The controversies betwixt _Rome_ and the _Reformation_ are long since beaten out of the pit, by other combatants of their own brood; so that if we speak of _Protestant_ and _Catholic_, they are in a manner content to sit down with their present acquests: for as to conviction, he certainly is a rare _proselyte_, at whose conversion, _interest_, _humour_, _discontent_, _inclination_, are not admitted to the debate. But to come yet nearer our purpose, let us consider our own fractions of fractions of _religion_ here in England, where if that saying, that _it is better to live where nothing is lawful, than where all things_, be as true in _religion_ as _policy_, posterity may haply feel the sad consequence of it. What, I pray, is the effect of so many _sermons_, _teachings_, _preachings_, _exercises_, and _exercising of gifts_, _meetings_, _disputations_, _conferences_, _conventicles_, _printed books_, written with so much distraction and presumption upon God Almighty, and abuse of his Holy Word? Marry this: it is the seminary of many vexatious, endless, and fruitless controversies, the consequence whereof are jealousies, heart-burnings, exasperation of parties, the introduction of factions and national quarrels into matters of religion, and consequently all the calamities of war and devastation. Besides, they are good lawful diversions for the duller sort of _citizens_, who contract diseases for want of motion; they supply the building of pyramids among the Egyptians, by diverting the thoughts of the people from matters of state, and consequently from rebellion. They find work for _printers_, &c. if the parties interested are troubled with the itch of popularity, and will suffer themselves to be scratched out of somewhat by way of contribution to the impression. Hence is the _stationer’s_ shop furnished, and thence the _minister’s_ study in the country, who having found out the humour of his auditory, consults with his stationer, on what books his money is best bestowed; who very gravely, it may be, will commend _Cole upon the Philippians_ before the excellent, but borrowed, _Caryl upon Job_. But as to any matter of conviction, we see every one _acquiesces_ in his own sentiments, every one hears the teacher who is most to his humour; and when he hath been at church, and pretends to have sat at his feet, comes home and censures him as he pleases. To be yet a little more particular, what shall we think of those vast and involuble volumes concerning _predestination_, _free-will_, _free-grace_, _election_, _reprobation_, &c., which fill not only our libraries, but the world with their noise and disturbance, whereof the least thing we are to expect is _conviction_; every side endeavouring to make good their own grounds, and keep the cudgels in their hands as long as they can? What stir is there between the Molinists and Jansenists about _grace_ and _merits_; and yet both pretend St. Augustin!