A discourse of the true nature of the Gospel demonstrating that it is no…

Now then that nothing may disturb a Serenity of Mind, which ought to be in a Person who argues not for Interest, but purely for the Truth, I shall only consider in my Reverend Brother's Discourse, what carries the Face and Appearance of Reason, without suffering my Thoughts to be diverted or ruffled by his Invectives. In a Word, I will not change a Defensive War for the common Interests of our Christian Religion, into a private Quarrel, since it is not any Man's Person, but the Truth which I have undertaken to vindicate. And indeed the Reputation for Piety and Learning of those whom he insults, is so glorious, that any Attempt to defend them is altogether needless. As for Bradwardine and Dr. Owen, on whom he is pleased to bestow some disadvantageous Remarks, they are so great Names, and have deservedly obtained such an high Esteem among Men, that they are equally above his little Reflections, as beyond any Endeavours I can employ for their Vindication. They are both known Champions against two the most malignant Heresies which ever infected the Church, Pelagianism, (to which that of the Arminians is very nearly related) and ⟨p. 4⟩Socinianism. And as for Mr. Marshal, that very Book which our Author so much vilifies, discovers a pious Heart, joined with a closeness and consistency of Thought. And all who know that other worthy Person, against whom his Passion is more furiously fired, must give his Character very different from that, by which, with an unsuccessful attempt of Wit, he endeavours to represent him. But as in Debates of Religion, all little Efforts of Wit (if I had any) would be very unsuitable and impertinent; I shall only seriously argue the Cause in question by Scripture and Reason, since also I do not think that People are obliged to misspend their Time to read long Discourses, to entertain themselves unprofitably with those personal Reflections, with which such are usually stuffed, more than with Arguments; since it doth not concern them to know, whether such or such a Man be so wise and so rational as he is apprehended to be, or silly and ridiculous, but only what is Truth, and the Danger of […] in the Faith, which may be cleared to them in very few words: I […] accordingly study brevity and plainness as much as ever I can; and shall reduce my following Discourse to as narrow a Compass as possible, and so consider in that of the Learned Mr.

Now then that nothing may disturb a Serenity of Mind, which ought to be in a Person who argues not for Interest, but purely for the Truth, I shall only consider in my Reverend Brother's Discourse, what carries the Face and Appearance of Reason, without suffering my Thoughts to be diverted or rufled by his Invectives. In a Word, I will not change a Defensive War for the common Interests of our Christian Religion, into a private Quarrel, since it is not any Man's Person, but the Truth which I have undertaken to vindicate. And indeed the Reputation for Piety and Learning of those whom he insults, is so glorious, that any Attempt to defend them is altogether needless. As for Bradwardine and Dr. Owen, on whom he is pleas'd to bestow some disadvantageous Remarks, they are so great Names, and have deservedly obtain'd such an high Esteem among Men, that they are equally above his little Reflections, as beyond any Endeavours I can imploy for their Vindication. They are both known Champions against two the most malignant Heresies which ever infected the Church, Pelagianism, (to which that of the Arminians is very nearly related) and