13-397953 TO THЕ RIGHT HONOURABLE SELIN A, Countess of Huntingdon. MADÁM, BEG Leave to present the following Work to your LADYSHIP in this publick Manner, as well in Acknowledgment of my being indebted to your Converfation for many things A 2 in in this Volume, as to add 'my Teftimony of due Respect and Esteem for a Character become indeed RIGHT HONOURABLE, by a diftinguished Zeal for the Gofpel of Chrift: That this Zeal is according to Knowledge, and that of the best Kind, I can truly affirm, having found it profitable to many for Inftruction in Righteoufnefs. But if, MADAM, you stand thus largely indebted to the divine Goodnefs for the Gift of Knowledge, your Obligations to the Same are ftill greater for the Grace of Charity, as this is yet a more excellent Way The Narrownefs that is obfervable in many Chriftians (who in other re fpects Ipects are of good Report) towards fuch as differ from them in fome particular Points of Doctrine or Modes of Worship, is not only a great Hindrance to their Perfection, but also a very unhappy Blemish, in the Beauty of Holinefs, and owing chiefly to their refting in the outward Courts of the Temple, and not entering into that which is within the Vail; for the more fpiritual any Perfon is, the more diffufive of Benevolence and Charity is the Heart of fuch a one towards all the Members of Chrift's myftical Body: And this is well exemplified in that eafy Access to your LADYSHIP, which the truly Pious of every Denomination are fure to find: Such free Intercourfe of Chriftian Fellow A 3 Fellowship, fuch unlimited GoodWill towards Men, as it is the most amiable Expreffion of a Catholic Charity, so, I am fure, it is bringing the highest Honour to any particular Church; for it bears the apteft Refemblance to that bleffed Communion of Saints in Glory, where all human Distinctions are swallowed up in the Unity of the Spirit and the Bond of Peace; and where no other Preference takes place than what arifes from Superiority in Holiness and Love. That you may go on, Madam, in the fame Strength of divine Grace to adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all Things, and to evince by your |