_CHRISTIANITY_ having been instituted, by its great Author and Publisher, for the Benefit and Advantage of Mankind, it is pity we should so greatly differ, concerning what _Genuine Christianity_ is; if the _Holy Bible_, as we generally agree, was designed to lead us to the true Knowledge of God, and to be a standing and perpetual Rule of _Faith_ and _Manners_ to Men, it must surely have been greatly corrupted since the primitive Times of the Gospel, or the _Explication_ of it designedly left to a more excellent and superior Director: For the seeming Contradictions, and Multiplicity of obscure Passages, wherewith it abounds, shew plainly it could never, in its present Condition, be a Rule of Faith, &_c_. becoming an all-wise and perfect Being, to give to rational Creatures. Every _good Man, Society_, and _State_, study Perspicuity in all their _Rules, Orders, and Statutes,_ dispensed to their _Families, Members,_ and _Subjects:_ and can we suppose, that He, who is perfect in Knowledge, would, in the Dispensation of his Laws, take less care of the everlasting State of his immortal Creature _Man?_ Yet it is plain, we differ in our Sentiments of Religion, and greatly too, for want, as I sincerely hope, of the Knowledge of better Helps, to direct our Inquiries, in Matters, the true Knowledge whereof, is of so considerable Moment. Therefore, I intend, in the Course of this Debate, to descant _freely_, on the Doctrines of _Divine Sovereignty, Election, Reprobation_, and _Original Sin;_ and also, on the Arguments which some ingenious Gentlemen have used to support them. But I hope (with regard to the _Authors_ I may possibly name) to be perfectly decent, and to treat them with all becoming Respect and Deference, as I think Men of Integrity, Learning and Abilities deserve; who, though in some Points they may err, and hold Doctrines in their own Nature and Tendency altogether subversive of Religion and Morality, do nevertheless not perceive them to have these Tendencies, and are therefore by _no Means_ chargeable with them. Yet, as touching the _Doctrines_ themselves, I shall presume to speak freely, both in regard to their Nature, and what appears to me to be their genuine Fruits and Effects.