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POSTSCRIPT.

Occafioned by the Publication of Dr STEBBING's Vifitation Charge, that had been delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Wilts.

POSTSCRIPT.

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FTER I had finished the foregoing Enquiry, the Reverend Dr Stebbing published the Vifitation Charge, that he had before delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Wilts, in answer, (as common fame will have it) to my book entitled The true Gospel of Jefus Chrift afferted; the amount of which answer is this, viz. that what I have reprefented to be the true Gospel of Jefus Chrift is Heathenifm, mere Heathenifm. To which I reply, let it be fo. I am not contending for words, or names, but things; and therefore, if what I have advanced be the truth, which I think it is, then, that is fufficient for my purpose, and Dr Stebbing is at liberty to call it, or ftigmatize it, by what name he please. However, if my principles or fcheme of Chriftianity be mere Heathenifm, as Dr Stebbing hath maintained; then, as the doctrine of a future judgment and retribution is a part of that scheme; fo confequently, that doctrine, according to Dr Stebbing, is a part of Heathenifm, or it is an Heathenish Doctrine; and then, according to the Doctor, the Heathens were not diftitute of that encouragement

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to virtue, and diffwafive from vice, which arifes from the confideration of future rewards and punishments, as fome of our Divines have too haftily maintained that they were.

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By the term Heathenifm, I think, Dr Stebbing muft mean natural Religion; and by mere Heathenifm, I think, he must mean pure uncorrupted natural Religion without any mixture or addition; this, I fay, I think, must be his meaning, if he has any fixed ideas to his words. And forafmuch as the Chriftian Religion is, (as it must needs be, if it be of God) the pure uncorrupted religion of nature, or as Dr Sherlocke the prefent Bishop of Salisbury has very justly and truly expreffed it, The Religion of the Gospel is the true original Religion of reafon and nature;' fo, in this view of the cafe, mere Heathenism is the uncorrupted religion of Chrift, or it is that religion which Chrift published to the world without any mixture or addition. But then, this is putting the cafe into such a light as no doubt Dr Stebbing never intended it should appear in. True religion is not a precarious thing, founded only on fovereign and arbitrary will; but is grounded on eternal reafon and truth; and as fuch it must be the fame both yesterday, to day, and for ever. And therefore, if the Chriftian Religion be of God, (which furely Dr Stebbing will not deny) then, of neceffity, it must be neither more, nor lefs, nor otherwife, than the true original Religion of reason and nature. And,

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