Page:A Dictionary of All Religions and Religious Denominations.djvu/17

Rh acter given of them by a Roman Catholic author. “The severity of their manners, their temperance, their personal decency and disinterestedness did them honour as religious men and as citizens.” The great and good Bourdaloue, one of the most celebrated preachers in the reign of Lewis XIV, was a Jesuit.

The first part of the Appendix, “Containing a sketch of the present state of the world as to population, religious toleration, missions, &c.” is the work of Mr. T. Williams, excepting a few additions relative to recent events. which have taken place since the publication of his Dictionary. This intelligence is chiefly contained in the notes to his statements.

The last part of the Appendix, which mentions the central points in which the various denominations of Christians are united, was published in the second and third editions of this work; and is inserted with a few additions. After perusing accounts of such a variety of opinions on religion, it is pleasant to find even a few articles in which the great body of Christians are agreed.

In giving this work to the public, I have only to request a continuance of the same candid indulgence I have so long experienced. I shall be highly gratified, if seeing such a diversity of sentiment amongst Christians might induce those, who peruse this work, to search the scriptures as the only foundation for their faith and practice. And in ail their researches after truth may they imitate the candour of the late pious and ingenious Dr. Watts. This excellent man observes, that “From my own experiment, I can easily guess what confounding intricacies of thought others pass through in their honest searches after truth. These conflicts did exceedingly enlarge my soul, and stretched my charity to a vast extent. I see, I feel, and am assured, that several men may be very sincere, and yet entertain notions of divinity, all widely different. I confess, now and then some opinions, or some unhappy occurrences are ready to narrow and confine my affections again, if I am not watchful over myself; but I pray God to preserve upon my heart a strong and lasting remembrance of those days, and those studies, whereby he laid within me the foundation of so broad a charity.”