as thefe, are an Abomination in the Sight of God, and a Grief to all true Chriftians.

Ind. But you know, Sir, that these will take it ill, if they are not called Chriftians.' Mill. They will fo; but that is, becaufe they think it a Name of Credit and Respect in the Place where they live; and they content themfelves with the Name, without thinking feriously what it is to be a Chriftian.

Ind. Since fo many go under the Name of Chriftians, and are not fuch, how fhall < we know who are true Chriftians?'

Miff. The God whom Chriftians worship. hath given them a Rule, by which every one may know who are true Chriftians.The Rule is this:- LET EVERY ONE THAT

NAMETH THE NAME OF CHRIST, DEPART < FROM INIQUITY *' Whoever does not do fo, is no true Chriftian in the Account of God; and they, and they only, are true Chriftians, who not only believe the Truths, but alfo obey the Laws, of the Chriftian Religion That is, fuch as love the God that made them with all their Hearts, and fear to displease and offend him; who love, obey, and trust in Jefus Chrift his Son, their Saviour, and their Lord; and bring forth the Fruits of the Holy Ghost in all Kinds of Goodnefs, Righteoufnefs and Truth;-and laftly, fuch as, having always a Confcience 2 Tim. ii. 19.

void of Offence towards God and Men, dare not for all the World be guilty of thofe Vices which you just now mentioned.

But then, that you may not be offended with the Infirmities, Faults, and Failings, of thofe that are even good Chriftians, you must remember what I have already often told you;. concerning the Weakness and Corruption of human Nature. For the best of Chriftians are Men of like Paffions with others, and may, thro' the Weakness of their Nature, or for want of Confideration, be fometimes overtaken in a Fault, of which they afterwards truly repent.--But a true Chriftian will not, cannot live or continue in any known Sin, or bad Way of Life.

Ind. Pray then, good Sir, what Answer fhall I give to our People, who, to be sure, ⚫ will endeavour to diffuade me again from hearkening to your Inftructions, by fuch • Arguments as I have already mentioned?"

Milf. Afk them, Whether THE GREAT GOD has not given every one of them Reason and Understanding, in order to judge betwixt Good and Evil?. Surely they will not fay, that Reason, the good Gift of God, is in fault, when many of their own People do fuch wicked things as their Reafon forbids and condemns. No more ought they to blame the Chriftian Religion, because fome

that

that call themselves Christians lead fuch Lives as are a Reproach to Christianity,

Ind. It may be, they will tell me, That if neither Reason, nor Christianity, can keep People from being wicked, I need not be at the Pains of learning the Christian Religion, or hearkening to Reafon."

Miff. Well then, I will fhew you in a few Words, that of all Means the Chriftian Re-ligion is most likely (even better than Reafon itfelf ever can be in its prefent State) to make Men wife and good, unto their Salvation and Happiness.

ift, Your Nature is corrupt, and prone to Evil; and Experience convinces you, that your Reafon alone cannot mend and cure this Corruption :- But the Christian Reli gion, where it is fincerely embraced, will most furely do this.

2dly, Your Reason will indeed accuse and condemn you when you do amifs, but cannot give you any certain Affurance of God's Pardon-But the Chriftian Religion will fhew you a fure Way to be forgiven, and reftored to the Favour of your Maker, whenever you have offended him.

3dly, We are but too apt to think every thing very reasonable to which we have a great Inclination; and this is the Occafion of very much Evil and Mifchief in the World, when

5

when Men make their own Will the Measure of what they ought to do;--but the Chriftian Religion, and that only, will inform you what is right in the Sight of God, and what you must do on pain of his moft fevere Difpleasure.

Laftly, Your Reafon cannot inform you what will become of you when you die ;but the Christian Religion can affure you, as I have shewn you already, that such as live according to the Rules of that Religion will be happy for ever;-and that fuch as do not fo fhall be moft unhappy and miserable ;—and this will be a very powerful Means of obliging: you to live as becomes a good Christian. Ind. Sir, I do moft heartily thank you. You have given me great Eafe of

Mind; and I hope I fhall meet with no more fuch Difcouragements from hearing your Inftructions.--But some few things I have to ask you, for the Confirmation of the Truths I am to believe.'

Mill. Come when you will, I fhall be ready to inftruct you. And may God bless my Endeavours with Succefs;-and do you pray for yourself in the following Words.

LOR

The PRA Y E R.

ORD, the Frailty of Man without thee, cannot but fall-In all Temptations, therefore, I beseech thee to fuccour me, that

no

no Sin may ever get the Dominion over me; --Give me a falutary Dread of the Corruption of my own Heart;-Make me truly fenfible of the End of Sin, and mindful of my own Infirmities;- -Make me afraid of thy Judgments, and give me Grace and Strength to break my Bonds;--Correct me in Mercy when I go aftray;-Make me ever mindful of my latter End, and fix in my Heart a lively Senfe of the Happiness and Mifery of the World to come. Amen:

DIALOGUE VI.

The Holy Scriptures both Neceflary and Sufficient for the Salvation of Man.

Indian.

OU have convinced me, Sir,

You

that our Reafon alone is not faffi •cient to make known to us the things which you fay are moft furely believed among Chriftians:-That Reafon cannot tell us with what Worship the Great God will be. pleafed,- -nor give us any Certainty of the Happiness or Mifery of the Life to come;--which, to be fure, makes Men lefs concerned how they lead their Lives.

here