General Obfervations relating to the fup- pofed orthodox church of Jewish chrif- Of the teftimony of Epiphanius to the exift- ence of a church of Orthodox Jewish Of the Evidence from Jerom in favour of the existence of a church of Orthodox THE PRE FACE. W HEN, in the advertisment of my Hiftory of early Opinions concerning Christ, I pledged myself to fhew, that Dr. Horley's Remarks on my Letters to him as defective in argument, as they were are in temper," I did not mean that I would animadvert upon them immediately, or very foon; but intended to wait till I should hear what would be objected to that larger work, and then reply to him and others at the fame time. I found, however, that the advertisement had raised a general expectation of a speedy reply to Dr. Horsley in particular; and being unwilling to disappoint any expectations I had even unintentionally excited, and more unwilling to appear defirous of fhrinking from this difcuffion, I have done at present what what many of my friends will probably think might as well have been deferred a while longer. Befides, as Dr. Horfley's Remarks were written before he had feen my large History, I thought it might not be amifs, in this manner, to close the first act in cur drons; the Second being reserved for what may be occafioned by that work, which will probably be much more confiderable than any thing that has been produced by the Hißory of the Corruptions of Chriftianity. And my defign (after the termination of the prefent difcuffion with Dr. Horsley, which muft foon come to an iffue) is to wait à year or two, till I fee what the publication of my large work on this fubject shall produce, and then to reply to all my opponents at once; frankly acknowledging any miftakes I fhall appear to have fallen into, and vindicating whatever I fhall think capable of it, and deferving it. Agreeably |