ΑΝ

ENQUIRY

INTO THE

GROUND and FOUNDATION

O F

RELIGION.

Wherein is fhewn, that Religion is founded in Nature. That is, that there is a right and wrong, a true and falfe religion in nature: And that nature or reafon affords plain, obvious, certain principles, by which a man may distinguish these, and form a proper judgment in the cafe; and which an honeft upright man may fafely and fecurely ftay his mind upon, amidst the various and contrary opinions that prevail in the world, with regard to this fubject.

THE

AUTHOR

TO HIS

READERS.

S

IRS, as a farther teftimony of my regard to your present and future well-doing, I have published the following Enquiry; the importance of which, I prefume, will fufficiently justify my offering it to your confideration. For, what queftions can be of greater, or even of equal importance to men, who believe a Deity, and who live under an expectation of a future judgment and retribution than these; namely,

namely, what are the true and only grounds upon which intelligent beings may reasonably hope to obtain God's favour? And, what are the true and only grounds upon which vicious men, when brought to a sense of their guilt, may reafonably hope to obtain the divine mercy? None furely. And, as thefe are points that are controverted, at least amongst Christians, which fhews the diverfity of mens fentiments with regard to them: So I have, in the annexed papers, fhewed that there are fome plain, obvious, certain principles in nature or reafon relating thereto, which every honeft upright man may fafely and fecurely ftay his mind upon, amidst the confufion and perplexity in which ignorant and artful men have involved the fubject. And this, I trust, will be both useful and acceptable to you, as it may help to afft and guide your underftandings,