among the Angelic Hoft themfelves. On the contrary, as we may obferve a Superiority to prevail, even among the Brute Creation, whenever any Numbers of them come together, whether they be of one and the fame Kind or not, as well as among Mankind; fo the very fame Circumstance plainly appears from Scripture to do so no less, among the Angels above; for other→ wife, Gabriel could not have styled himself an Angel which stood in the Prefence of God, meaning that he was one of the great Courtiers of Heaven, as he doth, Luke i. 19; nor St. Paul reckon up the Titles, by which their different Ranks are distinguished, as fet forth, Coloff. i. 16.

As to the Author's Cavils in regard of the Word Perfon, or any other of the like Expreffions, made use of in the Atha nafian Creed, which have any Relation to Mankind, and are applied to the Deity, I have no need to fay any more about them here, having difcuffed that Matter fo fully already, in speaking of the Word begotten, &c.-But as he brings the damnatory Claufes thereof upon the Carpet, by way of infinuating that there was fomewhat of too

shocking a Nature in them for the Chriftian Spirit, I fhall very briefly demonftrate here, that there is in reality nothing in them, but what is entirely agreeable to the Chriftian Doctrine, as appears particularly from what is faid by St. Matthew xxviii. 19. and St. Mark xvi, 16. go teach, or make Chriftians of all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. He that believeth, and is baptized, fkall be faved; and he that believeth not fhall be damned.

Here the Gofpel Terms of Salvation are faid to be on the one Hand, the being baptized into the Faith of the most Holy Trinity; and on the other, Damnation is very exprefly threatned against all those who do not hold that fundamental Article of the Christian Religion. Now the very softest Turn which can poffibly be given to the Word Damnation here is, that they shall not be faved by the Terms aforefaid, if they are upon any other,

This Obfervation regards all thofe People, at least, who have Opportunities offered them of coming into the Pale of the ChriAtian Church, and refufe it; but as for

I

thofe

those who have been once baptized into, and profefs'd the Belief of the Trinity in Unity, I fhall refer them to another Text, as very worthy of their Confideration, which is that of Heb. xii. 15. Looking diligently left any Man fail of the Grace of God; left any Root of Bitterness Springing, up trouble you, and thereby many and thereby many be defiled: Left there be any Fornicator, or profane PerJon as Efau, who for one Morfel of Meat fold his Birth-right. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the Bleffing, he was rejected; for he found no Place of Repentance, though he fought it carefully with Tears. And as for those who have actually renounced their Baptifmal Vow in that respect, I refer them to another Text in the fame Author, Chap. vi. 4. where it is faid, that it is impoffible for those who were once enlightned, and have tafted of the heavenly Gift, and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghoft, and have tafted of the good Word of God, and the Powers of the World to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto Repentance; feeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open Shame. For K 2

the

the Explanation of which Paffage, they may, if they please, confult Dr. Sherlock's Difcourfe on Death.

I shall conclude with most humbly be feeching almighty God, that he would be pleafed to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true Knowledge and UnderStanding of his Word, that both by their Preaching and Living they may fet it forth, and fhew it accordingly.

FINT

There hath been lately published No. I. and No. II. of a Work, entitled, the Scheme of divine Providence upon which the Christian Religion is founded, fet forth in an Effay on the Prophetic Writings of the Old and New Teftament; particularly on the Books of Daniel, Efdras, and the Apocalypfe, Price 1. each: To be had of Mr. Ruffel Bookfeller, near Temple-Bar; being the Treatife referred to in this Differtation.

The whole Book of Daniel will make Six Numbers, Price 15. each.