PÏEFACE. XXXi uses derived thence *. This is the blessed foundation of our hope, which I have endeavoured toset in a clear light, and to support by reasoning drawn from the types and predictionsof the OldTestament and theclearer language of the New. This isthat graceand that righteousness which was witnessedby the law and theprophets, as St. Paul expresses it ; Rom. iii. 24. This is that important work of the blessed Saviour, who was promised to the guiltyworld ever since the fall, and whose various glories have been well represented, ac- cording to ancient prophecy, in a happy correspondence with the doctrine of the New Testament, by a volume of " Discourses on the Messiah," lately published byDr. WilliamHarris. I wonder howany man can read all these correspondencies of the type, prophecy and history, and not be convinced that Jesuswas the appointed Saviour of the world. The several sermons that follow next, are all formed upon some of the most momentous concerns of a christian, viz. How to improve every thing fpr the advantageof our own souls ; how to look on all things as working for our good ; how to employ the time of life to noble purposes, and such as the saintsabove can never be employed in ; andto improve the death of others to valuableends in the christian life, and especially to a preparation for our own departure. The death of that worthy gentlemanand excellent christian, Sir. Thomas Abney, gave the first occasion to some of these meditations, for the use of the mourning family, which were much amplified afterwards in my public ministry. Here I have endeavoured to awakenmyself andmy friends to an immediateand constant readiness for a dismission from this sinful, and sorrowful, and tempting world And God grant when that awful hour ap- proaches, I maybe so far honoured bydivine grace, as tobecome an example as wellas ateacher. The last discourse of all, exhibitsthe " most plainand obvious represen- tation of the doctrine of the blessed Trinity, as it lies in the bible, and the greatand necessary use that is tobe made ofit in our religion." It is adoctrine that runs through the whole of our serious transactions with God, and there- fore it is necessary to be known by men. Without the mediation of the Son, and the influences of the Spirit; we can find no wayof access to the Father, nor is there any -other hope of his favour proposed in the gospel. I thoughtit proper also, to publishit at this season, to let the world know, thatthough I have entered into some further enquiries on this divine subject, and made humble attempts to gainclearer ideas of it, in order to vindicate the truth andglory of this sacred article ; yet I have never changed my belief and profession of any necessary and important part of it, as will here appear with abundant evidence. In this sermon I have followedthe track of noparticular scheme whatso. ever; but have represented the sacred Three, the Father, the Son, and the HolySpirit, in that light in which they seem to lie most open to thecommon view of mankind in the wordof God And I am glad to find what I have drawn out in this manner in seventeen propositions, appears so agreeable to the general senseof our fathers in this article, that Ldo not think any one of these propositionswouldbedeniedor disputed by ourdivines of the lastor pre- sent age, who have had the greatestnameand reputation ofstrict orthodoxyt.- * They were first published 25th March, 1727. t In this complete collectionof the author's works there are large addl., tines, as well as many alterations inserted in this sermon ` On the Doctrine of the Trinity,' fromthe author'amanuscripts. 1734.
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