In truth, to ferve the cause of rational religion, was my only aim through the whole of this performance; in which I wish to approve myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship's

moft obedient

humble fervant,

John Langhorne.

ADVERTISEMENT,

Concerning the SECOND EDITION.

THE

HE Editor of the Letters between The

odofius and Conftantia, in gratitude for the favourable reception which the first Edition of those Letters met with from the Public, has endeavoured to render the Second lefs unworthy of their favour by the addition of two letters written by Theodofius and Constantia, in their last sickness. These, he hopes, will not be altogether unacceptable, as nothing can be more edifying than the sentiments and behaviour of exemplary characters on the approach of death.

ADVERTISEMENT,

Concerning the THIRD EDITION.

A

S a citizen, and as a friend to the re

ligion of his country, the Editor of the Letters between Theodofius and Con

ftantia, cannot but rejoice that, in the space

of one year, those letters have

gone through three confiderable impreffions. When doctrines that tend to the enlargement of religious opinion, and to promote a rational worship of the universal Providence, are fo generally and fo favourably received, we have reason to be hopeful that the industry of fanatics will reap but a barren harveft; and it must be with pleasure we behold them retiring from a country distinguished for the cultivation of liberal fentiments, to apoftolize in the western world; and to light up the yet unextinguished embers of Oliverian puritanism.

THE

THE editor of these letters has ever thought it his duty to militate against those abfurd and fuperftitious modes of faith that dishonour the Creator and enflave his creatures. For this purpose the Letters on Religious Retirement, Melancholy and Enthufiafm, firft came abroad, and the not unfavourable reception of those, promoted and encouraged the publication of thefe.

FROM the hope of diffufing ftill more generally the fame spirit of religious freedom; › of cherishing a happy repofe on the Providence of THE EVERLASTING GOODNESS, and of cultivating the benevolent affections, thefe Letters have lately been followed by a collection of Sermons written by the fame hand.