THE INTRODUCTION. T HE execution of this part of my undertaking has been attended (as all who are acquainted with the fubject will be fully fenfible) with peculiar difficulties, owing chiefly to the very different views, which even rational and learned men have entertained concerning the Doctrines of Revelation; and, therefore, it is with peculiar diffidence that I offer this part to the public. A ftrict attention, however, to my original defign, which was the inftructim of young perfons, has enabled me to keep clear of a great deal of that embarrassment, in which I fhould otherwife have been involved; for, though it was not poffible to avoid all fubjects that have been controverted, I have, by this means, avoided many of them; and there are few of those which I could not avoid that I have difcuffed at large, having contented myself, for the most part, with relating what appeared to me to be the genuine Doctrines of Revelation, without intimating that there has ever been any controverfy upon the fubject. It was alfo with a view to the inftruction of youth, that I have been fo particular in my account of what we learn from the fcriptures concerning God, and all the branches of human duty; and, efpecially, that I have quoted fo much from the fcriptures themfelves on thofe fubjects. My intention was to appear as little as poffible in this matter myfelf, and to let the facred writers, to whofe more intimate acquaintance I wish to introduce my pupil, fpeak for themselves. There is, befides, an authority and energy in the language of the fcriptures, which is peculiar to themfelves, and which cannot fail, when they are read and confidered with due attention, to make the most favourable and the strongest impreffions. I have, upon more occafions than one, complained that the fcriptures are too much neglected even by chriftians, though we cannot be too well acquainted with them, and there are no books that we can read with fo much advantage. I fhall be happy if I can make this work alfo fubfervient to my defign of recommending them, and more especially to young perfons. This part, which contains an account of what we learn from the fcriptures, was far from being intended to fuperfede the use of them. It was rather intended to afford fome affiftance for the better understanding of them, and thereby to introduce my reader to the diligent study of them, and frequent meditation upon them, with more advantage. I had intended to have prefixed to this part a particular examination of what has been advanced concerning the doctrines and evidences of religion by Dr. Beattic, and efpecially efpecially Dr. Ofwald, who reprefent common fenfe as fuperfeding almoft all reafoning about religion, natural or revealed, and who have advanced maxims which I cannot help thinking to be both ill-founded and dangerous. But finding, after I had made fome progrefs in this work, that it drew to a confiderable length, I thought it would be better to referve the remarks that I had made on thofe writers to fome other opportunity, when I might enter into a more particular examination of what Dr. Reid has advanced concerning this pretended new principle of common fenfe; and, in the mean time, to content myself with a few general remarks on the fubject, and an extract or two from Dr. Ofwald, that my reader may form fome idea of the nature and spirit of the principles that I meant to oppose *. I am truly forry to complain of the conduct of any of the fincere friends of revelation, as I believe Dr. Beattie and Dr. Ofwald to be; but it appears to me, that their Since this was written I have published, in a feparate volume, An Examination of the writings of Dr. Rei.l, Dr. Beattie, and Dr. Ofwald. writings |