An impartial examination and refutation of the erroneous tenents of Thomas Moor in his dangerous writings intituled Clavis Aurea &c. wherein he is not ashamed to insinuate his being the Elias mentioned in Malachi, denies an Hell, or future punishment, and boldly asserts the inevitable salvation of all men.

TO THE READER.

Courteous Reader,

NOT doubting but I have exposed my self to the Censure of some, for taking notice of so inconsiderable a Writer, and endeavouring to refute Errours so obvious to the Judg∣ment of every person that hath learned but the Alphabet of Chri∣stianity, I think my self obliged to prefix the Reason of my under∣taking this unpleasant Task. I have been divers times assaulted by a particular Friend, of long acquaintance, with these pernicious Wri∣tings of Thomas Moor; who, having been unhappily seduc'd there∣by is grown so great an Advocate, as not only with great Zeal to de∣fend, but disperse them very industriously with his own hands in di∣vers parts of the Country: and after some endeavours by personal Conference to recover him (tho' with too little appearance of success) he earnestly desired me to make particular Remarks in writing for his and others satisfaction; expressing at the same time a willing∣ness to recede, if I or any other person could fairly overthrow those defended Principles which he esteem'd impregnable. Tho' I did not readily, nor the first ti•…•…e in any measure, comply with his request (having always had an aversion to the Polemical part of Theology, of which, if I mistake not, the World is too full already); yet upon further thoughts, together with the observation of T. M's. insult∣ing strain, because his Books were never yet answered, I did at last endeavour it: and because some (of better Judgment than my self) have thought my Remarks worthy of publick view, as being ad∣apted to the present Atheistical Times, I have submitted my own mea••er Opinion to theirs in that behalf; and heartily desire they may, through Divine Blessing, in some degree answer the end for which they are (I hope sincerely) intended. I have not the vani∣ty to think them so correct, as so secure me from the lashes of cap∣tious Criticks, there having been scarce ten days pass'd since I first undertook thus to gratifie my Friends Curiosity; and by reason of many avocations I had not leisure to transcribe the blotted Origi∣nal,

which may be some excuse for Errata's in Printing. I hope this small Incursion into the Province of others will not give of∣fence, or be adjudged a breach of Priviledge; as this is the first time, so 'tis, at least, probable it may be the last. When a Fo∣reign Enemy invades our Confines, we excuse the irregularity if others, beside the well-disciplin'd Militia set an helping-hand to oppose him; and when the grand Enemy appears most audacious to strike at the Safety and Happiness of Mankind, such Liberty seems to be no less allowable: Yet I can truly say, I had much ra∣ther have sit still, and seen some other person of better capacity engag'd herein. What, with the increase of Atheism and Immo∣rality (too much conniv'd at heretofore) on the one hand, and an exorbitant Zeal for promoting Parties and Opinions on the other, that the Antient Footsteps of Christian Piety and univer∣sal Charity have been greatly obscur'd, and are in no small dan∣ger of being totally defac'd, is the sad experience of Reformed Christendom at this day: And 'twere heartily to be wish'd, that all who sincerely profess and agree in the Fundamentals of the same Faith, would forget their former and present Heats, bitter In∣vectives and terms of distinction (as Deformities unfit to be car∣ried with them into the other World) and every one become emu∣lous of setting the first step towards an hearty Reconciliation: This seems to be the best Expedient against the destructive Wiles of the common Adversary, and far more honourable than to de∣fend, with a partial Resolution, the utmost extent of their seve∣ral fortified Opinions in such things as themselves own to be ei∣ther meerly indifferent, or, at most, not essential to Salvation. But, kind Reader, pardon my boldness and prolixity. That the same Omnipotent Goodness which once dispos'd the Original Chaos into Order and Harmony, would at last effectually interpose to heal our manifold Breaches, and establish Peace and Truth in our Borders, to the great Happiness of this and succeeding Genera∣tions, is the sincere desire of

Your hearty Well-wisher, T. C.

April 10. 1698.