ftances, to understand the true meaning of the scriptural language, which might be perfectly eafy and clear to thofe, whofe conftant language it was, though not fo to us; and when some subjects are treated of, which, it must be confeffed, are difficult and hard to be underftood? And what if there have been debates about many particulars, fuch as the decrees of God, the divine agency upon the minds of men; (which, however, are not debates peculiar to Christianity,) about the perfon and offices of our bleffed Saviour, in fome things lefs connected with vital religion; and many other matters, about which men have difputed with too much warmth, fo that indeed the true Christian spirit hath been in a great measure loft in the tumults they have raised? Muft we therefore imagine,

imagine, that an honest inquirer cannot find out the true defign of the religion of Chrift, and the of serving it effectually? Can he not difcern what is the true end

way

of life, and fupreme good of the human mind? Hath he not a clear view of his duty to God, to his neighbour, and himself, with the addition of the duty we owe to the Son of God, as appointed by the Father to be the only mediator between him and mankind; to whom the utmost gratitude, for what he hath done and fuffered for us, and an unreserved obedience, is due ? Can he not fee, that God, as moral governor of the world, is attentive to the temper and conduct of every individual; and that he will bring him unto judgment for it, rewarding the fincerely obedient, and punishing the rebellious and impe

nitent ?

nitent? Can he not fee exprefs declarations, that, upon fincere repentance for fin, and a cordial fubmiffion to the gospel, he shall be taken into the divine favour and protection, fhall have all neceffary encouragement and affistance in the performance of his duty, and that God will always take care of him, and order what concerneth him in the best manner? Can he not fee most joyful affurance of a glorious immortality in reserve for the righteous, of which our Saviour's triumph over death is the bleffed pledge; and that he shall be happy in the heavenly state, happy to his wifh, and beyond all that he can at present imagine? And if an honeft attentive reader is fully inftructed in all this by the New Teftament, what more could a wife man wish?

It is not neceffary, that men should enter into perplexing controverfies, or difquiet their minds about matters, in which they fee they cannot be competent judges. The way to falvation is plain and eafy. To attain to the knowledge of this, a well difposed mind, a fincere heart, are the main requifites; whereas great penetration and skill in controversies are not neceffary. Chriftianity is intended to be the religion of all, and is therefore within the reach of common capacity. And we are not to attend to what controverfies the prejudices and corrupt lufts, or the weakness or folly of mankind, have occafioned; but what a man of plain understanding and an honeft heart may attain to by a careful perufal of his Bible. To argue, that because almost every thing hath been debated, therefore

nothing

nothing is to be known and fixed upon as truth, in which the mind may fecurely reft, is what men would think very unfair in other matters, and true candour will never allow it here.

As for its being a religion not at all founded upon argument, but which relieth upon a strong perfuafion and belief, where the moral evidence is not discerned, nor the believer capable, perhaps, of difcerning it, which hath been by fome objected; this, in the sense urged by the objection, is loading it with an absurdity, of which the genius of Christianity is utterly abhorrent, and which is in the most express terms difclaimed. Our Saviour and his apostles address themselves to the judgments and confciences of men. They produce their credentials, and the truth of what they teach, demanding