The Bishop of London's Third Pastoral Letter to the People of His Diocese; Particularly, to Those of the Two Great Cities of London and Westminster. O (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1731. Excerpt: ... driven to deny one or other of those Assertions, if not both The Consequence on each fide is clear and undoubted: If the Writings of the New Testament be not authentick (i. e. cither the Writings not genuin, or the Authority not Divine, ) the. Infidel-Scheme is w-ll founded; but, on the other hand, if they be authentick in both those respects, Christianity stands unshaken and immovcablc, and all Pretences cither that it is not well-lbunded, or that it is no more than tneer Morality, must fall to the Ground. 2. first Pastoral Letter. But since that Time, the Patrons of Infidelity have told us openly and without reserve, how little they consider the Scriptures as a Rule to Men, either of Belief or Paso'ldas a ey plead for the reading them tfteCreati-w uc'1 Freedom, as to assent or dissent, just as oni p. 201. they judge agrees or disagrees with the Light of Nature and the Reason of Things; and--p. 371. commend those as the only wise Men, who be lieve not the Dotftims, because contain'd in--p. 192. Scripture, but the Scripture on account of the Doilrines; who admit not any of it's Do&rines--p.32. without an Examination by that Rule; who admit such Things Sot divine Scripture, as they being Judges") tend to the Honour of God and theGoodof Men, andnothing else', and, whodk not admit any thing to be writ by divine In spiration, tho' it occurs ever so often in Scripture, till they are certain it will bear the Tefi--p 5-they lay down. They insist surther, how easily Mankind may be itnpos'd on in the point of Revelation; and how little Certainty there is or can be, that any Revelation has bee con vey'd entire to distant 'Times and Places and they rest much upon the great Number of various Readings in the Copies of the New Testa-Page 284. ntent, a...