THE World is at this day filled with discourses about the Protestant Religion, and the Profession of it; and that not without cause. The public Opposition that is made unto it, the Designs that are managed with Policy and Power for it's utter Extirpation, and the Confidence of many that they will take Effect, must needs fill the minds of them whose Principal Interest and concerns lye in it, with many Thoughts about the Event. Never was there a greater Cause brought on the Stage for a Trial. A Cause wherein the Glory of God is concerned above any thing at this day in the World. A Cause wherein the most Eminent prevailing Powers of the Earth are visibly engaged as unto its Ruin; and whereunto all the Diabolical Arts of men are employed. A cause wherein those who embrace that Religion, do judge that not only their Lives, but the Eternal welfare of them and their Posterity is inevitably concerned. This cannot but fill the minds of all men with various conjectures about the Issue of these things, according as ⟨p. 4⟩their Interest works in them by Hopes and Fears. Some of them therefore do Endeavour by their Counsels and other ways for the Preservation and Continuance of this Protestant Religion amongst our selves, according as they have an Accession unto public Affairs; And some whose Lot is cast into a private capacity, do engage Faith and Prayer unto the same purpose. The Enemies of it in the mean time are powerful, active and restless; many amongst us being uncertain in their minds, as not resolved where to fix their Interest, and a greater multitude like Gallio, care for none of these things. This being a matter therefore wherein all men, who have any sense of Religion, are so deeply concerned, it may not be unseasonable, Briefly to enquire what is this Protestant Religion which is so contended about; what is it's present State in the World; What it's Strength and Weakness as unto it's public Profession, and what is like to be the Issue of the present contest. This is that which the ensuing Leaves are designed unto; and it is hoped they may be of use unto some, to extricate their minds from involved fruitless Thoughts, to direct them in their Duty and to bring them unto an acquiescence in the Will of God.
THE World is at this day filled with discourses about the Protestant Religion, and the Profession of it; and that not without cause. The publick Opposition that is made unto it, the Designs that are managed with Policy and Power for it's utter Extirpation, and the Confidence of many that they will take Effect, must needs fill the minds of them whose Principal Interest and concerns lye in it, with many Thoughts about the Event. Never was there a greater Cause brought on the Stage for a Tryal. A Cause wherein the Glory of God is concerned above any thing at this day in the World. A Cause wherein the most Eminent prevailing Powers of the Earth are visibly ingaged as unto its Ruine; and whereunto all the Diabolical Arts of men are employed. A cause wherein those who embrace that Religion, do judge that not only their Lives, but the Eternal welfare of them and their Posterity is inevitably concerned. This cannot but fill the minds of all men with various conjectures about the Issue of these things, according as ⟨p. 4⟩their Interest works in them by Hopes and Fears. Some of them therefore do Endeavour by their Counsels and other wayes for the Preservation and Continuance of this Protestant Religion amongst our selves, according as they have an Accession unto publick Affairs; And some whose Lot is cast into a private capacity, do engage Faith and Prayer unto the same purpose. The Enemies of it in the mean time are powerful, active and restless; many amongst us being uncertain in their minds, as not resolved where to fix their Interest, and a greater multitude like Gallio, care for none of these things. This being a matter therefore wherein all men, who have any sence of Religion, are so deeply concerned, it may not be unseasonable, Briefly to enquire what is this Protestant Religion which is so contended about; what is it's present State in the World; What it's Strength and Weakness as unto it's publick Profession, and what is like to be the Issue of the present contest. This is that which the ensuing Leaves are designed unto; and it is hoped they may be of use unto some, to extricate their minds from involved fruitless Thoughts, to direct them in their Duty and to bring them unto an acquiescency in the Will of God.
