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other hand, to check the Inclination of the wicked and vicious to be mifled; when both of them have before their eyes fuch fresh and eminent Instances of found Reasoning and a firm Faith join'd together in one and the fame mind.

3. Further, as these were perfons generally esteem'd for Virtue and Goodness, and, notwithstanding their high Attainments, remarkable for their Modefty and Humility; their Examples fhew us, that a strong and clear Reafon naturally leads to the belief of Revelation, when it is not under the Influences of Vice, or Pride.

4. And, finally, as they are all Laymen, there is no room for the Enemies of Reveal'd Religion to alledge, that they were prejudiced by Intereft, or fecular Confiderations of any kind. A suggestion, that has really no weight, when urg'd against the writings of the Clergy in defence of Revelation, fince they do not defire to be trufted upon their own Authority, but upon the

Reasons

Reasons they offer; and Lawyers and Phyficians are not lefs trufted, because they live by their Profeffions; but it is a fuggeftion that easily takes hold of weak minds, and especially such as catch at objections, and are willing to be caught by them. And, confidering the Diligence of the Adverfary in making Profelytes and drawing Men from the Faith of Chrift; equal diligence is required of those who are to maintain that Faith, not only to leave men no real ground, but even no colour or pretence for their Infidelity.

The following Difcourfes, except that concerning the Evidences of the Christian Religion, were all published in feparate Papers fome years ago, and afterwards collected into Volumes, with marks of Diftinction at the end of many of them to point out the Writers. Mr. Addifon's are there distinguished by fome one of the Letters of the Word CLIO; and the fame marks of distinction are here continued ;

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nued; as are also the reft, where any Letter was found at the end of the Difcourfe.

In thofe Volumes, they ftand according to the order of time in which they were at first separately publish'd, without any Connexion as to the matters contained in them; but here, the feveral Difcourfes on the fame Subject, which lie difpers'd in those Papers, are reduced to their proper Heads, and put into one View, that the whole may be more regularly read, and each head may leave a more lafting Impreffion upon the mind of the Reader.

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