elong: And for what they are
pleas'd to mention as _Sins_, they are sure to find as slight an
_Attonement_. They make very bold with the _Grace_ of God, and crave
_Inspiration_ to serve the ends of _Lust_ and _Revenge_: In which that
they may have nothing to check them, all _Flames_ but their own are
meer _Fancies_ and _Dreams_; the sickly Thoughts of a future Account
must be banish'd away, and _Conscience_ dismissed as a weak and
_Cowardly_ thing.
That nothing may bind it, the Holy _Scripture_ is used as a _Fable_,
and at every turn brought out in disguise to be the better exposed:
They will allow it to be but one of these two, either _Imposture_ or
_Madness_. And they who profess to make it their _Rule_, and to lead
others by it, are scorn'd and traduc'd as running into _Frenzy_ or
_Cheat_, that no body else may have any regard to them or their way.
And when the _Fences_ are thus broken down, what hopes can we have any
_Virtue_ shou'd stand without being impair'd at the least? Nor do they
stick to pursue their design, but go on overturning the natures of
things as fast as they can, and they have met but with too much
success.
The _Sense of God_ being pretty well laid, the next thing to be sunk
is all Respect to Superiours here; A _Prince_ seldom appears to
advantage, and 'tis easie to guess what use of this the Subjects will
make. Imposing on _Parents_, and despising their Age is made a Mark of
Spirit and Wit, and few are brought in _dull_ enough to _Obey_. False
Notions of _Honour_ are here proposed as the ground of Esteem, and
something of _Wildness_ must go to the gaining _Applause_. To set up
for themselves is the first thing young People must learn, and to
think it brave to trample on all that stands in their Way: No
_Greatness_ like a thorough _Revenge_, nor any Spirit so _Mean_ as
that which _forgives_; _Abusing_ those that honestly help them with
their _Labour_, or _Goods_, has briskness and _Reach_, and a lively
_Cheat_ go's off with more _Reputation_ than paying ones _Debts_.
Their _Friendships_ are built upon serving their Pleasures, and so
cannot but be as loose as that which holds them together: They who are
Constant in breaking their _Vows_, shall here be caress'd as
_Faithful_ and _True_; but to shew _Fidelity_ where it is ow'd, is too
_formal_ a business for those who have the _sense_ to be _free_, and
can relish nothing but what is forbid.
This makes them treat all _Regular Love_ with that
|