Lhe Author zo the Reader. ov 
only degrade and villify the Sacred 
Oracles ; look on the Gofpel, as no 
better than a cunningly devifed Fa- 
ble, and the moft important Truths, 
as the greateft Impertinencies; and 
treat the bleffed Author of our moft 
Holy Religion as.a vile and wicked 
Impottor; but alfodifpute, and even 
deny the Being of a God: A ferious 
‘Effay to eftablith that ‘firft. Principle 
of Religion, may be of fome Service 
to the World. 
‘© In an Age fo degenerate as the 
 prefent, fo miferably over -run 
with Scepticifm and Infidelity, not 
only among fenfual Men of meaner 
Rank, but even among thofe who 
et. pretend toan uncommon Meafure 
of Wit and Learning; an hum+_ 
ble Endeavour to fix this firft and 
fundamental Truth (however it 
‘may be cenfured and ridiculed by 
Men. of corrupt Minds and. Mo- 
_§ rals;) will not be thought, by 
ey » Bag. nod “S¢he 
*- 
nr 
66. 
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