And the sameness which we see in several writers is probably dictated by fear of singularity, and of incurring the charge of heresy. Minds are different. When a dozen expositors interpret a difficult text alike, they must, for some reason, have borrowed from one another.

The writer of the following pages claims no superiority to others, either in genius or learning; but he claims a right to judge for himself in matters of faith, and sense of scripture, and presumes to exercise it—calling no man master. 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 several expositions, perceived their meaning to have been mistaken, either by those writers, or by himself. As they did not convince 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 accused 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. Expositors generally consider the prayer of Moses and the wish of St. Paul to stand related as expressions 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 consulted; as also several of the other scriptures on which he hath written.

A hint dropped, some years ago, in conversation, by a respected father [1], gave an opening to the writer, relative to one [2] of the following subjects, and occasioned 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 co constructions of scripture will be universally received. Nor hath he a desire to dictate to others, or a wish that his own views only should see 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.

CONTENTS

[Sermon I. ]The Wisdom of God in the Means used to Propagate the Gospel.
1 Cor. i. 27, 28.—"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise," &c.
[Sermon II. ]The Subject Continued.
[Sermon III. ]The Declensions of Christianity an argument of its truth.
Luke xviii. 8.—"When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
[Sermon IV. ]The Subject Continued.
[Sermon V. ]Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
Gen. xv. 12.—"And when the sun was going down a deep sleep fell upon Abram," &c.
[Sermon VI. ]Divine Impartiality Considered.
Rom. ii. 11.—"For there is no respect of persons with God."
[Sermon VII. ]Moses' Prayer to be Blotted out of God's Book.
Exod. xxxii. 31, 32.—"And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, 'Oh! This people have sinned,'" &c.
[Sermon VIII. ]The Same Subject Continued.
[Sermon IX. ]St. Paul's wish to be Accused from Christ.
Rom. ix. 3.—"For I could with that myself were accursed from Christ," &c.
[Sermon X. ]David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
2 Sam. xii. 13.—"And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord,'" &c.
[Sermon XI. ]The General Character of Christians.
Gal. v. 24.—"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections," &c.
[Sermon XII. ]The Aggravated Guilt of him who delivered Christ to Pilate.
John xix. 10, 11.—"Then saith Pilate unto him, 'Speakest thou not unto me?'" &c.
[Sermon XIII. ]The Trial of Peter's Love to Christ.
John xxi. 15, 16, 17.—"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 'Simon,'" &c.
[Sermon XIV. ]Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
Luke x. 20.—"In this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you, but," &c.
[Sermon XV. ]Human Characters Determined only by Divine Decision
1 Cor. iv. 3, 4.—"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you," &c.
[Sermon XVI. ]Characters will be Disclosed and Justice Awarded.
1 Cor. iv. 5.—"Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring," &c.
[Sermon XVII. ]God Willing that all Men should be Saved.
1 Tim. ii. 4.—"Who will have all men to be saved."
[Sermon XVIII. ]Balak's Inquiries relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's answer briefly considered.
Micah vi. 6,7,8.—"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord And bow myself before the high God?" &c.
[Sermon XIX. ]Confessing Christ an Indispensible Duty.
2 Tim ii. 12.—"If We deny him, he will deny us."
[Sermon XX. ]The Fear which terminates in the Second Death.
Rev. xxi. 8.—"The fearful—shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire," &c.
[Sermon XXI. ]The End of Family Institutions, with Observations on The Importance of Education.
Mal ii. 15.—"And did he not make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit," &c.
[Sermon XXII. ]Parental Duties Considered and Urged
—from the same text.
[Sermon XXIII. ]The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
Jer. xxxv. 19.—"Therefore thus saith the Lord—'Jonadab, the Son of Rechab shall not want a man,'" &c.
[Sermon XXIV. ]The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
2 Tim. v. 5.—"Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusteth in God," &c.
[Sermon XXV. ]The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
Psalm xxxvii. 37.—"Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."
[Sermon XXVI. ]Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those on Earth.
Rev. xxii. 9.—"I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets—."
[Sermon XXVII. ]The Subject Continued.
[Sermon XXVIII. ]The Dangers of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
Col. ii. 8.—"Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit," &c.
[Sermon XXIX. ]The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
Mat. xxiii. 36.—"Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation."

SERMON I