THE

PREFACE.

W

66

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 were as defective in argument, as they "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 un willing 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 Hiftory, I thought it might not be amifs, in this manner, to close the first act in our drama; the fecond being referved for what may be occafioned by that work, which will probably be much more confiderable than any thing that has been produced by the Hiftory of the Corruptions of Christianity. And my defign (after the termination of the prefent difcuffion with Dr. Horfley, which muft foon come to an iffue) is to wait a 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

Agreeably to this fcheme, I have annexed to these Letters fome Remarks on the ninth number of Mr. Howes's Obfervations on books ancient and modern, in which he has begun his attack upon me. But in this I have been very concife, expecting to have an opportunity of treating the fubjects more largely when I confider what he has farther to produce. Mr. White alfo cannot decline the difcuffion, and I have heard of the threats of others. We may, confequently, hope that this controversy (to which I find that much attention is given in foreign countries) will foon come to a proper termination, fo that learned men in all nations will not long remain in uncertainty with respect to any thing of importance relating to it.

As this is a controverfy that will probably have lafting confequences, let all who engage in it, on either fide, be careful to acquit themselves in proportion to the character which they apprehend they have at stake; but above all, let truth be our great

object.

object.

Our readers will eafily perceive whether it be fo or not. We fhall fooner deceive ourselves than them. And leaft of all can we impofe upon that great being who is the God of truth, who fecretly guides all our pursuits, and whofe excellent purposes will be answered by them, with whatever views we may engage in them.

N. B. Though an account of the State of Calvinifm among the Diffenters, on which Dr. Horsley enlarges fo much, has but little to do with the object of our controverfy, I fhould have faid fomething more on this fubject, but that I hear it will be confidered by a perfon who is exceedingly well qualified to inform the public concerning it, and to explain the cause of Dr. Horfley's very grofs and palpable mistake.

ERRATA.

N. B. (b) fignifies from the bottom of the page.

Page 26, line 2, (b) for 14, read 1.

line 1, (b) for 6, read 16.

28, line 11, note, for regii, read regio.

TO THE

ARCHDEACON OF ST. ALBANS.

AN

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

IN

REV. SIR,

N the course of our controverfy, you maintained that there was a church of trinitarian Jewish chriftians at Jerufalem after the time of Adrian; and as the account that Origen gives of the state of things in his time does not admit of the existence of fuch a church, you fcrupled not to fay, that "he "had recourfe to the wilful and deliberate allega"tion of a notorious falfehood." This you did on fo little foundation, that I charged you with being a falfifier of history, and a defamer of the character of the dead.

On this article you have thought proper (notwithstanding your previously-declared resolution to the contrary) to make your defence, in which you B

pro