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Tis true, Quakerifm has been lately attackt; and diverse useful Books have with in the Compafs of a few. Tears been publifht against it. But yet it may be obferved, that even thefe late Writers have generally dwelt upon fome abominable Paffages, which they have found in Quaker Books, especially fuch as are Ancient and Scarce. They have dif covered thofe Impious and Blafphemous Affertions, which have been uttered in the Name of the Lord. And the Quakers have thereby been effectually expofed for fuck particulars, as (tho they are now very unwilling to own them, yet) they cannot either difprove or defend.

But ftill, in the midst of these Skirmishes, the Principal bufinefs has been neglected. For the avowed Doctrines of the Quakers, thofe which they univerfally profefs, and never deny, and the feveral Arguments which they endevor to confirm them with, have been (generally Speaking) but slightly touched.

I confefs the Author of the Snake in the Grafs has given us many useful Hints upon thefe Heads. He has also written particular Difcourfe concerning Water-Baptifm, wherein he has largely canvaffed that Point, propofing his own Arguments, and answering thofe of his Adverfaries. Mr. Norris has published Two Treatifes con

cerning

cerning the Divine Light. And Mr. Keith, to whom God has given a Sight of his former Errors, has examined the Quaker Tenets. Particularly he has returned an answer to Mr. Barclay's Apology, which is certainly the exacteft Piece, that ever was written in Defence of Quakerifm.

But even thefe Authors have left room for Additions, and the Subject is still capable of improvement. Wherefore I have often wished, that thofe whom God has bleed with much Leifure, found Judgment, and a thorough Acquaintance with the Scriptures, would proceed in the Confutation of Quakerifm, and especially of Mr. Barclay's Apology and other Works.

But I could never yet hear of any, that intended to bless the World with so useful a Book; and therefore I have determined to offer the following Papers (how imperfect foever they are) to public View.

I do not defpair, Iconfefs, of their being for the prefent in fome Small Measure ferviceable to the Church of Chrift; but I earnestly defire notwithstanding, that a better Performance upon the fame Subject, which very many of my Brethren are able to give us, may render them hereafter perfectly needlefs and fuperfluous.

I must add, that I am by no means Fond of Writing a large Volume; and therefore

I have endevored to shorten thefe Controverfies, as much as 'twas poffible. To this end I have wholly omitted fome difputes which others may think Material. For inftance, I have faid nothing concerning the Payment of Tithes, the Lawfulness of Ta.. king an Oath, the Expreffions of outward respect, faying You to a fingle Perfon, &c. But I do not find, that thefe matters do ever create any difficulty to thofe Perfons, who are convinced of the Falfhood of thofe Quaker Doctrines, which I hope 1 have fufficiently overthrown. And therefore I have not thought it necessary to contend about them.

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