There was no good in half-measures, fines of five shillings a month for not coming to the Sacrament, and one shilling a week for not coming to church.

It was vain to expect compliance from such trifling.

"The light, foolish handling of them by mulcts, fines, etc., 'tis their glory and their advantage.

If the gallows instead of the counter, and the galleys instead of the fines, were the reward of going to a conventicle, to preach or hear, there would not be so many sufferers--the spirit of martyrdom is over.

They that will go to church to be chosen sheriffs and mayors, would go to forty churches rather than be hanged." "Now let us crucify the thieves," said the author of this truculent advice in conclusion, "And may God Almighty put it into the hearts of all friends of truth to lift up a standard against pride and Antichrist, that the posterity of the sons of error may be rooted out from the face of this land for ever." Defoe's disguise was so complete, his caricature of the ferocious High-flier so near to life, that at first, people doubted whether the _Shortest Way_ was the work of a satirist or a fanatic.