Section 22: The Conclusion, reflecting briefly upon the former Discourses.

Book 1 Section 22 (p. 28-33):
The Conclusion, reflecting briefly upon the former Discourses.

To conclude, seeing from the Grounds alledged, Christianity is a Religion as certain, as any thing that is knowable by Men, by virtue of the best Records, or Monuments of Antiquity, whence the knowledg of the Things they receive for true, are gathered; and that not only from the holy Scriptures, (the surest and fullest Witness thereof [Not to insist upon the concurrent evidence of God himself, but his good Spirit in the Consciences of such as receive the Truth in the love of it, sith that Witness (though we in no wise contemn) being more intrinsecal and particular, is not so fitly to be alledged here, and the rather for that it might seem to be ballanced by Pretences as high on the contrary side, though in reality it cannot be]) but also from the next Testimonies of the greatest Credit and Estimation otherwise alleagable, whether Authorities, or rational Demonstration; insomuch that all things must be false, if Christian Religion be not true, from the same Grounds on which Men build their Objections against the verity thereof: It will, I trust, abundantly satisfie judicious Men, upon their diligent consideration of the Proofs above, collected as you have heard, mostly out of the works of the Learned Author aforesaid; so that it shall be needless here to add any more.

And for the excellency of this holy Profession, sith it therein stands not only upon equal Grounds, with whatsoever may be said for any other Religion which hath yet appeared in the World, but in many things (if not in every thing that renders any thing truly excellent, especially in a Divine, or Spiritual way of Excellency) doth over-match upon the most equal Trial, the most specious Religions any where extant. It follows, that laying aside all Hesitancy, and watching against all low Conceits of the Christian Faith, we devote our selves to honour this Holy Calling, in assured confidence of the Beatitude annexed to it.

And because this holy Profession, as other excellent Donations from the Hands of a Gracious God, hath been abused, injured, and rendred thereby less desirable (through the enmity of Satan, and the indiligence of Men) we shall in our following Treatise, endeavour to set forth the Christian Religion in its ancient and naked Purity, and therein joyn our Labours with those that sincerely are for naked Truth; because she is most lovely in that appearance, disrobing her (as much as in us lieth) of all those gorgeous Vanities, wherewith too many of her pretended Friends have burthened her, thereby rendring her more like the Vanities of the Gentiles, than the solemn way of Christianity.

Add further, that which is as crying and dreadful a Consideration as any other: That this holy Title of Christian, should be invaded by so many, and yet so few found that walk in any measure of Conformity to her sacred rules of Piety and Morality. Insomuch, that the Lord may justly complain against this Generation, as he did against the House of Israel, Hosea 8.12. "I have written to him the great Things of my Laws, but they are counted a strange Thing." To remedy all which unanswerable walking towards a Gracious God (if it may be) are these Treatises written, and in the fear of God recommended to the consideration of all professing Christianity, and to every one that are any way concerned therein.