Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.4

Of Chriliian Liberty. 115 there who can juftly make a merit to them- S ER M. felves of their receiving and profeffing pro- IV. teftantifm ? How few have had ftrength of "Y""4 mind, and zeal enough for truth, to deliver themfelves from the fnares of popery with- out an education leading them to it, or fome other eminent providential advantages ? We fee in popifh countries men of the greateft penetration, and who, otherwife Phew very remarkable probity, yet held in the fame captivity with others. Not unto us, there- fore, but unto God let the praife be given, that the lines are fallen to us in pleafant places, and our lot is appointed in a land of light and liberty ; and as fcarcely any of the pro - teftant churches have advanced fo far in purity of worfhip, and in liberty as the principles of the reformation, which are the original principles of true chriftianity, would lead them, which is too apparent from their remaining contentions upon thefe points ; it were earneftly to be willed, they would ftill proceed farther on the foun- dation which is fo happily laid, till all relicts of popifh fuperftition, and the popifh fpirit, were banifhed from among them, and pri- mitive chriftianity reftored. But while that great work is imperfect, and our difference in fentiments and practice about leffer mat- I 2 ters

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