riences of vital religion, which are neceffary to conftitute them Chriftians indeed.This is aimed at in the publication of moft of the following Letters. The danger we are in of prevailing Antinomianifm, and the actual prevalence that it has already obtained (especially under the name of Moravianifm) in fome parts of the country, is a fufficient juftifica tion of the attempt I have made to fet the foundation-error of the Antinomians in a true light, and to difcover its dangerous tendency. If any are inclined to cenfure me for troubling the world with new difcourfes upon fuch fubjects as I had publicly treated on before, particularly the Evidences of Chriftianity, the Sovereignty of divine Grace, Faith and Juftification; they may confider, that these are most important points, and deferve the moft particular illuftration; that there is at this time a fpecial call to remove the objections against them out of the way; and that this is now attempted in a different manner from my former difcourfes on these subjects; and, I trust, with fome additional evidence to the truth. If any of my readers are fo curious as to inquire, to whom thefe Letters were directed? It is fufficient anfwer, that they are now by the Prefs directed to them; and if they can improve them to their fpiri tual advantage, it will anfwer the end of their publication. May the bleffing of GOD attend them to this purpose. J. D. CON II. The Evidences of Christianity, -III. The Hiftory of our Saviour, collected from the Prophecies of the Old Teftament, 24 -IV. The Certainty of the Facts reported in the V: The Internal Evidences of Chriftianity, 5T 67 VII. GOD's Sovereign Grace vindicated against VIII. A true and falfe Faith diftinguished, 95 FAMILIAR LETTERS ON A Variety of RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. LETTER I. Wherein the Danger of Infidelity is briefly represented. I SIR, Heartily rejoice to hear from you, that you are at laft come into a "Refolution, immediately to "enter upon a serious and impartial examina❝tion of the Chriftian Religion." What you observe is certainly true, "that this is an affair of too great confequence to be carelessly neglected, to "be decided at the club, or to be rejected by "wholesale, with the too common arguments of "mith and raillery, fneer and banter."I should therefore be inexcufable, fhould I refuse a compliance with your requeft, to "maintain a correfpond ence with you by letter; and affift you, what I "can, in your inquiries into the truth of Chriftiani"ty, the nature of the Christian inftitution, and the character and qualifications of thofe who are in"titled to the rewards therein promifed." But what can a gentleman of your capacities expect from me? And has not this caufe been clearly and fully handled, especially of late, by a variety of authors? Has it not triumphed over all oppofition? Have not its poor deluded oppofers been covered with fhame and confufion, in all their feeble attempts to fub vert our faith, and to deftroy the bleffed hope of our future happinefs? And are not these books in your hands? Read them, Sir, with that attention which fuch an awful and important affair demands of you; and I think you cannot fail of obtaining conviction and fatisfaction. To your inquiry, "How fhall I first enter upon a proper difquifition of this caufe?" I answer, in a few words. Confider the importance of it: Confider, I intreat you, that it is an eternal concern. Were this duly confidered, it would be impoffible for you to content yourself in fuch a ftate, wherein there is fo much as a peradventure as to the dreadful and aftonishing confequences of a disappointment. You may perhaps have hitherto concluded all revealed religion to be but a mere cheat and imposture. -You may have borne your part in the converfa tion at taverns or coffee-houses, against prieftcraft, cant, and enthusiasm.-You may have ridiculed all pretences to vital piety; and exploded all the gofpel doctrines refpecting future rewards and punishments, as unreasonable, or unintelligible dreams and fictions. Well! fuppofing you were in the right, What happiness, what comfort or fatisfaction would your infidelity afford you?-What rational man would envy you the confolation of imagining your. felf upon a level with the beasts, and of expecting that death will terminate all your hopes and fears! -What believer would part with the glorious hope of eternal and inexpreffible happiness and joy, for the gloomy profpect of annihilation! It is certain, upon this fuppofition, the believer can be in no danger; he has nothing to lofe, or to fear; but has every way the advantage of you.He has the prefent fatisfaction of being a favourite of Heaven. He has 2nual fource of fupport and comfort, amidft fcenes of Providence, from from the gracious Promises of the Gospel.-He can overcome the miseries of life, and the terrors of death, with the ravishing view of a bleffed immortality. And it is certain, if mistaken, he will never lament his disappointment, but fleep as quietly in a ftate of non-existence as you can do.. But perhaps I have miftook your fentiments. You may poffibly have given into an opinion of a future existence, though you have called the truth of the Gospel into queftion.-Be it fo. Yet, upon this fuppofition alfo, the believer has vaftly the advantage of you. He has all the happiness in this life which Christianity affords; and this you must be a stranger to. He can live in comfort, and die in peace.His religion deprives him of nothing, which can any way contribute to his rational happiness and delight; but every way tends to subserve and promote them. And certainly (even upon your own principles) he may have as fair a claim to Sincerity, in his endeavours to approve himself to the glorious Author of our being, as you can have; and confequently as good a profpect of future bleffednefs.-So that, upon the whole, it is evident that he has nothing to fear from his principles, whether they be true or falfe. He has no cause for those ftinging reflections, What if I am mistaken! What if my fentiments fhould prove falfe, when it comes to the decifive trial! And now, let us turn the tables; and confider the bitter fruits of your fatal mistake, if Chriftianity. fhould at last prove true.-You cannot but acknowledge, that there have been great numbers of men of the best moral qualifications, whofe intellectual powers were no ways inferior to theirs on the other fide of the queftion, who have professed the truth, and experienced the power of that religion, which you have despised.-How many moft excellent perfons, of the greatest integrity, learning and fagacity, B 2 have |