THE PREFACE. 11fr HERE is no Queftion whatfoever, that is of greater e Importance to Mankind, and that it more concerns every individual Perfon to be well refolved in, than this, What are the dillinguifhingQualifications of thole that are in Favour with God, and entitled to his eter- nal Rewards ? Or, which comes to the fameThing, yvhat is the Nature of true Religion? and wherein do lie the di/linguifhing Notes of that Vertue and Holinefs, that is acceptable in the Sight ofGod. But tho' it be of fuch Importance, and tho' we have clear and abundant Light in theWord of God to dire& us in this Matter, yet there is no one Point, wherein profeffing Chriftians do more differ one from another. It would be endlefs to reckon up the Variety of Opinions in this Point, that divide the cbriftian World ; making manifeft the Truth of that of our Saviour, Strait is the Gate, and narrow is the Way, that leads to Life, andfew there be that find it. The Confideration of thefe Things . has long engaged me to attend to this Matter, with the utmoíf Diligence and Care, and Exa&nefs of Search and Enquiry, that I have been capable of : It' is a Subjé& on which my Mind has been peculiarly intent, ever fince I firft entred on the Study of Divinity. ---But as to the Succefs of my Enquiries, it muff be left to the Judgment of the Reader of the following Treatife. I am fenfible it is much more difficult to judge impartially of that which is the Subje& of this Difcourfe, in the midft of the Duft and Smoke of fuch a State ofControverfy, as this Land is now in, about Things of this Nature : As it is more difficult to write impartially, fa A 2 it
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