[left side]
[missing text from torn page]
people, that salvation is ea
nothing but a love of order an
necessary to final acceptance; & in shon
the morality of Seneca is as pleasi
Deity, as the religion of Jesus. He mo
that Christianity is a mere revision
edition of natural religion; and that the Mes-
siah was but a man of extraordinary endow-
ments, sent to renew men's obligation to duty.
[Rigidus?] then advances, and with a solemn
aspect prefaces his discourse by declaring
that he must "preach the whole truth, whet-
"er they will hear, or wheter they will for-
"bear." Whatever is ^ his text, he proceeds to shew,
that the unconverted are all most bitter
enemies to God, and are constantly endeav-
oring to dethrone him; that, in every attempt
to perform their duty, they are threefold
more the children of Hell, than if they
had neglected it; and that, although they are
utterly incapable of doing any thing acceptable to
God, as he chose moral evil should exist, he
has wise ends to answer by their everlasting
[right side]
[missing text from torn page]
racting from Hannah
I am relax [missing text} the sentiments of
[mister?] who have preached in Leicester pul-
pit since Mr Conklin's dissmission. Should I
[truthfully?] [enumerate?] the various opinions of the Di-
vines in this vicinity from extreme liberal-
ity to superstitious rigidness, I fear I should
produce a jumble of inconsistency, illiber-
ality, absurdity. I have lately derived
great satisfaction in perusing Dr Price's
discourse on "the glorious gospel of the bless-
ed God"; in which he ascribes this difference
of systems to an inordinate desire of gaining
converts to our mode of faith. He observes that
the zeal for [proselytion?] is one of the greatest
"curses in the world." But I will weary your
patience no longer.
I assure you, my friend, I reflect with
great pleasure on your visit at Dorchester. {Esquire}
Wales informs me, he doubts not Eben. will
visit me at Leicester as well as you at Andover.
Why will you not come with him A visit from
you both is more than I dare expect. At any rate
do, by writing soon, contribute to the happiness of your
sincere & affectionate friend, John Pierce.
EN