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der feveral Soyeraigns, as the Weft is at this day, it had been as it were impoffible, but that divers of them, if not the most part, would have denied entrance to the Apostles, who were the new Preachers. Little Lords, who have not much to do, concern themselves more particularly about every part of their Territories, than great Emperors, who having the Government of the whole World to mind, are forc't to remit the care of less important matters, to their Deputies and Lieutenants. 3.The difperfion of the fews by their frequent Captivities, was alfo a means which God made ufe ofto prepare the way for the Converfion of the Gentiles: they gave them the knowledge of the true God. 4. Another thing which contributed very much to this defign of God, was the Tranflation of the Bible into the Greek Tongue; whereby the facred Oracles became common among the Heathens. And about the time of our Saviour's appearance in the World, there were multitudes of thofe Profes lites, which are called Profelites of the Gate. Such as were not really lews, but they ceas't to be Pagans. They renounc't their Idolatry, they were prefent every Sabbath day at the reading of Mofes and the Prophets; they had a distinct place in the Synagogues. 'Tis of them we fo often read in the Book of the Acts, under the name of devout, and fuch as feared God among the Gentiles: Cornelius was of that number. It could not be difficult for them to abandon Paganism, for they had already left it, and they could not be hindred from Becoming Chriftians by fudaifm, for they had neyer imbrac't it; So that they became Chriftians without change or violence; The greatest part of the converted Gentiles were fuch as thefe. 5. And by the fame good Providence of God

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lofophy began to flourish among the Pagans, a little before the coming of Chrift, which was of great ufe to refine the minds of men, and render them capable of receiving celeftial and fublime Truths. 6. Lastly, God pofleft the Heathen with a contempt of Idolatry aud Idols: They were disgusted and fick of their Gods: The falfe Oracles of Demons ceas't, their Priests loft their reputation, and åll the World breath'd after a change, without knowing why.

I find fomething like this at prefent. 1. Since the taft Age God hath revived the Light and knowledge of the Sciences, which was almoft ftifled and extinguifht_under_the_barbarism of Scholaftick Learning. In the laft Century, God caufed the knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew Tongues to revive, which was of fuch ufe for the understanding of the Holy Scripture, and the confutation of Herefy and Idolatry, that the Papists do not fcruple to fay, that 'tis that which hath undone them. In this Century the Providence of God hath carried the acutenefs and delicacy of mens minds to that degree, that it may truly be faid, that the most inlightned and refined Ages paft, were barbarous in comparison with this. The fpeculative Sciences and true Philofophy are brought to that Perfection, that all that we had before may be reckoned fimplicity and ignorance. This new Philofophy doth open and inlarge the mind, and the light we receive from modern Philofophers doth help very much to scatter that thick darkness, which the Philofophy of the Schools had caft upon the Doctrines of Religion. We fhall fhortly know of what use the new Philofophy may be to deftroy those Monsters of Transfubftantiation and the Real Prefence.

2. I look upon the long Voyages of our European,

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the difcoveries made of new Countries in the Eaft and Weft, and the improvement of the Art of Navigation, to be a means which God prepares for the fullfilling that great Promife that concerns the full Conversion of the Gentiles. Why did God referve the Invention of the Sea Compass to these laft times? why was it not known three or four hundred years ago, what it was to fail upon the Ocean far from the thore? was there lefs curiofity, covetoufnefs, or induftry among men formerly than now? for what reafon would God that one half of the World should live in ignorance of the other for fo long a time? Why hath God in thefe latter days more vifibly favour'd the defigns which men have always had, to inrich themselves by Commerce and Trade, going in pursuit of riches to the end of the World? for my own part, I cannot but look upon this as a work of a mott wife Providence,'difcovering to us unknown People, whofe Conversion he intends to bring about within a fhort Time.

3. Iconfider the great number of half Chriftians which the Popish Miffions make in the Indies, to be. juft as thofe Profelytes of the Gate, which the Jews made; they were properly neither Iews nor ChriPians, but were the feed of Chriftianity. These Eaftern Converts, which are made by Papifts, are neither Heathens nor Chriftians: but they will be the first part of the Harvest, which God intends to have among thofe People; and after they are fully converted, they will be very ferviceable for the Converfion of those who as yet are altogether Pagans.

4. I admire the depth of Divine Providence,that by infenfible steps and degrees, difpofeth the Ma humetan Nations for Converfion. For this we need but confult the fecond Book of the Prefent State of

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Lib. 2. the Ottoman Empire, by Mr. Ricant. In that HiChap. 2. ftory we meet with a Sect of Mahumetans, called

Chap. 12.

Haidtites; who believe that the Meffiah took a true natural Body, and that being Eternal, he became Incarnate, as the Chriftians believe: Wherefore they have inferted this Article into their confeffion of Faith, that Chrift shall come to judge the World at the last day. For the proof whereof they cite a Text out of the Alckoran in these words, OMahomet! thou halt fee thy Lord, who fhall come again in the Clouds. For though they dare not pofitively "interpret this of J. Chrift, yet they boldly affirm, "that this is fore-told of the Meffiah; and in their "ordinary difcourfe,they confefs, that this Meffiah "can be no other than lefus, who is to return into "the World with the fame flesh which he affum'd.

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The fame Author tells us, "That there is an opi"nion generally received among the Turks within a "few years, which is entertained by the best people "ofthe Seraglio, & common enough at Conftantino

ple. They who profefs to believe it,are called Chup "Meffabites, i.e. the good Partifans or followers of "the Meffiah. They hold that Chrift is God, and "that he is the Redeemer ofthe World. The young "Scholars in the Court of the grand Seignior are ge

nerally of this opinion: perticularly the most po"lite and civilized, and wellbred among them. In"fomuch that 'tis a form of fpeech very much in ufe

among them, when they would praise any one, to "fay to him, Chup Meffahifen, you are very civil and "obliging, as he fhould be who makes profeffion of "the fervice of the Meffiah. There are a multitude "of thefe People Conftantinople; and there have "been fome who have maintained this Doctrine, "with fomuch courage,that rather than quit it,they "have chofen to fuffer martyrdom!

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There is another Sect,called Efchrakites." They P. 407. who profefs it, addict themselves very much to the contemplation of the Idea of the Divinity,and "the numbers that are in God. For though they hold the Unity of God, they nevertheless admit "the Trinity alfo, as a number proceeding from "Unity. They explain that thought by the exam"ple of three Pleats, or folds in an Handkerchief, "which may be called three, though it be but one piece of cloth when it is unfolded. These are no great Admirers of the Alchoran, they only make "ufe of that which they find agrees with their Principles,and reject the reft,as if it were abolifht.Be"lieving, that the chief Good of man confifts in the "Contemplation of the Majefty of God; they de"fpife the dreams and grofs imaginations of Mahomet, concerning the Pleasures of Paradife. All "the Schecs, and the most able Preachers of the Royal Mosques, are of this Sect. They are very diligent in their devotions, and fober in their dyet, &c. They have alfo a great deal of Charity for their Neighbours, faying, they are the Creatures of God,&c. They inftruct their Scholars to "be moderate, wife and grave; in a word to abstain "from all evil Actions, and to practise all Vertues. One ftep farther, and thefe People will be much better Chriftians than the Greeks, who have the name and Profeffion of Chriftians.

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5. The fenfible Fall and declenfion of the Papacy, A general is a fifth fign of that great work which God is ma- in the king way for. It seems to be furious, to reign, and world to defpife and get ground; nevertheless, in truth it is falling; for forfake Poas God difcredited the Religion ofthe Pagan Idols, pery, a little before the coming of our Lord Iefus Chrift; fo he makes this renewed Paganism of Popery, to be in lefs credit and efteem than formerly, Men begin

to

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