PREFACE.

IN the following Discourses the Author has

endeavoured, as in former volumes of Sermons which he has had occafion to publish, to render them as generally useful as poffible, He has not laboured to be abstruse, nor does he profefs to claim the praise of originality; being better satisfied to produce arguments, however obvious, which may be serviceable to the cause of true religion.

When we confider how much has been written by the early apologifts for Christianity; when we reflect on the numerous controverfies which have called forth the abilities and ftimulated the exertions of the most profound inquirers into fubjects of divinity; we cannot hope for much novelty at the prefent time. Yet perhaps a few observations may be found in this volume, which may place the fubjects under difcuffion in a light fomewhat different

from that in which they have been generally

viewed.

On those particulars which create a difference of opinion among Chriftians, the Author has endeavoured to exprefs himself, fo as to give as little offence as poffible. He trufts that his fentiments are unprejudiced, 2 and wishes to respect all who may differ from him on confcientious motives. The cenfures which may be found in these Discourses are not defigned for any particular denomination of Christians; they apply only to the presumptuous and self-fufficient, to whatever communion they may belong. While he laments the existence of fchifm, he is the friend of univerfal toleration; and while he condemns the arrogance of the illiterate, he cannot but respect talents and knowledge, wherever they may be found. But while the Church is afperfed by illiberality, however painful controverfy may be, its true friends must stand forward in its defence; and while a spirit exists which is intolerant and uncharitable, and which would prove fubverfive of found learning and dignified religion, caution cannot be too warmly or too frequent recommended.

For any defects which may appear in the execution of the following work, the Author has to plead, that he has been afflicted with fevere illness; and foon after the commencement of these Lectures he was incapacitated from the use of books, and consequently from the correction of his own pages; and for the delivery of some he was indebted to the kind affiftance of friends.