Such as are, fhould repent. Emlyn and Beza,

quoted.
Page 206

It is neceffary to condemn perfecution, in order

to defend Christianity effectually.

209

207

A reformation, by good arguments and holy

lives, most earneftly to be defired.

No human authority, in matters of religion. Per-

fecution, as readily condemned in an Armi

nian, as in Calvin.
213

Rushworth, Oldmixon, Peirce, Neal, and Chandler,

quoted, concerning Archbishop Laud's treat-

ment of Dr. Leighton.

214

215

Dr. Lwrote a book against prælacy; had

about 500 hands to it; printed it beyond fea;

prefented it to parliament; fevere against

Bishops, Canons, ceremonies.

-Spoke against the Popish queen; was appre-

hended; carried to Bishop Laud's houfe; from

thence to Newgate; ufed very cruelly. 216

-His houfe plundered; his wife used indecent-

ly; his little fon fo frighted as never to recover

218

it.

The speech of the Sheriff against the liberties of

England. Dr. Leighton refused to acknowlege

the authority of the High-commiffion court:

examined in Newgate, by Sir Robert Heath, and

Reeves; and deceived by them: would not

confeffe who put him upon writing his book.

219

Poison given Dr. Leighton in Newgate; condemn-

ed, when absent and dangerously ill. The tre-

mendous fentence against him.

Bishop Laud devoutly thanked God, when the

cruel fentence was paffed. The fentence fo

terrible, that it was not expected to be execu-

ted. Dr. Leighton efcaped out of prison. 221

220

Two

Two Scots Gentlemen fined for helping him to

escape. Dr. Leighton retaken. The sentence

moft cruelly executed.-Archbishop Laud's Di

ary.

224

Page 222

Other great cruelties upon Dr. Leighton. 223

Dr. Leighton petitioned the long parliament.

The petition made the house, once and again,

burst out into tears. He was honorably ac-

quited. Archbishop Laud ordered to give

him fatisfaction. When Dr. Leighton came

before the house, he could scarce walk, or

fee, or hear.

Many greatly moved at Dr. Leighton's treat-

ment; the account now published to deter

proteftants from perfecution. Papifts feem in-

curable.
225

An earnest diffuafive from perfecution. 226

The boundleffe ambition of tyrants, condemned.

230

A letter, giving an account of the ingenious

manner, by which a lady was convinced, that

she could not believe any thing but what she

firft understood.

Pyrrho and Theophilus agreed upon that subject.

231

235

Christianity not founded on argument, and Chriftia-

nity as old as the creation, both quoted, on that

fubject.
236

Rational divines agreed upon that fubject. 237

A fingle idea cannot be the object of affent or

diffent. The words of a propofition must be

understood, and fome evidence appear for the

ttuth of it, before we can believe it. 238

In faith, knowlege, or opinion, it is impoffible to

affent to that, of which we have no ideas. 239

We

We must understand the fubject and the predi-

cate; and fee reafon to affirm or deny, before

we can believe.
Page 240

Objection I. Several things, in fcripture, are re-

prefented as myfteries. Answer. From the

fcriptural fenfe of the word, it appears that

Christianity is a reveled mystery.

Objection II. We must believe things above rea-

fon, though not contrary to it. Anfwer.

There are two fenfes of that propofition. The

one, true; but no objection. The other, not

true.

241

242

Objection III. There are many things, which we

cannot comprehend; and yet we believe

them. Answer. Let one fuch propofition be

named. What we understand not, is the ob-

ject of ignorance, not of faith.

Objection IV. We believe many things, without

knowing how they are effected, or the mode,

relations and circumftances. Answer. As far

243

244

as we understand not, they are the objects of

our ignorance, not faith.

That God made the world, we understand and be-

lieve. How be made it, we neither believe

nor understand. The fame is true, of the uni-

on between foul and body; of Chrift's raising

the dead, &c.
245

Objection V. Will you not believe, unleffe God

acquaint you with the mode, relations, &c.

of what you are to believe? Anfwer. As far

as God reveles, I believe. As far as it is not

reveled, I neither believe nor understand. 246

Our faith clear or confufed; adæquate or inad-
æquate, according to our ideas.

Objection VI. Many learned, wife, and good

men have contended for believing things which

we

we cannot understand: Tertullian, Bishop Be-

veridge, St. Austin,-The Essay for a new tran-

flation, quoted.

Lord Bacon, Mr. Boyle,

Mr. Locke.

Page 247

249

251

The argumentum ad verecundiam, easily carried too

far.

253

Mr. Boyle and Mr. Locke, great men ; but not in-

fallible.
254

Their words, when rightly understood, do not

mean that we can affent, without ideas. A

quotation from Mr. Locke, to fhow the con-

trary.

255

To require men to believe what they cannot un-

derstand, perplexes weak minds.

-

Promotes ignorance and Enthufiafm.

Bigotry and perfecution.

Implicite faith and Popish credulity.

- Scepticism and infidelity.

257

258

260

262

263

TRACT.

TRACT. I.

A

DISSERTATION

ΟΝ

2 THESS. II. 1,

In which it is shown that the

I 2.

Bishop of ROME

IS THE

MAN of SIN

That the whole Propbefy, in that Chapter, is applicable to him and his Adherents, and to them alone.

Nor can we, at this Day, defcribe the Apoftafy of the Church of Rome, in a more concife and lively manner, than the APOSTLE has done in that short and remarkable Prophesy.