* For to tell Christians that in _some kinds_ of trouble, they might justly seek for relief in reading a _play_, or wanton _Bucolic_, instead of the _gospel_; would be the same absurdity, as to have told people in our Saviour’s time, that in some sorts of distress, they might justly have recourse to _Simon Magus_, instead of Jesus Christ. 22. But now to look back a little. I have considered the bulk of those Christians that are the most likely to be the Doctor’s readers, under two characters. The one as living some way or other in a partial, false, superficial, or half state of piety; the other as an awakened people, called by the Spirit of God to come out of the common corruption of the times. I have shewn that the Doctor’s discourse (where it is not disliked) must do great hurt, and have dreadful effects upon those two sorts of people; the one sort it seals up in a false security, sleeping in the chambers of death, without any oil in their vessels; the other it frightens, and discourages from their pious intentions of trimming their lamps with all diligence, and living upon the watch for the midnight call of the bridegroom’s voice. That I may therefore do all the good I can to both these sorts of people, that I may awaken the one from their false security in their form of godliness, and encourage the other to proceed with all earnestness, after every degree of Christian holiness; I shall before I proceed any further, lay down a short account of the whole _ground_ of the Christian religion, that every one may clearly see, why we want the Christian religion to save us, what it is to do for us; and how it is done. 23. [1] Man was created a living image of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. “2. This whole visible world, as far as the stars, or any corporeal being reaches, takes up that extent of space, where _Lucifer_ and his angels before their fall, had their glorious kingdom. So far as this visible frame of nature extends, so far was the extent of that kingdom.¹ ¹ N. B. This, with several of the particulars that follow are probable, but not supported by scripture. This is the theory of _Jacob Behme_, ingenious, but quite incapable of proof.