234 RATIONAL DEFENCE or TIM GOSPEL. I confess there are sonìe differences among protestants in the . great doctrines of the Trinity, and the satisfaction of Christ, which must be acknowledged to be articles of very highmoment and importance in christianity. But if we compare those few who profess dangerous opinions in these points with the millions that agree in the same general profession of faith, it will be found that their number is but very small. If we consider the great ignorance of God, which is found in all men by nature, and take a survey of the unhappy influences that edu- cation, fancy, passion, pride, friendship, aversion, precipitance and laziness, have upon mankind in forming their judgments and opinions, we shall not wonder to find some persons here and there falling into strange sentiments, contrary to the plain and sufficient evidence of scripture. We believe in general, that whoever puts off' all prejudices, and ispiously sincere in his search of the wordof God, shall certainly find, through divine assist- ance, all needful truth. If therefore a disbeliever come with a serious, humble, and pious mind, and apply himself with dili- gence and fervent prayer to read the scripture; I am well assured he will become a christian, and find out so, much of the doctrines and duties of the gospel, as are necessary to his eter- nal happiness. But there will be heresies arising sometimes in the church. Tares will growup sometimes in the field that is ever so well cul- tivated and sown with corn: And what unknown reasons there may be in the counsels and providence of God in permitting here- sies to arise for the farther trial of his own people, is too high and hard a point for us to determine. The apostle saith ; 1 Cor. xi. 19. There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest: If such a thing as this is, shall be abused by men of corrupt minds, to turn them quite away from the gospel of Christ, and to support their own infidelity, they must answer for it at the great day to Christ their Judge. Thus I havedone with-the thirdchargeor accusationbrought againstthe gospel, and removed the scandal and shame that some men have thrown upon it, because thereare such sects, and parties, and dividedopinions among the professors of it. IV. Another occasion of scandal whichinfidels charge upon the gospelof Christ, is this, " That some who have longprofes- sed it have forsaken it ; and one should be ashamed to embrace sucha faith as this is, for it has been tried, and found to be vain and groundless, even by those who have known it long, and searched it through and through, end therefore at last they have abandoned and cast it off." But in answer to this, give me Ieave to say, first, that the chief and most common reason why persons who have professed
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