DISSERTATIONS On certain PASSAGES of Holy Scripture, Viz: the FIRST on LUKE xiv. 12, 13, 14. And the SECOND on ROM. xiii. 1, 2, 3, 4. Wherein the Cavils and Objections of the late futed. By JOSIAH TUCKER, A. M. LONDON, Printed for T. TRYE, near Grays-Inn Gate, in Holbourn, ΤΟ THE HONOURABLE Sir Michael Fofter, One of the Juftices of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench. P ERMIT me, Sir, to address the following Differtations to you, in Teftimony of that Efteem you have fo worthily acquired in your publick Capacity, and of my Gratitude for perfonal Favours. In doing this, I fhall not prefume to fhelter myself under your Authority in order to protect any Thing I have advanced, where Truth Truth and Reason will not fupport it. All that I can promise myself is, that the prefixing your Name may recommend the Performance to a more candid Reading, and happily fcreen it from those Cenfures which Prejudice is too apt to throw out against every new Method of treating a Subject, and every new Argument upon its firft Ap pearance. It is almost the peculiar Privilege and Bleffing of Englishmen to deliver their Sentiments freely on Subjects of Importance: A Privilege particularly valuable in religious Matters. And though I would not be fuppofed to harbour a Thought tending towards a Defire of abridging Mankind of any of their Liberties civil or religious; yet, I think, I may very confiftently and earnestly wish, that they would · make make a better Use of them than too many among us, to their Shame be it spoken, now do. As to the facred Text itself, I am fully perfuaded, that though it may fometimes fuffer through Mifreprefentation and Calumny, it will at length fhine forth with diftinguished Luftre, and fhew itself more and more in the Eyes of every impartial Examiner to be the Wif dom of God, and the Power of God. With Respect to the latter of thefe Differtations; the Subject of it must be perfectly agreeable to every Person of your Sentiments, to every one who is a true Friend to the juft Rights and Liberties, the Peace and Tranquillity of Mankind. I only wish, that I had been able to have done fo much Juftice to it, as would have rendered the Performance more wor thy |