To the 12eader. nation is an adi ofdivine juflice, which fuppofeth demerit ; and therefore the execution of Gods decree is founded on fin, either ofnature,orlife, orboth. My meaning is not to make thecaute mine, byunneceffary intermedling; The wor- thineffeofthe menon both lidesis fuch, that it fhould move men to moderation in their cenfures either way ; Neither is this queBion of like confequence with others in this bufineffe, but there is awide difference betweene this difference and other differences. And one cauteofit, is thedifficulty ofunderfianding, how God conceives things,whichdiffers in the whole kind from ours, heconceivingof things, altogether andat oncewithout difcourfe, we one thing after another,and by another. Our comfort is, that what we cannot fee inthe light ofnature, and grace , we (hall fee in the light of glory , in the UniverfityofHeaven ; before which time, thatmen (hould in all matters have the fameconceipt of thingsof this nature , is rather to be wifhed for, then to be hoped. That learned Bi(hop, (now with God ) that undertooke the defence of M, Perkins, hath left to the Church, togetherwith the benefit of his labours, the forrow for hisdeath, the fame ofhis worth; an example likewife ofmoderat ion, who though he differed from M° Perkins in this point, yet (hewed that he could both affent in leffer things and with due refpea maintainin greater matters. Ifwe would difcerne ofdifferences, the Church would be troubled with fewer di({empers; I fpeake not asif way were tobe given to V rfian, lawlelfe, licentious liberty ofprophe- fie ; that every one, fo Toone as he is big oftome new conceit, (houldbring forth his abortive rnon(ler: for thus the pillarsofChriflian faith wouldbone be fha- ken, and the Church ofGod, which is a houfeoforder, would become aBabell, a houfeofconfufion, The dolefull iffues ofwhich pretendedliberty, we fee in `Polanea, Tranf,lvania, ánd in Countries neerer hand. We are much to blelfeGod forthe Kings Moietiesfirmeneffe this way, unto whole open appearing in thefe matters, and to the vigilancieof tome in place, we owe our freedome from that íchifine, that troubleth ourneighbours. But fordiverfiry ofapprehenlions ofmatters far remote from the foundation; thefe may Band with publike and perfonall peace. I will keep the Readerno longer from the Treatife ; the bleffing ofheaven go with it, that throughthe good done by it, much thankfgiving may be to God, in the Church, eelmen. Graves Inne. R. SIBBS.
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