FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED то FREE-THINKERS, ORDER TO PROMOTE THINKING ON THE NAME AND WORKS OF GOD. WITH RELATION OF A REMARKABLE PROVIDENCE, WHICH FELL OUT AT PORT-ROYAL, IN JAMAICA, SUITABLE TO THE SUBJECT, WRITTEN AT SEA. THE PREFACE AND POSTSCRIPT BY ANOTHER PERSON, 'he fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. PSALM xiv. 1. THE PREFACE. author, in the course of his conversation, having mét some persons, who avowing the principles he opposes in ollowing tract, have been forward to assume the character e-thinkers, might have thereby been determined to such e and direction of his work. And it is to be feared, the per is too great of those who love a false liberty both in g and speaking, it is not to be wondered at, should they avour to justify themselves therein, by so specious a preas that of freedom. A privilege so undeniable to every , that, without it, none could possibly be praised or conned for any determination or action whatsoever; but it t be imputed to that power alone, which imposes a necestowards either good or evil; so that in such case, all dision of virtue and vice must cease in our apprehensions of ality, and human society lie in the greatest and most deable confusion for want of it. Far be it therefore from judicious or honest person, to endeavour to exclude or uade any from a just freedom in speculation or practice. let those who pretend to this, entirely satisfy themselves, they have fully and sincerely made use of it, and that in r inquiries they have faithfully collected, and impartially sidered, that evidence the nature of the subject might have uired, or has afforded them. Those who deny an eternal istence, Power, and Providence, who hath created and served the world, seem neither to have observed nature, consulted that reason, which yet some of them may much tend to follow. To such the following considerations are ommended by the author; which deserve to be read with ention and seriousness, for the good will and sincere views h which they seem to have been written. TO THE READER. THE author having been much pressed in spirit to write the following considerations upon the present subject and occasion. begs they may be read with attention, and examined without prejudice. He hopes the learned and ingenuous reader will excuse any faults in style or method, having respect to the sincerity of intention, which he professes to have had in this undertaking; and humbly prays that a divine blessing may attend it, to the satisfaction and eternal advantage of all whom it may concern. |