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the Experiences of vital Religion, which are neceffary to conflitute them Chriftians indeed.-This is aim'd at in the Publication of most of the following Letters.

The Danger we are in of prevailing Antinomianifm, and the actual Prevalence that it has already obtained (efpecially under the Name of Moravianifm) in fome Parts of the Country, is a fufficient Juftification 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 Subjects as I had publicly treated on before, particularly the Evidences of Christianity, 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 thefe Subjects; and, I trust, with fome additional Evidence to the Truth.

If any of my Readers are fo curious as to enquire, to whom thefe Letters were directed, 'tis fufficient Anfwer, that they are now by the Prefs directed to them; and if they can improve them to their fpiritual Advantage, it will answer the End of their Publication.- May the Bleffing of GOD attend them to this Purpose.

J. D.

CON

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FAMILIAR LETTERS

ON A

Variety of Religious SUBJECTS.

LETTER I. Wherein the Danger of Infidelity is briefly represented.

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SIR,

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Heartily rejoice to hear from you, that you are at laft come into a "Refolution, immediately to enter upon a serious and impartial Exa"mination of the Christian Religion." What you obferve is certainly true, "that this is an Affair of "too great confequence to be carelefly neglected,

to be decided at the Club, or to be rejected by "Wholesale, with the too common Arguments of "Mirth and Raillery, Sneer and Banter."- -I fhould therefore be inexcufable, fhould I refuse a Compliance with your Request, to "maintain a "Correfpondence with you by Letter; and affift 66 you, what I can, in your Enquiries into the "Truth of Chriftianity, the Nature of the Chri"stian Institution, and the Character and Qualifi"cations of those who are intitled 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

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poor

poor deluded Oppofers been covered with Shame and Confufion, in all their feeble Attempts to fubvert our Faith, and to deftroy the bleffed Hope of our future Happiness? 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 can't fail of obtaining Conviction and Satisfaction.

To your Inquiry," How fhall I first enter upon a proper Difquifition of this Caufe?" I anfwer, in a few Words. Confider the Importance of it: Confider, I intreat you, that it is an eternal Concern. Were this duly confider'd, it would be impoffible for you to content yourself in fuch a State, wherein there is fo much as a Peradventure as to the dreadful and aftonishing Confequences of a Difappointment.

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 Converfation at Taverns or Coffee-houses, against Priestcraft, Cant, and Enthusiasm.-You may have ridiculed all Pretences to vital Piety; and exploded all the Gospel Doctrines respecting future Rewards and Punishments, as unreasonable, or unintelligible Dreams and Fictions.-Well! fuppofing you were in the Right, What Happinefs, what Comfort or Satisfaction would your Infidelity afford you ?---What rational Man would envy you the Confolation of imagining yourself upon a Level with the Beafts, and of expecting that Death will terminate all your Hopes and Fears!-What Believer would part with the glorious Hope of eter nal and inexpreffible Happiness and Joy, for the gloomy Profpect of Annihilation!

It is certain, upon this Suppofition, the Believer Can be in no Danger; he has nothing to lofe, or

to

to fear; but has every Way the Advantage of you. -He has the present Satisfaction of being a Favourite of Heaven.He has a continual Source of Support and Comfort, amidst the darkest Scenes of Providence, from the gracious Promifes of the Gofpel. -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 miftaken, he will never lament his Disappointment, but fleep as quietly in a State of Non-existence as you can do.

And

But perhaps I have mistook your Sentiments. You may posibly have given into an Opinion of a future Existence, though you have call'd the Truth of the Gospel into Queftion.-Be it fo. Yet, upon this Suppofition 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 fubferve and promote them. 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 Caufe for thofe ftinging Reflections, What if I am mistaken! What if my Sentiments fhould prove false, when it comes to the decifive Trial!

And now, let us turn the Tables; and confider the bitter Fruits of your fatal Miftake, if Christianity fhould at last prove true. You can't but acknowledge,

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