THE PREFACE TO " THE RATIONAL FOUNDATION OF A CHRISTIAN CHURCH." THE principleson which christian churches are built, are so plain, sonatural and easy, and so much the same with those which give rise to all the well- formed societies in the world, that one would think there should not be such matter of debate and controversy among christians, upon these subjects, as we have unhappily found. For besides the reasonableness of the things that are required for this purpose, our blessed Saviour himself has given usso many promises in his word to favour this practice of holy fellowship, and to encourage our hope, as give abundant reason to our expectations of divine success. Has he not told us, that where two or three are met together in his name, there he is, or will be in the midst of them? Mat. xviii. 20. And when St. Peter made a glo nous confession of his faith in Jesus the Son of God, the promised Saviour; upon this rock, saidhe, will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So that if there is found but such faithfulness, such christian virtues of meekness, patience and forbearance, as may be justly expected among Chris- tians, 1 would hope such settlementsas these might continue without inter- ruption. And I trust I have here represented these things so faithfully, so plainly and clearly, that no single person, in any part of his practice, will find his conscience imposed upon by any article or canon herementioned ; nor will any societyfind itself obliged to do any thing in receiving, containing or excluding any persons from their church, but whatlies natural and easy be- fore the minds of persons, who do but exercise the common reason by which they conduct themselves in the affairs of human life. Nor is there any thing here asserted, whichconfines Christians to so exact an uniformity in their principles and practices, but by the exercise of their reason, with a small degree of charity, they maymake and allow such altera- tions, as will assist and promote the general peace and edification of the churches, under the-care and patronage of Jesus thegreat Shepherd. Andupon thesefoundations, if the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his Spirit, which is promised to assist the christian church, does but continue among his ordinances, from time to tune, we may hope to find a comfortable succession and increase of members added to the church, and built up in faith, love and holiness, till ourLord Jesus Christ himself shall return to this world, and finish the great and importantwork of judgment. I would only add further, with regard more especially to the questions relating to Christian communion, that if any thing contained in them may be effectual through the divine blessing, to set the terms of Christian-fellowship in a juster light, to secure the great and necessary principlesof Christianity. to remove any causes of offence from among the churches, and to lead the several psr.ies of christians, to more moderate and charitable sentiments con- cerning each other, I shall have abundant reason to rejoice in my attempt, and give glory to the God of truth and peace. Stoke- Newington, March 23, 1747. A 2
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