the prefent Work, the Public must judge; that it has been attempted, the Author may be permitted

to declare.

To foften the Afperities of Argument, Views of Nature are interfperfed. That, if the former Should carry the Appearance of a rude intangled Foreft, or of a frowning gloomy Recefs, there may be fome agreeable Openings, and lightfome Avenues, to admit a Profpect of the Country: which is always arrayed in Charms, and never fails to pleafe.

The Author confefles a very peculiar Fondness for the amiable Scenes of Creation. It is therefore not at all improbable, but his Excurfions on this Topic may be of the diffufive Kind, and his Defcriptions fomewhat luxuriant. It is hoped, however, that the benevolent Reader will indulge Him in this favourite Foible.-If any should feel the Jame prevailing Paffion for the Beauties of Nature, 'tis poffible thefe Perfons may be inclined, not only to excufe, but approve the Fault; and take Part with the Lover, even in Oppofition to the Critic.

Farther to diverfify the Piece, Sketches of Philofophy are introduced. Eafy to be understood, and calculated to entertain the Imagination, as

well as to improve the Heart. More particularly, to difplay the wife and beneficent Design of Providence, in the various Appearances and numberlefs Productions of the material World. Neither are these Remarks altogether foreign to the main Point. But, as far as the Wonders of Creation may comport with the Riches of Grace, fubferve the general End.

As to the Choice of my Subjects-Some People have defired to fee an Invective, against the fafhionable and predominant Vices of the Age. This, I apprehend, would be like picking off the Leaves, or clipping away the Twigs, of fome overgrown and noxious Tree. Waving this tedious and ineffectual Toil, I would rather lay my Axe to the Root. Let the Knowledge and Love of CHRIST take place in the Heart, and not only a few of the Branches, but the whole Body of Sin will fall

at once.

Some would have the Author infift upon the confcientious Obfervation of the Sabbath, inculcate the daily Worship of GOD in the Family, and urge a devout Attendance on the public Ordinances of Religion.- But when a Perfon is convinced of Sin, and made fenfible of Mifery; when he has

tafted

tafted the good Word of GOD*, and seen by Faith the LORD's CHRIST†; He will want no Solicitation or Incitement, to these Means of Grace, and Exercifes of Godliness. He will have just the fame Difpofition to them all, as the hungry Appetite has to wholfome Food, or the new-born Babe ‡ to the Milk of the Breaft.

Others may imagine, that I have neglected the Interests of Morality; because, here is no professed Attempt to delineate its Duties, or inforce its Practice. Let thefe Perfons remember, that Morality never makes fuch vigorous Shoots, never produces fuch generous Fruit, as when ingrafted on evangelical Principles.-And if I do not crop the Pink, the Rofe, and the Carnation; if I do not gather the Peach, the Nectarine, and the Pine-Apple; and put them into my Reader's Hand, for his immediate Enjoy

*Heb. vi. 5.

+ Luke ii. 26.

Pet. ii. 2. This Comparison is, perhaps, the most exact and expreffive, that Words can form, or Fancy conceive. Babes covet nothing but the Milk of the Breaft. They are indifferent about all other Things. Give them Riches, give them Honours, give them whatever you please, without this rich, delicious, balmy Nutriment, they will not, they cannot be fatisfied.-How finely does this illustrate, and how forcibly inculcate, what our LORD ftyles, The fingle Eye, and The One Thing needful! Or, the falutary Doctrines, and delightful Privileges of the Gospel; together with that fupreme Value for them, and undivided Complacency in them, which are the diftinguishing Character of the Chriftian!

Enjoyment: I am endeavouring to fow the Seeds, and plant the Roots in his Garden; which, if cherifhed by the favourable Influence of Heaven, will yield Him, not an occafional, but a constant Supply of all.

As feveral Texts of Scripture come under Confideration, Criticisms upon the Original are frequently fubjoined. In order to clear up fome Difficulties, to rectify fome Miftranflations, or point out the many delicate and masterly Strokes, which occur in the BIBLE.And glad fhould I be, extremely glad, if I might recommend and endear that invaluable Book. If, as the divine REDEEMER rideth on in the Word of Truth, of Meekness, and Righteousness *, this Hand might fcatter a Palm Branch, or this Performance might lie as a Flowret, to firew his Way †, and folemnize his Triumph.

In the Courfe of the Difputation, I dare not fuppofe, that I have difcuffed all the Arguments, which Sagacity may devife, or Sophistry urge. Perhaps, I have not removed all the Scruples, which may awaken Prejudice, or embarrass Integrity. This, however, I may venture to affirm, that I myself bave met with no confiderable Objection, which is + Alluding to Matt. xxi. 8.

* Pfal. xlv. 4. VOL. I.

not either exprefly answered, or virtually refuted, in thefe Conferences.—And, though I should neither fatisfy nor filence the Gainfayer, I fhall think my Endeavours happily employed, if they may throw Light upon the dim Apprehenfion; establish the wavering Faith; or comfort the afflicted Confci

ence.

If any fhould burlesque or ridicule thefe venerable Truths, and exalted Privileges, I fall only fay with my Divine MASTER; O! that Thou hadst known, in this thy Day, the Things that belong to thy Peace! But now they are hid, it is evident from fuch a Procedure, they are hid from thine Eyes *.-Should any, in the Spirit of Decency and Candor, either ftart new, or revive old Objections, I doubt not, but they will receive both a due Examination and a proper Reply. As thefe Doctrines enter into the very Effence of the Gospel, and confiitute the Glory of our Religion, they can never want a Succeffion of Advocates, fo long as the Sun and Moon endure. For my own Part, I muft beg Leave to retire from the Lifts, and lay down the Weapons of Controversy. Virgil's Language is my Refolution;

Difcedam, explebo Numerum, reddarque

Tenebris.

*Luke xix. 42.

This