18 A Viecy of tbe DEisTIeAL. Writers. Let. 2.

poſterity; that therefore there was an original univerſal religion, embraced by the firſt parents of mankind, and tranſmitted from them to their deſcendents; that accordingly ſome of the moſt eminent ancient philoſophers aſcribed the knowlege and belief of ſome of the great principles, inſiſted upon by this noble au- thor, to a tradition derived from the moſt early ages, though his Lordſhip never maketh the leaſt mention of tradition, as one ſource of that knowlege and belief of theſe things, which ob- tained among the nations; that this religion, which was both originally derived from revelation, and agreeable to nature and reaſon, was gradually obſcured, and became greatly corrupted, though ſtill ſome remarkable traces and veſtiges of it remained among the Gentiles; that God was pleaſed in his wiſe and good providence to interpoſe by various methods, and by raiſing up excellent perſons from time to time, to keep thoſe remains of the ancient religion from being totally extinguiſhed; that at

laſt he was graciouſly pleaſed to ſend his Son into the world, a

perſon of divine dignity and glory, to recover men to his true knowlege and pureé worſhip, to direct and aſſiſt them in the practice of their duty, to ſhew them the true means of their reconciliation and acceptance with God, and to bring life and immortality into the moſt clear and open light; that this reve- lation was attended with the moſt illuſtrious atteſtations, and made a wonderful progreſs through a conſiderable part of the known world, and would have ſpread ſtill farther than it did, if it had met with ſuch a reception as the excellency and import- ance of it well deſerved; and finally, that as to thoſe to whom it never was actually communicated, God will deal with them in a juſt, a wiſe, and equitable way, and will make all proper allowances for their want of the advantages which others enjoy. The aſſerters of the Chriſtian revelation are under no obliga- tions to limit God's univerſal benevolence. They leave thofe that are deſtitute of this revelation to God's infinite mercy; and can think more favourably of their caſe, than thoſe con- ſiſtently can do, who will not allow that they were under any great darkneſs, and ſuppoſe them to have acted in manifeſt op- poſition to the moſt clear univerſal light.

The objection ariſing againſt the Chriſtian revelation for want of its being univerſally known and promulgated, hath been often conſidered and obviated, nor is this a proper place to enter upon a large and particular diſcuſſion of it. At pre- ſent it may be ſufficient to obſerve, that the objection proceeds npon a wrong foundation; viz. that the univerſal goodneſs and benignity of the common Parent of the univerſe neire

that