days alfo which were confecrated to the honour of the Gods were celebrated with fuch fpectacles, that grave Cato was afhamed to be prefent at them. But in the Jewish Religion there was nothing unfeemly, nothing difhoneft or unlawful. Howbeit left the People that were prone to Idolatry, fhould decline or fall back from the true Religion, it was loaded of burdened with many precepts concerning fuch things as in themselves were neither good nor evil, fuch were the facrificing of Beasts, the Circumcifion, an exact reft from labour upon the Sabbath, and the prohibition of eating fundry kind of meats; fome of which cuftoms the Turks have borrowed from them, adding further a prohibition for drinking Wine,

But the Chriftian Religion teacheth, that as God is a moft pure Spirit; fo is he to be worshipped with purenefs of mind and Spirit, together with fuch works as in their own nature without a precept are moft laudable and honeft. Thus the profeffors thereof are not to circumcife the flesh, but their carnal lufts and defires; not to keep Holyday by a rest from all kind of work whatsoever, but only from that which is unlawful. Nor are we to offer unto God the blood and fat of Beafts; but if need be, even our own blood for the teftimony of the truth. And what bounty or libe

rality foever we bestow upon poor and neceffitous perfons, to look upon it as given to God himfelf. We need not now abftain from any kind of meat or drink, but may and ought to use them both with moderation, fo that our health be not thereby impaired; fometimes notwithstanding fubduing our Bodies to our Minds by fafting, that they thereby may be the better fitted and prepared for more chearful devotion. But the chief point of this Religion, it is every where apparent, lies in a pious confidence: by which being compofed to a faithful obedience, we rely wholly upon God, and ftedfastly believe the performance of his promifes. Whence there arifes a good Hope, and a true Love both of God and -our Neighbours: which makes us obey his Precepts, not in a base fervile manner, for fear of punishment; but that we may please him, and have him, out of his great goodness, our Father and Rewarder.

Moreover we are taught to pray, not for riches or honours, or fuch things as many times do hurt to those that with much for them: but first and chiefly that which tends to God's glory; then for our felves, fo much of these perifhing things as nature defires; leaving the reft to Divine Providence and fatisfying our felves that all fhall be well, which way foever things go. But for eternal things, it teaches us to pray with the ́ most earnest defire, viz. for pardon of our fins paft, and the ailiftance of his Spirit in time to come; whereby being ftrengthened against all terrors and allurements, we may constantly perfift in a pious courfe of life.

This is the true Worship of God in Chriftian Religion, than which nothing can be invented more worthy of Almighty God.

SECT,

SECT. XIV.

Concerning the Offices of Humanity which we one unto our Neighbour.

IKE to thefe are the duties we owe unto our Neighbours. As for Mabumer's Religion -being hatcht in Wars, it breaths nothing but Wars, and is propagated by Wars, and Hoftility. Thus the Laws and Statutes of the Lacedemonians, which among the Greeks were moft applauded, even by the Oracle of Apollo, (Ariftotle notes, and blames them for it) were wholly directed to warlike force. And yet the fame Ariftotle maintains War against Barbarians to be natural: when, on the contrary, 'tis certain that Men were by nature made to friendship and fociety. For what is more unjuft and unequal, than for fingle Murders to be punifht; but to vaunt and triumph in the flaughter of whole Nations, as in a glorious exploit? And yet, that fo much celebrated Roman Common-wealth, how did it come by fuch a Name, but by Wars? which oft times were manifeftly unjuft, as they themselves confefs thofe were, againft Sardinia and Cyprus. And truly generally, as the best Hiftorians have committed to memory, moft Nations thought Robberies and Plunders, without the bounds of their own Country, to be no difgrace at all to them. The exacting of revenge, Ariftotle and Cicero make a piece of virtue: To behold Swordplayers cut and flash each other, was one of the publick recreations of the Pagans; And nothing more ordinary than to expofe their Children.

Among

Among the Hebrews indeed there was a better Law, and more holy Difcipline; but yet to a People of an impotent Anger fome things were connived at, and fome things indulged. As a violent feizure upon the feven Nations, who had deferved it: with which not contented,they pro fecuted all that differ'd from them with a cruel hatred; the figns and marks of which yet remain, in the prayers which they conceive against us Chriftians. But to profecute him that hurt them, by rendring like for like; and to kill, by their own private hands, him that had flain any of their Kindred, was permitted by the Law it felf Whereas the Law of Chrift forbids us to revenge any injury that is done us, either in words or deeds; left that wickedness which we condemn in others, we should again allow by its imitation. It would have us to do good to all, to the good indeed chiefly, but to the wicked alfo; after the Example of God, who beftows the benefit of the Sun, the Stars, the Rain, the Winds and Showers, in common upon all Men whatfoever..

T

HE Conjunction of Man and Woman whereby Mankind is propagated, is a thing moft worthy of the care of Laws. Which part of them it is no wonder the Pagans neglected, when they told fuch lewd ftories of the Whoredoms and Adulteries of the Gods which they worshipped. Nay the filthy and abominable ufe which one Man made of another, was defended by the example

example of their Gods. Into whofe number, upon that account, Ganymedes was anciently put, and afterwards Antinous. Which flagitious wickednefs is now moft frequent among the Mahometans, and is thought lawful by the Chineses, and other Nations. Yea, the Philofophers of Greece feem to have made it their business, to find out an honeft Name, for that moft filthy thing.

Among which Greek Philofophers the most excellent commending community of Women; what did they do elfe but turn a whole City into one common Brothel-houfe A moft unworthy thing: For fince there is among fome mute Animals a certain conjugal League or Covenant, how much more equal is it, that fo holy a Creature as Man fhould not be born of uncertain feed; with the extinction of all thofe mutual affections which are naturally between Parents and their Children.c

B

The Hebrew Law indeed forbad all filthinefs; but both allowed one Man to have more Wives'; and gave the Husband alfo a right for any cause, to put away his Wife. Which the Mahometans at this day use; and the Greeks and Latins anciently with fuch licence, that the Lacedemonians and Cato, even lent their Wives to other Men, to othe to ufe for a time. of

But the most perfect Law of Chrift penetrates to the very roots of Vices and holds him who only attempts upon the chastity of any Woman, or looks lafciviously upon her, to be guilty before GOD, the Judge and Searcher of the Hearts, of that crime, which, though not acted, yet was -defired. And fince all true friendship is perpétual and infoluble, He would defervedly have that to be fuch, which with the fociety of minds, cou