An invitation of a seeker to all those that seriously desire to find the Lord written by I.S. or the indefatigable seeker.

CHAP. XXII. A digression concerning Papists.

I Pray tell me, what harm would it have done you, to have had a Papist present at your Conference? How! said I, Papists there? Would you have me turn Idolater in mine old dayes? I do not say so neither (said he.) Only I would not have you con∣demn them before you hear them. No dis∣creet Judge will send men to the Gallows, though never so many hainous crimes be laid to their charge, till he have heard them speak for themselves. Perhaps Papists are farther off from Idolatry, then you from true know∣ledge, or he that taught you from sincere dealing. If you know any of them, that live according to the faith, which they pro∣fess:

reflect, I pray, if they have not the repute of honest men. If you have ever treated with them, reflect again, whether they carry themselves otherwise then civilly and decently, or whether you have heard any word from their mouths, that may favour of not believing in, or adoring one God alone, or of not hoping to be saved by the merits of Jesus Christ. Can you think it credible that prudent men should be so dull and doltish, as in the midst of a people that cryes out against Idolatry, they should deny the Lord of all, and make Gods of stocks and stones? Open the eyes of your under∣standing, and suspect rather that some un∣truths may be forged against them. Howso∣ever, I think the presence of a Papist would not have infected you, nor his speech have bewitched you. Upon my word, he is a man, as you are, although you may happily have heard him been described for a monster. And I hope that you have discretion enough to lend him an ear, and keep your heart for the Lord and your self. But let a Papist be what∣soever he will, you that are a Seeker, ought to try the Religion, and search into the depth of it, and not to take upon trust what the enemies of Papist Religion teach you, I admire (quoth I) to hear this out of your mouth, who at other times have been so bit∣ter

against them. I would not (said he) for all this, have you take me for a Papist. But I will tell you in secret, that Court policy is one thing, when we look upon the times; and Conscience is another, when we are ask∣ed counsel: and that it is one thing to choose a Religion to live in; and another to re∣serve one to die in. Is it possible then (said I) can there be any good in Popery? I answer you (said he) as Philip did Nathaniel. Philip told Nathaniel that he had found the Messi∣as Iesus of Nazareth. Nathaniel replied, Can any good come out of Nazareth? Joh. 1.46. Philip answered him, as I do you: Come and see, ver. 46, When you are invited to buy any thing, you may enter the shop, you may see, handle, turn and consider the ware, and if you like it not, you are free to leave it. But if you find it better there, and better cheap then elsewhere, to forbear buying meerly because you had before an ill opini∣on of the shop, hath somewhat of the ma∣lign, which I hope is not in you, whom in this case I look upon as a true Israelite void of deceit. My meaning is that if you meet with the true Religion where you least ex∣pected to find it, you ought cheerfully to embrace it, and not obstinatly reject it, meerly upon this score, because you had been long erroneously informed, that it was not there.

I pray tell me (said I) whether the Gentle∣man you recommend me to be a Papist or no. Care not what he is (said he) because it may prejudice the liberty of your discourse. I assure you that he is an honest man, and a Learned one. Rely upon his honesty that he will not dilude you and upon his learning that he is able to instruct you. Take heed of those Masters in knowledge whose lives gain them small credit, least interest make them maliti∣ous to blind you: And commit not your soul to ignorant guides, because it is dangerous to chop Logick with the Devil.

I will now point at some general heads, which shall infallibly bring you to find out the true Religion.