THE

1

INTRODUCTION.

TH

THE Impofition of Creeds is looked upon by all thinking People to be analogous to the Impofition of fomething elfe; and indeed, if the Traditions of Men are not to be admitted as a Standard of Faith, which no Proteftant will allow, I do affirm, that we ought not to depend on the Decrees of Councils and Synods. The former has been condemned by our Saviour Chrift, and the latter cannot be deemed Orthodox, if we look into the Hiftory of the Councils of the Ancients; because each of them has cenfured and declared fome, if not all the Articles of their Predeceffors to be Heterodox.

From hence I would infer, that their Credenda were not the Dictates of a Divine Spirit, because they contradict and clafh against each other; but were rather the feeming Opinions

of

Happy the Man who fwallows the Abfurdities of the Popish Religion; he need not be anxious of his Welfare hereafter; and I could name another Religion, which has gained fo much Ground, that it is thought 'twill come up with, if not overtake the former: They resemble the Bank and South-Sea Companies in vying with each other; and I wish that we may not at last discover a MISSISSIPI in both.

That the Bible is the Rule of Faith, abftracted from its Interpolations and erroneous Tranflations, dare not be denied by the moft confummate Prieft-craft; and therefore he who · endeavours to perfuade me that fuch Articles are necessary to Salvation, which are not made fundamental in Scripture, palms his own, or another's Suggeftions upon me, and gives great Caufe of Sufpicion that there is fome vile Roguery at the Bottom.

How pathetically does St. Paul speak! how noble are his Thoughts! how beautiful and how amiable his Defcription of CHARITY! and he concludes with affuring us, that all Moral Virtues, that even Faith without Charity availeth nothing. If therefore Charity is

fo

fo effential, what Opinion must we entertain of that Creed, in which Uncharitablenefs is placed in the moft glaring Light, and made an Article of Faith! a Creed, whofe Author, or Authors cannot be proved, nor its Tenets plainly made out from Scripture.

There is a Religion, which has Three Creeds, and yet properly fpeaking, they Three are but One. This is very Emblematical, and I love an out-of-the-way Fancy: 'Tis fomething New, and may be of great Emolument in this improving Age.

I could mention a Creed, which has its Title from fome Men, who were as little concerned in the Compofure of it, as the late King James's Queen: And there is one Article or two, which have been proved by a Gentleman now living, to be foifted upon us by fome Zealous * This Gentleman is as well verfed in the Divinity, as in the Laws of his Country; and if Merit may be allowed' to take Place, he ought not to give the Righthand to any of the Long-petticoat Tribe, of what Denomination foever.

Sir Peter King, who wrote on the Apostle's Creed.

1

I have Reason to imagine, that there is not a Shop where Titery, Quorum, or Gin (call it by what Name you will) is fold, but what has its peculiar Devoteés, and peculiar Sect of Faith. And if it be an undeniable Maxim,¦ that Orthodoxy must surely be found where the Spirit is moft predominant, then the Distiller can furnish us with Infallibility, either by Wholesale or Retail.

Faith has of late Years been bandied about like a Ball in a Tennis-Court; and every old Woman believes, as juftly as any young Levite, that she has a right to dabble in POLITICS, find fault with the Administration, and meliorate our Constitution; and truly I think the one has as legal Pretenfions as the other.

Sir Toby is a very eminent Lawyer, and took the Oaths when tendered to him; declaring, that he defied any Parliament to frame an Oath, which he would refuse; for, fays he, I will truft G-d with my Soul, before I will truft Man with my Eftate. How Stupendous is fome Men's Faith! no doubt but the Knight had

* He flourished about forty Years ago in Ireland.

an