IT is ſad to conſider, how all ſorts of Men put off from themſelves the Care of Religion; which is every ones moſt neceſſary concern, and chiefeſt intereſt. The Richer ſort, are ſo taken up with the pleaſures and delights of this World, that they have no time for it: The Poorer, ſo buſied to get the neceſſary accommodations of Life, that they take themſelves to be wholly excus'd from minding it. Put ſet both conſider what Religion is, and they will diſcern the vanity of their ſeveral pleaſe and excuſe.

For, Religion is the Skill of ordering our ſelves, ſo, as to pleaſe God, Religion every ones duty and intereſt. and to obtain eternal Life. Religion conſiſts in the Government of our Deſires, Inclinations and Affections, that they may not lead us into an unreaſonable and pernicious Choice, or engage us in evil Works. The Rule or Religion is the Will of God, declared by our Conſcience, and in his Word: The End of Religion is to render us capable of the favour and love of God, and of a happy Portion in Life Eternal. Now what in all Reaſon ſhould every one be ſo concerned for, as that he may not diſhonour and abuſe himſelf, nor be engaged in ſhameful and pernicious ways? And what greater intereſt can any Man have, than to make God his Friend in this Life, and to be happy for ever in the next? And what is more fit and juſt both in it ſelf, and in order to ſo great an end, than that the Righteous Will of God be heartily done by us? Without Reconciliation unto that Will of God, it is impoſſible to have him our Friend here, or hereafter; but being in a State of Enmity and Contradiction to him, we muſt be under his diſpleaſure, and liable to his Almighty Anger, which is the moſt miſerable Condition that can be. (Joh. 17.3. Job 8.28. Eccleſ. 12.13.

It is therefore ignorance of Religion, that rendereth Men to negligent thereof: Whereas right Knowledge doth in a manner conſtrain Men to practiſe accordingly; or elſe leaves them ſelfcondemned, and ſtung moſt grievouſly by their own Minds, if they are not prevailed with, to do what is reaſonable, juſt and good, what is their neceſſary Duty and higheſt intereſt. It is therefore a moſt charitable Deſign to the Souls of Men (which this addreſs to them travails withal viz.) to give ſuch a brief and plain Account of Religion, as may help them to a right Knowledge thereof, and influence, and perſwade to a ſuitable Practice. Now. the Being of God is the firſt and great Principle of Religion;The grounds and principles of Religion. the Nature of God is the Reaſon; and the Will of God the Rule of it.

If there be one neceſſary ſupream being that is the cauſe of all things; The Being of God. then we (and all things) depend upon this Author of our Beings; he hath a Right as well as Power to diſpoſe of, and rule us as he pleaſeth; and we are bound to be obſervant of him, to ſubmit our ſelves to his Rule, and to be ſatisfied with his Will: And that there is ſuch a Being above us, whoſe we are, and upon whom we entirely depend; no Man can doubt, that will but open his Eyes and uſe his Reaſon. For how elſe came this World to be made? Or how came the firſt Man into Being? Whence are thoſe perfections in Men, and thoſe excellent properties in other Creatures, which neither they themſelves, nor blind Chance can be the Authors of, but are manifeſtly the Effects of ſome moſt excellent and perfect Cauſe? We are therefore the Creatures of God the Great Creator, ſubject to him that made us, and to that Law of our Creation which he hath put us under: i. e. We are bound to keep that Station and Order in which he hath ſet us, both with reſpect to himſelf, and our fellow Creatures, and to obſerve and do thoſe things which are agreeable thereunto. If a Father hath ſuch right in his Children, as to Rule and Govern them for their good; and the Rebellion of Children againſt their Parents is Monſtrous and Unnatural: How much more ſo is our Rebellion againſt God our Heavenly Father? For we are his off ſpring, and his eternal power and God-head are ſeen from the Creation of the World, ſo that we are without excuſe. (Acts 17.25, 28. Rom. 1.20.)

This God our Creatour is inſinitely Great, and can Control, Puniſh and Deſtroy, or Help,The Nature of God. Reward and Bleſs us as he pleaſeth; ſo alſo he is infinitely good, Righteous and True, and requireth nothing of us but what is right and good. Such is the excellency of his Nature, that we may expect from him all that is ſit and good, all that benefit and kindneſs, that is, Conſiſtent with Wiſdom and Holineſs. Such a Father we ought moſt readily to Obſerve and Obey; and we imitate his amiable Nature, when we do his righteous Will. (Deut. 32.4. Pſal. 73.25. Mat. 19.17. Mat. 5.48.)

The Creatour is the Lord of all things, hath a Right in, and Authority over them;Providence. and God who is all Power, Wiſdom and Goodneſs, can't be thought to neglect and deſert the Beings which he hath made, but doth actually inſpect and govern them. So that we come into this World, continue in it, and go out of it, by his Providence: Are always under his Eys, and in his Hand; and therefore continually obliged in Duty and Intereſt to Obſerve and Regard him. Acts 17.24. Dan. 4.34, 35. 1 Tim. 4.10.)

By what we know of God, of our Selves, and other Beings,Difference of moral good and evil. we unavoidably diſcern a difference of moral Good and Evil; and it is through horrible neglect and abuſe of our ſelves, that our Conſciences retain not a Evely and powerful Senſation thereof. Some things will appear (upon the leaſt Conſideration) to be juſt and reaſonable, good for us and for all Men, perfective of our Nature and Kind: Others to be Unreaſonable, Unrighteous, Shameful, Pernicions, contrary to Nature, deſtructive of ourſelves, and of Mankind. By following the former, we imitate God and become like him; by the latter, we debaſe our ſelves, walk contrary unto God, and become unreaſonable and like the Brute Beaſts, yea worſe than they who do according to the Nature and Powers that God hath given them.

This then is the Law of God witneſſed in our Conſciences, That we abhor that which is evil, and cleave unto that which is good; by ſhewing us what is good, he declareth what he requireth of us; for his Will is, That we do what is right and good towards our ſelves and others; that we reverence the God that made us, and keep that Order which he hath eſtabliſhed for the common good. So that Vertue is both our Wiſdom and our Duty; but Vice is Folly and Rebellion: It reſiſts the Conſtitution and Authority of God, and worketh confuſion in his Kingdom. Therefore Conſcience that condemneth vicious Actions, doth alſo terrifie the doers of them with the expectation and fear of Divine Vengeance. (Iſa. 5.20. Rom. 2.15, 16 Gen. 4.7. Iſa. 45.9.)

From the former Premiſes 'tis reaſonable to conclude,Future State. That the Holy and Righteous God will for ever maintain that difference of moral good and evil which he hath made: and ſince this is not ſufficiently done by his preſent Providence, that he will determine the future States of Men, according to what they have been and done in this. Righteous Men have reaſon to hope, that their good God and Father will do them all the good they are capable of; and conſequently make them happy in a better State after this, as they are capable of being. For Men by Virtue improve their Capacity of future Happineſs: but Vice lays a Foundation only for Miſery and Wretchedneſs. (Rom. 2.6. &c. Rom. 6.23.)

Now if we firmly imbrace theſe Principles, they do mightily engage us to a ſuitable Religious Practice.Rules of Practice. If we thus think of God our Maker, and of our ſelves his Creatures, we muſt ſee the Reaſon and neceſſity of keeping the Laws of our Creation; which require us to be and do what is right and meet, towards God, to our fellow Creatures, and to our ſelves. Whenever we ſeriouſly think and reflect upon the former Principles, we are convinced of the neceſſity and goodneſs of the following Laws or Rules of Practice, viz.

That we ought to ſtudy the Divine Nature, and meditate upon the Excellencies thereof,Piety. and to acknowledge them by ſuitable affections of Reverence, Love and Truſt; to give unto God ſupream Honour and Worſhip; and to ſubmit our ſelves to his moſt wiſe and holy Will. (John 17.3. Mat. 4.10. Acts 5.29.)

That we carefully abſtain from doing injury to others;Justice. and that we make reſtitution for any wrong which we have done; and that we do them all the right we can; and as we our ſelves would not have our Lives aſſaulted, our Reputation leſſen'd, our Truſt abuſed, our Bed defiled, our Relations debauched, our Eſtates damaged by Violence or Fraud; ſo muſt we be careful of the like rights and intereſts of other Men, doing unto them as we would they ſhould do unto us, (Rom. 13.7, 8. 1 Theſ. 4.6. Mark 10.19.

And as we would not be treated rigorouſly by others, ſo muſt we deal equally with them:Equity. favourably interpreting ſevere Laws, not inſiſting upon our utmoſt right to their great damage, not exacting their Labour or Service beyond their Strength, not grieving or diſcouraging them by the uſe of our Authority, nor offending them by the uſe of our Liberty. (Mat. 7.12. Coloſſ. 4.1. Rom. 14.15, 21.)

It is alſo reaſonable and good, and the Will of God,Charity. that Mankind ſhould heartily Love each other; taking pleaſure in the content and profit of their Brethren, and doing them what good they can, and forgiving their involuntary or retracted injuries: For he that honoureth another, doth himſelf deſire to be eſteemed; and he that pitieth and relieveth his Brother, hath alſo infirmities and needs of his own. Every one in his turn needeth forbearance and forgiveneſs; and all Men commend in others, and expect from them, Candour, and Gentleneſs, and Kindneſs, and other ſuch like Fruits of Sincere Benevolence. (Rom. 12.10, 13, 15, 16. Gal. 6.1, 2.)

It is likewiſe fit and neceſſary, that we ſhould be peaceably minded,Peace. and that we love and maintain good Order; that we be content with our Station, and ſtudy to be quiet and to do our own buſineſs; that we endeavour to maintain a right Underſtanding and good agreement amongſt Men, and to reconcile and make them friends again, when they happen to differ; for theſe things are good and profitable for Men. (Rom. 12.18. 1 Theſ. 4.11. Mat. 5.9.)

It is our Duty and our Intereſt alſo, to moderate and govern all our Inclinations and Paſſions by Reaſon,Sobriety or Purity. which God hath given us for that purpoſe. Reaſon being in Man (what inſtinct is in Brutes) his Nature or Governing Principle and Faculty. This is the moſt difficult part of our Duty, and that which ſecures the whole. In the diſorder of our Inclinations and Paſſions lies the Force and Strength of Temptation, and he that hath attained to the due government of theſe, will have but little provocation to do contrary to his Duty either towards God or Man. Now the Rules of this Self-government are ſuch as theſe,

That we think no better of our ſelves than we deſerve; but keep always a juſt Senſe of our abſolute dependance upon God, and of our great Weakneſs, manifold Errours, Imperfections and Faults, which is Humility. (Mat. 5.3. Rom. 12.13.)

That we moderate the deſire and uſe of all Delights, by Reaſon, and the expectation of a better Life; and gratifie no Appetite with the diſhonour of God, or to our own, or other Mens Dammage, which is Temperance. (John 6.27. Coloſſ. 3.1, 2. 1 Pet. 2.11.)

That we ſuffer no Paſſion to put us out of the uſe of our Reaſon, or to vent it ſelf in Expreſſions and Actions that are indecent or injurious, which is Moderation. (Mat. 5.22. Epheſ. 4.31. Phil. 4.5.)

That we be content with our Condition of Life, and bear with an even and calm Spirit the Viciſſitudes, Misfortunes, and Afflictions which are common to Men, fearing more to do than to ſuffer evil, and ſtudying to adorn every Lot, which is Fortitude and Patience. (Heb. 13 5. Phil. 4.12. Rom. 12.12.)

That we ſtudy the Conduct and Government of our ſelves; aim at thoſe things which excel, and contrive to do our good Works in fit Seaſon, and in the beſt manner, which is Prudence. (Mat. 10.16. Eph. 5.15. Phil. 4.8. Prov. 14.8.)

This is the Law written in the Heart; the fitneſs and neceſſity of theſe Rules is witneſſed in every ones Conſcience; and the L • ve and Practice of them is that Religion which Divine Revelation Travails to reſtore and maintain. If we Conſult and Reverence our own Conſciences and the Word of God, we ſhall be very uneaſy upon every Tranſgreſſion of any of theſe Laws, but find great peace and ſatisfaction of Spirit in the keeping of •• em.

When through the neglect of God, and abuſe of themſelves,Depravation of Religion, and Corruption of Mankind. Men had depraved this Religion, by wicked Lives and Idolatrous Worſhip; they became Reprobate in their Minds, and vile in their Affections; and ſunk into a degenerate and forlorn Eſtate; that was as Wretched as it was Sinful. (Gen. 6.5. Rom. 1.21, 26, 28.)

Since our firſt Parents indulged their Appetite againſt Reaſon, and ſo Tranſgreſſed the Law of God, their Poſterity are ſunk into Senſuality; and by their own unreaſonable Inclinations, by the wicked Example of others, and the Temptations of the World, are betrayed into powerful evil Habits; which make their return to God, and their Duty extreamly difficult.

When Men become Enemies to God, in Temper and Life,Paganiſm. they can no longer bear the true Knowledge and Worſhip of him; whereupon wicked Spirits and evil Men take occaſion to ſet up a falſe Religion, that may gratifie ſuch who are departed from the True. Such who will not keep God's Laws, are yet willing to compound for their Sins, by coſtly Sacrifices, and a pompous Service: And this gave occaſion and riſe to Idolatry, and that to polytheiſm or the ſerving of many Gods; and that ſervice was made up of magical Rites, and the moſt unnatural and abominable Cuſtoms, humane Sacrifices, and filthy Myſteries. So that Religion (whoſe end is to Unite and Aſſimulate Men unto God, and to perfect their Natures) became the Inſtrument of Mens Alienation and Departure from God, and of Debauching and Enſlaving their Minds, and of filling them with Brutiſh Luſts, and Diabolical Paſſions. (Mich. 6.6, 7. Rom 1.21. 2 Cor. 8.5. Ezek. 16.20. Rom. 1.28. &c.)

This growing impiety God teſtified againſt and oppoſed,Patriarchal Religion. by the Inſtructions and Example of thoſe holy Patriarchs, whom he raiſed up, by frequent intercourſe with Men, and ſpecial manifeſtations of his Soveraign Dominion and Power amongſt them: By the Tranſlation of Enoch, who walked with God, by the Deluge of the Old World, and the ſignal Deſtruction of the Sodomites and others, who had forſaken God, and abuſed themſelves in a moſt horrible manner. Theſe holy Inſtructions and Examples, and Divine Facts, were deſigned to put a ſtop to the Corruption of Religion and of Men; to enforce the Laws of God, to encourage the Righteous, and to awe the Wicked, and to awaken in them a becoming Senſe of God, and of their Duty.

But at length God Applyed a moſt gracious Remedy for the deplorable Condition of loſt Men, by a Standing Revelation of the true Religion, given firſt by Moſes, and then by Chriſt.

The Holy Scriptures were written by Holy Men, moved and guided by the holy Ghoſt,Holy Scriptures. and contain a true Hiſtory and Account of ſuch Divine Facts, Meſſages and Revelations, as God ſaw needful to be tranſmitted to all Ages of his Church, for the Inſtruction and Benefit thereof. (2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.16.)

Theſe Scriptures are the Records of the Firſt Covenant, or old Teſtament; that is, the Religion which God ſet up among the Jews by Moſes: And of the Second Covenant, or New Teſtament, i. e. the Religion which God hath ſet up for all Men by his Son Jeſus Chriſt. (Heb. 7.8, 13.)

The Ten Commandments are the Subſtance and chiefeſt part of God's Covenant with Iſrael; Moſaical Religion. and to keep them in the Worſhip and Obedience of the True God, was the deſign of that Diſpenſation; and the Political and Ceremonial Laws, did Miniſter to the ſame End, and were ſubſervient to the Moral, to Effect and Enforce the keeping of them. The Rites were ſuch as the Temper of that People, and the Circumſtances of thoſe times required; and they were ſo many Signs between God and his People, Badges of the Servants of the True God, and Memorials and Monitors of their Obligations to him. God their Creatour, their Redeemer, and their King, dwelt in the midſt of them, That his Fear might be before their Faces that they might not Sin againſt him, and he ſent them Prophets and Preachers of Righteouſneſs and Repentance, to reprove and threaten their Diſobedience, and to perſwade them to return to their Duty. And by theſe he foretold the Coming of Chriſt, and the ſetting up of a better State of Religion by him.

Now in theſe laſt Days God hath ſpoken unto us by his Son,Chriſtian Religion. that Divine Perſon in whom the God-head dwelleth Bodily, i. e. really and manifeſtly; who came into the World that he might deſtroy the Works of the Devil, i. e. Idolatry and Immorality; that by his Doctrine he might Teach the Laws of God; and by his Obedience unto Death vindicate the Honour of them, that he might bring in Eternal Righteouſneſs, and ſet up the Kingdom of God, by means moſt proper, and fitted for all times; and therefore made Perpetual and Unchangeable. (Heb. 1.2, 3. Coloſ. 2.9. 1 Joh. 3.8.)

For he hath taught and aſſured us in the Name of God,The Principles or Doctrine. Ʋnity of God. That there is but One God the Creatour of all things, and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and thereby condemned Polytheiſm or the Worſhip of many Gods. (Mat. 4.10. 1 Cor. 8.6.

That God is not to be Worſhipped with Sacrifices or by Images,True Worſhip. or with the Pomp introduced by Idolatry; but with the Natural Acts and Expreſſions of Divine Honour, and proper Tokens of Reſpect and Reverence; and that the beſt and moſt acceptable Service of God, conſiſts in a holy imitation of him. (Joh. 4.24. Mat. 5.48.)

That God who is Propitious in his Nature, is reconciled to ſinners in his Son;Reconciliation. whoſe Obedience unto Death, doth worthily vindicate, and greatly honour the Laws of God; and his voluntary Sacrifice of himſelf was ſo well pleaſing unto God, that he did thereupon enter into a Covenant of Grace and Mercy with Mankind; wherein he hath engaged himſelf, to forgive the Sins of thoſe who Believe and Repent, and to make them partakers of eternal Life. (Mat. 5.45. Mark 10.44. John 10.17. Mat. 26.28.)

That God ſent his Son to be the Saviour of the World,Glory of Chriſt. and hath appointed him the only Mediatour between God and Man; in whom God ſpeaketh unto us, and by whom we have acceſs unto God, that God hath given him all Power, and made him King and Lord of all things, That he may be the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. (Mat. 3.17. 1 Tim. 2.5. Joh. 5.22. Mat. 28.18.)

That this ſame Lord Jeſus ſhall come in Glory to Judge the World,Reſurrection and Judgment. and ſhall raiſe the Dead, and ſhall doom the Wicked to the Damnation of Hell, and receive the Righteous into Life Eternal. (Mat. 25.31, 46. John 5.27, 28, 29.)

The Doctrine of Chriſt then Teacheth, and his Religion obligeth us, to Worſhip the one true God in a right manner, through one Mediatour; to look for the Mercy of God upon our Repentance without coſtly Expiations and Sacrifices, and to live Godly, Righteouſly and Soberly in this World, looking for the glorious Appearance of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall Raiſe the Dead, Judge the World, and render to every Man according to his Deeds.

The Laws of Chriſtianity. Principal and Primary.The Laws of Chriſt are either Principal and Primary, or Secondary, inſtitution s Subſervient and Miniſtring to the former. The Principal Laws, which contain the Subſtantial part of Religion, are the ſame with thoſe Laws of our Creation, or Rules of Piety, Righteouſneſs and Purity, which are before recited, and theſe are delivered and explain'd in the Sermons of our Lord, and inculcated in the writings of his Apoſtles: and to theſe he hath added

The Law of Faith; that we believe and acknowledge Jeſus to be the Chriſt the Son of God,Faith. perſwading our Hearts of the Truth of his Divine Miſſion and Doctrine; and of the importance of both; and that we publickly profeſs our Faith and Hope in him, and confeſs him (if need be) even with the hazard of our Lives. (Rom. 16.26. Rom. 9.10. Mat. 10.32, 33.)

The precept of Repentance enjoyns, that we carefully turn and abſtain from all that is evil;Repentance. that we Live with great Care and Obſervation of our ſelves; that we frequently examine our Principles and Practice; that we ſorrowfully confeſs our Faults to God, and ask forgiveneſs for them; and that we do the ſame towards Men, in Caſe of Injury or Scandal. (Acts 3.19. 2 Cor. 13.5. Jam. 5.16. Mat. 5.23.)

The Law of Chriſt Obligeth us likewiſe, to Love and Pray for and do good to our Enemies;Love of Enemies and of Chriſtians. and to bear a moſt tender Affection, and ſhew ſingular kindneſs to our fellow Chriſtians. (Mat. 5.44. John 15.12. John 17.21, 23.)

It is alſo the Duty of Chriſtians, to Think of,Heavenly-mindedueſs. to Affect, to Deſire and Hope for that immortal Life and Bliſs, which the Goſpel hath brought to light; and to have but little conſideration of the things of this Life, for which the Gentiles ſerved their Gods, and the Jews the God of Iſrael; but to do good and to ſuffer patiently, Looking for their Reward in Heaven. (2 Cor. 4.18. Coloſ. 3.2. Phil. 3.20.)

And ſo it is alſo, to Study and imitate the Life of Chriſt;Imitation of Chriſt. and having ſuch a Pattern and Guide, to endeavour to excell in purity of Heart and Life, the beſt Examples of all other Inſtitutions. (John 13.14. Mat. 11.29. Mat. 5.46, 47.)

The poſitive Inſtitutions of Chriſt, are the means he hath appointed for the better obſervance of theſe primary Laws of his Religion,Secondary Inſtructions. and they are,

Prayer both Private and Publick, which is both an Act of Religion,Prayer. and a ſpecial mean to keep up the Senſe and Power thereof in our Hearts and Lives. (Mat. 6.6. Luke 11.2, 13.)

And ſo is the Miniſtry of the Word, by an Order of Men fitted and appointed for that purpoſe;Miniſtry of the Word. an excellent mean, for informing the Judgments, awakening the Conſciences, perſwading the Hearts, and influencing the Lives of Chriſtians. (Eph. 4.11, 12, 13.)

Beſides theſe Moral means, our Lord hath inſtituted two Rites, as Inſtruments and Helps of Religion.

By the one, Baptiſm, we are made Diſciples of Chriſt,Baptiſm. to learn that Religion which God the Father Taught by his Son, and confirmed by the holy Ghoſt: and oblige our ſelves to the Study, Profeſſion, and Practice thereof. (Mat. 28.19, 20.)

By the other, the Lords Supper; we make a ſolemn Commemoration of the Death of our Bleſſed Lord and Saviour,The Lord's Supper. which was the Sacrifice for our Sins, and at, and by which his Religion was ſet up, and are thereby put in mind of our mighty Obligations to Holineſs, and of the great Aſſurance there is of Remiſſion of Sins, and Reſurrection to Eternal Life, for all thoſe who Believe and Obey the Goſpel. (Luke 22.19, 20. John 6.39, 40.)

This is the Religion of Chriſt: The proof whereof is contained in the Hiſtory of his Life,Demonſtrations of Chriſtianity. and Death, Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, and ſending of the holy Ghoſt If we conſider theſe Facts, we muſt be convinced that Jeſus is the Son God, and that his Religion is Divine, and that they who Believe and Obey him, ſhall be Happy by the forgiveneſs of their Sins, and a Reſurrection to Life eternal.,

To ſet up ſuch a Religion was a Work worthy of God, and to Receive and Obey it, is the greateſt intereſt and concern of Men. We can neither blame the Doctrine, nor refute the Proofs of it; but Men become unbelievers by being reſolvedly wicked; for they being Enemies to the Truth, will not receive it. We have more reaſon to give Credit to the things reported in the Goſpels than to any thing elſe which we have not ſeen with our Eyes; and the Religion founded upon theſe Facts, is what we ſhould with to be true; and we run a mighty and a moſt deſperate hazzard, even of the loſs of our immortal Souls, by our neglect of it.

By our admittance into the Church, and the fellowſhip of Chriſtians,The Church. we are freed from thoſe Chains in which Satan holds the Children of Darkneſs; we are mightly prevented with the Grace of God for our Inſtruction and Perſwaſion in the Truth; and mightily aſſured of his continual Aſſiſtance and Bleſſing upon our Religious Endeavours. That therefore which is incumbent upon us, is, by a due uſe of thoſe helps and means graciouſly afforded us, to get ſuch Religious Knowledge as is needful; and by the Divine Aſſiſtance (which is promiſed) to maſter our naughty Inclinations and vicious Habits, that we may Practice accordingly.

By being of this reformed Church of England, we have vaſt advantages for Religious Knowledge and Practice, which they want, who live where Chriſtianity is Debauched, and blended with Paganiſm: and how then ſhall we anſwer it to God, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; it by the abuſe of his Grace, and of our Selves, we continue Ignorant and Vicious as Papiſts or Pagans.

Let us not then Reproach the Author of our holy Religion, by being careleſs and negligent thereof; as if God had ſent his Son in vain, and given the holy Ghoſt to no purpoſe, and ſet up a Religion that is not worth our minding, nor let us be ſo fooliſh for our ſelves as to periſh by ſloath and ignorance, in our Rebellion againſt God; who of his infinite Mercies hath taken ſo much Care to Redeem us, and to make us Wiſe and Good, and ſo eternally Happy.