tinue to know little, till they have been better instructed in the elements of theological learning, and more largely and deeply versed in that which is peculiarly the study of divinity. If, by the blessing of God, the ensuing work should be so far of use, as to give any candidate for the holy ministry, or any one of my younger brethren, a more correct view of the design and tendency of the sacred oracles, it will be an ample reward for the time and pains I have bestowed upon it, in circumstances not altogether suited for such an undertaking: if not, it shall be my earnest prayer to the Almighty, that they may meet with a better guide of their opinions, and be preserved by some better means from falling into errors, too prevalent not to be dangerous, and too dangerous not to fill every friend of truth and virtue with alarm. CONTENTS. Preliminary remarks on Divine Revelation as the Right ideas of the nature of God essential to the pu- Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Man created holy, and, as far as his place in the crea- Happiness and holiness inseparably united by the origi- Sin alone caused the misery of man: no appearance in Scripture of any decree, which made the fall of man necessary: the difficulty of conceiving the consistency of Divine Prescience with the contingency of future events attempted to be removed; and the position, that But your iniquities have separated between you and your No restoration to Divine favour without a restoration to holiness: this proved by the express declarations and provisions of Scripture, as well as by the example of Means supplied by Revelation for effecting the moral heads; first, instruction in words; secondly, symbolical When he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, Objections, arising from the misconception of some Gospel doctrines, stated. The doctrine of Salvation by Faith considered, and proved to be in no degree repug- Doctrine of Election: inquiry, whether it be a Scrip- |