Introduction.............. Page 5-27 CHAPTER I. The Chriftian religion, being, like its Divine Author, "the fame yesterday, to-day, and for ever," ought to be received and embraced, just as it is reprefented The Church of Christ, in which his religion is received and embraced, is that fpiritual fociety, in which the miniftration of holy things is committed to the three diftinct orders of BISHOPS, PRIESTS, and DEACONS, A part of this holy, catholic, and apoftolic Church, though deprived of the support of civil establishment, does fill exift in this country, under the name of the Scotch Epifcopal Church, whofe doctrine, difcipline and worship, as happily agreeing with that of the first and pureft ages of Christianity, ought to be INTRODUCTION. If there be any one truth, in embracing which, it might be fuppofed, that the intelligent part of mankind would univerfally agree, it is furely the importance of religion, and the neceffity of attending to what it recommends, for promoting the interests of fociety on earth, as well as preparing men for the happiness of heaven. Viewing the matter in this light, it is impoffible but that every ferious thinking perfon, who wishes well to his country, muft fincerely lament the unhappy divifions, which have fo long agitated the public mind, on a fubject fo interesting as the nature and tendency of true religion. However justifiable feparation may be in fome cafes, and however neceffary at all times, for the friends of truth and righteousness to withdraw themselves from the tents of error and ungodliness; ftill it cannot be denied that the numerous fects, and parties, into which the Chriftian world has been di vided, and their almost endless diverfity of religious opinions, must be confidered as one of the heaviest calamities, with which mankind have ever been vifited. Nor need we be at much pains to point out this wild variety of fentiment refpecting the doctrines of the gospel, as the most common source of infidelity, and moft powerful fupport of irreligion; fince we find it daily appealed to as fuch, and therefore industriously encouraged by thofe "per"verse difputers," who, rather than embrace the <c pure undefiled religion" of Christ, allow themfelves to be completely " spoiled through philosophy "and vain deceit." Nothing feems to be better known, nor more carefully improved, by the adversaries of our common faith, than the advantage they derive from those unhappy diffenfions, by which the family of Chriftians, which an apostle calls the "Household of "faith," is divided against itself. In lamenting the effects of fuch fhameful divifion, the church of Christ may justly fay, in the words of the Pfalmift, "It is not an open enemy that hath done me this "difhonour; but even those who were once my 66 companions, who took fweet counsel together "with me, and walked in the houfe of God as "friends." Such "offences" however, we are af fured, "must needs come;" even although a "woe be denounced against thofe, by whom they "come." We are also forewarned, that there muft, and will be herefies, factions and parties diftinguished |