Thirdly, It is written, that _those who received not the mark of the beast, either on their fore-heads, or in their right hands_, either openly or secretly were not permitted _to buy or sell any more_. Now whatever the mystery contained herein may be, I apprehend the plain mark of the beast is wickedness; inward and outward unholiness, whatever is secretly or openly contrary to justice, mercy or truth. And certain it is, the time is ♦well nigh come, when those who have not this mark, can neither buy nor sell, can scarce follow any profession, so as to gain a subsistence thereby. Therefore, many of those who attend on my ministry, are by this means poorer than before. They will not receive the mark of the beast, either on their forehead or in their hand: or if they had received it, before, they rid themselves of it as soon as possible. Some cannot follow their former way of life _at all_; (as pawnbrokers, smugglers, buyers or sellers of uncustomed goods) others cannot follow it _as they did before_. For they cannot oppress, cheat or defraud their neighbour: they cannot lie, or say what they do not mean; they _must_ now speak the truth from their heart. On all these accounts, they _have less_ of this world’s goods; because they _gain less_ than they did before. ♦ “will” replaced with “well” Fourthly, _all that will live godly in |Christ Jesus| shall suffer persecution_: If in no other way, yet at least in this, that _men will by revilings persecute them; and say all manner of evil against them falsly, for his sake_. One unavoidable effect of this will be, that men whose subsistence depends on their daily labour, will be often in want, for few will care to employ those of so _bad a character_. And even those who did employ them before, perhaps for many years, will employ them no more; so that hereby some may indeed be brought to beggary. *8. What does this touch _you_? Are _you_ one of those, “who will have nothing to do with those scandalous wretches?” Perhaps you will say, “And who can blame me for it: may I not employ whom I please?” We will weigh this. You employed _A. B._ for several years. By your own account, he was an honest, diligent man. You had no objection to him but his following _this way_. For this reason you turn him off. In a short time, having spent his little all, and having no supply, he wants bread. So does his family too as well as himself. Before he can get into other business to procure it, thro’ want of convenient food to eat, and raiment to put on, he sickens and dies. This is not an imaginary scene. I have known the case; tho’ too late to remedy it. “And what then?” What then _you_ are a murderer. _O earth, cover not thou his blood!_ No it doth not. _The cry thereof hath entered into the ears of the Lord God of sabbaoth._ And God requireth it at _your_ hands: and will require it in an hour when you think not. For _you_ have as effectually murdered that man, as if you had stabbed him to the heart.