To the same purpose, let us hear the before-mentioned Mr. Cockburn. 66 The clear style, and easy " method of our author, the just and amiable repre"sentation he gives of religion, in this little treatise, "have made it deservedly valued and esteemed by "all judicious persons: and it has become a happy means of giving right notions of religion to many, making them in love with it, and putting them "upon the practice of what they saw was infinitely "desirable in itself, and, with some pains and industry, attainable by them."

66

66

The Reverend Dr. Wishart, Principal of the College of Edinburgh, published, some years ago, a small edition of this incomparable Treatise, with a recommendatory preface, equally pious, candid, and judicious; an extract of which will, therefore, very properly conclude our preface.

"Since I had the happiness to become acquainted "with this book, I have heartily blessed God for "the benefit I have received to my own soul, by the perusal of it; and have earnestly wished it had a "place in every family; was carefully perused by every one who can read; and that the sentiments "of pure and undefiled religion it contains, were impressed upon every heart.

66

66

"The things which especially recommend the "book to my heart, and which, I think, cannot fail "to recommend it to the heart of every serious peruser of it, are: 1. The just notions it contains of "real and vital religion, in opposition to the common "mistakes concerning it, and the view it gives us of "that ingenuous spirit which belongs to true piety; "with a just allowance, at the same time, to the proper influence of external motives. 2. The excellency and force of the motives by which true re"ligion is here recommended, together with the energy and warmth with which they are delivered. "3. The excellent directions here given, for attain"ing true piety and goodness. 4. The prudence and

66

66

68

charity the worthy author discovers, in avoiding "matters of doubtful disputation, about which the best "and wisest men differ, while he is treating of mat"ters of the greatest importance, about which all good "and wise men must agree. And, Oh! had we

66

more of that true Christian spirit, so beautifully "delineated, and so warmly recommended in this "book! I cannot but think, that the fierceness of our " contentions and animosities about things of lesser "moment must considerably abate. In fine, that " vein of good sense and clear thought, and of serious piety, which runs through the whole of this per"formance, exceedingly recommended it to me.

"For these reasons, I earnestly recommend this "book to the careful perusal of all with whom my "recommendation may be of any weight; particularly to the people of those congregations of which "I have had, or now have, the oversight.

"I would, in a particular manner, recommend it "to the rising generation; in whose education I have "the honour to have a considerable charge. And, "Oh! that I could be so happy as to make them "sensible, how much it would contribute to the

peace and satisfaction of their whole after life, to "have their minds and hearts early possessed of such "just notions of true piety and goodness, and such a prevailing liking to it, as this excellent book tends "to promote! How much, I say, this would conduce "to their true enjoyment in a present life, even "though we should set aside the consideration of "that eternal state, to which we are all hastening

apace! and, whither the youngest of us knows "not how soon he may take his flight. The chief "part, and valuable end, of all true knowledge and "learning, is, the rectifying and improvement of the "heart. I would, especially, recommend this book "to our young students, who have their views toward "the sacred function. I cannot but reckon, that "the most necessary part of preparation for that im

portant work, is, to have such a just understanding "of the great design of religion and Christianity, "and such a test of true piety and goodness, as this "book tends to inspire us with. An honest and good "heart is the main thing necessary for preaching "the word of God, as well as for hearing it, with " profit.

68

"In fine, I hope I may take the liberty to re"commend it to my younger brethren in the holy ministry. The careful perusal of this little book may, I hope, contribute to the further improvement "of their notions of religion, and to promote in "them that rational piety and real goodness, in "which they ought to be examples to their flocks. "It may also afford them excellent hints to be improved upon, according to the abilities God has given them in their public performances. There are few paragraphs in this excellent book, but what may be profitably enlarged into a sermon. "Oh! my brethren, how may it put us to the blush, "and what a holy emulation should it raise in us, to "know, that the worthy author of this admirable "book, composed it before he was twenty-seven years of age! what a spur to our diligence, that "he came to the end and reward of his labours be"fore he was eight and twenty !"

And

BY BISHOP BURNET.

THIS age groans under such a surcharge of new books, that though the many good ones, lately published, do much balance the great swarms of ill, or, at least, needless ones-yet, all men complain of the unnecessary charge and trouble many new books put them to: the truth of it is, printing is become a trade, and the presses must be kept going; so that, if it were but to shuffle out an ill book, a man may be tempted to keep them at work.

And for books of devotion and piety, we have seen so many excellent ones, of late, in our own language, that, perhaps, no age or language can shew the like. In these, the Christian religion is proposed in its own true and natural colours, and rescued from those false representations many are apt to make of it: as if it consisted either in external performances, or in mechanical heats of the fancy, or in embracing some opinions or interests. It is and can be nothing else, but a design to make us like God, both in the inward temper of our minds, and in our whole department and conversation. For this end did Christ both live and die : this he taught by his discourses, and discovered in his life. He died that he might tak away sin, and not only or chiefly to procure our pardon; which was done by him for a further end, that an universal indemnity being offered through his death, all mankind might be thereby encouraged to enter into a course of holy obedience, with all possible advantages, having the hopes of endless happiness, and the fears of eternal misery before them; having the clearest rule, and the most unblemished example, proposed to them; being also sure of constant inward supplies, to support and strengthen their endeavours, and an unerring Providence, to direct all things that concern them. Nor are there any precepts in this whole doctrine, whose fitness and true excellency, besides the authority of the law-giver, has not fully been made

good and the truth of principles of natural religion, and of the revelation of the council of God in Scripture, was never, since miracles ceased, demonstrated with fuller and clearer evidence, than in our age, both for stopping the mouths of all daring hectors, and for silencing the secret doubtings of more inquisitive minds. And though so grave a subject should have been rather prejudiced, than adorned by artificial and forced strains of wit and eloquence, yet, as our language was never chaster than now, so these subjects have been handled with all the proper decen cies of easy wit and good language.

But after all this, into what a torrent of grief and lamentation must we break out, when we consider the age we live in! for few do either believe or reflect on those great things: and, as if there were a general conspiracy against God and religion, how does the greater part among us break loose from all the ties and bonds of that yoke that is light and easy, and enslave themselves to many base and hurtful lusts and passions? And are not satisfied with being as bad as they can be, but desire that all the world may esteem them such, and glory in their shame; and inhance their guilt, by turning factors for hell, studying to corrupt all about them. This sad prospect must needs deeply affect all that either truly love God, or have a tender compassion for the souls of men; and will certainly set them to their secret mournings and wrestlings with God, to avert the heavy judgements that seem to hang over our heads; and that he may, of his great mercy, turn the hearts of the froward and disobedient to the wisdom of the just.

And, till God arise and bless his gospel with more of this success, nothing could be such an effectual means for convincing the world of the truth and excellency of our most holy faith, as, that those who profess and embrace it, did walk in all the strictness of a most holy, innocent, and exemplary life; keeping the due mean between the affectation of moroseness and hypocrisy, and the levities of irreligion and folly. This is the only argument that is wanting, to convince the world of the truth of our religion: all people are more wrought on