y: A
Natural effect of all those things, beneficial alone to the contrivers
or directors of them; who, by means thereof, have liv'd in Ease and
Plenty upon other Peoples Labours, whilst they (instead of repining
thereat) were skilfully taught to reverence them for their usefulness.

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,