Δια γαρ της των εχθρων ομολογιας αναμφήριστως ηγουμαι Euseb. Præp. Evang. 1. x. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: WHITTAKER, TREACHER, AND ARNOT, AVE-MARIA-LANE. INTRODUCTION. SOME esteemed religious treatises have lately been published without any sort of preface; others with something of this character, but under a different name. Perhaps, in the former, the omission has been partly caused, by finding that in a preface there are peculiar temptations to egotism; and in the latter, another title has been chosen, from the opinion that prefaces, unless very brief, if read at all, are in general read impatiently. I have adopted this slight device, but with a purpose at once to acknowledge it; for the present will be found B in reality not so much an introduction as a long preface; yet I venture to hope it may be read with patience for in books on the most serious of subjects, especially when argumentative, such a measure of attention is necessarily asked of the readers, that I cannot doubt their previous wish to use what it is the writer's duty to supply,-viz., some means of judging whether or not the perusal be likely to profit them or others, and likewise some explanations, which, if it be, may contribute to that end. A preface to such a book, therefore, provided it contain what it should, will be acceptable to "good stewards" of time: and moreover, if it can be read before the purchase,—to good stewards of money. Never, probably, was it so requisite to "show cause" for any production of the press, as in our own age, when the accumulation of such is the common theme of satire. But I believe it will be held more peculiarly necessary, in reference to a work on the evidences of religion. Even two centuries ago, a learned writer on one branch of this subject, although he had before stated it to be "the most deserted part of all theology," could yet say," I doubt not but this my endeavour will of some men be esteemed to be needless and redundant." How much more may this be expected, when every part of that wide field, and this part in particular, has been since so variously explored. I also "doubt not," that my friends have asked, on the passing mention of this purpose,-why attempt again what has been done so often, so recently, and so well?-and I have had rather to evade, than to overcome, the discouragement which this imagined but reasonable question has produced; because, though I have found no English work which appeared really to anticipate my particular design, and though there should in fact be none, yet this general check has still recurred,-Christianity has been many times proved to be divine, and that in diverse ways, and in compendious and popular forms. "Treatises of devotion are of much greater profit. Your pains might more properly have been so bestowed."t-I should rejoice if, in reply, * Bishop Fotherby (Sarum), in the preface to his "Atheomastix: clearing Four Truths against Atheists and Infidels, 1622;" an erudite treatise, of which the author lived only to put the first part to press. + Ibid. |