But there are some ill Consequences of that great Rebellion, that still affect us, and particularly the unhappy Divisions that reign among us. 'Tis a sad and deplorable Thing indeed, that Men who are Professors of the same Religion, who have the same Political Obligations, who are bound by all the Ties both of Interest and Duty to direct their Designs and Actions to the same End, should notwithstanding, fly into such opposite Extremes, and brand each other with such opprobrious Names.
Such Jealousies and Surmises, such Names of Distinction, and forming of Parties, were the fatal Beginnings of that Intestine War, which depopulated and laid Wast this flourishing Kingdom, and ended in the Murder of the Sovereign, and the total overthrow of all orderly Government both in Church and State. And that Spirit of Division which then began to Reign has never since been totally ejected.
Add to this, that many loose Principles as to Government, were then imbib'd, of which it were much to be wish'd, there were no Tincture still remaining.
And (which is worst of all) it is too certain that the Pretences to a more than ordinary Sanctity, and the great Apperance of Godliness in such Numbers of Men, who yet, when the Mask was off, were found to be wicked to the last Degree, and to have acted by no Principles
but Iuterest and Ambition; gave an unhappy Disgust to many Observers of their Conduct, against all that favor'd of Piety and Goodness, and rais'd an unjust suspicion in 'em, that all Religion was counterfeit, that whoever went under the Character of a devout Person, was only acting a Part, in order to deceive. Thus were the Seeds of Atheism and Irreligion sown, which have since thriven but too well, and yielded a very ungracious Encrease.
1. To the same Cause too we may ascribe almost all our Differences in Religion. We can call upon all the Persuasions but one, who enjoy the Benefit of the Toleration, (and may it ever be enjoy'd by Consciences truly tender) to look back to those unhappy Times for their first Original, and see, in the midst of how much Licenciousness and Disorder they were propagated, and began to spread.
I shall only crave your farther Patience, while I apply what has been said in two short moral Reflections, both which I shall take from the concluding Prayer in the Service for the Day, where we beseech God, that neither the splendor of any thing that is great, nor the Conceit of any thing that is good in us, may any ways withdraw our Eyes from looking on our selves as sinful Dust and Ashes.
1. Then, from the tragical Event of this Day, we may observe the Uncertainty of all
Human State and Grandeur. Of how short Continuance, and consequently of how little Value is the most glittering Pomp, that attracts our vain Eyes, and strikes us with Admiration! Of how slippery a Tenure must lesser Dignities and Honours be, if Majesty it self be so insecure! How little is the Condition of Princes to be envied, who have often Occasion to envy the Quiet and Repose of the meanest of their Subjects, who can Sleep securely, whilst they are waking and caring for 'em! They are equally expos'd to Pain and Sickness, to Infirmity and Diseases; they lye as open to a natural, and much more open to a violent Death. Plots and Conspiracies, Assassinations and Poysonings are Accidents peculiar to the Royal List of Mortality, and seldom bring a Subject to his End.