INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. “IT T were happy for the Church of England, if, laying afide all curious disquisitions of impertinent truths, we would apply ourselves to the knowledge and maintenance of thofe only points which are neceffary to falvation, and to the zealous practice of those things which we affuredly know.” Were this pofition of the pious and amiable Bishop Hall univerfally adopted, the fpirit of controverfy among Christians would decrease, in proportion as the fpirit of Christianity gained ground. Indeed, when the difference between those plainly revealed truths effential to falvation, and the speculative opinions of curious men, in points not fo fully revealed as to authorize decided judgment upon them, is well confidered, the conclufion drawn by found reafon and charity from the premises, must be this-that, whilst in the maintenance of those important truths which constitute the B diftinguishing characteristics of our Profeffion, we are stedfast and immoveable; in all thofe points which are either unimportant or unneceffary to be determined, we should, by refraining from all pertinacity of opinion and severity of cenfure, let our "moderation be known unto all men." It was well obferved by the learned Erasmus, that there are many things which do no harm while they are neglected; but, when they are once stirred, raise up grievous tragedies in the world. So long as matters of private opinion are fuffered to remain fuch, Christians may travel on in the fame road to Heaven, as they ought, without falling out by the way. But when private opinions on either fide are attempted to be made indifpenfible articles of faith, then discord begins; each party having an equal right of appeal to his own judgment, as the ftandard for decifion. Still, when it is confidered, that whilft there may be diverfities of opinions on fome religious fubjects, the fame Chriftian fpirit fhould univerfally prevail; it will be concluded, that it ought to be the endeavour of all Chriftians to draw as near to each other as may be in all controverted points; that the bond of peace between them may be preserved as unbroken as poffible. This, it is prefumed, would be generally. effected, (and the experiment is furely at all times worth making,) if the fame pains were but taken to understand the meaning of an author from whom we think we differ, as we all know, and lament are too often employed to mifreprefent it. Happily, the fundamental truths neceffary to falvation are clearly laid before us in the facred pages. Towards these it is to be expected that all Chriftians should be zealously affected. But the misfortune is, that zeal and charity do not go together fo often as they ought. The infirmity of the man is too apt to encroach upon the charity of the Chriftian: when this is the cafe, controverfialists, forgetting that they are all brethren of the fame Lord, are apt to push each other into extremes, into which they never meant to be carried; and thus by widening as it were the distance between themselves, render thofe differences of opinion irreconcileable, which found reafoning and temperate difcuffion, in many cafes, would prove to have been more imaginary than real. Controverfy in itself is certainly ufeful: when pro perly conducted, nothing tends fo much to the elu. cidation of truth. But when it is made more fubfervient to paffion than to reafon; when prejudice is fuffered to hold the scale of judgment, and railing is fubftituted for argument; we deprecate the use of it, from the consciousness of its abuse; and are contented to forego the advantage that may be derived from it, rather than purchase it at fo dear a price as that of charity. Such were the ideas which first presented themfelves to my mind, on my reading a publication lately sent into the world by the Rev. J. OVERTON, under the title of "The True Churchman afcertained." How far, or in what degree they apply to that publication, shall be left to my readers to judge. At the fame time, I truft, that the spirit of these preliminary remarks, will fo transfufe itself into the obfervations I may have to make on Mr. OVERTON's book, as to fecure me from being condemned out of my own mouth. It is not my wish to detract in the least from the credit to which Mr. O. may be entitled for zeal, piety, or fincerity of intention; however I may occafionally confider him defective in the characteristics of a found reafoner, not less than in the conduct of a candid divine. At the fame time, therefore, that I fhall feel pleasure in meeting Mr. O. in any page of his book, on that general ground of Christianity, on which we ought to meet, and lament the occafional difference of opinion that may still remain between us; it will be my object, to represent that difference of opinion as not affecting (unless improperly infifted upon) the effential interests of that cause, which both of us, as minifters of the fame Church, ought to have equally at heart to promote. For this purpose I fhall, as occafion may require, oppofe argument to argument, and statement to statement; and placing the fcale of judgment in the only hands in which it ought to be placed, leave the turn of it, as far as may be, to the reader. Suppofing him poffeffed of discrimination, he will be competent to judge how far the pofitions laid down by Mr. Q. |