ger Pappan

Pherb, Ass 1-30-1932

To the most Reverend

Father in GOD, T H O M A S Lord ARCH-BISHOP

of Canterbury, &c.

May it please Tour Grace,
-O accept favourably

this Paraphrase upon St. Matthew, as an humble Expression of that Duty and Honour, which I, with all good Men, owe to your Grace, whom the efpecial Providence of GOD has placed in the highest Station of our Church; where by your wife Government and A 2

pious

pious Example you support and encourage true Religion and Virtue, which leem to be in great Danger not only from the bold Pretenders to Atheism and Deism, but even from the many Controversies, about smaller Matters, raised and uncharitably managed among Christians, while little regard is had to the great Duties, and moft essential Parts of Religion.

The Care, Sincerity, and Impartiality with respect to any Theological Controversies, wherewith I have endeavoured to explain in general the Doctrine and

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History of our Saviqur, may, I hope, procure me Pardon for the involuntary Errors and Failings in this Performance. For as I cannot without great Presumption, suppose it free from Mistakes; fo I trust I have no where offered any interpretation repugnant to the fundamental Articles of our Religion, or the necessary Rules of Holy Life. And that I might not be deceived in matters of sò great importance, I have ( as I thought my self obliged to do) submitted these Papers, before they were made publick, to the view and cen

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sure of fome of my Superiors, on whose Judgment I thought I might Tafely rely.

Now that God may long preserve your Grace, for the Good and Honour of this Church, is the constant Prayer of,

My LORD,

Four Grace's

most humble

and obedient Servant,

S. C.