ABSTRACT
Religion in general consists in an acknowledgment of an immortal power, that, superior to all earthly dominion, invisibly governs the world, and a respectful endeavour to discharge such duties, as every one shall apprehend to be requir’d of him by that immortal power. The Christian World abounds with Persons wicked and prophane; but of real Atheists there are fewer by much than is commonly imagin’d. Whoever allows of the Old and New Testament, how differently soever from others Man may construe some Passages of either, so he but believes the whole to be the Word of God, ought to be called a Christian, even before he is baptized. The chief Duty of real Religion among Christians consists in a Sacrifice of the Heart, and is a Task of Self-denial, with the utmost Severity against Nature. The greatest Difficulty of our Religion is to live up to the Rules of Christianity.
