iii

PREFACE.

T

HE Author of the following Sheets, makes no Apology for writing on a Subject of the last Importance; and which, as far as I can find, has no where been so fully treated: He builds nothing on a Thing so uncertain as Tradition, which differs in most Countries; and of which, in all Countries, the Bulk of Mankind are incapable of judging; but thinks he has laid down fuch plain and evident Rules, as may enable Men of the meanest Capacity, to diftinguish between Religion and Superstition; and has represented the Former, in every Part, so beautiful, so amiable, and so strongly affecting; that they who in the least reflect, must be highly

A 2

highly in love with it; and eafily perceive, that their Duty and Happiness are inseparable. Whether he has fucceeded in this Noble, and Generous Attempt, the Reader will be better able to judge, if he reads with the to judge, same Freedom, and Impartiality, as the Author wrote.

THE Manner of debating a Subject Dialogue-wife, (as this between A, and B,) was esteem'd by the Ancients the most proper, as well as most prudent Way of expofing prevailing Absurdities; and Tully's two Discourses, de Naturâ Deorum, and de Divinatione, both levell'd against the Superstition of his Country-men, are living Monuments of the Expediency, and Usefulness of this way of Writing. And certainly the Reader may be better entertain'd thus, than by that dry way of Objection and Answer, with which Controverfies are usually manag'd.

THE THE

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

Thufficient Means,

HAT God, at all Times, has given Mankind
of knowing whatever be re-

quires of them, and what those Means are. Page 1

CHAP. II.

That the Religion of Nature consists in observing those

Things, which our Reason, by confidering the Nature

of God and Man, and the Relation we stand in to

bim, and one another, demonstrates to be our Duty:

and that those Things are plain; and likewise what

they are.
p. II

CHAP. III.

That the Perfection, and Happiness of all rational

Beings, Supreme, as well as fubordinate, consists in

living up to the Dictates of their Nature. p..18

CHAP.

CHAP. IV.προγονότα

That not only the Matter of all God's Laws, but the-

Penalties annex'd to them, are for the Good of Man-

kind; even those who suffer for the Breach of them.

P. 31

OTCHAP. V.

own fake;

That God requires nothing for his own sake; no, not

the Worship we are to render him, nor the Faith

we are to have in him.

CHAP. VI.

P. 37

That the Religion of Nature is an absolutely perfect

Religion; and that external Revelation can neither

add to, nor take from its Perfection; and that True

Religion, whether internally, or externally reveal'd,

must be the same.

P. 49

CHAP. VII.

That Natural and Reveal'd Religion having the fame

End, their Precepts must be the fame.

11

CHAP. VIII.

P. 58

That the not adhering to those Notions Reason dictates,

concerning the Nature of God, has been the Occafion

of all Superstition, and those innumerable Mischiefs,

that Mankind, on the Account of Religion, have done

either to themselves, or one another.

P. 73

CHAP.
CHAP. IX.

Human Happiness being the ultimate Design, and End

of all Traditional, as well as Original Revelation,

they must both prescribe the same Means; fince those

Means, which, at one Time, promote human Happi-

ness, equally promote it at all Times.

t

CHAP. Χ.

P. 90

God does not alt arbitrarily, or interpose unnecessarily;

but leaves those Things, that can only be confider'd

as Means (and as such, are in their own Nature

mutable ;) to human Discretion; to determine as it

thinks most conducing to those Things, which are in

their own Nature obligatory.

CHAP. XI.

p. 100

The fuppofing Things merely positive, to be made the In-

gredients of Religion is inconsistent with the Good of

Mankind, as well as the Honour of God, p.123

CHAP. XII.

That they, who, to magnify Revelation, weaken the

Force of the Religion of Reason and Nature, Strike

at all Religion; and that there can't be two Inde-

pendent Rules for the Government of Human Actions.

P. 157

CHAP. XIII.

The Bulk of Mankind, by their Reason, must be abl

to distinguish between Religion and Superstition;

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