explained and recommended. 3 $7 with proper arguments to induce an intelli- S E ft m6 gent belief; fucla as the figns, wonders, and XV. divers miracles, which were worked for con - firming them; the evident accomplifhment of ancient prophecies in the principal facts recorded in the gofpel, which are the main articles of our faith, befides the intrinfic good - nefs of its precepts, and their perfect agree- ablenefs to the belt fentiments of the human mind : Thus God as a law -giver dealeth with us according to that conftitution of our nature, of which himfelf is the Author. Our minds are capable of no other obliga- tion with refped to points of belief, than to examine impartially, and without prejudice, that we may affent upon rational grounds; and this is all he requireth. Some indeed have advanced and endeavoured to impofe upon others a quite different notion of faith, as if it were a confident perfuafion founded upon mere authority, not only without, but di- redly contrary to, reafon ; this hath had very unhappy effets. The tendency of it is to turn religion into nonfenfe and abfurdity, and to prejudice men againft it as an affront to their underftandings, only calculated for fools ; and in the believers themfelves it hath produced nothing but fuperftition and enthufiafm inflead of a reafanable fervice, C r a But
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