Imatges de pàgina
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notes on 1 John ii. 22. he expressly declares, "that Mahomet could not be the Antichrift, Spoken of, in Scripture, as appears from 2 Theff. ii. For he neither pretended to be a God; nor was his coming with all power, and figns, and lying wonders, &c." However, we rely on the ftrength of our arguments, and not on any mere human authority whatever.

The first edition of the Letter on prayer was tranflated into high-dutch, at Vienna, about ten or eleven years ago; with a recommendatory preface; by the reverend and learned Dr. Kortholt, who is now a Profeffor of Divinity, in the university of Gottingen, in the Electorate of Hanover.

In the fecond edition, there were a great many additions and alterations. In this third edition, there are fome few corrections and alterations, which were not in either of the former editions.

The texts, relating to election and reprobation, deferve to be more critically examined than I have yet feen. But enough has been faid to lead Chriftians into the proper interpretation. And, indeed, the generality of Chriftians, among us, feem now to be fully satisfied, that abfolute and unconditional election and reprobation are not the doctrines, either of right reason, or of holy fcripture.

If

If 2500, which I take to be about a fourth part, of the Jews, in and about this great city, were to be converted to Chriftianity: And, in order to their joining in communion with one, or more, of our Chriftian churches, should infift upon it, that the English Chriftians fhould be circumcifed, and take on them the obfervation of the Law of Mofes, as well as that of the gofpel of Chrift: Then the old controverfie, which made fuch a noife in the apostles days, would be revived; and the Epiftles of St. Paul (particularly to the Romans and to the Galatians) would be understood with more clearnesse and emphafis, than they have been commonly, in thefe later ages of the Chriftian church.

But as, at prefent, this is not likely to obtain in fact, we must fuppofe things in fuch a fituation; and keep that fuppofition in view, as conftantly and clearly as we are able: And then we shall not mife of the scope of the Apostle's reafoning.

The brief account of Calvin's caufing Servetus to be burned, at Geneva, for an beretic, has (I understand) difpleafed fome perfons. When it was published, without a name, in Some papers of The Old Whig, there was no fuch clamor raifed against it. If I had publifhed it, a fecond time, without my name, it would have been faid, That I was ashamed to own it. When I published it with my name, then it gave the offence. This has led me to offer an apology for my publishing it; to affign the reafons

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reafons, which induced me to it; and to anfwer the principal objections, which have been raised against it.

I have no malice, nor ill-will, to Calvin, nor to any of the human race. I wish no harm to his followers, but the greatest poffible good; but I diflike perfecution and uncharitablenesse, wherever I find them.

For that reafon, I have added the brief account of Archbishop Laud's cruel treatment of Dr. Leighton: Not to exafperate any perfon, or party; but to deter all from a spirit of uncharitableneffe; and to cause us, if poffible, to repete our animofities no more.

The effay concerning the belief of things, which are above reason, has lain by me, fome time. And is now published, that Chriftians may understand one another; and that infidels may no longer misrepresent and infult us, upon this head.

;

To promote truth, peace, liberty, charity, and the most diffufive happinesse to mankind, is the great end, for which I defire to live and that glorious caufe, for which (if I fhould be called to it) I look upon myself as obliged, even to dare to die.

Prefcot-ftreet, Goodman's-fields. London, September 1, 1747. N. B. The Supplement is published by itself; for the fake of thofe, who have the former editions of the other pamphlets; and do not choose to buy this Collection of Tracts.

CON

CONTENTS

T

HE reafon of printing this edition.
A defence of the Differtation concern-
ing the man of fin, against a Po-
pifh priest, and Bishop Montague's ap-

peal.

Page 3

Dr. Kortholt tranflated the Letter on prayer into
High-Dutch.

A general idea of the fcripture notion of election,

&c. The reafon of publishing the account of

Calvin's treatment of Servetus, and the apo-

logy.

One would expect fome predictions of Popery._7

а

The

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