STUDENTS even among the CLERGY. It is true they are not eafy to be found by the multitude, because they are chiefly confined to learned libraries. And if they are thus univerfally neglected, I will venture to fay, it is because they are not known, for it is impoffible for an orthodox, pious, or confcientious divine, to flight their contents. As to the long lift of errors and defects that are quoted from the EDITION of the FREE and CANDID DISQUISITION AS RENDERING THE HOMILIES IMPROPER FOR PUBLIC USE, I hope they will be found fo difpofed of in this Edition, as no longer to furnish fuch terrible objections to their being read by any christian. I am ra

ther confident, it would be found alfo, that the charges against them in the conclufive affertion of the Preface, are equally ill founded with many others of the Author's exceptions, viz.

THAT THE HOMILIES CONTAIN DOCTRINES THAT ARE NEITHER GODLY, OR WHOLSOME, AND THAT THEY ARE TOTALLY UNFIT AND IMPROPER, INSTEAD OF BEING

NECESSARY FOR THESE TIMES. In regard to the former part of this cenfure, it must remain for the decifion of all who form their judgment by the rule of fcripture, which is the only just criterion to defend, or condemn, any religious treatife. And as for the latter, the doctrines

doctrines and precepts of the Gofpel, being, (like their Author) the fame yesterday, to day, and for ever, unless it can be fhewn, that the fubjects enforced by the Homilies, are contradictory to the evangelical model: if they were fit for the times in which they were written, they must be granted equally fo in all times, till this, or any future age is arrived to fuch a degree, of perfection as not to need the laying the foundation of the principles of the doctrine of Chrift.

Thus far, I hope, will not be thought a fuperfluous intrufion. Some notice appeared abfolutely neceffary to be taken of an attack, fo directly levelled at the main body of a work that has coft me fo much time and pains to put in a state of natural defence. I have only given a general outline of the pamphlet: To enter into the pro and con. relative to the partial extracts from every homily, would have required more leisure than I can fpare, and formed a treatife of a very different caft from the defign of my present publication, which is not prefented as a challenge for controverfy (for which I have neither ability, nor inclination) but as the plain ftate of an injured plaintiff's caufe, the merits of which are left to the free decifion of all who read it.

It is a too common practice with our modern advocates

advocates for pure religious liberty, to rail against BIGOTRY in them, whofe perfuafions they diflike, without confidering that they are as pofitive bigots to the delufions of infidelity, divifion, and anarchy, as any can be to the fober maxims of a peaceable, and well-regulated government. In fhort, with the weakness and prefumption of a truly antichristian temper, they set up as founders of a new fpecies of libertinifm, and by the extraordinary exertions of their fuperlative reason, would perfuade the world that learning, judgment, and truth, have hitherto been asleep, and are no where to be found but among their votaries; and that their rare discoveries have light and force to prove th t the falutary maxims of former ages, and more flourishing times, were perfectly antifcriptural, and full of ignorance and After all, fince in feveral parts of this fame pamphlet, A GOOD DEGREE OF PRAISE, BENEFIT, and VALUABLE MATTER, is confeffed to be contained in thefe old difcourfes, though they have been moft unfairly stript of their best cloathing, to lay bare fuch information as common refpect to age fhould rather have concealed, I take courage in thinking my original design will hereby fhew itself still more expedient, by enabling them to appear abroad, with some degree of confidence, and serve more fully than their adverfarics are willing to allow,

error.

that

that they are not only inoffenfive, but profitable, and capable of conveying comfort, and inftruction, to the latest time, while faith fhall be on earth. That they are not only an honor to the church for whofe fervice they were constituted, but will fupply a useful course of pious ftudy to every humble and true believer in the Redeemer of mankind. And as fuch, being moft fincerely published, I have only to crave pardon for this tedious, and unpremeditated trespass on my readers, and to pray that the Father of our Lord Jefus Christ, may give his bleffing to the task, by accompanying the perufal of it with the effectual power of his HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.

VOL. I.

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THE