The Doctrine of a God and Providence Vindicated, Title page – Preface
foreign OR THE DOCTRINE OF A GOD AND PROVIDENCE, Vindicated and Asserted.
By Tho. Gregory, M. A. late of Wadham College in Oxford, and now Lecturer of Fulham near London.
IMPRIMATUR,
Carolus Alston R. P. D. Hen. Episc. Lond. à Sacris. September 3. 1694.
London, Printed for I. Hindmarsh at the Golden Ball over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, and R. Sare at Grays-Inn-Gate in Holbourn, 1694.
Viro Dignissimo, Nec non Honoratissimo Domino ac Patrono suo, Reverendo admodùm in Christo Patri HENRICO Episcopo Londinensi, Egregio Familiae ipsius Nobilissimae Ornamento, Virtutum juxta at{que} Literarum Decori & Praesidio, Purissimae Ecclesiarum, Anglicanae, Propugnatori Acerrimo, Divinae Cujusque Veritatis foreign, Hoc suum qualecunque opus, Quod in insanientem foreign Sapientiam elucubratum est, Reverentiâ, quâ potest, Maxima, Humillimoque Animi Gratissimi Obsequio D.D.D. Q.
Thomas Gregorius.
THE PREFACE.
THE unprejudic'd Reader (I presume) will most easily excuse me, if I make no Apology for the Publication of these Papers; the undisguis'd and insolent Appearance of Atheism now amongst us, and the unhappy over-flowings of Profaneness and Infidelity still rendring Discourses of this nature (to the great Concern and Amazement of all truly Pious and Thinking Persons) absolutely necessary. I shall therefore only intreat the Reader, with all due seriousness and attention, to consider the weight and importance of the Subject now before us. That we are not driving on the trifling, insignificant interest of a Party, nor unaccountably wasting our precious time in the idle prosecution of airy, useless, and empty Speculations; but endeavouring the Extirpation of such Doctrines and Principles, as put the Foundations of the Earth entirely out of course, involve all Mankind in Anarchy and Confusion, and over-shade the intellectual World with Eternal Night and Darkness; ungratefully interposing their malignant Blackness, and eclipsing (as much as they can) the refreshing Splendors and Brightness of the King of Glory. That therefore it highly concerns him, where-ever he shall in this, or in any other more excellent Treatise find any thing really destructive of such monstrous Doctrines, there resolutely and couragiously to fix and bottom; and not to be led away with the sophistical Harangues and delusive Impertinences of Thoughtless Men, nor (to the dishonour of his Maker, the Grief of all Good Men, and the utter Ruine of his Present as well as Future Happiness) most shamefully and inexcusably to fall from his own stedfastness. This (I say) is all I think necessary to advise the Reader. Which if he vouchsafes to accept with the same ingenuity as 'tis offer'd, he'll (I hope) have no Reason to repent his perusal of these Papers. If not; However I have done my duty, and therefore shall humbly leave the Event to Him; whose is the Greatness, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majesty for ever.