THE original design of this compendious work was, in. some respects, different from the direction which it took during the course of its publication. The author intended, by a series of Essays, each comprised in a single Number, to guard the minds of young people especially, against the infidelity and scepticism of modern times; as well as to give a distinct view of the grand peculiarities, and excellent tendency, of genuine Christianity. He purposed, not to be strictly methodical, argumentative, or systematic; but to treat a variety of subjects, in a familiar, easy, and engaging manner. The attempt, however, soon convinced him, that he had not the requisite talents for Essays of this description; and that he must leave it to persons of a more versatile and happy genius, to furnish that species of publication, which seems most suited to the present circumstances, and best adapted to the taste of modern readers. As, however, the Essays first published met with great encouragement, and had considerable circulation, he proceeded on the plan to which he found himself most competent: and, without the least previous design, he at length completed, according to his views, a compendious system of the Christian religion. In the subsequent editions, great pains have been bestowed, in correcting the inaccuracies of the style; in rendering perspicuous such passages, as had been left rather obscure from regard to brevity; in giving energy to some arguments which had not been stated in their full force; and in placing several illustrations to greater advantage. Peculiar care has likewise been taken to render the scriptural references and quotations accurate; and further proof, from the sacred oracles, has frequently been adduced, in support of the conclusions which had been formed: a correct and copious Index, for the convenience of the reader, has also been annexed. The work, thus revised, the author commends to the candour of the public, from which it has already met with a favourable reception: and he earnestly begs the prayers of all pious Christians, for the divine blessing on this attempt, and on all his other feeble endeavours to spread the knowledge of the blessed gospel of God our Saviour; and to excite and direct believers to adorn that holy doctrine by their whole conduct and conversation. AUGUST 7, 1814. CONTENTS. Page The Divine Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.. 1 The importance of Revealed Truth; the duty of reading the Scriptures, and the manner in which they should be read.......... III. The Scriptural Character of God....... V. Man's situation, as a Sinner, in this present world 51 VII. The doctrine of Christ's Deity shewn to be essential to Christianity, and some objections to the doc- VIII. The nature and design of the Mediatorial Office, sustained by the Lord Jesus Christ.... IX. The Merits and Atonement of Christ... XIII. The Personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit; XVI. The Believer's Warfare and Experience...... On the Divine Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. It is manifest to all, who seriously reflect on the powers and propensities of human nature, that we are formed capable of religion, and we have an inward consciousness that we ought to worship some superior Being, on whom our safety and happiness depend: but, at the same time, the state of the world, in all places where the Bible has not been known, unanswerably proves, that we are incapable of discovering for ourselves, a religion which is worthy of God, suited to our wants, and conducive to our true interest. The shortness of life also, and the reasonable persuasion that men in general entertain of a future state, concur to shew that our grand concern lies in another world. Yet uncertainty and perplexity, nay, palpable error and absurdity, have ever encumbered men's reasonings and conjectures on these important subjects. Even at Athens, Jehovah was "the unknown "God," and all beyond the grave was an unknown world. The wisest of the pagans, therefore, considered a revelation from the Deity as exceedingly desirable, in order that bewildered mortals might learn the way, in which they could worship him with acceptance, and be happy; and some of them entertained hopes, that such an inestimable favour would at length be vouchsafed. Indeed confused expectations of this kind have been common in the world; as it is manifest from the reception that hath been given to pretended revelations, which otherwise could not have obtained credit and currency. Various impositions, in this important concern, have been detected by careful investigation: and there is but one book in the world, in behalf of which, as a divine revelation, any thing even plausible can be advanced. This has stood the test of ages, and undergone the most severe scrutiny; and the more carefully serious enquirers have examined it, the fuller conviction have they obtained of its divine authority. No one now ventures forth as an avowed, sober, and manly adversary, to dispute its claim in the open field of fair argu ment: yet few in comparison are practically convinced, that it is the unerring word of God; and an increasing number of objectors perplex themselves and others, by discovering supposed inconsistencies and unimportant difficulties; or by setting up their own reasonings and imaginations in opposi 1 Acts xvii. 23, B tion to its doctrines, and making that disagreement a ground of hesitation or rejection. So that scepticism, and a partial, frivolous, disingenuous, carping infidelity, have become exceedingly common; the minds of young persons especially are thus poisoned; great pains are taken to disseminate these cavils and objections, (though they have been solidly answered again and again;) and those persons are treated as weak enthusiasts, or irrational bigots, who simply believe the Scriptures as the "sure testimony of God." It may, therefore, be seasonable to state, with all possible brevity, some of the most conclusive reasons, by which reflecting men have been induced to submit to the authority of the Bible, and to believe that it is a revelation from the God of truth. By the divine Inspiration of the holy Scriptures, I meanSuch an immediate and complete discovery, by the Holy Spirit to the minds of the sacred writers, of those things which could not have been otherwise known; and such an 'effectual superintendence, as to those matters which they might be informed of by other means; as entirely pre'served them from error, in every particular, which could in the least affect any of the doctrines or precepts contained in their books. Every proposition, therefore, is to be considered as "the sure testimony of God," in that sense according to which it is proposed as truth. Those facts occurred and those words were spoken, as to the import of them, and the instruction to be deduced from them, which there stand recorded: but we must judge concerning the morality of men's actions, and the truth of their sentiments, by the preceptive and doctrinal parts of the Scriptures. Nor does it at all invalidate the complete inspiration of the sacred writers, to allow that they expressed themselves in common language, and wrote of things as men generally spoke of them; rather than according to philosophical exactness, or in the style that was used in the schools of the learned during the ages in which they lived. Supposed or unimportant errors, or inaccuracies of expression, in such things, are not in the least inconsistent with that entire divine inspiration of which we speak; for the Scriptures were not written to render us exact philosophers, or to instuct us in ancient history and geography, but to "make us wise unto salvation." Nor do the few immaterial mistakes, which in a long course of years have crept in, through the errors of transcribers, create any d'ifficulty or uncertainty to the humble and teachable enquirer: though they frequently give occasion to the selfsufficient to cavil and object; for "the Lord taketh the wise "in their own craftiness." And let it be well cousidered, that it is perfectly futile and |