On the whole, I cannot but hope that God will be pleased to bless the publication of these pieces, in these circumstances, as an occasion of reviving a sense of religion, and promoting the interest of true christianity. It has appeared to me a memorable event, that when the extreme modesty of archbishop Leighton had been inexorable to all the intreaties of his many friends, to print something during his life, so many of his precious remains should with such solicitude be gleaned up after death, and some of them more than threescore years after it; and that they should be read with such high esteem and delight, as it is plain many of them have been, by persons of the most different denominations throughout Great Britain. I am very sensible of it as an honour done to me in the course of divine providence, that the task I have here executed, should so very unexpectedly be devolved upon me. I have no property at all in the work, nor the least secular interest in its success: what I have done was intirely the result of love to the author's memory, and concern for the public good: but I shall be gloriously rewarded, if the labour I have bestowed upon it, be the occasion of promoting these great ends, which animated the discourses and actions of the holy man, who has now dwelt so long among the blessed inhabitants of that world, after which he so ardently aspired, while yet amongst mortals. And let me be permitted to add, that I have some secret hope this publication, in these circumstances, may, among other good effects, promote that spirit of catholicism, for which our author was so remarkable, and extend it among various deno minations of christians, in the northern and southern parts of our island. If the sincerest language or actions can express the disposition of the heart, it will here be apparent, that a diversity of judgment, with regard to episcopacy, and several forms both of discipline and worship connected with it, have produced in my mind no alienation, no indifference towards Archbishop Leighton, nor prevented my delighting in his works, and profiting by them. In this respect I trust my brethren in Scotland will, for their own sake, and that of religion in general, shew the like candour. On the other side, as I have observed with great pleasure and thankfulness how much many of the established clergy in this part of Britain are advancing in moderation towards their dissenting brethren, I am fully assured they will not like these excellent pieces the worse, for having passed through my hand. It is truly my grief, that any thing should divide me from the fullest communion with those to whom I am united in bonds of as tender affection, as I bear to any of my fellow-christians. And it is my daily prayer, that God will by his gentle, but powerful influence on our minds, mutually dispose us more and more for such a further union, as may most effectually consolidate the protestant cause, establish the throne of our gracious Sovereign, remove the scandals our divisons have occasioned, and strengthen our hands in these efforts, by which we are attempting, and might then I hope more successfully attempt the service of our common christianity. In the mean time, I desire most sincerely to bless God for any advances that are made towards it; and I 66 66 cannot forbear to illustrate and confirm my thoughts on this head, by inserting the elegant words of a most worthy member of the church of England, well known in the learned world, as I have lately had the honour of receiving them from his own pen. I conceal his name, and therefore hope it is no violation of the laws of friendship, to insert at large a passage from a familiar letter, which, if it warms my reader's breast as it did mine, will, be not only an entertainment, but a blessing to many, and which is as suitable a conclusion of this preface, as if it had been written in that view. "I am glad,' says he," that christianity begins to be so well "understood and taught by so many men of parts and learning in all sects, the fruits of which appear in a candour and charity unknown to all ages of the church, except the primitive, I had almost said, the apostolic age. Does not this give you a prospect, though perhaps still very distant, of the completion of the famous prophecy that speaks "of the lion and the lamb lying down together in "the kingdom of the Messiah? Lions there have been hitherto in all churches, but too many fierce, greedy, and blood-thirsty lions, though often disguised like lambs, and some lambs there have been, simple enough to think it expedient for the flock, to assume the habit "and terror of lions: but I hope they now begin to undeceive themselves, and to consider christianity as intending to bring back the "world to that state of innocence which it enjoyed before the fall, when in one and the same paradise, to use the words of Milton, 66 -Frisking play'd 66 66 All beasts of th' earth, since wild, and of all chace, To attain this happy state," continues this amiable writer, "all christians should unite "their endeavours, and instead of looking out for and insisting upon points of difference and distinction, seek for these only in which they "do or may agree. They may at least sow the "seeds of peace and unity, though they should "not live to reap the fruits of it in this world. "Blessed are the peace-makers, says the prince of peace, for they shall be called the children of God. "An appellation infinitely more honorable than that of pastor, bishop, archbishop, pa"triarch, cardinal or pope, attended with a recompence infinitely surpassing the richest revenues of the highest ecclesiastical dignity.” I join my hearty wishes and prayers with those of my much esteemed friend, that we may all more and more deserve this character, and attain this its reward. 66 Northampton, April 26, P. DODDRIDGE. 1748. |