Page images
PDF
EPUB

D

PREFACE.

URING a very attentive perufal of the Books of the New Testament, I was occafionally ftruck with internal marks of truth; fome of which, fo far as my recollection went, had not been observed at all, and others did not appear to have been noticed, according to their real importance, by any writers who had fallen in my way. My conviction was gradually strengthened, in proportion as the inftances which occurred to me became more numerous, and my reflection upon them more direct and intense. From time to time I committed my obfervations to paper, without without any other view, at first, than that of preserving them for my own use. Some of them, however, furnished materials for Sermons; and as the collection infenfibly increased, I began at length to confider them as not wholly unworthy of public attention.

To the Public therefore I now commit them with the earnest hope, that the rec

titude

titude of my intention, and my reverential fense of the importance which belongs to fubjects of Religion, will atone for those deficiencies, which, I am well aware, may be difcovered by readers of more extenfive eruIn dition, and more profound research. excufe for fome appearances of haste or forgetfulness, I may plead inceffant and, I hope, useful occupation in matters not always congenial with an early and habitual fondness for Literature. Surely I may flatter myself, without the imputation of extravagant vanity, that the execution of this work would have been lefs imperfect, if the various and urgent duties of my profession and fituation had allowed me either to think, or to revise my thoughts, with fewer interruptions.

It is however a fource of confiderable gratification to me, that many defects, which might have arisen from my own want of information or want of leisure, have been fupplied by the fuperiour knowledge and difcernment of the friends, whom I occafionally confulted. Among thefe is a Man, whofe name I am not at liberty to mention in this Preface, but to whofe worth I do no more than justice, when I speak of him in

the

the words, which Olivet employed to describe the character of Francis Odin. Homo eft antiquis imbutus perindè ftudiis ac moribus. Quem juvenis ut magiftrum colui: grandior habui devinctum arctiffimâ neceffitudine, et habebo femper *.

I BEG leave most respectfully to offer my acknowledgments to the Syndics of the University prefs, for the readiness and liberality, with which they confented to defray the expense of this publication. I have only to exprefs my humble and unfeigned hope, that, by promoting in fome degree a more effectual belief in the evidences of Revealed Religion, this Volume may be found not entirely undeferving of the protection, which they have afforded it.

• Præfat. ad Cic. Opp. p. 21. Amftel. 1745.

Vicarage Houfe,

Buckden,
Oct. 30. 1801.

b

« PreviousContinue »