When the Nature, the Properties and Effects of this divine Religion, which our LORD has taught and exemplified to us, are thus clearly opened and duly represented, this tends to rectify the Mistakes of many Persons in religious Matters; to prevent and remove many Prejudices Persons are disposed to receive and entertain against Religion, through Mistakes, either in themselves or others; (although' twill still remain a sad Truth, that Men's Hearts are naturally averse to the Power of Religion, though represented in the most agreeable Light.) It likewise tends to convince rational and thinking Persons, who are not given up to Vice and Prejudice, (especially if withal they see it duly exemplified, in the Lives of those who profess it) that of a Truth GOD is in this Religion. By this Means also the false Hopes of Hypocrites are like to be detected and discovered to their View; and thereby an Opportunity given them to escape out of the Snare, that would otherwise have proved fatal to their Souls. Nor ⟨p. ii⟩can it fail of affording Comfort to those who are truly Godly to find their own Religion exactly described, and proved to be the Religion of God's Word. Hereby some of that Number, who are under grievous Doubts about their own spiritual State, and ready to reckon themselves among the most poor and miserable, may be brought to see themselves possessed of the Pearl of great Price.
When the Nature, the Properties and Effects of this divine Religion, which our LORD has taught and exemplified to us, are thus clearly opened and duly represented, this tends to rectify the Mistakes of many Persons in religious Matters; to prevent and remove many Prejudices Persons are disposed to receive and entertain against Religion, through Mistakes, either in themselves or others; (altho' twill still remain a sad Truth, that Men's Hearts are naturally averse to the Power of Religion, though represented in the most agreeable Light.) It likewise tends to convince rational and thinking Persons, who are not given up to Vice and Prejudice, (especially if withall they see it duely exemplified, in the Lives of those who profess it) that of a Truth GOD is in this Religion. By this Means also the false Hopes of Hypocrites are like to be detected and discovered to their View; and thereby an Opportunity given them to escape out of the Snare, that would otherwise have proved fatal to their Souls. Nor ⟨p. ii⟩can it fail of affording Comfort to those who are truly Godly to find their own Religion exactly describ'd, and prov'd to be the Religion of God's Word. Hereby some of that Number, who are under grievous Doubts about their own spiritual State, and ready to reckon themselves among the most poor and miserable, may be brought to see themselves possess'd of the Pearl of great Price.
