TO THE

REA DE R.

M

ANY are the difcouragements with which the Refutation of Objections against Revealed Religion is unavoidably attended. Both the Subject, and the Arguments, have in general been fo often confidered, that very Few will be difpofed to read, what it may be neceffary to write; and of thofe Few, fcarce Any will be throughly pleased, and the Majority perhaps often difgufted. If conciseness is ftudied, the Writer may feem, on points of fuch concern, not to have faid enough; if he is diffuse on fubjects fo well known,

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known, he will appear to have faid too much. Should he not answer the Objections before him in an ample manner, it will be thought hẹ had better not have attempted to answer them at all; and fhould he place their weakness in the strongest point of view, they may then be found in fact fo utterly infignificant, as to be deemed unworthy of Refu+ tation. If the particulars concerned have not been made fubjects of difpute among Believers Themselves, Many, will think it unneceffary to confider them, on that account alone; and should they have been Controverted Points, the Writer muft unavoidably differ almost as much from many among the Friends of Reve→ lation, as from its Enemies. After all, fhould his undertaking be even crowned with fuccefs, Objections are endlefs; and when refuted in one

shape,

fhape, are foon propofed again in another. Nor is it an inconfiderable disadvantage, that the very bufinefs of Refuting is in itfelf far from agreeable; and that there is ever too much cause to fear, left the victory gained by Reason, should be fullied by Reproach; and the Duties of Religion be facrificed even in eftablishing its Truth.

Yet, furely, the Enemies of Revealed Religion fhould not be permitted to triumph, though by the very moderation of its Friends; nor the Gospel go undefended, because there are fome difcouragements attending its defence. New Objections certainly call for New Replies; and to Old Objections ftill again repeated, Old Answers fhould be ftill again returned. Far more pleafing, indeed, is the employment of eftablishing Truth,

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Truth, than of refuting Falfehood: But if Falfehood is actually advanced, the interest of Truth requires that it fhould be refuted. And whatever may be the disadvantages attending the task, it has this inducement to overpower them all; that he who endeavours, with fincerity and candour, to advance the knowledge, confirm the principles, and increase the influence of Revealed Religion, imitates fo far the Divine Example of Him, Who for this cause came into the world, that he might bear witness to the Truth.

CON