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Creed, Bishop Wilkins, Stilling fleet's Origines
Sacra, Dr. Barrow, Dr. Bently, Dr.
Williams, Parfons's Directory by Stanhope,&c.

In this undertaking I have not aimed at fublimity of language, being well aware of my own inability; nor was it my wish had I even been equal to the attempt; as I defigned this book principally for fuch of the laity who have not the opportunity of reading larger and better tracts of divinity; and who perhaps may often hear the facred truths of religion (in the belief and practice of which they hope for falvation) called in queftion or ridiculed; and not having that particular point fairly and clearly explained, their faith is fhaken, and they dif qualified. For this reafon, therefore, I have undertaken this work, and have attempted to handle fome even controverted points of the prefent day. Most of the fentiments herein delivered are the inftructions and doctrines of thofe pious worthies, who, for their learning. and probity, were filed the fathers of the Church, and who living near the apoftolic age are more likely to understand the true meaning of feveral parts of religion, than we who think ourfelves refined.

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PART III.

Of the Precepts of the Chriftian Religion.

CHAPTER 1. Of the Love of God.

2. Of the Love of our Neighbour.
3. Of private Devotion.

4. Of public Worship.
5. Of Repentance.

6. Against Swearing.

7. Of the Sacraments.
8. Of Baptifm.

9. Of the Lord's-Supper.

10. Of the Mortification of the Paffions.
11. Of Death, and the Preparation for it.
12. Of the Qualification of the heavenly Life.

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PART I.

OF THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN

RELIGION.

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CHAPTER I.

Of Natural Religion.

ELIGION or divine worship has been in every age, and still continues to be, the primary concern and principal meditation of the wife and confiderate: impreffed with a sense of gratitude and praise for the bleffings they enjoy, and anxious for their future welfare, they esteem all other things to be only of a fecondary and fubordinate importance.

Many and very different have been the ways invented by mankind for the discharge of this duty; and these not only among the unenlightened, where nature was their only guide, but even amongst the happier nations who are bleffed with the revealed will of God. The various and whimsical ceremonies adapted by the Gentiles, are very expreffive of their ignorance of God; and

even

even the modes of worship practifed by the wifer heathens or philofophers, plainly declare the deficiency of their knowledge in divine things. Although they were extolled, and that juftly, for their morality and the management of civil affairs; for the rules established by those strict obfervers of honour and integrity, will always be proper examples of imitation; yet their religious inftitutions bear no resemblance to their renowned wisdom and dexterity in planning wholesome laws of temporal government. This obfervation convinces us how utterly at a loss mankind are to discharge that homage and adoration to the Deity they deem fo incumbent. The rites and ceremonies of religion performed and obferved by all countries, previous to their knowledge of revelation, plainly indicate their earnestness of devotion: and the fuperb and beautiful temples dedicated to their imaginary Gods, fhew them to be impreffed with notions fuitable to the majefty and excellence of the Supreme Being.

Is it at all wonderful that mankind of their own accord fhould be led to give praise and adoration, when they contemplate the mighty works of the vifible creation, and obferve the beauteous order of nature? From a proper obfervation of fuch things as ftrike the outward fenfes, they are induced

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