Pansebeia, or, A view of all religions in the world with the severall church-governments from the creation, to these times : also, a discovery of all known heresies in all ages and places, and choice observations and reflections throughout the whole / by Alexander Ross.

To the Worshipful ROBERT ABDY, Esquire.

SIR,

AS Michael and the Devil strove for the dead body of Moses; and as seven Cities contested for Ho∣mer when he was dead, whom none of them cared for, whilest he lived; even so doth it fare with Religion; for the Carkass or Skeliton of which, for the bare sound whereof (being now made a meer Eccho, Vox, praetereaque nihil) there is so much contesting, and digladia∣tion in the World; whereas few or none care for the life and substance of Religion, which consisteth in works, not in words; in practicing, not in prating; in Scripture du∣ties, not in Scripture phrases: She is as our Saviour was, placed between two Theeves; to wit, Superstition on the right hand, and Atheism on the left. The one makes a puppit of her, sets her out in gaudy accoutrements, bedawbs her native beauty with painting, and presents her in a meri∣tricious not in a Matron-like dresse; but the Atheist strips her naked of her Vesti∣ments,

robs her of her maintenance, and so exposeth her to the scorn and contempt of the world. But let these men esteem of her as they list, she is notwithstanding the fair daughter of the Almighty, the Queen of Heaven, and beauty of the whole Earth. Religion is the sacred Anchor, by which the the Great Ship of the State is held fast, that she may not be split upon the Quick-sands of popular tumults, or on the Rocks of Se∣dition. Religion is the pillar on which the great Fabrick of the Microcosm standeth. All humane Societies, and civil Associa∣tions, are without Religion; but ropes of Sand, and Stones without Morter, or Ships without Pitch: For this cause, all Societies of men in all Ages, and in all parts of the Vniverse, have united and strengthened themselves with the Cement of Religion; finding both by experience, and the light of nature, that no human Society could be durable, without the knowledge and feare of a Deity, which all Nations do reverence and worship, though they agree not in the manner of their worship. All their wayes and opinions in Religion, I have here pre∣sented to the publick view; but to you Sir, in particular, as to one, whom I know to be truely religious, not being carried away

with the fine flowers and green leaves, but with the solid fruits of Religion, consisting in righteousnesse, peace, and holinesse, without which no man shall see the Lord; this is that which will embalm your name here, and crown your soul with true happiness hereafter, when all humane feli∣cities shall determin in smoak: in this book are set before you, light and darknesse, truth and falshood, gold and drosse, flowers and weeds, corn and chaff, which I know you are able to discriminate, and to gather ho∣ney with the Bee, out of every weed, with Sampson to take meat out of the eater, with Virgil to pick gold out of dung, and with the Physitian to extract antidotes out of poyson: Thus beseeching God to en∣crease your knowledge and practice in Re∣ligion, and your love to the afflicted profes∣sors thereof, I take leave and will ever be found

Sir,

your humble Servant to command ALEX. ROSS.