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HAving, by the help of God, finished those several Systems of Doctrine, together with these short Polemical Discourses, in which we have endeavoured, with all possible sincerity, to give Testimony to the Christi∣an Religion, according to its native Purity and Integrity, wherein not ma∣ny things are intermitted, though some (perhaps) too briefly touched; which if God permit, and this present Work find acceptance, may be farther amplified.
I shall now, for a Conclusion to this Work, add a few Considerations, as well for the propagation of this Holy Profession, as to dissuade Men from the too much prevailing Errors of Atheism, Idolatry, and Superstiti∣on, the mortal Enemies of Man's Salvation, and Inlet to all Prophaneness.
1. Atheism is either a flat denial that there is any God, who rules the Uni∣verse by his Power and Providence; or else, an utter regardlesness whether there be any God, what he doth or requires to be done.
This damning Sin, in the first Branch of it, I hope is not very com∣mon; and where it is, it obtain'd its entrance by Mens desiring to be overwise, and are withal of bold and daring Spirits, such as Paul menti∣ons, 1 Cor. 1. 21. The World through Wisdom knew not God: or, as Pha∣raoh, who said, I know not the Lord; and who is the Lord that I should obey his Voice? Exod. 5. 2. Or as Statius, who held, That only Fear made Gods first in the World. Or rather as Diagoras and Theodorus, who are said flatly to deny there was any God at all; * 1.1 Protagoras Deum in dubium voca∣vit, Diagoras exclusit. These Men (how wise soever) are justly censured by the Apostle, Rom. 1. 22. Professing themselves Wise, they make them∣selves Fools: and so they stand upon Record, Psal. 14. 1. The Fool hath said in his Heart, There is no God. Of this sort were our late Ranters, (the Fore-runners of the * 1.2 Quakers) as may be seen by their execrable Books yet extant.