14 A Viecw of the DEisricAtL. Writers. Let 2

from God, or that he cannot commiſſion and enable ſuch per⸗ ſons to communicate to others what they have received from him, or cannot furniſh them with ſuch credentials of their di- vine miſſion, as may be ſuſficient to convince the world that they were ſent of God, and to make it reaſonable for others to receive the doctrines and laws which ſuch perſons deliver in his name. And it hath been proved, with great ſtrength and evidence, that this hath actually been the caſe with regard to the Chriſ- tion relevation.

There are other reflections that might be made on Lord Herbert's ſyſtem. But I am willing to give you and myſelf a little reſpite, and ſhali therefore reſerve them to be the ſubjeét of another letter.

L E I I F. R II.

Farther Obſervations on Lord Herbert's Scheme. Tbe Pbiloſopbers not qualified to recover Mankind from tbe darensſs and corruption into wbich ibey Were fallen. The uſefulneſs of ibe Chriſtian Revelation to that pur- Poſe. Iis not having been univerſally promulgated in all nations and ages no juſt prejudice againſt it. Otber objeliions of Lord Herbert conſidered. Writers ibat bave appeared againſt bim.

S r,

N my former letter an account was given of Lord Herbert's

ſcheme; and it was ſhewn, that taking the ſtate of mankind, and of the Gentile world, as it really was, according to his own repreſentation of the caſe, an expreſs revelation from God, confirmed by his divine authority, for clearing and inforcing thoſe articles which his Lordſhip ſuppoſeth to be neceſſary, would be of great uſe. I now add, that in fact the Chriſtian Revelation hath been of ſignal advantage to the world, for giving men a clearer knowlege and fuller certainty of thoſe important truths than they had before. Our noble author indeed ſpeaks with admiration of the ancient philoſophers, as capable of inſtructing men in a proper manner, if they would

have attended to their inſtructions. But then he owns, that the