PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD;

T. AND I. EGERTON, WHITEHALL.

AND I. DEIGHTON, HOLBORN.

M DCC XCIII:

PREFACE.

1

THE great principle of christian liberty. allows to others the fame right of interpreting the fcriptures, and of making profeffion of our judgment of them before the world, which each affumes to himself; and this liberty is the corner-ftone and bulwark of the proteftant reformation. It is to the neglect of this principle in fome churches, and the renunciation of it in others, that we muft afcribe the existence of all the bigotry and intolerance which have difgraced the annals of christianity and proteftantism. To the fame fruitful fource we must impute all the corruptions of the chriftian doctrine, which

have

have prevailed, or which continue to prevail, in the christian world: for, upon the exercise of this liberty depends the proper vindication and more general reception of the leading truths of ine the gofpel of Jesus Christ, and the fimplicity of our profeffion of belief in revealed religion.

The civil liberty of our country is apparent in the constitutional principles of its government. And, fubject to a substantial reform in every branch in which it has departed from them in practice, and in every cafe in which time has changed circumstances, it is deferving of the hearty fupport of the chriftian preacher.

The writer of these volumes trufts that every honest endeavour he may make to promote the cause of religion, liberty, and virtue will be favourably received by those with whom he is connected by general fimilarity of fentiment, and to whom he is perfonally attached by many kindnesses. And, if he fhall meet with the fame candour on the present occafion, which he has hitherto experienced