THE writer of the following pages claims no fuperiority to others, either in genius or learning; but he claims a right to judge for himself in matters of faith, and the sense of Scripture, and presumes to exercise it-calling no man matter. He hath found the original scriptures, compared with the different translations, to be the best exposition. To these he early had recourse, and in this way formed an opinion of the meaning of Sundry difficult passages in the volume of truth. But comparing them afterwards with Jeveral expositions, perceived their meaning to have been mistaken, either by those writers, or by himself. As they did not corvince him that his constructions were erroneous, he now offers them to the public---Not as certainly devoid of error--He knows himself to be fallible-- but as the result of Some attention; and as that which he conceives their most probable meaning. On the prayer of Moses to be blotted out of God's book---the wish of Paul to be accursed from Christ, and the prevalence of infidelity before the coming of the Son of Man, he published a Summary of his views, Some years ago. By the advice of several respected literary friends, they are now corrected, enlarged and inserted. On the last of these he wrote A. D. 1785. Subsequent events tend to confirm him in the Sentiments then entertained. Expofitors generally confider the prayer of Mofes and the wish of St. Paul to Stand related as expreffions of the same temper, and argue from the one to the other. The author conceives them perfectly foreign to each other, and totally mistaken by every expositor he hath confulted; as alfo Several of the other fcriptures on which he hath written. A HINT dropped, Some years ago, in conversation, by a refpected father, gave an opening to the writer, relative to one of the following Subjects, and occafioned his writing upon it. For the rest, he is conscious of having borrowed from no writer, except a few quotations, which are credited in their places. He doth not flatter himself that his conftructions of Scripture will be universally received. Nor hath he defire to dictate to others, or a wish that his own views only Should fee the light. The press is open to those who are otherwise minded. The author will read with pleasure, the different constructions of the candid and ingenuous. But should strictures of another description appear, they will be viewed with indifference, and treated with neglect. a * Rev. Dr. Cogswell, of Windham. On 2 Samuel xii. 12. PAGE. Divine Impartiality Confidered. ROM. ii. 11.-For there is no reffect of persons with God. Mofes' Prayer to be Blotted out of God's Book. 4 COR. IV. 3, 4.-But with me it is a very small thing that I fhould be judged of you, &c. Characters will be Disclosed and Justice Awarded. 211 COR. iv. 5.-Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring, &c. God Willing that all Men Should be Saved. Balak's Inquiries relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's Answer briefly confidered. MICAH Vi. 6, 7, 8. - Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the high God? &c. The Fear which terminates in the Second Death. 267 trusteth in God, &c. The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death. Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those on Earth 344 Rev. xxii. 9.-I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions. 366 COL. ii. 8.---Beware lest any man spoil you through Philoso- MAT. xxiii. 36.---Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation. |