[v] excellent Advice to all Chriftians Rom. xv. 2. which was the Practice of Chrift, and his Apostles, verfe 5. 1 Thef. ii. 3. to 14. I have done my Utmoft in Endeavouring to make Ufe of fuch Rational cogent Arguments, which I thought might be a Means (with the Blefling of God) of Rooting up and Extricating the Stupidity and Abfurdity of ftiffnecked Incredulity. The Perversenefs and Obstinacy of Deifm, that fuch Deluded unhappy Creatures might be freed from the ftrong Chains, the heavy Fetters of Unbelief. That the Eyes of their Understandings might be unclos'd, that they might Think Juftly, and Act Reasonably, as Accountable Creatures, that they may become Proper Objects of the Divine Complacency, that they may be defirous of Receiving Truth in the Love of it, and by the Affiftance of God's Holy Spirit (which will never be wanting to those who apply for it in good earnest,) as Christ himself hath promised. Mat. vii. 7, 8. to be Happily Con Converted, fo as to become the Disciples Indeed of the bleffed Jefus. I pray God that my Epistle to the Deifts may also be a Means of undeceiving Practical Atheists and Deifts, Our fashionable Free Thinkers (or rather corrupted vitiated enflav'd Thinkers) And for the furthering and promoting of Real Vital Christianity in all your Majefty's Subjects, being extremely fenfible that if the Sublimity of the Religion of the Bleffed Jefus was practifed thoroughout the World. It would then become a Paradife in comparison of what it is at present. Mankind would then make it their Aim and Ambition, their Study and Delight; Their earnest Defire and affiduous Endeayour to Devife Methods how and in what Manner they might become ufeful and Beneficial to each other. "Looking not only on Their own Things, but also on "the Things of Others. Philip ii. 4." Confidering one another to provoke unto Love and and to good Works, Heb. x. 24. And would be very mindful, in any wife to rebuke their Neighbour, and not fuffer Sin upon them, Levit. xix. 17. In the Spirit of meeknefs, Gal. vi. 1. That their Love may be without Dissimulation, abhorring all Sin, promoting all Good, Kind and affectionate to all, as Brethren in Honour, prefering each other, Rom. xii, 9, 10. No one would then be defirous of vain Glory, Pride would be then Banish'd, it being contrary to the Defignand End of Christianity, Luke i. 51 to 54. ii Tim. iii. 2 to 6. James iv. 10. iPet. v. 5. If Mankind would be Governed by the Rules and Directions of the Gospel, then Love and Affection, Unity and Concord, Peace and Tranquillity, Harmony and Joy, would Universally Reign. Then Swords would be turn'd into Plowshares, and Spears into Pruneing Hooks, Nation would not lift up Sword against Nation, neither would they have Occafion to learn War any more, they would then walk in the Light of the Lord, Ifaiah ii. 4. 5. Then Judgment would run down our Streets, as Water and Righteousness, as a mighty Stream, as Commanded by God, Amos v. 24. That All Profeffors of Christianity, particularly in your Majesty's Dominions, where the Light and Liberty of the Gospel shines fo confpicuously under your Majefty's Aufpicious Government had not only the Form of Godlinefs, but the Power of it Influencing their Thoughts, Words, and Actions, that the Bleffings of Heaven might fhower down upon the whole World in General, and on your Majesty's Dominions in particular. With the utmoft Humility and Sincerity, Ifubfcribe My Self, Your Majesty's very Affectionate & Obedient Subject, always at your Majefty's Command, (or at any of Your Royal Iffues) in every Kind of Thing, that is not contrary to, or Inconfiftent with the Precepts of the "Bleed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who Only bath Immor tality, dwelling in the Light which no Man can approach unto, whom no Man hath feen, or can see, to "whom be Honour and Power Everlasting," Amen. 1 Tim. vi. 15, 16. Edward Goldney, Sen. London, Good-Friday, |