The Review, or, A representation of the late sufferings & condition of the dissenters written some years since, but not then suffer'd to come abroad : now publish'd as well to encrease their gratitude to the King for delivering them from all those calamities, as to excite them to joyn vigorously in all lawful means that many conduce to the prevention of their falling under the like, or worse severeties hereafter.

SECT. 4.

1. We will endeavor to make some advantage by our Afflictions and Calamities. Physitians make useful Medicines, and Extracts out of things of Venomous and Malignant Nature, & there is almost nothing so Vile and Mischievous, which they do not turn to use, and Improve to the benefit of Man. The Flesh of Vipers is an ingredient in that excellent Treacle that expels Poyson; and is of use in inveterate Head∣ach••s, Pestilential, and many other Diseases. Quick-silver (a thing sufficiently noxious in its own Nature) after due preparation, becomes useful in many Distempers, and where other things have failed, that hath been successful.

2. Since our Goods and Estates are taken from us, and we are not permitted the Enjoyment and Possession of them; we will endeavour to lay up our Treasures in Heaven, where no Thieves or Robbers can Rifle, Plunder, or deprive us of them. We will do all the good that we can, whilst we are here below, and thereby lay in a good Foundation against the World to come, and what is laid up there we shall not doubt

to enjoy; for though we may be Outraged, Spoiled, and Pillaged, till we come to the very Gates of that happy State, we shall know no such things when once we are entred there.

3. If we be laid in Goals, and denyed the Liberty of conversing with our Friends, we will fill up our leisure, and imploy our Va∣cancies in the Conversation of God; if we may not be permitted the Society of the Saints that are upon Earth, we will entertain our selves in the Communion of those that are in Heaven; though our Bodies be under restraint, our Minds will be at Liberty, and with them we will ascend on High, and make our approaches ••o the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable Company of Angels, to the general assembly, and Church of the first born, to God the Judg of all, and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect. Et si corpus includitur, et si caro detinetur, omnia Spiritui Patent. Though the Body be shut up, and the Flesh under Bonds, all things lye open to the view and Consideration of the Soul. Tertullian, in Lib. ad Har∣tyres.

4. When we are reviled, and defamed by the blackest and most infamous imputations, when we are compared with Highland, and border thence, when we are said to have made equal Defections from Primitive Christianity with the Papists, when we are reported to Prostitute dayly, the most Sacred Rites of Religion, to serve our S••cular interests, and are said to be a Scandal to the Christian Name, we will satisfie our selves in the Testimony of our Consciences, and the approbation of God: We know these things to be Gross, and Notorious false, and therefore, when they are reported of us, we rejoice, hoping that our reward will be great in Heaven. Illud maledi∣ctum contemnendum est, quod beatitudinem creat, quod falso ma∣ledicentis ore producitur. Jerome in loco. Our Lord Jesus was reputed a Wine bibber, a Friend of Publicans and Sinners, a Magician and an Enemy to Caesar; the Primitive Christians were reported to have worshipped the Head of an Ass, they were accused of Incest, Adul∣try, Eating the Flesh of Children, and other things of like Nature, as may be seen in Tertullian, Minutius, Faelix, and other of the An∣cients; and if our Saviour and the most Eminent of his Servants were thus reproached, and belyed, we shall rejoyce in the Fellowship of their Sufferings and Reproaches, and in the hopes of Participaeion with them in their reward, and glory.

5. We are accounted and called the Pests of the Nation, we are thought unworthy to Live in the Land of our Nativity, we will there∣fore endeavour to prepare our selves for Heaven, and do hope, that

if we be exiled from hence, we may be received and admitted there. Our case were very sad, if those that Persecute us were Lords of the other World; in the same manner, Degree, and Measure, that they are of this. We might then expect as little Favour there as here. But blessed be the God of Heaven, those that may banish us from our Houses, Lands, and Country, cannot keep us from the House of God, nor from an Inheritance in the Heavenly Canaan.

6. And seeing we can find no justice, at the Tribunals of Men, we will appeal to that of God, who will judg the World in righteousness by the Man that he hath Ordained. And he is a Judg that accepteth not Persons, nor taketh rewards. And it will be time enough to be then declared Innocent, and have Sentence pass in our Favour, and we believe too timely and soon for our Enemies, and such as injure and oppress us. In the mean time, we will quietly, wait the ap∣proach of that great Day, that will set all things at Rights, and give unto all Men as th••ir works shall be, softly, and Calmely, saying, ••ometimes am••dst our Afflictions, How long Lord, how long?