iv PREFACE. I might, by way of apology for the following treatife, truly affirm that fome particulars are handled in it, which have not been much infisted on by other writers: Some of the difficulties herein confider'd having been started, or at least reviv'd, but of late years. But I rather chufe to say, that I can't think difcourfes of this kind to be impertinent, as long as fo many men of corrupt minds let loofe both their tongues and pens against the holy Writings. These all Chriftians look upon as the oracles of God, and the facred Depofitum of divine truth: And whoever retains a due reverence for them, and makes them his study and meditation, will continue grounded and fettled in the faith, and not be mov'd from the hope of the Gospel by the little cavils and exceptions of Sceptics and Infidels, which we may be bold to fay proceed from their not knowing the Scriptures, and fcorning to use the means whereby PREFACE. V whereby they might be better inform'd. The feat of the fcorners is now-a-› days look'd upon as the only infallible chair, and that temper which Solomon (a) fo frequently brands with the worst of characters, as the most incapable of inftruction, the most pernicious to him that hath it, and the most dangerous to the public, is thought by many amongst us to be the fureft indication of wit and parts. But whether fuch persons will hear, or whether they will forbear, 'tis certainly the duty of those who are appointed to be watchmen over the house of Ifrael to warn men to take heed, left there be in any of them an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, and defpifing his holy word, by which they must expect to be judg'd at the last day. It becomes those who are fet for the (a) Prov. iii. 34. xxix. 8. xiii. I. xiv. 6. A 3 defence vi PREFACE. defence and confirmation of the Gof pel, to ftand in the breach, and endeavour in their feveral stations to give a check to the overflowings of ungodliness, which threaten to break down all our banks, and whofe principles, if they are purfu'd to their just confequences, cancel the authority of all laws both divine and human, and fet men loose from the obligations of them: Licentioufnefs in opinion always making way for licentioufnefs in practice, which is the true reason why it finds fo many abettors amongst us at this day. Upon which account 'tis the earnest wish and prayer of many good men, that God would put it into the heart of those who are in authority, to take care that the Toleration be confin'd within the bounds which the law hath prefcrib'd to it; for 'tis great pity that liberty of confcience Thould become a fhelter for men of no confcience, to vent fuch doctrines as are not only deftructive of all re veal'd veal'd religion, but even of civil fociety itself. as It were well if the teachers of the Separate congregations (I mean many of them as have any regard for a rule of faith or discipline) would fhew their zeal upon this occafion, in standing up for the maintenance of thofe common truths, which all that deferve the name of Christians, agree in. It would be great weakness in them to take the author of the rights of the Chriftian Church, and men of his ftamp for their friends, because they discover a particular Spight and Hatred to the Establish'd Church: that indeed is the principal Object of Envy, (and we hope it always will be fo to Men of ill Defigns) and they are encourag'd in their Attempts against it, because they hope to find their own account in the unfettling of their foundations: But he must be blind that does not fee, that the fame arguments which are levell'd against the present A 4 |